Faro town
Thursdays Child
Robin & Joanna Minchin
Wed 3 Dec 2014 22:10
007:56.454W
Anchored off Faro Town, very close to the airport flight path.
We said 'Adios' to Abel Tasman then came up on the flood tide to Faro Town, picking our way carefully the six miles from Culatra. We anchored in a deep pool off the town centre and puttered ashore in the dinghy for a very pleasant walkabout. The best attraction were the storks nesting on chimney pots, town buildings and lamp posts. They make a loud chattering sound which Bol caught on video, and seem thoroughly contented living 30ft above street level, oblivious to human life below.
We visited the Science Museum and found interactive displays throughout with very friendly staff to show us around. A most entertaining section was their 'touch and feel aquarium' showing sea creatures in The Algarve. The children could handle sea cucumbers, star fish, crabs and many more. Isabelle held a toad fish! The photo of Harry blowing a huge bubble was at a display on 'surface tension'.
In town we found a Christmas Tree Festival; everyone is given a blank Christmas Tree stand and decorates as they wish, it made a fine festive sight on the red carpets. There were also orange trees lining the main square, Harry tried one but it was more like a lemon!
Faro needs more exploring but we had to return as dusk approached and weave our way through the unlit, shallow channels and sandbanks which had emerged with the low tide. The dinghy is now away as we head back out to sea tomorrow for another 25 miles along the coast to the River Guadiana, sounds like we are in for a treat.
