PORTUGAL & SPAIN : CORCUBION & ORTIGUEIRA

We hired a little fiat and drove to Corbuion in the west  and then on to Ortiguiera in the north, on our own pilgrimage to Gijon. In Corcubion, we stayed in a little hotel over looking the water. We explored the village and surrounding areas. We drove to Fisterra (or Finisterre), known by the pilgrims as "the end of the earth". Before  Columbus set off and discovered that  the world was not flat, this was as far as the world went, as they believed! It is the most western point in Spain. For many Christian pilgrims, this is the end of their trek. It is their mecca. They even burn articles of their clothing there, but centuries back, they used to strip bare and burn all of their clothes! On the day we went, it was cold and raining! The following day we returned on way to Ortiguiera and it was fine and sunny!

The pilgrims follow the  cominos marked by scallop shell signposts. People even give free or cheap board along the trails to the pilgrims. We saw many pilgrims trekking with their big backpacks and walking staffs.

The locals keep their potatoes and rice in these ancient storage houses
lifted off the ground to keep rodents out!

We stayed at El Castano Dormilon in Ortigueira. It was stylish
hotel converted from an old schoolhouse .

Lobster again? Well, someone has to eat it!

Should have tried the local sardines!

 The night we walked around this small village, they were making bonfires to celebrate San Joan (St. John). People believed if they jumped over the fires it would bring them luck and keep them safe!

We then headed towards Gijon, but not before stopping at some different cathedrals. People have to view these rock formations at low tide. There are many caves and tunnels that have been eroded by the wind and sea. The tide comes in very quickly. There was a man playing bagpipes in one of the caves and a bride and groom having their photos taken on one of the many rocks.

Another picturesque fishing village that we happened across, on our journey.
It was perched on the mountain slopes and had very narrow winding
roads that only allowed one car to travel through at a time.

We ate delicious clam and bean soup called
"ameijoas a bulhao pato". Delicioso!