Polana Albufeira

... since we left the UK). We learn that there is a campsite in the town centre. Initially we viewed this with some trepidation and indeed it was less than rural surrounded by apartment blocks, however, cheap (euro 10 a night) clean and run by a very friendly Dutch lady; ideal for a couple of nights of cosmopolitan living (Lym gets to put his jeans on for the first time since leaving the uk). <br><br>so Saturday night on the town... for starters we had a ...

... in to the hostel, and then was planning to drive out to Sagres, the end of Europe. Kirsten and I decided to join him and away we went.<br><br>Alex liked to tell us that he wasn't a typical American. He spoke several languages, and had traveled the world. I found him vaguely annoying, but I was still happy to take a free ride from him. A 30 minute drive took us to Sagres. I don't want to bother trying to explain the beauty of Sagres ...

A silent drive to the train station. Frank drops me off, and I don't say a word as I grab my bag and close the car door. Now what? North or South? I could likely stay with Luis again in Lisbon, but I hate backtracking. Its 6:30 in the morning, and the first train arrives at 7:00, heading North. I ponder for the 30 minutes, then when the train does arrive, I let it pass. I'll head South, to Faro. I'm not sure when this ...

... though a little salty. She's visibly proud of it. As she prepares potatoes for roasting we talk about food. Its certainly not her passion, but somebody has to do it. I can see why they were so eager to have me in the kitchen for a couple weeks.<br><br>Daniella asks me why I decided to volunteer my time with them. I explain to her that I wanted to work with them because their website says that all of the meals are prepared by a chef, and I was hoping to learn about Portuguese ...

... 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 ...

... 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>

The kiting in Alvor is supposedly one of the best spots in Portugal, because of a huge shallow lagoon, however the wind was in the opposite direction so we ended up kiting on the sea side in the waves. Exhausting, but very fun to launch off the waves. We met a wicked ...

... 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

... A320 sat ready and left only about half full. There was a bit of a delay actually getting airborne but again schedule padding allowed an almost on-time arrival in Seville. We were actually in the air for 1 hour and 15 minutes. The Spanish countryside was hot and brown. Seville was just hot! Excellent arrival at the airport, just 22 minutes from touchdown to leaving baggage reclaim. Taxi needed to hotel (another IBIS shed) but I have the feeling I was done. "Only one ...