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  1. Vacajoe

    Where can we buy hiking Poles

    Lots of Decathlons in Portugal. Not sure what route you are following, but they are in most of the larger cities (but sadly, not Tomar).
  2. Vacajoe

    Bronze Scallop Shell…Carry-on?

    I once was stopped for having an egg-sized stone in my carryon because it was heavy enough to be a “weapon”. You may get lucky…or you may have to relinquish it at the security check. Absolutely impossible to say because it’s 100% at the discretion of the officers on duty. Probably worth simply...
  3. Vacajoe

    Camino by Coach

    I signed my marriage certificate without any idea of what THAT entailed!!!!
  4. Vacajoe

    Shortest section between Camino del Norte and Primitivo.

    If you rejoin the CF at Arzua, you are missing the last part of the Norte! There is a way-marked route that continues all the way to the Santiago airport, merging with the CF just before Llavacola.
  5. Vacajoe

    Post items from the UK to Spain (at the mid-point of Camino del Norte)

    Also, be sure that none of your ingredients in your protein powder is a banned substance in the EU. Even if considered safe in one place, everywhere has different standards.
  6. Vacajoe

    Are passport copies accepted at albergues?

    Yes, any business can refuse you service. If you fail to provide them identification, they definitely will not allow you to stay. You can argue that it’s unfair, that what they are doing is against EU regulations, file a complaint, and so on, but as a foreigner in a foreign land, good luck...
  7. Vacajoe

    Post items from the UK to Spain (at the mid-point of Camino del Norte)

    Are you mailing it from the UK or from Spain once you arrive? From the UK may be problematic due to customs issues, but if you send it forward once you are in Spain, the mail bureau (Correos) will hold your package for pickup at any number of their offices on the Norte.
  8. Vacajoe

    Pau or Oloron Sainte Marie to Puente de la Reina

    SCNF runs a direct train from Bayonne to Pau that takes less than 80 minutes.
  9. Vacajoe

    Molinaseca to O Cebreiro stage mess up?

    The climb to O Cebreiro is not horrendous, but actually quite beautiful. Sure, it’s a bit tiring but that’s part of the joy of walking. I’ve done that stage from Villafranca and it’s absolutely doable.
  10. Vacajoe

    Walking from Santander to Gijon commencing 18 June but worried about accommodation...

    Both are large cities and the route into/out of them is the typical road walking through industrial and business areas. The days BEFORE Santander including the boat ride? Lovely. A day or two AFTER Gijon? Nearly empty of pilgrims. Of course there are some fabulous cities in your planned...
  11. Vacajoe

    Walking from Santander to Gijon commencing 18 June but worried about accommodation...

    Did you lose a bet? Fall and hit your head? Or maybe just into odd things like walking what I felt was the WORST part of the Norte?!?!! Seriously, Santander to Gijon? Absolutely NOT what I would choose but then again the world is a wonderful kaleidoscope of different folks and you do you...
  12. Vacajoe

    Can the Camino del Norte be as Magical as the Frances and Portuguese Routes for a first timer?

    Norte is a different thing altogether. It can be magic, but it’s hard to find amongst the tourist hordes of summer. I just walked it and found it to be mostly a really great and long hike, but barely Camino-like in that magic you seek.
  13. Vacajoe

    Lumbier Gorge Way-marking.

    We’ve stayed there twice and received a pilgrim’s discount each time by letting them know when we called
  14. Vacajoe

    Itinerary opinion

    Just walked the Norte, including that section. There are a few stages where you must walk that long, especially in the current “off season” before summer when more accommodations are open. Not sure why they’d walk until midnight unless they are taking really long meals, starting at noon, or...
  15. Vacajoe

    Another kind of pilgrimage...

    Fabulous! Thank you for sharing this
  16. Vacajoe

    Albergue San Juan de Ortega -- a question

    You know, it’s okay to be uncomfortable for a night. You might be a bit grouchy and tired and cold and hungry, but you won’t die. Ortega was an early albergue in the Camino revival (as well as an early hospital back in the original pilgrimage!) and it’s an education as to what can happen when...
  17. Vacajoe

    Alternative to Monbus (Samos to Santiago)?

    Just took a Monbus yesterday and it was clean, efficient, and driven by a caring professional who was nothing but helpful.
  18. Vacajoe

    Monbus tickets - do I need a QR code?

    Pilgrim House provides computer access and can print documents for a very small cost.
  19. Vacajoe

    Monbus tickets - do I need a QR code?

    Look to the right on that email - there’s a link to “print ticket”. That generates a ticket with the QR code that can then be saved (apple wallet, screenshot) or printed for scanning later. It’s a terrible system. The driver will refuse you boarding without that QR. saw it happen yesterday
  20. Vacajoe

    Bus service to Santiago from Finisterre

    Very easy website to navigate and buy your tickets. Definitely worth doing ahead of time rather than chancing that a seat will be available.

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