End of the World Tour – Sagres Algarve Portugal

I pulled up the crumpled half torn paper map and tried to see the End of the World that was so talked about. It was that moment when you imagine and wish at the same time and just dream of actually being there.

Summers get hard on this land, TJ from WestCoast Adventure Co planned the adventure starting 3 pm. Meeting TJ was very exciting, an enthusiastic American who heeded to his heart to settle in Lagos and open his company to take people on this amazing trip.

Sagres

So at 3 pm 7 of us met at the market place in Lagos and set on a trip together. A quick round of introductions and I was with this group, a couple from US, a 60 year old respected mountain climber, a Canadian girl, an American Indian taking a break between jobs, a tall Indian travel blogger on a backpacking trip and myself set out on this amazing adventure.

Just a short drive and we reached the Sagres we walked just a bit as TJ briefed us on the flora there. The land was almost barren with fragrant common gum cistus a shrub having white flowers and viscid stems and leaves yielding a fragrant oleoresin used in perfumes especially as a fixative.

Portugal

As we climbed a small cliff I saw something that was breathtaking.

I stood there in the full warmth of summer soaking in the sunshine, feeling the zephyr standing right at the edge of the cliff.

Portugal

The raging sea and the vast beach caught me in a moment where I lost my reality and stood there soaking in all at once.

As we walked around the stories got interesting. TJ shared not just his experiences but quizzed us on the various ropes that hung around the cliffs.

Portugal

So why were these ropes hung? Apparently it is to get a special kind of snail that is a delicacy and only found in this region. The farmers went through dangerous lengths to get hold of these as they fetch good amount in the market. TJ wanted to show us these snails and thus we climbed down a narrow path to find these lying around us.

Portugal

The hike was not that strenuous so far as we climbed through the various paths getting lost is mesmerising beauty all around us.

Portugal

I sat at the edge of the 200 feet drop looking at the vast blue body ahead of me. They say many centuries ago Portugal was the master of the oceans and ships would leave from the great harbours of the Algarve coast to points all over the globe. These great explorers last saw land in a town call Sagres on most westerly point of Europe.

Portugal

Standing there looking at the horizon I actually echoed the nervousness the sailors would have felt as they left leaving the last piece of land in sight with little guarantee of return. As the wind got more ferocious we headed quick to not miss the sunset. TJ gestured to the far of cliff on the other side and said that would be our point of sunset. It looked far and we had a couple of hours at hand.

Portugal

The group to had got friendly by now discussing on varied topics from one’s profession to bamboo tattoos and I shared various awesome blogging adventures with the tall fellow blogger as he shared his interesting stories engrossing me making the cliff climbing a breeze.

Portugal

It got a bit difficult for me as the climb got uphill but the sight of the about to set Sun motivated me to hasten my steps. The beach from where we were to go up the hill was so untouched that we didn’t want to leave it. We stood for a happy group photo before heading towards the sunset.

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Portugal

Portugal

I stood there frozen at the sight of the setting sun, we all sat on the rocks in silence as the sun forbade the earth spreading the last bit of it’s shine mellowing slowly on the horizon.

We exchanged quiet glances and happy smiles thanking TJ to get us there just in time.

Portugal

On the other side we could see the popular tourist destination lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente. We happily avoided the crowd to take this wonderful route. I was surprised to feel the zephyr turn into wild wind and the waves hit harder almost protesting the parting Sun.

Just after sunset TJ lavishly spread a sumptuous supper for us. Being a vegetarian I am always vary of eating on adventure trips however it was so thoughtful of our host that I leave it for you to see and decide. The various types of delicious cheese to the home made guacamole, the pickled carrots and the cherries and I bread and fresh olives made it all complete.
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Portugal

All in all an awesome evening as we hopped into the van back to lagos.

Want more information on WestCoast Adventure Co.

Visit: www.westcoastlagos.com

Phone: (+351)-918-903-899

Email: go@westcoastlagos.com

Image copyright: www.sunshineandzephyr.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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