New Town New Adventures

Santiago de Compostela Spain to Porto Portugal – 192kms

A cruisy morning in Santiago …. No rush to walk anywhere, coffee (actually 2) in the secret garden of my hotel..

Lugged my suitcase down three flights of stairs, and went for one last walk around the beautiful city of Santiago…ran into another Camino friend (Mindy) hitting home base…and took a taxi to the bus station at midday.

For my three and a half hour ride to Porto in Portugal.. Ran into another friend off the trail (Jean-Pierre) who I hadn’t seen for three weeks at the bus station…it never ends!

The bus was pretty full, double decker and I had a seat upstairs near the back…

The driver drove this bus like a TGV (fast train) on the highways and my motion sickness started to kick in..so what do you do? Yes I slept for 2 hours!

As I came into Porto, it was a bit overcast and a lot cooler than north west Spain..and I gained an extra hour in my day..I am now 11 hours behind NZ time…

Arriving in the very busy terminal a taxi driver asked me if I wanted taxi, I said yes…I knew this wouldn’t end well and I should have made my way out and booked an uber! But by this time, in a new city and late afternoon I just wanted to get to my accommodation and settle in!

For the first time in 36 days I am in one place for three nights…

15 minute taxi ride and €41 (Nz$80) … yes I was ripped off! I checked on uber and I would have cost be €6 (NZ$12)

Oh well, I was here!

Through a steel door on the street, into a courtyard of small Portuguese houses (flats) with locals and a few other rented ones…think a bit of a social housing complex!

The up side… I am ground floor, have a fridge couch and even found an English TV channel!

Safe enough for my three nights..

That’s the entrance!

I googled the closest supermarket as I did not want to eat out again!… this took me through a cobbled street with lots of shops and cafes nearby…, which I will explore today…and laden with two very heavy bags (about 2kms walk) I trucked back to my abode!

Put a couple of beers in the freezer, found the tv channel (a cycling race) and made my own dinner for the first time in 6 weeks!

Back to my old habits! A couple of beers, dinner in front of the TV and fell asleep on the couch about 8.30pm!!!

Had a good sleep, but was awake at 5am(which was 6am) yesterday… this time zone thing doesn’t mean my body clock changes!!

Now to begin the Porto adventure!