Lisbon to Toronto

This marks the end of one of our best holidays. It's been such a change from our usual routine that it's recharged our personal batteries. At the same time we have had our needs for hiking satisfied; the extra two days to the Fisherman's Trail terminus in Lagos was just the icing that this cake needed.

We walked to the airport and did the usual check in. We also took pictures of our bamboo hiking sticks that we used for the last two weeks. Good thing too because they took them away at security. Now it's just hurry up and wait.

Lagos to Lisbon

We started the day with a leisurely breakfast at our original hotel and then went back to the second hotel to brush our teeth and pack for the bus to Lisbon. On the way, Gramie stopped at the original hotel to complain about our accommodation.

After getting to the bus station we went into the farmers market adjacent. Lots of produce and plants. We caught the Flixbus to Lisbon and are enjoying an pleasant ride on roads without potholes. A lot of the land is used for grazing cattle.

Lagos a lazy rest day.

Last night, I booked our bus ride and next hotel in Lisbon so we can just poke along. The first thing will be to walk to our original hotel for a nice slow breakfast.

Salema to Lagos

We got an early start because the day's walk was long and unknown. Previous reports of an easy walk were a bit misleading because we still had plenty of valleys to climb and descend . After about two hours we came to a stream that required us to cross on a pile of stones. I took my pack across first, then helped Gramie and then went back for her pack. This was also the first day of carrying our full packs because I wasn't able to arrange for their transfers. We waited while others crossed with some people taking it very slowly. Actually the crossing was poorly designed because people had added more rocks over time. As a result the stone crossing had become a stone dam. Openings should have been left to keep the water level lower. But it wasn't my job to rebuild the crossing so I just used and commented.

At noon we stopped at a restaurant for a full breakfast because our hotel provided only a bit of food. As we sat their David from Scotland joined us and we had a nice long chat. After eating we climbed a big hill and kept going on to Luz Beach. After that the terrain became easier but we were very tired on arrival at our hotel in Lagos. Then we were accommodated at another hotel because of another clerical error. That's three times on this trip that we have had to use a different hotel.

Sagres to Salema

This was the first day after the end of the arranged tour. That meant being responsible for booking a room and luggage transfers. The paths were well marked and the scenery was excellent. I know the scenery is pretty much like the last several days but we're not tired of it. The previous reports were accurate as the numerous valleys made for many ups and downs along the trail. By the time we arrived in Salema, we were tired.

Then booking a flight home was frustrating because the airline computer had difficulty accepting my credit card. After the third card the flight was booked. Very frustrating.

Vila do Bispo to Sagres

This was a short and pleasant walk, mostly along trails through the woods. We knew that we would get to the cape so we asked the tour company for advice. They suggested accepting the transfer service to avoid walking along a busy road. We rode into Sagres with a couple of guys from Germany who were staying at the same hotel.

After booking in we took a walk around a point of land to check out the terrain. 

The cape was a very busy place.

Carrapateira to Vila do Bispo

We didn't sleep as well as we should have because the fire alarm went off last night. The fire truck didn't come. One of the other guests called the owner who happened to be away in the Azores. She called an employee who eventually came over and dealt with the alarm. It's a good thing that it was a false alarm. 

After a good breakfast we walked through town and picked up the Fisherman's Trail and walked to the ocean. After that we got lots of great views as we made our way up and down the many hills. Because of the number of small streams, there were lots steep gullies to go down and back up. But the views made it all worthwhile and then some. After lunch, we got up on a plateau where the walking was very easy. Even though we had left the ocean, the scenery was pleasant with nice pine trees and wild flowers.

Since we had more than enough time, we stopped and rested in the grass. The walk all the way into town was offroad, which was nice.

When we arrived at the hotel, they didn't have a room because of their mistake. So they got us a room in a nearby hotel: but we still get our breakfast in the original hotel.

We ate dinner at a nearby restaurant where we saw others from the previous town. We sat next to a young couple from Germany who were playing a German card game. They were good fun.