Europe Vacation - Last Stop - Barcelona, Spain

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'Ola', from our ‘Final Destination’..... Barcelona!

We arrived safely after our ‘cruise’ across the Mediterranean from Italy to Barcelona. We docked at about 6:30 p.m. and found out we could actually walk from the port to our hotel, which was a BONUS! For those of you that are familiar with Barcelona, we stayed at the Euro Rambla, which is situated right ‘smack’ in the middle of La Rambla. La Rambla is the party/shopping/restaurant, happening place in Barcelona. The hotel was a great choice. The weather was a bit damp and cloudy. First real threat of rain we had in 13 days (other than a few sprinkles our 2^nd day in Berlin), so I guess we were pretty lucky with the weather on this journey.

Overview: Since it was early evening, once we got settled into our hotel we decided to stretch our legs by simply exploring the La Rambla area, just outside of our door....one word can sum it up WOW. Walking up the middle of the street and taking in the wonderful patio restaurants, souvenir booths, art displays, was remarkable. La Rambla is a focal point for many, cool alley/slipways, that are lined with more shopping and restaurants. You can stroll up and down them for hours, which we did.

Of course we had to take in one of the quaint little restaurants (equipped with outside heaters, which helped to curb the damp dusk air), complete with our very own ‘fishbowl’ of Sangria...lol (I call it a fishbowl, due to the size and shape of the glass they serve them in....very BIG....you’ll see).

Early the next morning, I awoke to a thunderstorm (at like 5:30 a.m.), which ended up setting the stage for the days weather...RAIN, drizzle, cloudy and damp...YUKKY! Of course we were left with no other choice (other than to pull the covers further over our heads, and sleep the day away), but to take the ‘Hop On Hop Off’ tour....again. It was 3.5 hours, and encompassed all of Barcelona, that we cared to see. We opted for the covered (with a canopy ONLY) upper level of the bus. This had its advantages and disadvantages. Advantage: You could see better and take pictures, without having to get off the bus in the rain. The disadvantage: Every time the bus stopped, it would accumulate rain on the canopy. Then when it started to move again, the rain would drain into the bus and we would get soaked. After a while, we had a system in place to shift whenever this occurred...lol.

I am currently on my connection flight, scheduled to land back home in Abu Dhabi in an hour and a half. I had to leave the hotel for my 7 a.m. flight, at 4:30 a.m. I was shocked at the amount of young people EVERYWHERE wandering around in La Rambla, as the taxi driver made her way through the area.....I don’t think they sleep!

When I checked in at the airport, they informed me that my flight from Paris (connection flight) to Abu Dhabi was cancelled and that I was switched to a flight landing in Dubai. I was in shock and wondered what else could possibly go wrong this journey??? (over and above my stolen wallet and forgotten North Face vest). Luckily, when I told them this was NOT a good thing, seeing that Dubai is a 2 hour drive from Abu Dhabi, they were able to schedule me on an even earlier (only a 2 hr wait for connection, instead of the 5 hrs J ) flight to Abu Dhabi...whewww!

My opinion of Barcelona: Liked it very much! Even though it was cloudy and rainy the entire time. The people: Pretty nice and helpful. The food: So, So...not a fan of Tapas or Payjya...but I had Cannelloni, and that was yum. The scenery: stunning mountains, architecture and love being at the sea. Would I return: Most definitely, only next time I would love to do the whole Italy and Spain trip, with a MAN.....and I will!.

My top three places to see (now that I am officially a 'world traveler'):

#1 – Ireland (I have a funny feeling that nothing will ever beat it!)

#2 – Prague

#3 – Rome/Barcelona (tie for 3^rd)

Well, this is my last BLOG entry for this vacation. I hope you enjoyed following my journey, as much I as enjoyed partaking in it.

Perhaps I will return soon with more UAE adventures. Until then enjoy the pictures and captions.

Adiós amigos from Barcelona.......xo

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