After departing mainland Portugal we headed for the Madeira Islands on our way to the Caribbean...

(The Madeira Islands are just a dot in the Atlantic Ocean located about 380 miles off the African Coast country of Morocco and over 600 miles from Lisbon.  Bob and Tania enjoyed both Madeira itself as well as it's sister island of Porto Santo.)

• Some of the beautiful examples of flora on Maderia...

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•    Bob and Tania joined Harry and Judith from "Vahana" for a tour around the island one day.  They enjoyed a quick "Levada" walk in the mountains.  Quick because both Bob and Tania did not have proper foot attire ( Tania was in her "Crocs" and Bob had his "Flip Flops" on).  The Levadas are a unique irrigation system located on the island that allows the rainy side of the island to provide water to the sunny, drier southern side.  There are over 1300 miles of these small canals in which some are dated back to the 1500's.  The paths and walkways are a result of the maintenance issues for these waterways.  Once again the flowers were spectacular.  After the walk (it was cool in temperature), a quick warm-up with hot mulled wine at a local pub was in order.

• The island of Madeira while somewhat smaller in total area (12 miles long and 35 miles wide) possesses an relatively huge number of tunnels throughout (some say over 100).  As a result of this fine infrastructure, it is easy to access all parts of the island in a short timeframe.  Because a storm had kicked up in the Atlantic, the swells were running on a larger side and made for some spectacular sights and pictures, especially on the north shore of Madeira.

• The storm produced a lot of rain on the northeast side of the island and waterfalls were everywhere.  The island boasts a huge banana business. The road from the high area of Rabaçal to Porto Moniz on the Northwest side of the island was more remote and cold.  The walking trails called "Rabaçal Walks" or Levada walks puts you square into a wild, mountainous terrain.  For those that get off-track, crude ladders are constructed every so often to allow walkers to travel over barbed wire between pastures.

• Once again the flowers were amazing throughout the island...

• The upper mountainous region near Rabaçal.  Some driving tunnels were less modern than others (some did not have any form of lighting in them).  The wild, rugged view from the hiking area above Quinta do Lorde marina (this is shot from Ponta de São Lourenço  back towards Caniçal.

• Thanksgiving was a very special holiday for Bob and Tania as the group that had formed in Porto Santo decided to celebrate the holiday in fine style aboard "Vahana" (the yacht best able to accommodate 8 people for dinner) Judith and Harry McPhie said this was their third hosting of this holiday on board (even though they are Canadians).  The ladies were able to provision in nearby Machico.  Eileen, Larry Murphy from Florida, Jane O'Connor from Ireland, Charlotte Ashburner from Britain, Bob and Tania from Florida made up a diverse group who celebrated with Turkey, side dishes (including mashed potatoes) and poetry readings from Robert Frost, Longfellow, and a reciting of "America the Beautiful".  A special holiday evening indeed!

• Since the Christmas Holidays were getting closer Bob and Tania felt it was time to go looking for a tree.  They were able to find a nice selection in Funchal and came away with a perfect-sized specimen for me!  They added lights and decorated it accordingly (including fake snow sprayed on).  The infrastructure marvels on Madeira Island included the runway built for their International Airport (Built out over the water on pilings!)  Bob said he wished he could have landed there in the past.  A view of "ME" (although hard to see here) on C dock at Quinta do Lorde.