As regards the railway timetable, it is complicated because Lagos is not on a main line.
Go to my blog here:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/
On the right hand side panel scroll down until you come to the section entitled:
Algarve & Portugal - Travel Transport Links
The first item is:
Algarve Regional Line Train Timetable
Click on it and you will be able to download in pdf format the Algarve Regional Rail line timetable.
It shows the times from Tunes to Lagos
From Lisbon you will have to change at Tunes for Lagos.
Further down the panel you will find an item:
Porto - Lisbon - Faro (Algarve) Train Timetable
Click on this to download the mainline timetable. Again you will be looking for trains from Lisboa to Tunes
As regards the buses I would concur that the train is more scenic but the EVA buses direct from Lisbon Sete Rios bus station to Lagos take only 3:45 minutes and are direct.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Strange Night Lights over Lagos - 8th June 2009
Last night while returning from dinner at the Aqualuz at 23:15, I noticed a triangular formation of 3, what appear to be, orange (halogen) lights in the sky above the Fortaleza area of Lagos. I pulled the car over , my partner and I got out and were surprised to see two more similar formations following these three lights. It was a full moon last night as well.
The following points were noticeable:
1) The three formations where almost the same trianglar shape and size. Total number of lights seen = 9.
2) They moved from appeared to be North to South before disappearing, not on the horizon but because they appear to bank.
3) There was not sign of navigation lights - flashing or other, only a strong orange light.
4) There was no sound of engines. This suggests that the formations were at a high altitude.
We did not see any black helicopters nor men in black suits with RayBans and silver pens. We did not experience loss of electrics nor halos nor a sense of being abducted.
At least one other couple stopped in the car park on the hill above the Fortaleza and watched the formations for at least three minutes.
Did any one else see this phenomenon?
Any idea what this was?
My thoughts -
1) Night time High Altitude Helicopter training?
2) Unmanned drone training - pehaps out of the US Air Force Base at Lajes in the Azores?
3) Problems with the eyesight of 4 people?
4) Three large top secret spook aircraft - (e.g. Aurora)
5) UFO's --- no can't be .... but then....
Please post any comments and ideas.
»»»»Update 24th June 2009««««««
See this latest comment by Woodentop on the following page:
http://algarve.angloinfo.com/forum/topic.asp?page=2&topic_id=2508
My musings following Woodentops comments as follows:
"Sounds very similar to my sighting...again not a drop of medronho passed my lips!
There is something going on here, especially if there are objects floating around without red and green navigation lights but in a fixed formation..
Timing is within 20 minutes of the ones I saw on 8th June 2009 over Lagos. Due South was the direction they were heading in as well.
Something just clicked in my mind and I have just done a check of United States Air Force Stations in Spain.
There is one at Moron de Frontera about 80kms SE of Seville. If you draw a straight line from there, over Lagos and continue West, you arrive practically dead over the Azores where the USAF use the base at Lajes. However, this is an East-West route and the path of the lights/orbs was North to South.
Me wonders if this a "Men in Black/Area 51" type USAF recon aircraft (Shades of the SR51 Blackbird - but much slower - perhaps a special reconaissance drone on a training op) operating from one of these two bases?
»»»»Update 25th June 2009««««««
What intrigues me is that the each of the three x three lights I saw were moving in relation to each other which suggests a craft of some type or three craft with very good guidance systems on board.
I am not into the Chinese Lantern option as these would be affected by wind/atmospheric conditions and in theory should move about a bit in relation to each other.
Overnight, I also wondered about he possibility that these lights are somehow generated from the ground or sea using laser technology. Maybe some mad Peter Sellers-type Dr. Strangelove sitting on his yacht offshore or in his villa and beaming the lights up.
Await more reports / sightings with interest.
N.B.: Now just seen this article! http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/local/4455565._Orange_lights__in_Stourport_sky/
»»»»Update 10th July 2009««««««
Just seen this article from the US with some interesting recent reports of similiar sightings:
http://www.examiner.com/x-2363-UFO-Examiner~y2009m7d8-Multiple-fireballs-moved-with-purpose-over-Indiana-town
The following points were noticeable:
1) The three formations where almost the same trianglar shape and size. Total number of lights seen = 9.
2) They moved from appeared to be North to South before disappearing, not on the horizon but because they appear to bank.
3) There was not sign of navigation lights - flashing or other, only a strong orange light.
4) There was no sound of engines. This suggests that the formations were at a high altitude.
We did not see any black helicopters nor men in black suits with RayBans and silver pens. We did not experience loss of electrics nor halos nor a sense of being abducted.
At least one other couple stopped in the car park on the hill above the Fortaleza and watched the formations for at least three minutes.
Did any one else see this phenomenon?
Any idea what this was?
My thoughts -
1) Night time High Altitude Helicopter training?
2) Unmanned drone training - pehaps out of the US Air Force Base at Lajes in the Azores?
3) Problems with the eyesight of 4 people?
4) Three large top secret spook aircraft - (e.g. Aurora)
5) UFO's --- no can't be .... but then....
Please post any comments and ideas.
»»»»Update 24th June 2009««««««
See this latest comment by Woodentop on the following page:
http://algarve.angloinfo.com/forum/topic.asp?page=2&topic_id=2508
My musings following Woodentops comments as follows:
"Sounds very similar to my sighting...again not a drop of medronho passed my lips!
There is something going on here, especially if there are objects floating around without red and green navigation lights but in a fixed formation..
Timing is within 20 minutes of the ones I saw on 8th June 2009 over Lagos. Due South was the direction they were heading in as well.
Something just clicked in my mind and I have just done a check of United States Air Force Stations in Spain.
There is one at Moron de Frontera about 80kms SE of Seville. If you draw a straight line from there, over Lagos and continue West, you arrive practically dead over the Azores where the USAF use the base at Lajes. However, this is an East-West route and the path of the lights/orbs was North to South.
Me wonders if this a "Men in Black/Area 51" type USAF recon aircraft (Shades of the SR51 Blackbird - but much slower - perhaps a special reconaissance drone on a training op) operating from one of these two bases?
»»»»Update 25th June 2009««««««
What intrigues me is that the each of the three x three lights I saw were moving in relation to each other which suggests a craft of some type or three craft with very good guidance systems on board.
I am not into the Chinese Lantern option as these would be affected by wind/atmospheric conditions and in theory should move about a bit in relation to each other.
Overnight, I also wondered about he possibility that these lights are somehow generated from the ground or sea using laser technology. Maybe some mad Peter Sellers-type Dr. Strangelove sitting on his yacht offshore or in his villa and beaming the lights up.
Await more reports / sightings with interest.
N.B.: Now just seen this article! http://www.kidderminstershuttle.co.uk/news/local/4455565._Orange_lights__in_Stourport_sky/
»»»»Update 10th July 2009««««««
Just seen this article from the US with some interesting recent reports of similiar sightings:
http://www.examiner.com/x-2363-UFO-Examiner~y2009m7d8-Multiple-fireballs-moved-with-purpose-over-Indiana-town
Monday, 8 June 2009
Carparking in Lagos
Regrettably, I concur.
I have to say that thanks to a complete lack of understanding of project planning and the necessities of a business/town whose economy is based on tourism, the local council has made the "mother of all dogs' breakfasts" with regards to the provision of easy private vehicular access to central Lagos this summer.
They themselves have finally admitted it by recently mounting dirty great big fluorescent signs at the ends of the Avenida advising people to look for alternative parking.
For someone who has mobility difficulties, I regret to say that the Marina option is probably the only reasonable one and then only if they have a electric powered wheelchair as the Marina is a good 800m from the centre of town.
Regret to have to say this as I live here but if you are coming by car stay well clear of downtown Lagos this summer.
I have to say that thanks to a complete lack of understanding of project planning and the necessities of a business/town whose economy is based on tourism, the local council has made the "mother of all dogs' breakfasts" with regards to the provision of easy private vehicular access to central Lagos this summer.
They themselves have finally admitted it by recently mounting dirty great big fluorescent signs at the ends of the Avenida advising people to look for alternative parking.
For someone who has mobility difficulties, I regret to say that the Marina option is probably the only reasonable one and then only if they have a electric powered wheelchair as the Marina is a good 800m from the centre of town.
Regret to have to say this as I live here but if you are coming by car stay well clear of downtown Lagos this summer.
Friday, 5 June 2009
Ryanair - Online Booking
Be very very wary of anything concerning Ryanair.
I understand that very soon they will be charging all passengers who are not named Michael O'Leary an extra € 5.00 per flight.(including crew....)
I understand that very soon they will be charging all passengers who are not named Michael O'Leary an extra € 5.00 per flight.(including crew....)
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Recommended drive from Tavira to Lagos
I would suggest that you will see more staying on the bus to Lagos. Let the drive take the strain.
There are only two routes along the Algarve coast.
- the Old EN 125 (which the bus follows in parts)and which is not exactly scenic.
- the A22 Via de Infante arterial motorway.
When you arrive in Lagos, hire a car and explore from there.
Remember that the Algarve region is only 45km by 160kms wide and can easily be explored by day trips from Lagos.
There are only two routes along the Algarve coast.
- the Old EN 125 (which the bus follows in parts)and which is not exactly scenic.
- the A22 Via de Infante arterial motorway.
When you arrive in Lagos, hire a car and explore from there.
Remember that the Algarve region is only 45km by 160kms wide and can easily be explored by day trips from Lagos.
Portugal - Spain - Car Hire
Sorry for the delay in commenting. I have been away for a couple of weeks.
There is one other possibility.
Have a look at this post on my blog:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=auriga
You could make your way down to Faro Airport by bus/train from or hire a car at Lisbon Airport from some one like Auto Jardim, drive down to Faro Airport, drop it off and then pick up a Auriga car.
Web site here:
http://www.aurigacrown.com/
There is one other possibility.
Have a look at this post on my blog:
http://barlaventostravelblog.blogspot.com/search?q=auriga
You could make your way down to Faro Airport by bus/train from or hire a car at Lisbon Airport from some one like Auto Jardim, drive down to Faro Airport, drop it off and then pick up a Auriga car.
Web site here:
http://www.aurigacrown.com/
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Madrid to Porto
There are no direct trains between Madrid and Porto.
There is only one overnight train from Madrid to Coimbra, Portugal where you could change for Porto.
There are direct buses but these take about 8 to 9 hours. There are departures from Madrid Estacion Sur Coach Station by alsa.es as follows:
MADR-E.SUR PORTO 09:30 17:30
MADR-E.SUR PORTO 23:00 06:30 next day
You best bet might be by the air with a low cost airline like Ryanair.com
They have flights as follows:
Depart:Madrid 05:50 Arrive:Porto 06:10
Depart:Madrid 20:50 Arrive:Porto 21:10
There is only one overnight train from Madrid to Coimbra, Portugal where you could change for Porto.
There are direct buses but these take about 8 to 9 hours. There are departures from Madrid Estacion Sur Coach Station by alsa.es as follows:
MADR-E.SUR PORTO 09:30 17:30
MADR-E.SUR PORTO 23:00 06:30 next day
You best bet might be by the air with a low cost airline like Ryanair.com
They have flights as follows:
Depart:Madrid 05:50 Arrive:Porto 06:10
Depart:Madrid 20:50 Arrive:Porto 21:10
Lisbon - Faro
The easiest and probably cheapest way for 2 people with bags to get to Entrecampos train station from Lisbon airport is by taxi!
Bus may be cheaper but will require changes and it may be a hassle with bags.
There are two trains departing Entrecampos on Sunday evenings that meet your needs:
Dept: Lisbon Entrecampos: 17:30 Arr: Faro 21:10
Dept: Lisbon Entrecampos: 18:51 Arr: Faro 21:55
Bus may be cheaper but will require changes and it may be a hassle with bags.
There are two trains departing Entrecampos on Sunday evenings that meet your needs:
Dept: Lisbon Entrecampos: 17:30 Arr: Faro 21:10
Dept: Lisbon Entrecampos: 18:51 Arr: Faro 21:55
Tuesday, 12 May 2009
Lagos - Roadworks Update - Marina
If you are in an apartment overlooking the Marina itself, there will be no direct effect from the work.
However, I would advise being prepared, even at night, to walk into the town town rather than drive as there is a massive shortage of parking.
Be aware that it you want to go to the upper town, Luz, Porto de Mos and or all points west of Lagos by car, it is currently better to go via the Seagulls' swimming bath on the roundabout at the entrance to town, the Modelo supermarket and the "Chairs" roundabout rather than going through town on the Avenida.
However, I would advise being prepared, even at night, to walk into the town town rather than drive as there is a massive shortage of parking.
Be aware that it you want to go to the upper town, Luz, Porto de Mos and or all points west of Lagos by car, it is currently better to go via the Seagulls' swimming bath on the roundabout at the entrance to town, the Modelo supermarket and the "Chairs" roundabout rather than going through town on the Avenida.
US/EU phone calls
To call the US from Europe Union Countries dial 00 1 and then the US area code and number.
To call Europe from the States dial the international access code for your operator, then the country code - Portugal - 351 / Spain 34, and then the number in question.
To call Europe from the States dial the international access code for your operator, then the country code - Portugal - 351 / Spain 34, and then the number in question.
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