Quinta das Figueirinhas Armação de Pera

... we can, particularly of Praia de Bordeira. About 50km south of Odeceixe and we arrive in Lagos, one of the major Algarve tourist destinations. We arre initially overwhelmed by the size of the place (we really have been living in areas with low populationo density) and by the number of Brits abroad, but soon gain our bearings, checking out the surf (looks good!) and decide its time for us to have a night on the town, including a meal out (our ...

... Imposing cliffs drop into the sea, and it has an "end of the world" feel to it. I forgot my camera, so you should just google some photos.<br><br>I returned to the hostel to check my emails. Good news for a change! I have a host in Seville through couch surfing, and a host in Badajoz willing to take me on for a couple weeks of olive picking. Life is good. I joined Kirsten for a celebratory beer, and a wander through the streets of Lagos.

... I talk briefly with a receptionist in a Best Western hotel. She's actually quite interested to hear my story, and takes my email in case she knows anyone that needs a bit of work done in exchange for room and board. This is the only beacon of hope, in an otherwise very bleak situation. <br><br>I eventually find the Youth Hostel, and thoroughly abuse their complimentary internet service. We'll see what tomorrow holds.

... for everybody. When you're only working for room and board, you expect to eat pretty damn well. <br><br>I pull the meat out of the oven, its seriously overcooked. I bathe it in instant gravy and serve it up with the roast potatoes and tomatoes. While the family and guests sit down to the meal, we clean-up, plate dessert, and grab whatever remains. I'm fuming. They linger over coffee and dessert, allowing us a good head start on dishes.<br><br>Satiated, Daniella wanders into the ...

Aside from meal prep, I spend the day organizing (discarding) fresh produce. There's basically nothing to make a meal with, and we're not getting a resupply until tomorrow. We've pulled some nice Hake steaks from the freezer, which is an exciting start. I explore the property for inspiration. There are several varieties of wild herbs, and some forgotten tomatoes. I ...

... the kingdom of Dom Manuel I, the headland already had a beacon kept lit all night by the Capuchin friars. With a range of 95 kilometers, the present-day lighthouse is one of the most powerful in Europe. From the fortress of Sagres a panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean is unforgettable.<br><br>Night show at Hotel Algarve Casino was spectacular. The dancers and the light show were truly unforgettable.<br><br><br>

... to dry heave. The secret freezer indeed.<br><br>According to the Lonely Planet "a dinning budget of 13 euro and above allows diners to sample the country's best seafood and haute cuisine." Dinner at the Quinta costs 23 euro, and the chef tonight is me.<br><br>"What do you want to make?" Melissa asks me<br>I survey the available produce; a pumpkin, 2 avocados that should have been tossed last week, some carrots, onions and a leek. I wander out to the ...

... 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>

... there, he was hilarious and exactly like a euro version of an American beach bum. <br>We also went to check out the lagoon, I got out for a couple tacks, the wind was super light and I crashed my kite and it deflated... fun. I had to walk my kite back through shallow water ...

The west and south coast of Portugal is pretty much a long stretch of beaches surrounded and separated by huge red cliffs and you can get from one beach to another by crawling through caves in the cliffs (I also think that's where the bums sleep at night...) We did some surfing at a small secluded beach that I had been to 4 years ago with my family. We&#8217;re ...