Santander, Spain and 2018
Where to begin! A mix of emotions and endurance from the very beginning of this trip.
The whole idea was to travel out to Santander via the ferry from Plymouth and
work a voluntary project for a few months , I would hold a base and then go
explore the surroundings , Improve my Spanish as well as getting in as much
Snowboarding at the end of the winter season as possible , The perfect setup
but as with many things this past year it sure enough wouldn´t be so easy .
It all kind of started as soon as i left Newquay, On the way via coach to Plymouth we were held up in what looked a big roadside accident on a really sketchy hillside road which could barely fit in width the 2 lanes of traffic, We were waiting in the traffic for a good few hours before finally being allowed to pass. The snow had already began to fall on the day I left and the weather was soon to revert back into winter mode due to the huge storms sent by Russia, I was in a race against time to avoid the eye of the storm, the rough seas during the crossing overnight were a result of this and i caught some pretty bad sea legs from the ferry journey, My head was a rollercoaster a few days after my arrival in Santander, The best way to explain the feeling is like a drunk sensation but without the happiness and good times.
I arrived in Santander to a combination of rain and sunshine the usual weather we have been getting in the south of UK however the air temperature is noticeably warmer even in the tail end of Winter. I scooted away with my Big Snowboard bag straight off the ferry expecting a huge expedition trying to find my hostel, I was still yet to configure my phone for usage abroad at this point so I was without the help of Google maps and any clear Spanish vocab for directions, Luckily, I booked the most convenient hostel in the world on the pier itself overlooking the Ferry port! I still nearly managed to get lost by walking too far up the street but on first glimpse the hostel is pretty hard to spot without any advertisements or signs, The only real way to find it was by looking for door numbers and from the outside it looks like a fancy townhouse apartment, Making my way inside i realise it is just a fancy apartment with bunks which was a nice surprise and a step away from the some of the budget holes of the past.
The people I’ve met at this hostel were already some of the highlights of this trip for me, A wide range of different backgrounds and characters , The hostel owner herself was really sweet and actually quite cute i definitely had a bit of thing for her, She just has some kind of aura totally relaxed and happy within herself but also i think a bit of rock and roll on the inside, I feel as if she wanted to get more involved with the rest of us but obviously there is a fine line between mixing the business with pleasure, I´ll be on that line waiting if she changes her mind!
I met two girls here from London who were such a breath of fresh air from what i´ve been used to down in the south, Still very much city girls but with that sense of adventure and motivation to go and discover new things even if only for a few days around work, I can relate to these guys because i did the same and travel is what i wanted to do whenever i had the free time around work, They weren’t the loudest or most outspoken but had great personalities, whilst people around their age are out drinking and not generally doing much but burning money and being rebellious they are just doing their own thing and saving up to go explore and see the world .
I had the same luxury before moving down south but since then i have found it almost impossible to be allowed that sense of freedom again and flexibility with work, I restricted myself because of this and admittedly i lost the immediate drive to change it despite not really having any commitments or anything holding me back, The location as well doesn´t help as Cornwall feels like the end of the world in the UK, Plymouth Santander ferry was the quickest escape to New Found Land.
I don´t need to be comfortable anymore, I never was somebody who wants to stay in one place forever so this trip is almost a restart of the life i love to live which is free, slightly unpredictable but always adventurous. I also have to give a shout to an amazing Spanish woman i met here an English teacher who was so full of energy and a great presence in the hostel, Very outgoing and a great sense of humour but also just her straight honesty and passion she shows in her hobbies and the things she loves to do was very inspiring and refreshing to see especially from the older generation, I loved her!
I spent the next few days figuring out how to get this snowboard to an actual mountain without a car, I thought i had found all the information I need online via forums and websites but it turns out i was very much lost in translation and later discovered I was 5 years late for the bus service direct to the mountains via Santander. I want to a rant on here because it’s Daft, the resort is literally highlighted by most of the tourist centres as one of the big attractions of the area so at least provide us with public access! Anyway after jumping through loops i eventually figured a way to reach the resort and stay nearby without a car, i will come back to my time Snowboarding the mountains a bit later in the post.
Santander itself is quite attractive and feels very upmarket and modern compared to many of the Spanish cities, Dirt and rubbish is none existent, Streets are literally in some parts pathed with gold with nice little touches of Spanish decor and artwork, Buildings are a mixture of classic Spanish design with ultra-modern shopfronts and restaurants however character and charm can be found in the backstreets through the many traditional bars and restaurant which were jammed packed out of the door most nights during a stroll downtown, I did start to question where the Spanish find spare money for anything other than food. Prices did feel quite high but the city has a kind of sophisticated and smart appeal more than a grungy urban backdrop, We did go looking for a bit more sleaze around town which lead us to the more youthful quarter but even still not much happening if you are used to the night life of some of the big European cities, Opera and traditional dance were posted up on walls around town and shop windows, I did see a random poster for Rammstein in the middle of it all at one point though, A German death metal band completely satanic compared to the fine arts of Santander’s music scene. If you like Food and drink Santander is Eden, I´ve never seen so many restaurants per street anywhere in the world and i thought i had seen it all in Hong Kong. The views from the city are amazing looking out onto the sea and mountains and i would also argue the beaches around Magdelena castle are some of the best city beaches in Europe and surprisingly quiet and clean. Santander isn’t the biggest of cities but it’s got a nice safe and easy feel to it , Those who want the action and nightlife as well as traditional culture and attractions probably won’t find the best of it here but I think it would be a great city to live as it’s got a bit of everything without falling too short and still being surrounded by nature .
We did get pretty trashed one night after mixing the drinks a bit too much and i spent the rest of early morning hanging over the hostel bathroom radiator! probably the worst i´ve been in a good few years , My new Lithuanian pal i met at the hostel somehow survived the aftermath of the night although i think it finally caught up the next day on the bus as we were both looking a new shade of green on the way to Bilbao and speaking more than a few words a time became a risk to the public.
I´ve had mixed feelings about the Spanish people ive met so far, I´ve found that the people who are used to greeting and being around international people to be very friendly , humble and open minded but their does seem to feel a huge ingrained sense of Spanish pride and self-arrogance from those who are not so accustomed to sharing the world with others and seeing through others eyes. I understand cultural differences but most of it comes down to universal traits which many adults should already possess such as politeness, patience, acceptance and just common respect of others. I really do start to believe the Brits have much more in common in terms of self-mannerism and personality with the Germans and Austrians, We just don´t take ourselves as serious and enjoy being silly but still with a level of respect and care for others, Well apart from the typical brits abroad but even then many know when the line has been crossed and dignity has gone out the window.
Anyway, A major change was about to arrive around the corner for me ........
It all kind of started as soon as i left Newquay, On the way via coach to Plymouth we were held up in what looked a big roadside accident on a really sketchy hillside road which could barely fit in width the 2 lanes of traffic, We were waiting in the traffic for a good few hours before finally being allowed to pass. The snow had already began to fall on the day I left and the weather was soon to revert back into winter mode due to the huge storms sent by Russia, I was in a race against time to avoid the eye of the storm, the rough seas during the crossing overnight were a result of this and i caught some pretty bad sea legs from the ferry journey, My head was a rollercoaster a few days after my arrival in Santander, The best way to explain the feeling is like a drunk sensation but without the happiness and good times.
I arrived in Santander to a combination of rain and sunshine the usual weather we have been getting in the south of UK however the air temperature is noticeably warmer even in the tail end of Winter. I scooted away with my Big Snowboard bag straight off the ferry expecting a huge expedition trying to find my hostel, I was still yet to configure my phone for usage abroad at this point so I was without the help of Google maps and any clear Spanish vocab for directions, Luckily, I booked the most convenient hostel in the world on the pier itself overlooking the Ferry port! I still nearly managed to get lost by walking too far up the street but on first glimpse the hostel is pretty hard to spot without any advertisements or signs, The only real way to find it was by looking for door numbers and from the outside it looks like a fancy townhouse apartment, Making my way inside i realise it is just a fancy apartment with bunks which was a nice surprise and a step away from the some of the budget holes of the past.
The people I’ve met at this hostel were already some of the highlights of this trip for me, A wide range of different backgrounds and characters , The hostel owner herself was really sweet and actually quite cute i definitely had a bit of thing for her, She just has some kind of aura totally relaxed and happy within herself but also i think a bit of rock and roll on the inside, I feel as if she wanted to get more involved with the rest of us but obviously there is a fine line between mixing the business with pleasure, I´ll be on that line waiting if she changes her mind!
I met two girls here from London who were such a breath of fresh air from what i´ve been used to down in the south, Still very much city girls but with that sense of adventure and motivation to go and discover new things even if only for a few days around work, I can relate to these guys because i did the same and travel is what i wanted to do whenever i had the free time around work, They weren’t the loudest or most outspoken but had great personalities, whilst people around their age are out drinking and not generally doing much but burning money and being rebellious they are just doing their own thing and saving up to go explore and see the world .
I had the same luxury before moving down south but since then i have found it almost impossible to be allowed that sense of freedom again and flexibility with work, I restricted myself because of this and admittedly i lost the immediate drive to change it despite not really having any commitments or anything holding me back, The location as well doesn´t help as Cornwall feels like the end of the world in the UK, Plymouth Santander ferry was the quickest escape to New Found Land.
I don´t need to be comfortable anymore, I never was somebody who wants to stay in one place forever so this trip is almost a restart of the life i love to live which is free, slightly unpredictable but always adventurous. I also have to give a shout to an amazing Spanish woman i met here an English teacher who was so full of energy and a great presence in the hostel, Very outgoing and a great sense of humour but also just her straight honesty and passion she shows in her hobbies and the things she loves to do was very inspiring and refreshing to see especially from the older generation, I loved her!
I spent the next few days figuring out how to get this snowboard to an actual mountain without a car, I thought i had found all the information I need online via forums and websites but it turns out i was very much lost in translation and later discovered I was 5 years late for the bus service direct to the mountains via Santander. I want to a rant on here because it’s Daft, the resort is literally highlighted by most of the tourist centres as one of the big attractions of the area so at least provide us with public access! Anyway after jumping through loops i eventually figured a way to reach the resort and stay nearby without a car, i will come back to my time Snowboarding the mountains a bit later in the post.
Santander itself is quite attractive and feels very upmarket and modern compared to many of the Spanish cities, Dirt and rubbish is none existent, Streets are literally in some parts pathed with gold with nice little touches of Spanish decor and artwork, Buildings are a mixture of classic Spanish design with ultra-modern shopfronts and restaurants however character and charm can be found in the backstreets through the many traditional bars and restaurant which were jammed packed out of the door most nights during a stroll downtown, I did start to question where the Spanish find spare money for anything other than food. Prices did feel quite high but the city has a kind of sophisticated and smart appeal more than a grungy urban backdrop, We did go looking for a bit more sleaze around town which lead us to the more youthful quarter but even still not much happening if you are used to the night life of some of the big European cities, Opera and traditional dance were posted up on walls around town and shop windows, I did see a random poster for Rammstein in the middle of it all at one point though, A German death metal band completely satanic compared to the fine arts of Santander’s music scene. If you like Food and drink Santander is Eden, I´ve never seen so many restaurants per street anywhere in the world and i thought i had seen it all in Hong Kong. The views from the city are amazing looking out onto the sea and mountains and i would also argue the beaches around Magdelena castle are some of the best city beaches in Europe and surprisingly quiet and clean. Santander isn’t the biggest of cities but it’s got a nice safe and easy feel to it , Those who want the action and nightlife as well as traditional culture and attractions probably won’t find the best of it here but I think it would be a great city to live as it’s got a bit of everything without falling too short and still being surrounded by nature .
We did get pretty trashed one night after mixing the drinks a bit too much and i spent the rest of early morning hanging over the hostel bathroom radiator! probably the worst i´ve been in a good few years , My new Lithuanian pal i met at the hostel somehow survived the aftermath of the night although i think it finally caught up the next day on the bus as we were both looking a new shade of green on the way to Bilbao and speaking more than a few words a time became a risk to the public.
I´ve had mixed feelings about the Spanish people ive met so far, I´ve found that the people who are used to greeting and being around international people to be very friendly , humble and open minded but their does seem to feel a huge ingrained sense of Spanish pride and self-arrogance from those who are not so accustomed to sharing the world with others and seeing through others eyes. I understand cultural differences but most of it comes down to universal traits which many adults should already possess such as politeness, patience, acceptance and just common respect of others. I really do start to believe the Brits have much more in common in terms of self-mannerism and personality with the Germans and Austrians, We just don´t take ourselves as serious and enjoy being silly but still with a level of respect and care for others, Well apart from the typical brits abroad but even then many know when the line has been crossed and dignity has gone out the window.
Anyway, A major change was about to arrive around the corner for me ........
Below is a Picture Diary set from my Travels to Gibraltar During my visit to Southern Spain
The Rock
I Visited on Remembrance Day
Gibraltar Getting ready for christmas
I was surprised to see a Cornish Bakery but impressed
The Main Square
The main Shopping Street
Red Post Box Overlooking the centre
I think this was the old Commanders Office
Looks Like The pub from Eastenders
Golden Barrels
Very colourful and kind of Spanish looking Square
This was a nice little Decoration Touch
The Classic British Lamposts
Old Indian Fort
The Mosque
Gibraltas Famous Lighthouse at the end of the Island
First Encounter with the Monkeys!
They are so Relaxed
Great Sunset overlooking the Bay
This would be my Gibraltan House
I loved the airport, runway going over the main street
Cool shot at night just before boarding back to UK
Below is a picture Diary of travels to Northern and Southern Spain in 2018, the pictures follow my story of time in both which are featured in my blog posts under Spain.
Highlight : Pamplona Square
This is how you pack, There is a snowboard underneath all of this
Dinner with a view on the ferry
Wet views from out the window
Clear views
Extreme weather this time of year, This is not a filter, it later snowed
The beach over in Llanes
Beautiful place to visit later in the day
Riding the Alto Campoo lifts into the mist
This day visibly was pretty much 0, probably 5ft ahead that was about it
Cleared up a bit later, lots of fresh snow
An eerie Hotel in the snow, beautiful inside though
What a contrast, from this..
To This! only 1hr and half away, same time of year, Santander
The Massive beach in the Santander Sound, Somo Beach
Murky Dark views of the ocean and mountain from the ferry
Birds Ready for the flight
Santander, The official Main Bank in Santander
Port walk
Tranquil park on the coast
The streets of Santillana del Mar
Satander Grand Casino
Lots of ferries out in the sound
The Promenade, This beach was popular with surfers
Stoney and wild outlook
I love these trees, they looked very old but had a prime sea view
Lots of snails for sale
This shop decided it wanted to be a Bus
San Sebastian Main Beach on a gloomy Spring Day
Dedicated shop of Ducks
Traditional Fishermen Houses
Pamplona very vocal in art
The hostel terrace
Pamplona Main Square
The maze like streets of Pamplona, it was great for exploration
Pamplona Fortress and Main park which was huge
Famous street for the running of the bulls
Revolucion!
Pink Blossom mini park, it was very peaceful
Mini Ampitheatre in main Square, lots of atmosphere even in early spring
Really was one of the best hostels
Very old and massive tree
A lot of support for women's rights in Pamplona
Banksy style street arts
Poor cats, they were for sale in an abandoned house/shop
Colourful streets
Pamplona is a bikers city!
Caught in the stampede
Lots of wild animals in the park, The goose in the middle was very territorial of his space
The city has a perfect Balance of art and traditional buildings, New and Old
Central Water Fountain looking very grand
Views on the road
My train station Hostel in Llanes, one of my favourite places
Picos de Europa Snowshoing Adventure, which was organized at the Llanes Hostel
Inland Beach
Elevated Stilt country house
On the Camino Santiago path
Look at those views! I was listening to PLaying for change music on the wa
Llanes Beach more views overlooking the sea
Llanes was lucky to have some of the best town beaches
Crystal Clear waters, you can see the fish
Bob Marley House
One of, if not the best beach in Europe, it's a secret
Red Rock Roads like Africa
The train station Feve into the Mountains
En Camino Route, More impressive beaches
This was the end of the road for this walk
In this region, they have a special way of pouring their own version of Cider which as you can see is tradition
Night time at Alto Campoo
A massive long conveyor belt in the resort for the beginners
The pow arrived at the same time as me and in early spring which was a nice surprise
Then the next day, blue birds!
Probably the steepest face i could find, i went for a spin the first time attempting it, it was go fast and go home
The ride over to Somo
Those blue skies in Spring, Not in England anymore
This beach was so huge it is like a desert to explore
A piece of Driftwood
Turns out this beach was also on the path of the Camino, at this point i remember thinking and asking myself what would be next in my life in general, i had no intent to return back to the UK, my plans in Santander were cut short, the question for me would be similar to the Camino in many ways, i am going to take another unknown path again but i can't go backwards from here i've come this far, so where is next?
If you want to find out more about this journey please read my post blogs for the full details of what happened whilst on the road.
In late 2018 i went to visit my now ex in Southern Spain, Here are some photos of a mini adventure we had exploring the region.
The Alhambra
Great views in the valley
In Church
Malaga the Boulevard
Great views overlooking the city
Picasso's House which we visited inside, Malaga
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