Back in Madeira

As nice as Porto was, it was even better to return to Madeira, where we feel like we are starting to know our way around a bit, or at least know some things we like to do with some frequency. We all walk a lot, still: to language class twice a week in the center of town,

to see our new favorite dog,

to Lido by the sea where the bathing complex is becoming a popular destination for many

and where the basketball court continues to be a big attraction.  

I believe that Bishop has asked to go there every day since we have been back from spring break, even when he has practice at the gym.

On the weekends, we are still getting around and seeing the island outside the city.  We've been to the north side a couple of times where it is a little cooler and the sea is a bit more rugged.  In Sao Vicente we visited the caves,

and saw this chapel in a rock by a bridge near the sea.

Back on the southwest side of he island, nearer to home, we went to Cabo Girao, the largest cliff in Europe, and gazed around for awhile.

It was pretty sheer,

and I enjoyed staying away from the railing and taking pictures of the others.

This past weekend, we went to Canhas, where they were having a sugar cane festival. There was live music,

 

and plenty of food and drink.  They had vinho seco, which was described to me as Madeiran moonshine.  It is homemade wine that one can get most anywhere on the island outside of Funchal.  I'm no connossieur, but I'd say it tastes like gamey wine, if that makes sense.  It was quite good, and it tastes different depending on where you are.  This particular batch tasted like the oak barrels in which it had been stored.

These guys were minding the fire and cooking espetadas,

the wonderful and uniquely Madeiran dish of meat cooked on bay leaf skewers.

But it was not quite dinner time, so we pushed on westward to Jardim do Mar, which was very sunny and beautiful.  We parked near the square and walked toward the coast,

where there was a very nice boardwalk,

which eventually ended.  We had a moment's pause while we decided whether to go to Joe's Bar or continue down to the rocks.

The rocks won,

and from them, the sea was mesmerizing,

but the breeze, the conversation, and the view of Paul do Mar (to which we will return!)

kept some quite content to remain on the boardwalk.

We walked back up hill, toward the neighborhood, and noticed this plot of land for sale.

Not a bad view.

The neighborhood was connected entirely by sidewalks that snaked through a variety of plants, flowers, grape vines and banana trees.

It made for easy walking,

and exceptional views.

By now, we were hungry, so we headed to an old favorite, As Vides,

for espetada (as the seed had been planted earlier in the day at the festival).

I can't imagine there being better espetadas anywhere on the island, but I suspect we will investigate further over the coming weeks.  After dinner, the children taught each other some Portuguese and English,

and we snapped this picture of the deservedly proud chef and his kitchen.

On the way back home, Bishop said, "Just when you think you have seen all the beautiful of Madeira, it just keeps on coming."