OK, this one was at least going to be achievable, seeing as 7 of my tours this year would be finishing in Lisbon. So when the opportunity rose, I said right, let’s do this Jules and so I found myself on a 3 hour bus trip from Lisbon down to Faro - the capital of the Algarve. Now the Algarve is not a place, it's a region - the southernmost region of Portugal and home to 450,000 people - although I'm sure that number explodes in summer. It also covers 4960 km² so I was only ever going to scratch the surface (my tour leader tendencies coming out). But a tick is a tick and I can say I visited the Algarve. It's my list and I'll do what I want to.
Pulling into Faro bus station, it was a 15-minute walk to the accommodation that Liz had booked, so off I set dragging my suitcase along the cobble stoned streets. 1st challenge - completed, found the place. Next challenge, drag the suitcase up 3 flights of stairs. And there was Liz - made it. A couple of catch-up wines and time to head off into the evening in search of dinner and milk. Lovely dinner of duck in orange and some rather tasty local cheese and back for an earlyish night – with milk.
With neither of us having done any research whatsoever, we decided to catch the tourist train for a loop of Faro. Bumping along the streets, we jumped off at the Nossa Senhora Do Carmo church to go and check out the Capel dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) because I do love a good skull. Church itself was pretty enough - I am a little blase when it comes to churches after entering 100's. But this one had bones. I liked the inscription above the entrance: Pára aqui a considerar que a este estado hás-de chegar which translates to Stop here and consider, that you will reach this state too. All of these places always have funny entrance sayings. My favourite remains "We bones that are here await yours" at Evora's ossary.
After hopping back onto the little train, we decided to head to Albufeira, about an hour away on a bus. Not sure what made us decide to do this, but that's what happens when you do no research. Problem was, we then had to catch a local bus - which we did to the Marina. Unfortunately the Marina is not very nice. Just filled with British tourists, eating fish and chips. Felt a bit like Benidorm or one of the other many similar towns. So not great, but we had lunch and then jumped in a Tuk Tuk to the old town. Unimpressed by the beach or the place, we headed back to catch another bus back to the bus station and then the bus back to Faro. So 3 hours on public transport for what we both agreed was not a place to re-visit.
Once back in Faro, we needed a refreshing beverage, so sat by the waterfront and contemplated our next move. A sunset boat trip sounded like a good idea. So hopped on to an eco-boat (electricity powered, so very quiet). Only 5 of us and our guide was funny, so it was a pleasant trip around the Rio Formosa Marshlands. Didn't see many birds, except for those noisy ones coming into land– particularly of that Ryan Air breed. Back on land, it was off in search of dinner which we found and enjoyed with plenty of wine.
The next day, it was up early-ish and back on the bus, this time direction Sevilla. Did I love the Algarve - or at least the little bit that we saw? No, not particularly, but then I don't think we saw the best bits, so I'm not being very fair on the place. Maybe if there is a next time, a bit of research will be required. It was good to catch up with Liz and a tick is a tick.
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