The Lagos Life....
Let me just tell you how insanely ridiculous this place is...
The beautiful Algarves are exactly as you see them on postcard photos or google... seriously breathtaking! The cliff lined waters edges are definitely some of the most incredible views I have ever seen.
The beaches are a 5 minute walk from the town centre, which is a whole other experience. As with pretty much everywhere in Europe the city is filled with cobbled lanes, live street acts & plenty of steep climbs. Your legs never get a break here! It's in the evenings that this place completely ignites... It's a mass of intense fun! There's heaps of bustling small bars everywhere, and as long as you've got your plastic cup you can roam freely with a drink in hand. Everyone is so happy here, laughter everywhere & only good times were had. Didn't see a single fight & everyone mingles super freely. Definitively the best night life I've experienced this trip, and completely addictive. I think the best part is that it's so small you run into the same people every night there's only one bar open till 5am so everyone ends up there as the other bars finish up around 2am. My fave bars were Red Eye, Grand Cafe & Nox. Everyone agreed that you just can't get enough of that buzz! Hence, I partied hard all 4 nights - bar my last night,(mind you it may as well have as the hostel was really noisy last night & I barely slept hahaha...) Up at 6.30am today, set for another flight to London.
The days & nights were all pretty much the same in Lagos, party by night, beach bake by day. There were so many Aussies here, majority of travellers! I found this surprising as I hadn't really heard much of Portugal back home & neither had most people I spoke to. I can completely see why though, this is an ideal Aussie holiday destination. Plenty of surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding, jet skiing to be enjoyed. If I had the funds I would have for sure had surfing lessons & enjoyed more of these things. But I was very much on a shoestring now... Lucky it's cheap! Drinks are around $4.50 for a pint of beer & not much more for spirits & shots. Food is reasonably priced too - admittedly I didn't eat, I bought all my food from Aldi & home dined.. Yep, shoestring!
It's pretty cool though here, I met heaps of people that would pick up work here straight away, you can get $35-60 (plus tips) for 4-6hours bar work. Lots of travellers were doing this, some loved it so much they just never left. Yes, I was close to joining them.
I believe I saw pretty much everything Lagos has to offer though; i went on a booze cruise hosted through my hostel which was incredible. We sailed throughout the algarves, partying like no tomorrow! People jumping off ledges & trampolines left right & centre. Madness. Sooo much FUN!! Not bad for $50 with free flowing drinks for 3 hours!!
The hostel I stayed in (Algarves Surf Hostel) was the homeliest, friendliest, socialist place I think I have ever stayed. You really felt at home & as it was quite small you got to know everyone's story. I shared my dorm (6 bed female) with I think 11 changing faces over 4 days.
As with, I think, every place I have been I did get lost a few times! Inevitable really... It's so funny how you can think you know where your going but you really have no idea!
So, there goes 5 nights in Lagos. Completing my European adventures with a bang! It seriously felt like I was there for no time at all, and it would probably be my number one Europe destination (close next to Dubrvnik) that I would most love to return to. In fact I would love to trek throughout Portugal & see so much more of this gorgeous place! Yes I loved the social aspect of the place but also just the general 'feels'.As much as it's full of tourists there were still heaps of friendly locals around who loved to entertain, there's a real tangible soul to this city. The culture is very (I mean VERY) laid back, at times it was quite frustrating. No one was in a hurry, the supermarkets were always busy & you wouldn't get through the queues in under 5 minutes. Patience is a virtue here for us impatient Aussies. The streets are lined with restaurants/cafés, always busy with people watching locals sipping coffee & eating muscles. Like platefuls of the disgusting things! Totes gross. You can have those!
Portuguese is obviously the local language, and it's not so easy to learn... English is widely accepted here though. Oh, I must also say one could go crazy on clothes shopping here too - some really cute pretty things...
Right, about to land in London now, must run!
This is the Lagos Life! Obregarda! (Thank you in Portuguese)