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Published: February 22nd 2006
We had always wanted to visit Barcelona in the summer, but you cannot pass up flights for £25 return! So off to Spain we went for a long weekend in the cold.......
We decided to treat ourselves to a 4* hotel considering it was low-season. The hotel was located right above main train station - Sants - making it a very convenient base from which to explore (not to mention that a King sized bed beats the hell out of a hostel bunk!)
Saturday 28th January 2006 Barcelona is particularly famous for the works of architect/artist Gaudi. So we decided to check out La Pedrera, Gaudi's apartments built in 1906. Its a bit hard to describe his work - the words quirky, odd, and abstract come to mind, however he was also well known for being functional and environmentally friendly (check out the pics for an idea of what we are talking about). The apartments also served as an exhibition of Gaudi's work from all around the city. The roof-top of the apartments has a cool walkway lined with some bizarre sculptures and mosaics.
Next up was his most prominent and controversial work - the Segrada Familia, Gaudi's
massive cathedral in the city centre. The only Cathedral in the world still under construction, and it has been so for the last 100 years or so. Eventually will be 15 massive towers. (One for each apostle and one for the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). They say it will be finished in another 20-30 years. From here we took a wander down Las Ramblas, the famous shopping/tourist street in Barcelona and found a wonderful tapas bar for dinner - yum!
Sunday 29th January We jumped on a bus tour around the city which took us to the Olympic Park, where the 1992 Olympics were held. We saw the National Art Museum (the outside that is.....), the Olympic stadium, the telecommunications tower, the swimming pools, the diving pool and wandered through the botanical gardens.
We then caught a cable car over to the beach, over the docks, the world trade centre. The surf was good and Justin was restless. (sub-note to the boys - it was about 4 ft, glassy and hollow. There were about 30 guys in the water with full wetsuits, booties and gloves.....it was snowing the day before......I would have got in if I had my
Outdoor Escalators......
Originally installed for the olympics, now look a little out of place.gear....no, really!)
We continued our bus journey after lunch to Park Guell and saw Gaudi's house. Staying true to form, this was again a very abstract experience. It's meant to be a residential garden city - his work and nature are so intertwined here. There were again lots of mosaics decorating the area. Lastly, we caught an old tram up a hill which overlooked the city and had a drink whilst watching the sun go down - very nice. That only left one thing to do - Tapas for dinner again ;-)
Monday 30th January We took it easy on our last day and took a stroll down Las Ramblas, we visited the amazing markets which sell seafood, fruit & veg, lollies, meat, cheese…... mmmm…..we spent some time here (couldn't tear Rach away). Down Las Ramblas you can even buy iguanas, rabbits, birds, turtles, chooks, mice……. Combined with the the buskers, painters and flower markets, it makes for a very colourful street. (not to mention the Museum of Erotica which was very interesting........)
Our time in Barcelona had run out and it was time to return to London, but we are planning on taking a holiday each month
for the rest of the year, so some exciting stuff to look forward to!
Hope alls well back in Aus
JK and Rach
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Kaz Abram
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Daydreaming of Places Far Away
Hi Guys, It is so great to get these little travelogues of far away places. It makes O Week that so much better to deal with. Certainly beats the hell out of looking through the office window across the overgrown weeds to admire the beautiful veiw of the Coffee Roaster (now Coffee Bug) Hope all is going well for you both and keep sending these wonderful updates of your travels. Stay Happy, Kaz