Make a Smilebox slideshow

Earlier this week I mentioned that I would follow up with a slideshow of photos from our time in Spain last week, and here it is J.

We travelled through the Basque country in the north of Spain. Crossing over from France, we first stayed in San Sebastián. We arrived at night, pulling our suitcase behind over the cobblestoned paths, and on into the old quarter. It was my first impression of La Concha Bay, with its vast beach, all lit up by night. Even in the darkness and white lights, the water was translucent aqua. But it wasn’t until daylight that I realised how breathtaking this bay is.

The water is literally turquoise. It is fresh and clear and shimmery. The yellow sanded beach goes on and on arching in a crescent. In 1845, Queen Isabel II would bathe at this bay; her doctors evidently recommended it to help with a skin affliction. I read about how her presence here attracted the Court and aristocracy over the summer months from that time, growing the city’s popularity.

Towering above the bay, the marina, and the city, is a statue of Jesus. Although we didn’t have time to walk up the mountain to see this close up, I enjoyed its presence. For me, a symbol of Jesus watching over us, Lord over all we were seeing and doing.

You will see photos of the bay and of this Jesus statue as well as other scenes from Donostia-San Sebastián in the first part of the slideshow.

From here we took a day trip to Hondarribia, which seems to be known for its seafaring and its beautiful walled city from the Middle-Ages. We spent the day wandering. We came across a young bride and groom in a cobbled court beside a church. I have an image of a white satin trail and forest green sash flowing behind the bride on stone steps. I felt too cheeky to photograph her, and so she does not appear unfortunately. But you will see other scenes; weathered fishing dinghies lined up by the sea, the flawless blue of the sky over the water, a hundred coloured bottles decorating a restaurant window.

And finally we travelled to Bilbao, the largest of the Basque cities. We arrived in the late afternoon, hungry for a meal, and after settling at a hotel in the old town, we found a family-run taverna in a quiet backstreet. It was packed with locals, with us speaking no Basque, and them speaking no English. It was wonderful, and the atmosphere alive. Huge trays of meaty stews were displayed at the counter, we made our choice and it was served with crusty bread and cold beer. I don’t usually like beer, but in that heat, with that hunger, it was perfect.

In the early evening we walked beside the Nervion River until we reached the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. Truly this is spectacular, as were the exhibitions. I don’t know a lot about architecture, but this really takes your breath away. It is a piece of art in itself and I have dedicated a few photos to it. It was designed by Frank Gehry, and seems to curve and undulate, its sliver panels shimmering in the sun.

Beside it is a huge spider called ‘Maman’ by Louise Bourgeois. I find spiders pretty creepy, and so my reaction to this giant one was mixed. Intrigued by its size and life-likeness and at the time repelled by its size and life-likeness, is probably the best way to describe how I felt. When you stand under her, she has a huge sac of eggs under her belly. Anyway, you’ll get to see her in the slideshow too.   

The slideshow ends with final scenes again from La Concha Bay in San Sebastián; together with the Guggenheim, this for me was a highlight. I hope you enjoy the photos.

~ by Birgit on October 25, 2008.

Posted in Photos and Slideshows, Travel