Chit-Chat & Today’s Photo … São João Swimmers
TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Tobi … São João traditional midnight swim. Thanks Tobi for saving the day there with a much needed photo. We must have had several hundred people over our way taking a dip.
Yesterday was supposed to be the main day for family events and entertainment for the festival of São Pedro in Ribeira Brava, with the programming starting at midday. But the further we got past midday the more the rain came. It was just as well the opening night was a day earlier than normal, otherwise it would have been a complete wash out. Those poor traders, hoping to fill gaps in their finances in a poor year, some of them must have spent a fortune on space rental and perishable food stuff. Let’s hope today, the final day, brings better luck for traders, organisers and visitors.
“I bought a shoebox full of fruit to come home with – €16 for six pieces; they tried to charge me €41! – but such delicacies don’t taste half as nice in the Irish climate. I’d recommend gorging on the free samples while you can”. That sound familiar? I liked this article in the printed edition of the Irish Times, from a travel journalist.
MADEIRA – AN IRISH PERSPECTIVE
Don’t forget that news / articles will be posted at various times during the day – Check back regularly and keep yourself up to date.
Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.
You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions or comments.
If you post a comment and are not registered on this site (free), your comment may take a while to appear as it will need to be checked. If you register, your first comment will be checked, but thereafter your comments will be posted automatically. If you register, your email address will not be passed to any other party … promise!
Please send any topical or Madeira related photos or videos to blog@madeira4u.com to appear on this blog. Photos may take a while to appear, depending on the number waiting. Please don’t send copyrighted material.
The headline news & other snippets reviewed here on the blog are mainly from the Diário de Notícias of Madeira, although news from any source is used and welcome.
The blogs in the ‘uncategorised’ category come from the old madeira4u blog.
IF YOU NEED HELP WITH ANYTHING ON THIS WEBSITE, TRY THE MENU ON THE RIGHT HAND SIDE ‘USEFUL LINKS’ & ‘TIPS & HELP’
Madeira News Blog © 2007 – 2009 All Rights Reserved
They lace all the fruit with sugar in the market , thats why this ladies fruit was not as sweet when she got it back to Ireland, im glad she didnt pay the 41 euros, but she was still ripped off, poor thing.
1I am going to test this market fruit scam out when we are on the island next week. I am going to look interested in purchasing some fruit and see what prices I get quoted. My husband is going to stay within hearing and see what is said – if the stall holder tries to charge ridiculous prices he is going to see what he can do. Our brother in-law has a stall in the market and I would hate to think he charges these mega prices to tourists.
2Good on you Emily. You will let us know how you get on please?
3It may be that you have to go through the whole buying process to get the complete experience of overcharging, overweighing, (and finally underchanging), and then just refuse to pay.
Will let you know who it goes when I return (17th July) as don’t think I will have internet access whilst away. My OH was furious when I told him about the overcharging and it was his idea to try this out. It was not something he was aware of but is keen to get something sorted!
4If OH is still furious Emily, after you have your proof, why not ask him to email the Diário with the story, and give them the link to the Irish Times article. They won’t take any notice of me, or at least they have never responded to any communcation I have sent.
This is not doing the sellers or tourism any good whatsoever.
5Good on you Emily , i will be waiting for your story when you return… Its mainly the ones with all the different passion fruits and other exotic fruits, and most of them are upstairs.
6Thanks for the info Tobi regarding what stalls in the market seem to be the worst culprits – will try these first. Would it be one of those nearest the fish market end who sellers (usually an older woman) always hassle constantly as soon as you reach the top of the stairs?
7