Blogs from Basque Country, Spain, Europe - page 50

Und so beginnt die Reise durch die Welt. Meine Studien meiner Alma Mater sind beendet, ich sitze zuhause, und habe den Kopf voll mit Reiseplänen. Meine Der Bericht vom Besuch bei meinem Bruder in San Sebastian.... read more

BILBAO So we leave France and scoot towards Spain. After 2 says of reasonable weather, Europe turns on us again. Under grey, gloomy skies we near the border. With no actual signs welcoming us to Spain, we look for telltale indications. Obviously the language on signs change from a mixture of Basque and French to a mixture of Basque and Spanish. More overtly is the appearance of seemingly endless dull rectangular apartment blocks with the washing hanging from the balconies, as well as interminable ugly industry in full view. a kind of Port Kembla meets Brooklyn. There is also the sudden emergence of tasteless graffitti as France disappears in the rear vision mirror. Lonely Planet describes Bilbao as a spirited city surrounded by hills in the midst of beautiful Basque countryside. We will have to take ... read more

Well, the ferry trip is over at last! I couldn't sleep in the cabin, those three just insisted on doing aerobics all night so I crept out and managed to catch a catnap in the snackbar. One of the waiters was telling me about his uncles vineyard. He says they make the best wine in Espana from the grapes he grows. Apparently Espana is the Spanish way of saying Sapin. So I quite fancy a look at that, but first I had to go to the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Oh wow did I love that! I couldn't actually get inside as apparently they don't let animals in, cats, cows stuffed or otherwise. Though apparently if I was a cow of two halves I might just make it. This chap Damien who came up with this idea ... read more

The visit to Andorra has produced devastating results. For the second time in less than a year, the quick change of altitude and consequent change of pressure have reduced my body to a heap of ruins. It must be something connected with the respiratory system and perhaps I should consult a doctor about it. But, that is, the two Andorran days turned into nightmare. A few hours after my arrival to La Vella I begun to feel unwell to the point to be forced first to visit a pharmacy and finally to total yield, accepting lodging in a 50 euros per night hotel to defend myself from the by then totally uncontrolled fever tremors. And, believe me, under normal circumstances I would have a foot cut off rather than paying 50 euros for a bed. At ... read more

Today was our first group excursion out of the city. We hopped on a bus and two hours later, after driving up the very windy and tiny hilly roads, we arrived in the beautiful mountain town of Encartaciones, the western most town in the Basque country. It was incredibly isolated, but everything was so green and the air was so cold and crisp - it felt wonderful to be up there. They then took us on a guided tour of the Cuevas de Pozalagua, which is a huge old cave. I'm not usually fascinated by caves, but I think I could have stayed in this one for hours just gawking at how amazing it was. The whole thing was just one ginormous magestic room; I wish I had pictures to show, but we weren't allowed to ... read more