It’s strange what I can remember about this section of the Camino walked in 2022. Places where I ate. Pharmacies I restocked Compeeds for persistent blisters. Detours to the Decathlon sporting goods store. The bulk of the walk is as if I was seeing it for the first time.
Having walked Møn Camino and gone to surf camp, I set out for the final leg of my summer travels. This section of the Portuguese Central Camino to Santiago de Compostelle will take 20 days.
Blooms to start Bill P’s day.
The Machado de Castra National Museum was built roughly on the sight of a Roman forum. The remains of the past can be visited on the lower floors of the museum. Ancient Roman covered passageways form semi-subterranean museum galleries.
The 12th century Old Cathedral of Coimbra (Sé Velho de Coimbra) is one of the finest Romanesque churches in Europe. It was the main cathedral-fortress in the Iberian Peninsula.
The National Palace of Pena’s dreadful queueing experience was repaired by the delightful spontaneous decision to explore Sintra’s city center.
A strike closed the palace during morning hours. Morning and afternoon guests were condensed into the afternoon hours. Tour groups got an automatic pass directly entering whereas independent guests spent a third of their day queueing in line. It felt as if we were being driven like herds of cattle. Dreadful.
The National Palace of Pena is the crown jewel in the city Sintra Hills, 20 miles from Lisbon. The palace has Medieval features…parapet paths, lookout towers, and a drawbridge. There are also Moorish and nautical features. Its history began in 12th century as a chapel, transitioning to a monastery, monk’s retreat, and royal palace. Stunning and quirky.
There is a scenic overlook by the Cathedral’s starting point for the Camino. By happenstance, I noticed a man whose profile was strikingly familiar. It was the same profile that zipped past me on a surf board. Sure enough it was Rado from surf camp. We both were thrilled at this unexpected meeting. It’s a small world where coincidences warm the heart.
Meike, Liss, and I traveled together from Peniche to Lisbon. This allowed a gentle separation from our intense week at surf camp. It’s always the transitions between travels that are hard.
Linda Scandore 