A traveller's reflection: Spain 2001: Barcelona

My Travel Journal

"There isn't much I haven't shared with you along the road and through it all there'd always be tomorrow's episode" - Elton John

I started traveling around the world since early 80s when I had the opportunity to combine business trips with vacations. Then later when my rezeki is in abundance, there were numerous other trips along the way for vacations, most of the time with hubby and the kids when the timing is right. I have also started to compile the journal and photo-pages covering almost more than 45 years of world wide travel. Some destinations I visited just once, others many times. Many of those places are the obvious famous places people would like to visit but some, the casual traveler doesn't even think to try. I have placed links to my travel at the side bar of my personal page, My Life Reflections, and will be updating them from time to time.

My wish is to continue my travel and complete circumnavigate the globe, insyaAllah…

Monday, 18 June 2001

Spain 2001: Barcelona - The City of Gaudi...

"Never give up on anybody. Miracles happen everyday..."

Barcelona, Spain

(17 - 20 June 2001)

(The Montserrat Mountain with breathtaking view)

In 2001, I went to Spain twice. Early of the year we had a long holiday venturing Spain and Portugal with our three children. Later of the year, I followed hubby for a short business trip to Barcelona. On the way back, we stopped over in Zurich for a few days.

(Benedictine Monk retreat at Montserrat)

Barcelona is Spain's second largest city and the capital of Catalonia, one of the 17 regions that form Spain. The city has a wealth of unique historic architecture and has emerged as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Barcelona is an unforgettable city of art, culture and beauty. Gaudi's works, museums, concerts and FC Barcelona’s football team homeland. If you walk along the Ramblas, you will enjoy street musicians, living statues, hustlers and just plain loonies.

(Casa Mila, Gaudi masterpiece house)

(Antoni Gaudi's Stone Quarry)

(A house with undulating stone facade)

(Another structural innovation of Antoni Gaudi)

(A decorated fountain at a Monastery)

You can choose to hop onto the Tramvia Blau for a tram trip up to the top of Tibidabo and take in the magnificent sights of the city below you. Shopping can be done along the Passeig de Gracia, at the most well known boutiques in Barcelona. Later, you can a sunset drink at a chiringuito bar on the Barceloneta beach, then after dark, join the locals for pub crawling at the Barri Gotic for a huge selection of tapas bars and cafés.

(The Basílica de la Sagrada Família against the sun)

(The unfinished Roman Catholic church designed by Gaudi)

(Having early dinner at the Marina)

La Rambla is the most famous boulevard in Barcelona stretches from the harbor to La Placa Catalunya running through the Ciutat Vella like a spine. Come here to see the street performers jump out at unsuspecting tourists, enjoy the flower and pet stalls, or just sit back and watch all of Barcelona walk by. During the day, La Rambla is packed with tourists, at night, the locals come out as well, so be very wary of scammers and pick-pockets!

(A silver mime at La Rambla)

We had the opportunity to watch a bull-fighting show, basically a dance with death - one wrong move and the Matador could become the victim instead of the bull. It is the Matador's job to make this dance dramatic and enjoyable for the audience.