Spirit of Exploration - Discovering a Rich History in the Algarve

Posted on June 4, 2008
Filed Under Travel Info.

Searching for surer pastures my family, like many left Portugal in 1974, during its political turmoil, and I learnt early on the world is filled with interesting and different places. Growing up surrounded by photographs and artifacts from my fathers travels to Africa and Asia, only made the world seem, even bigger, with endless corners to discover. And somewhere in there, it happened. I got bitten, by that thing, that bug, the one that makes you hungry to see, do, try, learn, explore, experience and discover. I’ve joked with my father about some of the strange things I’ve inherited from him, like a drippy nose when I drink coffee, and toes in constant wiggle mode, but my quest to explore is one thing, I should really thank him for - so thanks dad!

Having now lived, worked and traveled in a number of countries, I’m fortunate not only to have learnt much about other people and cultures, but about myself. It’s a funny thing how exploration can turn inward when you’re looking outward, and makes you more self aware, tolerant, compassionate and ever more curious to go deeper. Having the opportunity to cross the paths of many people and places, tasted strange and wonderful things and having my eyes and ears peaked with the beautiful, unexpected and incredible. It’s the return to my roots in the Algarve that’s been the most interesting exploration so far; maybe because it hits the core like no other place can. This experience sometimes reminds me of the Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. If you’re not familiar with the story - it’s about a boy who travels far and wide following his dreams and looking for treasures, only to discover the greatest treasure has always been right there, where he started.

Returning to Portugal and rediscovering my culture has been an incredible experience. I’m sometimes awe struck, proud and enriched, but I’ve also come to realize maybe my quest to explore comes from lineage well beyond that of my father. For here in Portugal we have a special history with exploration thanks to the likes of Vasco da Gama, Megellan, Bartolomeu, Gil and Prince Henry the Navigator, amongst others. At the foot of Portugal, in the Algarve, and my home, lies Sagres or St. Vincent’s Cape, as it’s also known, the southern most point of Europe, and once thought to be the end of the world.

Forgotten and unheard of to many, Sagres, and close by, Lagos were once Europe’s central points of departure and exploration to lands unknown. It was from here, that Vasco da Gama sailed around the Cape of Good Hope to India - a voyage no one thought possible at the time; Ferdinand Magellan first circumnavigated the globe, leading Portugal to contribute significantly to geographical exploration and discovery, and there were many others who departed from here to meet with great discoveries. Sagres was also the location where Price Henry is rumored to have founded one of the world’s first schools of navigation, cartography and caravel building. In order to study navigation, refine explorations to travel further, build lighter surer vessels and return with spices and treasures from aboard.

Geography, experience and knowledge soon turned the Algarve into Europe’s central hub of navigation and ultimately, a vibrant mercantile center for trade. Naturally, both good and bad came from this type of exploration and wealth, but 600 odd years later, much has changed. Today the Algarve is a point of exploration in itself, with tourists coming from around the world to discover its treasures. Sagres remains a beautiful town with wonderful coastal history, but all that remains is the Fortaleza de Sagres standing strong as a reminder. Unless you know its story, you’d never imagine, it was once abuzz with the world’s greatest explores and navigators.

It’s here in the Algarve where I started, but only on my return that I’ve truly discovered the incredible treasures in people, food, wine, traditions and history. Knowing what the rest of the world has to offer is a wonderful glorious thing, but discovering a rich cultural history you’re a part of is exploration with out equal, and keeps me curious to learn, experience, taste, drink, see, do and uncover more. It’s sometimes difficult to believe, it was always right here, under my nose…and wiggly toes.

Our readers are also, invited to share their stories of Exploration and potentially win a trip to Bangkok, from Bombay Sapphire! So what’s does the Spirit of Exploration mean to you? Visit the Spirit of Exploration site, and tell your story…but don’t forget to vote for us!

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2 Responses to “Spirit of Exploration - Discovering a Rich History in the Algarve”

International Surfing Championship - Sagres - Algarve on July 12th, 2008 2:11 pm

[...] wave, or just enough courage to watch? Either way, the best surfers from around the world are in Sagres this weekend, where the International Buondi Pro Junior Championship is now under [...]
Reggae in the Algarve on August 14th, 2008 5:57 pm

[...] Reggae sounds with severals concerts; one in Loulé , the other on Faro Island beach and another in Sagres with a collection of new artists mixing old and new sounds for us to [...]

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