LIVE from the Camino Caminho Portugues - I'm on the way!

[Ho ming chan]

In 11 hours, I will start my walk. Porto has good weather today, still no rain as forecasted. I shall keep my journey posted.

 

[Former member 22438]

In 11 hours, I will start my walk. Porto has good weather today, still no rain as forecasted. I shall keep my journey posted.

Bom caminho Enjoy

 

[Peregrina 2013]

May the good weather follow you all the way to Santiago! Did the same as you in 2019 and had beautiful sunny days in the 20˚s C.
Bom Caminho!

 

[Egret]

I loved that route.

Buen Camino.

 

[nycwalking]

Have ever so much fun.

Look forward to your posts.

Buen camino!

 

[Adelina]

Looking forward to hearing about your journey. We are headed that way May 4!!

 

[Gii]

I’ll be joining you in a month on my very first. Good luck and have fun!

 

[HappyGuy88]

Very good! I'm doing it in April. It will be good to hear how you get on and if everything is open again. Enjoy your walk

 

[Colette Z]

In 11 hours, I will start my walk. Porto has good weather today, still no rain as forecasted. I shall keep my journey posted.

Bom Caminho I’m in Carvoeiro resting up and walking the Algarve cliffs before restarting my Camino Central from Porto on March 22. We’ll have rain bit it’s warm vs Ottawa. bTW: masks for indoor spaces but NO VACCINATION certificate checking r Covid testing needed anywhere!

 

[Ho ming chan]

Day 1

Not sure i am doing it right by starting a new thread. Or I should continue with last posting.
Anyway, it was strong wind all day with 70％ rain. Surprised at the amount of wood walkway now. I say 60％ along the whole coast line after Motashino. Amenities are plenty. No public washroom opened yet even around 11 am. But washroom inside fish market just b4 the bridge in Motashinhos and inside tourists info. Met a German couple with their 5 month daughters. Had a chocolate shot, one of the best.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Not sure i am doing it right by starting a new thread. Or I should continue with last posting.
Anyway, it was strong wind all day with 70％ rain. Surprised at the amount of wood walkway now. I say 60％ along the whole coast line after Motashino. Amenities are plenty. No public washroom opened yet even around 11 am. But washroom inside fish market just b4 the bridge in Motashinhos and inside tourists info. Met a German couple with their 5 month daughters. Had a chocolate shot, one of the best.

Left my converter in Porto. Lucky my roommate and the HI helped out, thank u.

 

[trecile]

Pastel de Nata, Yummmmmm!

 

[Ho ming chan]

Left my converter in Porto. Lucky my roommate and the HI helped out, thank u.

Wine Hostel in Porto is great. Great hosts, modern, new, great kitchen and lounge with bar. Great atmosphere and location.

 

[C clearly]

Not sure i am doing it right by starting a new thread. Or I should continue with last posting.

I have merged your threads - it will be easier for you to continue posting on this same thread, and easier for us to follow your journey. Buen camino!

 

[Ho ming chan]

Day 2

Sunday March 13, 2022. Wanting to attend an early Mass in Vila do Conde but 10am is late. Arriving Igreja Paroquial de Nosso by 9:30 am, dropped in and got stamped. (Should have stayed). Then journey began with an everlasting sandy beach and crushing waves. I felt Atlanta ocean is above where I stood. Thanks for gravity, water didn't rush ashore. WC are closed and water spot not operational. But plenty of Cafe opened until Aguçadoura. Again a very distance of wooden walk (thanks to those who built them). Stayed at Apulia for a children's choir concert supporting Ukraine war victims. It rained heavily during the concert. Came across 8 pilgrims in 3 groups, all new faces today. Weather was quite warm with the sun, windy but i had only 20% light drizzle.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Day 3 took almost 10 hrs and 7 hrs moving, Strava tracked 35km to Costella, from Ofir and a big loop around fireman's hall at Esponsende. Not too windy by the water, and even calmer entering 'inland' after Mariners, considering i can still crashing waves from vantage pts. Local lady gave 2 mandarins fresh off her trees. Yum yum. Hit some elevations today, not huge but short steep slopes. Looks like Everest when I was tired. On top, host was not at hostel, nor answering phone. Another guest, after translation from a passersby, let me in. Went out again getting food. Breaker kept tripping when I was baking the pizza. BTW, I got no data signal all day. My wife not hearing from me wanted to report me missing. Looking fwd for more adventure ahead. Bom Caminho to everyone out here.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Day 3 took almost 10 hrs and 7 hrs moving, Strava tracked 35km to Costella, from Ofir and a big loop around fireman's hall at Esponsende. Not too windy by the water, and even calmer entering 'inland' after Mariners, considering i can still crashing waves from vantage pts. Local lady gave 2 mandarins fresh off her trees. Yum yum. Hit some elevations today, not huge but short steep slopes. Looks like Everest when I was tired. On top, host was not at hostel, nor answering phone. Another guest, after translation from a passersby, let me in. Went out again getting food. Breaker kept tripping when I was baking the pizza. BTW, I got no data signal all day. My wife not hearing from me wanted to report me missing. Looking fwd for more adventure ahead. Bon Caminho to everyone out here.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Many live singing birds inside the bird conservatory (1st picture ).

 

[Ho ming chan]

Day 4 started with a bad bang. Started Costella to Caminha along the coast. After 90 minutes, need to return to fletch my camera. Lucky to hitched back in a passing car.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Day 4 started with a bad bang. Started Costella to Caminha along the coast. After 90 minutes, need to return to fletch my camera. Lucky to hitched back in a passing car.

Finally start day 4, inland. Quick climb up to hill side, pleasant but already tired. Walked towards many pretty estate the next 15 km. The guard dogs were aggressive on behalf of their estate owners. Many working fountains after the first hill. Expect to ascend up to Alto, after crossing rio Canabera (sic). Climb was not bad and short. Descend is quick gentle. The last leg towards Moledo is long and boring and forever. So tired i took a break b4 entering Caminha.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Finally start day 4, inland. Quick climb up to hill side, pleasant but already tired. Walked towards many pretty estate the next 15 km. The guard dogs were aggressive on behalf of their estate owners. Many working fountains after the first hill. Expect to ascend up to Alto, after crossing rio Canabera (sic). Climb was not bad and short. Descend is quick gentle. The last leg towards Moledo is long and boring and forever. So tired i took a break b4 entering Caminha.

 

[Former member 22438]

Nice pictures

I try to follow you on the map and I think you are between Viana do Castelo and Caminha but the place and river you mention do not appeal to me Although I know the area pretty well.


Rio Canabera ? Moledo ? I know there is a praia do Moledo. Moledo beach .
And I understand you followed the waymarkers into the hills instead of following the waymarkers close to the beaches.
I walked both but found that the track into the hills was very muddy and slippery during and after rainfall so second time I followed the the coastline directly which indeed as you said was slightly boring.But was o.k. Specially in Vila Praia de Âncora with lots of restaurants and bars for food and a meal and a good rest.

Bom caminho

 

[Ho ming chan]

Nice pictures

I try to follow you on the map and I think you are between Viana do Castelo and Caminha but the place and river you mention do not appeal to me Although I know the area pretty well.


Rio Canabera ? Moledo ? I know there is a praia do Moledo. Moledo beach .
And I understand you followed the waymarkers into the hills instead of following the waymarkers close to the beaches.
I walked both but found that the track into the hills was very muddy and slippery during and after rainfall so second time I followed the the coastline directly which indeed as you said was slightly boring.But was o.k. Specially in Vila Praia de Âncora with lots of restaurants and bars for food and a meal and a good rest.

Bom caminho

I tried to recall the river that's south of mt Alto. Moledo is on the flat on north side. Route along the hill was dry most way. At least one can walk through without getting. There was a 10 feet path full of water on the flat, thus wet shoes and feet.

 

[Ho ming chan]

I tried to recall the river that's south of mt Alto. Moledo is on the flat on north side. Route along the hill was dry most way. At least one can walk through without getting. There was a 10 feet path full of water on the flat, thus wet shoes and feet.

On day 5, I took the ecovia route along the river. Nice picnic area and quiet. Over the 10 plus km. I came across only 6 people. BTW, to stay on evovia, ignore the waymarker 'access' at Moto Beach. Just keep going fwd to join a new section of the ecovia.

 

[FourSeasons]

In 11 hours, I will start my walk. Porto has good weather today, still no rain as forecasted. I shall keep my journey posted.

Following. … Buen Camino!!

 

[Ho ming chan]

So far I didn't have totally seating together dinner yet. Came close at Bom Caminha, a private albergue, where I joined in for a salad. V few guests and everyone were tired, making a meal together are not easy. Nice there at Bom Caminha. HI at vila do Conde is new. HI at Ofir is an older but good building, got a pool and a communal kitchen that needs some stocking up of equipment. Here at Alvorada Medivel also has a pool, lots of open space, small country inn style with a restaurant plus bar. Hosts set it up after their Camino. Pilgrimage meal was good.

 

[Ho ming chan]

At Alvorada Medieval, a piano is begging to be played at. 300m away, 7 pm Mass for those who like to attend.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Breakfast at HI Conde was great. I asked for breakfast to go at Ofir.

 

[Ho ming chan]

(After day 4 & 5) Day 6 & 7 were more manageable. Weather were nice, some sun, no precipitation and not hot. Both Valenca and Tui could be quick passer by, except the Tui cathedral of Santa Maria. It has gorgeous interior architectural arches and beams. Cross the border bridge on the north side for a better view of the cathedral from afar. I started day 7 with a Lidl warm pastel de nata for €0.33. I met more new pilgrims, a German couple and a Dane, we all are about the same age and pace. I also met a Korean who is a resident at a Cleveland hospital. It was the shortest trip and arrived Redondo b4 1pm. Wow, first time sightseeing at a destination city. And time for actual cooking. I put together a pasta with frozen paella seafood mix.

 

[Ho ming chan]

(After day 4 & 5) Day 6 & 7 were more manageable. Weather were nice, some sun, no precipitation and not hot. Both Valenca and Tui could be quick passer by, except the Tui cathedral of Santa Maria. It has gorgeous interior architectural arches and beams. Cross the border bridge on the north side for a better view of the cathedral from afar. I started day 7 with a Lidl warm pastel de nata for €0.33. I met more new pilgrims, a German couple and a Dane, we all are about the same age and pace. I also met a Korean who is a resident at a Cleveland hospital. It was the shortest trip and arrived Redondo b4 1pm. Wow, first time sightseeing at a destination city. And time for actual cooking. I put together a pasta with frozen paella seafood mix.

BTW, it was a long steep descend after

(After day 4 & 5) Day 6 & 7 were more manageable. Weather were nice, some sun, no precipitation and not hot. Both Valenca and Tui could be quick passer by, except the Tui cathedral of Santa Maria. It has gorgeous interior architectural arches and beams. Cross the border bridge on the north side for a better view of the cathedral from afar. I started day 7 with a Lidl warm pastel de nata for €0.33. I met more new pilgrims, a German couple and a Dane, we all are about the same age and pace. I also met a Korean who is a resident at a Cleveland hospital. It was the shortest trip and arrived Redondo b4 1pm. Wow, first time sightseeing at a destination city. And time for actual cooking. I put together a pasta with frozen paella seafood mix.

BTW, it was a long steep descend from vilar da infesta.

 

[Former member 22438]

BTW, it was a long steep descend after

BTW, it was a long steep descend from vilar da infesta.

Nearby O Porriño

 

[melissay]

Thanks for these updates! So fun to follow along. Bom Caminho!

 

[Ho ming chan]

Thank you following my posts.
Day 8, is borderline hot. As usual I chose the cooler alternate route, (like ecovia to Caminha, country road to Perrino, river to Redodela). They are a bit longer but often 50% shaded. Pontevedra got good sighg

 

[Ho ming chan]

Thank you following my posts.
Day 8, is borderline hot. As usual I chose the cooler alternate route, (like ecovia to Caminha, country road to Perrino, river to Redodela). They are a bit longer but often 50% shaded. Pontevedra got good sighg

got good sightseeing route. Both real basilica de Santa Maria and La Peregrina has wonderful architectural

 

[Ho ming chan]

After day 8, I was more tired than usual. Kept falling asleep while posting. Sorry for gibberish. Now, onto day 9, going up 450m day. Weather was good. The turn off to the Spiritual Variant is 3.3 km from Santa Maria church, v obvious signage. Going straight up from Combarro and sun was burning. The v steep part lasted about 100m, switch backs thru the small community. The more gentle slope is much longer. Going down from the summit is over 3km to the municipal albergue Armentier. I visited the church. Found nobody at the hostel. I whatsapp the host as instructed, msg sent, no response for 30 minutes. It was getting late, so I moved on. (I missed the 1900 hrs pilgrim benediction at the church). 30 minutes going down along the river valley. Hostel replied to give me instruction to enter. I am v far down and did not climb back up. I finished v late. In case u booked that albergue, I suggest u whatsapp the host an hour ahead. BTW, data signal v weak up in the mountain.

 

[Ho ming chan]

After day 8, I was more tired than usual. Kept falling asleep while posting. Sorry for gibberish. Now, onto day 9, going up 450m day. Weather was good. The turn off to the Spiritual Variant is 3.3 km from Santa Maria church, v obvious signage. Going straight up from Combarro and sun was burning. The v steep part lasted about 100m, switch backs thru the small community. The more gentle slope is much longer. Going down from the summit is over 3km to the municipal albergue Armentier. I visited the church. Found nobody at the hostel. I whatsapp the host as instructed, msg sent, no response for 30 minutes. It was getting late, so I moved on. (I missed the 1900 hrs pilgrim benediction at the church). 30 minutes going down along the river valley. Hostel replied to give me instruction to enter. I am v far down and did not climb back up. I finished v late. In case u booked that albergue, I suggest u whatsapp the host an hour ahead. BTW, data signal v weak up in the mountain.

Day 10 and 11 postings come very late. In fact I am back home in UK already. The delay is because I need a new phone to go online. Yes. I dropped my phone after my last train and when I was running to catch the 22:55 city bus. Phone was gone. So were 2600 pictures I took during the 19 days in Spain and Portugal. Oh well. May be a sign that I go on another pilgrimage.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Day 10 and 11 postings come very late. In fact I am back home in UK already. The delay is because I need a new phone to go online. Yes. I dropped my phone after my last train and when I was running to catch the 22:55 city bus. Phone was gone. So were 2600 pictures I took during the 19 days in Spain and Portugal. Oh well. May be a sign that I go on another pilgrimage.

Day 10 and 11 postings come very late. In fact I am back home in UK already. The delay is because I need a new phone to go online. Yes. I dropped my phone after my last train and when I was running to catch the 22:55 city bus. Phone was gone. So were 2600 pictures I took during the 19 days in Spain and Portugal. Oh well. May be a sign that I go on another pilgrimage.

Here's day 10. Tried to arrange a ferry crossing from Vilanova, nothing today and iffy tmr. So I started at 6:30 walking 10km to Vilagracie, took train for 2 stops to Pontecesures, €2.1 fare. Walked on from there to Padron, sat at the big long plaza for lunch, v few people at noon even on a bright sunny day. Passing crosses in the nooks and crannies of small villages. Met people coming the opposite way to Fatima. Besides burning plastics near the track, The Way in this section is straight fwd. Going upward to Millodorie is long, not gentle, not steep, just took forever. That's where I would decamp before Santiago. Bought a cartoon of chufa (tiger nuts) drink. Drank half right outside the store. It was another 500m steep walk to the muni albergue. Just 3 of us occupied the hostel for 40. V nice set up, lots of sitting area and spacious between bunks. The other 2 came from LA, and I shared their paella.

 

[Lexicos]

Yep, sounds like you’ll have to do it all over again!

 

[Ho ming chan]

Here's day 10. Tried to arrange a ferry crossing from Vilanova, nothing today and iffy tmr. So I started at 6:30 walking 10km to Vilagracie, took train for 2 stops to Pontecesures, €2.1 fare. Walked on from there to Padron, sat at the big long plaza for lunch, v few people at noon even on a bright sunny day. Passing crosses in the nooks and crannies of small villages. Met people coming the opposite way to Fatima. Besides burning plastics near the track, The Way in this section is straight fwd. Going upward to Millodorie is long, not gentle, not steep, just took forever. That's where I would decamp before Santiago. Bought a cartoon of chufa (tiger nuts) drink. Drank half right outside the store. It was another 500m steep walk to the muni albergue. Just 3 of us occupied the hostel for 40. V nice set up, lots of sitting area and spacious between bunks. The other 2 came from LA, and I shared their paella.

Day 11. Booked my flight b4 brekki. 5pm departure. It worked good for to me finish last short stretch in good spirit, rather than too tired. It was near 2 hrs b4 I arrived the cathedral Square. I took the Santa Martha route but missed the entry towards the monument. Main Street in Santa Martha was busy especially near university. The park nearby was pretty too. The cathedral plaza was next to empty at 9am. Cloudy and a slight drizzle. All together 5 Camino arrivals. After numerous memorable pictures (now gone), I looked for the compostela office. It's right next to the post office behind the cathedral. That place has 5 staff there to handle large crowd. Still, morning is the best time to go. Spent the next 3 hours within 500m of the cathedral. Bought a bolillos (bobbin lace) tablecloth. Took bus to airport.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Day 11. Booked my flight b4 brekki. 5pm departure. It worked good for to me finish last short stretch in good spirit, rather than too tired. It was near 2 hrs b4 I arrived the cathedral Square. I took the Santa Martha route but missed the entry towards the monument. Main Street in Santa Martha was busy especially near university. The park nearby was pretty too. The cathedral plaza was next to empty at 9am. Cloudy and a slight drizzle. All together 5 Camino arrivals. After numerous memorable pictures (now gone), I looked for the compostela office. It's right next to the post office behind the cathedral. That place has 5 staff there to handle large crowd. Still, morning is the best time to go. Spent the next 3 hours within 500m of the cathedral. Bought a bolillos (bobbin lace) tablecloth. Took bus to airport.

Just one more thing. There are many large and small communities along the way, with garbage bins every 30 minutes or so. Please don't throw the mandarin peels and plastic drink bottles around. Bye bye and thanks for following.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Just one more thing. There are many large and small communities along the way, with garbage bins every 30 minutes or so. Please don't throw the mandarin peels and plastic drink bottles around. Bye bye and thanks for following.

Also. Surgical face masks go to garbage can. If u want to mark the ending of covid by hanging masks on trees, please use the unused ones.

 

[Gii]

Thank you for sharing your journey. I am very sorry to hear about the photos. Your walk was very interesting and has me excited for my in April. Im glad you made it home safely.

 

[Lexicos]

Happy homecoming and reflections Ho. I enjoyed your posts. Thanks for sharing some of your Camino with us.

 

[Ho ming chan]

Since I lost my phone SD, anyone knows how to get the pictures I posted here, back in jpeg format?

 

[J Willhaus]

Since I lost my phone SD, anyone knows how to get the pictures I posted here, back in jpeg format?

@Ho ming chan is there any possibility that your phone backed up your photos to the cloud? Ours backs up to Google Photos. Did you have anything similar?

When I click on your photos on the computer, I have an option up in the right toolbar to download them as a jpg file.

 

[Ho ming chan]

@Ho ming chan is there any possibility that your phone backed up your photos to the cloud? Ours backs up to Google Photos. Did you have anything similar?

When I click on your photos on the computer, I have an option up in the right toolbar to download them as a jpg file.

I put everything onto SD.

 

[Ho ming chan]

I put everything onto SD.

I am quite IT 'innocent'.

 

[Ho ming chan]

I am quite IT 'innocent'.

@J Willhaus, it works, thanks.

 

[J Willhaus]

On your next Camino, you may want to look into how to have your photos back up to the cloud when you have available WiFi. As I mentioned earlier, ours back up to Google Photos, but there are probably alternatives that techy people here on the forum could identify. Our settings automatically send the photos to the cloud when we reach somewhere that we have wifi so you might only lose a day or two of photos if rather than a whole trip. I am sad for your loss. Glad you may be able to recover a few photos here.