Basque-ing in the Culture Part 3

Sunday, June 18th

Today was an exhausting day filled with utter adventure. Reminiscing over our respective track/cross country days, Kaitlin and I wanted to get in some exercise and we thought actual hiking would be a great way to return to our "glory" days. Nick had told me earlier that the highest peak in all of Bilbao was located on the other bank across from Algorta. I would see this colossal mountain every morning while riding to the University and today was the day I'd conquer it. With careful preparation (and by careful I mean blindly following our noses), Kaitlin and I traveled toward what we assumed was the base of the mountain.

If you look on one of the metro maps, Santurtzi is the terminus of the train track opposite my side of the river bank. We believed this would most likely be the closest stop to the mountain we had seen from across the show; however, we were not the slightest bit sure. Once at Santurtzi, we stopped to get the necessities: bread, meat, and fruit. One of the best things I have come to enjoy about Spain is that all their fruit is grown locally, and unlike the United States, fruit is extremely cheap. We were able to purchase 6 mini apricots, a large apple, and two nectarines for only 1,60 euros (roughly two dollars). We were so amazed by the fruit that we forgot to purchase bottled water.

After purchasing our meal for once we reached the top, we started following the elevation. Climbing to the higher areas of Santurtzi, we came along a path between some construction and a forest. After a wrong detour to what seemed to be a dumping area, a kind Spaniard guided us to the correct path. This path would be the beginning of a five-hour, 4.6 mile (not including the inclination) journey.

Kaitlin and I excited we found a path to climb!

Bilbao in the background gives an idea of our altitude

Look how far we've climbed!!

and look how far we have to go... (the small little candle on top of the cake of earth)

I think we're getting closer!...

To the midpoint.

(Beep-da-beep-da-beep) Your party encountered wild goats.

Kaitlin used run. It was super effective.

So that's what on the other side of the mountain (not Bilbao)

Just a STEEP hike up and we're there

The fort is on the left cliff, the middle beach is Algorta, & the far right beach is Areeta

Almost as good as a panoramic view

Blowing out the candle was anti-climatic

But the view at the peak isn't (not Bilbao pictured)

We found an arrow and followed it off the path...

Only to discover a new path! Onwards to the windmills!

Water droplets caught in a spider web  were common throughout the path

I wonder how many wishes this will grant me?

So yeah... how do we get there? - said Kaitlin as she scratched her head

Cliff, forest, onshore windmills! #DoraTheExplorer

Look at the windmills. Now at the boat. Now back at the windmills. Simply massive.

At this point, I had to put my camera away. The path unexpectedly became very thick with plants that had several relatively thorny appendages. Served with a side of creepy crawly insects and steep/loose footing, the plants were the least of my worries. Unfortunately, I didn't bring my machete to get through the cliff-side jungle so I ended up falling on my butt twice in addition to surviving an attack from some beetle-spider crossbred insect. I got through the experience, which seemed to last forever, with only a few scratches and a temporary rash on my legs. At the bottom of the mountain, we ended up at the side of a road, which after following for a bit, led us to this quaint wharf town.

We're not in Kansas anymore...

Looking back (literally), that mountain wasn't THAT bad

About as close as we could get to the windmills

Knowing that going back the way we came would have been miserable, Kaitlin and I decided to take the bus back to Santurtzi. And what a great opportunity it was to learn the bus system for the first time. After a thirty minute wait or so, the "Bizkaibus" came and took us back to Bilbao (only after an interesting exchange with the non-English-speaking bus driver). Later, I found out the town was known as Zierbana, located 4.6 miles outside of Santurtzi.

The bus ride back was relaxing and the driver kindly dropped us off at the Portugalete metro station. On the train ride back, a hot shower was the only thought going through my head. However, when we got off the train at Algorta, a group of USAC students (including Carrie and Nick) were waiting for the next train to Plentzia. Plentzia, which you may recall, is the terminus of the train track that runs through my side of the river bank. It is located in what I perceive to be the very affluent area, and is a neighborhood I had always meant to explore it one day. What better an opportunity to go than right after an exhausting hike.

Because Plentzia is the most isolated metro stop, the train ride there took roughly 15 minutes. However, the time (and extra money) it took to get there was worth it, as the place had a beautiful beach to offer. After grabbing some snacks (ham flavored lays and some European-based Cheetos product), we hit the beach and enjoyed both the sun and water.

Bridge connecting Plentzia with its metro station

A town with greenery and water

Interesting landscape

Needless to say, the beach was very big...

and crowded

After the long, long day, I decided to end it over dinner with the USAC students. We had burgers in Algorta. In particular, mine had an egg and cured ham on top. They were accompanied with an order of small potato slices (imagine mini-steak fries) served with a ali-oli (garlic mayonnaise). Ironically (and some how foreseen), my homestay family cooked hamburgers that night too.

Great way to end the day.