Wednesday 21st April 2010 (Ages to Burgos - total walked to date 213.10km)
I just discovered that if I use my O2 mobile broadband to upload photographs on this blog, I will use up a huge chunk of my allowance and may end up paying for excess usage.  Therefore, unless I can get free wi-fi at the accommodations, I will not be inserting photographs.  Today we had a very special day.  After 10 days of walking, we arrived at Burgos - the first big city since leaving Pamplona.  With only 14.85km to do, we completed it in an extremely good time of 4 hours.  Must be inspired by the thought that we will actually be able to relax for the rest of the day, in a big city!!  The route today saw new terrains for us - very rocky paths.  Walking through it was akin to walking on the moon?  Not that we have experienced that but it was just like in the movies.  But it was worth the climb because when we got to the top, the view was rather breathtaking.  We passed Atapuerca (where the 800,000 year old remains of the first European was discovered in Atapuerca in 1994.  The oldest confirmed Hominid found in Europe.).   Once downhill the route became rather boring.  Flat and on asphalt (that we discovered is really very hard on the feet).  The last 3km into Villafrai was on a two-lane road and does not really make for nice walking because of the build up in traffic.  Villafrai is only 10km away from Burgos, so that explains the increase in activities.  We took the bus from Villafrai to Burgos because the route was by the busy motorway and is historically not too safe.  Not complaining as it gave us more time to sightsee in Burgos (and window shop).  We had our first chinese meal since arriving in Spain.  At a Shanghainese restaurant.  The food was rather good (and it is not because we have been deprived), but as you can imagine, we had a lot to eat.  Burgos has a very beautiful cathedral.  We spent more than an hour touring it (could have made do with more time but they were closing).  Everywhere you turned, something would mesmerize you.  Carvings, paintings, chalices, crucifixes, statues, just to name a few.  This is definitely a must see sight if you ever visit Burgos.  Tonight is the last night that we have with Genevieve.  We will leave her tomorrow morning to carry on with our walk while she will stay in Spain till Saturday and then fly home.  Let's hope she will not be affected by the chaos of air travel as her flights are on British Airways, and she will have to fly via London.  Gen bought us our farewell dinner at La Cueva (a very nice Spanish restaurant that, according to the owner, is not frequented by tourists but locals.  So, he was a little surprised to see us pilgrims).  I will stop here for tonight.  Have to tidy up loose ends with Gen as we will be up and away bright and early in the morning.  Joy and I will miss her but time will pass quickly and we are looking forward to Li Leng, Steven and Teddy's arrival.  Until then it will be just Joy and I.