Funchal, Madeira

We had flown to Amsterdam from LAX and boarded the boat Splendour of the Seas in Lisbon.  We slowly made our way down the African coast to the island of Madeira, which is considered part of Portugal.  The volcanic soil in Funchal is obviously a sign of the rich agriculture and wine making of Madeira.  The scenic views are stunning, what with the glass like sheen of the Atlantic seen from the hills of Madeira. There are dwarf banana trees growing everywhere, clearly imported from northern Africa a few hundred miles across. The island is famous for its Madeira wine, sugarcane honey cakes (called bolo de mel), an ugly but tasty fish called espada, embroidery, wickerwork and a sledge ride down the paved streets.