Day 1 in Hondarribia, Espana

4 September 2023 Day 1 525 km to go, by bike!

Well, it was an interesting travel day with extremely tight connections at passport control in Amsterdam as well as waiting for my (arranged) driver (Spain) to take me to my first lodging, but it all worked out just fine and dandy !

My room is very simple with no air conditioning but the temperatures tonight are around 80 . Unfortunately, the skylight turned out to have blackout shades, which did not exactly help my waking up time this morning. 😵‍💫

Awesome first nights’ stay. Bike in a storage closed across the street downstairs along with two other bikes.

I was within 10 minutes of my backpack, not being transported to my first night lodging. (I do not carry it on my bike only necessary items for cycling that day ) The man from Correos was very patient and gave me five minutes to pack it and give it to him.!

I had a small travel packet waiting for me in my room from a from an agency (Spain is More, which specializes in adventure, travel cycling, and Camino in the northern part of Spain) I chose to go with. which included my pilgrim passport onto which I got my first ‘sello’ stamp among other things.

A quick word about this agency (Spain is More ) they’ve been in business a relatively long time they did an absolutely over-the-top stellar job. They are based in Leon, but that really didn’t affect me. My bicycle was waiting for it me at my first hotel. Everything was perfect no flaws no issues no hangups they come highly recommended. They are very affordable, and they delivered over the top on the value proposition.! I will take the time to give them a five star review soon

First sello / stamp, make sure official I’ve been on my Camino! Next a little first nite happy hour vino from the on-site cafe.

Now that I’m all set I walked around the area near my hotel watched a couple of celebrations in honor of somebody that I have no clue who they were. The music and drumming was well attended and enjoyed by all.

And had some tapas and tried to work out some nervous energy before I went to bed, very jet-lagged

Anchoas & pan and olive oil

Annual celebration and parade typically held on 8 September known as Alarde commemorating the successful survival by some 300 inhabitants of the city of the two month siege by 27000 French soldiers in 1638 (King Louis VIII = bad man)

Highlight of the day:

Confidence in being physically fit enough to do this

Hondarribia by the sea
Hondarribia is a Basque town situated on the west shore of Bidasoa river's mouth on the northeaster border of Spain with France

This border town is situated on a little promontory facing Hendaye (Basque language neighboring French town) over the Txingudi bay. A service boat makes the trip between the two cities. The town holds an ancient old quarter with walls and a castle. In addition, Hondarribia features a beach across the Bidasoa.

Siege of Fuenterrabía (1638) was the outcome of a siege by the invading forces of Louis XIII, led by Condé. 27,000 French soldiers besieged the city for two months, firing 16,000 shells into the walled city, leaving only 300 survivors, most of them women and children. The city was virtually destroyed, but nevertheless did not surrender. The Spanish soldiers were successful in ultimately defending their city, and the raising of the siege is celebrated annually on 8 September in a parade, known as Alarde. It is likely that the ‘party' and festival I witnessed tonight is in fact this celebration !!!

It was recommended that I start here instead of a more typical Norte start in either Irun, Spain, or Bayonne, France (separated by the Pyrenees) by my travel advisor due to its smaller size, and historical beauty. It was beautiful, indeed and a great first day.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do then by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails.
Explore. 
Dream. 
Discover.”  
– Mark Twain