Category: Uncategorized
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The Big Wave Pilgramage
When planning our trip I looked at a variety of accommodations, including those on AirBnB. Little did I realize at the time of booking that our accommodations in Nazare that overlook the beach would introduce us to a famous Big Wave professional. Garrett McNamara is famous for introducing Nazare to the Big Wave surfer world.…
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Evora: Roman ruins, a chapel of bones and a collection of nativity scenes
Evora, a UNESCO World Heritage city, was impressive. To start, the Roman temple remains, which date back to the 2nd or early 3rd century AD are thought to be the best preserved in Portugal. According to the guide book, the temple managed to survive as it was walled up to form a small fortress in…
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Fish and Vegetable Market
Just south of Estoi is Olhao, a large fishing port in the Algarve, with a bustling fish and vegetable market. The first building we entered was two rows of seafood venders. What a sight! The second building we entered was full of vegetables and fruits. It appears that strawberries and raspberries are in season! We…
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An unexpected discovery
Housed within what was once a water tower for the City of Tavira, is a camera obscura providing a 360 degree panoramic view of the city. Think back to school science projects, especially all you photography enthusiasts, for you may have made a similar device consisting of pinhole for light, a dark room, mirrors and…
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First Stop: Tavira
Flashlight in hand, we marched out the door of the Pousada at 10:30 pm determined to conquer the navigation system in the rental car. Thanks to Google and YouTube the exercise to change the Portuguese voice into an English one was quite simple and left us wondering why we couldn’t figure it out the evening…
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Impressive Mosaic Tiles
When we talk about our history in Canada, we are only really talking about less than 200 years. In Portugal, history is a completely different experience. We visited the Milreu ruins in Estoi; a Roman villa inhabited from the 1st Century AD. Columns around the courtyard, bathing pools, underground heating and temple were a few…
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Navigation Skills
It is funny what you forget after several years of travelling only sporadically and within the comfort of my own Province. Truth be told, it really wasn’t all that funny at the time. Renting a car seemed to be an excellent idea six months ago when planning the trip, however, small details like a navigation…
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Patio Girlz are on the move
Most of us feel it. That frustration and pent up restlessness to get beyond the pandemic, to be able to get out, travel, and throw out those sweatpants you lived in for the past two years. Well, the Patio Girlz are no different and we are on the move. Our first forays into a lingering…
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Chipmunk Troubles
Sitting by a lake, sipping tea and reading a good book, to me, is nirvana, a perfect way to relax in the outdoors. What isn’t so perfect is the addition of a very cute, very bold, pesky chipmunk.
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What was that?
Remember my comment about getting away from civilization? And remember that caution sign at the portage indicating that we are entering black bear territory??? It was a cool night, actually it was barely above 0 degrees Celsius, and despite wearing fleece from head to toe, my summer sleeping bag was just not going to cut…
Patio Girlz 