Funchal, Madeira (PORTUGAL)

LAND!!! We are finally on land!!! Those six sea days were l-o-n-g. I am so happy to be off the ship and in a beautiful city in Europe!! I looked out my ship window and saw this beautiful city with all these white houses built up the mountainside. I met Kash and Elena (castmate and International Hostess, respectively) and we took the shuttle bus into town. Of course, we saw a Pizza Hut and McDonald's! The city was very clean, with cobblestone and brick roads, narrow streets, outdoor cafes and lots of shopping - right across from the ocean. We walked around a bit (found a Zara - clothing store), had a bite to eat, and then followed the overhead cables to the base of the cable cars - called Teleferico da Madeira. These cable cars travel from sea level up to Monte 1800 feet up. It was quite beautiful - and interesting - to look down into people's yards and see the roofs of their houses. One house was drying a bunch of gourds on top of it! We arrived up top, took more pictures, and instead of walking through the Botanical Gardens (another 39 Euros), we opted to do another tourist attraction: the Toboggan Run! I read that this is a must do tourist event. You ride in a basket car that is driven by two men 3 miles down a steep incline....OK! Well, the baskets are more like wicker couches, and the men steer with their feet (from behind) and ropes. Kash, Elena and I all rode together. And did I mention that we are riding in the street????!!! It was a lot of fun and quite and experience. I thought for sure we were going to wipe out or fall off the edge. The guy pushing behind me told me to relax. Ha! It was fun and definitely a memorable experience. The ride didn't take us back into town, so wee walked the steep incline back to the city. Along the way we got to see all the beautiful houses, and cool little doors, and walk in fresh flower scented air - it was so nice.