37:07:084N 8:31:665W Portimao
Shaya Moya
Don & Susan Smyth
Tue 28 Apr 2015 09:59
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Welcome back
was the greeting from Portimao Marina when we arrived there after a 6 day sail
from the Azores. We had last been there more than 10 years ago in 2004 on our
way to the Meditteranean. As we were still deemed to be in Portugal the arrival
formalities were simple and we were berthed within minutes. We had the usual
issue with shore power plug comparability which the helpful staff soon sorted
out.
 What a good feeling to be back in Europe with just a hop across the Med to go and we will be back in our favourite cruising grounds in the Ionean sea Greece. After the usual washing off all the salt and cleaning and tidying we were finally free to explore the highlights of Portimao. Portimão is the biggest town in the western Algarve and sits on the bank of the Arade river facing Ferragudo on the opposite bank. Portimão's atlantic beach of Praia de Roche has, over the years, become a resort in it's own right with lots of hotels and apartments, restaurants and bars, discos and clubs and shops.   Portimão Marina you simply have to see with your own eyes, because you’ll never have seen colours like it! Only a place in the Algarve could carry off ochre and terracotta! The marina is at the eastern end of Praia da Rocha at the entrance to the Arade river.  Although it was quite a hectic few days in which to find the right contractors to fix the couple of problems we have, like the toerail, a leaking water prefilter, and various other smaller issues we were still able to experience the Portuguese cuisine. We took the tender up the river to the steel bridge where we were told there was a square with local restaurants where fresh fish was BBQ'd. What a treat, we had great seafood that was perfectly cooked and filleted at our table. Sue would be very happy not having to fight with the bones.    On another night we crossed the river in the tender to Ferraguda, a smaller and more traditional town than it’s neighbour, Portimão. Located across the river estuary of Rio Arade, Ferragudo is a quaint fishing village where many of the houses in are traditional fisherman’s homes. It really is a very picturesque scene when you arrive in Ferragudo to see the whitewashed houses 'tumbling' down the hillside towards the river front and people sitting outside the cafes around the village square, passing the time of day! Another awesome meal of fish freshly cooked on an open fire. All too soon it was time for Ted and I to leave, and although I will be back with Sue in a month or so's time, it is farewell to Ted. What a special time it has been to spend 8 months sailing halfway around the world with one's brother, an experience that I will cherish for years to come. We will miss the magnificent sushi platters.   |