Bilbao, Spain
We arrived this morning into the capitol of the Basque section of Northeast Spain, the city of Bilbao. After boarding our busses for the city center we experienced the industry and rapid growth of this city by the sea. The busses did a quick tour of the city center before ending near the Nervion River, and at our destination for the morning, the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by the architect Frank Gehry, and costing the city more than $100 million, this museum is an amazing work of art itself. Sometimes it even outshines the art within its curved and gravity defying walls. Many of us took time with the Kandinsky exhibit as well as the permanent large-scale sculptures in the main hall. After a little free time it was back on the bus for our trip back to the port.
Our afternoon at sea began with lunch and then a little free time. Dennis Cornejo gave a video illustrated talk on some of the shelled creatures we have encountered thus far, plus a bonus dive he did on the bottom of the ship to see the workings of the propeller and the stabilizers. This was followed by afternoon tea. David Barnes then gave an introductory talk on Spain and Santiago de Compostela which would be our stop tomorrow. This will also be our chance to show respect for those lost one year ago. There will be a moment of silence in the square outside the cathedral while we are visiting.
A very busy day indeed to be followed by another as we make our way around Spain.
We arrived this morning into the capitol of the Basque section of Northeast Spain, the city of Bilbao. After boarding our busses for the city center we experienced the industry and rapid growth of this city by the sea. The busses did a quick tour of the city center before ending near the Nervion River, and at our destination for the morning, the Guggenheim Museum. Designed by the architect Frank Gehry, and costing the city more than $100 million, this museum is an amazing work of art itself. Sometimes it even outshines the art within its curved and gravity defying walls. Many of us took time with the Kandinsky exhibit as well as the permanent large-scale sculptures in the main hall. After a little free time it was back on the bus for our trip back to the port.
Our afternoon at sea began with lunch and then a little free time. Dennis Cornejo gave a video illustrated talk on some of the shelled creatures we have encountered thus far, plus a bonus dive he did on the bottom of the ship to see the workings of the propeller and the stabilizers. This was followed by afternoon tea. David Barnes then gave an introductory talk on Spain and Santiago de Compostela which would be our stop tomorrow. This will also be our chance to show respect for those lost one year ago. There will be a moment of silence in the square outside the cathedral while we are visiting.
A very busy day indeed to be followed by another as we make our way around Spain.
