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Alas, we were in great need of a slow and relaxing pace of life, the beach and nature. We found all three in Tavira, Portugal.
Tavira is divided by the Rio Gilao which is lined by beautiful, white washed and tiled building, palm trees and charming fishing boats. Fishing is still an important industry here in this relaxed town.
The beaches were almost empty, as the weather is starting to cool down a little. That was quite alright with us, as we wanted solitude and sun, both of which were abundant along the Ihla de Tavira (Island of Tavira). Kelly dips her feet in the Atlantic Ocean trying to decide if she will take the plunge.
Ocean Rich does not waste any time. He is in the frigid ocean water within just a few minutes looking for shells and calling for Kelly to join him.
A Tavira fisherman counts his fish at the end of the day.
One of the attractions for us in the Algarve area was the wetlands wildlife. We took a bus out to the National Park of Ria Formosa with great hopes of seeing flamingos.
When we arrived at the park, we were told that the flamingos spent most of their time in the salt pans in Tavira...where we had just came from. That was quite alright, as we enjoyed our visit to Ria Formosa where we saw the Purple Gallinule, their signature bird.
We also spotted this bug-eyed Chameleon, another poster child for this National Park.
However, we had to return to Tavira in search of Flamingos. We had to wait a while; however, we were rewarded with a peak at this flock before they flew away.
And the most beautiful experience of the day was this large flock--roughly two or three dozen-- of bright pink flamingos flying directly over head of us. They looked so graceful with their long necks out stretched in front of them as they seemed to flap their wings in slow motion above us. It was truly breathtaking.
And now return to Spain with us as we travel through Madrid and the southern coast of Spain with the Willis family. |
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