Returning to Barcelona

9/15/2014

*This is actually port in Malaga, but the post is on Barcelona. (Read on to understand.)

*WARNING*
This is a picture heavy post. Now that I have warned you there are a ton of blurry ass pictures ahead, we can settle down with a nice cuppa coffee and visit.

How are things? I've been quite busy here lately, you know- its been a packed schedule of eating tapas and lying on the beach, lol. But before we get to far into those stories, as you may remember I was sailing into Europe from Florida. So lets start there. Also if you want to see my Tourist pictures of Barcelona from my 1st trip click here for part 1 and here part 2. This trip is a much more laid back, mellow experience. The 1st time we crammed too much into 10 days and I had to get back to France to rest afterwards. :(

Ok, back to THIS adventure..

I will do a full post later on the last full day on the ship, it was busy and long.

Everyone was feeling sad to leave.

Packing it up.

Early morning and we are docked in Barcelona.

Leaving the ship, it is still hard to imagine just how huge this boat is. I understand that its the largest sailing right now, but WOW. Its amazing BIG. 0 __ 0

I snapped these pictures as we left with my iPhone. Not the best quality, but it does give you some idea the size of the ship. I read it holds 7,000 passengers + 1,500 crew. So thats Giant BIG.
:O

Spanish hills and calm water as we leave :D

And customs ahead...

Made it through customs and are picking up the bags.

Also New Passport - 1st stamp. :D

People started getting off the ship at 6:00 a.m. we didn't leave until 9:30 a.m. So I was already tired. I'm not a big fan of hurry up and wait, but the disembarking went really smooth.

Bags collected, next we must hire a taxi.

Crowd outside showing size of ship again. Yes, thats the ship, not a building.

Crowd outside terminal showing size of taxi line. In all honestly the taxi's were not prepared for so many people. We waited in line over 45 minutes. I'm hiring a car next time.

And waited.
And finally we are in a taxi headed to our hotel.

This time we are staying near the beach. Last trip we stayed more in the center of the city. But this is a "been there, done that" kinda trip, so I wanted to try something new. Out hotel was Euro Hotel Diagonal Port. It was a great deal on Hotwire. The hotel was not fancy by American standards, but was clean, safe and in a great location and did I mention they spoke good english. I need to leave a review on Hotwire soon.

Inside lobby

The lobby.

In bar for a drink and a snack.

Art in bar.

The bar itself was made into a map of the beach area, it was really pretty.

Back in room.

EXCITED TO HAVE A BATHTUB AGAIN! YEAH!

Also one of those things..

View of park from hotel room window.

Nice :D

Preparing for the next adventure..

And I went down to the park to explore.

Pretty Palm trees!

The area is surrounded by apartments and buildings. People are strolling around, walking dogs and skating. Notice there is no trash.

This building forms one of the walls of the park area. This is from the park side and below is the road side.

Sadly I could find not Burritos. :(

Sunset soon.

Strolled around ate and had a nice day.

Up and out early for juice and coffee.

There are a ton of cafes, bars and restaurants in this area. I was really spoiled for choice. #Score

It was Sunday morning and people were jogging, riding bikes and roller blading happily by. There were a few tourists, but mostly locals and they seemed really happy to just be outside and hang out.

Sorry time stamp is still wrong on the camera.

Later it was time to eat a hearty lunch.

They do not speak Spanish in Barcelona, but it is close. See? Between the merchants speaking a little bit of English, my little bit of Spanish and French we had no problems eating or getting around.