We have now walked for eight days and had two days off and are looking forward to six more days of walking to Santiago de Compostela with two 16 mile days scheduled.
Jim is smiling because he is taking a bus to Vigo while Sandy, Karen and Bill have to walk 16 miles with over 1,200 feet of altitude gain.En route from Baiona to Vigo, another old Roman bridge and Ollie.San Telmo, patron of navigators.Jim arrived in Vigo by bus around 10am and had some time to explore this very hilly, large city. Population is around 300,000.Avenida de Gran Vìa has a pedestrian covered walkway down the middle with moving sidewalks going uphill only.Plaza de España, statue to the horses. Jim passed this while walking to meet the others.Speaking of Horses.Sandy’s first view of Vigo after a long hilly walk. Jim met the walkers on their way into town which gave them the false impression that they were almost done. They still had two miles to go and mostly uphill, a tough last two miles.All four of us together and walking again today. Leaving our nice hotel in Vigo.
Karen and Sandy on the moving sidewalk, unfortunately they were going the wrong way.This sculpture at the base of the Gran Avenida pays homage to the hard working life of the fishermen of Vigo.In Vigo we walked all the way down to sea level and along this river only to have to climb back up a lot of hills.Some of the hills were quite steep.Ollie enjoying the view.An interesting painting of a fish which is much bigger than it looks in this photo.More uphill walking, although hard to tell in this photo. Just trust us!We stopped at a café in Redondela and had lunch after which Jim took a taxi to our next hotel in Arcade while everybody else had to walk another four miles up hill.View from our hotel in Arcade.Setting out from Arcade the next morning across another Medieval Roman bridge.Jim is walking again today.We never rushed our walks and took time to enjoy moments to stop for any reason. Strangely I think we all never wanted it to end.We took an alternative route into Pontevedra which was slightly longer but avoided walking on the road. It was a lovely shaded path through the forest.We did not leave personal item’s debris behind on this Camino as it all has to be cleaned up at some point.We had no apples for this horse but stopped to give some love.Beautiful vineyard.Lots of street art leading into Pontevedra.Ollie made a friendUpon our arrival in Ponte Vedra Bill and Sandy stopped to get a very fancy stamp in our Pilgrim passport from this guy.Nice easy day for all of us.Leaving our hotel in Pontevedra, only three more days to go.Heading to church to get another stamp in our credenciales. A very hot yellow Ferrari by the church.Our permanent address in the US is Ponte Vedra Florida.Beautiful old part of town.Spanish sunrise greeted us as we headed out this morning.And yet another long and windy road leads us to Santiago. Anyone for fresh squeezed OJ? Sandy would always steal the drinks and food from our breakfast each morning to enjoy along the way. Her pack was always the heaviest.But Ollie never complained!More livestock.It was always such a treat to come upon a place to purchase refreshments after miles of walking. These food trucks would pop up in the most rural areas to service the needs of the pilgrims that passed by.Lots of corn fields were being harvested.It’s rare to encounter an ass on the Camino!Our accommodations for tonight.Not a bad day, under 14 miles with not many hills.Another pre dawn break day as it will be very warm today. Pilgrim Shadows starting out.This Camino offered spectacular pastoral scenery.Ollie had fun taunting these geese as you can see in the video below.
So many old churches. We went in everyone that was open.A pilgrim boot sculpture in front of this parish church.Yup another long and winding road….And of course more livestock.Unfortunately this church’s doors were locked but it had an interesting graveyard.Did not stop here.These animals are real although they do not look like it in this photo.Only 31.5 km to go.Tonight we stay in the historic city of Padron. This is our last stop before reaching Santiago tomorrow which is 23km away.A relatively easy day but Jim was worn out and stayed in our room while Sandy went out to explore Padron with Bill and Karen.Iglesia de Santiago or Church of St James in Padron is located on the banks of the Sar River and according to tradition it was here that the ship carrying the remains of St James was docked.The mooring stone, called the “Pedron” is on display under the altar. The Convento del Carmen is an imposing Carmelite convent built in the xviii century on a hill on the opposite side of the Sar River from the church.Final morning, we walked from here to the bus station and took a bus skipping ten miles as this was supposed to be a 16 mile day. We did not want to arrive in Santiago so late in the day.We were so excited this morning knowing our destination was near. A very short 4.9 km to go.He looks tired.Getting closer.Finito!!!!We did it once again.Another check on the bucket list for these two.Walked our final six miles and arrived at 1pm, perfect ending to a great Camino.
It has been just over two months since our last day on the Camino de Santiago and the memories and emotions still bring a tear to our eyes. The journey you have all followed us on through the photos we’ve shared does little to truly harness the emotion and humility of being a pilgrim. The spirit of the Camino is a feeling experienced on the trail that is hard to define or explain but that being said I would like to try. On the Camino your life suddenly becomes very simple. Each day you wake before the sun comes up and as you pack your bag you find a reason that compels you to once again put one foot in front of the other for miles. The Camino makes you a family, everything you have you must be willing to share. You share with strangers and quickly learn that one step back is more valuable than 100 forward if you can help another. We have shared sun screen, blister pads, water, snacks and miles of conversation or quiet silence while walking with strangers. The compassion both given and received renews your faith in humanity. They say “the Camino always provides” and we found this to be so true. You appreciate simple pleasures of watching the ocean crash against the rocks, the quiet solitude of walking in a forest and appreciating the shade the trees provide from the hot sun. “The Way” as it is referred to is a journey into yourself. A journey of friendship, contemplation, silence, nature, humility, spirituality and gratitude. We truly feel it made us better human beings.
14 responses to “El Camino de Santiago, from Baiona to Santiago”
Kathleen S Von Pohle
How very wonderful to have the privilege of walking the Camino through your eyes and conversation. The pilgrimage of finding yourself and experience life with others known or strangers who became friends is so priceless! Thank you thank you with deep felt heartedness. Kathleen
Looks like you had a great time. My wife and I will be doing this October. Don’t know your ages but I’m 76 and my wife is 74. Is this route doable for our ages. Would also like any tips you may be able to provide. I’m a pretty serious amatuer photographer so any location tips would be appreciated. Also, just anything you might be able to proved that you think would be beneficail. We are excited to do this. This is part of our 50th wedding anniversay so the leg after this is a cruise and I fully intend to crash while cruising. Thanking you in advance.
Gary Hunt
Omaha, NE
Hi Gary, we have done three different Camino’s in 24 months and this is definitely the easiest. I was 73 and Sandy 77 when we did this one. There are tons of septuagenarians and even a few octegenarians walking all of the Camino’s. I have some issues going uphill and as you probably read I took a bus at least one day which is very easy. We booked everything through Mac’s Travel and they take care of all hotels and moving luggage. October is the perfect month for walking in Spain and Portugal.
As to photography we are only amateurs who just point and shoot with our phones.
Feel free to contact us with any questions as we love talking about our experiences. We have run quite a few marathons and walking the Camino is an even better experience.
It is truly a simple but fulfilling experience. Every morning you walk away from the previous day’s memories and walk towards a place you’ve never been. That’s the essence of the pilgrims’ experience, It was a treat to finally join you two on a beautiful camino.
Ciao and buen camino, Bill and Karen
How truly lovely! I’ve always believed the most in god outdoors. Your final meditation was very touching. Have a wonderful family filled Christmas and New Year
❤️🎶❤️
Anette
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