BALEIA Diving Centre -
Madeira
The Archipelago of "Madeira",
located in the northern half of the Atlantic Ocean, lays at approximately
600 km from the African coast, almost the same latitude as Casablanca.
With an unusual mild weather, having an average temperature of
21º C. "Madeira" is mainly characterised by its
very soft Summers and Winters, where the temperature of the sea
water goes from 18º to 20ºC, all year long.
Madeira is a very mountainous and
uneven island (with a volcanic origin), being crossed in all
its extension by a mountain with heights going from 1200 to 1861
meters above the sea level.
Maybe we find ourselves on the
legendary Atlantis, that ancient island of continental proportions
that laid between Europe and the American Continent, already
mentioned in Plato's masterpieces. It is possible that here have
once lived the Atlantis, subjects of Poseidon, king of the great
island now submerged, from which "Madeira" is perhaps,
no one knows for sure, one of the remains which may not have
been engulfed by the Atlantic Ocean. The origins of "Madeira"
are hidden in mystery which attract and charm us, like a magic
spell. What seems certain, however, is the fact that the archipelago
was uninhabited when it was first discovered in the fifteenth
century. In 1419 João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão
Vaz discovered the island of Porto Santo and one year later they
discovered the island "Madeira" and were explored and
colonised for the first time. The Archipelago of "Madeira"
consists of several islands: "Madeira", the biggest
and most important of all; "Porto Santo", the first
to be discovered; the "Desertas", (Deserted Islands),
which can perfectly be seen to the South East of Madeira; and
finally the "Selvagens"(Wild Islands), with their tiny
islets. Most of the islands are not for visiting by tourists,
the island Madeira however have a lot of reasons for visiting.
We shall not of course be able
to mention all its marvellous features, but we should nevertheless
like to pass on a little of our enthusiasm for the beauty of
Madeira, a beauty which is in great part due to its extraordinary
flora, which brings together in unequalled richness flowers of
all species and from all latitudes. The privileged location of
the island, the climate and the configuration of its mountains
help to give it various ranges of temperature and environments
favourable to the development of plants species from every part
of the world.
The origin of the name Madeira
(An ilha da Madeira - Wood island) lies exactly in the fact that
the island was at the time of its discovery covered with forests.
At the beginning of the colonisation period it was necessary
to set fire to some areas in order to make sufficient space for
cultivation. For those that enjoy exercise, woodland walks are
certainly to be recommended along the paths made by the Forestry
Administration, some of them of rare beauty, that crosses valleys
and mountains. Some of these paths follow the "levadas",
little watercourses that form the basis of the irrigation system
of Madeira.
MACHICO,
a historic village by the sea, was the first landmark when the
island was discovered by Zarco. Here stands the 4-star Hotel
DOM PEDRO BAÍA where you can find the "Diving
centre BALEIA". The diving centre is run by Herman van
Leeuwen and Els de Bart, who are Dutch. The centre is affiliated
to international diving organisations such as PADI, SSI, PDIC,
IADS and IDD. Herman is widely acknowledged as an expert in the
field of diving training, he is a strong advocate of safe and
sound instruction. Everybody is welcome at the centre, where
the staff speaks many different languages including English,
Dutch and German. The Atlantic Ocean is still very clean and
clear and gives good visibility. Over the years there have formed
many reefs, drop offs and caves, so there is a variety of diving
to suit all grades of diver. There are many big fish to be seen
including Grouper, Tuna, Barracuda, Monkfish (Angel Shark), Moray
eels, Octopus and different types of Ray. At certain times of
the year it is often possible to see Dolphins and Whales.
For more information:
Diving Centre BALEIA, Postbox 108, 9202 Machico - Madeira - Portugal
Tel. 00351.291.967435, 965751, 905771
Fax: 00351.291.967435, 966889
Email: baleia@mail.telepac.pt
Note: The above was originally sent
to me by e-mail for a suggested inclusion in the Scuba section
at my website - Castle
Travel.
NB.
If you are a club member and have dived in any of the areas
shown in this section, or indeed those in the main
travel section, how about submitting a report to the Webmaster
for inclusion in the Club Dive Log??? |
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