
<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756450774_17969b6a0a_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image post-thumb" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756450774_f9cda7a716_t.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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On Saturday, my family and I went to a local tourist destination that I have been wanting to visit for some time now: the islet of San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. It has got to be one of the most photogenic spots I've seen on the northern coast of Spain. Especially near the solstice, with the sun low in the southern sky, the geographic wonder was back lit to great photographic effect. It's so photogenic, in fact, that it will be appearing in Season 7 of a little tv show called _Game of Thrones_. They have already done the filming.  <a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756443904_f88f93d9f2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756443904_e09942f161.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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We had to park the car way up high on the mountains above the sea, which also added to the effect. Every time it came into view on our 25 minute walk down to the islet, I couldn't help but pull out the camera.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756457714_5306940ef2_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756457714_5d6452a8a8.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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It has a less well connected island brother nearby that has been less trampled by humans.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756440154_37bb9eb8e8_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756440154_47ebe4b5b7.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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Here you can see how far apart they are.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756447754_82c10dba60_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756447754_d5352bf34e.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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Some gorse flowers overlook the sea.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756446634_b568141c4d_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756446634_2e1c26a6ca.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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We went with the same cousins that we [visited Gavilanes with](https://erikras.com/2016/09/23/gavilanes-2016/) in September.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756454954_36baf35dbc_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756454954_65062b3334.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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Getting closer...

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756465104_76cb81226c_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30756465104_6c0ff907fd_z.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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Okay! Let's climb some stairs!

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/31598040385_2110bfec11_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/31598040385_9c588bd024_z.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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There were plenty of other tourists making the same journey.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/31560411836_1f87764dd5_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/31560411836_6d66eea60f.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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The kids were glad to rest at the top.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/31450957652_d19791eefc_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/31450957652_27c95ff32a_z.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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Triumphant after our walk back down. What we were forgetting was the crazy climb back up to get to where the cars were...

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30788064183_1c14858665_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30788064183_d1e60a206b_z.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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Ian had a great time.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30788074833_3319c77563_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/30788074833_187c51088f.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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Back up to civilization, we found a gorgeous restaurant with some really spectacular sea views.

<a href="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/31560424026_fb55fbd94f_o_d.jpg" target="_blank" class="flickr-image" title="San Juan Gaztelugatxe">
  <img src="https://d1js6qm6cshi0v.cloudfront.net/oldblog/2016-12-12-picturesque-basque-islet-san-juan-de-gaztelugatxe/31560424026_bdf98d000b.jpg" alt="San Juan Gaztelugatxe"/>
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Farewell, San Juan de Gaztelugatxe. Thanks for the lovely hike.


1 post from December, 2016