Author Archives: Rigmor
And then there was poncha
Before arriving on Madeira, we had heard about Poncha – the local drink that seems to be enjoyed pretty much wherever and whenever. And during our first evening on the island we got a taste of the stuff; it was being made fresh at stalls in the capital, Funchal, at what they called the festival of light (though it did not actually coincide with the night of the winter solstice, which the little heathen in me would have appreciated).
Ponta de São Lourenço
It is difficult to state whether Ponta de São Lorenço signifies the beginning or the end of life, the universe and everything. On the Eastern Madeira tip, the landscape changes dramatically. It is a bit like going from the jungle to the moon.
Curral das Freiras — Valley of the nuns
On the first day in Funchal, we spend a little too long sorting out the car. We arrived late the night before, so late that the car rental company had closed and locked up by the time we were able to make it to them. Therefore, we spend quite a bit of the morning hanging around waiting and trying to sort a car out. Impatient as I am, it doesn’t take long until restlessness grabs hold of me. When the […]
Snake Island
The landscape change as we make our way to Snake Island. As we leave Lagos behind, we see palm trees at the water side instead of roads, and small villages in the place of high rise buildings. The contrast makes me feel I have left one planet and entered another. What strikes me first, is the vast amount of ship wrecks. I wonder what happened? Pirates?
A warm welcome to Nigeria
I have prepared myself for quite few things when I come to Nigeria, Lagos, in 2009. I have read about the country, I have brought Malarone, and I am half prepared to be given a hard time upon my arrival; I am prepared for people wanting money of me, for offering to “help” me with my suitcase, and the whole lot.