h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

'ello.

fords and I are off to Albufeira on Tuesday for a week of sun, sea and celebration/commiseration (depending on whether or not she passes her driving test on Monday, which she will ) Any tips for the aspiring tourist?

Oooooh, Portugal!!! Bring a jumper! It's chilly at night!!!!

Seriously, it's been lovely during the day at the moment, usually around 27ish degrees, but once the sun goes down, there's sometimes a bit of a nip in the air! (obviously not a Scottish nip, but it's noticeable when you've been hot all day!)

For the celebrating, the Strip is funny if you want a laugh at silly underage, underdressed British teenyboppers trying to get served Smirnoff Ices. Best bars there are Cuica Bar, Reno's, La Bamba and Wild & Co which are all at the bottom. They start to get busier after 12 and are open til 3. Before that, the Old Town is the best place to be (get a taxi between the Old Town and the Strip, none of that walking lark!!!)and it's got better restaurants too! Atrium is prolly the best bar there but there are loads round the Square that are good.

For hangover food, The Kilt and Celt on the Strip is the only place in the Algarve to get tattie scones, proper black pudding, square (lorne) sausauge and even Kippers!!(Maybe not your thing, but when you've not had square sausage for a while, the cravings take over I drive 90 miles for their breakfasts sometimes)!!! Every other bar does a bog standard English brekkie!

Zoomarine (like a small Sea World) is prolly the best day out if you like jumping dolphins and seals and stuff. The animal shows are a bit naff but they are watchable and there's a little fun fair with big wheel, little rollercoaster and the smallest log flume you've ever seen, but it is a really good day out! If you're gonna book anything trip wise, get it from your hotel reception. They'll give you at least 10% off the price.

For shopping, take fords to Algarve Shopping, she'll love you forever! There's a free bus to it from the centre of Albufeira (hotel reception will tell you times and place to pick it up) Not just a shopping centre (there are loads of sales on at the moment, though) It also has a bowling alley, 10 screen cinema(all films in original language - usually English - with Portuguese subtitles, 'cept the cartoony ones which will have Portuguese dubbing) , loads of restaurants and a separate food court! Shops shut at 11 pm but the bowling and cinema bit stays open later. If you stay out later than the free bus back there's a taxi rank in the car park and it'll only cost bout 10 Euros to get back.

Oh, and all the beaches are lovely and not too crowded so just pick your spot!


Jeez, I can talk, can't I? Hope that helped!

That's pretty comprehensive. Very helpful too, thanks a lot! I've been before but it was about 20 years ago so it's probably changed beyond recognition by now. I don't remember any of those places being there at the time... mind you I was only ickle!

Have some for your trouble.

Hope you both have a great time! I used to go out in Albufeira a lot and had some fab nights out when I lived a bit closer but with my job, I live way out in the sticks now, about 50 miles away so it's a bit more difficult

I suppose I should start packing soon, shouldn't I?

Yes!!! fords has more than enough to worry about!!

How'd the driving test go? Has she done it yet?

She's just come back...

And...................................?

She passed! I knew she would.

yay!! Well done to her!!! This calls for not !!! Lots of celebrating to be done on your hols then!!! It's a lovely sunny, hot day today and should be the same for at least the next few days!!! Hope you have a great time.

(if you remember to do the packing!!!)

She's driving to her mum's by herself so I'll have plenty of time to pack!

All packed!

Thanks for the tips - if you see a couple of people wandering about in h2g2 t-shirts there's a fair chance it could be us!

*sulks at having to come home*

I wouldn't! It's been pissing down for two days solid!

You're joking! What happened to the heatwave?

We are seemingly getting the tail end of Hurricane Vince! Torrential rain for two days and very windy! (which was needed really as there are no water reserves left!) Temp has dropped a bit but it just feels a bit cold and clammy!

Portuguese don't mind though cos all the tourists either stay in the pub all day spending money or go shopping and spend money!!!

From what I saw they all did that anyway!

I'm halfway through typing up our holiday diary - I'll let you know when it's ready.

It's done now! A6045851

*wanders in*

It's just been brought to my attention that it's a full six months since we went to Albufeira. Where does the time go?

How are you, anyway? Have I missed anything?