Madeira Portugal wasn’t even on my radar until my mom sent me a reel of Pico do Arieiro. The mountains looked otherworldly, and the second I saw it I knew I needed to go. So I booked a flight, Landed in Madeira (one of the most dangerous airports in the world) and rented a car to explore the island. Every turn felt dramatic: cliffs dropping into the Atlantic, villages tucked into the hillsides, and mountains so tall they made you feel small in the best way.

The highlight was Pico do Arieiro. I woke up before sunrise, laced up my boots, and hiked into the clouds. As the sun crept over the horizon, rays broke through the peaks and spilled across the sky. The whole scene felt surreal, like the world had been painted just for that moment. I’ll never forget standing there, realizing how alive I felt.

Even though I went alone, I didn’t stay alone. On the trails, in the mountains, during the little adventures in between — I met people who made the trip unforgettable. Strangers who became instant friends, sharing the kind of conversations and laughter that stick with you long after.

Madeira taught me that sometimes all it takes is following a spark of curiosity — even from something as small as a reel — to find yourself in the middle of a life-changing adventure.