Faro

 Took a trip this morning to Faro.

Officially the capital of this Algarve region, but smaller than the towns we've seen recently.

There is a beachfront, overlooking a lagoon with a few islands.

The tranquility is disturbed with clockwork regularity by trains or aircraft. The airport is just over there.

Popped into a church in the old town. 

I think I counted 9 decorative alters, 3 on each of 3 walls.

Seems a bit of overkill to me.

And for good measure, the one in the middle had a modern addition

Covering all bases doesn't even begin to describe it.

Had a wander around the local streets before leaving.

Saw a sardine museum. No, really. They sell sardines, but all down one wall is an anthology of sardines over the years.

Somebody needs to get out more.

Then stopped on the way back to the hotel at another church, this time in Almancil. A tiler's nightmare.

No opportunity at either church for Sarah's Votive by stealth.

Took the shuttle into Albufeira from the hotel to catch our own dinner.

We were too early for a couple of restaurants that caught Sarah's eye, but there were plenty more to choose from.

Where we chose had this fine gentleman for protection. There was a big screen and people were watching Liverpool playing a friendly against somebody. Within the first 5 minutes they were 2-nil.

Lots of what I might call "2-euro" shops, selling souvenirs made in China.

But it was the clientele that takes the cake. Lots of misspelt youth from the UK come over for a cheap summer holiday.

There are hundreds of hotels, and thousands of B&B-style accomodation, just around Albufeira.

While it's a fun place to visit during the day, by night it becomes more and more for the Brits, what The GC is for kiwis.

We'll be tucked up in bed with our cocoa by the time the real celebrations began. I know, right?

Something odd about the language here. 

There’s a word they use here that means cool, or ‘groovy’ to those of you from a previous generation. 

I don’t know how it’s spelled, but it’s pronounced ‘feesh’. 

I thought it was an Aussie piss-take on kiwi fish and chips. 

Apparently not.