Cruise day: 67/152Ports days: 20
Sea days: 47
Countries: 8
Continents: 3
Ports: 13
Today, we docked in Funchal, Madeira. Madeira is an autonomous region of Portugal. The island is located off the west coast of Africa at roughly the same latitude as Morocco.
It looked to be a beautiful day with mostly sunny skies and temps in the upper 60s.
We headed for the bus and took off. As we toured, our guide explained the challenges of agriculture on a volcanic island where there is absolutely no flat land anywhere. They have developed a series of irrigation channels called levadas that flow past all the private agriculture areas. Owners can subscribe to water deliveries every 15 days. On those days, water is routed to the levada that flows past the fields. The owner must be home and is allowed to divert the water to irrigate their field for a set amount of time. It is an amazing system. There are walkways along these levadas that tourists come to walk along.
Our first stop was at one of the highest cliffs in Europe (which is odd since we’re technically on the African continent but on an island that aligns with Europe, Cabo Girão. The views were terrific. There is a lookout that features a glass floor for those that have no fear of heights.
Our next stop was in Câmara de Lobos where we sampled the local drink, Poncha. It is a mix of a local sugar cane white rum, orange and lemon juice, and honey. We took in the local views.
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| You can see the terraced farming on the hill |
We also walked through a local supermarket and were amazed and the fish on display.
The fish on the left is black scabbard fish that live 200-1700 meters down in the ocean and is a prized local dish.
Our next stop was back in Funchal. We walked back to the ship and grabbed a quick lunch before heading back out for excursion #2. These are some views from the ride back to the ship and from our balcony.
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| More of the terraced farming |
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| This looked to be made out of recycled material |
Our first stop was at a cable car that would take us from Funchal up to Monte. The ride was smooth and provided fantastic views.
At the top, we walked over to and walked through Mother Church of Our Lady of Monte.
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| That's our tiny Viking Star on the front right, the massive Aidanova behind us, and the Cunard Queen Elizabeth to the left |
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| This copper wall sculpture provided a little foreshadowing for what was to come... |
It was time to head back down. Cable car? Nope. Walk? No way. Wicker sledge? Absolutely!
These wicker sledges have been around since the 1850s and were the preferred method to descend from Monte for years. Now, they are just a tourist attraction.
Dressed in traditional white shirts and pants and sporting a straw hat, two drivers, or carreiros, both push and pull the sledge down the road, around curves, and avoiding obstacles. They wear shoes that have automotive tire soles and they use them to slow the sledge. It is a real case of Fred Flintstone propulsion and braking technology. This is an honored profession in Madeira and the technique is passed down from grandfather to father to son for generations.
It was great fun.
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| A carreiro wearing the traditional white shirt and slacks plus a straw hat |
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| You can hit tops speeds of nearly 30MPH |
Back in the day, the drivers would hoist the sledge on their back and carry it all the way back up the hill. Now, they load them on a flatbed truck and the drivers take a bus back up.
After the ride down from Monte, we headed over to Pico dos Barcelos where a scenic overlook provides panoramic views of Funchal.
All this touring makes one thirsty. Lucky for us, our last stop was back in Funchal at Blandy’s Wine Lodge. The Blandy family has been making Madeira wine in Funchal since 1811. We sampled both the semi-dry and sweet versions of Madeira wine and both were delicious.
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| They had a banana tree growing inside the courtyard in the wine lodge |
Madeira wine is enjoyed the world over. It is said that George Washinghton was such a fan that he consumed a pint of Madeira wine every night.
As we walked back to the bus, we passed through a downtown garden with beautiful plants.
The sidewalks in Funchal are beautifully paved with hand-cut and placed Portuguese limestone and local Madeira volcanic rock for accent.
As we sailed away from Madeira, we caught a view of their fort sitting high atop a bluff.
It is easy to understand why people visit Madeira. It is beautiful, clean, and offers wonderful views.
We enjoyed dinner and conversation again tonight. It looked like Chef Thomas swiped the Viking credit card with no spending limit and went nuts at the local fruit market. Check out all this beautiful fruit that was set out tonight during dinner.
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| Arlona's finger added for scale - these were big berries! |
Tomorrow is a sea day before our three-day port day run. Our satellite antenna is supposed to be repaired in the first port. I hope it helps because these photo-heavy blogs are painful to load.
You video was fabulous and I get the feeling that your wonderful excursions are now beginning. Your blog is also fabulous. Thank you as always for doing it.
ReplyDeleteYour video was great, the ride was only explained in two different roll calls I was on (another line) as “a ride down the hill in a straw basket”, no thanks, lol. But when we find ourselves in Funchal again, maybe we will do this!
ReplyDeleteWow -- that sled ride was a lot of fun! Pleasant looking town especially in that sunshine. What were those bumpy, cylindrical green fruits, I wonder? I was surprised that the town wasn't just totally clogged with those other bigger ships in the port. Many thanks.
ReplyDeleteI’m enjoying following you and remembering common stops. We loved Madeira
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