7th June 2008 - Trip to Santiago de Compostela
Bali Hai
Neal Stow
Sat 7 Jun 2008 16:35
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Today there was on organised tour to Santiago de
Compostela and we all bussed off like bunch of school kids under
the watchful eye of teacher Kieran.
Santiago is the town where many pilgrims walk or
cycle to to pay their respects to the remains of St James, apparently
one of the most popular pilgrimage targets in the world. It is famous for
its cathedral and its massive swinging incense basket (the botafumeiro).
It weighs 53kg and reaches 68km/hr as it swings over the heads of the
congregation. It is only set swinging a few times a year and we were lucky
enough to be there during a special mass and the thing was set
swinging. It was quite impressive.
The town is also famous for its almond cake and its
cheese, the shape of which resembles something else that can be set swinging if
not properly restrained (see picture).
Overall it was a pleasant day on terra firma and
great to see something of Galicia. We returned to the boat and dinner with
the crew of Blonde Moment. I left my crew to another night of
partying which I gather went on until quite late. Although I am
assured that the effects of the previous night had nothing to do with Sarah
stepping off her boat and straight into the water in the morning.
Neal
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