I read a random blog post, no idea the name of it, listing the cheapest flights to take in Portugal. Listed among them was a cheap flight to an island called Madeira. It also mentioned the main attraction is the ancient Laurel forest that’s designated a UNESCO world heritage site. I instantly googled images of these ancient Laurel forests. They looked lush and serene. Long hikes in an ancient forest with plenty of fresh air, solitude and on an island I’ve never heard of? This was exactly the right note to start our adventure, I was sold. I easily pitched and won Hachem on the idea too. Our first stop, Madeira.

By the time we landed in Madeira we both felt more than a little strung out. The four hour drive to the airport, three flights and two layovers took their toll. Plus, we hadn’t slept much in a long time. Our days and nights were filled with packing, logistics, moving, renewing licenses, comparing storage facilities, drawing up wills, and canceling services. All the really exciting things you don’t think of when you imagine traveling around the world for a year.