GIDDY WITH GAUDI AND THE AMAZING LUNCH

 21st October 2013. My brother's birthday. GREECE TO SPAIN

GAUDI'S LA PEDRERA IN BARCELONA

ATHENS TO BARCELONA

At the end of our Athens time we had a delicious dinner with Anne's old mate Nick, topped off with Mastika liqueur and espresso at 'Tailor Made', Athens hip cocktail joint and espresso bar. A great end to our week in Athens.

An early morning relatively expensive Aegean Airlines flight then brought us across the Med from Athens, Greece to Barcelona, Spain. Any flight without bumps that lands safely is a good flight in Anne's books. That girl cheers up enormously once we are taxiing in. They did actually do a very nice landing.

We found our apartment easily in Barcelona but had to wait while five very laid back Columbians took two hours to leave after check out time. We dumped our bags, left the owner to sort out the cleaning and walked through the local markets while marvelling at Gaudi's creations. Anne and I both hit the wall early that night opting for a simple snack before a welcome sleep in the superbly comfortable bed. We've come to value bed comfort very highly in the accommodation criteria on our travels.

After a good sleep we got off to a very early start and stepped out on the street at 1.30pm. to explore more of Gaudi's Barcelona. We're getting the hang of the European lifestyle now, though it wasn't exactly like that. We spent a good while researching the next move, sights to see and how to see them before we headed out in the warm 27oC second summer they're having at the moment.

Lunch was the all time best value, best tasting bargain of our travels so far. Our airbnb host tipped us off to 'menu del dia' at 'Salamanca 2' restaurant in Barceloneta. We thought we would have to pay extra for the wine, dessert, coffee and bottle of water but it was all included in the ten Euros each for sensational Seafood Paella first course and then delicious Ham and vegs second course. I was stuffed. I asked for a glass of wine, they brought out a bottle and said go for it, all in Spanish. I tried but had to leave some wine. All this was then followed with complementary Grappa. Now that's a deal. We fuelled up for the days exploring and only had a glass of Rioja for dinner while I banged up this blog.

'WAKE UP' IS A BIG THEME IN GRAFFITI IN GREECE

WELL FED DOGS WITH COLLARS SLEEP ON THE STREETS IN ATHENS

MASTIKA AFTER DINNER WITH NICK

ANOTHER ATHENS DEMO. MASSIVE UNIVERSITY STAFF REDUNDANCIES

ANNE SAYS GOODBYE TO ONE LAST GREEK PUSSY CAT

GOOD LOCAL RESTAURANT TIP. THE WAITER SAID 'WHO SENT YOU'.

CATALAN HIGH RISE

WAITING FOR THE COLUMBIANS

SETTLING IN TO BARCELONA AS BEST WE CAN

THERE IS ALSO GREAT CAVA IN LIFE FOR THOSE WILLING TO TAKE THE JOURNEY

NOW THAT'S A CHURCH

LA PEDRERA

FIVE MINUTE SALE.  ROPES ON THE CORNERS SO THEY CAN GRAB AND FLEE IN SECONDS

FOUR RED STRIPES IS THE CATALAN INDEPENDENCE FLAG

FULL

JUST ENOUGH ROOM FOR GRAPPA

CROWDS FLOCK TO THE BEACH IN UNSEASONAL WARMTH

WAITING FOR THE BUS

ANOTHER GAUDI BAUBLE

CATEDRAL GOTIC

CATEDRAL GOTIC

LED MODERNISATION LACKS A CERTAIN CHARM

WHAT PHOTO BOMBER?

CASA BATLLO

CASA BATLLO

CASA BATLLO SIGN