The JDP Cultural Center and Villa Dos Passos are in Ponta do Sol, Madeira, a small town. The name of the town means “Point of the Sun,” and the sun hits it head-on most of the day. Sunset is a long occasion. There is a small flat strip at the foot of the town with a pebble and stone beach. The rest of the land is hilly or mountainous and full of banana plants. The southern half of the island, where Ponta do Sol is, grows many bananas. Also sugarcane. But the area around Ponta do Sol is especially chock full of bananas. The banana ice cream at my hotel was awesome. I felt right at home in the sun among all the flowers and greenery. I’m more accustomed to a sandy beach, but otherwise it was a cozy swimming area.