We were a little worried about getting out okay!
Fortunately, I had the front end up on the ramps, so when I tried to back up I had a bit of a head start from rolling down the ramps. Good thing, because it was really muddy and the momentum definitely helped out.
Paid the bill, and we were on our way about 8:45am. Still a few rain showers happening, although the forecast is for sunshine the next few days.
We pulled into the airport and found sufficient parking for Louis. The terminal at Faro airport is under reconstruction so its a bit of a mess and the arrivals terminal is a temporary tent structure.
Helen and Tony finally came out. There had been three different flights from England all arrive at about the same time so it took a while to get through. Hugs all around, and we made our way out to Louis. Parking was a bit pricey, as is typical for most airports. Paid €4.50 ($6.50 CAD, $4.90 USD) for less than an hour.
And then we were off. The plan was to meet up with Glen and Steve at Salema Eco Camp a couple of hours west.
Scenery along the way.
Crossing the bridge near Lagos.
The bridge at Lagos.
A big motorhome aire at Lagos.
We could have taken the toll road and been there in an hour, but then you don't see much along the way. So it took us over three hours, but we stopped and did some groceries and had lunch along the way.
Salema Eco Camp has a wide variety of accommodation. RV campsites, apartments, studios, and even tipi style tents for rent. We'll take some pictures for you today.
What surprised us is that there's hardly anybody here!
The girl at the front counter was very friendly and helpful. We decided to park Louis, and have all four of us stay in a two bedroom apartment. Had we taken an RV site as well as a one bedroom, it actually would have been more expensive. So we have a full two bedroom apartment with kitchen, living room, and sun patio for €40 ($58 CAD, $44 USD) per night. Shared between the two couples, it's a pretty good deal!
On the patio enjoying the sun!
Ha...let the fun begin!
Louis is taking a vacation too!
Glen and Steve were already parked up in their motorhome, and they came around for a drink on the patio with us and they got acquainted with Helen and Tony.
In the evening, the four of us walked into town to find somewhere for Valentine's Day dinner out while Glen and Steve decided to stay in their motorhome for a meal together. It's about a 1 km walk to the water and the small beach community of Salema. At this time of year it's pretty quiet, but there were still a couple of restaurants open and one of them came recommended by the girl at the front desk. Lots of good reviews online, so that's where we went.
I took a few photos, but I deleted them by accident! I don't think I've ever made that mistake before, but fortunately Tony had taken some as well...
Salema at night.
Dinner at Restaurante O Lourenco in Salema!
Three of us decided on the swordfish steaks, and they were delicious! Tony had the stroganoff and he was pleased with that as well. The bill including tax and tip was €60 ($87 CAD, $66 USD) for the four of us and included two litres of wine. Not bad for a higher end restaurant!
We've pretty much decided to stay here for three nights, then head back to Spain. We've only got two weeks together and they fly back from Malaga on the 28th.
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I would have skipped the toll road and took the longer, but more interesting route as well. Looks like a great place to stay. Crazy that RV spots are more expensive.
ReplyDeleteWay more interesting taking the slow road, so glad we aren't the only ones that thing this way. :-)
DeleteThe RV spot isn't more expensive than the room. Had we gotten the one bedroom and an RV spot it would have been about €45, €35 for the one bedroom apartment and €10.25 for the RV site but by getting a 2 room apartment and parking Louis as a "car" it is only €40.
Enjoy your vacation !
ReplyDeleteWe will! :-)
DeleteThank you for info on campsite. Might just book one of those Apt for a break durning our trip.
ReplyDeleteWe are quite happy with our apartment here. It is serving us well. I don't know what size of unit you have Nora but if it is a longer one you may have a little trouble getting in, especially if you have a long overhang. Best to park at the top of the hill at the entrance and then walk down to reception and talk to them and walk the road first just to make sure you don't have any issues. They do have another entrance to use if you do have a longer unit though.
DeleteOh how I don't like crossing bridges. That looks horrible.
ReplyDeleteWhen I saw the title with the word Vacation, my first thought was...aren't you always on vacation...lol Now I know the rest of the story. The price is definitely right! Enjoy.
The bridge was no problem at all, no worse than any of the big bridges back home.
DeleteWe aren't "always on a vacation" when we are traveling, it is just a different lifestyle that we live now and have been doing since 2007. :-)
This is for Keven, I have read your travels from the start and really enjoy how much information you supply. We have a 5th wheel spent one winter in south Texas and summer in New Mexico. I would be heading to Mexico tomorrow if I could get the wife south bound ha ha. The reason I said for Keven after reading Crofts blog and yours quite a difference between your views regarding Canada. I do enjoy Canada very much wouldn't want to live there but do enjoy your country. I am a retired Airlines employee and have been all over the world love seeing all different places. Everyone has a opinion about American which they have a right to I just do not like us all grouped in one basket. (this is not directed at you appear you have a very open mind)
ReplyDeleteHi Paul, thanks for the note. Yes, Croft and I have quite different views on a lot of things, but on other things we agree! And yes...I have a very open mind.
DeleteI would say Kevin I agree on quite a lot actually. We always seem to have fun when we get together for a beer!
DeleteYes, we do, don't we?...lol
DeleteIs there seating in Louis for 2 other passengers then??
ReplyDeleteYes, there is seating in Louis for 2 extra passengers while traveling and eating but not for sleeping.
DeleteHuge swordfish steaks, my mouth is watering! We love those little vacations within a vacation!
ReplyDeleteThey were both huge and delicious, you would have loved them Croft!
DeleteWe don't think of our normal travels as a vacation but instead as a way of life for us. When we do something that is a little off from that, then we think of it as a vacation. :-)
Valentine dinner looked great! Nice you can share an apartment for a few days will give you some extra space. Are Helen and Tony traveling with you for the next few weeks or staying there? Have a wonderful visit!
ReplyDeleteDinner was delicious and we all enjoyed the treat.
DeleteSharing the apartment is nice for a few days especially when you consider the tight quarters we would be dealing with if I have to make a meal for the four of us in Louis. Having the kitchen in the apartment is wonderful. :-)
Helen and Tony will be traveling with us for the 2 full weeks, they just won't be sleeping in Louis, so where ever we go we will have to look for accommodation for them or sometimes for the 4 of us depending on the price and the situation.
I'm convinced all of you will have a grand time tooling around Portugal and Spain for a couple of weeks. Have a great time.
ReplyDeleteWe have no doubt that we will have a fantastic time together, we always do! :-)
DeleteSo you are on a vacation from your vacation:)
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned in a couple of comments above we don't consider our normal travels as a vacation but as a way of life for us, it's just a different lifestyle than most. If we do something that is different from that "normal" lifestyle for us then we consider it a vacation. :-)
DeleteWith two liters of wine, what a deal!
ReplyDeleteWe sure thought so! :-)
DeleteThose are massive swordfish steaks! I think I would have taken a doggie bag/box for lunch the next day. Do they do that in Europe?
ReplyDeleteI believe that they do doggie bags here but surprisingly enough we all ended up with clean plates. Tony helped Helen with hers. It helped that we didn't have any starters or any dessert. As an after thought, Helen and I both said that we could have split the swordfish and just gotten and extra serving of potatoes and veggies.
DeleteAnd a good time was had by all!!!! ❤ the "let the fun begin photo!"
ReplyDeleteYep, we had an excellent time! We had a few laughs over that photo. ;-)
Delete