Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
5 Jul 2024
Feedback
12
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Description
Greetings All! I'm excited to offer a sustainable land and house project on the island of Madeira in Portugal. I have a traditional quinta (small farm) property with ruins and two small homes in various need of total repairs, restoration, and repurposing. Eventually, we will be planting vegetable, herb, and flower gardens, adding fruit trees, maintaining existing fruit trees and garden plots. The quinta is located in a traditional Portuguese remote mountain village and has terraced land for planting. I will be working over the coming years to restore and cultivate the property and ultimately create a sustainable living environment.
I'm looking for happy, healthy people, couples or singles, with various skills to do projects beside me while uncovering the beauty and bringing this property to its potential. If you have an interest and experience in permaculture, construction, painting, masonry, landscaping, housecleaning, cooking, handy-man/woman, massage therapy, hauling, pet-sitting, or drywall, I would love to hear from you! We will learn from each other during all of these projects..
The property is very rural and located in an exceptionally beautiful valley, on the path of one of Madeira's popular levadas up in the mountains. There is no direct car access, so you must love to walk and/or hike, be physically strong and healthy and enjoy rural living. Madeira is all about the hills, and you must be willing to hike in and out from the property. Roads are available by walking about 10 minutes. There is exceptional hiking, opportunities for photography, quiet, and relaxation. There is a small market and bus stop available by walking 20+ minutes and it is also possible to walk to the center of Ribeira Brava in about one hour from the property. There is another bus stop available about a 10 minute walk uphill (stairs). Alternatively, there are Bolts (like Uber) or Taxis available to call and meet you at the nearest roadways. Funchal is about 20 minutes away by car. Car rental prices vary during times of the year.
While staying with me, I look forward to getting to know you and welcome you like family.
Personally, I love music, guitar, laughter, kindness, creativity, visioning, travel, hard work, and play. I'm originally from Hawaii, spent many years in California, and have also lived in Japan and Nepal. My family roots are largely Portuguese and originate from one valley over from here in Campanario. I'm a traveler by nature and love meeting and getting to know people from all parts of the world.
Madeira is a stunning island, with endless beauty and magic to discover. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to share a piece of this with you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are located in a traditional Portuguese mountain village with terraced land plots. You will be living in a traditional home, accessible by the typical stair access to a roadway, or by one of Madeira's popular levada paths. You will have an authentic Madeiran experience, away from the cities, yet close enough for you to reach and explore. You have hiking right outside your door! The property is located in a mountain valley, part of the cultural exchange is the location and the property itself. This is traditional living of the Madeiran people. One of the projects is to restore the original outdoor stone oven and dig out ruins on the land. Anyone interested in cultural anthropology will love this place! The home and land have only Madeiran families living here as neighbors and is also on one of the most popular levadas (Madeira is famous for these) on the island, allowing you to literally begin hiking right outside your doors. You will be able to walk to small local shops, owned by local families. You will learn how to cook in the traditional stone ovens, bake and eat Bolo do caco (local bread), learn local flora and fauna from guided walks. We will be planting foods and flowers, eventually adding chickens and composting with leaves and waste.
Help
What are your skills? Let me know as we can probably use them! Bring your knowledge and experience. I'm looking for happy people, couples and singles or friend groups, with various skills. If you have an interest and experience in permaculture, construction, painting, masonry, landscaping, housecleaning, cooking, maintenance, massage therapy, hauling, pet-sitting, running errands. I am in early stages, so initially there will be lots of land clearing, weeding, reconditioning, power washing, getting supplies, helping to organize and create goal plans and collaborate on best uses of the land.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Japanese: Beginner
Portuguese: Beginner
Accommodation
You will be staying in a traditional Portuguese mountain home. Your host lives in a separate unit with separate access. Volunteers live on the ground floor in the same house or separately in the house above. Bathrooms are shared between Workawayers. These are traditional homes, which means that the rooms are all separated. There is a shared living room connected to one of the bedrooms that is meant to be shared with everyone. In most cases, the room you are assigned will remain yours, but there is the possibility that your room will change if we are working on that space or if I have houseguests. Food will be provided for you and I am flexible with cooking. I can cook, you can cook, or I can just provide food for you to cook for yourselves.
What else ...
Madeira is an island of endless beauty. On your time off you will enjoy exploring the mountains, the coast, the waterfalls, and the city of Funchal! The scenery is incredible throughout the island. The island has a very good bus system, local taxis and Bolts (like Uber), and rental cars are always an option as well.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (6)
And it was a fantastic experience!
Coralie is an excellent hostess who wants to make sure her guests have everything they need.
The tasks were very diverse and she tries to make sure the task fits the employee 😊.
I could choose what my workday looked like and there was more than enough… read more
Coralie is the most gracious host who not only wants you to experience the real and beautiful Madeira, but also welcomes your insight and ideas to help restore her Quinta. I loved that she provided flexibility in the… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
And it was a fantastic experience!
Coralie is an excellent hostess who wants to make sure her guests have everything they need.
The tasks were very diverse and she tries to make sure the task fits the employee 😊.
I could choose what my workday looked like and there was more than enough… read more
Coralie is the most gracious host who not only wants you to experience the real and beautiful Madeira, but also welcomes your insight and ideas to help restore her Quinta. I loved that she provided flexibility in the… read more
Her place is magical, and I’m just grateful to have helped to make it even more beautiful.
I can’t wait to… read more
Coralie has a dream (bringing these traditional Quintas back to life) and she is brave enough to start it.
The place is in a sunny valley along an easy walkable levada. It's Paradise on earth and you can easily understand why it was love at first… read more
