It was an early start in the Big Flamingo House as we were off to Iha da Armona on the 9.30am ferry. Graham took a car full whilst Karen & I waited with others for the Uber. Today we got a driver who also thought he was a philosopher which was quite amusing.
By the time we arrived the 2.10 euro tickets had been purchased, and we joined the others in the queue awaiting to board. The ferry was old, open but perfectly functionable. We also found ‘seats’ upstairs and enjoyed the gentle sea breeze.
It was a short 25-minute trip along the coast to the dock on the island. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting but the island was a lovely, pleasant surprise. At the dock there were a few bars which everyone ignored and followed a walkway to the beaches on the other side of the island.
Everyone else in our group seemed to be in a hurry to get to wherever we were heading. I plodded along to the beta of my own drum enjoying looking at the little houses, flowers and interesting alley ways on either side.
The sun was now very hot and there was no shade as I continued the long path. I was just wearing flat fit flops which I should not be walking any distance in. It was my own fault as I should at least researched the island before we came. I knew Karen somewhere ahead of me would have been feeling the same. It was about a 20-minute walk before I caught everyone up at a very nice café overlooking a beautiful beach.
Most people ordered a coffee whilst I went for a Funky Monkey smoothie.
We then headed to the beach. Karen & I found somewhere to sit down past the few other people already on the around whilst everyone carried on even further for reasons, I was not sure. A few of them further on went in for a swim whilst I settled for a paddle and stood for a while watching lots of fish swim around me.
Karen & I headed back to the café for another drink, but they wouldn’t serve us as they were now set up for lunch, so we headed back to the ferry where we met up with everyone else who had taken a different route back for a drink in a small bar before the ferry took us back.
More fun was had trying to get a Uber back to the Villa where we chilled for the afternoon. Karen did her walking in the pool whilst I ventured in quickly for a cool down.
By 6pm we were all sitting outside having the usual prinks of a few G&T’s before going out. Some may have had accidental quadruple measures.
Ubers then took us back to the harbour where Claire had managed to book us a table of 10 at the GNO restaurant. It was large and seemed to be frequented mostly by locals which we took as a good sign even if it wasn’t the prettiest of places inside.
The food was simply great. Everyone had fish starters and fish mains. Although sitting at different end of the table Karen and I both managed to order the same, which was Prawns in Garlic starter followed by Monkfish skewers. I was full to the brim by the end of it.
Afterwards we were just strolling along the front when one the waiters caught us up on a scooter. He had made an error in putting cost onto the credit card machine and we had underpaid the bill by 100 Euro. This was soon rectified.
The atmosphere as we walked along the front was simply lovely. Hot evening loads of people about and it felt safe. All the cafes and bars looked enticing and there were no tat shops or loud live music. It was our kind of place.
More Ubers were ordered to tale us back and more fun was had with the 6-seater one that got lost getting to us again and then lost taking us back. Karen and I caused much merriment with our inability to get our seatbelts into the right slots.
We all sat outside for a while and then moved to the big table for another 2 sessions of Left Right Centre with Susie & Claire being the winners this time. Then everyone started to drift off to bed.
The next morning was a very leisurely start with breakfast almost being had in relays. By 10.30am though everyone was ready to go out and after the hassle with large Ubers, 3 smaller ones were ordered to take us to Olhao market. Not only did they all turn up on time but none of them got lost.
In Olhao we split into a boys and girls’ group, with the latter intent on looking in lots of shops.
We decided to have a wander through the fish market before going on a mini sculpture walk. The temptation to stop for a drink in a café down one of the many beautiful side streets and just watch the locals go about their business proved too much to resist.
Olhao is simply a lovely place and Karen, and I are definitely planning to come again with or without others. It has everything we want for a short break with the added bonus of being able to fly from Norwich.
We moved on for another wander and then unsurprisingly decided to stop for another drink where the Portuguese lady was very helpful in taking our photo. Then the girls found us but we got the Portuguese lady to shoo them away.
A plan was then devised to have a ‘light’ lunch in a local café on a small square. However, it was being run by a Portuguese Basil Fawlty who first of all would not let us sit down until he set out all the tables and then the service was so slow that after 20 minutes no one have even taken our drinks order. So, we went for Plan B and went to a Supermarket bought some bread which we took back with us in another Uber to the Villa.
We ate the bread with some cheese and meats. I made some Scrambled Eggs to go with them which it turned out no one else wanted.
Whilst everyone chilled and Karen did her daily pool walk I watched the second half of the Norwich match away at Coventry. It was dire and I am still waiting to see a spark or something in the team. We were so lucky to come away with a draw.
Tonight was white party night back at the local Gunther’s restaurant. So, we all met back on the patio around 5.45pm for prinks dressed in whatever ‘whiteish’ clothes we could muster before setting off just after 7pm.
The restaurant was already nicely filling up, and we ordered some carafes to go with the starter nibbles. The main course was buffet style and all meats. It was so good. The beef stew was to die for. I was well and truly stuffed and could not even face looking at what were apparently great home-made desserts a couple of hours later.
At 9pm the DJ started with a trio of Abba songs which caused a rush by the girls and Chris to the dance floor. Two hours later without a break and not until the last song had finished did Chris leave the dance floor even if for part of a couple of songs he was on his own. He was like a Duracell bunny and had us in fits of laughter. All ladies and Chris were given dance sticks to dance with.
Many times, everyone was up dancing. Karen and I even carried through the short Spanish section trying to recall any of our old Salsa steps. It was terrific fun and a great night.
We had a minor issue that we still are unsure how it happened with paying the bill (in cash) in that we seemed to short after everyone had contributed the right amount, but Graham covered the shortfall for the time being. It was most puzzling.
Back at the villa we all had a nightcap which mostly was teas or coffees before retiring with a smile still on our faces and ours feet and legs sore from dancing.
