Reset search
El Camino de Santiago
  • Ourtravels
  • Kat Domingues
  • Javier Domingues
  • Ourtravels
  • Kat Domingues
  • Javier Domingues

El Camino de Santiago

St. Jean Pied de Port France to Fisterre spain. Planning for 830 kilometers. On foot. Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • El Camino de Santiago

    Foncebadòn

    May 28, 2023 in Spain

    We are 10 days out from completing our Caminó….I can’t believe it. Today we walked 16 miles to Foncebadón with quite a bit of climbing. Everyone killed it, funny that 16 miles with elevation has gotten easier for all of us. We stopped around mile six for breakfast and then again around mile 12. It was a good day for a great day.
    We all got checked into our Albergue and went down the road for our traditional cold beer 🍻 today I also had 🍟 fries.
    Tomorrow is Javier’s birthday and we plan on hiking to Cruz de Ferro for the sunrise.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Astorga to Foncebadon

    May 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    Today was a beautiful day for walking. The weather was perfect and the scenery gorgeous! We walked 16 miles, the last 4 uphill and it was actually doable. I can attribute that to 2 things. 1) My amazing friends offered to include a couple of the heaviest items from my backpack with Jav's shipped bag and 2) maybe my body is getting stronger. All the cafes in the towns we passed were open, which is unusual for a Sunday, so we stopped frequently. We had a nice lunch stop in Rabanal and finished our walk at Albergue Casa Chelo in Foncebadon where we were greeted warmly by Susanna and Chelo herself. We're looking forward to sharing a pilgrims meal at 7:00. We'll head out early for the Cruz de Ferro, one of the most famous landmarks on the Camino, where we will leave the rocks we've been carrying from home. We'll try to catch sunrise from the top of the mountain. It should be a very special way to start Jav's birthday. 😍 As a bonus, we just learned that one of the albergues opens at 6:00 am for coffee❣️☕
    M.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Astorga to Foncebadón day #28

    May 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Today’s 16 mile walk was great!
    This is how far we’ve come were we consider a 16 mile walk with a lot of climbing a pleasant day, We are all killing it!! I’m proud of all of us for as Nike said “just do it” aches and pains aside it’s amazing what you can accomplish when you put your heart and soul into it.🙏🍺👍
    Later
    Javier    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Foncebedon, Spain

    May 28, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F

    16 miles. Climbing all the way. Last 7 miles similar to Orisson, but different humans. Today, we all learned about conditioning and our newfound superpowers of infinite hillclimbing. Amazing what the body will do with a little training. For me, it has been almost 50 years ( basic training) since my body has been conditioned to such a degree.

    The scenery, as expected, was spectacular, the weather held out until beer thirty when the rains came, so we just had another!

    Tomorrow we hope to get up before the sun, finish the climb to the cruz de ferro and celebrate javs birthday with the rising sun at one of the most anticipated stops on the camino. We all have our rocks, and we're ready! (google it).
    We all realized today that we are only about 10 days out from Santiago. The miles have flown by and we are all proud of our deeply personal triumph. Until tomorrow...

    Posted by Jim.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Cruz de Ferro

    May 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    We woke up before the sun ☀️ today so we could catch the sunrise at Cruz de Ferro. We carried our rocks from Vallarta one in honor of Javier’s Mom (Nana) and mine in honor of my Dad (Martín), my son in💜’s Dad (Tim) and my Uncle John all who are battling cancer.
    I am so privileged to have my health and have been praying for these family members along with many friends (Aud and Melanie) both remarkable women kicking cancers butt with strength and perseverance. It was so moving and peaceful to leave these rocks and pray for those we love so dearly.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Molinaseca

    May 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    Today is my hubby’s birthday, we started the morning with coffee and an apple pastry, then we stopped for another cafe con leche with our friend Barbara who treated, while there we warmed up by a wood burning stove and met Kira from Germany and Cal from Washington DC. Both delightful people that we ended up sharing some miles with. Today was only 12 miles and we stopped again and I got Javier a slice of chocolate cake and a coke for his birthday. We had a lot of down hills today which were quite steep. We walked through a quiet village and there was a cherry tree but they weren’t ripe, I commented to Melanie we were a few weeks too early. We left town walking through a beautiful forest and out of no where there was a women selling the most delicious cherries 🍒 a definite Caminó blessing.
    We arrived to Molinaseca to our beautiful Casa Rural, it’s just the four of us here and they have a washing machine. We had a terrific menu of the day and soaked our feet in the Rio Maruelo. We are so lucky getting to celebrate another year around the ☀️ walking through Spain. I love Javier “Forever and Always” and I am soaking in every single moment of this journey ❤️    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Foncebadón to Molinaseca day # 29

    May 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 48 °F

    Today was a very special day not because it’s my 68th birthday but for the special reason that we climbed the highest point of the Camino called the “Cruz de Fierro” at close to 5,000ft. elevation were people place a rock from their hometown in honor of someone or something special in their lives,My rock said Mom on one side and forever in my ❤️on the other that was beautifully done by Kathy in honor of my Mother Maria, I placed the rock facing sunrise which happened to be my mothers favorite time of the day
    I was blessed to share this special time with my beautiful wife Kathy and dear friends Jim and Melanie.
    Javier    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Foncebadon, Cruz de Ferro, Molinaseca

    May 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    A magical way to end a magical day. We were on our way to the Cruz before sunrise and were treated to a sky full of glorious color by the time we arrived. Leaving our stones was deeply moving for each of us. What a way for Jav to celebrate his birthday. That was the last and possibly most important ritual of the Camino, other than finishing. I can feel that we are approaching the end of our adventure. 9 more days of walking. We worked hard today on one of our longest descents. Our reward was arriving in the beautiful little town of Molinaseca. They have transformed their river into a swimming pool that runs under an ancient Roman bridge. We had a delicious pilgrims meal at a café on the river that included a plunge pool for soaking tired feet😁 Our accommodations are great! The 4 of us are sharing a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in the heart of town,complete with washing machine and clothesline. I wish we were staying longer. Oh, and I think I heard that Kathy might finally get churros mañana 🤞
    M.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Molinaseca, Spain

    May 29, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    On Solitude.
    We climbed to the cruz de ferro and left our stones which we carried from home and our intentions, carried in our hearts. It was a solemn place, even with 15 or 20 pilgrims there, there was hardly a sound. I think that it is at this place where many pilgrims who have been walking with their hearts open to the experience for so many miles come to express their reasons for walking. We celebrated the sunrise together, left our stones--meant to symbolize a care or worry or grief--behind and walked on.

    Solitude.
    Not the solitude of aloneness or the asceticism of a monk. The solitude I have found walking. Both freedoms 'from' and freedoms 'to'. Freedom from interference in decision making, freedom to get from a to b while adapting to mistakes in between. To be wrong and find joy in the ownership of it. To do a dangerous thing and accept 100% of the responsibility. To realize I have worked really hard to not be perfect. How lucky I am to have this solitude be respected by Melanie and how honored I am to protect hers as well.

    Just two humans walking 500 miles across Spain. Doing One Hard Thing In harmony. These are the things that I thought as I placed my stone on the mound of a million or so stones of those gone before me.
    Solitude.

    Posted by Jim    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Ponferrada day trip

    May 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F

    Jav and I started our day with Churros and chocolate, it only took 30 days and yes they were good, but nothing like my favorite churros from Arnulfo in Puerto Vallarta.
    We then set out to Ponferrada we decided to visit the Castle 🏰 and Basilica before passing through to our final stop today. We met up at a cafe where Jim and Melanie stopped and I had a delicious piece of avocado toast. We shared a table with our friend Margo, our friend Jose had a zero day in Ponferrada and came to see us too.
    Javier and I thoroughly enjoyed the castle, I believe this the first real castle we’ve visited.
    We then walked to Basilica de Nuestra Señora de La Encina. We walked in during the end of Mass just in time for a Pilgrim blessing. We spent a couple hours in town before we continued on our way.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Molinaseca to Cacabelos

    May 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F

    My stomach was giving me a little trouble today so I didn't enjoy the walk as much as I could have. Much of the walk was through Ponferrada and it is another beautiful city. The castle was extraordinary and everyone we saw wished us a Buen Camino. I stopped into a small chapel along the way and lit a candle. The altarpiece was lovely. Needless to say, I was very happy to arrive at our lovely accommodations in Cacabelos. I'm looking forward to feeling better tomorrow.
    M.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Molinaseca- Ponferrada- Cacabelos day#30

    May 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Today’s 14 mile walk was mostly flat and on good walking surface, On our way to our destination for tonight the city of Cacabelos,Kathy and I spent some time sightseeing in the city of Ponferrada were we toured the Knights Templar Castle and the Basilica de la Encina we both really enjoyed our little adventure today hope you enjoy the attached pics
    Hasta mañana
    Javier    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Ponferrada to Cacabelos

    May 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    After spending a couple of hours in Ponferrada we headed out to Cacabelos. We shared a coke and a smile for lunch, along with a chorizo bocadillo. The weather was warm enough I walked in a tank top most of the day.
    We stopped and bought more cherries 🍒 not as sweet as yesterday but still a nice afternoon treat.
    The scenery changed along with the terrain so the miles went by quickly. We also passed the 198 kilometers sign. Less than 200k, eight days and counting. We finished with just over 14 miles today!
    Our afternoon beer 🍻 with Jim and Melanie with a side of Patatas Bravas ended the day perfectly.
    We walked to the market and bought salads 🥗 for dinner, they’re actually really good and a nice change of pace. Until mañana. Kat    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago
    Store front in Cacabelos
    Sitting on a park bench while Melanie goes to the farmacia

    Cacabelos, Spain

    May 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F

    14.5 miles today, varied terrain. Went under 200 kilometers to Santiago! Judging by the looks on my fellow pilgrims faces, people are tired but still joyful.
    I am joyful.

    Today was a day for just plain getting it done. I heard no music in my footsteps. I had no aches and pains, but I wasnt very motivated to enjoy it. In other words, a perfect "the journey is the reward" day. And i'm proud to have accomplished it.

    I'm also well fed. Our pilgrims menu was quite good, and as always, the days' end beer was amazing.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Cacabelos-Villafranca-La Pórtela de Valc

    May 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Today’s 13.8 mile walk was very pleasant with a mostly flat paved road alongside a river for most of the way
    Kathy and I took a little side trip to the city of Villafranca that was very nice
    The Camino has given us some nice walking days lately in preparation to start climbing in elevation starting tomorrow, And by the way with today’s walk we completed our 31st day of the Camino (all of May)
    Hasta mañana
    Javier    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    A walk in the clouds La Portela de Valca

    May 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F

    Our day started with Churros, I could get used to churros for breakfast.
    Once we started climbing out of Cacabelos I told Javier I felt like we we taking “a walk in the clouds.” The scenery was breathtaking and the pictures just don’t do it justice.
    When we arrived in Villafranca we stopped at Iglesia de Santiago and then stopped for our typical second breakfast where we finished our churros from the morning, they’re even better dipped in coffee ( that’s what the locals do).
    Today’s path ran parallel to the river most of the day, everything is green and the water calming.
    We stopped at the municipal Albergue in Trabadelo for our afternoon snack and had a delicious bocadillo (my favorite one so far).
    We walked just under 14 miles and our Albergue sits right next to the river. We have our window open listening to the water running by, the perfect end to a peaceful day.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago
    Logging along the camino

    La Portela de Valcarce

    May 31, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    13 and some. What a beautiful day for a walk. Cool and overcast till around noon. Our path took us on a paved surface adjacent to a highway that ran along a river. Very little traffic and mostly quiet. It was a nice leisurely, calm day. We left our albergue as the sun was coming up and walked through the misty grape vines until we found a little cafe for coffee. Lunch was a couple hours later where I had what I thought was going to be a ham and cheese sandwich. Turned out to be two porkchops and a half loaf of bread. It was amazing. Made even better with the bottle of ketchup I carry in my pack😁. Melanie and I shared a very touching conversation with one of our new friends who is walking the camino to honor a lost loved one. I think we ended being sources of strength and resolve for one another. It will be one of my camino memories. The camino provides.

    Posted by Jim    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago
    1

    Fonfría part I

    June 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    It was all about climbing, beautiful views and animals today. We walked 16.50 miles and ended up at a wonderful albergue for the night. Looking forward to our pilgrims meal. We have six days and less than 100 miles to go. Trying to soak in all the moments and conversations with our fellow pilgrims.
    As always I am grateful and blessed to be walking this Caminó.
    Kat    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago
    Local soft cheese with candied chestnuts drizzled with honey

    La Portela to Fonfria

    June 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 57 °F

    It's amazing how quickly things can change on the Camino 😅
    Today was not yesterday. Equally or even more beautiful but so, so hard. It's an indescribable pleasure finishing a day like today with cold beer and great friends ❤️
    M.    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Fonfria, Spain

    June 1, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    16.5 miles.
    The day started with 2700 feet of elevation gain in the first 10 miles and then proceeded up and down for the remainder. This was an extremely challenging day for me. Nothing seemed to click. Mentally, I think it was ok...not perfect, but ok. Physically it just drained me. The one thing that worked out in my favor was the cloud cover. I really dont like walking in the afternoon sun and we were protected by clouds mostly. It even rained for a brief minute. But even still, it went on forever and our end of day beer was a 10.
    Oh yeah, and last night at our albergue there was a donkey...kind of a pet/mascot and we had a hail storm and the poor thing was braying and walking in circles trying to get a good angle on the hail. Not a funny story, but hey, how many donkey stories does one need in a lifetime?    Read more

  • El Camino de Santiago

    Pintin “A walk through the enchanted 🌲

    June 2, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 50 °F

    Today was so wonderful, an easy walk through the beautiful forest, this region of Spain gets a lot of rain so everything is green and lush.
    I was so happy today we finally connected again with my friend Santi and his sweet pup Miel. We hadn’t seen them in at least two weeks, I gave him the biggest hug. He’s walked all the way from Valencia Spain. This made my entire day the best 💜
    We then came upon a beautiful studio in the middle of the forest and I bought a small print to bring home. Art also painted a small water color picture in our credential along with the usual stamp.
    There weren’t any services after the first five miles but there was a vending machine so Jav and I stopped for his “Coke and a Smile”.
    Melanie shared about our detour to “La Casa Alquimista” it too just added to this magical day!
    Arriving to our accommodations our guys had cold beers 🍻 waiting.
    After showering Melanie and I enjoyed a coin operated foot massage best two euros we’ve spent. It doesn’t get much better…feeling showered with blessings Kat    Read more

  • 2026© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice