Another two weeks of adventure, activities, and some unforgettable bites have flown by. And yes, unless you’ve been living off-grid (like we briefly did), you’ve probably heard about the power outage in Portugal that lasted almost twelve hours! Total blackout, but sadly not the romantic candlelit kind.
The lights went out on Monday, April 28th, around 11:30am. Right before lunch. Which meant my poor air fryer had to take an unexpected day off. Luckily, the fridge still did its duty long enough to supply me with leftovers, and protein yoghurts saved the day for dinner. My MacBook held out heroically until 4:30pm, and thanks to my mobile hotspot, I was still able to work. Not exactly glamorous, but functional.
Driving to the gym later (because hey, blackout or not—gains don’t wait), I noticed queues piling up at gas stations along the highway. The weirdest part? The sound of everything had changed. There was this eerie silence I’ve only felt once before—when I visited Pripyat, near Chernobyl. Cell service disappeared just after 5pm, and with that, I was officially off-grid. I spent the evening reading Anxious and Avoidant: Healing the Dynamic, wandered through a semi-apocalyptic version of Luz, and discovered that most bars and restaurants were shut. But people were still out enjoying the sunshine—because let’s face it, if you’ve got sun, you’re halfway to happiness. The power finally returned around 11pm. And just like that, the 21st century came back online.
My sister and her partner joined me for a few days in Lagos, and Rute, being the sweetheart she is, offered to pick them up from the airport. We made the most of their visit, including a boat tour from the marina in Lagos. The original plan was to visit the Benagil cave, but rough seas and the threat of moody weather rerouted us to Ponta da Piedade. Honestly? No regrets.
This time, we booked with Blue Fleet (the previous tour was with Days of Adventure), and the difference was night and day. The boat was another speedboat, but somehow way more comfortable—less bone-jarring, more “ah, this is nice.” The crew was upbeat and funny, adding a lot to the experience. Even though the trip started a bit rainy and windy, cruising along the cliffs of Ponta da Piedade from the ocean was truly magical. We got splashed, we laughed, and the views were absolutely stunning.
Food was definitely a theme these past weeks (but when is it not?). I had a delicious lunch with my friend Lily at Boaty’s in Luz—and later returned with my sister and her partner. Boaty’s never lets you down. Beach vibes, good service, and tasty tapas? Yes, please. My friend Rute and I also gave the pizza at Zest a try. Let’s just say… the interior design was the real star. The pizza was alright—better than Oliva (which, let’s be honest, is a low bar). But my heart still belongs to Calhou and Pomodor in Lagos when it comes to pizza.
Speaking of tastebud adventures, we ventured to The Green Room in Lagos for Mexican food. And wow—large portions, great prices, and delicious food! Definitely worth a return. The cataplana at Calhou, however? Not a win. I tried the pork version, and my sister and her partner braved the fish and shrimp one. The fish was unrecognizable and tasted… let’s say ‘mysterious’ at best. Not a hit.
Ice cream, though? That was a hit. Gelícia in Lagos nailed it. I also returned to Arvad for another wine tasting. I still can’t tell a Merlot from a Malbec, but I can confidently say: wine + food + beautiful scenery = instant happiness. My sister, her partner, and I also enjoyed lunch with a view at Illicit near Porto de Mós, and wrapped the day with a dinner at Avenida in Lagos. This spot is praised as one of the best in town—and this time, the hype delivered. We tried a six-course tasting menu, and it was outstanding. The interior? Earthy tones and robust wood, basically my design love language. Only downside: the sommelier was clearly winging it. Reading wine labels like he was cramming for a test. But hey, at least he passed the “pouring” part.
For some chill time, I visited Praia do Burgau—a narrow beach in a charming village. Not my top beach pick, but perfect for a short escape. I also went kayaking from Praia do Alemão to Praia João de Arens in Alvor. Now, I had flashbacks to a canoeing disaster in the past, so I wasn’t thrilled at first. But kayaking? Total game-changer. Stable, fun, and way more enjoyable with a friend. The water wasn’t crystal clear that day, but apparently this spot is amazing for snorkeling too. Another memorable moment? A queer night at OLI wine & dine, with two drag shows and great music. One queen crushed it, the other… was definitely there. I enjoyed myself, though I was reminded why queer spaces can feel a little intense—sometimes I feel more like a snack on display than a guest at the party.
Sadly, due to the power outage, the last Authentic Relating game night with Silja got cancelled. I was genuinely bummed. She had planned a theme night around “gender,” and this was likely her last session before heading to Bulgaria. Hopefully our paths cross again. But on a brighter note: I’ve found a new obsession—padel! Oh my goodness. I’ve played three times in two weeks and would’ve played every day if I could. It’s more forgiving than tennis (my kind of relationship), and I love the team play aspect. Plus, soaking in the sun while smacking a ball around? Absolute bliss. When I return to Lagos in November, I’m bringing my own racket—and probably some improved skills.
One of the highlights of the past weeks was my spontaneous visit to Cabo de São Vicente near Sagres. This is the most south-western point of continental Europe, where dramatic cliffs tower over the Atlantic, and the sunsets look like the ocean is swallowing the sun whole. Fun fact: the area was once believed to be the end of the world! Portuguese sailors feared falling off the Earth if they went beyond this point. Thankfully, all I fell into was awe. The wind is fierce, the views are unreal, and the lighthouse? Absolutely iconic. If you ever go, bring a hoodie and let yourself be swept away—figuratively, of course.
That wraps up another colorful chapter of my life in Portugal. Between blackouts, beach strolls, and bites of both brilliant and “meh” food, I feel more connected to this place than ever. Until next time—stay powered, stay playful, and maybe bring an extra power bank, just in case.
