We fly out of Vancouver via Gatwick and into Faro, Portugal on a one way ticket...flights good....connections work...no delay...
Upon arrival in Lagos...We discover that Hurricane Leslie is on a collision course for our end of Portugal...batten down the hatches...instead of summer like weather...the next few days have wind, rain and cool temperatures...We miss most the damage...as Lisbon and area to the north get hit the hardest ....not the way we saw the trip starting.
Lagos (along with most of the Algarve from Tavira to the east)...Is probably the most heavily touristed region in Portugal.... however... if you look, there are still some quiet gems on the coast....but for 'real' Portugal ...one needs to head inland.
It's always comforting to arrive at your accomodation to find everything you were hoping for and more. We've chosen to stay where we did 2 years ago on a quiet square in the old town...€49 a night and so much room ...small balcony and kitchen, fridge, massive table and couch and plenty of room to spread out and entertain for our 5 day stay. The Lagos Center Studios @Rua Garrett 22 gets our thumbs up again.
Lagos's slave market. Built in 1444, it was colonial Europe's first slave market
The Moors arrived in the 8th century from North Africa, renaming the settlement Zawaia (meaning lago, or lake). It became part of the much larger coastal region of al-Gharb, which eventually became known as the algarve. The Moors fortified the town with Lagos Castle and established important trade links to Northern Africa from their bases in the Iberian peninsula.
In 1985 we backpacked into Lagos, stayed for a bit and have returned over the last few years as our daughter lives and works here.
We've brought some old photos from the '85 trip and try to locate the places we remember. With the help of some locals, we track down the old memories and realize that old Lagos has changed little since our 1st visit.
This is the Don Sebastião Restaurante where we celebrated our 4th wedding anniversary in August 1985. It's still going strong!
The house (Room for Rent) where we stayed after being approached at the bus station by this couple. Apparently it's a bakery now.
The famous street view of the ocean...then and now...not too different!
The scenery on the coast is stunning, the food good...and the drinks cold.
We party until late with our daughter and friends....meet new friends and try to chase our jet lag away.
October in the Algarve hosts a Tapas Tour called Rota do Petisco-Algarve. Fortunately we were able to partake in the Lagos portion. You purchase a pass book for €1 that goes to charities, then you explore the city in search of Tapas such as quail and pureed sweet potato, shown below, bruschetta, cheese and ham platters, soups, seafood, chicken cakes, desserts and much much more. Each restaurant visit generally costs €3 per person which also includes a glass of wine, beer, water or soft drink. One evening we visited 6 restaurants! So good!
Soon though...We decided to move on....so we catch a bus inland to the town of Beja..,set in the Alentejo plains....north of Albufeira and east of Lisbon....it's a nice old fortress city and perfect as a stopover after a 4 hr bus ride....the Centro is small and cobblestoned....
The 14th Century town castle keep with its nearly 200 winding stairs provides a nice viewpoint for the surrounding area.
We are on the Portugal wine trail now....good food, great wine (from 3 euros a bottle)....our trip into deepest Portugal has begun....what's not to like...
Upcoming.....Évora...Lisbon, Sintra and more.....
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