I have been beating myself up a bit for not going places I should and seeing tourist sites I aught to. Driving about Europe and just lazing in the sunshine (when I can find it) is only half what I should be doing and not getting the best out of my travels.
So, I am in Catalonia and I arranged to go to Barcelona, selected the location of a campsite in Sitges to link into the city and got on the local bus into the centre.
The following is my account of the sites I saw in the day that I was there. This was just a scouting visit really, but I walked for miles and was knackered by the end of the day.
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Well, low and behold we have red double decker sightseeing buses, three in a row, but no doubt where we are. I have just got off the local Mon-Bus from Sitges, 20 miles Euro3.60. |
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Catalunya Square, warm and sunny with everybody just enjoying the sunshine. |
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I didn't know it but Barcelona in part is bisected by a wide boulevard called La Rambla. It happens to run south to the port where I had just arrived on the local bus from Catalunya Square. |
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But it also happens to be the domain of pickpockets, mountebanks, swindlers and thieves, hence the heavy police presence. Just look at all those innocent people enjoying a stroll in the sunshine like me, but I kept 'me-hand-on-me-halfpenny' just in case. I was approached on several occasions, 'what's the time mister?' or some other dubious invitation from a swarthy individual that was suspicious so I gave them the stiff ignoring. |
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Just taking the occasional detour from the main drag finds spectacular sights like this. |
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But nothing like the stupendous market full of food delicacies.
La Boqueria is magic! |
http://www.barcelona-tourist-travel-guide.com/la-boqueria.html
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Synchronised hamming! |
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How they keep this lot fresh I do not know, but it looks fabulous. There are loads of fresh fish stalls the like of which you have never seen. |
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Clever Marco, special marketing to jack up the return! |
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Locals taking advantage of the goods on offer. |
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And side shows for all, busy as anything. |
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There was an establishment of the non-local variety. It was empty at the time. ;-} |
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But La Rambla continue onwards through the foodie section |
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to the arty section |
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and finally to the Harbour. |
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This must be the fanciest Harbour Master's office in all the world! |
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But there was a fancy Yacht race going on and the contenders were arriving back in he marina.
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http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Trofeo-Conde-de-Godo---Azzurra-and-Quantum-share-overall-lead/97719
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This bloke seems to be part of it.
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But back into the old town and the old narrow streets. |
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Arriving at the 'Cathedral' I refuse to pay, along with loads of others such a lot for what to me seems a bit of mundane architecture. After all, we were expecting Goudy, and his works are miles away! |
But Barcelona is a big Provincial city, with pretensions of national identity for Catalunya. It is certainly energetic, dynamic and bold and has far more to offer than I show here. Maybe it would be worth several more visits to find out, who knows.
2 comments:
So the non traditional store didn't take your fancy ? don't blame you I see them every day !!
looks good in Barcalona, fancy a trip there myself sometime, maybe later in the year. Sal xx
Looks nice there, perhaps not as jam packed with stuff as gay Paris, but very nice all the same
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