We had had a great day in A Coruña and we planned to spend as much time as we could in and around the Old Town of Bilbao. We had been warned that the city would be busy with football fans. From the ship we had had no explanation as to why this would be but we decided that probably we would still be able to get around OK.
Day 4: Thursday 11th April 2024: Bilbao
At 7:30 am Sky Princess was docked in Getxo, the port for Bilbao. The Marketplace, in the buffet, was empty when we went upstairs for a late breakfast.
We gathered ourselves together and went down to the car park to catch the shuttle bus into Bilbao.
Bilbao
The shuttle took us into the underground space of the Intermodal station. This was not the usual drop-off point that other ships had used. From the underground car park we followed the crowd and eventually rode an escalator up into a small shopping area. From there we could walk outside and check just exactly where we were.
As we left, we noticed a Sky Princess labelled pop-up tent. This was good news, as we had no idea where to go to get down underneath the station to catch the shuttle bus back to get Getxo.
From the Intermodal we first headed towards the river and the football stadium. We learnt that Athletic Bilbao had won the Copa Del Rey against Mallorca. This was their first win of the cup in 30 years and their fans were gathering for a big celebration. Little did we understand just how big the celebration was planned to be!
Walking to the Old Town
For this visit to Bilbao we planned to walk to the old town and then walk back alongside the river past the Guggenheim.
After passing the stadium we turned onto the Gran Vía de Don Diego López de Haro at the statue of Sagrado Corazon de Jesus.
The sun was in our faces as we walked along. We met more supporters making their way towards the stadium. I use the bright light to capture silhouettes of people that were walking towards us.
The street was closed between some intersections with lots of police directing both cross traffic as well as the growing crowds.
This was a small demonstration.
After the open space, Moyua Plaza, we were then on the pedestrianised street.
The bridge into the old town was closed to traffic and the crowds were now massed on the downstream side of the bridge. After crossing over we walked towards the Metro station. The Metro station was emptying out even more supporters.
Coffees at La Sinsorga
We walked to the right past the station onto Askao Kaleo and stopped for a coffee at La Sinsorga.
This coffee bar was empty. We sat so we could see outside and relaxed enjoying a very reasonably priced latte. There was a steady stream of supporters marching past the the door.
Along Askao Kaleo
The street was full of supporters and we retraced our steps and walked past the Metro towards the town hall.
Town hall
The town hall steps were full of supporters plus a small crowd of demonstrators.
Pasea Del Arenal after the Town Hall we walked alongside the river. On our left the promenade by the river was jammed with supporters.
Looking up, this couple of ladies were waiting on their balcony.
To get to the Guggenheim we cross the river on the pedestrian bridge, the Zubizuri,
The South bank side of the river was just as full as the North side. There were groups of teenagers, extended families and groups of fans all camped out along the fence. Despite the warnings from Princess everywhere people were smiling, dancing to music or just sitting around chatting with wine or beer.
I asked this supporter to show me the top of her celebration hat.
The large art under the Salbeko Zubia never seems as magnificent on my images.
The Guggenheim
Maman, the spider, was cordoned off to protect her from the expected crowds.
I wasn’t the only photographer capturing pictures of the crowds.
When we reached the Guggenheim the crowd queuing inside were as large as we’ve seen on previous visits. So once again we didn’t venture inside the museum except to take advantage of their toilets!
Back to the Intermodal station
After the steps we passed the statue of the West Highland puppy and started our way back to the shuttle for Getxo.
We took what we thought would be a direct route starting Alameda Mazartedo. But at Plaza Euskadi a plan went wrong and it took a few attempts to finally get past the park and find out way this was down to lack of street names and no sign posts.
At the junction, we could see the large statue of Sagrado Corazón. Once at the statue roundabout we could retrace our steps past the now busy stadium to the bus station.
Underneath the Intermodal station
Once there we joined the queue past the Sky Princess’ tent. While we waited in the queue I explored the views around.
When the queue moved, we went down a dark staircase until we came to a glass enclosed corridor next to all the coaches in the underground bus station.
More supporters …
The roads back to Getxo were busy. As the shuttle bus went over bridges over the river I can see crowds of people lining the banks ready for the armada of Bilbao Athletic.
Getxo and back on Sky Princess
Once the shuttle bus left the urban parts of Getxo we passed the beautiful houses built along the hill overlooking the sea.
Then we pass the beach.
Back on board we had the second of our “free“ pizzas at Alfredo’s. We then went back to our cabin to have a rest after our busy day.
The Armada leaves Getxo
Later we heard the ship’s fog horn continually blasting. This was not an emergency signal. Over the ships tannoy we learned that the football teams boat was passing the ship but on the other side. This was the armada of boats making their way up the river to Bilbao.
The barge the team rode on was last used 30 years before to celebrate the victory then and had been brought out a museum!
Sky Princess was on Spanish TV as the Celebration Armada was broadcast live going up the river. Here are some views as the armada reached the centre of Bilbao.
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Evening after leaving Getxo
From our balcony, we watched ky Princess East out of Getxo on her way to France and Le Verdon.
The production show in the evening was “Five Skies “. This is a complicated original production show with lots of special effects but it was one that we had seen before on our last transatlantic trip.
At dinner we opted for a table for two and skipped all the excitement in the Piazza for an early night as we expected yet another busy day in Soulac-sur-Mer.
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