Grumpy in Madeira

It’s June, so it can only mean one thing………..FESTA!!!!!!!!!

It’s party time.

The island goes crazy for music, food and Poncha.

Poncha is a local firewater tipple. It’s made from sugarcane and mixed with different flavour fruit juices. It is potent stuff, you could probably run your car on it.

There are only three ingredients. They are sugar cane rum, sugar, and fruit pulp or juice. You bash it with a wooden stick called a Caralhinho.

There are four main flavours, Lemon known as Pescador (fishermans). Orange (Regional). Tangerina and Passion fruit. There are lot’s more flavours but these are the main ones.

In Camara De Lobos they sell a metre of Poncha, ten different flavours.

The Pescador is our favourite and the strongest.

We went to the opening night of Camara De Lobos, Festa de Sao Pedro.

We thought it wouldn’t be that busy as it was a Thursday and people had work the next day.

We were mistaken, it was heaving.

We had a great night eating, drinking and listening to the music.

There was a parade and folklore dancing, a really good day/night.

I had quite a few beers and Poncha’s 🥴

The next day with a bad head we went to Ribeira Brava

We got there early to park up, as it was a Friday and it would be busy.

A Fado singer called Mariza was performing. She was amazing, what a voice.

She didn’t start until 11pm but was well worth the wait.

We had another great night with Mack and Annie.

We ate Ribs, Chicken and Bolo de Caco and drank, Guinness, Cerveja, Poncha, Sangria, more Cerveja and more Poncha 🥴

Wood fired BBQs were set up on the beach. You can cook your own Espetada on the Bay stick.

It was very, very busy.

We got home very late and very pissed (me anyway).

I’ll be glad when Festa season is over.

Oh and I’m NEVER drinking again!!!!!!!

On Saturday night there was a huge fireworks display over the harbour at Camara de Lobos.

Spectacular!!!!!!!

I’m going to give my liver a break from Festa’s for a while.

The next one will be Curral Das Freiras (Nun’s Valley) It’s the Festa of the Ginja

It’s a cherry liquor, the Ginjinha or Ginja berries are actually cherry’s, In English it’s Morello Cherry,

It’s traditionally made around June/July and is ready for Christmas. A mate of mine tried a glass and said “OMG it’s Christmas cake in a glass”.

I’ll let you know how it goes.