Madeira: applause on landing

It turns out Russians are not the only ones who clap on landing. When the plane rocks its wings on approach to Cristiano Ronaldo Airport, the Portuguese applaud too — the air currents between the ocean and the island always keep things lively.

Day one: the east of the island — cliffs, ocean, “just the way I like it.” What surprises most is the range of climates: dry volcanic areas, tropics, permanent fog, clouds below your feet, big waves in the north and calm in the south. And black sand on the other side of the world from Kamchatka.

There was a tandem paraglider flight, too. The spiral was a delight, but for really big emotions you still need a Yak-52.