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El Camino
  • Andrew Hart
  • Andrew Hart

El Camino

A 20-day adventure by Andrew Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 20, 2024
    Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler
    2

    Porto evening

    April 22, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Walked the streets of Porto last night before starting my journey, I will need to wee more of the city on my return.

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Day 1 in the bag

    April 22, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    After a late start to my walk and making a detour for the aquarium. I made it to Lavra, where I met an extremely generous and helpful couple who helped me get to my hostel, which was way further inland than I thought.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Gião to Mindelos

    April 23, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Had to walk towards the central route to head to Villa de Conde. The rural areas with wildflowers and eucalyptus forests are great. Once I reached Mindelos, I took a break to enjoy the architecture and snack.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Made it to Vila de Conde

    April 23, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ 🌬 20 °C

    Took a detour to check out a avian nature preserve that had a stream running through an observation tower where I had a much need break. After that, I went through a coastal preserve back and across the bridge to the hostel.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Arcos towards Rio Mau

    April 24, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Having crossed into the town of Arcos and I was amazed at all the medieval architecture and I kept wishing my father was here to enjoy all this history as I know he would appreciate it. I had to see the gilded interior of the church and then moved on towards Rates.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Rio Mao to Rates

    April 24, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Emotional and spiritual day for me, I came across a neolithic burial structure around 5000 years old. When I arrived in Rates, I saw that a short detour would bring me to a 12th-century Romanesque church. I had to stay off the camino. Upon entering, I found myself wanting to pray for the first time in many years.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Rates, Courel, and Pedra Farada

    April 24, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Walking out of Rates into the countryside township of Courel, I saw several farmers with tractors working in their fields. I came across the Park of Rates in this area and found many momentos left by pilgrims whose loved ones had passed on. I had to make a contribution in memory of my grandfather as I know he is walking beside me and would be so proud. Had a lovely meal at a cafe, then walked the last stretch in the dark to the hostel.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Barcelinhos

    April 25, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Before I crossed the bridge into the city of Barcelos, I passed through Barcinhos, had lunch at a cafe, and was told by the waitress that there was no availability at any hostel in the city. The reason was that it was Freedom Day, the celebration of Portugal's Independence.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Barcelos

    April 25, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Entering Barcelos, I walked through the ruins of the Palace of the Counts. Medieval sarcophagi, heraldic symbols, landmarks from the House of Bragança, various architectural elements from dismantled churches and convents, and emblazoned stones from ancient noble houses that have now disappeared. Next was the festivities of which was incredible, but I was way too tired to enjoy them as I wish I could have, and I slept like a vampire once finally at my hotel.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Villa Boa, Lijó, and Silva

    April 27, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Up at it determined this morning to make a great deal of distance. Leaving Barcelos behind me, I ventured back into the countryside where I found the trail pretty easy as the incline was graded very well and just went slow. Ran into the same issue of all the hostels being booked once again 😑Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Ponte de Lima

    April 28, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 12 °C

    Woke up to a farmers market on the main avenue of the city, lots of cool stuff. Though I had to press on over the roman bridge and see a few of the other monuments. Off to the massive lonely mountain I go after leaving the city behind me.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Arcozelo, Labruja, and Romarigães

    April 28, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 10 °C

    Leaving the Roman city of Ponte de Lima behind, I started to re-enter the pastures of the countryside once more. Listening to the aubiobook for The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein helped motivate me and keep my determination. The shadow of nivatable ascension up the looming mountain that is taller than the empire state building.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Aqualonga at long last.

    April 28, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 9 °C

    Well, the time has finally arrived for me to climb the desolate mountain to reclaim the lost Dwarven kingdom of Erebor from the foul dragon Smaug. The rain started lightly, then not so much for almost 2 hours! I was shivering and couldn't wait for food and good bed. The burger had a fried patty of mac n cheese, and the castle like house I'm staying at is incredible, and the old man was very kind.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Rubiães and Fontoura

    April 29, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Woke up early to lovely breakfast by my host. His house is over 300 years old! It was like staying in a private cozy castle. After a short chat with my host, I was off reach Valença. I am very thankful that the worst of the hike is behind me. I finished The Hobbit, and now I have stated Fellowship of the Ring naturally. I saw a little old lady walking her sheep, and I found the ruins of an abandoned home, and I had to explore.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler
    2

    Valença, the finale of Portugal

    April 29, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Arriving in Valença late in the afternoon, I rested for a few hours and waited until I was prepared to walk to the closest restaurant that was open.
    The Italian restaurant was fancier than I expected, and Im sure I stuck out painfully. I ordered a calzone with all sorts of things in it. It was great. Also, where else could you get pistachio cheescake?!Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler
    1

    Valença Fort, and Tui, Spain

    April 30, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    The city of Valença has a massive fort where there are many shops that specialize in textile fabrics. I found one very cool shop with fossils, preserved insects, and antique decorations. There was a massive cathedral, with incredible stone work, I just wish It was open and had seen the inside. Met some lovely cats that made my own at home. Then, leaving Tui, I was back to the forest road and the Fellowship on the Ring.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    O Porriño

    April 30, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    There are not too many pictures today as the last 2 hours of my walk were through an ugly industrial area. It happened to be the fastest and most direct path to my hostel for the night. The hostel was above a restaurant with friendly staff and good food. I have no idea what is going on with the fireman hanging, but it was certainly saying something.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler
    31

    Pedrapinta, As Regadas, and Louredo

    May 1, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    I had to stay up late for a chance to do my laundry at the hostel, so I naturally had yet another late morning! The two ladies that worked at the cafe downstairs were very nice to me, and I had a chicken empanada while I waited for the rain to subside. The afternoon was kind to me as the sun came out briefly, and it stopped raining for most of my walk today. It did return with a vengeance when I stopped for a tuna empanada and a beer. There was even a little thunder ⛈️Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Arrival to Redondela

    May 1, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    Arriving late into the afternoon to Redondela and my hostel. My host needed some help with her internet connection issue, which I happily helped resolve. After a hot shower, I walked down to a large cafeteria, where I had an Iberian hamburger that had a huge bun with a pork patty, bacon, and goat cheese! 🐖 🥓 🐐 🧀Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Pontevedra

    May 2, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    There were not too many pictures as it was very cold and pouring rain the whole walk this day as it was a challenge to pull out my phone and keep soldiering on. Once I arrived in Pontevedra, I checked into my hostel and then stepped out yet again in pouring rain for a bite. The city after dark was empty, but the ruins and historical buildings had an immense presence. I just wish I could have spent more time here learning about the history.Read more

  • Andrew HartEl CaminoTraveler

    Caldes De Reis

    May 3, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 12 °C

    Yet, another other extremely soggy and cold morning. I am more determined to reach the end goal of Santaigo, so I am taking fewer pictures as the rain doesn't want to let up. This city has some thermal hot springs where a few of the hostels have an in-house spa for them. I sadly didn't get a chance as I was moving on towards the final staging ground in Padrón.Read more

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