Madrid to Madeira Island - 26, 27 & 28 July

On our last full day in Madrid, we walked from the hotel with a local guide to the Prado Museum (Gallery) home of an amazing art collection, including El Greco's and Goya's. (Two ladies thought we were going to the Prada museum!) After a guided tour through the museum getting a very good overview of Spanish art from 15th to 19th centuries we had free time for the rest of the afternoon. So while we were in art gallery mode, we headed to the Thyssen Gallery which had paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries. We sought out our favourite artists from the Impressionist era with a quick look at a Picasso and a Renoir.

To finish off the afternoon, we took another bus ride around the city.

This evening we had a farewell dinner in a function room of the hotel. We were entertained by 5 musicians who wore a special costume related to the fact that when they were Uni students 20 years earlier, they sang in the streets to earn money for their food etc. - a bit like busking but these are recognised groups who wear a particular outfit to identify them. Two are now lawyers, 1 works in hospital emergency, 1 is a cartographer (map maker) and the 5th is an actor with a great voice who has played the lead in Phantom of the Opera. They were great fun and, as you know, had me up dancing at one stage. It was a happy evening and there was a bit of sadness as we said goodbye. One couple (particularly the wife, who is Jewish) who had their 2 sons with them (the elder had Aspergers) made us promise to try & see them when we are in New York next year! 

Thursday morning, 7am we were off to the airport and flew via Lisbon to Madeira arriving at our hotel by about 3pm.  The resort and area where we are staying is a lot like Port Douglas - but much bigger - without the sandy beach (and crocodile!). The beaches which are on the Atlantic coast are concrete paving and rocky outcrops, so the pool is more inviting. We have a studio room with a little kitchette and nice outdoor seating area. Madeira is popular with Brits and Germans for summer holidays.

We have done some good walks, seen quite a bit of the island on a bus trip and enjoyed some nice light meals in some of the many eating places around us. This is a lovely interlude in a fairly nice climate before our next tour.

Rembrandt - Self Portrait

Renoir

Madrid street - on our bus ride

Our resort at Madeira

And again