I got up and out early, hoping to walk the town, Getaria, a bit. Then I wished I’d had another hour.
It’s a beautiful town with amazing history. This is a photo of the monument to Juan Sebastian Elkano (1487-1526). He was the navigator for the Magellan expedition. Basques never refer to Magellan, (at least in this town) only to Elkano. His name is everywhere. The lot where he lived, the house is gone, was against the back of the hotel where we were saying. The plaque said “The lot of the natal house of the navigator who gave the first round the world trip.” Matthew immediately knew who he was. Wikipedia: Juan Sebastian Elcano was a Spanish navigator, ship-owner and explorer of Basque origin from Getaria, part of the Crown of Castile when he was born, best known for having completed the first circumnavigation of the Earth in the Spanish Ship Victoria on the Magellan expedition to the Spice Islands.
Then this monument blow was HUGE, too big to even be able to get a photo of the entire structure, just the top. I climbed up to it, then down and realized between the street and the bottom of the hill at the harbor were 11 staircases. We’ve decided this area has to be a blue area – fish, olive oil, and climbing. Everyone looks so strong, young and old. The plaque caught my eye because it was clearly naming a lot of people, but from 1519-1522. 500 years ago and people can still read their names. What did they do? Turns out they went with Elkano – and I guess they all came back. Incredible and they kept a record of all of their names. I love that.
We were early and tried the cafe that Matthew and Carol had found that opened early, but only saw sweets. I wasn’t thinking yet and didn’t ask about something hot and more protein oriented. Carol just asked and the others all got a great morning breakfast sandwich and then we were off on another perfectly gorgeous hike. This time in full sun with sea breezes most of the way. We were hiking up and down hills that on the elevation map didn’t look so bad, but many felt almost straight up. I was leaning on my poles to pull me up. But most of the climbs were short and by the time you really wanted to be at the top – you were.
This is how my feet manage it, Hikers Goo and Hikers Wool, pretty 🙂
Sadly, there was a mix up between MacsAdventures and TeeTravel, the local Spanish tour company that sets everything up and our hike was shortened to just 10 miles, maybe that. We were on a roll because it was so beautiful, but ok, we’ll stop! Which sets us up for 18 miles tomorrow. Might be a bit too much and some may opt for a taxi to take us part way. We’ll see. It’s supposed to be high 70’s, slightly cloudy, nice. I’d love to do it if the timing could work because so far, it’s all so beautiful.
Rick and I had a call tonight so we couldn’t explore more. Plus, we’re too far to just walk into town and back. We asked about getting a taxi, but were told there are only 3. For the entire area. And, at that point, one was on the way to the hospital, one to the airport and one elsewhere. Funny. So a call and relax!
Some images:
Scarecrows, they take them seriously here:
Sheep on the move
Down and up
Animals
Staying at Hotel Kalana Itziar, outside Deba. Guessing they couldn’t get rooms in Deba. The woman running things is so nice, told us about the three taxis and an alternative walk along the coast, then getting a bus to the next town. And the lunch was great, but still if doing again, definitely push for being in Deba. It’s supposed to be really nice town, but with 18 miles, we won’t get to expire.
Reb's Walks! 