In Funchal, Even Beer Stops Come with a Side of Stationery

Angeline Marie Martinez

Either paint or ink is on her hands...and don't mean nail polish! 

Front cover and inside first two pages of "walking" sketchbook, May 2024

We went on a transAtlantic Cruise in April - May of 2024. 
We didn't advertise or share photos before or during our trip. We live in a place that house and pet sitters are recommended...so for our safety and those who help us, we just stay quiet on social media when we travel. 

I'm also pretty bad about taking photos. Since visiting Paris in 2011, sketchbooks are how I capture places I visit. 

Our first port was Funchal, Portugal.
Andy likes to say we visited the African continent because technically, Funchal is on the tectonic plate of Africa. Ok with me!
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Exploring Funchal: Our First Stop
We walked around with our friends Dave and Kay. They’ve been here before, so they led the way. Lucky me, a beer and pastry stop was planned…that stop being close to a pen and stationery shop…since my single fountain pen (or pen at all) ran out of ink within steps of the port.

Buildings, graffiti, fort, fish in Funchal, Portugal

Cats, rubber Duckie stickers on a door, the backs of Dave & Kay, roosters on display in Funchal, Portugal

​A Stroll with Friends in Funchal
The painted doors in the streets of Funchal’s oldest section were AWESOME. From ugly graffiti tags to almost fine art, I would’ve loved to photograph most of them. I leave the photos to Andy. I’ll stick to postcards and sketching.
Beer, Pastries, and a Pen Predicament
I didn’t try to buy any fountain pen at all in Funchal. Choosing a ballpoint is quicker! I want nice, prefer a happy color barrel, and definitely retractable with blue ink. Dave and Andy had time for a pastry and a beer while Kay patiently browsed the shop with me.
Discovering the Painted Doors of Funchal
After wandering the streets a bit, we sampled some delicious Portuguese port wines. We all agreed the aged 10 years was the best.

The Great Pen Hunt
If you care to look closely, you can see the ink and line quality changes in my sketchbook. You can tell when I stopped using my fountain pen and when I used a ballpoint.
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Sipping on Portuguese Port Wine
Funchal turned out to be more than just a first stop; it was a delightful mix of unexpected finds, good company, and new experiences. I can’t wait to see what our next destination has in store!

Sketchbook Tales: From Fountain Pen to Ballpoint
All in all, our adventure in Funchal was a colorful and flavorful experience. From the charming painted doors to the delicious pastries and the rich, aged port wine, every moment added a unique touch to our travel story. And yes, even the pen switch-up had its charm – it’s all part of the fun of exploring new places with friends!

Do you want to draw more?! 
Do you wonder what I use for sketching while traveling or just around my local area? Over the years, I've made my kit smaller and smaller. There's an ebook, free, with art sketching and drawing and coloring supplies resources here! You can get it just by sharing your email address. I promise, even our cats Mani, Niki, and dog Pirula doesn't get to know who's on my email list! Get it here!

The pens purchased at the Funchal, Portugal store Cartonada