Albufeira

Oct 10-17 Albufeira 

It is a very popular destination for many Brits, French and Germans, and no surprise. We loved this town when we first visited the Algarve in 90s and we're still in love with the location. And it's no surprise, many tourists enjoying the beaches and walks to nearby towns. And we lucked out on our accommodation, overlooking the ocean and beach. Away from centre of town, where British breakfasts are served all day. It's a bit tacky, with the many venders and restaurants, but easy to stay away from the touristy area.  Our apartment is located close to a cat reserve where vets are spaying and taking care of them. No surprise, Julie goes every day to visit her little furry friends.

View from our apartment 

Our cat friends...these two are always together 

A morning view from our apartment 

A view to our apartment 

This cat has good taste where he relaxes

More cat lovers

Tavira

Oct 7-9 Tavira

What a great little town and it appears many others have discovered the beauty of the town and its surroundings. I would describe Tavira as quaint - having old-fashion beauty and charm. It's main industry used to be the extraction of sea salt, and there are still a few fields operational. However, now tourism is the number one industry, with many cafes and restaurants and accommodations, including the growth of vacation apartments. And the beaches are easy to access with regular ferry services.  

View of Tavira

Salt piles

Salt fields

We took a trip to a nearby town, Santa Luzia and the beach. The walk took about 1.5 hours but worth the trip. We had a picnic lunch and I afterwards had a little snooze and Julie decided to take a walk along the beach. Much to her surprise she came up the nudist section. She turned around quickly and headed back. She said it was not a pretty sight.

Train 1km ride to/from the beach

Our trip back Julie spotted a very friendly cat at the kiosk

Another cat spotted at the police station

Seville TRAVEL DAY

Oct 6, 2016 Seville to Tavira TRAVEL DAY

Our bus to Tavira left at 4:15pm and therefore we had an opportunity to explore other parts of Seville. And yes we got lost! The Camino Via de la Plata starts from Seville and I thought I could find the trail markers. I was not successful but I did find the old '92 Expo site. Interesting, and again an error turned into an opportunity and we were able to explore other parts of the city. As we made our way back to our hotel we saw a couple looking at their map and we offered our help. They both looked frustrated but the husband was furious. He let his views of the city be known and he couldn't find anything and this was the worst designed city. He was ready to exit this town. I understood his frustration. I felt the same a day ago, but now, after a few errors, I was beginning to understand the city layout. Too bad we're leaving today.  

Parish of Macerena

Seville ancient city wall still standing

It was only a 2.5-hour bus ride to Tavira and when we arrived, the change since 2013 was noticeable. There was more development and more tourists discovering this hidden gem. 

Tavira old bridge is still standing...not sure how much longer...pavement is crumbling and boards exposed.

Seville

Oct 5, 2016 Seville

Travel night and arrived in Seville at 7:30am and made our way to the hotel which was close to the station. Had a shower and change of clothes and then off for breakfast and explore the city. This is a great town for historical sites - cathedrals, museums, gardens and palaces. And there are many restaurants along the route. The one problem with this town is way-finding. I could not get my bearings. Streets curve and often change names, and often we went kilometres out of our way, and continually asking directions. Very frustrating, and this is when a GPS system would be helpful. However, sometimes getting lost can bring you to unexpected locations and streets. We had been looking for a supermarket and gave up looking after an hour, but saw three stores on the way back to our hotel. You figure!

The Spainish Palace

A hard day...tapa time!

Santiago NIGHT TRAVEL

Oct 4, 2016 Santiago TRAVEL NIGHT

Took another walk along Via Frances, to a small town about 5km outside of Santiago, and stopped for lunch. The cafe is on the Camino and we talked to some of the pilgrims who stopped for a refreshment. Much to our surprise there was a light rain, and we needed our umbrellas all morning, but things improved in the afternoon. At about 3pm we made our way to the bus station and prepared for the 15 hour bus ride. 

The Santiago Cathedral 

The Santiago Tart

Camino Lament

Camino Lament

You will have to excuse me, I'm not at my best.

I've been gone for a month, I've been walking since I left.

These so called vacations will soon be my death.

I'm so tried from walking, I need home for a rest.

(Spirit of the West)

Santiago Day 2

Oct 3, 2016 Santiago

What do you do on a non-trekking day? Go for a walk! And that's what we did, following "The French Way" for about 12km. Met lots of pilgrims entering the town, who were feeling relieved having reached the end. For us it was a relief not carrying a backpack. Today we just enjoyed the rays of sunshine on our body. We went to the bus station and bought tickets to Seville, which is 33c today. Sunshine, here we come! 

To Santiago

Oct 2, 2016 Santiago 24km (FINISHED)

The trek was longer than usual, but the time went by quickly. Met a new pilgrim, Josh from Connecticut. It's always nice to meet new people and share stories about the Camino. And met up with Kevin, Christine and Carol again and enjoyed a drink at one of the rest stops. Kevin is much younger and I think he's on a pub crawl. I don't know how he can keep walking after so many beers. Made our way into Santiago, along with many other pilgrims who were happy to cross the finish line. We needed champagne to celebrate, but because it was Sunday the supermarket was closed. There were a few small stores open and after searching the town we could not find champagne, but fate was on our side today. As we made our way to our hotel, we found a tiny store with champagne chilling in the cooler. What luck! And how tasty!

Our walking buddies from Nova Scotia, UK and Holland

A farmer with a sense of humour.

Carol, Kevin, Christine and ?? just met her at the stop from UK

Arrival to the Santiago Cathedral 

To Padron

Oct 1, 2016 Padron 18km

Since the town of Tui, mornings have been typical - 20-30 pilgrims leaving their accommodations around the same time and crowding the sidewalks and streets, but within a couple of hours the distance between walkers thins out. Some people walk at a faster pace and/or take fewer rest stops. But we often meet again in the supermarket or restaurant at the end of the day's trek. Today's trek continued along country and forest roads, with a few small hills and lots of food and refreshments stops. There was some danger in today's walk. We often have to cross busy highways, but today it was more challenging because of the fog. Very anxious time, running with backpacks on. Also during the Camino it is so nice to interact with locals. As we passed a rural house, the owner came running with a handful of grapes to give us. These acts of kindness are so touching. 

An artist creation with plastic bottles

Many beautiful flowers along the route.

Squashes hanging from the vine.

It is is both a happy and sad time - so glad the daily treks come to an end, but sad we will not see our Camino friends again.

Saying goodbye to Fransesca...going back to school in a few weeks.

Mario fast asleep updating his blog.

To Caldas de Reis

Sept 30, 2016 Caldas de Reis 23km

Hard to believe we are 28 days into our trek, and two days left. I'm both glad and sad that it will soon be over. We've met so many wonderful people from all over the globe. Today we met a mother and daughter from Mongolia. Today's trek was enjoyable, going through vineyards and forest, and there were many cafes along the way, where we met up with Kevin and Christine from Halifax, with their relative Carol from the UK. The last time we saw them was a week ago. Their parents were waiting for them at the hotel with a prepare lunch and drinks. And what an interesting and elegant Hotel Daviles.  It is an old hotel, but well maintained, and in the basement is a spa where there are private rooms to enjoy the hot springs water. It felt like we were in the set of a 1940/50s B&W movie, where the mobsters meet in the spa to do their business. It also felt very clinical with the attendants all dressed in white.

The idea of a spa in Europe is so different than N. America. People come to take advantage of the healing powers of the mineral water. The hotel had many pilgrims, but there were many others who came for the spa treatment. And in the morning they all attended breakfast in their bath robes. A very strange sight, but it was so natural to them.

Leaving Ponteverda 

Along the way Julie is always on the lookout for cats.

This one helped Julie eat her lunch.

Town of Caldas de Reis

The hot springs at our hotel