Funchal, Madeira 31 March 2006

Well just like the Pope I kissed the ground in Funchal port. In the excitement of being on land and in such a beautiful place we managed to get ripped off by the taxi driver who whisked us up into the mountains to Monte Palace. www.montepalace.com

For a birds eye view of Funchal take the cable car (9.50 euro)

I was met by AS who lives in the garden and is the curator of the museum. How lucky he is to live in such a fantastic place.

I was asked to photograph the garden for a UK horticulture magazine but due to the bad weather delaying the ship I only had three hours at Monte Palace. This tropical botanical garden clings to the side of the mountain and has fantastic views of Funchal. The paths wind around and under huge tree ferns and cycads. Cycads are living fossils an endangered plant species that have existed since before the Jurassic Period, over 280 million years ago.

The owner of the garden Mr Berardo in addition to a huge collection of artworks has bought the right to use a colour of blue created by the artist Yves Klein. It is known as IKB International Klein Blue. www.tate.org.uk

A giant panel of IKB casts a deep hue across the garden when the sun hits it.

Many thanks to A for the quick version of the guided tour and for helping me with all my equipment. I shall be back to see the museum and to eat some more Portuguese custard tarts!