Trixie Traveler in Portugal: Bicycle the coast of Portugal; in Costa National Park

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAI!!

The Southwest Alentejo and Vicente Coast National Park is the finest preserved stretch of European coastline, covering over 100 km, from Porto Covo in the Alentejo, to Burgau in the Algarve. The landscape is marked by steep cliffs. Many bird species live here including the white stork. This is the only place in Portugal, and one of the last places in Europe, where otters can be seen. The beaches, popular among surfers, are the finest in the country.

What a lovely day we have today. It continues to be warm and sunny though in the 80s not 90s. We have a relatively short day, 52 km, so there isn't a big rush to get going. We ride a kilometer or two inland from the ocean so don't actually see it until kilometer 20 when suddenly we come to the ocean in the city of Villanova de Milfontes. We enjoy the view and stop here for picnic supplies, then ride on to kilometer 35 where there is a very beautiful beach. We take our stuff down to the beach and have a grand picnic. I love these kinds of picnics. Everyone brings something and we eat a little of this and a little of that.

We take off shoes and socks and walk in the water which is quite cold. We write write Kai's name in the sand and make a little video to send to Kai for his birthday. We ride 15 more kilometers to our hotel. This part seems long. I am tired and ready to be done. Our hotel is a Rural Turisme hotel out in the country. It is absolutely gorgeous. There are little two room cases spread out over the property, a beautiful swimming pool area and a lanai to sit and enjoy a drink.

We have a cooking lesson at 4:00 with a chef in the lanai area and make apple pie, coconut pie and chocolate mousse. We participate in making the desserts. What fun!! We have never had a cooking lesson on our bike trips. The chef doesn't speak English so Luis translates.

We have our briefing in the lanai area and watch the beautiful sunset. Dinner is in the hotel in an intimate dining room. Food is delicious and we are served the three desserts we made in the afternoon. They are beautifully presented.