Algarve - Day 3, Olhos d'Agua Beach

 We woke to beautiful blue sky and after breakfast walked down the hill to the beach.

We followed the road straight down from the hotel and I took a picture of this sign where it intersected with another road, so we would know how to get back.

Less than 10 minutes and we were at the beach.

We decided, weather dependent, we would splurge at some point on a beach front meal.

The west end is backed by sandstone cliffs and one restaurant that the water goes right under at high tide.

The stairs down to it from the cliff top were being repaired.

The retreating tide had left smooth stones and patterns on the sand.

Caves and holes in the cliffs and rocks.

Rock pools

and smooth, wet sand.

We had read there was a wind advisory for the area and it was just starting to build with rollers forming out in the sea and breaking as they came in. We thought this rock looked like a jaguar.

The East end of the beach has a cliff and rocks and then another beach extends to the next community, Vilamoura. We have been told it is a two hour walk to be done at low tide and then take a taxi back.

Also at the East end, a boat ramp. No picturesque traditional Portuguese fishing boats here, they are all practical, basic power boats with some nets and gear in them.

Behind the boat ramp, a row of little blue huts.

Peaking in a couple of open doors I could see fishing nets, life jackets, chairs and BBQs - a mix of business and pleasure.

We opted for coffee at one of the beachside cafes and paid considerably more for 2 coffees than we had for 2 coffees and 2 custard tarts up on the main road, location, location, location.

Octopus salad, prawn salad....yes, yes, yes.

A statue on one of the benches

made of wire and washers.

And a standing figure

made the same way.

And then we found another one, this time

made from chicken wire.

I have looked on the internet but been unable to find out anything about them.

There are not a lot of gardens around

but occasionally some pots on a terrace or some beds beside the road.

An ornate chimney for an outdoor grill.

Starting back, past the restaurants that line the road down to the beach,

and turning up the hill towards the hotel

we are happy to have an excuse to stop

catch our breath and admire

the sculptures

and paintings.

Nearly there when we reach the Poinsetta tree.

Algarve - Day 2, settling in

 Aimee went to bed at 7pm. I went at 8pm and was asleep almost immediately. I woke at 3. That was 7 hours sleep, pretty well a normal night for me, but there was no way I was getting up at that time of night even though I could see that Aimee was no longer in bed (she woke at 11pm!). By 4:30 I managed to get back to sleep and woke, refreshed at 8am. Shower, coffee (we need to find a coarser ground, shopping is ok if you are just looking for coffee but as soon as you are identifying grind parameters the language difference gets difficult.) and breakfast and I felt great.

We walked across the street and talked about tours. Booked a half day tour to the western end of the Algarve for tomorrow (E25)

We continued down the street to the grocery store to pick up the couple of things we hadn't thought of yesterday; paper towels, kleenex, butter, medium ground coffee and Aimee found a shrimp dip we just had to try.

Not so jet lagged now and I am noticing things. This is a wall made of old tires that has then been planted with trailing plants.

This is a cactus flower. Notice the ornate chimney in the background. Iconic of Portugal and I am sure there will be more pictures.

We then walked down towards the beach. The weather forecast was 40% chance of showers so we did wear rain coats. We were soaked in spite of them. As we left the hotel we experienced a torrential downpour and both of us were soaked to the skin. We walked down to the beach, no pictures as I didn't want to get my camera that wet. I am looking forward to taking pictures on a good day because it is a pretty little beach with lot of places to have lunch and/or Sangria. But a heck of a walk back up the hill in the rain.

So we stripped off our wet clothes and settled down with our books. A couple of hours later it cleared and there was blue sky and sun again.

We went out again, to walk, as we want to build up our endurance for some visits to town. We just walked along the main road in front of the hotel and checked out menus at various restaurants. Turns out both of us love Indian food so we stopped for Samosas and Prawn Poori from this restaurant, which we will have for dinner.

Mimosa in bloom. We walked past a party house, though a quiet residential area and down to Club Med (but couldn't get to the beach) and then back. A 9,000 step day.

This succulent grows all around our balcony. The rest of the afternoon was spent reading on the balcony, then wine, crackers and seafood dip, followed by Samosas and yogurt.

8pm and I am still up, pushing for 9pm tomight.

Algarve - Day 1, arrival.

 A PCR test in Hamilton, dinner with Rick at Boston Pizza, a drive into Toronto to stay over with Chris and Jason and then a day with Cigi, was the start to my vacation.

She was fine in the morning but had an upset tummy in the afternoon so I got the unusual experience of cuddles with Cigi. She may have to pass on the kiwi next time, didn't seem to agree with her. Photo by Chris.

 

Chis and Jason drove me to the airport and we happened to drive up to departures behind Chuck's car. So Aimee and I met up there and navigated the various steps of getting boarding passes, dropping luggage, getting through security and getting to a lounge together. The picture was taken to give Greg a laugh, I wasn't really double fisting the wine. Photo by Aimee.

The flight left on time and I dozed for about 4 hours of the 7 hour flight. Customs and luggage pick up was a breeze and just the two of us rode in this huge bus to our hotel....

The Oceanus Aparthotel.

It was only 10am so our room was not ready. We ate a "full English breakfast" at the poolside snack bar and by the time we were finished we could get into our room.

One of our two balconies. This one overlooks the pool area.

Dining area

Kitchen area. We think we will probably eat lunch out but have breakfast and a light dinner at home. So after unpacking we walked to the Intermarche grocery store just down the road.

It had a great bakery section

We had to buy a couple of the custard tarts.

The basics. We will shop for dinners on the day we want to make them, very European. I found a bottle of Douro region wine for about E5, picked it up and then found one on the sale table for E1.50. Had to try that too.

After reading in the sun, on the balcony, for a while we opened the sale wine. I would consider it a perfectly acceptable $10 red at home, just over $2 here. Books from the hotel lending library as both of us were planning to read on our tablets which are not great in the sun.

 

We had cheese, crackers and smoked salmon for supper and we're now heading for bed, having made it to 7pm.