Wednesday, 5 April 2017
Sailing to Tangier, Morocco
A beautiful day as we sail on to a one-port one-day visit to Morocco. This will be my third country in No Africa: Egypt (two weeks in 1993), Tunisia (one day in 2010), and Morocco. But before my quick immersion in Tangier I shall return to yesterday's wonderful day in Madeira.
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
It is still dark as we glide into Funchal at 7am, and the lights of the city are twinkling. By 8am the sun has risen, and shore-based activities abound. My day begins with a ham and cheese omelet with the usual sides in my suite then off on this morning's shore excursion, a four-hour introduction to the highlights of Funchal.
The tour begins with a short bus ride from the pier through the modern part of town, where the boulevards are lined with luxury hotels. Our first stop is Santa Caterina Park, the first of three lovely gardens we will visit. Madeira is a garden-lovers paradise, with many public and private gardens open for visits in all parts of the island. The war Gulfstream currents bring an ideal moderate climate with high humidity and lots of rainfall.
From this park we return to the waterfront to board the 6-person cable cars that will take us up to the high village of Monte with its gardens and lovely church (at the top of an additional 172 steps). For most visitors the highlight of this visit is the return back down the hillsides to the city center by two-person "sleds" pulled and pushed by two young and hunky locals. This is a bone-jarring ride down cobblestone streets, so I decide that rather than risk losing another hip I would save this ride for my next visit to Funchal.
Those of us wise enough and scared enough not to ride the "sleds" head back downtown by bus to visit a lace "factory" (really just a shop) and the central food market. The final part of the tour takes us back up into the hills to visit the Botanical Gardens of Funchal, perhaps the most photographed site on the island. The gardens are planted on a down-sloping hillside that the visitor easily walks down on guided pathways. Our guide is quite knowledgable about plants and trees and offers good descriptions of many of the things we see.
Instead of returning to the ship when the tour ends at 1pm, we are given the option to stay in the central part of Funchal on our own. I gladly accept the option and wander through the old town, looking at shops (I should have bought those shoes), and for a good restaurant for lunch. After a slow and relaxing meal--during which I finally am able to get Will on the phone--it is time to visit two important churches.
But I will save that visit and pictures for the next blog. Now it is time for rest after a very busy day in Tangier.
Sailing to Tangier, Morocco
A beautiful day as we sail on to a one-port one-day visit to Morocco. This will be my third country in No Africa: Egypt (two weeks in 1993), Tunisia (one day in 2010), and Morocco. But before my quick immersion in Tangier I shall return to yesterday's wonderful day in Madeira.
Tuesday, 4 April 2017
It is still dark as we glide into Funchal at 7am, and the lights of the city are twinkling. By 8am the sun has risen, and shore-based activities abound. My day begins with a ham and cheese omelet with the usual sides in my suite then off on this morning's shore excursion, a four-hour introduction to the highlights of Funchal.
The tour begins with a short bus ride from the pier through the modern part of town, where the boulevards are lined with luxury hotels. Our first stop is Santa Caterina Park, the first of three lovely gardens we will visit. Madeira is a garden-lovers paradise, with many public and private gardens open for visits in all parts of the island. The war Gulfstream currents bring an ideal moderate climate with high humidity and lots of rainfall.
 |
| Santa Caterina Park |
From this park we return to the waterfront to board the 6-person cable cars that will take us up to the high village of Monte with its gardens and lovely church (at the top of an additional 172 steps). For most visitors the highlight of this visit is the return back down the hillsides to the city center by two-person "sleds" pulled and pushed by two young and hunky locals. This is a bone-jarring ride down cobblestone streets, so I decide that rather than risk losing another hip I would save this ride for my next visit to Funchal.
Cable Car Ride
Downhill Sleds
 |
| Botanical Gardens |
Instead of returning to the ship when the tour ends at 1pm, we are given the option to stay in the central part of Funchal on our own. I gladly accept the option and wander through the old town, looking at shops (I should have bought those shoes), and for a good restaurant for lunch. After a slow and relaxing meal--during which I finally am able to get Will on the phone--it is time to visit two important churches.
But I will save that visit and pictures for the next blog. Now it is time for rest after a very busy day in Tangier.
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