Bus Pass

It was still dark when the Gorse Fox got going this morning. Once he's awake he can't just lie there, he has to get up. There was an ominous cloud along the southern horizon as the sun came up and the forecast suggest a chance (40%) of rain.

We had a leisurely breakfast and then made some loose plans for the day. All plans had a weather-clause.

Now that somebody is old enough for a bus pass, the Gorse Fox thought it might be sensible to her used to bus travel. We walked down to the marina and booked on a couple of the tour buses. Everyone else was rushing for the top (open) deck. We decided that we see almost as much from the inside, we were protected if it rained, and it would be warmer. As it happens we didn't need to worry about the rain, but the Gorse Fox thinks the precaution were sensible as we stayed warm and could easily hear the commentary on the headphones.

The first tour took us around part of Funchal and then out to the quaint fishing village of Camara de Lobos. We could have got off there and then hopped on the next bus to get back, but we didn't bother. Think of it as a scouting expedition for our next visit! Just past Camara de Lobos is Cabo Girao (there is a further tour that will take you there). This is notable because it boast the highest sea cliff in Europe and the third highest in the world at 580m - 1900 feet. There a glass sky deck up there so may well be worth a visit in the future.

Back in town we stopped for a coffee and cake the climbed aboard the second tour of the day. This was a much more detailed tour of Funchal and its neighbourhood. It ended up northwest of the city at Pico dos Barcelos (one of the higest peak in the city). Again we chose to stay on the bus rather than stroll around on top of a mountain for 35 minutes while waiting for the next bus.

Now the Gorse Fox should point out that there was excellent WiFi on the tour bus. So much so that he was able to check-in for tomorrow's flight home as soon as check-in opened. Seats were chosen and boarding passes sent digitally - all while we were bumbling along the Estrada Monumental. We just need the bus to park near the hotel as the only complaint the Gorse Fox would have about the hotel is how slow the WiFi is.

The route taken by this tour led back down to the coast and along past our hotel. We briefly discussed this and decided to get off there rather that head back to town the walk back. Our choices paid off. We were no sooner back in our room than the rain started. It hammered down for a good half hour and had we been caught in it we would be looking like drowned rats.

(And no... the Gorse Fox hasn't forgotten the photos - he just didn't take many today).