December 2018 - Solotravel

Barcelona Highlights

I had booked a ticket to see the world famous Sagrada Familia, one of the Barcelona highlights. So it was off out the door and down to the Metro to get there early. We were allowed in to see the crypt where Gaudi is interred. Then it was up to the ticket gate, oh dear, I hadn’t realized that when tickets are booked you are allocated a time to visit. Mine was a 6.15 in the evening!

Poble Espanyol

After a distressing time trying to find the return metro to the main station I eventually made it. A coffee later, it was back to the bus.

The first stop at the Poble Espanyol was fascinating. It came as a surprise, the entrance fee of €9 I initially thought high, but once stepping into the complex I understood. There were houses of all sorts, shapes, and sizes, showcasing many of the Spanish architectural styles. I spent much time here enjoying the village and visiting the shops. Walking through cute alleyways with their flowers and flowerpots.

Fundacio Frau Daurel art collection of worthy artists, including work by Dali, Picasso, and Miro. While I am not into art, it was enjoyable to walk in the presence of the eclectic art display. Many little craft shops and regular shops on display, all with tourists in mind. Followed by a walk through the sculpture park, lovely on a fine day.

The next stop for me was the Teleferic de Montjuïc or the cable cars that travel uphill. The wonderful views out across Barcelona simply superb, I was so lucky with the weather. They stop at the castle before returning and stopping at Mirador on the way down. As I had only paid a single of a €8.70 trip, this is where I got off. It was a pleasant walk down the hill, stopping to admire the sea views and the port with all its cruise liners.

It was a tiring walk down the long hill to the main road and the bus stop for the next part of the trip. This time I had chosen to stop at Port Vell, which is a large shopping mall at the water’s edge. Many very expensive boats moored close by. It could have been a shopping mall anywhere in the world, although the language spoken was a dead giveaway!

Lunch overlooking the harbor was the preferred pastime by a long shot, for me, a Subway sandwich was just fine! I could admire the World trade center from across the water.

The highlight of the day was the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s ongoing hundred and forty-four-year-old artwork After tackling the metro again, I found myself at the door of this fabulous building. First, it’s through the security screens, the X-ray officer nearly had a fit, I had a small pair of nail scissors in the backpack. I keep them there because all of my luggage is tied with cable ties, which require scissors. Fortunately, someone else had enough common sense to wave an old lady through. Some of the security officers really are enthusiastic about doing their thankless job, not one I would want to do.

Then it’s on to the building itself, to me it was staggeringly beautiful, as luck would have it the setting sun created stunning sights through the stained glass windows. The breathtaking, graceful columns, artwork, attention to details however weird they were. Like the bugs hiding in the arty leaves on the doors! Hundreds of people all taking selfies, it was hard to decide where to go first.

Sagrada Familia

I was very conscious of the crowd and knowing Barcelona does have a reputation for pickpockets. I made the point of making sure no one was behind me, particularly when taking photographs.

Next day, I did very little, just enjoyed walking in the local area adjacent to the station, with its bus stops and Taxi stands.

Train ride to Barcelona

In Barcelona

I had a first-class ticket for the train ride to Barcelona. What a disappointment, wifi didn’t work, and very noisy children! One child screamed probably half the trip. At least his mother had the common sense to take him into a toilet to cut down the noise. From what I saw the child was probably autistic on some level or a very badly raised one.

I have been fascinated by the sight of many white horses out of the windows, indeed all through France. Traveling through swamps, I assumed it was through Carmague, before going through the sea. I have never been on a train with the sea on either side. So much water around, such beautiful views. There were even snow topped mountains in the distance. The big station at Barcelona, very confusing on arrival after the free for all to get the luggage. I will never understand the number of passengers these trains carry, there is so little luggage space. It was bliss to walk just 20 meters to the Barcelo hotel it turned out to be a very nice hotel indeed!

After a marvelous breakfast at the hotel. The breakfasts at the Barcelo were superb, in the entire time I was away they were never surpassed. I set out on the Barcelona Turistic bus to spend the day driving around and getting on and off at will. It was a wonderful introduction to a very beautiful city. There were three routes, red, blue and green. Red is the main one. So I froze and just sat and watched the world go by in Barcelona. Sitting in the hop on, hop off bus was very cold, the wind channeling down the stairs was extremely chilling. I wasn’t dressed for that, and for the remainder of the day, I didn’t warm up at all.

There were some beautiful sights so I made a note to get off later. One of the main reasons for visiting Barcelona was the Sagrada Familia, so I changed to the blue route to visit it. I took one look at the crowds and stayed on the bus and finished the red route. Back to the hotel for a coffee and lunch of dried soup. After lunch back to the bus, stopping and getting off at the first supermarket I had seen for a wander through and a take on local prices.

[ Sagrada Familia

Then catch the next one to the Plaça D’espanya.

A lovely walk on a fine day between the two towers towards the fountains and water displays. It becomes part of the Montjuïc Park

A very popular place by all the people there. They had portable toilets, which I thought was a good idea. Toilets don’t seem to be the issue here that they are in France. Haven’t been charged once. Having spent some time wandering it was back to the bus, the stops are well marked so easy to work out and on to the next stop. It was getting late in the day so stayed on the bus to get back to the hotel at the station. Ready for another day. Eating at the station a simple choice.

Two Towers

Palais de Papes, Avignon

Today was to be a foray into the Palais des Papes, Avignon. I had not been aware of this superb fourteenth-century building until booking my stay in Avignon. Used by the popes from the early 14th century to its close in the 1390s. It is one of the largest palace and fortress buildings in Europe in the Gothic style. I loved the massive building, the huge flagstones to walk on, certainly took you back in time. It must have been a very cold place in centuries past, given the size of the fireplaces.

In one of the huge rooms, heaters were going at full blast but it was still cool enough to be comfortable. Masses of people, many tour groups, all with their leader carrying various versions of umbrellas. But they didn’t spoil the views of the beautiful murals on the walls. Two of the rooms I thought were outstandingly beautiful. This was not the high season for tourists, I would shudder to think how packed it would become when it was!

I slowly maneuvered the countless steps with my stick, sadly slowing everyone behind me but no one complained. I am certainly benefitting from all the exercise. However, the stick is a must for my confidence on the cobblestones, flagstones and the many rundown paths and roads that seem to be. While I always have travel insurance, a must for anyone traveling away from their home country. I also feel one must be proactive as well.

The ride on the small road train for tourists was a blessing indeed. It saved me a lot of walking and gave an insight to other intriguing sights to see, from the highest lookout point down to the Pont D’avignon at the river. After seeing the palace, I wandered up the adjacent hill to the park, Parc Palais des Papes to get an overview of the city. I was very lucky with the weather, having an enchanting, beautifully clear day to see the Pont de Avignon in its shortened magnificence across the river. A spectacular panorama of the French countryside.

Goodbye to Avignon

I enjoyed wandering all round here and everywhere old this morning, mentally saying goodbye to Avignon. The smells of herbs, lavender, and croissants are distinctive in the narrow cobbled roads, lots of little shops with a market feel and of course many tourists. I have yet to understand the pleasure of walking and eating a plain bread roll. Yesterday the Palais des Papes with its beautiful frescoes, paintings and cold stone walls enormous rooms down to the smallest. Must have been cold back in the 13-14th century. In one of the biggest rooms, they actually had big heaters going full blast and it wasn’t hot, even with them going.

Finally getting to walk the famous Pont D’avignon bridge. Famously finishing halfway across the river. A pretty walk through narrow streets, past the inevitable tourist shops and patisseries. I was so lucky with the weather, although cool, it was a bright and sunny day. Many other visitors enjoying it with me. Yes, at school many years ago, even kiwi kids on the other side of the world sang the famous little song associated with this bridge.

Sitting in Macca’s eating the most delicious potato chunks and sauce. Overseas Mcdonalds always have food we never see at home. I’d love some more but at €2.50 a tad expensive. The staff here have been wonderful, happy to deliver a meal to the table, get the wifi, going all with a smile. A little boy just fell down a couple of steps and cried(he wasn’t hurt) but his sister screamed! Again the staff incredible.

I tried eating in one of the pavement cafes earlier, but a horrendous wind spoilt the whole experience, blowing the bright yellow and pink flowered tablecloths, despite the clips attaching the table. Move on to Barcelona tomorrow for 4 days followed by Madrid and the Spanish tour.

Will be sorry to leave here, overall it’s been interesting historically and building wise, and very friendly. I have had plenty of exercise, finding Avignon another easy city to walk and enjoy. All one needs is younger legs! I have discovered if the French are going or tell you how to get to anything, it is always, just 10 mins away 🙂

It’s been fun practicing a little French with the breakfast supervisor, a smiley lady with a great deal of patience! Usually, after I eaten too many of the tastiest, flakiest of croissants filled with butter and jam. I have now installed a Spanish translator on the iPad. The French one has been brilliant on the odd occasion and easy to get on the iPad offline. Now it’s back to the hotel on the train shuttle and the ‘10 min walk’ between the station and hotel.