Monte Palace Tropical Garden

To visit the Monte Palace tropical garden, we took the cable car up from Funchal to Monte and walked the rest of the way.

The entrance to the garden looks humble from the outside road, so I was not quite expecting what we discovered. Inside was dense vegetation, both local and brought from many corners of the world, vibrant flowers, sculptures, portals and tile panels, all radiating history and life, in an atmosphere both peaceful and energising. We spent about three hours strolling from one themed part to another.

Exotic-looking strelitzias, prominent agapanthus flowers and abundantly blooming hydrangeas decorated stretches of the paths, and walking along them was a treat for somebody who loves them as much as I do.

Next to a traditional-looking cottage with a thatched roof we were surprised by a small garden growing bananas, where I saw a banana flower for the first time.

Many paths were lined with tile panels describing historical events or depicting religious themes, set against living foliage. That contrast felt new to me.

And I liked many of the sculptures, such as a girl skipping rope or an old man sitting by the path. They stay with me even now when I am back home.