THE KIOSK: 01/04/2010

FUNCHAL 1880

This picture shows a view of the central city of Funchal, up the Avenida Zarco from the Cais. To the left you can see the Palacio de Lourenco.

2. Funchal – looking east

This is a view of central Funchal, probably from above the Rua da Ribeira de Sao Joao. Left from the center of the picture you can spot the Se cathedral. Note how the harbor did not have the main quayside back then. Before the main quay was built two small armored rock islands guarded the harbor.

3. Funchal

This picture shows the shoreline of Funchal, looking east. On the left side you can see the Palacio de Laurenco, above it the Se cathedral.

4. Funchal bay

View of the old harbor. Today there is a huge quay, incorporating the two small rock islands that were armored to guard the harbor against pirates. The picture must have been taken from about the location where today you will find the Reid’s Hotel.

5. Funchal from the mount

View from Monte down to Funchal, out of the cable car of the Companhia do Caminho-de-Ferro do Monte. It exploded at the 10th of September 1919, killing some people. Even after this event, the “Comboio” went on until the 17th of May 1943. Shortly after the last trip it was taken down.

6. Cathedral

This picture shows the famous Se cathedral. The name comes from sedes, meaning seat (of a bishop). This cathedral was built by Gil Eanes between 1493 and 1514. The high profits of the sugar trade enabled the Funchal merchants to purchase some highlights for their cathedral like a Flemish altar painting or a artistic wooden ceiling. The Avenida Arriaga, being one of Funchals main streets today, was just a dirt road back then. The jacaranda trees can still be found at the Avenida Arriaga.

7. Dona Maria Theatre

There is nothing known to me about this building.

8. Public gardens

Whether these are the same as the Blandy’s gardens I could not find out.

9. Belmonte Hotel gardens

The Grand Hotel Belmonte was situated in Monte and was one of the two famous Monte hotels, the other being the Hotel Monte Palace. Today the gardens of the old Monte Palace Hotel are by far more famous, since José Berardo (also called Joe Gold because he made a fortune with gold digging in southern Africa) turned them into a huge park. In front of the old entrance to the Grande Hotel Belmonte today you will find the starting point of the toboggans down to Funchal.

10. Bullock car

One of the main transporting means back then. The “car” was a sleigh of course. This looks like a lot of work for the yoke of oxen, but the pebble roads were in fact quite smooth and offered little friction to the sleigh’s runners.

11. Hammock

This was the other way of transport for tourists back then. I wonder if they got seasick after a while.

12. Funicular railway

This railway went up to Monte at first. In 1912 it was extended up to Terreiro da Luta. Also take a look at picture 5 (Funchal from the mount). Besides the railway you can see a sledge coming down the hill, still a fun thing to do today.

13. Mountain sledge

These sledges still exist today. Riding down from Monte is rather expensive (10 Euros in 2003 per person) but very exiting!

14. Road and river

This picture is taken from above the Riba de Santa Luzia into the direction of Funchal bay. On the left side you can see the building that today houses the Instituto do Vinho da Madeira, the second high building from the left. The house was built by Henry Veitch, being British Consul from 1809 to 1828 and 1831 to 1835. The building was later known as “Chateau Cossart”.

15. Country cottage

Seeing this picture, it is easy to imagine how poor Madeira really was back then.

16. Village of Came de lobos

Cama de lobos is the common short form of Camara de lobos, meaning cave of the wolves (the seals). This village was the favorite painting spot of Sir Winston Churchill and remains a favorite tourist spot today.

17. Grand curral

I have been unable to find out whether this has something to do with Curral das Freiras, but from the scenery I would think yes.

18. Rabacal

Rabacal remains one of the favorite hiki

ONLY IN AFRICA

ARCHTECTURE 2009

SICK NOTE

Rules In Dubai

Do’s and Dont`s of Dubai.

One thing you will certainly notice in Dubai is how relaxed and tolerant a city it is. The local population will no doubt be very forgiving should you happen to make any mistake, but one still must be aware of the laws and social customs. It's very important to remember that Dubai is first and foremost a Muslim country and a result has a traditionally more conservative culture compared to Western cities. As a result of this there are certain issues that you need to be aware of.

Dressing for the occasion. When on the beach and at Dubai's water-parks for example, swimwear can be considered appropriate and therefore will not a problem. Nevertheless away from the beach and other such environments, dressing in such a way can cause offense to the many Muslims in Dubai, as can other attire such as mini skirts and any other overtly revealing clothing. It is also worth noting that it is also not appropriate for men to go around without a top on away from the beach. So when going to shopping malls, and when out in other public areas, you should take note of the potential to cause offence and perhaps dress in a more conservative manner.

Things are done differently here when it comes most administration type tasks. Relax and be prepared to be patient. There is no getting away from it, most administrative procedures will perhaps take a while longer to be completed that you are used to. Here in the UAE to get anything of note to be validated often requires a good deal of paperwork to go along with it. Just relax and prepare to give yourself a decent amount of time to get everything completed.

Try to avoid taking photographs of building that look to be of political and military importance. And be sure not to take any photographs of any local residents without first seeking their permission. As one would expect from its reputation, Dubai residents have a very accommodating attitude towards visitors, but asking permission before taking someone photo is just common courtesy, and is especially important in Dubai.

As is the case in any country, don’t swear, shout loudly or gesture in a rude manner. This should apply wherever you are, but in Dubai is will be viewed in a more serious manner still.

Kissing in public is also not a good idea. Whilst a quick kiss on the cheap is certainly no problem, longer and more passionate displays should be kept in private.

Drink driving. This is pretty much common sense in any place but still happens. Dubai has a no tolerance policy in regards to this issue, and if you do go ahead and are caught, you can expect anything from one month in prison, to deportation. With Dubai taxis being both plentiful and cheap you can easily avoid such a situation ever happening.

Ramadan. Ever year sees the holy month of Ramadan. Make very sure that you don’t eat, drink, chew gum, or even smoke in public between sunset and sunrise, as it is not only highly disrespectful but is also illegal. Delivery services options are all still available if you wish to order food, and many hotel restaurants will stay open.