Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Camino Fisterra: Day 1 - Santiago de Compostela to Negreira (July 30, 2014)

I had a great first day on Camino Fisterra. So far, it's less crowded with pilgrims compared to the last few stages on Camino Frances and the scenery was delightful (a mix of oak groves, eucalyptus trees, modern brick homes, rural villages and crops, and an awesome 14th-century bridge and river). I met Joaquin, a pilgrim from Bilbao, on the trail and later, we connected with Ainhoa and her dog, Malao. We took our time to walk on the trail and stopped for breakfast and lunch along the way. By the time we arrived in Negreira, it was 2:30 pm (really hot and sunny) and I was super relieved to check into El Carmen Albergue. It's a nice albergue, centrally located in Negreira and has a restaurant downstairs. We covered 22 km (13.6 miles) today.

Above left: Leaving Santiago at 7:30 am

Above left: Carballos (oak trees)

Above right: The Santiago Cathedral from a distance

Above right: A horreo

Above right: Breakfast at Alto Do Vento (3.85 euros)

Above: The climb to Alto do Mar de Ovellas (272 m)

Above left: Chewbacca (from Star Wars)

Above left: Ainhoa (from Madrid), Joaquin (from Bilbao), and Malao (the dog from Portugal)

Above right: Lunch at Trasmonte ~ a large cheese sandwich (which I split into 2) and lemonade (3.80 euros)

Above right: The 14th-C A Ponte Maceira

Above left: The River Tambre

Above right: The 14th-C A Ponte Maceira, built over the River Tambre 

Above right: The 18th-C Capilla de (Chapel of) San Brais

Above left: Arriving in Negreira at 2:30 pm; Above right: El Carmen Albergue in Negreira (10 euros a night)

Above: View of Negreira central from the albergue's balcony

Above left: El Carmen Albergue and restaurant in Negreira; Above right: Seafood pasta (first course)

Above left: Grilled salmon with potatoes; Above right: Ice cream cake (3-course meal at the albergue restaurant was 10 euros)

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