Thursday 11 September 2014

Bandujo, a scenic drive

After the earlier walk on the Bear Route, and the not-without-problems lunch in L'Esbardu, we were left feeling rather empty, feeling rather dissatisfied.

We decided to go for a drive.

By the time we got the car out, it was already 7pm, and the sky was looking ominous. It wasn't wise to go far; Bandujo looked perfect then. So, off we went.

We missed a turn, doubled back, and went up on the narrow country road. As we climbed, we knew we'd made the right decision. The scenery was breathtaking. Rain clouds floating between lush green mountains rushed us along lest we couldn't make it to Bandujo.

Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias

Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias

Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias

Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias

By then, we had to put the windshield wipers on intermittent. I honestly don't remember how long I had to drive; perhaps it was about an hour. I was going slow, savouring the scenery, and besides, it was a winding road. We also stopped a couple of times.

Before long, however, houses appeared in the distance... and the road abruptly ended.

Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias

I only had time to take a few shots before the rain started to fall heavier. Had it been earlier and had it not rained, we might have ventured down into the village.

Bandujo is a very small village. According to Wiki, it has a population of 43. Forty-three! And 66 dwellings!

Stone house in Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias
Stone house in Bandujo
Tiny village of Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias
Do you want to buy a house?
Tiny village of Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias
Rooftops and mountain tops
Tower of Tuñon, Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias
The most famous landmark of the village, La Torre de Tuñón, "one of the best preserved late medieval defensive towers of Asturias."
Tiny village of Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias
Wonder what it'd be like in winter...
Tiny village of Bandujo, Proaza, Asturias
Lines and curves
As the rain got heavier, we ran back into the car. My camera isn't waterproof, you know... Actually, come to think of it, we did bring some umbrellas with us, but it was getting late anyway. The drive down was much quicker and before long we were back at the apartment.

Time to pack our bags again...


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