Monte Palace Tropical Garden, Madeira, Portugal

We rode the cable car to the top of the mountain rising from 0 feet to 1,800 feet. The Monte Palace Tropical Garden is located at the very top of the mountain and features a collection of exotic plants from around the world, including azaleas from Belgium, heather from Scotland, and ancient olive trees. Along the walkways, you can see Portuguese tile panels dating from the 15th to the 20th centuries, many of which depict historical scenes, such as “The Adventure of the Portuguese in Japan.” There were also many beautiful statues that had an African flair. The Oriental garden features massive stone lanterns, ornate pagodas, and several “Foo Dogs” (guardian lions) scattered throughout the foliage. The most iconic features are the bright red bridges over koi ponds, which are filled with hundreds of colorful fish. I most enjoyed watching the beautiful white peacock. It seemed to enjoy blocking the pathway and showing off its beauty.