After a rejuvenating pause in Madrid, we embarked on a scenic five-hour train journey to Donostia-San Sebastian. This picturesque city, nestled on the northern coast of Spain and just a stone's throw away from the French border, set the stage for a remarkable 60th birthday celebration that will be etched in our hearts forever.
The enchanting escapade unfolded over three magical days, filled with the warmth of rekindled friendships and the joy of new acquaintances. We indulged in gastronomic feasts unlike any others, crafted by the hands of skilled Michelin-starred chefs. The revelry extended beyond the exquisite dishes as we raised our glasses filled with a seemingly endless flow of fine champagnes and choice wines. Each toast, each sip, contributed to an already unforgettable experience.
Describing the festival of PP is challenging, for it transcends the boundaries of language. Indeed, Pedge hit the nail on the head when he complimented the orchestration of these moments, giving accolades to his beloved wife and our graceful host, who artfully earned the title of professional memory maker.
This was not just a celebration but a testament to the beauty of life, friendship, and exceptional hospitality—a true symphony of experiences that will resonate with us for years to come.
Day One - San Sebastian, Spain
Upon arriving in San Sebastian, you instantly were impressed; it is a resort town on the Bay of Biscay in Spain's mountainous Basque Country. It's known for Playa de la Concha and Playa de Ondarreta, beaches framed by a picturesque bayfront promenade, and world-renowned restaurants helmed by innovative chefs. A total of 19 Michelin stars in such a small city makes San Sebastian the place with the highest concentration of Michelin stars per square kilometre in Europe, so you are spoilt for choice. Kyoto (Japan) is the only place in the world with a higher concentration of Michelin stars than Donostia. In addition to the beachside promenade, the cobblestoned old town (Parte Vieja) is a vibrant area full of upscale shops and pintxo bars pairing local wines with bite-size regional specialties; it is full of magic.
The afternoon was ours to explore and discover this new destination; we did this the way we know best by finding a quaint dining spot, Cortázar Donostia, to enjoy lunch over champagne and more of the delectable Jamón Ibérico. Within moments, we looked across the road, and our dear friend Kristian was wandering by, so we spent the afternoon catching up on the past few years.
We followed this with a stroll along the esplanade, soaking up the picturesque vibe of San Seb, and soon found ourselves with Piscos enjoying the view at the beautiful Villa Favorita, it had the most quaint balcony to sit back and soak up our new surroundings; and the cocktails were delightful! As destiny had it, we also captured a photo of our new friends enjoying the view; unbeknownst to us, we would be sharing the next few days together, and the friendship has continued after rendevous in Melbourne and Dubai, following Spain.
The evening was upon us, so the first of many meetups was planned. We arrived at Geralds Bar, a local favourite of the birthday boys, to be reunited with everyone; it was a fabulous night of being reacquainted with delicious gourmet food and local wines. It was precious to catch up with our lovely friends after so many years apart, even though it felt like yesterday we were together, the epitome of true friendship. We all made new friends as we prepared for the next few days together; it was a night filled with old and new memories of Pedge, his beautiful wife shared, and a heartfelt speech to warm us all up, along with loads of laughter and love.
Day Two - Getaria, Spain
Day two was the main event; the boy was 60! We all met at the designated restaurant dressed to impress in Getaria, a charming fishing village a 30-minute picturesque drive along the stunning coastline. Getaria, although small, this seaside fishing village is known for fresh grilled fish and rolling vineyards that produce the unique Txakolí Basque wine. Elkano Restaurant is not only known to be the best seafood in the region, proudly holding two Michelin stars, but it is also No.16 on the Top 50 restaurants in the world.
Elkano is another precious favourite of the birthday boys, and we can see why. Pre-lunch beverages were hosted on the deck overlooking the beautiful village with snippets of pristine views over the coast whilst sipping on world-class champagne. We were soon defeated by the noon sun and were all seated in a very eloquent private dining room.
It was a delightful afternoon celebrating PP and hearing from his lifelong friends while enjoying delicate seafood dishes and the famous Grilled Turbot, which was mouthwatering, all accompanied by some of the world's most outstanding wines.
Sadly, the birthday lunch ended, but not before we all kitted up in our new birthday tees to capture some more precious memories of the 60th celebration of Pedge; we were all transported back to San Sebastian for round three.
After a quick freshen-up, we rolled into an evening of drinks overlooking the beautiful bay from the magnificent Hotel de Londres. The sun was setting with the birthday crew, and we all prepared for our final day together in the wine region La Rioja.
WHOA .... sounds like real fun! And Sal ... I absolutely love that shirt of your in the shots outside of the Cortaza. {That's me, PD here n Singapore.}