International, Portugal & Madeira News from Paul Abbiati:
Madeira-Portimão Sea Transport
The Commercial Director of Naviera Armas, Javier Jalvo Garcia comes to Madeira this Thursday to explain communications announcements that the Spanish company that runs the passenger ferry freight service between Madeira and Portimao is going to end the service and the reasons for the communications announcements.
link to Diario Newspaper article
http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/304068/economia/304178-decisao-da-armas-depende-de-aumento-do-frete
Telegraph article: ‘How to save money in Portugal’
“In these tough financial times, Portugal looks like a particularly attractive option for a summer holiday. It is cheap and easy to get to for independent travellers, and it offers some of the best-value package holidays in the eurozone. If you avoid touristy bars and restaurants and eat and drink with the locals instead, you can save even more.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/budgettravel/9040549/How-to-save-money-in-Portugal.html
Madeira’s Financial Assistance Programme
Madeira’s Leader agrees bailout conditions with Portugal’s Government
From Portugal Daily View:
“After several months of negotiations and a final five-hour long meeting, Alberto João Jardim, leader of the regional government, agreed with Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho and Minister of Finance Vítor Gaspar on the terms for a new loan for the island.
Madeira will be bailed out by the central government after a deal was signed Wednesday by the leader of the regional government with the same conditions of the Portuguese rescue loan.
The loan will have the same conditions of the rescue package signed by Portugal last May with the so-called troikaeven if Jardim insisted on more favourable terms for the repayment.
The bailout will mean consolidation efforts through the implementation of austerity measures in order to balance the island’s tight budget: this “tough” programme, according to Jardim, will imply, among other measures, an increase of VAT rates to 5%, 12% and 22% and the capping of public investment at €150m.
However, Thursday’s edition of Diário de Notícias reveals that the autonomous region could ask for a 2.5% slice of the revenue from the privatisation of state-owned airline TAP, postal services CTT and airport operator ANA, proportional to the island’s demographic weight.
link to full article:
http://www.portugaldailyview.com/01-whats-new/madeira-leader-agrees-bailout-conditions-with-portugals-government
The National Financial Assistance Programme for Madeira Region will be presented at a Press Conference on Thursday or Friday Afternoon in Funchal following a 5 hour meeting at São Bento, Lisboa between Pedro Passos Coelho and Alberto João Jardim last Wednesday.
Frida Kahlo tribute shows at Casa das Mudas Art Centre Calheta
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zudfarZ-ZNk
O Centro das Artes Casa das Mudas in Calheta presents tribute shows at 9pm on Friday night and 7pm on Saturday night to Frida Kahlo
The performances are by post graduate students from The Ensino de Educação Visual e Tecnológica, do Instituto Politécnico de Setúbal (Escola Superior da Educação)
link to article: http://www.dnoticias.pt/impressa/diario/304068/5-sentidos/304163-frida-kahlo-inspira-espectaculo-de-alunos
Madeira’s natural pools are a great place for swimming, sunbathing, diving or simply to relax
From Official Tourism Facebook pages:
“Porto Moniz is well known for its open-air swimming pools, which are the result of the volcanic activity during Madeira Island’s formation, being mostly formed by reefs in the coastal lava rocks. Walkways and bridges connect the naturally formed rock pools.
These natural pools are a great place for swimming, sunbathing, diving or simply to relax. It’s constantly refreshed by the crystal clear waters of the Atlantic as the waves break against the rocks.”
Justice Minister pledges reforms
From Portugal Daily View
“Portuguese Justice Minister Paula Teixeira da Cruz has acknowledged that Portugal still has a justice system that operates differently for the rich and for the poor, but gave assurances that “the state of impunity (for some) is drawing to an end”.
Speaking at a debate Tuesday in Gaia, Cruz said there are “two systems when those with money can make a process go on for ever with appeals and incidents, while the poor cannot”.
The minister said the government was implementing new measures in order to bring judicial inequality to an end.
“We are eliminating delaying tactics and a statute of limitations after a certain stage in the process”, she said.
“We are beginning to see people being detained and arrested that seemed impossible 20 years ago”, she added…”
link: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/
Eusebio: the Black Panther turns 70
From Portugal Daily View
“One of football’s world legends turns seventy this Wednesday, and several personalities from the world of football have gathered to celebrate…”
“Eusébio da Silva Ferreira, a mythical figure in the history of national and international football is 70 years old today – seven decades intertwined with the history of Portuguese club Benfica, whose shirt he paid tribute to time and again with goals, titles and prizes.”
“After scoring nine goals for Portugal in the 1966 World Cup in the UK, Eusébio was crowned best player. Later that year, he also won the Ballon D’Or for best European player.
Today Eusébio will be opening birthday cards from around the world: FIFA president Joseph Blatter, and UEFA, Michel Platini, already sent their messages to the “Black Panther“. “May you continue honouring your club Benfica and your country Portugal. Thank you very much”, wrote Blatter.
Portuguese national team coach Paulo Bento, Portuguese player Luís Figo and the former internationals Pauleta and João Pinto also sent to King of Portuguese football their best wishes on his birthday…”
link: http://www.portugaldailyview.com/01-whats-new/eusebio-the-black-panther-turns-70
All images from Diario Newspaper unless otherwise stated
Pasted from previous days post = ARMASvMartin:
Sorry Martin – not fair on you, your purse, your spouse or your house (costs).
Be independant? Plan ahead? Be different? Then get shafted. Fair Trade? Freedom of movement within the E.U.? Nope, never – unless of course you are a highly paid politician attending dozens of “crisis” meetings europ/world wide…….with free travel (not on a Ferry) free five 5* Hotels, free gourmet food and drink AND the best bit? You, my dears, are paying!
Martin, you and your wife, as independant, spirited and young at heart travellers, have my utmost sympathy.
Again, a “re post”:
Martin – I think that under the circumstances, your landlord/landlady should refund your accommodation costs, as it is not your fault you are having to leave early!
Some time ago, we had four guests booked in for x2 weeks but they were unable to get here, due to the ash cloud. As the situation was not of their making, we did not charge them. Subsequently, as we had been considerate and understanding, they rebooked with us for the following year. They had a great x2 weeks (and were lovely people) and now intend to return again this year! Good for them, good for us…..
Perhaps your landlord/lady could be persuaded to follow suit? Good business ethic, good PR and just plain ole’ being nice – something sorely needed in todays world!
‘How to save money in Portugal’ – Telegraph article
“In these tough financial times, Portugal looks like a particularly attractive option for a summer holiday. It is cheap and easy to get to for independent travellers, and it offers some of the best-value package holidays in the eurozone. If you avoid touristy bars and restaurants and eat and drink with the locals instead, you can save even more.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/budgettravel/9040549/How-to-save-money-in-Portugal.html
from the dnoticias.pt Negotiations line of Naviera Armas extended until tomorrow
Director Javier Garcia is in Funchal on contacts….he only Naviera Armas will tomorrow announce its final decision on the sea route between Madeira and Portimão, revealed this afternoon Jalvo Director Javier Garcia. This charge came this morning to Funchal to participate in several meetings and revealed a few minutes to TSF that tomorrow there will be only one position on the eventual abandonment.
Recall that on Tuesday morning the company announced its major customers that “unless unforeseen last-minute changes, Naviera Armas place next weekend, last week his regular travel-Funchal-Funchal Portimao.”
After officials revealed that trade negotiations still ongoing, and indicated that the final decision would be known on Thursday afternoon, which apparently will not come. Jalvo Javier Garcia did not want to move these meetings to involve the Regional Government, in addition to businessmen from Madeira.
Note that most customers Madeira accepted the tariff increase proposed by the Spanish guard to cover the costs of fuel surcharges and fees.
read in facebook that naviera armas will make final decision on the portimao to funchal route on friday.
final sailing expected to be saturday to portimao and sunday departure to canaries.
bit late I think. information to its customers very bad.
Landlord forgoes next payment. no comments from them
Bet the last ship will be full
bet it won’t be the last ship !!!!! Tenner anyone?
A large percentage of of what you say is supprisingly legitimate and it makes me wonder the reason why I hadn’t looked at this in this light before. This piece really did turn the light on for me personally as far as this specific issue goes.