We woke up to our first full day in Funchal, the Capital of Madeira. We goal was to just explore! We started out by walking downhill to the Old Town where we had coffee and pastries. Oh, love those European pastries! We then wandered over to Mercado dos Lavradores, Funcha's open air market, where there are merchants selling all their wares. It is so vibrant with colors.
We got a chance to see the fresh fish market with Black Scabbard, the Madeira fish specialty several of us had the night before.
They are not a "pretty fish!"
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We got a chance to see the fresh fish market with Black Scabbard, the Madeira fish specialty several of us had the night before.
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They are not a "pretty fish!"
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Our original plan was to take the cable car up the mountain to Monte Palace Tropical Gardens. But the cable car was shutdown, so we ended up hiring Augusto to drive us on a little tour that included the gardens.
The compound dates back to the late 18th century when it was a private residence belonging to a member of the British Consul. In 1897, a Portuguese entrepreneur took over the property and converted it to a hotel naming it Monte Palace. In 1987, another entrepreneur acquired the hotel and added the gardens.
After our time at the gardens, Augusto took us to a few more places in Funchal that had beautiful views.
We then finished out our day in Funchal at a traditional Portuguese restaurant, A Bica, recommended by Augusto.
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