Polish Write about Madeira

Madeira largely fame of the show “now or never” emitted in 2008-2009 on TVN. The characters meet on New Year’s party on the island that is the site of action of the first two episodes. Stoke the emotions between the main characters (among others. Marta Zmuda-Trzebiatowska, Agata Buzek, Matthew Damięcki, Rafal Krolikowski) also because under the influence of the local atmosphere and landscape of vertigo easier than after consuming obscene amounts of “Madeira”.

Everyone, without exception, hedonist, a walk in the evening through the old town of Funchal shouts in delight, “I am at home”, and the ease with which mid-cry of release from his throat should not be surprising.

Funchal, Madeira is the ideal place to cultivate sybaryckich habits. Here, every little step, every gesture is meaningless pleasure. It’s the perfect blend of food, wine, climate and landscape.

The old town of Funchal with the Rua de Santa Maria at the head – the most popular street – climate reminds Barrio Alto in Lisbon. Although about 18-19 still empty, the evening turns into one big party. Although fado – Portuguese classical music and the obligatory accompanying “saudade” (sad, poignant melancholy condition understandable and felt only by the Portuguese) is poured into the streets of every other restaurant dances and revelry has no end.

Even 10 years ago the old town of Warsaw Prague was nothing of the eighties, it was easier to lose here than the wallet and the teeth to hit as any decent restaurant.

Today Funchal is one of the safest cities in the whole of Portugal. The old town is now also an art gallery in the open air. Most of the doors to the houses are pictures painted by local artists, sometimes you can find some original art installations outside facade houses or café terraces.

Close to the old city, in the actual center of the city close to each other monuments stand two famous Poles: Marshal Jozef Pilsudski and John Paul II. The bust of Marshal is located at Rua António José de Almeida. Pilsudski Monument commemorates the stay on the island between December 1930 and March 1931. Statue of pope stands at the cathedral and was unveiled in 1992, after his visit to the island.

Funchal from the first meeting, the first to look into it makes us feel here like teenagers on a first date in my life. Accelerated pulse, shallow breathing, and probably a mild fever – typical symptoms dopadające traveler arriving here from the continent.

The beauty of the island makes it unfortunate not quite that sick with love, falls into the arms of his mistress and there is no help for him, for there is no turning back. The ubiquitous greenery and blooming flowers heighten the feeling of being in a place where winter is a concept as abstract as sunbathing topless on Nordkappie December afternoon, and snow are just as likely as the date of the Iranian ayatollahs of Jewish rabbis – really pure madness.

Enjoying life here is as enjoyable as using a credit card with no limit and unpleasant consequences associated with the visit of the delegation of the parent bank’s debt collection department. Anyone who arrives here, find your plan to get to know the city. Just follow your own intuition, wherever he goes, it will be a hit in the middle of the shield.

Hedonists will feel here like a kid in a candy store, where there is not the temptation to reach for eyes as big as the Palace of Culture and gluttony candy does not end with abdominal pain.

A visit to the local market (“Mercado dos Farmers”) is no less perverse than the SM play in the bedroom. Dozens of kinds of exotic fruits that living in Poland can be viewed at most Wikipedia or programs National Geographic – outrageously cheap – reminiscent of the price of gasoline in Saudi Arabia.

More than 20 species of passion fruit, anone with the consistency of pudding and apple flavor, cane, or a strange hybrid of pineapple and banana or “monster deliciosa” Madeiran bananas – smaller and tastier than those available in Poland. And it’s all served right on the … hand.

In the next hall is dominated by seafood at the head of the Espada – fish from the top of the black dreams as finance minister. Its meat is deliciously tender and … white tuna chunks the size of small cars or inferior species of fish. It’s all fresh, tasty. Barely imported from the port and processed on site. Mandatory place for vegetarians allowing fish to your plate.

Architecture of the building market is also interesting, is an example of “Estado Novo” (New State) in architecture – a mix of modernism and art deco from the 30 th century.

This name defined the Portugal during the dictatorship of António de Oliveira Salazar (1933-1974) until the Carnation Revolution and democratic reform. Salazar wanted to impress their mark also in architecture, for instance, the “Funchal Farmers Market.”

By visiting Funchal no way to mention perhaps the most famous citizen of Madeira. Proficient in football stories know that here was born and lived until 2001 Christiano Ronaldo, one of the best players in our contemporary times. Being pacholęciem and younger youth played for local clubs – CF Andorinha and CD Nacional.

Wandering around the suburbs of Funchal pass the backyard, where he practiced football genius probably his excellent play. We fail, however, to get the final, tangible evidence that the wall okopywał frequently, at which point he kicked a football left a powerful mark. This does not change the fact that everyone met in Madeira thirty, admits at least a superficial knowledge of the player or member of the immediate family.

From the driving “tukxi” (maderska version asian tuk tuk, a three-wheeled scooter with room for two passengers and the driver) the steep streets of Funchal spinning in my head no less than from overdose – which is not especially difficult here – “Vinho da Madeira”.

David, a taxi driver, a Parisian, who arrived on the island twelve years ago, fell in love and have been here. Do you need a better recommendation for Madeira? Driver admits to knowledge of Christiano Ronaldo (“somewhere, sometime …”) and his current teammate – Pepe (“we played on the same team!”).

I’ll take your word and when driving soak up every word about the man whose name reminded me so far with the manufacturer of jeans and drawing mumps – a hero of fairy tales for children.

Away from the mundane problems of the first world (for dinner Espada or tuna?) Should go by cable car to Monte – Funchal hill towering above a height of 550 m stretches from here a beautiful view of the city and the bay.

Lying right next to the cable botanical garden is a popular meeting place for locals. There is also a church of Nossa Senhora built in the eighteenth century, where he is buried King Charles I of Habsburg, the last king of Austria-Hungary, who died in 1922. He lived here in exile after a failed attempt at the restaurant of their power in Hungary.

However, this is not a botanical garden and the church is the goal of arriving tourists here, and probably the most famous tourist attraction of the island – “Carros de Cestos” (exit special triple sled, made of wicker and wood) – led by “carreiros”, dressed in distinctive, white costumes.

This profession can be conducted only members of clans that engage this for generations, creating a hermetic environment. In exceptional cases, this work may be adopted person outside the “family” although this is extremely rare.

Although the exit looks quite dangerous and is done when no pedestrian caminho de Ferro, more in this fun than fear. Lighter by 15 euros (per capita) in less than 10 minutes’ drive two-kilometer route, tourists are willing to explore further attractions of Funchal.

Madeira is so small that you can ride it in one lazy afternoon, which means that all the attractions are actually at hand, for a very heavy stone. With morning coffee easily make spontaneous decisions, without the slightest risk of confusion: bored hotel pool?

Go ahead, near Porto Moniz on the north-western edge of the islands are formed by the waters of the Atlantic natural pools. Unforgettable swim in the price of travel, fantastic views – free of charge.

Coming here, be sure to join in the already closed to traffic the old road ER101. Between Seixal and Porto Moniz it runs a narrow ribbon oceanfront providing aesthetic experience of not less than a visit to the national palace in Sintra.

Bathing naked without the risk of crowds of voyeurs, homemade wine, excellent food? Absolutely yes, you should go to “Fajã dos Padres” on the other side of the island.

You can get here in two ways: from the sea or unique gliding elevator after a rocky cliff 250 meters down. In the middle of the crowded and muggy, elevator feels worse than the elevators dating back to the Gierek. View of the Atlantic and the prospect of a lazy afternoon suppress fear of heights in even the most sensitive individuals.

From the “lift” to the restaurant is a path where you can feel like the best deli. Where do you look banana trees, growing on trees in the wild avocados, mangoes and papaya. The restaurant itself is a few simple tables and plastic chairs, raised – and how – the oceanfront. The simplest table wine tastes here as a 10-year-old East India Reserve Madeira, but the more inquisitive should go to lying in the neighborhood winery run by Mario Fernandes and his wife Isabel.

Miniature Cellar, a few barrels stacked vintages, and a glass of Malvasia – a strong, sweetish amber-colored wine. The bottle disappears faster than the euro with Portuguese portfolios in times of crisis. Mario and Isabel also run accommodation situated directly on the beach.Staying in this location provides a total reset.

A dozen tourists on a per kilometer long beach is empty and quiet. Warmed wine tourists are returning to the restaurant to taste the specialties of the local cuisine – “Espada Preto” (black fish / black swordfish). Served mostly with bananas, look no delights for the taste of the white meat without bones is as delicate as a mist over the morning Funchal.

Another specialty of Madeiran cuisine – though of beef here definitely harder than fish – is “espetada”. Grilled beef marinated in olive oil, garlic and salt with the addition of laurel leaves and laurel. There is finesse, but here the simpler the better, or rather tasty.

It is an interesting method of administration “espetady”. The hooks located above tables, the waiters hang-meter-long skewers of grilled meat that using the “pliers” made with a knife and fork, place it in this peculiar hanger. It is also worth noting that the meat served on the island are antipodes wysmażonego on the sole of steak. This is definitely the bloody meat areas, hardly slightly scorched with fire.

If such a method of cooking you prefer not, necessarily when ordering ask for stronger wysmażenie meat. Besides the absolute culinary one can achieve extremely easy, all you need is at your fingertips “bolo to caco” (bread with garlic butter and parsley), salt, olive oil and wine.And if wine is not “ponchos”.

This refreshing alcoholic drink based on rum from sugar cane, honey and lemon juice. Returning to the capital city of Seixal book a stay at Encumeada – you can even see the two coasts of the island – northern and southern.