Portugal

We love Portugal.

We love the people. We have met some of the most generous and hospitable people anywhere. Maybe we just got lucky.

We love the culture in general. There is a more laid back attitude about what is right and wrong like where to walk or park and this is quite refreshing because if you are always in new places it is hard to avoid mistakes. There is also a laid back attitude about siesta. Siesta is from 1-3 in the afternoon but many larger stores will stay open.

We love the fish markets. Actually we love all the markets. Opening times are different in every village and city. Just ask around.

We love Olhao. There is this parking lot right at the edge of the east side of town on the water front where motorhomes park for wild camping. It is a very easy walk into the town centre. On the water side of the town centre the waters edge has a great park with coffee stalls, play structures, animals and a great big covered area for a produce market and a separate one for a fish market. These markets are open Saturday and Sunday morning.

Hannah (our culinariliy picky child) loves Octopus, passionfruit sumol, pushing people down the sandunes and boogie boarding,

Debbie loves BBQ sardines on bread drizzled with olive oil, verde blanco wine, cafe con leche and shopping for fresh fruit and veg in the open markets

Abigail loves custard tarts, marmalada, fresh squeezed orange juice everywhere, all the stars in the sky and the big waves.

Andrew loves custard tarts, bacalau and free museums on Sunday morning.

Samuel loves piri piri oil on everything.

Lizzy loves fresh guava and sand-duning on a boogie board.

TJ loves the portuguese language, all her new friends and the horse and carts on the road.