{"id":206682,"date":"2025-06-17T16:24:37","date_gmt":"2025-06-17T14:24:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/?p=206682"},"modified":"2025-06-18T08:10:04","modified_gmt":"2025-06-18T06:10:04","slug":"out-and-about-an-email-from-tavira-portugal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wereldwyd.co.za\/en\/out-and-about-an-email-from-tavira-portugal\/","title":{"rendered":"Out and about: an email from Tavira, Portugal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Out and about<\/strong> is a column where we talk to people who currently live abroad, or who have previously lived and worked there but are back in South Africa. We would love to hear from anyone who would like to share their experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week we chat with Adri van Eck, <\/strong>who lives in Tavira, Algarve, in Portugal<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What made you decide to leave South Africa \u2013 and why Portugal in particular?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was just me, my Scottie dog and three suitcases that went to Portugal. My decision was based on the fact that my child and grandchildren live in the Netherlands \u2013 now I am much closer to them. I try to visit them every three months.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why did you specifically choose Tavira over other parts of Portugal?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I initially landed in Lisbon, north of Lisbon, in a beautifully restored wine cellar where I isolated myself for a few weeks \u2013 this was during the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then I moved south and lived for a while in Sagres, the westernmost point of Portugal. Next, I lived in Vilamoura, a lovely town with a beautiful harbour. Later I lived in various places in Tavira and eventually bought a small apartment here. There was no specific reason why I ended up in Tavira \u2013 it just worked out that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tell us more about your family.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My daughter passed away eight years ago, and it completely drained me. I decided to retire as a teacher and build my future with my son and granddaughters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How did you approach emigration? Was it difficult to start the process?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process wasn’t particularly difficult, but it was long and frustrating with lots of administrative hurdles. There were a lot of phone calls, paperwork, driving \u2013 and then of course the procedures regarding my dog: lengthy vet tests that included a lot of paperwork. I did everything myself without an agent, but later realised I wasn’t really saving any money.<\/p>\n\n\n