Madeira, Portugal - February 25 to 26, 1922

This is the second entry in a series on Geneva Porter's 1922 trip to Europe and North Africa. The first entry can be viewed here.

A view of Funchal towards east from Pico da Cruz (261 m), Madeira, Portugal.
Picture taken by Ville Koistinen (Wikimedia Commons)

On February 25, 1922, Geneva Thompson Porter disembarked from the RMS Adriatic at the port of Funchal in Madeira, Portugal.  Her entries are wonderfully descriptive of the lush island landscape as well as the social life at Reid's Palace Hotel.  Reid's opened in 1891, and by the 1920s, catered to the rich, famous, and royal, looking for luxe accommodations.  The hotel is still operating, and Funchal remains a popular port for trans-Atlantic cruises.  Below are transcriptions and an image of Geneva's diary entries.  You can read her full 1922 travel diary; use the link under "Resources" at left.



Saturday, February 25, 1922.  Funchal, Madeira, 26 hours.  Reid's Palace Hotel. 

The Steward says it's a beautiful day and we will get to Madeira at three o'clock so I will have to pack in a little while.  The island is perfectly beautiful by the sea all mountainous - saw clouds hanging over the tops.  As soon as we stopped hundreds of little row boats came out with boys who dive for coins and men selling linens, parrots, furniture, flowers, and corals.  We all went ashore at three o'clock and drove all over the town.  It is a fairy spot on the earth the stucco houses all pale colors with tiled or straw roofs with lovely old walls and garden gates and trumpet and bougainvillea vines traveling over everything.  The houses are terraced like steps right up the mountain.  Peeping through the gates one sees fascinating...

Sunday, February 26, 1922.  Did not get good picture of gateways, terraces, or entrance to church yard.

...paths lined with flower pots on the winding steps.  We all had tea at Reid's Palace Hotel on the verandah [sic] overlooking the bay.  Had dinner with fourteen boys and girls.  Jenkins (consul), Watts (Philadelphia arts critic), Ali Bey Yehia (son of Pasha Alexandria), Vieriere de Casta (Portuguese), Boardley (or something like that, an Englishman living on island), Mr. Harrison (Philadelphia), Mrs. Wood (Philadelphia), Mrs. Murphy, Miss Murphy - were some of the guests.  After we went to the Casino danced and watched the gambling.  We sat on the terrace and drank champagne.  Drove home in the Bullock carts (burros).  The gardens around the hotel are lovely. Sunday we sent up the mountain by train.  Had lunch at Esplanade came down in sledges so tired all had a nap when we got back to the boat.  Watched Pete, Mr. Lane, Mr. Grovern [?], Mr. Sonnsberry[?] play bridge.

Vintage Travel Posters

The Rare Book Room at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library holds thousands of posters. Some of the most visually appealing graphics appear in those dealing with travel. The use and artistic merit of posters exploded with the invention of chromolithography in the nineteenth century. Originally, these posters were designed as advertisements to capture the imaginations of travelers and included imagery of exotic locales and luxurious accommodations. Today, vintage travel posters are highly collectible. Click "Read More" to see a selection of travel posters from the exhibition.