Spain Bus Tour

I met my new tour group at 8am in Barcelona and we made our way south to Cordoba. 

On this trip I will also visit Seville, Granada and Valencia. 

Map of Barcelona to Madrid

Map of Madrid to Cordoba

This is my 3rd bus tour and I find them of excellent value and a very comfortable way to travel but it does require patience. The mornings are very early, you have to go with the flow of when we make stops, how long they are, the slow walkers etc. But its all a small trade off. I love the interesting information the guides provide, the weather has been cold and wet and we conveniently get dropped off at the front door of monuments. 

Here are some interesting facts about Spain:

- they are the largest producer of olive oil and honey and in the top 3 for oranges

- unemployment rate is 20% :(

- the history is complex and very interesting with the struggles between the Arabs, Christians and the Jews

- Next to Italy, they are ranked 2nd as the worlds largest museum

There are mostly South American's on this trip, a couple from Italy, Australia, and a gent from New Zealand. The guide can speak all three languages! I was one of the last to get on the bus and I luckily sat in front of Tony. Tony is traveling on his own and is from Auckland. He was lots of fun to chat with and we took turns taking each others photo. 

Tony from Auckland, NZ

Our tour guide Ana (in middle) with
Wendy & Andrew from Australia

Madrid and the Flaminco Dance

I arrived in Madrid in the early evening after a long bus ride from Barcelona. I have signed up with a bus tour for the week and the first day I am with people only from South America (no English) before I switch to the English group the next day. But I will tell you they were the friendliest and kindest people to spend the day with!

From what I could tell from my short visit in Madrid is I love the layout and energy of the city! I had a hard time getting a feel for Barcelona. In Madrid, its a sunday night around 7pm and the streets are just hopping with people and all the shops are still open! But I couldn't get too carried away with sight seeing. I was due at Corral De La Roreria at 10pm for a Flaminco Dance show.

This place is listed in the book "1,000 things to do before you die", and one of the dancers has preformed for the Spanish Royal family. So they must be good right??? They were fantastic! The dancers would come out as a solo female, or 3 females or a solo male, accompanied by 3 vocalists (who clap with their palms) and guitar players.

I also went to a Flaminco performance in a cave in Granada. I wanted to include some video footage but it just won't upload. So these photos do not do the events any justice, but at least you get the idea...it's a lot of fancy tap dancing!

Barcelona, Spain

I recently arrived in Spain and my first stop is Barcelona. Even though it was only 12* I was so happy to see sunny skies, mountains and palm trees.  I spent a couple nights in the city and had one full day to tour. The highlight of the time was my visit to Park Guell. This place is mind blowing and the photos tell it all.

It is currently a municipal park located on a very large hill and features the architecture of Antoni Gaudi. Gaudi's architecture is rather unusual, flamboyant and the majority of his works are in Barcelona. 

It was a fair walk uphill to get to the park which continues higher to see the panoramic views of the city. 

One of the buildings at the entrance

Above these pillars is a public square

Angle D made it to Barcelona!

Me at the top of the park and Barcelona in the backdrop 

Bubble blower in the public square

Catalunya Musicians in the public square.
It was cold but the sun felt great and the
vibe from the musicians made for a perfect setting.

Close up of some of Gaudi's mosaics
 from the interior of the 'Serpents Bench'.

This is a photo of the exterior of the Serpent's bench
which encompasses 2/3's of the public square.

More of Gaudi's mosaics on a wall near
the entrance of the park.

Dragon in Guell Parc

Here is a sample of some of Gaudi's ceiling mosaics
in a covered area of the park.

The Galbraith-Versailles Curse!!!

 If your last name is Galbraith don’t bother going to Versailles! I had great difficulty getting to this palace. It a full day journey since it is an hour outside of the city. Right off the bat I had a hard enough time finding the proper metro station to leave from. I got to the write platform and see there are a number of other tourists around me waiting for the train to arrive….and we keep waiting. Then an announcement comes on in French.  I could translate enough of the message to understand that something just ain’t right. So I asked around. The train is delayed for 2 hours! At this point a ‘mini tour group to Versailles’ if formed:) A photo of the group is below: A mother and daughter from Austrailia and a couple from Washington DC. Through a maze of finding other metro lines, receiving inaccurate information from misinformed attendants, we moved out of the metro system and onto the train line to Versailles. By the time we arrived we said we may have been better off to wait the 2 hours for the delayed train…..but, we decided lets never speak of that again and just be happy we made it!

Mini Tour Group of Versailles

The funny thing about this for me is my x-in laws John and Gayle, have been to Versailles twice and BOTH times it was CLOSED!!! The first time was due to a strike and I am guessing the second time it was because it was a Monday (lots of museums are closed on Mondays). Obviously, if your last name is Galbraith you are cursed in your pursuit to Versailles!

Angel D and the Hall of Mirrors

View of the fountain area and the palace gardens

So, now to the palace. Its huge, and beautiful but I was more impressed with the gardens and the landscape. I must admit I have been a bit spoiled. A few years ago Darryl and I were in Munich for Oktoberfest and rented a car to go to Salzburg. On the way we visited a palace on a lake built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Ludwig was know as a “fantasy king” (he was a little out there) and built a replica of the palace and the grounds as a tribute to King Louis XIV of France.  Unfortunately, Ludwig II died during construction and ran out of money. The 2 palaces and the gardens look almost the same, Ludwig’s is just missing the wings on the right and left. 

This is a photo of Darryl and the replica in Bavaria (2006)

Photo of the real Versailles in France

Photos in Paris...

A number of people have commented on how much they have enjoyed looking at the photos on the blog. Here are some images to check out. The video at the bottom is taken in the park by the Louvre museum. The buildings were jaw dropping....another moment where you just had to be there to appreciate the scale and the beauty. 

Welcome to my Paris office! This is the studio apartment that I stayed in.

That little door left of Barthelemy is the door to my apartment complex.
If you don't look closely you could easily miss it.
Barthelemy is a cheese shop....which gives the hall a funky odor!

I decided to dine in one of the nights......

Enjoying a glass of Brouilly at a near by Brasserie

Just another day in Paris....

One of my mornings in Paris I got on my winter warm athletic gear and headed for a jog in some of the green spaces in the city. I’m staying in a small studio apartment in the 7th arrondissiment – great location (thanks Demeure!). I jogged in the Esplanade des Invalides, Parc du Champs de Mars, then jogged around the Effiel Tower and walked to find a bakery that I had read about. I got back to the apartment and my legs were in need of a rest! Just as well to have a lazy, rest of the day, it’s cold and there is a bit of a drizzle.

Esplanade des Invalids

Lionel Poilane bakery and enjoying one of his croissants

Paris!

I took the train from Arnhem to Paris. The ride was 4 hours with 2 train changes. When I arrived in Paris I was quickly reminded how beautiful the streets and buildings were. The first day I found myself just wandering the streets, no map to see what I stumble upon. One place I came across was the Canadian Pub called The Moose. My brother Darryl and I were here years ago (2004) when we made a trip to Paris. I had a 6.50 euro Coors Light and free wifi….the perfect spot to take a break! 

Here are some photos of the Paris streets and me at The Moose.

Open Air Museum, Arnhem

The last day of my visit in Holland we went to the Open Air Museum in Arnhem. The grounds are a replica of a typical Dutch village from the 1800’s. It was really cool the way it was set up like and old town with traditional houses, barns, bakery, bar, church etc. In fact this is where Dirk & Jiska got married. Lots of areas for the kids to play and for me as well! 

Dirk dared me to go into this sheep barn below and “herd” all the sheep out. I of course called him on the dare and went to chase the sheep. Below is a video clip, hope it works on your computers or it could take a while to load. When I went in all the sheep were eating from their troughs. The way I got them to move out was just by clapping….I learned from this that I may have a future in sheep herding when I get to New Zealand. The sheep co-operated except for this lone black sheep that was staring me down and breathing heavily through its nostrils. I avoided eye contact and moved gracefully to the door opening. When I got out I was startled by another sheep “ba-ba-ba-ba’ing” at me.

 Ya had to be there, it was a good laugh.

Good times in Holland

My friends kept me entertained through my visit. They have a wine merchant and storage facilitator (I am so so jealous!). We went to visit the merchant, Hank, had a tour of the cellars, their museum and some tastings:) I was in heaven. I have not come across a facility like this before. What a wonderful service to have a place to store your wine, they sell you select bottles and hold catered events.

Di, Dirk & Jiska at the wine storage facility

Dutch Girl on a Bike

Part of the Dutch culture, I couldn't resist the chance to join Jiska and Jasper for a bike 
ride to the local bakery:)

Look at all the bikes out side of the train station!!!

My Dutch Friends

It is time I introduce you to my Dutch friends that I have been visiting. They live 1.5 hours east of Amsterdam in a town called Arnhem.

 Meet Dirk, Jiska, Bart and Jasper.  The Kortekaas family moved to Canada on a work transfer when Bart was only 7 months old. The family stayed in Waterloo for 18 months and in that time we became very good friends. Dirk and Jiska have a love of travel, food and wine.......so, how can we not get along???

Jasper (age 5) 

 Those are chocolate sprinkles on Jasper's bread, which is a normal breakfast garnish! The boys were jealous when I was eating yogurt, since they only eat that for dessert. They also have mini gingerbread cookies that they put on bread with butter (I noticed Dirk eating this). 

Its a little backwards but I'm here to take in the Dutch culture afterall!

Bart (age 8)

Holland - Day 1

I got to Amsterdam with no troubles, checked into a hotel in the centre of the city and slept off what was left of my sickness. 

Jiska and I met at the Rijksmuseum in the morning to view the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Metsu and others. Its interesting that Jiska, who has lived in Holland most of her life, has never visited the museum before. So she was just as much of a tourist as me:)

One of the skinny houses on an
Amsterdam canal

Houseboats along a canal

Rijksmuseum

After the museum we made the drive south to the town of Delft. The town is know for their university of architecture and Delft china. We walked around the city center a little before it started to pour rain. We then headed for an indoor activity, a tour of the Royal Delft museum. 

We found it very worthwhile that we viewed the works of Rembrandt and Vermeer in the morning as we saw a some of their works replicated into Delft tile art. 

The official Royal Delft stamp

Different stages of making the china

Large version of the Night Watch all in Delft tiles

Rembrandt's "The Night Watch" in Delft tile

After our tour of the Delft factory (and a couple of purchases) Jiska and I took in a libation in the city center then headed to her home in Arnhem. At her home I was able to meet her boys again, Bart and Jasper before they went to bed. Then she and her husband Dirk and I stayed up to catch up....with some more libations;)

Update, January 14th

Katarini & Di at Uetliberg Mountain.
You can just make out the Alps in the background.

I returned back to my home base, Zurich, for 4 days to get caught up with my friends and to do laundry.... The highlights of this time was brunch up on Uetliberg mountain, a visit to the Picasso exhibit at the Kunsthaus museum and we entertained a work colleague of Chris' for dinner one night. The colleague is from Spain and gave me lots of great tips on where to visit and eat. I will be visiting Spain in a couple of weeks:)

Then not so much of a highlight of the 4 days was the, lets call it a 'GI infection/virus', that went through the entire house! Between last Friday and Wednesday we ALL got sick!! Luckily it was all at different times so we could all pitch in and look after each other and the kids.

What was not so good for me was I got my 'not so lady like' symptoms Wednesday night, the night before I was flying to Amsterdam:( I wanted to delay my flight for a day, but couldn't make it happen. I made it to Amsterdam, checked into a hotel and slept it off.

While in Holland I am visiting with friends who I will introduce later. Jiska is meeting me today at the Rijks Museum. We will tour around there then head to her house, 1.5 hours east of Amsterdam.

Bye for now, and stay healthy!

Gruyeres (Part 2)

I was dropped off at my B&B in the village of Epagny and unloaded my stuff. I then set out to walk through the village located at the base of Gruyere, taking in the scenery of roosters in yards, cows of course and the Alps.

I hiked up the hill to the Guyere village. There is not much there but is it ever charming. It is just one street, a church and a castle surrounded by old city walls.

I found the view of the Alps most dramatic when the sun was starting to set....

they looked like something out of a painting.

View from the Castle Gruyeres 

I couldn't leave town without taking in the traditional dish, Cheese Fondue! I ate at "Le Chalet" just outside of the castle. The fondue was terrific. And once again, the Swiss
garnish their cheese dishes with pickles and pearl onion.......

Gruyeres at night