Gijon—October 2-4, 2018

Today was another travel day, a 5.5 hour bus trip to Gijon on the northern coast of Spain. Originally, I was going to rent a car so we could enjoy looking at the coastline, but since the bus trip drove the same route, we knew taking the bus would be less stressful. And it was. The drive was stunning and we didn't have to worry about navigating.

We'll be here two nights basically taking it easy. Gijon's old town is lovely and the beaches jaw-dropping, but our goal in stopping here was to spend a little time on the Atlantic coast while breaking up the drive to Santiago de Compostela. We really haven't done this kind of traveling (moving to another location every two or three days) in a long time. We're looking forward to staying put in Porto for 9 days.

Our motor coach had free wifi and a media player in the back
of each seat, like an airliner. You could watch movies or
play video games, take a quiz—basically amusing yourself
if you thought the roughed and green hillsides dotted with
farms washing down to the Atlantic and its sandy beach
coves interspersed with waves crashing over rock outcrops
wasn't distraction enough.

Our pension is on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage and
is really comfortable, reasonable and smack dab in the
middle of Gijon's cute old town.

You have to stay here: it's fantastic! Book directly with Andrea at:

www.balenaxpension.com.

The common living room is comfortable and is adjacent to
the communal kitchen with it's stove/oven, refrigerator,
microwave, coffee maker etc. 

More importantly, Balenex Pension has a really cool vibe. 

Took a walk to stretch our legs after the long ride. It's windy
along San Lorenzo Beach but not cold. 

Low tide at San Lorenzo Beach.

Looking back to the Roman baths (1st and 2nd century) and
San Pedro (15th century) facing San Lorenzo Beach.

The Cantabrico Bay is a looker and...

enjoyed by surfers...

sailors...

fishermen...

and wind surfers. Right, looks like October 2nd to me. Not!

The "Praise to the Horizon" sculpture, designed by Eduardo
Chillida, was installed in 1990 at the headland of Cimavilla
Park. Inside the sculpture the sound of the sea is amplified
and echos along its concrete walls.

A walk through and around Gijon's Old Town.

Revillagigedo Palace, 18th century.

Shopping arcade on Mayor's Plaza.

Walking into Mayor's Plaza.

 

A pharmacy along San Bernardo Street. 

Loved the tile murals along the side of the pharmacy

You're going to see lots

of pictures of 18 century

and 19th century buildings

just because they're so

beautiful and impressive.

This modern children's department store

cracked us up.

 
 

      Yep, it's Jesus again. The Sacred Heart 

      Basilica (aka The Big Church) is modern 

     (1911) but made to look gothic.

Cider has always been enjoyed and
made in the Asturias Region since
the 1st century. This is how it's
poured. We didn't try any, because
you have to purchase the entire
bottle and that's not happening.