I enjoyed Albufeira. Would I return? Probably no. A week or so was sufficient to have good memories of worthwhile exploration, enjoyable meals and surprisingly pleasant and helpful locals given the town’s so dominated by tourism … as emphasized by this humorous sculptural group celebrating visitors …
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… at a popular seaside lookout.
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The beach that serves as the family photo backdrop, heaving in summer, was mostly quiet.
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About the only action occasional parasailing …
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… and eternal battle between humans and gulls.
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In town some gulls preferred chlorinated rather than sea water …
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… and engaged in café staring contests.
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And what’s not to like about a town besotted with cats?
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As I’ve seen before in Portugal, feral cats are generally well treated, sterilized by the local authorities, sheltered and fed by devoted volunteers, even celebrated.
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I was encouraged to look for a locally well-known cat called Alec. Found a cat, who may have been Alec, contentedly dining while pigeons came closer than might otherwise be advised.
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Finally something for which I will never have an answer.
In the town cemetery I came across a dilapidated late 19th-early 20th century tomb marked ’ABANDONADO …
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… with an additional yellow ‘CAUTION WET FLOOR’ sign (in English!).
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Perhaps the occupant decided to find a drier resting place.
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The next post takes me further north to the coast west of Lisbon.
