Funchal, Madeira, Portugal

Saturday, April 18, 2015

We arrived in Funchal, Madeira on time at 7AM to a lovely day.  Madeira is a Portuguese archipelago just west of Morocco, Africa, in the Atlantic Ocean.  Madeira belongs to Portugal, approximately 560 miles to the northeast but sits closer to Morocco, 370 miles east.  Funchal is the largest city, the municipal seat and capital of Portugal's Autonomous Region of Madeira.  The name is a combination of fennel and plantation of fennel, derived from the Portuguese word "funcho" and "-al".

One of the most fun things to do in Funchal is to take the cable car ride, approximately 15 minutes.  It is 12,000 feet long and rises 1,837 feet with incredible views.  Now to return down, most people select the toboggan ride.  This sled ride started around 1850 and attracts lots of tourists.  For about 25 euros, you can travel down narrow, winding streets, returning to Funchal traveling up to speeds of 48 MPH!

Madeira is famous for some of the world's great wines, especially the renowned Madeira wine.  Madeira wine was used to toast the Declaration of Independence. But most people don't know that Madeira is also famous for its rum.  The island is well known for a beverage known as poncha, made with rum and honey.

And of course, Funchal has a well known Mercado dos Lavradores, open market, built in the 1930's and is of art-deco design.  It is a lively place where you can buy fresh produce, meat, fish, flowers, spices and handicrafts.  Madeira is well known for their lovely hand-stitched embroidery, very intricate, but oh, the price it commands!  Today the city had the Spring Flower Festival and parade, lovely and very well attended by the locals.

Just as we were ready to drop the gangway at 4:30PM, we were treated to a show by the Falconer and his hawk.  The port hires him to keep the seagulls off the pier.  He (the hawk) really put on a show and even kept landing on the balcony railings.  We think he wanted a cruise!

Captain Stringer has advised we may have some rock and rolling during the next 6 days as we cross the Atlantic Ocean on our way to Bermuda.

Cadiz, Spain

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Leaving Barcelona, out through the Balearic Sea into the Mediterranean Sea, into the Alboran Sea, we head west-south-west to the Gibraltar Strait, then we leave the Mediterranean Sea and into the Atlantic Ocean. This puts us onto a northerly course to Cadiz.

Cadiz is Spain's gateway to the Atlantic and has been a commercial port for 3,000 years.  It is also considered the gateway to Seville, the capital of Spain.  Seville is about a 2 hour trip inland.  You can also travel from Cadiz to Jerez, Spain's renowned "Sherry Triangle" and also visit the Royal Andalusian School of Equestrian Art to watch the horses.

But oh what a surprise the beautiful city of Cadiz and it's 18th and 19th century architecture turned out to be!  Cadiz is one of Europe's oldest inhabited cities, dating from 1100 B.C.  Just a short 15 minute walk puts you into the city center and from there you can head in all directions.

One of the first things you see is the Town Hall or Ayuntamiento, built in two stages, 1779 and 1861, the facade is decorated with garlands, round moldings with Phoencian coins and the roof with stone vases.

As expected, around every corner there is a new plaza to explore, exquisite old churches and cathedral's, the typical European sidewalk cafes, narrow passageways, and Mercado Central.  It was also time for a haircut for Curt.  We found a cute little barber shop, quite inexpensive and good.  We decided that as slow as they were, they would not survive in the U.S!

We can say that this is a lovely place, Cadiz, and we will look forward to another visit.  At 6:45 PM, we dropped the gangway and began our trek to Funchal, Madeira, Portugal.

Barcelona, Spain

Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Traveling away from Nice, through the Gulf of Lion, which is a wide embayment of the Mediterranean coastline in France, reaching from the border with Catalonia to Toulon and very beautiful.  Also the area is known for cold and blustery winds, some of which helped blow us to Barcelona.

Barcelona is an overnight stop on the itinerary allowing more time for passengers and crew to enjoy the many wonders available.  The city is the capital of Catalonia, Spain, full of rich culture, art and architecture.  Art lovers probably should not miss seeing the Picasso Museum to view the famed artist's work but be prepared for long lines to get inside!  One of the most famous architectural works of art, by Antonio Gaudi, is the La Sagrada Familia, the 19th-century church which remains unfinished to this day.

Food and wine are always a highlight while in Barcelona.  We have a favorite restaurant, Les Quinze Nits, that we always visit.  But others find that they enjoy the tapas, small plates of food like olives, cured meats and cheese, or chopitos, tiny fried squid - maybe just some paella will do for us!

One way to spend your day is touring the Barri Gothic, the old part of Barcelona, walking through the narrow, winding ancient streets, you can see buildings and sites dating back 2,000 years.  Then head to Las Ramblas which connects to the Barri Gothic district.  A famed poet once said, "Las Ramblas is the only street in the world which I wish would never end."  It features flower carts, street markets, sidewalk cafes, opera houses and MIMES!

After a day and a half of glorious weather and time in Barcelona, we sadly said goodbye at 8PM and began our sail towards Cadiz, Spain scheduled for arrival in 2 days.