Early last evening we were sorting things out for today. Figuring out mundane, but important things in our tiny world; how to get to the airport by city bus, where to buy said tickets, how to get from the Barcelona airport to our accommodation and that sort of stuff. Trying to simplify our travel day so that things go fairly smoothly.
Shortly before 7:00 we realized that it was sunset time, so off we went! We arrived with a few minutes to spare.
We found a spot on the city walls with a few of our close compatriots and settled in for that moment.
We made a reservation at a decent looking restaurant for our last evening in Sardinia. As usual we enjoyed reflecting on our time here and agreed that as our days and experiences grew that we enjoyed the island more and more. We would recommend Sardinia to anyone looking for a good place to travel. Not as rough around the edges as Corsica, but not everyone is looking for that. An added bonus, we think the food here is better and the wine definitely is!
Now noon today we have enjoyed a great breakfast, packed our gear for the flight and leaving our bags at the hotel we walked to a local Conad Grocery to get a couple of things.
Along the way I was practicing my Spanish and I said to Annemarie that we are changing gears again. Our third language as we start week four of our travel. It wasn’t so many years ago that I would mumble a few words most places and feel a bit ashamed of myself for not knowing more. Nine years later and I can get by adequately in French, Italian and Spanish. It’s not pretty, but it’s adequate. It was a personal goal when I retired and I’ll be at it again this winter. Oh, and I can also manage a little Japanese, but I’ll need a refresher before another travel there. 😊
Early this morning as we were sorting out a few things I decided to look for tickets to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. Other things had distracted me from doing this before departing home. I downloaded the app and soon discovered that there were no tickets available for a whole week! I tried to put a brave face on it, but I’ll admit I was disappointed. Fortunately Annemarie found tickets through Booking.com! I wouldn’t have thought to look there. We had a credit with them from an earlier hotel stay incentive, so we were able to get the tickets for about half price. Bonus! That will be a highlight!
Now it’s off to catch the bus for the airport. Just €1 each. A taxi is almost €20 so we save a bit here and there where we can. It’s a small airport so hopefully we should be through security fairly quickly. about a 90 minute flight and before we know it we will be wandering the tapas bars of central Barcelona!
Later:
Here we are in Barcelona! Big city, big fun! I’ve wanted to return here for years since we first tasted it in 1981. We were camping then outside of town.😊 I know it’s not Annemarie’s thing, but there’s nothing quite like walking through a big Spanish city at night.
A city of 5.7 million people in greater Barcelona.
We finally checked in to our super little place at 20:00 after a long day. Simple yet expensive like everything here, but right on the edge of Los Rambles which is the nightlife centre of Barcelona.
We found a simple meal in a basic place and Annemarie found her first cup of sangria. Though tired she was pretty pleased!
Then it was out onto the street for a little walk.
Annemarie was ready to go home, but I diverted her into a well known chocolate shop where they give out samples! We’ve visited their shop in Madrid and it seems to be just as good here! It’s been around since 1775 and meaning they have had a bit of success.😋
We might have purchased a little something.
We are here until Thursday afternoon. Lots of time to wander this city and get to know it just a little better.
Adios!🍷
Geoff
Distance Walker - Wandering & Wondering! 