Haven’t found the right words to describe this island. We’re fascinated with its history, its beauty and amazing housing. How did they squeeze all of these homes in, all the way to the top of Funchal, the capitol city.
We started with a walk through our neighborhood, old town. It’s quaint and colorful.
We had to wait for a downpour to stop and waited under a nice awning. It was quiet early this morning.
First planned stop was the market. The tastes of the fabulous fruit caused overspending, they had us at “try this sample” alas we will enjoy every juicy mouthful. Wow 💥
Next stop the tourist office to get a map and insider scoops. She was so helpful, especially advising us the famous toboggan ride was only open today then closed for the week because of the Feast of Fatima. WHAT!!!!
Stop for a quick hello and blessing from Gandalf the Grey (a tap on the head with his staff for both of us)
Of course had to stop for a coffee and local baked treat at Studio Coffee, best coffee on the planet (brought to you by Brandan vanSon)
Drop off our purchases and get to the gondola 🚠 it’s close to our home away from home. Not a bad wait for the long line. Within 15 minutes we were on the steep incline to the top, approximately 3,200 m (around 10,500 ft) long, with a vertical rise of 580 m (1,902 ft). The 39 cabins, with seven seats each, can transport 800 passengers per hour.
We hurried to get a toboggan ticket then came the hurry up and wait.
The story of the Carros de Cestos dates back over 100 years.
There are several words synonymous to Monte and ‘toboggan ride’ is surely one of them! Originally a fast means of transport down to Funchal for people living in Monte, these toboggan sledges appeared around 1850.
Still in use today, they attract thousands of tourists every year who want to make this exciting experience of sliding at high speed on narrow, winding streets down to Funchal. These two-seater wicker sledges glide on wooden runners, pushed and steered by two men traditionally dressed in white cotton clothes and a straw hat, using their rubber-soled boots as brakes.
The downhill journey to Livramento, a little below Monte, Funchal is made in about 10 minutes on a total course of 2 km, reaching at times a speed of 48 km/hour. Adventurous, yet safe, an ‘old-fashioned’ toboggan ride to make your way down from Monte is the perfect contrast to the high-technology cable car going up to Monte.
Of course we were not going to miss out on it!
The lines were very very long. The first hour barely moved us along. The second hour was getting to know a lovely family from Manchester England. The second hour flew by with lots of stories and chats about travel and Europe and America. They’re heading to Canada next year and maybe will make it to the states someday. Super nice people and a joy to meet.
Ready set GOOOOOO
The guys spoke Portuguese all the way down maneuvering the sleds. When we ended, perfect English “a tip would be appreciated” of course, that was a once in a lifetime historic ride. We will be back!!
We didn’t walk back straight down the mountain it just didn’t sound that appealing, and taxis were waiting. So we contributed to the local tourism economy and had the taxi drop us off at sea level.
A seaside walk back to our home away from home never disappoints.
A few raindrops are falling so we’re heading back to have something to eat and snack on those beautiful pieces of local fruit.
The old town had a cool project to inspire artists to paint local doors. We found a number of them & that’ll be a post of its own.
Until tomorrow 😊
