Lisbon is the westernmost city on the European continent, characterized by a Mediterranean climate with pleasant, sunny weather year-round. It would be a great pity to immigrate to Portugal without strolling through the old town of Lisbon. Entering Portugal, you are greeted by the brilliant sunshine of Southern Europe; wandering through the streets of Lisbon's old town feels like embracing the leisurely days of the past. It is neither overly ornate nor particularly romantic, yet its weathered history possesses an infectious quality that soothes the soul. Walking on the cobblestone streets of the old town, a red-and-yellow tram laden with nostalgia passes by with a crisp bell chime. People do not seem to be in a hurry, and everything around is steeped in a lazy, tranquil atmosphere.
Hop on the famous 28 tram and ride to the top of the hill to overlook the beautiful Tagus River and the entire old town. For a moment, you might feel as if you have entered a fairy-tale world from a Hayao Miyazaki animation. These European-style buildings feature red roofs and white walls, orange roofs and yellow walls, mint-green windows, or pale pink and light blue walls. At a glance, they are as brightly colored as building blocks, yet they do not feel jarring at all; instead, they possess a unique sense of innocence and joy.
Lisbon is a city that is easy to fall in love with. Walking leisurely through the small streets and alleys, going up and down hills, and weaving through the city, you seem to make new discoveries at every corner—sometimes it is a dessert shop overflowing with fragrance, and other times it is a little dog poking its head out from a second-floor window. If you happen to get lost, it does not matter; the kind and enthusiastic locals are always willing to lend a helping hand. The Dom Luís I Bridge, which connects Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia, is Porto's most famous landmark. This double-deck metal arch bridge spanning the Douro River was completed in the 1880s and was named to commemorate the then-King Luís I. The other end of the bridge is Vila Nova de Gaia, and its 172-meter span was the longest in the world at the time. Porto is rich in port wine and is a world-renowned "wine capital." During the day, traditional wooden boats carrying fine wine shuttle back and forth under the bridge, creating a unique scene in Porto. Regardless of which city you visit, strolling under the night sky and feeling the dappled lights, the scenery of the Dom Luís I Bridge is picturesque and has a unique charm.
The Church of São Francisco in Porto is one of the most luxurious churches in Europe, with much of its interior decorated with gold. Strolling through a pure, dreamlike homeland.
About 1,000 kilometers southwest of Lisbon, on the west coast of Africa, lies an island known as the "Pearl of the Atlantic"—the Madeira Archipelago. It belongs to Portugal, and it takes about an hour and a half to fly there from Lisbon. The archipelago consists of two inhabited islands—Madeira Island and Porto Santo Island—and two uninhabited islands, with Madeira Island accounting for 93% of the total area of the archipelago.
Sanmao and José also visited Madeira Island one autumn. In her "Travels in Madeira," she wrote, "Looking down from the air, this island is as green as if it were spring," and "That thin, cool air is Portuguese-style poetry." In Sanmao's eyes, Madeira has a natural and primitive atmosphere. The people here are simple, lovely, honest, and kind. A small village nestled in the deep mountains of the island made her exclaim, "Why do they live so peacefully in my dreams?"
As time passes, the Madeira of today is naturally no longer exactly the same as it was in Sanmao's writing, but it still retains its natural, primitive, and traditional character. A superficial way of traveling is not suitable here. If you decide to come, then just like Sanmao, stay here for a week, bring your "eyes of the soul," and slowly and carefully experience every bit of this place.
Hiking in the forests of Madeira Island is a very happy thing. The wooden signs on the road thoughtfully indicate the hiking routes, their distances, difficulty, and the time required, so there is no need to worry about getting lost; just rest assured and enjoy the scenery along the way! The laurel trees on Madeira Island. The laurel forests here possess a diverse and very precious variety of flora and fauna. The mild climate of Madeira Island throughout the year makes the island lush with trees and blooming with flowers, and the island's name comes from this; "Madeira" means "wood" in Portuguese. Hiking in the high mountains, walking through the quiet mountain forests, the path is lush with vegetation, the flowers are beautiful and varied, and there is the sound of murmuring water in the mountains, which is clear and pleasant. Walking into the dense forest, stepping on thick laurel leaves under your feet, and seeing the vegetation growing more vigorously beside you, you feel as if you are about to melt into this vibrant green!
On Madeira Island, hiking and mountain climbing are leisure activities not to be missed. There are more than 50 open hiking routes on the island, with varying distances, difficulties, and time requirements, so everyone can choose a route that suits their own situation. If you have plenty of energy and enough time, you might as well walk around and see more. The 1,862-meter-high Pico Ruivo is the highest peak on Madeira Island. I was excited to go to this highest point to "see the mountains small at a glance." Walking along the steep and narrow mountain trail, climbing the peak against the sun, and taking a look at the cliff beside the road while panting, I really felt a bit dizzy! But looking at the peak right in front of me, the excitement of the spirit overcame the exhaustion of the body.
