Most Hong Kong people travel to escape the stresses of daily life and unwind, but some opt for a more grueling and challenging form of travel, pushing themselves to the limit – what they call “The Walking Traveler”.
Walking Tours refers to walking long distances along predetermined routes, which while not overly rugged or complex, can be an exhausting undertaking for urban dwellers accustomed to relying on transportation. Yet, a young Hong Kong woman named Boey Lau recently completed the daunting Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Spain, even going so far as to inscribe her late father’s name on the certificate of completion.
More and more young Hong Kongers are venturing out to explore the world, and Boey is one such trailblazer. After her first solo trip to Bali in October 2022, she ultimately resigned from her job in April 2023 to embark on the arduous walking journey along the Camino de Santiago.
Mustering the courage to quit one’s job is one thing, but completing a solo walking expedition is an even more formidable feat.
Prior to her solo travels, Boey’s peers perceived her as introverted and reserved, yet she secretly harbored a deep yearning for adventure and physical challenge. “Growing up, I may have suppressed my more extroverted side to conform to social expectations of young women,” she reflected. “The solo travel experience allowed me to reconnect with my true inner self, which has little to do with gender stereotypes and more to do with the courage to embrace my authentic desires.”
As for her initial motivation for the walking pilgrimage, Boey attributed it to a profound, deeply-rooted familial love – her affection for her late father. “There were many factors in my life that had left me feeling down and adrift,” she shared. “I felt I was constantly seeking love, unaware of how to truly love myself, which had only hurt me further. Facing this reality, I knew my late father would have been saddened to see me in such a state.”
Inspired by a Film
The film “The Way” was the catalyst that inspired Boey to embark on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. The film tells the story of a strained father-son relationship. The father initially sets out on the pilgrimage to retrieve his son’s remains after his unexpected passing, but later decides to carry his son’s ashes and complete the journey, also fulfilling his son’s final wish.
After watching the film, Boey was reminded of her own father, who had passed away 5 years prior. Much like the father-son dynamic in the movie, Boey’s relationship with her father had also been distant during his lifetime. It was only after his death that she was unable to overcome the feelings of guilt. So she decided to carry her father’s spirit with her, allowing him to witness the sights along the way. In the end, just as in the film, she wrote her father’s name on the certificate she received upon completing the pilgrimage.
Perparations for the solo waliking Tours
In planning her hiking trip to Spain, Boey did extensive research. For example, she learned that most pilgrim hostels along the way do not provide pillows or bedding, so she needed to bring her own sleeping bag. When choosing a backpack, she also had to consider more conservative and secure options to avoid being targeted by pickpockets in Europe.
Boey had initially estimated that she could complete the journey in around 33 days, but she ended up overestimating her abilities. She mentioned that during the trek, carrying a 10kg pack with equipment like a drone, camera, and tripod, and walking 20-30km per day, she sustained a knee injury in the third town. This forced her to pause for 2 days to rest and recover, and she had to discard some unnecessary items from her backpack.
Traversing Four Provinces, Visiting Five Cities
One of the most memorable experiences was crossing the border from France into Spain, which involved scaling the highest peak of the entire journey. Even though the first day was already incredibly grueling, the breathtaking scenery made the effort worthwhile.
The second profound experience was the trek from Navarra to the renowned wine and food region of La Rioja. Along the way, the fields once blanketed with vibrant flowers had transformed into expansive vineyards growing grapes for winemaking.
When sampling the traditional Spanish tortilla (potato omelet) in La Rioja, the local cooking style lent a unique twist to the flavor. However, upon reaching León, the tortilla tasted more akin to the original version – a difference that can only be truly appreciated through the immersive experience of hiking the Camino.
The final profound experience was finally arriving at the pilgrimage’s end in the holy city of Santiago de Compostela.
Enduring the Physical Rigors of the Journey
Boey was not a professional athlete, but she did maintain a regular fitness routine. To prepare for this hiking journey, she specifically focused on strengthening her lower body with resistance training. She candidly admitted that hiking exacts a significant physical toll, with the daily 20-25 kilometer mountain trails and the weight of the heavy backpack proving to be incredibly taxing.
Despite her pre-trip leg training, the actual hiking experience still presented immense challenges for Boey. Carrying a 10-kilogram backpack day after day took a substantial toll on her body. She shared, “By the 25th day, I passed by a pharmacy in a town and decided to weigh myself. Despite eating heartily to maintain my energy levels, I had actually lost 5 kilograms, and my body fat percentage dropped from 22% to 19%.”
Arriving at the Pilgrimage’s End
Upon finally reaching the destination that had once seemed so distant, Boey was overcome with emotion. “The most memorable moment was catching that first glimpse of the church spire in the distance – I couldn’t hold back the tears,” she recalled. And when she arrived at the church entrance, she was greeted by the Taiwanese friends she had met along the Camino, the ones who had helped her treat her blisters. “Seeing them was like reuniting with family, and I just broke down crying.”
Boey reflected that the solitary moments during the trek allowed her time for introspection. “Sometimes while walking alone, I’d find myself dwelling on the past or my own regrets. But this journey was a chance to make peace with myself. I was able to let go of some of those old attachments and approach the world with a more open mindset.”
As for whether the pilgrimage had transformed her life, Boey was more circumspect. “Some say completing the Camino can change you, but I don’t think it’s that dramatic. When I got back to Hong Kong, I still faced the same challenges and struggles.” However, she was reminded of the adage, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” Even in the midst of the physical hardship, Boey tried to remain present and appreciative of her surroundings.
Source: Boey Lau