Hostal Don Claudio Bilbao

Having disembarked the Pride of Bilbao, following our two day mini-cruise (the highlights of which were DVD horse races, bingo, Geordies on the lash and two memorable dining experiences at Langans Brasserie), we faced the delights of industrial Bilbao, which proved to be a fitting introduction to North Spain. Undaunted we headed to ...

... distance I can make out the Pyrenees. And just on the other side, we’ll be coming in to Bilbao. Not sure if preparing myself mentally and moving my watch to Spain-time did it, but I’m feeling quite refreshed right now despite the fact that I didn’t sleep much on the flight over the ocean. The cabin is being prepped for landing so I’m quitting now, but I’ll pick up once we ...

We drove from Madrid, got a bit lost trying to find Lurdea. We thought it is a name of a village but it is not it is just the name of the Hotel/Casa Rural.<br><br>The place is amazing. Located in the hills above Bermeo, with magnificent view of the ocean. It is clean (like really clean) and has the air of a relaxing boutique hotel.<br>

Bilbao, the capital of Viscaya in the county, with the nice weather and climate that is milder than in most other parts of the peninsula, rarely falling below freezing in winter or rising above 35 degree C in summer. <br><br>One of the best features of this place is the collection of Museums that exhibit the artifacts that well ...

Visited the Guggenheim in Bilbao and saw the iconic Puppy, which is this 4 story high wire sculpture of a dog, packed with soil, and depending on the season, covered in either grass or flowers. We didn't have too much time at the museum. The architectural tour of Bilbao ran a half an hour over, so we really only had two hours there. We ended up ...

Urghh long, long bus journey from Valencia. Sleeping tablets helped, but what didn't were the rude Spanish couple behind us who persisted on banging on the back of our seats all journey. They seemed angry that we were using the recline function which we had paid, and were entitled to use...<br><br>Anyway, arrive at about 8 or something where we got ...

... Puente Colgante and for 14 euros are taken waaaaay up to the top to cross. The glass elevator provides an amazing view and a sense of security. The doors open up, however and you feel the wind blowing and feel the height ... and its a little freaky. But not too bad. Looking down, the floor is solid for the next five feet until we reach the actual walkway, at which point it turns in to wooden planks bolted down to the structure. Maybe an inch in between each plank ...

... apartment. Saturday night we decided to go check out the dance club in the next town. There were about 15 people that went. It wasn't that great, but we stayed for a few hours. I was with the large group on my way home that night. We left around 3 in the morning, but we didn't get home until 8:40!!! It had been raining all day. We were told that was very unusual for this area. It actually ended up flooding the streets ...

... by it. Herbert was the kind of guy who knew what couch surfing was all about. each night he took me out with his friends to different bars around town. most of which he had worked at or knew the bartenders so we always drank for free. he also sat me down the first night with maps and tourist guides to the town. by the end of the trip we had worked out a working version of Spanglish for conversation and I got by with his ...

... just held out to the end - the bus drivers here are pretty daring, especially considering most of their highways are built either on the edge of a sheer cliff or high above a valley. A tad scary. Bilbao is very modern and I am extra excited to go to the world famous Guggenheim Museum today (features in one of my favourite films: The Cremaster series). Then the following day ...