TODAY'S PHOTO : Thanks to Tobi ... A great shot of the 'Independence of the Seas', the biggest cruise ship ever, in Funchal.

Thanks so much for all the photos sent in, I had about 12 to choose from, but I chose this one because it gave the best perspective of the sheer enormity of the beast. I may be able to put some of the others on later.

Source : Diário de Notícias 9/5/2008

The Service of the natural park of Madeira (SPNM) is to undertake a study of the relationship between Madeira's fishermen and wild sea lions. With the aim of conservation and increasing the populations of these fine creatures (no, not the fishermen). The study has a particular interest in the rare and endangered species 'Monachus monachus', of which there is a colony of around 30 living around the Ilhas Desertas (the Deserted Islands off the south east Madeira coast).  

Lemons produced on Madeira in 2007 reached impressive levels, with the lemon groves of Ilha in Santana producing 800 tons on just 87 hestares last year. This fact will be celebrated at the 7th Regional Exhibition of the Lemon, which runs from yesterday until Sunday. I think we have festivals and exhibitions for every type of fruit and crop grown on Madeira ... some like the chestnut and cherry festivals are big events, whilst I would guess that the Pimpenela and Lemon events are somewhat more low key. If anyone is planning to go, please let me know what it was like. The lemon for me is a particularly important produce for Madeira ... without it where would we get our fix of 'local lemon' poncha?  

The Diario reminds us of the new mainland ferry service between Madeira and Portimão (near Faro) starting next month, with the first ferry departure from  Funchal on Saturday the 14th, 10.30 am. The article covers the subject of security for the new route, with a particular mention for drug smuggling. It seems unclear about who is taking responsibility and what arrangements have been made. The article asks the same questions for the journey between Madeira and Las Palmas (Canary Islands). I don't know how this will work, because with the new ferry to Portimão and return you are not crossing any national borders, just like the ferry to Porto Santo really where there is no visible security or smuggling controls. But on the leg between between the Canary Islands (Spanish) and Madeira is there customs and immigration controls involved?

The Las Palmas (Canaries) ferry to Madeira will cost €50 (I assume that's one way) or €90 if you want a 'stateroom'. The ship will leave Tenerife at 4pm on Fridays, stop at Gran Canaria, and set off for Madeira at 7.30pm. It will arrive at Funchal at 8.30am on Saturday morning and then leave for Portimão 2 hours later. The website link for the full schedule is already in the travel section on madeira4u, and should give you the complete schedules and price. (a few translation problems with this article means that would be a wise move).

I am getting quite accustomed to sending birthday and other cards to friends and relatives using 'e-cards'. It's much easier and faster (oh, and it costs nothing if you use the cheapskate range of cards), and sometimes I also get them sent to me. One of the other advantages is that you can set all the cards for the year up in one go, and you even get notified when the person has read them, which is dead handy in case that person then rings you to say thanks, as otherwise you might have no memory that it was their birthday. What's this got to do with Madeira you ask?

Well the thing is I get a lot of emails addressed to blog@madeira4u.com (several a week) telling me I have been sent a card, and to click on a link to retrieve it. I never know whether it's a hoax or not and for fear of downloading a virus I never actually look at them, just in case. So if there is any genuine 'mail' coming to me in this way, then I apologise for not reading them or responding.

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