Saturday, 6 February - Tavira, Olhao and Estoi

Today it is off to Tavira, Olhao and Estoi, about a 100 km away. The first thing you notice when you hit the A22 is the number of cars poking along at 100 kph. They have obviously let the [British] tourists off the plane and they are trying to find which side of the road to drive on. Thankfully they are in the right hand lane, and not comfortable with the local 150 – 160 kph, I settle into a [I think] respectable 140 kph. Tavira is famous for it's Roman bridge with 7 arches, the square roofs on all it's buildings and the church, the Igreja de Misericordia with it tiled interior. We walked about the market and saw 50 – 60 Harleys as the Algarve Harley Club rode in. Not really frightening as these all look like retirees. Olhao is famous as 17 of its fishermen sailed without charts to Brazil in 1808, to let the exiled King know that Napolean had been driven from Portugal. It also has a lively market on the waterfront where we strolled. Then it was off to Estoi, which is famous for its Roman ruins (which we were unable to see because they were closed off) and the Palacio which has now become a Pousada or government run inn. We were able to tour the palace/inn and what can I say except that it is palatial and the grounds are fantastic. Some of the pathways are compacted sand. I would like to see how they stand up to the elements! Back in Alvor we had fish and chips for dinner at the Albar, one of our favourite restaurants from at last trip here.