The Algarve...Lagos, Portugal

Welcome to the Algarve, which is a region located on the southern tip of Portugal.  It is an area known for its rugged sandstone cliffs and wide sandy beaches that hug the Atlantic Ocean.  Lagos is one of several towns that can be found in this area...and it also happens to be where we have been living for the past three weeks.  

When we first arrived here the weather was cool and cloudy with some rain.  Thankfully, that has all changed.  Lately we have enjoyed nothing but sunshine and increasingly warmer temperatures...mostly mid to high 60's, but some days reaching into the 70's.  That has allowed Lance and I to do some hiking and we were delighted with what we discovered.    

Lagos is an old maritime town that is very quiet during this time of year.  Many of the apartments and quite a few businesses close down for the winter season.  That will all change when summer comes around.  If you visit, you will find many expats from the UK, Germany, and Scandinavia.  Some live here year round, while others come to escape a harsh winter.     

Part of the old wall that surrounded the city.

The fresh vegetable and fish market.

Above and below are two of Lance's favorite coffee cafe's.

A view from our balcony at twilight.

Christmas decorations in the old town.

Near the end of our second week here, Lance and I hopped a bus to attend the Sweet Potato Festival which was held in the town of Aljezur's.  It was an interesting event featuring baked goods made with sweet potatoes, crafts, music, and food.  It was well attended, and a fun way to spend our Saturday.     

A stroller filled with bags of sweet potatoes.

This has been a relaxing stay for us.  We have mostly settled into an easy going lifestyle of  grocery shopping, cooking, a bit of hiking, and...yoga!  Lance and I have been attending class three times a week and are really enjoying our teacher, Isabel.  She is both helpful and encouraging...especially to Lance.  And...I do believe he actually likes going.  We plan to keep up the classes when we move on to Porto...and have already lined  up a teacher.  

Next week we will depart for Paris and then the Strasbourg Christmas Markets.  It will be a short trip, but we are looking forward to it...despite the current unrest taking place in Paris.  Then, it's on to Porto for a month.  In case I don't have a chance to post again before the holidays, I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!