09/12/2016 - Alvor

Today we drove far into the mountains to Monchique at 10:00 AM under the sun and 17 degrees. Monchique is known for its healing water spring. Many sick people come here to bathe in it. It is also sold as spring water with a pH value of 9.5 (very alkaline) throughout the area.

After a 2.5 hour drive uphill and downhill through a very lonely area, on a narrow road with potholes, we found Monchique (about 400 meters high). On the entire route (about 50 km) there were only a few very small villages (3-10 houses) scattered here and there, some of them already uninhabited.

When we arrived in Monchique, we couldn't find a parking space once again. Eventually, we ended up in the middle of a huge market from which it was difficult to get away. This market offered everything you can think of. From chickens and birds to clothing, plants, and household items, everything was available.

Up there in the mountains, we saw a lot of eucalyptus and cork trees. The cork trees are peeled and the articles made from them (bracelets, bags, shoes, etc.) are sold everywhere in the Algarve.

On the way back, we drove on a larger road. Along the way, we discovered a pottery with an incredibly large and diverse offering (see photo).

Originally, our destination today was Portimao, but one parking area was already overcrowded and the other one was closed. Therefore, we had to continue driving to Alvor. There, we decided to stay at a campsite.