Hi David, I would recommend you to hire a car, that would give you much more freedom, and the price will be much, much better. You can ask a budget online and even make a reservation, if you are interested, on http://www.rodavante.com (BTW, I made the software and database work for that website on my former job, but that's another story...Anyway, it has a nice English version, and I believe it is working well). Taxis are somewhat expensive around here, as you will see. I do not understand what waterfalls you want to see on Paúl da Serra, as it is a very dry and windy place, with very few trees and some ferns and grass here and there. Perhaps you mean Rabaçal and 25 Fontes, which are nearby, and indeed have nice waterfalls. About 25 April, I really don't know, it's always a surprise. You see, we have a very conservative regime here in Madeira, and the regional government don't feel very confortable with partying over a Communist propeled revolution. On some past years there weren't any celebrations at all, and in any case, most probably, there wouldn't be any parades or other sensational celebrations. The great party comes on 1 May, which is now known as workers day, but is a Maderian hollyday since the times of the plague, when the city was supposedly saved by S. Tiago Menor, fested on 1 May. Everyone makes and wear flower collars, mostly with a little yellow daisy flower that we call "Maios", and usually everyone goes to the countryside to picnic. On ancient days the Blandy family used to open the doors of his mannor and gardens, and many people would go there to pass the day, singing, chatting and dancing until the fall of the night. It's a pity that you'll not be here by then. :( What else do you wanted to ask me? :) Paulo On Fri, 25 Mar 2005 08:49:27 -0600, <david-nancy.degrella@juno.com> wrote: > Paulo, > > I have taken the liberty to write you directly as I have some questions > that you may be able to help answer. We are coming to Madeira April 23 > for just four days. We are planning ahead to get the most out of our > short stay. We have booked a full day tour on April 24 for the eastern > end of the island. We plan to explore the western end on our own. We > want to go to Arco da Calheta (the home of my great grandfather). We > also want to go to Paul da Serra to hike to some waterfalls. > We understand that it would be difficult to do this by bus. Can we do > this by taxi or would it be better to hire a car? > Will the celebration of April 25 interfere with getting around? > Is there any parade or other festivity on April 25 that you would > recommend we see? > I have more question but I do not want over burden you. > > I appreciate your help. > > Obrigado, > > David > Tennessee, USA > Searching for Agrela, Silva, Nobrega -- " Pallida mors aequo pulsat pede pauperum tabernas regumque turres." -- Horacio