Even in the dark as we approach Madeira I knew this would be more like it. Just the shape of the island and the way the city of Funchal was lite up and clung to the side of the island gave me a good vibe. We had a tour booked and our trip would start with a 15 minute ride up to the top of the city in a cable car and then a 2 kilometre ride down in a wicker basket (this cost extra).
Unlike Gibraltar they didn’t cram people on in the cable car and we got on with just 2 other people who, while they were on the ship weren’t part of the tour as they were doing their own thing. The views were fantastic and so was the weather and unlike the rest of our trip there was just a gentle breeze.
Apart from wine and cake Madeira is famous for these basket rides. According to our guide they were introduced to transport the rich people down from their houses at the top of the city to their businesses and shops at the bottom. There are about 100 guys who do it and they get paid per trip. If there happens to be a big football match on none of them actually turn up for work which she says can be a bit of nightmare if she has a tour.
It’s actually a very pleasant almost relaxing way to travel despite them trying to get close to the walls and being overtaken by the occasional car. These days they have a truck to carry the baskets back to the top instead of having to carry them on their backs which would be a very hard way to earn a living.
Much to Lyn’s delight there was a tat shop at the bottom. We bought a hat for me, a fridge magnet for Victoria, a miniature basket for the fortress and a purse made of cork for Lyn. We were so pleased to actually be able to buy stuff we even spent €10 on the pictures they take of you coming down the hill. Happy days!
We got back on the coach and then had to wait for a couple of people were ‘just having a coffee’. At the beginning of the day we left nearly 10 minutes late while we waited for a couple who obviously couldn’t tell the time. This is the downside of group tours. There’s always someone who can’t tell the time or follow instructions. It’s fine if they want to waist their own time but I don’t see why they should waist mine. While chatting to the guide we asked her about time keeping. She said the best people for are the English and the French. Swiss tourist always turn up 15 minutes before the time she gives and then complain that she is late. The Southern Europeans, Spanish, Italians, etc are the worst. They don’t listen and just wander off. I love how each nation fits into their stereotypes.
Our next stop was the botanical gardens which most importantly had a cafe with great views and genuine Portuguese tarts! It also had some plants and trees and flowers. We saw a very tiny lizard. The tarts were lovely.
Our last stop was an embroidery factory but we didn’t have to do that (why would you) so we went shopping instead. Funchal is a very pretty city. I’m particularly impressed with the pavements which are made up of black and white tiles or tiny cobbles. We could easily have spent the rest of the day taking in the sights and were tempted not to go back on the coach and make our own way back but chickened out.
Madeira was just the tonic we needed. Reading back through this it probably comes across very dull. As you can tell I even struggled with the movie theme title for it. However this was our best day by far and we are going to put Madeira on our list of places to come back to. I’m even tempted to have a look for this summer.
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