I can hardly believe I’m sat here writing this. It seems like yesterday I was tapping away about the importance of a blogging break, looking forward to our half term break and yet here I am, over a week later, back from our holiday in Praia Da Rocha in Portugal. Back to the old routine.
I spent the weeks leading up to the holiday feeling a little apprehensive. Holidays always do that to me and I just don’t know why. As soon as I get there I am absolutely fine and I always curse myself for not letting myself enjoy the build up. Before I know it, it’s over and I soon find myself scouring the travel websites trying to mentally plan the next one. (I’ve already got a few ideas, I just need to pay for Christmas first!).
So, just over a week ago, we jumped on a plane. Thankfully our Ryan Air flights weren’t ones that got cancelled! We flew out to Faro airport in the Algarve, collected our hire car and drove to Praia Da Rocha. Our home from home. This was our fourth visit to this particular area. The husband and I discovered Praia Da Rocha when we went on a second honeymoon there back in 2011. We went back again the following year when I was six months pregnant and back again the following year when the Little Man was just nine months old. That was our last visit until this year. We couldn’t wait to go back.
The last three times we have been we have stayed at the same place. When we were relocated there, days before our second holiday, admittedly we were a little panicked. But in all honesty, we have been grateful ever since. The Plaza Real is a lovely place to stay. Very reasonable and perfect for what we need. We always like to go self-catering on holidays. When you have a fussy eater, like we do, it makes sense.
The Algarve is great in terms of food. There is so much English food available and we could get most of the things that the Little Man eats, in the shops and in the restaurants. The staff in the places we ate were so accommodating and even gave us just what we asked for if it wasn’t on the menu. This was something that was a relief after some of the problems we had last year on our holiday to Northern Portugal.
When I booked the holiday back in April, in all honesty, we were taking a chance on the weather. We had been in mid-September before but never mid-October. Obviously, now that the Little Man is at school, this was our only option, so we ran with it and hoped for the best. Well, Mother Nature was on our side this year because she delivered beautiful sunshine and temperatures, every day except one. One day was a little cloudy but we had no rain whatsoever. We enjoyed temperatures of around 25 degrees every day. Perfect.
We spent days by the pool and on the soft sands of the beach in Praia Da Rocha. We took drives to nearby Alvor and picture-perfect Praia Da Luz. Little Man gained confidence in the swimming pool and it was just so lovely to sit in the sunshine. After the rubbish Summer, we had this year in the UK it was really very welcomed. And of course, it was nice to have a break away from the blog.
I did what was asked of me and I left the laptop at home. I finally rediscovered my love of Instagram as you will see from the pictures in this post. I enjoyed taking photos and sharing them, it’s something that seemed to come so natural whereas in the past I have found Instagram to feel forced. I’m pleased that I got to experience this and I hope it stays with me now I’m home.
Of course, no holiday with a child is ever plain sailing (I refuse to believe anyone who tells me otherwise!). We had days where I did ask myself “why did I bother?!” but these are now a distant memory. When I look back now I just remember happy smiles, sunshine and ice cream. Oh and beer before midday! (Did I say that out loud?!)
I will, however, be addressing the highs and lows of holidaying with children in my blog post on Friday, so keep an eye out for that one!
The week flew by. It went so fast and before I knew it we were getting up super early to catch our flight back home. And here we are. Today is Sunday. We have gained an hour and like most parents all over the UK, this morning I was up at the crack of dawn with a small person who didn’t fancy the lie in! Tomorrow is back to school and back to work. Our holiday bubble will burst this evening and it’s back to reality. Although this time I’ve decided not to think about it like that. This time I’m making use of the mindset that it’s back to earning more pennies to save up for the next one.
Praia Da Rocha, you were wonderful and we will be seeing you again very soon. Stay beautiful. We love you.
Have you ever been to Praia Da Rocha? Do you love it too? Perhaps you have a different favourite spot on the Algarve that you can recommend? I’d love to know. Leave me a comment!
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