Placa De La Font Tarragona

... are too!! So while show was thus occupied Kim and I punished ourselves by doing an exercise circuit along the esplanade before a well earned scrambled eggs breaky.

After much searching we found the local Aire de Servicio to top up water before heading further south…

Kim had read about Sitges in the LP and being only 26km south of Barcelona and the Airport also being south of the city we thought it might be a nicer option. On arrival we immediately knew it was a super decision. The old town was packed with interesting walking streets, cool cafes and bars and a very long esplanade right on the water. We of course parked up next to the esplanade and went in search of tapas!

After strolling around the town ...

... space, filled with 16th century tapestries, gorgeous stained glass, and 15th century stalls made of walnut, you really are in another world. The main alter, made of marble was carved in the 13th century, and although photos are permitted, when we entered, on a Sunday, at the end of a church service, complete with choir and encompassing piped organ music throughout, it was almost sacreligious to start 'snapping ...

... to Madrid. Mario reckons he's going to check out a bullfight while he's there (every Sunday until mid-October for only €4!) and I´ve told him that he will be doing that alone. I think it´s a guy thing. Anyhoo, I hope all is well with everyone down under. Highlight: PortAventure - totally worth it! Low point: a terrible lunch our first day here, bad service and bad food, oh and the insects here are crazy... flies, mozzies and giant locusts!!

... the centre was unable to meet the demands of the time and construction of a new building was proposed. Thanks to the legacy of Pau Gil, a banker, the first stone of the new building was laid on January 15th, 1902. "Sant Pau" was added to the old name of " la Santa Creu" to honour the wishes of its benefactor. The architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner was commissioned with the project. Over the years, the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant ...

... here in Barcelona since my Spanish cuisine knowledge is actually limited to chorizos (spicy), paella and Torres Gran Corona. In fact, we´ve been eating a lot of Catalan food which is delicious and so fresh. A quick walk to get our stomachs somewhat back to normal and more shopping for Jen and I. So far so good, I have bought nothing :) and Jen´s been happy with her purchases. Then it was time to head back to Placa Catalunya to join the Modernisme Tour which ...

... annoying electronic voice at the traffic light. I'm not really looking forward to coming back there, but let's see. The train that was supposed to take us to the Spanish border town stopped at some desolate place in southern France for a long time, then they got us out - "Se train stops here. You have to take se büs." Ok, so we took se büs. Se büs arrived some two hours later and went directly to Barcelona. It ...

... big clouds of smoke and avoiding the drops of water coming from fire escapes and gathering in black puddles in the streets. Seriously, downtown Barcelona was a bit like Gotham City. I loved it. We only had one full day to see Barcelona so we did our best to wake up early and get our tourist shoes on (which would be reefs - all the stupid Americans are identified by flip-flops). Walking down La Rambla we oogled at the street performers, ooohhed and ahhhed at all the delectable ...

Well, well, where to start with this magical town of Barcelona. Las Rambles is the main tourist drag of the city, it is a long straight road leading to the port, and is a spectacle for the eyes. Buskers everywhere, some very talented, others not so, but they try anyway. So many stalls, and stores, people trying their best for your tourist dollar. There are so many cafes and bars in Barcelona. granted there is a more concentrated amount ...

Holidays are hectic when you travel 4000 miles each way. With the flight and adjusting to the time change we try to make the most of each visit rather than travel too often. In this case, that meant that Rosy and Faith left for Chicago on December 2nd for a full month, and my trip did not begin until the 16th. I've noticed since we had a child that my free time has been cut down just a shade under completely, so I really didn't even know where to start ...