Unreal Madrid

10 Apr - Day 26

We had explored most of Bilbao, and even found the only Mandarin speaking cafe in the old town at lunch time. Marcus remarked that we have spoken Mandarin in every European country (ie two) so far. The lady said we weren't from China when we spoke and we agreed saying we were from NZ. They were impressed, don't know why.

We decided to make the most of the metro and took it to the end of the line, to a seaside village Plentzia for a wander. Not much going on there either. On the way back to Bilbao, there is a Unesco Heritage bridge that bridges Gexto and Portugalete, called Puente Colgante. It is actually a cable car suspended under a 100 metre tall bridge. The cable car carries people and vehicles across the Nervion River. Cost for each person 35 cents and we took the ride across, lasting 48 seconds.

We needed directions to the metro on the other side, and I mucked up my Spanish. Instead of asking where is the metro, I said when is the metro. Unlike myself, the guy was not a complete idiot and directed us correctly. On the bus back to the hotel, I experimented sticking my metro ticket into the bus ticket machine, and got told off by the bus driver. Luckily, Marcus had the right ticket and credits for the both of us. The driver was also subsequently distracted by an old lady, who was giving him relationship advice and trying to feed him chippies, to pay too much attention to me.

11 Apr - Day 27

The drive to Madrid took 4 hours to cover 380 kms. This included two stops, one to find our neck pillows and another for coffee/toilet. Madrid is on a plateau. The drive took us up to 1,500 metres before settling on 900 metres in Madrid according to our GPS. Driving was easy, and it only took one U turn and twice round the block to find our hotel car park in Madrid. So we arrived fresh and good to go at around 2.30pm.

The reception lady at our Madrid hotel was very nice if a bit forgetful. She called me "Hit Hong" because J is pronouced H in Spanish - jajaja! Armed with maps and metro directions, we took the metro to Madrid Centro which comprised Puerta de Sol (Doorway to the Sun) and Plaza Mayor. This is the heart of tourist Madrid.

Marcus was very amused by the fat spiderman in Plaza Mayor. We joined a walking tour from here to orientate ourselves, and finished the tour at Museo Prado, a super large museum full of middle ages painting and sculptures. It is free entry from 6pm, and as we had 30 mins to kill, we spent the cost saved on a couple glasses of vino blanco and limonada at a nearby cafe. I also learnt at this cafe "una mas" means another one, very useful.

After the Museo visit we headed back to Plaza Mayor for a paella dinner. Marcus had Valencia and I had prawn and squid cooked in squid ink, so the rice was black. We ate too much, so we saved 2 euros on the metro and made the 45 mins walk back to the hotel, crossing some beautiful gardens, bridges and Athletica fans going to the Athletica Madrid vs Real Madrid game. At the time of writing Athletica was getting thrashed 4-1, Ronaldo on a hat trick.

Picture below is for Maylene.