Check out the beautiful images captured during this years Madeira Wine Festival in Estreito de Camara de Lobos …

Dutch authorities, however, have opposed this plan in view of her age initiating an international discussion about the rights of the government. In July 2010, the Dutch court announced that she is allowed to sail the world solo.

Laura will start sailing from the Netherlands on August 4th, 2010 headed for Lisbon, Portugal, around 1000 nm. But this will not be part of the solo circumnavigation, as she will have other people on board. The voyage to Portugal will include boat testing and boat training for her. After adjusting any problems that has shown up, she will start solo from Lisbon at a later date. Her first stop will then be Madeira island.

Laura Dekker’s website

Visit also www.ilovemadeira.org

The UV rays emitted by the sun are strongest and most harmful at mid-day, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Most people think that they are well protected against these harmful sunrays by wearing just a T-shirt. Well … they are wrong! Only thick and dark clothing can protect your skin from these UV rays.

Best protection offers among others denim and thick wool. Light clothing of cotton or linen, which are moreover slightly of color, generally offers only moderate protection … which can be compared with a sun lotion factor 10.

Keep a long-sleeved shirt in the trunk of your (rental)car to put on when you go for an unexpected walk, or find yourself without sunscreen.

Of course we all realize that during the (hot) summer days most people will not wear thick trousers and pullovers. Therefore the advice is to use sun blockers and sunscreen lotions. Purchase sunscreen that has at least a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Use it liberally, better too have more than less when being exposed to ultraviolet rays. Introduce the creme approximately a half hour before and …. an excessive lubrication of your skin is most worthwhile … even a must. Also a water-based sunscreen lotion is the best option above the other alternatives.

The main key to successful protection is reapplying! It might be that you will find no application “rules” on your bottle or that it is in a language you do not understand, but the suggested norm is every couple of hours. If you are sweating or swimming, most recommend reapplying more often.

Buy several smaller tubes of sunscreen, rather than one large tube. Keep one at home, near the front door, and one near the back door for easy access. Keep one in the car and one in your purse or briefcase.

Wear a hat with a wide brim when you are outside. This will protect your head, nose and ears from sun damage, and can also protect you from sunstroke.

For more information about UV Radiation, check also:

• Instituto de Meteorologia – Ultra-Violet Radiation
• Instituto de Meteorologia – Caution

This magnificent project, created by Eduardo Costa Audiovisual Productions, aims an encounter with the valuable past, the Folklore and Ethnography of the archipelago of Madeira. It portraits in terrific details the daily life and activities the small nation in the past, but in some places still present-day culture and profession.

The project “Raízes de um Povo” (Roots of a People) is a 13 documentaries about 25 minutes. Each county of Madeira will have its own documentary. There will be a dedicated version for the Christmas period on Madeira. The main objective is to produce a true and accurate reference that guarantees historical consistency and validity.

Celebrating spring and the wealth that the flora brings us every year, the city of Funchal was once again the stage for the beautiful spectacle called Festa da Flor (Flower Festival), that to take place between 15 and 18 April. The theme this year was “Earth”, celebrating the International Year of Biodiversity. The climax of this event took place on Sunday with the Grand Flower Parade.

Hundreds of flower-themed floats and characters dressed in all kind of flowers, made their way through the city in lavish style to the sound of music, dancing, waving and displaying their gratitude and joy. It was a marvelous combination of beautiful people and wonderful colors and intriguing species of flowers.

The Flower Festival – Festa da Flor – will be back again next year. Don’t miss it!