<my musings>
Mom used to say, “If you don’t have something nice to say, then don’t say anything at all.” I’d say it all depends on how you ask. Be kind and understanding, but it’s also okay to be a little bit of a squeaky wheel.
</my musings>
We start our travel day with a visit to Monolo Bakes, a local bakery for croissants. The savory mini is perfect to start the day. Tom likes the chocolate covered croissant. He says it’s like a croissant tried to be a Dilly Bar. Personally, I say the cookie butter croissant is to die for.
The bus brings us to the Faro, Portugal airport. We find a rental just barely big enough for the three of us and our bags and drive to our lodging, Quintas do Mar just west of Lagos. The property is outdated and quite overgrown, which gives a sense of stepping back in time to a lush environment, maybe like Costa Rica. With a bit of cleanup, Quintas do Mar could be a real delightful stay.
The first room they gave Tom & I was covered in wild tiles and I was certain I’d be unable to sleep with all that chaotic color and pattern so we asked for a different room. This one was very outdated and smelled so bad I couldn’t sleep. In the morning a friendlier receptionist showed us some alternative rooms and we moved again, this time to a spacious more updated room.
We explored the quaint fishing village of Burgau and discovered a couple restaurants to try. Our first night we eat at O Repoho with Eugene and Rodrigo attentively waiting on us. As always, I’m so impressed by those who speak so many different languages, whether it’s a natural gift or years of study. It’s not something that has ever come easy for me and I’m grateful to benefit from their gift of multilingualism.
Getting to the Seven Hanging Valleys trail head is a bit of a challenge. There is a traffic jam, so Steve ends up saving everyone’s day by directing traffic to clear up the jam. Our luck continues as we actually find the only parking space in the lot. The hike is stunning, awe inspiring, majestic, beautiful. Enough to make us each jump for joy. Name a superlative, it fits. Photos don’t define the beauty, but we try anyway.
We travel into Lagos to find a laundromat. We get lucky and find one with all the soap contained in the washers, which is both convenient and much cleaner than typical self-service laundromats. While waiting, we find a gorgeous hotel nearby and pop in for a beverage. The Avenida Hotel is top notch, I’d recommend it if €300 per night is in your budget.
We decide to return to Eugene & Rodrigo for dinner and happy to see them busy with a full house of diners. They accommodate us of course and our service is just as good as when we were the only customers.
Sagres is a quiet surf town on the most southwest tip of Europe with a large fortress and a lighthouse. We spend a couple hours walking the fortress area, marveling over the array of wildflowers. We are captivated by local fisherman casting off the cliffs and watch one pull in a fish, up about 200 feet!
We had a mediocre dinner at a nearby pizza joint, but the BEST dessert: chocolate bomb. I think it had chocolate cake, chocolate ice cream, drizzled with chocolate and caramel, a scattering of strawberries. Topped off with a haagen daz ice cream bar jammed into the top, because “more is better”!!
Steve and Tom explore Luz while I have a hair adventure. I guess I win the afternoon, because Andre does wonders and I feel human and look less feral. On long trips I typically get my own hair products and do it myself, maybe I’ve been afraid to let a stranger do my hair. This time I decided to give a local a chance and I’m very glad for it. I’m over my fear and will probably do it again in a couple weeks.
<more musings>
I don’t like to spend too much energy writing negative reviews, but it’s important to know that if you’re dissatisfied or concerned about the room you’re given, it’s perfectly fine to ask for something better. It never hurts to ask!
</more musings>
Julianne’s enchanting descriptions makes me happy there’s photos..so I can believe I’m here too! It is so much to absorb and remember. But now my recollections can be back checked. Damnit.
WOW❣️❣️❣️ More awesome adventures from our Where’s Waldo vagabonds!!!
I could melt into the morning jumpstart croissants…luxuriate over the quadruple surprise chocolate dessert…and marvel over someone reeling in a fish up over a 200 ft. cliff. My question is, How battered was the poor creature by time it met its executioner? That would have to hurt like hell! Am I right?!
I want to see photos from your 5-Star hike that you both gave 2 thumbs up❣️ The wildflower photos are lovely…brighten up the fortress floor. All so beautiful.
Your home is STILL standing…so carry on…happy trails❣️😘💚💜💙
Great to hear you’re able to decipher my ramblings. I also wondered about the condition that fish was in after 200 feet. It gives new meaning to the term “battered fish”. Tom is still not interested in trying it though. Thanks for keeping an eye on home base for us. ❤️
Your writing is so descriptive… and honest!
I love all your pictures and the hikes are my very favorite to read about. Come on Tom give the ‘battered fish’ a try. 🤭
Thanks Julie! No fish for Tom still (or ever). It’s his lifetime vow. 😊