Hola Barcelona! (Part I)

First of all, I apologize for the long hiatus on my travel update. It took me quite some time to filter and pick the photos among the thousands of them. 😖 I really invested almost my entire day just to compose part 1 of the trip to Barcelona. I will be providing some information and tips on travelling here based on my personal experience so I really do hope you enjoy it! :) So, let's goooo!

Read back
Part 1: Departure
Part 2: Puerta del Sol
Part 3: Of Palace and Parks
Part 4: Solo Trippin' Thoughts 
Part 5: Gastronomic Spain 
Part 6: Jewels of Toledo

Arrived at Madrid Airport super early since the security section was a little stricter due to the terrorism incident that has happened a while before. I spent a lot of time glancing at the update from the gate information screen just in case my gate happen to change or what. And actually it happened before this: It was a last minute change that I have to run from one end to another of the airport on my previous transit. So get yourself geared with a pair of comfy shoes that you can run in just in case of things like this happen. I got myself a muffin from McD for breakfast because that's basically the most affordable thing you could get from the airport, with 2 euro (approx. equivalent to RM10). It's quiet small and I think all the crumbs just stuck between my teeth but oh wells..

After arriving at Barcelona, I took the shuttle provided by my hotel to my accommodation. It was already noon. Instead of wasting more time, I took only the absolute necessities from the luggage and immediately embarked on my journey there. I redeemed my purchased Hola Barcelona travel ticket from the machine at the airport to travel in the metro and buses in Barcelona. I bought the 48 hours ticket since my stay is a little lesser than that. The metros were super clean and everything was organised and on time to the last second. Nevertheless, you must be very alert of your surrounding for petty pickpockets!

The first place that I went was Casa Batllo. I had a last minute change in itinerary since my booked visit to Sagrada Familia had a last minute change as well. I was really thankful that the workers at Casa Batllo and Casa Mila were kind enough to let me change my time for the respective visits when I was there. I bought the fast pass ticket to maximise my time for a short stay at Barcelona. If you have enough time, I think a regular pass would be fine (you just need a little more time to queue up).

Casa Battlo and Casa Mila were just 500m apart, so you could visit the 2 places at the same day for convenience. For my case it was a little different because of the last minute changes of ticket times. For your information, for pre-booked tickets you are required to choose a specific date and time for your visit.

Casa Batlló

Finally at Casa Batllo! Oh if you're wondering...

casa= house

Casa Batllo is a modern building designed by Gaudi, a famous architect bornt in Catalonia. Most of his work were based in Barcelona.

Look at the crowd. September is a peak season for visitors to visit Spain. 

Was given a headset and a navigator gadget for audioguide. Love the blueee headset.

And this navigator is really awesome! You get to hover around the surrounding and get a digital picture of them. Every sections were divided so you could listen to the guide according to each section of the building.

Gaudi has a unique taste in design. Some call it artistic, some call it bizarre. Gaudi, a madman or genius? The debate goes on. Most of the design look like the skeleton, some inspirations were from the shell texture and patterns. 

This whole building so fantasy-like. Or you would think you are Alice in wonderland.

The sea-themed designs

At the so-called garden :) Gaudi sure likes to play with colourful mosaics for his designs

Lovingg the watercolor-like scalloped motives on the pillars

Would have been perfect when there's snowww :( It's summer btw

Marble floor

Perpective design.

Spiral staircase

The rooftop of the building

I lingered for so long at the souvenir shop because I. so. wanna. bring. ALL. BACKKKKK

After visiting the mansion, I headed straight to Park Guell by metro. After reaching the station, you are required to walk quite a distance to reach the park. If you don't mind spending a little more, you could take a taxi which will save all the hassle. But it def cost a bomb! And what is travelling when you don't walk? I look for food on the way there for my hunger pangs. Grab and go buns and gelatos are my favs. Some bakeries there were really quite affordable too, much to my delight. 

Park Güell

Needless to introduce, many familiarise Barcelona with this place. And yes, as the name implied, it is indeed a park. It's actually huge, you have to buy a ticket to enter the monument area. The rest of the park is absolutely FOC. I didn't had the time to take a stroll at the park, which is pretty sad D:

The famous landmark of being a gingerbread house so yummyyy looking. The roof looked like frostings. It's actually a souvenir shop but you need to line up to enter as well *rolls eyes*

At the top, you could overlook the city and the Mediterranean sea. Too gorgeous and too loss for words.

Forget the cement bags

Irresistible souvenirs!!

Port Vell

Just chilling at this beautiful place. There were many things sold here by the walkway to the direction of Barcelonata beach which is just nearby.

Barcelonata Beach

One thing I never get tired of: gelotos. It's a sin not to eat em!

The beach is clean, I could have dipped my legs into the waves if I were wearing slippers!

La Rambla

Due to the recent terrorism, there was a place for people to offer their prayers to the victims. I had planned to buy a flower before my trip there, eventhough it's a small offering but I prayed with all my heart.

La Rambla is a long stretch of walkway around 1.2km and it's a famous street in Barcelona.

La Boqueria

 This is a must-go market when you're at La Rambla. Raspberry juice for one-euro, anyone?

 A rose and a prayer

Plaza Catalunya

Daytime was longer during my visit there. So when the sky starts to turn dark around 8.30pm-9pm. That basically sums up my first day in BCN. Stay tuned for the second part :)

Thank you for reading!

xx,

Suuuu.