And Already into Spain

Crossing the border into Spain was a pretty uneventful affair. So much so that I missed taking of a photo of the sign letting me know I was now in another country. I had planed to take the ferry from Camiña on the Portugeuese side to Guarda in Spain but it seemed to be out of service for the summer. With no other option, I followed the banks of the Río Miño up the nearest bridge, adding an extra 17 miles to my day.

On the Spanish side it was a several mile uphill stretch along the shoulder of a highway...

Crossing over the bridge into Spain I chatted with a cycling surfer headed the opposite direction. Man, was I jealous! Check out his set-up below!

North of Guarda, the coast becomes absolutely stunning with hidden, rocky bays, pine trees falling down to the shoreline and quaint coastal turns unaccustomed to tourism.

One such town above... Can't even remember it's name as it wasn't on my map.

After cycling far too long, I came upon the picturesque town of Oía where I stopped for lunch. A shallow cove housed several small fishing boats while a medieval church sat silenty above.

Table with a view at lunch...

Helmet hair...

Leaving Oía and peddling on alone and in silence was pure bliss.

Another unnamed cove above and an old church below...

Up ahead was the plush beach resort town of Baiona. On the point right before entering the city was a large castle and grounds that appear to have been turned into a five-star hotel.

Below, looking into the bay...

Offshore islands made this look more like a scene from Pirates of the Caribean than real life!

Entering the grounds...

Another shot of the huge bay...

Ignoring my intuition to stay the night in Bainoa, I pushed on toward Vigo and an hour later was lost on a busy highway. Completely exhausted, I pulled into Vigo and with help from the tourist I managed to find a beer and a bed...

Viana do Costela -> Ancora -> Camiña -> Guarda -> Oía -> Baiona -> Nigran -> Vigo -> 70 miles