2023 Madeira. A House by the Pool

I found it almost by chance. I opened a booking site, saw the photos, and immediately knew I wanted to stay there. Everything drew me in: the minimalist architecture of the house, the pool, the garden, and the view of the ocean.

The house was a compact two-story volume with a rooftop terrace. From the windows, I could see the Atlantic and the inner courtyard with the pool. The owners' house was nearby, but during my stay they were away, and the entire property was essentially mine.

Sometimes, after waking up, I would step straight into the garden through a door from the bedroom. I would have breakfast outside, plan the day, and decide whether to head to the ocean, explore the island, or stay home and work on paintings. Life flowed calmly and slowly.

Over that month, three paintings emerged. All of them were directly connected to the place where I was staying: a view of the pool and cliffs, a bay with boats in Câmara de Lobos, and a bird's-eye view of the beach area with umbrellas and sunbeds.

Of course, I traveled a lot around the island. I returned to favorite spots and discovered new ones. I went to see dolphins, walked along Praia Formosa, visited the Jardim Panorâmico botanical garden, and stopped by Parque de Santa Catarina. I met up with an old friend a few times, and we drove around Madeira without a set plan — just enjoying the road and the views.

One of the most powerful impressions once again came from the Fanal Forest. Its ancient trees, the mist, and the feeling of being disconnected from time leave an impact even after several visits to the island. And one evening, at sunset, the entire valley opened up before me — that view remains one of my most beautiful memories of Madeira.

But perhaps the most unexpected discovery was the avocado. A real tree grew in the garden, and for the first time in my life, I saw how the fruit I had only known from store shelves actually grows.

This trip stayed with me not as a journey in the usual sense, but as a month of living with a view of the ocean. A month with work, walks, meetings, new impressions, and the luxury of taking my time.

That is why Madeira remains for me not just a beautiful island, but a place I want to return to again and again. Perhaps because with every visit, it feels more and more like a second home.