Next stop. . . Barcelona, Spain!

Here is dear mother-in-law and I overlooking the Beautiful city of Barcelona, Spain!

The weather was PERFECT! The day was sunny and warm and the sights were UNREAL!

We had a blast taking in the city:





























This next photo is a modern day billboard on one of the buildings that I thought was kinda cool:



But then, I liked the 'homemade' one even better:



Here's what the little taxis looked like:



And just like Rome and other parts of Italy, they also had scooters everywhere in Barcelona:



Oh! And then, of course we had to stop at a sword and knife shop! I mean, when in Barcelona. . .




And then we come to GAUDI! I mean this architect was AMAZING! You can't visit Barcelona or Catalonia Spain and not visit some of his amazing buildings and artwork.



His name was Antoni Gaudí. He was born on the 25th of June in 1852. To say he was brilliant would be an understatement! He was definitely 'unconventional' and always thinking outside the box! I don't think he even knew how to draw a straight line! (just kidding) He used the natural environment and surroundings to draw from when creating his designs. He definitely pushed the envelope with his more rounded, whimsical and colorful projects (far removed from the square and traditional designs of others before him) Hence, we now have the the term 'gaudy'--when describing something 'over the top'.

He was a master at combining the traditional elements with amazing ornamentation and truly imaginative designs. You can see for yourself in the following photos:





















This poster encapsulates perfectly the creative genius of Gaudi:



And then we come to the unfinished masterpiece of this man:



The Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia--which means Expiatory Temple of the Sacred Family. This project was begun in 1882! Gaudi worked on this massive creation for nearly 42 years--right up until he was struck by a trolley and killed in 1926. Apparently he didn't leave any written plans for the continuation of this great project.

But he did construct a model of his vision for the cathedral--and a few notes and drawings. So work continued on la Sagrada until a fire in 1936 destroyed all of the notes and designs he left. Then in 1952 work began again--but there was much debating and disagreements

And amazingly--construction is still underway today, with the aid of volunteer builders. You can actually tour the constructed areas. If you do visit the museum there, you will be able to watch stone cutters cutting the stones required for the construction. Also there is a model displayed of what the final Sagrada Familia will look like. I don't think I'll be able to go back and see the completed project--as it slated to be done in approximately 80 years!



OK--I went NUTS at the Sagrada Familia! The facade of the building, the statues, the spires--I just couldn't stop taking photos--because. . .well, it was TOO much! So you'll just have to see the rest in my lil' slide show! I hope you enjoy it--but trust me--it is more fun to actually BE THERE and see it up close and personal!

Cruise Ship Essentials. . .Friends, Fun, Frolic & FOOD!

Well. . . this is a MUST READ for those of you who would like to brave the seven seas and decide to take the PLUNGE and spend some hard-earned cash to go on one of those 'fabulous cruises'. . .

This little beauty is the Carnival Freedom from which I toured the Mediterranean.

Everything on this baby was BIG--with the exception of the staterooms. The word 'cozy' comes to mind (if cozy describes a miniature closet consisting of a couple of child-sized beds with a TV, mini-bar & bathroom. The bathroom was DEFINITELY the model of efficiency--because you could use the 'toilet' while showering AND brushing your teeth at the sink at the same time!

Now I really can't complain because we had an 'ocean-view' room and the window was VERY large. (Which of course, made the room look even smaller by comparison)

But since I spent most of my time OUTSIDE my room--it really didn't matter, since the rest of the ship was massive--and there was plenty of entertainment on the ship as well as the ports of call.



This was a 'whale of a tail' on the back part of the ship (aft) The eye-catching red color made it easier to distinguish this ship from other whales that might be migrating in the area--since most of their tails are dark blue or black.



In front of the 'tail' was this ginormous flat panel TV. It came with a great sound system and if you couldn't find anything else you wanted to do--you could come out and watch TV on this big screen.



There was an awesome spa and fitness center and outdoor walking track, (which I visited every day religiously)shops, bars, restaurants, theater, casino, library, internet cafe, sports courts, dance floors, hot tubs, pool. . . and what cruise ship would not be complete without a water slide? Certainly not this one!



And here is the 'mascot' of the 'FREEDOM SHIP' which was displayed in the main lobby:



OK--let me just cut to the chase here--because what most folks are REALLY after is the FOOD! And I'm talking food, glorious food! All you can eat--all day and all night and THEN some! 24 hour room service, the lido deck is open with buffets to tempt even the most discriminatory ex-members of 'over-eaters anonymous'. . .

Try some of the bread:



How about a little shrimp appetizer?



This is a pork chop entree:



And then we must top it off with some 'warm chocolate melting cake with a side of ice cream' (I believe this was the original sin that was used to tempt Eve when the apple wouldn't get her attention):



And for those of you who are not into decadently rich chocolate (although I can't imagine who in the world WOULDN'T BE) there is always baked Alaska:



And if you didn't get enough to eat during breakfast, lunch dinner, between meal snacks, fourth meal, late-night snack, and FIFTH meal--not to worry! They bring out the MIDNIGHT GRAND BUFFET to try and whet your appetite! These people have no MERCY! Resistance is futile. . .



















And of course you can't have a GRAND BUFFET without a giant ice sculpture to show how lavish and utterly supreme the event is. . . this one happened to be a giant dragon--and it took up most of the sneeze guard covering one whole SIDE of the buffet!





And just in case there isn't enough drool dripping off your chin and soaking your keyboard. . . you can peruse my slide show where there are more amazing culinary delights to torment you into trying to lick your monitor!

And now we come to one of the MUST HAVES of any cruise. Of course, I'm talking about the 'towel art' that greets you in your room when you retire for the evening. Along with a clean room, turned down sheets, mints on the pillow, and the next day's events printed out for your viewing pleasure and left on your bed--there is also the piece de resistance. . . which is an animal made out of towels left on your bed.

These little creatures are talismans of good fortune and are not to be trifled with. I took a picture of a few of them that appeared nightly in my room for a brief visit. Not ALL of them were so cooperative. Many were camera shy and did not stay to be photographed, alas!

Can you guess what they are????











And last, but certainly not least, we come to FRIENDS! Making new friends is part and parcel of cruising. . . and making good friends out of the wait staff is paramount to getting everything you ever wanted in the way of edible delights! (also they will even serenade and dance with you) I called these guys the 'Three Amigos':



First there was Arthur:



And then there was Martin:



Of course, old friends are a definite must! Here is my mother-in-law with her good friend, who became my friend too! I learned a awful lot about jugs from this woman. And if you need further clarification--well. . . that would take up another entire post!





Suffice it to say--this cruise was definitely filled with friends, fun, frolic and food. . . and the saga is going to be continued in the next few posts! WHEW!