It is a lovely Fall day. It is cooler but the sun is shining. So we can’t ask for more.
When we finally do get off around 10 am we pass the shuttle service (5E each for roundtrip) and we were going to take the pier services shuttle (4E each or 3E one way) but it was not in the spot that we had experienced previously. So we both said lets just catch a taxi. For 15 E we are dropped off at the Ramblas. Note the pier shuttle service is now located beside the port building. I found it and took a picture that I will add later.
We walk up the Rablas but it is busy (not crazy busy like we have seen in the summer but busy for us).
Our first stop is the Market where we stop and enjoy a Cappuchino and a pastry. At first I thought what a weird looking pastry but oh my did it taste good. In fact we bought a second one to give to Amel (bartender in Vines).
We explore the market a bit more and want to buy a few things but we don’t really want to lug it around with us right now. So we will come back.
We end up walking East and letting our feet and our senses guide us. We strolled and gawked and stopped in a few stores. As we kept heading East and North we see fewer and fewer tourists and more locals.
I suddenly recognize where we are – at the Arch de Triumph. We came here last year to start a tour. Boy we have walked far. But nothing is really that far in Barcelona and if you can walk easily it is an easy city to get around.
I am enjoying this afternoon. Bernie keeps asking if there is anything that I want to buy and I really can’t think of anything.
Sure there are some nice things and I do glace at them but I have to pass. I really am missing the lovely soaps that I was going to buy in France (but was not able to because we missed the port) so we do stop as some shops that sell some lovely soaps but at 5.60 E per 100 g and when I ask how much does this soap weigh and it comes in at 160g I realize that is an expensive bar of soap and I can not justify spending just under $20 Canadian for it. So we move on.
After a few hours of strolling around we are back in the Gothic Quarter and I love the shops around here. Although more and more big brand names are taking over forcing out the smaller quaint shops.
Bernie wants to go back to the market and when we do it has gotten noticeably busier. We stop and pick up some nuts from the candy/nut stall. I take some pictures and people watch.
Our next stop is at a grocery store. We do have a list of some things we need to replenish or buy. Always interesting trying to figure out exactly if it is the right item by reading the labels. Thankfully we have Google Translator but even then it can be a guessing game.
We pick up two bottles of wine, conditioner, some bars of soap (I don’t care for the shower gel on board and those small bars just don’t cut it), makeup remover wipes, air freshener. We also buy a few treats for the crew.
Back down at the Columbus Monument we spot the pier shuttle bus and board it for 3 e each. You can walk it in probably 40 minutes but we have already logged 17,000 steps so we are good.
Once back on board at 3 pm we head to the Horizon Court for a light lunch. I do miss the Royal and the Caribbean’s buffet. This is the old style, although it is good, the selection is old school and I miss all the variety I got on the other ships. But hey the food is good here and I am not starving so it will work.
I am tired this afternoon and we both are feeling like we are hitting the wall. Sometimes it is obvious to ourselves, but sometimes it needs to be pointed out. I am sure you understand.
Back in the cabin we agree a nap is in order. And boy what a 1 hour’s siesta can do to recharge those batteries.
We dress for dinner and are out the cabin at 7:30 but once again Vines is packed! There are no seats anywhere in the Atrium. Most people sitting are waiting for tables in the dining room or for second seating in the dining room.
At first we head to the dining room but decide to wait. We feel kind of lost. As much as we don’t want to be creatures of habit we are. We miss having our glass of wine in Vines and then heading to dinner. But as we sit and ponder we see that a lot of pagers are going off. This is the time!
Between 7:30 and 7:45 is when the tables are being called we see.
A table in Vines opens up and we take it. Ahhh we are sitting enjoying our wine and we have some sushi. Again great sushi! We spot Andreas the HGM and he says hi and we comment about the seats and he agrees and is going to arrange to get more placed in the Atrium.
We spot Juan and Victor and we decide to all go for dinner together. We are sat at a table for six but it is just the four of us.
The meal was lovely and the company even better.
After dinner we head up to their cabin for some prosecco and enjoy the balcony and the sights of Barcelona. But their neighbor is not happy with us being outside, he opens up their door and complains that they are trying to sleep and that after 10 pm you are suppose to be quiet. We apologize but say it is actually after 11 pm you are suppose to be quiet and we are enjoying sail away. So we head inside.
But even that does not make him happy so just before 11 we leave and head down to the Atrium where we continue our fabulous evening.
Observation today: While walking past the Captain Circle’s Desk today I spotted a sign that said the Most Travelled had so many days – I believe it said 1400 days (sorry don’t have the picture handy) and that the cut off for the 40 Most Travelled Party was 638 days. We did qualify. We are not at the bottom but we are not that far off. It will be a luncheon on the second sea day.
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