North to Basque Country, Pamplona, San Sebastian, Bilbao

 Our drive north to the Atlantic coast once again went by a number of hilltop castles....so many castles! 

showing off being Basque

bull have to be somewhere, even if fake

Then we discovered San Sebastian, called Donostia by the Basque locals. Two languages are regularly spoken here: Spanish and Basque. About 100 years ago, the Queen of Spain's doctor prescribed coming here to spend time at the beach for her health. Since then, Donostia developed into an elegant seaside resort now known for its excellent pintxos (tapas) and Michelin restaurants, and beautiful beaches. 

The crescent beach is bookended with mountain peaks that provide a wonderful view. We walked up one, and took the funicular up the other.

going up!

Bay of La Concha

so many choices!

Old town

old town toward beach

scallops, beef sandwich

 Turk and I did a 3 hour pinxtos tour. These are high quality 'tapas' on bread, equating to 2 bites each. You get a drink and pinxto, eat and drink up, then move to the next place. We visited 5 spots in 3 hrs. A cute 24 yr old guy from a prominent local wine family -Muga- was our guide. He knew his history and the food. We learned about San Sebastian's gastronomic societies, 160 with about 100 members each. You must be invited to join, and it is open to men and women-tho really only men. Each society owns a professional kitchen and dining area-like a restaurant. One or a few times each week, several men members pur have the ingredients and cook a meal for members and their guests. The chefs also clean. No women allowed in the kitchen. These societies are the core of social and civic life here. Our guide inherited his membership from his grandfather. We ate this way every day we visited and were never disappointed, or bored!

chorizo

                                                                             

txuleta-steak pinxto

hybrid taco pintxo

  

Maria Christina bridge

elegant lighting, dragons!

  
      

wine by our tourguide's family

bridge cherubs

 

 

 

Christ at the peak  Mt Urguell

   

  

 

beautiful view of sunset from fort

Our walk up the peak at the Old Town end of town took us to a fort, topped with a guarding Christ.

more views from Mt Urguell

   

Then on to Bilbao to see the Frank Gehry designed museum and art. 

side view of this amazing building

more fluid walls

   

giant spider guards the museum

faves: Jeff Koons Tulips

Andy Warhol wallpaper

my image of skylight

same skylight!

another fun shot of same area

Back in San Sebastian getting ready for the next location!