Camino de Santiago

by Larry

(Punctuation Disclaimer – I am not sure why, but when I enter a period at the end of a sentence in the post I am working on, once it is published the period sometimes comes up as a question mark at the end of the sentence)

Finally the day arrived for us to head off on an adventure of a lifetime the Camino de Santiago.

We have hiked and walked and walked and walked in preparation for our Camino? The one small change from our initial planning is that due to Brenda’s strained MCL we are going to use a luggage transfer service to move her suitcase from town to town along the Camino route? I am going to carry most of my stuff in my back pack, but will be taking advantage of using spare space in Brenda’s suitcase for some heavier articles?

So let the adventure begin? Well we checked in for our flights 24 hrs in advance as recommended and almost immediately were told that the second flight had been cancelled so we had to reschedule? In the end it all worked out, it was just a lot longer travel and wait times at airports? Our flights were Kamloops to Vancouver to Ottawa to Toronto and finally to Lisbon Portugal.

Once we arrived in Lisbon airport you all of a sudden feel a long way from home? The Customs and Immigration hall was packed with people, little to no direction or signage and complete confusion? After about an hour, which should have taken 15 minutes we got out and headed towards the metro train to the city.

On the way out of the airport we stopped at a cellphone store to pick up a SIM card, so we could be connected to the world; best decision we’ve made so far as we used the Maps feature on our cellphone everyday? The metro to downtown was pretty speedy and after exiting he underground station we found our hotel for 4 nights in Lisbon?

We met up with Dean and Judy who had been travelling the Netherlands, France and Spain prior to meeting us in Lisbon? We got pretty good at using the metro and toured a lot of Lisbon on foot or by train? Brenda was a “trooper” and never complained once about a sore knee even with hundreds of steps, uneven cobblestones and long walks up and down the hills of Lisbon.

While in Lisbon we took a day trip to Sintra? Sintra is on the coast and is a resort town in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains. A longtime royal sanctuary, its forested terrain is studded with pastel-colored villas and palaces. The Moorish- and Manueline-style Sintra National Palace is distinguished by dramatic twin chimneys and elaborate tilework. The hilltop 19th-century Pena National Palace is known for a whimsical design and sweeping views? Sintra was very busy and we were glad that we booked a tour versus trying to do this on our own?

So after the 4 nights we headed off by train to Valenca, Portugal for 2 nights? This was our starting point for our Portuguese Camino de Santiago? Valenca is a small Portuguese town and has a walled part of the City or as it is called a Fortaleza de Valenca which is right across the Minho River from Tui, Spain? We stayed at hotel right next to the Fortaleza it was called Hotel Val Flores? It was small but clean and was well situated for the Camino hike and nearby restaurants.
One of the better meals and sangria we had on the vacation was at a restaurant in the Fortaleza? After the meal they brought out a bottle of Cherry Liqueur and just left the bottle told us to serve ourselves???. Yummy!

Today (May 26th, 2023) we started out on our Camino Pilgrims walk to Santiago de Compostela in Spain? On the Camino you hike along paths that are paved and gravel, along or beside roadways, through forests and small villages? The whole time you are looking for the Yellow Arrow pointing the way of St James to Santiago de Compostela? There are lots on granite posts, but many are spray painted on the side of a house or barn or on the roadway? It’s pretty tough to get lost because they are everywhere and also there are lots of other pilgrims on the route?

Our destination today was the town of O’ Porrino, Spain. We got our Pilgrim Credentials stamped twice in Valenca, Portugal the day before before, so we officially started in Portugal?

Today’s hike is about 22 km’s to O’Porrino which is known for it’s granite. There are huge granite mining operations on the surrounding hillsides? So in all the little villages we passed through granite is used everywhere, driveways, roads, fences, grape vineyards, etc? Tonights accommodation is at the Hotel Maracaibo in O’ Porrino? It’s not big, but it’s clean and above a bar for a much needed beer and appies after a long hike?

Well day #2 is here and not too many aches and pains? However, today’s hike looks like it is going to be a bit hillier on our way to Redondela and Hotel A Boa Estrela? Yesterdays hike was through pine and eucalyptus forests and along streams and creeks? Today is about the scenery from high up which means some climbs?It is also the first time we have seen Horreo’s, which are structures like a shed where they stored grains in the past that were mice, rat and rodent proof. You notice they are built of granite as is the wall of the property.

The walk/hike to Redondela was about 22 km and Redondela is a great little nestled on a hillside and has a small rive running through it.

It’s day three and we are headed to Pontevedra and the Hotel Rias Baja? Hiking today was through small villages, some street/road walking and many back alleys; always on the lookout for the Yellow Arrow pointing to Santiago de Compostela?

We are staying in Pontevedra for 2 nights? It’s a chance to recharge our batteries and take a day of down time? Pointevedra is definitely a bigger city so lots to do and see and eat and drink?

It’s day number 5 and we are headed from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, total walking of approximately 24 km?

Todays hike was rolling hills and vineyards? The hotel we are staying at tonight is the Balneario Acuna and they have a Hot Spring pool? Our tired feet and leg muscles will enjoy the soaking time?

It’s day #6 and we are headed for Padron, which is about 20 km away? Today was a lot more walking on or right beside major roadways? Until now it’s been a lot of forested trails or small country roads where traffic isn’t as busy? The last 3 km was all uphill and on the road, so it see,ed to take forever?

Our accommodation tonight is The Hotel Scala, it’s not fancy but it’s clean and right on the Camino route?

Well it’s our last full day on our Camino Pilgrimage, which is hard to believe? Today we will hike about 26 km and into the city of Santiago de Compostela and the end of “The Way”? But before we get there we hike through forested areas and past little roadside rest stops?