YouTube why not? We decided to document our journey and wanted to take you guys along.
Have a look at the first episode below.
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Best Western Algarve beaches
Praia de Odeceixe – Mar
An absolute winner for nature lovers like myself. Also known as the first beach of the Algarve, Odeceixe beach is really something special. The river Seixe is in constant battle over water and land with the Atlantic Ocean so the beach will transform in all shapes and forms during the day. You can experience a nice stroll along the river side or on top of the cliffs and spot some beautiful white storks. If you are feeling a bit more adventurous grab a stand-up paddle or kayak and had down all the way to the city center of Odeceixe. The river offers also a safe place to let the little ones dip their feet in the water while you can enjoy a nice gentle surf, you can check ‘windguru odeceixe’ for the surf conditions. There are a few bars and lunchrooms around so you can enjoy some nice Portuguese seafood and if you forget your surfboard ‘no worries’ as there is a small rental shop right on the beach.
Praia da Amoreira
Both the beach and the Aljezur river are of an enormous size so there is plenty enough space to escape the crowds. The river is covered by sand dunes that can offer a great natural barrier if the wind plays up. It also provides for an ideal place for children or adults who are a bit tired of fighting the powerful Atlantic ocean and wanna have a more relaxed dip in the refreshing water. A long stretch of white wash in the Atlantic makes this place ideal for surfers who are just starting out. There are two restaurants, both on the opposite sides of the beach however split by the river so choose your road carefully when make you make a decision where to eat.
Praia de Monte Clérigo
A long stretch of sand with high cliffs overlooked by a small town. Surfing is slightly more for the experienced surfer due to the currents and reefs but there is an easy access to the water for a nice chilled dip. There is a restaurant right on the beach with a great view over the ocean ideal for a nice dinner at sunset. I even spotted some Dolphins here while surfing so you might be in for a treat. Disclaimer: Dolphins are wild animals so it wont be certain you will find them there.
Praia da Arrifana
A great beach with even better surf. It can be a bit crowded in the water but enough space for everyone due to the size of the bay. There is a certain ‘modern hippie’ vibe in Arrifana due to the amount of surf schools that attracts many surf dudes and dudettes. There are plenty of bars, restaurants and even some nice music festivals if you are there in the right period.
Praia de Bordeira
The longest beach in the Western part of the Algarve. An endless beach ideal for a great morning run or other activities. Due to it size you may find plenty enough space on the beach and in the water. Great surf conditions for both beginners and the intermediate surfer. A small kiosk on the beach can provide you with a light meal while soaking up the sun and some beach fun!
The Strawberry Tree
Our land is covered with the so called strawberry trees (arbutus unedo). This small tree has a large volume of berries, better known to the Portuguese as ‘Medronhos‘. This fruit contains a high amount of sugar and antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, niacin, tocopherols, and organic acids that are precursors to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
The Algarve Locals use them mostly for jam, marmalades, yogurt and alcoholic beverages, such as the Portuguese Medronho, a type of strong brandy. To non – Portuguese speakers this traditional drink is also known as Firewater. It comes from the translation, água ardente, which is Portuguese for burning water. You will understand this better the moment you taste it, as the spirit got his name from the hot sensation in your throat.
“The Aguardente de Medronhos is a strong spirit, a traditional fruit brandy from Portugal, obtained from the fruit of the Medronho tree, Arbutus unedo, also called strawberry tree”
While walking around the hotel from around October to December you will see the trees filled with ripe berries (the red ones) all ready to be picked and to be eaten. To make one liter of the famous brandy, you’ll need around 7 and 10 kilos of fruit and it takes up to 3 months of fermentation. Make sure it is humid at all times and the distillation is best done in the traditional way on a very low fire and by using a copper alambique as distillation device.
Afterwards, test the liquid it by rubbing some on your hands. You’ve made a good Medronho if you can smell the fruit after the alcohol has evaporated. Rather fancy a cup of tea? The leaves are used as well and often thought to cure kidney/bladder problems. Boil a litre of water, add 20 grams of leaves and leave them there for 10 minutes. Drink a cup 3 times a day for 3 weeks and your problems will be history.
Enjoy!
The meaning of MANA
mana ˈmɑːnə/
noun
- MANA, in Austronesian languages, means “power”, “effectiveness”, and “prestige”. In most cases, this power is understood to be supernatural.
The word MANA has several meanings in different parts in the world however the first time I came across the word was during my travels in North Australia. For the Yolngu peoples of northeast Arnhem Land, certain ancestors who created potent sacred sites are known as ‘power totems’. These ancestors are central to the identity of the clans descended from them, and clansmen draw spiritual and physical strength by accessing their power through sacred designs, songs, and dances. Several Yolngu clans trace their identity to the ancestral whaler shark MANA (pronounced: MAR-na). According to the public version of the story, this ancestral being began his journey along the coast of northeast Arnhem Land. While sleeping on the beach, MANA was speared by an ancestor from another clan who did not want other creator beings near him. Enraged by this stealthy attack, MANA charged inland from the sea, exploding into the landscape.
“While sleeping on the beach, MANA was speared by an ancestor from another clan who did not want other creator beings near him”
The ancestral shark gouged his way inland using his teeth to carve out several river systems. As he journeyed onward, his teeth broke off on the hard riverbanks; these lost teeth became the pandanus trees which line rivers today. The leaves of these trees are dagger-shaped with serrated edges, like shark teeth. These trees represent both MANA’s anger at being speared and the stingray-spine tipped spear that MANA carried to avenge his death.
The name inspired us when we first laid eyes on our hill. If you follow the River Seixe which is full of fresh salty Atlantic water, you arrive at what we call today MANA village. Inspired by the native Australian Eucalyptus trees and rocky formations.
So I hear you thinking what does the Austronesian word MANA has to do with Portugal. As we are separated by land but connected by water, the shark MANA could have gone anywhere in the world and if you look closely at Odeceixe beach, the story of MANA makes sense, the river, the spiky cliffs. MANA even left us a constant reminder of himself right on the beach!
“Mana even left us a constant reminder of himself right on Odeceixe beach!”
