Our Portugal Holiday

In July, Alex and I, along with my in-laws, Ray and Di, and the Collins family (Kim, Granville, Dylan and Nicholas) rented a villa in the Algarve region of Portugal, returning to the same area that we'd visited two years before and absolutely wanted to return. We rented Vila Mila in Ohlos D'Agua, a short walk from the town's center and beach.

We arrived at our new temporary home a few hours before my in-laws, welcomed by Victor and Maria, the couple who took care of the house, pool and garden. Victor gave us the "lay of the land" and we settled into the spacious villa and shopped for some basic supplies - eggs, bacon, bread, drinking water and the all important beer. Once Ray and Di arrived we had a relaxing afternoon walking to the local beach for a beer and a lovely evening with Alex cooking on the outdoor grill.

The week consisted of too many bacon and egg sarnis (sandwiches), some delicous meals in town, including lots of piri piri chicken, my first phal dish at a local indian restaurant (offered only in a handful of curry houses). Phal is hotter than the dish usually considered as the hottest, a vindaloo. I loved it, and had another later in the week. And I look forward to finding and having it again. I do recommend having a King Fisher beer nearby if you decide to try it yourself!


We rented a car early in the week, quite handy for toting gallons of bottled drinking water from the market to the villa (you can't drink or use the tap water for cooking, so on foot carrying one bottle makes it quite a workout in the heat, and uphill.) We also took advantage of our wheels and drove to the western part of the Algarve, returning to "the end of the world" - Capo de St. Vincete - the western most tip of Europe. On our first visit to this spot two years ago, an eerie fog had rolled in (everywhere else we'd been was clear and hot) and we couldn't even see the lighthouse which was literally right in front of us. This visit allowed us to see clearly the amazing views - and the reason that this high-cliffed area has been fatal to many fishermen. It was still quite cool and windy - and if you aren't prepared, some of the market stalls sell shalls, ponchos and fleece jackets!


Here is a film that covers this first week at Vila Mila. Next up, the Collins family arrives for week two!