First Levada Walk

I went on a levada walk today. Levadas are mini-canals built across the island (some go back to the 16th century). Locals don't see the attraction of walking along drainage systems, but levadas are a massive tourist draw.

Some of the walks are 'advanced', meaning you should kit yourself out in proper walking gear and avoid them after heavy rains (when the mountain turns to mush). This was not one of those walks: it was the kind where you amble along and end up in a café. The kind of café where they chill glasses for your beer. A happy place.