Arriving In Barcelona

The flight was very good.  Loved that it was direct.  We boarded at 1830 and we were given a dinner and even a drink.  I had the chicken and white wine, Bernie had pasta and red wine.  It hit the spot.  Was it gourmet, nope, but the price was right.

I tried to sleep, but I never sleep on planes.  Instead I watched 3 movie!  The 6.5 hr flight went fast and soon they were coming around with breakfast -- yoghurt and a piece of sweet loaf type bread.  I ate the yoghurt, the loaf was way too sweet.

Once we are in the airport we start walking towards baggage only to encounter a long line.  At first we aren't sure what it is as we are still a distance from customs.  One staff is directing EU members to the left, connecting flight customers to the right.  The long line is for all other countries.  

The line moved but soon the line cleared the hallway only to be led into a snaking line in a different area.  In total it took 35 minutes to clear customs.  

We thought great our bags should be there already, nope.  We waited another 15 minutes for the bags (50 mins since getting off the plane).  But all were there!  Although we had tracked our bags with trackers so we knew they made it to Spain.

We are staying at Hotel Pere IV.  We have stayed in Barcelona a few times and have stopped here on cruises often too.  This time we decided on a hotel for the easy factor.  

Monika and Neil of Best Dreamy Vacations, who we booked with stayed here last month.  I checked it out and booked it.  The price was reasonable, in a quiet area, away from Las Ramblas and didn't require pre payment.

The hotel offered car service from the airport and again for the easy factor we opted for it.  Once we arrived at the airport, there was somebody with a sign and a list of names.  This person sets up the rides and within a about 10 minutes we were in a car on our way to the hotel.  

When we arrived at the hotel around 10 am we were able to store our bags and told to come back for noon when a room would be available.

We also wanted to buy a Sim card.  The front desk said to head to Westfield Gloria's Mall which was about a 10 min walk away.  It is right by the huge Glories Tower, that you can go up to see the view.  Hmmm an interesting shape.

The whole area is very trendy and lots of well known shops are here plus a few that we recognize as European. The first picture is taken in the mall with this huge fuseball table game.

We find the Orange Mobile store and the staff were very helpful.  We got a 4 week plan for 30 Euros that includes 100 GB of data, calling/texting features too.  They even put it in the phone. 

We then went into the grocery store and bought shampoo/conditioner, and soap.  To keep weight down when travelling we often do this, especially since we are on for so long.

We walk back to the hotel and even though it is only 1130 our room is ready.  It is a large room.  Minimal view but we don't care.  We also got vouchers for 2 free drinks in the bar or rooftop deck. Also breakfast is included.

I think within 15 minutes of getting in the room we were crawling under the blankets and sleeping.  We slept for 3 hours and now we will shower and go out.