4. Madeira 2013

by Johan Kjellander 2013 - 2014

Funchal is the biggest city on Madeira. The marina is not very big but has space for visiting yachts. You can also anchor outside. The marina in Porto Santo phoned them and helped us with a reservation. There are other marinas on Madeira. One is Quinta do Lorde up north east. This marina was severely damaged in bad weather in December 2013.

We left Porto Santo and set course for Funchal, the capital of Madeira. Only 40 miles away so this trip is easily done in one day. Maderia is a vulcanic island, just like the Canaries and the Azores. Dolphins are common in these waters, you see them all the time but you can never see them too much.

Funchal from the sea. The coastline is steep and many people live high up in the mountains. Once inside the harbour you notice that the pier is full of paintings, just like Porto Santo.

Another thing that strikes you are the big catamarnas full of tourists that come and go all the time.

Mr and Mrs Skipper walking along the pier. Notice the funny way we both walk with our hands behind our backs. Makes me think about twins who often behave similar. Maybe 25 years of marriage can change you in a similar way?

Madeira is well known for its beautiful trees and flowers. There is a very nice botanical garden high up in the mountains that you can reach through a cable car starting in the center of the old city in Funchal.

We went up and spent several hours studying all beutiful plants, most of them very exotic and totally unknown to us. The purple in the background is Bougainvillea but the cactus, I don't know. Looks like an extra delicious Agave.