A Flight, A Strike & A Bus Ride...To Lagos, Portugal!

The morning came too fast...November 11...

Up by 5:30am and out the door, heading to Rome's Fiumicino airport to catch our 9:00am flight to Lisbon, Portugal. I was nervous that my carry-on (all my worldly possessions shoved into my backpack) would be deemed too large to take on the flight with me and, thus, have to check it for  €30. As it turned out, when we checked in at the Easy Jet counter, the attendant made me prove that I could fit my 47L backpack into a container that replicated the size of the overhead compartments on the airplane. Well, I stuffed with all my might, hoping that I could squeeze my backpack into that bin! It fit (not really though, I had to force it) and the attendant looked at me with a bit of a skeptical smile and said that she would allow it to go through security and hopefully the staff at the boarding gate would allow it as well. It all worked out fine and we were off on our 3 hour flight, flying across the Mediterranean and Spain, landing in Lisbon at around noon.  

Portugal n palm trees!

Once we left the Lisbon airport, we made our way to the Oriente train station where we were to catch a train from Lisbon to a small beach town called Lagos, in the south of Portugal. J-Sak and I had decided that after our Roma adventures, we needed a little R n' R time. The Algarve, which is the southern region of Portugal, is known for its gorgeous, red, sandy beaches, surfing culture, seafood, and pristine ocean views. Yeah! This is what I'm talking about! I had visited the Algarve in November two years prior, almost to the exact date, with my Mum. I met up with her in Albufeira after she backpacked throughout Western Europe. So, it was nice to revisit the area but to check out a different town.

Upon arriving at Oriente, Jeni and I made it our priority to head to the nearest ticket centre and reserve all of our other trains for the rest of our trip...so we wouldn't be stuck somewhere during our final 12 days. To the Portuguese man that helped us book our final 4 train rides: you're the best!! So helpful and patient. Jeni and I were relieved! However, there was one minor glitch in our plans that day...the train system in Portugal was on strike, just for the day of course, and we were unable to take the train from Lisbon to Lagos. Dang. What now? Our guesthouse was already booked in Lagos for the next 3 nights and all of our other trains were now reserved...

By 3:30pm we were on a bus headed for Lagos...for an extra €20, but at least our plans weren't screwed. Tired and in desperate need of a shower (what is it about flying...does anyone else feel super grimy after a flight?) we arrived in Lagos later in the evening and had spent almost 12 hours traveling that day. If you ever go to Lagos, please stay at Angela's Guesthouse (http://www.hostelbookers.com/hostels/portugal/lagos/12593/). It was a fantastic place to stay! There are 3 private rooms, a bathroom and a kitchen for guests to use. It was nice because Jeni and I were the only ones staying at Angela's. Angela is in her 60s and she and her granddaughter run the guesthouse. Her granddaughter does the administrative/financial/website part of the business abroad, and Angela physically runs the guesthouse. Angela is a very interesting lady who originated from Morocco and married a Portuguese man. Upon our arrival at Angela's, she addressed us in Portuguese, then in French, asking which language we preferred to converse in. NO SPEAK A ENGLISH she told us. So French it was! For the entire 3 days of our stay Angela spoke to us in French...and you know what? I actually understood about 90% of what she was saying. I was blown away, actually. I haven't studied French since grade 12 and I couldn't believe how much I understood. I am now seriously considering taking a French course or two here in Edmonton to brush up on my abilities. Angela also makes her guests a great breakfast every morning of eggs, toast, fruit and a hot bevy. She has the most delicious mango and strawberry jam, and it's homemade. One night we hung out with Angela and watched a little French TV...a show similar to America's Got Talent...and watched French kids do a routine to Billy Jean. Pretty hilarious if you ask me...Billy Jean all in French.

Lagos was all about relaxing and hanging out by the beach. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate while we were there and was extremely grey and windy. So, the beach was off the table. Lame. The first day we were there, we slept the morning away and then did some shopping around town in the afternoon. I bought the best salt & pepper shakers! Come over for dinner sometime and I will show them to you! Our second day in Lagos led us to the beach, but only for a short while as we were almost blown away. We just had to be by the water, even if it was only for an hour or so. The town itself is a great place to visit. I can see how it would be a lively and vibrant place to be in the summer season. Lagos was a good place for J-Sak and I to recuperate after our Italian escapades and the quietness we needed after a tourist-filled Rome.  

Blustery day, eh?

Hoping to chill on the sunny beach with a book today...not in the cards...

The Algarve at its finest

A little grey, but still so beautiful

After a few days of the Algarve, we headed north to the capital: Lisbon. I was excited to see Lisbon once again because I had only been there for one night on my previous visit to Portugal. Jeni and I were starting to feel in the grove to shop. We had already sent a package home, we were nearing the end of our 7 week adventure, and we had a bit more room in our sacks! YAY!