Along the Way - Shiny Penguin

This week was a simple one, but full of little Algarve moments — bikes, friends, sunshine, views, and one very good detour.

A Small Village

We rode our bikes to Cacela Velha to meet up with friends, plus friends of theirs who were visiting. Cacela Velha is one of those small villages that is just within reach so it makes a great biking destination.

The village itself is very small, but it holds a massive view over the Ria Formosa, the long sandy barrier island that shelters the lagoon, and the sea beyond. On that island is Praia de Cacela Velha, a hidden beach destination in the summer. When the tide is low, the beach is easy to reach on foot across the shallow lagoon waters.

Throughout the year, markets and festivals are held here. Next week, the village is inviting volunteers from the community to help preserve the distinctive white lime cladding of the facades.

We ate lunch at Casa Velha, one of the two restaurants here.

The Bike Ride

After lunch, we headed out of Cacela Velha toward Beco, then continued through Casas Novas toward Santa Rita. Along the way, we spotted wild berries growing — but they were on private property, so we resisted temptation and left them where they were.

We stopped by Moinho de Água de Santa Rita, then continued on foot to the Túmulo Megalítico de Santa Rita. After that little detour, we rode through Santa Rita before veering back toward our neighborhood. My souvenir from taking the scenic route very seriously: the start of a sunburn.

Along the Way in May

This week, the East Algarve Cleanup was in Altura, and sadly it was an easy-picking kind of day. We came away with bagfuls. Afterward, we gathered at Real Pão for refreshment and conversation. On the way back, I had the option to go straight home or detour past a nice old moinho — a windmill. What did I choose?

Recently Captured

Core Values

This the city council building in Tavira on May 17th, International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. Lit in a rainbow of colors to reinforce the duty of public institutions not to be neutral in the face of discrimination.

Getting Trashy

Scenes from Sunday’s trash pickup.

Street Art

In the southern part of Quelfes, near Urbanização Pinheiros de Marim, we found this mural. It might be the work of Dário Silva, also known as SEN, whose distinctive murals appear throughout nearby Olhão. I’ll have to do more exploring to learn more.

More Portugal

Read more about daily life, the embarrassing moments, and the process for having a long stay in Portugal. If you are more of a picture person, follow me on Instagram.