sunny.bilbao

you didn't have any excitement when you embark on your journey last night. a sense of ill prepared as you didn't have time to research for your trip.  the first good feeling you had was when you hopped on to a taxi and have a female driver.  there're no exchange of conversation but you just feel calm some how.  the next surprise is when she dropped you to your hotel, it's a 4* resort hotel right along the river bank and close to both old town and the museum area.

 the next morning, you're rewarded with this river view right in front of your hotel

 and guggenheim is just a short distance walk away

 but for now you try to locate the tourist information center to catch the old town walking tour and walked past by the city hall.

from the guided tour, you're shown the theater arriaga antzokia, a theater inspired by paris opera house who also built the city hall (photo above).

and the plaza nueva, a square in neoclassical style which is quite similar to the plaza mayor in madrid.  the tour itself was alright, nothing spectacular as the english speaking tour only consists of 3 people including yourself. perhaps lack of dynamic but it's a good orientation.

 you're shown the seven streets and this water fountain is very similar to those in rome

and your guided tour ended at the old town which you  know you will have the time to explore them slowly in the next few days....

knowing that the next few days weather's forecast is going to be rainy, you check out the artxanda hill.