Part Two Spain Selfies

Spain Selfies!

Back on the motor coach on our way to Valencia. That evening, we had a fabulous paella dinner 

at a family restaurant, La Marcelina, along the beach. 

The clouds had rolled in and the wind was up but still nice. 

Wednesday- June 12, 2019 Valencia was another fun place to tour the old city center.

Pastor and I were the only ones of our group to climb to the top 

of the Catholic church's bell tower for a great view of the city.

Below is me trying to get down the stair way before the hour bell struck.  Too late.

As I was descending the bell tower the bell started tolling the hour.  Very LOUD!

We said good bye to Valencia and drove along the coast again-

this time to our final stop together-Barcelona.

Thursday-June 13, 2019 Barcelona is a great place for selfies if you love the water like I do.

With the morning free, I set up a sail boat ride.  

For two hours on the Mediterranean Sea, it was a lovely day for a sail.  

The above two were taken by the skipper as I sat up front.  

Then I decided I needed to lay down on the boat as well 

because isn't that what you do when you are sailing?

Back into the city for the afternoon of sight seeing including the still unfinished, 

Sagrada Familia Basilica, Gaudi's masterpiece. 

He really wanted to engage people on the outside of the church to come inside.

Inside is quite unique for a worship space.

Gaudi had a school built for children, too. Again, unique.  

I am outside the school with the fabulous, fragrant flowers.

We finished up the afternoon near La Ramblas and I went 

into the biggest department store in Spain, El Corte Ingles.

It reminds me of Harrod's of London where you can also buy 

cooked food and yes, chocolates!

After eating a couple of chocolates, I had a chance to walk the famous La Ramblas

stroll which eventually takes you to the ocean/harbor where I had started the day.

Friday-June14, 2019 

Time for the group to go our separate ways and leave Barcelona.

All are flying out but me, as I am taking the high speed train again.

This time from Barcelona to Zaragoza, the capital of Aragon.

I walked to the train station and inside checked out the FB store for the Barcelona team. 

The morning I went sailing one couple toured the soccer stadium.  They are a very popular team!

Arrived in Zaragoza inside their modern almost geodesic train station.  

I got there in plenty of time to check into my hotel and to see the two places I had planned.

(Remember the sun does not go down until 9:45!)

My hotel was within walking distance from the train station.  

Fragrant flowers again outside my hotel. In another post I will show the hotel.

The Aljaferia Palace was within walking distance from the hotel a different direction. 

Again, Moorish architecture then transformed later by a Catholic ruler. 

The keyhole arch.  

 Inside through the arch.  Coat of arms above the door.

The Courts of Aragon.

Here is the courtyard for keeping cool.  

Look at the tracery!  Beautiful!

After I walked back and had a quick snack, 

I took a bus downtown along the river to the Basilica. 

Beautiful inside and out!  There was worship (mass) going on inside 

and a medieval festival in the town square. Busy Friday night for families.

Saturday-June 15, 2019 Zaragoza

Time to take one last high speed train-back to where 

I flew in almost 2 weeks before-Madrid

My flight was late enough in the day, I planned to visit 

one museum across the street from the train station.  

All went well, as I arrived and found an empty locker to store my luggage 

while I went to the Modern Art Museum-Reina Sophia.

There is a connector between the old building and the new and on the upper level where I am here you are also open to the city below.  

After touring the museum, I went to the attached outdoor cafe for 

one last meal in Spain.  Beautiful day to be outside in a garden cafe.

Spain Selfies done for now!