Mar 6, 2025 - Albufeira to Faro - Random Acts of Kindness (Tour 27) - 2025 🇵🇹

March 6, 2025

Mar 6, 2025 - Albufeira to Faro

Far away Faro

Albufeira to Faro, Hostellicious, $87

SKY WAS mixed, so when I was wide eyed and ready to go, I went. First to collect my now clean bike and away. The way out initially had some long descents then some really long climbs, a few missed roads where I had to backtrack, but once on the main road out of town I enjoyed the endless stream of cars and concrete condo bunker after concrete condo bunker. This side of Albufeira is more of Europe's winter holidaying region.

I had eaten a light breakfast in my room but was starting to get a bit hungry. When I got to Quarteira the EV route took me right down along the water's edge and there in the old town was the fish market (ask me how I knew that even before I saw the signs), the produce market, then tucked in beside was a little shop offering traditional Algarve and Alentejo breads and snacks. I couldn't help but choose a yeast-risen croissant and a sweet bread with egg cream. They were delicious and gave me the energy to continue. Well, I already had the energy but my tummy enjoyed the goodies.

EV followed the beach for a while but then turned north away from the water. This meant considerable climbing up through fancy golf courses, very ritzy homes on hilltops, and sometimes through little parks. Getting closer to Faro, the route turned through a natural park which meant more dirt roads and puddles to navigate around, but it was so peaceful and pretty. Once I returned to paved road, I stopped to rinse off the bike with available puddle water. I looked for a tap somewhere but found nothing.

I knew I was approaching the west end of Faro because I started to see planes coming in. Quite a few, too. And many were Ryanair, which is a discount airline. Because of the airport's location near the water, my route had to go fairly far north to get around it and the numerous bays and swampy areas near the coast (no huge cliffs at the beach here). As I started to turn south I recognized where I was alongside the rail line. A bike bath went parallel to the line then turned in to town near the train station. I was closing in on the last full day of cycling.

I set my GPS to my guest house, then rounded a corner and here I was. I was waved in with my bike and given a spot to put my bags and my bike while I am here. This included leaving my bike for another couple of days while I take a train to Tavira due to rain and wind warnings for the next three days. I'll make the final call tomorrow when I see what the weather is like and what the forecast says.

I wouldn't be able to check in until 3 pm but with the bike and bags stored I headed out on foot to explore a bit and get a bite to eat. Wouldn't you know it, but the road I randomly selected started to look familiar and sure enough I passed Story Guest House where I stayed in 2019. I'd have returned but it seems the new owner's reviews are awful.

I got to a small square where there was a supermarket where I picked up some fruit and croissants then went over to the park by the marina and sat in the shade and enjoyed my snack. I was in need of a lock for my bike while I'm away from here and had one arranged but misunderstood how I would get it. I mistakenly headed out to meet with the guy to find he was actually coming to my guest house later. Just the same, this 'error' just meant more wandering around and checking things out. On my way back I passed a proimising looking restaurant, Mercearia São Pedro, so I snapped a photo of the sign so I could look it up.

Back to the hostel, I checked in to what was a fairly plain room but at least has its own bathroom. I cleaned off my gear which had a few spots of dirt from today's ride, then just let myself doze a while. In the early evening I got a message from the guy with the lock (he also rents bikes out, including from this guest house, and does tours) so I went down to meet him, get the lock and pay for its rental. I was so happy he went out of his way to pay that I gave him a big tip and said this Canadian thanks you. Without delving into everything, he feels the same way. But he had an interesting comment. Something along the lines of, "How many times in the last hundred years has the bad guy been 'removed' from office? Never. And how many times has the 'good guy' been 'removed' from office? Often."

With this sorted, I went in search of dinner to M. São Pedro. It was only 7 pm so nobody was out for dinner and I was the only one there. I sat at a table and the man brought me a menu... when I looked up and suddenly realized I had been here before! This is where I came for tapas last time here and really enjoyed the food and the welcoming owners. When I told them this I said how happ I had been last time. I noticed a few changes, and they said that yes, a bit different from in 2019.

I was going to order the fish of the day but they were out, so she suggested the prawns with potatoes and onions. And to celebrate the kind-of end of cycling I ordered a beer. But this time a bigger one. The food was tasty, the couple were really pleasant and were proud to pose for a photo before I left.

Rounding the corner back to my guest house I noticed an antique shop packed with... well, antiques. But not much furniture; rather, old things. Cups, saucers, lamps, paintings, cameras, postcards, toy trains, and all kinds of 'movie set' trinkets. I chatted with the owner who said he used to be a fim maker, then worked for TAP Airlines before retiring and doing this. He says when Algarv's population swells from 400k to 2 M in the summer his place empties right out. but at the moment it is packed full. As we chatted two young Indian fellows came in - turns out one is a physiotherapist in Edinburgh and the other is completing is Master's in Engineering at McMaster in Hamilton, ON. We chatted as we left and found that they, too, are staying in this guest house. We chatted a bit more, then I wished them well on the rest of their holiday and came up to my room.

I was tired but wanted to see the weather forecast which still shows high winds but much less reain at least for tomorrow. Now I'm unsure what to do. The other concern is if the conductor on the train from Tavira to Faro does not allow my bike on the train, it is pouring rain and winds on Saturday, then what? Still sounds like train.

Most of today's riding was away from the coastline but here I could hear the waves. -- Quarteira, Portugal

The pretty little square where I got snacks for lunch at the supermarket. -- Faro, Portugal

Then had my lunch in the park by the marina. -- Faro, Portugal

This resataurant looked proimising so I took a photo so I could look it up online once back at my guest house. -- Faro, Portugal

Once I was in the restaurant I thought it looked familiar and then realized I had chosen this place in 2019 and loved it. A great couple making delicious food. -- Faro, Portugal

I hadn't tried any nght photos with my tablet in a while so I gave it a try since the lighting seemed bright enough. Success, I think. This church is right across from my guest house. -- Faro, Portugal

Today's ride: 52 km (32 miles)
Total: 533 km (331 miles)

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