The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page. St Augustine

Funchal, Madeira  is an island belonging to Portugal.  There are mountain slopes, rain forests and very scenic areas in this island.  Madeira is known as the floating garden with so many lovely garden and park areas.  They are famous for Madeira wine.  The ship arranged for us to a have free

shuttle service at this port and all other ports where it is needed.  This is new for us because on the Grand Asia there were several ports where we had to pay for shuttle service.  When they announced this in the theater the audience clapped and cheered!  We opted for a private tour through Viator.  The tour operator told us there would be 6 of us in an open wired 4 x 4 vehicle and we would not be crowded.  To our dismay there were 

8 of us with one couple being very large and having issues with walking and getting in and out of the vehicle.  We sat on the sides of the back area so our knees touched.  Not very comfortable.  The captain had told us that we would have a little rain in the morning but it would then clear.  We kept hoping for clear sunny skies to open the top but it never happened.  Instead we experienced several downpours.  The canvas top leaked if we didn’t push it up with our hands.  As they say travelers must be flexible and not expect perfection!  Our first stop was Camara de Lobos which is named for what they call sea wolves or sea lions.  We never saw any of them but possibly in the past when the villages were settled they were present and more of a problem. 

We came into port when it was still dark. Sunrise was at 7:30!! 

The port is very commercial but the walls are covered with paintings from all the different container companies and cruiseship logos.  The workers said that people from the ships paint the logos. 

This was our open air jeep and guide. 

Beautiful bougainvillea were everywhere.

Our first stop was the Sea Wolves area with cute cafes and colorful small fishing boats.  

Winston Churchill visited this cafe hitch makes it a very unique spot!

A photo from the past in the cafe. 

  The town was a cute fishing town with quaint restaurants, outdoor eating venues and a view of the marina and the sea. Betsy and I found a small shop with many unique hand made items so of course we found items to purchase.  

After that stop we traveled on to Nuns  Valley which follows a very curvy and twisty road up to the mountainous area. To our dismay it was totally fogged in and pouring buckets of rain.  Chuck Story and I were the only who ventured out to the skywalk which is a small curved see thru area.  We ventured over to the side and were able to see the coastline below.  It’s called Nuns Valley because when the pirates would invade the island the nuns would take the gold and treasures and resort to this hide away.   Our guide took us over a few four wheel drive roads where we tended to slip and slide down the slopes.  They were really not much of anything but he did talk of the invasive eucalyptus trees, showed us chestnuts which grow in abundance and found a bit of wild mint.  

Rain totally fogged us in. 

Entrance to the sky walk. 

Chuck and I were the only fools to brave the rain shower and look over the side.  

Onward we traveled to try the Poncha, their local alcoholic beverage.  It was a cute small shop which had a bar on one side and a small grocery store in the other.  Items were very pricey but I guess if you need it you buy it. We watched the bartender make the Poncha which is always made fresh.  He pounds and juices lemons, lime, mango’s, oranges. tangerines along with sugar and rum.   After ponding and juicing he blends it in a mixer with the rum.  It is very strong to alcohol and even a small glass packs a punch!!!  Betsy and I both threw back the shots and were a lot happier for it!!

Sometimes in port they have four cruise ships.  But today only we are here. Banana plants are everywhere planted up the hillsides and in every available space.  They are exported.  Some plants produce 250 bananas which are small.  They export to Spain. 

These are napkin holders. So original!!

After the tour we took the free shuttle bus to town and saw this on a bench. 

Beautiful fountain in a roundabout…

We found the banana/pineapple fruit delicioso.  Chuck bought one and the market lady showed us how to eat it.  Very sweet and good.  

Can you see the face in the metal sculpture along one of the side streets?   

All the streets are tiled and very intricate.  Everything is very clean. 

Oldest street in Funchal. 

A snack of pizzas and a chocolate brownie… all for $7 and Chuck treated us!!