Day 176
5 hrs, 7 .0 kms

Since it looks live I've thoroughly explored the Algarve region, I decide I'd better check the internet to see if there are any really cool spots that I've missed. Sure enough--there's a beautiful castle ton, Silves, a day hike from Portimao... so it looks like I'll continuing my Superhike a little further.

So next morning, I catch the train to Silves, where I'm dropped off in the middle of nowhere, and I continue on on foot... And... there it is... suddenly a valley opens up before me, an ancient arched bridge across river and classic medieval town on the other side, built around a magnificent castle towering in the center.

Yep, I'm glad I broke with tradition and did a little research this time.

I hurry down the valley and plunge into this magical town.

Over these last couple days I've come to equate traditional here in Portugal with simple, charming, but very basic whitewashed homes . Silves still has that--but with an imposing castle in the center, it has a sense of grandeur and power as well. Actually, at one time during Muslim rule it was know as "The Baghdad of the West" (back then that was a good thing!) The city changed hands several times between Christian and Muslim empires, until it finally was permenantly taken over by Christians, the main mosque was turned into a cathedral (hard to tell that it was a mosque now). Eventually the city faded in importance being replaced by Faro...

It's lunch and I'm determined to enjoy my favorite Portuguese dish: grilled garlic chicken. There's a chicken place right at the entrance of the city which is a little pricey--but much cheaper if I order my half a chicken for take out... Works for me! Nearby there's a nice park along the river where the chicken tastes just as good--for half the price.

Suddenly from the corner of my I spot a creature like a giant rat coming straight for my chicken! I instinctively grab my guitar and use it to ward off the attacker.

No it's not a rat--it's a racoon! And he will not take no for an answer. As much as I think raccoons are cool, I'm not sharing my chicken. Thankfully the owner of the pet raccoon finally comes to my rescue.

So my guitar has saved me from being attacked by dogs, monkeys, and now... a raccoon!