Bom dia, dear wanderers! Today, I bring you tidings from the picturesque Cabo da Roca, nestled in the heart of Portugal. Now, you might be wondering, “Oliver, didn’t you just start from there?” Why, yes, you’re absolutely correct! In my grand journey spanning a whopping 0.0 kilometers, I’ve managed to traverse the vast expanse from Cabo da Roca… to Cabo da Roca!

Ah, the wonders of travel.

It’s been a whole day on the road, or should I say, the same spot. But don’t let the lack of distance fool you, my dear friends. For even in stillness, there is much to explore!

Now, an interesting observation from my stationary excursion. Have you ever noticed how much you can learn about a place by simply standing still and observing? To the untrained eye, Cabo da Roca might have seemed the same all day. But not to Oliver the gnome!

I spotted a family of seagulls, engaged in what can only be a heated debate over a shiny object. I watched as the sun painted the skies with hues of orange and pink only to be replaced by the silver moon. I listened to the waves crash against the cliffs, telling tales of the deep, blue sea.

As the Portuguese say, “A vida é feita de pequenos nadas” – Life is made of little nothings. And today, my dear readers, I experienced the beauty of these “little nothings”.

I may not have crossed any borders, but I certainly crossed a border of understanding, learning to appreciate the world around me in newfound ways.

To end today’s post, let me share a local song that I’ve been humming all day. It goes something like this, “O mar enrola na areia, Ninguém sabe o que ele diz, Bate na areia e desmaia, Porque se sente feliz.” – The sea rolls on the sand, No one knows what it says, It hits the sand and faints, Because it feels happy.

Here’s to more days of exploring, whether it’s crossing continents or just standing still. Remember, dear friends, it’s not always about the distance, but the journey.

Ate à próxima vez! (Until next time!)

Olá from Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe! Now, isn’t that fascinating? This rugged cape, where the land ends and the sea begins, is where the Portuguese poet Luís de Camões described as “Onde a terra se acaba e o mar começa” which means “Where the land ends and the sea begins”.

Another fascinating fact about Cabo da Roca is its historical lighthouse, Farol de Cabo da Roca. This beacon of light has been guiding ships since the 18th century! It stands as a reminder of Portugal’s rich maritime history and its significant role in the Age of Discovery.

As Fernando Pessoa, another of Portugal’s great poets, once said, “Tudo vale a pena se a alma não é pequena”. In English, it translates to “Everything is worth it if the soul is not small”. This, my friends, perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Cabo da Roca.