Walking The Way - Azumbuja to Santarem

Hot.  Dusty. Dry.  this best describes our experience along The Way between Azumbuja and Santarem. 

On Sunday evening we had a bite to eat at a local festival as all the restaurants were closed.  We went to bed shortly thereafter, the four of us sharing a room with 3 beds.  The best we could manage.  

We were up at dawn and ate some pastries we had bought the evening before, then went downstairs to a cafe where we had coffee before starting on The Way at 7:05am.

The Way was about half asphalt and half crushed limestone road.  The surface of the limestone road was powdery and clouds of dust were kicked-up every time a car or tomato truck passed.  

The fields we walked past were mostly Roma tomato fields with a few vinyards mixed-in here and there.

We hiked over 33km today in 95 degree temps at the peak. There was no water available for the last half of the day and we drained our water bottles before we climbed the hill into Santarem.  It was a long hard day.  

We ended the day in an Albergue that provides dinner and breakfast for pilgrims at a rate of 30e each.  Tomorrow it is suposed to be hotter yet, and we have 27km to hike.

Dave sitting and waiting for our room to open so we can end our day on Sunday the 9th

Our room in Azumbuja

Jerry hiking next to the river on the morning of Monday the 10th

Our group of four.  Just think 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly'

A Pause along The Way

Hiking the Roma Tomato Fields

On asphalt these trucks are only a hazard to life and limb... on crushed limestone add white lung disease

Our last water stop in PortoDe Muge

Santarem on the hill as our energy wanes in the 94 degree heat at the end of the day.  Still a good 7km to go...

Climbing the hill into Santarem at the end of the day

The view from our Albergue in Santarem.  A huge relief to be here!

The happy hip Canadian couple 

(even if they don't look it)

The pilgrim dinner on Monday night in Santarem. Germany, Denmark, Italy. France, Canada, and the U. S. represented.

(The excellent wine on the table was made locally by the family that runs the albergue)