Traveling Devols

I was using the motto, Never Stop Exploring" before the North Face had it for a tagline. Exploring the world on foot is a shared passion for my life partner and wife Peg and myself. Meer informatie California, United States of America

Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 18 apr 2024 17:38
- ☀️ 73 °F
- Hoogte: 66 ft
- Spanje Galicia Oia Porto de Oia 42.001276, -8.87660642°0’5” N 8°52’36” W
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Dag 15
Day 7 - Caminha to Oia
18 april, Spanje ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F
I think we were smuggled into Spain today……

Getting up and going today was hard. Probably because we were all unusually sound asleep when the alarm went off. The thought of walking all day had lost its appeal. But today was not a day to dawdle as we had paid ahead for breakfast at the Albergue and a taxi to the river to catch a boat for Spain.

Well breakfast was great and then the taxi showed up as promised. Four of us were loaded in and then sped away through the streets of Caminha like we were in a 007 movie. We held on for dear life and were then dumped off at an obscure place on the river where three guys were waiting for us and yelling 6€! 6€! We had our money ready, threw it at guy #1, was loaded into the boat by guy #2 and guy #3 threw us each a life jacket and just said “policia” which we understood to be he was only giving us a life jacket because it was the law. It was a crazy 15 minute boat ride across a choppy river with water slashing in the boat the whole way. We laughed until we cried 😂

The driver pulled up on the opposite shore (no dock) and we jumped out. He waved, backed away and off he went. We were now standing on the shore of Spain with zero direction where to go. Again we laughed until we cried 😂

This was the beginning of the best day ever. Perfect weather (again), perfect views, amazing second breakfast stop, fun conversations with other pilgrims, another great Albergue with free washer AND DRYER (so no handwashing and line drying today!!)

I don’t want to jinx it but after a questionable start to our morning, this may be the best Camino day EVER. ❤️Meer informatie
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Reiziger McMenamins?
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Reiziger Nice
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Reiziger 🫶
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 17 apr 2024 15:07
- ☀️ 72 °F
- Hoogte: 39 ft
- Portugal Distrito de Viana do Castelo Vilarelho Corgo Rio Coura 41.874123, -8.83532541°52’27” N 8°50’7” W
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Dag 14
Day 6 - Carreço to Caminha
17 april, Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Today, as in the last few days, we’ve chosen to take the main coastal route rather than the coastal litoral route to start the day. This put us much more up on the mountain, which is a lot more work because it’s a lot more climbing. But the rewards were amazing because the views were incredible. We were up in the trees where the eucalyptus forests were cool and the trails were beautiful. We walked down paths with ancient walls and over old stone bridges. We took the road less traveled and were so glad we did.

After about 6 miles we joined back with the litoral route and was treated to perfect coastal weather, no crowds and a path that was perfectly flat (something very different than climbing in the hills this morning). The path took us into Caminha where we are staying tonight. It is a wonderful village for our last day in Portugal. You can feel its age and character everywhere you look. We had a fun walk through the open market and then spent the afternoon in the square drinking beer, sipping coffees and enjoying the Portuguese pastries for the last time. Well, maybe we will have one more chance for pastries in the morning for breakfast. 😉

Tomorrow we take a boat across the river to Spain. Spain has a lot to live up to. 🇵🇹 ❤️Meer informatie
Zie vertaling
Reiziger Pretty hiking conditions
17-04-2024ReagerenVertalen
Reiziger Surfing time
17-04-2024ReagerenVertalen
Reiziger 👍👍
17-04-2024Reageren
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 16 apr 2024 17:13
- ☀️ 72 °F
- Hoogte: 177 ft
- Portugal Distrito de Viana do Castelo Carreço Montedor 41.754528, -8.86163341°45’16” N 8°51’42” W
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Dag 13
Albergue Casa do Sardão
16 april, Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
Sometimes you come across an Albergue that is too good to be true. We thought we found that last night at Casa do Carolina but tonight’s stay at Casa do Sardão is over the top and for the first time has required its own post. It is owned and operated by two guys; Hugo is local and Alex is from South Africa. The place they are running is the most serene place we have ever stayed. I asked Hugo for a job. I think he thought I was kidding but I don’t think I was. We may have found Heaven on Earth or at least heaven in Portugal 🇵🇹Meer informatie
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Reiziger Looks fantastic 😊
16-04-2024ReagerenVertalen
Reiziger Lovely! Why leave?😜
16-04-2024ReagerenVertalen
Reiziger The Devols love some good bike art
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 16 apr 2024 14:45
- ☀️ 72 °F
- Hoogte: 141 ft
- Portugal Distrito de Viana do Castelo Carreço Montedor 41.754839, -8.8618141°45’17” N 8°51’43” W
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Dag 13
Day 5 - Anha to Carreço
16 april, Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 72 °F
What a special day (5) it has been. We walked a shorter day of 11 miles that took us along a wonderful path in the hills just a couple of miles from the beach. One minute we were walking on narrow paths through a quiet village then on a dirt path through eucalyptus groves and then crossed streams on bridges constructed hundreds of years ago. Portugal is a beautiful country and seeing it at 3 miles per hour lets you really take it in.

After 10 miles we stopped for a coffee and some snacks and met the first two Americans on this Camino so far. It is interesting the difference in who is walking this Camino compared to our last. Many Germans, more people from Eastern Europe, but few from the States. It really has been great having Miguel, with his language skills with us. We are constantly taking bets on where folks are from based on their accents. It's unbelievable how often Miquel gets it wrong and makes for a good laugh.

At the end of today’s walk we arrived at Albergue Casa do Sardão, heaven on the Camino.Meer informatie
Zie vertaling
Reiziger No Aussies?
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Reiziger Super cool
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 15 apr 2024 09:28
- ☀️ 63 °F
- Hoogte: 118 ft
- Portugal Distrito de Viana do Castelo Anha 41.66721, -8.79867241°40’2” N 8°47’55” W
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Dag 12
Day 4 - Esposende to Anha
15 april, Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
We covered 13 miles of a very different walk today. Moving inland from the beach a couple of miles put us in a different world. It changed from boardwalks on the beach to mountain trails and quiet villages. The path was very much like walking the Galicia region of the Camino Frances. It was cool with a light wind and wonderful smells of the forest.

A highlight was crossing a river on a simple bridge in the middle of nowhere, it was a beautiful spot that felt magical.

Once we came out of the forest we had a nice stroll by some churches and then a stop for a “Pilgrims Meal” at a small bar. Then to our Albergue (hostel) to recharge, wash clothes and prepare for tomorrow. Another amazing day!Meer informatie
Zie vertaling
Reiziger Wow
15-04-2024Reageren
Reiziger So much scenic variety in one hike
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Reiziger Already looking like a local
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 14 apr 2024 18:03
- ☁️ 70 °F
- Hoogte: 33 ft
- Portugal Distrito de Braga Esposende Municipal Museum of Esposende 41.530746, -8.78173341°31’51” N 8°46’54” W
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Dag 11
Day 3 - Póvoa de Varzim to Esposende
14 april, Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
Day 3 on the Camino and the skies continue to be blue and the temperature warm. The same is forecasted for at least the next 10 days. This area has had so much rain previously that we were very nervous for our planned time here but we have been very lucky weather wise, so far.

Today being Sunday, there were loads of families out walking and enjoying the beaches. We left later than we normally like because I (Peg) couldn’t pass up the free breakfast, that came with our room last night, but it wasn’t served until 8am. We arrived at our Albergue about 3:00 with many stops along the way to refuel our bodies and rest our weary bones. Tomorrow we have further distance to cover so will definitely be leaving earlier.

As they say in Portugal, Bom Caminha!Meer informatie
Zie vertaling
Reiziger Cool shot
14-04-2024Reageren
Reiziger Is that Tom up there? He got really adventurous
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Reiziger Another great day by the coast. Enjoy Esposende!
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Reiziger Vegan high?
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 13 apr 2024 17:38
- ⛅ 64 °F
- Hoogte: 79 ft
- Portugal Distrito do Porto Póvoa de Varzim Vila Velha Passeio Alegre 41.381378, -8.7650341°22’53” N 8°45’54” W
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Dag 10
Day 2 - Angeiras to Póvoa de Varzim
13 april, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F
Last night (our first night on the Camino) we stayed in an out of the way campground where Miguel spent 10 summers of his youth. We had a great little 2 bedroom cabin with a kitchenette and bathroom. We grabbed bread rolls, ham and cheese plus Fritos and Oreos from the campground store for dinner and forced ourselves to stay awake until 7:30pm 😂 Gosh we were beat!

It is hard not to compare this Camino to the Frances route, but let me just say that walking all day looking at the ocean and listening to it crash against the shore all night is pretty heavenly. The fact that we have not encountered one proper hill is pretty crazy too. But that being said, the guys still have a few blisters to doctor and my hips are letting me know they don’t like carrying the backpack weight. Nothing I hope a little ibuprofen can’t handle. We are glad today’s 11 miles was a little shorter than yesterday.Meer informatie
Zie vertaling
Reiziger So pretty
13-04-2024Reageren
Reiziger Do you hike along to coast for a long time? Gorgeous! How are the crowds vs. the long route?
13-04-2024ReagerenVertalen
Reiziger We are on the coast for about 10 days. The crowds are much smaller than the Frances but is beginning to be very popular. Having the coast gives it such a different feel, we are loving it.
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 12 apr 2024 18:53
- ☁️ 68 °F
- Hoogte: 69 ft
- Portugal Distrito do Porto Lavra Angeiras Mata de Labruge 41.269291, -8.72097741°16’9” N 8°43’16” W
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Dag 9
Day 1 - Porto to Angeiras
12 april, Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
Today was our first day’s walk on the Camino Portuguese. It was so much fun to get to share it with Miguel. And it doesn’t hurt that he speaks 5 languages. He is handy to have along in a pinch when ordering from a menu or trying to locate a bathroom.

We left from the Porto cathedral and walked through the narrow streets of town to the river and then made our way to the coast. It was such a nice, peaceful walk as the day awakened. Once on the coast we headed north following beautiful wide beaches for nearly 16 miles. The weather was clear and warm which was a concern as the rains have been unyielding on this route for weeks. We always wish we had trained more but hope that we get stronger as the days go by. We should sleep well tonight.Meer informatie
Zie vertaling
Reiziger Chamber of Commerce Day! Looks beautiful! You both nailed it at 16 miles! Bon Caminho ♥️
12-04-2024ReagerenVertalen
Reiziger Wow!🥰
12-04-2024Reageren
Reiziger Congratulations on your first day. Hope you continue to bring the beautiful weather along on your journey.
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 11 apr 2024 19:40
- ☁️ 75 °F
- Hoogte: 262 ft
- Portugal Distrito do Porto Santo Ildefonso Lapa Antigo Asilo de Mendicidade do Porto 41.143578, -8.60405241°8’37” N 8°36’15” W
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Dag 8
Prep Day for Camino
11 april, Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F
Today was mostly a day of Camino prep as we spent the morning at the local laundromat washing all our clothes and getting our suitcase packed in order to get it shipped to Santiago to be received once we complete our walk.

We still had plenty of time to do some exploring and found an amazing open market where we had lunch and talked forever to a fun couple from Canada who wanted to know all about the Camino. Otherwise it was a lazy afternoon of reading, hanging out with Miguel, after he returned from visiting his family, and then the cherry on the top of the day was finding Taco Bell for a quick dinner! Who knew?! Portugal never fails to surprise us 😂

Tomorrow morning comes early as our Camino journey begins.Meer informatie
Zie vertaling
Reiziger To top off the excitement of Taco Bell was to find out they serve beer!!
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Reiziger Epic
11-04-2024Reageren
Reiziger Heaven on the Camino!
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Reiziger Camino De Santiago - Portugues
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- 10 apr 2024 10:00
- ⛅ 57 °F
- Hoogte: 266 ft
- Portugal Distrito do Porto Santo Ildefonso Lapa Antigo Asilo de Mendicidade do Porto 41.143471, -8.60399841°8’36” N 8°36’14” W
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Dag 7
Porto - Day 2
10 april, Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F
Today was a lot of walking in Porto with Miguel as our personal tour guide. We first went to the cathedral to purchase our pilgrim credentials for the Camino and took a quick tour of the cathedral. Then off to walk the city, have lunch, ride the trolleys and ended up at a beach cafe drinking coffee and eating carmel gelato. After a long day out, we had Helen and Mike over to our apartment, that we are sharing with Miguel, for a home made dinner by Tom. Porto is the birthplace of Vinho Verde wine (which happens to be my favorite white wine) so it was fun to share a couple bottles with good friends before we had to say good bye to Helen and Mike. It was a great day in Porto.Meer informatie
Zie vertaling
Reiziger Porto is stunning
11-04-2024ReagerenVertalen
Reiziger Love these
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Reiziger Ry’s 🌞!
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