Paradise Island

Jordan Fadden • 2 March 2025

Photos From Madeira

This blog post contains a selection of photographs which I made in the middle of February 2025 on a visit to Madeira – a Portuguese island in the Atlantic just north of the Canaries. It's known for having a warm and pleasant climate all year round, even in Winter, and also for having some of the best hiking trails in the world. It's also known by many people as the vertical island due to its incredibly steep mountains which rise from the ocean. Madeira is a green and lush island with some very impressive coastal cliffs.

Sitting by the small window of the aeroplane, I enjoyed chatting to an older couple who said they lived in the Ribble Valley and visited Madeira twice a year, and the man knew all about aerospace having worked in air traffic control and even flown in a fighter jet. And as we approached the island he was telling me that the airport runway near Funchal is one of the world's most difficult to land on, adding that only the most experienced pilots can fly to Madeira and that it's not uncommon for them to make two attempts.

Just as the plane was about to touch down the engines powered up and we took to the sky again. The older man said "No, he doesn't like it" and described how the pilot would fly back around again for a second attempt. This particular runway is built on a platform right by the ocean, and is notorious for its crosswinds. According to one airline hostess, after two failed landings the pilot has to continue to an airport in Tenerife. Thankfully though, the second try was a success. They really slam the brakes on.

Photo Gallery

  1. First morning in Funchal - although you wouldn't know it from being in the street, the hotel I found was actually the tallest building and had a roof terrace with incredible views of the city
  2. Funchal street scene - after the previous night's heavy downpour, the following day was hot and sunny, allowing me to explore this beautiful city with its black and white mosaic style paving and tree-lined streets
  3. Colourful rooftops - shot in Funchal
  4. Hotel bed - I've not a clue how they did this

5. Rugged valley - some of the hiking trails are seldom visited and quite dangerous in places, but with due care you can discover some remarkable landscapes and views
6. Valley of the nuns - this breathtaking valley features a number of small settlements built on the mountain sides
7. Church and cliff at dusk - the dramatic vertical cliff has a viewing platform at the top which can be reached by a steep zigzag trail, while the small village at the top of the nuns valley has numerous
shops and cafés
8. Peaks at sunset - after descending from Pico Ruivo – Madeira's highest mountain – the clouds in the valley cleared to reveal some of the highest peaks glowing from the setting sun

9. Admiring the views - from a viewing platform overlooking the nuns valley
10. Jagged mountain ridge - with cloud drifting across
11. Tree in late afternoon sunlight - with a dramatic backdrop close to Pico Ruivo
12. View from the top - clouds regularly cover the island, but the mountains are often above these

13, 14, 15, 16 - Mountain views - extraordinary landscapes and total quietude on the tops

17, 18, 19, 20 - Mountain scenery - shot during a hike to Pico Ruivo

21. Coast at Seixal - this is a small village in the north of the island with dramatic sea cliffs and waterfalls, big waves and some great trails leading up to the Fanal Forest
22. Valley above Seixal - Jurassic world comes to mind around these parts
23. Steps to the valley - the further you climb, the better the views become
24. Fanal Forest laurels - this is a spectacular cloud forest that features twisted trees covered in moss

25. Seixal coast at dusk - here you can find calm rock pools for swimming in, set right beside the waves crashing into the rocks and cliffs
26. Sunset in Seixal - by the rocky shore
27. Forest trail - these trees are particularly photogenic in morning mist
28. Deep valley - covered in dense forest from top to bottom

29. Tree in Funchal - I discovered some small parks near the centre which contained some massive trees, while other streets contained some dynamic street art
30. Tree with figures - to give a sense of scale
31. Afternoon shadow - Madeira is great for light and shadows
32. Church in colour - directly above the cross you can see the lights of a hotel high on the clifftop.

Some of the images you find in this blog post are available to download on  Shutterstock  .

Other images I've reserved for potential book covers.

If you have any interest in images which aren't available in the Shutterstock marketplace then please get in touch using the Contact page on this website.

Paradise Island

  • by Jordan Fadden
  • •
  • 02 Mar, 2025
  • •

Photos From Madeira

This blog post contains a selection of photographs which I made in the middle of February 2025 on a visit to Madeira – a Portuguese island in the Atlantic just north of the Canaries. It's known for having a warm and pleasant climate all year round, even in Winter, and also for having some of the best hiking trails in the world. It's also known by many people as the vertical island due to its incredibly steep mountains which rise from the ocean. Madeira is a green and lush island with some very impressive coastal cliffs.
Sitting by the small window of the aeroplane, I enjoyed chatting to an older couple who said they lived in the Ribble Valley and visited Madeira twice a year, and the man knew all about aerospace having worked in air traffic control and even flown in a fighter jet. And as we approached the island he was telling me that the airport runway near Funchal is one of the world's most difficult to land on, adding that only the most experienced pilots can fly to Madeira and that it's not uncommon for them to make two attempts.
Just as the plane was about to touch down the engines powered up and we took to the sky again. The older man said "No, he doesn't like it" and described how the pilot would fly back around again for a second attempt. This particular runway is built on a platform right by the ocean, and is notorious for its crosswinds. According to one airline hostess, after two failed landings the pilot has to continue to an airport in Tenerife. Thankfully though, the second try was a success. They really slam the brakes on.

Photo Gallery

  1. First morning in Funchal - although you wouldn't know it from being in the street, the hotel I found was actually the tallest building and had a roof terrace with incredible views of the city
  2. Funchal street scene - after the previous night's heavy downpour, the following day was hot and sunny, allowing me to explore this beautiful city with its black and white mosaic style paving and tree-lined streets
  3. Colourful rooftops - shot in Funchal
  4. Hotel bed - I've not a clue how they did this
         5. Rugged valley - some of the hiking trails are seldom visited and quite dangerous in places, but                 with due care you can discover some remarkable landscapes and views
         6. Valley of the nuns - this breathtaking valley features a number of small settlements built on the             mountain sides 
         7. Church and cliff at dusk - the dramatic vertical cliff has a viewing platform at the top which can             be reached by a steep zigzag trail,  while the small village at the top of the nuns valley has numerous
         shops and cafés
         8. Peaks at sunset - after descending from Pico Ruivo – Madeira's highest mountain – the clouds in             the valley cleared to reveal some of the highest peaks glowing from the setting sun
         9. Admiring the views - from a viewing platform overlooking the nuns valley
      10. Jagged mountain ridge - with cloud drifting across
      11. Tree in late afternoon sunlight - with a dramatic backdrop close to Pico Ruivo
      12. View from the top - clouds regularly cover the island, but the mountains are often above these
      13, 14, 15, 16 - Mountain views - extraordinary landscapes and total quietude on the tops
      17, 18, 19, 20 - Mountain scenery - shot during a hike to Pico Ruivo
     21. Coast at Seixal - this is a small village in the north of the island with dramatic sea cliffs and                     waterfalls, big waves and some great trails leading up to the Fanal Forest
     22. Valley above Seixal - Jurassic world comes to mind around these parts
     23. Steps to the valley - the further you climb, the better the views become
     24. Fanal Forest laurels - this is a spectacular cloud forest that features twisted trees covered in moss
     25. Seixal coast at dusk - here you can find calm rock pools for swimming in, set right beside the                 waves crashing into the rocks and cliffs
     26. Sunset in Seixal - by the rocky shore
     27. Forest trail - these trees are particularly photogenic in morning mist
     28. Deep valley - covered in dense forest from top to bottom
     29. Tree in Funchal - I discovered some small parks near the centre which contained some massive             trees, while other streets contained some dynamic street art
     30. Tree with figures - to give a sense of scale
     31. Afternoon shadow - Madeira is great for light and shadows
     32. Church in colour - directly above the cross you can see the lights of a hotel high on the clifftop.
Some of the images you find in this blog post are available to download on Shutterstock.
Other images I've reserved for potential book covers.
If you have any interest in images which aren't available in the Shutterstock marketplace then please get in touch using the Contact page on this website.

Ibiza – July 2025

by Jordan Fadden • 27 July 2025
This is mainly a picture-sharing post from a week spent on the gorgeous island of Ibiza in the Balearics, Spain. Although I spent some time in the awesome megaclubs, soaking up the sounds and the incredible atmosphere, I also traveled around the small island and spent more of my time exploring the beaches, towns and landscapes. My favourite day was a ferry trip to Formentera, which is great for cycling and has some of the world's best beaches—many of which are lined with great beach bars.

Photos From Morocco

by Jordan Fadden • 16 January 2025
This is a selection of photographs from a visit to the African country of Morocco in late December 2024 and January 2025. Notes on images will be found at the end of this page. Places visited include the cities of Agadir, Marrakech, Ouarzazate and Essaouira, as well as a trip through the High Atlas Mountains to Ait Benhaddou, Fint Oasis and the Atlantic coastal region in Southern Morocco.

Mountain Photos

by Jordan Fadden • 7 June 2024
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Jordan+Fadden

Selection of Photographs From Around Clapham And Austwick

by Jordan Fadden • 19 March 2024
As we move from Winter into Spring time, one place I ventured into for the first time last week was the dramatic moorland region around the North Yorkshire villages of Clapham and Austwick. As you make your ascent on the steep tracks, incredible panoramic views open up across the Forest of Bowland to the south. And as you ascend farther into the Dales you encounter all kinds of interesting boulders, crags, and screes. The distinctive dry stone walls and many field barns confirm that you are well inside the National Park, with streams gushing from the hills and limestone pavement dominating the views of the famous Yorkshire three-peaks once you arrive on high ground.

Smartphone Digital Finger Paintings

by Jordan Fadden • 29 January 2024
The smartphone offers an alternative way of drawing and seeing. Even when you're not one for spending very much time looking at little screens, and swiping and tapping and scrolling, the smartphone can still be a useful device if you happen to be without your usual materials. And of course a tablet would be the next step if you was really inclined to using a digital means of sketching, especially if your focus is going to be on landscapes. As small as the touchscreen is, it responds to subtle movements made by the finger or thumb. No app was used here, just the basic photo editor which allows you to make marks over the top. The phone I used was a Samsung Galaxy S8 Edge. Very small compared to most.

Photos From Venice

by Jordan Fadden • 11 January 2024
Thank you for the memories to those whom I met on my journey to the famous lagoon, - in particular Florentina and Theodora who invited me to Padua to show me the sights of this nearby town at night. Tina was a most knowledgeable guide, whilst Dora kept us amused with her hilarious accent. Also, best wishes to Kalina and Milena. I very much look forward to revisiting Venezia in the future. Even though the days are only short, and the weather still quite cold and unpredictable, the light in January is still dazzling as you can see.

North Pennines Photographs

by Jordan Fadden • 1 December 2023
It felt more like the depths of Winter, rather than the start, during my five-day's of hiking across high land at the end of November. The North Pennines is a vast area, featuring the highest paved roads in the country. And the weather can be more changeable than anywhere else; atop Great Dun Fell there's a radar and weather station specifically for studying the clouds, because here you get the highest amount of precipitation.

The Island Of Crete In 60 Pictures

by Jordan Fadden • 23 October 2023
The following selection of images represents some of my recent travel photography on a visit to the southernmost Greek island of Crete in late September to mid-October 2023. When viewing these pictures, imagine if you can the sound of bells jingling as mountain goats pass across the mountainsides and roads, the loud noise of crickets, the smell of salt air from the Mediterranean and Libyan sea, and of the chatter of the Cretan folk with their warm hospitality as they prepare their wonderful cuisine rich in olive oil and complemented by their drink offerings of raki and retsina.

Early Summertime Lakeland Scenery

by Jordan Fadden • 6 June 2023
This is a visual diary in photographs from a few days of hiking and mountain climbing in the English Lake District last weekend. I covered quite a lot of ground from the high mountain of Helvellyn in the East across to the more Westerly mountain of Haystacks before descending in to the Buttermere Valley. It was very lively down by the shores of Lake Buttermere as an annual paragliding event was taking place, with people dropping from aeroplanes and flying off most of the surrounding high peaks before trying to land as close to the target in one of the fields. Some of the participants descended in somersaults leaving colourful trails of smoke behind them.

Walk On The Wildside

by Jordan Fadden • 6 April 2023
It is possible to cycle all the way around the Lake District National Park in a day without stopping, and yet despite the modest scale and altitude of these mountains compared to the world's greatest mountain ranges it can still feel extraordinarily remote and wild when you're hiking in the district, with mountain terrain which is just as challenging and impressive as any other. The quality of light and how dramatically the light and shadows shift across the fells here is second to none. This is because it's like a miniature version of any other rugged mountain region. And late last week I hiked across some of the highest peaks including Bow Fell, Scafell Pike, Kirk Fell and Pillar, following a route from Great Langdale to Wasdale and finally on to Borrowdale via Green Gable and Gillercomb.
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