TAP doubles flights to Madrid ; 5 star luxury for under €58 ; Golf threatens bird refuge
Today’s photo – Many thanks to Becky … Sunrise from Quinta das Vistas last Saturday morning
If you live in the South West of England, and enjoy cruises that takes in Madeira, you will be pleased to know that from December 2010 cruises will be available starting from Falmouth, on the Ocean Countess. MORE
TAP Portugal from 3rd July 2010 to 18th September 2010 is operating 2 weekly flights Funchal – Madrid with a seasonal service using an Airbus A319. In the Summer of 2009, it operated the flight once a week.
The Top 10 Five Star Hotels for under 50 pounds Compiled by trivago.co.uk
Hesperia Fira Suites, Barcelona, Spain
Radisson Blu Centrum Hotel, Warsaw, Poland
Royal Mare, Crete, Greece
Meliá Mare Madeira Resort & Spa, Funchal, Portugal
Bristol Kempinski, Berlin, Germany
Swissôtel Tallinn, Estonia
Hospes Amérigo, Alicante, Spain
Vincci Selección Estrella del Mar, Marbella, Spain
Hotel Excelsior, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Hilton Helsinki Strand, Helsinki, Finland
"Tunisia, Gran Canaria, Kos and Madeira are set to be amongst 2010’s holiday hotspots according to leading package holiday provider, Jet2holidays. These new destinations feature in Jet2holidays brand new Summer 2010 brochure for the very first time, with the tour operator predicting a huge demand for the new destinations as families look to combine value for money with the ultimate holiday experience in 2010. With great value offers available including ‘kids stay free’ places and £30 per person deposit deals Jet2holidays is doing their best to get UK holidaymakers away for less this year". FULL ARTICLE
The UK Daily Telegraph newspaper has published a guide to finding accommodation in Portugal and the archipelagos HERE. Of course our sponsor Madeira Island Direct will normally be the first point of call.
And the last of today’s web snippets came in from Becky … many thanks :
Batista in exile from Cuba, living in a Madeira hotel (1959)
Blog by Executive Purser of P&O Cruises ARCADIA
It will be an action packed weekend in the Liga Sagres as Braga host Sporting to open the round tonight (RTP 20h45), and Porto travel to Madeira to face Nacional on Saturday (SportTV 17h00). Marítimo make a visit to struggling Leixões on Monday night (SportTV 20h15).
Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :
DIÁRIO DE NOTÍCIAS 28/01/2010
FRONT PAGE NEWS
CMF allows urbanization of Socorridos. There is strong political pressure by the Social Democrats to pass this plan. This vast area is north of PIZO – Industrial Park of the West Zone, and includes an area where two people were killed in 2008, after reaching the installations of Tâmega. This private firm is used in this development project and own land there. In the PDM (Municipal Plan) of Funchal, the area is classified as urban green zone for recreation and leisure, although it has never been used as such. The Urbanization Plan includes an industrial area, as presently exists, and it could lead to a new residential area being constructed. There is strong political pressure as people in high positions in the PSD have indirect and direct interests. The area around Ribeira dos Socorridos is protected in the PDM as it includes an area for the public water supply and an ecological reserve.
MADEIRA NEWS
Golf threatens bird refuge. The construction of the golf course in Ponta do Pargo might jeopardize the continuity of an Area Important to Birds (IBA) and the habitat of various species. This alert was issued yesterday by SPEA. "The Regional Government starts the destruction of one of the last places of low population on the island, where there are several species of birds," some unique in the world. The start of the construction work coincides with the breeding season and all the nests in that area will be lost. In a previous plan, POTRAM, this area has been defined for agricultural or livestock use and this potential is not allowed to be reduced or destroyed.
International recruitment company in UMa. The company ‘Best Personnel’ specializes in recruiting graduates of Nursing, Dentistry, Mental Health and Pharmaceutical Science for work abroad. In Portugal, nurses have difficulty finding work whereas there are serious shortcomings in countries like Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. Many nursing graduates want to work in the United Kingdom and it is easy to register with the Board of Nursing and Midwives. They fill in an on-line form then within 10 days receive an application package and submit this with copies of their passport, birth certificate, criminal records check, certificate in nursing and a statement from the Order of Nursing. They then just wait for their registration number. — English language test?
Police identify six for theft and receiving stolen goods. The police collected enough clues from crimes carried out earlier this month in São Roque to arrest six people in Funchal. They arrested two people for theft and retrieved gold jewellery, phones, audio equipment and a replica gun. They then identified a third person who bought stolen items. The police located and retrieved a high-end car (Mercedes-Benz) that had been stolen in Santa Cruz and was to be sold later on a stand. It was returned to the owner and the three individuals responsible were arrested. The six defendants were aged between 25 and 31 years old.
Rubble in place for more than a month. 80 year old Angelina Candida Pereira has difficulty entering or leaving her house. The collapse of part of a supporting boundary wall in Travessa do Papagaio Verde in São Martinho during the December rains is the cause. Other residents in this area have difficulties due to these stones on the pathway. São Martinho Parish Council have been notified and in turn, have informed the land owner and hope the debris will be cleared away soon.
ECONOMY SECTION
New navigation guide. The Transatlantic Crossing Guide will be published in summer 2011. 20 pages are devoted to the marinas, ports, boatyards and harbours of Porto Santo and Madeira. The information was collected by an American, Donald Street, who has met the administrators and visited these areas and on Saturday, will visit Porto Santo. The data will also be used to update nautical charts to be published in January 2011. This American has many publications and works for Lloyd’s of London insurance agency. His visit to the region was supported by Quinta do Lorde and with the co-operation of the Association of Promotion of Madeira.
UPDATES
Transavia launch Madeira-Nantes for 74 Euros. Promotional trips between March 28 and June 30. This fare is for only the outward journey and tickets must be bought before 31 January. This low-cost carrier will fly four times a week between Porto and Madeira at an introductory price of 40 Euros. The trip at the promotional price to Nantes is via Porto.
JORNAL DA MADEIRA
More help for IPS. The Parliamentary Group of the PSD visited the Lar Intergeracional da Santíssima Trindade in Tabua to assess the conditions in the institute which has a capacity for 35 elderly and 19 children. They praised the excellent work and conditions in terms of support services, health services, rehabilitation and integration. The centre will soon have accommodation for four young women to help them become independent. This institute is supported by Ribeira Brava Council and Social Security but still needs private businesses and volunteers to help.
Nymph Fantasies at the Carnival Parade. The Associação Geringonça has taken this as its theme and has about 160 participants and two floats. The floats will carry mythical figures: sea gods, nymphs and of course, a ‘queen of bateria’. The band will consist of 18 musicians and for the first time, there will be 8 disabled people participating. As in previous years, an original song will be sung, this year by Sofia Relva from the ‘Funchal a Cantar’ competition. The overall carnival theme is Seas and Oceans and the predominant colours will be blue, green, silver, white, orange and pink – colours of the bottom of the sea. Geringonça bought the materials last October and rehearsals began at the beginning of this month. The Carnival Parade is on the evening of 13 February in Funchal. Associação Geringonça has participated the past 23 years and also participates in carnivals in Machico and Câmara de Lobos.
Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :
Convention to discuss the language brings Soares - José Eduardo Agualusa is going to take the lead to lecture about Portuguese, in February.
Today’s main news headline : The real debt of the Region is alarming. Madeira : 4.6 billion Euros ; Azores 917 million Euros. Since the pardon of António Guterres, the debt of the Region to the bank shot off into unthinkable numbers. A bank report, that the Regional Government contests, says that we owe five times more than the Azores. Also in a separate article, Portugal’s Finance Minister Teixeira dos Santos says that "the numbers speak for themselves", and that between 2006 and 2009 the direct debt of Madeira doubled. He also pointed out that 10 years ago, Portugal took on Madeira’s existing debt and left us with a clean slate. The report mentioned is from the bank BPI, so no doubt it has some errors, but it claims that Madeira’s debt equates to 92% of its PIB (Gross Domestic Product). The debt belongs to all elements and levels of government, including the public companies and partnerships. I don’t know why this has suddenly hit the headlines again, as that is nothing new except probably an escalation of the figures. I make that around €18,400 of debt for every man woman and child living on Madeira, around 3 times the minimum (and most common) wage, and nobody seems the least bit concerned, least of all the politicians in charge. Somebody will have to pay for it sometime, and all the wonders that President Jardim has brought to the island will most certainly still be stinging us long after Uncle Bertie has expired with his reputation almost intact.
Snow slows today ready to increase tomorrow – The weather station sensor of Areeiro broke down and the Observatory is unable to say officially that it snowed. But yesterday the temperature was at zero and there was a white cloak on the serra. The snow fell in the highest zones of Madeira yesterday, but with the equipment broken it is not possible to say officially whether it is snow or hail up there above 1,500 metres. During the night sub-zero temperatures were registered, that were still there after daybreak. Despite the wind and low temperatures, some enthusiasts were out there making snowmen on top of their cars, as is traditional. And just to prove the point the main front page photo today shows a snowy landscape, though it looks like that fine powdery snow variety.
Jewellers forced to to night rounds – The traders are scared by the wave of robberies and appalled with the lack of police. Already there have been two robberies in downtown Funchal this month, and the owners are scared and doing their own patrols. There is a really surprising fact in this article, but I don’t have time for any more, so it’s over to somebody else I’m afraid.
The main sport / football headline today : Nacional – Porto opens diabolical round – The firstly classified in the League play each other. Yes I know it doesn’t make much sense, but I don’t write it, I just translate. Perhaps someone will delve into the article and clarify matters, but I won’t be holding my breath.
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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Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.
New hospital is urgent. Reduced waiting lists for consultations and surgery is one of the challenges for 2010. The Health Service (SESARAM) management has been frequently criticized this year but the doctors and nurses unanimously agree that the proposed new hospital in Funchal is urgently required. Both the Order of Nurses and Order of Physicians state the construction of the hospital cannot be delayed any longer and must be made a priority this year. However the Clinical Director, Miguel Ferreira, said the hospital is only a medium term plan and the two major challenges are improvements in the existing structures and a better, more effective and quicker response leading to a reduction in the waiting lists. There needs to be more investment in training with more than 70 new junior doctors employed but recruitment difficulties occur in some specialities. The President of the Order of Nurses said the two challenges were the reorganization of primary care and care of the elderly. Community support for people with mental health difficulties and a continuing care network should not be forgotten. The accessibility to health care should be increased with a more decentralized service which requires the cutting of red tape. Community care is safer, quicker, of better quality and preferred by users. What is particularly needed is for professionals to visit the elderly, the dependant, people with chronic illnesses and those at home after a stay in hospital.
Thirteen new cruise ships. This year, there will be a record of 13 inaugural calls by cruise ships. There will also be five ships coming under new names. The first inaugural call is on Monday with the arrival of the MSC Splendida (photo), the most recent addition to the MSC Cruises company. It is the twin of MSC Fantasia and can accommodate 3,887 passengers and 1,325 crew members. Coming from Tenerife, this cruise ship docks at 8 am and leaves at 17.00 for Malaga. On January 5th, the luxurious Silver Spirit is here for the first time. It is a smaller ship with a capacity for 564 tourists. On March 16th, the Zenith arrives, an older ship built in 1992 and is the twin of the Pacific Dream. April has the most inaugural visits: Disney Cruises come for the first time with the Disney Magic on the 18th; the Tui Aqua on the 5th; the Prince Albert on the 22nd and the Empress on the 25th. May 2nd, the Azura and May 24th, the Celebrity Eclipse call. On September 9th, the AIDAblu replaces the weekly AIDAluna for the winter season. On 21st October the new Cunard liner, the Queen Elizabeth is eagerly awaited. The luxurious SeabournSojourn docks on November 5th and finally, the Adventure of the Seas calls for the first time on the following day.
Government puts former nursery up for sale. The property is the first one the Regional Government sells due to the economic crisis. The Regional Government, through PATRIA (the company that manages the Regional Government assets) is to auction the property in Machico. It is fracção J-R/C in the building Edificio da Paz in Rua do Ribeirinho, which is the same building where the PSD in Machico have their office. The auction price is 236,000 euros. The buyer will be responsible for paying all the taxes involved in buying; stamp duty, IMT, notary and registration fees. PATRIA are selling the property as it is no longer used by public services because the area is too small. 
Member of the clock back in the Assembly. Jose Manuel Coelho is back this month and promises new exhibits. He replaces the PND member Baltasar Aguiar. Coelho has been absent since December 2008 and is unsure of how long he will return for, but he states it does not matter as the mission is to serve democracy and freedoms and he will do his best. Protagonist to several political events in the Legislative Assembly, in particularly when he sported a large kitchen clock around his neck in protest against the rules that reduced the speeches of the opposition members to intolerable time minimums. He unfurled a flag with a swastika, the symbol of the Nazis under Adolf Hitler, to criticise the system established for 33 years in Madeira. He admits his events are not politically correct but are necessary and appropriate to enliven the conscience. He is assumed to be a communist but he is distant from the PCP in Madeira due to dissensions with some of the leaders. He is proud that he used to sell Pravda after April 25th and as one of their largest sellers, was awarded with a trip to the communist homeland. He now fights against the autocracy and oligarchy established for more than 30 years of tyranny and despotism by Alberto João Jardim. He is for democracy and against the abuses and arrogance of the jardinista regime, which controls the Tribunals and Public Ministry. During the last election, he was running for Câmara de Lobos and mustered 930 votes, which he considers good for some one not from the locality and contributed to the election of a member to the Municipal Assembly and to Câmara de Lobos Parish Council.
… and from yesterday’s Jornal da Madeira : Tourists marvel at the fireworks. New Year’s Eve in Funchal returned once again to conquer the many thousands of tourists who chose Madeira to commemorate the arrival of the New Year. The international fame that the fireworks display has been able to achieve, brought again to Madeira thousands of tourists of various nationalities who were "delighted" with the fireworks display. We were in contact with several tourists who at the end of yesterday morning could not resist the invitation by the sun’s rays on the first day of 2010, and took the opportunity to stroll around lower Funchal, especially the central area of Avenida Arriaga to see the Christmas decorations and entertainment. At that hour, in addition to background music and stalls selling food and drink with traditional specialities, the performance of a folklore group gained the attention of many who circulated around with cameras and video cameras in hand. To our news team, tourists from England, Germany and Continental Portugal gave their testimony, revealing themselves delighted with the reveillon celebrations. 
