Recent content by Duayne Meyer

  1. Duayne Meyer

    Povoa de Varzim to Rates

    When we walked in 2022, there were several places to eat in Rates, as I recall. There is also a grocery store. The Sao Pedro (the 13 century church) is worth popping in for a look-around.
  2. Duayne Meyer

    Can you name this plant?

    Thornapples or, as mentioned, Jimsonweed.
  3. Duayne Meyer

    Povoa de Varzim to Rates

    Hi Helen, We took the train to Povoa de Varzim (a couple stops past Vila de Conde), got off the train turned away from the coast (eastward) and walked right onto the bike/pedestrian path. See photo. Super easy, and hard to get lost. It’s a pretty good walk on the bike path. We got off the bike...
  4. Duayne Meyer

    From Figeac - Variants Decision - ?

    Anthony, I walked the Portuguese Central last May with three friends for whom this was their first Camino. I think they were somewhat disappointed, particularly with the amount of hard surface walking. It didn't help that, though it was early May, it was terribly hot. We walked the Spiritual...
  5. Duayne Meyer

    From Figeac - Variants Decision - ?

    Loved the Cele. I walked post-Easter in April, pre-Covid. Gite owners were very helpful as they helped me book the next night’s lodging. It was solitary when I walked as well. As with much of the LePuy, it’s important to carry provisions for the day as the villages are small and it can be...
  6. Duayne Meyer

    Primitivo, first 10 days of April 2023?

    Easter is April 9th, thus, Holy week is 2-8. You may encounter closures in various places along the way. Of course you may also encounter some festivals or other activities as well. Buen Camino!
  7. Duayne Meyer

    Toothpaste and deodorant - where to buy cheaper?

    I went into the farmacia to buy sunscreen and came out with a 30 euro tube of what I later discovered was an anti-wrinkle/anti-aging cream. I will say, I felt like I looked much younger for a bit, though I ended up a bit burned (in more ways than one).
  8. Duayne Meyer

    Le Puy vs. Norte.

    I have walked both and enjoyed them both immensely. I think the LePuy may be my favorite overall, so please know my bias. The first five days on the Norte are challenging. Having said that, if you do not take a few of the variants during the first several days - including day one out of Irun to...
  9. Duayne Meyer

    2 weeks of walking - which part would you recommend?

    As mentioned, it depends on if you want to get to Santiago on this Camino and to receive a Compostela. Other factors include whether you are planning to return to walk another Camino, or section of one, the number of km’s that suit you and a few more variables. It’s likely to be quite hot, which...
  10. Duayne Meyer

    Variante Espiritual Boat Ride

    We were in a small boat on a cool and overcast May morning. The two crew members were informative, helpful and entertaining. The ride was chilly and wet. We were in the back. The people in the front bore the brunt of the water and wind. Fortunately, we all put on our rain gear before starting...
  11. Duayne Meyer

    Espiritual Variant way marking?

    Just walked the Portuguese, including the Espiritual Variant, this month. I found the waymarking to be excellent. As is the case on the other Camino routes, walking into, around and out of a few of the villages - particularly larger ones- can be a bit confusing now and again, but nothing that...
  12. Duayne Meyer

    OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Travelers from USA . Covid Test question

    Agreed! Im concerned about getting held up by TAP here in the US. And TAP’s site - and the updates they send/post- has not, until 4/22, included the antigen test as an option.
  13. Duayne Meyer

    OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Travelers from USA . Covid Test question

    Negative antigen test for leaving the US (not returning from Portugal to the US) are new to the TAP Portugal site. I'm flying TAP, so I am paying close attention the updates I'm getting from them. Of course, I am watching other reliable sources closely. And, yes, of course, as I mentioned, you...
  14. Duayne Meyer

    OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Travelers from USA . Covid Test question

    Putting aside the U.S. vaccination card being accepted or not, the 24 hour negative antigen test is a significant change as I see it. The PCR tests, unless you pay a hefty price for the rapid PCR, leave an element of worry about whether one will get the result in time. The negative antigen test...
  15. Duayne Meyer

    OBSOLETE COVID THREAD Travelers from USA . Covid Test question

    As someone flying to Porto next week, I am planning to stay the course, meaning follow the requirements that existed prior to 21/4, and get a PCR test no earlier than 72 hours prior to boarding time for my TAP flight. It's not that I am distrustful of what I am reading, but rather I am not...
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