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Valga

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    • TravelerCamino de Santiago and Ireland
      1121
      Day 8

      Day 4 - We’re in Padron

      September 1 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

      So today we walked 14 .28 of the 11 miles that we were supposed to walk. We think there is a pattern here, as we’ve now walked over 60 miles that was supposed to be our path for the entire 6 walking days. We were in forested areas a lot again which are beautiful.Read more

    • TravelerCamino Portuguese
      11
      Day 17

      Day 17: Caldas de Reis to Vilar

      November 5 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

      Today was a nice walking day, but LONG! I walked at least 25 km today. I started before 9 AM and didn’t get to my albergue until after 5 PM. I kept meeting up with the same pilgrims, some of whom I’ve seen for a few days. We all seem to stop at the same cafés for a snack and a bathroom break, and just to rest for a little while. There was the lady from Ukraine, who’s walking with her sister. She was at the hot springs spa with me yesterday. I met Gus from Maine, who is 22 years old and just graduated from college. He’s meeting his dad in Portugal after the Camino and they’re going to Morocco. I met Laura from Dallas, who has done multiple Caminos. I walked with a couple from Vancouver who I’ve seen for the last several days. I’ve definitely been talking with more pilgrims in the last few days, which has been fun and interesting. After our second stop today, I ran into Laura again and she said that I was emanating joy. I don’t know about that, but I definitely feel in good spirits today.

      At my third stop today in Padron, I met Elena from Venezuela and Alex from Germany. While I was talking with them, Bruce from Australia came in. I met him in Tui a few days ago and we were both dealing with leg and foot issues. I knew I was ahead of him by at least a day so it was a nice surprise to see him again. I also saw Maggie and her mom Mary from New York. Maggie was at the spa with me in Caldas des Rais last night. It’s so cool to keep running in to people I’ve met along the way.

      Tonight I am in a beautiful, historic albergue called O Lagar de Jesus. The owner is a Brazilian man named Elijah, but his mother is Galician and he is now back in his mother’s home country. He lived in Miami for 10 years before coming to Spain. I had a wonderful meal here with other pilgrims from Portugal and the Czech Republic, and enjoyed the best Spanish Rioja wine. 🍷 😀 Elijah gave a special toast about family and faith, and what the way, the truth, and the life means. He called this our Santiago Eve, and it definitely felt like a celebration. Only 18 km to go to Santiago! I will meet my young German friends there and celebrate this beautiful pilgrimage with them.

      Foot report: On my second café stop today, I took care of a little hotspot I was feeling on my heel. I reapplied Foot Glide all over both feet and put some tape on that spot. A small blister was forming, but I think I caught it in time. My shins are feeling pretty good. Still a little sore at the end of the day, but no serious problems.

      I’m feeling pretty happy about making it this far, and I’m looking forward to arriving in Santiago de Compostela tomorrow. 🙏😌      Read more

    • TravelerEl Camino
      Day 15

      As Cernadas

      May 4 in Spain ⋅ 🌫 17 °C

      This forestry was amazing. I believe I was in a temperate rainforest as all the ferns, moss, lichen, liverwort, and other ancient humidity loving plants were overtaking the trunks of the tree and covering all the rocks and stones. It was something out of Middle-earth, and I was a place I was reluctant to move on from. The road goes ever on my friend.Read more

    • TravelerCamino
      1
      Day 13

      Pedron oh Pedron

      May 4 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      Made it in the rain and through flooded pathways. Last 6 mls with wet feet. But one more day left. Tomorrow- Santiago!
      Today was absolutely stunning. Rushing rivers, real “spanish” moss, horses, donkeys, succulents, flowers, churches, all of the wonders of nature and gifts from God. I am lucky and blessed and happy.

      Oh, almost forgot. I finally figured out why this is called “find my
      Penguins” and is the “camino app”. After a day walking the Camino, you take your shoes off, and literally you walk like a penguin. So, if you are reading this, you are finding your penguin.      Read more

    • TravelerEl Camino
      Day 15

      San Miguel

      May 4 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

      San Miguel was charming township with a small church, but a large graveyard with family named mausoleums with generations laid to rest. This was unlike any other church I have encountered on this trip, and it stood out. There were a couple of older women who were caretaking and cutting flowers at the tombs. Was raining off and on today, so I took the opportunity to catch up on my picture taking.Read more

    • TravelerBUEN CAMINO 2023
      Day 28

      Etappe 26

      June 4, 2023 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

      Hoi zämä!
      Anders als vermutet, habe ich mich heute Morgen mit Anmut und Grazie aus meinem Etagenbett geschwungen! Selbst ich war erstaunt, mit wieviel Eleganz mir der Ausstieg von oben gelang! Auch Roland machte eine gute Figur beim verlassen seiner, im ersten Stockwerk gelegenen, Bettstatt! Offenbar sind wir doch noch gelenkiger als erwartet!
      Die Etappe, die wir heute zu bewältigen hatten, führte uns bei Morgennebel, durch schöne Gebiete und kleinere Orte. Neuerdings werden wir in den Dörfern nicht mehr so oft mit Hundegebell empfangen, Nun sind es die "Güggel" die uns mit ihrem lauten "Kikeriki" freundlich begrüssen. 
      In den Waldlandschaften, die wir auch heute wieder durchquerten, wurden wir von Schmetterlingen und dem Gesang der vielen Vögel, die hier leben, begleitet.
      Nicht unbedingt zu unserer Freude, begegneten wir einem kleinen Hund, der offenbar lieber mit uns, als mit seinem Besitzer unterwegs sein wollte! Der Vierbeiner zottelte uns regelrecht hinterher und machte keine Anstalten zu seinem Herrchen zurückzukehren. Roland, dem Hundeflüsterer gelang es, nach einigen Fehlversuchen, glücklicherweise doch noch, den Wau-Wau zur Umkehr zu bewegen!
      Abwechslung in den Tag brachte auch ein Pärchen aus Bern, welches gerade eine Ruhepause am Wegesrand machte. Die zwei sympathischen Schweizer erzählten mit Begeisterung von den Erfahrungen, die sie hier mit den freundlichen Menschen bereits gemacht haben. Obwohl sie sehr unterhaltsam waren, haben wir uns nicht allzulange aufgehalten, denn vor uns lagen noch etliche Kilometer die wir zurückzulegen hatten. Nach 30Km wandern checkten wir, müde und erledigt,  in einer sehr schönen Herberge ein. Von dieser Unterkunft aus, brechen wir morgen zur letzten Etappe, Richtung Santiago-de-Compostela auf.
      Guet Nacht und schlafed guet!      Read more

      See translation
    • TravelerRadreise nach Marokko
      Day 72

      Die Touristenhochburg Galiciens

      August 28 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

      Nachdem ich an dem Fluss einen sehr schönen Sonnenaufgang hatte, ließ ich es wiedermal langsam angehen. Zunächst war es größtenteils schöner Camino, mit der Zeit wurde die Landschaft aber immer dichter besiedelt.
      Dann kam eine der elendsten Städte, die ich seit längerem durchfahren bin, Pontevedra.
      Voller Hafenindustrie und eine gewaltige Papierfabrik, die aus Eukalyptus wohl hauptsächlich Klopapier machen. Es stank und die Stadt war an keiner Stelle schön, bloß weg.
      Meine Navigationsapp wollte mich einmal durch den Hafen schicken aber es gab eine stationäre Polizeikontrolle, die mich umgeleitet hat.
      Ich entschied mich in das Naturschutzgebiet (ZEC) Costa da Vela zu fahren. Das lag allerdings ganz im Westen auf einer Halbinsel.
      Langsam wurden die Dörfer etwas besser, aber nicht wirklich schön.
      Es gab viele Strände und an den oftmals steilen Küstenhängen klebte sich ein Ort an den nächsten. Es war sehr steil und ging durch enge Gassen. Es wurde spät und es war alles dermaßen dicht besiedelt, dass ich unruhig wurde, es war heiß und bergig.
      Mir dämmerte, dass ich es bis ganz nach Westen schaffen musste, das waren aber noch ungefähr 30km.
      Es wurde ziemlich scheisse. Brutale Rampen, viel Verkehr in dichten Straßen. Die Häuser wie immer hässlich, die Autos teuer, die Touristenminen eher unglücklich. Ich quälte mich durch eines der größten Touristengebiete Spaniens und fragte mich, ob das so klug war.
      Mein Akku war praktisch leer, zum Glück fand ich in einem der Ortschaften am Hang noch eine Bar. Ich hatte nur noch 1% Akku, ein Stop musste noch sein um die Powerbank aufzuladen, sonst war mir das Risikozu groß den grünen Bereich auf der Karte zu finden. Ich fühlte mich komisch angeguckt von den Leuten, ich weiss nicht warum, die so geguckt haben.
      Ich bin dann so gegen 20 Uhr weitergefahren, immer auf der Suche nach der Lücke im Steilhang. Wo ich hin wollte, ging es nur steil bergauf. Ich fand dann einen Waldweg, der irgendwie ging. Ich schaffte es gerade so das noch zu fahren mit einigen unfreiwilligen Absetzern. Ich war mir nicht sicher, ob das was werden sollte. Ich hatte kein Bock mehr auf die Quälerei, muss aber sein.
      Endlich kam ich oben an und es war fantastisch, tolle Steinformationen und ein grandioser Ausblick aufs Meer. Ich war heilfroh es geschafft zu haben, habe dann mein Zelt zwischen diesen üblen Dornensträuchern aufgebaut, war mir aber auch egal inzwischen, Hauptsache etwas Sichtschutz. Das ist immerhin Naturschutzgebiet. Die Nacht war top👍      Read more

      See translation
    • TravelerMy Camino Adventure 2024
      1

      Only 2 more hiking days

      September 28 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

      Day 12. 2nd to last day of hiking. It's dark, chilly, and foggy as I start the day at 8 am, and as I walk, the temperature drops, and the breeze picks up. Thankfully, I have my stretch neck head band (a memory from another great hike to a tea house above Lake Louise) to cover my ears.

      Besides the chill, today is again a perfect hike through some town lanes, but mostly country trails in forests. It's Saturday, and I see more local home life, people doing chores, cleaning windows, washing cars, and trimming roses.

      It's funny how this is a religiously inspired pilgrimage hike, and yet there is little religious support or encouragement for today's pilgrims. Most churches are closed, few have stamps for credentials or prayer cards, or any sign acknowledging the pilgrolims visit. Finally, a half mile off the path and 200km from my start in the town of Pontecesures near Padron, I get the first warm welcome too a church from a gentleman who Is cleaning the church and is very excited to give me a stamp and a prayer card. I'm not religious. But Ai expected more church support of The Way.

      In Padron, 24 km from Santiago, there is active interest in the story of St James and accounts of his remains coming here for a time in the first century. The church has a Roman harbor pier where the boat carrying St James was moored on display under the altar, and several paintings depicting him.

      But most intriguing in Padron was learning about the Nobel-winning author Rosalía de Castro 1837-1885. I toured her final home and heard of her feminist stance, and how she is credited as" the greatest Galician cultural icon" having written numerous books and poems in the Galician language (not sure if that's a dialect or entirely different from Spanish).      Read more

    • TravelerPortugese Camino
      Day 17

      Catiora

      May 7 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

      Beautiful walk along the beach, through forests, industrial parks, small towns. We saw a sign for petroglyphs and decided to chance the uphill climb. We were rewarded with a really cool area you could just walk thru and a local guy telling us all about Galicia. The only one we could decipher for sure was this dear. Lunch shortly after. Found out a San Jacobo sandwhich if basically fried ham and cheese, no bread - yum. Ordered a glass of white wine and got a whole bottle. Found 30 euros in the gutter. Lovely conversation with a police officer. McDonalds even! Our casita has a pool and 2 bedrooms. Breakfast will be delivered at 9. 😊 Perfect camino day.Read more

    • TravelerEl Camino Portugues
      Day 31

      Etapa 23: A Portela

      February 3 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 9 °C

      We set out for the day going mostly through fields and farmlands. We saw some goats and had a nice moment with them and fed them some nearby grasses. They were super appreciative of that despite being in a field full of grass.

      We then traveled along a small river for a while which led into a larger town where we had lunch. I had pork ribs which were super tasty, but the sauce was served separately so they were quite messy to eat. After dinner we walked out of the city, but along the way stopped by a political tent ( I’m not sure why we did this) and some members of the group had a conversation about one of the local candidates. We were also all handed political flyers. I read through mine and had to ask Juan Pablo for some translations. The party was supposedly the the center-right party but there proposed policy seemed to be left of the democrats. It was quite interesting to hear about how the Spanish election system works.

      We arrived to the Alburgue a little after sundown. They had a big soup, hard-boiled eggs and bread waiting for us that was available to eat for a donation. Quite a simple meal, but filling.

      After dinner, the Alburgue caretaker, Paco, and I talked a bit about American music. He was super in to American rock from the 70s and ended up showing me different YouTube videos for like an hour of the Beastie Boys, Prodigy, and Simpsons clips. I also tried to show him some newer artists I thought he might like and he subscribed to all of the YouTube channels of everyone I recommended.      Read more

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Valga

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