Portugal is a westernmost country of Europe, squeezed in the corner of the continent, washed over by Atlantic Ocean from the West and the South. I googled the name and discovered that it derived from roman Portus Cale, which means the Port of the Celts. Apparently, it was settled by Celts before being conquered by Moors. Actually, the Moorish influence in architectural style was pretty noticeable in places we had an opportunity to explore. Of course I didn’t see the whole of Portugal, I would need more time for that. In fact, what I’ve seen had the least authentic Portuguese essence, as I stayed in the most touristy-inclined area of the southernmost region of Algarve. But when I do travel to the other worlds, all I’m after is to get a very personal impression of the place. Since Portugal to me was always associated with the rough cliffs of unimaginable forms and shapes, with adventurous navigators sailing into unknown, with the ocean waves crushing on the shore, I choose Algarve for my destination. I also have to mention another reason why - Portugal. This reason being...The Ocean...ever since I saw him first time, I am charmed into his spell forever. I found myself looking for the places where I can find him, be with him, enjoy him...he is like a lover calling out for me when the time comes for him to miss me...:-) I've noticed how before I would choose my journeys for the thrill of exploring new worlds...and how now I'm seeking of the worlds that makes me new...so two interests kind of came together and pulled me out of my home and into the world of wonderful adventures.
I was joined by my friend who’ve got to Algarve straight from Russia, we met there, stayed together and spend a fantastic 10 days driving around the coastline and some further afield. And after that she returned with me to England and we had a little “detour” to Essex and Suffolk on our way back. Gee, these vacations were indeed overloaded with the variety of places. Better get on with my tales, eh?
So…we stayed in Quarteira – right in the middle of the Algarve coast. Which was convenient for exploring, of course – we spend a day-a-side driving to each corner and a day – going away from the ocean, into the mountains of a mainland. Quarteira itself, like most of the Algarve places, used to be a fishermen village until the invasion of the European tourism. Then it becomes one of the many faceless tourist preservations filled where endless lines of hotels obstructed the ocean views for the humble modest local villages. But as a base for everything less tacky it was perfect. Besides, we happened to come just in time for a huge celebration party – Quarteira marked its 10 years anniversary of being proclaimed as a town. I have to say – they really do know how to celebrate. The party didn’t start before 9-ish pm, by that time a huge stage was built right on a beach and when the sun gone down, the festivities began with the appearance of a Portuguese famous singer Tony Carriera. I have to admit my total ignorance that I didn’t know of him until I’ve heard him in Quarteira. Nice voice, hot look, mad crowd. Definitely a celebrity. The great celebration night ended up with a fireworks – they did it right on a beach and we watched it from our balcony, since we had a “room with a view”.
What else to say about Quarteira…despite of the modern hotels misleading a traveler about the age and origin, the actual village exists since the end of 1290, it was very peaceful at this quiet outside-of-season time, with a stork nest on the top of the bell tower of their church and a long sea front strip to stroll in the warm evenings, inspecting the endless menu line of the local restaurants, all featured freshly-caught fish bought directly from the local market
I was joined by my friend who’ve got to Algarve straight from Russia, we met there, stayed together and spend a fantastic 10 days driving around the coastline and some further afield. And after that she returned with me to England and we had a little “detour” to Essex and Suffolk on our way back. Gee, these vacations were indeed overloaded with the variety of places. Better get on with my tales, eh?
So…we stayed in Quarteira – right in the middle of the Algarve coast. Which was convenient for exploring, of course – we spend a day-a-side driving to each corner and a day – going away from the ocean, into the mountains of a mainland. Quarteira itself, like most of the Algarve places, used to be a fishermen village until the invasion of the European tourism. Then it becomes one of the many faceless tourist preservations filled where endless lines of hotels obstructed the ocean views for the humble modest local villages. But as a base for everything less tacky it was perfect. Besides, we happened to come just in time for a huge celebration party – Quarteira marked its 10 years anniversary of being proclaimed as a town. I have to say – they really do know how to celebrate. The party didn’t start before 9-ish pm, by that time a huge stage was built right on a beach and when the sun gone down, the festivities began with the appearance of a Portuguese famous singer Tony Carriera. I have to admit my total ignorance that I didn’t know of him until I’ve heard him in Quarteira. Nice voice, hot look, mad crowd. Definitely a celebrity. The great celebration night ended up with a fireworks – they did it right on a beach and we watched it from our balcony, since we had a “room with a view”.
What else to say about Quarteira…despite of the modern hotels misleading a traveler about the age and origin, the actual village exists since the end of 1290, it was very peaceful at this quiet outside-of-season time, with a stork nest on the top of the bell tower of their church and a long sea front strip to stroll in the warm evenings, inspecting the endless menu line of the local restaurants, all featured freshly-caught fish bought directly from the local market
