Our final Salema-based day was spent exploring the western beaches of the Algarve. We set out with several destinations in mind but no specific plans. We decided to travel to the northernmost beach on our list and work our way south and back to Salema. As these things turn out, it was a glorious day of discovery.
Our first stop was Praia do Odeceixe, a few kilometers west of the town of Odeceixe where the Ribeira de Seixe meets the Atlantic. It’s difficult for me to imagine a more beautiful beach anywhere—wide, sandy, surrounded by steep cliffs with multiple striations and inclusions, tide pools, and a brilliant blue surf. We ended up spending several hours there walking the beach and having lunch at a small café overlooking the beach. Lunch consisted of a plate of octopus, sardines, anchovies, presunto ham, chorizo, sheep cheese, olives, onions, toast, and, of all things, sweet potatoes shared amongst the four of us. The “special” lemonade was made from a whole puréed lemon with crushed ice and maybe a bit of honey. It made me want to be Portuguese in a big way.
Here are some images of Praia do Odeceixe. Click to enlarge You won’t regret it.
After tearing ourselves away from Odeceixe, we headed south toward Praia da Arrifana, a few miles west of Aljezur, and spent some time walking the beach. Praia da Arrifana is very popular with surfers and families, and we didn’t experience the same glorious isolation that we did at Praia de Odeceixe, but it was worth the effort to tackle the steep drive/walk down to the beach from the surrounding cliffs.
Dinner tonight in Salema, and then off tomorrow to Lagos to catch a bus to Lisboa for our final four days in Portugal, and, sadly, to say goodbye to our traveling companions Scott and Cathy Wells who have helped make all this possible. They’ll be spending another week or so in Portugal, and I’m jealous.
