Travel

Hi all this is a little story about the first trip i took with my then future wife,

we had a little trip to Portugal and we have visited many time since but this was a little trip to the Algarve.

it all started with a minibus collecting us from our apartment in a rundown area of town, the driver wouldn't leave his vehicle unattended and my fiancée wouldn't leave the door unlocked so muggings had to make four or five trips up and down six flights of stairs.

once we got to the airport we had a second check of our belongings and documents as we had 3 hours before the flight lucky we did my fiancée had forgot her passport, quick phone call to my Mum and an hour later her passport was outside for me to collect.

whilst waiting for our flight an announcement came over the intercom all passengers for faro go to gate 52, 15minute walk even with the escalator floors only to be told the announcement was incorrect go back to gate 38.

on the plane at last holiday begins, wait flight is delayed as a fault has been found on the plane lol, one hour later we are taking off no food or drink offered on an economy flight as we are in the air less than two hours.

at Faro airport I go to Europcar to find the car supplied isn't even big enough for the luggage so two more hours and £200 extra for an upgrade and we're off.

45 minute Drive along the A22 to Albufeira first time driving abroad for me and nearly die in a head on three or four times eventually get it to sink in. nice warm weather and fortunately a very friendly country.

the Hotel although on a hill is very close to town and the beach very clean and secure. self catering so no problem with poor hotel food but first timers so need to find decent restaurants.

first night visited the Chinese next door which was a very nice restaurant the ford was tasty and well presented so followed with a pot of Jasmine tea this was where my Fiancée asked the waitress where the milk was for the tea.

day two we took a stroll along the beach trail which went on for miles at one beach there were a couple of signs in Portuguese and the beach was surrounded by rocks and cliffs in a little alcove. beautiful spot and we couldn't believe our luck no one else on the beach so nice and private too. we walked down the trail unpacked the towels and Sandwiches, within minutes we were sitting in about 4 feet of water which was bad but worst still was due to the force of the tide rise there was a very strong under current and we lost our stuff but twice i had to catch hold of my fiancée or she would have been washout to see.

that evening we decided to try a local restaurant serving peri peri chicken which was very pleasant and we called it a night.

day Three travelled along the A22 to Lagos and the Water park what a beautiful day and wonderful place, but even here things happen they have a sheer drop slide which we both tried so i went first my fiancée second and i thought i lost her as she was approximately 3 feet above the slide before she dropped so no friction at all. when she landed she landed so hard as she walked out of the pool her bikini top was missing.

day four we took a walk to town to visit the market, massive and stalls of every kind we had a great day and purchased lots of memorabilia we still have.

day five this was a great day we took a trip to Silves and visited the castle and church well worth the visit the food in the old town is magic and the people as its a little off the tourist track are genuine and friendly had a day i will remember for ever nice walk through the old town streets talking with the locals in a couple of small cafes brilliant.

day six last day of freedom so visited faro and had a little boat trip around the harbour islands 10 hours for £28 each left the boat on each island for wildlife and swimming and even had a couple of islands with restaurants.

day seven was an un eventful trip home to sleep.