Apologies for not continuing and completing my trip report. Because my luggage went Awol, I did not have the camera to Ipad lead to download my photographs. I intended to continue when I got to London but things got a tad hectic.
30 August 2018 Our last day in Europe.
I met Peggy at 9 this morning and we took a taxi to La Sagra Familia. We had not booked tickets to get in but thought being early would be in our favour. However, we were told by some officials that we would only be able to get tickets for the late afternoon. As we had planes to catch this would not suit us at all. “Try the ticket office over the road,” one of the officials advised. “They will tell you what your options are.”
And we were in luck! “I have a cancellation,” the receptionist informed us. “I can give you tickets for 9:30!”
One cannot miss La Sagra Familia when visiting Barcelona. It is his most famous work. and construction began in 1892. Work is still continuing and it will only be complete in 2030. The church presents an excellent depiction of the relationship between man, nature, and religion through its architecture and façade sculptures.
After spending an hour or so enjoying this beautiful basilica we got on the hop on hop off bus and made our way to Parc Guell
Parc Güell was built between 1900 and 1914 . Its lovely to walk around the garden and up the steep steps to the dynamically designed buildings, including Gaudí’s house. These buildings have the characteristic “trencadis” which are surfaces covered with irregular ceramic pieces.
We decided to take a taxi back to the hotel and then met up with Dirk to have lunch. He had found a lovely place which served a delightful buffet for only 12 euros each.
A delicious Spanish Lunch
We then spent some time looking at the market before Lolz and I had to get the bus to the airport.
And no, my luggage had still not been found and returned to me. So when we arrived at the airport we went to arrivals and the desk where we’d first reported the loss of our bags and asked if it couldn’t possibly be there. The young assistant phoned down to Lost and Found and after a lot of waiting a broad smile broke onto her face. “We have your luggage,” she reported. “Somehow the baggage number was confused and we didn’t know who the owner was! A porter will bring it up now!”
What a relief! I hugged that porter when he handed over my bag!
Diary of an Adventurous Retiree 