We spend our Saturday evening huddled under blankets watching Netflix using the ChromeCast Reinaldo has provided. Evenings in Albufeira at this time the year are 7-10C (45-50F), while daytime temperatures are 16-21C (62-70F). The apartment does not have heat (nor air conditioning), although a small space heater is in the bedroom. Sleeping is no issue with the heater and abundant blankets provided.
We are enjoying our tea and coffee on Sunday morning when we hear cleaning in the upstairs apartment then someone downstairs by the electric panel. Our electricity goes off then on again quickly. The person leaves. Ten minutes later we realize that the internet is out. We can't find a router in the apartment and without wifi I can't contact Reinaldo via WhatsApp unless I turn on international data roaming on my phone and pay the big bucks. Hmmm.... our solution is to out go for breakfast and use their wifi! I explain the situation to Reinaldo via WhatsApp and also mention to him that we were cold watching TV last night. He volunteers to resolve the internet issue and also bring another space heater within the next 15 minutes. When we finish our breakfast and walk home Reinaldo is there as promised. He cautions us not to turn on both space heaters at the same time or we'll trip the circuit breakers.
We spend the afternoon getting to know the nearby area, doing grocery shopping, and spending time by the beach. It is almost 21C (70F) and with the clear skies and bright sun it feels much warmer. Some surfers take advantage of the waves, which are nothing like what we saw in Costa Rica. The beach is wonderful, well-groomed and so picturesque with the huge bluffs as the backdrop. This will be a nice place to spend four weeks.
We are enjoying our tea and coffee on Sunday morning when we hear cleaning in the upstairs apartment then someone downstairs by the electric panel. Our electricity goes off then on again quickly. The person leaves. Ten minutes later we realize that the internet is out. We can't find a router in the apartment and without wifi I can't contact Reinaldo via WhatsApp unless I turn on international data roaming on my phone and pay the big bucks. Hmmm.... our solution is to out go for breakfast and use their wifi! I explain the situation to Reinaldo via WhatsApp and also mention to him that we were cold watching TV last night. He volunteers to resolve the internet issue and also bring another space heater within the next 15 minutes. When we finish our breakfast and walk home Reinaldo is there as promised. He cautions us not to turn on both space heaters at the same time or we'll trip the circuit breakers.
We spend the afternoon getting to know the nearby area, doing grocery shopping, and spending time by the beach. It is almost 21C (70F) and with the clear skies and bright sun it feels much warmer. Some surfers take advantage of the waves, which are nothing like what we saw in Costa Rica. The beach is wonderful, well-groomed and so picturesque with the huge bluffs as the backdrop. This will be a nice place to spend four weeks.
Monday we explore Albufeira some more. We walk through the town center and up a large hill to Pau Bandeira viewpoint. We stare out to the Atlantic and also watch the antics of those on the beach. We return from Pau Bandeira via the much more civilized escalators - wish we would have realized they were there sooner!
We spend a bit of time in the town square people watching as we enjoy some beverages and a small pizza. Most of the visitors are people in their 60's to mid-70's. They are predominantly Canadians, Brits, French and German, with a smattering of people from the US. We even spot a gent wearing a Green Bay Packers sweater. Everyone is seemingly escaping their home locations for somewhat warmer weather. It's not unusual to see especially the Brits in short sleeves and shorts, despite an air temperature of 18C (64F). I guess it is the same as their summer temps.
We spend a bit of time in the town square people watching as we enjoy some beverages and a small pizza. Most of the visitors are people in their 60's to mid-70's. They are predominantly Canadians, Brits, French and German, with a smattering of people from the US. We even spot a gent wearing a Green Bay Packers sweater. Everyone is seemingly escaping their home locations for somewhat warmer weather. It's not unusual to see especially the Brits in short sleeves and shorts, despite an air temperature of 18C (64F). I guess it is the same as their summer temps.
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