Portugal - May 2009

We finally went on a real vacation! I know, we've been back to the States a few times this last year; but when it's for work, a wedding, a holiday or there's something to do it just doesn't feel like much of a real vacation. Over the past 6 years Wes and I have made lots of little trips but I think the max was 4 days. Our last week long vacation was our 1-year anniversary when we went to Arizona and that was over 6.5 years ago. Wow, how the time flies and I'm not really sure how that happened.

I still didn't get a week in; but Wes missed 3 days of work, plus a holiday, and a weekend...so we were gone for 6 days! We rented a private Villa in Portugal in the Algarve at the Castro Marim Country Club with the 4 of us and 4 great friends; Doron and Lucie from Amsterdam and Brian and Neil from London came with us and we all vacationed together.

The Villa was absolutely beautiful with a BBQ and a private pool, all very modern and new, 3 bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms, fully furnished and ready to live in, plus daily maid service. We had a really nice and relaxing time. The kids loved everyone being there and had a great time being spoiled and looked after by 6 adults. We really took advantage of having a house and we cooked delicious home cooked dinners 4 of the 5 nights and only went out to dinner one night. We tried a family-style Portugese restaurant nearby and it was delicious. During the days we mostly hung out by the pool, enjoyed the sun, and just relaxed. Wes played golf 4 times (3 18-holes and 1 9-hole) and truely enjoyed himself (obviously!). They played 3 times at 2 different courses at the Country Club and 1 time at Monte Rei Country Club which is one of the best rated golf courses in the world and it's owned/operated by Jack Nicklaus. The boys said this course was absolutely beautiful and the best they have evern seen. I'm so proud of Tyler; he golfed with Wes 2 of the times. He actually went out with him, helped shag balls and clubs (and I'm sure beer) and putted on the greens with them. He first did the 9-holes with Wes and then two days later did the full 18-holes. He really wanted to go and be "one of the boys". I'm so happy they shared this great bonding experience together but sort of sad that my baby boy is growing up. We took two trips down to the beach, about a 10 minute drive from our Villa. It wasn't as hot as we thought it would be; maybe 80's (with wind); but it was still very nice to actually see the sun and blue skies and white clouds...what a difference from Holland. One day Wes and Neil stayed with the kids while the 4 of us did a little site seeing. We visited a few monuments and beaches and other cute towns. We were planning a horse ride in the countryside but it started to rain so we couldn't do it (what a bummer). Of course by the time we got home the sun was shining again and we hung out by the pool. On our last day we had massages in our villa; which was very nice and a great way to end the trip. Overall it was a fantastic vacation with good food, great friends, lots of relaxing, and fun times at the golf course, pool and beaches.

Portugal - May 2009