Not sure who this dude is, but they have lots of interesting murals in Porto.
Our luggage was being transported from hotel to hotel by Santiago Ways. They also booked our rooms, which usually included breakfast and dinner. Soundproofing would have been great at this hotel, as celebration parties carried on into the wee hours. Ah well, who needs sleep!
Exciting! Our first stamp in our Camino passport or Credencial. You must get at least two stamps per day, which wasn't hard as just about every bar, restaurant, church offered them.
Time for lunch...lots of restaurants around the hotel.
The area is well known for its seafood and many octopus choices. I went with the omelette. Note to self: next time they offer 1/2 portions, take it.
We shared Padron peppers and roasted potatoes. Padron peppers...some are hot, some are not. They were delicious with oil and coarse salt.
And this was my honking big omelette. Crazy!!
I couldn't finish half of it.
Fab 5...
We waddled out of the restaurant...Terri looks quite happy!
Now I'm not sure if this is a curtsey or if she's passing out after that lunch!
We decided to do a little exploring...
Love these old streets with lots of pretty shops...
Lynne is a vegetarian, so these store displays did not impress her.
We decided to check out the castle on the hill...
Beautiful day in Baiona...
These trees were really interesting...camouflage trees, aptly named for the camo spots on them.
This monument is the Encounter Between Two Worlds...
It was quite impressive...
Beautiful views as we started to climb...
Lots of little gecko friends...
And our first encounter (of many!) with a granary. They were built on stilts to keep out water and rodents, while the gaps allowed for ventilation to dry out the crops.
Monterreal Castle is massive! Construction began in the 12th century and was completed in the 16th. It now is a tourist attraction and parador, a hotel operated by the government.
Amen for sea breezes...it was hot!
Looks like the end of a cannon to the right of the cross...
Panoramic view...there were many people out that day as it was a Spanish holiday.
Loved the design of the sea foam...
Laura and Lynne were exploring, while Terri, Gina and I stuck together.
Cool switchbacks...
A perfect backdrop...
The castle walls go on and on...and on.
A beautiful walk around the castle...
Yay! Back at the marina almost! Terri looks happy!
Almost there...
We did it! Nice to sit down, not that there was much shade.
Yup...it was hot.
The lady on the left did not want to be in "socials." We ran into her many times on the camino. The lady on the right was from Chelmsford, Ontario. I believe her parents still live there. The population of Chelmsford is about 6,200 and Jim's brother, Howie, lived there and ran the Chelmsford Golf Course for many years. Small world!
A nice cold cider was definitely in order...
Love the pull tops on these...
Someone was very patiently waiting for his owner to come back...
We shared nachos and called it dinner, as we were still pretty stuffed from our massive lunch.
Well, not too stuffed for a yogurt bar. I usually could find a partner in crime to enjoy one with me.
A statue of King Alfonso IX...
Ooh fun...hills!
Getting ready to start our Camino tomorrow!
The alleys are beautifully lit and inviting for those dining out.
The rooster, or gallo, is a symbol of masculinity, virility and courage in the Spanish culture.
Getting ready to call it a night...
Backpack is ready to roll...beads made by Lynne and given to each of us, Canadian flag, and a scallop shell. The shell is one of the main symbols of pilgrims walking to Santiago de Compostela. It is thought to have been used to drink water from springs and streams.
Steps for the day...
We did it! Nice to sit down, not that there was much shade.
Tomorrow is the day we start! Let's do it!
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