Even here, some taxi drivers, specially when working with cruise visitors, ask ridiculously high fares. Their argument is: "They are here not long enough to realize they are beeing over charged, so let's do it" I personally think it's stupid.
You are wise, and word will spread throughout the cruise community. The others perhaps don't realize that cruisers are very good about passing information around amongst themselves. They love to talk about cruising AND their experiences in various ports, and a very good about passing on recommendations about good tours and warnings about bad ones..
That's right, even I didn't know that cruisers made use of these kind of forums to comunicate. And it's only a very tiny number of taxi drivers here in Madeira, that know about it.
Also there is the misconception that cruise travellers are all millionaires.
All throughout the summer, especially over the weekends, Madeirans have the opportunity to take part in several religious festivities, all over the Island.
Today is Our Lady of Monte’s Day, Madeira’s Patron Saint. The main festivities take place in Funchal’s suburb of Monte, not too far away from the center of town.
Considered one of our biggest feasts, it gathers people from all over the island and from overseas as well.
Yesterday, from about 4pm, people started to arrive at the venue, to take part in the rather profane aspect of the feast: drinking, eating, singing, listening to music, buying raffles, playing games, in a word, socializing in the several stalls placed there for the purpose.
Apart from all this, most people make sure they don’t go away without a visit to the church and the very catholic custom of candle burning, to ask Our Lady of Monte’s help when life is not as smooth as desired and, also, to thank any help already received. This year, maybe because of the difficult times lived by all, it seemed divine help was very much in most people’s minds, judged by the number of candles sold and lots of them to young people.
The more resistant stayed in Monte the whole night long.
At 11am today, was time for Mass followed by the Procession through the small roads in the vicinity of the church. Both were very well attended by lots of participants, including our Governors.
Soon stalls will start to be dismantled and all will be over until this time next year.
That's right, even I didn't know that cruisers made use of these kind of forums to comunicate. And it's only a very tiny number of taxi drivers here in Madeira, that know about it.
Also there is the misconception that cruise travellers are all millionaires.
So true!
Most are far from it!
Even in years when business is good, cruising is what we do INSTED of a lot of little things... like going to movies, eating a lot of meals out, or spending on unnecessary or expensive doo-dads, clothing and accessories. And when we need a car, we buy one that is a year or two old... not a new one.
Sounds like a lot of life on your island centers around these festivals... is that true?
Hello canarymoon,
This kind of festivals still manage to attract lots of people, but entertainment, as far as young people are concerned, has been changing a lot in recent years, because, now, discothecs have been organizing lots of outdoor concerts, bringing famous DJs or groups from Portugal mainland or even from overseas and which, generaly, last all night long.
As you must be imagining it's so much more "in" to attend to these concerts, than to go to a religious festivity. Of course older folks want nothing to do with these modern outdoor events, which are, of course, organized with the young people in mind. Another cause of hate by the older people, is the noise caused by such events, which prevents those living near by, from having a good night's sleep.
So true!
Most are far from it!
Even in years when business is good, cruising is what we do INSTED of a lot of little things... like going to movies, eating a lot of meals out, or spending on unnecessary or expensive doo-dads, clothing and accessories. And when we need a car, we buy one that is a year or two old... not a new one.
In lean years, we cruise less, or not at all.
I think tour operators must start looking at cruisers as normal people, who work for a living, not too differently from themselves. Maybe this way they would stop with their silly exploitation tricks.
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