MUST SEE: LAUREL FOREST IN SAO VICENTE, MADEIRA 🇵🇹 PORTUGAL
MUST SEE: LAUREL FOREST IN SAO VICENTE,
MADEIRA 🇵🇹 PORTUGAL
Portugal's Madeira Island is an island in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa. Madeira itself is a sight to behold. The volcanic island erupted in the Ocean during the Miocene Epoch about twenty million years ago. After the lava cooled and erosion shaped the island.
The highest point on the island stands at 1,862 metres (6,109 feet) and the distance to Madeira’s submerged base at the bottom of the Atlantic is just over 6,000 metres (about 20,000 feet).
The spectacular landscape of the Laurisilva Forest is a strongly scented, integral part of Madeira Island's landscape. Its lush vegetation hides the fascinating indigenous laurel forest, recognized by UNESCO in 1999 as Natural Heritage of Humanity. The Laurisilva of Madeira is an outstanding relic of a previously widespread laurel forest type. Historians believe that forty million years ago up until the last Ice Age there were great swaths of Laurisilva forest covering much of southern Europe. However, today this ecosystem is mostly confined to the three Atlantic archipelagos of Madeira, Azores, and the Canaries.
The Laurisilva Forest of Madeira is the largest surviving area of laurel forest and is believed to be 90% primary forest meaning the trees in this forest have never been cut down. This forest area dates back to the dinosaurs and has somehow survived almost six hundred years of human habitation. The forest contains a unique suite of plants and animals, including many endemic species such as the Madeiran long-toed pigeon. Madeira is … World Heritage
The Laurisilva Forest is not only a UNESCO site preserved for it's unique beauty and as an example of primary forest; this forest is also it is a precious mass of fertile forest that plays an increasingly important role in maintaining the island’s hydrological balance and biological diversity.
The Laurisilva Forest of Madeira has long played and important role to the islanders. Much of the forest is criss-crossed by a network of irrigation channels known as Ievadas which carry water from the fertile north to the more arid regions on the south side of the island.
Laboriously cut from the sturdy mountain rock to transport water to the island’s plantations and hydro-electric power stations, the levadas date right back to the island’s very first settlers in the early 15th century.
Today, the the levadas still play an essential role in the cultivation of a variety of crops, including bananas, grapes (used for making Madeira wine), sugar cane and passion fruit, that grow in abundance all over the island.
Interested in learning more of the history of this special place, click this link:
https://viajealpatrimonio.com/listing/laurisilva-de-madeira/
CRUISING GREECE: AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY FROM ATHENS TO CHAKIDA, GREECE
CRUISING GREECE:
AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY FROM ATHENS TO CHALKIDA, GREECE
Chalkida, (is) a city perched amphitheatrically in central Evia. Chalkida straddles the beguiling Strait of Evripos, bridging the coast of Evia and Boeotian mainland. A modern metropolis pulsating with history, Chalkida embraces its maritime heritage and hospitable spirit. The city's allure lies in its unique dance with nature—the captivating tidal spectacle of the Gulf of Evia.
The one thing Chalkida is world-famous for is the peculiar tidal currents that flow interchangeably north-to-south and south-to-north through the Euripus Strait between the island and the mainland. It is this phenomenon that has given the city the nickname: Crazy Waters.
Reversing tidal currents are caused by the moon’s gravity and occur in all straits worldwide, but they are mostly imperceptible by the human senses. It is the distinct geography of Chalkida’s strait—its double-funnel shape among other factors—that make the local currents particularly strong.
The flow peaks at an astounding speed of 12 km per hour, which, for context, is comparable to torrents during floods. For most of the month, the current changes direction about every six hours with a clock’s regularity. But for a few days around the half-moons, it loses its pattern altogether, moving back and forth in chaotic ways.
The 38-meters-wide strait is spanned by an 8-meter-tall bridge, which, constructed in 1963, is the latest of a long succession of bridges dating back to antiquity. The bridge is withdrawn usually once every evening to allow for large vessels to traverse the strait. Given the powerful stream with its notorious vortexes, it requires skillful maneuvering to sail through. It is quite an impressive spectacle to behold. Due to the unpredictability of the currents, the bridge’s opening times are not standard. Estimations are stated on a screen on the spot and live views of the bridge can be seen here.
If you’re now thinking that it’d be great fun to jump from the bridge, you are totally right. But it is unfortunately illegal. However, this detail wouldn’t stop us when we were kids… Free-falling for a short distance, we’d then be engulfed and drifted around by the currents, losing every sense of direction within this dark whirlpool of pressing liquid, for up to half a minute. By the time we’d reach the surface, we could be more than 50 meters away from the bridge, laughing and waving at the coastguards who were always a little too late to stop us.
SV SMALL WORLD III 🇻🇮 Karen & Darren - Bristol 47
THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR ADVENTURE
AND THE WINNER IS....
The Ocean Posse sends a HUGE thank you out to all people who participated in our survey earlier this month. Our goal is to improve our posse and our benefits and it is happening! As promised one lucky survey responder has won a $250 gift card.
AND THE WINNER IS...
HEATHER JOHNSON
Heather has graciously accepted her $250 gift card that she plans to use to transfer boats parts from her Amazon wishlist to her cart. Describing herself she writes:
SAFETY ALERT: RAINY SEASON IS DENGUE SEASON
About Dengue:
Mosquitoes Spread Dengue. Dengue is caused by any one of four related viruses (dengue virus 1, 2, 3, and 4). The same type of mosquitoes can also spread chikungunya, Zika, and other viruses. If a person is infected with different dengue viruses during their life, it increases the chance of severe disease. Dengue viruses are spread to people through the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. Mosquitoes come out to feed around sunrise and sunset, but people can be bitten by an infected mosquito at any time. Aedes mosquitoes often like to rest in closets or other indoor locations near humans. Aedes mosquitoes typically lay eggs in containers with standing water, like buckets, bowls, animal dishes, flowerpots, and vases. During the rainy season mosquitoes have many many places to lay eggs and reproduce which is why Rainy season often sees a higher incidence of Dengue. Presently, all members in locations experiencing the rainy season are wise to be aware and cautious. Avoid mosquito bites by whatever means works for you.
Avoiding Dengue:
- Wear repellent to reduce mosquito bites. Repellents with DEET or picaridin give the longest protection, but there are many less toxic and non toxic effective options available.
- Mosquitos are most active in the morning and in the afternoon/early evening when the sun is on the horizon. Be more vigilant during these hours.
- Remove standing water where mosquitos may lay eggs, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpot saucers, or trash containers. Check indoors items that hold water, such as vases or flowerpot saucers.
- Close windows and doors or install screens. Consider using an indoor insecticide if you have mosquitoes in your home.
Dengue Symptoms and Warning Signs
- Infection with dengue virus can result in no symptoms, mild, or severe illness. Severe dengue can be life-threatening within a few hours and requires care at a hospital although this is very rare.
- The most common symptom of dengue is fever with any of the following: nausea, vomiting, rash, aches, and pains (including muscle, joint, or bone pain or eye pain, typically behind the eyes). There is no specific medicine to treat dengue virus infection.
- About one in 20 people who get sick with dengue will develop severe dengue. Severe dengue can result in shock, internal bleeding, and even death. If you have had dengue in the past, you are more likely to develop severe dengue when re-infected with a different serotype, though severe disease can also occur on the first infection. Infants and pregnant women are at higher risk of developing severe dengue.
- Watch for signs and symptoms of severe dengue. Warning signs usually begin in the 24-48 hours after your fever has gone away. Immediately seek medical evaluation if you have any of the following symptoms: belly pain or tenderness, vomiting (at least three times in 24 hours), bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood, blood in your stool, or feeling tired, restless, or irritable. Do not delay seeking medical attention.
FOR MORE INFORMATION SEE THIS LINK:
https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue
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