Indulge Inspire Imbibe: October 2023

Monday, October 23, 2023

Dusk @ Dona Ana

Exploring the sea stacks and marveling in the tranquility of Praia de Dona Ana at golden hour; this was our first visit to the beach upon arrival from Lisbon. On the drive we stopped to grocery shop at Lidl, then unpacked and settled into our Airbnb. Finally, it was time to walk down to the beach. Camden immediately sprinted over to that rock, climbed it, and started making funny poses. His enthusiasm is contagious! Ryder collected shells at the waters edge. And at last, Mom got that family selfie.

There's a feeling I love after being in a new city, of then arriving to a new beach. A change of environment, a change of pace: slowing down with my kids and being outside discovering.

Friday, October 20, 2023

Dinners in Old Town | Lagos

I posted a brief intro to Lagos and all the photos of Praia Dona Ana - but let's get into it, shall we? Our Airbnb was in a massive condo complex called IberLagos. As I mentioned, the proximity to the beach and the dueling pools were A+. There was plenty of parking and an elevator. It was a pleasant and quick walk to downtown restaurants. A bottle of white wine greeted us at check in. All great things!

The pictures on Airbnb are super polished and while we did love it, and it was reasonably priced, it's not high end. The beds were sparse and not the comfiest. No vacation shattering issues, I guess I'm just trying to say the interior pictures on Airbnb sort of exceeded the real life feel. We loved the patio. There was a container of beach toys and an umbrella. It did feel like and ideal place for a family with small kids!

Camden loves to unpack and organize. Ryder is Livin' the Dream for sure.

Grocery shopping at Lidl was our first real food shopping of the trip for breakfast and essentials. (Snacks. Super Bock). Groceries are inexpensive here. Generally Portugal is not an expensive place to travel, which is nice and a feels like a European travel secret that should be kept under the radar.

Our dinners in Lagos were great.

Our overall favorite experience was at: Arribale. off the main drag, somewhat hidden behind the old sea wall, seated in an azulejo tile both, VINHO VERDE always, the flaming sausage, the whole roasted fish, everything cooked on the chargrill, a true salt of the earth Lagosian waiter, and the bottle of Calem Tawny Port our he left on our table to drink to our hearts content during dessert.

Another fun meal was at Imperio Do Mar.

On a very happening, boisterous, main street in the old town, we feasted here on the delicacy known as Percebes. Which are Barnacles.

We are adventurous and discovering new foods. inquire within.

One day it was not beach weather so we walked the sprawling pier and brunched.

An Aperol Spritz and an omlette with french fries and salad hit the spot.

Nobody:

Me: obsessed with Aperol circa 2011 before the last Gen Zer was even born.

We ate at Sal and Companhia on our last night. I'm starting to feel like a Lagos regular and settle into a gorgeous family vacation routine, right in time to break it. Bob and I are drinking the house red and really appreciating this trip and our family. We're eating green been tempura and seafood risotto rich with prawns and coastal mussels. Briny seafood essence is at its finest here in Lagos.