Advertisement
Published: June 26th 2017
Edit Blog Post
Geo: 32.6448, -16.9097
Funchal is the main city on the island of Madeira, a dependency of Portugal. It is off the African coast north of the Canary Islands. We were due to make landfall there on Wednesday, 21st October at 9am. Because of rough seas and slow progress we did not dock until 3pm. We then had until 7pm when we were due back on board to explore the town.
From the ship it appeared as a very pretty place, with houses ascending the green hillsides and a fortress on the bay as well as a castle further up the hillside. The forecast had been for heavy rain, but fortunately the sun was out and though there was low cloud over the mountains the weather was pleasantly warm dockside.
There was a large crush trying to get off. We were informed there was a shuttle bus between the port and the main shopping area but the line to get on was long so we availed ourselves of the café in the harbour side building and spent an hour updating this blog and checking email. By the time we emerged the queue had gone and in 5 minutes the shuttle bus appeared and took us
into the centre of the town. The streets are attractively set out with flower baskets and wide paved walking areas. We wandered along enjoying the interesting architecture. We walked down to the sea side and out on to the landing where we could see our ship and view the large sheltered harbour. Then back up past the Fort of St Laurence to the main Cathedral dedicated to Our Lady. This had a stone façade and a clock tower. Inside was a typical European Catholic Church with many paintings and gold coloured statues and altar pieces. We went out the back door into a small courtyard and then back onto the main street.
We wandered through narrow side streets enjoying the little shops and cafes dotted about. We went in to a chaotic "department" store to find tissues and a nail scissors which we needed. Then we found the Market building. This is very pretty with multiple coloured tiles adorning the walls and the flower and fruit sellers in traditional costumes. I was intrigued by the embroidered hats, each with a tall spire but we resisted buying one. The fruit looked luscious and was well presented. Back down to the esplanade
alongside a “river” which was channelled into a concrete outlet to the sea. It was flowing fast, no doubt from that heavy rain which had fallen earlier.
We walked back past an old archway that had once marked the quay but was now much further back from the water. Then it was a stroll back along the main street to the bus. We did stop at Blandy's wine store to buy some Madeira and a “Swiss army” style pocket knife to replace Fletcher's which he has misplaced. By this time it was nearly 6-30pm so we caught the bus back to the ship. It had been a pleasant stop and a place I would love to visit again with more time for exploring.
We came back to a Spanish night in the restaurant and the food was better and very enjoyable. Then into the Astor Lounge for a Mediterranean Quiz. We were only allowed a team of four so we palled up with Judy and Roger. We didn't win but it was fun trying. It had been good to walk on dry land again and Funchal was great.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.084s; Tpl: 0.039s; cc: 7; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0358s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb