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Just a quick note before bedtime. Its about 10:30 pm here, and I am exhausted. I went on the Barcelona bike tour today, I saw a lot of stuff, rode along the beach!, but I don't know who thought a 4 hour ride on cobblestone was a good idea?
Love,
Me.
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This was the day I took the fat tire bike tour
The tour was aweseome, and I would recomend it to anyone that asks, but, four or so hours is a long time on a bike if you're out of practice (as I am), and you have to ride on very busy (and bumpy) streets. Pain and fear aside, I got to see so much more than I'd be able to on a regular day. I do wish that Dan got to do it along with me, but someone has to work =)
We started at the Plaza Sant Jaume. Back in the Roman period this square was (and still is) where important government buildings were found. On one side there is the Palace of the Generalitat (the government of the Autonomous Community of Catalunya) and on the other stands the City Hall. This square has been witness to some of the most important events in recent Catalan history, such as the proclamation of the Catalan State in 1931 or the return of Josep Tarradelles from exile in 1977.
Then headed to
Museu d’Història de la Ciutat
The museum is housed within the former Royal Palace (11th to 14th c.), King Martin watch tower (1555), the Saint Agatha church (14th c.) and the Padellàs house (16th c.)
Next was the Cathedral of Barcelona
which encompasses part of the original Roman Wall!
We passed the gorgeous Palau de la Musica Catalana
And Barcelona's only bull fighting arena.
We rode through the Parc de la Ciutadella, and posed for pictures before the Arc de Triomf, yes exactly like the one in Paris.
Another trip to La Sagrada Familia
Then off to the beach!!
Lastly we came to the Santa María del Mar and the Fossar de les Moreres, where an eternal flame burns to commemorate those that died in the 1713-14 war of succession.
Finished with the tour, I walked back to the hotel, first back up the Rambla where I stopped to watch some of the street performers.
Then I stopped at the Plaça de Catalunya
The Plaça de Catalunya is a large square in central Barcelona that is generally considered to be both its city centre and the place where the old city (see Barri Gòtic and Raval, in Ciutat Vella) and the 19th century-built Eixample meet.
Some of the city's most important streets and avenues meet in Plaça Catalunya: Passeig de Gràcia, Rambla de Catalunya, La Rambla or Portal de l'Àngel, in addition to Ronda de Sant Pere, Carrer de Vergara or Carrer de Pelai. It has an area of about 50,000 square metres. It is especially known for its fountains and statues, its proximity to some of Barcelona's most popular attractions, and for the numerous flocks of pigeons that gather in the centre.
I made it back to the hotel, showered and slept until Dan got home from work. When I woke up, I was too sore to imagine going out to find a restaurant, so we ate in the hotel's restaurant, and spent a quite night in.
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