Sharing the roadway somewhere on the #camino in #portugal.
#threemodesoftransportation #caminosantiago
Coimbra, Portugal
May 17, 2016
Category Archives: Portugal
Camino de Santiago Portugues Day 3
We started today in the fog – it was cool, mystical and invigorating -lifting by noon. 
It was hilly – testing our lungs – up and down – up and down. 
We followed a Roman road paralleled by stone walls – tall grasses, olive orchards, wine vineyards and colorful flowers – the muddy paths forced us to trespass. Then plan B – the occasion muddy path turned into MUD all the time. We headed for the highway and rural town roads. 
Pavement equals pain! It’s rough on the body.
We endured – walked 46,881 steps and 19.91 miles.
Now in Rabaçal, Portugal. Our pension is marginal at best. The only game in town. 29 beds but private rooms – $15 euro per person – sheets and scuzzy blankets – no towels. It’s a bed and we’re grateful.
Photo of the Day 137
The break of dawn on a foggy Camino.
#darrellandroxanne #caminodesantiago #caminosantiagoportugues #camino
May 16, 2016
Camino de Santiago Portugues Day 2
Today was our 2nd first day. 4 days ago we started the Camino only to be waylayed by the rain and flooding.
We moved to higher ground and started again today in Tomar. A quaint town with a UNESCO World Heritage Site – Templar Castle and Convent de Cristo.
Portugal is in bloom – limes, oranges, loquats, calla lillies, roses, bottle brush, fushias, poppies, lemons, figs, grapefruit, daisies, pansies, birds of paradise, carnations, iris and numerous more….
If we weren’t walking on pavement we were walking in mud. Tip toeing around trying to find the driest areas. The previous rain still seeping out of the earth.
We marveled in the beautiful weather, breathtaking scenery and camaraderie.
Ultimately, it kicked our asses!
45,162 steps – 19.11 miles.
Tomorrow is our first second day.
Photo of the Day 136
Bom Caminho from the trail.
#caminodesantiago #camino #peregrino #kickedourassestoday
Alvaiázere, Portugal
May 15, 2016
Glimpses of Tomar
Photo of the Day 135
Goofing around in #tomar #portugal.
#startingdaytwotomorrow #camino
May 14, 2016
Camino de Santiago Portugues – Day 1
Walked out of cloudy Lisbon on its famous limestone mosaic sidewalks to the riverfront area where the winds whipped off the waters and blew us around. 
Then there was rain…
The pavement turned to a narrow path that follows the river. Rain + dirt = slippery ass mud!!
Impossible for Bill in his flip flops. Fall left into the fast moving river – fall right into flooded fields – so flooded – sounded like a waterfall – looked like a lake. 
It poured and poured. There was no relief and no town for a far as our eyes could see.
All of us quietly wondered if the path would run out….
4 hours, 2 snapped hiking poles and 10 falls (picture a turtle on its back) we reached pavement and a town. We made it!
44,103 steps – 18.66 miles.
We have hence learned that the first 3 days can be impassable even on a good day and certainly that after 3 rain filled days, because the trail is through alluvial plains and rice fields.
Here’s a video to get an idea: https://youtu.be/1SVXSGVZxtg
We regrouped in Vila Franca de Xira – hatched plan B and are headed to higher grounds in Tomar.
Photo of the Day 134
The circus is in town and this time it’s not us!
#circus #doyouthinktheyhaveelephants #camino #iwantcottoncandy
Tomar, Portugal
May 13, 2016
Photo of the Day 133
Who framed Roger Rabbit in #vilafrancadexira?
#ilovestreetart #caminosantiago #caminoportugues
Vila de Franca, Portugal
May 12, 2016
Knockers and Gawkers in Lisbon
Tough start – torrential rains – narrow muddy paths – flooding and falls – lots of falls – falling down falls. It went downhill from this video. Soaked to the bone. The ground is saturated so everything is full of water – streams of water across the streets…
Grateful for lots of moments a long the way- beautiful views, fantastic friends, memories for a lifetime….
Now – all is good – safe and sound in Vila Franca de Xira.
Tried to post the video but couldn’t do it from my phone. Go to Zigzagging with Bill and Paige on Facebook or paigeshawdotcom on Instagram to see the video.
#caminosantiago #caminoportugese #flippingrain #roughstart #flooding #photooftheday #photofrommyday2016 #paigeshawdotcom
May 11, 2016
Photo of the Day 131
These feet are made for walking! We start the #camino tomorrow morning.
#rainpleasestayaway #caminodesantiago #caminoportugues
May 10, 2016
Photo of the Day 130
Getting our #camino #passports at the Cathedral in #lisbon – T minus 2.
#caminodesantiago #caminoportugues #itsgoingtorainthefirst2days
May 9, 2016
Photo of the Day 129
And then there were 5.
#lisbon #portugal #caminodesantiago #caminoportugues #partytime #gonnaexplorelisbon
May 8, 2016
From sea to shining sea
We noticed last Spring that our travels would take us from the Pacific Ocean at China Beach, DaNang, Vietnam west to meet the Atlantic Ocean somewhere…
Bingo! On October 24th we reached the Atlantic in Porto, Portugal some 10,000 miles and 24 weeks later.
Slept in our 102nd bed since leaving home.
*Top photos are from Vietnam – bottom are from Portugal.
Thirst for something sweeter…
One month in the same location started to drive us to drink – we had a thirst for something sweeter, richer and lasting…
Bill had it all planned and would have the car waiting at the house so we could leave as soon as school let out. I was surprised to return home with Bill nowhere in site. A half hour later he showed up huffing and puffing – carless – damn Spaniards CLOSED the Hertz office for siesta! Spain has “siesta time” down in spades. No wonder their country is in an economic meltdown. We were told to return the car and pass the keys through a hole in the door – it would be Sunday and they are closed.
Three hours later we picked up the car….
We wondered hither and yon – the GPS our Ouija board. Where would we find fulfillment?
Speaking of Hertz – the GPS was in cahoots with Portugal (we’re sure of this) and conveniently failed to mention the hidden exit where extranjeros pay for, in advance, a card reader that gets you through the next 25 or so tolls manned only by a camera. No need for souvenirs – we will have enough tickets to wall paper our bathroom.
The historic center glowed for it was dark before we rolled into Porto, Portugal. Famous for their port wines! Something sweeter, richer and lasting…
We found a hole in the wall Italian restaurant where there they have mastered to art of gin and tonics (the only drink options were gin and tonic or port wine). The tonic water was sold separate from the gin and held a badge of honor on the menu, the price reflecting the same. We opted for “1724” manufactured in Argentina, no less, at 1724 meters.. The mix master set up a table next to ours and carefully crafted the finest gin and tonics – swimming pool sized – Bill’s fresh cool cucumber – mine spritzed with orange zest and berries. Ahhhh….
As strange as it sounds we had port with dinner – a tawny and a ruby – quickly learning that port goes with everything! This is a fine example why a person should go out and explore the world. If you didn’t leave the USA you’d only be drinking it after dinner.
Porto was magical. We needed more time. No wonder it was named a World Heritage site. A triple hitter with it’s historic city center, Duoro River and the Atlantic Ocean.
It is the oldest name “protected” and quality “controlled” wine district in the world. Thanks to the king in 1756. It seems that the industry was begun by a Scotsman. We enjoyed some winery tours right on the river and purchased 2 bottles from the oldest port winery in the world to share sweeter, richer…..
