2011年10月31日星期一

Montserrat, The Black Madonna

Montserrat的名字,是serrated mountain的意思,是天主教堂重要圣地之一。听说曾经在此有过圣迹。因此每年好多虔诚的教徒都前来朝拜。在山上还有宿舍,教徒还可以上来短期出家。

不过,像我这样的游客还是很多的。不是上来朝拜,只是上来观光。这座山,除了有这间重要的教堂,也是一个national park。好多运动爱好者选择hiking或骑脚踏车上山。我们看起来吃力,他们好像还是挺享受的。

如果不想这么辛苦,你还是可以乘搭火车上山。火车的时间表和票价可在此页寻到。

用完午餐,我们在观景台观赏这座山的全景。往往在这种时候,手上的相机,还有我三脚猫的功夫,怎么拍,还是不像眼睛看得漂亮。
Photobucket



Photobucket
看到那长长的轨道吗?可从巴塞罗那一路搭来。


Photobucket


这个教堂里,富丽堂皇,非常庄严。进入教堂,不用别人警告,你也会自然而然降低声量。教堂里的肖像,他们称为The Black Madonna。虔诚的教徒都会去排队,摸一摸,拜一拜。我们时间紧逼,当然没有排队。队伍可长了,我看至少得排上半个小时吧。
Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket

Jean Leon Winery

I drink alcohol, but I never study what is best. I drink whatever is served, and I tell you whether I like it or not. That simple. I've never heard of Jean Leon before this trip, but now I know. (Obviously I'm not going to tell you the story here, please read from the link yourself)

I could only come back with one conclusion, the wine was good! And, expensive too! This brand was selected to be served in one of the US President Inauguration.

The scenery from this vineyard wasn't as good as the one I went in Napa Valley, California. But one good thing about this, they allowed us to pluck the grapes! And eat them :) Very nice!

Photobucket
Don't be fooled by the look of the grapes, they tasted good and sweet!


Photobucket
The cellar


Photobucket
My glass of wine


Photobucket
Oh, Long Live the Grape!

2011年10月30日星期日

My First Fine Dining in Castle

The 3rd day of the trip was probably a wonderful day for shopaholic, but not us. It wasn't a bad day, but it wasn't a day we were eagerly looking forward too.

In the morning, the important people were supposed to attend meeting.
Photobucket
You could probably tell by now, that I like my window view. It was a good way to start a day :)


Photobucket
People like me wandered around while waiting for them to finish the meeting. So we walked to the beach nearby, the one you see from my window.


Photobucket
After enjoying sea breeze, and some naked people swimming, we insisted to try a cuppa in local cafe. We had a nice cup of coffee in a small humble cafe ran by this nice uncle. He understands limited English, so I ordered our coffee with some sign language. After that, I asked if I could take a photo of him, he asked if he needs to strip for me! :P


After lunch, the organizer decided to have a group photo in front of Museum of Contemporary Art of Catalunya at Montjuic. So we went uphill to Montjuic again.
Photobucket



Photobucket
And this time, I grabbed a chance to take a proper photo of this museum.


After the photo session, the tour brought us to La Roca Village. It is where all the shopaholic dream comes true. All the branded outlets were there. Some were actually very cheap. But the few of us came back empty handed, not our cup of tea. Instead, we spotted a humming bird!
Photobucket


After a good shopping, we had fine dining experience in a castle! The restaurant was called Restaurant Can Cortada. And I just found out that it was listed in Michelin too! But it was a shame that the food were prepared for a good 9 tour buses of us! The food was ok, but I bet it would be far better if they weren't prepared for tour groups.

It was my first time to be in a castle, not just visiting, but dining. The setting of the restaurant was pretty neat. During the dinner, we were entertained by Spanish traditional songs too! All of us got up to dance with them. It was quite an experience to me!
Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket

Cathedral of Santa Eulalia

说起这间教堂可好笑了。

第二天的行程,游完高迪的重点旅游景点以后,导游(又)把我们放在 La Rambla 附近。说可带我们到fresh market(不就是巴刹咯),和一间教堂。那巴刹在我们第一天乱乱走的时候,已经去过,所以没有兴趣。我们问导游教堂在哪里,我们自己去,就开始乱乱走。其实,到今时今日,我们还不知道是不是这间教堂。最神奇的是,回到房间研究地图良久,都不知道究竟这教堂叫什么名堂。我做功课之时,也从来没看见。

可是,管他呢?已经一点都不重要。因为,这间无意间找到的教堂,让我们同时爱上它的庄严。伤心的是,教堂正在辅修中⋯⋯高高的架子,是避不开的了。

免付费。如果各位到巴塞罗那,不妨去看看。旅游书是不介绍,但是我们所去的教堂,这家算是前三名最美丽最庄严的。值得走一趟。
Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket

2011年10月29日星期六

Park Guell

Park Guell (根据 Catalan念为wey),也是高迪的杰作之一。Eusebi Guell,高迪的朋友游览了英国之后,得到启发想要建一个housing site,于是便找高迪帮忙。可当时高迪实在太忙,于是只答应帮忙建筑housing site的common area。

可是,这个工程并不成功。建了两间屋子,都无人问津。后来高迪买下了其中一间,现在那间屋子也成为了高迪的博物馆。公园的入门是免费的,高迪的博物馆就得付费。

在网上的介绍都没写,但姐姐读的书说,Guell建筑这个地方的初衷,是把它作为工人宿舍。可是,工人还得自己出钱出力把工程完成!这么坏的老板,抵他死,工程不成功。

Photobucket



Photobucket
在那里耐心等候了很久,才等到没有人的时候。


Photobucket



Photobucket
在那里坐着五彩缤纷的石椅享受日光浴。


Photobucket



Photobucket
高迪特色彩砖


Photobucket
街边卖艺的人好多,这位姑娘很美,而且笑容满脸。


Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket
像童话故事里的糖果屋。


Photobucket


待续:无意间发现的一块宝

The Magnificent Sagrada Familia

The magnificent Sagrada Familia!

It is the icon for Barcelona, a MUST GO in Barcelona if you ever stepped foot in Barcelona.

The construction of Sagrada Familia commenced since year 1882. Antoni Gaudi, the designer and architect of this icon followed the construction through his death in year 1926. Till date, the construction is still ongoing. You can never get a perfect picture without any obstruction, so forget it!

They target to finish the construction at year 2026, to celebrate 100th anniversary of Gaudi's life. Maybe I should visit Barcelona again in year 2026 to have a good look of the finished project :)

Photobucket
The portion at left in this picture was newly built. While the taller portion, called Nativity Facade was built during Gaudi's time.


Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket
The internal structure of Sagrada Familia.


Photobucket



Photobucket



Photobucket
The exit of Sagrada Familia, I really love the antique stone door.


Next: Another famous work of Antoni Gaudi