Bilboa, 19th October
I went into Bilboa on the shuttle bus, about 30 minutes from the port. It was a very modern city with old building in between. Very tall buildings and narrow streets.
I got onto a hope on hop off bus and it was a bit funny. It had a roof and windows so you could barely see anything – but still fun. The city was pretty…what you could see by peeping out under the roof and through the dirty windows. But the more you saw the more you realised that it was pretty stunning.
Ancient human remains have been found dating back 6000 years. The lord of Biscay founded Bilbao in 1300. It had good reserves of Iron Ore so developed quickly. It was an industrial port for hundreds of years with heavy industry…but the 1970-80’s GFC, followed by the ‘PIGS’ EU crisis killed of most of the factories and industry.
It is now a place of riverside landscapes, quirky buildings and even a Guggenheim, the Museo Guggenheim Bilbao, built of titanium.
Art display of all the different lamp posts. Awesome.
Guggenheim Museum. The terrier is made of metal with flower pots that are changed out. The pansy’s are just finishing.
Brick wall made of original pavers.
Back at the ship I saw one of the head chefs accepting a delivery. He would reach into a random box, pick a random piece of meat and chop it open and smell, feel etc. Then nod his head and onto another.
Sea Day 20th October.
And what a busy day it was. Started with the Suites breakfast in Chops – lovely.
I was in my room and noticed the horizon. All this area is where the talk about the world being flat started, and the fear of sailing off the edge of the world began. The horizon is different here. It seems to have a line where it ends. You can imagine it being the end.
So took my photo, headed back inside, put the camera down then hear a massive noise. As I looked up a jet flew past my window – on deck 10! It was no higher then deck 13 and went roaring along. Only about 100 metres off the ship. So no photos. Couldn’t even read it! But it was pale.
I then headed up to my first ‘appointment’ for the day. The Bridge tour.
So you can guess what I asked.
We were sailing past a Naval testing area, so that is what it was….the French Navy. But they normally radio the ship when they are doing close exercises. They must have forgotten today. The bridge said it didn’t show up on the radar and all of a sudden it was charging at them. I haven’t spoken to anyone else who saw it yet. So glad the bridge did – or I would be wondering if I dreamt it.
Bridge tour was fun as I haven’t been on the bridge on this ship before. They have now gone paperless, so I couldn’t get my favourite photo of the charts.
We were also sailing past a ‘dumping area’. “What is that?” ask someone. “Oh, Just a military dump for bombs – we stay away from it!”
The captain has a scooter for getting from side to side in a hurry. Well they say there is a captain on board. Maybe…..maybe not, but he hasn’t been to the CL at all.
It was then off to the Suites Lunch and it was very flash in Chops with great food. Great food and great Peach Blinis with pieces of peach!
But no time to linger…as it was off to the high level Diamond Plus Lunch. And it was great too. Alistair – the Hotel Director from Radiance a few years ago was there.
It was then to the room to sort out gear as tomorrow is “Get off my ship NOW day” as I am getting off a day early. That is very sad as this is the loveliest room and ship bed I have ever had. Time to pay my bill, sort out tips and had to sort out my custom time etc for the morning. Not too sure if I will be make it on time to my train to Paris (to fly to Barcelona), lucky there is one every hour.
Next page Barcelona. Click to go there.