Barcelona

Day 1

Arrived around 3ish and booked in the Arc La Rambla.  We were pleasantly surprised as the reviews of this hotel were pretty awful and we had steeled ourselves to being uncomfortable for 4 days.  Instead we scored a room at the back of the hotel away from the noise (or so we thought) and the room had been recently refurbished.  We certainly miss the tea and coffee making facilities and there is no mini fridge.  The bed is just this side of concrete but can survive.

Went strolling up the street and in and out of alleyways totally enchanted with the 500 yr old buildings.  Very easy to get lost and you wander up an alleyway which ends in a square so you have to backtrack  but great fun as long as Alan is navigating.  Stopped for dinner in the tourist strip (yep knew it wasn’t going to be best quality or cheap) but we experienced Tapas, Paella and Pizza.  Anto could give them a lesson on how to do it without dripping in oil! 

Unfortunately on the way back Egypt Belly hit in a big way and I had to do a 100mtr dash.  Spent the next 12 hours attached to the toilet and feeling very sorry for myself.  It hit Alan in the morning so we were doing the tag team thing.  

La Rambla

Artist in La Rambla

 Day 2

Medication finally kicked in and we got enough energy up to take the washing to a Laundromat.  Paid to have it done as sitting there was not an option today.  We weighed the washing at just over 8kgs but apparently the girl behind the counter lifting the bag off the counter was far\ more accurate than our scales and we had to pay for 16kg.

Decided to walk around the Port area and then through the streets for as long as we could.

Stopping at the Christopher Columbus statue, the Post Office, and the old Fort and defending walls.  We had a look in the Barcelona Cathedral which is unbelievable . I think there is a shrine to every saint – it is absolutely huge and gaudy as only we Catholics can do.

Christopher Columbus Monument

Old Fort over Roman ruins

Cathedral

Went thru the fresh food market.  This is incredible – I have never seen so much produce presented in such a pleasant way before.  If its like this in Paris I have no doubt Anto will spend an entire day there.  Produce is expensive, I brought 2 oranges that cost over $2.50 each (had one for breakfast and it was very ordinary)

Market

Finished off the 3 hr walk with a coffee from Starbucks and headed back to the hotel where I collapsed in a shivering mess for the afternoon.  Couldn’t get warm so crawled into bed.  The empty tummy has driven me out, I want soup but doubt I will be able to find any.

Didn’t find soup but ordered a light veal dish, unfortunately a couple of mouthfuls was all I could manage.  Had a very early night in a bed becoming more uncomfortable by the minute.

Day 3

Woke up feeing much better so we wandered the street and found a café for coffee and croissant then walked to the hop on, hop off bus stop.  Just got to the bus stop when the coffee and croissant decided they didn’t like me so did the quick dash home again.  Eventually got to the bus and decided it was best to just sit and sightsee without getting off.  It was a 2 hour trip around the south western part of the city showing all the sites through the old city and the newer parts built for the 92 Olympics.  Had a break at lunch time, chatted to my girls who had some sad news, then opted for some fresh air so caught the bus that toured  the waterfront and showed the Olympic village.  This was interesting as before the Olympics it was an industrial/slum area which was demolished to build the port for the sailing and the accommodation for athletes.  Previous to this Barcelonians believed status came with living the furtherest from the ocean.  Like everywhere else in the world that has now changed and the waterfront land and apartments are the most expensive.

We decided to exit the bus and walk back the 2-3kms to the hotel as the sun had come out and my tummy was behaving itself.  Everywhere you go the place is crowded with tourists and the natives themselves all out enjoying the sunshine.  Barcelona is proving to be a very vibrant and pleasant city to visit.

After a rest and updating blog we wandered out for dinner.  We wandered the side alleys looking for something not touristy and found a lovely restaurant called 'Sinatra' which was mediterranean fusion.  Having not eaten for a while I was a bit dubious about ordering a full meal so just ordered an entree of raviolli and a rocket and ham salad.  The raviolli was devine and the salad turned out to be avocado, mango, mozarella di bulafa , walnjuts with Pedro Ximenez wine vinaigrette and was just divine - polished the whole lot off.  Alan ordered charcoal angus beef with cognac three peppers sauce served with potatoes au gratin and grilled asparagus.  Our waiter did not like our choice of wine and brought us a taster and a bottle of what he considered a more suitable wine.  We liked our choice but of course agreed whole heartedly with the waiter. After our depressing news of finding out today that our youngest daughter has been diagnosed with cancer (treatable with chemo and a good prognosis) and the worring day that followed, the whole meal really hit the spot and we finished with a vienna coffee.  Nice for Alan to have a few drinks and not have to drive home.  Had a brief walk after dinner but it started to rain so headed back to the hotel.  Have discovered the armchair converts to a single bed so when my back goes into spasms tonight I will trying moving to the foam cushions.

Unfortunately the lovely dinner didn't last long in my body and only got a couple of hours sleep.

Day 3

The sun is shining and after an update from the girls we ventured out  once again to explore the north east of the city.  Our first stop was the Sagrada Familia.  This is the cathedral started by Gaudi.  It is the most incredible structure I have ever seen.  I was absolutely awestruck at the genius of the man and the engineering feat in building it.  Even though it was started in the 1800's they estimate it will take another 30 years to finish.  This should be another 'wonder of the world' and personally thought it more impressive than the Pyramids. Followed this with a visit to Park Guell which is a complex that Gaudi built of park like english gardens in a housing complex.  Of course the houses were not standard and the entire complex is now run by the State.

These visits were definitely the highlight of the day but continued with the sightseeing from the bus as I was very weary after traipsing around in the heat when not feeling well.

 

Sagrada Familia

Sagrada Familia

Park Guell

We realised today that we have not seen one house! everyone lives in apartments! very unusual but originally rich people built a 3 or 4 story house with shops at ground level, they lived on the first floor and the other floors were built as apartments, and thats the way they remain.  Astounding!

 

Gaudi Apartment Bld

Interesting Apartments

Bull ring in the backround

Hotel Vela

Tonight we braved the metro - and as anticipated it was easy and well run - to go to a flamenco Tapas and Show.  The Tapas was too much for me with processed meat and cheese, potatoes, mushrooms and calimari, so only managed to nibble a bit but Alan ate his fill.  We had front row seats and literally had our hands on the stage.  Every spaniard in the world will hate me for this but I couldn't distinguish the singing from the Moslem call to Prayer and the dancing was glorified tap dancing.  In fairness to the performers they were very dedicated, fit and really threw themselves into their art - I just didn't get it.  I was expecting fantastic costumes but found the lead male, who thought he was gods gift to the contiki tour girls at the next table, costume of red boots, black trousers, purple shirt and shiny grey jacket just a little offputting.  The girls costumes were quite drab.  Obviously the whole experience was not for me.

All in all Barcelona has been a fantastic city and we thoroughly enjoyed our time here. We board the ship tomorrow for our 24 day Mediterranean cruise.