Blogs from Algarve, Portugal, Europe - page 7

It's been one full week post-retreat and I am finally sitting down to write about it. - Renting a van was AWESOME. I drove a manual 9 passenger Renault Trafic and it was a breeze. In fact, I loved the van so much that I manifested us missing our bus so I could get it back and drive the crew from Lagos to Lisbon. We had intended to take the 13:30 bus from Lagos, but I accidentally purchased (or the Universe changed the time) 01:30. After waiting 90 mins for Luz Car (awesome company) to return from siesta, I asked for the van back and we left Lagos. I then had the van for an additional 2 days. Fortunately, parking in Lisbon is free on weekends, so I put the van (named him Alma, which means ... read more

Compromise: Nobody gets exactly what they want. Sun day is fun day! Went for a long walk on the beach where it was a bit chilly and windy but hey, it was sunny and I was happy. After a lovely breakfast prepared by our hostess, Danielle, Mike and I discussed what to do today. I wanted to see caves but the water was too rough for the local caves and the tours for the Cave of Benagil, near Faro, were booked for the next two days. Mike wanted to see Moorish architecture but the Moors got the boot from the Algarve a long time ago, so maybe just some influence here and there. We finally decided to visit Olhão, a town whose name we so butchered that Danielle just looked at us and said, on perfect ... read more

November 14-15 The Algarve Portugal About a two and a half hour drive south of Lisbon, you reach the southern coast of Portugul known as the Algarve. Here the Atlantic seems to slowly work away at the limestone, carving huge gouges, creating caves and tunnels along the steep cliffs, incredible at both low and high tide. Clear blue skies and temperatures around 21 degrees greeted us as we arrived at the Suites Alba Resort. Being off season made for a quiet stay here...just what the doctor ordered. For two days we ate and drank well, lounged in the sun and looked out on the sparkling ocean. Dawn chased photos of sunrises and sunsets and one warm day we walked along the rough trail atop the famous cliffs, taking more photos everywhere. Dawn's new exclamation became "holy ... read more

Yesterday was the last sunny day for the near future, so we headed for the main beach after brunch. On the way, we checked out the bike rentals in town and decided to rent bikes on Monday. The young man in the bike/surf shop was Scottish, and his father lives in Aberfeldy, where I lived in 1973! There were quite few people on the beach since it was Sunday, but it was very rough due to the effects of Hurricane Ophelia passing by on her way to Ireland! I sat in the edge of the surf, but didn't dare swim... A few surfers attempted to go out without success. The beach is golden sand, with almost no litter and no shells. After the beach, we walked to the port, had a beer in a restaurant overlooking ... read more

I can't see Randy in the corridor outside our room, and he doesn't seem to be at breakfast either. I think that maybe he's still recovering from last night's libations, but I mustn't get complacent. I'm sure he's still got Issy in his sights, and will be lurking somewhere in the shadows waiting to lure her away. We collect Barbie and head for the fishing port of Olhao which is about fifty kilometres east of Albufeira. It was recommended to Barbie by her daughter Andrea, who comes to the Algarve nearly every year. It appears to be a very serious port, with a large harbour and dock area. It's Saturday, which is apparently market day. The traffic's heavy, and we come to a standstill next to the main market on the waterfront in front of the ... read more