Port fall-out
The PTP (Portuguese Labour Party) was in the port of Funchal on Thursday afternoon to denounce the “corporate abuses of double-decker buses” (the red and yellow tour buses) and “unfair competition for taxi drivers”. According to José Manuel Coelho, these companies are in collusion with the general secretary and parliamentary leader of PSD-Madeira, Jaime Ramos , and are protected by the PSP (Police Force). "As with everything that makes money in this land, Jaime Ramos has also society in these companies," but the worst is the way that they operate in the port of Funchal with tourists just who have just arrived on cruises.
Employees of these companies are, according to the deputy of the PTP, protected by PSP that lets them immediately approach tourists, while taxi drivers are a further 500 meters away, thus losing customers. José Manuel Coelho criticised the unfair competition, and noted that the buses sell tourists rides which actually only go to Pico dos Barcelos and Câmara de Lobos.
I have to be careful what I say here but the name Jamie Ramos crops up regularly in connection with various business dealings on this island. The following article which details his business interests makes fascinating reading if you have the time: “The Business Empire of Jamie Ramos” http://www.clubedejornalistas.pt/?p=4371
Trip Advisor
In what could have long-term implications for the on-line tourist industry in Madeira and elsewhere, The Daily Mail reports that a tiny B&B in the Outer Hebrides has won a landmark legal victory against holiday review website TripAdvisor.
Richard Gollin, 64, launched a small claims action at Stornoway Sheriff Court over what he says are ‘false and malicious’ criticisms of his guesthouse in Lewis, which the site refused to take down after being posted by its users.
He maintained the website lost him valuable bookings of around £2,000 by refusing to remove the ‘untrue’ comments.
Richard Gollin claimed that negative comments posted about his guesthouse are false and should have been removed by Tripadvisor
Criticised: The guesthouse at the centre of the legal dispute
Until now, TripAdvisor, which is based in the U.S. and worth around $4billion, has denied it was subject to UK laws and could therefore not be sued. It previously challenged the jurisdiction of the Scottish court claiming the firm is outside the remit of the Scottish legal system because it is based in Massachusetts.
TAP Promotion
TAP have announced special pricing on Flights from Funchal to Lisbon and Porto – from just over €44 per person each way including all taxes. There is limited seating, with booking until 28 October 2012 and travel from November 5, 2012 to May 31, 2013 (excludes 14 December 2012 to 6 January 2013, and certain other busy/holiday periods).
As I have mentioned before TAP have a generous checked baggage allowance of up to 23 kg without any additional charge, although you are unlikely to use this on a short break. I must say I have only heard good things about Porto – one of those places you always intend to visit but never get round to.
Dengue Fever latest
Nothing much to report. Cannot verify the reports of additional cases but will add to this post if anything appears.
AccuWeather, who supply the (extremely accurate) forecast on the right of this site, have added a Mosquito Activity Forecast to their resources
http://www.accuweather.com/en/pt/funchal/274344/mosquito-activity/274344
And Peter, once again, has sent the following Brazilian advice from the Diario on discouraging mosquitos:
Apologies – can’t load the video directly – please follow the link below. Thanks Peter!
http://www.dnoticias.pt/multimedia/video/348352-10-minutos-contra-o-dengue
Went to Porto in July. Well worth a visit. Old city centre is a World Heritage site. A bit tatty round the edges but fascinating.Lots of stunning examples of portuguese tiles both inside and outside of buildings, many elaborate churches. Trips on the river, port wine lodges, trams, funicular railway , only short tram ride to sea if you want a beach . Daily market , loads of cake shops. Hotel de Paris highly recomended- unless you want marble and all mod cons
Angela Merkel is to “officially” visit Lisbon on November 12th it has just been announced. Perhaps this is to personally explain the “pain but no gain” policies being forced on the country, or even better, to accept Portugal’s resignation from the Eurozone?
On British TV at 9pm tonight Monday on channel Yesterday.
The sinking of the “LAKONIA “off Madeira
There are some survivors still alive on the Island.
My wife’s cousin drowned with her love and our aunt was recovered from the sea after 20 hours or so clinging to wooden debris.
Obviously I am concerned but also like a lot of people I do not know much about Dengue fever. I am however interested to know how the authorities are actually trying to contain the spread? Should for example the water tanks on banana or other plantations be one of the risk factors that the authorities need be checking?
from dnoticias More than half the population is overweight
The endocrinologist Silvestre Abreu argued this morning “politics of food”, where the healthiest should have a lower tax charge than harmful, noting that more than 50% of the population suffers from obesity and pre-obesity.
“It is admitted that the mineral has a tax rate as high, compared, for example, and alcohol,” he said.
Given the current obesity rate, Silvestre Abreu believes it is necessary to invest in younger, intervening in schools. “The network already healthy buffets was a first step and a very important step in this direction,” he said. However, said he feared that the initiative did not continue due to “economic”.
The endocrinologist recalled that not only causes obesity, but also the diseases associated with it, including diabetes, accounting for about 10% of the national budget.
Silvestre Abreu spoke in the celebration of World Food Day at the Farmers’ Market. An initiative of SESARAM (Regional Health Service), in partnership with the Regional Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources and the City of Funchal.
The sinking of the Laconia is actually on tuesday evening.
Virgin 203
Sky 537
Freebox ” Yesterday” 10 or 11
Sorry Martin, but we don’t have any of that U.K. T.V. stuff ….. left it all behind!
Our MEO ‘phone, internet and T.V. service host many and various (Portuguese and English version) T.V. and news channels, that give us more than enough to be going on with …. without the “bias” of (for instance) the B.B.C……corporate coverage with a hefty bill, for you!
Or “pay for” services such as SKY.
We prefer independant news reporting, with sources various and with a truly worldwide perspective….with no subscription.
And we do get good films, current affairs and good entertainment channels also….
Wrong ship It was a programme on the Laconia not the Lakonia —20 years apart .
Cant get MEO Jon. Have to put up with the Licensed programmes.
Another who believes the BBC has been infiltrated by politicised cretins
Misinformed have you looked at the Sling box then you get what you want. Look on the net.
from dnoticias Thursday of seaway in North Coast
Unrest puts Madeira maritime warning in yellow. There is also a significant fall in maximum temperature expected today
The north coast of Madeira and Porto Santo are today under yellow warning because of sea waves, whose waves forecast shows that Northwest should reach 4 feet tall.
According to the Institute of Meteorology, the warning of rough seas will remain in effect until 18 pm.
However for the rest weather forecast for this Thursday in the Region, it should be noted a significant decrease in maximum temperature, which in relation to yesterday, you should register a fall of 4 degrees. Is that for today, the temperature in Funchal should not exceed 22 degrees.
Moreover the forecast shows cloudy, with open from the afternoon, and showers.
Vento moderate (15 to 30 km / h) northwest blowing moderate to strong (30 to 45 km / h) in the highlands to the late morning.
Descent maximum temperature.
Regarding the state of the sea, just on the North Coast are expected waves northwest at 3 to 4 feet, while on the south coast, the waves will be southwest of 1 meter. The temperature of the seawater shall range between 23/24 ° C (above the temperature of the air expected today).
Looks like the pound on it way down again
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