Sagres - the Missing Lighthouse, part 2

21 Sept

7:10

The sun finally got to us over the giant cliffs. It was already too strong, the golden hour was gone. We climbed back up the cliffs and walked to the car. And the light revealed the essence of the problem with the lighthouse. The lighthouse was there and it actually was the right one. The only issue was that it was completely surrounded by scaffolding and fabric - that’s why it looked like a different building at night. Well, I’ll have to come back again when they remove it!

We decided to check Sagres Fortress - it was close and promised another lighthouse. I wanted to take a look to see if I could maybe take a picture of it some other time (the light was already too harsh).

7:55

We arrived to the fortress. The gates were still closed, but there were groups of fishermen waiting in front of them. That looked promising.

8:00

The gate is opening and the fishermen are welcomed in. But I’m stopped. And confused. What’s the problem?

I’m told that only fishermen are allowed in - they need to do the fishing in the morning. Tourists need to wait till 9:30. I’m explaining that photographers also need early morning for the light. I’m explaining that I am happy to pay the entrance fee, I’ll be out soon and I don’t need any guide. The lady laughs at me - they don’t have any guides there! I promise to try to catch a fish. No. No way. These are the rules and her job is to stop all tourists until 9:30. That’s it.

Next time, I’ll get some older clothes, hide my camera and offer a fisherman help to carry the buckets to the cliffs 😜