We went to an amazing tapa bar called “Nagusia Lau” in San SebastiĆ”n.
Tapa Bar Nagusia Lau in San SebastiƔn in Spain
Inside the bar were tapas of every imaginable type laid out on the bar area.
Tapas laid pout on the bar for choosing by customers.
When we entered the bar the place was packed with people. We were lucky to find a table near the back of the bar. We sat down and our waitress arrived and explained how the tapa bar worked.Ā We go to the bar and select and put on our plate whatever tapas we want. We then tell the person behind the bar our table number and he notes the tapas on our plate.
Shelley walking along the bar selecting her tapas.
Selecting our tapas was not easy because of the large selection of interesting and tasty looking tapas. We walked along the bar looking at the different ones trying to select the ones we wanted.
some of the tapas for choosing.
We chose different tapas and headed back to our table. Each tapa was very tasty but there were a few that were extremely delicious, “Gambas” and “Pulpo”
“gambas” scrimp in a fresh sauce with peppers“Pulpo” octopus sliced in garlic butter with paprikaĀ and other spices
We really enjoyed sampling some of the great tapas in San SebastiƔn and the Nagusia Lau Tapa bar was a great experience.
We went to a bar called “Bodega del Riojano” in Santander Spain. This was a very interesting and quaint spot with an unassuming front entrance.
Entrance to the Bodega delĀ Riojano in Santander, Spain
We went inside and immediately were impressed by the atmosphere and the unique decorations. There were barrelsĀ tops all painted with different images throughout the entire bar.
Barrels with unique paintings on each one above the bar area.Barrels painted in the hallway of the Bodega del Riojano
We found a nice area to sit down and enjoy a drink . We could see that each barrel was painted with a different style and look. Some of the barrels had images that were photographs while the majority of them were hand painted.
Shelley, Ray, Mark and Vicki in the Bodega Del Riojano in Santander
The bar was a lot larger than it appeared with a large dinning area towards the rear of the building.
Part of the dinning area in the Bodega del RiojanoBarrels on display in a section of the Bodega del Riojana
There was some very interesting barrel paintings, including our favourite one. When you look closely at the painting you can see that one eye is missing. At the bottom of the paining is a bowl with an eye in with the olives.Ā The painting is done in a somewhat cubism style.
Barrel Painting entitled āBaco Cosecha 59ā In the Bodega del Riojano
What was very interesting is that every barrel was painted by a different artist. The above barrel was painted byĀ Sergio del Pozo CossĆo, in 1994 āBaco Cosecha 59ā.
Below are a few of theĀ 126 barrels that are displayed in the Bodega del Riojano.
Artist Victor MerinoArtist Ricardo Zamorano MolinaArtist Pedro FloresArtist Javier Vila Tierra TraĢgameEntitled PecesArtist Ana, Paillole
The Bodega del Riojano was a very unique spot and we enjoyed our time exploring the different barrels.
Sunday we went with friends to do some hiking in the foothills of the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park. It is located near theĀ town of “Banyeres de Mariola” which is the highest town in the interior of the province of Alicante. The trail began with a concrete path which went towards the valley of the mountain.
Shelley at the beginning of the trail in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park.
We walked along the concrete trail for sometime and eventually the trail narrowed and changed to a dirt path.
A path in the park
We arrived to an area with a river called “VinapolĆ³” which was quite small and shallow. It appeared more like a stream than a river.
Shelley, Victor, Irena and Ray in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park
We walked along the path towards the source of the river. There were a few small footbridges that we crossed as we went along.
Footbridge over the VinapolĆ³ river
We walked along the river for about an hour and came to the source of the VinapolĆ³, which was an underground stream.
The source of the VinapolĆ³ river
We followed the trail further and came to some building ruins that were quite old and other unique features.
building ruins in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park
We even saw in the distance some castle ruins, but decided that it was too far for this trip.
Castle ruins along the trails in the Sierra de Mariola Natural Park.
We did not pack enough water or food to hike to the castle ruins so we will save that for another time. We walked about 10 kilometers during our time in the park. It was a great day and we enjoyed seeing some of the Sierra deĀ Mariola Natural Park.
We went to port city of Santander which is the capital of the historical region of Cantabria. It is located on the north coast of Spain. We walked along the coastline which had a large park.Ā
Park area near the bay of Cantabria bay
We walked through the park exploring and admiring the views. We came across some bronze status,Ā which was a memorial.
Memorial of the fire of February 15, 1945 in Santander, Spain
It was a memorial for the rebuilding of Santander after the massive fire of February 15, 1941,Ā which destroyed most of the city. During the fire a total of 72,211 firefighters fought the fire and its aftermath. There was only one death throughout the fire and it was a firefighter named Julian Sanchez who was from Madrid.
Ray and the memorial
The park was quite long and ran parallel to the water.Ā Along the parkway we came across a large structure which was quite unique.
Structure along the coastline in Santander, Spain
It is called “Centro BotĆn” and it is an art center with a very unique architectural design. We walked under the edge of the Centro Botin near the water.
Shelley under the base of the Centro Botin Art building in SantanderCentro Botin, Santander
The building appears split into two halves with a central connecting hallway. There is also a stairs and an elevator which allowed people to reach the roof. We decided to head to the roof and check out the views.Ā
Shelley and Ray on the roof of the Centro Botin art building in Santander, Spain
We continued our walk along theĀ park and came across some bronze statues of children, called “raqueros”.
Bronze status of children on the shoreline of Santander, Spain
Apparently the story of the statues is to depicted the children who would wait for the tourist ships to arrive at port. The tourist would trow coins into the water and the children would dive in for the coins.
Statue of child diving into the water in Santander, Spain
We walked along the park for a while before heading in to exploreĀ the old quarter of Santander.Ā The waterfront parkway was a great time and a leisurely way to spend a few hours.
We went to San Sebastien to explore this beautiful city. We began our exploring by taking the hop-on-hop-off bus.
Hop-on-hop-off Bus in San Sebastian, Spain
We were able to explore the different areas of San Sebastian and see some of the key points of interest before exploring them in more detail on foot.
Shelley, Ray, Mark and Vicki on the Hop-on-hop-off bus in San Sebastian
The city had some unique and beautiful sites. There are several great beaches which are very picturesque.
Beach front of San Sebastian, Spain
Ray on the boardwalk at the edge of the concha beach.
We walked through the old city centre exploring its charm. There was some beautiful architecture and parks.
We then went to “Funicular Monte Igueldo” which is a mountainside train which brings you to an amusement park. We decided to take the train car which is pulled up the mountain Igueldo by cable to the top.
The Funicular Monte Igueldo cable car in San Sebastian
We bought our tickets and lined up for the next cable car.
Ray, Shelley, Vicki and Mark waiting for the cable car to arrive.
You could see the train tracks leading up the Igueldo mountain.
Funicular train tracks leading the cable car to the top of the mountain
We rode the cable car up the tracks to the top of the mountain. It was an eerie felling as we went up the steep incline of the mountain. There was no sound of a motor and if the cable broke the cable car would surely go straight down the mountain. When we reached the amusement park at the top the views were spectacular.
Shelley, Ray, Mark and Vicki at the top of the mountain overlooking the city of San Sebastian, Spain
We walked around the top of the Igueldo mountain enjoying the beautiful views.
Amusement park on the top of the mountain
A view from the mountain pf the City of San Sebastian
We decided to stop and have a refreshing drink while looking at the views. Afterwards we headed back down the mountain using the cable car. We enjoyed exploring the city of San Sebastian and look forward to our next visit to this wonderful spot.
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