duncanlnk

Day 2

Barcelona – Monday September 23

We love Barcelona! We love all the trees, the people, Gaudi’, the weather, the boulevards, the food, the architecture, the pastries, the art and most of all our friends Maxi and Ivan.

Each morning has started with rain, sprinkles really, then the sun bursts out. The trees lining every street shine with the rain and sunshine. I headed out to a different Starbucks this AM then detoured to a wonderful local coffee shop full of pastries. The croissant was fabulous! And of course, the people-watching is always great.

Ivan and Maxi met us at our hotel then we took a taxi to “Sagrada Familia” the most unbelievable “church” one will ever see. Under construction since 1882 (142 years) it is nothing short of incredible! Tickets to enter were sold out until mid October and the stairs would have made it impossible for us anyway. We spent an hour and a half walking completely around the structure taking photographs. Again, it is so massive and we were so close, my photographs do not begin to do it justice. A completion date continues to move – maybe – maybe another 10 years?

On our way to lunch we stopped by the beach on the Baleric Sea, site of the 2024 America’s Cup yacht race. We spotted one yacht in the distance – the race was not underway at the time. What was very obvious was how clean and well organized everything was. I have never seen a more beautiful beach. There were a scattering of sun bathers, a few children playing in the surf and a special place for the body builders to work out. We spotted a sculpture we liked and could see a huge Frank Gehry fish in the distance.

The highlight of lunch at Terraza Martinez was meeting Eve Lemesle, a friend that Maxi and Ivan had met in Mumbai more than 10 years ago. She loves contemporary art, especially Indian art and her business is advising collectors from all over the World.

Casa Vicens, the first house that Gaudi designed was another incredible visual experience. Every room, every hallway, every ceiling every portico was intricate and unique. Even the exterior fence and entrance gate was incredible. Karen remarked it was the most beautiful wrought iron she has ever seen. By the way, the iron work on buildings throughout Barcelona is the most plentiful and most beautiful we have ever witnessed.

Back at our hotel the four of us enjoyed drinks on the rooftop. The temperature was again just about perfect with a light breeze and of course the views of the city were on full display.

We walked to Bar Mut for drinks with Ivan and Maxi before they departed to the airport and a flight back to their Spanish home in Alicante. We so appreciate them traveling to Barcelona to be with us. We love this city however it really came alive because they were with us. They helped with the wheel chair, the language, and the ideas of what to do next. Thank you thank you Maxi & Ivan.

After they left, we had dinner outside on the street. Karen liked hers better than the previous night – I was the reverse. The downhill walk home was easy. We crossed the super wide Boulevard just to check out the shops on that side. My one regret is – there was no time to shop. I noticed for the first time the art as we enter our hotel. We hope to return again soon to Barcelona and would recommend the Mandarin Oriental.

Tomorrow is a big day!

Day 1

Barcelona – Saturday, September 21

I remember often on our Italian trip this spring one of the great treats was sleeping in. At home I get up between 5 & 6 – my bowl of granola, coffee at Starbucks, a bike ride etc etc etc. We slept in until 8:00 and 9:00 this morning! While Karen getting ready I went out on the street again for Starbucks and to once again try the ATM’s. The usual great coffee at SB worked, but the ATM’s still did not. I reverted to changing money at the hotel.

I want to stop here and thank Tessa, our assistant, for all the arrangements she made – our calendar loaded. This morning we arranged to meet Maxi and Ivan at one of the many museums. The only problem was our taxi dropped us off at the wrong museum. After texting numerous times Ivan realized we were close but at different museums. They found us quickly.

Getting out of the taxi I retrieved my iPhone from its shoulder pouch, and unknown to me, dropped my wallet. A motorcyclist stopped and made me aware of my error. I was so flustered I almost forgot my backpack in the taxi, but again the taxi driver retrieved it for me. Two lessons here: 1) I am old and everyone needs to keep an eye on me. 2) and most importantly – as I have said for many many years – people all over the World are the same – kind, honest, and helpful. Once again this proves what I have long believed.

The exhibition featured the work of Agnés Varda, a renown French photographer and film maker. It was a huge show with lots of video and even more photographs and memorabilia. The only problem for us was generally a lack of English translation. It made us want to go back and watch some of her films. We enjoyed the time there very much.

We had a casual lunch on the street – eating and drinking while we watched (and listened in the case of Maxi and Ivan) the people seated nearby and those passing by.

The Guys dropped us off at the original museum only to find it closed for the day. Karen and I soaked in the sights, sounds, and shops on our 30+ minute walk back to the hotel. Many of the “streets” are narrow passages full of people walking. All of the larger stores are closed on Sunday by law, the tourist shops and eateries are open. I spotted the Apple Store and a couple more places I will visit tomorrow.

Dinner tonight was at L’olive, a short walk from our hotel. WOW – a really beautiful restaurant! So beautiful that I took several photos of the interior. And the food and service lived up to that first impression. Maxi and Ivan told us that many, if not most of the workers in restaurants are Latino or Latina and that our young waitress sounded like she had an Argentine accent. When she returned I told her just that and she responded she was from Uruguay. They further said the locals prefer to work for the Government – steady, well paying, secure jobs. Does this sound a bit like home?

To top off the day we all visited a fabulous ice cream shop that we had passed on our way to dinner. We were attracted by the really beautiful design of the shop. Once again I have a picture here. And the ice cream was every bit as good as the shop was beautiful. The liquid toppings for the ice cream, such as hot fudge, continuously flowed from three spigots. So very cool! We will return tomorrow after dinner.

Prolog

Day 0

Lincoln to Barcelona – Friday/Saturday September 20-21

Karen has talked about coming to Spain for several years. Our first trip to Madrid was almost fifty years ago (we purchased our first piece of art by a Spanish impressionist at a gallery across from the Prada and I carried it home on the airlines). I had visited Barcelona without Karen. This was our opportunity to visit Spain together after all those years.

The impetus for this journey was a call from our dear friends Pat and Chris Finnoff from Boulder, CO. – “would we like to do a bike trip to Portugal”? I didn’t even ask Karen – YES – and we would take that opportunity to do Spain first.

Only two airline flights – Lincoln Chicago Barcelona – American Airlines. Both were on time and uneventful. If fact they were easy, comfortable, and very friendly. Unlike Karen I sleep like a baby (after two Vodka’s and two Tylenol PM’s). And those seats in business class that recline to flat are close to a real bed. The only trouble was an almost 30 minute taxi time arriving in Chicago and anhour and a half in Barcelona after we landed to reach our ride – hurry up and wait.

Immediately we notice the beautiful architecture of Barcelona – old and in vastly different styles with square blocks each with a squared off corner. The streets are brimming with tourists – people from different backgrounds dressed in different styles. It’s a happy place. It reminds me of NYC in that respect.

The Mandarin Oriental is centered on one of the very best shopping streets. Of course it is beautiful in every way. In fact it appears new – new construction and/or new decorating. I ventured out on the streets to explore and perhaps find an ATM. I was soon to learn that neither card worked – old PIN numbers.

On our last trip to PV we hooked up with our long time friends, the artists Maxi and Ivan (they originated in Argentina and now live in Mexico City and on the coast of Spain. We arranged to meet them in Barcelona this evening.

Dinner at our hotel with the four of us was quiet, relaxing and as always, great fun. By 9:00 jet lag had taken taking over. A great start for another special adventure.

Robert

Welcome back to another travel blog!

Karen and I are setting off on an exciting two-week adventure across Spain and Portugal, exploring vibrant cities, stunning landscapes, and embarking on a week-long Trek Travel bike trip through Portugal. We’ll be starting our journey in the bustling streets of Barcelona, soaking in the charm of Seville, and then heading to Porto before hitting the trails on two wheels. Be sure to check back daily for updates, stories, and photos as we share all the highlights of our incredible journey!