The Algarve is a favorite tourist region of Portugal. It has many qualities to recommend it: warm sunny weather, expansive fine sand beaches, modest prices, people and signs easily understood in English, great food from fresh local sources, good highways, and convenient flights. It is very close to Morroco, a neighbor of Spain, and also has nearby islands (Azores, Canary, Madeira) to visit. In fact, the negatives are that it is a poor country where many buildings look somewhat neglected, and it can get very hot in summer. The wealth here has been brought by many ex-patriots from other countries who have created retirement or second homes here near the coast. Our B&B is owned by a single 50 y.o. woman who retired to here from Switzerland. There are many similar properties owned by people who have moved here to semi-retire.
Our B&B only recently opened and everything is new and beautiful. The house is on about four acres of fruit trees and a garden, on a hill with the coast visible a few miles away. Breakfast includes fresh fruit from the property.
We talked with a young German couple, staying at our same B&B, who told us that they would normally vacation at the beaches in Turkey, near Antalya; however, currently there is a dispute between the two countries which makes it risky for them to visit Turkey.
Yesterday we visited the sea caves in the cliffs near Lagos; the experience was even better than expected. At one location we passed through a cave entrance so small that we had to duck as our open boat passed through the entrance, but inside was a large water-filled room.
We launched from the beach in a 20' outboard-powered open boat to explore the coastal caves. The boat captains were expert at maneuvering these boats in the tight quarters of cave interiors while also dealing with ocean swells which could quickly change the clearance at the entrance to a cave.
Amazing how far into these caves the boat handlers were able to go.
Tour boat coming out of one of the larger caves in the cliffs here.
Did we come in through that tiny entrance to the cave?
This cave is large enough that people are enjoying the beach inside and have their choice of sitting in the sun or shade. Imagine surfing inside a cave.
While in the Algarve region, we also visited an ancient fortress in Silves toured the extensive open market in Loules, and visited one of the prettiest towns on the coast, Tavira. High season for tourists doesn't end here until the end of October. At Tavira, a ferry boat that can take you to an offshore island, a giant sand bar of endless beaches. Unfortunately, by the time we learned where the ferry boat departed from, what its schedule was, and where we could find parking; we just missed the last convenient departure.
Old town Tavira. Dawn and I really enjoy looking at the architecture and layout of these old sections of towns built many centuries ago when it was a different world.
A small lush garden in the remains of an old walled fort in downtown Tavira.
Last night we ate dinner at the harbor in Villamoura. In Villamoura, English is probably the most common language due to the tremendous influx of Brits. The town also appears to be more upscale and lush than most towns we have seen here. We talked to our server, who is from Bangladesh. He described his life: He met his wife 20 minutes before they were married; obviously an arranged marriage. He spends about 7 months per year here, and returns to Bangladesh for about 5 months per year to be with his family. Fifty-two cousins; all income is given to his parents (he is 1 of 8 children) who then distribute it to family. He & wife are expecting a baby; which will be named within a week after being born by agreement from a family discussion. Here he wears western clothes; at home he lets his hair grow, and wears traditional garb.
Sunset at Villamoura from our beach restaurant.
We are in Lisbon, a very large city. After turning in our rental car, we bought city transportation tickets which will allow us to see the entire area for the next few days. We started this afternoon with the Castelo de Sao Jorge, located on a high point overlooking the entire area for miles. We visited a busy marketplace with every kind of food from small booths , as well as various other items. Then we waited to experience sunset looking from the castle walls across the city and harbor.
Our B&B only recently opened and everything is new and beautiful. The house is on about four acres of fruit trees and a garden, on a hill with the coast visible a few miles away. Breakfast includes fresh fruit from the property.
We talked with a young German couple, staying at our same B&B, who told us that they would normally vacation at the beaches in Turkey, near Antalya; however, currently there is a dispute between the two countries which makes it risky for them to visit Turkey.
Yesterday we visited the sea caves in the cliffs near Lagos; the experience was even better than expected. At one location we passed through a cave entrance so small that we had to duck as our open boat passed through the entrance, but inside was a large water-filled room.
We launched from the beach in a 20' outboard-powered open boat to explore the coastal caves. The boat captains were expert at maneuvering these boats in the tight quarters of cave interiors while also dealing with ocean swells which could quickly change the clearance at the entrance to a cave.
Did we come in through that tiny entrance to the cave?
While in the Algarve region, we also visited an ancient fortress in Silves toured the extensive open market in Loules, and visited one of the prettiest towns on the coast, Tavira. High season for tourists doesn't end here until the end of October. At Tavira, a ferry boat that can take you to an offshore island, a giant sand bar of endless beaches. Unfortunately, by the time we learned where the ferry boat departed from, what its schedule was, and where we could find parking; we just missed the last convenient departure.
Last night we ate dinner at the harbor in Villamoura. In Villamoura, English is probably the most common language due to the tremendous influx of Brits. The town also appears to be more upscale and lush than most towns we have seen here. We talked to our server, who is from Bangladesh. He described his life: He met his wife 20 minutes before they were married; obviously an arranged marriage. He spends about 7 months per year here, and returns to Bangladesh for about 5 months per year to be with his family. Fifty-two cousins; all income is given to his parents (he is 1 of 8 children) who then distribute it to family. He & wife are expecting a baby; which will be named within a week after being born by agreement from a family discussion. Here he wears western clothes; at home he lets his hair grow, and wears traditional garb.
Sunset at Villamoura from our beach restaurant.
We are in Lisbon, a very large city. After turning in our rental car, we bought city transportation tickets which will allow us to see the entire area for the next few days. We started this afternoon with the Castelo de Sao Jorge, located on a high point overlooking the entire area for miles. We visited a busy marketplace with every kind of food from small booths , as well as various other items. Then we waited to experience sunset looking from the castle walls across the city and harbor.
No comments:
Post a Comment