Afterwards we spent hours lazing by the pool before our check out time. It was very relaxing, and the Thomas sisters remarked how they missed the walking. Because we’re on a mountain top near the ocean, you just see water all around the edges of this pool deck!
We eventually got ready to check out and headed to our lunch at the world famous Arzak - a restaurant that’s been in the family for 4 generations! Mary Ann and I ordered the tasting menu and Tresa had vegetables and a beef dish. The service was phenomenal and the energy of the restaurant was delightful as they were accommodating and friendly. We got to meet the father - daughter team that run the restaurant today and the sommelier who has been working at the restaurant for over 30 years. Here are some photos of our experience:
After lunch, we took a taxi to the bus station and waited for a bit as we were early for our bus to Bilbao. We tried to get on an earlier bus, but it was sold out. So we waited in the cafeteria and watched many people clad in all white and red scarves headed to Pamplona for the San Fermin festival where they watch or run with the bulls!
The bus to Bilbao is just a little over an hour and the scenery was quite lovely:
We arrived at a busy bus station where we almost didn’t get off as I had to convince Mary Ann and Tresa we indeed were in Bilbao - they had slept through our single stop and the signs all around us were in the Basque language. The city was hopping as there was a music festival and since there was a massive taxi line, we opted to walk the 1,200 kms to our hotel, Meliá Bilbao and get some steps in. We have definitely dropped in the number of our steps since completing our Camino!
The hotel clerk pointed out the elevator was panoramic and we had a beautiful view of the river from our triple room. The elevator just looks out into the lobby, but we do have a nice view - here’s a photo from right before we went to bed:
We enjoyed a few drinks in the terrace area outside our hotel and relaxed before our day in Bilbao!
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