The Albufeira Grind
(posted by ange while laying poolside on February 27)
Our villa, Cerro Mar sits atop a hill, with the town and ocean below. It is beautiful for the quaintness and wonderful views. Below the hill sits what is referred to as the “Old Town” of Albufeira, with the “new” town being the major tourist development, North American style, on the other side of town. The Old Town (which is what I will be referring to here on in unless otherwise specified) is a maze of small alleys with an open piazza in what could be the middle. Because of the maze of small alleys, it’s really hard to tell. But it seems to be the centre of things. There are 2 ways to get down and up from the town…taxi and foot. While a taxi is extremely cheap, the most common way for any young able bodied person (particularly those from the outdoor activity mecca of the world, Vancouver) to do it is walk.
Let me back track. Everything to do in Albufeira is down hill for us. So we leave our villa and head down a flight of stairs, winding down an alley. There is no signage (at least that I can understand) so you just hope for the best that you don’t make wrong turn. This maze is full of twists and turns, dead ends, and it all looks the same. There are homes and businesses and I supposed if you have a telegraphic memory you’d have no problems finding your way. But if you stick to the stairs, you quickly find yourself in the middle of the main square. The going down actually isn’t so hard.
But the going up! AY! First of all you’ve spend a few hours wondering the town, likely making yourself quite comfortable at some of the local bars. When it’s time to go home, you are nowhere near the main square where you entered off said stairs, and all you know is you have to go up. Now where are those stairs? I should also mention that most of these alleys around the town are uphill. How this can be, I do not know and will have to consult a physicist when I find one. So off you go, traipsing up hill after hill and after hill, certain you’re on the right track. You’re tired from a long night out. You’re drunk from too much good hospitality. Did I mention everything is cobblestone? Forget the cute shoes. Finally, you find the stairs and begin what feels like the trek up to Mt. Everest. It’s like they should have signs every so often (“Only x amount of stairs to go! You can do it!”). It’s exhausting. You’re concentrating on walking somewhat straight up these mammoth stairs, not taking a wrong turn and not tripping on the cobblestone. When you reach the top you expect to see a cheering crowd putting a gold medal around your neck!
This I call the Albufeira Grind. Thankfully as Vancouverites, Dave and I are so used to doing the Grind on a regular basis (YA RIGHT!) that this really is a walk in the park. Ah, but it is beautiful. It reeks of history. It’s part of experience here. And I’ll be coming home with buns of steel!
(posted by ange while laying poolside on February 27)
Our villa, Cerro Mar sits atop a hill, with the town and ocean below. It is beautiful for the quaintness and wonderful views. Below the hill sits what is referred to as the “Old Town” of Albufeira, with the “new” town being the major tourist development, North American style, on the other side of town. The Old Town (which is what I will be referring to here on in unless otherwise specified) is a maze of small alleys with an open piazza in what could be the middle. Because of the maze of small alleys, it’s really hard to tell. But it seems to be the centre of things. There are 2 ways to get down and up from the town…taxi and foot. While a taxi is extremely cheap, the most common way for any young able bodied person (particularly those from the outdoor activity mecca of the world, Vancouver) to do it is walk.
Let me back track. Everything to do in Albufeira is down hill for us. So we leave our villa and head down a flight of stairs, winding down an alley. There is no signage (at least that I can understand) so you just hope for the best that you don’t make wrong turn. This maze is full of twists and turns, dead ends, and it all looks the same. There are homes and businesses and I supposed if you have a telegraphic memory you’d have no problems finding your way. But if you stick to the stairs, you quickly find yourself in the middle of the main square. The going down actually isn’t so hard.
But the going up! AY! First of all you’ve spend a few hours wondering the town, likely making yourself quite comfortable at some of the local bars. When it’s time to go home, you are nowhere near the main square where you entered off said stairs, and all you know is you have to go up. Now where are those stairs? I should also mention that most of these alleys around the town are uphill. How this can be, I do not know and will have to consult a physicist when I find one. So off you go, traipsing up hill after hill and after hill, certain you’re on the right track. You’re tired from a long night out. You’re drunk from too much good hospitality. Did I mention everything is cobblestone? Forget the cute shoes. Finally, you find the stairs and begin what feels like the trek up to Mt. Everest. It’s like they should have signs every so often (“Only x amount of stairs to go! You can do it!”). It’s exhausting. You’re concentrating on walking somewhat straight up these mammoth stairs, not taking a wrong turn and not tripping on the cobblestone. When you reach the top you expect to see a cheering crowd putting a gold medal around your neck!
This I call the Albufeira Grind. Thankfully as Vancouverites, Dave and I are so used to doing the Grind on a regular basis (YA RIGHT!) that this really is a walk in the park. Ah, but it is beautiful. It reeks of history. It’s part of experience here. And I’ll be coming home with buns of steel!
1 comment:
i would imagine it to be like doing the stairmaster in the local gym, but then again, does the local gym have a bar? Whew, i'm just tired thinking about your treck home
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