I don't care if it's a tourist trap. It was fun, dammit.

Wednesday, February 23

The Toboggan Ride at Monte

You know, I very well may send this photo to Cisco Systems, Inc.  They manufacture the Flip Camera that I am holding here.  If this is not product placement, I don't know what is.  

First, I must reflect......

More often than not, there is no shame in being a sucker.  When you are a tourist, you should do everything that you can--as long as you have the time, the opportunity, and the €12.50.  That has been my philosophy, anyway.  I am glad, because I would rather feel stupid for 2 seconds than feel sorry that I didn't try something that could have been fun.  Except for skydiving and bungee jumping.  Or getting a tattoo. 


So....

This toboggan thing has been happening in Madeira since it was populated with people.  The toboggan was a means of transportation from the mountain regions down the rather steep streets to the coastal ones.  The toboggan is made of wicker, and is pulled by two 'drivers' (see above photo, that cost me €10).


Think of it as the Portuguese rickshaw.

Since the 1850s, the Monte toboggan ride down towards Funchal city centre has been one of Madeira's favourite tourist attractions.

Today's Monte toboggan sled ride is comparatively a poor imitation of the original rides that were offered in the early twentieth century. Then, visitors to the island truly did experience an exhilarating ride full of excitement and risk, and the sleds themselves, though made of wicker, were far more lush and luxurious.  Oh well.

Perhaps the advent of the motor car is responsible for the decline of coolness that the wicker sled has suffered. Or, maybe the grasping tendrils of commercialism is to blame. Whatever the reason, nowadays, the journey down the steep slopes in a flimsy, cushionless wicker basket seems a bit silly.   But what are vacations for, anyway?  Who cares if it's silly?  Carpe diem.

Here is the series of videos that capture my entire experience, start to finish.  If you have read this far into this blog posting, you may as WELL watch them.........

Wheeeeee!!!!!!!!!!