Camino de Santiago, september 2008.Update May 18th 2008.

[Trudi van Dorp]

Benitachell, May 18th 2008.

Dear Pilgrim,

Thanks to those of you who have already paid for the reservation of the transportation (90 euros), my guide fee (50 euros) and some money towards the accommodation in Benitachell.

After an inspiring walk this morning (our monthly walk, talk & yoga session) I have just booked a 9 person’s bus to take us to the Camino in September and back! It is a Mercedes Benz Vito bus and it will provide us with the flexibility we will appreciate during the walk itself. It will also change the ‘ nightmarishly’ overnight bus trip as a few of you have expressed, being afraid to start the 5 day walk in a not so great shape.

Any how, we have a slight change of plans.

The idea is that those of you who have not decide yet to come, will still be able to take the ‘normal’ bus from Benidorm to Pamplona, but NOT overnight. I will be able to drive you to the bus station in Benidorm on Monday morning and on the way back to Benitachell pick up the other 8 to drive to the midday bus- break restaurant, where we all can do a bit of yoga outside on the parking place to be prepared for the second part of the travelling day.
Those of you who have already booked and paid are:
Jacquelyn, Maureen, Morag, Susan, Joseph, Clare, Louise.
Around 6pm we will arrive at the main bus station of Pamplona and meet Barbara, John (Reingard?), Annette and Stuart there.

We can take it from there or…… I could do some research and book a place to stay for the first night (hostel, small hotel), so that we don’t have to be looking around for a place in one of the pilgrim’s hostels (arriving after 6pm- in September- is almost a guarantee that a pilgrim’s hostel is fully booked for that night).

Let me know what you think and for those of you who are still deciding…. Let me know ASAP and send me the money for transport etc. (150 euros), since I will have to make a special trip to Benidorm to buy the bus tickets.

Those of you arriving at Pamplona, please transfer me 70 euros pp that is 50 euros for your guide and 20 euros contribution to the bus rental plus petrol costs.

Could you please transfer the money in euros to:

BIC CODE: BBVAESMMXXX

CLIENT'S CODE: IBAN ES49 0182 4488 5102 0000 3876

NAME: GEERTRUIDA VAN DORP

Please mention: Camino2008 and your FULL name(s)

Reminder:

We can pick you up from the airport based upon sharing the costs of petrol and the toll road (Alicante airport is around 80 minutes and Valencia airport is around 100 minutes driving).

This is the adapted programme:

Saturday September 6th: Rest day at the beach of La Cumbre del Sol, or in one of the pools at Benitachell.
5.30 pm Dru yoga class. Evening out to the Javea Boulevard.

Sunday September 7th: 8am. DRU yoga morning class.
Reiki Sunday, for those of you who are Reiki practitioners: starting at 11am and finishing at 4pm. ALL of you can enjoy a fantastic Reiki group treatment (contribution: 10 euros pp) that afternoon between 2 and 4 pm. 5.30 pm Dru yoga class. Evening out to Moraira village and harbour.

Monday: Travelling Day to Pamplona, either in our 9 person’s bus or the normal, luxury Spanish bus line from Benidorm to Pamplona, arriving at 6pm.
Visit to this fascinating city, very famous for all kind of events and integral part of the Camino trail. Evening yoga somewhere in Pamplona (yoga mats to be taken along in our own bus, yippee!)

Tuesday: Early start (7.am) for a 23 km walk along the trail to Puente La Reina, stay overnight in a modern, new pilgrim’s hostel. Back up bus now arranged, breakfast ‘stuff’ and midday meal to be taken with us in bus for easy access and comfort!

Wednesday: After breakfast and morning yoga, time to explore the town of Puente la Reina, 6 km walk backwards towards and along the Camino ‘aragonés’ to Enériz and to a mysterious chapel, Santa María de Eunate, where we will have a DRU yoga class with a deep relaxation. Note: back packs can be put in bus now, plus food for pick nick at the chapel.

Thursday: Early start (7.am) from Puente la Reina to Estella/Lizarra, a walk of 20 km along the trail through an authentic Spanish landscape along small villages with fresh baked bread from local bakery shops!

Friday: Early start (7am) 18 km walk towards Los Arcos, nice town with beautiful cathedral and green lawns for our yoga classes.

Saturday: Early start (7am) From Los Arcos to Viana, a famous medieval town, another18 km walk along the trail today.

Sunday: Morning yoga class breakfast and…Travelling day. Our back up bus will drive you back to the bus station of Pamplona to take the bus back and will pick up the rest of the group to drive back to the Costa Blanca. Transportation from the Benidorm bus station back to Benitachell now arranged!

Monday, September 15th: Well deserved rest day on the Sunny Costa Blanca.
For those who wish to participate: 7pm DRU yoga class at Pueblo Alcasar, Benitachell.( 5 euros pp)

[Trudi van Dorp]

Sunday March 16th 2008. La Cumbre del Sol.