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Caminho Português de Santiago
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  • Robin Abroad

Caminho Português de Santiago

Walking from Porto to Santiago Read more
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  • Trip start
    April 9, 2024
    Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    1

    Arrival in Munich

    April 5, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    I just arrived in Munich! It’s really warm and sunny here. The courtyard where we walked through the Christmas market in December is now open and expansive. I have a 3-hour wait for my next flight to Berlin. Can’t wait to see the kids and have drinks and dinner at TorBar!Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    Saturday market in Charlottenburg. The strawberries were very tasty!
    ZionskircheCherry blossoms1Resident pigeon who looks like a fake bird

    Bye Berlin; Off to Porto!

    April 8, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    It’s been a fabulous few days here in Berlin with perfect weather, great food, and a nesting pair of pigeons. Family time with the kids has been the highlight, of course!

    Today, taking the train to the airport for the next big stage - Porto, Portugal! Sarah and I will begin our Camino tomorrow morning with a 15-mile day planned. Ooo, Camino!!Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    First day - Porto
    Sarah - Carol - Robin

    Arrival in Porto

    April 8, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 50 °F

    I’m in Portugal! Sarah met me at the airport, we had an easy train ride into the city, are staying at a great hostel, and had a yummy dinner (roasted sardines!) with friends from Boulder. Tomorrow, we begin our walk. The forecast looks great! 😊Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    Miles of boardwalk

    Day 1 - Porto to Lebruge

    April 9, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ 🌙 55 °F

    A fantastic start to our Camino! We walked 15 miles along the river and then coastline, much on a boardwalk that goes all the way up Portugal. Impressive! The weather was warm and there was a strong Atlantic wind blowing all the way up. Now, we’re settled into our albergue (hostel) with me on the top bunk. Comfy! I had a bacon omelette with fries for dinner, washed down with a Super Bock, the local beer. Now time to turn in. Another 15 miles awaits tomorrow as we make our way to Rates with some boardwalk, but then saying goodbye to the coast for now. That’s okay, I couldn’t do days on end in the wind!Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    Someone has a creative sense of humor1Strange critters here

    Day 2 - Labruge to Rates

    Apr 10–11, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Today, we left Labruge and walked along the coast for about 10km. More lovely boardwalk. Then we turned inland and walked to Arcos and north to Rates. About 15 miles total. I would say that the road walking was kind of terrible, long stretches with no curb or space to walk safely. It was a long day, but all is well once we reach the albergue. 🙂 Tomorrow will be a shorter day.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    Barcelos. Wehad lunch and dinner at this cafe and are staying in the hotel with red window casings.2

    Day 3 - Rates to Barcelos

    Apr 11–12, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Today went fairly well, although my sciatic pain went a little haywire and has me concerned. My pack feels so heavy! I think it has aggravated that nerve, and today it had me stopping every few hundred yards or so just to manage the pain. Ugh. Might have to consider bag transport.

    The walk was fairly scenic today, still with a lot of roadway with little to no shoulder. We hopscotched three Germans for a while. The going looked tough for them too. Cobblestones and pavement are damn hard on the feet. I didn’t expect t it, and frankly am not thrilled with the terrain, although I’ve heard tomorrow should be much better.

    Honest confession: the pilgrim experience so far has been vastly different from doing the Norte in 2018. I haven’t found the pilgrims as friendly and haven’t yet connected with anyone beyond hello. We did meet a nice couple from Brisbane, Australia and a friendly man from Ireland last night at the albergue. Briefly spoke to a chatty couple from Ireland as we left the restaurant tonight. But no close connection yet like Kate and I experienced last time. But hey, we’re only three days in!

    The best part about today has been splurging for a hotel room 😁😁! So luxurious to have a nice shower, comfy bed, air conditioning, and privacy. And we had the laundry service wash and dry our dirty clothes. They were returned nicely folded and smelling wonderful. I can’t explain the joy!    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad

    Casa Da Fernanda

    Apr 13–14, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Day 4 - Barcelos to Navia. We have experienced the fabulous Casa Da Fernanda! It is everything we read about and more. It’s like being at summer camp with amazing host who cheer us on, keep the food and wine coming, get the room singing and dancing, and end the night with port, fire water (schnapps/grappa), and a hand holding round of Hallelujah. It’s 7am and the cabin is stirring with people loading up their packs and preparing for another day of walking. We’re all hoping it’s a little cooler today. Yesterday was very hot. Good company makes it bearable. These are the Camino days we’re grateful for. 💙Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    Kayak races in Ponte de LimaComing into town. What a beautiful welcome!1Finding the mercado

    Day 5 - Casa Fernanda to Ponte de Lima

    Apr 13–14, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    The walk was thankfully shorter today, about 10 miles through scenic agricultural areas and smaller towns. Less pavement (although a fair share of cobblestone streets) and more shade. It was a nice walk and beautiful to reach Ponte de Lima with its tree lined avenue and beautiful river with medieval bridge. The municipal albergue is great and we now have a circle of friends that are here also. Arrived at 1:00 and had lunch at the cafe across the street until the hostel opened at 3:00. My back lasted through the day, although now is giving me a lot of pain again. But the Farmácia had Voltaren patches, so that will hopefully be a lifesaver tomorrow. Frozen yogurt for dinner, as our lunch was filling. Really enjoying the Super Bock Zero, an alcohol-free beer that is very refreshing.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad

    Day 6 - Ponte de Lima to Rubiães

    Apr 14–15, 2024 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 64 °F

    Today I walked solo (but not really). Sarah has some bad blisters on her toes, so she took a rest day and caught a cab to our destination this morning. I started out on my own, but soon met up with fellow pilgrims that we’ve become friends with the last few days.

    That’s what I love so much about the Camino - the bonds you form with those walking the same path. Canadians, Australians, Americans, people from Ireland, Germany, the Netherlands… we all share rest breaks and meals together. Staying at the municipal albergues, we sleep and rise together too. The beds are fine and so far all the bath facilities have been good. Last night only cost €5! Nothing fancy here, just beauty and serenity. I joked today that we spend more on bandages and ibuprofen!

    Tonight, Sarah and I opted for a private room at a casa. There are others staying here too, and the municipal is just across the street. Tonight the local restaurant was full of pilgrims,and we all greeted each other warmly with smiles and hellos.

    Tomorrow, we leave Portugal and enter Spain (Tui). Hard to believe! It will become more crowded from Tui where many will begin walking the last required 100 kilometers for their compostela.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad

    Day 8 - Tui to O Porriño

    Apr 17–18, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 50 °F

    The time in Spain is one hour later than Portugal , so our starting times have shifted. The sun isn’t up until nearly 8am!

    This morning, I packed a few things that aren’t needed (rain gear and cool weather clothes) and mailed them to Santiago where I can retrieve them next week. Lightened my pack by 3kg!

    We walked on some stunning Roman roads with centuries-old bridges today. Into O Porriño, a lovely old town with a walking plaza and cafes. We ran into Steve and Teresa from Texas, Ger from Ireland, and Steve and Carey from somewhere back east. I think we’ll be seeing less and less of our “family” now that the way is becoming more crowded with many more lodging options for pilgrims. Still, we’re always on the lookout for those we’ve shared this Camino with.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad

    Day 11 - Beginning the Spiritual

    Apr 19–20, 2024 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    Today was the shortest mileage day so far, thankfully. We have split the distance to Armenteira by stopping in Combarros for the night. And so glad we did! This is a lovely old village on the sea. The walk has been spectacular recently, and today continued the scenic way. Diverging on the Spiritual route turned us westward toward the water with a manageable hill up and over. I was fueled by a magnificent strawberry cream croissant and a cafe con leche this morning. And the day got even better from there. I’m already beginning to count the days until this magical adventure ends, and the thought is overwhelming. Lots to experience in the next 4 days.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    1Morning view
    The best yogurt!Leaving CombarroAbeautiful view after walking up from the shore belowCool stamp at our casaWith a Danish woman at our lodgingThe best host, Carlos!Tapas for dinner!

    Day 12 - Armenteira

    Apr 20–21, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 63 °F

    The incline lived up to its reputation today from Combarro to Armenteira. And it was sunny and hot. But we made it in three hours! Tonight we have a nice room and had lovely wine and tapas. Our journey tomorrow will be a 14 mile walk to Vila de Arousa. Might take us most of the day to get there.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCaminho Português de SantiagoRobin Abroad
    Zen kittyCasa Rural Vella da Rivera

    Day 14 Boatride!

    Apr 23–24, 2024 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 50 °F

    Since we arrived in Vilanova de Arousa on a Sunday, there were no restaurants open for dinner. Typical Camino dilemma. After walking around for a long time, we finally found a pastry shop that had meat pies. I had two - tuna and meat. It was all oily crust, but it was a godsend to have it! And ice cream for dessert!
    We caught the 10:00 boat for a lovely 80 minute ride to Paxton, passing the twelve crosses of St. James.
    We had decide to walk beyond Padron to have a shorter day to Santiago, and Carol and Mike had sent us a recommendation for a casa just off the tour in O Sisto. Wow!! What an amazing experience! Xin and Diego are the sweetest hosts. They prepared a world class dinner for the eight of us staying there. And Xin did our laundry - for free! There is no better gift for a Camino walker.    Read more

  • Trip end
    April 24, 2024
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