Faro - Vila Real St Antonio
Seaduced
John & Jane Craven
Sun 22 Aug 2010 19:24
This will be our last stop in Portugal - we are now on the Ria Guadiana which forms the border between Portugal and Spain. There is a large suspension bridge joining the two countries. When we set off we had to leave on a rising tide to get out of the lagoon at Faro and weren't sure whether we would make it into the marina tonight or whether we would have to anchor out and wait until the next tide as there is a shallow area near the entrance. There are lots of places to explore further up the river but we will have to leave the boat in the marina here and go as far as we can by dinghy as the bridge, at 20m high at low water, is too low for us to get under. The town is very different than other Portuguese towns in that it was newly built to plan in 1774! and it is based on a grid pattern, rather than random streets and alleyways. There is a long promenade along the side of the marina with fountains and palm trees and a beautiful square which is full of activity in the evening
s.