Beautiful Funchal!

Almost three days after leaving Cape Verde, The Vista docked in Funchal (Madeira) Portugal. Those sea days were NOT the smoothest, most enjoyable days of our journey. Nay, there were times that I worried that I might be jolted from my bed, the seas were so rough. I'm fairly confident our trusty Captain would have preferred to make the trip at a slower pace given the rough seas, but our schedule did not allow. Full speed ahead, sixty-five hours (including a couple of time changes one way or the other) we arrived in Madeira, Portugal...

Wow! Wow!! The most unusually dramatic, stunningly beautiful setting I've come across in all my travels! Absolutely gorgeous. Apparently affluent. Carefully manicured and terraced, utilizing all that rich volcanic soil to the very tip top: 3,600 feet into the sky! Again, wow!

Funchal was named by its founding father, Zarco, in 1421. The name was derived from the Portuguese word for fennel, which was found in abundance along the riverbanks. Situated as it is/was, in the path between the Indies and the New World, it soon became known as a wealthy port; later, becoming better known for its Madeiran sugar and wine. It is now a fabulous blend of the old and the new.

Sometime in the late forties/early fifties another famous person discovered Madeira: Winston Churchill. It is here he came to paint. In the heart of Old Town, along the narrow streets you will find Churchill Bay, Churchill Place Restaurant, Churchill this or that, including a bronze statue of him seated with cigar and easel, painting. Just inside the restaurant is an interesting, bigger than life photo of him alongside a car with an open suitcase and door. Obviously not a posed picture. Remembering his disdain for statues because pigeons poop on them, I doubt he knowingly posed for the painting statue either.

Once again my excursion of choice includes lots of narrow switchback streets, however, this bus was not a cause for concern. No straining of gears as we travel up and down these mountain peaks to the world's second highest seaside cliff. Along the way, our guide dispensed many facts about her homeland, most of which I did not retain. I do remember that "farms" are limited to one quarter acre in order that all wishing to farm may have that opportunity. The terracing, in and of itself, is an engineering feat as are the many aqueducts. Clever people these Portuguese.

I do not recall whether this port was on our original itinerary or not. Doesn't matter. What does matter is we came, I fell in love with it, and I no longer care about the discomfort of getting to Madeira. It was all worth it!!! As it is said, pictures speak louder than words...

Botanical Gardens Abound

Even the napkin gets a bloom at tea time

The name of the restaurant in which we had tea time escapes me...

But it was beautiful, as with everything in Madeira!

Today is Someday! Live It!