First Day in Funchal

The first full day in Funchal, Mum and I took our normal walk into town and both of us were unsure what we would see, after the devastating floods in February.  To be honest, at first glance, there wasn't much of a change.

Or at least, not until we got to the first of the two rivers that flow through the centre of Funchal.  Last year, they were covered in Bouganvilla:

This year, it was totally different:

The bouganvilla had been swept away, along with the netting that it relied upon for support and the walls that it was attached to.

The bridge itself was also damaged:

But, once we got into the centre of Funchal, you wouldn't have know that there had been any flooding at all.  It was incredible to think that less than five months ago, this city had been inundated by tonnes of muck and gallons of water. 

However, when we walked down to the sea front that the amount of rubbish that was removed from the city became apparent:

Despite this, the island (or rather Funchal) seemed to be back to normal.  However, what the water had done to other parts of the island remained to be seen.

Ah well, guess I should call this quits - I've got to sort some bits out before I can do any more to my blog.

Back later, if I get the chance.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Back to the blogging

Well, I’m back. And the reason for the lack of posts? I was on holiday in my favourite location - the beautiful island of Madeira.

Mum and I had decided to return to Madeira within about ten days of us returning from our previous holiday, as the pair of us were so relaxed (ok – Mum had metalwork in her leg that decided to make a break for freedom, but that wasn’t the fault of the holiday!)

As per normal, I’m going to group the posts into the memorable parts of my holiday – fourteen posts would be a little extreme, as there were a couple of days that were wasted (the first day – i.e. the day that we flew out – more on that in a moment) and a couple of days where the pair of us just did very little, apart from chill.

The fun started at 03:30 on the Monday morning. Simply because Mum and I were being picked up by the taxi at 04:30, so it was a case of manhandling both cases down stairs the night before, as I am not at my best first thing in the morning – and certainly not at that time (I’m out of practice because I don’t have to get up and tend to Flame anymore).

The trip to the airport was uneventful, and we arrived at Birmingham Airport at 05:30ish... Now the check-in desk didn’t open until 06:00, so it gave Mum and few minutes to kill (and I was praying that the scales we had been checking the weight of the cases with was reasonably accurate, as the weight limit was 20kg per case…)

The desk opened, and we were second in the queue. Not a problem, until the girl on the check-in desk spotted Mum’s walking stick, which was folded up in her flight bag. Now normally, this wouldn’t be a real concern, as Mum regards it as more of a “comfort blanket” than an actual necessity most of the time.

However, Mum and I had booked seats with extra leg room – i.e. ones right by the aircraft doors (we were by the doors that are just before the wing on the B757 – think it was row 12). This meant that we had to be seen by the flight crew (or cart tarts) as being fully mobile; otherwise they would refuse to allow us to sit in the seats, despite the fact that we had paid extra for the privilege of not being treated like cattle.

Once that little hassle was overcome, it was then time to head for the security checks that allowed us to go airside. As per normal, the queue was massive, and this certainly didn’t improve my mood, as I had someone who seemed determined to keep as close to me as was humanly possible – without climbing into my flight bag!

It was then a case of waiting for the flight to be called. Only there is one problem. Birmingham airport (in their “infinite wisdom”) don’t make announcements for the flights that are ready to board. The only time that a call is put out, is when they need to round up passengers from either the bar or the duty free area, as they haven’t been keeping an eye on the information boards. Thankfully, we found seats directly facing the board, so we were able to keep an eye on things, and make sure that we were ready to make a move when the flight was ready.

So Mum and I headed to the boarding gate, and got onto the aircraft. Now as we were sitting by the emergency exit, we had to put our flight bags in the overhead locker… I wasn’t happy about that, as it meant that I had to hold onto my book and MP3 player / headphones as there was no seat pocket I could put them into. Then, we got the passengers from hell behind us.

Now normally, I’m quite tolerant when I fly – I just plug my headphones in, and ignore the world. Not this time. The prat behind me seemed to have ants in his pants, and every time he moved, he grabbed the back of my seat which seemed to pull it back to a point where it would almost twang back, and clout me on the back of my head.

In previous flights, I’ve had a nut free meal, because of my allergy. Not this time. I got given a vegetarian meal, and about 15 min after I’d eaten, I started to get the dreaded tingle in my mouth, meaning my allergic capability had started to kick in. Now where were my antihistamines? That’s right. In my flight bag, which was in the overhead locker.

But that wasn’t the worst part. The selfish prat who kept twanging the back of my seat had pushed his crap into the locker, putting my flight bag well out of my reach! All I can say is thank God for the gentleman who helped me. He helped me remove the selfish prat’s flight bag (who glared at me – I was just waiting for him to say something, and he would have been told in no uncertain terms what I thought of him) and got both mine and Mum’s flight bags from the locker.

The cart tarts were doing the pre-landing checks (seat backs upright, tray tables stowed, and hand luggage in the right places) when they spotted our flight bags. The one started to get a bit snotty – we’d stowed them underneath the seats directly in front of us – and I doubt anything short of a small nuclear explosion could have shifted mine.

Or she did until I said that I’d had and allergic reaction, and needed to get my medication. Nothing like the risk of a medical emergency to shut them up… But, it was back in the overhead lockers with them, and this time, it was our flight bags that were at the front, and the prat had to wait for his. Poetic justice in a way I guess...

Then it was into the terminal, through passport control and down to the luggage reclaim area. Now Funchal airport has a wonderful system, where the cases slide down on to the luggage carousel. Good idea in theory… In practise, not so good, as there is this chest that advertises the Madeira Story Centre, and I’ve seen cases get stuck behind there on a regular basis! Thankfully, the two cases weren’t one that were affected, meaning that all I had to do was grab them and get them off the carousel.

Once grabbed, it was a case of seeing what the transfer arrangements were (mini bus as normal) and getting across to where it was parked. As Mum managed to get the last seat in the normal bit, I had the delight of sitting in the passenger seat.

This didn’t actually bother me, as it meant that I could have a good look around, and see if there were any obvious signs of damage from February’s devastating floods. There was no obvious damage that I could see en-route to the hotel, but I wasn’t sure how the rest of the island was recovering…

Ah well, guess I should call this quits – I’ve go stuff to finish off before I head into the playpen tomorrow.

Back when I get the chance…


Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Madeira Floods.

This comes from the BBC website – I make no apologies for posting it directly – but all I can say is that I pray that the rains stop so that the people of this beautiful island stand a fighting chance to re-build.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most


******************************************************

A Briton has died following flash floods on the Portuguese island of Madeira, the Foreign Office has said.

At least 40 people have been killed in the floods, and more than 120 others hurt - a "small number" British.

Heavy rains brought tonnes of mud and stones down the slopes of the island, flooding the streets of the regional capital, Funchal, and other towns.

The island's 2,000 UK tourists have been told they can venture out again after earlier advice to stay indoors.

Foreign Office spokeswoman said the family of the dead Briton had been informed, but added: "We are not able to release any further details at this stage."

There has been widespread damage along the south coast of the island, with roads blocked, phone lines down and many people without water and electricity.

A Portuguese social services spokesman said communication problems were proving very difficult and warned the death toll would "likely increase, given the circumstances of this flood".

Portugal's Prime Minister Jose Socrates, who has visited the island, said he was appalled by the destruction and promised all necessary help.

The Foreign Office said earlier that a "small number" of British nationals had been treated in hospital.

Peter Ramos, of Hospital Cruz de Carvalho, said out of the 120 patients seen on Saturday, three were from the UK.

A woman remained in hospital with multiple injuries, he said, while two men sustained minor injuries and had been discharged.

"Four people in a taxi were hit by floods," he added.

In the UK, families are struggling to contact their relatives in Madeira as many of the phone networks are down.

Martin Hellier, 38, from Yeovil, Somerset, said he was growing increasingly concerned for his parents who live 20 miles (32km) west of Funchal in Ponta Do Sol.

He told the BBC he had heard no news in 24 hours because the phone lines were dead.

"My next course [of action] is to get in touch with the authorities over there and ask them what the conditions are in that particular region," he said.

Mark Costa told the BBC on Sunday he was evacuated from his Funchal apartment because there was no electricity or running water and the underground car park was submerged.

The 30-year-old, from Bicester, Oxfordshire, was visiting his Portuguese parents who were celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary. All three were later relocated to a safer area of the city.

He said most of the water had now drained into the rivers but the roads around Funchal harbour were covered in mud.

"Looking out of the window, they have diverted the water back into the river," he said.

Former foreign secretary Margaret Beckett, who is holidaying on the Atlantic island, said the weather had been "really wild".

"One of the staff here said that in 46 years working in the same place he had never seen seas like it or winds like it, so it obviously has been quite exceptional," she said.

UK travel association Abta said the hotels had been largely unaffected.

Some flights were cancelled and delayed on Saturday, but a spokesman said people due to travel out next week would be unaffected by events.

Madeia Facts: 

Autonomous region of Portugal with population of around 250,000

Lies just over 480km (300 miles) from West African coast

The European continent is more than 900km (560 miles) away

Madeiran Embroidery

Something that the island of Madeira is famous for (aside from its wine and flowers) is the fabulous hand done embroidery. The first time Mum and I went to Madeira, we were told to watch out for the holographic seal that is attached to a piece of embroidery. Why? Because this is the symbol that it has been checked by IBTAM (Instituto de Bordados Tapeçarias e Artesanato de Madeira) to ensure that it isn’t machine made. There is a simpler way – just look at the price!

I will admit to falling for a table cloth, and having serious thoughts about buying it… Or I did until I saw the price. It was €3,000. Mind you, having seen the work that goes into such pieces, I can understand why. Apparently, just a relatively simple piece of embroidery (such as a napkin) can take about 5 days of work, and if you add in the intricate cut work, then that time can almost double.

There is also a magnificent museum that shows some of the fabulous embroidery that is done on the island. It’s called Núclei Museológico do IVBAM (or the IBTAM museum). As you enter the building, and head up the main staircase, the first thing that you see is a huge (and I mean huge) tapestry.

All I can recall about this is that it has about seven million stitches, and took about five years to produce.

Once inside the displays are something special, and I will admit to gazing in wonder at some of the pieces, as it is almost impossible to imagine having the skill to produce the pieces that were on display.

One of my favourite pieces, was a tablecloth that was produced for the Queen’s state visit to Portugal (think it was 1985 or there about). The workmanship was something truly special, even by the standards of the pieces that were on display.

But my all time favourite piece is this one:

This was produced in 1999 (I think), and you can compare the paper pattern with the finished product – something I took great delight in doing.

The other display that caught my eye, was the display that showed the process from paper design to the final product. Unfortunately, the camera hated the display cases, so I only managed to get two useable shots from this entire display.

Well, this finally finishes the trip to Madeira. But I will admit to one thing – I think I have found my ideal holiday destination. Why? Because I can kick back, ignore the world and totally chill out.

After coming back, I am totally relaxed, and am ready to deal with the stupidity that seems to infest my day to day life here in the U.K. But, if I get the chance to go back – I’ll gladly do so, simply because I have fallen for this island paradise.

Time to call this quits – there are things I need to sort out before I head to the playpen tomorrow.

Back when I get the chance...


Karen


Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Of a Ship and a Fort

There has been one place that Mum and I have been meaning to visit every time we go to Madeira, but never do. The São Tiago Fort.

Why? Because this fort is next to the hotel that Mum and I stay in! Well, we finally decided to go and have a look…

We’d been into Funchal, and decided to take a gentle walk back. I’d stopped to go into one of the shops on the way back to the hotel – the idea being that as I walk faster than Mum, I would catch up with her. As I was walking back to join her, I heard this very loud horn blast, and Mum yelling “move it” and gesturing towards the sea front.

I did as I was told for once, and am so glad I did. Simply because the largest cruise liner currently afloat – Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas was making its majestic way into port.

Mum and I watched it docking, whilst we had a drink at the restaurant that was next to the cable car, and discussed our plans for the rest of the day. As it was still fairly early, we decided to head back to the hotel room, drop off the little bit of shopping that we had picked up (fresh fruit from the market) and head to the fort.

The fort holds a Modern Art museum (not something I am particularly keen on) but the views were something rather special – especially as there was a fantastic view of the port (or the harbour as I keep calling it!)

As well as the views across the harbour, you could get some lovely photographs of the old town, as well as the view up towards Monte.

Ah well – time to call this quits – I’m supposed to be getting ready to go out.

Back later.


Karen


Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Monte Tropical Palace Garden

As I said in previous posts – this garden merits a post all on its own, simply because it is such a spectacular place.

This garden is one of those places that takes you all over the world in horticultural terms, and also houses two beautiful museums. The first museum is devoted to African Art. Ok – I know it’s not to everyone’s taste, but the sculpture was really something special.

The second museum is the one that really catches the eye, simply because of the exhibits. They’re various geodes and other items that have been collected over the years, and are displayed in such a way that you just can’t help but be in awe of the wonders that nature produces.

The majority of the displays are amethyst geodes from Brazil, but that didn’t lessen the impact that they had. Some of them ranged from a fairly pale purple, though to the rich almost imperial purple that you associate with top quality amethyst.

 

However, the real reason for going to the garden was just that – the garden. This has all kings of exotic flora from my favourite cycads, to typical plants from the Madeiran archipelago, including the Bay tree (Laurus Azorica), Canary Island Juniper (Juniperus Cedrus), to the almost common Agapanthus plants.

Each area seemed to have a distinct theme, and one of my favourite areas (aside from the cycad area) was the Japanese inspired garden. Why? Because the walkways and bridges that link this area are painted a bright red, which stands out magnificently against the lush greenery.

 

 

Aside from that, the scenery is just spectacular, and the little café has some of the most special memories for me. Why? Because of a cheeky little chaffinch. There was a lady sitting behind Mum and myself, with a cake of some description, and the chaffinch kept perching on the back of the spare chair, eyeing up the crumbs, if not the cake itself.

It seemed to get braver the more time it spent looking at the crumbs, and finally ended up hopping onto the table itself!

When it saw me with the camera, it seemed to turn around to me, and say ”oh, yeah? And what’s your problem, mate?” I just couldn’t resist the chance, and snapped the cheeky little thing.

But the patience was rewarded – it got the crumbs, and even hopped onto the edge of the plate to make sure it didn’t miss anything.

When the chaffinch flew away (I’m amazed it could fly, the amount that it had eaten – greedy little thing.) I decided to see what I could see from the little viewpoint. I wasn’t disappointed, as I got the most fabulous views of the western side of Funchal.

Ah well – time to call this quits – I need to get some sleep, as I have an early start tomorrow.

Back when I get the chance…

Karen


Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Monte

This is somewhere that is a real haven of peace, away from the hustle and bustle of Funchal. It's also cooler, and whilst in Funchal, it can be brilliant sunshine, you can end up looking like a drowned rat in Monte!

I will admit, trying to take photos whilst the cable car is running is something of an art, but it's one that I seem to have been able to master (if I do say so myself!)

One of my favourite places in Monte, is the little restaurant / bar that is attached to the cable car building. Why? Because of the fabulous views over the port of Funchal, as well as Funchal itself.

Aside from the views, Monte is known for a number of things - Monte Palace Tropical Gardens (I'll do a separate post on this!), the Toboggan and the Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Monte - also known as Mother Church of Our Lady of Monte.

The toboggan is one of those things that you have to experience (yes - I have done so) and I remember pelting down the road on a wickerwork toboggan and going sideways at several points along the route!

But the best thing (or most scary thing - depending on your outlook) is that the route is actually along public highways. I will admit to one thing - I would be loathe to park my car on the route, as at one point, I really thought we were going to end up embedded in the side of a brand new VW Polo!

Not far from the toboggans, is the church. But, there is a catch (isn't there always?) You have to climb 74  steps to get to the church.

However, this is well worth the climb, as the interior is something very special. OK - it's not as ornate as the Cathedral, but this is just as special in its own way...





The ceiling of this Church is something that really stunned me. The last time I was there, I freely admit to missing it - not this time!



But there is more to Monte than just the gardens, toboggans and the church.  Just a short walk from the toboggans, is the village square, complete with its own little cafe and shop.  Again, it's just so pleasant to sit there, and just watch the world go by...

But not only is there the cafe & shop, there is a lovely shrine to the Virgin Mary.  It never fails to amaze me, and the flower displays are always immaculate.

Ah well guess I should call this quits - I've been staring at a computer screen for too long today.

Back later if I get the chance.

Karen


Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most

Funchal & it's delights - Jardim Orquidea and the Botanical Gardens

The one thing that I really love is the flowers and gardens in Madeira. The best example for me is Jardim Orquida (see http://www.madeiraorchid.com/), which houses some of the most magnificent orchids that I have ever seen (or had the pleasure of photographing) I just wish I could have captured the scent of some of the orchids - it was truly knock out - especially the Cattalaya orchids.

The entrance to Jardim Orquida is nothing much to look at, on first glance. However, it's when you get inside that the magic really happens.

There were so many orchids (and I took so many photos) that it's hard to say what really caught my imagination the most. But the one thing that really stuck out for me, was the variety of orchids that were on display - including Vanda orchids that ranged in colour from a very pale blue/mauve to a rich blue (as in my photo below)

Some of the flowers were just weird (and I admit - I don't know very many of the names!)

Bu the one that did catch my eye, was a Dendrobium:

The one thing that did upset me, was the fact that some of the plants weren't labeled. When I asked why, I was told that it was for security reasons, as the plants tended to be the rarer varieties. This was because in the past, when they had been labeled, orchid collectors had stolen the plants.

The only thing I wanted to do was take photographs - and curse that I don't have the right cultivation conditions for these beautiful plants. But that doesn't stop me trying - OK - more to the point, doesn't stop Mum trying - she went and bought one of the plants that was on sale. A Dendrobium (don't think it was the one I liked though). She brought it back in her flight bag and it is now growing happily in the kitchen.

After we went to Jardim Orquidea, Mum and I walked to the Botanical Gardens. (See http://www.madeirabotanicalgarden.com/)  Ok - it's supposed to be 200 metres from where we were, but the trouble was there were no obvious signs and I guess that Mum and I walked more like 500 metres.  But as far as I was concerned, it was well worth it.  Why? Because we came in at the bottom end of the garden, near the Cycads.

Ok - I admit it - I have a real love of these facinating prehistoric plants, and everywhere that they grew, I tried to get photographs.  Don't ask me what species they were, because I honestly don't know.  But that wasn't the only attraction of the Botanical Garden for me. 

Whilst Mum was resting with a cold drink (she wasn't feeling too good) I made my escape and found all sorts of interesting things to photograph - including plants that I didn't even know flowered.  Why?  Because here in the UK, we treat them as foliage plants - things like the Swiss Cheese plant (Monstera Edulis)

The central spathe of this plant is edible, and is sold in the market as a fruit.  It's an aquired taste, I have to admit, but it was one that I did manage to aquire...

There was such a wide variety of plants that there is no way that I can show everything that I saw.  The one thing that I do remember (for a variety of reasons) was the carpet bedding display.

There are channels of water between parts of the displays, and the reason I remember this, is because they were covered with algae, and I had to warn Mum that they were not grass... 

However, someone also thought that they were grass.  I was photographing the Cactus display that over looks the carpet bedding when I heard a splash.  Yes, you guessed it, someone had tried to walk on the "grass" and fell into the water.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't laugh.

Aside from that, there were lots of things that I found facinating (apart from the cycads) - including a Ginger Lilly that was taller than me!

But the plants weren't the only thing that caught my imagnination.  The spectacular scenery was something that I just couldn't resist trying to get photographs of:

Aside from the plants (and spectacular scenery) the peacocks that strutted around the gardens seemed to show no fear of visitors.  I managed to get a couple of shots whilst I was taking a quick break (ok - I was seated reviewing some photos on my camera!)

However, the real fun came when I joined Mum at the coffee shop.  There were about three peacocks "mugging" people for crumbs (and larger bits if they could get them) and two of them were "scared" (I use the term very loosly) by one of the rangers who was near by.  The third peacock hid, and when the ranger's back was turned, made the most of the lack of competition!

But the others didn't stay away for long, and by the time Mum and I left, there were five peacocks - the other two had brought their mates with them!

Ah well - guess I should call this quits - I need to get some sleep as I'm back in the playpen tomorrow.

Karen

Now some things you hold on to - and some you just let go
Seems like the ones that you can't have
Are the ones that you want most