Monchique

At breakfast M and I invited me to join them on a day trip to Monchique. This is an elevated inland municipality and contains the highest mountain in the Algarve. We rushed to the bus stop but the bus was late departing anyway. It was a 22 km trip ascending through the Portuguese countryside.

At Monchique we had a look at the ruins of the convent, then a peek at the church. Nothing spectacular to see, but it was pleasantly cooler than the coast.

We shared a 1000 escudo taxi ride to the top of Fóia, the highest point in the Algarve. It was a misty day so we couldn't see very far.

We walked down from Fóia past rough hill vegetation. By the roadside were eucalyptus, cork, lime and orange trees. I think it was the first time I had seen cork bark close up.

This is a kite shop in Monchique. Over drinks, M was persuaded by I to overnight in Monchique despite their having to be parsimonious, being poor students. Not surprising, as the town felt romantic and cozy.


So I returned to Portimão alone. Nice couple but it was a pity they smoked so much. I was reminded of this at dinner when I found myself next to a table with two smokers. I complained to the waiter but he mumbled and did nothing. I left without ordering desert.


What a stupid place to site a hostel, I thought, after the 20 minute walk out of town. There were hardly any hostellers that night. I talked to a couple of Irish women and that was my entertainment for the evening. While repacking my backpack I realised that I needed to find a laundry soon.