On Saturday, September 27th, members of the Rotary Club Estoi Palace International, together with members from Almancil International Rotary Club, friends and family, took the ferry from Olhão to visit the town of Farol on Ihla da Culatra, in the barrier islands off Olhão.
Culatra is the most visible of the barrier islands, due to its tall white lighthouse. The Portuguese word for a lighthouse is farol.
Lighthouses in Portugal are owned by the navy or Marinha de Portugal and are operated by the navy's lighthouse directorate, Direçãco de Faróis. All lighthouses in Portugal are open to the public every Wednesday afternoon all year round, but as we arrived on a Saturday we could only enjoy the lighthouse from the ground.
Portuguese sailors launched the European age of discovery, exploring the far corners of the globe and for 600 years Portuguese ships have been finding their way home using their lighthouses, so it is little wonder that they are considered treasured cultural icons today.
Farol itself has a cluster of houses and lovely boardwalks throughout the community. There are a number of beach bars and small cafes dotted about the village, most of which were getting ready to close for the season. However, the larger restaurant A do João remains open year round, and we went there to enjoy a lunch of mixed seafood, fresh vegetables and salads.
The beaches were quiet, but the sea temperature was still an acceptable 22°C and a few late holidaymakers were enjoying a swim in the crystal clear waters during our visit. At the same time local fishermen were casting their lines into the surf in the hope of catching something fresh for dinner.
There are no cars on the island, making it a safe spot for family pets, and there were any number of dogs and cats out for walks and enjoying the sunny afternoon with us.
As our ferry pulled out late in the afternoon one Rotarian was heard to say: “Who knew we lived so close to paradise. Farol Island, no cars, no stress, deserted sandy beaches, in a beautiful climate.” It seems some of us will be going back for another visit soon.
