Camino Portuguese

september - oktober 2023
En 28-dags äventyr från Mark Läs mer
  • 24fotavtryck
  • 2länder
  • 28dagar
  • 208foton
  • 11videoklipp
  • 18,7kkilometer
  • 18,1kkilometer
  • Dag 22

    Boat trip to Padron

    2 oktober 2023, Spanien ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Writing this post at 2:40 in the afternoon, waiting for the San Antonio Monastery at Herbon, near Padron, to open.
    We left the hotel at around 8 and walked the 10 minutes down to the dock to catch the 8:30 boat to Padron. It was a cool and cloudy morning, but luckily no rain as it was a smallish, open boat and we would've been soaked if it had rained. The trip took about 1:15 and covered over 30km, so it was a lot easier than walking all day.
    It worked out well because we had some seafood with dinner last night, and it didn't agree with Lynn's stomach, so she didn't have a great sleep and is pretty tired today.
    We said goodbye to a few more people then had a look around Padron, and walked the 3k to the Monastery albergue. Padron is only 25k from Santiago, and some people are walking there straight away, but we had a couple of extra days and have an albergue booked tomorrow night about 10k from Santiago.
    So a very easy day today, 15k tomorrow then 10k into Santiago on Wednesday morning.
    p.s. Just noticed a small blister on the top of the second toe on my left foot! Don't know how long it's been there but we've only walked a few km's today 🤔
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  • Dag 23

    Walk to Milladoiro

    3 oktober 2023, Spanien ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Well not long to go now. Only a 7km walk in the morning to Santiago de Compostela, so should get there fairly early then try and get to the noon Pilgrims' Mass.
    A very nice night in the Monastery albergue last night, and met some nice people at the communal dinner, including German sisters, a Turkish/American woman, a Kiwi teacher and two of three Swedish twin brothers. Dinner was very nice, just salad and soup, but the hospi's were very hospitable 🤔. The night could have been better, but we went to a half hour Mass at the Monastery church, and a blessing afterwards which was nice, but then a volunteer took about an hour, using Google translate, to tell us about the life of St Anthony and then give us a tour of the Monastery. Would've been nice to just sit around and relax for a while before dinner.
    Today was a bit cool and cloudy, nice weather for walking. We met an Australian couple from Melbourne and chatted to them on and off all day. Also chatted to Derya, the Turkish/American, a few times.
    Got to the albergue around 3 or 4. It's pretty good, with sheets and towels and a nice kitchen and common area. There's a cafe next door so we might just get a hamburger or something for dinner.
    Last night in bunk beds! and as pilgrims! so Santiago tomorrow morning and then we'll be tourists for a couple of days 😔
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  • Dag 24

    Santiago de Compostela!

    4 oktober 2023, Spanien ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    We're here! After a short 7km day starting at 8:10, we walked into the Cathedral at 9:35. There are I think four entrance doors to the Cathedral, and coming from Portugal traditionally you enter from the South door, so that is what we did. We didn't know that there was a 9:30am Pilgrims' Mass, and the security would only let you in at that time if you're going to the Mass, so we thought we may as well go in. We were glad we did because it was a short Mass, and afterwards the botafumeiro (large incense burner) was swung, which is always good to see.
    We then got our Compostelas from the pilgrim office and had a bit of a walk around. Most of the people we had met over the last few weeks had arrived a day or two before, so had already gone home. We did catch up with a few people we had met over the last week or so, which is nice, and had lunch with Derya.
    Had a look in the Cathedral, then got tapas for dinner, after having a big lunch.
    Tomorrow we have an easy day around Santiago, then to the hotel next to the airport tomorrow night.

    Well our Camino Portuguese is over! As last time it's a bit sad to finish, but we're looking forward to getting home. Some days are good, some not so good, but it is a simple life for a few weeks, and we really like that. And you meet some nice people from all over the world.
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  • Dag 25–27

    Last day in Spain

    5 oktober 2023, Spanien ⋅ 🌙 15 °C

    The holiday is over now. In the hotel room trying to get sorted for the 6:30am flight to Paris tomorrow.
    Had a good night in the San Martin Pinario Albergue, although took a while to get to sleep. Nice breakfast, where we chatted to the Swedish fellas.
    Had another look in the Cathedral then went to a Mass an Australian fella, who is volunteering at a Pilgrim support place, invited us to.
    We had the Pilgrims' menu lunch at the hotel and once again chatted with the Swedish fellas!
    We went to the Cathedral museum and then did a guided tour, which was really good because you go up onto the roof of the Cathedral for nearly an hour, and the views were fantastic. Probably would've been better if the tour wasn't solely in Spanish! Nevertheless it was a nice way to finish our Camino.

    A few things we noticed.
    There were a lot of Germans and Americans. Also a fair few Dutch and Danish.
    We didn't meet many Australians until the last few days.
    Not that many people spoke English outside of the cities.
    Not many 4WDs, and most cars were manual.
    Meals can be confusing because certain foods are only served at certain times of the day.
    The pastries were better in Portugal.
    Water isn't served with meals, but wine is, and people drink beer in the morning, but generally only one or two.
    Spain has the siesta from 2-4. The cafes and bars re-open and get really busy around 8, then quieten right down again around 9:30.
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