Wednesday 29th January
Our first day saw us catch up on laundry and groceries etc, and generally relax.
Thursday 30th January
The following day we ventured in to Barcelona by bus (94 or 95) from Gava Mar (our stop) and got off at the end of the line. It just so happened that right outside the bus stop was an official FCB (Football Club Barcelona store - kids were ecstatic! Spent a wee while in there while they chose want they wanted to spend their money on. It also ended up that Barcelona were to play Levante (from Valencia, Spain) at Camp Nou on Sunday 2nd February. Kids (as were we) were super keen to head along, so keen in fact that they put some of their own money towards their tickets which we bought in store also!! An expensive (€216) event but well worth the experience!
Wandered up the top part of La Rambla then towards Sagrada Familia. Amazing as ever even with all of the construction and cleaning still going on. Didn't venture in, instead wandered the streets back down to the bottom half of La Rambla. Tapas and pizza for dinner at a place called Maestro (a brewery) on Rumbla De Cataluna. Really reasonable for its location we thought. €65 for two large pizzas and three tapas dishes, along with 1.5l beer and two soft drinks.
Sagrada Familia
Casa Batlló
Maestro Bar/Brewery
La Rambla
La Bouqueria (one of the oldest markets in Europe), near the Gothic Quarter
Cathedral de Barcelona
HUGE Officia Barcelona Football Store on three levels! Amazing!
Saturday 1st February
We took a drive into Barcelona to locate the parking building we had booked for the football game (only 15 minutes drive from camp ground). About a 20 minute walk from Camp Nou stadium, at €8 it was well worth it and also had super clean free toilets to use at the parking building.
We took a drive into Barcelona to locate the parking building we had booked for the football game (only 15 minutes drive from camp ground). About a 20 minute walk from Camp Nou stadium, at €8 it was well worth it and also had super clean free toilets to use at the parking building.
Outside Camp Nou, home ground of FCB (Football Club Barcelona)
Camp Nou
Heading into the Camp Nou grounds
Beautiful sunset tonight!
Sunday 2nd February - GAME DAY!!!
Two super excited boys today! Spent the day chilling and doing a bit more laundry. Played mini golf onsite at camp ground. Headed into parking building for game early - left at 4:30 - in case of traffic. No issues at all so had plenty of time to wander around then down to Barcelona Sants Train Station and back.
Two super excited boys today! Spent the day chilling and doing a bit more laundry. Played mini golf onsite at camp ground. Headed into parking building for game early - left at 4:30 - in case of traffic. No issues at all so had plenty of time to wander around then down to Barcelona Sants Train Station and back.
Mini golf
First swim in the Mediterranean for Cale and first one this trip for Brad. Amanda didn't have any togs, wasn't expecting weather this warm just yet, and Nico was waiting to go with Mum!
Near Barcelona Sants Railway Station
Time to head to the stadium! The ticket set up extremely good, showing the 'access' gate along with the 'porta', 'boca', 'fila' then 'seient' or seat. A little confusing as seats to the left of the aisle are odd numbered, and to the right even numbered. We were in access 2, porta 84, boca 541, fila 0032, seats 13, 15, 17 and 19. Really good viewing for 'cheaper' seats at €54 per ticket!
Arrived at stadium about 6:45pm. Turns out gates don't open until around 7:30pm. Kick off 9pm. Got in super quick though and found our seats. Heaps of photographs taken, then time for the game! Atmosphere was awesome!! Barca won 2-1. Levante only scored with about 10 minutes to go.
Lionel Messi played well and set up two goals for Anso Fati to score, making him the youngest (17 years old) player to score two goals (called a 'brace') in one game! Arrived back at camp site about midnight.
Camp Nou holds just short of 100,000 people! Amazing!
Monday 3rd February
The day after the game was pretty chilled. Took a drive in the afternoon up to Montserrat. Weather lovely and warm. Drove to car park then wandered around. Took the very steep funicular up to the top (return trip €43 for the four of us). Views amazing!! Time to head back to camp ground.
The journey back was interesting with two large coaches meeting on tight bend with overhanging rocks. Cars backed up a wee way and Police raced past. Appears one of the coaches and a car had clipped each other. All okay but just took a bit to turn vehicle around and clear road.
Morning walk with Nico.
Photo credit: Nico Knight
Photo credit: Cale Knight
Tuesday 4th February
chilled out morning. Brad and boys went for a quick swim, outside temperature is 20 degrees. I still need to buy togs! Visited Park Güell this afternoon, however it appears you have to pay to see Gaudi's work. Will investigate this and possibly go back. Nice to wander around the park though.
chilled out morning. Brad and boys went for a quick swim, outside temperature is 20 degrees. I still need to buy togs! Visited Park Güell this afternoon, however it appears you have to pay to see Gaudi's work. Will investigate this and possibly go back. Nice to wander around the park though.
Wednesday 5th February
Today we drove to Port Olympia and parked for the day (€20) and wandered to Barceloneta. We were advised by a lady at our camp ground that it was lovely. In my opinion it was okay, but nothing spectacular. Once you walk to the marina and along the waterfront its beautiful. We got a rickshaw up to Plaça de Catalunya then walked up to Casa Milà seeing Casa Batlló again on the way. Afterwards a wander back through the Gothic Quarter to our car.
Today we drove to Port Olympia and parked for the day (€20) and wandered to Barceloneta. We were advised by a lady at our camp ground that it was lovely. In my opinion it was okay, but nothing spectacular. Once you walk to the marina and along the waterfront its beautiful. We got a rickshaw up to Plaça de Catalunya then walked up to Casa Milà seeing Casa Batlló again on the way. Afterwards a wander back through the Gothic Quarter to our car.
Thursday
6th February
Relaxed morning then drove to the Christopher Columbus Monument, on to Montjuïc then the Olympic Stadium. This was really cool! Free entry and you can see the inside of the stadium. Wander down the main steps and water features to the Montjuïc Communications Tower. This was really cool. Hardly anyone around and free parking on the side of the road. Afterwards travelled down the hill via several escalators from the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya down to Plaça d'Espanya then back up to the car.
Relaxed morning then drove to the Christopher Columbus Monument, on to Montjuïc then the Olympic Stadium. This was really cool! Free entry and you can see the inside of the stadium. Wander down the main steps and water features to the Montjuïc Communications Tower. This was really cool. Hardly anyone around and free parking on the side of the road. Afterwards travelled down the hill via several escalators from the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya down to Plaça d'Espanya then back up to the car.
Christopher Columbus Monument. 60m tall at the lower end of La Rambla
Who knew they used to race Formula 1 up on Montjuïc!
Olympic flame on the stadium.
The stadium is used for many purposes these day including concerts. Prince, AC/DC, Bruce Springsteen, Guns N'Roses, Metallica, Beyonce, Madonna and the Rolling Stones have all performed here.
Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona
Looking towards the Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya from Plaça d'Espanya, Barcelona
Photo credit: Nico Knight
Friday 7th February
Two months since we left NZ and just over one month on the road!! Crazy how fast time goes! Time to catch up on bills and jobs, also planning our departure (sadly) from here and where we will stay in/around Valencia. Weather cool again like yesterday with only a high of 13 degrees. Bit cold compared to the 21 we were having!
Two months since we left NZ and just over one month on the road!! Crazy how fast time goes! Time to catch up on bills and jobs, also planning our departure (sadly) from here and where we will stay in/around Valencia. Weather cool again like yesterday with only a high of 13 degrees. Bit cold compared to the 21 we were having!
7:12am
7:37am
7:58am
8:10am
Saturday 8th February
Went up to Tibidabo Panoramic Area. The amusement park doesn't open until 7th March, however the Panoramic Area opens this weekend along with the 'emblematic' attractions which are the ferris wheel, airplane and carousel. It was very cool. The best was the Talaia. It is a 50 meter high crane stuck to a wheel with a colorful basket in each end of its giant arm. There are no safety straps and you can easily take a backpack and camera which is great, as you get great photos of Barcelona and the Sagrada Corazon Church (the cathedral on Tibidabo. It moves slowly and is rather seen as an observation tower than a ride.
The plane dates back to the 20’s, is the world’s first flight simulator and a replica of the first plane to fly between Madrid and Barcelona.
The Watchtower opened in 1921, and will allow you to enjoy the best views of Barcelona at 550 metres above sea level.
Looking at the Watchtower and Ferris Wheel from the Cathedral
Second time on the Watchtower ride
View of Camp Nou from Tibidabo
View of the Cathedral from the Watchtower ride
Inside the cathedral
This is the original church that stood on the Tibidabo site. Below is a photograph of how it looked.
View over Barcelona from Tibidabo. The dark lines are the main roads - La Rambla etc
This brewery is not far from our camp ground. It is HUGE!!!!
Time to catch up on laundry and housekeeping before our departure tomorrow to Valencia. We will be sad to leave our amazing spot here, but are sure there will be many more on our journey!
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