Helloooo Algarve - We Have Arrived

After a 280 km ride on our coach driven by our wonderful Driver Joaquam we arrived in Vila Moura, a touristic village where we enjoyed lunch and shopping. On a full tummy we embarked on our Extreme Adventure "Cruise" in search of dolphins. Choir members and companions were expecting a leisurely ride on the bay... and boy were we surprised! We boarded one of three 11 to 12 passenger zodiacs and the thrill ride started. It was better than any ride at Disney. For most of us it was a thrill of a lifetime!

                                                   



Our Extreme Boating Adventure
 


After our extreme boat cruise, we checked into our palace for the next few nights - The Pousada Palacio de Estoi. It was truly a palace that is now an exclusive hotel. We enjoyed a gourmet meal that was prepared for our adventure in the Algarve. We also said a sad farewell to our bus driver, Joaquim and welcomed our new bus driver, Jose Antonio.

At the End of the World

The next day we were treated to a buffet breakfast that was staged to overlook the "Royal Garden". Then we boarded our luxury coach for Sagres, the most western point of the European continent, once called the End of the World. What do women do when they are told they have 15 minutes at the end of the world?  They shop !!! And shop we did!

After our shopping spree we escaped the end of the world and boarded our coach to Lagos. This is a historic centre of the Portuguese age of discovery, frequent home of Henry the Navigator and once the centre of the European slave trade. In the evening we dined on a traditional Portuguese meal of  Cataplana.

On the next day we toured Tavira, often referred to as the Venice of the Algrave. During our tour we had the opportunity to sing "Fare Thee Well" in a local church called Igrejada Misericordia.
and some free time for.... wait for it....... Retail Therapy!




At Faro City Hall

In the evening we performed at the Museu Municipal de Faro with two other choirs, Coral Ossonoba (a youth choir and an adult choir). This venue was a concert under the stars in an restored convent. The choirs and the audience were most welcoming and we thoroughly enjoyed performing in this beautiful place with wonderful people.  This was a highlight sharing our music with the people of the Algarve.