Benagil Cave Highlight!

 August 7, 2010 

Carvoreino, Portugal

Andy up at 3:30, Cindy 4:00, Hudson 5:00 and Saylor on track with a 7:30 wake-up time. Normally we have no issues getting on local time. I think where we messed up was the day we landed we did that hot walk in the sun and then drove. I think we would have been much better heading to the Algarve area and hitting the beach.  Trying to get on track now. 

Out of the place by 8:00 and hit the local beach to try to find a fishermen to take us to the caves. No luck but there is a company that will take us and one other family for $20 euros each and leaving in 10, perfect! It was 50 minutes up the coast going in and out of the caves, looking at the beautiful cliffs. There was big surge today so it was a little scary going into the caves but just everyday business for our captain. The caves with the holes in the top that had the light shinning through were especially beautiful. A little shopping back in town while it is a little cool still. A hot baguette and chocolate croissant from a little store in town. 

   

Picnic lunch back at our place and going to hit the beach.  First up is Praia do Carvalho.  You actually climb through a rock tunnel to get to the beach. Totally sketchy, but it was pretty. Andy and the kids decided to be rebels and go around a closed ledge and do some cliff jumping. They were about 25 feet up and had a fun time. 

Second beach was Benagil. This one was close enough to swim to  the Benagil cave and of course the 3 brave Lemkes did . Lots of boats, kayaks, paddle boarders going in and out.  

Third beach was Marinaha . This one has lots of stairs, and rock formations that looks like an elephant and King Kong! It is considered one of the 10 most beautiful beaches in Europe and we could see why. 

To summarize the beaches that we went to, lots of stairs, lots of sun, stunning cliffs and blue water, basically no sunglasses, no hats, no phones out, no tops on the girls and lots of boobies! 

Dinner on the patio during another stunning sunset with the second Flintstone steak (because Andy went shopping hungry and thought we could eat two in one meal. LOL!)!