Day 249: San Sebastian: Mt Ulia

October 22, 2016

Today was my last day in San Sebastian, and it was yet another great one. I love this city.

I have pretty much done everything I wanted to do here, and it wasn't quite warm enough to go for a swim, so I decided to hike up Mt Ulia. I went the wrong way, so it took a little extra time, but I got there.

The top was honestly a little bit boring, because there were a lot of trees blocking the way, but it turns out that the hike back to town is part of the Camino trail again! There were a few good views, but none as good as the day with Jesus.

This afternoon I got on the bus to Bordeaux, and I should arrive soon! (Blogging from the bus)

Tomorrow, something French, I'm sure xx

Day 248: San Sebastian: Pintxo Pote and Jesus

October 21, 2016

Today I went and saw Jesus on the hill, but last night was the real story.

Thursdays in San Sebastian, almost ever bar and restaurant has a tradition of a special where it is €2 for a beer or wine, and you also get a pintxo, a small thing to eat. I think this is my favourite tradition in the world!

I had everything from oysters to risotto to fried egg to smoked salmon toasties. And a few good wines. We had a good crew from all around the world, and we just had a great time! And a 3am stroll along the beach singing bohemian rhapsody.

Today I went for a hike. As if yesterday wasn't enough walking, I headed to the top of the point between the two beaches were there is a giant Jesus statue on the hill. The view was absolutely unbelievable.

I also spent some time in the old city, just wandering around.

Tomorrow, Bordeaux xx

Day 247: San Sebastian: Camino de Santiago

October 20, 2016

Today I got up bright and early and joined another girl on walking part of the Camino de Santiago, a famous pilgrimage which in total is around 1500km.

We only did 25-30km, but that was enough for me! The terrain was quite steep in parts, but the view over the ocean was spectacular, and I can see why people have flocked here in the millions over the years.

We got lunch in a small town, and I got the bus back to San Sebastian, and she is continuing on for another 800km.

Tomorrow, seeing the city xx

Day 246: San Sebastian: A Day at the Beach

October 19, 2016

Today I was super tired from the night train, so I took it pretty easy.

I didn't realise how much I missed swimming in the ocean and lounging by the beach. The sun here isn't nearly as scalding as the Australian sunlight, so even when I realised I hadn't put any sunscreen on all day, it was fine.

Tomorrow, walking some of the Camino xx

Day 245: Lisbon: Night Trains and Classics

October 18, 2016

Today I was a little unsure of what I wanted to see, so I took a friend I made to go and see the waterfront and monastery again.

You really cannot beat a waterfront location and hundreds of year old architecture.

Tonight I am on a train to San Sebastian for 14 hours, but so far it is just me and one French woman, so it should be alright!

Tomorrow, San Sebastian xx

Day 244: Lisbon: Tram 28

October 17, 2016

Today I decided to go back to some of places that were closed yesterday when we visited them.

I started with the roofless Church, Carmo Convent. It is roofless since the earthquake in 1755 which devastated the city.

They had a whole museum out the back, complete with mummies, weapons from various wars, and even things from the bronze and stone ages! That is 10,000 years ago!!

After the church, I just wandered around the city for a while, and once it got dark, I rode on the famous Tram 28 which goes through the whole city.

The views were incredible, but all of my photos look terrible because of the movement. Didn't stop me trying though!

Tomorrow, a night train xx

Day 243: Lisbon: A Castle with a View

October 16, 2016

Today I managed to cross of most of the things I wanted to see in Lisbon, but it really took all day.

I started off at Sao Jorge Castle, which along with being about a thousand years old (a lot of it is fully restored, but there are some sections which are just ruins) is also one of the best lookouts across the city.

The walk up the hill was worth it for the view over the bay and ocean.

After the Castle, I went and checked out some churches. Most of them were closed as it was a Sunday, so I may have to go back to a couple that looked particularly interesting, but to be honest, I am a little bit Churched out!

I also got to try a proper Portuguese egg tart, and oh my god they are amazing. Goes perfectly with a coffee. I need to get the recipe!

Tomorrow, maybe some after dark exploring xx

Day 242: Lisbon: Monastery and the Waterfront

October 15, 2016

Today was a tough day to get through after getting no sleep last night. Normally I can sleep anywhere, but between crying babies, and an overweight woman who kept jumping herself awake next to me, I ended up with about 45 minutes. Can't stop me exploring a city though!

I started off walking down to the Tower of Belem, built in 1500s, which is just right along the waterfront, in a beautiful spot.

Nearby is the Jeronimo Monastery, built around the same time. It was huge, and luckily, by the time I got there, the weather was clearing up, so I got some brilliant blue skies!

I walked back along the waterfront for a couple of hours to the metro (didn't want to waste money on the train) which was just spectacular.

Tomorrow, the city centre xx

Day 241: Madrid: Getting Things Organised

October 14, 2016

Today I feel like I have done nothing, but I feel a lot more organised.

I have booked all of my accommodation and transport for the next few weeks, and I have some idea of what I will do after that as well.

The night bus is packed, so I'm not sure how much sleep I will get!

Tomorrow, Lisbon xx

Day 240: Madrid: Markets, Egyptians and Food

October 13, 2016

Today we got a bit of a late start, but headed to another park, this one with a rebuilt Egyptian temple thing. Completely random, but the park was really pretty!

After the park, we headed to the market Mercado de San Miguel, which had dozens of small stores selling small tasters of various things. We ate at a few places and had a local sherry. The olives were amazing.

My friend is leaving early in the morning, so I am spending tomorrow planning the next few weeks of my trip and updating this blog seeing as the internet hasn't been good enough to post them, just do the drafts.