The Algarve

In a whirlwind, we booked a trip to Portugal. We were fortunate enough to stay with the lovely Patricia and Seamus on their yacht in the Lagos Marina. The flights were booked on the Tuesday and then we flew out of Gatwick on Saturday morning.

When we arrived at Faro we needed to make our way to the train station. We jumped in a cab after deciding the bus was too hard to find and then to work out where we needed to get off. I felt like a dick speaking English to people in a Portuguese speaking country – so the less people I had to speak to the better.

Once we were at the train station we bought a ticket to Lagos but still had a bit of time to kill. The train station was filled with flies (it wasn’t super hot or smelly but they were just circling lazily around inside) so we went for a walk outside. I got pretty self conscious because people kept staring at me – a lot. I thought maybe they were eyeing me up to mug me but I think it could’ve easily just been because of my blonde hair.

One thing we noticed pretty quickly on the train was the number of derelict buildings everywhere. It was quite sad to see these gorgeous locations with buildings with caved in roofs and trees growing out the top. 

But once we were moving Sam got really excited every time we passed any kind of building and tried to take a photo of it. On a moving train. He ended up with a whole bunch of super blurry photos which I think he was still very pleased with.

We arrived in Lagos and Seamus was there waiting to greet us. He walked us across the road to the marina and showed us our home for the next four days – absolutely beautiful!

Here are a couple of shots from our bedroom window - 

As some people will know – I am no stranger to motion sickness. So the thought of staying on a boat for 24 hours a day for four days was enough to make me prepare for the motion sickness apocalypse go and buy all sorts of drugs. Turns out I didn’t need any of it. Win.

On the first day in Lagos we got settled in and then went for a wander around the marina and local area. We got sent to the little supermarket to pick up something for dinner and a drunk European (he was a tourist but I’m not sure where from) tried make friends with us by talking about cider and snakebites (maybe thinking we were from England?), it didn’t really work though. He followed us round the isles for a bit before we left the shop.

The weather wasn’t great when we arrived, a little bit cold and windy but on our second day it was decided the wind was right to go sailing. We took the boat out (more specifically, Patricia motored out of the marina, while Seamus and Sam sorted the sails, and I took photos) and had a spectacular view of Lagos and the surrounding towns. To the right there was a very long sandy beach, Meia Praia, with a whole bunch of beach umbrellas and to the left were the ‘grottos’ (great rock formations) of Praia da Dona Ana. Once we were far enough away from the marina and the land, I took the helm. It was terrifying. But great at the same time. Focusing on the horizon, I tried to keep the wind in the sail and the boom stationary. Sam had a turn too while I fearlessly navigated him away from the fishing lines and cray pots.  

Later that day we came back to the marina and set off for a walk along the cliff tops above the grottos to the lighthouse at the end. It was spectacular. Sam kept walking off the path (toward the edge) to take photos which was probably not a great move considering how unsafe the actual path was. A lot of areas had already eroded and slipped down the cliffs. But the walk was beautiful and like the tourists we are, we took many photos.

On the next day we ventured in to town and had a wander round the cobbled streets. It’s crazy looking at the buildings from further away because they all look white and the same colour but when you are close and in amongst the buildings they are actually really colourful. We saw some strange buskers around town and Sam promptly spotted a Portugal football store and headed in. After wandering the shops for the morning we stopped for lunch when it started to rain.  It was great sitting, eating some super fresh fish, people watching and drinking wine, while it poured.

After our day wandering around town we went back to the boat and headed out with Seamus and Patricia for dinner to one of their favourite spots. It had apparently just opened back up for the summer and we were the only people in the place. We weren’t presented with any menus, but instead a large fish was brought to the table for us to examine. Yes – it looked fresh we said, lets eat it. The fish was seasoned with salt and grilled. I think it may have been the best fish I’d ever eaten.

On our last day the weather was beautiful so Sam & I made our way to Meia Praia for a walk on the beach. I put my toes in the water but didn’t go any further because it was so cold! We grabbed an icecream and made our way back to the boat.

 

After that we headed over to a beach in amongst the grottos. After lying on the sand for a bit I made Sam come for a swim with me. I think we stayed in the water for less than a minute and we couldn’t stand still because it was too cold – but at least we can say we did it!

Before we jumped on the train to head back to the airport, we had dinner at a very rough looking place next to the train station. It was pretty popular with the locals though. Patricia chose her fish based on what was freshest, and I followed suit. We both got a slice of some giant sea bass which was delicious.

Neither Sam nor I really knew what to expect of Portugal – but what a great place! Excellent food (especially seafood), excellent wine (and cheap too) and great company (thanks Seamus & Patricia!). Sam’s already planning our next trip back.