We had dinner in Oia with two ladies from Germany, Stephanie and Christine. After dinner, we walked around the property to the beach. The path took us along a hedge that hid secret water lily pool. It was a frog pond, quite unlike our vernal pool in Camden.
The Camino continues north along a gravel path with small farms and pastures on the right and the rocky coast with big waves crashing on the left. There is an abundance of pink granite in Galicia and the houses, retaining walls, fences and grape arbors and roads are made with it.
There is a peninsula between Oia and Baiona, but the ancient roadway that the pilgrims follow is up over and big hill. It got to be about 90 degrees as we climbed and we stopped at most of the springs to wash our hands and splash water on our faces. The narrow road had been worn by wagon wheels over this hill, which seemed impossibly steep and bumpy. There isn’t any noticeable track for a donkey, pony, horse, as you see in Central Park where the carriages drive over hot pavement, so I’m baffled. The morning glories are spectacular!
We hiked most of the day with Johanna, from Germany, who had lived near Philly for 6 years and was walking at our speed. After having lunch together in Baiona, we walked along the beach towards her hotel. She went on her way and we back tracked to tour the replica of La Pinta. And it’s almost Columbus Day! La Pinta returned from the New World to Baiona, where Captain Pinzon delivered the news of the discoveries to the King and Queen of Spain.
