730 days: Barcelona

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?