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After breakfast we go to the vegetable and fish market, and this time we study things more closely.
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Madeira part VI.

Eric
2005-12-08 20:29:57

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After breakfast we go to the vegetable and fish market, and this time we study things more closely.

We also visit a local supermarket. Not to buy anything in particular, but rather to get an impression of the locals and the goods available. The supermarket is pretty big and offers lots of stuff from screwdrivers and suitcases to codfish and cat food. Imported goods (except wine) are almost as expensive as in Denmark, and considering that the average income is much lower, life must be pretty expensive for the Madeirans. Helle buys a goat cheese, which must be Portuguese, and we return to the hotel to put the goat in the minibar and to check email. Our plan is to take a bus to Monte afterwards.

However the bus stop for number 20/21 that goes to Monte is not easy to find, and when at last we succeed, the clouds at the mountaintops look so menacing that we decide to postpone the Monte-trip to Sunday. Instead we stroll through the charming streets of Funchal and get a tuna sandwich at a restaurant with tables outside. The tuna steak in the sandwich is delicious, and the cat back home would go berserk! In the marina lies The Beatles' old yacht, now a restaurant. The air is pleasantly warm, and the marina has attracted a fair number of people.

We feel lazy and spend the remains of the afternoon reading in our room. At half past six we pull ourselves together and go downtown for supper. We pick the road along the marina where they try very aggressively to capture guests. I find it repulsive and dislike having to almost fence our way instead of having a leisurely stroll. Anyway the prices are higher than in the old town and I seriously doubt it is value for money.

After an aperitif we go to Estrala do Mar again. Actually the food at Arsenio's was better, but we haven't the mental strength tonight to share the wailing sorrow of women in black. We get grilled swordfish and a nice Vinho Verde and then return home to relax even more. After all this is holiday and sleep comes easy.