Escape from Ilhas Desertas ; Porto Santo feeling isolated ; Hospitality enjoyed the new year
Today’s photo – Many thanks to Elaine (West) … The last of the New Year 2010 fireworks photos I was sent, again of course from Funchal
“Cable TV reached 4.3 million households across the country’s major operators at the end of September 2009, representing an increase of 22,000 on the quarter and 93,000 more year-on-year. The increases could be attributed to expansion of the ZON network in Lisbon and the North. ZON also boasted the largest number of subscription TV subscribers, though at 66.6% this is 1.8pp less than in the previous quarter. The medium is prominent in Madeira, Lisbon, the North and the Algarve. DTH presented some 26%, its heartlands being the Alentejo and the centre of the country”. SUBSCRIPTION TV IN PORTUGAL
“Mr and Mrs Kennett’s cruise left Portsmouth on December 22. They flew home from Madeira on January 1. The ship was due to return to Portsmouth today but instead came back yesterday to be deep cleaned. This is not the first time there has been a norovirus outbreak on the ship. There have in fact been cases on the last three Boudicca cruises”. A pretty unpleasant tale, showing that not everyone who was here for the new year 2010 firework display had such a good time. £3,500 DOWN THE DRAIN
Email spam seems to be on the increase again, but not nearly as bad as it was a couple of years ago, until a spamming organisation was closed down. A quick glance through the spam folder this morning, as I feel compelled to do (just in case …), a mail from Felicity Swell was offering me another 4 inches. I didn’t bother to open the email, as I am not a short person by any means, and anyway I can’t afford to buy all new clothes.
Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :
Porto Santo left with no links Porto Santo yesterday had no travel connections with Madeira, between the ferry not sailing due to a rest day and the SATA aircraft malfunctioning. A spare part was to be flown from Ponta Delgada in time for the evening flight but dense fog at the airport in the Azores hampered the flight. Porto Santo was left without the daily newspapers and other publications as they are usually flown in. This aircraft also flies between Madeira and the Canary Islands. This failure affected 47 passengers to Porto Santo and 70 to the Canaries. In the past 20 days, the Lobo Marinho ferry has only made half of the 16 scheduled trips. Normally, there are an average of three to four cancellations per year and the difficulties this winter have been due to strong winds hampering docking at Porto Santo. Sometimes the island lacked essential fresh produce and fewer tourists were transported, so considerable damage has been done to the company and to Porto Santo. Both air and maritime links were re-established today. The Lobo Marinho requires annual maintenance work between 12 – 30 January and passengers will be transported by plane, a maximum of 50 residents per day. The work will be carried out locally at Caniçal. In addition, a cargo ship has been chartered weekly.
Tourism awards ‘ambassadors’ The Regional Secretary of Tourism and Transport said yesterday that tourists visiting the archipelago more than once, regularly returning to holiday in the Autonomous Region are true ambassadors of Madeira. She said the Government should reward this preference of tourists, because no one returns to a place where they do not feel good. They are important free advertising and promotion of Madeira as a tourist destination and this has a multiplying effect on family and friends who might one day visit. The Secretary awarded the Finnish couple Erkki Rask and Aino Naltonen with a certificate for their 25th visit.
New AIDA cruise liner named The AIDAsol and another ship are under construction, the latter with a completion date of 2012. The new AIDAblu will enter service this February and its first call at Madeira is on September 9 2010, replacing the weekly AIDAluna. The newly named AIDAsol should join the fleet in April 2011. This ship will replace the AIDAblu for the Canary Islands / Madeira cruise during the winter season; its inaugural visit to Madeira is on September 11 2011. AIDA Cruises carried 414,000 passengers in 2009 and the revenue totalled 720 million Euros. The firm is a German subsidy of the Carnival group. —According to Wikipedia, the old AIDAblu will be transferred to the Ocean Village cruise company and renamed Ocean Village Two.
New Year’s Eve was good for the hospitality sector The Portuguese tourists contributed to the success of the hotels in Madeira during the celebrations of New Year’s Eve. No official figures yet so Diário reporters asked the major hotel groups for feedback. They were often surprised by the occupation rates and income despite the economic downturn. Only flight delays due to bad weather prevented some hotels from being fully booked because some Portuguese travellers cancelled as they had only booked for four nights. Porto Bay Group’s five hotels were 97.8% full, similar to last year. The Pestana Group owns nine hotels in Madeira and their occupancy rate and revenue improved this year. The eight hotels in Funchal were fully booked between 28 December and 1 January and events and entertainments were sold out. Between 29 – 31 December, the restaurant at the Casino averaged 400 meals a night, the Casino Park served 600 dinners on New Year’s Eve and the Copacabana nightclub was full until dawn. The five-star hotels, Reid’s Hotel and the Royal Savoy had lower occupancy rates during Christmas and New Year compared to last year. Reid’s had 5% lower occupancy rate (95% during the last 3 days of the year) but revenue increased at the restaurants and bars. The Royal Savoy achieved 12% less than last year’s revenue with some cancellations due to flight delays. More than half of Tivoli Madeira customers were Portuguese and the higher than normal occupancy rate was 96.2%. The Vine, the new five star hotel in Funchal was full with rates appropriate to the quality of accommodation and service. The gourmet restaurant – Uva – was fully booked and the bars well attended. The Four Views Group had all four hotels full from 28 December – 1 January, mainly Portuguese clientele and they served 1,300 dinners on New Year’s Eve. The other five star hotels, the Melia Madeira Mare was 100% full only on New Year’s Eve with 43% average occupancy rate during 2009; the Choupana Hills had a slight fall in revenue.
Caminho da Gloria transformed into a stream Access to the Capela da Gloria in Campanário is in a pitiful state and will not be repaired until 2011. The path has cracks in the asphalt and is often flooded by the stream next to it. The Capela da Nossa Senhora da Gloria is located on the edge of an escarpment overlooking the sea. The access path was built in the 1990s and is also affected by water from a pipe placed underneath an overpass over a main road, which is not wide enough and often becomes blocked and overflows onto higher nearby land and the water flows downwards onto the path. The Mayor of Ribeira Brava said that he is aware that intervention is needed but will wait until a new road has been built nearby connecting Porto da Ribeira and Pedra de Nossa Senhora. When this has been completed next year, the path will be repaired and retaining walls built.
Breakdown in the Teleferico das Achadas Cable car access to farm land near the coast at Achadas da Cruz is suspended again due to mechanical breakdown and spare parts have to be sent from Austria. The former mayor of Porto Moniz, Gabriel Farinha had said that the cable car is a ‘bottomless pit’ and costs around 100,000 Euros a year for maintenance. Analyzing the costs, he asked the Government to build a road from the town of Porto Moniz. Initially, the Executive agreed and it was included in the 2007/2011 Government program but Jardim withdrew the action on his last visit to the area because he did not think it was cost-effective. Farmers have difficultly accessing their land as the upward path takes 45 minutes to ascend. Actually, rumour has it that the road project was withdrawn because the locals didn’t vote in the PSD in the local elections. Der
Contradictory evacuation It is a mystery the way in which a Madeira Natural Park warden was evacuated from the Desertas Islands on 29 December. The Associations of Wardens of Nature of Madeira said a request for help was sent to the Portuguese Air Force but they said they did not receive a formal request. The Association also said the Merlin flew over the Desertas on the 29 December but the Air Force said there was no missions between 19 and 29 December. The warden’s health deteriorated on the 28 December and a doctor was consulted over the phone. The Association informed Funchal Harbour / Navy that day but the Schults Xavier ship was unable to approach the island due to 5 – 6 metres waves. The only way off the island was by air but the case was not classified as a medical emergency by the Air Force. The Office of the National Park of Madeira paid for the civilian helicopter Helibravo to evacuate the ill warden, which it managed despite the poor weather conditions. The Emergency Department at the Hospital of Funchal said the man had needed treatment for drainage of his abscesses. The Association cannot understand why the Merlin was not deployed as it is used for life saving missions and it was scheduled to fly over the Desertas Island at that time.
Funchal should increase the budget due to damage The Deputy Mayor of Funchal, Bruno Pereira, admitted that the budget for the swimming facilities would have to be increased after damage by bad weather, especially at Barreirinha. Work cannot be begun until spring (March / April) when the bad weather has definitely ended, so the complex should reopen in June / July. At present, the budget for the swimming complexes is 250,000 Euros. There is structural damage at Barreirinha to the concrete platform, solarium and pool area and minor damage to doors, access road, staircase and electricity supply. The Lido and Ponta Gorda also need repair work as well as the gardens at Ponta Gorda. In addition, Funchal Council rehoused a family from Lajinhas in Monte after access was blocked and the council wanted to rehouse two families in Romeiras, also due to a wall falling, which threatened their houses but they refused to move out. In Ribeira Canavial a family went to live with relatives after an escarpment threatened their home.
7,000 Euros stolen bike returned Four people aged between 17 and 20 were arrested on suspicion of theft in São Martinho. Three had scaled a wall to steal a racing bike from an annexe and had dismantled it to sell the parts. The other young man arrested in São Martinho was an 18 year old who was in possession of 1,100 Euros of tools used in construction work.
— I checked with Jornal da Madeira to confirm the (high) price of the bike.
and a later bonus from Elaine from the Jornal da Madeira :
520 kg Bolo Rei “filled” Praça do Município. For the fifth consecutive year, Funchal City Council presented the population with a Bolo Rei Gigante, an initiative that yesterday afternoon attracted many hundreds of people to the Praça do Município. The cake weighed 520 kg and measured 160 metres in length. The weather helped, allowing the eve of Dia de Reis to be a joyful event.
Many hundreds of people gathered yesterday in the Praça do Município to anticipate the celebration of the Dia de Reis (yesterday, January 6), through an initiative of the City Council of Funchal that once again offered a Bolo Rei Gigante with great conviviality. “The ‘Kings’ are with us!” said the Mayor of Funchal, greeting the groups of singers who wore the costume of the season. At the door of the City Hall, one of the formations responsible for the animation, the group of “Kings” from the Casa do Povo de São Martinho (Funchal) sang a few songs alluding to the season and were accompanied by the mayor, councillors and other residents. After the singing, Miguel Albuquerque praised the grandeur of the Bolo Rei and invited all present to taste. “We have here in the Praça do Município, 520 kilos of cake which is of 160 metres in length. I think this has a place in Guinness,” he revealed. In a joyful scene, Miguel Albuquerque thanked the fact that São Pedro had helped the party. The mayor used the occasion to wish “a good year to all Madeirans.” The Bolo Rei was made with 250 kg of flour, 40 kg of butter, 35 kg of sugar, 800 eggs, 60 kg of dried fruit, 130 pieces of crystallized fruit, 90 kg of sultanas, rum, Madeira Wine and egg strands.
Confectionery loaded with symbolism – You cannot talk about the typical sweets of the Christmas season without mentioning the famous Bolo Rei with its distinctive crown, crystallized peel, dried fruit, nuts (almonds, walnuts and pine nuts) and the beans. This cake is loaded with symbolism, one can simply say that this cake represents the offerings by the Magi to the Menino Jesus. The côdea (the outer part) symbolizes the gold, the dried fruit and crystallized peel represent the myrrh, and finally the frankincense is represented by the aroma of the cake. An explanation for the existence of the bean inside the Bolo Rei is linked to a legend; that when the Magi saw the Star of Bethlehem which announced the birth of Christ, they disagreed about who had the right to deliver to the Menino the presents they carried. As they could not reach an agreement, a baker, to end the discussion, proposed to make a cake with a bean inside the dough then each of the three Magi from the Orient would take a slice, the one who had the good fortune to take the piece containing the bean won the right to deliver the presents to Jesus. It is not known who had the winning slice, it could have been any one of the three, Baltasar, Belchior or Gaspar. Of course this is only a legend, the Bolo Rei is actually of French origin. The Bolo Rei recipe is known around the world, much of the fame that the cake has gained is due to the prosperity given to the person who eats the slice that possesses the bean. However, tradition dictates that whoever receives the slice with the bean must provide the Bolo Rei next year.
This article is from Vanessa Swesnik … many thanks.
TAP denies discrimination against pregnant employees. The Portuguese airline, TAP, denied discriminating against pregnant workers in the distribution of performance-based bonuses, stating that in 2007, 37 of these payments were awarded to women on maternity leave that were absent for no longer than 6 months.
TAP’s terms and conditions stipulate that employees “who have had absenteeism or suspension of work for an accumulated duration equal to or more than 5 months” are excluded from receiving the bonuses.
The newspaper, “I”, published today that the Portuguese airline operator failed to pay performance-based bonuses to 10 workers who were on maternity leave in 2007. This decision has been classified as “discrimination” by the Commission on Equality, but was granted approval by the Prime Minster’s Cabinet.
“The business argued that because the 10 employees were absent, they did not meet the minimum criteria for work days to earn the bonuses; justifying the decision as in accordance with the company’s terms and conditions. However, a report from the Commission of Equality in the Workplace (Comissão para a Igualdade no Trabalho e Emprego- CITE) labelled the decision as discrimination,” reports the newspaper, “I”.
In a statement released to the press today, TAP clarified that “the conditions for rewarding the bonuses, which are of exclusive responsibility to TAP, respected all applicable legal and contractual provisions.”
On the other hand the company also writes, “no initiatives were taken against pregnant workers,” highlighting the fact that, “all [pregnant workers] that were of service for the specified duration received the bonus in question.”
When questioned by Lusa, the spokesperson for the airline company specified that 37 women on maternity leave earned the performance-based bonus in 2007, but their absence from work did not surpass the 5 months allowed for in the terms and conditions. This year another 10 pregnant workers did not receive the bonus because they surpassed the limit.
The newspaper, “I”, that also heard from many constitutionalists on the issue, wrote that TAP’s decision also violated the Brussels agreement which stipulates that the exclusion of protected periods of time of a mother from the amount of work time needed to receive a retroactively remunerated payment would constitute work discrimination of the female sex.
The constitutionalists are divided on the legitimacy of the measure. SOURCE : DN ECONOMIA
I have left the exact paragraphing for Vanessa’s article and included the source, because Vanessa translates the complete articles, word for word, but of course in her own style. For those trying to learn Portuguese this may be a useful learning aid. Der
Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :
Demolition of the Savoy Hotel has already begun – The works are going to take 10 months. The new hotel opens with 420 rooms at the end of 2012. Like we didn’t already know, as we had a photo sent in before Xmas of the sign being taken down. So, is anyone brave enough to book now a holiday for Xmas 2012 / new year 2013, staying at the new Savoy Hotel. No I didn’t think so. I reckon if it’s ready by the end of 2013 it will be a miracle.
Today’s main news headline : 1,183 waiting for the student support grants – Withdrawal from the University is the path followed by some of the approximately 1,400 students who applied for financial support to take their courses. Because until now, only 200 were awarded. Students who registered in Madeira University last June, to start in September 2009, are not being processed fast enough in terms of state financial support according to a spokesman at the University. He says that “there are hundreds of people making an effort to enable students to continue their further education”, and now students are having to leave as families reach their limits in providing financial support. He says that there have always been delays in providing ‘grants’, but that this year has been a “failure” because of a new system for approving applications, which was actually introduced to simplify and speed up the process. Only 222 out of 1405 applications have actually been awarded their scholarships so far. That is an absolute disgrace! Students who have chosen to continue their education in this time of high unemployment should be given every encouragement, but instead, those in families of limited means are being penalised. And that will probably punish those wanting to take such an important step, quite possibly for the rest of their lives.
Most of today’s front page is taken up with a close up of João Carlos Gouveia, almost ex-leader of the PS Socialists of Madeira : Gouveia on his way out turns into a loose cannon – The day before the PS-M starts to choose a new leader, João Carlos Gouveia has assumed that he lost. And he blames others. Above all, the “two Trojan horses” who resigned and who helped the PND. Other complaints in an interview with the Diário : “It is certain that the MP will make a charge against Dr. Jaime Leandro”; “One obstacle to the strengthening of the PS of Madeira is the PS at national level”; “I have been requested by the Government to give benefits and favours, which I refused”; “90% of the PS representatives want to be in the vice-presidency of the Madeira Legislative Assembly”. Phew, that was a tough one to get through! There is no way today’s party leader Gouveia will get re-elected, and there was not much chance anyway before he gave this interview. What a waste of space he has been for the last two years, and a pretty pathetic opposition leader to a government that tramples on everybody. Lets hope a new leader can pull something together that can at least deserve the tag of ‘opposition’, even if it can’t knock Jardim and the PSD of of their perch.
State owes €1 million for the library of Câmara de Lobos.
The top sport / football headline today : Synthetic [pitch] of União passes from €2.415 to €1.818 million – Bank changes the terms and ‘forces’ the Regional Government to save €579 thousand in interest charges. The new football field in the complex of C.F. União, in Vale Paraíso in Camacha, has to face cutbacks, even though the contract was finalised. The original contract had a period of grace of four years to make payments, with the last possible payment being made within 15 years, but now the capital repayments and interest will have to start being cleared starting this year, effectively saving the Madeira government €579 in interest payments. Other changes are also imposed. Apparently the complex of União already has two pitches, although no specifics are given, so why our cash-strapped government is putting it’s name to new contracts is beyond me. Beside that, the government has spent years equipping Madeira with new sports complexes and facilities, apparently all vastly underused. But what amazes me is that the government here has any credibility, or even credit, left with the lending institutions. Not a week goes by and we read some news story about the failure to pay suppliers, contracts, and clubs and social institutions etc., and there is no doubt that the money supply here in the public coffers is very tight. If I was a money lender, I would have scrubbed the GR off my list long ago. Not to mention the new hospital that we need so urgently.
If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated.
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Ambilift now available at the airport. The new system helps air passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and came into use last Wednesday. Consisting of a mobile lifting device for loading and unloading wheelchairs, with or without occupants. It cost 160,000 Euros and is being deployed in all EU airports if they have an annual turnover exceeding 150,000 passengers. It is a requirement of a 2006 EU law on the rights of people with disabilities and with reduced mobility, and air transport. There must also be fully qualified staff at the airport to help people with such disabilities. The equipment was purchased last month but has only become operational this month due to staff training on safe usage. To fund it, the airport is adding a charge of 0.61 Euros to passenger tax.
Kissing the ‘Menino’ under the discretion of each individual. The continuity of some Christmas religious traditions may be compromised by influenza A. Placing kisses on the Child Jesus has been discouraged by some parishes of the continent. In the Region, Father Marcos Goncalves, head of the Information Office of the Diocese of Funchal, says the way to fulfil the tradition of greeting the Menino should be left to each person. "The tradition will continue to happen with a kiss, a gesture, a nod, in view of the traditions of each place and site and the desire of the faithful." It is important that the Church takes its role as a public health informant but, "We cannot fall into alarmism and exaggeration for only some gestures and traditions." "Every day we greet, kiss and touch everything and everyone, and just remember prevention in relation to the Church and its traditions." In some parishes in Portugal, the advice is not to kiss the foot or forehead of the Baby Jesus, to prevent the spread of influenza A. Priests think the tradition will not be lost because some people will still carry it out. The tradition of blessing the Child Jesus occurs tomorrow at 17.00 Mass and Sunday Mass in the Igreja do Colegio. The images taken by the faithful will be blessed in a celebration of joy and preparing for Christmas. 
Chocolate Festival promises to surprise. The Chocolate Island festival will be held this weekend at the Congress Centre. The organization say that, "Whoever is used to consume chocolate mainly in sweets and tablet form will be surprised by the wide variety of applications that the leaders at this festival of chocolate will present." "The preparation of meat, soups, beverages and delicious desserts, these professionals will, above all, show the different uses that can give chocolate delicious and original applications." In the festival, visitors can take away recipes and the best products. Children, as they appreciate the product more, have their own area called Hands On. Groups of children from the ages of 5 to 12 years, up to maximum of 15 per session, can be helped to prepare lunch, including of course, much chocolate! Charge is 5 Euros. Chocolate sculptures on display will be another visitor attraction. The organizers have challenged individuals and companies to purchase the sculptures and 50% of proceeds will go to the Gil Foundation to support the creation of the Casa do Gil in Madeira. The minimum value of each sculpture is 300 Euros. Entry to the festival costs 2.5 Euros and children up to 12, accompanied by an adult, have free entry.
