Isla Faro
Today we explored islands and peninsulas of Galicia. The rock here is granite, so the coastlines are steep, bold, and deeply crenulated, making for impressive scenery.
In the morning, we stopped at Isla Faro, part of the Atlantic Islands of Galicia National Park. To our delight, the sun rose to light dappled and clearing skies. We took Zodiacs ashore, where we met local guides. The park was officially closed, but these guides enabled us to enjoy an exclusive tour round the island. Some intrepid hikers scaled a summit to enjoy the view at the base of a lighthouse. Birders spotted a lot of Europe’s common dainty birds, and a few southern specialties. But all enjoyed the sunny weather and open spaces – a contrast to the damp crowds of our “pilgrimage” to Santiago de Compostela! Isla Faro is clad in pines and eucalyptus, and the rich, clean smell of their foliage was delightful. So too was the tangy smell of salt spray as waves broke spectacularly at the islands’ waist. Before returning to the ship, many walked the long sandy beach, savoring a bit of summer in this late season.
By afternoon we anchored off of the port of Bayona. Some wandered the narrow and winding streets of town. The pale granite walls of buildings rendered the streets brilliantly lit yet coolly shaded. Most walked the ramparts of a seaside castillo. From its walls we looked down on the harbor, and on frothy white breakers pounding the outer shore. The castle enclosed a pine forest spangled with startlingly pink lilies.
With sandy beaches, picturesque promontories, ancient castles and bobbing fishing boats, the Galician shores are all that one might hope for from the coast of Spain.
