Portugal

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Our first hotel (a 3 star supposedly) was more a dive.  But, we were so tired getting here and surprisingly well rested Friday morning, that we enjoyed a quick intro to this fantastic City before departing for the Algarve.  First our guide and bike supplier, Jose (pr. joSay) Taveres, met us at the dive, arranged taxis and reconnected with us at the bus depot.  Our hotel in the Algarve was a rental pool condo in a perfect location in Carvoeiro, mid way between Faro and Lagos near Lagoa on the extreme south coast.

On Saturday, we taxied 56 km. of Carvoeiros to the picturesque town in the foothills called Alte.  From there we biked mostly downhill on good pavement through Messines to lunch and visit in Silves.  The main tourist feature of Silves is a many times restored and still being restored castle dating from Roman times with strong Morrish and Christian features.  After a late lunch, we biked back to our hotel arriving after dark and well over 50 km. traversed.

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On Sunday, we biked from our hotel mostly along the coast through Portimao to Lagos.  A lot of up and down but nothing severe.  Close to 50 km. traversed again.  Passed scores of bikers out for a Sunday ride.  The weather was perfect.  Had a great lunch in an English pub type patio restaurant in the marina, then walked over 2 km to the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic.  We returned to Lagoa by local train.  What a hoot.  Then went to a very upscale restaurant for way too much food and wine.  Good thing we had over 2 km. to walk home!

Today (Monday), we caught the early bus into Lisbon and immediatley ventured down to the old City.  Our guide, Jose, was with us the whole time and had become a good friend.  He's a native of Lisbon who has worked in the tourist industry all over the world.  He's written a book on his travel adventures which he's expecting to have published within the year.  He's married (for 2 years) to an Argentinian, who was back home for a holiday.  So, we think Jose really warmed to us because they were apart for the first time since being married.  Next week, he's off to Granada to teach skiing and snowboarding for the winter in Spain's major ski location.