Travelling down the coast of Portugal

We left our hotel, after a terrific breakfast, and headed south.

The west coast of Portugal has some great views of the rock formations and the beaches.

We headed for Lagos and after 2 hour drive along the coast, we arrived. Now we had to find a restaurant and a bathroom. In downtown Lagos the streets are slightly wider than a car. We were lost on a group of narrow streets and after passing Joe's Garage for the 3rd time we thought we better get the hell out.
Lets head to Albufeira we said. As we exited Lagos we spotted, of all things, a McDonalds. We circled a couple of times and finally found the entrance. Time for a Big Mac.

On our way to Albufeira, we passed the Orada Apartments and Marina. This is the place that we stayed with our friends Doreen and Bob Collins, for 2 months, 11 years ago.
Who could resist checking it out.
We ended up booking in for 2 nights.

Once checked in, we headed to the restaurant area for, what else, a pitcher of Sangria.
We had many of those 11 years ago.

The Orada Apartments are close to Albufeira so we will check it out this morning.

Made it to Lisbon

Hey Y'all

Not the best start to our Portugal trip.

We purchased our tickets back in April and were confirmed in seats 12A and 12B for the flight. Nine months ago!!!. Arrived at the airport 3 hours early, checked our bags and received our boarding passes.
Headed to Gate 32 in a nice golf cart. (I think it was about 3 miles to gate 32)
We looked at our boarding passes and found we were sitting in seats 5E and 5F!!!.
We wondered where the hell 5E and 5F were. Well once on the plane we found out.

The plane configuration is 2-4-2. Well 12A and B were a window and aisle seat and 5E and F were seats 2 and 3 in the centre row of 4. Wow, what a difference, and remember, we booked 9 months ago and I have a sheet that says our seats (12A and B were CONFIRMED).
I talked to a fellow who had way better seats then us and I asked when he booked. He said thursday.
Yes, 2 days before the flight!!!

Oh well, we thought lets be optimistic, things can only improve.
Off we go taxiing out to the runway. We seemed to be going forever and I said to Bonnie. "I think we are going to Portugal by land". The next thing we knew we were back at Gate 32. The plane had to be de-iced.

Finally underway and we arrived in Lisbon.
Now the good news starts. (we hope)
Our rental car was upgraded to an Alfa Romeo. (score)

We headed for Sines, about 170 kilometers from Lisbon and except for the coast, there was no hotels worth staying at that we could see.

Off to Santo Andre where we found the Hotel Vila Park and Bonnie said. "This is where we are staying and I'm having a nap". (I admit, it was a long overnight trip)
We booked in and Joe headed for the store to get some wine.
1 euro and 79 cents a bottle for white (vino blanco) and a little less for red (vino tinto)

We checked with the folks at the Hotel Vila Park, to see if the restaurant was open for dinner and they advised that they usually close on Sundays.

The front desk said if we wanted to commit to dinner, they would open the restaurant for us. If we let them know in the later afternoon and they would open the restaurant.
We phoned at 5:30 to say we were in.
Wow, we were the only people in the restaurant, that held over 100 and were treated to an exceptional meal. Tapas, soup, salad and a duck casserole, 2 wine and 1 beer and all for 44 Euros.

Things are moving up.
Tomorrow we had for the Algarve.

On our way to Portugal

Well, as John Denver, or was it Aerosmith, would say (sing?).

Our bags are packed, we're ready to go.
We're leaving, on a jet plane.
We DO know when we'll get back.

March 1st, 2017

Our plane departs at 9:25 this evening and arrives in Lisbon at 9:25 Sunday morning.

More to come