Tavira, day 1!

Hi all! Just some quick photos of our first day away from Quinta da Torre. We picked up our rental car after a harrowing drive with the taxi driver's mother! (Long/short story!) We haven't been on a drive like that since our crazy cab ride in Egypt! Who would have thought that a motherly woman would have some secret Formula 1 dream? Or death wish? Let's just say we were holding/gripping hands for the entire 25 minute drive! Anyhoo! We picked up our little Renault hatch back and hit the road! We were happy to pick this orange beauty up as we had only paid for a "mini" car… and no that does not mean Mini Cooper. It means mini wind up, putt-putt, please don't drive over us car! So! Here we are in Tavira! A quaint city dating back to the bronze age! Situated on the Algarve, right next to the Gilao River. We have only had time to unpack, and have a lovely dinner along the river side. We haven't had dinner out in FOREVER! We enjoyed numerous tapas and a lovely bottle of local red wine! So here are a few pictures to get this vacation inside a vacation… inside a vacation started! P.S. This post is dedicated to our friend Louise! Louise… tonight we chatted about you over dinner! Surrounding us at every table were Scottish tourists! Miss you, wish you were here!

How crazy is it that we ran into Gene Simmons on the Algarve!?

Here is Graham and Mango standing opposite our little apartment! How cute is that!?

This beautiful church is steps away from our front door. We will fill you in on the history later! 

As you can see, Portugal is experiencing "World Cup" fever!