VIGO, SPAIN

VIGO, SPAIN

Arrived in Vigo, Spain as the sun came up over the city.  It was a cool 48 degree sunny day.  Vigo is the gateway to the green region of Galicia.  Between the green slopes, rainy climate and icy bay waters, this region looks as if it belongs in the United Kingdom.  Even the Galician culture and language are distinct, influenced by its Celtic roots.  The Galician ports were instrumental to the rise of the Spanish Empire.  Galleons laden with riches from the New World returned home through these northern seaports, including Vigo.  Vigo became wealthy and was the target of several attacks from the likes of Sir Francis Drake, the Turkish Fleet and even Napoleon.  Today, Vigo is still very much a seafaring town with a population of around 300,000.  The name Galicia is Celtic in origin and it was the Celts who, in about the 6th century BC, occupied the region and constructed fortified defenses.  After the invasion by the Romans the country was taken over by the Suevians, Visigoths, and in 730 AD the Moors of North Africa, who remained for only a brief period.  In 1492 the Moors were evicted from all parts of Spain, and Ferdinand and Isabella helped unite Spain while developing routes to the New World.

We were with the ships tour group in Vigo.  When we arrived in Bayona, we decided to jump off the tour and explore the streets of Bayona on our own.  We walked through the stone lined streets and found a seafood restaurant with a great display in front.  We were sold.  The waiter did not speak english, but we showed him what we wanted from the display case.  I ordered a glass of the local Albarino wine.  It was crisp and delicious.  We did not expect our food to come to the table on one large platter but when we saw it we were happily surprised.  Huge portions of crustaceans from the sea.  My girls loved the barnacles.  These were small and very hard shells that took some work to get the small piece of meat out.  One end is soft.  You bite this end and then pull out the small gift from the sea.  Hanging out in this little restaurant where we were the only guests was a great way to spend time in Vigo.  We really loved this small port city.

SUNRISE AS WE ENTER THE PORT OF VIGO

LAND AHOY!

PORT OF VIGO

READY TO GO ASHORE

FORTALEZA DEL CASTRO

VIEW OF THE CITY FROM FORTALEZA DEL CASTRO

BAYONA LA REAL

MONTERREAL PALACE 

BAYONA LA REAL - THIS IS WHERE THE "PINTA"
ARRIVED AFTER COLUMBUS ARRIVED AFTER HIS
FIRST DISCOVERY TO THE AMERICAS IN MARCH 1493

WE SPOTTED A RESTAURANT SERVING SEAFOOD ON THE CORNER

FRESH SEAFOOD DISPLAY HOOKED US IN FOR LUNCH

RESTAURANT WAS CLEAN, BRIGHT AND INVITING

LOCAL ALBARINO WINE
WAS DELICIOUS

FRESH BAKED BREAD

ENJOYING A GLASS OF THE LOCAL WINE

ENJOYING THE "REAL THING" IN VIGO

DID NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT WE ORDERED.  THIS AWESOME PLATE CAME TO THE TABLE.
FILLED WITH FRESH SHRIMP, RAZOR CLAMS, CRAB, MUSSELS AND BARNACLES

LONG SKINNY RAZOR CLAMS WERE DELICIOUS

THE GIRLS JUST COULD NOT STOP EATING

SHUCKING OYSTERS ON THE STREETS

OUR OYSTER MONSTER DIDN'T SEEM TO BE IN THE MOOD

OYSTERS RIGHT FROM THE BAY

AFTER A NIGHT OF DRINKING IN VIGO

HEADING BACK TO THE SHIP AFTER GREAT DAY IN VIGO

MADRUGA RESTAURANT WAS GREAT!