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Joanne PowerJoanne Power
SatelitSunting laluan
Love travelling, immersing self in local food and wine and seeing the sites Baca lagi Launceston, Australia
  • PengembaraPower Trip
    2
    Hari 43–44

    Chillida Leku Sculpture

    23 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    At the end of La Concha Bay through to the end of Ondarreta beach lies 'The Comb of the Wind' made up of three of Eduardo Chillida's monumental steel sculptures embedded in natural rocks rising from the Cantabrian Sea and where Jeremy and I strolled to on Thursday afternoon. Eduardo Chillida is considered one of the most influential Spanish artists of the 20th century.
    When installing the artwork, they also developed a viewing platform with blowholes that add to the dramatic effect of waves crashing around the sculptures.

    The following day, we headed out to Chillida Leku, an open-air museum of Chillida's work."One day, I dreamed of a utopia: finding a space where my sculptures could rest and people could walk among them as if through a forest." He is quoted as saying. In the 1980s, he and his wife acquired the land and did as he dreamed.    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    Hari 41

    Bilbao

    21 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    On Tuesday, we headed to Bilbao approx 100km from San Sebastian. The bus journey took about 90 minutes passing through some nice scenary.
    Headed straight to Museo Guggenheim. Some of the art impressed me while the rest left me questioning what is art?! I'm not sure if I'm impressed, envious or somewhat annoyed that someone can...1. Be paid for what I saw (Eg. Carboard boxes stuck to the wall, cardboard only fit for recycling) and 2. Be hailed an artist for...
    As for the explanations as to what the art or artist is trying to say...well BS artist is what I get. Maybe I being an artist is what I can become!
    Having said all that i did ratherv like Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirrored Room - A Wish for Human Happiness Calling from Beyond the Universe (2020).
    This artist who is now in her 90s I think has transformed her unsettling hallucinations into mystical visions. You enter a dark room for only about 30 seconds and boom 💥 you are in her hallucination (see photo).
    After Guggenheim, we walked and walked the streets of Bilbao.
    Cathedral de Santiago, The Chrch of San Anton, Mercado de la Riberia, old town...
    We then caught the funicular and enjoyed sweeping views over all of Bilbao. Headed to La Viña del Ensanche for a bite to eat before boarding our late bus home (back to San Sebastián).    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    Hari 40

    Monday in Madrid

    20 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    I am currently on train heading back to San Sebastián catching up on my 'footprints'... I have 5 hours to fill!

    This morning, we had breakfast and coffee with Nat and Jennie. They are moving on to London today. After breakfast, we all walked to El Retiro Park, which is a green haven in the center of Madrid. The park covers 125 hectares and there are more than 15,000 trees.

    After saying our goodbyes, Jeremy and I headed to Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum. There was a huge queue probably due to free entry on Mondays. With limited time, we decided to keep walking rather than queue. Unfortunately, the next museum we blindly headed to was not open on a Monday, so we kept strolling.

    After heading to a Mercado, looking around and stopping for lunch, we headed back to the original museum - no queues, so we headed in and admired the art. A great range of art including: Pollock, Miró, Hopper, Mondrian, Van Gogh, Goya, Degas, Renóir, Monet... I was rather impressed with and could have spent longer here admiring the art.

    Arriving back in San Sebastián was like arriving home after a weekend away...however very nice knowing we were returning to more holidaying, not work!!    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    Hari 38–39

    Weekend in Madrid

    18 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ☀️ 10 °C

    Train ride to Madrid was nice. We arrived around 2 pm. We were in the process of negotiating the metro out to our accommodation when we met up with Nat, Jennie, and Robert on the station platform. A short train ride out to Anton Martin and our accommodation.
    Within a short while, we had all checked in and were out in the sunshine first to Sol Plaza, then to Plaza Mayor. After a little Sangria in the sunshine, we walked around checking out the local sites and admiring the architecture. With dinner booked for the early time of 7:30pm at Las Cuevas de Luis Candelas (serving traditional Madrid cuisine), we had a little down time before heading out again.
    After breakfast, at one a few places opened on a Sunday morning, we spent a few hours at the Prado Museum admiring its extensive collection. No photos allowed, I discovered after taking a shot of Caravaggios David with the head of Goliath. The stories accompanying other art, such as Reuben's Birth of the Milky Way and The Banquet of Tereus, really captivated me.
    Mercado de San Miguel was the spot for lunch reminding me of the Hawker markets of Singapore...spoiled for gastronomic choice.
    With the sun shining being outdoors was a must, so back to Plaza Mayor to people watch and drink Sangria and Champagne.
    Dinner was at Inclán Brutal Bar...with a 4.7 rating on Google. we were a little disappointed by some of the dishes. Jeremy remarking, it is only worthy of 2.5!
    Nat, Jeremy, and I then headed to a cocktail bar Salmon Guru https://g.co/kgs/okQpQXb recommended by the barman at hotel. It was an atmospheric little place serving interesting cocktails.    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    Hari 36

    Arzak

    16 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Well, Arzak lived up to the refinement and deliciousness that I had read about.
    Arzak is situated in the house built by Juan Mari's grandparents in 1897. Four generations have served food here for decades. First, it was a cellar and tavern. Juan Mari's parents then turned it into a restaurant. In 1966, he took it over with help from his mother serving traditional basque cooking with his personal touch. He received his first Michelin star in 1974, 2nd in 1977, and 3rd in 1989. His daughter Elena has worked there since the 90s, and together, they've retained their well deserved 3 Michelin stars.
    Every morsel of food/drink that entered our mouth was delicious.
    The Amuse-bouche fired up the taste buds with four delectable dishes: fish, fried garlic soup, crispy corn, and shrimp.
    Fish with peach emulsion and confit lemon was a flavour bomb.
    I had then had butterfly prawn with a mango and papaya chutney while Jeremy enjoyed Hake with a kimchi green sauce.
    The next dish 'Saline fried egg' may just be the best thing I've ever put in my mouth!!!! It's definitely the best egg. It was poached perfectly, encased in fried panko with quinoa and anchovy garum, and served with a crispy strip.
    Thinking this dish would be hard to top the next two dishes proved otherwise. First came mouth watering Red Mullet with chorizo bell pepper and crispy pickled sweet potato. Then the pigeon roasted...so tender. There are simply not enough synonyms to describe just how delicious this dish was.
    The 'acidic moment' to break up the mains from dessert did its job well, refreshing and preparing the palate for more deliciousness.
    They served us two different desserts each. I indulged in a caramelised apple puree dish and a scrumptious 'chocolate ruins' dish. Jeremy enjoyed burnt milk and honey ice-cream and a chocolate molasses bread.
    Artisan chocolates followed, which we enjoyed with a skillfully poured 1964 port.
    Elena Arzac came out from the kitchen, introduced herself, and chatted with us for a short time, which was a nice touch. She spoke about her visit to Australia and time on Master Chef.
    This is so far (will be more in future no doubt) my all-time favourite 3 🌟 🌟 🌟 restaurant.    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    12
    Hari 34–35

    Logroño

    14 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    After our cooking class, we drove to Logroño. Well, Jeremy drove and put up with me as the anxious passenger. It rained most of the way, which did not help this little passenger relax. It took us a while to find our accommodation and our bnb host. Then it took awhile to shake her off. She was lovely but was up for a broken English chat.
    The next morning, we headed out to the La Rioja region in search of wineries 🍷. The first Ysios was spectacular as the photos attest. The wine was nice but we did not purchase and send any home. A couple others we were hoping to visit weren't open. Marquis de Riscal was, and their range of wines were great.

    Afterward, we headed to a wine museum, which was fascinating and housed a rather extensive display of bottle openers. Wine was able to be tasted here, too. A bottle was purchased but will be drunk before our return.

    With lunch booked the next day at our next fancy restaurant...we headed back to San Sebastián. The La Rioja region was lovely and could easily spend more time there.

    I was a slightly better passenger on our return. Much to our relief and our hip pocket, a huge dent in the car over two panels, which we only noticed at one of the wineries, was not our doing. The car hire place was already aware.    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    Hari 34

    Cooking Class

    14 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    We did a fantastic cooking class today with Lander, a chef with 25 years of experience from https://www.amaurcook.com/
    The class conducted in Lander's apartment with only 6 of us was a fantastic way to spend an afternoon.
    We made some of the all time most popular pintxos from San Sebastion.

    We prepared anchovies in order to create Antxoa Jardinera - removing the scales and bones and leaving them in a brine. Chopped the vegetables and placed in a vinaigrette to atop the anchovy. A version of this is sold in every pinxtos bar.

    Tarta de Queso or the 'famous' cheese cake was made next using 'La Viña's' recipe. 'La Viña' est in 1959 is a local bar that churns through 100s of these cakes every day! Tarta La Queso is considered the one and only pinxtos dessert.

    We also put together 'gildas' - on a small skewer, an olive, followed by one end of the anchovy, 3 piparrak, the other end of the anchovy and finished with another olive. Topped off with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Designed by a customer in 1940s to be eaten in one mouthful. It was named after Rita Haywoths character in a 1946 film -"green, salty and a little bit spicy".

    The highlight dish for me was the Tortilla de Patata (potato omlette). Confit potatoes, caramelised white onion and eggs. The best Tortilla I've had!

    Hojaldre de Txistorrra or chorizo in puffed pastry are a very easy, quick to prepare mouthful of yum!

    RIsotto de Idiazábal was another highlight and similar to the risotto we had in town earlier in our trip. Using puntalette, similar to orzo and a beautiful, smoky cheese.

    Accompanying our dishes we drank a local boutique beer, sagardoa, txakoli.

    Fantastic day!    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    Hari 31

    Akelaŕe Pedro Subijana

    11 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    WOW! WOW! WOW! A Wow for each of Akelaŕe's 3 Michelin stars it's held since 2007. I could continue with the wows for each and every dish, the setting, the service... the whole experience.

    Getting to Akelaŕe located on the slopes of Mount Igeldo, San Sebastián nearly didn't happen... pouring with rain, no Uber on the radar, no taxi in sight, I was thinking we would not make it. Good fortune was on our side, and we chanced upon an available taxi. We arrived early, giving ourselves time for a predinner drink and a chance for me to dry my new silk blouse, drenched by the rain, under the hand dryer. A glass of Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) started our experience at Akelaŕe.

    A good conductor is of no use without virtuosos of each instrument... believes Subijana. This was evident through the food and the exemplary service.

    Amuse-bouche was delightful and not quite what was expected. The 'potato' was actually a delightful mouthful of Russian salad. The 'macaron', which seemed out of place as an amuse-bouche, was actually savoury and had the flavour of a gilda (a famous pitxos served in all the bars)

    For entreé it was hard to go past one called homage to the anchovy, and Jeremy was not disappointed. I opted for a steamed red prawn with txakoli flavours. Jeremy won that round.
    The codfish shaped in a beautiful rose just melted in the mouth, and the accompanying beetroot flavours was a great pairing.
    Following the codfish was the Foie Gras with salt and pepper. They tricked us again, and while I would have been more than happy with the pile of salt, the salt was actually sugar, and the pepper was fried puffed rice. Next level deliciousness!
    Iberian pork belly and cabbage with a crunchy crackling twirl was next to hit the palate. The palate was dancing!
    The dish of Barnacles and Pig's trotters and mussels with seaweed was well named 'a bite of land and sea'.
    With the sea element happily lingering from the previous dish, the grilled Turbut followed nicely.
    Baresarian suckling lamb was next for me, and pork with 3 different types of garlic was Jeremy's choice. The lamb was exquisite, and the silky, rich jus left me wanting more. Drinking a jug of it would not be out of the question for me.
    Accompanying our dinner, we had a lovely 1997 Rioja red.
    Two desserts and petit-fours rounded off a spectacular dinner. The chocolate dessert was nothing to write home about. However, the second one, which I forgot to take a pic of, was much better, as evident by empty plate. The apple iced wine we had was the best part of dessert.    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    2
    Hari 31

    San Sebastian to Pasaia

    11 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    Jeremy and I went for a 22km hike today, from San Senastian to Pasaia. The walk starts at the end of Zurriola Beach and heads over Ulia Mount, hugging the coast most of the way. Awesome views were found around each bend. The morning sun versus the afternoon sun cast different lights on the cliffs, so I stopped in awe on the return trip as much as I did on the way there. The walk covers some of the way of St James, so I felt a connection to Camino walkers. There was even the guiding yellow arrows along the way.
    On arrival in Pasaia, we chanced upon some boating/port festival...stores, demonstrations, music, and puppets. The huge puppets operated by 1, or in some cases, 2 people would have given me nightmares as a child. Had a great festival feel. If the 11km walk back and fancy dinner was not in front of us, we would have stayed and joined in on the street beers that were on offer.    Baca lagi

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  • PengembaraPower Trip
    Hari 30

    Swim at last! Zurriola

    10 Mei, Sepanyol ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Have been hanging out for a swim since I arrived. Today, the sun was out, and it was reasonably warm, so it had to be done. The beach was packed, not many people in the water. I should have taken note...the water was freezing! Couldn't make it back to apartment without stopping off for a glass...Baca lagi

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