RHK's spring trip: Spain, Italy and Morocco
Mar 3rd, 2011, 04:46 AM
#41
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Sounds like an adventure in the making! That's horrible about the bird poo mix that was sprayed on the both of you. Yucky. I'm very happy that you have a washer and dryer in the apartment.
Looking forward to reading more. . .
Looking forward to reading more. . .
Mar 3rd, 2011, 06:44 AM
#43
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at least this stuff washed off... the stuff in BA was part oil and ruined my clothes...
it did make me feel a bit uneasy about this city... today i looked over my shoulder a lot.
anyways...... Wednesday
our in house supper was perfect last night as we were tired..
We were in bed by 10:45. i got up first about 8:30.. K always beats me by an hour... it was raining so after some toast, butter and rasberry jam i went back to bed until 11:15.
We were out the door at noon on our way to the Gaudi church named Sagrada Familia, which has been over 100 years thus far in construction and it continues..
Seniors admission is 10.5 E, more for tower (closed) and recording.
The place is fantastic. On our way there we stopped for a "daily menu" (8E) at Cocina Asiatica Keko on Valencia. 4 course asian meal.
Karen had two fried spring rolls, a plate of cruncy fried rice, chicken and mushrooms and coconut ice cream. I had a delicious fresh mushroom and chicken soup, a plate of fried rice, shrimp, mushrooms and veggies in brown sauce, plus the coconut ice cream. simple but delicious.
After 2 hours at the church we walked slowly back to the apartment. It was damp and drizzily.
We decided to put the hop on hop off bus off till tomorrow when we will do both loops around the city. We plan to visit the huge market on les rambles and have lunch there.
We visited a couple of small food shops today and plan to return there to pick up something for another eat in dinner... For some reason the food is not singing to us here. Seafood is not exciting to us and we rarely select it on our trips as we are so used to fresh fish and seafoods at home in NE...
expect an even earlier night tonight.
it did make me feel a bit uneasy about this city... today i looked over my shoulder a lot.
anyways...... Wednesday
our in house supper was perfect last night as we were tired..
We were in bed by 10:45. i got up first about 8:30.. K always beats me by an hour... it was raining so after some toast, butter and rasberry jam i went back to bed until 11:15.
We were out the door at noon on our way to the Gaudi church named Sagrada Familia, which has been over 100 years thus far in construction and it continues..
Seniors admission is 10.5 E, more for tower (closed) and recording.
The place is fantastic. On our way there we stopped for a "daily menu" (8E) at Cocina Asiatica Keko on Valencia. 4 course asian meal.
Karen had two fried spring rolls, a plate of cruncy fried rice, chicken and mushrooms and coconut ice cream. I had a delicious fresh mushroom and chicken soup, a plate of fried rice, shrimp, mushrooms and veggies in brown sauce, plus the coconut ice cream. simple but delicious.
After 2 hours at the church we walked slowly back to the apartment. It was damp and drizzily.
We decided to put the hop on hop off bus off till tomorrow when we will do both loops around the city. We plan to visit the huge market on les rambles and have lunch there.
We visited a couple of small food shops today and plan to return there to pick up something for another eat in dinner... For some reason the food is not singing to us here. Seafood is not exciting to us and we rarely select it on our trips as we are so used to fresh fish and seafoods at home in NE...
expect an even earlier night tonight.
Mar 3rd, 2011, 08:02 AM
#44
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Tapas!!! Try a Tapas' bar on La Ramblas. Lots of great finger foods to pick from......just watch out especially at night for the picks and bird poo people.....mostly on the lower part of Las Ramblas closer to the piers but we saw them operating near our hotel at the top of La Ramblas too.
Aloha!
Aloha!
Mar 3rd, 2011, 09:18 AM
#46
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K had tappas yesterday for lunch..
I have failed to mention how clean Barcelona is.... we noticed this even on our drive into the city yesterday. All around where we are staying is so clean also...
About 5 we went out again as the shops will have reopened. We went to a huge green grocer. We bought one apple, one tomato, one lemon, and a small onion--cost .57E--WOW.
We returned to the speciality meat/cheese grocery shop a few blocks away. I bought a piece of Monchego cheese (19+ E/kilo), and we got dinner: a fresh zucchini fratata, a regulangular flat bread with cheese and prochutto (sp), garlic/oil salad dressing, an eggplant caserole with cheese and tomato and maybe another thing or two. 17E.
Next we went to a bread shop and bought more bread for toast and some pastry---5E.
It continues to be damp and cold... We have the heat on in the apartment. BTW, we continue to be very satisfied with this apartment---thanks again abby...
I have failed to mention how clean Barcelona is.... we noticed this even on our drive into the city yesterday. All around where we are staying is so clean also...
About 5 we went out again as the shops will have reopened. We went to a huge green grocer. We bought one apple, one tomato, one lemon, and a small onion--cost .57E--WOW.
We returned to the speciality meat/cheese grocery shop a few blocks away. I bought a piece of Monchego cheese (19+ E/kilo), and we got dinner: a fresh zucchini fratata, a regulangular flat bread with cheese and prochutto (sp), garlic/oil salad dressing, an eggplant caserole with cheese and tomato and maybe another thing or two. 17E.
Next we went to a bread shop and bought more bread for toast and some pastry---5E.
It continues to be damp and cold... We have the heat on in the apartment. BTW, we continue to be very satisfied with this apartment---thanks again abby...
Mar 3rd, 2011, 11:53 AM
#48
sorry about the weather, oddly here in the UK, where it's supposed to rain all the time it's fine and dry!
hope it perks up soon. in the meantime, you may enjoy the area between the musee Picasso and the santa maria del mar church. lots of lovely little tapas bars, shops, cafes, and the church itself is very fine.
hope it perks up soon. in the meantime, you may enjoy the area between the musee Picasso and the santa maria del mar church. lots of lovely little tapas bars, shops, cafes, and the church itself is very fine.
Mar 3rd, 2011, 12:45 PM
#49
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Bob, we always enjoy going to the various delis and basement markets to buy cheese, breads, meats, salads, wine, etc. and taking it back to our room to enjoy in peace and quiet.
I hope the rain has all disappeared for our arrival in ZRH and heading to FRA in just two weeks!
Carol
I hope the rain has all disappeared for our arrival in ZRH and heading to FRA in just two weeks!
Carol
Mar 3rd, 2011, 10:48 PM
#54
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its sunny this AM finally... big day to see the over all city via a hop on hop off bus...
yes some poo in the hair to.... from head to toe each... i could hear the noise as it escaped his squeeze bottle or what ever....JERK!!
yes some poo in the hair to.... from head to toe each... i could hear the noise as it escaped his squeeze bottle or what ever....JERK!!
Mar 4th, 2011, 06:34 AM
#55
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As you know, I am also in Barcelona this week. My experiences are very different than yours, as I think the food here is out of this world. The seafood here is nothing like that in New England, but you may know that already.
I do think that you need to realize that the Ramblas is but a tiny part of what this city is about. I certainly would give the bars and restaurants in or near the Ramblas a very wide berth.
Try to visit the Gracia area, for example; there are at least two markets in that charming district. There are covered markets in almost every neighborhood, with counters for meals and snacks. Up and coming areas for eating include Sant Antoni and Poble Sec.
Although we had some great food in Boqueria (loved Quim, both his food and his personality; ran into a group of chefs including some very famous names, at Pinoxto) you should realize that this is but one of the city's great food markets.
I do think that you need to realize that the Ramblas is but a tiny part of what this city is about. I certainly would give the bars and restaurants in or near the Ramblas a very wide berth.
Try to visit the Gracia area, for example; there are at least two markets in that charming district. There are covered markets in almost every neighborhood, with counters for meals and snacks. Up and coming areas for eating include Sant Antoni and Poble Sec.
Although we had some great food in Boqueria (loved Quim, both his food and his personality; ran into a group of chefs including some very famous names, at Pinoxto) you should realize that this is but one of the city's great food markets.
Mar 4th, 2011, 07:51 AM
#57
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B and K...sounds like a great start, except for the poo incident...for which I begged foregiveness on behalf of Cousin Carlos. Passeig Gracia, mentioned by EK above, is a street not to miss...the Gaudi buildings are striking and certainly you should visit the one that's open to the public (maybe two). I think I mentioned those in my itinerary for you.
By the way, Maroc still looks quiet enough for you to visit. Hope you do. Exotique awaits!
EK..your reference to Quim...I refered B and K to "Juan"..the bouncy guy with the bow tie who manages (or owns) Pinoxto. Maybe I had the name wrong...we found him to be a delightful, happy person who quickly shows you his 15 minutes of fame by whipping out a magazine with his pic in it. Same one?..have a great time in Barcelona..world class all the way. Hi to "J"
Also, if there is an L.A. Times at a News Stand, check out the Travel Section this Sunday...I jhave a pic of the week.
stu
By the way, Maroc still looks quiet enough for you to visit. Hope you do. Exotique awaits!
EK..your reference to Quim...I refered B and K to "Juan"..the bouncy guy with the bow tie who manages (or owns) Pinoxto. Maybe I had the name wrong...we found him to be a delightful, happy person who quickly shows you his 15 minutes of fame by whipping out a magazine with his pic in it. Same one?..have a great time in Barcelona..world class all the way. Hi to "J"
Also, if there is an L.A. Times at a News Stand, check out the Travel Section this Sunday...I jhave a pic of the week.
stu
Mar 4th, 2011, 08:09 AM
#58
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We had a fantastic day... i am having some mobility problems on this trip and this is why we have choosen to do things as we have.
After a yummy breakfast of toast, jam and pastry, we headed out just after 9. We walked up to the la famila which is the closest stop for the hop on bus... it was sunny but brisk. After a 5 min. wait a bus arrived... we paid our 23 E each for the one day pass and settled on seating on the upper open deck. BTW, cash only on the bus--credit card use is possible but you have to go to one of their limited kiosks (there is one at familia). There are 2 lines in winter, 3 in summer. We started with the blue line. Each line takes about 2 hours depending on traffic... The provided ear buds work fine and the information is clearly read by an English man. Many languages available.
The roof is the only place you can see properly from--inside is too restrictive.
We spent the next 2 hours winding around the city, hitting many different parts. The city is a group of cummunities within a city really. Each is unique... You could spend years getting to know Barcelona. Nothing we saw was run down. All looked well tended to and being used. Some older buildings are being replaced. The city had major facelifts before the 1992 olympics.
We saw hundreds of magnificent buildings...some very modern and many more traditional.
I came away from the day with a whole new appreciation for B...
At one point we got off the bus at La Rambla, the pedestrian street leading up from the port area. Some have described it as seedy, but we found it vivbrant today, with a nice mix of natives and tourists. For sure it is a rip off area, but every city has them. We primarily went there to visit the market. It was interesting but not nearly as big as i had envisioned.
Along the way we bought 2 sandwiches and some H2O and sat along la rambla and ate them in the sun... quick and just what we wanted. rip-off of course.. We had planned to eat in the mkt, but just did not want to wait or have that much to eat.
At the harbor end of la rambla, under the Columbus statue, we changed to the blue line. It took us around the water's edge areas and up the hills into the olympic areas. The views up there of the city were great.
Did i say we were cold........... At one point we went down into the enclosed bus, but the viewing was so poor that we quickly returned to the top again...
The whole waterfront area has undergone a total make-over since 1990. It is now considered very upscale and desirable. I still like the older areas and those further from the water more.
We changed buses again and returned to la familia by about 5.
We walked back to our apartment, stopping to buy pastry for breakfast at a tiny neighborhood spot.
K made tea and we ate a fruit pastry each. This should hold us till we plan to head out about 8 for a typical "meat" dinner at a place escrunchy has suggested for us--right on our street.
I need to hit the ATM as well... btw no service charge at atm's here.
Our flight tomorrow to Malaga is about 1:30 PM, so we will have a relaxed morning.
As I type this the bell from St Joan's church is ringing pleasantly 6.
After a yummy breakfast of toast, jam and pastry, we headed out just after 9. We walked up to the la famila which is the closest stop for the hop on bus... it was sunny but brisk. After a 5 min. wait a bus arrived... we paid our 23 E each for the one day pass and settled on seating on the upper open deck. BTW, cash only on the bus--credit card use is possible but you have to go to one of their limited kiosks (there is one at familia). There are 2 lines in winter, 3 in summer. We started with the blue line. Each line takes about 2 hours depending on traffic... The provided ear buds work fine and the information is clearly read by an English man. Many languages available.
The roof is the only place you can see properly from--inside is too restrictive.
We spent the next 2 hours winding around the city, hitting many different parts. The city is a group of cummunities within a city really. Each is unique... You could spend years getting to know Barcelona. Nothing we saw was run down. All looked well tended to and being used. Some older buildings are being replaced. The city had major facelifts before the 1992 olympics.
We saw hundreds of magnificent buildings...some very modern and many more traditional.
I came away from the day with a whole new appreciation for B...
At one point we got off the bus at La Rambla, the pedestrian street leading up from the port area. Some have described it as seedy, but we found it vivbrant today, with a nice mix of natives and tourists. For sure it is a rip off area, but every city has them. We primarily went there to visit the market. It was interesting but not nearly as big as i had envisioned.
Along the way we bought 2 sandwiches and some H2O and sat along la rambla and ate them in the sun... quick and just what we wanted. rip-off of course.. We had planned to eat in the mkt, but just did not want to wait or have that much to eat.
At the harbor end of la rambla, under the Columbus statue, we changed to the blue line. It took us around the water's edge areas and up the hills into the olympic areas. The views up there of the city were great.
Did i say we were cold........... At one point we went down into the enclosed bus, but the viewing was so poor that we quickly returned to the top again...
The whole waterfront area has undergone a total make-over since 1990. It is now considered very upscale and desirable. I still like the older areas and those further from the water more.
We changed buses again and returned to la familia by about 5.
We walked back to our apartment, stopping to buy pastry for breakfast at a tiny neighborhood spot.
K made tea and we ate a fruit pastry each. This should hold us till we plan to head out about 8 for a typical "meat" dinner at a place escrunchy has suggested for us--right on our street.
I need to hit the ATM as well... btw no service charge at atm's here.
Our flight tomorrow to Malaga is about 1:30 PM, so we will have a relaxed morning.
As I type this the bell from St Joan's church is ringing pleasantly 6.
Mar 4th, 2011, 08:20 AM
#59
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"While only ½ block from our apartment we were “attacked” just like we had been two years ago in Buenos Aires. This time we were both sprayed with some sort of bird poo mix (fodors made me change the wording). All up and down our backs. A man in his twenties offered to help, but I waved him off, remembering the similar situation in B/A. We wiped some of it off and continued to the local market to pick up some supplies: breakfast and maybe some dinner as we are beat."
I can't believe this happened to you too! The last time we were in Barcelona, we stopped at a tobacco shop to buy some stamps in a side street off Las Ramblas. (We were staying at Citadine's.) Suddenly something like barf splashed on my head from above and spilled onto my clothes and a bit onto MP's clothes. We started back to the hotel at once when I young man suggested we step into a nearby apartment to clean up. I nixed that idea and we headed right back to Citadine's where we stripped off all our clothes, showered, rinsed out the barf clothes, then took them in a plastic bag to the front desk to be laundered. We now call the city "Barfalona"!
I can't believe this happened to you too! The last time we were in Barcelona, we stopped at a tobacco shop to buy some stamps in a side street off Las Ramblas. (We were staying at Citadine's.) Suddenly something like barf splashed on my head from above and spilled onto my clothes and a bit onto MP's clothes. We started back to the hotel at once when I young man suggested we step into a nearby apartment to clean up. I nixed that idea and we headed right back to Citadine's where we stripped off all our clothes, showered, rinsed out the barf clothes, then took them in a plastic bag to the front desk to be laundered. We now call the city "Barfalona"!
