Roaming the Algarve

Okay, one more day in the Algarve before my conference starts, and so it’s time to explore! Here’s some maps to set the stage:

Portugal – the little blue suitcase is the Vila Vita Parc in Porches, where I am staying…
the Algarve – Southern Coast of Portugal – again I am the blue suitcase
Note to the far right is Faro, the “nearest ‘big city'”, where I flew in
and now just the Western part of the Algarve, Porches is on the far right
on the left Sagres and Cape Vincent

I decided a car trip out to Sagres and Cape Vincent were in order, out to the Southwestern tip of Europe, and seeing the sites along the way. Whee.

Benagil – vacation home mecca
well this is nice

It’s obvious immediately that the Algarve is a vacation destination; you have the places the locals live, and the places (along the water) where the visitors from Northern Europe come and hang out.

in Praia de Vale Covo – do not try to park a car here 🙂

Carvoeiro has a beautiful boardwalk along the cliffs, and some incredible caves and rock formations. And yes I explored.

keyhole rock

Onward … to the harbor town of Portimao.

(can I just say, the pano feature of late-model iPhones is amazing.)

some nice old ships, and some nice new ones too

On to Lagos!

beautiful fountains everywhere
the estuary of Lagos
founding saint of Lagos

And finally after a lot of driving through back roads … Sagres. The tip of Europe, so to speak…

driving to the Fort at the point
well, fortified 🙂
pretty little chapel, with Cape St Vincent in the background
rugged coastline to Cape St Vincent – calm today, but not always; this can have some huge surf sometimes
the lighthouse of Sagres
interesting little maze – with a shrine at the center
the very point – gazing out into the Atlantic at America
looking back at Sagres town

A beautiful excursion along the Algarve … on a beautiful day. How did I get here? And now … on to the reception for the conference!

Lazy day in Porches

Well it’s the morning after in Porches, morning after Ocean! Wow was that something…

Today is a nothing day, a day to enjoy the resort before “working” by attending the conference. Let’s start with a poolside breakfast.

nice view

And so now to find … the beach!

landscaping is amazing
on the way down
found it!
the “cheesecake” rock, up close

(Many hours of doing nothing … redacted 🙂

Time for dinner … poolside again?

yes that is fois gras
what can I say, delicious

Not much to report except, well, it was a nice day in an amazing place. But I think tomorrow I must explored the surroundings …

Eating at the Ocean

Really it shouldn’t be legal to have dinner at two different Michelin-starred restaurants on two consecutive nights, in two different countries, right?

No, not right, it’s awesome. And so I had dinner at Ocean, at the Vita Parc, and quite a different experience from Paco Perez, excellent as that was. This could be said to be … more refined. The excellent ongoing pairings from the wonderful sommelier might have been the difference. Who knew Portugal had such great wine? (Well everyone!)

the Ocean awaits
view from the dining room
the theme of the meal … and the pairings
and we’re off!
excellent flavors but the presentations are … perfect
unexpected and spectacular
more amazingness
even special napkins for some courses
what can I say?
d’Yquem
nothing more to say
then of course, dessert
and finally, coffee
yes, these beans passed through a civet on its way to my cup

Well that was pretty special. Unbelievable actually and I don’t quite believe it. Onward!

Onward to the Algarve

Today was another travel day; up early, pack, off to the airport, fly from Barcelona to Faro, Portugal, pick up a car, and then drive to the fabulous Vila Vita Parc in Porches resort to attend a conference.

first view of Faro and Portugal … sun

Immediate impression of Portugal – not in Kansas anymore, and also, not in Spain. Really, not in first-world Europe. Feels more like third-world Argentina if I’m being completely honest. Everyone is friendly but everything is a bit, well, disorganized…

found it!

After a blast down the Southern highway and then some messing around in small roads, found it, and OMG how beautiful. A bit of an island in the surroundings.

the marquee view of the beach
immediately that rock became aka “the cheesecake”
spending time next to the pool
the grounds of the resort are … amazing

And so here I am, at the Vita Parc in Porches. Yippee.

Work and Play (Sailing!)

Hi ho, hi ho, yes indeed it was off to work I go …

my office in Barcelona
pay no attention to the Lamborghini dealer on the ground floor

After some meetings – including a nice lunch – off to do a bit of shopping…

yes we are in Barcelona – note art – but yes the bank of Zurich is here too
heh
loved this
more Gaudi of course

And then the most unexpected thing, a colleague invited me to go sailing! Why yes of course…

the yacht harbor
and the yacht … wow
heading out past Columbus
a most interesting drawbridge at the harbor mouth
ah, the life at sea
cool!
attending a concert from the water
captain Fede
supercool sculpture

Amazing. You get up in the morning, you just never know what will happen. (Must say a nicer sailing experience in Barcelona than last summer! 🙂 At this day isn’t over yet because there is still dinner!

Rambling around…

I got here (Barcelona) a day early so I could ramble around a bit – love this place – and of course need to acclimate 🙂

coffee outside
view from the balcony – looks like a nice day
Gaudi is everywhere
and his influence extends far beyond his work

After the hard work of a work lunch and some sightseeing, back to the hotel, siesta, and then …

relaxing with a colleague in the rooftop cafe
featuring a stunning little pool

Okay, now time for dinner. Hmmm… how about some sushi? In Spain? Well this is Catalonia, and of course sushi!

a good sign
wow
looks amazing

Yes, you must have different sake with different courses, of course …

Okay, I’ll stop now, but you get the idea 🙂 … wow!

to be repeated …. hopefully soon and often

Incredible. And so to sleep, and onward into another day…

Zurich -> Barcelona

Today’s a travel day and [if all goes well] I will end up in Barcelona! But first more time to spend in Zurich. A wonderful breakfast (European breakfasts are just so much more awesome, right?) and then back out on the streets I go …

these little touches of beauty aRe on every hand
those bridges
some locals are adorable
shopping?
just so happens I get ads for this very watch on my Facebook…
cool sculpture
who would stand in the middle of a street to take a picture?
🙂
hehe, might look like this
they just don’t make ’em like they used to …
reached the lake, yay

Well that was fun! But now … off to the airport … and off to Barcelona. Time to switch gears.

Hmmm … even the airport has temptations
bye, Zurich
hi, Barcelona!
not in Kansas, but also, no longer in Switzerland
the bull arena of Barcelona
statue honoring Cristobal Colon (aka Christopher Columbus)
ah yes, back on La Rambla … the food!
dinner! – Tapas at La Bar Canete in the Gothic district
Oysters!
OMG
some Spanish wine? – si!
view down the bar – this is all there is to this restaurant, and there’s always a line out the door
yes
unbelieveable
incredible
the team behind the counter
some good advice when you come here

What an awesome way to start my Barcelona visit! (So nice, much like I remember from last summer.) And I may ask myself, “how did I get here”? 🙂

Zurich!

Ah, old town Zurich. So great. And I had a couple of hours to wander it, before having dinner at Veltlinerskeller, a highly rated little restaurant in a 16th century building’s beer cellar… but first…

Self portrait
Yes, it was raining a bit
Old buildings, weird street angles, and bicycles!
OMG a J/70 in the Zurich harbor
The venerable Opera house
Gotta love that architecture…
The inner harbor
Not sure if you can tell, but in Zurich all the clock towers have the correct time 🙂
In Zurich all the old churches are in good repair
Love those old buildings built out *on* the water
Wow – Swiss chocolate, who can resist?
(Well I did, because I was saving myself for dinner 🙂
The Rathouse (former government- council building)
Streets built well before cars were a thing
This old stone bridge was new – from 1600s!
Main shopping avenue
Dinner! – at the Veltliner Keller
Not one 90 degree angle anywhere in sight
White asparagus!
Beef in cognac sauce, with spatzle of course
And note the Swiss Merlot which was awesome
flaming dessert
The circus comes to town
Seemed to be a Cirque du Soleil – like experience – wish I could have gone – next time…
And home!

Yes, time to sleep, and yes, it already feels like I am on local time. Good night!

On my way

It is the morning of May 30, 2022, and I am packing. This will be quite a trip; Barcelona via Zurich for business meetings, then the Algarve in Portugal for a conference, and then back via Amsterdam. Yippee.

I’m looking forward to Barcelona, having visited last summer, and especially to Portugal where I have never been, but about which I’ve heard such great things. And Amsterdam is always nice, was there last summer too, briefly on my way back home…

My flight out of LAX to Zurich isn’t until much later tonight, but I have a busy day; first I’m sailing in Westlake Yacht Club’s Memorial Day Regatta. Yay.

My mighty steed for the day – a WLYC C-14

It was a perfect day for sailing; bright and sunny, windy (!), and lots of people out and about.

The fleet assembles
The view up the lake from the Race Committee tower
Mid-race view
Hot dogs just taste better after a victory 🙂

And then it was hurrying to put the boat away, hurrying into an Uber, and hurrying to the airport in LA weekend traffic. Whew.

View of the International departure area at LAX

But I made it – with time to spare – and so with time to hang out in the Star Alliance lounge. Nice. Among other things started this blog!

Yes, a nice Provencal Rose and smoked Gouda go well with blogging
also carrot cake

Must say Swissair are awesome. A beautiful new 787. I had a whole little seating region to myself. Food amazing. Only downside was WiFi wasn’t working; so be it, probably a good thing, I could read and sleep. I’ve read the cabin pressure is higher in these new planes and I think you can tell in how you feel and sleep. And it is *quiet* inside.

Bye, LA!
Onward!
Hello, Zurich!

So I land, customs is no problem, my bag comes out the very first one – yay. Find an Uber and off we go to my hotel. My driver appears to be a wanna-be race car driver. Highway shoulders are in play, probably sidewalks too. Whew.

Yikes
Not in Kansas

And so I arrived safely at my cool little hotel in the Seefeld district.

Note: Nespresso are Swiss, who knew

Get settled … and … off for a walk into the old town!