English 
Updated on February 26th, 2025
So, the Camino de Santiago is done, and it was amazing! I got back after midnight last Thursday morning and feeling the exhaustion still, so I’m keeping this short.
But the tiredness in my bones is well and truly mixed in with exhilaration.
We made it!
And I loved it!
I have written a lot about the transformational power of travel and for me, so much of that was wrapped up in my experiences walking 100 kilometres on the Camino Portugues.
No matter what your reason for being there, we are all pilgrims. Your fellow walkers are all on the same path, all heading in the same direction with the same destination but different starting points, different distances, different stories, different journeys.
We all bring our own unique baggage, physically (through aches, pains and blisters), emotionally, or spiritually, in search of something important and taking a sometimes painful and difficult path to find it.
We would see the familiar faces pop up occasionally and greet them like long lost friends, despite only saying a few words to each other.
The couple who stayed in the same place after our first walk, put us right when we were heading the wrong way the next day, and at the restaurant the following evening. Our final meeting was seeing their sheer exhaustion just 2 kilometres from the Cathedral on our final day, before searching them out to take their photos when they made it.
There was the group of younger walkers who we always seemed to spot towards the end of every day as we passed each other backwards and forwards through our final kilometres, always stopping for a chat and a little mutual appreciation and encouragement.
Or the guy who carried a wooden crook which he decorated every morning with the first oak leaves he saw. He would always pass us on the downhill, as we overtook on the flat ground. We last saw him with the greeting “See you in Santiago”, but we never did.
The greeting we share each time with everyone is “Buen Camino!”. The official translation is “Good Way”.
It’s what the locals called to us as we passed.
It’s what we would say to our fellow pilgrims, whenever we were close enough.
No matter where we were are all from, with this one phrase we spoke the same language.
For us pilgrims it meant:
“Hello”
“Goodbye”
“Hope to see you in Santiago”.
“We’re so close now!”
“Yes, we’re exhausted too!”
“I feel your pain!”
“Good Luck!”
With that one powerful phrase, we were able to connect and transmit our mutual understanding and respect.
When I can get my thoughts in order from the experience, I will share some more practical tips for you so, please let me know if there is anything specific you would like me to cover. Hit reply to this email to let me know or connect via your social method of choice (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads or LinkedIn) to give me all the details.
This week, over on YouTube, I continue my mission to bring you the best of my time in Tasmania 🇦🇺! One of the “must-do” places to visit in Tassie is famous Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. One of the most accessible ways to do it is tackling the 400 steps to the lookout. It’s a little challenging but offers fab views along the way. To see it for yourself and join me on the journey, follow THIS LINK.
Until next time,
Safe Travels and Buen Camino!
Sue x
This newsletter may contain affiliate links. By using these, Sue Where Why What may receive a small commission for which I say thank you, but you will not pay any extra charges for this. My opinions remain my own.
More of my Adventures…
Blog – Sólheimajökull Glacier Hike – One of the Best Activities in South Iceland
Video – Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, 8 days on the Lemosho Route – Tanzania, Africa
Video – Wineglass Bay, Tasmania – An UNMISSABLE Lookout Walk in Freycinet National Park
🏠 For accommodation, I use Booking.com. They have their Genius loyalty scheme which is easy to progress through the levels for better discounts and inclusions.
🚍 For tours and activities, my preferred supplier is Get Your Guide.
🗺️ For multi day or week tours, check out G Adventures. I used them for trips in Costa Rica, Peru, and Galapagos.
🤞 I would never leave home without travel insurance. With Safety Wing you can take out an annual policy and pay monthly. This takes the hassle out of having to remember for us regular travellers.
🛫 For cheap flights, check out Skyscanner or join Jacks Flight Club which scans the internet for error fares (UK only).
🧳 For luggage storage on your travels, I recommend the service by Bounce.
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