THE VINEYARDS OF RIO D'ORO & SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA

We left Guimaraes and Porto and slowly meandered our way beside the D'Oro River, looking to sample some wines along  the way. Not too many signed vineyards inviting us in. In fact, at the start we took a wrong turn, following our GPS named "Anna Maria". The road she had us take got narrower and narrower and narrower, until we came to a dead end which we named "Three Dogs Inn" as there was on old delict house and three old dogs lying out the front. Back down the  way we came. We located a vineyard where the owner told us of a place to eat in the next town. It turned out to be the village where Magellan the Explorer lived when he was a child.

We headed along the highway crossing over into Spain, without going through customs or border crossings. Apparently in EU countries this is the norm. We arrived at our boutique hotel in Santiago de Compostela, found a map and headed off to explore and find a place for dinner and discuss plans for the following day.

The next day, was cold. We had our walking shoes on and off we went in search of the famous cathedral. It was enormous. Many people make a pilgrimage to this church. They are called "pilgrims" and they trek or cycle long distances over many weeks and even months to make it to Santiago de Compostela for mass.  We saw many who had made it, were gathering in the big square, Praza do Obradoiro and congratulating each other. The trails are called "Caminos" and they all start from France and Spain and follow the path of Saint James. The pilgrims come here to pay respect to the Apostle Saint James, whose remains are said to be in a crypt beneath the grand alter. Others believe this is a false claim.

We had an important document to collect in Santiago de Compostela. Unfortunately, we were not able to do so and we had to make a detour to A Coruna in the north to collect it. Scroll through the photos and you will see what it was, that we were so eager to hold in our hands!

Workers in the vineyards

The D'Oro River

Terraced vineyards and "Quintas" (Farms)

Going into Spain

We saw lots of wind turbines!

Magellan's home

Arriving in Santiago de Compostela

The Catherdral

The altar

The crypt of Saint James the Apostle

Pilgrims arriving in the square

Pretending to be pilgrims 

Singers with Celtic vibes

"OH NO! She's drinking my red wine!!!"

Tapas

They like their octopuc called "pulpo".

Dressed in tradition clothes for a school celebration.

My new friend

Paella on our last night in Santiago de Compostela.

YES!!!! We have our tickets!!!!!

Exploring A Coruna. Buskers playing.

Hams hanging.

Seafood beckoning.

Maria Pitta memorial. In 1598, after her husband was killed in battle,
she rose up and successfully led a charge
 against the British invading A Coruna.

Most villages, towns and cities have squares called "prazas or pracos"

Goodbye, A Cornua. We are headed for Ortigueira!