Today was a little bit rainy, so we went to the Reina Sofia museum.
It is a museum of modern art, and its most famous piece is Picasso's Guernica. They even had some of his original sketches and trials on display!
It took a few hours to get through, and we spent the evening drinking sangria and hanging out at the hostel.
Tomorrow, hopefully less rain! xx
Today I arrived in Madrid early from my night bus. A friend I made in Vietnam, from England decided to take a break from work and join me for part of my trip!
We spent the whole day wandering around the city, seeing some amazing buildings. My favourite was the Park though, which had amazing water fountains and greenery everywhere!
The hostel I am staying in is actually a 17th century palace complex, complete with a huge stained glass roof and marble floors. Hostels can be great!
Tomorrow, food xx
Today was a huge day. After getting up at 4am, it is still going now at 11pm.
I did a lot of walking, mostly along the Barcelona shoreline. Sadly it was a bit overcast, and rainy, or I would have gone for a swim, but it was still beautiful, with lots of people out and about, playing sports or hanging out at the waterfront.
I then continued my walk, through the gothic district. Australia is just such a baby compared to so much of Europe.
I finished my day off near the Sagrada Familia again. I just can't get enough of this place!
Tomorrow, seeing a travel friend xx
So the car thing went better today, but we still didn't get one. Where yesterday Kate sent us to the wrong place, today they wouldn't accept her ID. Oh well, who needs wheels anyway??
Instead, after cracking the shits a little bit, and getting chocolate, we headed up to a castle on the hill just outside of Palma. The walk was all uphill, but the view was completely worth it.
Once again, the view for dinner was amazing. Spanish wine is also cheap and delicious.
Tomorrow, a very early flight to Barcelona xx
Okay, so the car didn't work out. Instead, we spent the day in the city of Palma, and chilled at the beach.
The city is beautiful, and as soon as you get off the main road, there are barely any tourists!
The beach is interesting, with a lot of pale brits working on their tan, and a lot of europeans trying to get an even tan by sunbaking topless, and an overall average water situation.
Still managed to somehow spend almost 3 hours just laying around and watching volleyball though!
The view from our airbnb is just incredible though. Words cannot describe how amazing it was to sit on the rooftop for dinner (a tasting plate and wine, because Spain) and just watch the sun go down.
Tomorrow, take two on the car situation xx
This is one of the best churches I have ever been in. (Well, technically it's a Basilica because the pope did some stuff, but meh)
Even through it is still under construction over 100 years in the making, I feel like it is worth every day.
The outside is split into very distinct sides and angles, but has a very clear overall theme. I loved both the old-style gothic nativity side, as well as the more modern, angular side. It is insanely huge.
The inside though. The inside. It feels like a forest, with light coming in from all sides through stained glass windows, tall ceilings, and columns built to look like branches reaching to the canopy above.
I have haven't seen many things more beautiful.
Once Kate finished uni, we headed to the airport, and have just arrived in Palma de Mallorca, an island off the coast of Spain. We are staying in an airbnb, and the location could not be more picturesque or amazing.
Tomorrow, renting a car and exploring the island xx
Today I headed to Park Guell, a park and home complex designed and built by Gaudi.
Gaudi was an architect in the late 1800s, early 1900s, and is responsible for most of the interesting buildings around Barcelona. Park Guell is no exception.
It is actually a little ways out of town, but the gardens were spectacular. I almost prefered the park to the paid area with all the buildings!
Unfortunately, it did start raining quite early, and continued until about 15 minutes after I left, but I still spent around 3 hours, looking at the buildings, stages and structures in the park.
On the walk home, I also passed by Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's most well-known, and his last work, still under construction, by night.
Tomorrow, going inside Sagrada Familia xx
Today I went on the worst walking tour ever.
Barcelona is a beautiful city, but it is hard to appreciate it when you're being dragged to all of your tour guides' friends' shops! And telling us where you can score the best drugs (hint, it was him)
Despite this, I spent the afternoon exploring the city by myself, and found some great spots!
My favourite is Sagrada Familia, the huge church, Gaudi's buildings (a famous architect known for being super wacky at the turn of the last century), and the gothic district.
I caught up with Kate again for dinner, with some of her friends from back home, so got to try lots of types of tapas.
Tomorrow, seeing more Gaudi xx
Today I got into Barcelona very very late. My flight got delayed, so it was after 2am by the time I got to my hostel.
Not to waste the day though, I spent the morning organising my life for when I get home, then went and saw my friend Kate for lunch!
It was great to see her, but it made Barcelona feel more like a normal day back in Australia, despite seeing some amazing things.
I'm going to be seeing her quite a bit this week, outside of her class hours, but most excitingly, she has a washing machine in her apartment I'm going to go and use tomorrow, Dreams really do come true!
Tomorrow, seeing more Barcelona xx
Today I had a good sleep in, then went to the park to read for a while.
I also got some coffee and a good pastry for breakfast.
I could get used to this European lifestyle!!
Tomorrow, Barcelona xx
