SPAIN APRIL 2016
April 3. We flew from Palm Coast to Barcelona, Spain. We met up with our friends, Greg and Corinne, who had already been in Europe for one month. They are friends we met boating and live in Canada.
April 4. We walked down main Passeig Gracia street to the old town. We walked past two of Gaudi's houses that he built. The architecture is very impressive. Walking back to hotel we just happened to see Greg and Corinne, as we had not seen them but were looking to hook up at some point that day. It was great timing, as we were all ready for a cold beer. 
April 5, Tuesday. Went with Greg and Corinne to the Arenas de Barcelona which is an old bull fight arena that is now a shopping center. We took the elevator to the top for a panoramic view, walked to a fountain that gets lit at night, and went to the National Art Gallery. Jim and I went to Sagrada Familia church, designed by Gaudi, which is still being finished after more than 100 years of construction. 
April 6. Jim went on a bike ride with Greg and Corinne. They went to the Olympic stadium, along the coast, and around the city. Danette went to Park Guell which was built by Gaudi, and then to the Picasso Museum.
April 7. Took the Renfe train from Barcelona to San Sebastián, which is on the northeast coast of Spain. 
April 8. Walked the city of San Sebastián. Went to Gros area for pinxtos, which is another name for tapas. Walked to top of Monte Urgull, which is a park area with a huge Christ, castle walls, and Castillo de la Mota.
April 9. We walked around San Sebastián and did an afternoon city tour.
April 10, Sunday. We went on a 12-mile day hike east toward Pasai San Pedro, which is along the Camino de Santiago north route. Our walk was along the coast with some steep climbs and then a descent into the Bay of Pasai.
April 11. We rented a car and drove along the north coast. The area has high rolling hills and some steep descents to the ocean. We went to Deba, Zumaia, Getaria, and Zarautz.
April 12. Today we drove to France. Went to Bayonne, Biarritz, and San Juan de Luz. Bayonne is a beautiful old town. Biarritz is a beautiful town along the ocean with grand restaurants, hotels, and buildings. San Juan de Luz is a fishing village with a beach.
April 13. Drove to the south to a town called Onati. Went to Sanctuario de Arantzazu. The church was started around 1855. The Vatican stopped development for about 50 years and then was completed. It has a beautiful contemporary feel. We hiked about three hours and stopped in village of Tolosa.
April 14. We drove into France and stopped in Sare and Ainhoa. We decided to drive to Saint Jean Pied de Port, which is one of the main starting points of the Camino de Santiago. It is about a 760 km walk to Santiago. We saw a lot of pilgrims around the town.
April 15, Friday. We took the bus to Bilbao and walked around the city. The architecture is wonderful as there is old, new and varied styles. There are parks, plazas, and a river walk.
April 16. We went to the Guggenheim Museum, designed by Frank O. Gehry. The building is spectacular from the outside and is on a 32,500 sq. ft. site. The inside has 11,000 square meters of exhibition space in 20 galleries. The art inside included Andy Warhol and Louise Bourgeois. We walked the varied neighborhoods of the city.
April 17. We rented a car and drove to Sarria, which was the starting point for the Camino hike. We stayed in a monastery albergue.
April 18, Monday. We started The Way/Camino de Santiago. We walked from Sarria, Spain to Portomarin which is 22 km. On Fitbit it was 33,900 steps, or 16.05 miles. The weather was perfect with haze in the morning and then clearing off with temperature in mid 60s. We walked on roads, trails, up and down hills and saw a lot of countryside. The walk will be about 116 km, 72 miles, total to Santiago.
April 19. Walked about 20 km today. Found a great little hotel to spend the night. We sat and visited with four people from England, one lady from TX, and the other from Australia. We all had drinks and dinner together.
April 20. We walked 13 miles today from Lestedo to Melide.
April 21. We walked 9 miles to Azura. We stopped at a place for a beer, with Greg and Corinne. We proceeded to eat lunch, then decided to sleep there, and also had dinner at location. There were 28 beds in one room, but it was nicely separated.
April 22. We walked 13 miles to Pedrouzo. We walked with Melissa, from Austin TX. We had met her before, at hotel, and had seen her on and off. Meeting and talking with various people along the way is a great experience. The time walking alone is also good in that it gives you a lot of time to think, reflect back, and look forward to the future.
April 23, Saturday. We walked the last 13 miles -+ to Santiago. It was 19 km. The arrival at the cathedral did not have the same internal feel as when we arrived the first time doing the Camino with Deb, but the journey getting there was a great experience. As with life, it is about the journey.
April 24. We went to the church for Sunday mass, and walked the city in the afternoon.
PORTUGAL
April 25, 26. We took a Bla Bla Car to Guimarães (Braga District) Portugal. Bla Bla is a car service on the internet where you input your details of where you want to start and end. Bla Bla site shows if anyone is going in that direction and what the cost is, and gives a background and reviews on the person. It is mainly designed for longer drives between cities.
Stayed in Guimarães and walked around the city. It has a palace and a castle, and was settled in the 9th century. The area is associated with the foundation of the Portuguese nationality.
April 27, 28, 29. We took a bus to Porto and spent three nights. We did a city walking tour, walked the city on our own, and went to Gia (on other side of Duoro River) where the port wine cellars and shops are.
April 30, May 1. Went with Greg and Corinne to Coimbra. It is a university town from 1290 and the buildings are classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. The city is along a river with sloping narrow streets. The university is on top of the hill above the city.
May 2, 3. We spent our last two days in Lisbon with Greg and Corinne. Throughout the trip, we did things together, separated on and off during the trip, and then got together again. It is how we remain friends!
Lisbon is a great walking city and it a good location for day adventures via train or bus.
May 4, Wednesday. Flew home to Palm Coast.
"Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life." Michael Palin
