Portomarin to Palas De Rei

After having our normal Spanish breakfast of toast and coffee we crossed a bridge that took us across the river and headed into the woods. Not far out of town we came across this cross that has apparently became a memorial for a lot of pilgrims.

We have noticed a big increase in the number of pilgrims on the trail since Sarria. To receive a Compostela, which is a certificate that is an accredation of your pilgrimage to the tomb of St. James in Santiago, you only have to walk the last 100 kilometers of the Camino. Many people start at Sarria so that is why there are a lot more people on the trail now.

Todays walk took us through the beautiful counteyside again and into several small villages. The dry stacked stone walls still line the path and the walking was not very hard.

We came across a new flower that we hadn't seen before so we just had to take a picture of it. 

We passed through one village that seemed to have an ant problem. Looked like they needed to call in a crop duster full of Raid to take care of these guys.

Of course we passed another pretty little church that demanded that I take it's picture. I bet I could do a calendar with a picture of a different church for each day of the year and still not capture all of them that are in this country. They are all such architectural works of art.

The trail took us through lush forests and it looked like someplace that Robin Hood and his merry men would hang out in. Apparently in the past this was a very dangerous area for pilgrims. Bandits would hide in the woods and attack and rob passing pilgrims.  

About 4 pm we walked into the town of Palas De Rei. Our hotel is located right on the Camino path so it was easy to find. Right next door is the church.

They offer laundry service here so we gathered up all of our dirty clothes and sent them off to be washed. I think mine had another 100 kilometers or so in them but Savanna did not agree so off they went. 

We did a bit of walking around and ate supper. This seems to be a pretty modern looking town compared to the ones we have stayed in previously. The more modern buildings and the increase of people around us on the trail is kind of a shock after walking across the country for hours at a time without seeing any other pilgrims.

Picture wise, today was a slow day. We passed through countryside that looked like something out of a painting but not much significant in the way of architecture or history.

I saw our pilgrims passports on the bed and thought I would take a picture of one of them. All pilgrims carry a "Credential" which they get stamped along the way by churches, bar/cafes, hotels and albergues. It identifies you as a pilgrim and allows you to use the Alberques along the Camino. Ours are just about full with just a few open squares left. We want to save a couple for Santiago itself and the cathedral there. This is what one of ours looks like right now.

Each of the stamps represents a place that we have stopped at and brings back memories of it when we look at them. One of my favorites is the heart shaped one from the guy who setup the little oasis in the middle of nowhere for pilgrims. David was his name and you read about him in one of my earlier posts.

Well it is time to call it a night. We are going to get an earlier start in the morning because we need to cover 28 kilometers tomorrow to get to our next stopping point. Until then, Buen Camino!