Porto

After Sintra we took the train back to Porto. We are staying in this nice Hostel called 'So cool'. As we were on the subway to our hostel I spotted Ana Lucia sitting on the subway. We 'spoke' for a moment and the my stop came up. A few hours later as we are sitting for a beer and snack she comes walking by. We had a more proper greeting! She is touring Portugal until Oct 16. I now must learn better Spanish and Portuguese so I can visit her in Brazil!

This is a famous bookstore. The inside is simply amazing. No photos were allowed though :( so I bought the postcard set!

Lastly here are two churches side by side. The one on the left was open to the public.

It was amazing inside! Very detailed.

And as we left we saw the Camino arrow. This must be where the Portugal portion goes.

Today (Oct 4) we are going to the beach! Maybe explore more Porto. But first a nice breakfast! Tomorrow London!

Sintra - Moorish Castle

Initial this was a military fort built by the Muslim population in the 10th century. In 1147 the Muslim rule ended. In 1839 king Ferdinand II began renovating the castle and surrounding areas. It has the best views of Sintra. On a clear day you can see all the way to the ocean! From the royal tower you can get a great view of the keep half of the castle and the Palace of Pena.

The entrance isn't too spectacular.

But the road to get up there is 3 km of rock and steps uphill! Picture was taken as we descended. We opted to leave before sunset so we could descend in light.

Walking the wall isn't all that easy either. I dare say tho may be one of the hardest climbs of the trip thus far. We visited this castle last it was about 5:30pm when we got here. A very complete day full of walking and spectacular views!

Sintra - Palace of Pena

This was home to king consort Fernando II and Queen of Portugal Maria II. The red painted section is an old Monastery. It suffered damage in an earthquake in 1755 and was purchased by the king and queen in 1838. They fixed the Monastery and added on the yellow section as the new palace. I'm not sure what the blue area represents, maybe the outside walls? There was a fair bit of renovation going on so most of our photos show scaffolding.

Quite elaborate architecture. Here is an entrance.

And another entrance, such a welcoming figure.

Lastly an interior courtyard that you can't go into but you can rest around.

Sintra - Quinta da Regaleira

This is the newest home we explored finished in 1911. I guess it has only been open for exploration a few years. It is also had photos of

Yes there were stairs!

A LOT of stairs. Tho is from the bottom if the initiate well. You could either walk down from mid way, the top, or take a 'secret' cave pathway to get to there. The grounds are wicked awesome! With the tunnels and multiple pathways etc if you don't have good map sense you ARE lost! I am grateful Bastian has map sense.

Views were amazing! Each spire had a different theme.

Tyler and Bonnie acted out some Shakespeare.

Sintra - Palace of Sintra

My phone stopped working again. I don't know why but I'm not surprised. Today we got up at 8am and started our tour at about 915am. We visited 4 facilities and I plan to dedicate a journal to each. Our day ended at 7:30pm these places are so awesome! We walked all over I am very happy we are in such good shape, it made the intense hills less stressing.

First we walked through the Palace of Sintra. Noted for the two conical chimneys.

Upon entering there are STAIRS!! Lots of steps today.

This place has the best ceilings but photos just don't do justice. However here is a photo with me to give you an idea of size. The ceiling starts at the curved arches.

In the past the church was actually a part of the house. The 'carpet' is actually tile. There is tile murals EVERYWHERE!

Here I the kitchen area under those huge chimneys!

Lastly the cool room. This is a panoramic in a little room off the courtyard. The whom thong is tile!

Vacation 2 - travel Portugal!

We left our hostel at about 4:45 am so we could walk the 1km to the train station. I admit we were a little early but how could I know they don't open until 5:30? In any case here is my morning photo and a statue we passed.

The bus trip was rough.

At 3:30pm we finally made it to our destination - Sintra we also crossed a time zone!

The city is known as a fairy tale town and quite touristy but with good cause! The views are spectacular! And it all has historic value.

Of course most of the town is up stone covered street hills!

Though some of the artwork is a bit odd. The theme was very metamorphosis.

They also have a pizza hut. Quite good and it satisfied my American cuisine craving.

Our hostel - Moon hill is beautiful. We will be here two nights giving us all day tomorrow to explore the town. We will only have time to tour three of the castle and one garden.

Vacation 1 - Mass

Started the day reconnecting with Camino Friends! They completed their walk this morning and we went to a Hawaiian restaurant for Desayunos (breakfast). Joan and Janice have been an invaluable resource. They pointed me to the great hotels and gave me great Camino tips. Mitch passed us most days and walked with us sometimes. But at the end of the day he was always there for a beer and good conversation. The Japanese girl we just met today Keiko is a cheerleader teacher in Japan. She plans to walk to Finisterre.

Afterward we all went to the Cathedral for pilgrims Mass. This was my first Catholic Mass pretty music and a lot of up and down. Found my Brazilian buddy Anna Lucia there we had an emotions embrace. Even though we don't speak the same language she is one of my fondest camino friends. I am very happy we were able to see each other again.

Touring more around Santiago we found this heavenly Chocolate store!!

Drank a beer and a Cidre.

And just relaxed watching the view.

Back in an Alvergue tonight called Mundo. It is nice. We got one of the last beds it I a double mattress so we have to share. There is a twin bed above us currently occupied by a rather loud snorer. The showers and baths are up a floor which isn't so bad since my legs have had a day to rest. We opted to stay in cheap place as we depart at 5am to walk the 1km to the train station and leave for Lisbon Portugal. I will miss seeing all the familiar faces but the vacation must move on! Hopefully tomorrow we will be in the fairytale town of Sinitar just outside Lisbon!

Day 31 - Finisterra the end of Earth

Tuesday Sept 30th I slept in and took the bus to Finisterra. This is actually the official end of the Camino Frances and at one point considered the end is Earth. Some walk here (it is about an additional 80km) most take a bus. The first photo was taken from the bus. The second is at Finisterra

The views are amazing. It was nice to see the ocean again.

The official end is a 3km walk uphill to the lighthouse. Here many pilgrims burn items or leave things behind as a symbol of the end of this journey. I left my walking boots. Bastian climbed up and strung them high so they can swing a little and have the best view. They are hanging on the right side.

Up by the lighthouse the toilets were free but I hope you have change because the toilet paper is 0.20€ for 1 m . How to gauge how much you will need before sitting down is a challenge.

After today the feeling of accomplishment is strong. I sat on the rocks and looked out over the water and just felt complete. Then I took off my boots and put on my sandals and just walked away. It was a grew closure to a long difficult journey

The miracle though is the spontaneous recovery of my camera AFTER I made it back down the 3km to the by station. Here is the port picture took! I wonder how long it will last this time.

Day 31 - Finisterra the end of Earth

Tuesday Sept 30th I slept in and took the bus to Finisterra. This is actually the official end of the Camino Frances and at one point considered the end is Earth. Some walk here (it is about an additional 80km) most take a bus. The first photo was taken from the bus. The second is at Finisterra

The views are amazing. It was nice to see the ocean again.

The official end is a 3km walk uphill to the lighthouse. Here many pilgrims burn items or leave things behind as a symbol of the end of this journey. I left my walking boots. Bastian climbed up and strung them high so they can swing a little and have the best view. They are hanging on the right side.

Up by the lighthouse the toilets were free but I hope you have change because the toilet paper is 0.20€ for 1 m . How to gauge how much you will need before sitting down is a challenge.

After today the feeling of accomplishment is strong. I sat on the rocks and looked out over the water and just felt complete. Then I took off my boots and put on my sandals and just walked away. It was a grew closure to a long difficult journey

The miracle though is the spontaneous recovery of my camera AFTER I made it back down the 3km to the by station. Here is the port picture took! I wonder how long it will last this time.