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Burgos

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 The weather was getting hotter and hotter. Thankfully my hotel was close to the bus station with very few hills. A bonus. Actually, the first noticeable statues were these two! I loved them. They were very welcoming somehow! Burgos is a relatively small city, but with high density living. Its narrow streets, many pedestrianised, always offer a chance to be in the shade, thanks to the multi-storeyed buildings on either side. The central square is very picturesque with its colourful houses, greenery and an incredibly blue sky! The city hall stands out because of all its greenery! Surprisingly, this smallish city has the most incredible cathedral. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, as Burgos is on the Camino di Campostela. I was rather perturbed seeing people exercising their dogs at midday, in 35 degree temperatures. Horrendous for their paws. Wherever you view the cathedral from, it’s incredible. Luckily, there were very few tourists around in Burgos. Inside is no less amazing than ...
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Bilbao

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 Bilbao, a place I passed through with Dennis once, but a chance to visit the famous Guggenheim museum, designed by an American, O Gehry, and what I didn’t realise, only open since 1997. In its first ten years, 10 million visited it. Luckily it wasn’t too busy when I went! The walk to it from my hostel was really pleasant, along the Nervion River, where there are lovely pedestrian walkways on both sides.  The city was hosting the Investec rugby finals at the weekend. Fortunately, I was there a day earlier! The famous Guggenheim spider, being sold in miniature by the dozens of illegal sales guys along the riverside, reared up above me! The Puente La Salve, next to the museum is also a fabulous structure. I had intended to cross it, but in the heat chose a different, less energetic crossing. Inside the building, an oval shape, is equally as incredible as outside. I’m no architect, but I take my hat off to those who designed it. An elegant, exciting design. I loved this exhibit, ...
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Zumaia Geopark - an incredible place to explore

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 Luckily for me I am not keen on big, bustling cities and I also have wonderful friends in Switzerland who recommend incredible places to me. When I mentioned Zumaia to Spanish friends, they hadn’t heard of it. Amazingly, because it will undoubtedly be one of the biggest highlights of this trip. It was a day with a Wow factor! And it was easily done by a slow but comfortable train from near my hostel, which wound around the area just inland from the coast. Pretty scenery but not giving me any clues as to what was to come.  When you arrive at Zumaia, you still have no idea what lies ahead. Fortunately, the wind of a few days ago, which had caused them to cancel boat trips, had died down, and it was a calm, perfect day. I took the little boat from just in front of the town. Only 25 on the boat plus a highly well versed, animated guide, whose commentary i could fortunately follow without a translator, making it much more enjoyable.  Zumaia geopark is a Unesco site, as well i...
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