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Ruth Rosenthal | profile | all galleries >> Galleries >> Bilbao, Spain 2023 tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Bilbao, Spain 2023

We spent about 24 hours in/outside Bilbao, a Basque city that went through a transformation. It apparently evolved from a somewhat gritty place to an artsy one, and I found it quite charming. For our half day on the ship, I took a 3 hour excursion that got me to places I knew would be difficult to get to on my own. Mostly I wanted to see the fascinating Vizkaya transporter bridge, in a city between Getxo port and Bilbao.The next day, our plan was to leave the ship (end of cruise), drop luggage off at a luggage storage place, sightsee a few hours and then fly out at 5 PM. I had reserved space online at a fruit & vegetable store in the old town section of Bilboa. When we got there, after a long wait for a cab at the port in Getxo, the store had no room to store our luggage. Chaos ensued, but in the end we found a workaround and I was able to explore a bit more of Bilbao. Then we went to the airport for our short flight to Lisbon.

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Such a beautiful cruise terminal!
Such a beautiful cruise terminal!		 Gorgeous.
Gorgeous.		 Docked in Getxo & had afternoon/night on the ship. Here's Algorta lighthouse at port when we came in
Docked in Getxo & had afternoon/night on the ship. Here's Algorta lighthouse at port when we came in		 Algorta through ship metal
Algorta through ship metal		 Windmills as approached port of Getxo
Windmills as approached port of Getxo		 Took a 3 hour excursion to see this UNESCO recognized bridge & some other things/places
Took a 3 hour excursion to see this UNESCO recognized bridge & some other things/places
Vizkaya Bridge has a transporter that takes passengers, bikes & cars across Nervion River
Vizkaya Bridge has a transporter that takes passengers, bikes & cars across Nervion River		 Vizkaya is oldest transporter bridge in world. It takes passengers & bikes & up to 6 cars.
Vizkaya is oldest transporter bridge in world. It takes passengers & bikes & up to 6 cars.		 Gondola approaching other side
Gondola approaching other side 		Gondola hanging from cables
Gondola hanging from cables 		For a fee you can take an elevator up to the top of the bridge.
For a fee you can take an elevator up to the top of the bridge. 		Across the Nervion River
Across the Nervion River
Vizkaya
Vizkaya		 I wanted to ride it, but time was not on my side. (50 euro cents for walk-ons!)
I wanted to ride it, but time was not on my side. (50 euro cents for walk-ons!)		 I couldn't stop taking pictures
I couldn't stop taking pictures		 2nd stop was Artxanda Park. This is Salve Bridge & Guggenheim
2nd stop was Artxanda Park. This is Salve Bridge & Guggenheim		 Salve Bridge & wildflowers
Salve Bridge & wildflowers 		Third stop was near the Guggenheim
Third stop was near the Guggenheim
We didn't go in but had time to walk around (stainless steel balls & Salve Bridge)
We didn't go in but had time to walk around (stainless steel balls & Salve Bridge)		 Jeff Koons puppy at top of stairs. We have a Koons animal in DC area.
Jeff Koons puppy at top of stairs. We have a Koons animal in DC area.		 Guggenheim was fun to photograph
Guggenheim was fun to photograph		 Salve & Spider
Salve & Spider		 Under the Salve you can climb the pylons
Under the Salve you can climb the pylons		 Back to the port: I saw Calatrava's Zubrizuri footbridge from the bus
Back to the port: I saw Calatrava's Zubrizuri footbridge from the bus
I saw one of Bilbao's funicular elevators from the bus back to Getxo
I saw one of Bilbao's funicular elevators from the bus back to Getxo		 Colorful balconies in Bilbao from the bus
Colorful balconies in Bilbao from the bus 		The road in Getxo near port is lined with mansions. Most were built late 19th C in a variety of styles.
The road in Getxo near port is lined with mansions. Most were built late 19th C in a variety of styles.		 Las Arenas mansions were amazing. And many are waterfront on the beach.
Las Arenas mansions were amazing. And many are waterfront on the beach.		 Arriluze lighthouse from our drive by. I think it's now a beachside restaurant.
Arriluze lighthouse from our drive by. I think it's now a beachside restaurant.		 Port terminal in Getxo was interesting
Port terminal in Getxo was interesting
Algorta taken from fence at port. Overnighted on ship.
Algorta taken from fence at port. Overnighted on ship.		 My first use of Radical Storage was a fail. When we got there, Frutas y Verduras had no room despite a timed reservation.
My first use of Radical Storage was a fail. When we got there, Frutas y Verduras had no room despite a timed reservation. 		Mid day reflections were great outside Santander train station in Bilbao
Mid day reflections were great outside Santander train station in Bilbao		 Santander train station was a beauty
Santander train station was a beauty		 Bilbao curves around the Nervion River
Bilbao curves around the Nervion River 		Plenty of both old & new in Bilbao
Plenty of both old & new in Bilbao
Went to the airport. Bilbao airport tower (not Calatrava but modern)
Went to the airport. Bilbao airport tower (not Calatrava but modern)		 Bilbao airport. This may be an early Calatrava design.
Bilbao airport. This may be an early Calatrava design.		 There was a large picture of Arriluze Lighthouse in the airport near our gate!
There was a large picture of Arriluze Lighthouse in the airport near our gate!		 There were a lot of small planes coming in as we waited for ours.
There were a lot of small planes coming in as we waited for ours. 		We were the only flyers at this C gate area. TAP and a number of small carriers use this area.
We were the only flyers at this C gate area. TAP and a number of small carriers use this area.		 Our luxurious (ha ha) ride from Bilbao to Lisbon May 2. Actually, the flight was fine.
Our luxurious (ha ha) ride from Bilbao to Lisbon May 2. Actually, the flight was fine.
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joseantonio24-May-2025 03:00
wonderful gallery.V.
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