LIVE from the Camino Live from the CP from Lisbon

[Paintboy2]

Arrived in Lisbon yesterday and had no problems entering the country from the US. We presented our Covid tests at check-in before we left San Francisco and presented our vacination proof at immigration in Lisbon. Our hotel in Lisbon wanted to see our vaccination passport from the EU but when we explained that as US citizens we couldn't participate in that program, they accepted our vaccination record.
We left Lisbon this morning ( Sunday) intending to stop near the northern end of the lockdown area but due to our unfamiliarity with the countryside we cleared town and stopped for lunch in Granja. We will make it a 20k day today, enjoying lovely weather and so happy to be back.

 

[Livetotravel]

Amazing!
Enjoy every moment of it and Bom Caminho !

 

[peregrina2000]

Thanks for posting, Paintboy2! I look forward to reading about your camino if you plan to post while walking.

Where are you spending the night? I know Alpriate is about 20 km from the cathedral, but I am pretty sure the albergue has not re-opened.

And I hope you enjoy enjoy enjoy. Bom caminho, Laurie

 

[Paintboy2]

Thanks for posting, Paintboy2! I look forward to reading about your camino if you plan to post while walking.

Where are you spending the night? I know Alpriate is about 20 km from the cathedral, but I am pretty sure the albergue has not re-opened.

And I hope you enjoy enjoy enjoy. Bom caminho, Laurie

I'm not sure where we are but this is as far as we're going today. Its 20k from where we started and I'm looking for lodging now. It's been a good first day.

 

[Phil71]

I had to do 33km or so out of Lisbon to get accommodation. If you struggle don't discount getting the train back to Lisbon, then get one back to alpriate tomorrow morning

 

[Paintboy2]

We had to backtrack a couple of miles yesterday to our hotel. Accommodations are still a little scarce here. This morning we hopped on a train back to where we ended yesterday and we have reservations at Azambuja. Cooler today but still very pleasant with a stiff wind. We haven't seen any other Pilgrims yet but we've been told some are in the area.

 

[jungleboy]

Are you going to stay at Quinta da Burra tomorrow or go all the way to Santarém?

 

[Paintboy2]

Are you going to stay at Quinta da Burra tomorrow or go all the way to Santarém?

Is that a question or a recomendation? I've been following your posts and youtube so I value your opinion.

 

[jungleboy]

Is that a question or a recomendation? I've been following your posts and youtube so I value your opinion.

Hehe, it's a recommendation. It's a long, hot, dusty, shadeless walk from Azambuja to Santarém, and Quinta da Burra is almost exactly halfway so it's a great place to break up the stage if you want to. Paula speaks English and is lovely and the lodgings are really nice - she's an architect so she bought this old farm house and did it up. If you're interested, call her on +351 939 997 657 to see if she's open and has space.

 

[tarredon]

Arrived in Lisbon yesterday and had no problems entering the country from the US. We presented our Covid tests at check-in before we left San Francisco and presented our vacination proof at immigration in Lisbon. Our hotel in Lisbon wanted to see our vaccination passport from the EU but when we explained that as US citizens we couldn't participate in that program, they accepted our vaccination record.
We left Lisbon this morning ( Sunday) intending to stop near the northern end of the lockdown area but due to our unfamiliarity with the countryside we cleared town and stopped for lunch in Granja. We will make it a 20k day today, enjoying lovely weather and so happy to be back.

I am so relieved to hear this! I have been trying to figure out whether they would accept US vaccination records. We are coming the end of August and will be walking from Lisbon to Santiago through all of this September. I will be watching your posts to see if the other lodgings will also accept US vaccination records. I expect that we may have to buy a couple of self-tests to carry along with us just in case.

 

[Phil71]

Adding to jungleboy's post....
The notes I made about the stage I did from azambuja to Santarem were quite concise: "Too far. Too hot."

 

[peregrina2000]

We had to backtrack a couple of miles yesterday to our hotel.

Hi, Paintboy2, sounds like an adventure with a good ending. Do you by any chance remember name of town and hotel? Could be helpful for people walking from Lisbon, especially since the albergue in Alpriate is closed.

And for others starting out, it is worth checking in the bar in Alpriate about whether the people who rented out rooms to pilgrims when the albergue was full are still doing that, because it might be a good alternative.

 

[Paintboy2]

Staying at Casa de Rainha in Azambuja tonight. Lovely little place in the Center of town, old, historical, very comfortable. Met another pilgrim here who is a Bulgarian Canadian from Switzerland on her first Camino. Can't wait to chat.

 

[Paintboy2]

Hi, Paintboy2, sounds like an adventure with a good ending. Do you by any chance remember name of town and hotel? Could be helpful for people walking from Lisbon, especially since the albergue in Alpriate is closed.

And for others starting out, it is worth checking in the bar in Alpriate about whether the people who rented out rooms to pilgrims when the albergue was full are still doing that, because it might be a good alternative.

This was hardly an alternative, more like a hard choice. There were no other hotel choices nearby and the closest Albergue was closed. When I looked out the hotel window this morning I could clearly see the twin towers at Parque das Nacoes in Lisbon. I'm sharing our accommodations from here on for everyone's information. FYI, we have been warmly received everywhere, especially the hotels who have been hard hit by the pandemic. Tonight were are in Azambuja at Casa de Raiha, a lovely little place in a fantastic location, location, location.
I've been reading your posts for a long time Laurie. It's a pleasure to be conversing with you.

 

[Paintboy2]

I am so relieved to hear this! I have been trying to figure out whether they would accept US vaccination records. We are coming the end of August and will be walking from Lisbon to Santiago through all of this September. I will be watching your posts to see if the other lodgings will also accept US vaccination records. I expect that we may have to buy a couple of self-tests to carry along with us just in case.

No need to bring self tests. The Pharmacies have rapid test kits that they administer. I'm told the price is very reasonable. Make sure that you bring your US Vaccination Record as well as a backup photo of it on your phone. So far it's been very easy.

 

[C & W]

Please continue to post of your experience with documentation required at lodging facilities. Also what are the masking requirements?

 

[Paintboy2]

Please continue to post of your experience with documentation required at lodging facilities. Also what are the masking requirements?

Spending tonight at Quinta de Burra, half way between Azambuja and Santarem. This is a cute farm house run by a woman named Paula. She is very accommodating and greeted us with a plate of delicious fresh melon. She requires a vaccination certificate or EU Vaccine passport and masking is recommended unless eating or drinking.
I think reservations are recommended but not mandatory. This property is marked correctly on Google Maps. It is close but no cigar on Maps.me. if you follow the excellent Camino waymarks you will be led right to it. Thanks Jungleboy for the tip. We're very happy to stay here tonight.

 

[rroth]

Thanks for the updates, we will be walking from Lisbon in August and the information regarding lodging is very helpful. Are you reserving spots ahead of time? Our biggest goal is to be able to walk as far as we want and stop whenever and not be stuck with wherever we reserve a place to stay.

 

[jungleboy]

Spending tonight at Quinta de Burro, half way between Azambuja and Santarem. This is a cute farm house run by a woman named Paula. She is very accommodating and greeted us with a plate of delicious fresh melon. Thanks Jungleboy for the tip. We're very happy to stay here tonight.

Brilliant, glad you’re enjoying it there!

 

[Paintboy2]

Thanks for the updates, we will be walking from Lisbon in August and the information regarding lodging is very helpful. Are you reserving spots ahead of time? Our biggest goal is to be able to walk as far as we want and stop whenever and not be stuck with wherever we reserve a place to stay.

We like to walk serendipitous so I get your intentions. This year is different. Many alberques have yet to reopen here in the south. Most all of them have had a difficult time making ends meet. I encourage you to make reservations a day in advance and then make sure you honor that reservation. Our host tonight had prepared a sumptuous dinner for five and three of the five didn't show up. After the dishes were done and the port wine was in the glass, the three finally did arrive, all was well and three dinners weren't unclaimed. Sadly, I was prepared to drink the other guy's port but they arrived in the nick of time.
Also, you will find in August that it will be a little more open but still not as plentiful as you might wish so it will be better for you to reserve ahead and then enjoy each day as they unfold. Best of luck on your journey. You're going to have a blast.

 

[Paintboy2]

For a variety of reasons, after leaving Quinta de Burra this morning and walking to Santarem, we took to train to Tomar. The walk to Santarem was not long, but it was dusty and hot. Santarem is beautiful with lots of things to see. In contrast to towns to the south almost everyone was masked while outside on the street. We took a train to Tomar for several reasons and got a room. At the Residential Avenida Hostel, very near the train station . The proprietor recorded the appropriate passport and vaccination records and the proceeded to guide us though this new hostel which is a cut above Hostelry as I have known it. An old building that is brand new inside and sparkling clean and comfortable. The proprietor, Antonio, could not have been more gracious or helpful. I highly recommend this place.

 

[Smallest_Sparrow]

No need to bring self tests. The Pharmacies have rapid test kits that they administer. I'm told the price is very reasonable. Make sure that you bring your US Vaccination Record as well as a backup photo of it on your phone. So far it's been very easy.

I’m reading this bc my niece may travel to Portugal soon (not for the Camino)—I’d add to the excellent suggestion of carrying card and taking a picture to also email the picture to yourself. That way if you lose/damage both card and phone there’s another copy you can access by logging into you email from another computer

source: I’ve damaged two phones and lost a few important things on the Camino. YMMV

 

[tarredon]

Thanks for posting, Paintboy2! I look forward to reading about your camino if you plan to post while walking.

Where are you spending the night? I know Alpriate is about 20 km from the cathedral, but I am pretty sure the albergue has not re-opened.

And I hope you enjoy enjoy enjoy. Bom caminho, Laurie

We have made reservations at a lodging that’s about 2 miles from Alpriate, the lodging is called Sleep in Bucelas. We plan to most likely take a taxi there from Alpriate, unless we are able to easily locate it and then taxi back to Alpriate in the morning.

 

[peregrina2000]

We have made reservations at a lodging that’s about 2 miles from Alpriate, the lodging is called Sleep in Bucelas. We plan to most likely take a taxi there from Alpriate, unless we are able to easily locate it and then taxi back to Alpriate in the morning.

The owners of the Snack Bar Grillus in Alpriate (which has very good, simple, homemade food) used to help pilgrims find rooms in town when the albergue was full. I don’t know if that’s a possibility now, but it would be worth checking.

But Sleep in Bucelas sounds like it fits the bill! (googlemaps tells me it is 11 km from Alpriate, which is more thn 2 miles). The closest taxis are probably in Vialonga (about 3 km away, I think), which is the municipality in which the village of Alpriate is located.

Taxis Vialonga / Praça de Taxis Vialonga

Serviço De Táxis em Vialonga/alverca

taxis-vialonga-praca-de-taxis-vialonga.negocio.site

Good luck, it’s great that forum members are posting with real-time information for those other lucky ones who are actually walking!

 

[tarredon]

The owners of the Snack Bar Grillus in Alpriate (which has very good, simple, homemade food) used to help pilgrims find rooms in town when the albergue was full. I don’t know if that’s a possibility now, but it would be worth checking.

But Sleep in Bucelas sounds like it fits the bill! (googlemaps tells me it is 11 km from Alpriate, which is more thn 2 miles). The closest taxis are probably in Vialonga (about 3 km away, I think), which is the municipality in which the village of Alpriate is located.

Taxis Vialonga / Praça de Taxis Vialonga

Serviço De Táxis em Vialonga/alverca

taxis-vialonga-praca-de-taxis-vialonga.negocio.site

Good luck, it’s great that forum members are posting with real-time information for those other lucky ones who are actually walking!

Yes you are so right, 11 km is much more than 2 miles! I was relying on my memory which isn’t that great. But you’re right also that Sleep in Bucelas sounds like it will fit the bill, I don’t mind grabbing a taxi and getting out there and back, I’m sure we will need to with that distance! Thanks for the taxi info!

 

[tarredon]

The owners of the Snack Bar Grillus in Alpriate (which has very good, simple, homemade food) used to help pilgrims find rooms in town when the albergue was full. I don’t know if that’s a possibility now, but it would be worth checking.

But Sleep in Bucelas sounds like it fits the bill! (googlemaps tells me it is 11 km from Alpriate, which is more thn 2 miles). The closest taxis are probably in Vialonga (about 3 km away, I think), which is the municipality in which the village of Alpriate is located.

Taxis Vialonga / Praça de Taxis Vialonga

Serviço De Táxis em Vialonga/alverca

taxis-vialonga-praca-de-taxis-vialonga.negocio.site

Good luck, it’s great that forum members are posting with real-time information for those other lucky ones who are actually walking!

On google maps, it actually shows a walking path that is only 7.5 km between Alpriate & Sleep in Bucelas - but that's still too long at the end of a day - I'm sure we'll be looking for that taxi!

 

[Paintboy2]

Major change of plans for us....Due to the intense heat we have taken a train to Porto and will be resuming walking by the sea where the temps are cooler and pilgrim infrastructure is more plentiful. For those on the way between Lisbon and Porto please take care and plenty of water. There are long stages with no services or even shade. If you have a heat event as I did two years ago you need to be able to call for help and tell them where you are. I found out the hard way that your location isn't automatically shown to 911 (112 in Portugal) operators. Good luck and stay hydrated.

 

[kenwilltravel]

Major change of plans for us....Due to the intense heat we have taken a train to Porto and will be resuming walking by the sea where the temps are cooler and pilgrim infrastructure is more plentiful. For those on the way between Lisbon and Porto please take care and plenty of water. There are long stages with no services or even shade. If you have a heat event as I did two years ago you need to be able to call for help and tell them where you are. I found out the hard way that your location isn't automatically shown to 911 (112 in Portugal) operators. Good luck and stay hydrated.

We live in Tavira in the Algarve and have noticed the heat in Portugal this weekend. We're expecting 34 C. tomorrow. But according to Weather Channel, it will moderate in the Porto area starting tomorrow and you should have comfortable walking weather in northern Portugal for the rest of week. Bom Caminho!

 

[Phil71]

Paintboy2 - imho you've made a good choice. It gets so hot In the south, and the route after Porto I think is a much nicer walk. Enjoy.

 

[tarredon]

Major change of plans for us....Due to the intense heat we have taken a train to Porto and will be resuming walking by the sea where the temps are cooler and pilgrim infrastructure is more plentiful. For those on the way between Lisbon and Porto please take care and plenty of water. There are long stages with no services or even shade. If you have a heat event as I did two years ago you need to be able to call for help and tell them where you are. I found out the hard way that your location isn't automatically shown to 911 (112 in Portugal) operators. Good luck and stay hydrated.

We are preparing to start the Camino from Lisbon on 30 August, and I'm also concerned about the heat. I've ordered a nice sunhat, but - don't laugh - I'm considering an umbrella hat, it seems like it would be better at deflecting the sun. Not sure I will, because it's more to carry, but can you tell me whether you think, from your experience on the same camino, if this would be useful? Or is it maybe too windy in this area? Here's the one I was looking at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07Q1N6NH7/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[jungleboy]

It has been especially hot in Lisbon this week (temperatures in the low to mid 30s Celsius) but it is cooling down a bit now. The current 10-day forecast has maximum temperatures no higher than the high 20s. Ultreia peregrinos!

 

[Paintboy2]

We are preparing to start the Camino from Lisbon on 30 August, and I'm also concerned about the heat. I've ordered a nice sunhat, but - don't laugh - I'm considering an umbrella hat, it seems like it would be better at deflecting the sun. Not sure I will, because it's more to carry, but can you tell me whether you think, from your experience on the same camino, if this would be useful? Or is it maybe too windy in this area? Here's the one I was looking at: https://www.amazon.com/RedSwing-Diameter-Umbrella-Protection-Gardening/dp/B07Q1N6NH7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=umbrella+hat+for+hiking&qid=1626566253&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyMEw5MkdYR0kyWEI5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDMyNjA5SEFaMDZBMDdNU0lMJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxOTQ5MDkxMkRDNUVIOERKS0tZJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

I think a small umbrella would make .ore sense. Good luck.

 

[gracethepilgrim]

No need to bring self tests. The Pharmacies have rapid test kits that they administer. I'm told the price is very reasonable. Make sure that you bring your US Vaccination Record as well as a backup photo of it on your phone. So far it's been very easy.

Hi @Paintboy2 and hope you enjoy the caminho from Lisbon as I did last year.
A quick qu: have you been asked for vacc proof outside of Lisbon?
Cheers

 

[kenwilltravel]

We are preparing to start the Camino from Lisbon on 30 August, and I'm also concerned about the heat. I've ordered a nice sunhat, but - don't laugh - I'm considering an umbrella hat, it seems like it would be better at deflecting the sun. Not sure I will, because it's more to carry, but can you tell me whether you think, from your experience on the same camino, if this would be useful? Or is it maybe too windy in this area? Here's the one I was looking at: https://www.amazon.com/RedSwing-Diameter-Umbrella-Protection-Gardening/dp/B07Q1N6NH7/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=umbrella+hat+for+hiking&qid=1626566253&sr=8-1-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEyMEw5MkdYR0kyWEI5JmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUExMDMyNjA5SEFaMDZBMDdNU0lMJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxOTQ5MDkxMkRDNUVIOERKS0tZJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ&th=1

Umbrella hat looks a bit cumbersome for taking on the trail. We made do with this Sunday hat, which covers well and has the advantage of folding up so you can carry it easily when not wearing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GF10EM/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[Paintboy2]

Hi @Paintboy2 and hope you enjoy the caminho from Lisbon as I did last year.
A quick qu: have you been asked for vacc proof outside of Lisbon?
Cheers

Yes. At every accommodation and even at a restaurant. They are pretty serious about their Covid protocols which is good for all of us.

 

[tarredon]

I think a small umbrella would make .ore sense. Good luck.

Yes, probably would make more sense to use a small umbrella, except my hands will be occupied with walking sticks (I will use them on the flat paths also to take some of the pressure off my artificial knee). But I'm leaning toward just the good sun hat, anyway, even though this umbrella hat looks like it would be great to have on a hot sunny day!

 

[tarredon]

Umbrella hat looks a bit cumbersome for taking on the trail. We made do with this Sunday hat, which covers well and has the advantage of folding up so you can carry it easily when not wearing: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002GF10EM/?tag=casaivar02-20

This looks remarkably like the hat I ended up ordering!