The End of the Story - Camino Portuguese

The last day of the actual pilgrimage was one of anticipation.  Hiking along we waited for the first sighting of Santiago.  Pat and Jean looking for the top of the cathedral.

Along the streets of Santiago, we walked and I watched and waited.

Soon, I could see the prize ahead.  

To say we were overwhelmed by the size, beauty and grandeur of the cathedral would be quite an understatement! 

There really are no words that will describe the magnificence of the buildings that make up the Cathedral of Santiago.

                  *****                My heart was very full of gratitude and joy.         *****

The following day, we made a plan to go to the Pilgrims Office and to present our credentials.

Our pilgrim passport had been stamped at most places where we ate, and especially where we slept.

This became the "proof" that we had at least hiked the required path to receive our Compostela. 

                                  

My Compostela

     

                                                                   **********

The journey was complete but we planned to stay a few days in Santiago, and take a day trip to Finistere before beginning our trip back to the states.  Finistere is considered by some the westernmost point in Spain.

       

     

But it was time to begin our return and it started with a long bus trip from Santiago back to Lisbon.  We enjoyed the city for another day, and thought of all that had happened since September 2, and our start of the Camino Portuguese.

       

    

 

       

This enjoyable day included a trip to the botanical gardens, and the pond just outside of the gardens.

The always interesting Banana tree.

      

                                  

 

A lovely pair of Black Swans.

Our flight back to Boston included a stop in the Azores, in the city of Ponto del Gado. It was an unexpected treat to visit here. Very quick stop for an overnight, but a quaint look at this island paradise. 

The lovely footnote to end our trip was the fact that everywhere we went that final day, we saw the Bird of Paradise in bloom.

Well, there will be much reflection and writing about the time on the Camino Portuguese. It was a lovely journey in so many ways, but the image that stands out the most right now includes the faces of the lovely Portuguese people and the other pilgrims, and all the help they offered to us. We were provided with everything we needed along the way. 

Special thanks to our friends Pat and Jean for including us on this journey of self-exploration and spiritual awareness. We will always be grateful. Thanks for all the moments you waited for us to catch up to you!

And as always, my special thanks to my partner who has walked beside me many miles and many years. Bom Camino!