Welcome to Paradise; Lagos, Portugal (Part Two)

Friday

We caught a bus to Sagres early Friday morning. It was cloudy when we left but by the time we got there the sun was peeking through the clouds, casting shadows and rays of light across the land. We decided to head down to a little cove beach that was recommended to us. We set off down a very long stretch of road but stopped halfway when we saw the cliffs jutting out over the sea. They were amazing! We walked to the edge and could look down at the foamy ocean below. There were huge waves crashing against the sides of the cliffs and around large rocks that surrounded them. We continued on down the road with the boys walking ahead and sticking their thumbs out to hitchhike, while the us girls rolled our eyes and shouted that there was no way we were going to hitchhike. Lots of cars passed without stopping, and eventually they gave up. It was actually extremely windy heading down the road and we all had to fight against the it to make it to our final destination. When we got to the beach we saw that it was right below the cliffs we were standing on. We went down a long and windy stone staircase in the side of the cliff to get to the beach. It was very different compared to the beaches I've been to. The cliffs surrounded it so it was a half-circle with the ocean out in front and the beach behind. The cliffs were perfect because they blocked out the harsh wind. The sun came out in full force not too long after we settled down, and some of the group went exploring the cliffs and caves while Kristin and I laid out to catch some rays. It was a very secluded area and there were not many on the beach -- those who were there were surfing the waves, which was fun to watch. The clouds came back about two hours later, bringing rain with them. We walked back down the road and stopped at a really neat pottery shop to get small gifts (I got candle holders for me, and a surprise for my mom). Then we grabbed the bus back to Lagos, and all promptly fell asleep on the bus.

Friday Night
We got back to Lagos, and the boys were in a manly-meal mood. So they went to the supermarket and bought meat and beans, or whatever boys like to eat, while the girls took showers and got ready for a nice, girly dinner out. We looked at a bunch of different restaurants down a small street that houses tons of bars and places to eat, from the fancy to weird. We settled on a really nice looking place called O, Henrique. It was exquisite. It was very light inside with all beige and white coloring. The other girls got different kinds of fish, and I got Fillet Mignon since I hadn't had steak since early January. It was very juicy and flavorful. It didn't even need ketchup, which was good because I wouldn't have been able to bring myself to ask for it in a nice place like that. We even splurged on dessert. Kristin got fruit flambe, which they fired up on a little cart right in front of the table. I got Peach Melba, which was amazing. After that we met up with the boys again and went to the cafe from the night before to get Sangria. It was a little bitter for me, but still good. They served it in a pitcher with a wooden spoon and all the fruits sitting at the bottom -- it looked really cool.

Saturday
It was the best day of the trip, and sadly our last. The weather was still being difficult when we got up, but by the time we walked down to the marina the sun was shining, brilliant and warm. The boats were all at the marina, so we decided to go on a tour of the coastline and grottos (caves or caverns). We had a 30-minute wait while the boat was prepared so we grabbed coffee at an outdoor cafe in the sunshine. The coffee was good, the sun was warm and we were so content. Then we met our captain and hopped on the boat, named Quicksilver. Ironically, our captain was Irish. He was from Co. Kerry and moved to Portugal about 7 years ago. He was very nice and knew a lot about Lagos and the grottos. We headed out to the sea and over to the caves and cliffs. The sun was very warm, but the wind from the sea made it perfect. I have never seen water so brilliantly blue, and you could even see the fish swimming around in it! Our guide told us about how large earthquakes decades ago changed the whole landscape in Portugal, and he explained how the cliffs were slowly eroding as the tides get higher in the area. He also pointed out different shapes in the cliffs, like an elephant and even Michael Jackson's face! Haha. From the sea you could see the whole city rising up on the cliffs and all the beaches that dot it. It was a great boat ride and the perfect weather for it, too! I can't explain how lovely it was, but hopefully the pictures will do it some justice.
After the boat tour we had lunch outside for once since it was actually not just warm but hot out. I got salmon, and once again it was fresh and wonderful tasting. Then we had about an hour and a half until our train came so we got to go on the beach when it was actually 100% sunny out. It was more like the beaches I've been too, stretching on for miles in both directions. I grabbed my iPod and took a walk down it for about 40 minutes collecting sea shells on the way (which are everywhere and perfect in shape, color and size). Then we packed up our stuff, bid the beautiful white city in the sun goodbye and boarded the train. It was a great train ride through the country, past fields and fields of orange groves, little towns and rolling green and sand-colored hills.