Day 3: from Vero-O-Mar to Fao (Ofir)

After a mediocre night, we got up quite early.

The German couple apparently wanted to be the first ones on the way, so they made a lot of noise in our shared room from 6 a.m. While he whispered and only said the necessary things, his wife talked loudly and commented on every step of getting dressed/packing, both for herself and him. After half an hour, they were ready to leave.

Finally, I could climb down from the 1st floor and go to the toilet... or so I thought! Because the Portuguese man was faster and wanted to shower first. Then another Portuguese man followed.

By the time they had left, I had dozed off again.

I got up around 8 a.m. and started packing after taking a shower. The older Brazilian woman in the compartment below me was still sleeping comfortably.

Here, I realized two things once again. First: I hate having to constantly adjust to different beds, and second: I need space! I want to be able to stretch out AND I want peace and quiet!

Okay, I guess I'll have to work on that during this vacation.

But first, as a reward for this night, I get to stay in a 4-star hotel.

I check in at Fao Axis Ofir Beach Resort Hotel on Booking.com for €59 and look forward to space/peace and the pool.

The trip today will take 20 kilometers.

What I don't know yet: I will almost walk through it in one go, because there is a golf course along the beach for about 5 kilometers, and the hiking path bridge runs along the eastern side of it.

There is no shade and no shops. I bought a pack of whole grain cookies, fruit, and water in the first and last shop before this long stretch, based on my intuition.

During a little break, I find a nice round stone that I take as a souvenir.

While I pack it into my backpack, my inner voice says: Yes, exactly... pack even more stones. The backpack is weightless after all... 😄

The bridge turns into a sandy path and I'm glad that I can navigate with my phone. I always do that on the side, which of course also drains the battery.

On the way, I find the sole of a shoe. I hope the person who lost it had another pair with them! 😄🙈

Speaking of shoes: I had ordered really good brand hiking shoes weeks before the trip and had worn them in. However, I suddenly got a blister. That's why I left them at home and opted for the cheaper option, which I had actually planned as my backup shoes. Instead, I packed sandals and flip-flops as well. I use the flip-flops for showering and the beach.

At the beginning, I overtook two Hamburg girls who had already walked the Camino several times. We briefly talked.

However, when they suddenly had to go to the toilet in the middle of the wilderness, I continued alone. It's certainly not as nice for women to walk with all the gear...

On the way, an old Portuguese man came towards me and I greeted him as usual with "Bom Dio". He stopped and asked me in broken English where I was from.

He advised me not to go straight ahead, but to turn right in front of the campsite. Otherwise, I would be lost!

He says goodbye with a "Bom Camino".

A bit confused and wondering what he meant by that, I continue walking and think that he probably has relatives who have a shop to the right of the path.

I only realize later that he meant the long bridge through the prairie.

In the next town, I'm glad to be able to sit properly for a while and order a hamburger and a cold cola for lunch.

Unfortunately, I have to once again realize that the quality of the food doesn't live up to that of a German restaurant.

The meat of the hamburger is well done, but more steamed than fried.

Any German chef would reject it. But... I don't want to complain and eat it. After all, I'm hungry.

But I already had the same problem the night before when I had to cut off the edge of the steak because it was as tough as a bicycle tube.

I'm not sure if it was because of the sip of water I took from a designated facility by the roadside near the beach (which are there frequently) or the steak, but my stomach is rumbling and I take a charcoal tablet as a precaution.

Although I have my own toilet paper with me (which was advised to me and I must say: rightly so), I don't want to be in a situation where I have to try it out in the wilderness. And today would have been THE opportunity for that.

I have already covered the 20 kilometers in 5 hours and I'm surprised at myself: I walked without breaks, no blisters, no muscle soreness.

I hope it doesn't come later, but they say the 3rd day is the worst.

I check into the hotel, spread out, and lie down on the beach, which is right outside the door.

After that, I go to the pool. The spa area is unfortunately closed due to Corona. What a shame!

Today's result: 25280 steps and 1521 calories burned.