Our Walk Along the Camino Portuguese

Spring Flowers and Nature on the Camino Camino Portuguese Pilgrimage We awoke this morning to the sound of birds singing in the fruit trees outside our open window. Outside the sun was just beginning to burn the mist off the surrounding fields and vineyards. We headed downstairs for a bountiful breakfast of orange juice, toast and homemade marmalade, and soft-boiled eggs. The conversation was lively, and the generosity of Paula was incredible to the end. Toward Santarem Portugal Around 8 AM we said goodbye at the gate, and headed out down the dirt track towards Santarem. The morning passed very pleasantly as we walked down country lanes, serenaded by the loud and varied songs of birds in the hedgerows. We were surprised to find a small flock of egrets in among the vines, presumably feasting in the plentiful and large snails that were still out after yesterday's rain. Just as we reached the end of the dirt track, where our path turned towards Santarem on a paved ro...

Magical Albergue on the Camino Portuguese  Wonderful Trails and Great Company We headed out around 7 AM, after a poor night's sleep in a twelve-person dorm, which ended at 4:30 AM when the first people got up and began packing. We stopped at a cafe just around the corner from the Albergue for cafe and tostada (toast with ham and cheese). As we sat there, enjoying our breakfast it began to rain lightly.   We headed out of town, across the train tracks, and down a stretch of eucalyptus-lined road. The spicy smell was fantastic, and below the canopy was a whole series of benches. We soon crossed a bridge over a swollen, fast-moving and dirty-looking river, and started down a dirt track. For the next few kilometers, the track took us through fields. Many people were out ploughing the rich, dark soil, and the air smelled fresh and earthy.   As the wind picked up and the sky continued to darken we stopped and put on our rain jackets. At the creek where we ...