Madeira Fires

[oldbluefox]

What a sad sight to see Madeira in flames. On the radio it said part of the Monte Botanical Gardens had been destroyed but I have not read any confirmation of this. Homes and hotels have been destroyed and three have lost their lives.

[Stephen]

Those proven to have started the fires should be strung up.

[Kenmo1]

Did I read an entry from Mervyn saying he was going to Madeira shortly ? Hope this doesn't have any serious effect on his plans.

Madeira has only recently recovered from the awful floods and mud slides. Now they have to deal with this catastrophe. They seem to suffer more than their fair share of problems.

Maureen

[Mervyn and Trish]

Yes we go in October. We go twice a year. The place we stay is not directly affected. But it will be tragic if the reports of the Tropical Garden being damaged are true. In our view it's the best of the island's public gardens.

It's also disgraceful that in common with the last time they had serious fires about four or five years ago it seems these fires were started deliberately. Three people have died so those who've been arrested should be charged not just with arson but with murder.

The floods were in 2010. The work they've done to repair the damage and minimise the chance of it happening again is amazing. The seafront in Funchal is better than it ever was before.

The people of Madeira are lovely and so resilient. I hope people won't be put off visiting by this tragedy. It's a poor island and totally dependent on its tourist industry.

[Raybosailor]

With Funchal being so susceptible to fire it is surprising to know that they put on one of the worlds best firework displays on New years Eve and hold an international firework competition in June.

We are on Oceana for Christmas and New Year and will be in port on New Years Eve for the display so I will stay near the water just in case, last time we docked in Funchal was aboard Azura and the island had a dengue fever outbreak.

[Mervyn and Trish]

In reality on December 31st Funchal is no more at risk of fire than London and you're right the firework display is fantastic.

The problem they have now is that they have had several dry weeks, so the vegetation is tinder dry, and now very high temperatures and strong winds. Last time they had a major forest fire was also in a very hot August.

Between now and December they have some of their wettest months to dampen it all down.

Also, despite news reports saying the fire has been in the city, it has been on the outskirts where the forests meet the outer urban areas. The hotel which has sadly burned down was surrounded by trees and vegetation.

So you're unlikely to get cooked at New Year.

As for dengue, again it was much hyped by the media. You are more likely to become ill or die from flu in the UK or indeed norovirus on the ship than dengue in December in Madeira.

So stop worrying and have a great trip.

[Manoverboard]

..... but watch out for the poisonous spiders

[Mervyn and Trish]

Not in Madeira! Only on the Desertas Islands!

[Raybosailor]

In reality on December 31st Funchal is no more at risk of fire than London and you're right the firework display is fantastic.

The problem they have now is that they have had several dry weeks, so the vegetation is tinder dry, and now very high temperatures and strong winds. Last time they had a major forest fire was also in a very hot August.

Between now and December they have some of their wettest months to dampen it all down.

Also, despite news reports saying the fire has been in the city, it has been on the outskirts where the forests meet the outer urban areas. The hotel which has sadly burned down was surrounded by trees and vegetation.

So you're unlikely to get cooked at New Year.

As for dengue, again it was much hyped by the media. You are more likely to become ill or die from flu in the UK or indeed norovirus on the ship than dengue in December in Madeira.

So stop worrying and have a great trip.

I'm not one to worry Merv, as you say the winter months should be quite green again, regarding the dengue fever the taxi driver we booked for the day told us that four of his family were struck down with it. He also told us that the hospitals on Madeira were full of patients with dengue and the Bodega we visited had to shut down due to staff being off sick.
We have seen most of Madeira over the years so we will just take the shuttle up to the prom for a couple of hours and prepare for the New Year revelling on Oceana.

[coralsdad]

Hi I see from the ships webcams that Azura didn't dock at Funchal yesterday, had a sea day and sailed to next port of La Palma.

[qbman1]

This just posted on Twaddle:

"Vacaciones en #madeira. Recien aterrizados. Ningún problema. Absoluta normalidad"

CppgGCoWgAAyzXC.jpg

I haven't done a translation but I think the gist is "business as usual" !

[Mervyn and Trish]

In reality on December 31st Funchal is no more at risk of fire than London and you're right the firework display is fantastic.

The problem they have now is that they have had several dry weeks, so the vegetation is tinder dry, and now very high temperatures and strong winds. Last time they had a major forest fire was also in a very hot August.

Between now and December they have some of their wettest months to dampen it all down.

Also, despite news reports saying the fire has been in the city, it has been on the outskirts where the forests meet the outer urban areas. The hotel which has sadly burned down was surrounded by trees and vegetation.

So you're unlikely to get cooked at New Year.

As for dengue, again it was much hyped by the media. You are more likely to become ill or die from flu in the UK or indeed norovirus on the ship than dengue in December in Madeira.

So stop worrying and have a great trip.

I'm not one to worry Merv, as you say the winter months should be quite green again, regarding the dengue fever the taxi driver we booked for the day told us that four of his family were struck down with it. He also told us that the hospitals on Madeira were full of patients with dengue and the Bodega we visited had to shut down due to staff being off sick.
We have seen most of Madeira over the years so we will just take the shuttle up to the prom for a couple of hours and prepare for the New Year revelling on Oceana.

Your taxi driver must be the unluckiest man alive! We spend five weeks a year in Madeira and have yet to meet anyone who's caught it!

[Raybosailor]

Your taxi driver must be the unluckiest man alive! We spend five weeks a year in Madeira and have yet to meet anyone who's caught it!

I think I must be married to the unluckiest woman in the world Merv, wherever we go whether it be Cleethorpes or Cairo she gets bitten by something and they don't usually bother with me. Mind you when we went to Prince Edward Island I was chewed to bits by moggies that sounded like Sea King helicopters when they buzzed around you and they left Cheryl alone.
Perhaps I have a North American flavour as opposed to Cheryl's Mediterranean taste.

[GillD46]

Dengue Fever can be very nasty indeed. Tony came across patients that had caught it.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I agree it can be nasty Gill, but my point above was that the risk in Madeira is relatively low.

Over a six month period at its height in 2012 there were 82 recorded cases among UK visitors to the island. No fatalities. In the same period typically 84,000 Brits visit and stay on the island. That's not counting visitors by cruise ship, approaching half a million a year of mixed nationalities but no stats for how many are from the UK.

And the levels since have fallen as Madeira makes huge efforts to control the mossies which can carry it.

Compare that with the number of UK residents who get flu each year and how many die

[qbman1]

Your taxi driver must be the unluckiest man alive! We spend five weeks a year in Madeira and have yet to meet anyone who's caught it!

I think I must be married to the unluckiest woman in the world Merv, wherever we go whether it be Cleethorpes or Cairo she gets bitten by something and they don't usually bother with me. Mind you when we went to Prince Edward Island I was chewed to bits by moggies that sounded like Sea King helicopters when they buzzed around you and they left Cheryl alone.
Perhaps I have a North American flavour as opposed to Cheryl's Mediterranean taste.

Some fierce pussies out there !!