Walk With a View
Today we traveled from Bulgaria to Istanbul. It was a bit of a hectic and long journey, but as we neared our hotel we were rewarded with this nighttime view of the Blue Mosque.
Happy Labor Day!
This most American holiday tradition finds us celebrating in the Black Sea coastal resort area of Sozopol, Bulgaria. (Value alert: these 2 liter beers run about $1.25)
Networking: Bulgarian Style
We managed to get out of Serbia intact and are now in the Bulgarian mountain town of Bansko. We were told this is the crew to see for the local scoop.
Welcome to Belgrade, Serbia!
Since our main mode of transportation is by foot, we hope the signs continue to be translated.
Big Mountains/Rustic Town
After a month of beaches in Croatia and Montenegro, we are now in the mountain town of Zabljak at the edge of Durmitor National Park. We were greeted with pleasant temps, manageable crowds, and big mountains reminiscent of the Dolomites and the Alps. The tan may fade a bit, but it's nice to be hiking again!
Farewell to Our New Best Friend
As we say farewell to Croatia and move on, we will truly miss this lovely man. While he may not be of sunniest disposition, he will sell you a liter of the local red wine for about €1.50 (or €1.75 if you don't bring your own plastic water bottle). We hope he has relatives in Montenegro.
Idiot's Epiphany: Someone Always has a Bigger One
Walking around the harbor in Hvar, Croatia we stopped to admire the white yacht, which was the largest in the harbor. A few minutes later a super yacht pulled in and put the white yacht in the shade. Less than an hour after that the mega yacht pulled in and dwarfed them both. The moral: be happy with what you have and don't worry about the other guys.
An Ambulance Chaser's Dream
This is what happens when when 700 pounds of Croatia's finest jumps off a 20 foot deck and lands on a huge air mattress with someone sitting on it. The Idiot said "give me a comfortable lounge chair and a cooler full of beverage and I'm watching this until football season starts."
Directionally Challenged
Abroad gives the following instructions to the Idiot, "Open the door, turn left, and keep walking until you see water or your feet get wet. It should take a few minutes." Two hours later this is where he ends up.
The Pilgrims have Landed (again!)
We arrived back in Santiago after completing a 250km Camino walk starting in Portugal. We are no longer pilgrims, but rather travelers with very sore feet heading to Croatia.
100 Days - but who's counting
Between the US and Europe we have...driven 6,500 miles, walked 900 miles, consumed 5 cases of wine, about the same amount of beer, used 7 modes of transportation, been in 7 time zones, slept in 65 different places, and met dozens of nice people from every continent.
Celebrating the 4th & Camping Out
This was our Camino camp out. It's not hot dogs and beer, but it was a pretty good substitute.
Another Road to Santiago
We've started a new Camino from Porto, Portugal back to Santiago. One day was along along the ocean on a nice boardwalk for 22 km. This walk to Santiago is about 250 km and we should arrive around the end of next week.
A Great Combo
We moved north to the city of Porto where there's great atmosphere + great food + great Port wine + great beaches + English speaking population + very affordable. This equals great math that even an Idiot can understand.
Where Old is New
We spent today enjoying walking around Lisbon, Portugal. Things can be a little rough around the edges, but since new construction is anything built after the 1755 earthquake, this comes as no surprise. Our overall first impression is a good one.
Groovy Little Pilgrim Town
We have decided to relax for a few days in our final destination, the laid back seaside town of Finisterre. After seeing hundreds of yellow arrows way marking the trail, this one was a creative and welcome change.
880 km to the sea
We reached our goal today when we finally hit the sea! Tomorrow we go to another coastal town to rest for a few days before we contemplate starting another Camino route in Portugal.
