last port, day 97,Portugal

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April 12th, 2006
Day 97 of our cruise of 105
Madeira, Portugal
We disembarked at 8:15, before the shuttle bus run, so we walked the 1 ½ mile to town.
First, we visited the Mercado and saw fresh fish arriving, beautiful flowers spread out for viewing and all types of crafts from Madeira for sale.
We then rode the cable car to the top of the volcanic mountain to the chuch of Santa Maria del Monte. To get partly down we used an antique wicker toboggan ride manned by two men wearing straw hats, it was a lot of fun.
We then walked to Blandy’s Madeira wines in town for a great tasting: 2glasses of 3year old( dry and sweet), 2-5 year old( semi-sweet and rich) then again the 3 year old which we preferred in 2 versions, the glasses belong to 8 of us!
Nice lunch of Portugese sardines for 7, I had the shellfish soup.
Another lovely day with good friends.
A bit more shopping and home for sailaway, the last till Fort Lauderdale.

We have traveled 27 059 nautical miles and 3292 to go.
We will be home Thursday night, April 20th.

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