A balloon ride over Funchal....

Not wanting you to think that all we have done on this holiday is sit in the sun, read, drink, swim, drink, etc - today we ventured into Funchal and did a "walking tour of Architectural sites" and then had a romantic balloon ride over the city!!

It would have been slightly more romantic, had the balloon not been tethered to the ground at all times, but it did rise to 500 feet above the ground, giving great opportunities for some fantastic photos of the scenery below....great opportunities that is for those who had recharged their camera battery the night before, and not so great opportunities for those that didn't. Guess which camp I fell into? Nevertheless, it was a great little trip, and wonderful views....which we have memorized, but alas cannot show you. Unless you click on the following link -

http://www.madeira-web.com/PagesUK/balloon-rides.html

STOP PRESS!! - The batteries actually lasted enough for one shot from the balloon as shown by the ropes in the following shot (which were NOT drawn in using Photoshop for those of you who think that I might be that devious!).

The walking tour was courtesy of the AA guide book that we brought with us, that also led us to a small pavement cafe, where we had an even cheaper lager than at Monte - this time only 2 Euros 50 for two!

I had thought that the AA stood for Automobile Association, but given the fact that it always seems to lead us to some bar or other, maybe it is produced by the other AA?

This evening we have once again booked into the Blue Lagoon restaurant, close to where we go snorkelling and where we have seen varying kinds of exotic fish....which we can now hopefully eat!

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming!!