A few days back in Madeira

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November 15, 2023
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Day 1
Wednesday, November 15, 2023 at 4:55 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Portugal Nossa Senhora de Socorra 32.647841, -16.89736532°38’52” N 16°53’51” W
Arrival
November 15, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
All the arrangements worked OK, and as repeat guests at the hotel they gave us a bowl of fruit (and the fruit here is wonderful!), and a dark madiera cake, and half a bottle of dry madiera wine. All very welcome, when sitting in the hot sun on our balcony.

BTW, "Arrival" is an excellent movie starring Amy Adams.Read more
I think I would manage 5 minutes sitting outside before my fingers turned blue and I dropped my glass of wine!!! [Eve]
11/16/23Reply
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Day 2
Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 4:54 PM
☁️ 22 °C
Altitude: 20 m
Portugal Nossa Senhora de Socorra 32.647857, -16.89736432°38’52” N 16°53’51” W
Whales and fast jets
November 16, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C
This morning we went out into the Atlantic on a catamaran on a whale watching trip. I wasn't expecting to see any, but after an hour we met first a group of beaked whales, then a pod of pilot whales. The beaked whales are quite rare, they are very shy and they can stay under water for over 20 minutes without breathing, so you dont get to see them very much. The pilot whales were in a pod of at least a dozen, swam right up to the boat, and then along one side.

There was a navy ship parked out to sea, and suddenly we were under a pair of jet fighters doing attack runs on the ship (training I hope).

Back on shore we went to book a restaurant for dinner on Saturday, then for lunch at a small cafe we know overlooking the sea near to the hotel, and back to lay in the sun by the pool. Hard day!Read more
We have water coming from the skies here but no whale pods to admire just pea pods from the market. That jet in the blue sky seems unreal compared to the heavy cloud over Wendover. [Eve]
11/16/23Reply
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Day 3
Friday, November 17, 2023 at 2:13 PM
☀️ 24 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Portugal Ribeira das Cales 32.647968, -16.8973132°38’53” N 16°53’50” W
Zzzzz . . .
November 17, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C
Not doing anything all day.... !

....

Tonight going for dinner at the restaurant of Blandy's, the main bodega of madeira wine, with a view of tasting some different ones to the ones we know. Could be a good night!Read more
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Day 4
Saturday, November 18, 2023 at 3:56 PM
☀️ 22 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Portugal Ribeira das Cales 32.647967, -16.89730632°38’53” N 16°53’50” W
Saturday
November 18, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C
A quick walk down to the Blandys shop to stock up on madeira to bring home. They have a great scheme where you buy the wine in the shop, but you then pick it up in the Blandys branch at the airport, which is after all the security stuff so you can carry it in your carry-on bags. Brilliant!

A look around the cathedral which is in the usual heavily decorated Hispanic style, but with a beautiful mudejar style roof, and then to the wonderful central funchal market.

This afternoon the weather came over with heavy cloud, but still warm and no rain.Read more
I remember the market in Funchal so well and Blandy’s but not the well organised transport to the airport!!! [Eve]
11/19/23Reply
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Day 5
Sunday, November 19, 2023 at 10:20 AM
☀️ 18 °C
Altitude: 33 m
Portugal Ribeira das Cales 32.647965, -16.89730532°38’53” N 16°53’50” W
Cruise ships
November 19, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C
Funchal has a really good deep water port and it's a favourite of the cruise lines. The city is completely geared up for them and there have been two or three here every day. Then this morning while we were having breakfast this one arrived. We thought the other ones were huge, but this dwarfs all of them. Its the p&o iona, and carries over 5000 passengers and about 2000 crew.

I think it's time to go home!Read more
5000?. Unbelievable!! Even 500 would be too much for me. Eve [Eve]
11/19/23Reply
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Trip end
November 19, 2023

A few days back in Madeira

Arrival

Whales and fast jets

Zzzzz . . .

Saturday

Cruise ships