December 11, 2016
Because of the fickle weather in the Atlantic Ocean this time of year, or maybe it is because of the regularity of the weather in the Atlantic Ocean this time of year, we are detouring south before we turn west towards Bermuda. Instead of going to Ponta del Gotta in the Azores we went to Funchal on the island of Madeira, a Portugese island. The weather was spectacular. We wore our jackets off, but before we got back on the shuttle two hours later, I was carrying mine, and Bonnie had hers unzipped all the way. When the Captain gave his sail away report he said it was good to feel the sweat on your skin. If it wasn’t like that where you are, we enjoyed a bit of it on your behalf.
The streets in the major shopping part of Funchal (which was largely closed, it being Sunday) are either cobbled or mosaic. The mosaic being random black and white shapes making fascinating walking places. And as we walked along we saw a miniature village built on a hillside, much like the cities on Madeira, with a miniature nativity, and later a full-size nativity complete with camels, wisemen, shepherds, sheep, an angel, and of course, the Holy Family.
There were no signs of protest. No Uncivil Liberties Union hollering “separation of church and state.” Just signs of Christmas.
And there were lots of decorations, and even two different sleighs with Santa and 4 of his reindeer, plus Rudolph. There was Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen. Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitson were missing. But it looked like the Jolly Old Elf was doing all right in spite of himself.
We bought a few souvenirs. I bought a can of Pringles for myself. Bonnie bought a purse made out of cork. It is very nice, and very Bonnie-like, she bought the cheapest one. That way I could afford my Pringles :-) Oh, she also bought a 9 euro chocolate bar, which features a wrapper made out of cork with a removable section complete with a magnet.
Back on board we ate lunch out on the stern deck. She had mashed potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, half of a Mexican chili beef wrap, and ice cream (honey yogurt and mint chocolate chip). I had a piece of pepperoni pizza, two peanut butter cookies and two scoops of ice cream, plus coffee. A yummy lunch indeed!
One of our table mates, Charles, was missing tonight. He is allergic to chocolate. It gives him major migraine headaches, and he consumed some ice cream, hazel nut Kathleen said, that was supposed to have no chocolate in it. Whatever it was, it laid him low. He missed the lobster dinner tonight. And the lobster was very good.
Tonight’s show featured the ship’s singers and dancers and the ship’s orchestra in a production number, “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.” Well done, indeed. We really enjoy the production numbers. There is a three time Grammy nominee coming up tomorrow that we have never heard of.
My talk is at 9:30 in the morning, so my bed buddy will deliver room service so I can rehearse. Ain’t she sweet!
Well, she clobbered me in cards this afternoon, so I am going to close and get a little revenge.
TTFN
This was a short port. We were still lying in the bed when they came on at 7 to say we could go ashore. We got up, went to breakfast ( there was a beautiful rainbow out over the harbor) then donned our coats and collected our euros and headed out to town. They said it was a short 15 minute walk ( I am not sure whose 15 minutes it was) but we opted for the shuttle and were very glad we did.
After leaving the shuttle, we started walking down the beautiful streets. As it was Sunday most stores were closed and there was only a little traffic. It is a beautiful city and a beautiful island. The houses are built all the way up the mountains from everywhere you look. Just amazing. I am glad we came here instead of the Azores.
We visited 2 souvenir shops that we came to. They were actually very nice. They had lots of things that were made in Portugal. I was frivolous and did buy a purse, no it wasn’t the cheapest one, it was the one I liked best. It has short handles and a long detachable strap. The candy bar that I bought has a cork wrapper and part of it comes off and is a magnet showing a-frame houses. There is a town on the outside of Madeira that has homes built like this.
As we walked down the street we passed a group of locals dressed in native costumes, carrying accordions, small stringed instruments, drums, etc. We thought they might be getting ready for a performance. We watched for a while then walked on some more to take a picture of a cannon for Mac, some Nativity scenes, a huge Santa Claus and some smaller sleighs and reindeer. We also took pictures of lovely streets and the surrounding hill sides covered with towns.
After a while we heard some music and we were headed back and the group had grown larger and they were playing the instruments, singing and dancing. We couldn’t understand any of the words but it was great fun watching and enjoying their noticeable pride in their songs and dancing. We stopped and watched for about 10 minutes. Then, headed back to where the shuttle was to be. But before we got on we walked on in the other direction and found a park on the top of a hill overlooking the water and the other end of the town. It was beautiful. Your Dad took some pictures and I sat on a wall and watched a lizard running along the wall.
We headed back down to the street and to the shuttle.
Coming back on the shuttle we saw that there were quite a few people in the harbor in kayaks. There must have 20 or more. There were a couple that had 2 people. There was even a guy standing on a paddle board. It was such a bright and sunny day and very much enjoyed by us.
After lunch we rested and when it was 1 pm I went on deck to watch all on board and the sail away. He came up to join me at 1:30. After we sailed out of the harbor he went back to the cabin to work and I sat on deck 5 to crochet. My favorite time on ship, just sitting outside on the deck and watching the waves. Most enjoyable. At about 3, the spray was getting pretty strong and I was getting wet, I went to the cabin. Tonight was formal night and I wanted to wash my hair before supper. So I got washed and sat and crocheted till time to go to supper.
It was lobster night but I had a cold fruit soup and tried to eat some beef and potatoes. It was okay. Well, he is accusing me of writing War and Peace so I had better go.
Amy, if you want to make fudge with me, plan for Dec 23. I am going to be making fudge and baking cookies that day.
Love Mom
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