We are alive and well in the Algarve!

Hello my friends,

We have been traveling for only 12 days, only 12 days(really?), but I finally have had a chance to catch my breath so I can begin our blog!

After London, Paris, and Lisbon, we have spent the last 4 days recharging our batteries at the edge of the earth. We are in the Algarve region of Portugal on the southwestern coast near Cape Sagres, which was once thought to be the end of the (flat) earth since it is the western most point of Europe. We are staying in a restored fisherman's cottage in the small fishing village of Salema. Besides exploring the amazing beaches in the area, we are savoring the local cuisine of cataplana (fish stew) and camarones piri piri(spicy shrimp). I am thoroughly enjoying the local Vino Verde (green wine) which is a nice refreshing effervescent white wine). You can buy a bottle for less than the price of a diet coke! Yesterday, we went fishing on a Portugese fishing boat and then got to eat our catch which they grilled for us right on the boat. Fresh fish has taken on a whole new meaning!

Since we picked up our car in Lisbon,venturing down to the Algarve was our first real road trip in Europe (although our drive from the Lisbon airport to downtown Lisbon may well qualify!) Also, this is our first apartment experience as opposed to the hotel. Wow! Do I ever miss my nice Maytag supersized front load washer and dryer! Since we packed light only bringing a carry-on sized bag each, we were well out of clean clothes by the end of the first week. So I had my first taste of doing laundry in Europe. After finding out that clothes dryers are considered a luxury in southern Portugal, I soon realized that it can take a full 2 days for clothes to dry in this moist seaside air (much longer if you get an unexpected rainstorm). My skin and hair do appreciate the moisture, though. Amazing cheese here and fresh bread every day. I thought the kids would tire of daily croissants, but no! And they are amazing. Good thing I am able to swim daily in the sea.
Tomorrow we head to Sevilla in southern Spain. After that, on to the white hilltowns of Andalucia. Then we will try to connect with Tamara in Grenada.
Adeus for now