Monday, July 9, 2007

Bilbao - Guggenheim and More

I would like to welcome the first guest author to my blog - my sister, who has been a faithful travel companion on my European tour despite all her complaining! :-) She insisted on writing this entry because she had some pretty strong feelings about this place.


-------------------------------
One of my greatest regrets in Bilbao is going to see the Guggenheim. The attraction was to see one of Frank Gehry’s architectural masterpieces. Alas it was such a disappointment once you enter in the museum. The only artworks that were even worth looking at are visible from the outside so don't waste money on a ticket. It is 12.50 euros for the regular entrance fee, but if you are a student who is under 26 years old the prices drop to 7.50 euros. Audio guide is included. Like I said, don't waste your money on a ticket. Just go to the front of the museum for the cute dog, known as “the puppy”, to take some nice pictures. It is a gigantic wired puppy piece decorated with an array of flowers that supposedly differ in color as the seasons change. Just take your digital camera, zoom, and click. Believe me, you don’t want to go in to look at the horrid “modern” art they have. It really lacks any pieces of work that are worth the fee. I cannot begin to describe the bitterness, anger, and frustration that I felt when I toured this horrid museum.


My experience at the Guggenheim really marred my impression of Bilbao but the city did have other redeeming qualities such as the food, the hotel, and the ambiance. We ate at two restaurants near the entrance of the museum. The first place was Serrantes III, where we were able to try a unique dish of “barnacles” at an exorbitant price of 150 euros per kg. They were delectable, but I am not quite sure they were worth the price as we found them in the fish markets later in Barcelona to be much cheaper. We only had some snacks/tapas at this restaurant because the prices were ridiculously high. Fortunately we had passed an Asian restaurant earlier on the way that looked much more reasonable so we went back there for lunch. It turned out surprisingly good (and it's almost right across from the main entrance to the museum). For those of you who speak mandarin, the supposed Japanese restaurant that was run by Chinese/Cantonese people named the restaurant Tamaya (Ta-ma-ya). Can we say a little ironic and maybe a hidden message? ^_^ Refreshingly, this restaurant was actually pretty decent and for a great price. Their lunch “menu” was 13.50 euros; which included appetizer, rice or noodles, a main course, dessert, and drinks. Usually the entrees for such a low price would be either horrendous or extremely tiny or both. This place was wonderful because I had a nice plate of shrimp tempura, a mediocre fried rice, a generous amount of peking duck, violet ice cream, and water. As for my sister and mom, they ordered sushi, stir-fried instant noodles, enormous sauteed shrimps, fresh fruits, and tea. For the price of 13.50 euros, we constantly talk about this diamond in the rough. Once you come to Europe you will find out that there are really no delectable Asian restaurants, nor are they all at reasonable prices. We often wish to find a place like this in Europe, when we think about it we say “ta ma yah!” (those of you who speak Mandarin will get it) ^_^.

The ambiance of Bilbao is also pleasant because they have a lot of intriguing architectural splendors as the city tries to fit into the setting of Frank Gehry’s design. The bridges over the rivers are very modern and nice to look at. As for our hotel, we stayed at the Hesperia Bilbao, which was located across the river facing the Guggenheim. It was a pretty nice hotel for a very reasonable price, but I must say I know why it was not that expensive for a four-star hotel! They trick you to come to Bilbao to suffer and visit the abhorrent Guggenheim museum that they recognize as their treasure. What a mockery! I would never come back to Bilbao because of this abomination! I recommend you to stay in San Sebastian to bask in the splendid city and stay close to the ethereal beaches.

----------------------------------
Um, okay... Thanks, Sis, for your candid review. I guess I'll see your posts again the next time you really hate a place!

10 comments:

Chi-Mei said...

Wow, that's a lot of hatred! Not everyone gets to go travel in Europe you know....

Chi-Mei said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
chenlina said...

chenlina20150728
red timberland boots
nfl jerseys
chanel handbags
true religion outlet
coach factory outlet
michael kors outlet
cheap jordans
tods outlet store
jordan retro 4
michael kors outlet
aviator sunglasses
jordans
coach outlet
abercrombie & fitch new york
coach outlet
cheap air max
michael kors bag
gucci shoes
michael kors outlet
gucci shoes
cheap lululemon
coco chanel
tory burch handbags
louis vuitton outlet
retro 9
christian louboutin shoes
christian louboutin sale
lebron 11
mont blanc pens
louis vuitton outlet
polo outlet
christian louboutin shoes
louis vuitton
michael kors outlet
louis vuitton outlet
oakley sunglasses
longchamp soldes
beats by dr dre
retro 11
michael kors outlet online

John said...

2015910yuanyuan
ugg slippers
toms shoes
nike roshe runs
christian louboutin outlet
cheap jerseys
michael kors bag
ray-ban sunglasses
true religion outlet
louis vuitton outlet
michael kors
nike air max 90
celine
ray ban outlet
swarovski jewelry
ralph lauren outlet
michael kors outlet
louis vuitton outlet
replica watches
ghd
toms wedges,toms.com,toms promo code,toms shoes outlet,toms canada,toms shoes sale
louis vuitton
louis vuitton
abercrombie
air jordans
coach factory outlet
coach factory outlet
air max uk
jordan 11s
michael kors outlet
celine outlet
mcm handbags

chenlina said...

chnelina20151125
cheap ugg boots
supra shoes
replica watches
ugg sale
ugg sale
ray ban outlet store
cheap uggs
michael kors handbags
uggs for men
coach factory outlet
ed hardy clothing
coach outlet online
running shoes
ray ban sunglasses outlet
gucci shoes
coach outlet store online
kobe 9
ugg boots
canada goose jackets
michael kors outlet online
michael kors bag
lebron shoes
oakley sunglasses cheap
tory burch sale
soccer shoes
canada goose outlet online
louis vuitton purses
michaek kors outlet
the north face
louis vuitton outlet
hollister uk
louis vuitton handbags
jordan retro
michael kors outlet
true religion jeans outlet
jordan retro
ugg boots
polo ralph lauren
ralph lauren uk
jordan 11s
as

xumeiqing said...

20160116meiqing
chanel handbags
michael kors outlet
michael kors outlet
ray ban sunglasses
fitflops
toms shoes
cheap jordans
coach factory outlet
adidas superstar
kd shoes
cheap tods
michael kors outlet
nike huarache
louis vuitton handbags
canada goose outlet
prada uk
ugg outlet
christian louboutin sale
ugg boots
coach outlet
louis vuitton outlet
michael kors bag
cheap uggs
coach outlet online
hollister
coach outlet
tods outlet
abercrombie kids
louis vuitton handbags
toms outlet
ray bans
canada goose
canada goose jackets
air max 95
ralph lauren uk
cheap jordans
ray ban sunglasses
replica watches
coach factory outlet
coach factory outlet

Unknown said...

jianbin0704
chaussure louboutin
air max 90
christian louboutin shoes
polo ralph lauren
kate spade uk
coach outlet online
cheap ray ban sunglasses
ray ban sunglasses sale
ralph lauren polo
true religion sale
ralph lauren uk
michael kors handbags
michael kors uk
rolex watches
fitflops sale clearance
oakley sunglasses
chaussure louboutin
true religion jeans
tory burch shoes
mlb jerseys
rolex orologi
cheap michael kors handbags
oakley sunglasses
prada outlet online
hollister clothing store
replica watches
cartier watches
prada sunglasses
mulberry bags
longchamp pliage
lululemon outlet
ray-ban sunglasses
babyliss pro
coach handbags outlet
toms outlet
air max 90
soccer jerseys

caiyan said...

hermes birkin
michael kors outlet
true religion
ray ban eyeglasses
ralph lauren pas cher
louis vuitton canada
michael kors outlet clearance
longchamp
canada goose
cheap ugg boots
20161201caiyan

Unknown said...

gucci outlet online
louis vuitton handbags
oakley sunglasses wholesale
polo ralph lauren outlet
ferragamo outlet
christian louboutin sale
fitflops sale clearance
prada shoes
uggs canada
air max 90
20170122lck

Pengobatan Varises dengan Bahan Alami said...

Continue to Perbiki his blog to get a good blog !!

Pengobatan Penyakit Sinusitis
Obat Radang Dinding Rahim
Obat Penyakit Miom dan Kista
Obat Penyakit Sembelit Paling Ampuh
Cara Mengobati Mata Merah Berlendir
Cara Mengobati Penyakit Kencing Nanah