Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
Step back a few blocks from the Marina, and you come across many little pedestrianised areas of shops, bakeries, cafes and restaurants. Watch out for the massive canon-ball like bollards forming the demarcation of pavement to road - I tripped over one and it's painful.
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
Post #175!!! There are two market buildings side by side along the water front at Olhao, Algrave, which are a 'must visit' for the huge variety of extremely fresh fish and sea food straight from the port and the vast array of locally grown fresh fruit and vegetables. Olhao is well known for it's fish market, in particular and if you haven't got anywhere to cook some yourself, then try one of the numerous local cafes along the roadside nearby - you won't be disappointed! The market halls are surrounded by pavement cafes and it's a great place to sit and enjoy the view of the boats moored along the water front in Olhao Marina.
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
Armona Island, just off the Algrave coast in the Ria Formosa Lagoon, is like a million miles from the busy town of Olhao, it's nearest mainland neighbour. The island is a step back in time to how holidays used to be - there's no roads, it's completely flat (hope those sea level rises don't come), and it's small little village, the only habitation on the island is a ram shackle group of mainly single level holiday dwellings, all individually designed and looking like something from the Caribbean. The only way of getting to Armona is the regular ferry from Olhao, and the jetty at Armona, the main landing point, is always a hive of activity with ferries and small delivery boats coming and going.
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
Rather like the bottom of a bowl, the centre of old town Albufeira still has a bit of the traditional Portuguese architecture despite the predominance of bars, restaurants and tourist shops. During the height of summer it can get pretty hot bing enclosed on all sides by white washed buildings, and the hillside leading up to the newer part of town.
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
The Church of St. Paul situated at one end of Padinha square (well more of an elongated triangle really), one of many squares in the old part of Tavira. The elegantly faded buildings around the square enclose a small 'park' of mature date palms and tall cedar trees.
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
Just after midday, and shoppers & tourists leave the domed markets on the seafront at Olhao. The streets just behind the markets are lined with busy cafes and restaurants no doubt serving the fresh produce from the veg or fish markets. This is the view east towards the old harbour and ferry port.
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
Olhao Railway Station, a quaint sleepy like stop between provincial capital Faro and Tavira at the end of the Algarve line. You have to watch out as you exit as you have to cross the line, but it's not too hazardous as there's only a couple of trains an hour.
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
A quiet square (well more a triangle with a large tree in the middle) close to the centre of Tavira. You could quite easily miss this place on the walk from the railway station to downtown. It was a peaceful place to sit at the roadside cafe which doubled as the local corner shop.
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
Faro Marina characterised by wide tree lined boulevards and during the summer months, small pavilions or booths for vendors to sell their wares in the evening. Now and again, if you look up you'll see majestic storks gliding back to their roof-top nests, or sometimes a nets on the tallest street lamps!
Original Watercolour 15" x 11"
After a walk through the streets of Faro, there's nothing better than a drink at the glass fronted cafe on the marina. Here you see all the activity of the coming and going of the boats, and if you look up, you'll be lucky to see the local storks traveling back and forth from their tower top nests to the feeding grounds of the wetlands beyond the town.
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