Little Lolly's Small Adventures: Funchal, Madeira, Portugal. Day 2. Excursion: Botanic Beauty.

The weather was better and lightened everybody's mood somewhat.

For the first part of a tour I went on, we stopped at the local market in Funchal. As we wandered through the market Paula (our guide) pointed out different types of fruit, flowers and fish - giving everyone an idea of what to expect to see at a market here on the island. There were all types of exotic fruit and vegetables - some of which I've not see or come across. The market stall holders were just setting up for the morning so the market hall wasn't too crowded. We were given time to have a wander around the market and make purchases if we wanted too. There was a flower seller selling - of all things - proteas, a beautiful flower found in South Africa. I was tempted to get a bunch but I still had the rest of the tour to get through.

In Monte Paula took us through the gardens, pointing out varieties of plants and flowers; and she also how cobble stone paths/roads were made - as we were walking along such a path.

At the top of the hill, above the gardens, we visited the Church of Our Lady Monte which was beautiful inside. And then we headed to the cableway to get a cable car to the Madeira Botanical Gardens. The cable cars could only take 6 people at a time so we waited at the other end until our guide, who brought up the rear, joined us. The scenery from the cable car was well worth the ride.

Paula gave us a guided tour of the botanical gardens, which were beautiful, after which we had a bit of free time to explore the gardens by ourselves.

Time for some wine tasting! Our bus dropped us off in Madeira's town centre where we took a short walk to San Francisco Wine Lodge. I was more interested in tasting the sweet wines - I still don't like the taste of dry wine or semi-sweet wine but I still hope that my taste-buds might change .... I didn't get a bottle of wine at that point. I hoped that Paul would like to go ashore for a bit in the afternoon and then maybe I would pick up a bottle of wine then,

Some guests wanted to stay in town after tour, rather than coming back to the ship, so Paula reminded them of the 'all aboard' time.

Fortunately Paul was able to get off in the afternoon. Sometimes it is difficult to peel himself away from work and even as we were walking along the pier towards town, Paul was inspecting things along the ship's side.

Anyway, we had a wander through the streets. And yes, we did pick up a bottle of wine. Also we picked up a metal art wall decoration for our cabin steward (Rudi) and fiancée . Rudi had seen an owl metal art decoration that I had bought hanging on our cabin wall - and loved it. So, hence the type of similar gift. They are getting married at the end of the year when he goes home in late November. We will be away in the Netherlands in November so wanted to give Rudi something before we leave.

The Prinsendam has now set sail for Lisbon a day's sailing from Madeira. Life goes on on the cruise ship, it never stops!

PHOTOGRAPHS

Funchal market