Funchal Madeira (Portugal)

15 April 2018

I did not know anything about this island and it is a lovely surprise. The NCL Epic has a wonderful group of solo travellers I consider friends. Denny has covered the transatlantic several times so he shares great ideas of what to do when in port. Seven (7) of us shared a taxi for 30 Euro each. The driver took us for a 3 hour tour starting with the togobban ride. I almost did not do this exciting ride down the steep winding mountain roads of Funchal in a basket. I thought it was your typical toboggan down a metal track. At 15Euro per person it was one of the most fun things I have done. It brought back childhood memories of billycart racing down the hill with only our feet as brakes. We destroyed many shoes with this dangerous but fun childhood pasttime but the baskets on the hill of Funchal are another level. you can take the cable car up to the top of the mountain or we had our taxi drop us off at the start.

You sit in a basket and are in the safe hands of two locals (and the universe) who use their well shod feet to control the basket around corners (I actually typed coroners originally lol) keeping you on track without tipping into the gutter. The locals I met said they won’t do the ride.

Many people were frightened by the ride but I loved it. I highly recommend to do this.

Then we went to the fishing village which was very picturesque and I had the local drink Ponchas which provided my first hangover for this cruise.

Winston Churchill spent a lot of time in this village painting.

A pretty spot with the NCL Epic in the background.

Some of the street art on doors.

The famous soccer player Ronaldo was born here. There is a museum in to honour his achievements.

Sail away view of Funchal