“For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), It’s always our self we find in the sea.” e.e. Cummings
A week into our time along the southern coast of Portugal, we were just feeling a bit flat. After visiting the marina in Vilamoura, the seaside town of Olhos de Agua and many inland castle towns, we just felt like we had seen it all before.
After fending off the dolphin and cave tour clerk in Albufeira we knew we were still searching. As we wound our way through white washed villages, passing saccharine fields of orange blossoms, we knew we were on our way somewhere enchanting. As we approached the arduous steps to Falesia Beach, we finally knew why we traveled so far to reach the Algarve.
Falesia is only one of the many varied beaches that sweep the southern coast of Portugal, and there are many opinions about which is the best. My belief is there is a beach for everyone because no two are alike. Falesia was our miracle mile, FIVE miles actually!
The tawny cliffs were ablaze with spring wild flowers. Blooms in every hue tumbled to the crashing Atlantic where their fall was broken by liquid gold sand as far as the eye could see. The sand was strong enough to withstand a good breeze but creamy to the touch and perfect for castles.
We could not bring ourselves to leave. We toyed with the surf, hiked along the cliffs, followed endless trails slicing through canyons and settled on the now empty beach chairs to watch the sunset and the moon rise simultaneously.
With our hands sticky from our bag of freshly picked oranges that nourished us all day long, we began our hike back to our car. We were quiet as a feeling of contentedness settled over us that only comes from knowing the search is over. . .until tomorrow.
