Wind Birds has filmed the 2009 first display of Funchal’s Christmas Lights.

Madeira, an island that rises about 6 km from the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, reaching, even surpassing the clouds. Therefore Madeira has two surfaces, namely one above the sea and below the clouds …. another one above clouds.

This photo gallery is dedicated to the second territory … that is surrounded by a white ocean and covered by a blue sky with one big yellow light (the sun).

Club Sport Marítimo, commonly known as just Marítimo, is a Portuguese sports club which is best known for its football team that plays at the Estádio dos Barreiros in Funchal, Madeira Islands.

The new skipper of Marítimo, Mitchell van der Gaag (Dutch), will show the Portuguese lion how to roar like the Dutch (Orange) lion.

The Scottish newspaper The Sun published an interview with Mitchell:

“Life on Madeira is slow-paced – except if you’re boss of the island’s top team Maritimo. … Maritimo have a growing reputation in the Portuguese top flight but they’ve gone through TEN managers in just six years. …”

“There is plenty of quality, in terms of technical ability – but the main problem is the youth teams do not play high-level matches because it’s too far to travel. … Some players are also not driven by success. They don’t want to leave the island. … That’s the only down side to Madeira – life’s TOO good here. But to be a success you have to work for it, as Ronaldo has shown.”

Click here to read the full interview at The Sun

The month of December will be a very busy one … especially for the locals who are preparing for the holidays festivities and traditions. One of these traditions is the Presépio …. which is set up from 8th of December. Christmas Nativity with all the usual figurines. You will find it in in most homes here on Madeira and also in all the hotels and restaurants.

A hint: take a minute … contemplate the Presépio and praise to the owner the work they have done. If you do this before ordering dinner … you might even get a discount.

Apart from the Presépio, Madeira also has other Christmas customs … such as Lapinha. Lapinha is a display with the figure of baby Jesus on top of what looks like a miniature mountain. In the middle they usually display fruits and the bottom there are small pots of freshly sprouted wheat. The believe is that the seeds are potted between 1st and 8th of December …. and if the wheat is later planted and grows well, a good harvest is assured. Most Lapinha’s are extended with all kind of toys, miniature village, wooden trunks, stones and plastic animals. Some more elaborate constructions boast even mountains made of hardened, dark paper, and water in form of ponds or even a stream. Sapatinhos (Ladies Shoes orchids) and other flowers are also used.

Other tradition is that on the nine days before 24th of December, devoted Madeirans go to mass very early in the morning …. to pray for Mary’s nine months of pregnancy, … and each service is finished with a small get-together in front of the church …. sometimes chanting songs and enjoying home-made liquor.

But that is not all ….
The traditional-conscious Madeiran, on December 31st before the réveillon, carries something borrowed, some coins … and 12 raisins in hand. Equipped with these …. at the stroke of midnight … he/she can make 12 wishes … that might be granted until next December.

A video (10 min.) filmed by Gil Santos, that shows Funchal at this time of year. It gives you a little idea of how Funchal dresses up, showing its visitors the sights, sounds and spirit of Christmas and New Year.

Next to the Fireworks Festival …. will this be the next new event here on the harbor of Funchal?

As more of these cruise ships will be visiting Funchal (Madeira) … we will be experiencing more of these horn battles between the ships.

It is a good thing that I am living outside the city.

The preparations for the Christmas and end-of-year celebrations are in full progress at this moment. The official opening of the New Year’s Eve Festivities in Madeira will take place on the 27th of November (Friday). If you do not want to miss this then you need to be in the area of Avenida Arriaga (Funchal) and watch the switching on of the Christmas illuminations.

From this day on, the main streets in the center of Funchal will be invaded by lights of all sizes and colors to produce designs that are very representative of the island’s characteristic and the time of year. One week later, on 4th of December, the outskirts of Funchal will also be lit up transforming Funchal into a real, life-size “nativity scene”.

In early December, the squares are decked with flowers. Poinsettias, holly and lady’s slipper orchids all help to brighten up the city’s streets. And then there are the Christmas carols ringing out in all the streets as if by magic inspiring everyone with the festive spirit. The streets fill with people in this atmosphere of great joy. Some are here to do their Christmas shopping, while others just want to enjoy the holiday buzz and atmosphere emanating throughout the city

With the center of the city lit up for Christmas, as then begins Festa (Festivities), the term used by the people of Madeira to call the celebration period of Christmas and New Year’s Eve. The Festa is lived intensively by the people of Madeira right up to 6th January.

The official program includes exhibitions, concerts, and many more. The following are the most important dates:

• 27th November – opening of the Christmas illuminations in the centre of Funchal
• 04th December – general illumination of the entire amphitheatre of Funchal
• 11th December – beginning of the Christmas exhibitions on Avenida Arriaga and other central locations of the city
• 23rd December – Market Night
• 28th December – St. Sylvester Race
• 31st December – New Year’s Eve Firework Display
• 6th January, 2009 – Twelfth Night Festival and End of the Madeira Festivities

The restoration of Monte Railway will start in the first quarter of 2010. According to publication of the Madeira Tourism this will be a funicular railway system.

The plan is to restore the original railway, which used to run between the center of Funchal and the parish of Monte.

In the past (first half of the 20th century) Monte was connected to Funchal by Madeira’s only cog railway, which used to carry people between Funchal and Monte and further up to Terreiro da Luta at 867 m above sea level. The railway was inaugurated in 1893 and has operated until 1943.

What is a Funicular?
A funicular railway, also known as a inclined or cliff railway, is a cable railway in which a cable attached to a pair of tram-like vehicles on rails moves them up and down a steep slope, the ascending and descending vehicles counterbalancing each other.

What is a Cog railway?
A cog railway, also known as a rack railway, is a railway with a toothed rack rail, usually between the running rails. The trains are fitted with one or more cog wheels or pinions that mesh with this rack rail. This allows the trains to operate on steep gradients.

Few weeks ago we just barely changed the clocks to the new wintertime (one hour back). However …. I doubt seriously that we only changed one hour back. Or did it changed to one month ahead?

Reason why I am asking this … is because when you visit the capital of Madeira …. Funchal … it seems as if Christmas already has started. Buildings, streets, shops, boulevards, shopping galleries, etc. are (being) decorated with the most colorful Christmas adornments. December has not even started and I am already surrounded by Nativity and Noel.

My first Christmas on Madeira I will never forget. For-most the beauty of a lady that I saw on the first evening. She had an exquisite gala dress. An evening dress that was embroidered with millions of colored pearls that all lit-up in the dark. The lady that I am talking about her name is Funchal.

Funchal starts wearing her gown at beginning of the month December. When the evening makes its entrance then the lady’s dress starts to shine … so intense … that both the moon and stars are blushing of shame.

It is a spectacular view to watch at night. You can put away your map of Funchal, and just follow the lights …. because the city itself offers you a road map through the strings of lights on each street. Together with the buildings, churches and bridges, they all sparkle like jewels on a black velvet cloth.

In the Netherlands (and other European countries) most of the people enjoy their Christmas days at home, in front of the fireplace, … cozy and warm, with their hot drinks (hot chocolate), and some Christmas music playing in the background.

Here on the island of Madeira they also have that kind of experience … only it takes place outside. Wandering through the magical streets of Funchal that is turned into one big nativity scenery, … you will be hearing the various songs and music announcing the arrival of Natal. Enjoying several cultural and artistic events. Not only Funchal becomes a giant amphitheater during the days of December, … also other towns and villages around the island will be taking same approach to enchant people with lights, colors and warmth.

And there will be no time to recover from these Christmas day’s …. as the magic will continue. Parties and happenings will be taking place in hotels, restaurants, bars and the streets. Just wander through the lighted streets you will surely be swept into some festivity.

And then there is the New Year’s Eve …

A lot has been said about the Revellion – New Year’s Eve on Madeira … which even got an award in the Guinness World Record. But I will summarize it for you in just one word: spectacular!

In the Netherlands for example … people spend millions of euros each year buying fireworks. A common household spends about 150 euros on firework …. and to see it all that value in money explode in their own backyard.

Here on Madeira fireworks are sold but not everyone spends that kind of money. Maybe a few sparkling stars and rockets. But most people here spend their money on food, wine and new clothes.

On New Years Eve you invite your family and friends, finding a nice spot with a view over the city of Funchal … and then wait on the stroke of midnight. At which the stars in the sky will then disappear for about 10-15 minutes. They will be replaced by million of lights and colors … that apparently seems to come from the evening dress that I talked before. The city decides to fire the sky, sending all its jewels and let it duplicate by a thousand times more …. bursting into a myriad of colors. The same time you hear the bells from the churches, the sirens of cruise ships and cargo vessels, … culminating in the spectacular firework display. People will be cheering, hugging each other, toasting on the arrival of the New Year and wishing all the good things in life to one and another.

After this there are still a few days more to feast ….

All the December celebrations are finally brought to a close on Epiphany (6th of January). The lights are then extinguished and Funchal takes down her with lights embroidered evening dress for another year.