Barcelona or Bust

When I first write about a city, the blog post is just the name. So when I spend multiple days or return, I always have to think of a different title which can be a struggle. The last time I was here, my dad came up with Goodbye Gaudi and this my 3rd visit to the city. As we arrived after a 3 day road trip, it’s Barcelona or Bust.

I had opted to decline the hotel breakfast, because after a week of standard European hotel buffets, I thought it would be fun to mix it up. But also strategically, I had booked a hotel near the Mercado de la Boqueria, one my favorite places to eat. We walked the few minutes down to the market and took in the sensory overload:





We found in the back Quiosc Modern and ordered a mix of breakfast and tapas to our delight as the food was even more delicious with the fantastic and happy service:



After a quick stop in to the hotel, there was a minivan taxi just outside and we headed to Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia. My 3rd time and my mom’s 2nd, it was cool to see how much progress has been made as it’s still undergoing construction and projected to finish in 2032:











Inside we enjoyed the natural elements of the tree columns and rainbow colors:







We had a booking for a view of the towers where you take an elevator up to get a close view of Gaudi’s design and imagination. You have a choice of the Nativity or Passion facade, and as I had done the Nativity in 2013, I opted for the other book end of Jesus’ life - the Passion. Some up-close photos:

The view of Barcelona is also breathtaking:



Here there’s a modern sculpture of Jesus and is a part of the Passion facade:





You could also observe the construction workers and progress:





Coming down was also an experience descending in a narrow stairwell that reminded us of the Initiation Well in Sintra - but we made it down safely.



We peeked into the Crypt which is not open to visitors, but it’s also where Gaudi is buried:





Conveniently, there was a minivan taxi outside and we headed to Plaça Reial for lunch where we enjoyed drinks, burrata salad, shrimp, squid ink spaghetti, and a meat risotto - all quite yummy amongst the palm trees and Gaudi designed lamps:





After lunch and the acrobatics of some street performers, my mom and I wanted to sight-see some more. As I’ve seen most places in 2013 and again in 2017, I suggested a Gaudi house while the others wanted to go shopping.

We chose Casa Milà also known as La Pedrera which means "the stone quarry". It was commissioned by the Milà family and built between 1906 and 1912.



I purchased the “full experience” which include a virtual information session. Conveniently, my mom was able to enjoy in Korean as we pinched and touched images and waved our hands:



We then switched to the included audio guide and walked through a sample apartment and then to the famous roof with views of the Sagrada Familia!







After we descended, we learned more about the 2 different courtyards which encompasses the natural elements of Gaudi’s designs:





We then returned to our hotel by metro and rested before our dinner at Madame Ramen. Tresa had said she wanted to try ramen and they found a restaurant in a different kind of neighborhood as Mama Kim remarked as we walked. The owner explained to us that it was a “working girl” neighborhood, hence the name. We shared octopus with kimchi mayonnaise, wings, gyoza, pork buns, miso ramen, ribs, and yakisoba. A collage below and of us at a ramen place:

We returned to the hotel and popped out for the some ice cream. Here we took a selfie in front of our fancy hotel with our ice cream!

Then the daughters split a bottle of wine while listening to jazz at the bar and relaxed on our 2nd to last night in Barcelona!

Portugal

My first new country of the year and we arrived just before 7 am in Lisbon. They haven’t “sprung forward” yet as they switch to daylight savings in two weeks, so the time difference is only just 4 hours ahead of New York.

After transitioning to a bus at the airport and long queues for immigration, our luggage was waiting for us and we found our Suntransfers pick up. It should take about 20 minutes from the airport, but took a bit longer due to the traffic where we finally arrived at the Sofitel Lisbon Liberdade.

I picked the hotel as I thought it was conveniently located, but not as expensive as other hotels located in the touristy areas. Our room was ready, but Mary Ann’s was not, and therefore she squeezed into her mom and Tresa’s room to get some rest.

We showered and napped and headed out midday in search for lunch. On our way, we passed by the Gloria Funicular and we rode it up the hill. Lisbon is considered the “San Francisco of Europe” with its many hills and use of trolleys - this is one funicular of three. I had asked Tresa to purchase our unlimited day passes in advance in the metro station as she arrived a day ahead of us, so we were able to hop on very easily.





At the top of the hill was a street fair and market and a beautiful view of Lisbon. Here’s our first fivesome photo!



We then walked to O Trevo, a famous snack bar known for their bifana or meat sandwich and was frequented by Anthony Bourdain. We ordered both pork and beef, and found the pork to be better. But the bread was delicious and enjoyed the fried fish and meats while we dined outside. We shared the light meal at this cash-only joint:



We then hopped on to the 28 tram and made our way to Lisbon Cathedral. It was a lovely ride down and up hills and feeling the vibrancy of the city. This was the first of many churches on this trip and we said a little prayer for loved ones!







We then rented a tuk tuk down the hill and to the Praça do Comércio which translates to Commerce Plaza - one of the largest plazas in Portugal.



The entrance has an ornate triumphal arch called the Arco da Rua Augusta as it leads to August street and promenade:



Here’s the equestrian statue of King José I which is in the center of plaza:



And here’s the marble staircase where dignitaries would arrive on the Tagus River and walk into the palace which no longer stands, as it was destroyed by an earthquake:



We sat for coffee, hot chocolate, and our first Portuguese egg tart on the Augusta Street promenade. Here’s a photo of some egg tarts and us enjoying some roasted chestnuts as we strolled along:





We then walked up to the famous Santa Justa elevator, the last of its kind and a national monument. It was designed by a student of Gustav Eiffel:



I waited in line for about an hour and my mom sat in a café. It runs about every ten minutes and can only carry up 20 people and down 15 minutes.





At the top, you can see all of Lisbon, and you can walk into a plaza, just down the hill from where the Gloria funicular drops you off. If you want to ride it and not wait the line, you can take it down, but have to take the Gloria funicular or walk up the steep hill. My mom had seen it on a Korean travel show and wanted to experience it.



The views:



We then returned to the hotel by bus and met up with everyone else. We enjoyed a complimentary welcome drink and chose the local wine, a Vino Verde, before heading to As Velhas, which means at the old ladies’. It was recommended to Tresa and we made reservations for this restaurant just 3 minutes away from our hotel. We enjoyed bacalao which is cod, monkfish, pork, and beef in a mushroom sauce. For appetizers, we shared shrimp, green beans in tempura, and mushrooms:



After dinner, we headed back to the hotel for an early night to our successful first day and reunion!