Blogs from Madeira, Portugal, Europe - page 2

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

27th April We tend not to do full day excursions anymore but as this is Benita’s first visit to Madeira it was worth it to show her a different part of the Island. Just 20 passengers on the small bus which was just as well as the twists & turns of the mountain roads we took would have been a nightmare in a larger vehicle. Noo Noo was our driver, a very pleasant guide and a very careful driver. Our journey today took us East passing the airport where we had arrived only a few days ago, it feels like we’ve been here for ages & still 11 days to go. The Portuguese navigators discovered the islands of Madeira and Porto Santo in 1419. It is said that these navigators first discovered the island of Porto ... read more

After a good nights sleep we were up in good time to enjoy the wonderful choice for breakfast. Following breakfast we met with Pedro our Jet2 helper during our stay here, usually I would not attend the welcome meeting as we have been to Madeira several times but it was good for Benita to learn from a local all about the island without it being a hard sell. A leisurely morning in the beautiful sunshine was the recipe for the day, went up onto the sun roof area but with little shade and no breeze it was a bit too hot. A snack from the local bakery for lunch and then whilst David was napping Benita & I went for a short walk along the promenade passed all the little food & drink vehicles, the statues ... read more

March 26 – Madeira It’s 7:30 am, the room is still dark the sun hasn’t begun to show itself. All I see is Kirsten’s smiling face, Good Morning sugar. We’re home, I look out our cabin sliding doors and it truly looks like I’m looking out our bedroom sliding doors overlooking Lake Howard. We’re in Madeira, our first stop after crossing the Atlantic. It’s an island part of an archipelago islands belonging to Portugal off the coast of Africa. We docked sometime early, Kirsten was up, dressed, ready for breakfast leaving out the door saying I’ll see you up on the Lido Deck. You better hurry, were getting off the ship on the first group. I rollout of bed and hurry getting dressed. I arrive on the Lido deck Kirsten has already has my breakfast waiting ... read more

Madeira is a beautiful island because, although volcanic in origin, it has a huge amount of rainfall in the mountains which makes it very fertile for all sorts of fruits and trees. Funchal, the capital, nestles in the southwest of the island and so has the best climate. Up in the hills there is a lovely Botanical Garden, which is worth a visit. It has wonderful ferns and other tropical plants from all over the world. This island has the perfect climate to grow anything. You can get there by cable car from the town if you don't have a car or coach. There is also a lovely church, Our Lady of Monte but you do have to climb quite a few steps to get to it. This is also the place where you can get ... read more