Our last day in Barcelona was quiet.

Our flight out was in the evening, so we spent the last few hours walking around the city to visit the rest of Gaudi’s creations (Casa Batlló and La Pedrera – Casa Mila).

The most interesting find of the day was confirming that even during a sale, prices at H&M are cheaper than prices at Zara. I walked away with a gorgeous 70s-inspired dress for less than 9 Euros.

The flight back was without event – we had first row seats on Clickair – and we had a good aerial view of the Venetian lagoon. A fitting end to a surprisingly memorable holiday.

Want more pictures? Click here – Barcelona on July 23 2007.

The first day of my 31st year of existence on this planet was marked largely with a tour of Park Güell, another work of Atoni Gaudi.

Squeezing among the hordes of visitors, we managed to get all the requisite tourist shots around the park, as well as in the Casa Museu Gaudi. We spotted some furniture that we would like to replicate in our home on the island of Bali! Perhaps, this could grow in to a new business venture: Genuine Imitation Gaudi-Inspired Furniture. Yes, the convoluted title is on purpose.

We also managed to stroll down paths lined with artists selling their works or vendors trying to sell a variety of items from a wire head massager to handmade jewellery.

However, the most memorable part of the outing in the park was when we entered what looked like an alcove under a stone bridge of sorts. A collection of vendors were hawking their wares, be it whimsical or ethnic jewellery pieces, as well as artistic interpretations.

Stopping to look at an artist work, we decided to get the family name transformed in to an interpretive artwork as well. What impressed us was the work attitude of the artist we opted for: after messing up the first attempt, he started a fresh piece but paid even more careful attention on the second try. The final product came out beautifully, and we decided to tip him two euros more than the selling price.

Figuring that it was our final full day in the city, we decided to make quick stops at other spots.

First was what we had nicknamed ‘the giant dildo’ due to its phallic shape, the Torre Agbar/Agbar Tower. Passing by on the Avinguda Diagonal, we realised that what made the building so colourful, when it is lit up at night, were coloured panels used in the exterior construction of the building. Interesting concept but it did not really arouse excitement in us, pun intended.

Driving to the end of Avinguda Diagonal, which gets its name from cutting diagonally across Barcelona city, we came to the Edificio Fórum.

Drawn by an inexplicable delicious scent, we walked towards the Meditarrean Sea, only to stumble upon a fair in progress, specially for Latin Americans living and working in Spain. There were song performances, a handful of games and most importantly, loads of food! Grilled corn, barbeque meat, iced lollies and so much more!

Sadly, we did not have the chance to sample anything as each stall front was cramped with many persons and there was no discernible queue to join.

Thus we left this crowded fair for another crowded area, La Rambla.

Scores of people filled the stretch as individuals performed mines, cracked comedic capers, sold self-created paintings, or sketched caricatures. It was a veritable artistic stretch.

As with all tourist routes, prices on and along La Rambla were pricey. Yet there were many people splashing out on souvenirs of postcards, imitation Gaudi mosaic pieces, cheeky underwear and t-shirts with the word ‘Barcelona’ in various designs.

Veering away from the bustling stretch, we ventured past the streets running parallel to La Rambla, and in to a quieter yet equally interesting neighbourhood of roads and apartments.

Our treasured find of this area is the little eatery where we settled down for dinner. Located along Carrer Ample, the small no-frills place had a sign above its door that read: Bar La Granja Restaurante, Desayunar, Tapas Y Bocadillos.

What had drawn us in was the advertised set menu for 9.90 euros: a selection from first course dishes, a selection from second course dishes, a beverage and coffee or dessert. Additionally, we ordered a serving of fried calamari and sangria for two.

It was an exceptionally delicious meal for the price that we paid! As for the sangria, all we can attest to its potency is that both of us remained lightheaded for about an hour or two after dinner, despite drinking it through the course of dinner.

Tired with sated stomaches, we decided that this birthday celebration should be capped with a good night’s rest. Indeed, there is no other better way to mark a birthday!

Want more pictures? Click here – Barcelona on July 22 2007.

Being in a tourist city like Barcelona means that we had to do tourist things. Like visit the world famous Expiatory Temple La Sagrada Familia.

We spent about three to four hours inside the unfinished temple dedicated to the sacred family of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. We looked at the metal scaffolding climbing up toward the crossbeam and transept; we ooh-ed and aah-ed at the carvings in the Portal of the Rosary; we rode an elevator 55 metres up in to the towers on located at the same side as the Facade of the Nativity; we walked down the spiral steps, taking pictures of the city as we peeked out of the windows; we bought some souvenir postcards to send to ourselves.

Started in 1881, redesigned by Antoni Gaudi after he was commissioned on to the project in 1882, and it is only slightly over 50 per-cent complete in 2007.

After the entire session in what will be a great dedication to the sacred family, we still remain convince that the architect probably was on some substance, even when it has been demonstrated that he drew inspiration from nature’s forms for his designs.

Another two hours of walking through streets and a quick dinner later, we decided to head back to the comfort of our hotel room.

Yet the previous night on the way back, I had spotted some lights off the highway that hinted at a carnival. So we took a detour in an attempt to locate the carnival.

Instead of arriving straight at our destination, we chanced upon some locals in a kind of folk dance on a small square.

Stopping for a closer look, we found out that there were a couple of summer festivals in the small town of

Sant Vincenç del Horts. Besides the senior citizens with their folk dance, families were gathered in what appeared to be the main square for an open concert of folk tunes and food; teenagers to those in their mid-30s were dancing to DJ-spun tech music at a street corner adjacent to a church, and a collection of people aged from late 20s to early 40s were dancing to DJ-spun radio hites in an open-air auditorium of sorts.

The energy of all the people at the various events was infectious. After observing all the events for about half an hour to 45 minutes, we decided to really find our way back to the hotel.

Turning out of the little town, we drove straight on and ended up finding the carnival by chance. Families with children no older than 10 were found here going on the rides and snacking on typical funfair food.

After 15 minutes, we decided that it was finally time to say hello to our hotel room. However, instead of making a beeline to Sant Andreu de la Barca where the hotel is, we got lost along the highway! For the second time in the night.

Do not panic, for we eventually found our way on to the right highway after stopping at a gas station for directions.

The most amazing part is that the whole adventure of getting lost was more exciting than visiting the Expiatory Temple La Sagrada Familia. We felt like we had discovered a part of Barcelona that the other tourists did not know about, which gave the entire night a magical feeling.

Overall, it was also a special way to end my last day of my 30th year on earth. Such a birthday gift is just unique beyond the description of words.

Want more pictures? Click here – Barcelona on July 21 2007.

Less than half an hour in Barcelona, and we were driving along the coast roads, with the Mediterranean Sea on the right.

We had got lost after taking a wrong turn and the S.O. decided to drive along the coast as it was the surest way of returning to the city.

While it was not our intention to get lost – the car rental company had run out of GPRS units, and the road signs on the highways are confusing – it was a pleasant detour for us.

Sure, not everyone gets lost when they arrive in a new place as they have done the relevant research, bought the maps and made arrangements for getting from the arrival point straight to the hotel. As for us, we did not even have a map of Barcelona prepared! All we knew was the we wanted to see the city.

See the city we did, and more, for the first half hour would be an indication of how our trip would turn out – a little bit of planning followed by some unexpected turns especially during the second and third days of our stay. More to come in later entries!

Want more pictures? Click here – Barcelona on July 20 2007.

The original plan was for a quiet dinner at Al Brindisi in Venice on Sunday to celebrate my birthday, after the S.O. and I agreed that going away for the weekend would cost more than spending a month in Thailand/Vietnam.

Then out of the blue, he springs a surprise: two return tickets for 200 Euros to Barcelona, Spain! We will be there from Friday morning to Monday evening, soaking in the Spanish vibes.

Needless to say, I am happy as … a girl on major dark chocolate rush. This more than makes up for last year’s birthday, which I spent packing my stuff in preparation for my move to Bali.

This weekend also sees the Festival Internacional de Benicàssim 2007 by Heineken in Castellón, Spain. While we may or may not attend, it is nice to know that so many big names – Artic Monkeys! Muse! UNKLE! Armand van Helden! – are about 250km away from where we will be!

We will return with more tales, new friends and plenty of memories to share.