Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Parking Problems
Faro, the Algarve's capital, is in the process of overhauling its parks in an effort to offer more facilities to visitors and residents.
One park, Jardim da Alameda João de Deus has just reopened (an inevitable few months late!) after its latest facelift. Since the park's been around since the mid-1800s, it was doubtless overdue!
The redesigned facility is intended to cater for all ages. Unfortunately, this extends to having caged animals on display, an Iberian quirk that upset me greatly when we visited the Spanish Algarve in April 2005 and saw the disgraceful 'zoo' in Ayamonte's park.
On the plus side, there are new plantings and waterfalls, more shaded benches for 'watching the world go by', and even a 'geriatric' area. Senior citizens are encouraged to stay limber by trying out the exercise kit provided there! (Well, that should save the cost of gym membership when we buy our Algarve villa).
The delay in reopening remains a mystery but hey, this is the laid-back Algarve, when all's said and done.
Forgive and forget, I say.
If you're anywhere near Faro on your next Algarve vacation, check out what's on offer and let me know what you think on my Algarve Best page.
