Portugal

Lars and I go on many adventures. They are always fun filled and jam packed. Sleep comes as a second priority after trying new foods and exploring. In search of a relaxing holiday we found the website On the Beach. It is a travel deal with flights, accommodation, insurance and airport transfers. The deals are an excellent price and we paid in instalments. It is the perfect website for us and as the title of the website says, you will end up on the beach! 

As always, an early start had us walking to the train in the dark. I was surprised at how many people were still about at 3am. Back to Luton, our hassle free airport. 

This time we were flying with Monarch airline. It was clean and it felt safe, all we need. 

Seeing as we had left so early, we arrived in Portugal with a full day ahead. My first view of the Portuguese people is that they are jolly and helpful, apart from customs because they never crack a smile. 

It was a cool day for the locals - 20 degrees. The rest of us felt as if we were in an oven, comparing to London weather. 

I didn't know what to expect from Faro. I never build up expectations before we travel, this means I will always be surprised and happy with what comes our way. The view was spectacular. Green covered all we could see, a mixture of textures with all the different trees and plants. The red earthy cliffs matched perfectly with the piercing blue sky. Old ruined buildings were playing hide and seek between the trees, making sure we all know they are still there. As we got closer to Albufeira, the streets became smaller, they were lined with all the houses. White clay walls, topped with bright orange roofs. It is a colour co-ordinated dream! Especially with all the fruit vendors selling oranges on the side of the road; if you miss one, never mind, there will be another in a minute. 

Our driver became our guide once we dropped the other family off. He loved that we were from NZ so we soon became friends. He told us all the tips and places to see. When he pulled into our street, I lost my breath. To our right was the ocean spreading far and wide, causing the horizon to curve; it was a beautiful Aqua marine with curls of white tips. The sand continued the orange theme, looking as if it was soaking in all the sun. The rocks and cliffs were cropping out, getting bigger as the beach went on, like some sort of competition. We decided that a rock with a view was the best spot for an ice cream. Forgetting that ice cream melts in warm temperature (we had forgotten what that felt like) we had to quickly slurp the drips before our hands were covered.

Eager to explore, we walked along a boardwalk to see what was around the next bends. More cafes and beach side bars confronted us along our path. Then, unexpectedly, we entered the Wild West! Desert sand, spiked with many different sized cacti. Obviously we had to film a pretend shoot out, it was only necessary. 

Our covered skin was calling out for some much anticipated vitamin D. The beach was getting windy, but the sheltered pool side was ever so inviting. We chose two deck chairs that were next to a pretty tree, better yet, it blocked us from seeing anyone else. It had been an early morning, so I fell asleep quite quickly. With the sun as my blanket, and my new floral swimsuit, I was a content lil lady. Lars, being the sensible man he is, made sure we were not going to get burnt. 

We thought that a swim may wake us up, and boy George it did! It is still too early in the year  for the pool to be warm, but we swam none the less. I did not stay in for long. What topped off the pool side experience was the bar and the local beer for €4. 

With our tummies grumbling, we ventured out of our warm chairs and headed to the supermarket. Being one of our favourite things to do in a new place, we grabbed as many unusual things we could find. The best find was a 1L bottle of the local beer (Sagres) for €2. We spent the rest of the afternoon, back by the pool; topping our cups up with our beer so we didn't have to keep buying beer from the bar. Genius. 

Feeling quite lazy, we went for a walk to find where we could have dinner later. It was airy, no one was around. Seemed like the calm before the storm.

Now, I love cats more than your average person, a lot more; I am so lucky I found Lars when I did! We had seen cats around the village we were in, they seemed to patrol the resort. 

While we were on our walk, Lars suggested to walk down a small passage way that may lead to the beach. Apprehensively, we sleuthed down the passage -  into cat heaven. They were everywhere: sleeping, playing, eating, jumping, bringing joy into lives. I thought that Portugal was amazing anyway, it got even better.

In the beach alcove, the tide was coming in. Yet to touch the sea, we stepped forward, then ran back as it chased us and encapsulated our tootsies in a cold embrace. The sun was twinkling around the rocks to our right, curious, we clambered around them. A single man was fishing, the warmth from the rays were hitting him. It looked like something he did everyday, but still loved it the same. We took pretty backlit photos, stumbled up, down and around the rocks; making sure we would not slip through the empty spaces. 

When the sun set, it dragged all its delightful warmth with it. Now shivering, it was time to get ready for a feast. One thing you need to know about this place, we are not sure if it is all of Portugal, when you arrive at a restaurant your waiter greats you with a handshake. We must have looked rude as we started back in confusion, but it is a custom that I quite enjoy. Seafood and chicken were a must, surrounded in vegetables, washed down with the local beer. The only thing left to do was eat an ice cream on the way back home. By this point, our sun kissed skin was glowing, reminding us to put much more sun block on tomorrow.