Hints and Tips about MADEIRA

[Irene]

Just booked a holiday in Madeira for later this month.

We are there for 10 days. Never been there before, so would be grateful for any info. :D

[-pops-]

Seems like we are Madeira virgins, Irene.

We had some friends who had a villa there and we intended to go for a break but, you know how things are and we never got there.

Reputed to have an excellent climate, very friendly natives and good food/wine.

[andsome]

Seems like we are Madeira virgins, Irene.

We had some friends who had a villa there and we intended to go for a break but, you know how things are and we never got there.

Reputed to have an excellent climate, very friendly natives and good food/wine.

I too have never been there, but it has a wonderful reputation. The only snag that I have heard, is that the landing and take off are rather scary.

Several here

[AlanHo]

Irene - don't let it bother you. I just had a chat with my eldest son who is a B.A captain and he said that Madiera is not a scary airport. Far from it - the runway and facilities are very good.

If you want scary - a few years back I had to commute to Hong Kong every 3 months or so to the old airport. The planes used to fly straight towards a hill and turn at 90 degrees at the last minute to dive down between skyscrapers to land. the new airport is on land reclaimed from the sea and much less "exciting".

[Irene]

Seems like we are Madeira virgins, Irene. We had some friends who had a villa there and we intended to go for a break but, you know how things are and we never got there. Reputed to have an excellent climate, very friendly natives and good food/wine.

I too have never been there, but it has a wonderful reputation. The only snag that I have heard, is that the landing and take off are rather scary.

Thanks Hon. B)

[Irene]

Irene - don't let it bother you. I just had a chat with my eldest son who is a B.A captain and he said that Madeira is not a scary airport. Far from it - the runway and facilities are very good. If you want scary - a few years back I had to commute to Hong Kong every 3 months or so to the old airport. The planes used to fly straight towards a hill and turn at 90 degrees at the last minute to dive down between skyscrapers to land. the new airport is on land reclaimed from the sea and much less "exciting".

Thanks Alan. . Reassuring news.

I 'did' Hong Kong Tai Pai (think thats how it's spelt) airport in 1981.

As you say, a different ball-game altogether!! :lol:

[andsome]

:D :D :D

[doug]

Madeira - wonderful place. You can get all 4 seasons at once depending on the altitude. I thought it was a very holey island - much like the cheese. To build the roads they just tunneled. Around the coast the roads just keep popping into view then disappearing again. Do visit the Orchid nursery The English lady who runs it is very eccentric a real character. First time we went was with Father-in-law me pushing hmi a wheelchair, Anne was relatively mobile then. When we next went it was, sadly by ourselves. Anne had deteriorated by the but we took the PowerTrike - great amusement to everyone. We oly had the old lead/acid battery in those days and boy oh boy did those hills mop up the juice. Time I finished up doing a manual assist back to the hotel.

It should be a memorable holiday for you.

[doug]

Madeira - wonderful place. You can get all 4 seasons at once depending on the altitude. I thought it was a very holey island - much like the cheese. To build the roads they just tunneled. Around the coast the roads just keep popping into view then disappearing again. Do visit the Orchid nursery The English lady who runs it is very eccentric a real character. First time we went was with Father-in-law me pushing him a wheelchair, Anne was relatively mobile then. When we next went it was, sadly by ourselves. Anne had deteriorated by the but we took the PowerTrike - great amusement to everyone. We oly had the old lead/acid battery in those days and boy oh boy did those hills mop up the juice. Time I finished up doing a manual assist back to the hotel.

It should be a memorable holiday for you.

[Irene]

Thanks Doug, we are really looking forward to it.

Did you use public transport or hire a car?

I know that there are better roads in place, but how was the local transport?

[doug]

We used taxis - so we could get the PowerTrike in. As they were all Mercs it meant collapsing the whole thing and the boot lid up in the air held down with an elastic strap. We managed, it's all part of the adventure! I believe the public transport is very good. You must check out the cable car ride, Going up the side of the mountain gives wonderful views. If I remember correctly you can come back down again sitting on an armchair like toboggan pulled by a pair of lusty fellows - more like a controlled fall from what we saw. Apparently you used to be able to slide all the way back into town but that was before roads were "improved" and the town expanded. Do check out the flower/fruit and vegetable market - Sunday mornings I think. Wonderful sights. Also there are special walks along the streams I forget what they call them but will ask the management when she surfaces and post again.

[doug]

After a chat with the management hers's some gleamings from the fount of all knowledge.

The market in Funchal is on every day of the week but the flower market is on on Sundays.

The Orchid nursery is at Quinta Da Boa Vista. If the elderly English lay is still alive and kicking she must be getting on a bit. When we went the Taxi driver said he would call back for us in an hour as no one spends long there. As Anne is an avid gardener we said we'd call for a lift when we were ready. We actually spent 5 hours there.

The walks along the stream beds are called Lavadas, owing to the wheelchair we couldn't go but we heard very good reports about them.

Another must do trip is to the Botanical gardens, which includes a bird park. If you go there you will appreciate me bumping Anne up and down the stairs in her powered wheel chair.

There's lots to do on Madeira.