Day 8: France-Spain
We left our hostel extremely early in the morning to make our way to the airport. It was an uncomfortable scenario because it was so dark and cold. Plus my luggage was super heavy. There are no escalators in the Parisian metro so we had to carry up and down all our baggages which weren't exactly light. Sigh. Anyway, after takin the metro to some train station, we hopped onto this shuttle bus bound for Orly airport where we took an easyjet flight to Barcelona. It was an hour plus flight I think. Upon reachin Barcelona, I looked out of the window and saw the arial view of this seaside city. It was so cool. I couldn't stop thinking of sun, fun and loads of fiestas!! After we left the airport, we took this train (where pickpocketers unzipped my bag, thank goodness they didn't take anything coz all my valuables were safely tucked in my pocket) to I think Sants Estacio, we changed to a metro to Lesseps, where our dorm was. The Barcelona metro was surprisingly clean and modern compared to the tube in London and the metro in Paris. When we reached Lesseps, we were shocked to realise that our dorm was under renovation. We thought that we have been cheated of our money. It turned out that they had built an annex behind the original building. After checking-in and settling down, we had this really incredible (and cheap) Spanish dinner at this cafe near our dorm. We took the metro again after that to Passeig de Gracia to take in the sights of the city before headin back to our dorm for the night.
leavin Paris early in the mornin. The sun had not even risen yet :(
arial view of Barcelona's beachside district
our dorm's entrance. Stupid thing was tucked away so we had a difficult time finding it
Lesseps
our fantastic Spanish dinner. Paella Valencia, spanish style tortellini with cream, salt cod with fries and grilled cuttlefish with fries :D
Casa Batllo at Passeig de Gracia
Passeig de Gracia. Apparently we saw a huge poster somewhere of Monica and Penelope Cruz modelling for Mango
see how clean, modern and spacious Barcelona's metro is (just above) compared to the London Tube( top photo) and the Parisian metro (middle photo).
Day 9: Spain
Had this to-die-for Spanish breakfast at this lil eatery near our dorm juz one street away. Went back to wash up before takin the metro to I think Liceu, or was it Drassanes before walkin to La Rambla where we took this really hard to find open top bus for a tour around the city. We saw many great sights like the Sagrada Familia, Barcelona FC and Casa Mila and made mental notes on which sights we will be visiting tommorow. During our journey, this inquisitive Spanish family came out to their balcony and started waving at us. It was an adorable gesture so we just smiled and waved back although it pained us as all of us were slowly being grilled by the harsh Spanish sun (face was sunburnt, so it was difficult to smile). We got off at this quaint village after that which was on some highland and did some window shopping and architecture admiring before tucking in to a sumptous lunch consisting of Catalonian bread, chorizo paella and deep fried octopus!! It was just amazing. We also went to this hill-top 'palace' which was right next to the village after that to check it out. It turned out to be an art centre with an great view of the city. We took the bus again back to La Rambla which passed by the beach and marina which was fantastic. I made a mental note to visit it a.s.a.p. After coming back to La Rambla, I made a quick visit to some subtropical-like cathedral when I passed by this busker who was playing the guitar so well that I bought his Spanish Rumba cd for 10 euros. Just before we returned to the dorm a couple of hours later, we stopped by this minimart to buy some bottled water. Apparently they were also selling cheap tetra-packed wines. Sigh..........I felt like juz takin one pack of red wine and makin a Sangria for myself :(
a Spanish breakfast....coffee, chocolate filled croissant (the spanish ones are more moist and sticky), apple muffin and a fuet sausage sandwich
the marketplace at La Rambla with loads of sweets on display. The sweets there are about 2 1/2 times bigger than the ones in Singapore
the main square of the village.....with a Mexican flag hung on one building.....how odd
modern art on display in the village
leather belt maker in the village
the village's various courtyards and winding streets
lunch!!
the 'palace'. Thats me in the last pic:)
Barcelona skyline from the hill top
the art centre's interior
passing by the beach vicinity and marinas
recognise this brand?? Its at Vivo!! They don't have this particular product for sale though in Singapore ;)
the resort-like cathedral with ducks in the courtyard
tetra pack wines!! Sangria anyone?? I can make a really good one......I think lol
Day 10: Spain
Went to Casa Batllo in the morning. Its architecture inside and outside was simply divine to the eyes. Goudi is now officially my top inspirer......for now. We passed by his Casa Mila after that but it was so crowded so we gave it a miss for the day. Took the bus again to the Sagrada Familia and did a little prayer there (with loads of photo-taking) before rushing off in the nearest metro to Glories to see its bazaar. The bazaar was closed on that day though, how sad. So we made our way back to Lesseps before walkin to our last sight for the day which was Park Guell which had a great view of the sea in the distant horizon. Dinner was at this Palestinian restaurant at some street recommended by this Japanese lady who has been stayin in Spain for 20 years which was conveniently just almost across the street from our dorm.
Casa Batllo.........inside, outside, topside etc. Along with a McDonald poster of it
the breath-taking interior and exterior of the Sagrada Familia
Torre Agbar at Glories
the view of the sea in the horizon from the upper platform of Park Guell
interesting works and goudi's house- Park Guell
front facade and stairs- Park Guell
some of our Palestinian dinner's dishes. Bread with hummus and cheese and falafel with fries and loads of relishes and dips
Day 11: Spain
Yay!! I finally made it to the beach!! We took the metro from Lesseps to Barceloneta with this Italian couple before walkin to the Platja de la Barceloneta. We basically spent half a day there juz chillin out and tanning before headin back to Glories for its bazaar. Thank goodness it was open. We browsed around before headin to Passeig de Gracia, Catalunya and La Rambla for some shopping. I finally found Clockhouse!! I have been searching high and low for it since I flew in from Paris. I knew that it was here somewhere coz on my first day in Spain, I saw this man carrying its bag. Since these 3 shopping districts are only a few stops away from Lesseps by metro, I figured that Clockhouse must be somewhere around there. And I was so right!! Whopee!!
the wonderful beach!! It stretches for miles and miles..........
Day 12: Spain- UK
It was our last day in Spain. We basically went to Goudi's Casa Mila (La Pedrera). It was mind-blowing!! After a long time inside, we made our way to the 3 shopping districts again to look around and some stuff. I went straight to Clockhouse to get some tops:) After an early dinner, we headed for I think the north station and took a coach to the airport before takin Ryan Air back to London Luton. We had such a bad experience at the airport that I don't want to talk about it. Anyway, back in London Luton, we took a chartered bus bound for London Victoria stopping at a few stops such as Marble Arch an Baker Street. It was 2am in the mornin by the time we reached London Victoria and we were constantly approached by those illegal cabbies there. Thank goodness we got into a licensed cab eventually before headin to our dorm Passfield Hall which was near Russell Square. Halfway during our journey, we passed by this place called The Dorchester which was swarming with parparazzis. I saw this blonde girl being surrounded there and figured that she was a celebrity. True enough, it was Kate Moss :D
Casa Mila. Interesting architecture and interiors ya??
No comments:
Post a Comment