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Published: July 21st 2011
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View of Sailboats from our Balcony The next morning we loaded up for our embarkation on the ship. We breezed through and were soon in our luxurious cabins, complete with wrap around balconies and a private lounge down the hall. Too spoiled by far! No time to lounge around though. We all went our separate ways. T & T explored the ship and settled in, M and K took a “power walk” into Barcelona and along La Rambla, powering through the gothic quarter with stops to buy art and jewelry!
Jim and I headed back to the Gothic quarter where the narrow streets often lead to gems of architecture or street performers playing for a few euro. Our goal was the most extensive subterranean Roman ruins in the world, accessed through Place del Rei, a 14th century mansion which was the home of count-kings of Barcelona from its foundation in the 13th century. To me, the most exciting part of the palace was the chapel where Isabel and Ferdinand of Spain received Christopher Columbus after his triumphal return from America. (Pretty interesting for any American even though now we know the Scandinavians were actually found America first). The highlight of the visit is the underground Roman ruin.
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Kayla power walking in Barcelona There are rooms where they pressed wine, laundered and dyed clothing, and there is even the ancient Forum.
After a sweltering afternoon lifted only occasionally by sea breezes, Jim and I hopped a taxi back to the ship which was leaving port at 4 pm. That night after a lovely dinner we took in the captain’s welcome party and the disco. Only pictures can truly depict what dance music can do to some people!
In the morning we headed back into Barcelona to see Gaudi’s stunning creations. We took one small detour as we looked futilely for a cab while we walked a mile up and down the cruise port. There definitely were cabs, but they all ignored us as they busily snapped up disembarking cruise passengers from the next ship down. Running back to the shuttle parking area we finally snagged the last 6 seats on the free shuttle we had earlier turned our noses up on. Thank goodness!
Shortly thereafter we arrived with all the other overheated humanity at La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s masterpiece of a cathedral. One can’t help but be awed by the beauty of the shapes, colors and light at play in this towering space.
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Performers in the Gothic Quarter Gaudi took over work on the cathedral in 1883, one year after work started. The nativity façade finished in 1930 is Gaudi’s most complete work on the cathedral even after 14 years of living like a recluse and devoting all his time to the cathedral. At his death only one tower of the façade was complete. Sadly, he was hit by a tram as he was leaving the cathedral interrupting his work on the masterpiece. Since a fire destroyed almost all of Gaudi’s drawings, later architects have tried to complete his vision for the cathedral it is as always ornamented with cranes and scaffolding.
Our next stop after a walk through the Quadrat d’Or which I’m sure got its name from the many upscale stores lining the wide tree-lined boulevard, we arrived at the Casa Batllo which I like to call the Dragon house. It is composed of stunning organic forms, colorful ceramic covered chimneys and a tiled roof that emulates the ridges of a dragon’s back. Local lore states that the house is inspired by the tale of St. George and the dragon. The house is designed in the style called “Modernismo” which is the Spanish take on Art
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Bridge over Gothic quarter Neuveau. The interior columns and arches give the sensation of being inside the skeleton of a large animal. The curving walls and windows are said to represent waves. This house is a workout though because we climbed at least 4 or 5 flights of stairs to the roof to view those beautiful ceramic tiles up close.
Sad news came the next evening at our “formal” dinner, when the captain announced at dinner that we wouldn’t be able to make the Monte Carlo stop due to the dangerous sea conditions in port. We were really bummed but at least I get some down time to nurse my cold, T&T got to lay out and get some sun (and work of course) and Jim spied M and K working out. Such discipline!!
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Warren Smith
non-member comment
Awesome!
The pictures are awesome! Have a great time!