Casa Milà aka La Pedrera

Location: Passeig de Gràcia 92
Coordinate: N41°23.6907′ E2°09.6932′
Website: http://www.lapedreraeducacio.org/eng/index.htm
Operation: 9.00am - 8.00pm - winter months close at 6.30pm. Last entrance half an hour before the closing time. Discount for Barcelona card holder.

Casa Milà, or better known as La Pedrera which means "quarry". We came here to check out which one to visit, either Milà or Batlló. Both building are wonderful building built by Antonio Gaudi. We were at Casa Batlló, but since it is just nearby, we came here to have a look before deciding to buy the ticket. By then, we decided to visit Batlló. Hence we just took photos from outside.

Casa Milà was built between 1906 - 1910, meant to be an apartment. From the facade, one could see the wrought iron decoration of the balconies and windows. It is constructed entirely in natural stones. Hence from outside, it is not colorful as Casa Batlló. One of the reason we didn't visit due to the first impression from the outside, a bit dull I guess. Hahaha...

Nevertheless, the wall was quite magnificent. It does not goes in straight lines. The wall does looks like a series of waves. Was wondering how could one do it so well, despite the technology at that time not advance compared with what we have today!!!

The building was declared World Heritage by UNESCO in 1984.

More information could be found at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_Mil%C3%A0
http://www.aviewoncities.com/barcelona/casamila.htm
http://www.gothereguide.com/casa+mila+barcelona-place/

Casa Batlló

Location: Passeig de Gràcia, 43, Barcelona
Coordinate: N41°23.5072′ E2°09.9039′
Contact: +34 93 216 03 06
Website: http://www.casabatllo.es/en/
Operation: 9.00am - 8.00pm. Close on Christmas and New Year. Entrance fees apply. Discount applicable to Barcelona card holder. The ticket price was €14.55 when I visited the place, and am Barcelona card holder. And also the price is inclusive of the audio guide which could help one understand better Gaudi's masterpiece inside.

Officially, this is the first day we visiting Barcelona. We were not sure whether to visit which casa, and at the end Casa Batlló was chosen. Reason? The exterior is more colorful and nicer compared with Casa Milà. Don't get me wrong as I never visited both places, but we will only visit 1 place. We went to both Casa, using our Barcelona card to travel, and we came back to Casa Batlló for the visiting.

From outside, the design layout is different with its neighbour. It is very colorful and unique in its own way. I was imaging the facade design looks like the mask that usually people will put on for function, those movie I've watched on the tv. Haha... Is it the idea comes from here? In fact, some says that it looks like the building was made from skulls and bones, and hence the local name for the building is Casa dels ossos (House of Bones).

The building was built in the year 1877. Later, the owner Josep Battló Casanovas orignally planned on demolishing the building and re-building. However, Gaudi managed to convince the owner that this is not necessary, and that renovation would be sufficient. In 1904, the renovation work begun and completed in 1906.

In general the whole house gives one the filling that the whole place is alive, particuarly the inside of the house gives you a felling that you are inside in some kind of creature. The house is uniqe also because it has not a single straight line. Everything is narrow, it has planty of interesting and vibrant colors, abstract shapes and it is decorated with lot of different materials. Some of the area, I felt like wondering in the underwater world.

On the top of the house Gaudi has created a very unique tile roof which ressembles the back of a fantastic dragon (although this has never been confirmed). On the roof Gaudi also made one of his favourite motives a round tower with a floral dome, which is topped with the four-branched cross.

This photo was taken from upper part of the building. With this, I could captured the details of the tiles, where the upper part is darker in color compare with the lower, representing the tone color. With this, Gaudi believe that when the sunlight comes in, one could see an even color on the wall when the lights shine thru from the rooftop. This shows how every single details being taken care of by Gaudi in his masterpiece. Marvellous!!!

To learn more about this UNESCO World Heritage site, more information can be found on the following:
http://www.hikenow.net/Spain/GaudiCasaBatlloBarcelona.html
http://www.bcn-rentals.com/barcelona-guide/casa-batllo.html

Barcelona Cathedral @ Catedral de Barcelona

Location: Plaça de la Seu
Coordinate: N41°23.0791′ E2°10.5464′
Website: http://www.catedralbcn.org/
Operation: Everyday from 8.00am-12.45pm and 5.15pm-7.30pm
Free for the Cathedral not for the museum

The Cathedral is in the center of Gothic area, near to La Rambla. We took our own sweet time to walk over here after our lunch. Though it was our experience here, walking all the way here let us see the nice scenary as well as the old gothic area. When we reached here, we were not allow to enter to the Cathedral as it was over the entrance time. Disappointed we were.

We only manage to take some pictures from outside and enjoying the majestic building in front of us. I always like the Cathedral in Europe, as it always give me a sense of historical value, a soothing feeling as well. The handicraft and workmanship during while building the Cathedral, one will know the efforts and concentration given on making it.

The first stone of the current church was laid in the 13th century, but it would last until the early 20th century before the cathedral was fully completed. The church was named after Barcelona's patron saint Eulalia; its official name - Catedral de la Santa Creu i Santa Eulalia - is Catalan for Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia.

Once we were satisfied with the photos, we walked back to the La Rambla. Since it was Friday evening, we hope to catch more glimpse of the famous street, filled with the street performer as well as the souvenirs and painting.

It is worth to visit the Cathedral, and also enjoying the surroundings of the Gothic area. One just need to be extra careful at this area. For more information about the Cathedral, it could be access from the following:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barcelona_Cathedral
http://www.aviewoncities.com/barcelona/barcelonacathedral.htm

Las Ramblas Street

After we had our lunch, we continue our walk throughout Las Ramblas, the famous street in Barcelona. It is approximately 1.2 kilometres long, where one could enjoy people watching, street performer, human statue art, painting etc. Besides that, there are lot of restaurants and outdoor cafes to enjoy a cup of drinks in the cooling weather. It's just the start of winter season, so it is not as cold as Andorra and we no need to wear the thick winter clothing.

When we walked towards the end of the of the street, we reached upon the port, Port Vell it is called. Over here, we could see a complex with shops, IMAX theater and a very large aquarium. However, we didn't continue our walk to the shopping center, and make our turn back to the hotel direction where we were staying.

Just besides the Port Vell, there is a huge roundabout with Monument of Colombus in the middle of it. One could go up to the monument, but we didn't take the opportunity as it is getting dark. We just strolling back the street and enjoying the performance there. What amazed me that time was the clear sky and 'line' formed by the plane on the sky.

History:
Referred to both as La Rambla and Las Ramblas, the name derives from an old Arabic word 'ramla' meaning sandy riverbed, and indeed that's how this magnificent boulevard started - as a humble dried-out stream outside the walls of the Gothic Quarter. At the start of the 18th century the first houses were constructed, and only by the end of the 18th century did La Rambla start to appear in something like its present form, a sweeping tree-lined boulevard in the centre of the city. The street also known as Les Rambles in Catalan.

The streets that form the Las Ramblas are:
- Rambla de Canaletes
- Rambla dels Estudis
- Rambla de Sant Josep
- Rambla dels Caputxins
- Rambla de Santa Monica
- Rambla de Mar

There are many human statues on the street, where one could see while strolling down the street. There were many statues, where I only managed to captured some of them. There were alien, 'the mask', painters and many more.

I would recommend to stay at this street, as it is convenience to travel around. Actually we were staying at near to Placa Catalunya. We actually bought our Barcelona City Card over here, for 2 days. This include the unlimited ride of public transport as well as discount for entrance to places like Nou Camp, museums and many more. Besides that, the metro station just besides our walking distance, making our travelling easier.

More information about this street can be found on the following:
http://www.aviewoncities.com/barcelona/rambla.htm

http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com/en/ramblas/barcelona-las-ramblas.html

Euskal Restaurant

Location: Ramblas, 87, 08002 Barcelona

We just came from Andorra, and luckily we had a helpful cab driver asking the direction to our hotel. Once we had settled down, we came for this restaurant. This restaurant was recommended by Serene, she just came here few months ago. We came here to try out the paella and sangria.

It's quit easy to find this restaurant. Located at the famous La Rambla street, next to Mercat de Sant Josep, the famous market at La Rambla.

Inside the restaurant, it has 2 floors. However, we were sitting at the ground floor, as only 2 of us (my colleague & myself). The decoration is nice inside it, with multiple countries feeling like United Nation. However, I found the waiter quite slow when response to our request.

I've ordered a seafood (paella marinera) and beer as my lunch. It came in hot plate, which is meaning of paella, means "pan" in old French word. There are 2 shrimp in it, which I accidentally injured by tongue (bleeding) while eating it. Besides that, it also consists of mussels etc.


My colleague ordered mixed paella (paella mixta). It has chicken and mussels.

Overall, the food here taste nice, but I guess it's quite pricy. Based on the feedback from tripadvisor, the review for this restaurant wasn't good (based on the address of this restaurant). However, I just couldn't bother other people's review, but to try it myself first. It would be good to ask the price before ordering the food at this restaurant, just to make sure you won't get a surprise later on when the bill come.

Hotel Plaza Andorra

Location: C. Maria Plà, 19-21. AD500 Andorra la Vella (Andorra)
Coordinate: N42°30.4441′ E1°31.9724′
Contact: (+376) 879 444
Website: http://www.plazandorra.com/
Operation: Check in: 14 hrs / Check out: 12 hrs

Once we reached Andorra, we check-in to the hotel. By the time, I started to feels tired. Not able to sleep well during the flight, and we continue our journey straight away to Andorra from Barcelona. When we entered the hotel, it was a nice hotel, having sunray coming in from the rooftop of the hotel. The hotel is located in the midst of the shopping and business area.

In the middle of the lobby, there is a piano. However, during my stay here, I remember I never see someone playing the piano. Not sure if someone playing it while I'm away for work during the normal hour.

When entering my room, for me it's quite a nice decoration in the room. Guess there was no king size bed, they only combined 2 bed to become a single bed. Besides the bed, it was window facing the car park and a nice mountain view.

The hotel is equipped with basic thing. TV, water boiler etc. There is no iron and board for me to ironning my clothes. However, there is a machine attached to the wall, meant for ironning the pants. Not sure whether this is normal, but it was the first time I see the equipment.

The washroom was nicely decorated. It is very English-style, and 2 basins and mirrors. Very clean indeed.

Everyday the staff will replenish the shampoo and body shampoo. The hotel also provided hand cream to apply. The weather was cold, and hence our skin easily dry. Very thoughtful for the hotel to include the cream as well.

This is the view I see from my room everyday. At the mountain top, there was ice spotted. I was told by the local people here that the mountain will be covered by ice at the end of the year, and it looks more beautiful that time. I really enjoy the view over here.

However, the heater is always on, and I guess there is no controller for it. The same was told by another colleague. So I open the windows to let the cold wind comes in to neutralize the heat inside the room. Though facing car park, by night the area is very quite as by the shop closed quite early. Overall, I like the location and services provided by the hotel here.

Journey from Barcelona to Andorra

I was assigned for a business trip to Andorra for 3 days. Together with another colleague, both of us travelled to Barcelona via Singapore. Upon reaching the airport, we were waiting for our counterpart whom flew in from Madrid. Before starting our journey, we bought some waters. The journey took about 2.5 hours by cab from Barcelona to Andorra.

Andorra has less than 100,000 population with area about 467.63 km² (based on the information I've found in Wikipedia before my trip to Andorra). This is smaller than Singapore in term of population and the geographical size. Andorra is a small landlocked country in southwestern Europe, located in the eastern Pyrenees mountains and bordered by Spain and France where the official language is Catalan.

Though we were tired after 13 hours flight, we were excited to travel here. It was our first time to Andorra anyway, and hopefully it won't be the last as well. The weather wasn't good at the beginning, but turning to a better later on. I was captivated by the landscape while on the way there. Even though feels sleepy, I still make myself awake in order not to miss such a beautiful scenery.

The highway journey only about half the journey, then we turned into coastal road before reaching Andorra. We passed by a small city called "Guardiola"... familiar with the name? Current Barcelona FC coach is Josep Guardiola or better known as Pep Guardiola, we were not sure whether there is any relationship between these 2 names... Haha.... Since the name came out, the rest of the journey was associated with football.

Along the way, we also passed by a beautiful water dam. Since this is mountainous area, it should be a good area to have the water catchment area. Hence, this make our journey more pleasant. Besides that, we also passed by a small medieval town. However, we continue on with our journey hence not able to capture any photo with my iPhone. The nature beauty along the way captivated my heart, such a peaceful area without those rat race life in city.