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 »
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 »
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 »
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 »
Departed Bansui at 7:30 with a peaceful walk along the river quite a while before veering north to Temple 70 where Main Temple is a national treasure and there was a picturesque 5 story pagoda. A sweet cleaning lady gave us little treat bags osettai with a note included telling us to place refuse …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. A Gift From tomoyoshi Kubo: Read More »
It did not take long to realize this Camino is nothing like the Camino de Santiago. There were no bars or much of anything between Finisterre and Lires. There was very little pavement walking. White sand beaches along the coastal shore connected by rugged narrow rocky mountain trails with bright white, yellow, purple, and blue …
Camino De Faros (The Lighthouse Way). Day 8 Lires To Finisterre: Read More »
After 3 weeks of settling in at Global Pilgrim House in Muxia, feeling a bit antsy, I will start The Lighthouse Way, a 200 kilometer walk linking Finisterre and Muxia, with Malpica along the Galician Costa de Morte (Coast of Death). It is called the Coast of Death because of the many shipwrecks along its …
We left Onaru Guesthouse at 7:45 and our hostess escorted us out offering directions and a wave goodbye. What a wonderful start to our day. We strolled through town and on the outskirts we passed a friendly young girl with her Dad. In return for the gift of her beautiful smile, I gave her one …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Meeting Survivor of Hiroshima Bomb: Read More »
We left Onaru Guesthouse at 7:45 and our hostess escorted us out offering directions and a wave goodbye. What a wonderful start to our day. We strolled through town and on the outskirts we passed a friendly young girl with her Dad. In return for the gift of her beautiful smile, I gave her one …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Meeting a survivor of Hiroshima Atom Bomb: Read More »
Today’s morning began with a 50 minute walk to the quiet Temple 54. Continuing afterwards meandering through a small village, a woman came running up and invited us into her yard and invited us to pick some ripe red cherries from the tree in her yard. Leaving the village we found ourselves in the …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. A WWII Cemetery and Many Temples: Read More »
Perhaps the best Ryokan on the Pilgrimage, Seapa Makoto had an Onsen (bath) with 4 pools including one outside overlooking the sea and the setting sun, a private large bath in the room with a view of the sea, and delicious food with some western options like Fried Shrimp and Chicken. Day 26. We …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. A Hot Soak By The Sea: Read More »
We continued on walking through a populated city, which is one of the only downsides of this pilgrimage. There are 126 Million people living in Japan, about 40% of the population of the USA, living in an area about the size of California. Shikoku Island is the smallest of the 4 main islands making up …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Japan Can Be a Crowded Place: Read More »
This pilgrimage has been mostly about walking alone or with Mika and engaging briefly with locals we run into. Unlike other pilgrimages, such as the Camino de Santiago, or Nepal, we have only had brief encounters with other pilgrims and rarely see ohenros more than once. That has changed the past few days as we …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Connecting with Frenchman, Damien: Read More »
We continued on walking through a populated city, which is one of the only downsides of this pilgrimage. There are 126 Million people living in Japan, about 40% of the population of the USA, living in an area about the size of California. Shikoku Island is the smallest of the 4 main islands making up …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Japan Can Be Crowded: Read More »
Today is May 1 and the 19th day of this pilgrimage. It has been totally different from any of the previous walking journeys. Japan is in one word, exotic. The people, the customs, the foods, the architecture, are all so different for Westerners. The Japanese are clean, organized, and above all polite. At dinner Mika …
Japan 88 Temple Pilgrimage. Land of Many Contrasts: Read More »
Yesterday was the beginning of Golden Week in Japan. This is a week with some sort of remembrance each day, ie.; Childrens Day, Greenery Day, Constitution Day, and Showa Day which commemorates the birthday of Emperor Hirohito who reigned from 1926 to 1989. Also, this is a big travel week for the Japanese so we …