Sunday, October 17, 2010

How Much Hair For A Full Head

Ermita de San Juan de Gaztelugache Vizcaya Suspension Bridge

A few kilometers out Machichaco, we found a small chapel built on a rocky peninsula that is accessed by climbing the 200 steps that separate the mainland.


is located on the Biscay coast, halfway between the towns of Bakio and Bermeo, so that we will reach BI-631 road from Bilbao to Bermeo, later followed by bi- 3101 Bakio direction.


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A recommended stop before going to the chapel, is Machichaco Cape, where we see the lighthouse and an overview of this area of \u200b\u200bthe Biscay coast, including the shrine of San Juan to which we are headed.


After this stop, we Bakio direction, and about 3 miles later, we find an iron sculpture that marks the place where we take an exit to the right that will lead us to the small parking lot at the foot of the stairs to the chapel.

Before arriving, we see that there are qualified small parking areas, since most likely all the way down you should find parking, so it is best to leave the car here and download the latest 300 or 400 meters walk while enjoying the views of the island with the chapel on its top and double arch formed by the force of water that has been eroding the rock of the island.



Once we are in the parking lot before climbing the stairs, we can see right Machichaco Cape we have been in a few minutes ago and to the left, an impressive rock cliffs in the days of heavy surf, the water breaks with fury.


At this point, we have to start driving by the stone bridge that leads to the narrow dirt road where we found several flights of stairs and a gazebo where you stop to rest and recreate the landscape.


During ascent, the ordeal will see several stations located in some corners of the road, and having their last stop at the top next to the chapel.

There are several curiosities, rituals and traditions to those who come up to the hermitage:


  • One is given to the shrine three times for luck.
  • Another speaks of the visitors / pilgrims who reach the top, must play three times hood to make a wish or drive away evil spirits.
  • tradition also tells the San Juan Bautista landed in this area of \u200b\u200bthe Basque country, leaving several tracks in the area, one in the last step before reaching the shrine, so they say that if we put in place in it, an iron will.


Opposite the door of the chapel, there is a hostel where as a curiosity, we have a doorless shower room and separate from the rest of the building by a wall, which simply a hole in the ground from which we can see the ocean about 100 feet below. Already

either by the stunning views of the Cantabrian coast, its traditions, or simply because they know a place in our country, the hermitage of San Juan de Gaztelugache is a 100% recommended for a getaway.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Can You Get A Tan In Feb In Hawaii




Located almost at the mouth of the River Nervión (Vizcaya), this bridge connects the towns of their margins, Portugalete and the district of Getxo sands, through a transporter bridge saving around road over 20 miles.


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Opened in 1893, was the first such bridge built in steel structures throughout the world, and allowed the transfer from one bank to another by facilitating communications between two locations without affecting the navigation of one of the busiest ports in Europe the time.



The design of the bridge is Alberto de Palacio, the architect of the Glass Palace Retiro Park, the headquarters of the Bank of Spain and the Atocha train station, all in Madrid .

What made it unique to this bridge, was the result of the union of the iron bridges, suspension bridges subjects with steel cables, and the ingenious mechanism for transporting people and cargo from one bank to another.



Basically, the bridge consists of four towers, two on each bank of the river holding two horizontal beams on which the rails are mounted on a carriage that moves the car from which hangs in which crosses from one side to another.



If you do not have much dizzy and I feel like walking across the catwalk above the rails where to find the basket, you can go by either panoramic elevators located in each of the banks . There
bear in mind that they are 61 meters high and 160 meters walk, which must be added the Rolling Bridge gets when the car is cruising or days of strong wind.



have more information on the bridge and fares on its website: http://www.puente-colgante.com/principal.html

One of the most interesting options section of the webcam, live where you can see the bridge and the surrounding villages from any of 10 preset camera views: http://www.puente-colgante.com/webcam.html

NOTE: In order to view the webcam, you need a browser that supports Java. In internet explorer is working fine.






Sunday, October 3, 2010

Homemade Minni Sand Rail

Butron Castle Guide New York

just 20 km from Bilbao, the capital of the province of Vizcaya, this is a medieval fortress that has witnessed centuries of bloody battles between noble the area, Gamboinos, who were the owners of the castle, and Onacinos.



To reach the castle from Bilbao follow the directions on the highway BI-631 towards Mungia, and once there take the exit Mungia direction and Gatika (BI-634).

follow this road which runs along the river for about 6 km, you will see a sign indicating the entrance to the road that will take you to the parking lot from which to access the castle by crossing a small bridge.


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Surrounding the castle is a forest of oaks and other exotic species such as palms or even a giant sequoia 45 meters that give it a look halfway between the exotic and mysterious.


I can give no real input prices as I was in 2004, but I remember it cost about 5 € to 6 €, depending on whether we get the entry clearance or the tour.

recommend the latter, as the economic difference is not large and will explain the history of the castle, the battle between the nobles who lived and those of rival families ... all audiovisual elements and recreated with actors dressed in period costumes that give life to everyday scenes of life in the castle.

During the visit we can see interior spaces such as the chapel, guard rooms, dungeons ... and we can walk the outer parts of the castle, where we can closely observe the impressive main tower, built on the ruins of the original tower that gave rise to the castle in the eleventh century, when there arose a typical medieval tower on the former home of the Butrón.


was in the fourteenth century when the tower was transformed into a castle-fortress, coinciding with the height of fighting between Gamboinos and Onacinos.

early sixteenth century and when the conflict between the two families are winding down, the castle begins a process of abandonment and decay that reaches the nineteenth century, when it is restored by the Marquis of Cubas, which inspired by the great castles of Bavaria adding battlements and windows largest cause falls into the current appearance.


From the outside areas of the castle can also view the lush forest that surrounds it, including the huge 45-meter sequoia.


Among the stories the guide told us there is one that is present most of the way, and that of a prisoner who is said to listen to her complaints in a well accessed through one of many passages for those who walk.


Some of the interior rooms can be reserved for the celebration of various events such as conferences, meals or even weddings, since they are fully equipped and rehabilitated.


recommend a visit to a castle that has nothing to do with architecture typical of other strengths of the region, and located just 30 minutes from Bilbao.