But for a “slip of the lip” 500 years ago, we would all be speaking Portuguese today instead of English.

Portugal lays a credible claim to being the first country in Europe, with roots before Rome, plotted the routes to both Asia and the New World, and ruled the seas in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The language is beautiful, a cross between Spanish and French to my ear (and also close to Galician, as I have learned from my recent immersion). Sort of an organic Esperanto.

I worry a little about dying languages, but Portuguese is actually one of the fastest growing languages in the world. Not in Portugal, but in Brazil and African countries like Angola and Mozambique.

Victoria and I had a memorable morning in old town of Lagos, with its narrow streets paved with Portuguese tile. It is a resort town, with many European families and young people.

We dodged the boat-tour vendors on the promenade, but enjoyed all of the tiny shops and cafes.

We visited the closest beach. Beautiful, with sand like California beaches. Victoria put her feet in the water but said it was cold.

Later in the day, we drove to the famous local rock formations and took some photos of the emerald green water.

At dinner, Victoria tried to eat a mackerel but couldn’t quite get it down. We had delicious local fish and tiny local clams–amêijoas–for dinner, a lot of work but delicious.