Algarve, Portugal: 1 - 7 March 2020

Portugal just over the bridge to the left (covered in scaffolding and netting).

Arriving in the Algarve

If you look very closely you can see a dark patch at top of this pylon. It is a huge bird nest for some type of large bird. There are loads of these - crazy! Below is a zoomed in shot, not sure if you can make it out though!

I zoomed this one right in so you can see what I mean. In both of these nests you can see the bird!

These appear on many of the motorways, again, crazy stuff compared to who is allowed on a motorway in NZ!

2 March

Today we relaxed in the indoor heated pool at our campsite (Camping Turiscampo) then the boys played football on the multisport pitch located onsite. Afterwards we took a 25km drive towards the furthest point of Portugal, Sagres, where there is nothing but ocean beyond the Sagres Fortress. It was windy, seemed remote (but wasn't), rugged and beautiful.

3 March

Indoor heated pool complex at campground - Camping Turiscampo

Multi sport pitch at campground with table tennis in the background.

4 March

Today we took a drive towards Sagres then up the N120 to follow part of one of the recommended (by Lonely Planet guide for Spain and Portugal) trips to do around here. We only visited a handful of the suggested locations, but they were well worth it!

Above - on the drive to Carrapateira.

Some of the amazing cliffs and scenery around Carrapateira (above and below).

Yes, those are fishermen at the top left high up on the rocks!

Here you can see an old fishing port for the fishing community of Carrapateira. It is located in a small creek of the rocky coastline of Aljezur near the remote beach of Praia do Portinho da Zimbreirinha. The wooden structures eventually collapsed and access is prohibited. The tiny pebble-filled shore is still accessible, however, by taking a stairway down the cliff. A spot worth passing by to enjoy the coast and see the old port's remains.

On the way to Praia de Vale Figueira (above)

The remote beach at Praia de Vale Figueira. Here we found amazing slate-like rock faces and formations. This is a good surf beach when the wind is blowing the right way. There was only one other family here the day we visited.

This view is of the village we later visit and have lunch.

Town of Aljezur (above and below)

The next stop was Praia da Arrifana. It is described as a 'fingernail shaped cove' embraced by cliffs with an offshore pinnacle, and is very popular with surfers. We had lunch t a restaurant called O Paulo at the top of this cliff. We sat outside, and bearing in mind it is winter here, there wasn't even a slight breeze. and we were hot! It was an amazing view!