Surreality

Being the explorer that I am, I took the opportunity yesterday to walk into Funchal. It's the capital and hub of the island where everything is happening.

This is my route. According to google maps, this is 4.3km. It took me almost 45 min taking pictures and stopping to admire the view.

My trip into Funchal

 I still can’t get over how beautiful this place is.

Where the journey begins...

Another botanical garden in the city

 In Funchal, I searched in vain for a shop I browsed the day before. It was a home store with the coolest gadgets ever, mostly things I’ll never need in the kitchen, but feel like I need when I’m in this store. Kind of like sharper image. I mean, who needs a crane massager? Well, I feel like I do when I’m in there... Nevertheless, the search continues. Later, with blistered feet (I walked in boots. Not smart), I sat at Indiana (the coffee shop), talking to Maria (my cousin, I suppose?) and drinking another fabulously smooth espresso, which, again, I did not take a picture of. But you’ve seen an espresso, right? 

Pigeons in the coffee shop. Maria calls them her "cleaners."

Then I met my lovey to head to the shopping center near where he trains. There is a massive supermarket there that I’d wanted to go to, and we needed plates. Good excuse. Once there, I realized a startling similarity to Wal-Mart. I was way too excited, and proceeded to put everything in the shopping cart, disregarding the fact that we had to take two different busses to get home.

An hour later, a massive bag in each hand, and a huge plate set in Miguel’s, we were back on the bus which suddenly felt extremely cramped. It was not a pleasant experience, and I hope to never do it again. But, the good news is that, now we have sparkling new plates and enough meat for the next week and a half.

Later last night, I started feeling a little sore throat coming on and proceeded to guzzle Vitamin-C like a mad woman. I CANNOT be sick now. I realize that months of doing very little during the day have sapped my endurance turning me into a weak little baby. So today, I just took it easy, cleaning, grocery shopping, watching TV, and cooking. My latest culinary creation was found on Pinterest by my husband. He eats so many granola bars that when he saw this recipe from Brown-Eyed Baker, he made sure to hint that he wanted them. Like the wonderful, loving wifey that I am, I whipped them up today. No big deal…

Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bars (adapted from Brown-Eyed Baker)

Ingredients:

•  1/3 cup light brown sugar
• ¼ cup honey
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 3 cups quick-cooking oats
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ 100g bar of chocolate

Method:

1. Lightly grease an 8-inch square baking pan; set aside.
2. In a large bowl, stir the oats and rice cereal together; set aside. In a small saucepan, melt the brown sugar, honey, and butter together over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
3. Pour the melted mixture over the dry ingredients and mix well to moisten all ingredients. Pour the oat mixture into the prepared pan and press down to ensure that the ingredients are tightly compacted in the pan. Sprinkle the top evenly with the miniature chocolate chips and press down on the top lightly with the back of a spoon.
4. Cool at room temperature for at least 2 hours, or until the chocolate chips are set before cutting into bars. Wrap in plastic wrap or keep in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 5 days.

Tonight we took another walk around the promenade to bring you... more gorgeous photos!

How clever are these Madeirans? They've turned the ocean into their own personal pool...

 I have no idea how I can ever get used to this...

Finally

Hi everyone! After six excruciating weeks of being away from my husband, I am finally here in my new apartment in Madeira. Only allowed 30kgs worth of luggage and an 8kg carry-on, I felt as though I was starting a new life all over again. I arrived here at 1 AM Saturday morning, and, exhausted, plopped down in my new, big, fluffy bed. It was amazing.

 

On Saturday, I unloaded my limited belongings, cleaned and enjoyed my cute, new apartment. 

Our dining room

Bathroom #1

Bathroom #2

Bedet included.

Our bedroom

Spare

Then I rested, and went to the grocery store. Our apartment is located across the street from a shopping center which houses said grocery store. How convenient! Awesome, yes. Dangerous, I think so... It is exciting. :) 

Sunday, I piddled around the house, had a leisurely breakfast, went shopping, and headed to Miguel’s game. Unfortunately, he didn’t get to play, but seeing him in his element was exciting. 

Sexiest. Husband. Ever.

 It’s great to see him finally being rewarded for all of his hard work. For dinner, I whipped up roast turkey. No, it’s not Thanksgiving, and yes, we had turkey. It so cheap here! How great is this place?

As a side note, earlier in the day, I had to de-feather the turkey. It was quite enjoyable in a sick way. Don’t judge me…

 So the turkey was great, as was our night. We’ve been away from each other for way too long.

Today was my first time really getting my feet wet in the waters of Madeira, figuratively speaking. The water is very cold right now… I spent the entire morning from 8:30 to 12:00 walking around Funchal, checking out all the shops and cafés.

Cathedral in Funchal

Fish in the market

This is a botanical garden in the middle of the city.

 Oh, how I love Europe. I was able to walk a little ways up the mountain to enjoy the breath-taking view.

Once Miguel had finished training, he took me to his mother’s cousin-in-law’s cousin’s coffee shop (everyone is a cousin when you’re Portuguese). The coffee was amazing. No coffee is featuring in this post, but I plan on being there again tomorrow, in which case, a photo will be taken.

We’ve spent the rest of the day shopping, making dinner, and watching TV, namely, Jersey Shore, which makes me exceedingly happy (although I know that my brain cells die every time I watch it). After 8 months of being married, I finally feel like I’m married. Actually, I feel like I’m playing house right now, but I think we’ll get use to it ;). I couldn’t be happier to be in a beautiful country, with a gorgeous home, with the love of my life. Finally.