Blogs from Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Europe - page 4

Flower Parade - Part 2 It is difficult to imagine that all the hard work & effort is preparing for yesterday's parade was all over in 3 hours. As we left our seating area, hoards of people were returning to their cruise ship for dinner, others like us found somewhere en route back to the hotel. As we walked back, participants of the parade were still wearing their beautiful costumes and many still grasping their bouquets. The carnival atmosphere was still going on and for some probably well into the evening. We had an enjoyable meal overlooking the Marina, then back to the hotel fir a nightcap and an early night. Here are more images of the parade so sit back and enjoy the rest of the parade. Last evening and today all of the static ... read more

Madeira is an island off of the coast of Africa, belonging to Portugal. With generally warm temperatures year-round, it is a good go-to for some sunshine. Of course, not always guaranteed, and whilst there in November I did experience some rain myself! Escaping the single-digit degrees of winter though, I did not mind some rain. Longer than expected, it is a four hour flight to Funchal Airport, Madeira. Easyjet have flights from Stanstead direct to Madeira, making it a reasonably affordable holiday. Prior to arrival, I had booked a hire car (the cheapest one) and once at the rental centre, of course there was an up-sell - 'Madeira is very hilly, are you sure you want a one litre engine' was the question to me. My smart answer was - why do you rent out one ... read more

Madeira We have been to Madeira many times, normally at the beginning of the year so it was great to be back when some of gardens were in full bloom. The cruise is focussed on the flower festivals on the islands so it was off on a tour to see two of them. By the way as usual a half a day in each garden was not nearly enough to do the places justice. Gardens are open throughout the year and welcome visitors. Our first garden was on the Palheiro Estate known more famously as Blandys garden is one of the most beautiful gardens in Madeira Island, today they form part of the Estate which includes a Hotel, Golf course, the Palheiro Village and Florialis orchid nurseries. The land first belonged to the Count of Carvalhal ... read more

Waarschijnlijk hebben jullie allemaal wel iets gelezen over de branden op Madeira. Terwijl ik dit schrijf zijn er nog diverse gaande, meer naar het westen. Er hangt een soort mistige rook boven Funchal en roet en as zweven nog overal in de lucht. De brand begon als een bosbrandje, aangestoken door een pyromaan die bekend was als zodanig bij de politie. Ik zag de eerste rookpluim verschijnen in het bos boven de wijk Alegria (= geluk!), waar een vriendin van ons woont. Het was bloedheet en er stond een harde oostenwind, rechtstreeks uit de Sahara. De pyromaan moet zich in de handen gewreven hebben met dit buitenkansje. Hij is gepakt, maar je vraagt je af waarom hij niet, als bekende bij de politie, beter in de gaten gehouden werd. We waren net terug van bloedprikken voor ... read more

Tuesday 23nd February, 2016. Funchal, Madeira Funchal is the largest city and capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira. It is known as the "Floating Garden of the Atlantic" due to its profusion of flowers and fruits that flourish in its incomparable climate. The Madeira archipelago, of which Madeira is the largest of the 5 islands in the group, marked the beginning of the great voyages of the Portuguese navigators of the 15th and 16th centuries. It proved that the Atlantic was not the dangerous abyss populated by terrifying monsters as had previously been believed. Under the governorship of Zarco and Teixeira, the colonists cleared the land for agriculture by setting fire to the dense woodland. Historical accounts say that the island burned uncontrollably for between 5 and 7 years! In the 16th and 17th centuries ... read more