JillMelancon Travel

13 June 2023

(June 12)

Stayed in bed until noon, then got up for lunch at the buffet, then to the spa for a couple of hours. Sat on the Waterfront to read and ran into Roger.  He fell asleep and I snuck away for dinner in the buffet…I just feel awkward around him now.

Went to see Million Dollar Quartet…the piano guy from the other show plays Jerry Lee Lewis.  At least this show has a story of some kind…but otherwise mediocre. Went to get a drink at an outdoor bar and while I was standing there, this group of women just jumped in front of me without even looking and started ordering.  So pissed.

(June 13)

Got up early, had pastries/OJ and went to the theatre to meet for my excursion in Madeira, Funchal.  Things seemed to be a bit behind schedule, so cue the whiners.  All old white dudes, of course.  Finally got on the bus with Darlene and our driver Ricardo.  We drove up to Monte first to do the toboggan, but the line was too long so we decided to come back later in the tour.

Saw a pretty church—Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Monte, then headed to the cable cars and rode those down the mountain and went to taste Madeira wine (just as bad as every other wine I’ve ever had) at a small shop in town.

Then we headed to Pico do Serrado, a lookout point.  Had to walk about 8 minutes or so from the bus up a hill, but SERIOUS views about 3500 ft up.  Grabbed a passionfruit pastel de nata and a Coke Zero, then we headed back to the toboggans—still a line, and it took about an hour, but so glad I did it.  Had to ride with another woman and it was a bit scary at times, but fun.  Because we started late and the line was long, we got back to the ship at almost 330 so not enough time to walk around and try to find a SIM card.

Sat on deck and watched sailaway, then got my puzzle, a bushwacker (can’t taste any alcohol, tho), and back to my room where my clean laundry was waiting.  They did a special deal a couple of days ago where they would wash everything in their bag for $29.

The captain on this ship ends all his announcements with “may the force be with you.”

As we were sailing away today, a group of dolphins started jumping around like they were saying goodbye.

Dinner at O’Sheehans—just had appetizers…both were mediocre (again).  Out on deck I read for a bit, then headed back to my room for the evening.

(June 14)

Slept in until noon, then got dressed and went to get my puzzle and buffet for lunch.  Went to the spa, but the pool was closed for cleaning, so I got in the hot tub for a bit and hung out on a lounger…but so much salt in the air really made my eyes hurt.  After a couple of hours, I gave up on the pool and showered and went back to my room (I haven’t used the shower in my room even once—the ones in the spa are way bigger).

Sat out on the Waterfront with a beer, then went inside when it started to get a bit chilly.  Dinner was at LaCucina which was reliably good, then back to my room to start packing.  NERVOUS.  Pedro, my Airbnb host in Lisbon has offered to meet me at the port and take my luggage back to the room since it wouldn’t be ready yet and I had a tour to go to.  This was a huge load off my mind!