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Camino Frances 2025
  • Kimmie Nguyen
  • Kimmie Nguyen

Camino Frances 2025

A 35-day adventure by Kimmie Read more
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  • Trip start
    October 28, 2025
  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler

    Taxi to Barcelona central bus station

    October 29, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    Walked from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2 to grab a taxi to the central bus station about 20 min away for approximately 25 euros to catch my 3:10 pm bus. It will be a 6 hour bus ride to Pamplona where my hostel is. Grabbed a baguette to eat while I waited for the bus to arrive.

    Croissant, fritos, and apple juice for the bus ride.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler

    Bus break

    October 29, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    The bus stopped by a restaurant called Rausan around 6:30 pm at the mid way point and about three and a half hours into the trip. The bus driver made a loud and very forceful announcement in Spanish only and half the passengers debarked. I asked the people left if someone could translate and two young guys told me to stay on the bus since I'm headed to Pamplona. I asked, "no break??" They said yes, you can take a bathroom break but only have 15 minutes. I hastily used the bathroom but there was no time to get any of the authentic looking food there. The line ups made me think there was no way I would make it back to the bus on time. This bus driver also gave me the distinct impression he had no qualms leaving people stranded.

    Before we took off again, he walked down the aisles to make sure the rest of the passengers left on the bus were either headed to Pamplona or another scheduled destination.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler

    Pamplona bus station

    October 29, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Our bus arrived at 9:20 pm in Pamplona. It was completely dark by then but we could hear the rain pounding the windshield and the slosh of water on the highway as the bus raced into the city 15 minutes from our destination. I was glad it was less than a 5 minute walk to my hostel but fortunately it wasn't pouring in the city.

    I had been at this bus station before so knew the area in general. I passed a 24 hour pharmacy I had gotten supplies at back in 2023 and a few restaurants that were still open on my way to the hostel.

    Most people I passed in the streets were dressed warmly with umbrellas in hand. I have a poncho for the rain but wondered if I had made a mistake not packing an umbrella for this trip...    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler

    Aloha Hostel

    October 29, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 14 °C

    I arrived in Pamplona just after 9pm and check in was 10 pm latest. There was a light drizzle but the hostel was very close to the bus station and next to a Domino's Pizza. I placed an order pointing at pictures of a deluxe pizza and hand gestures to tell them what size and that it was to go. While waiting for my pizza order, the hostel messaged me to remind me to be there by 10 pm and I let them know I'd arrive for 9:45 pm.

    There was a guy checking in before me so I scarfed a slice while she showed him his room and the common areas. I had booked a shared bed in a female only room with 3 beds. This was on the second floor (which was really the third floor) with key fobs and keys to access the room and a private locker. Both women were already there and relaxing in their beds when I arrived. Since it was late and their luggage didn't suggest they were also pilgrims on the camino, I didn't try to make any conversation. I grabbed a shower and headed down to the common area to finish eating and call home. There were a few Spanish speaking people hanging out there in their 20s who were quietly speaking or using electronics so I tried to keep my voice down. It seems some of the younger generation Spaniards speak English but it depends on their education and class background.

    I will take pics of the hostel in the morning once everyone is up.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler

    Pamplona Breakfast

    October 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    I slept deeply for a few hours but was up around 6am local time. I have a rideshare from Pamplona to Roncesvalles around 1:30 pm this afternoon which gives me a few hours in the city and a leisurely morning. I spent some time researching how to get from Roncesvalles to St. Jean Pied de Port in France, which is the starting point of the Camino but it looks like a taxi is the only option. Buses run daily in the high season but we're in the low season now. Hopefully I can find someone to split the expensive 45 min taxi with once I'm in Roncesvalles but I am also open to just starting from Roncesvalles if necessary.

    Breakfast was included in the hostel but options were limited. I headed down to their dining area at 6:30 am but found no eggs or fruit. There was some toast which I had with butter and peach jam. Cookies, cereal, tea, and orange juice (which tasted funny... pre-mixed??) were also set out. I would've been happy with fresh orange juice but at least they had a coffee machine. I made myself a cafe con leche mixed with their chocolate selection which was delicious and also heated up a slice of pizza for breakfast.

    "Café con leche is a coffee beverage common throughout Spain and Latin America consisting of strong coffee mixed with scalded milk in approximately equal amounts."

    I am hoping to get a massage appointment this morning before leaving Pamplona 🤞🤞🤞    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    The entrance of the hostel
    The intersection by my hostelConsidered buying a blow dryer to help dry my laundry but decided against it.

    Hostel to Train Station

    October 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    I went back to my room to relax for a few hours after breakfast.

    One of my roommates was a woman in her 50s. I noticed her walking sticks so asked "camino?". She answered affirmatively. "Saint Jean?". She replied in Spanish with a city in Spain I didn't recognize so I just smiled and nodded. My other roommate was an asian girl in her 20s or 30s who left quietly after breakfast.

    I was the last of the 3 of us to leave at 11:00 am check out and headed to the train station to kill time before my rideshare pick up.

    Alas, the massage therapist wasn't available today so I'll have to try and book ahead next time. I will be back in Pamplona in a few days since I am going backwards to get to the starting line.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    1
    Took a break by this fountain to update my travel blogElevator!Elevator I came down in the distance

    Central Park

    October 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Pamplona is a very green city with 60,000 trees and 740 acres of green areas which accounts for 15% of the surface area of the city.

    I crossed through the Gardens of the Belle Epoque park to take in the scenery on my way to the train station.

    As I approached the edge of the park, the greenery gave way to a panoramic view of the cityscape. It was such a lovely walk with many seniors in the park enjoying the mild weather and sunshine.

    I kept walking and realized it was a good thing I had left early bc following Google Maps had led me the wrong way. I needed to be on the road below the gardens and wondered if I'd have to double back. Mercifully I found an elevator down which was so random!    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    A park and bridge I crossed to get to the train station.2

    Pamplona Train Station

    October 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    Arrived with more than an hour until my scheduled rendezvous with my blablacar rideshare driver. Had a look around and then settled into their cafe for a radler - citrus flavoured light beer that is on the sweeter side. Will charge my electronics while I wait for my ride and peel off some layers with how warm it is getting. Cheers! 🍻Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    Vulture!

    Enroute to Roncesvalles

    October 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    Manuel and Mercedes drove me to Roncesvalles. Friends of 7 years, they have been doing the camino in shorter stretches. They told me they would drop off their car in Roncesvalles and take a taxi to Saint Jean Pied de Port so I was able to split a ride with them for 15 euros. What a happy coincidence!

    I was also very fortunate that they could speak English and we were able to converse about various topics on the drive up :)    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    Siesta time

    Roncesvalles

    October 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    We snaked up the mountain and had around an hour and a half until our ride would arrive. Manuel graciously offered to share their lunch with me: a baguette, jamon (not prosciutto!), havarti cheese, some savoury rolls filled with cheese, pate, or chorizo, bananas, and dark chocolate as dessert. It was delicious!

    We settled on some benches to enjoy lunch and Mercedes joined us after taking some photographs of the scenery. She joyfully exclaimed, "This is life! No responsibilities!" She stated such a picturesque setting was proof there was a God. Her enthusiasm was contagious and reminded me even simple moments like this should be celebrated. I really enjoyed their light-hearted banter and savoured the warm sunlight on my face.

    The last time I was in Roncesvalles, the restaurant and pub had been bustling. Today it seemed so quiet in comparison. I did not see many pilgrims and the people there were older and part of a tour group.

    Before leaving, they changed into their camino outfits, grabbed their backpacks and hiking poles, and we piled into the van to take us to St. Jean.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    1

    Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

    October 30, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Arrived SJPDP around 4:30 pm. I had fallen asleep for part of the ride up. We parted ways to go to our separate accommodations but reunited later that night for beers.

    My hostel was right next to a bakery with the delicious scent of assorted pastries wafting up. I went to check it out and they offered a selection of sweet and savoury items. I planned to be back for dessert later that night.

    I went to the Pilgrim's Office to get my pilgrim's passport which will get stamped at all the accommodations I stay at and proves I completed the camino for a certificate at the end.

    For dinner, I had some steak, fries, and salad. My meal reminded me what I learned on my last camino: they rarely have ketchup or salad dressings here like ranch, italian, french, etc. Most salads are dressed simply with oil and vinegar; there is no expansive selection of condiments to choose from.

    While I had beers with M&M, they pretty much convinced me to take their route tomorrow morning through Valcarlos and not the harder route. My original route would've reach an elevation of 1400 m but their route goes to 1000 m. They had been told that route is also very scenic at this time of year and offered more amenities along the way. We hope to meet again tomorrow before they leave the camino in Roncesvalles.

    After dinner, I grabbed a shower and promptly passed out.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    View out our windowBought some bread, cheese, and pork for sandwich laterThey recommended magnesium to help with my calf crampsLeaving SJPDP1One side is France and one side is SpainI was so worried I'd stumble and fall off the edge!Valcarlos in the distance. Our rest point!

    Day 1 - AM - SJPDP to Roncesvalles

    October 31, 2025 in France ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Updated with additional photos.

    The first pilgrim left the room at 7:15 am and everyone else quickly followed. As I packed up to do the same, I could hear the town bells toll at 7:30 am. Breakfast will be set out in the dining room downstairs now and the Pilgrim's Office officially opens. The town comes to life just as the sun begins to rise here. My first day of the camino is on Halloween 🎃

    I will have breakfast and visit the church to light a candle before leaving town. One regret I had on my last camino was rushing rushing rushing. I hope to be more mindful today and everyday on the camino and beyond.

    At breakfast, table was full of French people. One lady said the route through Valcarlos was less difficult climbing obviously but more dangerous with cars. I may have to reconsider which route to take now 🤔

    Breakfast for 7 euros was plain yogurt, coffee/tea/orange juice, selection of fruit, cheese, hard boiled eggs, chocolate croissant, baguette, some pre wrapped muffins and madeleines. I couldn't finish everything so took my chocolate croissant, an apple, muffin, madeleine, and the untouched baguette with butter/jam with me for a snack. I'm sure I'll begrudge the extra weight as I trek up the mountain.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    Our alternate route went to 1000 metres via ValcarlosThe struggle was real!Just me cursing every step up this inclinePrivate farm the camino passes through to get to RoncesvallesThe tour bus marked the end of the inclinesAnother pilgrim ahead of me

    Day 1 - PM - SJPDP to Roncesvalles

    October 31, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    I was leaving the hostel about an hour later than I had told my Spanish friends the night before so fully expected them to be an hour ahead of me. But as I was heading towards the trail, m&m greeted me. Manuel was headed to the Pilgrim's office a few doors down from my hostel. I told them I would meet them at the church where I spent a few moments in silence. We then headed to Roncesvalles as a trio. There were not many other pilgrims along the way. We started around 9 am with one snack break for cafe con leche and our packed snacks. They made it to Roncesvalles ahead of me and I made it there just before 5 pm. It was a very difficult day with a sadistic cycle of uphill climbs followed by downhill climbs. What was supposed to be around a 25 km hike was actually 30 km according to my smart watch or +40,000 steps.

    I would not have made it without my hiking buddies who constantly checked in on me, helped me when my calves started spasming, lent me a walking stick to give my legs a break, topped up my water, entertained me with their company and singing, and frequently encouraged me. I probably slowed them down by 1-2 hours lol. They insisted on waiting for me to catch up many times but near the end, I just waved them away. I was taking breaks every few feet to catch my breath on the inclines while they kept a constant pace. I lost sight of them a few times but they would always appear again waiting for me - until it was clear I would be ok because the inclines ended. I could finally walk without breaks on the final 2 km stretch which was mostly flat.

    I'm so glad Day 1 is over. It is the hardest stage of the camino - see pics to get an idea of the elevation change.

    When I approached the albergue, they were again waiting for me and suggested we get dinner. It was our final meal together before they ended this camino and headed home.

    The food was delicious after a brutal day (angus burger for me with salad and fries) and sharing a cheesecake was the perfect choice for dessert.

    I am so happy to have met both of them on the first leg of my camino journey. Thank you for treating me to dinner Mercedes and offering me your walking sticks! Thank you for treating me to beer in SJPDP Manuel!

    Mercedes was like the sun - dazzling and warm while Manuel shone today as our North Star. His steadfastness, navigation, and leadership helped us reached our goals before nightfall. Both were very charming and complement each other so well. I will miss them! I hope they keep their promise to stay in touch and that they arrived home safely to Zaragoza 3 hours away ❤️

    Manuel better leave me a good review on the blablacar rideshare app too! 🧐    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    Daughters (now 23, 10, 6 years old)Day 1 of 2023 camino in OrissonLast days of Camino in Finisterre

    About Me

    November 1, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    My name is Kimmie Nguyen. I work for the City of Calgary determining property values so the government can tax people based on their market value. If they don't agree with me, we go to court to argue about it. You can imagine I'm very popular 🫣

    This is my second Camino Frances which I started on Oct 31st and hope to complete in Santiago de Compostela by the end of November bc my flight back to Canada leaves Paris on Dec 1, 2025. I am doing the camino for the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits.

    Here are some photos of my loved ones back in Canada!

    As well as some Summer 2023 camino photos from SJPDP to Finisterre which I still cherish.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    Morning chanting

    Day 2 - AM - Roncesvalles to Zubiri

    November 1, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C

    Just before 6:30 am, the church bells tolled, the chanting started, and the lights turned on to awaken slumbering pilgrims.

    I had planned to make a breakfast out of the items I had picked up at the supermarket yesterday but I could hear someone offering to give away their breakfast ticket for free. The first pilgrims he asked had already paid for a breakfast so I gladly accepted it when he came around. I will have to pay it forward :) Perhaps I will have breakfast with Bruno who was my bunkmate and who I had first glimpsed in Valcarlos. He had an interesting story and regretted way overpacking. He had brought a hammock and sleeping bag with the intention of camping along the way!

    Well, I went to have the breakfast but it was actually a picnic ticket which was a takeaway lunch. It came in a drawstring bag and had a sandwich, apple, water, and granola bar. I already had all the fixings for a sandwich which I had planned to have for breakfast and lunch so just made my sandwich and stuffed all the meat and cheese from the picnic lunch into it too.

    Today's weather will be cooler with a chance of rain. The elevation includes steep declines and I hope to make it to Zubiri.

    It was dark and windy when I went to pick up the food so I will have breakfast and wait half an hour for the sun to come up before leaving.

    Around 8:20 am, I followed Bruno out of the albergue this morning and we walked together a bit since he seemed to be waiting for me. We chatted a bit but he had to find an ATM so I went ahead. I had walked for an hour or so and then took a break for a cafe con leche and ordered a croissant to go at a bar in the nearest town. There was a slight mist/drizzle so it was a perfect time to stop to put my rain cover on my backpack and get my poncho ready in case I needed it.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    One cat bit my croissant while the other almost stole my entire lunch bag!Walking backwards2I stayed at the albergue at the end of the bridge

    Day 2 - PM - Roncesvalles to Zubiri

    November 1, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C

    Today Mother Nature could not make up her mind. I put on my rain gear after break and walked outside to find the rain had stopped. I kept walking and when I wanted to sit down and eat lunch, it started raining again so I had to put it back on. I walked a little and it stopped raining so had to take it all off again. The threat of rain hung over me all afternoon with fat rain drops falling down but only for very brief moments. As I neared the end, I had to open an umbrella to keep the rain off me but it still was very light. I was super grateful the rain held off most of the day and the overgrown tree canopies sheltered most of the road from moisture bc I could see the road to Zubiri getting very slick and dangerous for pilgrims after rain.

    I had thought today would be an easier day than SJPDP but I had a lot of trouble. My left knee started to ache early into the walk so I had to favour my right leg on the declines. It ended up being another long walking day which started around 8:15 am and I didn't get into Zubiri until 4:30 pm. My Google watch said it was a 30 km hike or another 40,000 step day.

    Once I parted ways with Bruno, I did not see him again all day. I mostly walked alone with no one infront or behind me most of the day. I did meet a few other pilgrims along the way later in the day who ended up staying at the same hostel.

    Over half way to Zubiri, I walked past two Asian pilgrims at a cafe. The girl waved and called out Buen Camino as I passed. Not longer after, while sitting down at a bench to eat lunch, I saw them say goodbye to each other. She turned around to walk back so I asked him why. He mentioned her knee was injured and she wanted to go back to town to get a taxi to Zubiri. I almost wanted to run after her to ask if we could share a taxi with my bad knee too. Instead I kept limping my way to Zubiri. I tried different ways of walking downhill like side shuffling, walking backwards, and using wider horizontal steps to try and take the pressure off my left knee. They all helped somewhat but it made me very slow.

    Overall I'm glad I kept walking to Zubiri but I almost slipped and fell three times so it could have been much worse.

    I was the last to arrive at my smaller 20 bed albergue and very glad I had messaged ahead to secure a bed. I grabbed a shower and commented outloud I was very hungry which the Asian pilgrims overheard so they invited me to dinner with them. The had just returned from the supermarket was closed so they also needed to buy dinner.

    We went to the bigger restaurant in town and shared all the food. The girl was from China and he was South Korean. We compared notes and laughed about all our injuries. He (Den) also had to walk backwards into Zubiri and she was contemplating another taxi into Pamplona tomorrow with her bad knee. Another South Korean girl named Rumi in our albergue was also injured and wanted to spend two days in Pamplona to recover. She felt too hurt to join us for dinner and just wanted to take some medication and sleep.

    The three of us got along really well and decided to go to the same hostel in Pamplona tomorrow so we can cook some Asian food together.

    Other memorable moments from today including fighting off two rambunctious cats who tried to steal my lunch and almost making two pilgrims lost.

    I had tried to eat my sandwhich while walking and it was too hard so I stopped and rested on a camino marker which was located where the path split. These markers show pilgrims which way to go. The pilgrims started heading down the wrong road when I called out to them. I pointed out the right road and they were justifiably confused because my whole body and poncho had hidden the marker from view.

    Hopefully some rest tonight will improve my knee tomorrow so I can continue my walking into Pamplona!    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler

    Day 3 - AM - Zubiri to Pamplona

    November 2, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    I slept very well and only a little sore. My entire dorm is up now. Time to get ready and have breakfast (croissant, madeleine, orange slices).

    I chatted briefly with Cedric from North Carolina who is travelling with his two sons (16 and 12 years old) who were still sleeping. They will do parts of the Camino and the beach.

    For todays travels, I have selected an albergue and mapped out where all the asian supermarkets are. I hope they will be open today (Sunday)! My Chinese friend will take a taxi into Pamplona so she can rest. The other two Koreans will walk like me.

    Zubiri to Pamplona route doesn't look too bad and less chance of rain too :)

    Feels like a beautiful morning 😀    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    Pretty fall leavesCamino markersAlmost there... 10 min from Jesus y Maria albergueFinally a public bathroom and fountain!Seller insisted we retake the photo bc the sun was behind meAnother closed cafe so no cafe con leche for me :(Cedric and his sonsI like #2, #4, and #14My alberguePinchos at IrunazarraCheersBreakfast ramen and snacks for tomorrow

    Day 3 - PM - Zubiri to Pamplona

    November 2, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    Today I arrived in Pamplona around 3:30 pm. I've realized some of the scenery doesn't seem familiar to me in the mornings even though I've done this camino route before. This is because in the summer I would leave the albergues by 6 am to beat the heat so my first walking hours were always in the dark.

    I've enjoyed the less hurried pace of my fall hikes because there isn't a bed race, seeing the dew still clinging to leaves and berries in the morning, and the cool air on my skin. The rich carpet of crunchy leaves and leaves twirling down from trees is also a pretty sight.

    It has been a challenge to predict how to dress for this new weather though. It was cool enough this morning that I was glad to have on my fleece lined pants but an hour or two into the walk, I was starting to peel off layers from the rising temperatures. Eventually I changed into shorts but when the sun was hidden and the wind picked up on the hill tops, it was cold enough to need to throw on a jacket. Tonight I felt like I needed all my warm clothes to walk back after dinner.

    Another thing that has been different this camino is the lack of open cafes and albergues. I couldn't book some albergues I enjoyed in 2023 and snack/bathroom breaks are less frequent because many restaurants/cafes are closed. I had to walk much longer distances to find a bathroom which was very uncomfortable. I also regretted not packing more snacks because I was getting very hungry as well.

    Luckily I came across a Spanish gentleman selling drinks, fruits, and nuts up on a hill. I still had 5 euros in cash and picked out some peanuts and an orange. He told me to pick up some more fruit to go but that was enough to tide me over until I got into Pamplona where I also used an ATM to withdraw more cash. To make sure I'm more prepared for tomorrow, I bought some snacks and have a leftover salad.

    In the albergue, my closest bunkmate (Sam from England) asked if I had been in the municipal albergue in Zubiri. I said I hadn't so he told me that the police had to be called because a pilgrim had 300 euros stolen from him! They never caught the thief which makes me even more wary of carrying large sums of cash with me.

    The walk from Zubiri to Pamplona had some difficult parts with narrow paths on high ledges or steep inclines and declines but much less than the previous two days. The inclines don't really bother me anymore but the declines are still bothersome. Yesterday my left knee was injured and today it was my right knee - no doubt protesting how much extra work they had to do yesterday. But walking through the pain seems to be the best answer because it eventually calms down. Walking backwards also helps gives my knees a break.

    As I crossed a bridge into Pamplona, an elderly gentlement approached me and asked me where I was from. He nodded approvingly when I said Canada, then he gave me a list of proverbs I could reflect on for the camino.

    I have found some simple but happy moments today like the unexpected fruit seller, learning I can do laundry for free in my albergue, and finding out I've been assigned a lower bunk!

    To cap the day off, I got to eat some pinchos in Pamplona. We didn't end up doing our Asian dinner because the supermarket was too far after a day of hiking but I was very pleased to have some pinchos and a radler to wash it down. Our favourites were the pulpo and fried sausage! I will lose no weight if I keep enjoying all the yummy food!!    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler

    Day 4 - AM - Pamplona to Puente la Reina

    November 3, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 8 °C

    I left earlier today before 7 am so I wouldn't be so late arriving at my albergue. I was about half way there at 10:00 am. I had a bathroom and snack break just before tackling the summit and took another 2 breaks that day.

    This was a day where I was really questioning if I needed a break day after pushing myself so hard on the first day. My right knee really started to hurt just walking on the flat pavement put of town and I just wanted to burst into tears. I didn't know how I would make it through the day - especially with a very big uphill and downhill part. The last few days have been full of similar misgivings since hiking was very painful - it has been a truly humbling experience. I remember my 2023 camino being almost injury free with no rest days. I walked very quickly and often was one of the first to arrive at the albergue.

    I had to remind myself this was not a fair comparison. I had trained for 1-2 weeks before that 2023 camino while staying in Newfoundland and I had broken up the most difficult first stage into 2 days. This time I had no training, went from being a couch potato to being an ouch potato, and did the first stage in 1 day. All I wanted was to be able to walk pain free and enjoy my surroundings without being plagued with pain. I wondered if I should take a break day after today...

    I decided to just power through the day and leave off a decision until the next morning when I'd have a chance to take full inventory of how my body was feeling. After all I had survived the past few days even though I had wanted to give up many times. Miraculously, eventually the limping gave way to quicker and steadier steps and the pain subsidied. On the most difficult terrain, my legs fully cooperated and confidently carried me up and down the mountain with much more ease than I expected. It seems I had gotten my wish and found some reserves of strength I didn't know I had.

    Once I arrived at my albergue, I learned there was another Canadian staying there which was nice. Den and Dan reached out to find out where I was staying because the municipale albergue smelled terrible and there was onle 1 or 2 bathrooms for 60 people. They were ecstatic to learn mine still had space. Once they arrived, we headed out to dinner with some other people in our albergue and had great meal and sleep that night.    Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler

    Day 5 - AM - Puente la Reina to Estella

    November 4, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 6 °C

    Me, Dan, and Den bought groceries last night for a simple breakfast this morning - ramen, yogurt, oranges, and blueberries. We've booked the same hostel in Estella to stay together again after sharing a room here in Puente la Reina (no one snored). After breakfast, I told them to walk ahead without me. I forgot to charge my phone last night and Den has an injury so he is walking really slow. I knew it wouldn't be hard to catch up with them later.Read more

  • Kimmie NguyenCamino Frances 2025Traveler
    Making a snack and lunches for the next day
    Where I slept last nightBus to Los Arcos

    Day 6 - AM - Estella to Los Arcos

    November 5, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 14 °C

    I accidentally locked myself out of my room yesterday at 2 am after making lunches for the next day and a snack in the kitchen and instead of waking up my roommates, I slept in the common room. With not great sleep, I am taking a rest day and will take a bus from Estella to Los Arcos. I slept in a bit once I was let back into my room around 7 am and left my albergue at 11:30 am.

    The bus to Los Arcos is 2,20 euros and leaves at 1:30 pm. I decided to get some ramen at Amaya Sushi Restaurant in the meantime.

    I spoke to an American from New Jersey at the bus stop. She was catching a different bus to Pamplona to get home. Her camino was ending after one week and she was sad to leave. We celebrated the news of Zohran Mamdani's New York mayoral win!

    The bus to Los Arcos was less than half an hour. As I left the bus stop I heard my name being called. My roommates had arrived 2 hours earlier and were just finished grocery shopping for our dinner. They escorted me back to our albergue.    Read more

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