Funchal : Sunday Market - South East Tour

Garajau is Portuguese for tern and the village is named after the attractive black-headed seabirds. Garajau´s prominent landmark is the huge statue of Christ, which was erected in 1927. It is a replica of the Christ, in Rio de Janeiro and Lisbon. It offers fine views of Funchal and of passing cruises heading for the harbour.

Your next first stop is to the town next to the Airport, Santa Cruz. It is a rewarding place for a short stay. The pebbled beach is lined with large palm trees and the colourful fishing boats lay between them. The market hall is famous for its fresh fish, unimaginable fruit and vegetables. There is a large tiled frieze at the entrance depicting the fishermen. The white attractive church is from the sixteenth century and is well preserved.

From Santa Cruz we head to Machico

Machico´s bay was the first place where Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira landed when Madeira was discovered. It has an uncommonly shaped valley, which looks as if a balcony overlookes the sea and the mountains, in a municipality with great abundance in water. The sugar cane crops and its mills activities made it become very important for Madeira’s economy until the 17th century. The eastern side of Machico bay is dominated by Pico do Facho a 320 mts (1050 ft) a high peak. It was named after the beacon (facho) that used to be lit here to warn residents of approaching pirates

Ponta de São Lorenço. The eastern most point of the island. The area around Caniçal and Sao Lorenço has a similar climate to that of the island of Porto Santo. It is noticeable that the nature vegetation is different here .The north and south coast can be seen simultaneously. On a clear day Porto Santo can also be seen. Beautiful rock formation can be found in this region and one of the coast plants, the ice plant

The tour now continues in direction of Santo da Serra. Along an endless stretch of winding road a forest can be seen, and below local farmers grow fruit and vegetables. Santo da Serra is where the wealthiest residents of the island, particularly the rich British, built their weekend villas. One of the golf courses is located here, and it holds the PGA Tour of Madeira. A cobbled path leads up to the grounds of Quinta da Serra. A pink coloured mansion, once property of the Blandy family can be seen. The quinta is state owned

On Sundays mornings we visit the Sunday flea market.