Day three and it was our day to go home, but not until we had had some more adventures.
It was early and the sun was already beaming down, reaching everything with its toastie fingertips. The sky was a deep blue, the sea was calm; raising up and down like a sleeping dog's belly. People seemed to all be asleep, the beach was ours alone. After our breakfast, a la Lars, we walked down some steps to the beach, we had yet to come this way. What a treat it was! A rocky alcove that had been warming a seat for us. The soundtrack for our laze in the sun was the waves swishing and falling on the shore. Pure bliss.
When it got to 10.45, we made our way to the little shack on the beach. They dressed us in life jackets and we waited for our boat. Being in an inflatable boat, trying to get over the waves was not a new occurrence for us, in fact it makes us feel more at home than most things. The little boat took us to the big boat, then the big boat sped us out further to sea. Our friends were two Portuguese fellows with permanent tans and Bob Marley Board shorts, reggae was cranking from the stereo.
The further out to sea we got, the further range we could see along the shore line, lots of towns and villages cropped up; what looks like paradise to us is a normal day for them all. The boat slowed down to be able to open the parachute. In one swift motion, a giant rainbow appeared, looking sturdy and safe (which is what you want from a parachute). On went the attractive and ever so comfortable harnesses, we were clicked on to the parachute, then I prepared myself for my belly to drop. What I thought was going to be a quick swish up into the air, was a graceful upward glide, like we were Mary Poppins. The views were incredible, we could see far and wide. I was getting a geography lesson, and loving it! The air was still and clear, I felt as if we were the only two people. Apart from Bob blasting his Marley hits. The boat started to slow, we started to lower, down and down to the water. Just as our feet were going to touch the water, they sped up, back flying in the air we went. This happened a couple of times, but with my legs being so much shorter than Lars', they never dipped.
The ride was over and we were lowered as gracefully as we ascended, apart from our butts thudding back down on the boat. Harnesses off and back to dry land. Now that my skin had an appetite for the water, a swim was the next port of call. It felt amazing to swim in the ocean, something that I haven't realised how much I have missed. Back home, a swim was as common as breathing. In London, the only swim we get is through the pollution on the way home from work. The sea welcomed me like and old friend, and I cherished the company.
Being Portugal, we took turns to swim and guard our belongings.
I loved seeing the men who have twenty hats stacked on their heads and Louis Vuitton knock offs draped on their arms. They seem so out of place. Lars enjoyed pointing out that we already have sunglasses if we're were ever approached by the sunglass men.
The sun was warm, the beach was sweet, and the air smelt like oranges. We felt content with how much we soaked from Portugal, so it was time to go home.
Home to London. Where it was raining. Thanks for that.
Goodbye Portugal, see you again!
Labels: Portugal 2017
