Tuesday, 20 September 2011: Tarifa, Spain
We have been travelling for a few days, so decide to take today to catch up on maintenance, cleaning and washing and also a wander along the beach. Today is still very windy and there are loads of kite surfers, wind surfers all learning the sport. Although most of them are just on the beach as they haven’t progressed to getting in the water yet. The walk along the beach was like being in a sandblasting wind tunnel.
Wednesday, 21 September 2011: On the road to Barcelona, Spain
A long drive – about 10 ½ hours and we are now only about 3-4 hours from Barcelona. We camp near where there is meant to be an Aries, but isn’t anymore.
Thursday, 22 September 2011: Barcelona, Spain
Up early for the remainder of the drive which is being done by me, first time I have driven in Spain and luckily most of it was on motorways. We are heading to Camping Estrella which is just on the outskirts of Barcelona and the drive along the main road was interesting with lots of women of the night selling their trade during the day.
We arrived and quickly decamped Vinnie and then jumped on the first bus which leaves from outside the campsite into Barcelona and get off at Plaza Catalunya where we wander down La Rambla. La Rambla is a pedestrian boulevard, well except for the bikes, motorcycles and various other cars that seem to not be restricted to the no cars category.
There are lots of tourist shops and restaurants stopping at one of the plazas to find out where we actually are and want to head and also to have a drink and watch some of the world go by. There is a big festival on this weekend so there are lots of areas that have been set up for music, so we listen to the band set up for a while and then wander down to the port area. This is also the home of the Monument A Colum, the monument to Christopher Columbus.
Apparently there is some conjecture on where he came from Genoa in Italy or here, but it is a huge monument in a similar style to the one in Buenos Aires. We walk around the harbour and there are some huge huge yachts in which Scott spends a while drooling over before heading back up the Rambla and to Palau Guell which is one of Gaudi’s buildings.
As usual this is an interesting building drawing on a wide variety of architecture styles and inspiration. I am enjoying his style as it is just so inspiring and different, you tend to look at the other buildings around which are so drab. Scott isn’t too keen and thinks it is a bit weird.
We then head off towards the roman walls which date from the 3rd and 4th centuries. Parts of the walls are remarkably intact and blend into the city. As you walk around there are small bars and restaurants where you can sit and absorb the history that occurred.
Barcelona is a city that is very inspriring, each area different, but the history comes through. It is now dark and getting late and we don’t want to miss the bus, if we can find the stop that is so head off ready to rush back tomorrow.
Friday, 23 September 2011: Barcelona, Spain
I don’t think it is anything I have cooked but Scott is sick and unless we find a plug for both ends, we aren’t going anywhere. I eventually make the 8km round trip to the local chemist and buy some drugs for him to take and then we sit and wait and hope he is better for tomorrow. There are two other Australian couples here in the campsite who come and introduce themselves when they spot the Aussie flag. Of course both these couples spend the summer in France and the summer in Australia. Hmm not sure where we went wrong and can’t afford to do that.
Saturday, 24 September 2011: Barcelona, Spain
During the night it rained and we are now camping in a mud pit. I had woken up and thought it was drizzling so closed the windows and put the shoes under the car. Unfortunately the shoes are now full of mud and the outside table and chairs are soaking and the electric cable is lying in a pool of water. Scott is feeling a bit better so helps me clean up and dry out some of the things and we then head off slowly back into Barcelona to finish off our sightseeing.
First up is the Casa Batllo is meant to be Gaudi’s whimsical waltz and is a beautiful building. Even the balconies scream for attention. Again there is a lot of use of colourful mosaics but there are so many details everywhere you can spend ages just looking at small sections still not seeing the whole. For me this was the best Gaudi building after Le Caprice.
Next up was a walk to La Sagrada Familia. The queue was amazing, almost around the whole cathedral, but it moved quickly (maybe because of the rain) and it didn’t take long before we were parted with out money and soon inside. This building is an ongoing work and bits seem to open and close as each new part is completed or an older part renovated.
It is amazing on the outside and just as amazing on the inside. Gaudi himself did not see the end of the work. What can you say except it is vertical, everything is in aweinspiring columns up. It is different to any church you have been in before and you are just drawn to the knowledge of the environment Gaudi had to make the acoustics and light just beautiful. This is a busy place, however, and you need patience to be able to put up with the bus loads of tourists who seem to stand wherever you are trying to gather your thoughts for a minute. There was also an exhibition about Gaudi and nature and how he drew his inspiration.
We then continued our wander through the streets, but Scott was starting to flag, so we had a sandwich along La Rambla and caught the bus back to the campsite.