The best of plans can change in a heartbeat. The trip to Armona was cancelled because the police decided to no longer allow bicycles to go to the island. No great loss. I packed my tent and bags onto my bike and hopped the train to the border of Spain. Why not? I need to brush up on my Spanish, so this is the opportunity.
Train Station in Olhao
Tomorrow, I will pass this lighthouse in Vila Real de San Antonio and get on the ferry above to Spain. From Ayamonte, the bike trail will take me to Isla Cristina.
The boat to Armona, one of the outer islands after crossing the Ria Formosa, is a large passenger ferry. Of course, you can also take the taxi boat from Olhao, but compare 25€ with 1,85€ and I prefer the ferry.
40 Minutes on the train and I was looking across the border to Ayamonte in Spain. But hold your horses. I think I will rest here for 3 days to soak up some sunshine.
Monte Gordo is a winter retreat town for retirees from England, Holland, France, Germany and colder regions to the north. Why? It is inexpensive and one of the warmest sunniest towns in continental Europe in the winter. It is a man-made town without character or history, but no one here cares. They just want to see the sunshine - and there is plenty of that.
