After a much needed sleep, we made an early start and caught the bus to
Funchal. Probably best to catch the bus to
Funchal as it is cheap and easy. The road leading down to
Funchal can get busy and car
parking is more expensive than the bus fair. We
weren't too sure where the car parks were so asked the staff in hotel and they said it was much easier just to catch a bus. We arrived in
Funchal by 10.30am. Not knowing where to get off the bus,we just followed the majority of tourists on the bus. Our first port of call was the famous
Funchal Market. Luckily it was just where we got off the bus. It was here that we discovered many wired and wonderful types of exotic flowers, fruit and veg. There is also wine, leather, meat and a huge fish stall. The market was amazing, it was a true reflection of the
madeira tradition and culture. It was here that we had our 2
nd FREE wine tasting session (the stalls furthest to the right). The colourful array of bright colours are a fantastic sight. Everywhere we turned we were
harassed by stall keepers tempting us to try their delicious fruit and veg. They cut it
in front of us in their hands with a
sharpe knife as if they had been doing it for years(probably had). After giving into temptation we realised that the stall keepers expect you to buy their products once you've tasted them. We chose self
catering in our hotel and so bought some fruit (try the custard apples if your there and the exotic passion fruits in various colours). If you buy from there be careful not to be over charged as I think we were. Go to the stalls that have their prices marked on them! I think
sometimes you see tourists and push the price up. Although the fruit was absolutely delicious and well worth trying. Just be prepared to say no or try haggling!If you having a trip to
Funchal you must wonder round the hustle and bustle of the farmers market even if its just for the experience and culture lesson. Towards the back of the market on the right there is a shop selling all the wonderful bulbs and seed flowers native to Madeira including the popular and most loved Birds of Paradise. There are more fruit and veg stalls upstairs. At the very back of the market is a huge room
devoted to the love of fresh seafood on the island. It is quite a famous fish market and worth the experience of popping your head in. If you don't like fish, you won't like this, but is worth the sight if you can hold your nose. Next stop was to a picturesque little town called Monte (next blog).
After a much needed sleep, we made an early start and caught the bus to Funchal. Probably best to catch the bus to Funchal as it is cheap and easy. The road leading down to Funchal can get busy and car parking is more expensive than the bus fair. We weren't too sure where the car parks were so asked the staff in hotel and they said it was much easier just to catch a bus. We arrived in Funchal by 10.30am. Not knowing where to get off the bus,we just followed the majority of tourists on the bus. Our first port of call was the famous Funchal Market. Luckily it was just where we got off the bus. It was here that we discovered many wired and wonderful types of exotic flowers, fruit and veg. There is also wine, leather, meat and a huge fish stall. The market was amazing, it was a true reflection of the madeira tradition and culture. It was here that we had our 2nd FREE wine tasting session (the stalls furthest to the right). The colourful array of bright colours are a fantastic sight. Everywhere we turned we were harassed by stall keepers tempting us to try their delicious fruit and veg. They cut it in front of us in their hands with a sharpe knife as if they had been doing it for years(probably had). After giving into temptation we realised that the stall keepers expect you to buy their products once you've tasted them. We chose self catering in our hotel and so bought some fruit (try the custard apples if your there and the exotic passion fruits in various colours). If you buy from there be careful not to be over charged as I think we were. Go to the stalls that have their prices marked on them! I think sometimes you see tourists and push the price up. Although the fruit was absolutely delicious and well worth trying. Just be prepared to say no or try haggling!If you having a trip to Funchal you must wonder round the hustle and bustle of the farmers market even if its just for the experience and culture lesson. Towards the back of the market on the right there is a shop selling all the wonderful bulbs and seed flowers native to Madeira including the popular and most loved Birds of Paradise. There are more fruit and veg stalls upstairs. At the very back of the market is a huge room 
devoted to the love of fresh seafood on the island. It is quite a famous fish market and worth the experience of popping your head in. If you don't like fish, you won't like this, but is worth the sight if you can hold your nose. Next stop was to a picturesque little town called Monte (next blog).
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