Day 20: Still feeling like shit and a short trip to Lagos
Still not feeling great, I kept things simple. I took a short walk in Lagos, exploring a bit on the cliffs, but didn’t have much energy to do more.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing at the apartment, trying to recover and take it easy. Sometimes, it’s all about listening to your body and slowing down.
Day 19: Empty Beaches and a Walk in Alvor
I woke up still feeling a little off but decided to start the day with a walk on the beach. The beach was completely empty, and the strong wind added to the solitude.
Afterward, I did a few hours of work at the apartment and had lunch. Later in the afternoon, I drove to Alvor and took a peaceful walk on Praia de Alvor, enjoying the fresh air and change of scenery.
I was still feeling low energy because of the colitis which was getting really annoying and depressing. :/
Morning…
Praia de Alvor
Days 17 & 18: Low Energy, Colitis, and Work
The past two days were difficult as colitis flared up, leaving me with extremely low energy and feeling unwell. Despite this, I managed to push through and get a few hours of work done each day.
Only went on a walk to get some groceries.
Most of the time was spent at the apartment, resting and trying to recover. It was a challenging period, but I focused on taking it slow and prioritizing my health.
Day 16: Yoga, Windy Hikes, and Exploring Porto Covo
To lift my mood, I started the day with some morning yoga followed by a good breakfast. Feeling a bit better, I got in the car and drove to Praia do Malhão.
I went on a short hike in the area, but it was windy AF, which made it a bit challenging but still enjoyable. Afterward, I drove to Porto Covo and took a short walk around the charming village.
Although I still wasn’t feeling at full energy, the change of scenery and fresh air helped make the day a bit brighter.
Praia do Malhão
Porto Covo
Middle of nowhere
Day 15: Low Energy and Cloudy Skies
After days of work and low energy, I spent most of the day at the apartment as a slight depression started to kick in. The weather was getting chillier and cloudier, matching my mood.
To break up the day, I went out briefly to get some groceries and took a short walk around Zona Ribeirinha, enjoying the peaceful riverside area before heading back to the apartment to rest.
One of the causes for low energy :/
Day 14: Work, Beach, and Unwinding
After working in the morning, I had lunch and decided to lift my mood by heading to the beach. I spent some time relaxing there and enjoyed a few beers by the ocean.
In the evening, I returned to the apartment, watched some episodes of Supernatural, and took it easy to wind down for the night. A mix of productivity and relaxation helped balance the day.
Was a little afraid of this guy :D
Day 13: Sunrise, Hike Plans, and a Scenic Sunset
I woke up early at 5 a.m., feeling well-rested, and started the day by heading to the beach to watch the sunrise, which was truly beautiful. Back at the apartment, I had breakfast and noticed the day was already getting quite hot.
After a business call and an hour of work, I extended my car rental for 8 more days. Then I found a hike near Alferce on the AllTrails app that looked promising.
After lunch, I drove to the remote hike location, only to discover that it was closed. On the way back, I stopped at the Odelouca Dam to take in the peaceful scenery.
Later, I drove to Lagoa for a short walk and visited the Benagil Cave (viewed from above). I stayed there to watch the sunset, ending the day on a serene note.
The sunset was also very nice driving back to the apartment.
Morning walk to the beach
Sunset in Lagoa
Day 12: A Quiet Day with Plans That Didn't Happen
The weather turned colder and overcast, and combined with a poor night’s sleep, my energy was lower than usual. I started the day with 3 hours of work, had lunch, and then relaxed in bed, watching a few episodes of Supernatural.
Later in the afternoon, after regaining a bit of energy, I took a short walk along the cliffs near Praia dos Três Castelos, enjoying the fresh air.
Back at the apartment, I had a small dinner and spent the evening researching the possibility of spending a few days in Madeira. However, those plans never materialized in the end. It was a slow and reflective kind of day.
A short evening walk
Day 11: Work, a Windy Hike
I woke up feeling a bit groggy, which I realised a few days later was due to the pizza I’d had the night before.
The day started with 5.5 hours of work at the apartment and with finally deciding to move from posting stories on instagram and signed up for Squarespace for this blog. I really don’t like the small and vertical format of instagram.
Afterward, I headed out for a hike near Alferce. The trail was beautiful, but the weather had turned windy, and wearing board shorts wasn’t the best choice.
The grogginess lingered during the first part of the hike, but about halfway through, I started to feel better and found the experience more enjoyable despite the wind.
In the end the windy hike really took some energy so I had dinner at the apartment and finished the day with watching a few episodes of Supernatural. Again. :)
The hike near Alferce
Day 10: Boring work day 1 and an evening walk on Praia da Rocha
Day 10 was my first “boring” day of the trip, spent mostly working. I managed to get 8 solid hours of work done at the apartment.
After wrapping up for the day, I took a walk to Praia da Rocha to relax. The evening walk, with the sound of waves and the setting sun, was a perfect way to unwind after a busy day.
On the way back I took the Avenida Tomás Cabreira street. This is the main street of Praia da Rocha so there are a bunch of drug dealers on the street when the sun goes down. This was the first of many days I was offered to buy drugs.
This was also the day I started eating pizza for 3 days straight which didn’t end well. :)
Day 9: A Coastal Hike and a colony of Storks
After a good night’s sleep, I started the day with breakfast at the apartment. Feeling inspired by the previous day’s hike, I drove to Carrapateira for a hike along the cliffs and beach to Povoado Islâmico de Pescadores. The coastal views were stunning, but I realized I prefer jungle-style trails over open landscapes.
On the way back to Portimão, I stopped just outside Odiáxere, where I came across an extraordinary sight: countless stork nests clustered closely together on an extensive area, all perched on tree stumps right next to the main road. The sheer number of nests and their unique placement made for a fascinating and impressive scene. These storks don’t migrate to Africa in the winter.
After lunch at the apartment, I spent the late afternoon at a beach in Portimão, enjoying the tranquil atmosphere just before sunset.
In the evening, I got an hour of work done, had a few beers, and wrapped up the day feeling content.
The hike in Carrapateira
Just outside Odiáxere
Day 8: Ferragudo, Guinness, and an Inspiring Hike in Monchique
After waking up refreshed and full of energy, I began the day with a drive to Ferragudo for a walk along the beach. The quiet and scenic views were the perfect start to the morning.
On the way back to Portimão, I stopped at the Continente Shopping Mall, where I finally found Guinness beer for €2.39. While there, I spotted some storks, likely stopping on their migration to Africa.
Back at the apartment, I had lunch and searched for hiking trails on the AllTrails app. I found an area called Monchique that looked intriguing, so I drove to Caldas de Monchique, a beautiful and serene spot.
There, I hiked the Miradouro das Caldas e Termas de Monchique trail. The hike was stunning, with diverse landscapes: lush jungle-like greenery, outback-style red dirt, cork trees, a small stream crossing, and a picturesque garden with natural springs at the end.
The hike was so enjoyable that it sparked a newfound love for exploring trails, leaving me excited for future adventures.
Ferragudo
A beautiful hike in Monchique
Day 7: A Lazy Day in Portimão
Still feeling a bit lazy, I had a late start to the day. In the morning, I took a walk along the cliffs west of Portimão, enjoying the stunning coastal views and fresh air.
Afterward, I made some lunch and spent the afternoon catching up on work. The evening was laid-back, filled with a bit of wasting time on the internet, watching Supernatural and a couple of beers to wind down. A simple, restful and lazy day!
Day 6: Laundry Day
After several busy days of exploring, Day 6 was a slower one. Feeling a bit low on energy, I spent most of the day at the apartment, focusing on work and catching up on tasks.
And it was also laundry day. It took me about 30 mins to figure out what to do with the washing machine. :)
In the afternoon, I went for a short walk around Portimão, enjoying the local atmosphere and taking it easy. It was a much-needed day to recharge before continuing the adventure.
Day 5: A trip to the end of the world
After a good night's sleep in my new apartment, I started the day early and drove west to Sagres, one of the most scenic parts of the Algarve.
My first stop was Fortaleza de Sagres (3 EUR entry), where I took a walk around the historic site and enjoyed the stunning coastal views. Next, I visited Praia do Tonel, spending some time watching surfers tackle the waves.
For lunch, I headed to the fishing port of Sagres, where I enjoyed a meal with a view of the bustling harbor. But I didn’t eat fish. :)
In the afternoon, I drove to Cape St. Vincent, the southwesternmost point of Europe, followed by a visit to the remote and picturesque Praia do Telheiro.
After a full day of exploring, I returned to Portimão, where I had dinner and a few beers at the apartment to relax and unwind.
Fortaleza de Sagres
Entrance to Fortaleza de Sagres
1824
The Church - Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Graça
The armory
Fishermen at the edge of the cliffs
A lone fisherman, Lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente in the back
Stacked stones - cairns
View at Praia de Tonel
Praia de Tonel
Cabo de São Vicente - The end of the world
Fortaleza do Cabo de São Vicente - unfortunately it was closed to the public at the time
A look at the other side
An elderly couple just enjoying the the view at the end of the world
Dream machine
Praia do Telheiro
On the way to Praia do Telheiro - doggos
On the way to Praia do Telheiro
Day 4: Moving to Portimão
I started the day early, waking up before sunrise to drive to Monte Gordo Beach. Watching the sun rise over the ocean for the first time was absolutely worth it—a breathtaking moment to kick off the day.
After breakfast, I packed up my belongings as it was time to move from Monte Fino to an apartment in Portimão.
On the way, I stopped in Tavira for some sightseeing. I enjoyed exploring the charming city and even fed a stray cat in the parking lot before continuing my journey.
Once I arrived in Portimão and settled into my apartment, I visited Praia dos Três Castelos just before sunset. The stunning views and rugged cliffs made it a perfect way to wind down the day.
After dinner, I got some work done before calling it a night.
Sunrise on Praia de Monte Gordo
Stop in Tavira
The Roman bridge which is not really Roman.
Castelo de Tavira garden
Castelo de Tavira garden
View from Castelo de Tavira
View from Castelo de Tavira
View from Castelo de Tavira
View from Castelo de Tavira
View from Castelo de Tavira - City chickens
Padrão da tomada de Ceuta
Igreja de San Francisco
Jardim da Igreja de São Francisco
Jardim da Igreja de São Francisco
Jardim da Igreja de São Francisco
Jardim da Igreja de São Francisco
Feeding a hungry kitty
Moving on to Portimão
Settling in Portimão
This is what 900 EUR gets you at Apartamentos Castelos da Rocha for a months stay - not bad
View from the balcony
First time on Praia dos Três Castelos
Always nice to see a kitty
Day 3 - Exploring around Vila Real de Santo António
I started my third day with a productive morning, getting some work done until lunchtime.
After lunch, I drove to Praia de Santo António for a relaxing walk along the beach, followed by a hike in the surrounding woods. The area was peaceful and offered a great mix of coastal and forest scenery.
Later in the afternoon, I drove to Caminho dos Quatro Pauzinhos e do Abacate and walked to Farolim de Vila Real de Santo António, a charming lighthouse. Along the way, I discovered O Recife dos Gatos Piratas—a unique spot where a group of friendly "pirate" cats resides.
It was a day full of nature, exploration, and a touch of unexpected whimsy!
Praia de Santo António
Praia de Santo António - looking towards Monte Gordo
A short hike into the woods… Looking for shortcuts…
On the way to Farolim de Vila Real de Santo António
Cats of O Recife dos Gatos Piratas
Shelters for the kitties
Day 2 - Monte Gordo Sand Race
On my second day, I started the morning with a peaceful stroll along Praia de Monte Gordo. The calm waves and soft sand made for a refreshing start to the day.
After lunch, I returned to the same beach to watch the motocross sand race. It was impressive to see the riders tackle the challenging sandy terrain with such skill and determination.
Later, I drove to Lidl in Vila Real de Santo António for some grocery shopping to stock up for a few days. And you can bet that I forgot a lot of stuff that I wanted to get. :)
In the evening, I kept things low-key, relaxing at the apartment and catching up on some work. A productive yet relaxing end to the day!
Free breakfast on the beach.
Monte Gordo Sand Race 2024
Mobile Office
Day 1 - Traveling from Gančani to Monte Fino
On November 23, 2024, I traveled from Gančani, Slovenia, to Monte Fino, Portugal. My journey began with a flight from Budapest Airport to Faro Airport.
At Faro, I picked up a rental car from nicerent.pt and drove to Monte Fino, avoiding the highway to enjoy the scenic backroads (and avoid the tolls :)). Once I reached Monte Fino, I checked into an apartment I had booked on booking.com - 98,43 EUR for 3 nights.
That evening, I visited nearby Monte Gordo, where a beach motocross and ATV sand race event was happening over the weekend. On the first evening the was a concert by a Rolling Stones cover band called Stoned.
It was a great start to my time in Portugal!
Flight from Budapest to Faro - 51.38 EUR (with Fast Track, Priority boarding & 2 Cabin Bags)
Car rented on nicerent.pt. Dates: 23. 11. - 5. 12. (12 days) - 308 EUR with insurance.