After leaving Lisbon, I headed to the Algarve for a week's vacation. First, I spent several nights at Alamos Retreat near Albufeira, doing yoga, hanging by the pool, and chatting with various guests.
There were a few particularly impactful experiences while I was there. First, was a yin yoga class with Igor, the owner's nephew who unironically walked around with a feather in his hair. It was almost sensual how much care and physical/spiritual attention he gave us. At the end, we were welcomed to choose a Shaman card from his Oracle deck. Mine was entitled "Dust Devil" and gave me an appropriate new mantra:
Embrace the chaos
Trust the process
Moving out of stagnation
One section that really stood out to me: "Stop asking for things to be perfect. Awkward, messy, conflicted, exuberant, and wild is how you shift. Trust this process."
I spent another morning surfing. This class was a huge group, different than the 2-1 dynamic Azzurra and I had in Baleal, and the waves weren't nearly as good. Still, at least this time I got photographic proof of standing up on the board!
The person I spent the most time with was Severine, a Dutch hairdresser. We were both there solo, so it worked out well to share meals together. I remarked how funny it was that I'd spent six weeks in Holland without making a single Dutch friend, but in Portugal I made one right away!
I also particularly enjoyed the blindfolded dinner the retreat hosted. It was fun not knowing what was coming next - not, in fact, to have to know everything or anything at all. We could appreciate our other senses and also look inward; we needn't worry about appearance or perceptions. Through each course, we would approach the food in front of us as a team, curious to guess what we were eating and break down the ingredients. It was shocking the number of times I would eat something simple, like a particular vegetable and just not be able to put my finger on what it was! It is remarkable how much we over-index on our sense of sight.
Menu:
- Cucumber-melon-mint gazpacho
- Chick pea carrot fritter with herb mayo
- Skewer with 18 different items, including various vegetables, proteins, and fruits
- Cocoa pudding with avocado, frozen banana and blueberries, espresso
Finally, and perhaps most impactful of all, was the mindfulness program with Raquel. She led us, blindfolded and barefoot, around the property, one hand on the shoulder of the person in front of us, walking along in a little line. We walked over sand, rocks, bark, grass, cushions, and wood. Our shoulders brushed gently by the branches of a bush, and we sensed ourselves moving out of the shade and into the sunshine. I felt an immense sense of joy, wonder, and anticipation. In fact, I found myself smiling through most of the walk. I surrendered to not knowing, and felt excited for what might come next. When she sat us down and poured water on one foot, I started to cry, so rapt was I with this revelation that I liked not knowing what was coming next. That I felt joy and anticipation like a child. That I could drop the plan and trust the process.
This was an impactful experience to have on the heels of my quarter in Europe. Another transition was coming my way, and I felt open to new possibility, having realized that anywhere I am under this same sky, whatever comes next - I will be ok.
And I felt so much abundance, and an outpouring of gratitude for my experience in Europe that spring and summer. I had several days of calm at the retreat to acknowledge my own hand in that - my hard work, my privilege, my courageousness.
For the second part of my Algarve trip, I headed to Lagos. I stayed at the Avenida Hotel, right on the marina, and enjoyed three days of water. Either I was enjoying the marina and sea view from my top-floor balcony, swimming in the rooftop pool, exploring the sea along the gorgeous cliff-surrounded beaches, or exploring caves by boat. Here are a few highlights.
Rooftop swims
Bought myself a matching bracelet and necklace
in Portuguese gold
I took a catamaran cruise that took us through the Benagil and other caves, along with a private beach BBQ.
Benagil
Beach & BBQ
My other days were an amalgamation of the following:
Enjoy the included breakfasts at Avenida
Stop to see something unique in old town,
like the fish market
Hike to another gorgeous beach
(I think Praia de Dona Ana was my favorite)
Find a shady spot to read and people watch
Explore the water and caves, or blow a conch shell
Perhaps take an impromptu boat tour...
...like this one from Ponta da Piedade
(bring cash, get there early!)
Maybe drop in for sunset yoga on the beach
Get ready for a nice dinner and sunset
(view from my balcony)
Enjoy the warm summer nights exploring old town!
A few Lagos recommendations:
- Praia de Dona Ana and Praia do Camilo - be prepared for a hundred stairs, and it's a hike from town to the good beaches! I recommend coming well-stocked with beverages and snacks.
- Pinhão Restaurant and Bar - there aren't a lot of food options by the beaches. This is a good, casual choice when you need sustenance nearby
- Casinha do Petisco - you'll have to try cataplana (seafood stew) while you're in Lagos, and this place supposedly has the best (make reservations!)
- Joalharia Santo Antonio - where I purchased my Portuguese gold
- It's important to acknowledge Lagos' dark history in the slave trade. I didn't think the museum was particularly impressive, but even a stop at the building and some independent research is enlightening.
- I can never miss a town's local market!
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