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Portuguese Camino 2025
  • Robin Abroad
  • Robin Abroad

Portuguese Camino 2025

Cory and I are walking from Porto to Santiago, Cory’s first Camino! Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 17, 2025
    Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    We found it!The classic of Porto - pastel da nata 😋Cory buying our strawberry snack at the MercadoMira, the Camino dog, we met her and her German papa at the Cathedral when we got our credentialFrom the Louis I BridgeStreet entertainment1

    A day in Porto

    September 18, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    We both arrived in Porto yesterday and began our adventure, Cory flying in and me coming by bus. Today, we enjoyed sightseeing in Porto! Our walk begins tomorrow 😊

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    Starting the day with fresh squeezed orange juice
    First arrow at the CathedralWith our new friend Tsuyoshi from JapanThe River DuoroWatched over?Turning the corner to walk north on the Atlantic coastCoffee stop on the beach!Draw bridge!Tired and savoring a supermarket lunchI remember this cute fishing village from last year

    Day 1 Porto to Labruge

    September 19, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    We had a beautiful first day on the Camino! We set off from the Cathedral in Porto around 9:00 after meeting sweet Tsuyoshi from Japan in the square outside the church. We talked for a few minutes, then he was on his way.
    The weather was perfect and we walked at a good pace, stopping to buy some cheese and a cucumber to add to the bread, olives, and grapes that we had carried from the Mercado yesterday. It was a late lunch, around 3:30, and before we knew it, we were walking up to the municipal albergue in Labruge. Very happy to see Tsuyoshi here 😄. Now he and Cory have walked back to the sea to watch the sunset. I’m sitting in the courtyard resting my feet 👣.
    Tomorrow, we are skipping a stage and taking an Uber to Barcelinos (last year, the stage out of Labruge was unpleasant because of all the road walking).
    Our distance today was 27 km / 17 miles. I walked in my sandals! But tomorrow, shoes for the 21 km walk.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    Setting off in the mist1BrekkieHappy, damp pilgrims!Tsuyoshi is a flying squirrel!Wonderful Fernanda 💕

    Day 2 Labruge to Vila do Conde (plus)

    September 20, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    We were planning to take an Uber first thing to Barcelos, skipping a stage and walking from Barcelos to Casa de Fernanda, but instead we chose to walk with Tsuyoshi to Vila do Conde. The weather was very overcast and misty, and it wasn’t long before the mist turned into rain. We just kept walking and laughing as Tsuyoshi continued to give us Japanese lessons.
    Eight miles later, we caught an Uber and enjoyed a comfortable ride to Barcelinhos. Lunch at the cafe that Sarah and I enjoyed so much last year 😊. We started walking out of town, but realized we wouldn’t make it to Fernanda’s until late unless we took another Uber, so the choice was made! Off to our next stop the fast way! And it was wonderful to arrive back at the famous Casa where we had the quintessential pilgrim experience. Wonderful conversation, food, music, and laughter. The magic of this place is precious.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    Farewell to our furry friends at Casa de Fernanda
    Lovely FernandaThe friendly horse who enjoyed a small carrot snackPonte De Lima!View from our albergue roomDinner 😋1Ponte de Lima all lit up

    Day 3 Casa de Fernanda to Ponte de Lima

    September 21, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Today was a great day! The weather was beautiful and so was the walk. It was relatively short, around 15km, but was a welcome distance for my tired and sore feet. 👣

    Ponte de Lima is one of the prettiest towns on this route. I love the expansive Roman bridge that crosses the river, and the municipal albergue is a favorite at the extraordinary cost of only 5€. Several people we’ve met are here also. We did a load of laundry at a nearby lavendaria, so now all our clothes are clean!

    We just had a delicious dinner of sushi and noodles at an Asian restaurant in town and are ready to settle down for a (hopefully) good nights sleep.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    Sunrise from our albergue (yes I had a zero beer for breakfast!)
    Manuel, the pilgrim greeter in Ponte de LimaEucalyptus treesStarting up the mountainAt the top! (Not so bad)Snack timeGlorious foot bath

    Day 4 Ponte de Lima to Rubäis

    September 22, 2025 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F

    Today was another great day!! I love this section, even though it involves a big hill that we affectionately nicknamed “F*ck Mountain” last year. 😄 Soaking our feet in the cold pool at our albergue felt so good afterward.
    In Rubãis, we are with friends we’ve made along the way. Lots of laughing and a generous pilgrim dinner at the local restaurant.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    The "Lucky Charms"
    Old ValençaWith LuigiaThe bridge to Spain!Portugal - Spain3In the Convento1Looking out our window

    Day 5 Rubäis to Tui

    September 23, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    We are in Spain!
    Today’s walk was pretty and slow. We stopped several times to have a coffee or just chat with new friends. So many fun conversations!
    We met up with Luigia (“Lucia”) in Valença and crossed the bridge into Spain together. Tonight, we’re staying at the Convento where I also stayed last year. I love the old stone architecture.Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    I love this sculpture in Tui!
    Definitely more pilgrims now from Tui!Roman bridgeCory

    Day 6 Tui to O Porriño

    September 24, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    We had a beautiful, easy 15km walk through forest and over Roman bridges today. We walked part of the day with two young women we met yesterday, Reb and Kat from the US.
    O Porriño is nice enough with a pretty old town main square. The four of us all ended up at the same restaurant for an afternoon lunch around 4pm for a delicious pilgrim meal of pasta, dessert and coffee. I had tiramisu- yum! 😋Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    Dolls!
    1Pedestrian speed limit: 30km/hr 🤣Longest eyelashes ever!Much steeper than it looksMuch steeper downhill than it looks!Kiwi!Our albergue tonight

    Day 7 O Porriño to Arcade

    September 25, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    We walked out of O Porriño this morning around 9:30. The way is pretty with a good deal of road walking and significant climbs and descents. The legs were definitely challenged!
    We passed through Redondela where we ran into Jess with her ukulele, then Peter from Canada. We had a very comfortable break with food and drink before heading out of town on our way to Arcade. There were more serious hills to climb! Then we saw the blue, blue water down below and were energized to keep going the last few kilometers into Arcade and our booked hostel. There’s a swimming pool here 😁 so again I soaked my aching feet in the cold water and it felt great. We had a super pilgrim dinner and met Filip from Prague. The guy working here, Samuel, is terrific and a lot of fun. He checks people in, tends bar, serves dinner, and basically is running this place by himself today. We are impressed!Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    Pilgrim stop in the woodsSuper duper ice cream!!! 🍦The pulpitOur monastery room

    Day 8 Arcade to Poio

    September 26, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Today was a bit tough. More hill climbs and descents with a good portion of paved roads but some beautiful forest walking too.
    We started off slow, walking with Filip from the Czech Republic. We also saw Jess, alias “Ukeleila.”. There are masses of people now, so many pilgrims! So the feeling is different from earlier on. But… we turned onto the Spiritual route after Pontevedra and I think it will be much nicer the next two days. Unfortunately, most of the others we’ve met are going the other way. But we hope to see familiar faces in Santiago!
    Pontevedra was beautiful! We had lunch there - and ice cream! - and continued on to our lodging at the monastic Poio where we have two comfortable beds and a bathtub!! 🛁 it was sorely needed to ease the aches and tired muscles. I think our distance today was 22km. That doesn’t sound bad, but the hills add a lot of exertion. The temps have been mid-29s C and the sky has been deep blue and sunny. Perfect!
    Today, we go through lovely Combarro and up a BIG climb to Armenteira.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    View from the monastery
    BreakfastThe last supperCombarroGrape vines... fall is coming!Just a spot of rain!Free ranging horsesPoncho fashion!The nuns singing the vespersMonasterio de Armenteira

    Day 9 Poio to Armenteira

    September 27, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 64 °F

    This was a “big hill” day. We knew we were in for a climb up and out of Combarro. First, though, a tasty breakfast at the monastery. Then coffee in Combarro.
    Up, up we went with the clouds darkening g along the way. About halfway, the rain began. It wasn’t heavy and it smelled so fresh!
    We made it to our hostel by 3:00 and had time to do laundry before the 7pm pilgrimage blessing and Vespers at the monastery here. This is when the nuns sing. It was pretty.
    A good dinner at the cafe here - chicken cutlets, a fried egg, potatoes, and salad for 10€.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    3SantiagoKeith from Yorkshire and Tsuyoshi in full fashionJigglypuff and JourneyToes on displayLuigi's and Tsuyoshi have the same necklaceDelicious vegan meal

    Day 11 Vilanova to Ameneira

    September 29, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Where are we? We have stopped about 11.5 km before Santiago. Our feet and bodies are tired and a morning walk-in sounds appealing.
    This morning, we were reunited with Tsuyoshi! Cory and I stayed the night in Vilanova at a wonderful family home hosted by Debee and Alfonso. This morning, Alfonso drove us over to pick up Tsuyoshi at his albergue and we got to the boat dock at about 8:10. Then off we went up the river to Padrón! Santiago was our captain, a super guy who is also friends with Alfonso and Debee. It was a nice ride.
    The walk from Padrón seemed to last forever! I think we’re all tired, as the three of us were really dragging as we stumbled to our albergue outside of the city. None of us could have continued another 11 km!    Read more

  • Robin AbroadPortuguese Camino 2025Robin Abroad
    Made it!!!
    First view of the Cathedral spires in the distancePilgrim rest stopToday's face 😂Today's face - CoryToday's face - TsuyoshiWhat a goof!Stuffies!

    We made it to Santiago!!

    September 30, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    Oh my goodness, we did it! Cory, Tsuyoshi and I walked into the Cathedral plaza around 1:30. We were so goofy! The friendship that we formed is so special. Tsuyoshi has kept us laughing every moment that we walked together. He is such a sweet and funny person. I think I’ll see him again in a few days after he’s walked out to Finisterre. ❤️
    For now, Cory and I are on the bus to Muxia. Lasse is preparing dinner for us! And then I think we’ll sleep the sleep of the dead. So very tired.🥱    Read more

  • Trip end
    October 2, 2025
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