Port of call: Funchal 2013

As I mentioned in my previous post, after departing from Miami and enjoying seven relaxing days at sea, we finally docked at our first port of call, Funchal.  Maisie and I previously visited Funchal back in 2010 as part of our Disney transatlantic cruise but it was nice to return, this time with Eammon.  Back in 2010 Maisie and I really enjoyed the sites we visited and wanted to visit them again and share them with Eammon so our time in Funchal was very similar to our last visit.  We also spent part of our time on the Island with Maisie’s friend Mahe and her parents so that made for an extra special day.  

Strolling along the main road towards the cable car we saw many beautiful streets and sites.

Maisie and Mahe were happy to dance their way along the streets.

The girls were happy to stroll along and have their picture taken at every opportunity.

Can’t tell that they like each other a bit!

We all made our way to the cable car and had planned to visit the same gardens up in Monte but Eammon and I purchased tickets for the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens and the Yusuf’s purchased tickets for the Botanical Gardens.   

We did all ride up to Monte together and of course the girls sat side-by-side.

Beautiful view of the port and our ship as we rode up.   

When we reached Monte we parted ways and planned to meet up a few hours later for our ride back down, lunch and our walk back to the ship.

Once inside the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens Maisie wanted her picture taken dozens of times so lots of pictures of the gardens and Maisie posing in the gardens.

Here’s Maisie with the same statue back in 2010.

And another blast from the past (2010), my smirking girl!

Another blast from the past (2010) picture.  I can’t believe how much my girl has grown!!     

Final blast from the past picture (2010), I love seeing how much Maisie’s grown but wish I could keep her little forever…so stinking cute!!

1000 year old olive tree.

With a gorgeous view behind her, Maisie watched the toboggans go down the steep streets.

One way to get down the hills from Monte.

After fortifying ourselves with a delicious glass of Madeira we climbed our way back up and out of the Monte Palace Tropical Gardens.

We then met up with Mahe & her family and headed over to the Monte Church.    

View of the port and our ship from the Monte Church.

Riding the cable car back down and yes, I was wearing 4 layers of clothing and Eammon was in short sleeves…typical!

From the cable car we saw some interesting sights including this very unique garden scarecrow.

Once back down from Monte we enjoyed looking around as we made our way back to the ship.

We strolled along narrow streets filled with restaurants and shops.  Eammon and I bought our one and only “souvenir”, a nice old bottle of Madeira.

We stopped and admired many of the wonderfully decorated doors in Old Town.  It was fun to see as these were new since our last visit in 2010.

We visited a little art gallery and then stopped and enjoyed a lunch of street food along with some wonderful coffee, oh so delicious!

Maisie and Mahe, two little funny girls!

We made our way back to the ship along the waterfront promenade.  Maisie and Mahe still posing for the camera.

Maisie of course did part of the journey on her hands.

It was a glorious day, perfect weather, great sites and nice friends to spend the day with but it was time to get back on the ship for two more sea days before our final port of Barcelona.

Today is my Secret Recipe Club reveal day and this month I made a wonderfully delicious recipe, Paradise Mango Curried Shrimp.  Check out the recipe over to Cook Lisa Cook by clicking on the link or the picture.

Other delicious Secret Recipe Club recipes posted on Cook Lisa Cook include: 

Laura Goodenough’s Apple Coffee Cake 
Loaded Potato Soup
Lemon Almond Biscotti 
Creamy Mints 
Thai Peanut Noodles with Chicken 
Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings 
Fried Green Tomatoes 
Chicken Satay Noodle Salad 
Double Chocolate Mousse Cake 
Candied Popcorn
Fruit, Nut & Poppy Seed Chicken Salad 
Broiled Sushi 
Health(ier) Peanut Brittle 
Crunchy Fudgy Heart Bites 
Texas Chicken with Lime Butter 
Pork Belly Soup with Collard Greens 
Thin Mint Irish Coffee 
Levain Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies 
Welsh Cakes 
Nutella Crêpes 
Cilantro Lime Chicken 
Holy Guacamole 
and
Home Style Chicken Curry

Enjoy!