Beaching it in Sitges
Trip Start
Dec 26, 2005
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172
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Trip End
Jan 25, 2009
Sitges, Spain
Sunday, August 6, 2006
Following the recommendations of some locals I met last night, as well as Franco whom I met a couple of nights ago, I ventured out to Sitges today... a 30 minute train ride south of Barcelona. Sitges is a magnificent town with a beach that rates up there with that of our own in Australia... the weather, sights, water, sand etc. was first class. Iīm wearing the effects of the afternoon lying on the beach with red everywhere. I will go out of my way (maybe a Frequent Flyer Point trip) to return to this part of the world for Iīve fallen in love with the place, and canīt wait to do it further justice. Itīs given me the appetite to do more... I can just imagine what Ibiza is like. As I was walking through the cobble stoned streets, I was thinking how good it would be to rent an apartment here during a winter school holiday for 2 weeks (anyone want to come?). The place has very little foreign tourists... but a lot of Spanish... a very popular strip of beach with lots of fantastic restaurants etc.
The bars are ultra-modern and large here... so much better than some of the smoke-ridden hovels Iīve been to in other parts of Europe and Asia, the drinks are fairly priced (5 euro for a mixer and 3 euro for a beer), the Spanish patrons are friendly and willing to chat and correct my Spanish pronounciation, and the music holds my attention. Kind of takes me back to Dublin which also had some outstanding pubs. Spain and Thailand have a lot of similarities in regards to the nightlife. I got so addicted to one pub so much that I missed out on using my free pass to one of the clubs (Salvation). I did go to the club but found out that it would be 14 euro ($25). I had to be rational about this and think about my budget which meant that I passed on the club... I couldnīt be bothered anyway. It was 3am and I had had enough at that stage. This city goes all night so Iīm functioning on a little sleep. But sleeping into 12pm, doing the sights and relaxing on the beach during the day, and then going out again is my type of holiday! Iīm going to wonder whatīs hit me when I go back to a routine next year, for travelling is becoming second nature, and such a way of life for me.
If coming this way, just be careful in getting to Sitges. It is very confusing. I brought a 2.50 euro ticket from my local station thinking that this would get me to Sitges. No! This ticket was for another train company. After asking the guard, I brought another 1.20 euro ticket to the main station in Barcelona. From there, I brought another 2.40 euro ticket to Sitges. This was correct, but I was of the understanding that the train left from platform 2. No! It left from platform 5. I couldnīt transfer between platforms so I had to leave platform 2, buy ANOTHER ticket for 2.40 euros (given that I had to exit the security) and then transfer back to platform 5. It definitely is worthwhile asking anyone and everyone to help you for the train system is very confusing here. I hate to think how I will go in buying my ticket for Barcelona to Madrid because the main train station is reminiscent of the ones in China... packed and confusing. Iīll let you know how I go!
Comments
Trains in Sitges
The situation seems to have gotton a bit better.. After so many complaints they have put up correct sinage so that people now know where to get the correct train... but like most things in Spain, things change regularly...so keep your wits about you.
Keith
http://www.gaysitgesguide.com