Orson Posted March 1, 2007 Posted March 1, 2007 April '04 I've lost the original text for this trip report so, I'll try to draw on my sketchy memory... I departed from my friend's house near Porto, Portugal heading north towards the Spanish frontier. Narrow streets of Ponte de Lima... First glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean... Sometime after lunch, I arrive at the river crossing just a mile or so inland from the Atlantic Ocean that separates Portugal from Spain. Boarding the ferry to Spain...note geezer in red cap frozen in his tracks by the sight of a Guzzi in the wild Views of the Atlantic coastline... I believe this is the fishing village of Cangas. The inhabitants of Galicia are descendants of the Celts who inhabit Scotland and Ireland. Galicians even play a form of bagpipes. Around 5 P.M. I find a small hotel near Vigo. I think I had seafood for dinner The next morning I proceeded to head north, sticking to the coast as much as I could. I had hopes of finding a coastal road that would approach California's Pacific Coast Highway but, alas...it wasn't to be. Although there were stretches that were undeniably beautiful, the coast was too populated. Every time I seemed to get a clear run, I would enter another small town and would have to reduce my speed. I stayed another night at a hotel along the coast. I believe it was in Rianxo. I was just beginning to think that this would be a lovely place to live...then it started to rain There's a reason Galicia is so green. Fortunately, although the skies were ominous, I only received some scattered showers. I made my way northwards to Cape Finisterre before turning around. Finisterre means end of the earth as they must have thought in the days before Columbus discovered the New World. Stormy day on Cape Finisterre... I made my way inland and started to head back to the south through Santiago de Compostela and then onwards to Ourense. I managed to drive in circles near Ourense before I found a cabbie who showed me the right road back to Portugal I stayed the night in a restored monastery. It was quite nice but seemed HUGE as I was the only guest. The next day would be my last day on the road. I found my way back into Portugal and back to Porto. Galicia and Northern Portugal are a great motorcycling destination as they are far off the tourist radar and have some great motorcycle roads. I would definitely like to return some day.
Guzzirider Posted March 1, 2007 Posted March 1, 2007 Great pics Orson and it looks like a nice trip. With both yourself and Steve posting travel stories today, its making me want to get on my bike and ride somewhere right now. Unfortunately its blowing a gale outside and I have to go to work Cheers Guy
Guzzista_Joe Posted May 28, 2007 Posted May 28, 2007 Hey Orson what a fantastic trip! I sooooo envy you! I was born in Galicia, in fact, looking at your map, it seems you may have passed through or near my home town, Vilagarcia de Arousa, on the shore of the stunning Ria de Arousa. If anyone else is thinking on embarking on a trip around Galicia, let me know, I can give you heaps of info on the region. My uncle and aunt also own the best restaurant specialising in the traditional food of Galicia you will not regret it. Orson, do you mind if we feature your trip on our website? Not many people from abroad visit Galicia. It has generally been the preserve of Spanish tourists from other parts of the country...if you've ever wondered where the Spanish go on their hols...this is why the region has stayed relatively unspoilt. It is still possible to drive and come accross solitary unpopulated beaches, amazing. The people there are unique in Spain. They are Celts in origin with Roman threads. Gallego, the local language is closer to Lain than Spanish as the Romans settled the area but the Moorish invaders of the 8th Century AD that took over the rest of the Iberian peninsula didn't settle there. Finisterre is the name given to that area by the Romans. It is permanently shrouded in fog and it used to scare the crap out of them as they were a very superstitious people...did you hear the fog horn while you were there? It can apparenbtly be heard 30 miles at sea warning of the treachorous coastline...I've gone on too far...blah blah...I envy you!
helicopterjim R.I.P. Posted May 29, 2007 Posted May 29, 2007 ...I've gone on too far... You can never go to far on this forum unless you are talking about g@*^($ w^%!(&! Tell us more if that is your wish! Orson! Great pictures and great ride. Thank you so much!! Cheers Jim
Orson Posted June 4, 2007 Author Posted June 4, 2007 Orson, do you mind if we feature your trip on our website? Hi Joe, I apologize for the delay in responding. I've been on vacation since May 14 and haven't been able to check in here. Sure, you're more than welcome to use the trip report. I'm sorry the pictures aren't of better quality... errr, which web site you gonna post it on?
Guzzista_Joe Posted June 9, 2007 Posted June 9, 2007 Hi Joe, I apologize for the delay in responding. I've been on vacation since May 14 and haven't been able to check in here. Sure, you're more than welcome to use the trip report. I'm sorry the pictures aren't of better quality... errr, which web site you gonna post it on? Hi there...thinkin on putting it on as one of the features on here: http://guzzista.wetpaint.com/page/Features ...if that's ok with you! Thanks again! J
Guzzista_Joe Posted July 2, 2007 Posted July 2, 2007 Hey Orson...thanks a lot...I have now added youor trip to our site's features pages...check it out here: http://guzzista.wetpaint.com/page/Features regards Joe
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