Oct 18, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
The 8th day of my pilgrimage on the Camino Portuguese was a big one for me. I would reach the official halfway point between Porto, Portugal and Santiago de Compostela, Spain. I also planned to cross the border from Portugal into Spain. Or, I would come very close to...
Oct 16, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
On Monday, October 11th, I awoke to a fabulous sunrise. Fluffy clouds reflected shafts of pink and yellow light from the morning sun. I marveled at the view of the Igreja Matriz Ponte de Lima Church and the river out my window. Soon, I would cross over the Ponte de...
Oct 14, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
Crowds of shoppers filled the path and eagerly hunted for bargains. The road was lined with stalls selling various odds and ends – from old records and antiques to clothing and other used items. We had obviously stumbled onto some kind of flea market –...
Oct 11, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
I squinted at my phone and looked at the house before me. According to the pilgrim guide Buen Camino, the place was advertised as a pilgrim’s guesthouse. However there was no signage or indication that anyone was home. A group of guys was doing some sort of...
Oct 9, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
I awoke in a soft comfy feeling refreshed and well-rested. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to sleep in a room all by myself. I basked in the moment before eventually climbing out of bed and preparing for the day on the Portuguese Camino (Camino...
Oct 8, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
The third day of my pilgrimage on the Portuguese Camino (Camino Portugués) was a very different experience than the first two. With Porto behind me, I spent the day walking through farmland along narrow country lanes (for the most part). I crossed graceful bridges,...
Oct 7, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
On the second day of my pilgrimage, I awoke feeling refreshed and raring to go. I was ready to to give the Portuguese Camino (Camino Portugués) another shot. After my disappointing first day, I doubted whether I should even try to continue. Dealing with an injury on...
Oct 5, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
On Monday, October 4, I officially started walking the Portuguese Camino (Camino Portugués). After so many delays, it was a relief to finally begin my pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. The first albergue (pilgrim’s hostel) along the route is located 25.2 km...
Oct 4, 2021 | Hiking in Portugal, Portuguese Camino
A few days before I started walking the Portuguese Camino (Camino Portugués), I arrived in Porto. Before I could begin my pilgrimage, I needed to run a few errands. My biggest priority was visiting the Porto Cathedral and picking up my Pilgrim Passport (credencial...
Oct 1, 2021 | Hiking in Poland, Travel Poland
The Tatras are among some of the most beautiful mountains in all of Europe. These soaring peaks feature crystalline lakes along with picturesque valleys, flower-filled meadows, and incredible hiking trails. Part of the Carpathian mountains in Eastern Europe, the...
