So last night when we
returned to our cabin, we discovered that we had been blown off course and were
landing on a completely different island!
No, really, there was a tropical
storm very close to the Azores where we were scheduled to port and the captain
thought the seas would be way too rough, so he decided to sail south to the
Island of Madeira which is also owned by Portugal. And I am so glad he did!
We awoke to a day
awash in sunshine with clear blue skies and great temps and a view of this
beautiful, mountainous island dotted with small cream-colored homes with orange
roofs, covered in vegetation and flowers.
What a way to start your day!
We walked the 1.2
miles into town and did what we haven’t been able to do on the past few
tour-intensive stops….shopping! And
shop we did. Madeira, beside being
known for their wine, is also know for their embroidery work, and we picked up
some beautiful pieces, including the most beautiful dress for our new
granddaughter. It is so enjoyable to
wander the meandering streets of this very European town and stop into the
shops to see their beautiful wares.
After shopping we
headed to the cable car to ascend up to the top of the mountain to a little
town called Monte. It was a bit scary
heading up there…we were really high up but I tried not to look down…just
out…and after what seemed like a lifetime…we reached the top. What a view!!
You could see the entire city of Madeira, the ships in port and so much
of the Atlantic. We visited the
beautiful little church at the top of the mountain which houses the body of the
last emperor of Austria who was exiled to this beautiful place. Not a bad deal!
Then we did something
that you can’t do anywhere else in the world…we took a sled ride down the
mountain… without snow!! The locals
have these sleds which seat two-three people, they oil the streets and the runners
on the bottom of the sleds and guide you down the mountain streets, using their
feet and ropes…it was amazing and so much fun!!!
After sharing lunch
in town with our friends Lynne & Jim, we wandered around a bit more and
came across a festival and craft fair that was being held in one of the
squares. We felt like locals, meandering
through the tent village, seeking that one perfect item we had to buy…which, by the way, we never found. But it was fun. Then Bill found a Portuguese Military Museum
which we had to go see. It was interesting
and they gave you a booklet with the English translation of all of the
exhibits. Bill loved that they had some
very old cannons and guns on display.
Then it was time to
return to the ship…and after all the walking we did, we only made it half way
back before we resorted to paying a cab to take us all the back to the
pier. For 5 euros it was well worth
it!!
It was sad to know
that this would be our last port. We
have so enjoyed visiting so many wonderful places and learning about different people
and their cultures. If anything has
struck us, it is the fact that people are pretty much the same everywhere in
the world…some are kind, some are rude, most are just going about the daily
lives working, eating and enjoying their families…it is just their environment
that is different. The world is a very
small but fascinating place.
Back on ship it is
time for a glass of wine/rum and coke on the balcony as we watch the children
of Madeira learn to navigate small sailboats.
Such a nice way to finish our day.
As we sail away from
Madeira, we realize that this is the last time we will be seeing land for an
entire seven and a half days….YIKES!!!
We’re certainly hoping for nice weather as we finish this epic voyage.
Dinner tonight is the
best…pizza and a movie…up on deck in MUTS we watch Snow White and Huntsman. What a great movie!! And Bill…wonder of wonders…actually enjoys
it. Now he can’t say anymore that he
hasn’t gone to the movies since 1984!!
And if all movie theaters provided the service the ship provides…bringing
you drinks, pizza, popcorn, ice cream and cookies and milk…he said he would go
more often!!!
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