Reset search
Iceland and CaminoIceland and Camino
Edit route

Iceland and Camino

August - October 2024
  • Off The Beatnik Path
A 34-day adventure by Off The Beatnik Path Read more
  • Off The Beatnik Path

List of countries

  • Spain Spain
  • Portugal Portugal
  • Iceland Iceland
  • Canada Canada
Categories
Backpacking, Beach, Culture, Self discovery, Sightseeing, Spirituality, Vacation
  • 26.3kkilometers traveled
Means of transport
  • Flight22.0kkilometers
  • Walking-kilometers
  • Hiking-kilometers
  • Bicycle-kilometers
  • Motorbike-kilometers
  • Tuk Tuk-kilometers
  • Car-kilometers
  • Train-kilometers
  • Bus-kilometers
  • Camper-kilometers
  • Caravan-kilometers
  • 4x4-kilometers
  • Swimming-kilometers
  • Paddling/Rowing-kilometers
  • Motorboat-kilometers
  • Sailing-kilometers
  • Houseboat-kilometers
  • Ferry-kilometers
  • Cruise ship-kilometers
  • Horse-kilometers
  • Skiing-kilometers
  • Hitchhiking-kilometers
  • Cable car-kilometers
  • Helicopter-kilometers
  • Barefoot-kilometers
  • 37footprints
  • 34days
  • 328photos
  • 102likes
FollowCalendarShareBucket list
Newest first
  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino
    1

    Aveiro

    September 7, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    After sleeping in a bit, we continued our self-directed walking tour.
    Imperial McDonalds (inside an old cafe from the beginning of the 20th century still decorated in art nouveau and stained glass)
    Majestic Cafe, walk down Rua Santa Catarina pedestrian mall Capela das Alma's (said a pasalom, lit two candles and had our Compostella stamped)
    Mercado do Bolhão - side trip to a fun market for fresh fruit salad.
    Back to the Igreja dos Carmelitos/ two little windows between the churches which belong to the famous Hidden House used as a secret hiding place for dissident groups to conspire against the ruling political regime/ Igrreja do Carmo.
    Mosteiro San Bento da Victoria (double stair case)
    Fonte Mouzinho Silveira
    Lunch at Cachorra and then a half day tour (Carlos Silva is our guide) to Aveiro.
    First spot Costa Nova fishing village (lagoon side - very cute cottages... it was explained that the people in the village were fishers originally and as such, drinkers. they painted their houses in different colors so they could easily recognize their home after a night out.)
    Second stop, Aveiro. Salt lakes dot the entrance where salt is still harvested. Then, on to a gondola (Moliceiro boat) ride of the canals. Our guide, Alex... was a funny and horrible flirt...lol. A short walking tour of Aveiro, and a stop to taste ovos moles (Aveiro style) egg yolk + sugar in pastry and a return to Porto. On to Barcelos!    Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino
    12

    Barcelos

    September 8, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    Packing up and heading to Barcelos.
    We technically start here, so we are taking an early day, doing some laundry, and trying to reduce our pack weight (so, drinking wine and eating snacks, lol).
    We did a little self-directed walking tour once in Barcelos, including: Ponte Medieval (the medieval bridge), we tried to find the gargoyle of the bearded one at Soler dos Pinheiros... but didn't, wandered though the Paco dos Conder (Palace of the Counts, ruins) and through Igreja Matriz at Largo do Municipio square. We saw several of the legendary 'cocks' of Barcelos!Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino

    Camino, Day 1 - Casa de Fernandas

    September 9, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Camino, day 1.
    31,120 steps... 20.58 kms... made it to the much regarded Casa Fernandas... greeted with snacks, wine, and applause! This is a fun hostel... book early if you want to get in! Fernanda is a wonderful host.... Karina, from Germany, coined the phrase 'no vino, no camino'... so how could we resist a cup. it's a great social event! (and we're laying low because we're exhausted!).Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino

    Camino, day 2 - Ponte de Lima

    Sep 10–11, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Camino day 2
    # of blisters: 3
    # of times birds have pooped on me: 1
    # of times figs falling from trees have beamed me in the head: 1
    21 004 steps.... 14.073 kms today
    we've met some fabulous people-and only 2 days in! Today, we walked mostly through fields - grape, corn, and small villages... I think only one cafe the whole way. A lovely and peaceful day on the trail. We encountered many small alters along the way, and kind folk offering fruit. Tomorrow is a tough uphill slog - I think the hardest day we will have... so no vino tonight! Early to bed and lots of foot care! Still in love with Portugal 💙 Bom Camino!Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino

    Camino, day 3 - Rubios

    Sep 11–12, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    Camino day 3
    # of blisters: holding steady at 3... (but I'll likely lose a toe nail)
    # of times birds have pooped on me: 1
    # of times figs/items falling from trees have beamed me in the head: 2
    # of le squishies found Le squished: 7
    (cumulative counts)
    28,701 steps.... 19.23 kms today

    We made it up and over... The Alberge in Ponte de Lima was beautiful, I could have slept for days! I didn't... we woke up early, enjoyed breakfast, and hit the road, crossing a medieval bridge and finding a fun camino stamp guy who rang the bell for us! It was uphill (both ways!), and we ran into the South Africa group and the German group again, met some new pilgrims, and just kept walking... very few stops with water or facilities today! And we made it! Tomorrow is a brand new day! and we'll take a rest day after that. Still loving Portugal 💙 Bom Camino!    Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino

    Camino, day 4 - Tui, Spain

    Sep 12–14, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C

    # of blisters: 4, toe nail is pending...
    # of times birds have pooped on me: 1
    # of times items falling from trees have beamed me in the head: 3 (1 fig, 1 pinecone, 1 Japanese walnut)
    # of le squishies found Le squished: 7
    (cumulative counts)
    30,589 steps....21.06 kms

    Today was mostly flat for a change! We ran into team Brazil and were able to share the way for a bit with them. Plus, I get great shoulder massages from Persio! I feel almost normal, except for my feet!

    We left Rubiaes earlier than usual, and I think as tiring as that it, it makes a big difference in your day. Barb says this is the more civilized section with a cafe nearly every 5 kms! lol. Barb, Antonio, and Persio ALL stop for puppies... so this adds time onto our day... and a bit of laughter.

    Before leaving Portugal, we decided to detour a bit and walk through the ancient walled city of Valencia... then through what felt like a maze of dark dungeon tunnels before reaching the bridge to cross into Spain.

    The city of Tui is a UNESCO historical site, and we're taking a rest day here... foot care and laundry! we MIGHT get out and see the city a bit tomorrow. 💙 when in Spain, it's Buen Comino now!    Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino
    1

    Camino-day 5, rest day in Tui

    September 13, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    steps/kms.... who's counting... maybe, like, 4... we really did rest! Laundry and foot care, a little jaunt to the grocery store for a small lunch charcuterie plate, provisions for tomorrow... then more rest....its wonderful to not feel guilty when resting, it was a beautiful day with a lovely breeze, our room was on 2nd floor and opened onto a huge terrace - with doors and windows open it was just fantastic! We chatted with the host, who told us this property was gifted to the San Clemente family by the 12th pope. In the 20th century, the family returned most of the property to the church, and some very rich person in Florida purchased this plot and bought the statues that are in the courtyard. LOL, Barb was being a caring big sister and booked it because she thought it looked like a cemetary- and I would think that was cool.... lol... it still is! 💙 we popped out for dinner and was thrilled to run into Melissa! a pilgrim we met in Porto! And staying at the same hostel! we visited a bit, then to bed... early day tomorrow.
    Temperatures are supposed to be hitting 30 to 32 C in the next few days - this reprieve was much welcome! Back on the path tomorrow. 👣💙    Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino

    Camino, day 6 - Porrino

    Sep 14–15, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    # of blisters: 5... toe nail is pending...
    # of times birds have pooped on me: 1
    # of times items falling from trees have beamed me in the head: 3 (1 fig, 1 pinecone, 1 Japanese walnut)
    # of le squishies found Le squished: 7
    (cumulative counts)

    22, 340 steps...16.35 kms today

    The weather was supposed to hit the 30's today... so we got an early start... like, in the dark! lol... walking with cellphone flashlights to avoid tripping and to ensure we stayed on the path! Only 2 cafés on this route...grateful we had provisions for snacks along the way. My new blister is a bad one... I'm going to name him Balthazar... I don't want to say that it was a boring walk day, it was a utilitarian walk day, a day of purpose to get to the next stop. We're now about 103 km from Santiago and must keep going to get our Compestellas. (Unless my foot falls off! - grateful for canadian health insurance! I think mine covers prosthetics... lol)
    Sometime around km 4, I started hearing this music and kept asking Barb if her phone was ringing or an alarm ringing! Shortly after, we passed a spot called Cruz de San Telmo, also known as the bridge of Fevers (Ponte des Febres), and the music was louder! At this spot, San Telmo fell sick and died of a fever in 1251 on his way back from a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compestella. As we walked a bit further and rounded a bend, 2 gentlemen were playing bagpipes along the route! The perfect spot for a haunting melody. 🎶 The rest of the way into Porrino was less enchanting (think long stretch of asphalt). We checked in 1 minute early at our hostel... rested a bit and went out to 'hunt' dinner... we ran into Vy, shared a beverage and grocery shop - then a stop at the farmica for more bandaids... home for dinner and another early night!
    Still loving the journey... 💙🥾 Buen Camino!    Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino

    Camino - day 7, Redondela

    Sep 15–16, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    # of blisters: 5, Balthazar is brutal!... toe nail is pending (i taped it good and am too afraid to look, lol) ...
    # of times birds have pooped on me: 1
    # of times items falling from trees have beamed me in the head: 4 (1 fig, 1 pinecone, 2 Japanese walnut - Barb threw one at my head today so i could update my count... it hurt!)
    # of le squishies found Le squished: 7 (not as popular in Spain apparently)
    (cumulative counts)

    24,007 steps.... 17 kms

    We started early again today... our hostel was off the track z bit, and as we back-tracked to the path, we came upon 3 youngsters (lol... listen to me! early 20s, I would say)... who were literally just going home from what appeared to be a great night out...(one was still carrying a drink!), they stopped to ask if we were doing Camino de Santiago... when we said yes, they gave us quite an outpouring of drunken love! ❣️
    Mos was a lovely little village where we managed our first coffee of the day and even a little store, so i was able to get new bottoms for my poles.
    We had a very gradual incline today and managed it well. (Balthazar was behaving). But oh man! that downhill! I couldn't capture it in a picture... my crackling knees tell the story! We came upon Vy again - feeding his lunch to a dog! lol. what a kind soul... and a quick walker (he left quite a bit after us and clearly passed us somewhere... lol).
    We arrived in Redondela a bit early - so stopped for a cold beverage. I love that they give you a little snack as well... very tasty, even when served by Mr. Cranky-Pants! lol. Our afternoons are usually the same... shower, nap snd hunt for food - we're ready to eat dinner at go to bed by 7.30 here... nothing opens till 8pm... time to get creative! 💙 Buen Camino!

    Also, when you see a 'face in hole' you HAVE to participate! 🤣    Read more

  • Off The Beatnik PathTravelerIceland and Camino

    Camino, day 8 - Ponteverda

    Sep 16–17, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    # of blisters: 7, Balthazar has been tamed for now.... toe nail is pending 🤞...
    # of times birds have pooped on me: 1
    # of times items falling from trees have beamed me in the head: 4 (1 fig, 1 pinecone, 2 Japanese walnut)
    # of snakes: 1 🐍
    # of times tripping over my own 2 feet: 1
    (cumulative counts)

    32,369 steps and 21.91 km

    We're kind of enjoying starting in the dark... It's cooler, fewer people on the trail (to start anyway! - Barb still stops for puppies... I stop for any photo opportunity-real or imagined!) and our cadence is slower than most... but we still get it done!

    Our first stop for Cafe Leche and snacks was about 6 kms in today at A Fillado Mar - I'm getting used to amazing coffee! Shortly after, we strolled over a historic stone bridge over Pontesampaio. The current version was constructed in 1795 over earlier foundations - it was here where local militia inflicted a serious blow to Napoleon's troops during the War of Independence. We would have to remove our boots to swim in the sea, so we carried on. lol. 🥾👣 Much of the route today was asphalt, and we were lucky enough to have some time roaming through vineyards, a blessed to have had a farmer call us into his property and give us some super yummy grapes for a snack! 🍇 We took a break at the Fonte Figueirido.

    Some very interesting beverage and food stands along the route... in the middle of nowhere, it seemed. We got some fun stamps today, including a fancy (or, elegante) wax seal! I'm grateful not to be injured, just sore (this could have been when I accidentally butt dialed my past manager at work... lol... sorry 'bout that!) and still loving the journey! 💙 Buen Camino!    Read more

  • 2025© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Help Center
  • Legal notice