Mooning around the Mediterranean

[drron29]

More of the sunset and night lights of Tarragona.

 

Then there were 2 Special shows before departure. The first was put on by nature with the rising moon.

 

[drron29]

The second was by the Volmar Devils of Serrallo. They are accompanied by drummers and in the Holy Week parades they accompany the Virgin of Carmen and St. Peter in the processions in Serralo. Because it is Holy Week the group was already together and we benefited. They twirl fireworks on their special maces and sceptres. So here they are.

 

[drron29]

And some more.

 

 

[drron29]

Slept in again in Barcelona as only a 9.30 excursion. Awoke to this view from our balcony.

 

The rest of the port that we could see.

 

Then our view became this as the MSC Grandiosa backed in behind us.

 

And then we prepared to be refueled.

 

[drron29]

Off on our excursion.

 

Then reached our destination with some interesting artwork on the walls.

 

[jpalbny]

Ron, those pictures look very familiar...If it's the place that I think it is, it's a great place to visit! We were there when we were in Barcelona before our Spirit cruise in November 2021.

[drron29]

I am pretty sure you do know where we went JP. Of great interest to our profession. It is the Hospital Sant Pau. Absolutely stunning. For me who first wandered into hospitals in the 60s it brought back many memories.

 

 

[drron29]

We started off underground. There are over 2 Km of tunnels connecting the buildings to provide all weather access to each building. We did have tunnels at my teaching hospital that I attended from 1966 to 1975. But nothing as elaborate or as beautiful as this place.

 

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

Brilliant decorations.

 

[drron29]

Some of the spaces are such relaxing areas it must have helped healing.

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

Reminiscent of wards in the 60s and 70s.

 

A radiologist's nightmare.

 

[drron29]

 

The kitchen.

 

[drron29]

Sterilising.

 

The doctors with 8 out of 18 women in 1984.

 

[drron29]

And now to the Admin block. decoration is a little more flamboyant.

 

[drron29]

And naturally the management get the best views.

 

[drron29]

The last of this incredible hospital.

 

But we now had a short walk to a more recognisable feature of Barcelona.

 

[drron29]

First though a refreshment stop.

 

Churros and dipping chocolate. Yum.

 

It looked a pretty good spot for tapas especially if you are like me and love anchovies.

 

Plenty of beer on tap.

 

[drron29]

The Sagrada Familia. The largest unfinished Catholic church in the world. Construction began on the 19th March 1882. Cobtrary to belief Gaudi was not the initial architect. It was Francisco del Paula de Villar. Gaudi took over a year later. The church was consecrated by Pope Benedict XVI on 10th November 2010 as a minor basilica. It was intended to finish construction in 2026 the centenerary of Gaudi's death but Covid put a stop to that.

 

We visited in 2004. The hop on bus stopped right outside. We wandered up to the ticket office and there was no queue and plenty of space inside. Now of course there are literally hordes of visitors, you must book online and obviously space is at a premium. Now continuing our walk to the Basilica.

 

 

Edited April 9, 2023 by drron29

[drron29]

We are now amongst the crowds at the Basilica.

 

[drron29]

 

[drron29]

 

Across the road they have a model of the Basilica as it should look when finished.

 

[drron29]

A couple of last shots as we walk back to the bus after a very interesting excursion.

 

Now on the bus.

 

Also in port an Aida and a Costa ship.

[drron29]

Back on board and up to the Pool deck for lunch. We found out that if you want a sun lounge that is free to be assured you need to book a B2B cruise and go to the pool on transit day.

 

But I decided to drink rather than swim.

 

Rojaan accompanied her wine with a chicken caesar salad whilst I went for the sizzling steak with Jalapenos.

 

Edited April 9, 2023 by drron29