Spent several hours there, and then headed back to town. We were pretty tired after that and had planned to visit the City Museum (closing too soon) so ended up just wandering the streets for a while and then heading for some dinner. Went to a place called Taller de Tapas and had quite a good meal, about 6 tapas shared and some delicious mojitos and capirinas. After that we called it a night, it was pretty late.
Wednesday we went to Montjuic. Went for a big walk – up the hill to where the big national art museum was, then round for a walk around to the Olympic Stadium which was pretty cool. Went inside and had a look around, found no less than 10 cats either sunbathing in the stands or hanging out by the cafe tables in order to get scraps, cuuute!! Barcelona seems to have lots of cats and dogs, cats mostly hanging out in the suburbs and the dogs always being walked through town, all kinds of dogs...
We rode a cable car up to the top of the hill next, lots of good views across the city and the top featured a military museum. We didn't go in, just wandered around, grabbed a quick lunch and admired the view. Then wandered part of the way down the hill along a bushy path and to another cable car, one that goes right across the harbour over to Barcelonetta, a harbour area of town. Wandered around the streets (such loiterers!) and then found a nice place to have tapas and sangria; they also offered flamenco shows but sadly not until the 10th of January by which time we were back in little old Bedford.
After dinner we headed back to Las Ramblas, which were getting more and more packed in preparation for New Years. We found a fruit market down a side street and bought a bunch of grapes so we could take part in the traditional eat-12-grapes-before-clock-finishes-gonging at midnight. Since it was still early we headed back home and had a week nap (it is damn tiring walking around all day!) and then back on the Metro to town.
We got off the tube at the top of Las Rablas and if it was packed before, it was INSANE now. Hordes of people all over the streets, cars not going anywhere cos of the people, random fireworks exploding – we assumed they were fireworks but we didn't actually see any sparklies, just heard loud bangs! A terrorist attack would barely have been noticed for all the attention the people around us paid the explosions. Bit scary.
We found a place to hover in Placa de la Catalunya where we had a good view of the big clock tower, and counted out our grapes. Lots of people around us were doing the same, some had grapes in a can which apparently marketed only for New Years – I wish I'd had some of those cos when we got to the countdown it turned out I suck at eating fresh grapes quickly, mostly because they had pips and were a bit sticky. Joe gulped his down but I took at least two minutes :) He got impatient waiting for his midnight kiss! Lots of people around us called Feliz Anos and hugged, a cute family nearby popped champagne bottles that were actually just confetti cannons, and then it was over. Knowing it'd be extremely foolish to attempt the Metro again, we walked back home which was lovely – dry night, lots of happy people out, and christmas and holiday lights still up on most of the streets. A small boy called out Feliz Anos to us on our way and we called back, which made his day and caused the rest of his family to appear at their window all yelling and dancing :)
Next day being New Years day, nothing much was open, so we headed up to Park Guell, a big Gaudi designed park on the hill to the north of town. Escalators up the hill made things a tad easier but still a big walk! It was a lovely thing to walk around, lot of trees and nature of course and neat stone work and mosaics around the place. Stayed there for the morning then headed down the park out another entrance and walked through the Gracia area back to town. Found a place for lunch that served lovely open sandwiches – waiter was a bit keen, when we went to order drinks we weren't sure what to have (booze? Water); he offered sangria and we said oo yes, next we heard 'Una sangria GRANDE' called back to the kitchen, which raised our eyebrows. Back comes a massive jug – oh well, who needs a sober afternoon anyways? Delicious none the less :)
We staggered out of there around 4ish and then headed to La Sagrada Familia, another bit of Gaudi arcitecture all about Jesus and the apostles. Twas closed sadly but we stood at the bottom (wavering a bit on our feet) and took some pictures. Would have been nice to go up but oh well!
After such a huge lunch we waited a long time for dinner, and ended up just going to a wee place down the road from our hostel which appeared to be run entirely by slightly crazy old men. Very sweet, and I had rabbit which was pretty much just like chicken but still very nice.
Friday we flew out, but before hand we headed back to town for a last minute wander around the sites. Back around Barra Gotic and Las Ramblas, and then back to the hostel for our bags and off to the airport. Almost got on the wrong train back but happily I asked someone and we managed to get off the train and onto the right one just in time! That would have been exciting huh :)
All in all a good trip, would have liked better weather but it apparently didn't stop my photography, as I took over 1000 pictures! Most of which are on the travel album so check it out if you haven't already. Coming next, a shortened summary of Amsterdam and an update on our current situation plus itinerary for the travels home...
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