After flying all night in a crowded, HOT plane we arrived in Spain at 5:30pm. The adventure began with driving the freeways through Barcelona. But, Pete did a great job, and Bruno managed to get the on-board GPS changed from Spanish to English. Once that was accomplished, we were on our way! We arrived at Hotel Cap Roig around 8:00pm. Checked in and made a dash to their dining room for a late dinner.
This is the view from the deck of our hotel room. Our hotel was almost deserted, it was so creepy. We were definately the only Americans there. By the weekend though it got much busier.
Our first full day in Spain we just layed by the pool, when in to town for lunch, and then back to the beach. It was nice to relax after such a taxing flight. This is taken from the pool area of the hotel.
The walkway led down to the water side. There was a walkway going the opposite direction that led to the hotel's small sandy beach.
The far side of the beach wasn't as protected so it was windier. You can see the town of Platja d'Aro in the distance. That was the town where we went for lunches and dinners. Having eaten two nights at the hotels dining room, that was enough.
This is where we parked our butts. The water was cool, but refreshing.
After our relaxing day the previous day we decided to do some sight seeing. Our goal was to drive to France. But along the way we stopped at the monestary of Sant Pere de Rodes, an old Benedictine monestary dating back to the 10th century.
After touring the monestary we made our way down the mountain to this lovely Mediterranian village called Port de la Selva. We had a light lunch, then headed north to France. Uncertain as to what awaited us at the border we were very surprised that we didn't even have to stop, they waved us right on through! Now that's a relaxed border crossing. We went to a beach town called Argeles Sur Mer, but decided we wanted to go in land to see a real French town.
So we went to a little town called Le Boulou. We walked the streets, took a few pictures and got a pain au chocolat at the patesserie.
Little house next to the train tracks in Le Boulou, France. Entering back into Spain wasn't any different, just waved us through.
On our way to find the castle di Montgri we stumbled across this medeival town called Pals. It was fabulous. Every where you went there was a picture worth taking. We walked the windy little streets, sat in an outdoor bar and had a drink.
This was another medeival town we went to the next day. There were several of these little towns within a few miles of each other. But Pals was by far the best preserved and most beautiful. Out of everything I saw in Spain, Pals was my most favorite and memorable.
Ruins of Ullastret, a town from the 5-3rd century BC. The more "modern" Ullastret was not far away.
We said goodbye to the beach and headed back to Barcelona where we were to meet up with the other couple hundred Electrical Contractors. Our hotel in Barcelona.
Our first night in Barcelona with all the NECA people we went to this restaurant called Can Travi Nou. The big head people entertained the kids, but they would have freaked our kids out if they'd been there.
The restaurant was covered with bouginvilla. It was beautiful. It was a good dinner with typical Spanish food. Some pretty good paella!
Part of our package was a hop-on hop-off tourist bus. We rode the bus and listened to the narration while we drove around town. This is Camp Nou. Where FC (Football Club)Barcelona plays. Football (soccer) is huge in Spain and FC Barcelona is a favorite. While we were in Spain there was a large football match going on, the Europe2008. We watched Spain beat Italy (first time in 88 years!), then Russia, to go to the finals with Germany. Our last night in Barcelona Spain beat Germany to win the Euro08! It was exciting!!
A building down at the marina.
A building by Antoni Gaudi.
Our last night with the NECA group we were taken to the Codorniu Winery.
Where we were greeted by musicians and lots of cava, Spanish sparkling wine.
We hopped in trams and were taken on tours of the underground caves where they store the bottles of cava.
95% of the worlds sparkling wines comes from this region in Spain, 400 million bottles a year.
After our tour of the caves, we were awed by these performers.
Flamenco dancers performed for us after dinner.
On Friday, June 27th we said good-bye to the rest of our Electrical Contractor friends and headed to Madrid for two nights.
Pete and Nancy enjoying the comfort of first class travel. The only way to go!
Our train hit 301 km/h, but averaged in the high 200's.
View from our hotel room terrace in Madrid.
This church faces the King's Palace.
This was actually once the "hunting lodge" of the King of Spain. Today it is used for State dinners and special occasions of the King and Queen of Spain.
They just don't make buildings like these in the U.S.
Our last night in Madrid we went to the "Oldest Restaurant in the World" according to Guinness World Records. Founded in 1725, Botin's has been in that exact location under that name ever since. The food was pretty good too!
A sangria pitcher at Botin's.
Our hotel in Madrid, and the crowds that went a long with it. Even though it was always this busy, or more, you couldn't hear the crowds from your room. They had great sound proof windows and doors.
Our last night in Madrid. The crowds are incredible. This picture was taken at 11:00pm, and this is a small crowd! This street during the afternoon was literally wall-to-wall people.
After leaving Madrid we went back to Barcelona for one more night. We had time to hit a couple more sights before we left. Temple de la Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudi's most famous work. Started in 1882, Gaudi worked on this project for over 40 years before his death in 1926. Today the structure is just over 50% completed. They say, it may be completed by 2026.
Tony and James.
Teresa's middle son, James, helping Tony on his new 4-wheeler.
Sitting in the shade, Tony, John, Art and Bruno.
It's present time. A tippy cup and a bib from FCBarcelona.
Who cares about the clothes, I'm happy with my new football.
Tony loves balls. He got this full-size football, a full-size basketball and another smaller football. Not to mention a couple t-ball toys.
Cake time! I think he's liking it.
I think the girls thought that was the only cake and were worried they weren't going to get any, so they helped themselves.
Little Tony surrounded by girls; Sophia, Aubrey and Nicole.
Teresa's oldest son, Jeffery, Alex and Bruno.
Teresa and her Dad, Art.
Nicole and Aubrey watching Scout from under the fence.
Saying good-bye. Thanks for inviting us to your birthday party, Happy Birthday!!
