Time travel: Crossing borders intelligence style
Imagine standing on the hill. You're at the edge. Below you runs the river, not just any river but river Guadiana, separating Spain from Portugal. You can see to the other side, the small town of Alcoutim. You're on the mission. You'll get there without anyone knowing. You're equipped.
You shoot the wire, that stuck on the other side. Everything is ready. You take the pulley, hold yourself tight, and far above the ground silently cross to the other side without anyone noticing.
You don't just travel between countries but also in time, as Portugal's time zone is one hour behind Spain. You're on a mission... or so do you feel!
I've never in my life seen an entire Bond movie, but I remember this scene from Golden eye, when James Bond descends himself down the wall of dam. Exciting for sure, and with my to vivid imagination, sliding down the metal cable above the river to cross from one country to another reminded me exactly of that.
In the town of Sanlúcar de Guadiana they're actually offering such attraction, called LimitZero.
After purchasing your adventure at their office, at the square right above the town pier (where you can choose from many other adventurous activities as well), you're given the safety stripes and in a van taken up the fortress hill. Not far below the fortress, there's the upper station of the zip-line, from where you also have a fantastic view to both Spanish and Portuguese side.
Spanish Sanlúcar de Guadiana on left and Portuguese Alcoutim on right |
Your stripes are tightened, your pulley is put on the wire, and they pull you up so you can get the filling of hanging freely. Once you're ready, they open the gate and let you go (while you're already hanging in the air, so there's no adrenalinic jump of the edge).
The wire is 720 m long and steep just enough to make the ride exciting but certainly not scary. At 70 or 80 km/h the wind is blowing in your face which might water your eyes and remind you how exciting this is. You pass down the hill, crossing some houses (I particularly remember one with a big yard with a pool), the Spanish land disappears, and you're already flying above the river, slow and somehow green one, where small boats are parked. You can observe algae floating on the water level before you cross to the Portuguese side. You're fast approaching the docking station, a construction meant for your landing, where you're arrival triggers mechanism of spikes and elastics that stop you before the final column.
The assistant then pulls you back and sets you on the pedestal, where you're unbuckled and set free in the new country... and new timezone
What to do in Alcoutim?
After such vivid adventure it's time for some more relaxing experiences. You can set yourself down in a lovely bar right above the water very close to the dock, where you can enjoy coffee and Portuguese dessert pastel de nata. Dock is also a place from where you can catch a ride returning back to the Spanish side, that's already included in your zip-line adventure.
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view to Sanlúcar de Guadiana and fortress from the boat, upper zip-line station is visible uphill on the left |
However I skipped that as discovering town seemed more of an happening. You can walk from one side to another in quit short time, but it's definitely worth your while.
Colorful, neatly designed houses, decorated with tiles, numerous statues and fountains. Castle ruins, or more walls on top of the hill from where you have lovely view, and simple small streets where you might meet local cats and see wonderful plants.
Exiting old town on the other side will lead you to the road, it's dike decorated with old photographs made of tiles which Portugal is famous for. Crossing it you'll find yourself on a path, surrounded with trees, even those of pomegranate, that were full of delicious fruits.
Continuing, you'll reach a town beach, located by one of the inflows of Guadiana. The area is wonderfully arranged. The beautiful sandy beach is shaded by a proper beach bar, giving you the summer feeling. Opposite of it you'll find a small park, filled with informational boards combined with exercising equipment and decorated by one of those white wind mills, significant for the area on both sides of the river.
old photographs displayed in tiles |
Continuing, you'll reach a town beach, located by one of the inflows of Guadiana. The area is wonderfully arranged. The beautiful sandy beach is shaded by a proper beach bar, giving you the summer feeling. Opposite of it you'll find a small park, filled with informational boards combined with exercising equipment and decorated by one of those white wind mills, significant for the area on both sides of the river.
The water is refreshing and full of plants growing both from water and bank on the other side, certainly giving it a special relaxing feeling. Perhaps chilling out there just put that cherry on top of this perfectly exciting day.
Zipline tours are SO fun- but definitely a bit scary at first until you get used to (and trust!) the equipment!
ReplyDelete-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Nice article
ReplyDelete1 freehosting
Awesome trip :D
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful experience and amazing pictures!
ReplyDeleteSuch an awesome pictures and experience- I am big fan of zip line :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is my lovely country, it's amazing isn't it!!!
ReplyDeleteI recognize those tiles!!
xoxo
marisasclosetblog.com
Wow, I would like to try this experience... sounds so adventurous!
ReplyDeleteKisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
What a great way to cross the borders! I imagine being suspended in the air must be quite a feeling. I think I would enjoy it, I always liked high places and bird perspective. Seeing Spain from up there must be fun. You look like a Bond heroine yourself, hanging like that in the air. My dad liked Bond films, so I saw most of them as a kid. I think I remember the one you're referring to. It was a fun scene!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that one could cross the borders this way. Both Portugal and Spain are wonderful countries. I've been to Spain but not to Portugal. I hope to visit Portugal and revisit Spain some day.
That zipline is a pretty incredible way to hop from one country to the other! What an amazing experience!
ReplyDeleteJill - Doused in Pink
What a fun way to move between countries, although i don't think I'd do it, I'm not a fan of heights, ha!
ReplyDeleteHope that you are having a great weekend! I went out to a fashion show last night, it was a lot of fun :)
Away From Blue
Always wanted to do one of these! They look so fun xx
ReplyDeleteViolethollow.com
I did a zipline over my city. It was so fun. I would love to do a longer one in nature.
ReplyDeletewww.fashionradi.com
Wow, so courageous! I can imagine it was super amazing and I see you can experience and see there in general a lot! Thanks for taking us with you!
ReplyDeletexx Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com
Cool photos!!
ReplyDeleteGreetings.
NEW POST IN MY FASHION BLOG!!: http://www.adrianosle.com/2019/10/novedades-musicales.html
Wow this sounds amazing! I'd definitely be super scared to do this but it looks amazing :)
ReplyDeleteLily Loves | https://www.lilyloves.net
This is such a cool thing to do! Flying over and changing time zones, not many people can say they've done that haha!
ReplyDeleteJulia x
www.juliaspeaksbeauty.blogspot.co.uk
Ah yes wow crossing in another country this way would totally remind me of Bond movie lol. Very cool you got to do this!
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
at first I was like "oh what TIME TRAVEL?" haha love how you wrote this post! And so cool that you can cross in another country this way ♥
ReplyDeletexx
Selina | Selinas Inspiration
Adorei sua postagem de hoje, sempre estou aqui acompanhando seu blog. Tenho aprendido muitas coisas legais aqui e te agradeço por compartilhar...
ReplyDeleteBeijos😘.
Meu Blog: Dicas da Web
Your photos look amazing! I love zipline too but it's been a while since I've done it.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a great time!
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