TODAY'S PHOTO : Thanks to Vic ... another shot of the mega-cruiser 'Independence of the Seas'

Source : Diário de Notícias 10/5/2008

The big story of the day was about the mega-cruise ship in Funchal, and the thousands of visitors who have gone to the quay for a peek. The Diario proudly announces that there are some Madeiran passengers, and Portuguese workers on the vessel.

A few days ago I published a photo from Helen showing a beautiful sunrise from Pico do Areeiro ... rather a high point at 1,756 meters, and probably rather cold a lot of the time. So rather suprising then is the fact that the densest populations of lagartixas (geckos or lizards) live there, as normally when it is cold they go into hiding. In fact it was believed to be a fact that these geckos not only dislike the cold, but they also dislike high altitudes. Needing solar energy just to be active, let alone to reproduce, food supplies are the additional oddity in the equation. The author of the study speculates that the geckos thrive on leftovers from visitors to the picnic areas, and these leftovers generally being of fatty content are what causes the thriving populations. In addition, the geckos of Pico do Areeiro are the largest on Madeira, in size and weight, and it is this additional size that allows them to absorb more solar energy than their smaller cousins.

The big drug court case that has been underway in Santa Cruz for several weeks has not had very much press coverage, but after a stoppage will recommence next Friday. The 19 people are charged with a variety of drug trafficking offences going back to 2006, in particular involving a seizure of nearly 6,000 kilos of 84% pure cocaine in Ponta do Sol. Also found by police during their investigations were heroin, hashish, and large amounts of cash, mobile phones, weapons, hand grenades, plane tickets, gold and jewellery. Of the 19 accused, 3 are in custody, 3 have to report to the authorities, and the rest are seemingly on the loose. Bit worrying to think that there are 16 individuals on the loose who have been handling weapons and hand grenades, never mind the drugs! I struggle to believe the quantity of 6,000 kg, but I have revisited the article twice to check. I reckon it should be 6kg or 6,000 grammes.

The rate of attempts at suicide is on the increase amongst youngsters. Drug dependency and nervous anorexia are named as two of the causes.

The Regional Government of Madeira wants to reduce importation of agricultural products, and has commenced a project to achieve this.

 

Opened to the public yesterday, the swimming and leisure complex at Ponta Gorda (Funchal) is for now free to use. Damaged severely during April's bad weather, it was calculated that €870,000 would be needed to completely restore the facility. It is the first such facility to reopen in Funchal, although the swimming pool is not yet ready for use. It will remain free for users until 21st June.

In the same article : "Funchal Council (CMF) is not going to tolerate more violations to the rules of security of the enclosed swimming complexes. The warning is of  fines for those who jump the security barriers. The threats are made after some persons have in the past dived in the swimming pool of the Lido and insulted the members of staff of the complex." Strange thing, but I think I would rather meet these people on the streets than those 16 gun weilding drug barons on the loose.

We seem to be getting a good run of responses to the daily blogs now, including some welcome first timers. Many thanks.

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