After a few hours on the road from my home in France, a few Tapas breaks through Spain, the soft melodies of Motörhead in my ears… some Pink Floyd also to rest my brain, I finally arrive to the promised land at the same time as the reddish light in the sky.
First goal reached, I arrived to a beach called Amoreira. With its unique surroundings and an endless summer abandoned by the tourists, I already feel that I’ve been further than expected… far away from home.
The waves are small but enough to score a nice SUP session. Sleeping in the van that night, I reconnect with the essence of a windsurf trip. Rediscovering the joy of holidays in a caravan just like when I was a kid. Knowing that we can switch our surroundings everyday and without any restrictions and listening to the sound of the breaking waves when the sun is not even up is the best motivation to leave your cosy bed and rig up.
The water is cold here; especially early in the morning, but the scenery and the sun make up for it and give my first session a true taste of discovery and adventure. On a trip, whether you’re far or close from home, you have to be patient and trust your lucky stars. While waiting for the wind, the Algarve offers the possibilities to enjoy an area that has kept all its authenticity. All of the west coast has been well preserved because of its location in a national park. Villages are still villages. There are no big condominiums due to massive tourism, and I love it like that. In every colourful village painted by the traditional white and blue, you’ll have the chance to eat well. It’s not expensive especially if you compare it to the crowded beaches in France.
You let yourself be balanced by the local style, and enjoy this atypic rhythm only found when travelling to a new destination… and that you must first acclimatize with to later fully appreciate.