Arriving late in the afternoon did not stop us from beginning to explore Barcelona thanks to the longer daylight. Our first stop was Port Vell. We busied ourselves enjoying the seabreeze and taking photos. Our first night was completed with a meal in Gloria Restaurant serving tapas and paella. Not bad.
The following day, we set off early to explore Port Olympic, further down from Port Vell, with a beach. There is really nothing much to see though and the beach isn't that great. The rest of the day was spent on a vineyard tour which cost €85 per person. Not sure if that is considered overcharged. We were driven into the countryside of Barcelona and made a stop at one of the vineyard as the guide wanted to explain some of the growing process involved. Don't think his explanation was that interesting. Then we headed to the wine factory to have lunch in the wine cellar (pretty cool) and to "make" our own bottle of cava. We were served five type of wines - white, red, rosey (?), cava and maskat (?). The food was terrific, served with a local potato pie (?), a myriad of iberian hams and some breads (something like bruschetta). I think we enjoyed the dessert the most, made of sweet, fresh peaches (grown from the host's farm) topped with some syrup.
Next, we moved on to the wine-making. Wasn't that difficult except for the uncorking part where we had to use our thumb to prevent the cava from spilling out. That's the cleansing process to get rid of the "mother". Nevertheless, it takes a lot of skill to be able to prevent minimal spillage and to repeat the process hundred/thousand times in a day. The day was ended with a shopping trip. Couldn't resist with all the sales going on...haha.
On the third day, we began the morning with a stop at the Arc de Triomf. Our initial plan was to be the early bird in the line to enter Picasso Museum. However, we were too early (there were hardly anyone around) and hence took a detour. By the time we got back to the museum (half an hour before opening), there was already a long line! Luckily, we were still considered early. Lucky still, it was the first sunday of the month and therefore, entry was free. The museum features some of Picasso's early work. An interesting attraction was his many interpretation of Las Meninas. Later, we took the furnicular and cable car up to Montjuic, a hill located near the centre of Barcelona. While there are many attractions up on the hill, our main purpose was to get a bird eye's view of the city (as usual). With some time (and money from the 10-trip train ticket) left, we headed to Parc Guell, the first of many of Gaudi's design which we were going to explore the following day. The walk from the station to the park proved to be a long one - about 1.5km and up the hill! But it was not wasted as the park proves to be one of a kind. We were greeted by the two gingerbread houses at the entrance. Inside were more interesting freatures such as a big lizard.
I think our theme for the fourth day was "Chasing Gaudi". Everything we saw on that day was designed by Gaudi, beginning with Sagrada Familia, followed by Casa Mila and completed by Casa Batllo. All his designs incorporate the nature theme. For example, the attic in Casa Mila is built to resemble the shape of a snake with it's spines serving as support for the roof. The view on the roof was even more interesting, surrounded by alien-looking chimneys! We did not go into Casa Batllo because of the steep entrance fee. Nevertheless, the exterior itself was worth the stop.
Dinner was a platter of seafood in a restaurant along the port. The spread was humongous. There was an overdose of mussels which we couldn't finish in the end. We also ordered a plate of paella in squid ink. Despite the blackish colour of the dish, it was oishii. I can't believe I ate it without knowing what's exactly inside.
While Barcelona did not appeal to me initially, towards the end, I am fascinated by it's creative occupants. Their form of arts are most peculiar, yet enchanting. I would love to have a Gaudi-styled home.
p/s: Love the photos taken by my friend.
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