For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
I take a Cash Card with me loaded with the currencies I will be using. I withdraw cash from ATMs, usually those in bank foyers and pay cash for everything. I have never had a problem.
I live in a medium sized town in New Zealand. I am 80 years old so I have time to spare. The locals say that I am a "professional volunteer" because I volunteer for anything that needs doing in the town This includes helping in Op-Shops, helping run Xmas parades and Xmas carnivals, I am the...
My daughter and I will be on the Portuguese on June and July starting in Lisbon. We will arrive in Porto about the 27th of June. We want to stay for three nights. Can we stay in an albergue for that long? If not has any body got any suggestions for a very cheap place to stay.
Fortunately New Zealand is surrounded by water and a long way from the rest of the world. That is just the way that us Kiwis like it. As a consequence, if we want to go anywhere else we must use the big metal bird in the sky. I don't like the emissions from aircraft any more than anyone else but...
My wife and I watched the movie "Six ways to Santiago" about six different people doing their own independent CF. It was only 20 minutes into the movie when I turned to my wife and said "I have to do that"
Three months later I was in St jean looking up the hill and could not wait to get started...
I have walked three Caminos and never had a "Camino Family". Like most pilgrims, I kept meeting the same people on and off at the albergues I stayed at. We had some great conversations but were not a "Family" as such. On my last Camino with my daughter, we kept coming across the same people...
I turned 80 this month and next June I am off to do my fourth Camino. I did not start walking Caminos until I was 73 and I am now just getting into my stride. I will be on the Portuguese in the third week of June.
If you are prepared to carry it and want to play it in albergues, that is fine. Just have it tucked up in bed by 9-30pm so that we can all get some sleep ready for an early start in the morning.
I always get my shell off one of the local beaches here in New Zealand before I go and fix it to my pack before leaving home. This identifies me as a pilgrim. I am surprised at the number of people between NZ and SJPDP who recognise the shell and approach me to talk about the Camino.
I ticked "Other" on the survey. I carry a small pack of 5 kilos so have no problem carrying it for the whole Camino, On my last Camino, three days out from Leon, the stitching on my very old pack gave out and I was not able to keep the contents contained. For the next three days I wrapped a...
Before walking a Camino, I get a scallop shell of a beach here in New Zealand and fix it to my pack. When I get to Finesterre I throw it into the sea. This is nothing to do with tradition or whatever. For me it just marks the start and finish of my Camino. After throwing my shell into the sea I...
I used Covermore for my last two trips. They were a reasonable, competitive price. I made a huge claim on my first trip to cover hospitalisation, hotel, and upgraded travel to get me home. They were easy to contact and very helpful and nice people to deal with.
I walked my first Camino alone, and loved it. I occasionally walked with people I met along the way, but only for short distances.
I took my daughter on my second Camino and loved her company, but after Pamplona I asked her if it would be OK if I walked alone sometimes. I liked to get engrossed...
This site is run by Ivar at in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon