Adventurous Maite: 31-Madeira (Portugal): 20th July 2014

20th July (Sunday)

My trip with the pirate boat Santa Maria de Colombo, the most photographed boat in Madeira. This is an experience not to be missed

My last Sunday in Madeira was also fantastic! I met André Silva and we we took an early trip (10:30) on the Santa Maria de Colombo and it was a nice morning out. The trip takes 3 hours

The departure point is down by the marina,
but in the industrial area, behind where the cruise terminal is

André and I

The boat also goes out twice a day and covers the same route as the catamaran which also stops at the bottom of Cabo Girão (The highest sea cliff in Europe), for a swim

This is the exact replica of Christopher Columbus boat, build in 1998. The trip is an adventure feeling about it, as one can almost feel how it was when the island was discovered 500 odd years ago

This was my best boat trip, I've ever been on, in my life

The Santa Maria ship is a real size replica of the Colombo’s ship

Sailing along the South Coast of Madeira aboard the Santa Maria,

Pirate Ship, will take you back to the 15th century

When you board the boat this pirate is waiting for you with a parrot... and another pirate take a photo of you with them. When the trip finishes you can buy the picture for 5 euros

The pirate and I posing for the photo

At first sight the boat transmits a sensation of comfort which draws you to stay and enjoy

Exploring each detail of the boat

The boat has toilets and bar facilities

The crew of the Santa Maria de Colombo is really very friendly and dynamic

Vá à Madeira e saia de Portugal ...

André showed me these verses dedicated to Madeira Islands

The boat leaves the harbour

Molhe Fort (Fortaleza do Ilhéu de Nossa Senhora da Conceição)

The Santa Maria de Colombo is also known as Madeira's Pirate boat

With the looks of a crew like this one it's not hard to understand why

This boat built in 1998 has been used in many documentaries and television programs relating to Christopher Coloumbus

We quickly got away from the shore

The ship sails along the South Coast where there is a strong possibility of seeing sea life

Portuguese flag

A small fishing craft

Watching the sea

Feeling the Atlantic Ocean breeze in my face

A catamaran

André enjoying the experience

We could see dolphins and even a whale out at sea

Dolphins very close to the boat

This is Pipa! The lovely dog of the boat. I fell in love with it immediately

André smiling

The crew in their period clothes was great

Selfie time

Movement of the sea

Walking along the ship

Hearing the explanations about the whales, dolphins, etc.

Impressed with the wonderful views

Admiring the island's shores on this relaxing journey

André taking pictures with my Olympus camera

Tourists on the Madeira Catamaran

One of the Highlights of the trip of the trip is the short stop off the Coast of Cabo Girão

In summer the boat stops and you can enjoy a cool swim but we didn't do it at the end

We didn't brought swimming suit neither towel

But quite brave tourists jumped into the sea!

Even children did it!

Stroking the sweet Pipa

The two parrots were hilarious and created a certain atmosphere

Dog feeder

Bar area

Photos with the parrot :-)

Boat "Bonita da Madeira", an original caravel of wooden construction

Pirate on the rudder of the boat

Having a great time together

During the trip this pirate served us Madeiran wine and Madeira cake, bolo de mel de cana

Offering wine

Serving me the island's traditional Madeira wine and popular honey cake (bolo de mel)

With the pirate while I'm tasting the bolo de mel de cana

Eating a piece of honey cake

And then... a glass of Madeira wine

André drinking the wine

Eating cake :-)

During the three-hour excursion we saw Câmara de Lobos

Enjoying the scenery

Charming <3

The catamaran "Sea the Best"

Beautiful views of the Funchal coast (touristic area)

High rise hotels and holiday apartments along the coast west of Funchal

Below you can see The Pestana Carlton Madeira in Largo António Nobre (blue façade)

And there you can find The Casino

Donations are welcome in the old small treasure chest

Pipa, the best of the pirate ship :-)

Arriving

Ship docking at Funchal Harbor

Last picture together

The journey was over. Let's get out of the boat!

The latest pictures after the trip had been completed

So cute!!! Pipa stuck her head out of the window :)

My photo with the pirate, André and the parrot

You have the option to decline the photo opportunity with the parrot and eye-patched mate, but I think it was a nice memory to have it... So I bought it :-)