Day 16 Barcelona

Day 16 -31 August 2008 Today started with free breakfast at the hostel (toast and jam and orange juice) and then off to catch the Barcelona Tourista Bus which goes around to all the major sites. I got the metro funicular from Paral-lel (which is near my hostel) to Parc de Montjuic and then onto the bus. Our first major stop was the World Trade centre and the Port Vell. I then got off and checked out the Columbus Monument which is Mirador de Colom and got the very tiny elevator up the 50.2 metres to the top and was rewarded with nice surround views of the port. For those of you interested Columbus is mounted on an iron column which weights about 205,000 kgs and he was a left foot which measures 1.13m and his right foot is 1m. The monument is also the tallest of the 64 Columbus monuments in the world. The tour then headed along the beach and past the old 92 Olympic village. The next major stop was the Placa de catalunya which is at the top of La Ramblas. A change of buses and i headed for Sagrada Familia which has a significant amount of scaffolding inside and cranes outside which detract from the significant and very high ceilings and magnificant carvings and plaster work. Both sides of the temple have colourful fruits (one side is autumn season fruit the other side spring season fruit). It was fascinating going around and looking at it all. I then waited the 45 minutes to go up the elevator to one of the towers which had good panoramic views of the city. I then headed back on the bus and we passed Gracia an old town on the outskirts and park gruel which was a failed residential English development with many statutes by guadi. Next stop was Parcde la tangrita and i caught the old fashioned blue tramvia and then a funicular to Tibidabo. At the top of the mountain they have a lovely church which is very high mounted with a statute of jesus which is very similar to that the one in rio di janero. You could also get an elevator and climb more stairs to get to the top just under the foot of Jesus and the views of Barcelona were amazing. unfortunately it was not a bright and sunny day so there was a bit of cloud which spoilt the view a little. But weather aside it was definitely worth the trip to the top. Tibdidabo also has a attraction park similar to luna park (without the giant mouth). I then reversed my journey and got back on the bus and headed past the palau reial pavellons guell (the old royal palace) and past the Barcelona Football Club Ground and back to placa de catalunya where i took a leisurely stroll down La Rambla which is famous for its street performances atmosphere and pickpocketers. Luckily i only experienced the first two. The night kicked off at a tapas bar for tapas and sangria we then headed to a flamenco show which only lasted for about 30 minutes but features music, singing and a guy and a girl who were amazing dancers taping up a storm and show the true essence of flamenco. The crowd was really getting into the performance and the atmosphere was electric. We then headed down to the port area where we had a glass of carva and via a late night souvlaki our night ended.