Published: 21.09.2019
Stage 14: Porto Covo β> Sevilla 361 KM (Total 3781 KM)
On our departure day, a small low pressure system moves in after 15 days of sun, making our farewell a little easier.
We drive south to Odemira and stock up on food at the local supermarket π. There are two routes to Sevilla, one leading eastward across Portugal and the other southward through the Algarve - we decide on the shorter route in the eastward direction. On the GPS, we can see that this route has several hairpin turns due to the topography, but we dare to take it anyway.
The landscape is hilly and we see stripped cork oak trees standing on dry red soil as far as the eye can see. There are still a few farms, but otherwise, the area is lonely and we hardly see any vehicles coming towards us. The road conditions are mostly fine, except for sudden bumps and road depressions, but that abruptly changes as we enter another district. The road now becomes a pothole-riddled track and we ponder over our route choice π€π, but after about 15 km, we are relieved to find a well-built national road and then the highway - we drive relieved and now relaxed towards πͺπΈππ.Β
Our new campsite is located in the city of Dos Hermanos (Two Sisters π) and is about 16 km away from Sevilla. The pitches are very tight and the ground consists of dusty red soil, which we can carry into the camper quite well π. We set up a makeshift dirt sluice, which works moderately well π€.Β
The distance to the old town of Sevilla is optimal for our π² and we can get there in 45 minutes. There are even partially developed bike paths, which start unexpectedly and then suddenly disappear π.
Sevilla has the third largest old town in the world and is absolutely worth seeing. In the narrow streets, there are sometimes π driving around, which show signs of having touched a house wall at some point.Β
Our π² are ideal in the narrow and expansive old town and in a short time, we see a lot of the old Sevilla. The Southern Europeans are said to be much more relaxed than us, which is also demonstrated by the following incident: In a narrow street, a driver sees an acquaintance and suddenly stops. The acquaintance goes to the π, leans into the open side window, and the two start a conversation (see photo). The fact that the following π and also us with our π² cannot pass does not interest the two at all. After 4-5 minutes, the driver in front of us honks discreetly - the two continue their conversation without any reaction. After further minutes, the conversation is over, the two say goodbye, and the traffic can flow again... We look at each other and can't believe what we just experienced. We firmly decide to take some of this southern serenity with us into everyday life in π©πͺππ.
We did not queue up in long lines for the top sights - instead, we watched the hustle and bustle of the city from a nice restaurant table. After visiting some sights, we return to our mobile home in the evening, exhausted and satisfied. π₯³π΄