The train slowly passed under the Figueira da Foz bridge before finally entering the train station, and coming to rest.  I disembarced with nearly a hundred other people, all planning to spend a day at the beach.  The beach at Figueira da Foz was one of the largest and most beautiful in all of Portugal and certainly worth the trip.  I started my way west from the train station and over to Rua da República, the main street through this section of town and leading to the mecca of the sun worshiper.

It was only the end of June, and already the temperatures were hot in the downtown streets.  I followed the throngs of people down both sides of the street, passing many of the quaint little shops with their local fare, and a new indoor shopping center - that wasn't there the last time I came this way.  Looking up and down the cross streets brings back the memories of many days I spent in this city in the past.  Such a combination of modern and ancient.

As I continue down the Avenue, I eventually emerge on to the waterfront, and am greeted by the hundereds of boats moored at the river marina.  While most sit peacefully in their slips, a few start to make their seaward journey.  I slow my pace to take in this wonderful view, allowing others to pass by on their quest for the beach.  As I continue up the road, I pass the small Luís de Camões park, and there at the road side is today's date spelled out in the small plants careful arranged earlier that morning.  As for a watch, who needs one in this paradise where time seems to stand still, and the whole day lays stretched out before me.

I am enthralled with watching the many sites around me.  From the local gentry, to tourists, from fashion shops to the smallest curbside paper rack.  I pause in my journey having come to the Municipal Garden park, full of trees and greenery, providing shade for the weary traveller.  As I sit and enjoy a brief rest, I can hear the sounds of the market behind me.  A local affair that always runs hot in the summer days, pedaling their wares to every passerby.  I cross the street and am immediately approached by vendors with wares in hand.  Today's specialty - gold necklaces, guaranteed to be 24k pure.  I wave them off with my hand and proceed to the inner courtyard where people of all shapes and sizes are selling their goods.  Voices ring out as fishwives announce there catch of the day.  Octopuss, squid, sardines, fish, eels - the scent may be too powerful for someone not accustomed to such things.

I continue my journey down the street finally reaching the bend and turning on to the beach front view.  I make my way along the cobblestone walk way at the head of the beach, passing many of the entrances to the beach.  From here, you can't even see the beach goers, except for those making their way from the boardwalk out to the water - a good 200-300 yard walk along wooden planks.  This is one of the largest beaches in Portugal, stretching for over two miles and nearly a half mile wide.

After having spent the day with friends on the beach, we make our way back to the boardwalk and continue down to our favorite spot, Emanhas - a quaint little icecream shop serving some of the best to be found.  We sit in the outer courtyard enjoying the end to a beautiful days as the sun slowly sinks, and is doused by the waters at that edge of the ocean that is stretched out before us.