A gem in Funchal

Photos kindly made available by the Museum

The Frederico de Freitas House Museum is a gem in the centre of Funchal. He was a lawyer and had rented this 17th century house, marked by late 19th century interventions that gave it an exotic look. Freitas collected sculpture, paintings and ceramics, but also beautiful-beautiful furniture. What I loved the most, though, was the Winter Garden. It´s like coming out of a novel, it makes you dream.

Funchal is a pleasant surprise. I don´t know what I had expected exactly, but I feel surprised. And nothing like being shown around by a proud local, who wants to show you everything and has stories to tell about each and every corner, interrupting them only to say hello to acquaintances passing by.

A very pleasant dinner last night at the naval club, listening to the sea. Today, coffee at Golden Gate (how much I love beautiful coffee shops!). Tomorrow, lunch by the sea at Camara de Lobos. I look forward to discovering the mountain in three weeks time. They say it´s breathtaking.