100 Countries Together

The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao has been on my bucket list since it opened 25 years ago. Finally made it!

Go to see the building, but the permanent collection is trip worthy.

Richard Serra’s “A Matter of Time” is awe inspiring and impressive in its’ scale alone (although I think they should also somehow allow for aerial views).
Jeff Koons “Puppy” was being replanted so missed that, and the largest Mark Rothko I have ever seen, is part of the collection.

Then there is this creepy, spidery thing (“Maman” by Louise Bourgeois) that looks like it inspired the aliens in the “War of the Worlds.” (Or maybe it was the other way around).

Such a beautiful drive there through Basque Country!

The Basque Country of Spain is spectacularly beautiful. The Basque culture, history and language is very interesting. We stayed a few days in the outskirts of the beach resort town of San Sebastián. We enjoyed pintxos with the locals, drank too much of the local wine, and took in the local scenery and art. Did I mention an outstanding hotel with spectacular views and a Michelin three star restaurant?

Our Sunset view from the hotel.

The town of San Sebastián.

One of the art installations in San Sebastián.

It may be small, but it is mighty (hard to get to).

We enjoyed an overnight in Andorra on our way from Barcelona to San Sebastián. Country number 86 together! It’s a lovely spot for winter outdoor activities, they do market other outdoor activities, but we didn’t see much evidence of them.

Finally made it to The Emerald Isle!

The name is well deserved when it isn’t raining.

There is a country song about “too hot to golf, too hot to fish,” well, it’s too hot to sightsee (or shop😂) in Sicily right now. Fortunately, the views poolside and from our rooms have been spectacular (along with an Aperol Spritz or two).

We are now in our 84th country together, Trinidad and Tobago. It is quite different than the other Caribbean countries that we have visited – no giant beach resorts – their economy doesn’t depend on tourism, but oil and natural gas.

This is their Parliament building. A lovely guard allowed us in to see the lobby (they were in session). A lot of the buildings were built by the Queen in the early 1900’s – quite a bit of outstanding gingerbread architecture.

A bit of different view from our waterfront room. The capitol, Port of Spain, has no beach resorts.

But importantly, Trinidad and Tobago is the home to Angostora Bitters and rum.

‘Nuf said.

We haven’t arrived like Operation Urgent Fury back in ‘83, but somehow it does seem fitting that this is country number 83.

We are enjoying the warm weather (so sorry we missed this ice storm at home – NOT), gentle breezes, even the soothing rains.

An added plus…. chef Joven – formerly of the Aman in Laos and of the forever to be dubbed “Night of the Tomahawk Steaks”, just happens to be at our hotel in Grenada, Silversands. Small, small world!

We love travel! We make new friends and run into old friends all over. Love it!