Barcelona, May 2012

May 12

The packing for Barcelona was light...it would be warm and we could only take check in bags, so we set off in anticipation of sunny days. On arrival we negotiated the airport, successfully buying T 10 public transport tickets, and found ourselves on the train bound for central Barcelona. So far, so good...on arrival at the central station the directions from Google maps were cryptic...walk east then turn right...where was east? So we managed to walk in all directions but the right one, but finally, after help from a number of helpful Spaniards, arrived at Hotel Rialto. Can't imagine that it's related to the Melbourne one, but it was comfortable for the first four nights and reasonably quiet, given that we were located very close to La Ramblas, the bustling promenade in the old Gothic part of Barcelona.

Views from our room

May 13

Barcelona by day and night is exciting: a wonderful city, amazing architecture throughout, musicians playing many different instruments and types of music and bold, creative statues everywhere. How delightful to walk around in sandals, shorts and short sleeves, day and night after the chill of London! Exploring the old city, the beach and listening to the many buskers kept us entertained. People everywhere...a real holiday atmosphere.



Old Gothic buildings

Building at the end of La Ramblas

May 14

Much of the day was spent at the beach, though a bit too cold to swim. Around us lots of people were enjoying relaxing on the beach and there was a constant stream of sellers offering beer, massages, coconut, sarongs...and one very industrious local who made up 3 mosjitos at a time (ice, ground mint, pineapple juice and perhaps rum) and then carried them on a tray around the beach. I was tempted, but didn't buy one.

Boats in the harbour

Making mosjitos

On the way back we stopped to listen to a group of musicians, as were lots of others on the steps facing the harbour. Two sets of couples jumped up and danced to the music.

View from the beach promenade.

Replica of an old seafaring vessel

May 15

A tour of the Gothic section was visually entertaining as well as informative. 

Tour guide and some of the group

 The English guide Chris was a font of information. He'd come to Barcelona 5 years ago and has never left. Our group was from a mixture of countries though mainly from Poland, Iran, France, and USA. It was good to have the opportunity to hear the history and to ask questions. He explained that much of Barcelona had been updated as part of the preparation for Olympics. This had included the commisioning of magnificent sculptures by well-known artists,

Sculpture by Roy Lichtenstein

 and the creation of the beach we had enjoyed on the previous day, the sand coming from Egypt! Prior to the Olympics Barcelona had not been a popular tourist destination, however it now has a thriving tourist industry.

Town Hall

Old wall of the city- pathway was the old drawbridge

The old palace

In the afternoon we headed off to explore Sagrada Familia, the very impressive church designed by Gaudi, but realised that we'd arrived far too late, so spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying wine and sangrias at the park over the road. An English couple shared our table for a while and it was good to talk with some fellow travellers. After they left we headed to a sunny park bench and were entertained by children enjoying the swings, and running around the park.

Sagrada Familia

May 16

It was time to leave the Rialto and to move to the Sun and Moon. We were guided to our room...on the 5th floor, however it had two double beds, and its proportions were immense, relative to the last room. Below the street continued to hum, day and night, so there was lots to entertain us. 

Views from our new room

 After settling into our new abode we wandered around the city, continuing to explore the sights, and chanced upon a park and enjoyed the sun. Later we walked along a promenade to the Arch Triomphe, which was reached by walking along a wide street (just for pedestrians).

Arch Triomphe

On the way back we stopped to listen to another busker, who eventually stopped as there was a demonstration close by.

May 17

Much of the day was spent at the Sagrada Familia, the headphones providing lots of information about the building. It is still in the process of being built, an example of Gaudi's vision and extraordinary creativity. The columns that support the structure,

                                           the stained glass windows, 

                                        the sculpture on the external facade, 

              the magnificence of the design: all contribute to the awesome sight.

Underneath in the basement people continue to work on the design, aided by computers.

 Gaudi continued to work on the building until he he died at 73 years of age.

May 18

Park Guell, another of Gaudi's famous masterpieces was the main outing of the day. The park gave Gaudi the opportunity to be more light hearted in his design. The buildings are reminiscent of gingerbread cottages, 

                                         and the mosaics bright and varied.

 The park is set on a steep hill, with splendid views from lookouts throughout the park. 

 Street vendors set out their wares on small sheets, ever ready to pack up if police are sighted. Dotted around are more buskers, with beautiful music resonating throughout.

 On return to our room after a meal of felafels from our favourite food shop

 we strolled around, chancing on some musicians on a stage playing folk music, with different instruments. The huge crowd loved the music, and most were dancing, traditional dances (where rows of people curled roiund and around) or more free-form dancing. The square was pulsating with music and dance and the crowd loved it.

May 19

Our last day in Barcelona, so time to pack, move out, store our luggage...and lots of time to enjoy the city tour on top of the double decker sightseer bus. Again the audio phones were informative, and the sights never ending, and there were many places that we should have explored...next time!
 

Coincidentally we bumped into the same English couple we'd met at Park Guell, at the bottom of the airport stairs, so briefly we exchanged further Barcelonan adventures.

On return to London we waited in an endless queue at border security, and when it was our turn a barrage of questions resulted. Our many trips in and out were greeted with suspicion...but finally our passports were stamped. We caught the last Stansted Express back, but, alas, the tube was now closed so we were directed to the bus...where we shivered, along with some local young people, until a bus finally took us to the Angel Islington...where we had to alight and change buses to get home! Finally we arrived, relieved to be back in our cosy home.

May 20
Time to wind down and prepare for the next part of the trip- Rhodes, Greece, on Wednesday...