With record numbers this year on the Camino, pilgrims are seeking alternatives to the Camino Frances. Be aware the headcount rises dramatically upon reaching Sarria. The good news is there are plenty of alternatives. In fact, 8 other Caminos with each offering a great Camino experience. Starting your Camino from Sarria can still be a …
8 Alternatives to Walking The Camino de Santiago From Sarria: Read More »
And other advice; When to go, what to pack, solo or with porter or group, books to read. Everybody is different and this may be a once in a lifetime trip so choosing wisely is important. Some trekkers have their hearts set on walking to Everest Base Camp in the footsteps of Sir Edmund Hillary …
What is so special about a hot bath, Onsen, in Japan? Hot spring baths are cultural icons of Japan. The local onsen is similar to the local pub in Ireland. The difference being instead of at the end of the day chatting over a pint or 2, the Japanese talk as they soak and let …
Having walked a good many pilgrimages around the world, I would highly recommend the Via Francesco (Way of St. Francis) to pilgrims seeking a pilgrimage beyond the Camino de Santiago. Especially for Christians and those that feel a connection to St. Francis. Here is why: How The Way of St. Francis is Different From The …
How The Way of St. Francis (Via Francesco) Is Different From The Camino de Santiago Read More »
An Unexpected Encounter from: IT’S A LONG WAY FROM TIPPERARY TO SANTIAGO. Day 140 Baimorto, Galicia. October, 2018. 10 days ago I was spending the night at La Ferraire Albergue and the owner/hospitalero Sergio and I had several conversations about various aspects of The Camino and we seemed to agree on everything. In fact it …
The Camino de Faros is a 200 kilometer Way along Galicia’s Costa de Morte (Coast of Death), named after the 8 shipwrecks with 245 lost lives in the late 19th Century and early part of the 20th. After walking most of the Caminos, this one has to rival any for beauty especially if one likes …
How The Camino de Faros Is Different From The Camino de Santiago: Read More »
Wow. What a spectacular and yet easier walk of 24K with a fair amount being flatter than usual. A gorgeous sunset starting out of Arou and then some beautiful deserted beaches and rocky mountains. This being The Coast of Death, I came across The English Cemetery, burial grounds for the victims of the Shipwreck of …
Camino de Faros (Lighthouses) Day 5 Arou to Camariñas: Read More »
1. Nepal vs. Spain. Spain is in Europe and Nepal is in South Central Asia. Spain has a long coastline on the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Nepal is landlocked in the Himalayas Region. Nepal is one of the poorer countries in the world with a per capita annual income of $1,084. Nepal is mostly a rural …
How A Nepal Trek Is Different From The Camino de Santiago: Read More »
Day 4 Laxe to Arou. A relatively easier day today with the shortest stage of this Camino at 18K. Though still challenging with lots of ups and downs. A beautiful quiet day seeing not a soul until Camelle just a couple K before Arou. Just birds, a few snakes, the wind and the frequent roar …
Camino de Faros (Lighthouses) Day 4 Laxe to Arou: Read More »
Walking out of Ponteceso early just after 7 it was a quiet and flat walk along the waterfront before eventually for the first and only part of this Camino leaving the sea to walk inland. The path veered inland through pine and eucalyptus forest following a gently flowing creek. After the 2 previous days of …
Camino de Faros (Lighthouses) Day 3 Ponteceso to Laxe: Read More »
Started out with a 6:45 taxi back to the Playa (beach) de Niños. As difficult as the first day was this one was moreso. Constant ups and downs with some scrambling and stinging nettles. I didn’t bring long pants but that would be wise on this rugged trail. Even on a cloudy day the views …
Camino de Faros (Lighthouses) Day 2; Playa de Niños to Ponteceso: Read More »
The start of another Camino; The Way of The Lighthouses is a relatively new trail since 2012 that is neither an official Camino or GR route yet but who cares. And perhaps that is the attraction. Today’s 25K walk was rugged but with rewarding views all along. Almost all of the trail was in nature, …
Camino de Faros (Lighthouses). Day 1 Malpica to Playa de Niños: Read More »
Upon arrival in Rome from Via Francesco or Via Francigena, there remains one last pilgrimage for those wanting more. Or of course you can just use public transportation or a taxi if you prefer. The 7 Pilgrimage Churches of Rome was initiated by Philip Neri, The Second Apostle of Rome, around 1553. The walk is …
In the continuing effort to add content to this website, our 7 day walk on Scotland’s magnificent West Highland Way is next. In late June of 2020, Mika and I spent the last 3 months hunkered down in Turkey. On March 21 we had set out on the ancient Lycian Way walk along …
A Few Days In London Before Walking Scotland’s West Highland Way: Read More »
This Camino continues to dazzle with its spectacular scenery. And is proving to be a excellent Camino to undertake as part or after one’s Camino de Santiago. Most of this Camino spanning 200 kilometers is along the northwest coast of Galicia, Spain on the Costa de Muerte (Coast of Death) so named for the many …
Each of the seasons has its own appeal but Spring is a particularly beautiful time to walk The Camino. Most of these photos were taken walking the past few days around Muxia on The Camino de Santiago and The Camino de Faros(Lighthouses). I got a bit carried away and added some other flower photos from …
Osettai is the act of giving gifts to pilgrims “ohenros” on the Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. These gifts or offerings could be anything; food, drink, trinkets and crafts, money, or even a meal and a room for the night. A few temple monks even gave Nokyo stamps waiving the ¥300. A couple times I was …
Departed at 6:30AM on the 35th day of our walk around Shikoku Island. We ascended 3 hours a challenging 286 meters to Temple 84. Many of the Temples are on mountain tops so at this point we are just used to it. Walking by the Main Temple, a monk was blowing a horn. That’s a …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The End With A Connection To The Camino De Santiago: Read More »
Returning us to the Pilgrimage, Tomo stopped at Udon factory restaurant for delicious noodles where we were able to participate in the preparation. Great fun. Afterwards he dropped us off at Temple 75 and wished us well on our remaining journey. We then walked to 76, Konzoji, about 3k and enjoyed 1100 year old …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgimage. Only 10 Temples To Go: Read More »
To clarify, The Camino de Faros between Finisterre and Muxia is an alternative route to the Camino de Santiago between the two towns. While The Camino de Santiago is a relatively easy 27K jaunt, the Camino de Faros is 52K of more challenging rugged coastal walking with some narrow, rocky paths and significant elevation changes. …
Camino dos Faros (The Lighthouse Way). Day 7 Muxia To Lires: Read More »
