A Shocking End | Our Incredible Carnival Experience In Funchal, Madeira

[@markandannette]

So sorry that you all went through that, I am glad you ended on a positive note that you still had a great time. Hope there was nothing too expensive or difficult to replace.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Mark! Thank you! The purse itself was the costly item. I only had 1 €. 😂 I’m sure they were disappointed! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@Track_Us_Down]

This can happen ANYWHERE! We had an AMAZING time at Carnival 💃....but...

[@richardherlevi2006]

We were there last night! We flew in yesterday got to our condo and walked to the parade. Sorry to hear about the purse.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Richard! Good for you! You hit the ground running! Enjoy Madeira! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@richardherlevi2006]

@@Track_Us_Down I love it here more and more each day. Now I need to convince my wife that this is the place. It’s supposed to snow 12 inches at home this next week. So maybe she will be convinced once we get home. The weather here is amazing. I am very surprised at how low the humidity seems to be. Thanks for all the great info you provide we watch all the videos.

[@bandcrazyadventure]

The parade was beautiful Thanks for showing us. I am so sorry for your loss.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Billy and Dottie! Thanks 🙏🏻. All can be replaced. No one was harmed. Yes carnival was amazing and worth attending. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. Cheers! M&D

[@lauras8674]

Wow Monique! I am so sorry this happened to you! Thank you for showing this beautiful celebration! In spite of what happened.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Laura! The parade and ambiance was absolutely fantastic! And although we had a bad experience, it was just part of it, and did not overshadow the amazing Carnival! All can be replaced, no one was hurt. Thanks for watching and for your kind words. Cheers! M&D

[@wayne89]

Uh oh sorry to hear that! I was there as well and it was a good parade!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Wayne! It was an excellent parade. Our evening didn’t end great, but there are worse things. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@dianapitt5665]

Sorry to hear that! Can happen anywhere... even in a beautiful island. Hope you didn't lose anything that can be replaced. Best wishes.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Diana! Thanks for watching and for your kind words. All can be replaced, I won’t make the same mistake again. Appreciate your support. Cheers! M&D

[@zhannakryukova8676]

Oh dear! I am so sorry about your bag! My friend lost her cellphone yesterday at the carnival as well!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Zhanna! Thanks! Did your friend find her phone or was it taken? Carnival was amazing! Cheers! M&D

[@zhannakryukova8676]

@Track Us Down! Hi dear! Somebody has found the cell and brought it to the police. So, happy ending! What about your belongings? Documents as well? In Toronto, my husband forgot his wallet in the Superstore, got back in 10min and somebody brought it already to the Customer Service! I wish if all the people could be so responsible! I wish you to resolve all the problems about your lost! And just say: thank you, God, for taking away just money and nothing else!💖

[@Mr.S65]

I most definitely heard Brazilian Portuguese in the songs. It didn’t seem like samba or samba schools like in Rio though. Very interesting to watch. I hope your purse wasn’t too expensive :)

[@josepeso2560]

Canaval in Brasil was implemented by

[@josepeso2560]

Brasil's carnaval, was implemented there by the portuguese discover navigaters

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello MS! Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts. I’m the end… it’s just a purse. I won’t make that mistake again. Cheers! M&D

[@twoamericansandadog7212]

We were really close to each other! We couldn't believe we were able to park in LaVie, walk down to Avenida do Mar and find a table at the snack bar next to the parade route. I think you guys must have had tickets because you have that great downward looking footage that gives you great views of some of the costumes and dance routines. Just like the video we also posted today, you did the smart thing: Just showing short snippets of all the sections of the parade. If people want to see the endless parade, they should come to Madeira. ;-) We were so glad we were here for this - and so sorry to hear about the bad end to your evening. Madeira may be a little bubble in the world, but sometimes it gets punctured.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Two Americans and a Dog! That would have been great to run into each other! It was a wonderful parade! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@MamaLlama007]

Oh no, so sorry! Can you share some tips on what not to do, or how to keep secure in group situations? Like did they cut the strap or just pick it up? Thanks

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Mama Llama! Thanks for watching and for your kind words. We absolutely will. I let my guard down in a large crowd. My mistake. Lesson learned. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@Yaotai]

Very sorry to hear that this happened, and I'm sure its now more of a major inconvenience to replace cards and such. Hopefully, it won't be too much of a hassle, and you can use the experience to create content about "what happens if..." for us potential Madeira residents. As always, very appreciative of your content 😍

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Lee! Thanks for watching and for your kind message. We will talk about the experience. In the end we dealt with so many kind and helpful people. It was my mistake in a large crowd. Lesson learned. Take care! Cheers! M&D

[@desertdweller8520]

So sorry you had to go through that. I’ll be careful when I’m in a crowd like that.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Oceandweller! Absolutely! I should have known better in a large crowd. Lesson learned. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@gillpurchase6512]

That can happen anywhere, probably not a local person who did it - Carnival is something we can't wait to experience xx

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Gill! Carnival was amazing and definitely something to attend! You are correct- large crowds are not the place to let your guard down. My mistake and lesson learned. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@JP7onEarth]

Monique and Doug, I am inviting you to Porto in April to have dinner with us! We will try to make the incident disappear. JP

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello JP! Thanks for the kindness! Much appreciated. We may just take you up on that offer! Cheers! M&D

[@John_McFadden]

Hi Doug and Monique - We're so sorry to hear about what happened to you. Unfortunately, even in Madeira, large crowds provide an opportunity for criminals to take advantage of the situation.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello John! You are absolutely correct. I let my guard down in a large crowd. My mistake and lesson learned. Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you are both well! Cheers! M&D

[@pramitshah9573]

So sorry to hear that. I always felt that Madeira had low crime rates, but I guess it can happen anywhere especially in crowds. Hope you didn’t lose anything valuable 😢

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Pramit! You are correct. I let my guard down and put my purse down- not a good move in any large crowd- anywhere. Lesson learned!! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@ludmilakrutiansky1500]

Oh my God. I’m so sorry to hear this, Monique. I hope you didn’t lose anything valuable.😢

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Ludmila! Well they were probably quite disappointed. It was a cute Kate Spade purse and wallet, however I only had 1€ for the grocery cart! So no cash and I’m sure they don’t care about the purse. I can replace the documents- hassle but replaceable. Thanks for watching and for your kind message. Cheers! M&D

[@tinglestingles]

It would be interesting content to compare and contrast your police interactions and the way policing is conducted on the island compared to your previous home. Especially with Doug’s background.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Tinglestingles! Excellent idea! Thanks for watching and commenting. Hope you’re having a great time! Cheers! M&D

[@tinglestingles]

@@Track_Us_Down Madeira is lovely.

[@chrismedeiros3201]

Sorry to read this Monique. What a hassle to have to go through. 😢 Unfortunately, this is the reality on this side of Heaven, even in a paradise like Madeira. Well. This will be a good test to see how quick institutions can react to these situations. Sorry you had to be the one to experience it.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Chris! 🌎 thanks 🙏🏻! You are right, it’s a hassle factor. In the end it’s just a purse and no one was hurt. The police were amazing and all in all, although a terrible experience- there were so many kind people along the way. Will get another residency card and drivers license…. And start fresh. Thanks for watching and for your kind message. Cheers! M&D

[@jonmcn]

Agh... Sorry to hear that, guys. Hope everything is replaceable! (and with a minimum of crazy running around...)

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello John! Yes it’s all replaceable- hassle factor,but replaceable! I should have known better in a large crowd- lesson learned. Hope all is well with you! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@jessbrown1719]

Oh no!! So sorry to hear that 😢 this island is so safe 98% of the time, but once in a while I do hear about theft. I’m sorry it happened to you 😭

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Jess! I’ll tell you all about it when we see each other. You are so right about 98% safe , but large crowds at a touristy place… I should have known better! Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@ruinunes8251]

So sorry to hear about your purse. Let’s hope for the best.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Rui! Absolutely we will keep our fingers crossed. Hopefully a Madeiran finds it and turns it in. Thanks for watching and for your ongoing support. Cheers! M&D

[@riesabet]

Just wanted to say how sorry I am that it happened. Are you okay? Don’t be discouraged anywhere in the world people fall pray to pickpockets in crowds. It’s their profession! The new normal in Canada is that entire cars get stolen from your driveway.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Riesabet! Thank you for your kind words. We are okay. You are so right about the reality of crowds everywhere. It was my mistake and lesson learned. No one was hurt and all can be replaced. Thanks for watching and for your kind message. Cheers! M&D

[@carleenc4968]

😢😢

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Carleen! That was my face when I got robbed!! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@thurianknight]

So sorry to hear about your purse, but glad you had a great time otherwise!

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Dave! Thanks 🙏🏻, won’t make that mistake again. Carnival was amazing - definitely worth attending! Cheers! M&D

[@marionobrega1573]

Thieves are everywhere on this planet, even on the beautiful island of Maderia.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Mario! You are correct, especially in a large crowd. My mistake and lesson learned. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@tinglestingles]

Very sad, I hope everything stolen can be replaced.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Tinglestingles! Yes all can be replaced and no one was hurt. Just a hassle factor. Thanks for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D

[@tinglestingles]

@@Track_Us_Down I regularly leave my MacBook at a table in a coffee shop, in Setubal - when nature calls. Perhaps I should be more careful.

[@libbyannstew8775]

Oh Monique - that’s so unfortunate! Maybe luck will be on your side and someone will find it and turn it in to police. I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Libbyann! Thank you! I appreciate it! Yes maybe, just maybe they threw the purse away and someone finds it! Thanks for watching! Cheers! M&D

[@libbyannstew8775]

@@Track_Us_Down I had my wallet stolen out of the front closet of one of my homes and about 4 years later it showed up in the mail! Money was gone but everything else was intact. Crazy.

[@TonyRodrigues63]

As some of the comments mention, nowhere in the World is waterproof in terms of crime, I hate to see that happen in my beloved Madeira. Some of those petit crime idiots, are rough sleepers, they want it for drugs and alcohol, but not that long ago, the police managed to catch a couple of Romanians, that are part of a Europe wide gang, that fly to popular tourist destinations, pretending to be tourists themselves, then go on the rampage stilling and sending the money overseas, I would say, professionally done. My advise? never take your purse with you to crowded places like this, I personally dress in jeans like trousers, then my wallet goes on my front pocket, therefore, this vermin wont stand much of a chance of stilling my belongings. Hope the police could help you.

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Tony! Thank you so much for watching and sharing your thoughts. You are absolutely right on in your comment. Police also think professionally done, coming in for the festival. Lesson learned and no one hurt. Thanks again for sharing your insights. Cheers! M&D

[@maisiepoot5574]

I hope your passport was not in that purse ...

[@Track_Us_Down]

Hello Ada! My passport was not in my purse. Thank goodness! Thank you for watching and commenting. Cheers! M&D