| Leaving Odeceixe turning north, we enter one of
the poorer regions of Portugal. The road is not very good for
some miles north. Potholed and curved. You pass through some
nice forest-like valleys though.
View from the lighthouse outside Vila Nuevo do
Milfontes
From Restaurante A Choupana at Praia do Farol in
Milfontes. My co-traveller refreshes himself.
Praia do Ferol from A Choupana
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Old trails
Our
final goal and destination northwards was Porto
Covo, a small town just south of Sines. I was here
in the beginning of the 80's, and had nice
memories. The small beach-taverna outside town,
the trees we camped out under.
All development,- not nice anymore. Here
we stayed for weeks under the trees on the far
right side. Enjoying the little rumbleshack
taverna. All gone.
Looking north towards Sines from Porto
Covo.
Well,- it was perhaps to be
excpected. The town was completely destroyed by
development. A sad sight. We grabbed a beer and
left. The last visit to Porto Covo.
Ever.
Our trip turned south again, to the
spectacular Vila Nuevo Milfontes. The huge river
Mira flows out here. From mainroad across the big
bridge you can see the sandbanks against the sea
and the whitewashed houses of the town. On both
banks there are beautiful beaches with
restaurants. Out against the Atlantic the waves
crashes in, making great surf, and on the leeward
beaches the waters are calm.
My tip would be to
go through town, all the way out passed the
leeward beaches to the lighthouse. On the windward
side of the lighthouse lies a small very nice
restaurant called Restaurante A Choupana at Praia
do Farol. It does not look like much from above,
but once down there, you'll find a real treasure.
All made of wood. A beautiful eating area with
sliding windowpaned doors out against the sea, a
bar-area and a section for just relaxing and
enjoying the view of the surf crashing in. In my
"Michelin-guide" it would have at least 4 stars.
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