Right across the street from where we're staying is the beach. So that's where we started!
Freshly painted boats.
The malecon.
What a great climbing structure for the kids!
Ruth on the beach.
Looking north from the pier, with our shadows from the late afternoon sun.
Looks like our days are a little longer here than they were in Romania. Sunrise is currently 8:18am, and sunset at 5:33pm, so we've got over 9 hours of daylight.
From the end of the pier we could see downtown Barcelona in the distance. I zoomed in on the famous Sagrada Familia Basilica. We're still tossing around the idea of visiting the interior. It's very expensive, with a basic ticket costing 15 euros ($22 CAD, 16 USD). There are also other ticket options with audio guides and tower visits running up to 29 euros ($41 CAD, $31 USD).
We will probably bite the bullet and pay. Plus, both our daughter and my mother gave us some spending money to do things that we wouldn't normally do, and we're thinking this is a good use of some of that money.
Zoomed in on Sagrada Familia from the pier at Badalona.
The area where we are staying at Badalona.
Out wandering around.
We stopped at the Vodaphone store to get a SIM card for the iPhone. I've read that they have a prepaid tourist special on right now that gives you 3GB of data plus 60 minutes talk time anywhere in Spain for 15 euros ($22 CAD, $16 USD). But while we were waiting in line, I remembered that we didn't have our passports with us, and they require that for registration. So we'll go back there this morning.
A pedestrian shopping area.
We stopped back at the grocery store and did some shopping. Just enough for dinner last night and breakfast this morning. And of course a 1.75 euro ($2.50 CAD, $1.85 USD) bottle of red wine!
We're not going into the city today. We've decided to stay in this area and explore. Our host Leticia has given us some ideas to do a hike into the hills overlooking the area, so we'll go out and get some exercise.
First impressions? We really like this area so far. Obviously haven't been to downtown yet, but based on first impressions, I think we're really going to like Spain!
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Enjoy your time there exploring so we can enjoy more pictures.
ReplyDeleteNo worries we will be having a good time and there will be lots of pictures! :-)
DeleteDefinitely worthwhile to visit the Sagrada Familia Basilica as well as Park Guell. Both by Gaudi. Both worth every penny. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWe will decide when we get there as to how we feel about spending that kind of money!
DeleteThat climbing structure looks like it might be fun for kids my age as well :)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for pix of the Sagrada Familia. Reminds me of Bishop Castle in Colorado.
I know Cameron would love that climbing structure and we thought of him right away when we saw it! He would have be in heaven on it. :-)
DeleteWe were a little underwhelmed at Sagrada Familia, more on that later.
I look forward to your posts as we are thinking of going to Spain next winter.
ReplyDeleteI hope by the time we are done with our tour of Spain that we will have convinced you to book a trip here. :-)
DeleteMmmm Spain could be a possibility in the future.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely think it should be on your radar!
DeleteLooks amazing so far! Enjoy your hike!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately we didn't make the hike but we still had a good day.
DeleteIt's beginning to look a lot like a good time...
ReplyDeleteIf the last couple of days are any indication, I think we are going to have a fantastic time here! :-)
DeleteI wonder if most tourist attractions will be more expensive!
ReplyDeleteSome of the very popular ones will certainly be more expensive, I guess we will see as we check things out.
DeleteI have read online that visiting the Basilica is not worth the price. Decisions, decisions.
ReplyDeleteThat is very possible, I guess it depends on who you ask! It seems that some people are totally amazed by it and others not so much. Considering the churches, cathedrals and basilicas that we have seen over the years, some of them really, really good, I think it will be hard to compare especially when you consider the dollar amount involved.
DeleteLooks beautiful already...not dreary like Romania although it had its points i.e. the castles and wine cellars. The food in Romania did look interesting.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to agree with you Rita and I think most of that has to do with the communist style apartment buildings which we basically nondescript, whereas here there is a lot of colour involved and that really makes a difference. However this is just the city, I think the countryside is something totally different because I think the Romania countryside is absolutely beautiful.
DeleteWe try to do one special thing in the places we visit, for instance in Venice we did the doge's palace the second trip and on the first we did a gondola ride. In Barcelona we went to Park Guell and the apartment with all the chimmey stacks with the beautiful wrought iron railings designed by Gaudi. Oh the wine is heavenly and cheap.just walked around the Sagrada Familia.
ReplyDeleteWe like to try and do something special to but it depends on how much time we have and how much the cost of the activity is and if we think that the cost is worth it. We read your blog post again from when you were in Barcelona and we are trying to see a few of the things you did but we more or less just wandered around a lot and just looked at all kinds of sights. We really enjoyed our first full day in downtown Barcelona and look forward to seeing even more tomorrow.
DeleteWe are so excited to see it all. Glad the weather is nice. That will make getting out and around more appealing.
ReplyDeleteThe weather is perfect for us, not too hot and not too cold! We are doing lots, and I mean lots of walking and gawking!
DeleteWe visited La Sagrada Familia in October. It is a must see! Well worth the money for a guide who will explain what you are looking at. Enjoy Barcelona! Looking forward to revisiting the city through your eyes!
ReplyDeleteWe will tell more about our day and the La Sagrada Familia church in tomorrow's post but we have to admit we found the price just a bit too steep.
DeleteWe are really enjoying Barcelona though, and we have seen a ton already and we have walked miles through the downtown core, yet we still feel like we haven't made a dent.
I believe I mentioned this before. Our daughter, Carrie, has been to many countries. Italy is her all-time favorite, but Spain is a very close second. She loves Barcelona.
ReplyDeleteYes, you have mentioned that and we can totally understand why she loves Barcelona. :-)
DeleteWhat a beautiful beach!! So glad to be following along on your explorations...take lots of pictures!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a nice beach but it isn't a sandy beach, it's more of a pebbly beach and we expect that it must get real busy during the summer months.
DeleteNo worries, there will be lots of pictures! :-)