Heaven's mirror
Whenever anyone asked me what I was most looking forward to when going to Portugal, my answer to them would be the hikes along the West Coast of Lagos. Coasts, sandy coves, beaches, dunes, and a sunset to top it off at the End of the World - I was sold.
I booked a tour with Backyard Tours and Marli and Eurico picked me up from my hostel on their four wheel car. The hike included walking in some scenic landscapes in Sagres and Costa Vincenta of the Algarve. It started at 3pm and there were a total of 2-3 hikes with different landscapes in each view.
On the South-Western coast on the Algarve, which was our first stop, the landscape is more sandy and beach-like. Here, waves gently blanket the rocks and beaches, like a mother caressing her child to sleep. Rocks with myriad of colours from yellow ochre, brick red, stone grey abound, and tell of their age and history.
We continued the hike and Marli and Eurico took turns where one would take the group around, the other would drive over to the end destination.
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| Fishermen out at sea |
During the hike we saw some beautiful and unique flora and fauna such as fig trees, carob trees, wild lavender, daisies, esteva and rosemary. We even saw a stork nesting on the cliffs!
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| Pods from the Carob tree |
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| A stork in its natural habitat |
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| Esteva (Cistus ladanifer) |
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| Lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente |
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| Cape St. Vincent |
The West Coast of the Algarve is characterized by rugged coasts, where the wind pounds the waves and are unforgiving. The mood is sombre, darker and more dramatic. After all, it's here that the coasts experience the full wrath of wind from the Atlantic Coast.
Here in the Algarve, the nature invites you to wander and ponder about the beauty of that points you to a Creator.
As I stand on the edge of the cliffs, I'm reminded of Fernando Pessoa's "The Sea of Portugal". For many years, Portugal was the master of the oceans and ships would depart from the Algarve to the rest of the world. Intrepid travellers, adventurers, nervous sailors would set out on a voyage to discover new routes and new lands.
Portuguese Sea
O salt laden sea, how much of your salt
belongs to the tears of Portugal!
By crossing your waters, how many mothers wept,
how many sons and daughters prayed in vain!
How many would be brides denied
for you to be ours, oh sea!
Was it all worth it - the price that was paid?
All is worth doing, if one is great of soul.
Beyond the Cape of Bojador, for those who dare to sail,
all pain must be renounced, all sufferings cast off.
Perils and unfathomable depths to the sea gave God,
for the sky above is mirrored within.
And here I am, on my third solo trip - in Portugal - and thinking of my journey from my first solo trip to Europe 6 years ago and comparing it to this trip. It's been an adventure to say the least, and the path of adventure takes courage, non-conformity and a curious spirit.
At the end of the day, I was rewarded with a beautiful sunset, and some stars to gaze out at night.
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