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Madeira
Today, we stopped at the island of Madeira, one of Portugal’s two autonomous regions—and both are located in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. The other in the Azores, is the port of call we missed two days ago due to inclement weather.
It was nice to step foot on land after eight continuous days at sea.
Although Madeira is geologically located on the African tectonic plate, it is culturally, economically, and politically European.
Madeira was part of the first archipelago claimed by the Portuguese during the age of discovery. The first Portuguese settlers began colonizing the islands in 1420. Until the first half of the 16th century, Madeira was one of the highest producers of sugar and of course they used slave labor. Madeira’s most important commodity eventually became its wine, Madeira wine. Sugar plantations were eventually replaced by Vineyards as Portugal moved sugar production to Brazil and São Tomé.
Our visit today was in the city of Funchal named for its abundant crop, fennel.
Funchal is a modern cosmopolitan city known for its year-round warmer climate, incomparable natural beauty, it’s lively weekend nightlife that usually begins at midnight, and it’s festive Christmas, Halloween, Mardi Gras,and New Year’s Eve celebration that includes one of the largest fireworks displays in the world.
Entering the port of food provides one of the most spectacular and picturesque views comparable to such places as the Bay of Kotor and the Port of Malta. It’s an absolute feast for the eyes with its lush and colorful gardens, azure bay, and verdant mountain backdrop. The port is an important stop over for commercial and Transatlantic passenger cruises between Europe the Caribbean and North Africa.
I took an informative guided walking tour today from Dominico, a student who studies at the local University. I’ve never had a tour conducted in English, in a Portuguese city, by an Italian, who lives in Rome. 🤣 We walked more than 15,000 steps in the charming old and newer parts of town. The city has grown considerably since I was last here 10 years ago.
I was happy to reconnect as we went for eight straight sea days without Internet, because the Ship’s “world-class, state of the art,” Internet system does not work.
I completed my passenger locator form for Lisbon today. 🇵🇹 The UK no longer requires a completed passenger locator form. It was a lengthy and tedious process but I had already completed it before I left home.
Our next port of call will be Morocco 🇲🇦
More details to follow……
