A stunning view. Curral das Freiras is in a stunning natural depression, 1600 feet above sea level, in the mountainous interior of Madeira. It was the sanctuary and hiding place of a convent of nuns during a particularly unpleasant pirate raid on the island.

The village was isolated until tunnels were driven through the mountains in recent years. This image is captured from the viewing point of Eira so Sarrado which itself is 3600 feet above sea level. The journey to and from the viewing point was by local bus. The bus charged up and down hills and around hairpin bends at great speeds on the narrow roads.

This image shows the village, tiny as it is, with the towering walls of the cauldron of rocks completely dwarfing it. The images captured from the viewing point ae so high above the ground that they seem to be captured from an aeroplane. The views are breath-taking!

Equipment: Sony SLT-A65V, Tamron 16-300mm

Settings: F9 1/320 ISO 100