Clube Alvor Ferias

... but did some paddling! for lunch we headed 5km up the coast to Luz. A wonderful sunny afternoon and towards the end of it Lym did venture into what turned out to be rather too powerful surf tho he is now feeling more confident about trying to get "out back" beyond the white water, albeit usually unsuccessfully... more pracise required. Still, another day spent in mid20s temperature, few crowds and stunning scenery. <br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br>

... hostel in town, and B) located next door to the other hostel. The choice was obvious, and I quickly ditched the kiwis to join Kirsten next door.<br><br>By another random coincidence, I ran into an older American traveler who was staying at the hostel in Faro with us, and who I had talked to earlier that morning. Over breakfast I had made an effort to score a free ride with him to Lagos, but had been unsuccessful. He was just ...

... you'll have to leave."<br><br>I'm left with no choice, I'm not going to put up with this *********. He offers to take me to the train in the morning and I accept.<br>The other volunteers and Frank's son put up a protest, trying to get Frank to change his mind. But to be honest I don't want to stay, not now.<br><br>I've got no back up plan.<br>That night, I don't sleep a wink.<br><br><br><br>Dinner tonight is Daniella's gig. I'll help out, but basically its her opportunity to teach me

... pleased, and am reminded of a favourite quote <br> "I have done so much, for so long, with so little, that I am now certified to do anything with nothing." <br> Melissa and Matthias are both suitably impressed, and I'm even tempted to take a photo.<br><br>Melissa and Matthias serve the food while I putter around the kitchen, feeling good. Heck, a plate of food like ...

<br>An excursion to Lagos&#8217;s Marina followed by a boat trip to Ponta de Sagres (The most western point of Europe, from where the Portuguese sailors started the discovery of new worlds) will allow to enjoy the<br>natural beauty of the rocks, especially the famous and most impressive caves of Ponta da Piedade, wild beaches and the sea waves on the cliffs along the coast and also some of the &#8216;highlights ...

... and salvage a few mangy bell peppers, and some nice lemons. I've already defrosted some boneless skinless chicken breast which I've deemed safe for human consumption. We decide on a Mexican theme; black bean and corn salad, red rice, and citrus marinated chicken. Its the sort of meal that would get a 'B' in a high school cooking class. To my surprise the guests love it, and even ask me how I made it! Obviously they didn't read the Lonely Planet.<br><br>

... it was pretty tame until one of the toreadors almost got trampled by one of the bulls, the dude was lucky they dulled the tip of the bulls horns. <br><br><br>http://picasaweb.google.com /Jonny.D.Lawrence/20091016Albufeira?aut hkey=Gv1sRgCImA4oCXitDO5AE&amp;feat=dir ectlink<br>

... tons of mussels on the bottom, also not fun. The road to get to this lagoon was really sketchy, there's a video in the link below so you can see for yourself.<br><br>http://picasaweb.googl e.com/Jonny.D.Lawrence/20091012Alvor?au thkey=Gv1sRgCN_Jy47QxsiTwAE&amp;feat=di rectlink

... not "surfers" but we we&#8217;re much less scared of getting tossed by the big waves this time. We also came to the conclusion that it maybe wasn&#8217;t us that, but that it&#8217;s the size of the board that was hindering our performance....<br> <br>http://picasaweb.google.com/Jonny.D .Lawrence/20091011Sagres?authkey=Gv1sRg CMmMtI7egbGKvAE&amp;feat=directlink

... a couple of beers at the only cafe here. Lazy and invigorating all at the same time. Four hours and a number of swims later we ventured up another rocky dirt track into the lush pine groves of the surrounding hillsides. Alexandra was scoping out mountain-biking trails and these would be great. The view from the top gave us a new angle on the ...