A brief recap: Since arriving at Ocean Villas Luz in August 2020, writer David Lugg has been experiencing all aspects of Luz Life. This is his review of March 2024:
It transpires that watching children’s cartoons is rather addictive. My partner and I often find ourselves ‘accidently’ enjoying Peppa Pig long after our daughter has left the room. Just last week, I absent-mindedly clicked onto the next episode knowing full well that I was alone in the lounge. I can’t say I’m too worried though. The good-natured innocence of a cartoon is probably good for us.
That said, various parts of these cartoons have begun to seep into our everyday life. “Silly Daddy”, a common ‘Peppa Pig’ expression, gets far more use than Daddy possibly deserves. And then there’s the truly wonderful ‘Hey Duggee’, a satirical masterpiece that appeals to children and adults alike. There are so many clever references aimed at adults that make me laugh each and every time. It’s such a good show that I own the Hey Duggee adult pyjama set. Silly Daddy.
The vibrant, idyllic landscape of cartoons draws you in to a utopian world where the sky is always the bluest of blue and the sea is crystal clear. The trees are luscious and full of fruit whilst fields are blanketed with iridescent flowers and stars twinkle with dazzling intensity. Hang on a moment, I’ve just realised that this sounds like Praia da Luz in the spring. What a happy coincidence.
I often become animated (cartoon pun intended) when I describe Praia da Luz in the spring. It is the most beautiful time of the year in the region. There are so many wonderful characteristics, but for me, the one that stands out the most is the range of vivid colours. Spring in the western Algarve is a veritable sensory explosion of colour. You don’t have to look too far before you feel like you have stepped into a magical, fantastical world.
I urge you to head up to the hills to experience the magnificent wildflowers. It is well documented that there are over 1000 species of wildflower growing in the fallow fields. The kaleidoscopic array of flora is as fascinating as it is breathtaking. Some of the highlights include the Strawberry Tree, the Crowndaisy and a range of extraordinary orchids such as the Bumblebee Orchid and the Mirror Orchid. Have a search for them online or click HERE to see a list of them. They are truly spectacular.
The flora is not the only astonishing colourful feature to be found in the region. The ubiquitous citrus-fruit trees are like something straight out of a Tom and Jerry cartoon. Limes are the size of lemons; lemons are the size of oranges; oranges are the size of…well, coconuts. The trees line the streets of the Algarve proudly displaying their fruit like enormous Christmas baubles.
And let us not forget the ocean. Its capricious temperament means that it never fails to amaze those who observe her. But in the spring, there is something special about the way it glistens in the morning sun. It’s as if it is nature’s way of saying that winter has gone and summer is on its way. If this were a cartoon, there would be a million Nemo’s shining a light to the surface waiting to be found.
I feel I should stop now as the boundaries of animation and reality are beginning to blur. However, I’m sure you get the gist of what I attempting to portray. But don’t just take my word for it, come and see it for yourself. You’ll find that it’s not just cartoons that are addictive. Book a stay at Ocean Villas Luz this spring and, in the paraphrased words of Fred Flintstone, feel free to scream out ‘Yabba Dabba Doo – we’re going to Praia da Luz’.
“That’s all folks”
More news next month.
David Lugg
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All photo images owned by David Lugg