TURBANS

They are also surrounded by CVs – a veritable mountain of them – from people who want to be part of the project and involved with what promises to be the best and chicest boutique hotel in town. “As there has been a report of a shortage of 45,000 employees in the hospitality sector in Portugal this summer, we were concerned that we would have difficulties recruiting our team,” says Jack. “But it appears that Casa Amor is being followed on social media by interested parties from across the globe, and as a result we have well-advanced contacts and even agreed contracts with people who come not only from the next street but also from further afield – from Cape Verde, Canada, Great Britain, Holland, France. We are taking nothing for granted, but the enthusiasm we have been met with, and the desire of others to grow Casa Amor with us, give us a new energy.”

“This is truly an exciting time,” adds Walter. “It’s the one where we will go from the dream of two to the realisation of a project carried by a team. Some of those who will be joining us already live in Olhão, or they will come to settle here, and to embark on a new life, as we did three years ago.”

But why Olhão? Why did the small fishing town that was disregarded for a long time by the Portuguese themselves who preferred all things in the western Algarve or Tavira to the east, become so popular? So attractive?

“It’s funny that you ask this question,” says Walter, “because in our first year here we had a weekend appointment on our social media networks called Why Olhão?. And we gave dozens of reasons for our choice, because we, like others, considered elsewhere first. And then we discovered Olhão, thanks to the Festival do Marisco, which combines seafood and music in an incredibly joyful atmosphere.”

“We started walking in its streets and alleys,” recalls Jack, “in summer and also in winter which is very lively here, because it is a real city with real inhabitants, and not just a holiday destination. There is this fascinating and unique cubic architecture, the white houses and this blue sky that inspired our logo and our colours (thanks to the creativity of Sandrine Richard from Trebo Design).

“It’s a city that shows itself up at first sight. You have to get to know it, you have to talk to its inhabitants. In Keil Street, where we live, Rita, age 85, has taught us many things – including how to shower the century-old olive tree on the patio and why work keeps us alive. Maria, 75, told us that dogs bark at night because communications are cheaper! We laughed so much.

“Olhão is a city that makes us think of a rough diamond, one with great inner wealth. A rough diamond placed on the Ria Formosa, the natural park that is protected against untimely constructions that have disfigured some areas further west. This Ria Formosa that we cross to reach the islands of Armona, Culatra, Farol, each of which has a charm of its own.”

“We have also been fortunate to be able to count on the support of the municipality,” says Walter. “They help entrepreneurs and that is invaluable when you arrive in unknown territory… and a good reason to choose Olhão! President António Miguel Pina, who is serving his third and last mandate, does not lack energy and the determination to shine through this rough diamond we were talking about.”

The renovation of Casa Amor is ongoing. The ground floor is finished, the walls are now white, the kitchen is laid. Every day brings the completion of new areas, introducing the personality of different features. Life continues between CVs and boxes, between paintings and tiles, between impatience and weariness, between the excitement of welcoming the first guests and reading the best seller of summer 2023, the Salt Pool Maintenance Guide...