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Leça da Palmeira

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    • Camino
      121
      Day 13

      Day 1 Porto to Motosinhos

      September 15 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 68 °F

      Today we started our Camino. We were a little nervous but anxious to get to this part. We started at the cathedral and got our stamp for our credential, a kind of passport that gets stamped along the way. We did a devotional about the disciples on the road to Emmaus - how they did not recognize Jesus as they were walking along but he revealed himself to them at the breaking of bread. There are devotionals for the whole trip. On our way down to the river we unknowingly started the same day as a half marathon, so there were loads of people to navigate, as well as closed or blocked roads. As we walked along the river, we had to walk on a small metal footbridge since the runners got the road. It wobbled when you walked on it. It was good to get back on solid ground after that bit.

      We thought our first day was to be 6.5 miles, but it was more like 8.0 miles. We arrived in Motosinhos, a beach town, around 1:30. We dropped our packs in the reception area of the guest house since we could not check in until 3:00, went to eat lunch by the beach, got our credential stamped, and checked in. We relaxed for awhile, then went to watch the sunset. It was a beautiful evening. Tomorrow we have a longer day and it is supposed to be hot, so we need an early start to walk while it’s cooler.      Read more

    • Journey to KimbaCamino Portuguese
      1124

      Matosinhos

      September 19 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

      Flat, thank goodness. Seagull sounds mix with playground sounds. No one told these kids there’s major challenges, or at least they are more able than me to let go and play and scream in delight. Hmmmm.

      Porto streets, or maybe tripping on the 1/4 step into the bathroom has messed up my knee. I’m staying in a 3 story pensao residence. The rooms are 12 ft tall. So the stairs…. Another thank goodness is the office assistant/ cleaning staff/ granddaughter offered to carry my suitcase up. Si. Por favor, as I take the stairs sideways babying that knee. I can manage rest and elevation, but the closest I came to ice was a lemon and mango gelado.

      The language difference— somehow we find a way. People are kind and mostly patient. I spent 30 minutes at a post office sending back some overpacking (grff) while the line queued. The postman was wonderful. We laughed when I finally understood that he wanted my email address (electronico) not my mailing address. The people in line looked unhappy and yes I think that was my fault. But too bad.

      Tomorrow’s agenda is to start walking. 12 miles. We’ll see. Maybe I can find more things about which to laugh and scream in delight.      Read more

    • TravelerCamino Portuguese
      Day 1–2

      Labruge

      September 18 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

      I definitely put more kms on my feet than I anticipated (or wanted) today with a grand total of 28.5. Although the path I was taking was supposed to be 19kms, the long (ass) walk out of the city and the added distance to get to my first Albergue, made for a long day.

      The first 20kms were great, without the distraction of music or e-books or anything else. But the last 8kms were truly a grind, and it took a lot of singing, humming, and pumping myself up to get to my destination. I'm crossing my fingers that I can do a shorter day tomorrow.      Read more

    • TravelerCamino de Santiago 2024
      1111
      Day 3

      Sandy Beaches and a Sunny Day

      April 10 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 54 °F

      We woke up this morning and took off so excited for our first day of actual hiking! At days end we had covered 17+ sunny miles of hiking- mostly along a wooden boardwalk while enjoying a succession of beaches and beautiful maritime landscapes. There were points where the boardwalk was covered in deep sand so there was some trudging involved as well as the hiking 😂 The beginning of the hike was a bit somber as we passed the beachside sculpture in the village of Matosinhos commemorating a sea disaster where many sailors were lost. The “Tragédia no Mar” is a very emotional piece! We passed fishing villages with bright colored houses, fishing nets and boats, tidal pools, salt tanks in stone dating from Roman times, ancient chapels, memorial obelisks and many friendly Portuguese! We also made friends with pilgrims from Australia and Slovenia today. I guess we stick out as there are four of us sisters together and we all have our phones out ready to shoot the next beautiful wave. Bom Caminho was on everyone’s lips today! We had a picnic by the sea for lunch with fresh fruit and cheese and warm baguettes. This evening it was sardines in garlic sauce with rice and beans and a little house wine- delicious! As we got to town tonight (Vila do Conde) we were able to visit the amazing Igreja Matriz dedicated to St. John the Baptist (S Joâo Baptista) and pray a Rosary- what a wonderful bonding experience we are having! This is fun but tiring so I’ll head to sleep- tomorrow will be another long day! A final thought- Jenna and Blaise both turned 40 years old this week and so I’m praying for them as they reach their milestone birthdays. My friends and family are always in my prayers but somehow while outside surrounded by God’s beautiful nature I feel more compelled to thank Him for all the graces, family and friends I have been given. ❤️Read more

    • TravelerCamino de Santiago
      1
      Day 3

      More Rain & More Miles!

      October 18, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

      Today we hiked from Porto through quaint fishing villages and over sandy boardwalks to Vila do Conde- over 17 miles! The sun tried to peak out a few times this morning but mostly it rained and by the end of the afternoon it was gusting and pouring like crazy. The huge waves crashing on the rocks were scary yet exhilarating to watch as we hurried along. Did we question our sanity for being here walking this pilgrimage in this weather? Maybe! But taking a break and eating a scrumptious lunch of fresh local sardines and sea bass and a traditional Portuguese soup (with turnip greens?!) helped us back on our way. We headed back out garbed in ponchos and hats and we did our best to tuck our chins down and keep going. Rain is predicted tomorrow also but we are getting good at this (we think)!
      Meeting other pilgrims along the way has been so inspiring- we met people from Michigan, Australia, Switzerland, France and Germany along with the friendly Portuguese. A kind fishmonger in Matosinhos chased us this morning to give us a Pilgrim’s shell and it’s so sweet to hear the encouraging,
      « Bom Caminho » to which we’ve learned to respond, « Gracias Igualmente! »      Read more

    • Viking 23/24 World Cruise
      32
      Day 132

      Porto, Portugal

      May 2 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 52 °F

      We did a ‘Best of
      Porto’ tour today that included a boat ride up the Douro River, Tapas at a local restaurant, a Fado performance and a visit to the Cathedral built in the 1200’s. It was a rainy but fun ‘all-inclusive’ day.Read more

    • TravelerCamino Portugues
      Day 4

      Matosinhos

      July 31 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

      Only walked about 8 miles today! Body held up okay, started getting some SI joint pain around mile 5 but the walking poles really helped. Made it in time for lunch - sardines, really going out of my comfort zone here 😅. Checked into my hostel, Fishtail Seahouse, which is super cute - also a surf hostel. Washed my clothes by hand which was a real experience and I have no idea if I did it right. Tomorrow I’ll be walking 15ish miles - decided to switch from the coastal route to the central route so I’m in less beach touristy areas. So we’ll see how it goes!Read more

    • Camino 2.0
      4
      Day 3

      erstes "buon camino"

      June 24 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

      Unser erster Caminotag führt uns aus der Stadt an den Fluss und dann ans Meer. Wir müssen uns an die Rucksäcke und die Beine an die Belastung gewöhnen, deshalb gönnen wir uns nach 15km ein schönes kleines Hotel und einen Strandbesuch. Start schon mal gelungen 👍Read more

      See translation
    • TravelerCamino portuguese
      1
      Day 10

      Reisebericht- Sonntag Nr 4

      May 21, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

      Pause Nr 2

      Auuuuuuaaaaa meine Füße....... ich doch so armer armer der äääääärmste Klaus auf der gaaaaaaaanzen weiten Welt 😂😂😂

      Bilder sprechen für sich

      Und jetzt schon das Dach der Liebe gefunden? Neeeeeeeeeiiiiiin ‼️‼️

      Aber ich könnte es als Fangnetz verwenden wenn der sch........
      ööööööne Prinz mal kommt 🤔😂🤪🤪🤪🏳️‍🌈      Read more

      See translation
    • Caminho Português
      1
      113
      Day 3–4

      Matosinhos

      April 14 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

      An 11km day, all flat along the water.

      A gentle start, brekkie recommended by gendarmes nearby, packed and off to the 12th century cathedral, obtained our stamped Caminho credentials, attended Mass with full choir, then took narrow lanes downhill to the River Douro.

      We turned right, fought the wild crowds along the river for about 5km and stopped for lovely lunch. Further along river and another right turn to follow the Atlantic and Porto’s western beaches north, weather perfect, lots of beach goers and a few swimmers and board riders. Beaches very wide and quite crowded.

      Now in our micro studio contemplating the beach and maybe a swim. Probably a small ale to follow. . . the first large one.
      A long day tomorrow an early start planned. Day One completed!

      After unpacking we returned to the beach and had a swim. The water was clean and clear, with a nice regular 2 foot swell and the water temperature a brisk 14.5c.      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Leça da Palmeira, Leca da Palmeira

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