Well Tuesday morning saw us up nice and early ready to explore. Our hotel was in the "hotel zone" as the vast majority are. This is a good walk out from the main town of Funchal, but it is all down hill. Coming back in the heat is a different story and a taxi is preferable!!
We set off down the hill in lovely sunshine. It is a very pleasant walk along the main road past lots of hotels including the very famous Reid's hotel where Churchill stayed. I wanted to do afternoon tea on the terrace there, but we didn't get time for it. Hopefully we will do that on our next visit.
After a while you are able to turn off the main road and walk the rest of the way by going through the Santa Caterina park, which is quite large and very nice. It has lovely views over the harbour and old town. At the far end of the park just before you get to the town is the Casino. We didn't go there either ...... next time!
Santa Caterina Park.
The view from the park.
Me in the park.
Simon admiring the view.
One of the lovely things about the park was the millions of little lizards. They were absolutely every where. We spent a while looking at the views and then continued into the old town of Funchal. We walked along the harbour where the pigeons were nearly as prolific as the lizards!
About half way along the sea front is this boat which apparently was originally owned by the Beatles!!
Me next to the Beatles boat.
We walked right around the town, visiting the Se Cathedral, the Parliament buildings and after lunch the famous Toyota car show room. It was opened in the 1800's and is famous as beimg the prettiest car show room in the world because of its tiled fresco's depicting typical Madeiran scenes. It is still a Toyota show room today.
We also walked right up to where the cable cars go from so that I could decide if I was going to be brave enough to go on them later in the week! (I did!). On our way back to the hotel we booked a coach tour of the west of the island for Wednesday and a guided levada walk for Thursday.
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