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Monte
Monte is a residential suburb of Funchal. Here is also al lot to be seen. One way of arrival is already somewhat atypical: you can reach Monte from Funchal with a cable railway. That was built by the Austrians last year.
(With the cable car to Monte)
A long time Monte was the prior destination of the Portuguese guests who built their Quintas (manorhouses) there. They arrived in the harbor of Funchal and then were brought to Monte in hammocks. When the West Europeans, mainly Englishman came, the litter-bearers had a problem: the new guests were too tall and too heavy, and the transportation became too burdensome. Another solution had to be found. This was the birth hour of the basket sleighs which also do their service this days. These basket sleighs are produced in Monte. You can visit the factory there. The travellers have been brought up to Monte by horses. Backwards in a different way. Two guys (Carreiros) push the sleighs shortly in, then it goes down direction Funchal with a speed of 20-30 km/h. And because this is not just slow, the sleigh captains have no normal soles, but soles from tires under their boots. Bridgestone or Michelin? - No idea. If you like, and the west trip yet has not been the ultimate kick for you, you can not let escape this event.
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(The basket sleighs of Monte)
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(Downwards)
A long time Monte was considered as a climatic health resort. Therefore, one brought many tuberculous here. However although Sissi has recovered here, the climate is not truly conducive for tuberculous. Then sometime one has noticed this, and since then it is a regular village again. But that does not matter. It's beautiful nevertheless.
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