Jo’s Monday walk : Ilha da Culatra

Shall we start with a ferry ride?

Shall we start with a ferry ride?

This week’s walk is on the island of Culatra, so you’ll have the added bonus of a ferry ride- always irresistible to me.  But for those of you who are poor sailors, let me assure you of gentle, calm waters.  I referred briefly to Culatra in my I is for Ilhas (islands) post and I thought it might be time to take a closer look. I think you might like it.

Departure points for the ilha are from the city of Faro, the Algarve’s capital, or from the nearby fishing town,  Olhão.  It’s a short 30 minute sailing from the latter.  The ferries depart at 9.00, 11.00, 15.00 and 17.00, so what are we waiting for?  Don’t forget your sunscreen, and flip-flops will be just fine for this trip.

Is this water flat enough for you?

Is this water flat enough for you?

There's always someone who likes to make waves!

There’s always someone who likes a little fun!

The first port of call

Here we are, at the first port of call already!

The ferry docks first at the eastern end of the island, with a busy little marina, the church and a couple of restaurants.  If you like you can get off here and walk along to Farol, but I like to stay on till the second stop, 10 minutes later.  As the ferry chugs alongside the island, the lighthouse for which the settlement is named looms larger.  Often your flight path into the Algarve will carry you over the islands and you have an aerial view of Farol.

Almost there...

Almost there…

Closer!
And we’re disembarking!

Ok, so you’ve indulged me the watery stuff.  Thank you!  Now it’s time to stroll a little.  You’ve probably guessed what we’ll be going to see, haven’t you?

It’s visible wherever you look
Not quite hiding behind the beach houses
Even on the tiles!
Unless you deliberately look the other way
There are plenty of beguiling sights
Palms and pretty houses
And pathways to explore

 

But eventually you come face to face!

But eventually you come face to face!

The lighthouse is situated on a rocky headland, above a small beach, crowded with locals on a weekend.  Continue past that and you have seemingly endless sand.  Off with those flip-flops and away you paddle!

A good situation?

A good situation?

Are you paddling?
I think that’s a wreck out at sea?

After a while you will see a sign board pointing inland and a boardwalk.  This is your cue to put the flip-flops back on and follow it, over some low dunes.  You will see the first port where the ferry docked ahead in the distance.  Arguably the best bit of the walk starts now.  As you approach the village the path becomes lined with an array of beach houses and their gardens.  All shapes and colours are represented- some tasteful, others… well, let’s say interesting.

The boardwalk
Across the dunes
It’s not as far as it looks
Till you come to the Social Centre
And the first of the beach houses
Closely followed by…
Many more
With their attendant bougainvillea
Did I mention tasteful? Quirky, maybe
Lots of pink
And assorted pots

Now you’re back at the marina, with its host of little fishing vessels.  There are several small bars and restaurants where you can blend in with the locals while you await your return ferry.  The ticket office only opens 10 minutes before the boat is due, but you might well have bought a return- ide e volta.  The ferry will stop again at Farol so you can do this walk in either direction, or both ways if you’re keen!

A motley medley of containers
And numerous working vessels
Some very nifty ones
And the odd bike
It’s a busy spot

 

The church is at this end of the island, too

The church is at this end of the island, too

Watched over by Our Lady of Fatima

Watched over by Our Lady of Fatima

Then it's farewell Culatra

Then it’s farewell to Culatra

And hello Olhao!

And hello Olhao!

I hope you didn’t mind the boat ride too much?  One of my favourite things about the Algarve is the number of ferry rides I can take. My husband rather meanly keeps count and sometimes I’m rationed!  There were 8 boat rides this visit. (that’s there and back, of course)

Many thanks for your time and your company.  Will you join me next week on a Monday walk? The details are on my walks page or just click on the logo below.

walking logo

Now for the good stuff!  Time to put the kettle on and read my ‘shares’.

I didn’t have Alesund on my ‘list’ till I saw this post.  I do now!  Thank you, Cardinal  :

The City Center of Alesund

Show me a walk by a river?  I’m hooked!  Thanks, Drake  :

Other side of the river

Pauline keeps revealing interesting facets of Canberra  :

Inner city chic : I’m loving Canberra

If you’re a lover of tranquility you can’t fail to love Amy’s garden  :

Portland Japanese Garden

You’ll love this walk with Jude too.  It’s on level ground for one thing!  :

Wild Rye

One last nostalgic stroll with Sylvia…  But, don’t worry- she’ll be back to visit family.  Here’s to new beginnings, Ad!  :

One last nostalgic walk before we leave this paradise

And now, meet Ana.  I’m sure she’s known to many of you and I’m so happy she has joined us this week  :

A guided history walk of Guildford

And last but never, ever least, Yvette is back!  Have you been to West Point, Virginia?  You’ll enjoy this visit.  :

West Point, VA

Thanks again to all my contributors.  Have a happy week!

145 comments

      1. I am doing well 🙂 Took in all my plants for the cooler months and winter to save them from frost brrr but then so came the bugs 🙂 I cleaned each room today as I redecorated for the next two seasons 🙂 Finally put my feet out and did a watercolor and emails and blog replies 🙂

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      1. Huh? Weird? You talking about me? I LOVE boats…
        from the shore 🙂
        Seriously, even I can mange the odd ferry or two especially if it takes me to delights such as these! But the flat water is appreciated 😉

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  5. No wonder you love the Algarve stays so much, Jo: just beautiful !
    I always wonder about that crown on Our Lady of Fatima: it must take all her efforts to keep it balanced, doncha reckon ? 😉

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    1. Morning, Mrs. M! 🙂 I’m normally out walking on a Monday but due to a series of minor calamities (no worries- nothing uncommon in our house) I’m not today. And the weather is unspeakably dreary and un-Algarve-like 😦 I very much appreciate the follow and your fun comments and I will endeavour to pop round to yours later today. Playing catch up can be a b…

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  6. Pingback: Water Lily Porn | Cardinal Guzman

  8. Ooooh I remember that timber walkway across the sands! We had a real beach day when we went though. Lazed by the dunes and enjoyed the water. Not for the faint-hearted though, huge rollers, I was quite surprised.

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    1. We were there lazing quite a while too, but I can’t tell my walkers that 🙂 🙂 The waves weren’t big though, as you can see.
      We managed that day in Gibraltar too. Will tell you all about it when I have a mo.

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      2. For lazing on the beach? 🙂 🙂
        I don’t have a smart phone or internet when I’m away and didn’t know if the Gib trips would be running. It was a long day! But fun 🙂

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  9. Love this walk, Jo. It’s so sunny and pretty there and your pictures are lovely. I love the quirky gardens, the boats and the lighthouse.

    You said you wanted a “walk on the China side” post from me, so here it is. I’m not sure how you add these to your Monday walk. http://catbirdinchina.wordpress.com/2014/09/15/a-monday-morning-walk-through-the-universitys-east-campus/

    I’m sorry to say it’s not a very exciting walk; hopefully I can do some more interesting ones in the future. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Cathy! I love ya! 🙂 🙂 Still having difficulty catching up and James is ill in bed so I won’t be out physically walking today. Damp and grey so it hardly matters. Cherishing memories. 🙂 Thanks for the walk- I’ll be right there after Megs (I’m in Australia right now- this blogging world! :))

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      1. You’re so energetic, Jo! I really don’t know how you do it! I’ve been lazy all day following this morning walk. We have another week before we start teaching, and I should be preparing, but instead I’m writing blogs that aren’t even that interesting. 🙂

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      1. Haha, Jo, the book is still sitting on my computer where it’s always been. I never got around to sending out query letters before I left, although it was my goal to do so. I think I’m scared of the rejection!! 🙂

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    3. I know, but you MUST do it! It’s a crime to waste all that work and energy, not to mention a good idea. 🙂
      The Lunapic thing I can’t help you with, Cathy. I guess it recognised that you’re a little wierd and responded in kind? 🙂 🙂 Hugs!

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      1. I know, Jo, I really must do it, and I will! I’m planning to go home after this contract and stay again for awhile, so I will really focus on getting that done.

        Haha, Jo, I guess the Lunapic did recognize I’m a tekkie weirdo and so gave me weird effects, as it saw fitting. 🙂 xxx

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  13. I love your Portuguese posts – the colour, the sharpness, and the ferry rides. I’m a ferry addict too. I’m a bit taken with the pink house – it shows admirable devotion to the colour. Interesting to meet Lady Fatima again: her procession was one of the big events for the Roman Catholic Church next to my very basic protestant one in Sydney when I still did church. The beaches are so different from my south coast ones.

    For something a bit different you might like to join me on a clamber up Nerrigundah Ridge: flip flops definitely not recommended footwear.

    http://morselsandscraps.wordpress.com/2014/09/14/on-nerrigundah-ridge/

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    1. Ooh, Meg- a clamber!! Can I resist? 🙂 🙂 Thank you so much. A little fraught here with the son ill in bed so I won’t be physically walking but it’s damp and dreary in England so I’ll just cherish my memories.
      I think Mick is still going to go and represent me- there’s coffee and cake promised at the end of this morning’s walk. 🙂 Hugs!

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      1. My walks end with a different menu: usually no sign of a coffee shop. Sorry your son’s crook: hope he’s well soon. And sorry you’ll miss coffee and cake – you’re a good food photographer too.

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    2. Mick didn’t go either, in the end. James car has radiator problems so he’s taken it to the garage. A more expensive option than walking. No cake either, but I think there’s an apple crumble in the freezer. 🙂

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    1. I’ll look for it, Paula- I approved a pingback of yours yesterday, I think, and wondered where the post was??? I thought it must be todays and hadn’t time to fathom it out. I’ve got my son sick at home so won’t be physically walking this morning. Many thanks, hon. You’re a sweetheart. 🙂

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      4. I can relate to that! Off to the camera repair shop this morning? I’m trying to focus on your Botanical gardens and field comments (not very successfully!). Only got to the first shot, which I’ve just enlarged. It doesn’t look at all Croatian! Back I go to see more. Hugs! 🙂

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  19. Welcome back Jo. You missed some good weather here while you were away but it wasn’t as good as in the Algarve judging by your photos. I rally must make it there one day – that sandy beach looks very inviting.

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