Tavira, Portugal.

We are tucked in to our Airbnb apartment in Tavira in the Algarve of Portugal. Jim went for a shave this morning to the barber right down the street and the barber told him that they think of Canada to United States like they think of Portugal to Spain.
People are quieter and calmer here than in Spain and they find Canadians quieter and calmer than their American visitors. Interesting.
We are too new at all this to make many comparisons and we love our American friends and we loved Spain, but we are finding it calmer and quieter here.

It is also very beautiful. We visited an historical castle and gardens this morning. The Castelo de Tavira is in the old town and was originally a Moorish fortress. Only castle walls and ruins are left but you get great views over Tavira and as far as the coast to the south. We walked for a couple of hours and when we got tired we hopped on a little tourist train that took us out to the salt flats and around the city. In the salt flats we saw many groups of flamingos. We smiled when we looked at our fellow passengers – they were all our demographic. Oldies with sore feet from walking and climbing but loving the scenery!

Our first impressions of Portugal. We love it. We love learning the history, we love the cobbled streets, and the beautiful porcelain tiles everywhere. It’s warm- by this afternoon we will be in shorts and I think that will be the norm going forward. We had a cool rainy day yesterday but looks good ahead.

It is so cost-reasonable here. Every time we get a cheque from a coffee or meal we are so surprised. Our lunch of two drinks and 2 sandwiches today was 8.50E A one bedroom apartment for a month is in the neighbourhood of $750 to $800. Our morning coffee of 2 coffees with cream and two pasteis de nata (custard tarts) is 4.E. I better not get started talking about these tarts . They could be one of my best bites ever. They are a delicious custard in a puff pastry shell – often served warm with a sprinkle of cinnamon. Good thing we are walking a million miles because my goal is 3 every day while we are here. Talk later! Now I have to go find another tart!