October 13, 2024
Portimao, Portugal - small fishing village
Never heard of this small fishing port until today. Town was pretty quiet on a Sunday afternoon. This port is up river and not navigable by the big cruise ships. Did a stroll along the harbor, sipped on some sangria and beer with fellow residents and soaked in the sun. I attempted to organize a speed boat tour of local caves, but wind and surf too rough to do safely.
Have I mentioned how good the food at Eco Cove Resort is? Everyday you are given a choice of 2 entrees for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Plus they put out a snack every day at 4pm and you get tea/coffee and cake or savory pastry, every morning outing between the first and second dives or snorkels. Here a sampling and some of my favorites!
When Camie and Timothe got engaged I spoke to the Resort and arranged a special dinner on the dock for them and they also decorated their suite. It was lovely and Bosco and I also paid for their drinks that evening. The next day, the Manager of the Resort sought them out, after breakfast and said he also had a special treat for them. I was sitting with them and he has a thick Indonesian accent and what we heard was he was going to meet them at 8 pm and take them into jungle, behind our huts and take them to get coconuts, that come in many colors? We also heard him say they make a special treat, very sweet and we thought he said crepes? We were intrigued, but also curious why at 8pm in the dark and he also mentioned cholesterol?? The rest of the day, we joked about the great coconut adventure they were about to get! Special newly engaged package!
Day 3 started with a trip out to see Manta Ray . Sure enough we saw one in the first few minutes. The only thing disappointing was the amount of trash in the water here - plastic everything. The guides clean up what they can, but it appears to be a losing battle. SO SAD!