Okay, so I FINALLY was able to get pics up on the blog, which I know for most are way more interesting than my mile-long stories about my trip. In any case, it's almost over (the trip and therefore the stories) and I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to coming home.
Regardless, I have been having an absolutely awesome time! Every time I leave a place, I find myself wondering how the next stop on the trip could possibly better than the last. Every time I have had more and more amazing experiences and met countless awesome travelers who have made this travelling solo ordeal effortless.
I went from Nice to Lisbon, where I met up with Stefo, a friend of Karolina's from home. He teaches kitesurfing on a beach just outside of Lisbon. It was so nice to see a familiar face! On top of that, he treated me to amazing food - fresh Portuguese buns and cheese every morning for breakfast and home-cooked dinners in the evening. It was a full house - he lives with two other Aussie guys but there were at least five other people from different places staying in the house as well. It's an unofficial hostel, really. Went to the beach the first day which seems to stretch on for miles and has soft sand and real waves. Wow, the Atlantic is FREEZING compared to the Mediterranean. I played around with a kite on the beach, and read my book and chatted w/Stefo. So relazing. Then we went out Salsa dancing that night which was awesome! I expected it to be quite different from back home, but actually it was really similar. The next day I went into Lisbon by myself and wandered around getting to know the city. It is more open it seems than some of the other cities I have visited. A lot of plazas and more greenery. I went to visit the castle in the centre of the city. Really cool. I figured I should see a castle at SOME point in my Eurotrip, seeing as they are absolutely everywhere! After a whirlwhind day tour of Lisbon and another great dinner and relaxing night, I headed to Lagos.
Lagos, Lagos., I can't even begin to describe how much I love it! I arrived on the train not knowing where I was going to sleep at night. I met a girl with a Canadian flag on her backpack when getting off the train. Her name is Carla and she's from Prince Rupert. She gave me the number of the place she was staying at and then we went searching for it together. The place was absolutely amazing, with the most beautiful rooftop terrace I've seen on my whole trip. We hung out that night with each other and went grocery shopping for food (the hostel has two kitchens for making your own meals) and out for dinner that night because we were too hungry to wait. I went to bed early the first night, tired from the long train ride. The next day Carla and I went on a Kayak tour through the grottoes of the Algarve. The pictures totally can't do it justice. It was nice to be out on the water and doing something active for a change. That night, we made a delicious home-cooked pasta meal and sat up on the roof with Zoe, Tommy, Joanne and Stina. Dave joined the group soon after, a fellow Vancouverite. It was nice to have a home connection, talking about Vancouver and what we missed. We all went out that night and partied in the various bars in Lagos, none of which you have to pay cover for. Every night is an improvised pub crawl in Lagos! SO fun! The next day Dave and I went on this walk from hell in search of a beach cut out of the grottoes. We got lost in this Pleasantville type condo area, but after an hour or so managed to find water, and the beach we were looking for. It was a rough day from then on of lying on the beach. That night, we all arranged to meet up for a big shopping trip in order to cook a big dinner for eight. Dave cooked us up prawns, steak and potatoes with a side of fresh Portuguese buns. We ate and drank out on the terrace and went out again that night for Zoe's birthday. I was having such a great time in Lagos that the others convinced me to stay for one more night. I had to cut out my plans for southern Spain, but as I near the end of my trip, I'm more keen on staying in one place for a bit longer than hopping from city to city every day. The next day we went back to the same beach and out for an unbelievable fish dinner that night. I had Grilled Salmon and, shoot just talking about it now is making my mouth water! Some of the best fish I have ever had.
Regardless, I have been having an absolutely awesome time! Every time I leave a place, I find myself wondering how the next stop on the trip could possibly better than the last. Every time I have had more and more amazing experiences and met countless awesome travelers who have made this travelling solo ordeal effortless.
I went from Nice to Lisbon, where I met up with Stefo, a friend of Karolina's from home. He teaches kitesurfing on a beach just outside of Lisbon. It was so nice to see a familiar face! On top of that, he treated me to amazing food - fresh Portuguese buns and cheese every morning for breakfast and home-cooked dinners in the evening. It was a full house - he lives with two other Aussie guys but there were at least five other people from different places staying in the house as well. It's an unofficial hostel, really. Went to the beach the first day which seems to stretch on for miles and has soft sand and real waves. Wow, the Atlantic is FREEZING compared to the Mediterranean. I played around with a kite on the beach, and read my book and chatted w/Stefo. So relazing. Then we went out Salsa dancing that night which was awesome! I expected it to be quite different from back home, but actually it was really similar. The next day I went into Lisbon by myself and wandered around getting to know the city. It is more open it seems than some of the other cities I have visited. A lot of plazas and more greenery. I went to visit the castle in the centre of the city. Really cool. I figured I should see a castle at SOME point in my Eurotrip, seeing as they are absolutely everywhere! After a whirlwhind day tour of Lisbon and another great dinner and relaxing night, I headed to Lagos.
Lagos, Lagos., I can't even begin to describe how much I love it! I arrived on the train not knowing where I was going to sleep at night. I met a girl with a Canadian flag on her backpack when getting off the train. Her name is Carla and she's from Prince Rupert. She gave me the number of the place she was staying at and then we went searching for it together. The place was absolutely amazing, with the most beautiful rooftop terrace I've seen on my whole trip. We hung out that night with each other and went grocery shopping for food (the hostel has two kitchens for making your own meals) and out for dinner that night because we were too hungry to wait. I went to bed early the first night, tired from the long train ride. The next day Carla and I went on a Kayak tour through the grottoes of the Algarve. The pictures totally can't do it justice. It was nice to be out on the water and doing something active for a change. That night, we made a delicious home-cooked pasta meal and sat up on the roof with Zoe, Tommy, Joanne and Stina. Dave joined the group soon after, a fellow Vancouverite. It was nice to have a home connection, talking about Vancouver and what we missed. We all went out that night and partied in the various bars in Lagos, none of which you have to pay cover for. Every night is an improvised pub crawl in Lagos! SO fun! The next day Dave and I went on this walk from hell in search of a beach cut out of the grottoes. We got lost in this Pleasantville type condo area, but after an hour or so managed to find water, and the beach we were looking for. It was a rough day from then on of lying on the beach. That night, we all arranged to meet up for a big shopping trip in order to cook a big dinner for eight. Dave cooked us up prawns, steak and potatoes with a side of fresh Portuguese buns. We ate and drank out on the terrace and went out again that night for Zoe's birthday. I was having such a great time in Lagos that the others convinced me to stay for one more night. I had to cut out my plans for southern Spain, but as I near the end of my trip, I'm more keen on staying in one place for a bit longer than hopping from city to city every day. The next day we went back to the same beach and out for an unbelievable fish dinner that night. I had Grilled Salmon and, shoot just talking about it now is making my mouth water! Some of the best fish I have ever had.
Anyways, we all left Lagos on the same day, so it was nice not leaving anyone behind. I am now in Sevilla, just for the day. I arrived last night and had a Spanish family drive me to my hostel when I asked them how to get there! How's that for first impressions! As soon as I got into the hostel I recognized one of the guys who was staying at our hostel in Lagos. I tagged along with a group of Californians and Aussies to a flamenco show. This time though, it wasn't professionals. It was this hidden away locals bar with a smaller, more quaint feel than the show in Barcelona. It was awesome to be somewhere lacking in tourists and get a true cultural experience. I went to bed at 3am last night. I hadn't even planned to go out but it was a great experience. Today I am wandering around the city taking in certain sights I stumble across, but not in a panic to cram in sightseeing. It's beautiful here in Sevilla, and I love that I am able to get some more Spanish practice in! Tonight I will take a train to Madrid that arrives at 12:30am, then go to Madrid airport where I will catch a 5am flight to Paris. After four days in Paris I am off to Bristol to meet up with Luke, a friend i met in Australia years ago. Then I will have a night in London before flying home to Van! It's been flying by lately, and I am so happy with all of the experiences I have had. Okay, I'm off to see more of Sevilla!
If I don't write again, I'll see you all in a week! Woohoo!
Love always,
Lauren
Me and Stefo on the balcony of his place in Charneca da Caparica, a beach town just outside of Lisbon. 
This is at the beach we stopped at during our kayak trip. We paddled in between rocks (grottoes) similar to the ones in the background. Super cool!
Proof that I actually was kayaking!
The group of us feasting on our meal: from left- Zoe, Dave, Me, Tommy, Joanne, Carla and Stina. Yum!
This is us out at Inside Out, one of the many bars frequented during our stay in Lagos! (From left Carla, Joanne, Me, Dave)
Hey Laur!
ReplyDeleteI honestly couldn't be more jealous and happy for you at the same time. The pics look amazing! I am happy you're coming home soon. Can't wait to hear your stories and see all your photos. You couldn't meet up with Luke in Portugal? Bummer. Bristol is a very distant second.
Make sure to call me as soon as you get home! I am staying in Port Moody until Sept. 8th when I rewrite my MCAT....bleh!
Love you and miss you heaps....you look awesome in your photos...must be breaking some serious hearts over in Europe!
xoxoxo Kar