Nazare home of the giant wave and surfing capital. Long before that (and still is a lovely fishing village) nestled on the coast of the Atlantic about 1.5 hrs from Lisbon.

We landed from Toronto at 12 noon and drove straight to Nazare. The Hotel Mare was a lovely little hotel in the middle of the lower town, surrounded by hills and the ocean. After quickly settling we can’t wait to go for a walk along the beach and through the town.

There is a beautiful boardwalk that goes from the cliff on the north to the harbour on the south of the town. Or you can walk along the beautiful beach.

The beautiful boats of Nazare are displayed in front of the cultural centre. The memories are still strong of the fishing boats sailing from this beach and coming back with their catches. Now the boardwalk is filled with little shops and so many restaurants. Yes their favourite item on the menu comes from the sea. Shrimps galore, sea bream, octopus, lobster, they have it all.

At the end of the boardwalk is a beautiful harbour on this day the waves were making a mystical mist along the shore. Fishermen were patiently sitting on the harbour wall waiting for their next catch.

The next day we decided to make the trek up the cliff. It is a 1.8K walk up hill to the top. Note to remember, they have a lovely ascensor/funicular that was built in 1889 and refurbished, unfortunately it only runs in the summer. The upper town was bustling today as the waves were crashing. Lighthouse, Churches and lovely little restaurants nestled on the side of the cliffs with views that go forever.

Down by the lighthouse, the surfers and the jet skiers worked together to capture the wave and also rescue the surfer if needed. The skill and knowledge they have as they turn and get ready to race when they see the perfect wave coming. What a day. They have had waves measure 100 feet/30 metres. Not quite that big today but big enough to give us a thrill as we watched these surfers and jet skiers fly across the water.

I feel whole when I am near the ocean, walking the beaches, splashing in the waves and floating away the day, I might have been a mermaid in a previous life.

“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Jacques Yves Cousteau