We arrived from our Atlantic Ocean crossing at 0920 on
Sunday 4/10. It was a beautiful day,
with the sun breaking over the mountains to the east. The sky was partly cloudy with a 20 knot wind
coming over the stern rail. The town of
Funchal was just stirring as the local people make their way to church. However, this Sunday was also the annual
Flower Festival, with the town decked out in thousands of flowers in every
shape and size.
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| Lots of great sidewalk gardens. |
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| Happy Pat |
The vender tents were brimming with all the latest souvenirs
(made in China) and there were groups in traditional dress ready to dance and
sing for the crowds. And there was a big
crowd coming. Once the church bells
signal noon and the faithful come back out into the sunshine, the sleepy town seemed
to double in population. Apparently,
many years ago the tradition of wearing a hat that looks like an acorn (boater hat) became
all the rage. And yes friends and
neighbors, for a mere pittance you too can own one of these little jewels.
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| No, No, it looks good on you. |
We had a delicious
Cappuccino at Café O Calhau located in the same Plaza as the Cathedral. The plaza would become some kind of band
stand later on in the evening so James couldn’t resist his chance to be in the
shot
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| There is no I in team, but there is one in Madeira. |
There is an another tradition where two “Carreiros do
Monte” take you on a wicker toboggan ride descending from the village of Monte. The runners dressed in white guide you down
the 2 kilometers at upwards of 30 kilometers an hour on a thrilling ride. This seemingly dangerous act can be yours for
the low-low price of 15 Euros.
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| Wicker helmet is optional. |
After a beautiful day spent wondering the old town, we made
our way back to the port. At the
beginning of the pier there is a small island with a stone structure that
towers over the ocean about 5 stories high. Our curiosity had us climbing a half
dozen set of rocky stairs where we discovered that we had indeed stumbled onto
the Principality Islet Atlantis. Yes, Atlantis. Now hold on you “sceptics”, wait just a
minute, we have proof. There was a sign!!! No, not a sign from God or anything that
predictable, there was a large color glossy print that explained everything.
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| We give you proof. |
Apparently a gentleman named Prince Don Renato II “The Fair”
was the ruler of this previously thought mythical land where they apparently
wear scholarly professor’s robes and do not believe in combing their hair. Still skeptical? There was also a pamphlet.
It states: “On this atoll the discoverers, in 1419, took
refuge before stepping onto its neighboring island – the island of
Madeira”. It goes on to tell of the
British buying the island and not recognizing the sovereignty of this island
nation. The Royal Charter letter is
deposited in London and is recognized by the Portuguese state. Fortunately, Prince Donny’s nation was
recognized by the Guinness book as the smallest country in the world, (in your
face Britain). The pamphlet goes on to
say that Atlantis starts in the year 57 APRB (after prince Renato’s
birth). I’m not sure when that is but
you could probably look that up in your spare time at www.fortesaojose.org.
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| Happy James. |
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| The city of Funchal. |
So that is it for the island of Madeira. We sailed at 5 and headed for the straits of
Gibraltar. The forecast is for rolling
seas up to 17 feet with strong winds and possible showers. Before departure, our position was 32.70 N,
16.77 W. The Madeiran flower festival
did not seem to lure Elvis to the island, but we did catch a glimpse of him in
a painting at the art gallery that evening.
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| We didn't bid on it. |
When next we meet, we
will be in the Mediterranean Sea.
Cheers,
P & J