Another day of sightseeing in Madrid.

As I started my early morning walk I caught the sun rising on San Jerónimo el Real, Roman Catholic church from the early 16th-century right by the Prado. 

 

I walked down Paseo del Prado. Later today it will be packed as the Madrid gay pride parade follows this course. The parade starts at 6 pm then there will be free live music on four stages around the city. They expect 2 million. 

 

I walked through the Retiro, hoping to see the rose garden before it is too hot (97 today) but it wasn't open. 

 

Next it was the Museo de Antropologia. Nice temporary exhibit of an Inuit artist. 

 

Atocha. Huge train station, and the starting point for the parade. This is a "local" train station.  Because my hotel is so close to the central city and the art district, it's easy to forget Madrid has more than 3 million people. 

 

Then to the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, Spain's national museum of 20th-century art.  

 

More sightseeing in Madrid

Early morning walking so few people. This is Plaza Mayor. Later in the day it is full of people sitting in outdoor cafes. 

The Almudena Cathedral from the north as it faces the palace. I'll try to go back when it's open. 

 

The Palacio Real. The King doesn't live here but in a palace out of the city. This palace is used for state affairs. 

 

The Thyssen Bornemisza Museum was almost as impressive as the Prado.  

 

Puerta de Alcala. 

 

Museo Arqueologico. The museum was very well done. I especially enjoyed the Roman and the Christian periods as they related well to the area I just walked through. 

 

The interior of the museum was just completed two years ago. 

 

Sightseeing in Madrid

I started my first sightseeing day in Madrid with a walk in Parque del Buen Retiro which was established by the Spanish monarchy in the 1600's and given to the public in late 1800's. It is a labyrinth of paths. 

 

Near the center of the park is the Palacio de Cristal which was built to house botanicals but is now used for various exhibits. I got there before it opened but in time to catch some great sun. 

 

 

Then it was time to queue up for the Museo del Prado. No pictures allowed inside fortunately; it was crowded enough without lines of selfie photographers. 

 

After three hours of the crowded museum I went for another nature stroll in the Jardin Botanico. 29 acres and two huge greenhouses of trees, shrubs, flowers, edibles. I couldn't begin to see it all.  

 

Sunflowers loved the 95 degree heat. Me?  Not so much. 

 

Day 34 Finisterre

Not officially a walk day as I took the bus out to the coast. But I did walk out to the lighthouse. This statute on the way. 

The last way mark: 0.00 km. And the Lighthouse at the end of the Earth. 

 

My last stamp. Credential is complete. 

 

 

The Atlantic is beautiful and smells incredible. 

 

The harbor from my room. 

 

Day 33 O Pedrouzo to Santiago

Last walking day - so close. First km marker I saw was 790 just after Roncevalles 32 days ago. 

 

There was still some beautiful land to enjoy before the bustle of Santiago. 

 

Unfortunately the Catedral is still covered with scaffolding as it was two years ago. The tower that has been finished looks wonderful though. 

I made it just in time for the noon pilgrims' mass. Standing room only. 

The crowds in Santiago were a bit of a shock after walking through many nearly deserted areas. 

 

Day 32 Aruza to O Pedrouzo

Got a late start this morning as I couldn't pass up another meal at Pazo Santa Maria. The Camino was crowded so I spent some energy trying to situate myself between pilgrims.

 

Roman we church in Aruza. 

 

Quiet forests most of the day. 

 

And farmland. 

 

Flowers everywhere. 

 

Day 31 Palas de Rei to Arzua.

Long day-19 miles. Iglesia San Tirso in Palas de Rei. 

 

Clouds, but still some nice light. Again an early start gave me some solitary walking. 

 

Roman bridge. 

 

15th century fresco in church in Boente. 

 

 

Walking out to my hotel off the Camino. 

 

Day 30 Portomarin to Palas de Rei.

Cloudy and foggy this morning. 

 

Galicia is green, rolling hills and farmland.

 

I'm still seeing abandoned shoes. I'll do a series when I get to good service. Probably when I get home. 

 

Rock fences abound here. Cheap, available material, but the work required to build all these fences is mind-boggling. 

 

Day 29 Sarria to Portomarin.

I left Sarria at dawn. Hundreds of pilgrims start the Camino in Sarria as it is close to the 100km minimum one must walk to get a certificate. From here on the Camino will be far more crowded. 

 

Iglesia Santa Maria in Sarria. 

 

I was still able to find a little solitude in the farmland. 

 

Had to wait. These girls were not to be hurried. 

 

The reservoir at Portomarin from the edge of the town.