Adventure at Tonel Beach

Tonel beach (ropes beach) in Zambujeira do Mar was the place where I had my first real adventure!

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It was during a summer festival that a group of friends decided to go to this beach. We rode in two separate cars and, luckily for me, I went in a red mini cooper full of dirt. I don't up to which point mini coopers were made to drive in summer festivals...

As it had to be, we put the electronic in max volume. We were singing the greatest hits the best we could under that scorching heat.

When we got there, I was a bit stunned. There we were. We had arrived, yes... But we were in the middle of nowhere.

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Tonel beach, also know as ropes beach and Pendoradoiro beach, has a great sand area, that is usually under the sea during high tide. Fortunately for us, it wasn't that situation.

Our friend Bernardo, from Margem Sul, stopped the car and warned us that we would have to climb down this huge cliff using a rope. I couldn't believe he was telling the truth, but he was.

Even though I am adventurous, or at least I consider myself that, I had some struggles positively accepting the challenge.

He laughed and explained that it was complicated, but not impossible. We could simply look down to see a dog running with his owner. He had to get down there somehow. He wouldn't have climb down the ropes but through the narrow cove.

The only way where we were- the road 502- was that one. Therefore, there we went. I remember being one of the first to go down. Luckily, nothing bad happens, but, looking back, it was craziness from some stupid young people.

When we finally got down, I thanked god and, of course, looked around me and loved the sight. Up the cliff was gorgeous, but nothing prepared me for the light and soft sand that would hug me later. Besides, the sun was shining and the seawater was lukewarm, with the waves gently breaking.

We stayed there for some hours, resting under the sun and playing games. Some of us fell asleep and were dragged, against their will, to the middle of the water, where they had to wake up quickly and got a bit grumpy.

It was an awsome afternoon, one of the best ones ever!

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It was a lot easier to go up then it was to clim down, we just needed a little bit more arm strength (thanks gym and grocery shopping!). We tried helping each other, got in the car and headed back to Meo Sudoeste Festival, in Herdade da Casa Branca.

It's true that we got some interesting stories to tell, but it isn't always worth it! Be careful with your adventures, take precautions, and, most important, have some common sense.

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