Barcelona was very hot which was unexpected so when we dropped off our luggage we also changed our clothes into something more suitable. We headed to the Picasso Museum as we had booked a time slot specifically. I loved learning about Picasso's life and how is art changed over time.
After we headed onto Montjuic Castle via bus and gave the cable cars a miss because I am scared of heights. I said I would get the cable car down to make up for it. While we were up there it started off with sun and clear skies but within the hour it changed suddenly and there were black clouds, vicious rain and thunder and lightening! Everyone was trying to seek cover under the roof bit of the castle just staring at the skies as the lightening was so visible. Alex and I must have been standing under there for about 30 minutes in a laughing fit because we couldn't believe it. As it had calmed down a little we decided to head back to the bus stop and get the bus back down- the cable cars were suspended in mid air as the lightening must have affected the electrics of it. So I am thankful I decided not to go on there because I would have not been very happy!
We went back to the area of our hotel and went to a restaurant near it which had tapas, it was really busy and vibrant so we thought we would try it out and it was delicious! We had an early night as the rain didn't really stop.
On the Second day we booked to see Casa Battlo which is some of Guadi's work. It was so magical, we had this phone device which would show us what it would look like before and give us information about it. It was very interesting to hear why Gaudi decided to design it the way he did and I enjoyed walking all through the house.
As it was so hot we decided to go back to the hotel, put on our swim gear and head to the beach! It was so relaxing, hot and fun. We put our stuff down near the sea so we could keep an eye on it and went into the sea which was sooo cold... but I was determined to stay in it for at least 20 minutes. We had a little play around, splashing and paddling as I didn't want to go too far from our bags although sometimes we wondered off without even realising. We enjoyed a few hours there before drying off and walking in the sun around the sea.
After we got ready for the evening, we headed towards the La Rambla's and ate in the Barrio Gotico area in a restaurant called Tobogan where we both had sangria and paella! Traditional Spanish food which was really good as I am very fussy and only like some paella but was very pleased with the service! After we finished from there we headed back but took a pit stop to see the musical fountain that I desperately wanted to see but turned out the internet had misinformed me and the show wasn't everyday just Wednesday-Sunday, so I missed it by a day. Instead of walking back down we decided to head further up the hill and explore the massive building and area. It was beautiful once we reached the top, the views that we could see were spectacular!
On Tuesday it was another early start as we had to be at the Sargrada Familia by 10.45. Coming up from the metro and turning around was an amazing experience. Even though there are works still being done to it, it is an amazing building. Another one of Gaudi's work, which makes it that much more special I think that he designed multiple buildings across the city. I loved walking around inside, the stainless glass windows were something else I could have stared at them for hours!! The architecture was interesting I loved learning about why the columns were there and that it was supposed to look like tree trunks with tree branches. Going up one of the towers was also included in our tickets... which was an experience and a half. As I mentioned I have a phobia of heights.. going up was okay we went in a lift and I assumed it was the same as going down... but oh boy how I was wrong. We walked through long windy passages which led onto little balconies overseeing different sides of the church- which included seeing scaffolding as they hadn't finished it yet. This was nice and doable as I made sure not to look down for too long and keep going on. Finally we came to the end of the passage and to a set of stairs where it spiralled down against the wall with a massive drop on the other side which you could see down. This set my anxiety off. To begin with we tried going walking back the otherway but it was too busy so there was only one way we could go and that was down.This was still a challenge as I could not bring myself to do it. I was literally crying. Luckily someone who was from New Zealand I think helped me down talking to me... I was literally holding Alex's' hand so tight but we all made it down safely.
After we finished from there we went to Park Guell which was another of Gaudi's creations but we did not see the bit he created as the tickets were sold out but we walked around the rest of the park which was nice and worth looking around the greenery for a different scene.
In the evening before eating we went up to a viewing point which was right by our hotel to see what the views were like from there and they were lovely.. not as spectaular but still pretty. From there we went to on to a bar/restaurant to try pintxos which is basically small snacks where you can order as many or as little as you like and usually is quite cheap. I was a bit wary as this place was a recommendation from Alex's friend but oh my even though it didn't look 5* from the outside, the food itself- which is what really matters- was delicious.. I want to go back 6 months later! As this was our last chance to go down and visit the La Rambla's, we headed on before it came too late and walked through the street which was so full of atmosphere, souvenirs and tourists which I really liked. It was relaxing walking at my own pace taking my time, seeing all the food and eating stalls, souvenirs and restaurant places near by. All in all it was great last full day.
Wednesday finally came round and this was the earliest wake up at 6am as we had to be at park guell before 8am which is when you have to pay. We managed to get there before so got in for free and it was so beautiful, the views, the Gaudi style and the feeling of it all. It was so worth waking up that early to see it so peaceful. Before we left we had a chance to go visit the zoo which was nearby so we had a quick runaround of that which was fun and on the journey there and back we saw Arc De Triomf which was lovely. We headed back to the hotel to collect our luggage and made our way to the airport to catch our early evening flight which ended up also being delayed for 2 hours but we finally ended back home in London safe and sound.
What a great holiday :)
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