Carnival!

(So behind with blips)!

Sat outside for breakfast in the tables in the beautiful gardens of this hotel . The staff are lovely, very friendly.

The breakfast is not a buffet, it’s order only and I would say it’s ‘ok’. You get a basket of rolls and a small croissant which is not of the fresh variety. The little rolls are fine. I just ordered fried eggs (two) with bacon. The waitress said to me you ‘must’ try the banana pancakes. So I did but I didn’t like them. They came with Nutella which I don’t like and some other dark sauce that seems to be a favourite in Maderia. I had a coffee and took away their sponge slice which was orange and carrot. I’d have preferred a buffet. The wee Gardener guy deserves an award for the garden , I’ve never seen such well kept hotel gardens and it has a fab view down to the old town.

I packed up and checked out. The other hotel I am going to is a 9 minute walk away (according to Google maps and nearer the old town and where the apartment was. I arrived and was told that my room was available , which I was surprised but happy it was. It was modern, very good bathroom and shower and also a veranda with chairs overlooking down to the harbour and where the cruise ships come in. I have a free upgrade to the one I booked online (direct with the hotel). There was a knock at the door and was delivered a complimentary bottle of red wine and a cake. A shame I don’t drink wine !

Got unpacked and then Headed back out. Another lovely day. Perfect for walking around . I went for a coffee in a nice place in the Old Town, read some of book and people watching. Then walked to the Santa Catarina Park. Up towards the Christiano Ronaldo museum and the statue (not a likeness)!

Did quite a lot of walking and felt peckish! It was around 4pm and I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so did some research and saw this Portuguese restaurant near the Market and thought I’d try it. It was quite an unassuming place down some stairs but it had good reviews so I got a table and ordered up prawns done in garlic (starter size) fries and garlic bread (bolo). It t was tremendous! The prawns were so tasty and of course this garlic bread is traditional to here and so good. I noticed there was home made chocolate mousse in the menu so I had that but struggled to finish it. The meal was lovely and there was a lot of maderians in. I was the only solo diner but I never feel awkward dining alone. I had my book and read a bit and observed!

Went back to hotel for a cuppa and a relax and then Out again at 7:30 to get a spot to watch the Carnival procession. This is a massive festival in Madeira that lasts for two weeks, starting off with the carnival procession. It was massive. The costumes and floats were beautiful. Met a couple who I was standing next to, one was Swedish and one was Norwegian. I asked what language they spoke to each other in and they said a bit of both. These two German women arrived and asked us to shove up so they could stand at the barrier. Well I took it that’s what they meant. It would mean us three squashed up so I ignored them and the guy muttered something to them. They stood behind us for a while then gave up. They were rude!

Short walk back to hotel afterwards. There was lots of music going on but that was drowned out by the neighbours in the room next to me who seemed to want to have a shower and dry hair at 12:15, and loudly! This went on till 1am. Then they were up at 6am. I will be down at reception in the morning to request a move (nicely).