So, where did we leave off? I must apologize, dear reader, for the long (long!) delay in returning to the blog to tell you how my trip to Galicia in May 2015 went. I really left you hanging there, and I am sorry! So, I’m going to do a day-by-day recap starting now. I’ll date the entries with the actual date being discussed so there’s less confusion. Enjoy!!
Friday, May 15th, 2015 – Arriving A Coruña
There were some beautiful views on the approach into Coruña:
The square things in the water are shellfish farms. Galicia is absolutey known for its excellent shellfish – mariscos!
Towards the top in the middle is the beach at Cabañas, on the Camino Inglés. Towards the bottom are Mugardos and Ares, which I hope to visit the next time.
The wonderful thing about summertime in Galicia is that, compared to where I live in Arizona in the southwestern United States, it remains light out very late. So when my flight arrived around 8pm I knew there would be time to get out and explore a little while on my way to dinner.
I did have a moment of worry (note, not full blown panic, at least!) at the A Coruña (LCG) airport when my suitcase didn’t come out on the carousel with the rest of the bags. It turns out that luggage coming from the United States goes through a different area. I did find it … all by its lonesome on a separate carousel in another room.
Lonely little suitcase, the only arrival from the U.S.
LCG has free wi-fi so I was able to get online while waiting for my bag and send a couple of messages with the news of my arrival.
The ride into Coruña was uneventful, save for an interesting conversation with my Portuguese taxi driver. (Side Note: this was just the first of many interesting and sometimes enlightening conversations with taxi drivers) Part of this friendly taxi ride conversation was about my visit, where I explained that I was there to walk the Camino. He commented that “anglo saxon” husbands (such as those from Great Britain, the US, Australia, etc.) must be less jealous than Spanish husbands. He could not imagine his wife leaving for 2 weeks to go walking around another country without him. To each his own, we agreed. He was kind enough to point me to the parking garage that I would need a few days later (at the Hotel Blue in Coruña), before dropping me at a different hotel I had selected for my first night.
Passing by the Port of A Coruña on the way into town.
Hotel Lois is located just two doors down on a pedestrian street, Rúa Estrella, located at the start of a long stretch of a really fun part of the old town with lots and lots (and lots!) of restaurants and bars. It is a lively scene on any night of the week with most places spilling out into the streets (pedestrian and non). The hotel was a very comfortable, small, (10 room) establishment above a restaurant of the same name (Restaurante Lois), done in a simple modern style. My room had a nice little ‘gallery’ room, which is a balcony enclosed by framed glass, typical of the style of buildings in A Coruña.
Restaurant & Hotel Lois (black awning) – Restaurant on ground floor, hotel above.
A Coruña is called the “crystal city” due to the ubiquity of this modernist style of building, built in the late 1800’s / early 1900’s. The view from my room was absolutely lovely.
Typical Coruñese building with framed glass galeries. Beautiful!
On the walk to dinner, I passed through some of the nice squares in the old town.
More typical Coruñese façades, and a very nautical themed statue. Trident!
I even saw one of the players from the local soccer team, Deportivo La Coruna (Lucas!), walking through the Obelisk plaza (below).
Obelisk – I have a photo of Lucas too, but it seems kind of stalker-ish to post it.
ah, Art Nouveau!
Art Nouveau façade detail
Plaza Maria Pita at dusk.
Maria Pita, herself
knock, knock
After a wonderful dinner at El Descansillo (that will be another post!), the view in Maria Pita square during the stroll home is perhaps even more beautiful after the sun goes down.
Nighttime Art Nouveau building detail.
See next post for details of my first fabulous meal in Galicia – El Descansillo. The first of MANY fabulous meals!
My Life On Vacation Everyday 
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