!PORTUGAL!
Funnin
Clubbin
Sunnin
A week off of classes! No more volcanic ash! Topshop swimsuit! Beach books! Sunscreen!Away to Portugal.
I am overwhelmed with the concept of writing about my experiences during my mid quarter break, so I am dividing up the posts according to location, but mind you they all occurred during April 24th-May 1st.
Saturday: All day at Gatwick airport, miserable lines and overpriced fees for checked luggage, bleck! I was happy to finally be seated and 2.5 hours later we landed in a climate completely different from London. Balmy winds at the Faro airport greeted us as we got into the van to our hotel. We were delirious with excitement and I am pretty sure the driver drove extra fast because he got sick of us squealing every time we saw a palm tree. Our hotel Clube Praia da Rocha was in the Algarve, Southern Portugal. We checked in around 11 pm and we lucked out getting rooms right next to each other, which were HUGE! We had our own kitchen,dining area, living room and balcony overlooking the pool. More squeals of joy and then quickly we all passed out.
Sunday: I was beyond excited for the beach and we were sun-screened up and on our way by 10 am. I cannot begin to explain how beautiful it was to see for the first time. Yellow sand and orange/red cliffs made a stunning contrast against the turquoise waters.
Boats bobbin in the blue of the bay
We set up blankets and then frolicked in the salty waves. For lunch we ate at a beach cafe, I had a grilled sandwich and the best mojito of my life.
Extra delicious and extra strong
We explored the beach more and then napped on our blankets till he sun began to set. We were nice and crispy for a dinner of the typical Portuguese dish, chicken piri piri. The sun had zapped our energy and we went home to just relax. We had gotten some white port because apparently it is famous in the area. Here's a tip: NEVER DRINK WHITE PORT
It tasted like raisin syrup. I didn't need to immerse myself in Portuguese cuisine that much.
Monday: We bought provisions for the week, mainly bread, peanut butter, jelly, cookies and crisps. We found an incredible beach with giant sandstone boulders and caves all over and once again we swam and napped the day away.
Sun worshipper
I nicknamed it, Count of Monte Cristo Cavern
Dinner was three courses at a charming little restaurant on the cliffs. Three course meals in the area were actually cheaper and I wasn't complaining, I had vegetable soup, pork and vegetable kebabs and chocolate mousse. All for 6.90 euro, I was thrilled and in a food coma. Another little cultural quirk I learned about the Portuguese is that they dine late and eat slowly. Since the food is so delicious it wasn't an issue. We had a early wake up for Lisbon so we went straight to bed.
Tuesday: Lisbon
Wednesday: So windy, we were forced to sunbathe by the hotel pool. Clube Praia da Rocha was so funky and obviously built in the 60's when tourism in Portugal really started to take off. I am pretty confident we were the only Americans staying at the hotel as well. The majority of tourists that seemed to frequent the Algarve were Irish, Scottish and Welsh.
We felt ambitious after our naps so we walked even further down the strip to what would soon become our favorite restaurant of the trip, Vinhos & Comidas. Despite a name lacking originality, I had the best food of my life. I started with fresh orange juice and vegetable soup, then I had grilled salmon that was so good I almost passed out. Our waiter was funny and teased us for not knowing Portuguese. After we devoured our bowls of ice cream he showed up at our table with four shot glasses. He explained they were shots of almond liqueur with lemon. Obrigado good sir!
After dinner we went to the club/pub section of the town. We had a great time in a Pub which made us feel like we had been transported to Dublin, the pub-goers sunburns were the only reminders of where we actually were!
Thursday: Back to the beach and the waves were gigantic! The yellow flag at the lifeguard station was up but that didn't stop me and Helen from bodysurfing the day away.
Splish splash waves crash
After, Karen and I explored more of the beach, the sandstone cliffs really were spectacular and the temperature was just perfect. I was really feeling like I was on a vacation. Karen and I wanted to take one more trip though, so after our long day of soaking up the sun we made reservations for Sevilla, Spain. Dinner was a margherita pizza and chocolate gelato. A truly relaxing day.
Beach bums
Friday: After Karen and I returned from Sevilla around 9:00 we had dinner at Vinhos & Comidas again. The instant we were seated, our favorite waiter appeared with glasses filled of strawberries and champagne.
He even took our picture
I decided I had to seafood it up again since this was our last night in Portugal! I had grilled prawns and garlic (which were brought out completely on fire!)
camarao da fogo!
Yes, I was tired from a day of sightseeing and bus riding but Helen and I both agreed that we had to check out the club scene. So after dinner we ventured out into the noisy, raucous streets, bustling with partygoers. Helen and I danced away at a few clubs then tried a Caipirinha, an authentic Brazilian drink. Around 2 a.m. we got in line for Katedral, the biggest nightclub in the area. It was amazing inside! Flashing lights, drunken teens and music so loud my ears went numb. We had a rollicking time dancing and people watching. And suddenly, it was 5 in the morning. We ended the adventure on the beach watching the moon and surf.
Cool drinks, hot beats
Saturday: After checking out at 10 am we went to the beach and just slept and sunned. It was so hot out that we had to take a gelato break. Our bags were packed and the van arrived early so we were able to catch an earlier flight and watch the sun set as we flew back home. I think it was a delightful way to end our vacation of a lifetime.
So here is what I have learned from my time in the sun:
No matter how unfit they are, portuguese men will wear speedos
Oranges here are delicious, fruits of the gods
Don't drink white port
Dinner starts around 8:30 p.m. clubs open at 2 a.m. plan accordingly
Sleep when you're dead....or on the beach
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