Barcelona by Tam

JUNE 2010

It was a beautiful summers evening so we took a stroll down Las Ramblas, you could feel the soft sea breeze from the old port as we watching the many street performers. From Las Ramblas it is very easy to get lost in amongst the medieval lanes of Barri Gotic.

We walk through the back lanes of the old city as the lights started to illuminate the ancient streets and transform what at first appeared to be a gloomy centre into a spectacular living antique. We met a couple of Spanish friends who live in Barcelona who took us to a local favourite haunt to try the tapas and drink 'chilled' Rioja (Yes chilled red wine is delicious!), at a fantastic local bar called Golfo de Bizkaia. The tapas were different from traditional Spanish tapas, which translated means a plate or dish. These tapas called “pinchadas” came served on husks of fresh bread fresh adorned with creamy goat’s cheese with roasted capsicum or croquettes of ham and cheese stuffed with prawns.  All secured precariously in place by a tooth pick. At the end of the evening the waiter simply counted the amount of picks that were at our table and charged accordingly.

Refreshed we headed back into the medieval streets of Barri Gotic and stumbled across a Moroccan festival in Place Rey. As I stood in watching the band beat out Moorish rhythms. I imagined what the city would have been like hundreds of years ago when the Moors conquered Spain, their legacy is still apparent in the architecture today. The Stalls at the festival were full of Moroccan fare and the spicy aromas of cumin, garlic and chilli filled the air.

In spite of a touch of jet lag we had a great night’s sleep, and started the next day with a tour of the city. The hop on hop off Barcelona city bus tour provides an excellent way of cramming in as much as possible into a day of sightseeing.

The open top bus completes one of 3 circuits which take approx 2 hours each. They visit all the major sights such as Gaudi's house, the exposition sight at Montjuic with its superb views and Barcelona’s most famous land mark cathedral La Segrada la Familia. Its cigar like spires reaching into the skyline are still under development as Gaudi died without completing the project. Anonymous donations to the project determine the pace of future development but as Gaudi was quoted himself as saying ' My client (being god!) is not in a hurry, he has all the time in the world'.

Sea food lovers will find the perfect little lunch spot in the restaurants around Barcelonetta (the old port) Here there is a myriad of choices to cater for all budgets. The perfect place to unwind, people watch and marvel at the magnificent cruise ships as they pass by.

We spent the following day marvelling at the fresh fruit, nuts, giant jamon crudo’s and delicious creamy cheeses at Mercat De Sant Josef La Boqueria, simply referred to as La Boqueria by the locals. La Boqueria is one of the oldest and largest markets in Spain, located just off Las Ramblas.  The market totally ignites all the senses and is a must on any Barcelona itinerary. We sat at one of the many food stalls and feasted on fresher than fresh (still squirming!) fish all washed down we freshly squeezed juices all packed with your 5 a day goodness! -  A total highlight and a foodie and photographers paradise.