First Beach Day of the... Winter?

   Yesterday I traveled from Lisbon to Lagos. Lagos is a beach town on the South coast of Portugal. It is the low season right now so there isn't a whole lot going on but in the summer its a serious surf/party town. Its a very welcoming little town and has a very laid back vibe to it.

Historic city center walls.

   I got to town around 2:30 yesterday, checked in at my hostel and went out for a walk around town. I was pretty exhausted from being on the bus for almost 5 hours with a screaming child kicking my seat behind me so I laid low for the night.


   Today, I went out and did some more exploring around town. I wore sandals for the first time this year and were my toes ever happy to be free! However, they are still embarrassingly white. After a walk about town I went on my first adventure of the day to Meia Praia. Praia means beach in Portuguese. Meia Praia is absolutely stunning. Soft sandy beaches as far as the eye can see and gorgeous ocean waves lapping against the shore. Some where just over the horizon is the continent of Africa. Its crazy to imagine. I lazed around and walked the beach for a good hour or so just soaking in the sun and splashing in the water. The water was definitely warmer then most beaches in Canada in the summer but still not warm enough for me to brave going deeper then my ankles. If you know me at all, you know I hate being cold. Therefore, I usually avoid going anywhere near being in the ocean when in Canada.

 Buddy just soaking in the sun at Meia Praia.

   After playing on and around the beach most of the day I was getting pretty hungry. The gal I shared a room with in my hostel suggested a restaurant just outside of the town center where its mostly locals and they serve authentic Portuguese cuisine. That was exactly what I was looking for so I headed in that direction for lunch. I chose a wonderful cod fish cataplana. It was a sublime mixture of peppers, onions, potatoes, tomatoes, clams, prawns, bacon, chorizo and, of course, cod. With olives and crusty bread to start and a 0,50 euro glass of wine I was more then satisfied with my meal!

   Before heading to the beach for a siesta, I decided to try the infamous portuguese pastry that I kept forgetting to try in Lisbon. They are called Pasteis de Nata. They are a custard cup basically. They are so delicious I am a little sad I hadn't tried them sooner!


   I wandered down through town to another beach. With rocky cliffs and sandy beaches it was a perfect place for a little nap. I laid on the beach for awhile and soaked in the sun. As I was getting up to leave I noticed a familiar face just down the way. The guy from Victoria who I met at the hostel in Lisbon just happened to get into town today. Since we are both traveling alone we decided to meet up a little later tonight to experience some Lagos night life... if there is any in the middle of "winter". Considering I have to be up at 5am to catch the bus to Seville, Spain I doubt it will be a late night anyways. Talk to you soon!

Muito bom praia! (Very good beach!)