Curious in Barcelona

September 18th, 2017 

Our ship the MS Riveria docked early in Port along with thousands of other passengers from the Queen Victoria. 

We disembarked, taxied back to the “Hotel Curious”  for another day and night in the city of Barcelona. 

Our room was ready so we checked in, dropped off our bags and headed out with “curiosity” to explore more of the city. 

Since we didn’t have much time we decided to view as much as possible by riding the double decker bus. Our first seats were on the lower level and then we finally were able to get a couple on the open top deck ... and of course then rain came. All of a sudden an automatic tarp came rolling over our heads to provide some protection from the downpour.

We had an up close and personal view of the vibrant city of Barcelona. 

At times so close you could  feel and touch the leaves and branches of the passing by trees.

We hopped off the bus at the famous La Sagrada Familia. 

Through my research I have discovered that the foundation stone was laid on March 19, 1882 with construction commencing under the design of architect Francisco de Paula del Villar y Lozano. Due to some disagreements Lozano resigned and the commission was given to Antoni Gaudi. 

It is a magnificent structure, piece of art ... that continues to be built as money is available. 

We did not tour the inside as we were only in the city for today and there were many 1000’s of people with the same idea of visiting this site today! 

I captured some up close in your face photos from our seats on the bus before we got off to check out from street level ... all I could think of was the Vanadian TV show of my childhood  “The Friendly Giant” ... the intro “look up, waaaaay up”! 

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Cranes amongst the beauty of the structure ...

After a coffee, stroll and some picture taking we were back on the bus ...there is just so much to see and do in Barcelona! 

Once back in our neighbourhood Las Ramblas(1.2 km  plane tree-lined pedestrian mall) for a light lunch and touring. The boulevard is lined with beautiful flower markets, tourist trap shops, cafes, restaurants and of course many, many people! 

We even saw this look alike Marilyn Monroe from her window at the Erotic Museum several times as we strolled the boulevard ... 

Here she caught Señor Honey’s eye and threw him a kiss! 

Tired of walking Monsieur Honey, we can grab a bike! 

Loved the architecture on this building ... looks like it’s decorated with umbrellas! 

Tonight we met up with new friends (Kathy & Steve) for cocktails and then dinner in the popular square “Place Real” (translates to Royal Plaza) in the Gothic Quarter. 

It was a perfect way to spend our last evening in Barcelona. 

Here Señor Honey was introduced to Aperol spritzers ...

Not sure we needed the complimentary liqueurs ...

After a delicious dinner with great company, a delicious wine, we said our “goodbyes” to our friends until the next time we meet! 

Tomorrow we catch the train to France. 

We are still curious about what all Barcelona has to offer and will definitely have to return for a longer stay! 

P.S. I later learned that we should have tried these treats, KRONUTS from the shop next door to the Hotel ... how did my sweet tooth miss these?. 

Señor Honey kept saying “No, no, no!”every time we walked by. 

Finding My Way Back (From Barcelona to Home)

Wow, it’s almost four months since we returned from our last European adventure ... the 10-day Mediterranean cruise, some extra time in Barcelona, Spain and then three weeks in France. 

We spent two weeks in Céret, France with some day trips into Spain and then our last week with various friends in the Lot Valley before flying back home from Toulouse. 

My blogging took the back burner for some reason and I know what they are but won’t make any more excuses to myself.  

This  blog is important to me as our personal journal and photo catalogue of our journeys.

From the comfort of my home over the Canadian winter months, I’m going to write about the rest of our “2017 Postcards” ... so I’ll have a visual record of our wonderful memories! 

Is Jacques Pépin in Marseille?

Day 10 - Sunday, September 17, 2017 Marseille, France 

Today we are docked at one of the gateways to Provence.

We have spent several days, weeks in various villages, towns, cities in Provence during our previous travels and the area holds special memories for us. Our only visit to Marseille was a quick half hour spent at the train station to change trains when we were travelling from Italy to Cannes and then onward to the Lot Valley many years ago. 

We are on our last full day of the cruise (which has been a great experience) albeit a bit tiring. 

We ended up spending our night in Monaco in our stateroom, no energy to get dolled up and go out for dinner ... so some room service and an early night! I was exhausted and today feel refreshed / energetic and ready to tackle the day.

But we did hear from some of our new cruise friends that we missed a fantastic show in the harbour last night! 

We pulled into the docks with still some darkness in the sky ... 

Marseille founded by the Greeks in the 6th century B.C. is France’s second largest city and the largest port city in the Mediterranean.

It is a city of old and new with ancient remains, medieval structures all inter-mixed with new modern buildings.

Of course the area near the port is very industrialized. 

There was shuttle bus service today from the docks to the Vieux Port (the old harbour). 

We were lucky to catch one of the first buses and away we went.

Come along with us as we do a bit of exploring. 

The Hotel de Ville ...

Pictured below is Notre-Dame de la Garde, the beautiful cathedral sitting on the hilltop overlooking the old port.

She “the Cathedral” seems to follow you all around the harbour as you are strolling.

I read that it looks similar to the Sacre-Coeur in Paris and the Fourviere in Lyon. 

We’ve visited Sacre-Coeur in Paris but have not yet been to Lyon, must put that on our list! 

One of my photos of Sacre-Coeur April 2015 ... ah Paris! 

We strolled along the harbour /waterfront with many other people, tourists and locals. 

There was lots of activity for this early on a Sunday morning. 

The fishermen had set up shop with their catches of the day along with the puppeteer! 

Now we are on the other side of the marina ... looking across to where we had just walked. 

This side houses older buildings and it doesn’t appear that as much gentrification has occurred.

The soap museum and next door a soap factory where they make the famous Marseillian soaps. 

The Vieux Port has two forts ... Fort Saint-Nicolas and Fort Saint-Jean. 

Fort Saint -Jean was built in 1660 by Louis XIV and Fort Saint-Nicolas was constructed at the same time on the opposite side of the harbour.

The photo below is of Fort Saint Nicolas on the top taken from the lower part of the Fort ... where today there was an open house of displays from various regiments of the French military, 

The view from the lower Fort Saint Nicolas across the water to Fort Saint Jean ... which is now also a part of the Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilisations.

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The views from the Lower Fort Saint-Nicholas were spectacular.  Here as we were wandering around we met up with some fellow cruisers from England and we continued our walking tour with them and soon it was time for a coffee/ beverage. Then back to to the boat for some quiet time on the pool deck.

Tonight we dined at Jacques, which feels/ looks similar to a Parisian Bistro and is decorated with “heirloom antiques, pickled wood furnishings and art from Jacques Pépin’s personal collection”. 

Jacques Pépin, the world renowned French Chef (was Julia Child’s dear friend) is the Executive Culinary Director of Oceania Cruises. 

“ Food, for me is inseparable from sharing. There is no great meal unless it is shared with family and friends “ ... Jacques Pépin 

I love this quote because it resonates with me ... all the work in your garden growing fresh herbs, market shopping for fresh produce & ingredients and then the time involved in the kitchen to plan, prepare, cook and bake is only as good as it is when you can share it over great conversation with family and friends. . 

We enjoyed a lovely evening of delicious food, wine and company ... tonight we shared a table with a lovely couple from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. 

Here’s just a few of the dishes ...

          Heirloom tomato salad appetizer ...

               Tiger prawns ...

The best dessert “Mille Feuille” highly recommended by our server ...

there were so many sweet, delectable choices! 

                                

         Wine and cheese anyone? 

   


We departed Marseille, France at 6:00PM. We will travel 190 nautical miles overnight arriving in Barcelona, Spain around 8:00AM tomorrow morning. We will disembark, taxi to the Hotel Curious and spend another day in the city. 

Come back to see the rest of our adventure ...our day in Barcelona, Spain then off to the Céret in the south France for a couple of weeks, then off to the Lot Valley for our last week.