A digital nomad review of Praia da Luz (June 2021)

A brief recap: Since arriving at Ocean Villas Luz in August last year, our resident blogger/writer David Lugg has been experiencing all aspects of Luz Life. This is his June review:

I’ve finally worked out why Praia da Luz is the perfect holiday destination. I’ve been pondering this for a while but couldn’t quite put my finger on it. Obviously it’s a special little town but now I think I’ve worked out its secret. Allow me to explain.

There is no doubt that there are many tangible benefits to an Algarve holiday. The golden beaches, the azure-coloured ocean, the excellent local restaurants, the people, the wine, the wildlife, the flora, boat trips, surfing, the marine life – the list goes on and on. Each of these contributes in its own way like small pieces of an Algarvian tapestry.

And rightly so. When we get home and people ask us about our holiday, we always remember the little beach that Myrtle found or the surfboard that Jim fell off (I don’t know Myrtle and Jim but I can imagine them enjoying themselves). These are the reasons why we book our holidays in the first place.

But it’s the intangible benefits that have the strongest and longest-lasting effect. It’s that deep breath you take when sitting on the balcony looking at the ocean; it’s the smell of fresh fish on the barbecue; it’s allowing yourself that extra glass of wine because you don’t have to work in the morning; it’s the feeling of the warm sun on your skin; it’s the smile on your face that grows wider by the day; it’s allowing yourself to have a little snooze in the afternoon because, well, because you can.

When we return home and people ask if we enjoyed our trip, seldom do we say, ‘thank you for asking, my stress levels have dropped considerably’ or ‘you’ve probably noticed that my vitamin D uptake has had a considerable increase’. You’re more likely to show your tan lines or regale the story about Jim falling off the board (poor Jim – at least he had a go). But the point is that these intangibles are the key to a happy holiday and it’s these intangibles that we must remind ourselves about during difficult times or when we want to look forward to something.

There is one particular intangible benefit that, for me, stands out strongest of all. It is something that the vast majority of Luz visitors tend to adopt at some point during their stay. It is the side of human nature that turns fully grown adults back into children. It is something I never tire of seeing and, seemingly, it is something that people never tire of doing.

I have lost count of how many times I have seen grown men (like Jim) build enormous sandcastle structures long after the child has got bored and walked away. Or how many times grown women (like Myrtle) have explored rock pools or fallen asleep in the afternoon sun. Things that we do as children yet we don’t allow ourselves or are unable to do so in our adult working lives.

Towards the end of the year, I hope to be publishing my first children’s novel. I’ve already written two and have three more on the way (please do get on contact if you wish to offer me a multi-million pound/euro contract). I thought that much of the inspiration would have come from the behaviour of children, but no, it’s Myrtle and Jim that have provided the greatest influence. What started as a book for children has quickly turned into a children’s book for adults.

So, there we have it! Praia da Luz is a great place to have a holiday because it turns us all into big children. Who would have thought it? I’m off to join Myrtle and Jim on the beach as Jim wants to build a sand fortress. Sounds like a right giggle – Myrtle and Jim don’t giggle much at home but they certainly do here.

More news next month.

David Lugg

Digital (ish) Nomad

#oceanvillasluz