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Another Day in Paradise 

(Maderia - Day 1)

As we all know, life can be frenetic at times and the body, mind and soul needs the opportunity to chill out and relax.  So where better than to return for the eighth time to Maderia.  An island set in the Atlantic Ocean some four hundred miles off the coast of Africa.  

Why return for the eighth time? Simple, we love the hotel, people, fauna and flora and especially the walking.  Let's start the journey, come with us and  enjoy some of the delights this island has to offer.  

This year we had the new experience of flying from the North Terminal so some new shops to explore.  This threw us a little.   Eddie had a £25 WH Smiths voucher as a Christmas present but we never use Smiths.  No problems we could always use it to buy reading books at the airport.  Now a note to the audience.  WH Smiths at Gatwick is now known as the London News & Book Company.  Four books and a magazine later we leave happy, less the dreaded voucher

Easy Jet , Gatwick Airport

Historically, we have always flown with TAP (Portuguese Airline) from the dreaded Gatwick.  Must be something to do with the time of year we fly (October).  This time we took advantage of the strong pound against the Euro and a gap in the Lansdown Landscaping calender to go to Maderia in May with Easy Jet.

We have to say that we've never had any problems with this company and this trip was no exception.  The cabin crew were friend, cheerful and willing to help out in any way they could.  We'd eaten at Cafe Nero Gatwick airport so no need for buying food on board, apart from a cup of tea.  Well done, Easy Jet.  We arrived safely twenty minutes ahead of schedule and made our way  out of the airport to find our waiting taxi.

Our hotel, Porto Mare, Funchal, Maderia, can only be described as a 5 Star hotel at a 4 star price.  www.portobay.com  They consider their guests to be part of the 'Family' and they welcome you back with open arms, a friendly smile. Nothing is too much trouble for them.  I wont give you all the facts and figures as you will be able to find these all on the website.  

By coming in May we have the chance of long, balmy evening to enjoy the view and the chance to people watch either from the gardens, which are superb or our spacious balcony.  We've never had the same room twice and each room has a different view.  You want to see why we refer to this a paradise?   Well that it for Day 1.  Off to the restaurant to sit on the terrace and have our dinner with a lovely glass or two of wine.  Hope you'll come back to read about another  on this beautiful island.