Flights to Madeira PROMOTIONS Summer 2012 from airlines inlcude these dated 13 July 2012:

FESTA DA LAPA Paul do Mar – 27-29 July, 2012 -’the best ‘Festa do Marisco’ in Madeira Region’..be there!

‘Miguel Pires Power Trio’ headline the first night of FESTA DA LAPA

The Festa includes shellfish including Lapas (limpets) cooked in the traditional way along with other seafood – Paul do Mar’s speciality- and other regional gastronomia and concerts set in the beautiful, historical fishing harbour of Paul do Mar on Madeira’s hottest and sunniest south-west Calheta coast creates a tourist event of the highest quality.

Be there!

Dolphins: large pods of Striped Dolphins off Madeira’s south west Calheta coast

Dolphin and whale watching boats such as Lobosonda/Ribeira Brava operating from Calheta marina on Madeira’s sunniest, hottest south west coast have been observing pods of dolphins. Yesterday 13 July Lobosonda/Ribeira Brava observed a pod of Striped Dolphins.Striped Dolphins move in large groups or herds of 100 or more. They enjoy doing acrobats and are frequently seen jumping far above the waters they inhabit. Although bow riding is not a common characteristic of the Striped Dolphins it isn’t unheard of. The Striped Dolphins have a diet consisting of small palagic fish and squid.

Striped Dolphins

From: http://www.allaboutdolphins.net/striped-dolphin

The Striped Dolphin was discovered by Franz Julius Ferdinand Meyen, a German physician and botanist, in 1833. The Striped Dolphins are found in temperate, tropical off-shore waters of the North and South Atlantic Oceans, along with the Mediterranian and Pacific Oceans, plus the Gulf of Mexico. The waters that they swim in range in temperatures from 10 to 20 degrees celcius. This particular species of dolphins is extensively studied in the Western Pacific Ocean. The Striped Dolphins population is estimated to be around two million.

The colored markings of the Striped Dolphin makes them easy to spot. They have a blue stripe that runs from the rostrum, which is dark in color, around their eyes and along their backs, ending just behind their dorsal fins. The bellies of the striped dolphin are either white or pink, while the overall coloration is variant from grey tones to a more brown coloration. The Common Dolphins and the Striped Dolphins are found swimming and interacting with one another.

Striped Dolphin calves are born weighing around 10 grams with a length around one meter. The mother dolphin has a gestation period of 12 months. A female Striped Dolphin will give birth to a calf every 3 or 4 years. When fully grown the adult males are 2.6 meters in length and their weight is about 160kg. The adult females have an adult length of 2.4 meters and a weight of 150kg. Sexual maturity for females is reached between the ages of 7 to 9 years in the Pacific Ocean and 12 years of age in the Meditteranean Ocean. Both the male and female Striped Dolphins have a life span of 55 to 60 years of age.

The Striped Dolphins move in large groups or herds of 100 or more. They enjoy doing acrobats and are frequently seen jumping far above the waters they inhabit. Although bow riding is not a common characteristic of the Striped Dolphins it isn’t unheard of. The Striped Dolphins have a diet consisting of small palagic fish and squid.

Threats against the Striped Dolphins are from the hunting and slaughtering that occurs from the Japanese fisherman. In a year the number of dolphins killed could be as high as 21,000. With quotos that have been placed and implemented from the Japanese government since 1980, these numbers have signifigantely decreased to a few thousand per year. There have been attempts to keep the Striped Dolphins in captivity, but their refusal to eat while in captivity has caused all the captured Striped Dolphins to die within two weeks of being captured.

The image above is Copyright 2012 Lobosonda/Ribeira Brava

The majestic ‘Sagres’ a tall ship and school ship of the Portuguese Navy visits Madeira again

From Wikipedia:

“The NRP Sagres is a tall ship and school ship of the Portuguese Navy since 1961. It is the third ship with this name in the Portuguese Navy, so she is also known as Sagres III.

The three-masted ship was launched under the name Albert Leo Schlageter on 30 October 1937 at Blohm & Voss in Hamburg for the German navy (Kriegsmarine). It thus is a sistership of the Gorch Fock, the Horst Wessel, and the Romanian training vessel Mircea. Another sister, Herbert Norkus, was not completed, while Gorch Fock II was built in 1958 by the Germans to replace the ships lost after the war. The ship was named after Albert Leo Schlageter, who was executed in 1923 by French forces occupying the Ruhr area.

Image of Francisco Correia — with Tess Hopkinson and Francisco Correia:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=442800469093260&set=a.172992736074036.37082.169752853064691&type=1&theater

The ship is a steel-built three masted barque, with square sails on the fore and main masts and gaff rigging on the mizzen mast. Her main mast rises 42 m above the deck. She carries 22 sails totalling about 2,000 m² (21,000 ft²) and can reach a top speed of 17 knots (31 km/h) under sail. She has a sparred length of 89 m (295 ft), a width of 12 m (40 ft), a draught of 5.2 m (17 ft), and a displacement at full load of 1,755 tons.

Following a number of international training voyages, the ship was used as a stationary office ship after the outbreak of World War II and was only put into ocean-going service again in 1944 in the Baltic Sea. On 14 November 1944 she hit a Soviet mine off Sassnitz and had to be towed to port in Swinemünde. Eventually transferred to Flensburg, she was taken over there by the Allies when the war ended and finally confiscated by the United States.

In 1948, the US sold her to Brazil for a symbolic price of $5000 USD.[1] She was towed to Rio de Janeiro, and for Brazil she sailed as a school ship for the Brazilian Navy under the name Guanabara. In 1961, the Portuguese Navy bought her to replace the old school shipSagres II (which was transferred to Hamburg, where she is a museum ship under her original name Rickmer Rickmers). The Portuguese Navy renamed her Sagres (the third ship of that name), and she is still in service…”

link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NRP_Sagres_III

TRADITIONAL MADEIRA FISHING BOAT REGATTA, FUNCHAL on Sunday

Details below:

Observing nature in its natural habitat is a unique experience!

Observar as espécies no seu habitat natural é uma experiência única

Images from the Diario Sunday Supplement ‘Mais’

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link: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/revista/333486/333513-capa-as-especies-no-seu-habitat

FESTA DA LAPA Paul do Mar – 27-29 July, 2012, probably the best ‘Festa do Marisco’ in Madeira Region

..be there!

FILM of 2011 Festa da Lapa in Paul do Mar

..includes..shellfish including Lapas (limpets) cooked in the traditional way along with other seafood – Paul do Mar’s speciality- and other regional gastronomia and concerts set in the beautiful, historical fishing harbour of Paul do Mar on Madeira’s hottest and sunniest south-west Calheta coast creates a tourist event of the highest quality.

…more details including FULL PROGRAMME will be posted here>>

http://bestofmadeira.wordpress.com/

Staying in Lisbon on your way to Madeira or back? Visit Cais do Sodre

Cais do Sodre: Lisbon

From Portugal Daily View.com

“This Lisbon district, built along the riverside in the city centre, was once an old haunt for sailors, drifters and prostitutes – but now Cais do Sodre is the newest most hip place to be in Lisbon…”

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official Facebook pages unless otherwise stated.

Funchal Jazz second night headlined by Jean-Luc Ponty French violinist and jazz composer

FUNCHAL JAZZ – 13TH EDITION – 5-7 JULY

BACKGROUND INFORMATION From Wikipedia

Birth name Jean-Luc Ponty

Born 29 September 1942 (age 69)
Avranches, France

Genres Jazz, jazz fusion, bebop

Occupations Musician, composer

Instruments Violin, clarinet, saxophone, violectra, piano

Years active 1958-present

Labels Atlantic, Columbia, Blue Note, Prestige, Philips, Epic, Koch, Polygram, J.L.P. Productions, Inc.

Associated acts John McLaughlin, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Svend Asmussen, Frank Zappa, Stéphane Grappelli, Stuff Smith, Al Di Meola, Stanley Clarke, Gerald Wilson, Elton John, Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen, Bela Fleck, Return to Forever

Website http://www.ponty.com/

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official Facebook pages unless otherwise stated.

MICHEL CAMILO NO 13º FUNCHAL JAZZ FESTIVAL- Michel Camilo headlines the first night of the 3 night 13º FUNCHAL JAZZ

‘London Evening Standard’ on Portuguese wine, 5 July

‘Discerning drinker: Portugal’s deliciously different grapes’

‘Wines made from native Portuguese grapes can be well worth seeking out..’

“In a wine world which seems increasingly dominated by a small cluster of international grapes – cabernet sauvignon, sauvignon blanc and the rest – one country stands out for its idiosyncratic blends: Portugal. Many Portuguese winemakers’ loyalty to the country’s rich heritage of native grapes makes their wines especially distinctive – as shown emphatically by a tasting of Portuguese wines chosen last month by Julia Harding MW.

Certainly, some winemakers have succumbed to the charms of cab or chardonnay. Meanwhile wines from smaller Portuguese producers can be hard to find – especially serious whites, for some reason. They can often be surprisingly expensive too. But those made from native grapes can be well worth seeking out.

Quinta de la Rosa Branco 2010, Douro (Berry Bros, 3 St James St, SW1 or from bbr.com; mail order from winedirect.co.uk: £14.95)

A blend of viosinho, rabigato and other intriguing grapes, this white is slightly smoky, juicy and bursting with bright acidity.

Churchill Estates 2008, Douro (Majestic, £10.99, limited availability until Aug 1)

From a port producer, this shows what attractive red table wines some of the main port grapes – here touriga nacional, tinta roriz (aka tempranillo) and touriga franca – can make. Brooding, dark, focussed.

Castelinho Reserva 2009, Douro (The Sampler, 266, Upper St, N1 and 35 Thurloe Place, SW7, £11.52)

The blend here is again touriga franca, touriga nacional and tinto fino (tempranillo): rich, ripe fruit but underpinned with good acidity and a solid structure. Good value for a Portuguese wine of this seriousness.

Quinta da Manuela 2001, Douro (Wine Society, mail order from thewinesociety.com, £18)

This old-vine field blend of up to 30 red varietals – the winemaker isn’t sure how many exactly – has fabulous depth, sweet fruit and complexity from its decent bottle age.

Quinta Lagoalva de Cima Grande Escolha Alfrocheiro 2008, Vinho Regional Tejo – (Bottle Apostle, 95 Lauriston Road, E9, £20)

From the Tejo region in central Portugal, this is a relatively unusual example of alfrocheiro being used unblended. Aromatic and rich but fresher and tangier than most Douro reds: very individual.

Julia Kemper Tinto 2009, Dão (Planet of the Grapes, 9 New Oxford Street, WC1 £21.49) Innovative producers in Dão, the large, hilly wine region south-west of the Douro, are now helping the area realise its considerable potential. Made from touriga nacional, tinta roriz, alfrocheiro and jaen, this red has lots of oak, solid structure and tannins – it really needs a bit more time before drinking – and supple, savoury fruit. One to keep..”

link to full article: http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/foodanddrink/discerning-drinker-portugals-deliciously-different-grapes-7913130.html

Wandern auf Madeira-Wandelreizen Madeira

Great film of ‘Chris’:

Biodiversity even thriving in Funchal streets!

Acácia Rubra (Delonix regia)

Madeiran athletes including Danny Goncalves competed at the EURO Athletics Championships 2012

Portuguese medal winners included:

-Patrícia Mamona arrecadou a medalha de prata no triplo salto

-Sara Moreira o bronze nos 5 mil metros e

-Dulce Félix medalha de ouro nos 10 mil metros..”

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official Facebook pages unless otherwise stated.

Madeira’s marine biodiversity

Madeira’s marine biodiversity includes Bryde’s Whales

From the Daily Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2168615/Photographer-captures-rare-moment-Brydes-whale-breaches-ocean-surface.html

Bryde’s whales: ‘great whales’

“Bryde’s whales are often referred to as ‘great whales’.

They can be found in tropical and temperate waters compared to the polar seas which other similar whales can be found in.

They are named after Johan Bryde, who was the Norwegian consul to South Africa and helped set up the first whaling station in Durban, South Africa, in 1908.

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They mostly appear individually or in pairs or in some feeding areas in groups of twenty.
Bryde’s whales can be found in the Atlantic including the waters around Madeira region, the Pacific and Indian oceans…”

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2168615/Photographer-captures-rare-moment-Brydes-whale-breaches-ocean-surface.html#ixzz1zfUUuplC

Madeiran BERNARDO NASCIMENTO shortlisted to win the Your Film Festival – YouTube

Bernardo Nascimento was born in Portugal in 1975, spending his childhood between Lisbon and Madeira.

The short film “North Atlantic,” directed by Bernardo Nascimento

From Portuguese American Journal.com:

http://portuguese-american-journal.com/youvote-bernardo-nascimento-shortlisted-to-win-the-your-film-festival-youtube/

“The short film “North Atlantic,” directed by Bernardo Nascimento, is shortlisted among the 50 semi-finalists to win the Your Film Festival on YouTube.

The shortlisted films are now featured on YouTube and the public are invited to vote for your favorites.

The 50 semi-finalists were selected from more than 15,000 short films submitted by creators worldwide.
Audiences from around are invited to cast their votes, choosing 10 finalists. The 10 finalists will travel to Italy, where their work will screen at the 2012 Venice Film Festival.
A grand prize winner will be then named by a special jury and awarded a $500,000 YouTube original production grant.

Voting is open until July 13. Viewers across the world may vote on their favorite feature, once a day every day for each video, by logging to youtube.com/yourfilmfestival.
The 15 minute production is drama involving an isolated air traffic controller in the Azores connected with a lone pilot helplessly adrift over the North Atlantic.

Bernardo, who is based in London, UK, told Lisbon based Jornal de Notícias he is very pleased with the interested around his film. The feature has already caught international attention after being premiered at the London Film Festival and presented at various international competitions.

Bernardo Nascimento was born in Portugal in 1975, spending his childhood between Lisbon and Madeira. He studied Music and History in Lisbon and Paris before he started working in film as an assistant director with Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira. In 2005 he moved to London, working in projects from “auteur” films to blockbusters like Mathew Vaughn’s Kick Ass. North Atlantic is Bernardo’s debut as director.

The Your Film Festival competition is a global search to find the world’s best storytellers. The initiative was launched June 11, by YouTube and Emirates, in partnership with La Biennale di Venezia (the Venice Film Festival) and Scott Free. The fifty semi-finalists were selected by Scott Free Productions, Ridley and Tony Scott’s production company.
YouTube has held film contests in the past, but the global Your Film Festival is on a much larger scale.

Last year, YouTube released the film “Life in a Day,” which was co-produced by Scott. The feature-length documentary stitched together videos submitted by YouTube users.
Founded in February 2005, YouTube allows billions of people to discover, watch and share originally-created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform, and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small.
“North Atlantic” by Bernardo Nascimento..”

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official Facebook pages unless otherwise stated.

28th Blue Marlin World Cup 4th July

The 28th Blue Marlin World Cup takes place between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm from the 4th July in various places around the world.

Lovers of sport fishing will aim to catch the largest Blue Marlin, which must weight at least 500 pounds, or approximately 227 kg, tag it and then release it.

Madeiras marine biodiversity

The Maritime Area of Madeira shelters a large biodiversity of marine life, and is one of the best areas for big game fishing. In previous years (1995 to 1997), the first prize was caught in the seas of the Archipelago.

The Father of Big Game fishing

Film including interview with 96 year old: António Ribeiro who could be called the Father of Big Game fishing in the region and believes in ‘No kill’ and capture and release.

Big Game Fishing in Madeira: “a rich but relatively short history”

From Palheiro Golf.com: http://www.palheirogolf.com/en/palheiro-estate/big-game-fishing-.html

“The Madeira Island Fishery has a rich but relatively short history. The fishery was discovered some 30 years ago and visiting anglers have traditionally targeted Blue Marlin, Big eye tuna and shark.
Dr. Antonio Ribeiro: the Father of Big Game fishing in the region

Dr. Antonio Ribeiro was supposedly the first person to catch a blue marlin off Madeira bringing ashore a fish of 740 pounds in 1973. His sons Antonio and Joe to this day religiously fish for Blue Marlin and carry on in their fathers footsteps.

http://www.dnoticias.pt/sites/default/files/imagecache/body_300/37f1_147.jpg

Madeira has over the past years has produced some of the world’s largest blue marlin, which is also reflected by the results of the annual July 4th Blue Marlin World Cup.

Madeira: World Cup winner in 1995, 1996, 1997

Madeira was World Cup winner in 1995, 1996, 1997 and narrowly missed the World Cup fish in 2000. This year’s result was a second place.

The marlin season in Madeira runs from May through to October, with a fish average of about 700 lbs. About one in every ten is that fish of a lifetime, a grander blue marlin. These huge creatures swim in its predominantly calm blue waters, with the run to reach these leviathans being practically non-existent. In fact it is not uncommon to catch fish within 1 kilometre of leaving the marina! Add to this a delightful temperate climate in which to fish, and all of this set in a safe, civilised European environment you’ll see why there is no finer Atlantic Blue marlin fishery. For these reasons now some of the most famous names in fishing such as Stewart Campbell, Jerry Dunaway, James Roberts, Tracey Melton regularly make their way to Madeira for the summers and those world record fish!

As Madeira’s warm blue waters change to a cooler green the fishing also undergoes a transformation. The marlin gradually leave, replaced by shoals of big-eye tuna and albacore. These pelagic migrants provide the angler with some truly world class tuna fishing from February to May. Big-eye tuna of 150 lbs+ are regularly caught with fish in excess of 200 lbs being far from uncommon. Albacore whilst not reaching the weights of the big-eye tuna do provide the angler with worthwhile sport on lighter tackle.

link: http://www.palheirogolf.com/en/palheiro-estate/big-game-fishing-.html

Mainland Portugal: Motorway tolls explained

Portugal Daily View.com:

Answers to questions including:

Scenario 1: I’m driving to Portugal with my car

1. How do I know which motorways have an electronic toll?

2. Which motorways have an electronic toll?

3. How do I pay? What different methods of paying are there?

4. Where are payment terminals located?
Mainly at the border.

5. How do payment terminals work?

6. Where are the CTT automatic machines located?

7. How does the CTT option work? How long does it last and how much does it cost?

8. Can I only buy the CTT electronic devices, prepaid options and top-up at a post office?

9. What is a TollCard and how does it work?

10. Is there one website where I can access all this information?

11. What happens if I don’t pay?

http://www.portugaldailyview.com/whats-new/motorways-how-can-you-as-a-tourist-pay-the-electronic-tolls

MADEIRAN Sprinter DANY GONCALVES and his team members Ricardo Monteiro, Diogo Antunes and Yazaldes Nascimento reach the 4*100 metre relay EURO ATHLETICS FINAL 2012 in Helsinki and place 6th. Congratulations guys! and again all the Portuguese medal winners in Helsinki in the last few days.

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official Facebook pages unless otherwise stated.

Marriage in Air whilst Paragliding?

Concerts on Madeira’s hottest & sunniest south-west coast..include:

The ‘Dia do Regiao’ holiday on 1st July celebrates Madeira’s semi-independence and autonomy

It is celebrated by numerous concerts and other art events.

Madeiran athlete Danny Goncalves in Helsinki final Sunday evening

Good luck Danny and the other Portuguese athletes!

PORTUGAL – GOLD MEDAL! for Dulce Felix at the EURO ATHLETICS HELSINKI 2012..Good omen for Madeiran Danny Goncalves running tonight…see above..

1 FÉLIX, Dulce POR 31:44.75
2 PAVEY, Jo GBR 31:49.03
3 SKRYPAK, Olha UKR 31:51.32

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official Facebook pages unless otherwise stated.

‘Aurea’ one of the top acts coming to Madeira

Aurea, the Portuguese soul singer will be performing at the event’Madeira Island Summer Closing’ 21 e 22 de Setembro no Parque de Santa Catarina, Funchal.

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From Wikipedia:

Aurea (born 7 September 1987) is a Portuguese soul singer from Santiago do Cacém, Alentejo. She debuted in 2008 with her single “Okay Alright”, which was included on the soundtrack of the Portuguese soap opera “Morangos com Açúcar”. In the end of 2008, she performed the song live at the Morangos Live Festival, among with two other cover duets. This concert was released on DVD in 2009. Aurea released her debut album, “Aurea”, in September 2010. The album entered at number 21# at the Portuguese Albums Chart, but quickly reached number 1#.[1] It features the hit single “Busy for Me”,link to video below, which was released as the album’s lead single.

On December 2010, Aurea made a special Live TV broadcast to promote some of her songs, including “Busy For Me”. It which as transmitted by RTP2 and SIC Notícias. Her single “Busy For Me”, released in August 2010, became her first number one single, it topped the Portuguese iTunes chart and is credited with firmly establishing the singer’s career and is now considered her signature song. Critical reviewers of “Busy for Me” noted similarities between the song to releases by Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield and The Supremes, as well as contemporaries such as British singer Amy Winehouse or Duffy.

During the following year (2011), Aurea made a concert tour along the country to promote her album. She sold out all the major national venues, and the tour was a huge success. Her debut album remained 44 weeks on the top Portuguese charts, and still counting.

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official pages of Facebook unless otherwise stated.

Concerts on Madeira’s hottest & sunniest south-west coast..include:

The ‘Dia do Regiao’ holiday on 1st July celebrates Madeira’s semi-independence and autonomy

It is celebrated by numerous concerts and other art events.

Vinho Verde: ideal drink on a hot day in Madeira!

Article from the chronicle herald.ca: http://thechronicleherald.ca/artslife/111693-portugal-s-vinho-verde-wines-carving-out-niche

“Light and refreshing Vinho Verde is the ideal thing to drink in this kind of weather..

The geographically well-defined Vinho Verde region begins just north of here (Oporto). It is bounded by the cool Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Minho River border with Spain in the north, the Douro River to the south, as well as mountain ranges to the south and east.

While enjoying relatively mild weather conditions without wide temperature fluctuations, the undulating landscape creates a wide range of microclimates.

Wines have been produced here since ancient times. The Romans, Pliny and Seneca all mentioned the region in the last century BC. It was not until 1908, however, that the region’s boundaries were formally set.

In more recent days, comprehensive modernization has been undertaken, including extensive study of the native grape varieties and the most suitable terroir to bring out their best qualities.

With the notable exception of Alvarinho, most other varieties are blended with one or two others, giving more rounded and complex aromas and flavours.

More attention, though, is now being focused on the potential for other single grape wines from varieties like Loureiro. This interesting grape thrives best in the northerly Lima Valley sub-region where it produces focused, aromatic wines with excellent acidity and firm mineral character.

I found it an ideal match for simply prepared fresh fish and shellfish from the nearby ocean. Others such as Arinto and Trajadura also show promise as stand-alone possibilities.

Based on extensive tastings around the region, I find that all good quality Vinho Verde wines appear to have several compelling features in common, expressive aromatic profiles that typically project citrus, floral and tree fruit notes, especially apple and pear.

They also have excellent acidity and gravelly minerality as well as a distinctive, attractive creamy texture that nicely balances the brisk acidity and mineral character and, lastly, moderate levels of alcohol.

A more modest, food-friendly wine with lower alcohol

Vinho Verde wines: a unique niche in the wine world

These qualities in combination give Vinho Verde wines their unique niche in the wine world. As tastes continue trending towards more modest, food-friendly wines with lower alcohol, the newer style, higher quality Vinho Verde wines should gain further popularity.

The only proviso is that most need to be consumed while young and fresh. Every effort must be made to get them on local shelves as soon as possible. Otherwise, they will quickly lose their lively freshness and charm..”

Article by Sean Wood is a wine judge and writer.

TRANSAVIA: 95 more flights to Funchal!

BIODIVERSITY OF MADEIRA

Marine species observed by dolphin whalewatching boats in Madeira’s waters this week in June include: Beaked Whales and Atlantic Spotted Dolphins

Image of Atlantic Spotted Dolphins from Wikicommons.

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official pages of Facebook unless otherwise stated.

Another great MADEIRA Film!

link here:

From DarkMast3rChi3f

Thanks DarkMast3rChi3f !

Welcome to Paul do Mar!

Home of the best LAPAS -limpets in Madeira ..try them fried with garlic butter and with a cold beer!

Home of one of the best FESTAS in Madeira: the 3 day July FESTA DA LAPA based around the ancient fishing harbour

Flight STRIKES between 29 June and 3 July CALLED OFF

From PortugalDailyView.com:

“The strike announced by the workers of the Portuguese air traffic services company NAV, scheduled for the next five days, was called off after negotiations between the ministries of the economy and finance and the sector’s unions opened “channels of dialogue” to settle some of their differences.

Image of Madeira Airport

TAP-Air Portugal

One of the airlines most affected by the strikes, flagship carrier TAP-Air Portugal, also issued a statement on its website saying that “following the calling off of the strike, TAP will make every effort to reinstate its regular operation as much as possible”.

Easyjet

After being informed of the cancellation of the strike, EasyJet announced that all its flights to and from Portugal are now operating according to schedule. EasyJet has also informed passengers who had received notice regarding cancelled flights, reschedules and re-timings to disregard the previous alterations.

NAV’s workers’ committee issued a statement saying that “the unions that represent NAV workers decided tonight to call off the strike scheduled for the next five days, between 29 June and 3 July.”

“This decision is a result of the [ministries of] the economy and finance opening channels of dialogue, which had been non-existent until now”, the workers’ committee stated.

“The workers of NAV Portugal regret having been forced to resort to a strike as a means to unblock a new stage in this 18-month process”, they said. “This dragging of the situation is even more incomprehensible when the company’s administration, appointed by the current government last February, gave public note of the special characteristics of NAV Portugal’s business model”, they added.

NAV workers have been struggling to be made an exception to the cost-cutting measures implemented by the government, defending that the company is self-sustainable…”

Another awesome Madeira holiday film!

Thanks Malex!

Biodiversity; Learn more about Biodiversity with ’Amigos da Natureza’on Sunday

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official pages of Facebook unless otherwise stated.

‘NEW tourist attractions on the Island of Madeira’

INFOGRAFIA of ‘Expresso’ Newspaper

Novas atrações turísticas na ilha da Madeira

link http://expresso.sapo.pt/novas-atracoes-turisticas-na-ilha-da-madeira=f715197

Madeira lighthouses

Madeira region has many interesting lighthouses

Sao Lourenco Lighthouse was the first lighthouse to be built in Madeira. It was operated by men but now it’s automatic and is solar powered.

Images of Hugo Reis from official Facebook pages

SWIMMING COMPLEXES/PLACES TO SWIM in Madeira:

MADEIRAN SUPERSTAR Cristiano Ronaldo ‘Profile: the unexpected life..of Cristiano Ronaldo

Paragliding in Madeira

Extreme sports available in Madeira region include PARAGLIDING …awesome FILM from Christopher Frutiger:

Thanks Christopher!

Rali Vinho da Madeira 2012: July 27-29 ‘LIVE THE PASSION OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S CLASSIC RALLY EVENTS’ ..watch the FILM here:

From: the official Rally-erc.com website http://www.rally-erc.com/rally_cover.php?sec=6<

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Pilots, air traffic controllers and other civil aviation workers calling strikes for several days in June, July and August

From Portugal Daily View.com

“Workers of the Portuguese Air Navigation (NAV) company – including crucial air traffic controllers – announced a strike for the end of June and the beginning of July which will affect air traffic in Portugal.

According to Lusa news agency, NAV workers will strike in specific timeframes from 29 June until 3 of July.

NAV workers in continental Portugal and Madeira island will strike on 29,
30 June and
3 July from 6am to 12pm and from 6pm to 10pm.

On 1 and 2 July, workers will stop between 6am and 12pm and 5pm and 9pm.

In the Azores,
on 29 and 30 June and
3 July workers will halt between 5am and 11am.

On 1 and 2 July, another strike is scheduled between 5am and 11am and from 4pm to 10pm.

On 2 July, the union called a strike for all NAV workers for the entire morning, which is due to affect many flights in Portugal.

NAV workers said in a statement they will stop a total of 10 hours each day.

Meanwhile, the civil aviation pilots’ union SPAC announced strikes between 5 and 8 July and for 1 and 5 August.

A spokesman for airport operator ANA told PDV that eventual cancellations will only be announced the day before the strike.

According to Lusa, Secretary of State for Transports Sérgio Monteiro said that if “many tourists are prevented from coming to Portugal at this time of the year” due to the strikes, “we are removing value from our economy, and obliging everyone to double their efforts so that Portugal can return to a path of growth and recovery.”

Meanwhile, Luís Rosendo, on behalf of NAV workers, said that calling off the strike is not being considered at this point. A possible cancellation of the strike “depends only on the government”, he told PDV.

According to Rosendo, “NAV workers have been fighting for more than 18 months” for an exception of the austerity measures which cut costs by 15% in the state-owned company.

NAV workers say the company is self sustainable and that “in the next ten years, more than €75m in exports will be lost as a result of bad political decisions” due to the cost-cutting measures.

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official pages of Facebook unless otherwise stated.

Rali Vinho da Madeira 2012: July 27-29  ; ‘The Madeira Wine Rally 2012′

From: the official Rally-erc.com website http://www.rally-erc.com/rally_cover.php?sec=6

“Organized by Club Sports da Madeira, the Rali Vinho da Madeira (RVM) was first run in 1979 as a FIA European Championship Rally, and is one of the top events in the Portuguese Rally Championship.

The Rali Vinho da Madeira brings the special qualities of the island to life. Competitors challenge their driving skills on spectacular asphalt stages in a World Heritage setting of sun, sea, and exquisite natural beauty.

More than 30, 000 local and international motorsport lovers gather in the heart of historical Funchal for the special starting stage, and follow the rally into its demanding sinuous mountain stages and micro-climates over three exciting days of competition.

The book of rally memories is filled with many unforgettable RVM moments in the European Championship beloved by crowds. Mythical names of rally motorsport past have demonstrated their skill on the Island’s hot winding asphalt.

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Madeira invites you to live the passion of one of the world’s classic rally events.

The stages of Rali Vinho da Madeira, held on the hills and plateaux of the Island, are always spectacular and attract many drivers to the island, as this is a unique way of sharpening their outstanding driving skills.

The stages of Chão da Lagoa, Paúl (do Mar) and the breathtaking descent of Encumeada are the highlights of the event route, all of which are “meeting points” for thousands of fans who are at all times orderly and supportive of the event.

The 2,8 kms of the 1^st SS, held on the capital´s streets, are a primarygathering siteformotorsport lovers, fetching more than 30 thousand spectators. It is a spectacular special stage with the bay of Funchal as its backdrop…

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official pages of Facebook unless otherwise stated.

MADEIRA’S SEALS 

The species remains Critically Endangered in the area but its conservation situation has improved because of the implementation of effective conservation actions…

A New book has been published by Rosa Pires

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Details of the book, the book launch and more images information about the seals are here:

http://www.facebook.com/parquenaturaldamadeira

From Mendeley: http://www.mendeley.com/research/critically-endangered-mediterranean-monk-seal-monachus-monachus-archipelago-madeira-priorities-conservation-6/

“The Mediterranean monk seal is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is in urgent need of effective conservation measures. Following a steep decline in the 20th century, the National Park Service of Madeira initiated efforts to protect the species in the archipelago of Madeira, including habitat protection, scientific research and public awareness.

The aim of this study was to analyse data collected during a monitoring project (1988-2005) to assess the conservation status of the species and identify priority conservation actions for the future. The study recorded the presence of the species at key pupping sites in a strictly protected area at the Desertas Islands, increased sightings in recent years around the main island of Madeira, an increase in the number of pups born, and low mortality.

The population in the archipelago of Madeira is currently estimated to be 20-30 adults

These findings suggest that the species remains Critically Endangered in the area but that its conservation situation has improved because of the implementation of effective conservation actions.

Conservation priorities identified include protecting suitable monk seal habitat at Madeira, investigating seal-fisheries interactions, increasing environmental education, and strengthening regional legislation for the protection of the species.

Thanks to Rosa and all her colleagues at the Serviço do Parque Natural da Madeira indeed anyone helping the seals and raising awareness about them.

All images from the Diario Newspaper or official Facebook pages unless otherwise stated.

Cristiano Ronaldo: made in Madeira!

EURO 2012: Congratulations Portugal

From the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18543692

Jurgen Klinsmann on Match of the Day- Portugal’s 1-0 defeat of Czech Republic in EURO 2012

“The nice thing to see was that Ronaldo was a constant threat but also the players around him stepped it up. Pepe, Moutinho, Nani came into the game. They were far more effective after the break and I am pleased to see Portugal going through.

“Ronaldo is world-class, exceptional, and is in the top three in the world with players like Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Spain’s Xavi or Andres Iniesta. But now the interesting thing is whether his team-mates can pull themselves even closer to him. With Pepe, Moutinho and Nani they are a team that can win the Euros.

“For the goal, Ronaldo started outside the box, and it was pure willingness, pure instinct to get on the end of Moutinho’s cross. He can smell [the chance to score].

“Portugal are starting to believe. They beat Holland, and now they are in a semi-final. Ronaldo has the class and the leadership. He is the difference-maker.”

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BURAKA SOM SISTEMA, CARMINO, SLIMMY staying up all night in Funchal

All 3 acts will be staying up all night in Funchal: Funchal 22-23 Junho at the 2012 edition of the 2 day music concert in Parque de Santa Catarina.

‘Sons do Mar’ TMN music concerts Funchal 22-23 Junho

From Wikipedia:

Buraka Som Sistema is an electronic dance music project from Portugal, specializing in a fusion of techno beats with the African kuduro genre, and are generally credited with creating the “progressive kuduro” variant and have been awarded an MTV European Music Award

Headline artists at the First ‘Sons do Mar’ TMN music concert in Funchal in 2011 included Portugal’s Aurea.

Madeira Wine with ice and lemon; Madeira Wine as an aperitiff

FLIGHTS TO MADEIRA: Airlines including Easyjet have promotions including “Great summer deals for £20, £30 or £40..”

MADEIRA RALLY: Rali Vinho Madeira 2012…3 world class foreign teams showing an interest
..include: Patrik Snijers, Lucas Rossetti e Bruno Magalhães…read more here: http://www.dnoticias.pt/actualidade/desporto/331095-tres-equipas-estrangeiras-confirmadas-no-rali-vinho-madeira-2012

Open Culturismo da Madeira de 2012

Events in Madeira also include: Open Culturismo da Madeira de 2012…more details here:

http://www.dnoticias.pt/actualidade/desporto/331096-oito-atletas-competem-no-open-culturismo-da-madeira-de-2012

All images from the Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated.

Awesome Madeira FILM of Christian Mülhauser!

MADEIRA: HAVEN for GOLF LOVERS!

Grab value for money golfing holidays in Madeira. Those wishing to escape the Olympics, bad weather and very hot weather will find peace and solitude on the Madeira courses…

Madeira’s rich MARINE BIODIVERSITY

Whales off Madeira: stunning photographs shot in June 2012 from ‘Ribeira Brava’ Whalewatching boat of whales off PAUL DO MAR fishing village on Madeira’s hottest, sunniest south-west Calheta coast. Species are Bryde’s whales and Sperm whales:

All images from the Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated.

JAZZ events in Madeira include:

MADEIRA: BEST IN WORLD for NEW YEAR FIREWORKS! writes CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg

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Images above of New Year Fireworks in Madeira from ‘MOLHE’ Nighclub and Restaurant

“..(CBS News) If you’re looking for the best places in the world for everything, from pizza to perfume, look no further.

CBS News travel editor Peter Greenberg has traveled the world for nearly 30 years, finding what he calls the best in often surprising places. His new book “The Best Places for Everything,” highlights his finds.

Greenberg shared some of those discoveries, listed below, Wednesday on “CBS This Morning”..”

link to CBS article and film:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57448032/where-to-find-the-best-of-everything-worldwide/

FLY TO MADEIRA soon with Airlines including EASYJET!Promotions include…1.9 million seats from £27.49 – hurry while stocks last! ..more details here:

VAN ROMPUY: LISBON A ‘POSITIVE’ EXAMPLE OF STRUCTURAL REFORMS

From Portugal Daily View.com:

“The reforms put in place by Portugal are designed to “improve competitiveness” and in some cases change economic structures on a “scale without precedent”, Van Rompuy said at a news conference on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Mexico on Monday 18 June..”

link to full article:

http://www.portugaldailyview.com/whats-new/crisis-van-rompuy-gives-lisbon-as-positive-example-of-structural-reforms

All images from the Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated.

FUNCHAL’S POPULAR Public Parks

..include ALMIRANTE REIS which has had a ‘makeover’ …image from Diario Newspaper here:

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ROCK N ROLL with ‘Noise Riders’ in SANTA CATARINA PARK Funchal Tuesday evening 19th June, 10pm

‘Funchal em Festa’

“No âmbito do Funchal em Festa, um projecto do DIÁRIO de Notícias da Madeira e da Câmara Municipal do Funchal.

Esta terça-feira, para além da habitual transmissão dos jogos do Euro 2012, à noite, pelas 22 horas, há concerto da banda madeirense Noise Riders, um colectivo de rock encabeçado por Reno na guitarra/voz, além de outros elementos…”

‘Chic Tourism’ in Portugal should be developed to help economic recovery

From Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/18/uk-portugal-tourism-idUSLNE85H00Z20120618

“Portugal should develop higher-end tourism to help economic recovery, Bank of Portugal head Carlos Costa said on Monday.

Tourism accounts for 10 percent of Portugal’s economy

and has retained its dynamism despite a spiralling recession under the painful terms of a 78 billion euro (63 billion pounds) bailout from the International Monetary Fund and European Union.

Portugal’s tourism trade balance, the net difference between tourists’ expenditure in the country and Portuguese tourists’ spending abroad, soared 11 percent in 2011 to 5.2 billion euros although the economy contracted by 1.6 percent.

“Tourism will be very important for the recovery of the Portuguese economy and the rebalancing of our accounts,” Costa, who is also a European Central Bank Governing Council member, told a conference.

“Tourism should not be at rock bottom prices or downgraded by competition from mass tourism. This is the strategic challenge, to use investments more intensely and with greater value-added,” he said.

CHIC TOURISM IN CALHETA MADEIRA:

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Economists have long said that Portugal needs to move up the value-chain of tourism to reap greater benefits.

The economy of debt-laden Portugal is expected to contract by 3 percent of gross domestic product GDP.L this year. The country’s international lenders set a budget deficit target of 4.5 percent of GDP for 2012 and 3 percent for next year.

WHALEWATCHING in Madeira Region: best months are Summer..

image of Brydes Whale and Sperm whale close to PAUL DO MAR and Calheta COPYRIGHT Ribeira Brava boat:

All images from the Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated.

BURAKA SOM SISTEMA staying up all night in Funchal

BURAKA SOM SISTEMA will be staying up all night in Funchal: Funchal 22-23 Junho at the 2012 edition of the 2 day music concert in Parque de Santa Catarina.

‘Sons do Mar’ TMN music concerts Funchal 22-23 Junho

From Wikipedia:

Buraka Som Sistema is an electronic dance music project from Portugal, specializing in a fusion of techno beats with the African kuduro genre, and are generally credited with creating the “progressive kuduro” variant and have been awarded an MTV European Music Award

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Headline artists at the First ‘Sons do Mar’ TMN music concert in Funchal in 2011 included Portugal’s Aurea.

All images from the Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

CALHETA ISLANDS.DOC Cinema Festival continues..click on link below:

http://bestofmadeira.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/islands-doc/

MADEIRA’S WORLD FAMOUS ‘art deco’ food and crafts MARKET…slideshow here:

Mercado dos Lavradores

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WALKING IN MADEIRA is the way to get closest to its natural beauty

Image from the Diario:

link to more images: http://www.dnoticias.pt/

Madeira’s magnificent JARDIM BOTANICO

“Jardim Botânico da Madeira – Eng Rui Vieira – a repository of biodiversity in the world”

Facts about the Gardens

The Madeira Botanical Garden now including a Museum of Natural History was opened on April 30th of 1960 . It started with an area of ​​just over 10 hectares and now its 80 acres through the acquisition of land adjacent to it.

The Madeira Botanical Garden has been owned by the Regional Government since 1992.

The Garden contains more than 2 500 plants species, 300 exotic birds and 200 species indigenous to the region.

2.8 million visitors!

Between 2000 and 2009 more than 2.8 million visitors visited the Botanical Garden of Madeira. About 345,000 people visit annually.

link to official site:

Source: Wiki

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8 CONTRACTS BRINGING INVESTMENT TO PORTUGAL OF €157m

From Portugal Daily View.com:

“The Portuguese government signed eight investment contracts bringing in investment of €157m, Minister for Foreign Affairs Paulo Portas announced Thursday, 14 June.

Speaking as minister responsible for AICEP – the National Foreign Investment and Trade Agency, Portas explained that in exchange for a 10% tax break, the investments “contribute towards the creation of 352 jobs and significantly help in maintaining 4,108 other jobs.”

Defining economic growth as an “essential ambition” for Portugal, the minister for foreign affairs then emphasised how the investments were mostly export focused and hence even better able “to help incorrecting our foreign trade imbalance.”

Stressing the geographic spread of projects, “from Minho in the north to Setúbal and Beja in the Alentejo,” thecar, aeronautics, pharmaceutical and construction were defined by Portas as the key sectors for the investment projects in what was the third set of planned investments announced this year.

The government also announced the go ahead for a €1bn credit line for municipal authorities on Thursday.

The package is designed to not only enable local authorities to clear their back log of outstanding debt, with strings attached including fines where debt levels return to the status quo ante, in the case of councils in financial distress but also to enable better performing entities to clear debts faster and avoid penalty interest charges.

Parliament is due to discuss the legislative bill next week…”

Monarch launches new flights to Madeira

Monarch has launched new summer flights to Madeira as well as services from East Midlands airport for 2013.

Flights are from Gatwick to Madeira Birmingham to Madeira

Managing director of Monarch airlines, Kevin George said, “Flights to Madeira are launching this winter, however we are already seeing strong demand for them from all our UK airports and it is great that we are able to continue them as year-round services.”

All images from the Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

CALHETA ART EVENTS this weekend include today’s FILMS at the FILM FESTIVAL ‘Free Admission’ at MUDAS International Art Centre 

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CALHETA: NEW exhibition at Prazeres Art Gallery

From the Diario Newspaper:

‘Ana Mandillo expõe na Galeria dos Prazeres’

Com a mostra ‘A partilha’, a artista lisboeta ocupará as duas salas daquele espaço

A Galeria dos Prazeres inaugura a 29 de Junho, pelas 19 horas, uma exposição da artista lisboeta Ana Madillo, que ocupará as duas salas de exposições daquele espaço. A mostra intitula-se ‘A Partilha’…”

“De acordo com Patrícia Sumares, directora da galeria, “as obras desta artista apresentam-se com uma técnica dominante: a aguarela sobre papel. No entanto, é legítimo identificar o processo como técnica mista, uma vez que a artista também introduz colagens e outras técnicas”…

link to site of Prazeres Gallery: http://galeriadosprazeres.blogspot.pt/

All images from the Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

Triathlon in Madeira

Triathlon in Madeira is growing in popularity. On the 23 & 24 Junho 2012 The’ I Triatlo Longo Costa da Laurissilva 2012 ‘ will be held along Madeira’s Laurisilva coast.

More details here:

http://triatlomadeira.com/?p=3345

CALHETA: NEW exhibition at Prazeres Art Gallery

From the Diario Newspaper:

‘Ana Mandillo expõe na Galeria dos Prazeres’

Com a mostra ‘A partilha’, a artista lisboeta ocupará as duas salas daquele espaço

A Galeria dos Prazeres inaugura a 29 de Junho, pelas 19 horas, uma exposição da artista lisboeta Ana Madillo, que ocupará as duas salas de exposições daquele espaço. A mostra intitula-se ‘A Partilha’…”

“De acordo com Patrícia Sumares, directora da galeria, “as obras desta artista apresentam-se com uma técnica dominante: a aguarela sobre papel. No entanto, é legítimo identificar o processo como técnica mista, uma vez que a artista também introduz colagens e outras técnicas”…

All images from the Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated

From the official pages of Madeira Tourism:

“The French low cost airline Transavia, a group member of Air France KLM, will launch a new operation to this Region, aiming the reinforcement of the flight connections to and from Madeira throughout this summer season.

Transavia is making available 40 additional flights between the cities of Funchal, Porto and Paris, which will begin at the end of this month of June and will end in early September. This campaign intends to respond to the growing demand for Madeira, making available more scheduled and charter flights, with competitive fares.

In order to book your flight, you have to go to the official webpage from Transavia.

Have a nice flight to Madeira!

Extreme sports in Madeira: THE MADEIRA ISLAND ULTRA TRAIL 2012 took place on June 9, 2012, in Madeira Island

This event was organized by ‘Clube de Montanha do Funchal.’

It consisted of three routes, the main with an approximate distance of 105 km – maximum execution time of 26 hours, the middle race was about 55 km, with a maximum of 16 hours.

And finally, for those who wanted to begin the sport there was a 25 km race with a maximum time of 12 hours.