Day 10 - Wow!

So today marks the end of our tour of northern Spain and this blog session. But what a way to go out.
Got to sleep in this morning and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to see Sagrada Familia. This Basilica was another Antoni Gaudi project. Construction began in 1882 and completion is estimated to take at least another 10 years. But, that's what we were told 3 years ago and the story hasn't changed.

Last time here, we were only able to view the structure from the outside. So this trip, we looked forward to seeing the interior and it did not disappoint.

Now when we saw Guadi's architectural design at Park Guell last night, my first thought was that the man was a little "out there". You know... a bit of a wacko but maybe in a good way.

Now having seen his design at Sagrada Familia, I've concluded the man was a design genius.

Unfortunately, the photos don't come near to doing justice to the in person experience, but have a look regardless.

The only description a number of us could come up with was, Wow! Not an upper case shouting out WOW.  Just a simple, awe struck, wow.

Sudoku anyone? Note the number tiles in this shot depicting Judas betraying Jesus.  The sum of any 4 consecutive tiles marks Christ's age at his death.

This day and the trip as a whole concluded with a short tour of ancient Barcelona followed by a wonderful wrap up celebration with the whole tour group. What a wonderful way to travel and meet nice people from around the world.

The lower wall of this building was constructed during the rule of the Roman Empire

Artwork sketched and authorized for use by Pablo Picaso, in one of Barcelona's public squares. 

A tribute to Columbus

Celebrating a wonderful trip with wonderful people!

 To steal a quote from one of the local tour guides, we all hope to "go with happiness".

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Day 9 - Running With the Bulls

Today is a long travel day, covering about 600 kilometres from San Sebastian south to Barcelona.
Along the way though, we visit the city of Pamplona. Of course Pamplona is known world wide for it's annual Running of the Bulls, during the fiesta de San Fermin in July.

Truth be known, it was probably Ernest Hemingway who brought fame to the city. This is where he penned "The Sun also Rises" which illuminated an otherwise little known festival and local bull fighting event.

The human runners begin here, the square in front of the old town hall

The bulls are driven up this lane to meet those brave souls (aka fools), who will run with them

One of the lanes to be run by both human and bovine participants

"Ernie" loved this festival and is now commemorated at the bull ring

The bull ring is the final destination (literally for the bulls), for the run

Hemingway's favourite bar in Pamplona is adjacent to what is now called The Hemingway Cafe 

After a quick "cortado" (espresso with a little warm milk), it's off to Barcelona where we tour Park Guell. This 38 acre hillside property originally owned by Eusepi Guell, was to become a late 19th century housing development. Guell enlisted local architect Antoni Guadi, to create a development that would coexist nicely with the natural aspects of the property.

Unfortunately this exclusive neighbourhood which overlooked the city of Barcelona, never caught on. Nobody seemed to be interested and that may have been in part, because of Gaudi's over the top design.

A covered walkway in the neighbourhood

This elevated plaza was to become a children's play area

The ceramic laden "park bench" which surrounded the play area.

A view of the plaza from below. Note the lions heads. During rainy weather, water from the park benches above would drain away through the mouths of the lions.

Gaudi was very innovative and possibly ahead of his time. The columns supporting the upper plaza were also water pipes.

This lower area was to be a marketplace and water from the floor of the plaza above, drained through the columns into holding tanks under the floor, for use by the marketeers.

The "house" on the left was to be a caretakers residence with the one on the right, a sales office.

The view from the sales office toward the upper plaza and marketplace

We are nearing the end of our time here in Spain. On Monday we tour another Gaudi project, the Sagrada Familia Cathedral, then finish off with our farewell celebration dinner.

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Day 8 - Vive la France

Being so close to the border, today we visited a little of the Basque region of France. First stop was in the chi-chi town of Biarritz. What originated as a small fishing village, is now known for it's casinos, shops and surf culture. A couple of seaside photos, a quick and expensive coffee, along with our first taste of the local "Basque Cake" (an almond based sweet), was about all we had time for.

Although the cake that is synonymous with the region was tasty, I have to be honest.
I enjoy the version served at Bar Isabel in Toronto, far better. I think Grant, the head chef at Isabel, took his inspiration for the cake from this part of the world and improved on it.

Dozens of surfers waiting to "catch a wave"

The view from the lighthouse lookout toward Biarritz

The Lighthouse

Basque Cake

Our second destination was St Jean De Luz. Although still an active fishing port, the town has become a popular tourist destination with it's clean beaches, high end hotels, a casino and golf courses. The town's early wealth apparently came from it's famous Basque corsaires, aka pirates.
We spent most of our time in the old town, wandering the shops and enjoying a delicious lunch of moules et frites (mussels and fries), washed down with a glass of chardonnay.

A fishing vessel returning home

Quaint narrow pedestrian streets

City Hall

A sheltered port

One of the shops selling pastries like Basque cakes and macarons

The town was also the site of Louis XIV's wedding in 1660

We finished the day with a delicious dinner at a local establishment called Bar Pepe and a stroll through the park around Miramar Palace on the way back to the hotel.

Delicious chicken skewers at Bar Pepe

Miramar Palace

Next, we travel to Barcelona with a short stop to run with the bulls in Pamplona, along the way.

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Day 7 - What do modern art and Arcelor Mittal have in common?

This morning we leave the beautiful city of Santander behind and continue east with stops in Bilbao and Getaria before arriving at tonight's digs in San Sebastian.

First stop, the city of Bilbao and the Guggenheim Museum of Modern Art.
Now whether or not you are into modern art, the Guggenheim is a pretty impressive place.

I was a rebel today and snuck in a few shots of various exhibits.

This is only a few pieces from the Andy Warhol exhibit called "Shadows"

Not sure whose work this was outside, but it was very colourful

The museum building itself is a work of art

The next few shots are of an exhibit by an artist by the name of Richard Serra. The display is housed in the Arcelor Mittal gallery and every piece is made from, you guessed it... steel. It was actually pretty interesting.

Like many artists, particularly in the world of "modern art", I wasn't responsible for each piece in the shot below. It is my composition though entitled, "A Matter of Perspective"

We stopped for lunch today in the fishing village of Getaria. We have now officially entered the Basque region of Northern Spain.
After a delicious lunch of pintxos (pronounced pinchos) and vino tinto, we strolled the area and came across a few interesting sights.

Along with myself, this is Team Canada on our tour

Despite 15 degree water temps, there were many surfers out today

The main road through town was closed for about 30 minutes to allow a large group of racers to pass through unencumbered. Most of that 30 minutes was wait time, as the actual pass through took all of about 60 seconds

San Sebastian is where we'll spend the next two nights. Another oceanside summer resort community for those who want to escape the oppressive summertime heat of southern Spain.  

A natural island break wall to protect the bay and beach area

 Tonight, team Kopysh embarked on a self directed "vino i pintxos" tour through the old town. We stopped in four different establishments before a much needed walk back to the hotel, which seemed at least 45,000 steps away. In truth, we only covered about 18,000 steps over the whole day.

These anchovy "pintxos" were delicious. The anchovies served here are nothing like the overly salty and overly fishy tasting variety we are accustomed to at home.

The "old city" is a happening place on a lovely Friday evening.

After all the wine and food, we needed this man's blessing to help get us back to the hotel

Off for a quick visit to France in the morning.

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