Day 8 - Madeira

10 November, 2024

We were looking forward to visiting Maderia again. We visited during Carnivale in 2012 and our experience was limited due to the holiday. What we did experience we found intriguing, and it left us wanting for more. This visit was spectacular, and now we're contemplating a return in the future, when we can stay for several days and experience all the island has to offer.

Blandy's

Our first stop was Blandy's, repeating our first stop on the last trip. In the dozen years since we were here they've done a tremendous amount of work to the last section of the tour, organizing the historical components in a clear, more formal presentation. The overall narrative of the tour was more streamlined and cogent as well. If you have any interest in Maderia (the fortified wine) or the progression of business development on the island, I think it's well worth the price of entry. The aromas that drift through the warehouse as you walk among the barrels are heavenly. The pace is leisurely and there are options that make the route manageable for those who can only handle a limited number of steps. A tasting is also included, which is a nice way to conclude your visit. The museum does close for lunch, so check opening times before you show up.

Library of Parliament

After our tour we went in search of the stop for the Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus. I purchased tickets online the day before, and learned on the morning of our arrival that a section of the route (where the stop was that we were trying to locate) had been temporarily modified due to road construction. Just as we were about to abandon hope and request a refund we stumbled across the stop and a bus arrived. After boarding, having our barcode scanned, and the driver printing out a CVS-worthy set of receipts, we were on our way.

When we disembarked the ship the skies were overcast and gloomy. By the time we boarded the bus they were mostly sunny, ideal conditions for sightseeing. Funchal offers a Red Route and a Blue Route, the Red Route is a bit shorter and provides more access options near the port in case you find yourself running short of time. 

Some of the audio ports on the bus may not work very well, so anticipate the possibility that you may need to move to another seat. The upper deck is superior for viewing, but can get a bit warm when the sun is intense. You'll travel throughout downtown Funchal, then up to one of the higher points in the city before looping along the coast where you'll see some impressive cliffs. There are ample opportunities to "Hop Off" and browse different areas, just check the timetable to plan your next "Hop On." We chose to stay on the bus the entire loop and enjoy the scenery.

If you're a football/soccer fan, keep your eye peeled as you approach the traffic circle where the road forks to go to the cruise pier and you'll see the home of international superstar and Funchal native Cristiano Ronaldo. Just down the street (towards downtown) you'll pass the CR7 monument and the CR7 museum. Our cab driver informed us that his mother lives in the house full-time and Ronaldo spends a significant portion of the off-season on the island.

By the end of our bus tour we were making notes of hotels, restaurants, and locations. I'm not sure when, or even if, we might come back for a longer stay, but the inspiration is certainly there to try and make it happen. We thoroughly enjoyed our last port of call and boarded the ship in eager anticipation of nearly a week at sea.