The weather does what it wants! Rain and thunderstorms in Albufeira

A rainy day in Albufeira may seem disappointing at first glance, but sometimes it’s the little moments that make such a day special.

Our day began with a walk through the old town. Only a few tourists were out, while the street builders worked peacefully despite the rain.

However, the rain soon prompted us to seek refuge – and so we made our way through the tunnel down to the beach.

This tunnel was planned over 90 years ago. In September 1932, the Albufeira Initiative and Tourism Commission received permission from the Ministry of Public Works, Engineer Duarte Pacheco, to begin excavation work for the construction of a tunnel that would connect the old town with the bathing beach. Although the work was completed in June 1935, the official inauguration did not take place until a year later.

Even in heavy rain, the sea has a magical atmosphere: the waves crashing against the coast and the gray clouds swallowing the horizon give Albufeira a unique, dramatic beauty.

After a brief stay at the beach, we had to surrender to the rain and retreated to a small café. There we enjoyed a hot cup of chocolate and an Algarve coffee while watching life on the streets – people struggling with umbrellas, puddles quickly turning into small streams, and the (un)comfortable atmosphere that rainy days bring. With the coffee, a feeling of après-ski emerged, as our drinks resembled Schümlipflümli.

On our way, we saw a colorful clown at a house, bringing some color to the gloomy day. The saying underneath surprised us a bit, as it didn't really connect to the clown.

The sentence “O vinho é o melhor amigo do homem” (in English: “Wine is man's best friend”) is a poetic statement that highlights the cultural and emotional significance of wine in many cultures.

Wine has been an essential part of Portuguese culture and tradition for centuries. Portugal is known for its high-quality wines, from Vinho Verde in the north to the world-famous Port wine from the Douro Valley. The phrase reflects this deep connection.

Wine often represents conviviality, enjoyment, and community. A glass of wine is associated with friendships, special moments, and relaxation, which supports the assertion that wine can be like a good friend in difficult or joyful times.

The phrase could also be intended with a wink, as wine is sometimes seen as a “comforter” or companion – whether during a good meal, for celebration, or simply to wind down the day. Of course, the statement can also be read with a certain wink, as excessive wine consumption is by no means “friendly” to humans. But enjoyed in moderation, wine is indeed celebrated as a symbol of joy and enjoyment in many cultures.

Such a rainy day reminds us that travel doesn’t always have to be perfectly planned. Sometimes, it’s these unexpected breaks that give you the opportunity to pause and feel the atmosphere of a place in a whole new way.

We set off to go home. To pass the afternoon, we played two games. The balance is pleasing after the afternoon, as I lead in the internal competition with a 2-day victory margin 😀

In the evening, we go out to the restaurant O Marinheiro, our regular place here, for a fine meal. We decide on salmon fillet today.

It’s still raining. So we have no choice but to have another cocktail and hope that the storm will pass when the glasses are empty. As a “digestif”, the waiter offered us a Medronho.