Aeolus

Thank you Mikel, Maribel. Hope you had a nice Xmas! The dinner at Narru on the 23d was fabulous, all the dishes were delightful except the last one the shrimp with the pig's tail (cola de cerdo), it was too heavy, both in texture and taste, it was like an injection of cholesterol.

We very much liked the Marie and Domingo Xmas Eve parade at S.S. Unfortunately in the night, both of us fell ill from food poisoning. It must had been from the Zazpi restaurant and most probably from the seafood/crab mousse with picked onions, the amuse bouche at the start of the dinner. Sadly it spoiled an otherwise lovely dinner and our Xmas day and even the next day. . As a result we arrived in the late afternoon in Bilbao. Most places were closed but we enjoyed a walk and some plain rice with veggies at the Old Shanghai restaurant at the back street of the hotel. We really like Bilbao and in view of a 2.5 hrs drive each way via bus to Haro, we decided to stay in the city and not take a day trip.

We ate at the restaurants Abando and Bilbao and both were very nice. We also enjoyed a short trip to Neguri and visited the newly converted into a hotel the Palacio Arriluce at Ereaga. Lovely area of the suburbs or of the sea side sections of the metropolis.
Happy St Stephen Day!

Maribel

So sorry to hear about your food poisoning. It can surely spoil what you hoped would be lovely plans for Xmas day (happened to me in Santiago de Compostela), but I'm glad you enjoyed Bilbao and your trip out to Neguri. I want to spend the night at the Palacio Arriluce some day! I've admired that stately building for years!

mikelg

Thanks Aeolus, and really sorry to hear about your food poisoning, that really hurts!! But glad you did not miss the Olentzero ("bearer of good news") and Maridomingi (his wife) parade, so unique to the Basque Country and Navarre.I live just a 20min walk to the new luxury hotel Palacio de Arriluce you mention, it´s supposed to be the new gem in the area. I´m going today to enjoy the "aperitivo" time with a glass of wine and see what they offer as appetizers. Did you make it all the way to the old fishing port, so quaint?

St Stephen is not celebrated in Spain anywhere except in Catalonia...but from my Catalan friends, thanks so much!! Still three major celebration meals to go: NYE dinner, NYD meal and the big family meal on Jan 6th, the Three Wise Men that also bring presents!

Aeolus

Thank you for correcting this historical part of the parade Mike. We are grateful that we experienced it. No, we did not make it to the old fishing port, we did not know about it. I hope you enjoyed your aperitivo at Palacio de Arriluce and that you and Maribel had a nice NY eve and Day. Thank you so much for your help on this trip which we enjoyed very much, we are very glad for having visited! The culture is unique. If I can be of assistance if and when you visit Corfu, please let me know.
Best wishes for 2024. In good health and spirits.

mikelg

Thanks so much, Aeolus...Corfu is on my list for this year!!

Aeolus

It will be my pleasure to assist you MIkel. I run a small vacation rental business called La Corfiota Keys and I manage La Corfiota Beach Villa Apartments (you can find it in FB and in Google) and a few more, of good quality, on the west side of Corfu, at the resort of Agios Gordios. From there you can see my phone number, so feel free to text me at Whatsapp anytime.I will recommend to you places to stay on the island and where to go and eat.
Hope all is well and thank you and Maribel again for your exquisite help on our Xmas trip to S.S. and to Bilbao!
Best regards
Konstantinos (my real name)