It’s about the journey

Today I leave Bilbao for the road trip portion of my Spain journey. I take the airport bus back to the airport to pick up my reserved rental car. This is my first rental car experience in a foreign country in 12 years. Last time I at least had companions to navigate or share the driving; but not this time, this time I am on my own.

I am talked into upgrading my car. I can only can drive automatic (I blame my mom who had no patience while I stalled her manual car) so I am limited in choices. In Europe automatic cars are rented at a premium and are often bigger than the manual transmission cars (which is a big disadvantage on tight narrow streets).

It is big car or big fancy car with navigation system. I agree to the upgrade with a navigation system and it was the best decision I could have made. I had no co-pilot, how was I ever going to read a map while I was driving?

The car must have come from France because only French locations were programmed in and it took me 20 minutes to get it to Spain mode.

Look at this fancy thing. I hope I don’t injure it.

The navigation was a great idea however navigation system missed telling me about an exit at some point? Didn’t notice until I stopped for a soda and snack. Luckily I get back on track.

I am heading to Logroño today for my visit to the Rioja region. Things go smoothly until I casually miss another turn.

The GPS reroutes me up a mountain route through an old town with a road that keeps get getting narrower and narrower until it gets to the point where really only one car can fit on it. I feel like I am on a bike trail. I also feel like the car will fall off the road at some points if I have to yield to a car coming in opposite direction.

The drive causes a little anxiety for me because I am a little scared I am going the wrong way but eventually I stop to appreciate the pretty sunflowers and small towns I see. It is a rural view I would not have gotten if I didn’t take the wrong turn.

I go up a mountain and down a mountain. Luckily the car can handle it all.

I get a beautiful view of valley and the wine country

I eventually pass La Guardia small town. I want to stop but I really want to get to my lodging and relax. Why did I only schedule one day in this region? I know better than that.

I am happy when I finally arrive and find a great spot to park my car overnight in an underground garage. It is not clear how to pay yet but hopefully my car will be there when I leave the next day 🙂

Bilbao Tapas Crawl Part 2

As seen at Plaza Nueva or Plaza Barria in Bilbao……

Mercado de la Ribera

I love my food markets and I found one around the corner from where I am staying in Bilbao.

Mercado de la Ribera is supposed to be the biggest covered market in Europe. How did I not know this existed?

Anyway I stumbled in this market because it is near my hotel and I was hot and looking to cool down.

Once entering I noticed at least two levels of fresh goods. Many stalls were closed but it could have been a the time of day that I visited. There was no lack of goods for shoppers.

I’m a traveler with no kitchen so what I really needed was the tapas food court located on the second floor.

There are so many different tapas choices that it might not be a bad idea to visit multiple times to try all you wish to try.

Mercado de la Ribera

Bilbao

My first Calimocho/Kalimotxo (wine and coke).

Times that could have ended badly part 1

After visiting the wonderful Guggenheim in Bilbao I decided to spend the afternoon up on Artxanda. They have a funicular to take you up. I have been using maps.me downloaded on my phone which has been mostly helpful but can only do so much when you start off walking in whatever direction you feel like it. I end up walking up this pedestrian walkway that no one else is using. After going uphill for a while I understand there is probably a reason no one is using it, because it is a stupid way to go (up and down stairs multiple times). Also, being up on a deserted walkway which could have been a terrible idea (for getting robbed, etc).

Didn’t get any pics of the murder walkway but if you go up this bridge away from Guggenheim and keep walking up and right.

At least I had this view.

My view while trying to find the funicular.

Finally found the funicular.

There is a line, it is a little confusing to see who is in line to buy tickets and who is waiting for the funicular because the line was blocking both. I pushed my way up to the ticket booth and then got to the back of the regular line.

The funicular arrives and people shove their way in. There is no crowd control so many of us are left on the platform when all the cars are jam packed. The tram sits there for many minutes. Eventually the driver from the train comes out to yell at us to move back behind the gate, but no one is moving back to make room for us. I guess we just shove people back?? It is a mess and people are irritated. Eventually we shoved our way behind the gate. I definitely “lost” my place in line but I decide to let it go. We are in close quarters waiting for like ever for the next train and the jerks next to me are watching a video on their phone very loudly right next to my ear (I actually keep my cool).

But finally we go up and get to see the great views from the top.

The top of the mountain has walking trails and places to picnic. I come unprepared for either of these activities so I don’t stay up the mountain long.