Picture Perfect Portugal . . .

 

Leaving Spain behind we travelled in convoy, Linda and Milton following our lead, into Portugal.  We set up camp inan interesting little fishing town – Olhao (being mindful of the procession caterpillars lurking above us in the fir trees).  As we walked the streets we wondered just how safe we were (in parts).  It wasn’t until we hopped on a boat out to the islands of Culatra and Farol that we worked out what all the fuss was about. 

We came across this HUGE alien light as we were driving into Portugal.
No idea what it was but it is permanent.  Anyone any ideas?

Keeping Linda and Milton in our sights.

Camp set up in Olhao.

Procession caterpillars.

Can you see the length of the Procession caterpillar procession.

Old and neglected but still so beautiful.

Almost touch parking in Olhao - but check out the car!

The amazing Olhao town clock - with stork nests on each side.

These body parts were left at the entrance of the Olhao Church.
Each signifies something that the person wants healed.

These candles were left as an offering at the entrance to the same church.

Inside the church.  It was quite unassuming from the outside - inside was a whole other story.

The amazing balconies and tilework common throughout Portugal.

The main streets of Olhao.

An Olhao local.

Fresh from the sea - after hauling in their catch (please excuse the fisherman showing us a little too much)

Selling their catch straight from the boat.  The locals wait for the fishermen to dock and the they pounce.

Storks will build their nests anywhere - even at the top of the tallest tower.

We came across these 2 Marlin being loaded into a truck as we walked back to camp.
Check out the noses on them.

Boarding the ferry to Culatra and Farol Islands.

The fishermen sort their catch on Culatra. 
Adele was blaring on one of their radios and the gulls were circling overhead.

Walking the white sands from Culatra to the lighthouse at Farol.

Typical Portuguese weathervane.

 

Next stop was the capital Lisboa (Lisbon) - famous for it's cute little yellow trams, stunning architecture and tiles and the most unusual elevator we have ever come across. 

 

The colourful toll booths you pass through before entering Lisbon.

Crossing the stunning bridge into Lisbon.

Glenn and Milton stroll the squares down near the waterfront.

Even the waiters were soaking up the sunshine.

The unusual lift that takes you up to incredible views of Lisbon.
It is the only elevator in the city.

Lisbon has a beautiful skyline.

The girls taking in the views of Lisbon from the top of the elevator.

Linda and Tilly sharing a secret.

The Sheers family take in the Lisbon vista.

The fountains were fantastic.

Catching a Lisboa tram to the top of the castle.

An unusual urinol that Glenn tried out for the photo only.
Very exposed as it was just tucked into a corner of the street.

The girls on the castle wall.

Taashi chilling out on the walls of the castle way above the city.

Just look at the colour of that sky!

Running along the ramparts was tons o fun.

We've never seen a peacock like this pretty fellow before.
He had us, and the pea hen he was trying to impress, captivated for a good 1/2hr.

A Lisboa tram.

Some of the more modern funky tiles we came across.

Wonderful scarves hung throughout the city.

Milton and Linda throw another prawn on the BBQ.
Would you trust this cook?

Taking an unplanned left turn in the road we found ourselves at Cabo de Gata - the eastern most point of Continental Europe. With a rugged coastline, crystal clear waters and a red and white lighthouse backlit by perfect blue skies - it was one of our favourite lunch stops. 

A little further up the road, down tiny two way lanes, we stopped in Sintra. A gorgeous little Portuguese town that we could have spent days exlporing (unfortunately we only had hours. 

That evening we free camped beside the road in a typical little Portuguese fishing village called Santa Maria de Porto. Great spot, great find.

 

At the eastern most point of Continental Europe, Cabo de Gata.

Driving the skinny two way roads in Sintra - yes that is our van going around the corner.
Linda shot this photo from thier van as they followed us.

Us again - two way road - hoping not  to come across anything coming the opposite way.
Can you see the car coming at us!

Finding a car park for a large motorhome is never easy. 
Sometimes we have to create our own spaces.

Walking the boardwalk opposite our free camping spot - San Martinho do Porto.

The two vans parked up for the night.

The lovely fishing port of San Martinho do Porto.

The locals collect shellfish from the harbours walls.
Milton took one look at the colour of the water and swore he wouldn't eat anything out of this harbour.
It was just churned up from the wind and rain the night before - Milton swore it was sewerage.

Boat parking Portuguese style.

The tunnel through to the wild sea side of San Martinho do Porto.

The colours of Portugal Architecture - so crisp and clean.

 

Porto and Vila Cha - aahhh!  We rode our bikes over cobblestones for 4km to the nearest train station where we caught a train into Porto - our favourite city to explore.  LOVED IT!  Vila Cha, the little coastal village we were staying in, was just as wonderful with a great ride along the coast, interesting little back streets and the always friendly local Portuguese.

 

Linda gets up close and personal with a local - before he tried to eat her!

Heading down to get some fresh seafood from the rock pools.

This local was catching baby jellyfish.

The fishing boats and gear litter the beach over winter waiting for summer to come around again.

The fishing huts along the foreshore.

The back of the fishing huts.

This is the village laundry where the local women bring all their laundry down to wash.

A typical Vila Cha street.

It was funny seeing the washing hanging on lines along the beach.

We met the man who lived in this tiled house - he was so proud of it.

The boardwalk/riding path along the Vila Cha coastline.

Enjoying the warm weather.

We watched the waves grow at this blowhole for what seemed like ages.

 

Catching the train into Porto.

Walking down through Porto's main square.

We climbed to the top of the tallest church tower for amazing views of Porto.

The old and the new.

Porto is so hilly and so you get great views of the different layers of the city.

Sliding down the steep footpath bannisters became a favourite.

Even for the big kids.

The buildings in Porto are covered in wonderful tiles just like these ones.

 

Looking back across the river to the waterfront.

Still smiling after 10mths on the road.

 

The Sheers and Jackisons enjoying Porto.

Where to next?

 

The city as seen from the water.

A local artist at work.

These gentlemen looked at home on these benches -
so much so that when we walked past the next day they were all still there.

Striking a pose outside a clothing store in Porto.

Looking back down Porto's main square.

Placards left behind after the night befores government protest which turned really nasty.
We left the city before the problems started thankfully.

The protest headlined the next days papers.

There were lots of beggars on the streets.

Glenn and Linda down the local brew - Ginjinha.

Local delacicies - Yummy.

Pretty yellow tiles that covered an entire building.

Stunning Portuguese balconies.

These doorknockers are everywhere.

A stunning little street we came across.

The beautiful railway/car/pedestrian bridges that grace the river across Porto.

The Porto Funicular.

How the locals live in the shadow of the bridges.

Riding the Porto tram.

I couldn't have said it any better.

Riding back to camp at Vila Cha at dusk along the cobblestones.