Blogs from Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Europe

Saturday 27th January We have been to Madeira many times before, this cruise we don’t plan on doing too much galavanting so after a stroll around the sun deck we took a panoramic tour around Funchal, just a couple of photo shoot stops. The guide was very informative, a lot we already knew but did learn a few things new. One of the stops we have been to so many times I think we should get loyalty points for visiting, but the view over Funchal is great and so too the swan neck Agave (Agave attenuata). Some of the passengers stayed in Funchal, but we returned to the ship and enjoyed an alfresco lunch back on board. A lovely sunny day and everyone was feeling upbeat now that we had finally reached our first destination. Saga ... read more

7th May Sadly our last day. We watched the Coronation on the TV yesterday with Sky News. Loved every minute of it. We’ve not ventured far today, around our hotel there is always something to enjoy whether it be watching the cruise ships come in and out of port, the daily ferry that goes to Porto Santo or the little sailboats and sailboarders. We will miss our little walks along the promenade and down the old street tothe cheery baker who always gave a service with a smile as he prepared our croissants/rolls for lunch which we then enjoyed on the balcony watching the world go by. This afternoon a parade of classic cars, no luxury of a grandstand seat but we managed to find a good spot along the roadside. The beautifully dressed girls, ladies ... read more

3rd May Our hotel is situated in the old town of Funchal and within close proximity there is always something interesting to see. As the Portuguese almost completely dominated the North Atlantic routes in ancient times, the defence of the island did not seem of special importance. Because of this negligence, in 1566 Funchal suffered a terrible pirate attack, where many people were slaughtered. In spite of the constant danger of another attack, only in 1614 the São Tiago Fort was finally built to protect Funchal from the corsairs. In 1767 it was enlarged and exclusively served military purposes until 1992, the year in which Madeira’s Regional Government decided to use it for cultural activities. There is also a restaurant with view across the battlements. A little further on is The Socorro Church, also known as ... read more

29th April Met up with my Flower Club friends for a photo opportunity amongst the flowers in the hotel lobby. They went on their way and Benita, David & I set off to visit the area by the Ritz Cafe where we like to sit and people watch outside the Theatre close to the municipal gardens. The town was bustling, no cruise ship in port today but obviously still plenty of visitors all here for the Flower Festival. Little kiosks were dotted all along the Avenue, selling flowers, local delicacies, drinks and souvenirs, the paper flower decorations overhead blowing in the warm breeze. Suddenly the sound of folk singers could be heard and with their colourful costumes it was both a beautiful sound and a colourful sight as they paraded through the crowds. The flowers were ... read more

Decided today would be a chill day around the pool area, although Benita did take a lovely long walk along the pretty promenade and through part of the town she saw yesterday. (1.5 hrs walking a bit too much for me & definitely Mr.M). Saving our energy for tomorrow’s trip out of Funchal. I was looking forward to a flower arranging event at the hotel, I think I got myself too excited because it wasn’t hands on but watching the hotel florist arrange a huge display in the dining room which consisted of hard ruscus, eucalyptus,Star of Bethlehem and lots and lots of spray chrysanthemum. What looked more interesting was a display being created in the hotel lobby as part of the celebration for the flower festival. Only three people watching in the dining room but ... read more