The beautiful Algarve is not only a paradise for beach lovers and partygoers. Nature lovers like me
\nwill also be pleased. Actually \u201ehot\u201c countries like Spain, France, Italy or Portugal are rather known for
\nists sparse landscape. However, the Portuguese Coast surprises me. My flora-app is a big help here
\nand is very busy. There a many for me unknown plants to be discovered. Such as Spanish salsify,
\ncastor oil or bird-of-paradise flower \u2013 there is much to learn on the Portuguese Coast. Today I take
\nyou on a trip to the South European nature.<\/p>\n
At the West Coast<\/strong> Praia da Ingrina<\/strong> Flowerage at Burgau<\/strong> The villas of Luz<\/strong> We go for a shandy. The restauran \u201eFortaleza da Luz\u201c makes a fantastic offer to us: a terrace above Finally the arrive at the old town of Lagos. He visit the ruins of the fortification, the church Igreja de The proud parents of Albufeira<\/strong><\/p>\n We experience our next natural wonder in a hotel at Albufeira. More precisely opposite our balcony. Ria Formosa<\/strong> At Faro we are surprised how many storks have a nest on a church tower. We are also surprised by
\nOn the first day we get to know the \u201eWild West\u201c of Portugal. We start at the Praia do Martinhal, the
\nbeach of Martinhal, which is located in the East of Sagres. It quite cool this morning. The wind
\ncoming from the atlantic sea is strong. It will accompany us the next days. At first we walk alongside
\nthe beach for a while and come across a gree-blue signposting which will guide us today. We walk
\nupcountry. Upon spotting an abandoned farm we take our cameras out. We are surprised by the
\ndifferent blooming plants. A lot of Spanish salsify is spreading here next to \u201eCardy\u201c, some kind of
\nartichoke. It is a wonderful gaudy picture. I did not expect that. <\/p>\n
\nStill impressed by the unexpected flowerage, we arrive at the most hefty point of the hike. The wind
\nalmost sweeps us off the path. However upon reaching the turning point of the hike it suddenly gets
\nmore calm and cosy. At midday we arrive at the beautiful beach of Ingrina. It is just the right place for
\na lunch break. The shandy, also called Panach\u00e9 in Portugal, tasts just great. The moment and the
\nenviroment are so wonderful that we would love to stay longer. However we will be picked up at 5
\no\u2019clock at Figueira and have to push along. The village of Figueira, our endpoint today, is quite
\nunspectacular. <\/p>\n
\nThe second day starts adventurous: we take the public from the market square at Lagos to Burgau.
\nThe village close to the national park Costa Vicentina has a nice beach. Moreover it offers a wide
\nfrange of flowerage. The clematis wafts over the boundary walls like curly hair. Once again we can
\nhardly take our eyes out of this. Today we hike close to the sea. The further we walk the more
\nbeautiful the scenery is. <\/p>\n
\nAfter five kilometres we reach the town of Luz. At the city limits we are fascinated by the splendid
\nviallas with its lavishly blooming gardens. One again we pull out our plant-app to glean information.
\nWe are surrounded by spurge, true bear\u2019s breech, grey yucca, castor beans, canary creepers and
\nyellow Indian beans. What a magnificence!<\/p>\n
\nthe Sea. From here we observe the action on the beach for a while. When we realize that some dark
\nclouds are sneaking up we set out for the rest of the hike. Outside the city wall we have a steep climb
\nin front of us on top of the Atalaia, the closest hill to the city. It is effortful though, but the view from
\nthe peak is worth it. By reaching the Praia do Mos we are back at Lagos. Still the most spectacular
\npart of our hike is still in front of us: the timber plank way of Ponta da Piedade. I am absolutely
\nexcited about this place. We see so many fantastic rock formations and beaches \u2013 I can hardly
\nbelieve it. I can only recommend this magnificent place. <\/p>\n
\nSanto Ant\u00f3nio and the former slave market. Then we are looking for a shower at our hotel.<\/p>\n
\nThe is a pair of seargulls taking care of its \u201ekids\u201c. I must admit that this is the first time that I see just
\neclose birds. Therefore I did not know, that young seafulls are grey. The parents practice job sharing:
\nwhereas one of it feeds the kids, the other one watches out for danger.<\/p>\n
\nThe next day we walk in a nature reserve called Ria Formosa. This time it is not the plants but the
\nwildlife that fascinates us. We observe crabs, stilts, flamingos, Eurasian spoonbills and lizards. At the
\nend of the timber plank way and the dam we reach the Praia de Faro. Over there we catch a bus that
\ntakes us to the city centre.<\/p>\n
\nits size and firmness of the hatchery.<\/p>\n