Time to talk of other things ...

 Saude! A toast to Madeira Wines source: madeira.best Madeira fortified wines are world-famous and we were lucky to drop into one of the largest winemakers Justino’s where we got to taste and learn about the nuances of this fine inebriant, nectar of the island Gods. Did you know that Madeira wine was the favourite drink of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson?  Fun fact: Madeira wine was chosen as the official wine for the signing the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America on 4th July 1776! The local grape varieties in Madeira benefit from the nutrient-rich volcanic soil, the warm tropical sun as well as the fog that blankets the highlands each morning. Grapes are grown in hand-planted vines on small plots of land known as " poios ", bolstered by handmade stone walls on steep mountainsides and ae watered by the traditional Levada irrigation system that crisscross the island. There are more than 30 Madeira wine varieties. By some estimates about 85% of a

 Painted doors of Rua de Santa Maria in Funchal, Madeira Rua de Santa Maria is one of the oldest streets in Funchal that dates back to the mid-1400s when the yellow Fortress of Sao Tiago, built to combat marauding pirates, was the centre of town. Alas, the pirates are long gone but the street has a very artsy feel to it. The area called Z ona velha, or old town, now boasts a vibrant cobbled street connecting the charming old  Fortress of Sao Tiago  to the imposing Church of Santa Mary the Great or Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria Maior. In 2014, the city council launched the brilliantly named  “ Art of Open Doors ” project with the idea of turning it into a public art space!  A call was sent out to local artists who were invited to ‘move in’ and let their imaginations run riot as they painted over two hundred of the street’s doors. The idea was to create a vibrant piece of art that encouraged people walking by to stop and think, and in doing so to better experience their surroundings. The

 Breathtaking Levada Nature Walk in Madeira Levada nature walk in Ecumeada, Madeira Today we did a half-day Levada hike along PR 1.3 Vereda da Encumeada that takes you through the heart of Madeira Island where you get to experience first-hand the breathtaking natural beauty of this sub-tropical island. Laurisilva Forests of Madeira Along this route we have passed two very different ecosystems, the Central Mountainous Massif (with its predominant volcanic escarpment) and the Laurisilva Forest (with its vibrant green forest characterized by herbaceous and bush vegetation including Erica scoparia ssp maderensis and Erica aborea , both well-adapted to large temperature variations, heavy rains and strong winds and abundant with wildflowers) Pride of Madeira blossoms Laurissilva forest species found at this altitude urzal above 1400m include Til or stinkwood ( Ocotea foetens ), Loureiro laurel ( Laurus novocanariensis ), Lily-of-the-valley tree ( Clethra arborea ), Sanguinho-da-madeira (

 Poncha - the refreshing rum punch of Madeira Ponchas - rum punch from Madeira Poncha , or rum punch, is a traditional alcoholic drink, 11.95% alc./vol or 23.9° proof, from the Portuguese island of Madeira, made with aguardente de cana (distilled alcohol made from sugar cane juice), honey, sugar, and either orange juice or lemon juice, while poncha à pescador (fishermen’s poncha) uses sugar instead of honey.  For the more daring and adventurous try the avante-garde flavours of this drink, for example, the passion fruit, tomato, orange, absinthe or whiskey. These flavours are obtained with the substitution of honey in the case of fruit or spirits, as in the case of beverages. Caralhinho -  Ponchas wooden stirrer Poncha is prepared with a wooden utensil, known as a caralhinho , which is used to whip the drink. Natives say it is a centuries-old fishermen's aid to stave off colds, and has long been the island's beloved firewater. According to some studies, is originally from Indi

Walk through a banana plantation in Madeira Banana plantations on the south side of Madeira Island Today we got to visit a banana plantation in Madeira on the south side of the island.  Nature walk through a banana plantation in Madeira Proximity to the sea, sun exposure,  mild climate throughout the year, fertility of the soil, the tradition of  Bananeira  and a unique irrigation system called levadas , make the bananas grown in Madeira absolutely delicious bananas, known for their intense flavour and aroma. Locals grow many distinct varieties that are eaten raw, used in cakes, mousses, ice creams and pancakes and even used to flavour rum. The edible banana is a long elongated fruit (technically a berry) of one of more than 80 species of the genus Musa , of the family Musaceae . It is also one of the most important cash crops in the world, beloved for its flavour, nutritional value, and availability throughout the year. Did you know that bananas ( Musa species and cultivars ) originat

Monte Palace Tropical Garden in Madeira  In the 18th century the English Consul Charles Murray, bought a property on "Monte", a prime hilltop location, with panoramic views over Funchal's Bay and transformed it into a beautiful estate, then called "Quinta do Prazer" (The Pleasure Estate). Towards the end of the 19th century, some of the wealthiest families of Madeira used to live in fine estates situated on the outskirts of Funchal. Around 100 years later, the estate was bought by Alfredo Rodrigues, who built a mansion that was later transformed into a hotel called Monte Palace Hotel. When he passed away, the hotel was closed and the estate was taken over in 1987 by a financial institution businessman and art collector José Berardo, who completely transformed it into this magnificent work of art that we now call Quinta do Monte Palace or simply Monte Palace Tropical Garden . Presently it is owned by the José Berardo Foundation and boasts over 100,000 plant spe