Bilbao, Spain

We are in the north of Spain, in Basque country. The Basque people never let you forget it either. They speak both Spanish and Basque. Like the rest of Europe, it is an old city, founded in 1300. It has been conquered by everyone just like every other city in Europe.

Our ship docked on the Nervion River at Getxo, a very upscale and lovely residential community that is populated with mega-villas. The architecture of these huge villas was modern to medieval in design. The gardens were beautifully manicured and landscaped.

My tour to Bilbao took us through the old port, shipyards, and industrial area of the city, which is to be torn down and completely rebuilt by 2016. In the early 20th century, Bilbao was a dirty industrialized city; in 1995, the city decided to clean things up by tearing down old buildings and washing everything else that was left, including cleaning up the river. This is an extremely clean city. I was surprised at how large the city was as I thought we were going to a village. The city was packed with high rise apartment buildings that looked very modern and well kept.

We only had one stop as this was a driving tour. We stopped at the highest point overlooking the city and had a view all the way out to the ocean. We were also in a hurricane, or at least it felt like it. The wind was blowing so hard, I had to take my earrings out to keep them from blowing away. They goofed again on the weather forecast as the day started out beautiful but wound up raining.

We also drove by the Guggenheim Museum, a titanium-clad structure housing modern art.

Here is some miscellaneous information, which I thought was interesting: they serve pinchos instead of tapas (appetizers), the soccer team is made up of native born Basques (not PC, but that’s the way they like it), they love jai lai, and there are lovely sand beaches. The Basques are also known for their cheeses. There is a contest each year and the winning cheese goes for 7,000 Euros per kilo! Is there anything special about the cheese you ask? No, it is really an advertising ploy to get people to buy it (it normally sells for 17 Euros per kilo). We didn’t get to sample any, so when I get home, I simply must try some.

Michael had a simply terrific time in Bilbao today, except for the fact that he didn’t get to see Bilbao at all. While I headed out on my “Panoramic” tour, he got to escort a group of ten for a hike to the famous Gorliz lighthouse, followed by a crossing of the Great Biscay Transporter. It was a beautiful hike through this Basque area, up 145 meters to this unique lighthouse. Built in 1990, it is fashioned not at all like a lighthouse, but is a slender, white column, resembling a silo, with a great big light bulb on the top.

The Great Biscay Transporter (or Puente Colgante) was the highlight of the day for both of us. Built in 1893, and reminiscent of the Eiffel Tower, this suspension bridge connects both sides of the Nervion River. It is both the first, and now oldest, transporter bridge in the world and it is still in operation 24/7. What makes it unique is the suspended gondola that shuttles pedestrians and cars between the two river banks. He got to cross the bridge (60 meters high and 120 meters long) both via the gondola and by a walkway on the very top. I just got to drive by it  The bridge was declared World Heritage in 1986 by UNESCO, and is truly something to see.

To all my knitting friends: I have just gotten up from a short little nap, trying to gather up the strength to change my clothes yet again today. While sitting on the bed, I happened to glance at my knitting bag and thought of how far I was going to get in knitting my lace shawl. Well…not far at all. Only on row 72, about 9 inches. Where has the time gone? We have been so busy with excursions and general life aboard ship that there has been so little time to knit.