Beach Walks

In Bilbao we realized that the "little" we packed was way too much... if we want to survive and thrive on the Camino we need to shed some more weight. Keeping in mind that I am carrying my laptop as well, this is not so easy. But we posted about 4.5kg to Santiago including a camera, our only warm tops, and even minor things like underwear... and the toiletries bag. When we posted that bag, we felt so relieved and excited to start walking!

From Bilbao we took a bit of Metro to save us some of the city walking. Our first day we walked to Pobeña where we found a lively Albergue that was way too small for the many tired pilgrims. We were lucky to get a bed each, but later we offered the one to two German girls... and that was the best decision ever, we discovered 24 hours later. We swam in the ocean and had a good rest. 

The next day we got to Castro Urdiales, another beautiful beach town really early, so we decided to walk on to the next town, the scenery was amazing; meadows, mountains and beaches. Close to the next town it started raining, we zigzagged the town several times, but found no Albergue or accommodation, so we headed to the next town(Guriezo). Here we found what looked like an abandoned Albergue with only a few beds and many tired wet pilgrims... amongst them two German girls who then offered us a bed! We had a nice cold shower and had an awesome evening, we moved the mattress to an empty room where many less lucky pilgrims had to sleep on the floor. Amazing thing is that everyone was so just so thankful that they had a roof in the rainy conditions.

The next day we walked to Santoña, again so many beautiful beaches and mountains and this time more than enough accommodation! We stayed in an really nice Albergue, the owner José was really friendly, and we know that, even though we could not understand one word he said, and he couldn't understand one word we said! That night we had a menu del dia for the first time (paella and steak and cheesecake and wine and water for R200pp) After this stay we felt like millionaires:)

Today we walked to Guemes (even more beautiful beaches) and now tonight we are staying in what the guidebook says is the best Albergue of the Camino, and yes it does feel like that, and it's donativo. Amazing how nice human beings can be if they focus on their fellow man and not themselves.