BARCELONA, SPAIN
After a few more sun filled days in Perpignan with Fran and Sasha as well as a couple more dips in the pool, we left France behind and jumped on another train bound for Barcelona, Espana! It was a beautiful ride along the Catalan coast and on the way we met a student from Belgium named Sofie. She was really nice and gave us some walnuts from her mother's boyfriends tree. They were really delicious, almost as good as the ones from Olivia's grandparents. 
We arrived at the main station in Barcelona and had to change trains for Tarragona where our friend Tony from New Zealand's Aunty Jo lived. He had given her a call on our behalf and sent her an email and she welcomed us with open arms. She picked us up from the station and when we got back to her house we met her husband Jordy and shared a couple glasses of wine before going to bed.
We arrived at the main station in Barcelona and had to change trains for Tarragona where our friend Tony from New Zealand's Aunty Jo lived. He had given her a call on our behalf and sent her an email and she welcomed us with open arms. She picked us up from the station and when we got back to her house we met her husband Jordy and shared a couple glasses of wine before going to bed. We were up early and caught the train into Barcelona to start our sightseeing. We were both really excited and when we arrived at the station we bought a three day bus pass and tube pass and set off. The first stop was the Parc Guell. Olivia was super excited as she had studied Gaudi and his architecture whilst at university. 
It was quite breathtaking to say the least and we knew that we were in for a couple of incredible days sightseeing if this was anything to go by. It's quite hard to accurately describe the design of the architecture and sculptures everywhere but it is very evident that he got a lot of his inspiration from nature and was truly unique in his concepts. There were lots of bone like shapes and curves and he used mosaic techniques everywhere. It was amazing and very colourful in places.
It was quite breathtaking to say the least and we knew that we were in for a couple of incredible days sightseeing if this was anything to go by. It's quite hard to accurately describe the design of the architecture and sculptures everywhere but it is very evident that he got a lot of his inspiration from nature and was truly unique in his concepts. There were lots of bone like shapes and curves and he used mosaic techniques everywhere. It was amazing and very colourful in places.
After spending a good couple of hours walking around the park looking at all the gorgeous buildings and taking lots of photos we walked back to the metro station and headed to central Barcelona. Our first stop was a place called the 'La Rambla' which is a pedestrian only avenue that leads down towards the waterside from the famous Plaza de Catalunya. It's huge and makes Cuba mall look like a neighbourhood cul de sac. 
You can find any label you want along the way as well as a myriad of restaurants, cafes and pubs. It is a hive of activity with street performers doing their utmost to relieve the unsuspecting tourist of their money! About half way down 'La Rambla' is the most incredible market called 'Mercat de la Borqueira.' Talk about mouth watering, there was the most delectable food everywhere with hamon (jambon or ham) , fresh fruit and vegetables. Fromage, sausages, salamis, fresh meat and poultry, but the best part was the SEAFOOD! There were things there that we had never even seen before but it all looked so fresh and soooooo yum! 
Unfortunately we missed the lunch serving time and decided that we would come back the next day to sample some of the goodies as we had lots more to see. We went on a walk around the streets nearby and took in some more of the local sites. After a while we wandered back to the 'Rambla' and a quick check of the time and we realised that it was 'BEER O'CLOCK.' So we stopped for some tapas and a drink. 
After that we headed to an area lined with bars. We chose a bar that had outside tables and ordered 'dos cerveza.' While we were waiting for the beers we met a group of American guys and joined them. The waiter arrived with two huge 'STEINS' of ice cold beer. We were both surprised with the size of them but I think that Olivia's was more out of shock, whereas I was stoked! Needless to say we ended up having a great evening with them talking about the All Blacks and the World Cup and promised that we would look them up when we finally got over there.
You can find any label you want along the way as well as a myriad of restaurants, cafes and pubs. It is a hive of activity with street performers doing their utmost to relieve the unsuspecting tourist of their money! About half way down 'La Rambla' is the most incredible market called 'Mercat de la Borqueira.' Talk about mouth watering, there was the most delectable food everywhere with hamon (jambon or ham) , fresh fruit and vegetables. Fromage, sausages, salamis, fresh meat and poultry, but the best part was the SEAFOOD! There were things there that we had never even seen before but it all looked so fresh and soooooo yum! 
Unfortunately we missed the lunch serving time and decided that we would come back the next day to sample some of the goodies as we had lots more to see. We went on a walk around the streets nearby and took in some more of the local sites. After a while we wandered back to the 'Rambla' and a quick check of the time and we realised that it was 'BEER O'CLOCK.' So we stopped for some tapas and a drink. 
After that we headed to an area lined with bars. We chose a bar that had outside tables and ordered 'dos cerveza.' While we were waiting for the beers we met a group of American guys and joined them. The waiter arrived with two huge 'STEINS' of ice cold beer. We were both surprised with the size of them but I think that Olivia's was more out of shock, whereas I was stoked! Needless to say we ended up having a great evening with them talking about the All Blacks and the World Cup and promised that we would look them up when we finally got over there.
We caught the train back to Tarragona where Jo picked us up and surprised us by taking us to their favourite local restaurant where she treated us to a scrumptious seafood dinner. It turned that after our chat with Jordi on the night we arrived about our love for seafood that he had suggested to Jo to take us there. The owner and head chef is a long time friend of theirs and we were treated to a veritable feast complete with a bottle of Rose.
The next day we went to see Gaudi's 'Casa Battlo.' The roof of this building looked like a dragons back with scales for roofing tyles and the design of the rest of the building was unreal. 
From here we then went to see 'Casa Mila' which is a majestic building. 
We decided to go inside and take a look and weren't disappointed. The architecture inside was as incredible as the outside. On the top floor there was a exhibition that gave us a real insight into Antonio Gaudi the man and his inspiration. There were 3D models of his buildings and the most ornately carved wooden furniture. It didn't stop there. Out on the roof the theme of amazing design continued. 
Coupled with an outstanding view of the city it was truly incredible. We capped off our visit here with a little purchase in the store on the ground floor of a Gaudi inspired silver ring for Olivia to celebrate our third anniversary.
From here we then went to see 'Casa Mila' which is a majestic building. 
We decided to go inside and take a look and weren't disappointed. The architecture inside was as incredible as the outside. On the top floor there was a exhibition that gave us a real insight into Antonio Gaudi the man and his inspiration. There were 3D models of his buildings and the most ornately carved wooden furniture. It didn't stop there. Out on the roof the theme of amazing design continued. 
Coupled with an outstanding view of the city it was truly incredible. We capped off our visit here with a little purchase in the store on the ground floor of a Gaudi inspired silver ring for Olivia to celebrate our third anniversary. Next on the list was the 'Sagrada Familia' which unfortunately Gaudi never got to finish as he died before it's completion. In fact they are still building it today and it won't be finished for some years yet. 
We then walked down the 'Rambla' to the waterfront and on the way saw a 'break dancing crew' putting on a show to a huge audience. 
After checking out the shops we headed back up the 'Rambla' to a tapas bar that Olivia thought looked quite nice so we went there for some more incredible nibbles and yes some more wine and beer!
We then walked down the 'Rambla' to the waterfront and on the way saw a 'break dancing crew' putting on a show to a huge audience. 
After checking out the shops we headed back up the 'Rambla' to a tapas bar that Olivia thought looked quite nice so we went there for some more incredible nibbles and yes some more wine and beer!
Our final stop that evening was Museu National d' Art Catalunya. We had to catch the metro there but it was well worth it. Although we missed the famous fountain show there as it was out of season, the promenade leading up to the building was stunning as was the building itself.
We decided we wanted one last look at one of Gaudi's buildings so went back to see the 'Casa Battlo' all lit up.
It was a fitting way to end our stay in Barcelona and on the train journey home we reflected on a wonderful couple of days.
It was a fitting way to end our stay in Barcelona and on the train journey home we reflected on a wonderful couple of days. That night Jo and Jordy had more surprises in store for us. Jo works for Paco Rabanne at the International Airport and she gave Olivia a whole lot of women's perfumes and samples. She also had a couple for me. She took us down into their garage to get them and the whole garage was full of Barcelona Football Club trophies and photographs. I asked Jo why that was and it turns out that Jodi had been the manager of Barcelona Football Club for many years. I was blown away. It was no surprise then that Jodi gave me a whole lot of Barcelona supporters gear as a going away present. Talk about generous aye? 
We left their place the next morning for the airport totally humbled and were so thankful for their amazing hospitality and making us feel part of the family. They said that we were welcome to come back at any time and who knows we may very well take up that offer sometime in the future. Next stop......LONDON!
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