Funchal, Madeira
It was an August moment as we sailed into the harbor at Funchal, home to a replica of the Santa Maria, on Columbus Day. Funchal is the capital of Madeira, the lovely Portuguese archipelago and the first of our island stops. In the morning we had a city tour including visits to the Museum of Sacred Art, an embroidery factory and the very lively market which included beautiful flowers, a bewildering variety of fruit and a bustling fish market. Since the Madeiran climate spans a range from subtropical lower areas to cool and wet high mountains, many kinds of fruits and flowers are cultivated. At the fish market we saw the local delicacy, peixe espada, a long thin fish with large eyes and long sharp teeth which the Madeirans catch at depths of 2000-3000 feet by hook and line. After lunch most of us tried out a uniquely Madeiran form of transport developed to move people and goods down from the high mountains. These wicker toboggans (carro de cesto, or “basket car”) are driven by two men who steer and brake with their feet as you hurtle down the steep streets of the town of Monte, toward Funchal, hoping no cars will be encountered at the cross-streets. It was an exciting way to work up an appetite for our special Madeiran dinner ashore in the evening.
It was an August moment as we sailed into the harbor at Funchal, home to a replica of the Santa Maria, on Columbus Day. Funchal is the capital of Madeira, the lovely Portuguese archipelago and the first of our island stops. In the morning we had a city tour including visits to the Museum of Sacred Art, an embroidery factory and the very lively market which included beautiful flowers, a bewildering variety of fruit and a bustling fish market. Since the Madeiran climate spans a range from subtropical lower areas to cool and wet high mountains, many kinds of fruits and flowers are cultivated. At the fish market we saw the local delicacy, peixe espada, a long thin fish with large eyes and long sharp teeth which the Madeirans catch at depths of 2000-3000 feet by hook and line. After lunch most of us tried out a uniquely Madeiran form of transport developed to move people and goods down from the high mountains. These wicker toboggans (carro de cesto, or “basket car”) are driven by two men who steer and brake with their feet as you hurtle down the steep streets of the town of Monte, toward Funchal, hoping no cars will be encountered at the cross-streets. It was an exciting way to work up an appetite for our special Madeiran dinner ashore in the evening.
