Can’t say I like ya, 2021. So good riddance!!!
There were 12 floating petri dishes in Funchal harbour yesterday. Actually, 1 decided not to come, or couldn’t make it. Another thing on a long list of attractions Funchal (“foon-shaal”) is know for: its new year fireworks. It’s enough of a spectacle that many tourists come especially to see it. (I went to bed before midnight.) The fireworks here are not in one location but all over the island so you need to get on a boat to watch from a distance.
The weather god smiled on us! I did the so-called “challenging” hike, finally. Not “challenging” at all, but not exactly a walk in the park. Although, it is a walk in the park for the partner. There are some very narrow sections without rope to hang on to. This would be a bit challenging if one is obese. There is this one part of the hike where the ascend is sharp. But… they have installed iron staircases with rails on both sides. Go slow and it’s fine. They have modernised the path, it’s wide enough in most parts, with cable rope on one side (not all the way but more than half of the route), quite safe, too. The tourists have it so easy now. In the old days all these walking paths were used by islanders to walk from one village to another. They used to be very narrow and treacherous.
Above the clouds, and me not being in a plane this time.
If this elderly couple could make it you could, too! Looks like they are in their 70’s, have tremor or some kind of neurological disorder. Unfit people, smokers, young children, people who are dressed as if going to the mall and overestimate themselves when in nature could make it. I sat in this spot at the top eating my lunch and taking a rest, so did all the smoking bastards. I discriminate against smokers. The place where there’s least pollution they just have to ruin it for everyone.
There’s a cat that hangs around the top. Children and smokers give him food that’s why he’s there.
Now the food part:
Sea snails, simply boiled.
The most popular starter on Madeira. Limpets. They are first arranged on a shallow pan, heated up and hot butter is poured over them (I saw they burst into flame when that happened). The fat spits for a couple of minutes. When you squeeze lemon juice on them they sizzle and spatter again so best to wait until the whole pan cools down a little.
Lots of tuna and other deep sea fish in the waters around here. Not possible in Portugal to eat tuna or swordfish the way you prefer. It’s always cooked “well done” here.
Another plate of limpets for me
Photo taken in Korea but the sentiment is the same.
Happy and healthy new year, all!
