What a fantastic end to my trip!
Trip Start
Sep 02, 2011
1
22
26
Trip End
Oct 12, 2011
Where I stayed
Black and White Apartment, Passeig de Picasso, Barcelano
What I did
Visited the Zoo then walked for miles around the locale
Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
Friday, October 7, 2011
I have fallen in love with Barcelona. I'm yet to see some of the truly fantastic architecture for which Barcelona is famous (for another day) but I have seen some wonderful sights. I can't help but make comparisons with Italy which is fresh in my mind. Where Italy is noisy and chaotic, Barcelona gives the impression of order. The traffic flows, I have not yet heard any horns honking, or police sirens blaring (or for that matter Church Bells tolling - Mum's favourite sound). The streets are wide and it is easy to find your way around.
There's a supermarket just around the corner, and my Sister will be pleased to learn that there are no queues. All is laid out in logical sequence and everything is easy to find. It's a pity that Mum and Sis couldn't continue to Barcelona as it would have given them another perspective on Europe. It's truly beautiful, full of tree lined streets, parks, gardens and fountains and not many Ruins. It's quite refreshing after coming from Rome. Don't get me wrong, I love Rome too, but there is only so much you can take before you go into overload. The apartment also has a proper toaster (for Mum). And ... there are many varieties of birds here, even parrots. Haven't seen a parrot since I left Australia.
This morning, I started my Barcelona adventure across the road in the Parc de La Ciutadella and the Zoo. I then came home for lunch (the beauty of an apartment) after which I headed out for the Arc de Triomf just up the road and then turned inward to meander around the streets and passageways to discover the area. I found La Rambla by accident (the famous shopping street) where street artists abound amid beautiful flower stalls and souvenir stalls, as well as major shopping outlets. I also found the La Boqueria Market, filled again with food stalls of all description, most of which are creatively and beautifully presented.
Around 4 pm my camera and phone batteries gave up on me so it was time to head for home. I was surprised to find that I had ended up down near the Port but it was a fairly easy walk back to my apartment. Would love to know how many kms I've covered today.
Now I need to make a comment on the Zoo. There is an enclosure with two white cockatoos which look very much like our Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. The Zoo information has them coming from the forests of the islands of Halmahera, Tidore, Batjan and Obi in the Moluccan archipelago and now rarely found. It seems they've all taken off for the Dandenongs in Victoria. There the Cockies (our Sulphur Crested Cockatoos which look just like this bird) can be quite a serious pest, especially if the owners live in red cedar homes (there used to be a lot of them in that area) and the owners were in the habit of feeding the Cockies. I've heard many stories where owners have gone away for a holiday only to come back to devastation. The Cockies, to show their irritation at being neglected, have demolished their home, tearing away at the window surrounds and timber linings. True story!
Now to comment on my trip over from Rome on the Grimaldi Ferry. I caught the train from Rome to Civitevecchia - fairly boring and uninspiring trip. Glad I had got on the train early. Even though it was about an 80 minute trip, many people were standing. Not many tourists on the train (identified by lack of luggage) which surprised me given that Civitevecchia is Rome's Port. Perhaps it was the time of year. Civitevecchia itself is not very attractive or welcoming. I arrived around 7.15 pm and quickly identified what looked like a Fort in the fading light, which I assumed would be Michelangelo's Fort from where the Shuttle Bus leaves for the Port. This was about a 10 minute walk which I was already prepared for, but there were no signs (that I saw anyway) until you were almost on the Fort! (If you're thinking of doing this trip, turn right when you get out of the train station and keep walking). When I finally arrived at the Port, I had to wait until 8.30 before I could go thru the Check Point. As my ticket was organised over the internet, I had to go to the ticket office to have one printed. Have to say that my experience of Grimaldi's Italian staff would suggest that they need serious lessons in customer service. They say the French are arrogant!
I was pleasantly surprised with my cabin and the interior of the Ferry however, the catering was abysmal. Beyond horrible! I had a pasta for dinner. It was cold and greasy. There's no excuse for that - the evening meal was only just being served. I did have a good night's sleep though, surprisingly, and by the time I was ready for breakfast, it was over! Lucky for me the Bar was open where I was able to get a luke warm coffee and a very uninspiring croissant. I couldn't face another meal in the Self Service Cafe so opted for a salad in the Restaurant. The waiter there was from Honduras and a really lovely guy. I also found the cleaning staff (mostly from the Philippines) very happy and helpful. However, again the Italian staff at Reception could do with some serious butt-kicking. It was enough for me to decide that that's the last time I would travel by that Shipping Line - a pity as the Ship itself was nicely appointed. However, there's no excuse for lousy food or lousy attitude! (Chris, not looking good for catamaran trip! Sea was relatively calm but still felt bit queasy. Ferry was big, catamaran is small).
We left Rome around 22.15 and arrived on time into the Port at Barcelona - about 6.10 pm the following day. It surprised me that my Passport was not stamped on my arrival in Barcelona. Hope this doesn't create dramas when I go to leave next week for London.
I'm winding down for the day now. Hope to have an early start tomorrow and perhaps visit La Sagrada Familia and also find Picasso's Museum which is very close by. So far, I am very much in love with Barcelona. So for now, adios amigos!
Comments
Hi Niki, I have loved travelling with you through Europe, Barcelona , is on my bucket list. About 15 years ago I discovered a book on Antonio Gaudi's amazing architecture and have dreamt of visiting the city ever since. Apparently there is a park which includes some of his designs in the landscaping. Public art is part of the spanish culture. I look forward to following you on this last leg of your European adventure.