Portugal, you win my heart again! Madeira is another Portuguese archipelago. Just beautiful, very tropical, near the Canary Islands, lush. We went to the city of Funchal and there are these notorious sled rides to take. I was on another shore excursion and this did not permit me straying for a sled ride. But these gentlemen in the photo guide your speeding wooden sled down the concrete street. Seriously. My friend Julia said that it was a blast and the the base of the sled starts smoking! Next time Madeira, next time.
My shore excursion started out up high on the hillside at a view point. We then took aerial trams down this valley to the botanical gardens. I had a field day snapping photos. This time I remembered to charge my camera battery. The botanical garden was rather large, but it had a succulent section, which is really all I'm ever looking for. It's really inspiring for my artwork. I started making these birds of paradise in glass right before I left town. They are everywhere in San Diego.
So the excursion was only a half day tour which was perfect. Our guide and tour bus dropped us off in the main shopping and market area of Funchal. Tara was on the same tour with a different group and we had plans to meet and spend the afternoon together. She's a real good time. This large indoor/outdoor market building had lots of spices, flowers, tropical fruits and this bizarre open room seafood market.
Now I have to point out this green pinecone looking fruits below. These people are alllll about cross fruits. This is a pineapple, banana, mango fruit in one. And as it ripens which can be over the course of 2 weeks it will shed the green exterior bit by bit, and usually from the stem down. It reveals this mango textured which fruity flesh that is delicious underneath. We smuggled some back to the ship obviously. They also cross passion fruits with other fruits. I had never had a passion fruit before and every stand made sure to force samples into your mouth. I loved them! But the tomato passion fruit was a little odd. P.S. passion fruit is great in cocktails and sangria.
Leaving the market we wander down this quaint alleyway. Restaurants and art line the street. But it was just some small cafe style tables nothing over the top. The perfect place to stop for a glass of port. Or two. So in this one alleyway, about 90% of the doors had murals on them. All different styles- some abstract, patterned, landscapes, fantasy like. They were awesome! This place had a lot of character and was definitely a favorite of a lot of the crew members.
P.P.S. This ^ was Tara's halloween costume ha! (The sky??)
It was an orange shirt and khaki kind of day.
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