Our final port of call. Bittersweet for us "world" travelers. Another area that was new to most of us. Just north of Tenerife is the year-round resort of Madeira. In 1916 Madeira was the first to experience Portugal's part in WW l when a torpedo sank three ships in the Funchal harbor.

What a nice visit we had . Of course having a wine tasting at 9:00 in the morning both calmed our nerves after a steep winding road trip up the mountain to Madiera's noteworthy winery, Barbeito, where we sampled wonderful wines and homemade honey cakes and cookies.

Leaving the winery we continued up the mountain to Cabo Girao, the highest seacliff in Europe, with an observation deck of glass that extended out over the cliff. Wow! Aullie would not have enjoyed that. The fog rolled in and over us.

The Bougainvillia were gorgeous, in multiple colors and huge bushes. We stopped in Camara de Lobos, a fishing village well-known as the place Sir Winston Churchhill used as scenery for painting during his visits to the island.

Our wonderful final lunch as a group was in the old quarters of the city at Fort of Sao Tiago. The Fort was built in 1614. Imagine visiting a site that existed nearly 300 years before Columbus discovered America . That's kind of what this entire trip summarizes.

On the way back to the ship we walked through the Park of Santa Catarina with a statue of Columbus.

So, now having cruised over 27,000 nautical miles (it will be over 30,000 by the time we dock in Florida) we are now at sea for 7 days, finishing projects, exchanging gifts (anyone want salad plates from the captain's dinner?) and trying to decide how we are ever going to get everything packed into our suitcases.

We have had wonderful weather the entire trip. With the exception of the two windy days that prevented us docking in Saipan and Jehue we haven't had a rainy day. The cold in China cleared up the air for wonderful photos and we were able to stay warm by dressing in layers.

Some of us will stay in touch and a few romantic relationships have started to bloom among the Road Scholar participants. We haven't lost anyone but we have had to send 5 of our group home for various medical issues. It was all handled very well and everyone is recuperating. There are even some who will undoubtedly choose to do another world cruise. It's been great. Thank you Lord!