18 MAY.DAY 12 : PART I,BARCELONA DAY ONE.
MOROCCO,SPAIN,PORTUGAL TRIP.
Screenshot of map gives only limited information.On the other hand "interactive map"created by me in google"my maps" gives much much more information.For interactive map Go Here.
With this link interactive map will open in newwindow.
To navigate through this map use the left vertical panel of the map:
1.Size of the map can be vried by zooming-in or zooming-out as with normal map. For details zoom-in.
2.Panel gives contents of the map which are self explainatory Placeing the cursor on any point say,Plaza Catalunya, in this panle, will show location of Plaza Catalunya on the map ringed by a white circle.
A click on the same point will open a panel in map itself showing information about Plaza Catalunya.Zoom in to see details of Plaza Catalunya.All the place panels have atleast one photo of that place .If you want to see all the photos of Plaza Catalunya,you Go Here or go to link https://goo.gl/5FdPMJ. This will open photos of not omly Plaza Catalinya but for all of Barcelona of 18 May.
3.Similar action can be repeated for all the points in interactive map.
Day 12,18July 2017.
Reached at Atocha Railway Station Madrid at around 9 AM.Boardede Bullet train for Barcelona aroud 9:30. The coach had a luggage compartment at either end .It had limited capacty.Our group was travelling with lot of luggage.Luggage compartment could not accommodate all the luggage and we had to keep our luggage in luggage compartments of other coaches. Local Travellers were amusused by the amount of luggage we were carrying. Left for Barcelona at around 9:30 reached Barcelona Saints Railwau station around 1:30 PM. The Coach mcoach had digital displays giving information of train number, temperature, time ,Coach number and speed in kilometers per hour.Ride took almost 3 hours at an average speed of around 300 KMs/hr.The entire ride aws very smooth and Silet without too much sideways movment.
Our coach was waiting at the Barcelona Saints Railway Station.From the station we left for Om India restaurant where we had lunch. En Route to the restaurant saw many interesting sitghts, buildings and monuments.As usual took photographs from moving coach.After lunch first place to be visited in Barcelona was Plaza catulyna.
But before that some info about Barcelona.
BARCELONA.
Barcelona Attractions.
Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia,It is the largest metropolis on the Mediterranean Sea,It is a city with Roman remains, medieval quarters and the most beautiful examples of 20th century Modernism and avant-garde.
Founded as a Roman city, in the Middle Ages Barcelona became the capital of the County of Barcelona. After merging with the Kingdom of Aragon, Barcelona continued to be an important city in the Crown of Aragon as an economic and administrative centre of this Crown and the capital of the Principality of Catalonia.its long history and economic dynamism have made Barcelona a cultural city, which can be seen in the historic-artistic heritage and the promotion of the most innovative artistic trends.Barcelona is one of the world's major tourist, economic, trade fair and cultural centres, and its influence in commerce, education, entertainment, media, fashion, science, and the arts all contribute to its status as one of the world's major global cities. It is a major cultural and economic centre in southwestern Europe, Since 2011 Barcelona has been a leading smart city in Europe .
Strolling around the streets of Barcelona will bring surprises at every turn. Pedestrian streets in the old quarter, green spaces, and a splendid seafront with a range of modern facilities are a reflection of its multi-faceted character. Barcelona has cleverly succeeded in embracing its past without forgetting its commitment to the future. The city is endowed with some exceptional infrastructures which are in demand as venues for seminars, symposia and international events. Its exceptional transport connections, the Mediterranean climate and the multitude of attractions for visitors make Barcelona one of the world's leading business cities.
PLAZA CATALUYNA.
Plaza Catalunya.
Photo courtesy wikipedia . Work of Tango 7174.
My photo
After the medieval city walls were demolished in the 19th century, ambitious designs for the city's public spaces were conceived under the guidance of notable urban planners .Two plans were submitted both around 1859. However due to disagreement between Barcelon and Central Govt,no agreement could be reached about either plan Finlly as a comrpomise plan by architect Puig i Cadafalch was approved. This resulted in the current enormous square, created between 1925 and 1927.The square occupies an area of about 50,000 square meters.
This lively Square is the heart of Barcelona nad is beating strongly.A favourite meeting point it's also the geographical space that separates the districts of Ciutat Vella and the Eixample(suberbs adjucent to the city).
Steeped in history,the Plaça de Catalunya is the nerve centre of the Catalan capital.The Plaça Catalunya, with its large shopping centres and department stores, is constantly teeming with people. It is Barcelona's most central area and a favourite meeting place for locals and visitors. It also connects the suberbs out lying the city and the old town.It is especially known for its fountains, its proximity to some of Barcelona's most popular attractions, and the flocks of pigeons that gather in the center.
Out of very large number of big,beautiful and magnificant allogorical statues in black as well as in white marble.Details about only four of the statues could be traced after lot of googling.The statues about which detais were obtained,are The statue, entitled "La Deessa o l"'Enigma" (The Goddess or the Enigma)By JosepClara,1927, Monument a Francesc Macià, honoring the former president of the Generalitat (the Catalan government). The sculpture was created in 1991 by Josep Subirachs,Pastor del flabiol, "The Shepherd of flabiol)" by Pablo Gargallo, El forjador (The Blacksmith): the stone version by josep llimona and one Allegorical statue of Barcelona on a horse back from Frederic Mares.Details about them are annoted in the photos.Despite best efforts and extensive search on google and various sites, could not find details about any other statues.Most probably two other statues, one of nude with up-raised arms around her head is by Pablo Gargallo.
Some Photos from Plaza Catalunya.
Plaza Catalunya.
Plaza Catalunya.
Barcelona on horse back.Plaza Catalunya.
Plaza Catalunya.
Le Deesa ,
Plaza Catalunya.
If you want to see all the beautiful photos plesae go to abbum for 18 May ,Day 12, Go Here or to the link https://goo.gl/5FdPMJ.
After this we went for a walk on La Rambala .
LA RAMBALA.
Central walkway,flanked by road on either side.
Photo Courtesywikipeia,work of Ralf Roletschek.
La rrambala is a street in central Barcelona, popular with tourists and locals alike. A tree-lined pedestrian mall, it stretches for 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) connecting Plaça de Catalunya in the centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell. La Rambla forms the boundary between the quarters of Barri Gòtic, to the east, and El Raval, to the west.
La Rambla can be crowded, especially during the height of the tourist season. Its popularity with tourists has affected the character of the street, with a move to pavement cafes and souvenir kiosks. It has also suffered from the attention of pickpockets and sex workers,especially towards its southern end.Fortunately we were spared their attention.
The Spanish poet Federico García Lorca once said that La Rambla was "the only street in the world which I wish would never end."
Two other web sites which gives detailed and interesting info with photos about La Rambala 1.:https://goo.gl/M8waen and 2.https://www.barcelona.de/en/
After spending some time in Plaza Catalunya and taking lot of photographs we left for La Rambla Street which is within 5 minutes walk from the plaza.After working a short distance along La Rambala we realised that all that we had heard and read about this street was no exaggeration. La Ambala is really full benches provided for the visitors.You can just watch the flow of the people going around you and observe the various activities in which they insulge,We also had a little bit of excitement.When we were relaxing on a bench saw one mini bus jump the pavement. The engine sump of bus got cracked and the mini bus started smoking, as if it was about to catch fire. Some one rang up the police and fire brigade. police was there within a couple of minutes and fire brigade not much later. Reaction time of the police and fire brigade was really commendable. As oiur RV time with the coach was gettin near we started back for Plaza catalunya .
Some photos of La Rambala.
If you want to see all the beautiful photos plesae go to abbum for 18 May ,Day 12, Go Here or to the link https://goo.gl/5FdPMJ
Church of our Lady of Bethlehem.La Rambala.
Entrance gate Church of our Lady of Bethlehem.La Rambala.
The Virreina Palace.La Rambala.
Theatre Del Liceu.La Rambala.
Erotic Museum.La Rambala.
Fire Brigade and Police on the jobto attend to suspected fire ,white minibus.
From Plaza catalunya we proceeded to the seafront. Some interesting sights and photo session at the seafront .
From seafront we went to Bollywood Indian Restaurant. via the Columbus square and the old custom building .
Some photos of seafront
If you want to see all the beautiful photos plesae go to abbum for 18 May ,Day 12, Go Here or to the link https://goo.gl/5FdPMJ
Fish like structure,Catches your eye.Seafront..
More private yachts.Seafront..
Torre Mapre(on the right), & Hotel Arts a 5 ster hotel on the left.Both Height 505ft .Seafront..
Look at the number of private yachts & boats.Seafront..
Bollywood Indian Restaurant decor consisted of Indian actors of the years gone by.There were photos of Nadia the fearless, Shakila, Sashikala, Madhubala , Nutan, Smita Patil , KL Saigal, Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Motilal, KN Singh, Pran, Dilip Kumar etc to name a few. It was a pleasant surprise to see the Bollywood Super stars of our younger days.
After dinner proceeded to Hotel Saint Cugat,.which was some distance away from city center.Called it a day.
AC Hotel Saint Cugat.
Our room.
Bed a welcome sight
END OF DAY 12,18 May 2017.
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