Our adventure tour started with wet canyoneering on a beginner’s section of the local creek. Octavio at Nomadas.pt was the lead guide and Pedro was our assistant. We spent the morning rappelling down slick rock precipices and waterfalls, jumping and sliding off of mossy rock walls, and swimming through pools of water.
Octavio once said canyoneering is like an adult version of the playground and I think he’s right. Once we got used to maneuvering the creek in our wetsuits, we had a blast. The many pictures following prove the point, canyoneering is fun!
Pedro and Clare marveling at the goats in the streets!
In the afternoon, Pedro took us to a small mountain village called Covas Do Montas. It is a Nationally Protected mountain town; it’s population is dwindling but there is a very important history which must be preserved for future generations.
The village is full of goats and since I love goats, Octavio thought I should go check it out. It was a fun little half day afternoon adventure thanks to Pedro’s expert navigation of the windy mountain roads! I hadn’t seen that many goats in one place since the California State Fair in 1992!
All Ready to Go Canyoneering
Starting with a Practice Rappel, Notice Pedro giving me a Fireman’s Belay!
Dennis Practicing Jumping (Octavio gave us a quick tutorial about how to jump and then we got to try it!)
Dennis and I jumping!
Where we jumped from…not too high, but still a bit nervy!
Me swimming with a helmet on…it’s odd!
In the fall, the creek is low. So, we had to hike some sections of it.
Other sections were really deep, so we swam!
I was having a blast even though the water was cold.
One of the slides in the playground!
Dennis about to splash down.
I had to get my climbing fix!
Dennis rappelling a waterfall.
A Meditative Moment
The Big Daddy Waterfall!
Getting ready for the Big Daddy Waterfall
Here I go!
Dennis jumping and Octavio looking on.
It was scary for me, but I jumped!
Pedro Jumping
Octavio blasts off!
At Covas Do Montas…
This goat is headed to the restaurant for dinner…or is he going to become dinner?
Inside the Restaurant (which used to be a one room school)
Goats on the mountainside!
Walking Around the Primitive Village
We Caught up to the goats on the mountainside!
The Goat Village!
Pedro and Dennis in Covas Do Montas
Tags: 10th Anniversary, Adventure Tour, Canyoneering, Nomades.pt, Portugal