Reset search
SOBADAdventuresSOBADAdventures
SatelliteEdit route
We are two retired U.S. Marines and now enjoy our time traveling and exploring this beautiful planet. We’ve worked hard for this life, now it’s time to enjoy it!🥾🚵‍♀️⛵️🤿🌎❤️ Read more Fort Collins, Colorado
  • TravelerSpain and Portugal 2023
    Day 47

    And finally…Madrid🇪🇸

    May 6, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    I’m not gonna lie, Madrid was the city I was looking forward to visiting the least. In researching places to visit in Spain, I read several times to skip Madrid, sort of like Quito in Ecuador. After spending a day exploring Madrid, listening to talented street musicians, absorbing the art in the Prado Museum, and getting blown away by a spectacular flamenco performance, I must say, I am glad we made the time for Madrid. Yes, it is touristy, much like every other major city in the world, but there is beauty to behold, the sights you’ll want to see are very walkable and the metro is clean and easy to navigate.

    After two months of exploring Spain and Portugal, the time has come to make our way back home. This will be our final footprint on this journey. I thank all of you who have followed us along the way. We hope you will come along on our next adventure! 🐧    Read more

  • TravelerSpain and Portugal 2023
    Day 44

    San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Spain

    May 3, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    We left Muxia by bus and headed to Santiago de Compostela for the night. From there, we rented a car and drove to our next destination, San Lorenzo de El Escorial, a surprise for me! Kevin happened upon information about the remarkable Monastery/Palace/Mausoleum, a UNESCO World Heritage sight and saw that within the palace was a world-renowned library and knew I would love to see it. He made secret plans for us to spend a few days here before heading to Madrid. The library was exquisitely constructed with painted frescoes and paintings from the 16th and 17th centuries, centuries-old books, many with gold inlay that I am amazed still exist (no touching!). Other than the library, there is an impressive sanctuary and mausoleum. Unfortunately no photos are allowed in most of the palace. It was interesting to compare the differences in architecture as compared to what we’ve seen in France and Italy. The Palace is surrounded by a forest with several walking paths that we took advantage of.Read more

  • TravelerSpain and Portugal 2023
    122
    Day 41

    Muxia, Spain

    April 30, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    We moved a little further north along what is known as La Costa da Morte, "The Death Coast," to Muxia, [pronounced moo-she-a]. We spent a few days here before both of us caught stomach bugs. After 2 months of traveling, it was bound to happen. We still managed to explore this quaint fishing village rich in legend and gooseneck barnacles.

    Some believe that Mary (yes, the Virgin Mary, Jesus’ mother) appeared along the rocky shores of Muxia in a stone boat to encourage the Apostle James to keep preaching. The stone boat then broke up into smaller stones. These stones are still here, and legend has it that they possess healing powers. Pagan legend predating Christianity’s takeover of Spain also regard the stones with mysticism.

    Perched behind the mystical rock formations stands the Sanctuary of “A Nosa Señora da Barca” the Virgin of the Boat, originally built in the 12th century to replace Celtic worshipping grounds. Whether you are a believer or not, seeing the cathedral along the rocky shores is a sight to behold, especially at sunset. To me, that’s when the real magic happens.

    Like Finisterre, Muxia is another finishing point on the Camino de Santiago. If you saw the movie, "The Way," this is where Martin Sheen’s character sat on the rocks and released the ashes of his son.    Read more

  • TravelerSpain and Portugal 2023
    Day 30

    Finisterre, R& R at the end of the world

    April 19, 2023 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Although the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela, Spain is considered the ending point of the Camino de Santiago, many pilgrims continue their pilgrimage on to Finisterre. The name Finisterre comes from the Latin Finis Terrea, which means “the end of the world.” Romans once thought Finisterre was the end of the known world, thus for some pilgrims it is symbolic to come here to reflect on what they just accomplished and the burdens they’ve left behind, perhaps now with a fresh outlook on life. Kevin and I were hoping to come here and spend some time at the nearby beach, but it has been rainy and cold, so instead we’re giving my knee some much needed rest time. Although the weather isn’t cooperating, I never tire of looking out at the sea.Read more

  • TravelerSpain and Portugal 2023
    Day 28

    Sandeman Port Wine Tour

    April 17, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 77 °F

    In 1926, the Portuguese Government announced that all Port Wine had to be stored within a small area of Vila Nova de Gaia, which is located just across the Douro River from Porto. Kevin and I took a slow stroll over to Gaia to tour one of the many Port Wine Cellers, Sandeman.Read more

  • TravelerSpain and Portugal 2023
    Day 27

    Livraria Lello Bookstore

    April 16, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    Though the Livraria Lello Bookstore in Porto was built in 1906, it has perhaps become more popular in recent years thanks to Harry Potter. Author, J.K. Rowling used to live in Porto and it is said that she got some of her setting ideas from this bookstore and it’s quite apparent upon entering what is known to be one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. Though I’m a bit hobbled right now, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pay a visit to this exquisite bookstore. The bookstore has gained so much in popularity that they now charge 5 euros (buy online in advance), that can be redeemable with purchase of a book.Read more

  • TravelerCamino Portugues 2023
    2
    Day 15

    Day 15, Serém de Cima, Casa Leo

    April 15, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F

    Day 15, after a short 5.83 miles today, we made the decision to postpone the remainder of our Camino. My knee isn’t feeling any better and we thought it best to stop before I do any further damage. We walked over 204 miles total, which is the most I’ve ever done. I’m quite proud of that. I am also proud of myself for accepting the limitations of my body. It has been an amazing journey, and I know we will be back to finish some other time. This will be the final footprint for this journey, thank you for following along and I invite you to continue following our adventures as we explore this beautiful world of ours.Read more

  • TravelerCamino Portugues 2023
    2
    Day 14

    Day 14, Zero day in Águeda

    April 14, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    We took an unscheduled zero day today. I’ve been dealing with some right knee pain. I have chronic knee issues much thanks to the USMC, so it’s pretty remarkable I’m able to do this at all, but here we are, 198 miles later. Kevin went to the store to look for ice, but the stores don’t start getting ice until August here.😳 But, they did have frozen peas, which works even better. So I’ve been resting, elevating, icing, and stretching off and on all day and it’s feeling much much better, yay! Here’s hoping tomorrow, I’ll be raring to go! Thankfully, the place we’re staying at is nice, the host is super sweet and we were able to enjoy a delicious breakfast and great coffee this morning.Read more

  • TravelerCamino Portugues 2023
    2
    Day 12

    Day 12, Coimbra to Sernadelo

    April 12, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 59 °F

    Today we completed 15.51 miles from Coimbra to Sernadelo. This morning was a little slow going for me because my right knee was being wonky. We walked the first few miles mainly on a bike lane. We knew it was supposed to rain today, so we were prepared with our waterproof pack covers and rain ponchos. Sure enough by about 9:45 a.m., a steady rain started. We donned our rain gear and carried on. We didn’t mind the rain because it kept it cool. We did a lot of road walking today, which is murder on the feet after awhile, but we took plenty of breaks to break up the day. Our last stop, we had some hard sparkling apple cider called Sommersby. We both liked it a lot. It wasn’t too sweet and was light and refreshing. We finished the day in Sernadelo, a small town just outside of Mealhada, which is the suckling pig center of Portugal. Guess what's for dinner?Read more

  • TravelerCamino Portugues 2023
    Day 11

    Day 11, Conimbriga to Coimbra

    April 11, 2023 in Portugal ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Day 11, we finished our shortest distance yet at 10.59 miles. It will likely be our shortest distance on this Camino. We strolled through a few small villages before making our way back into the woods up and down some hills once more. One of the highlights of the day was it seemed as though we were being led by floral scents at every turn. I am so thankful we are here in the spring when the flowers are in full bloom! Kevin and I are in awe of all the different types of flowers we see and smell here on a daily basis. We walked under an ancient Roman aqueduct before making our way toward Coimbra, our destination town. Just before crossing the Mondego River to get into Coimbra, we stopped to marvel at a convent built in 1648 that replaced the medieval monastery of Santa Clara-a-Nova. The ornate altarpiece inside the sanctuary houses the tomb of Queen Isabel, who was canonized in the 17th Century and re-interred from the old convent. From there, we crossed the bridge into the busiest city we’ve been to since Lisbon and the third largest city on the Camino Portugues: Coimbra. Portugal’s oldest university in the Portuguese speaking world is here. Thus, it is very much a bustling college and tourist town.Read more

Join us:

FindPenguins for iOSFindPenguins for Android

  • 2024© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Blog
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Support
  • Legal notice
  • English