We disembarked on Saturday but had arranged to spend an extra day in Barcelona. Hooray! We caught a taxi to our hotel on Las Ramblas, a street famous for its market and street performers. Our hotel was crazy, and pink, and at times questionable. But the price was good and you couldn’t beat the location.
We dropped off our bags and headed to the local square to catch the tourist bus. There were 3 bus lines you could ride all day, hopping on and off whenever you wished. I figured this was the best way to see the city, and no walking! We made our way to the top level, plugged in our headphones for the tour and enjoyed a lovely breezy 3 hour ride. We liked the pretty buildings, numerous parks and miles and miles of bike paths. We ended back up in the square just in time for lunch. We walked to the big market near our hotel and proclaimed it to be the best thing ever. There was fresh fruit and produce, fish, meat, cheese, spices, wine, seafood. Pretty much anything you’d want to shove in your mouth. It was chaotic and busy but everything was so fresh and cheap. We spent some time drooling and then purchased supplies for a picnic. We’re picnicking fools! Except by then it was waaay to hot to sit outside, so we went back to the hotel and ate in the breakfast room. It was empty and, more importantly, pumping the AC.
Once we stuffed ourselves with our delicious feast and cooled down we were back on the tourist bus
again. We hopped off at the Gaudi park, a park he initially created for the wealthy that the city purchased after his death for the public. It was really interesting and creative, but also freakin hot. We did the quickest tour possible and hurried back to the air conditioned bus. We placed ourselves right in front of the AC and promptly slept through the rest of the tour. At the end
of the tour we declared ourselves too hot and ventured onto the subway on our quest for the beach. We followed a group in swimsuits and eventually found ourselves on the very busy public beach. It seemed to be a popular spot on Saturday at 6 pm. We dipped ourselves into the ocean and relaxed in the sand. We caught the tourist bus back to the hotel, did a little shopping, showered and set off to find some dinner.
Once we stuffed ourselves with our delicious feast and cooled down we were back on the tourist bus
again. We hopped off at the Gaudi park, a park he initially created for the wealthy that the city purchased after his death for the public. It was really interesting and creative, but also freakin hot. We did the quickest tour possible and hurried back to the air conditioned bus. We placed ourselves right in front of the AC and promptly slept through the rest of the tour. At the end
of the tour we declared ourselves too hot and ventured onto the subway on our quest for the beach. We followed a group in swimsuits and eventually found ourselves on the very busy public beach. It seemed to be a popular spot on Saturday at 6 pm. We dipped ourselves into the ocean and relaxed in the sand. We caught the tourist bus back to the hotel, did a little shopping, showered and set off to find some dinner. 
Our hotel recommended a tapas restaurant nearby. We figured it was wonderful as it was mobbed with people, the only busy looking restaurant at nearly 10:30 pm. We enjoyed local beers from the bar and people watched during our wait for a table. Once we were finally sat we ordered up a pitcher of amazing sangria, a random selection of tapas and leisurely enjoyed our late night dinner. Chris really enjoyed the tapas concept and would have stayed all night sampling if I had let him. Afterward we walked down Las Ramblas, disappointed that the street performers were packed up and gone by that late hour. We decided to call it a night and fell into bed exhausted.
Sunday our flight was at 10:45 am, but I misremebered it as 10am, so we were up bright and early to be on the local airport bus at 7am. The bus saved us a lot of euros and ended up working out quite well. Once we figured out how the Barcelona airport worked, and got a peek at the line for Continental, we were glad to be so early. Once again the agent was unable to find our reservation and we endured more waiting before finally being given tickets. The agent was unable to make the connection with Delta, so we would have to do that when we arrived in Newark. We grabbed a croissant and breakfast donuts and placed ourselves on timeout, crabby from the early start and long lines. Once on board our plane we were pleased to find ourselves in the emergency aisle. We slept through most of the flight, but also enjoyed the in-flight entertainment. It seemed every time we felt a twinge of hunger the attendants were there with another meal or snack. Continental, I will heart you forever.
Upon arriving in Newark we endured customs and then the insanity that is this poorly laid out airport. We waited in a monstrous line at Delta only to be forced to wait in other lines. Waiting in line? Yes, please. We eventually got our boarding passes, endured more security and made it to our gate with a short 45 minutes for beer and pub food. We had a 4 hour layover. I planned long layovers intentionally so that our bags could follow us, but I never imagined it would take us over 3 hours to make it from one gate to another. Once on board we discovered ourselves in the emergency row again. Hooray! Delta redeemed slightly. And then the engine wouldn’t start and we sat at the gate for over an hour. No matter, we had leg room! It was a long 5 hour flight back, as the return home is always the worst.
Sunday our flight was at 10:45 am, but I misremebered it as 10am, so we were up bright and early to be on the local airport bus at 7am. The bus saved us a lot of euros and ended up working out quite well. Once we figured out how the Barcelona airport worked, and got a peek at the line for Continental, we were glad to be so early. Once again the agent was unable to find our reservation and we endured more waiting before finally being given tickets. The agent was unable to make the connection with Delta, so we would have to do that when we arrived in Newark. We grabbed a croissant and breakfast donuts and placed ourselves on timeout, crabby from the early start and long lines. Once on board our plane we were pleased to find ourselves in the emergency aisle. We slept through most of the flight, but also enjoyed the in-flight entertainment. It seemed every time we felt a twinge of hunger the attendants were there with another meal or snack. Continental, I will heart you forever.
Upon arriving in Newark we endured customs and then the insanity that is this poorly laid out airport. We waited in a monstrous line at Delta only to be forced to wait in other lines. Waiting in line? Yes, please. We eventually got our boarding passes, endured more security and made it to our gate with a short 45 minutes for beer and pub food. We had a 4 hour layover. I planned long layovers intentionally so that our bags could follow us, but I never imagined it would take us over 3 hours to make it from one gate to another. Once on board we discovered ourselves in the emergency row again. Hooray! Delta redeemed slightly. And then the engine wouldn’t start and we sat at the gate for over an hour. No matter, we had leg room! It was a long 5 hour flight back, as the return home is always the worst.
Chris’ brother picked us up at the airport and returned us to our pets very happy to see us. Jackson did a lot of joyful leaping while Tina proceeded to yell at us, for 3 days straight. It seemed she got so desperate for human interaction she let my sister (her arch nemesis) pet her for the last week. Jackson had on a different collar, which seemed odd. A few days later we got the story on it. It seems he broke his old collar right off while out in the yard and ran away! The family looked for him for hours, frantic I’m sure. They found that naughty dog the next day at the pound! Apparently he was the best dog ever for the next three days, which also explained why he was so good for us for the first few days. I’m sure Chris’ folks were more than happy to send him home.
The next day Chris was back at work while I took the day to recover and manage my name change. Our adjustment back to real life has not been smooth. We decided we are Europeans at heart. We loved their food, the way of life, the wine with lunch, shorter work hours, 6 week holidays. We really enjoyed all of our stops and would love to go back and spend a week at each. We specifically loved Barcelona and could see ourselves living there. It was the dream honeymoon, warm, gorgeous, interesting, relaxing and filled with the most amazing eats and drinks. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.
The next day Chris was back at work while I took the day to recover and manage my name change. Our adjustment back to real life has not been smooth. We decided we are Europeans at heart. We loved their food, the way of life, the wine with lunch, shorter work hours, 6 week holidays. We really enjoyed all of our stops and would love to go back and spend a week at each. We specifically loved Barcelona and could see ourselves living there. It was the dream honeymoon, warm, gorgeous, interesting, relaxing and filled with the most amazing eats and drinks. We’d do it again in a heartbeat.
1 comment:
I love the honeymoon review!! Sounds like fun!
Post a Comment