Our first cloudy, rainy day. We have to pick up our other daughter and boyfriend today at the airport, so the plan is to make our way slowly back to the airport sightseeing along the way.
First stop is Camara de Lobos – named for the sea lions that are found here in abundance. It ia a suburb of Funchal, and “the most photographed town” as the harbour has traditional colorful fishing boats in a sheltered bay and it is said this is where “Poncha”, a unique Madeira drink, originated. The fishermen in this village go out at night to fish for the black scabbard fish. We visited a church in the village center called Nossa Senhora da Conceicao Chapel where the fishermen used to pray before heading out to sea, the chapel dates from 1420.
A very pretty town with streets on both sides of the harbour going up the mountainside in terraces. As we walk along the cobbled city centre street near the harbour, every restaurant and store has an employee standing at the doorway beckoning you in. There are lookouts to drive up to as well as a beach to wander. The yellow hop-on-hop-off tour bus has a stop here and goes from this town into Funchal. We had a bite to eat at a small restaurant and I tried my first Poncha. It was made with fresh orange juice and was delicious, served in a small glass and for a reason because it has quite a hit of alcohol.
Next, a very small park, government preserved and protected in sitio das Neves for the endangered Dragon Trees, which are native to Madeira. The oldest known living tree of this species estimated to be over 300 years old is in Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Each branch grows for 15 years then rebranches. The tree has no rings, so the age can only be estimated by the number of branches.
We continue on eastward past the airport and on to Machico and the Whale Museum. Entry is 8 euro each and free parking. They give you a headset when you enter, with many language options, and at each exhibit is a dialogue. There are several 3D movies, tons of artifacts, whaling boats, and of course the whales themselves. All in all a fairly modern and well done museum.
After checking out the City of Machico which has a nice waterfront with shops and restaurants, hotels nearby, a sheltered sand beach with picnic areas and free parking we headed to the airport, picked up our 2 new arrivals and then back home – an hour’s drive.