Wednesday, June 5th
We didn’t wake until 11:44am this morning - we couldn’t believe it! I guess our bodies needed the rest after getting very little sleep on the plane from Toronto. Due to the lateness of the day by this time, we decided to change our planned itinerary and went on Rick Steves’ ‘Las Ramblas Walk'. We saw some amazing architecture, a fabulous market (La Boqueria Market) where we had some fresh fruit, learned some interesting history of the city, drank some city water from the ‘Font de Canaletes' (not the best tasting) and ended at the Barcelona Cathedral. The Cathedral is beautiful and we enjoyed Rick Steves’ audio tour of it. There are also great views to be seen from the roof of the Cathedral. Our next stop was to ‘Park de la Ciutadella and our final stop was the Arc de Triomf’. By this time, it was quite late and so we ate at European time (dinner around 8:30pm). We tried to find a restaurant which Xavi (our Airbnb host) had suggested, but couldn’t find it. Instead, we found a little restaurant near our ‘home’ called 'Cerveceria a Cafeteria' where we had ham and cheese croquetas and a chicken and sausage paella. The croquettes were under the ‘tapas’ part of the menu which we had been trying to make sure we ate on this trip - the paella was also on the list - both selections were tasty at this restaurant. We also went to the same supermarket as yesterday (Supermarket Sorli) and bought some yummy croissants (chocolate filled, chocolate coated and custard filled) - soooo yummy and more-ish.
Steps for the day = 15,908
Sue in front of the Arc de Triomf
Teatre Borras (performing arts theatre)
Scooters were everywhere
Yellow ambulance and car with 'accident' lit up on its roof
Sue drinking from the 'Font de Canaletes'
Mike at the 'Font de Canaletes'
MUHBA Via Sepulcral Romana (a Roman necropolis) - In Roman cities, tombs were generally placed along roads outside the city walls. Looking down at these ruins, you can see that Roman Barcino was about ten feet lower than today's street level.
Font de la Portaferrissa - you can see the decorative tile over a fountain still in use by the locals. The scene shows the original city wall with its gate, and merchants are busy selling flowers and bananas.
Parroquia de la Mare de Deu de Betlem (Betlem Church) - this church is dedicated to Bethlehem, and for centuries locals have flocked here at Christmastime to see nativity scenes - it is in the Baroque style.
Cool store window
La Boqueria Market - a large market with all kinds of food and drink - big crowds there
Mike holding a cup of fresh fruit - yum!
Rent-a-bike stand - very common in Barcelona - love the architecture of the building, too
Walking down Las Ramblas - look at all the trees
Side street off Las Ramblas - there are many cute narrow streets in Barcelona
Basilica de Santa Maria del Pi - 14th century Gothic basilica
Hotel El Jardi - love the balconies
Crowd in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona
Barcelona Cathedral - so amazing!!! Thirteenth century Gothic style cathedral which has been Barcelona's holiest spot for 2,000 years
Inside the Barcelona Cathedral
Sue standing in front of a fountain in the Bishops Courtyard of the Barcelona Cathedral
Geese in the Barcelona Courtyard - there are 13 geese symbolizing the 13 years of Santa Eulalia, patron saint of Barcelona
The geese were picking up the lettuce and throwing it down onto the ground to try and break it up into smaller pieces to eat
Art shop with mannequin couple out front
More balconies
Parc de la Ciutadella
Cascada del Parc de la Ciutadella (waterfall)
Mike sitting on cool seats in the Parc de la Ciutadella
Where we ate dinner
We shared ham and cheese croquetas
and a chicken and sausage paella
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