Welcome to Barcelona! We wanted to spend a friend's birthday in a warmer place compared to where we are at now and voila a Barcelona trip seems not a bad choice.
Here are the top 10 highlights of my Barcelona trip!
Highlight #1: Bisita Iglesia. Sagrada Familia. The church that is still being constructed after 100 years will make you gasp once you see the insides. It is worth it for 12 euro entrance fee (quite odd since it is a church). Be early so you don't have to line up (around 9am). Don't be intimidated by the guards, you can approach the altar as long as you ask permission first.
Highlight #2: The Gaudi-Phenomenon. Parc Guel. The Gaudi-inspired Park. Enjoy sangria while people watching or stroll around the park. It is quite big so do allot around 1/2 a day for it.
Highlight #3: I told you it's a Gaudi-Phenomenon! La Pedrera. Used to be called as Casa Mila, it was built by Gaudi intended for residential purposes. I guess it was too expensive and no one bought it. Now, it serves as a museum. Note, if you visited Casa Batllo, chances are this would not be as nice as Casa Batllo.
Highlight #4: Let's take a break of the Gaudi-Phenomenon and enjoy the light fountain. The Magic Fountain of Montjuic located in Avenida Maria Christina (Train Station: Espanya) has light and music exhibition from 7pm to 10pm. Coming from Asia, this is quite normal already as we see it in amusement parks, so what's special about it? Apparently, it was built as early as 1920s and has the light illumination already during those times. Thus, the fountain is not Made-In-China. :)
Highlight #5: Tapas & Pinchos! Yes, what more to enjoy in Barcelona than food. Food is not that cheap but simply delicious. We try to sneak something to eat as much as our stomach can handle. Try all the tapas and pinchos you can. It costs around Eur 5-8 per plate but it's definitely worth it. Don't forget to gulp it down with Sangria!
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| From left to right (small pictures): meatballs with octopus, green peppers, mussels, octopus galician style, blood sausages, squid, callos, anchovies with tomato and olives. From left to right (big pictures): pinchos, sardines, chorizos, mussels, pork stew |
Highlight #6: Oh so Black, Oh so Yummy! The best Arroz Negro/Paella Negra that I've tried is located at La Taberna del Cura. I did have their cochinillo but it's not as how I've expected it, so no highlight for that.
Highlight #7: Callos Baby! In this trip, I think the best we've dined is at Fonda Restaurant located inside Hotel Espana in one of the side streets along La Rambla. I've ordered Callos and it's the best that I have by far. The other dishes are also delish! My friend's Arroz Bomba was totally a bomb. My chickpeas appetizer is also good. Awesome food, big serving, great service, beautiful ambiance, what can I ask for more? Oh btw, when I say beautiful ambiance, people are actually wearing suits inside!
It's also in Hotel Espana that you see this... (plague of the Philippine National Hero)
Highlight #8: Strolling around the city. You'd simply enjoy walking along La Rambla, their markets, shopping malls, or the other touristic sites. Be careful, there might be pick pocketers around!
Highlight #9: Thankful to the train driver. Now, I understand why Filipinos are warm people and easy going. They have adopted this from the Spaniard who colonized them for 100 years. We took the wrong train going to the airport and when our train's supposedly next stop is 1 hour away, the Spanish Train Driver/Conductor made an emergency stop on the most convenient train station and took time to explain what we had to do. He left us on the station where it was just two stops away going to the airport.
Highlight #10: Enjoy time with friends. Of course, let me not forget to mention that I had an awesome time with my friends! Till the next travel!
Thanks to Raine for providing some of the pics. My camera's battery went low when we were at Parc Guel.
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