29.10 - Day 288 - Bilbao, ESP
Tuesday 29th October - Bilbao, Spain (Day 288)
I get up in the dark and jump on the tram around to the Guggenheim - I’ve been curious of the building for a long while now so I wanted to explore it a little and from more angles than a 7 or 10 year old would let me later in the day.
There’s a handful of joggers about but I’m the only one here otherwise to catch the changing shades of gold reflecting off the carved panels.
The giant spider installation out the back looks creepy in the dawn light, before I go up and over the bridge to view it from the other side of the river.
I know it’s not peak season but I’m surprised no one else is here too, in an age where people don’t want others in their social media pictures. All the better for me I suppose.
Keys-in-the-post update - no update. Now we’re nervous they won’t arrive in time. Luckily one of the neighbours is due to arrive from the UK tomorrow so they can let us in.
Back at the Atxuri Apartment I can use the carrot of ‘the biggest play park yet in Bilbao’ to help push along school work. We train it over to that netting clad park, next door to the Guggenheim to let Sienna and Seb burn off some energy before we head in for our allotted 12:30 slot.
Inside it’s 3 floors, galleries off a towering central atrium, The portraits of large heads by Yoshitomo Nara are intriguing if a little disturbing with their piercing eyes.
The kids favourite is a smoke filled room with bright lights reflecting off mirrors (Anthony McCall). Giant brown steel waved shapes by Richard Serra is more a playground than art (in our untrained eyes) but is more fun than Hilma of Klint.
The pop art of Andy Warhol and Roy Licchenstein is at least fun and bright, along with a bunch of giant tulips.
But the smoke room is where Sienna and Seb want to return so we let them jump around and catch the light beams a little more.
After another brief play in the netted play park outside we walk along the river to the Maritime Museum where for most of it we’re the only ones there until a school group arrives, in contrast to the headline grabbing Guggenheim.
Despite being the second museum of the day, we spend almost an hour here learning about the history of the port of Bilbao - there’s enough TVs and small exhibits to hold Sienna and Seb’s attention.
Their reward is some dinner at a McDonalds (Bilbao is known for it’s amazing food) across the road - after having climbed on some unbelievable large chains - used to hold down oil rigs, and out reward is some Pintxos - small servings of food - from the Market Erriberako Merkato after a tram ride.
A full two days, but very happy with what we’ve seen of Bilbao.