Today we need to take it easy since the big New Year's Eve celebration is tonight, so we board the pirate ship Santa Maria de Colombo. This vessel is an original replica of Columbus's Santa Maria and was built in 1998 by Robert Wijntje in the fishing village of Camara de Lobos. It is 22.3 m long and 1 m wide with 198 square meters of sails. You really do feel like you've been transported back to the 15th century — even below deck there are many original items such as pistols, and of course a parrot is not missing either. Truly wonderfully done. We sail along the coast of Madeira on her. On the return trip we are particularly lucky and spot plenty of pilot whales that come very close to the ship — so a very successful boat trip.
The tour lasted 3 hours and included Madeira wine and honey cake. The whole thing cost 30 euros per person (children pay only 15 euros) and the ship goes out twice a day. In summer there is an additional swimming stop. An investment that is absolutely worth it in our opinion! Something different from the usual catamaran — especially since those also cost around 30 euros per person here.

Back at the hotel it's time to relax briefly and then head down to Funchal by bus around 7:00 PM. We grab a bite at the harbor promenade and watch the city slowly fill up.
The whole atmosphere here is relaxed and everyone is looking forward to the party and the fireworks. The fireworks display lasts almost 8 minutes and was launched from a total of 36 locations around the city.
Of these, 30 locations were strategically distributed in the beautiful amphitheater of Funchal's bay. Another 6 sea platforms and positions on the cruise ships complemented the show into an absolutely unforgettable spectacle. A total of approximately 17 tons of fireworks were used — and it was the only 360-degree fireworks display we have ever seen.
According to the locals, New Year's Eve is THE celebration here on Madeira, which is why hotels and flights to Madeira are booked out months in advance — and not without reason.
The New Year's fireworks on this Atlantic island are a huge spectacle every year and in 2006 even received the title "Greatest Pyrotechnic Show in the World" from Guinness World Records. Madeira was able to defend this title until 2012.
We meet many very nice locals and celebrate with them until 8:00 AM — by the way, most bars stay open until 10:00 AM!

At this point: Thank you Madeira for a sensationally beautiful party!