Arrived into Barcelona Friday afternoon and meet up with Kat,
Ange and Paul for the start of a fun filled weekend. It was a super hot
afternoon of around 30 degrees as we headed out to check out the city. Walked
down to the port which is quite a newly developed area, and found some yummy
gelato, only problem was it melted so fast! Then wandered around to the beach,
which they made for the Olympics, importing sand from Egypt! A very nice beach
though, and packed with people on a Friday afternoon. Wandered through the old
town area and La Rambla, and enjoyed some sangria to cool off. Then meet up
with Kat's friend Mel, Phil and Ryan for some tapas, followed by a little too
much sangria and dancing into the night!
Saturday consequently started off a bit slower. When we rolled
out of bed a little worse for the wear, found the Spanish equivalent of a
greasy breakfast - bacon and cheese roll and potato omelet - yum! Then went
to get our tourist on. Headed to the Sagrada Famillia, the most famous church
in Barcelona. Designed by Gaudi, building began over 100 years ago in the
1890's and the church is still being completed! But it is an incredible
structure even unfinished. From the out side you can see four towers, and each
side of the church is decorated with a fresco. On one entrance the nativity completed in
Gaudi's life time, is a series of carvings depicting the life of Jesus. On the
opposite side a very different style, though still designed by Gaudi, depicts
the final days of Jesus - known as the Passion. The interior of the church is
impressive filled with branching columns into the very high ceiling, with
amazing bright contemporary stained glass windows. There's nothing quite like
it. The degree of the designs and engineering behind it is staggering. As
building continues they are hoping to complete the church by 2030! So maby
another visit in my retirement to see the finished work!
After the Famillia
we walked up to the Parc Guell, another place filled with Gaudi's works. Enjoyed a relaxing few hours out of the sun, before heading off in search of
some dinner. Found a small restaurant in the middle of the old town and
overfilled ourselves on tapas and paella.
The following day was a more relaxing one. Wandered into town
and found the old cathedral with an attaching outdoor courtyard containing small
chapel's in its archways - very pretty. Enjoyed some Spanish coffee and very
yummy pastries from a local bakery. Then walked down to the Parc de La
Ciutadella for a picnic lunch and some chilling out. Afterwards went up the
fenicular on the other side of town to the Parc Montjuic. A beautiful green
park set up on the overlooking Barcelona, we stumbled across an amazing
building which turned out to be the museum, with the magic fountain in front. And found the olympic stadium, complete with escalators to carry the hoards of
people up the hill to the stadium. Tucked into some more yummy tapas for
dinner, before going back to the fountain to see the night show complete with
music and lights. The fountain looked beautiful with an avenue of fountains stretching out in front of it, and the museum behind it.
Monday was another chilled day. Found some churros - pastry sticks you dip in chocolate, with coffee for a morning snack. Went to have a lye in the sunshine on the beach, which was nice, except the wind was blowing a gale! So gave up after a bit and went to the park instead. Before grabbing one last gelato before it was time to head back to the hostel and out to the airport.
Had an fabulous weekend, great friends, amazing food, brilliant weather and a great city to enjoy it all in. Can't really ask for more can you?
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Beautiful beaches |
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The nativity facade |
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Sagrada Familia |
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The interior of the church |
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Stain glass windows |
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The passion facade |
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Parc Guell |
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The team overlooking the city |
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In the Parc Montjuic |
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Coffee and Churros - yum! |
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Kat, me and Ange |
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Gaudi architecture |
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Our massive Paella |
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Incredible Pastries |
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Red fountain |
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Overlooking the fountain |
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