Madrid，Spain 马德里
July 24, 2024
We took a five-hour train from Seville to Madrid......
早上在酒店吃完早餐后叫了Cabify送我们去火车站，。。。
July 24, 2024: We took a five-hour train from Seville to Madrid. The long-distance train ride provided much-needed rest and an opportunity to see the countryside. We prefer trains over planes when possible for the comfort and views they offer.
After checking into our hotel, we headed to the Royal Palace of Madrid. Although it is the official residence of the Spanish royal family, it is now used only for state ceremonies, unlike the more actively used palace in Seville. The palace is enormous, and we followed the flow of tourists through the grand rooms, taking in the opulent architecture and decor.
Next, we visited the “Gallery of Spanish Royal Collections,” which houses the royal family's art collection, now owned by the state. The collection is stunning, and we made our way through it quickly, gaining some insights into Spain's history along the way. Then we went to the Cathedral for a quick look.
Our first stop for food was the San Miguel Market, which is similar to the Time Out Market in Lisbon, offering drinks and tapas. Unfortunately, it was so hot inside the building that we only ordered three pieces of tapas before leaving. We found a restaurant near the Plaza Mayor and enjoyed a delicious paella.
Afterward, we strolled back to our hotel and called it a night. Along the way, we tried out Madrid’s churros, which are similar to the ones we have in the States, but we much preferred Seville’s churros—no comparison there.
July 25, 2024: This morning, we visited the Retiro Park before catching our train to Lyon, France. On the way to the park, we searched for breakfast places, but none opened before 9 AM. We ended up waiting in line for a small spot in a residential area to open, but the wait was worth it—the baked eggs we ordered were delicious.
Retiro Park is a vast and picturesque space in the city center, popular with both locals and tourists. We leisurely strolled around the central lake area and admired the gardens and monuments. However, we had to hurry to board our train to Lyon.
There is no direct train from Madrid to Lyon, so we took Spain’s high-speed train to a small city in France, then transferred to France’s high-speed train with a 15-minute layover. Knowing the unreliability of some European train systems and the potential for a French train worker strike, we were concerned about missing the connection, as it was the last train to Lyon for the day. Fortunately, the transfer was on the same platform and went smoothly. We arrived in Lyon at night and rested at the hotel.
This Madrid trip was a short but memorable journey, offering a glimpse into its royal history, art, and vibrant culinary scene. Despite the challenges with the heat and train connections, the experience was enriching and enjoyable.
2024年7月24日：早上在酒店吃完早餐后叫了Cabify送我们去火车站，乘坐从塞维利亚(Seville)到马德里(Madrid)的火车。五小时的长途火车旅行为我们提供了急需的休息机会，同时也让我们欣赏到了沿途的乡村风光。相比于飞机，我们更喜欢乘坐火车，因为它更舒适且风景宜人。
到达马德里后，我们还是叫Cabify送我们去酒店。其实酒店离火车站很近，网约车反而要绕道，好在车直接把我们送到酒店门口。办理了酒店入住手续，我们赶紧前往参观马德里王宫，也是提前网上买好的票。虽然这是西班牙皇室的官方住所，但现在仅用于国家仪式，不再作为日常居住场所，这一点与塞维利亚的王宫不同。王宫非常宏伟，我们随着游客的流动参观了各个房间，欣赏了那里的奢华建筑和装饰。
接下来，我们去了旁边的西班牙皇家收藏馆。皇家家族的艺术收藏品现在归国家所有。这个收藏非常多，我们快速浏览了一遍，同时了解了一些西班牙的历史。
然后，我们去了圣米格尔(San Miguel)市场，这地方类似于里斯本的Time Out室内市场，提供各种饮品和小吃。只是今天的马德里也是近四十度的高温。市场内人山人海且没有空调，热的让人受不了，我们走了一圈后只点了三份小吃就赶紧离开了。之后，我们在马约尔广场附近找到了一家餐厅，享用了一顿简单的海鲜饭。
2024年7月25日：今天我们离开马德里，前往法国里昂(Lyon)。走之前抓紧时间参观一下丽池公园。在去公园的路上，我们想找家早餐店，但大多数店铺早上9点之前都不开门。最终我们在住宅区的一家小店门口排队等候，虽然等了一段时间，但这里的焗蛋确实非常美味，值得一试。
漂亮的丽池公园位于市中心，深受当地人和游客的喜爱。我们绕着中央湖区走了一圈，看看周围的花园和纪念碑。只是我们的时间不多，不得不加快脚步，因为要去赶前往里昂的火车。
在火车站，我们尝试了马德里的吉拿棒（churros），虽然它们与我们在美国吃到的很相似，但我们更喜欢塞维利亚的吉拿棒，两者真的没有可比性。由于从马德里到里昂没有直达火车，我们先乘坐西班牙的高速列车到达法国的一个小城市，然后转乘法国的高速列车，中间只有15分钟的转车时间。考虑到欧洲火车系统有时不太可靠，且法国铁路工人可能会罢工，我们对能否赶上当天最后一班开往里昂的火车有些担心。幸运的是，转车是在同一站台进行的，过程非常顺利。我们于晚上顺利到达里昂，并入住酒店休息。
这次的马德里之旅虽短，却也让我们稍微领略了这座城市的悠久历史、丰富的艺术文化以及充满活力的美食场景。尽管在高温和火车换乘方面遇到了一些挑战，这段旅程还是很愉快有收获的。
Seville，Spain 塞维利亚
July 23, 2024
Today was the hottest day of our trip so far in Seville, ......
今天的塞维利亚（Seville）是我们这次行程到目前为止最热的一天，。。。
July 23, 2024: Today was the hottest day of our trip so far in Seville, with temperatures reaching 104°F/40°C, rivaling those in Phoenix. Despite the heat, our day was packed with activities. Seville is a historic European city. During the Age of Exploration, it was the exclusive port for trade with the New World, which led to a period of economic prosperity. Many significant buildings were constructed during this time. However, as the river silted up, the center of trade moved elsewhere, causing the city’s economy to decline.
After enjoying a buffet breakfast at our hotel, we headed out to our first stop, the Plaza de España. This massive semi-circular building was constructed for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition and now houses government offices and exhibition halls. The plaza's walls are lined with niches, each representing a different province of Spain. We first visited the Seville Military History Museum and then explored every accessible part of the plaza. The architecture was breathtaking, and photos simply couldn't capture its grandeur.
Next, we visited the Seville Cathedral. We had pre-purchased tickets for a guided tour. This Roman Catholic cathedral, built on the site of a former Muslim mosque, is now the third-largest cathedral in the world and the largest Gothic cathedral. The interior might be the most spectacular we’ve seen so far. It contains 80 chapels, including the Royal Chapel. In addition to several Spanish royalty buried there, the most famous is Christopher Columbus. His remains have been relocated several times, finally resting here. Columbus's son is also buried in the cathedral. The bell tower, once the minaret of the old mosque, was heightened when the cathedral was built. Instead of stairs, the ascent to the top is a series of ramps that spiral upward in a counterclockwise direction, following Muslim tradition.
After the cathedral, we visited the nearby Royal Alcázar of Seville. We had also pre-purchased tickets for this visit. First, we toured the residential area on the upper floors, which is still an official residence of the King. Separate tickets are required for this part, and visits are strictly timed. Security was tighter here than anywhere else we’ve been; all belongings had to be stored in lockers, and nothing could be carried with us. Each group consisted of about ten people. After passing through security, we were escorted by two guards—one leading the way and one at the rear. We couldn’t linger in any room; after viewing one, the door was locked, and we moved to the next. No phones were allowed, so we couldn’t take any photos, and I barely remember what the rooms looked like. Afterward, we wandered through other parts of the palace and its extensive gardens, which seemed endless. Despite seeking out shade, the 40°C heat was relentless, so we took two breaks at the garden café, first for lunch and later for coffee.
We had specifically bought tickets for a Flamenco show that evening. After visiting the palace, we headed to the theater, only to find out we were at the wrong location. We called a Cabify (similar to Uber) in a rush and were lucky to get a good driver. Since some streets are pedestrian-only, he found a way to drop us as close as possible to the theater. Although we were a few minutes late, the show had just begun. Flamenco is a traditional Spanish performance that combines tap dance, singing, and instrumental music. The dancers were full of passion and energy.
After battling the heat all day, we finished by enjoying local tapas at a nearby restaurant.
2024年7月23日： 今天的塞维利亚（Seville）是我们这次行程到目前为止最热的一天，最高104F/40C度，绝对与凤凰城有得一拼。天虽热，但我们今天一整天的活动还是排得很满。
塞维利亚是一座历史悠久的欧洲重城。在大航海时代，它是新大陆贸易的独家港口，经济繁荣，不少重要建筑都始建于那时。后来由于河道淤积，贸易中心才迁移到它处，经济衰退。
早上在酒店用完自助早餐之后便出门前往第一站西班牙广场（Plaza de España）。这座巨大的半圆形建筑是为1929年在此举办的伊比利亚美洲博览会所建，如今里面主要是政府部门和展览馆。广场的墙壁上有许多壁龛，每个代表了西班牙的不同省份。我们首先参观了塞维利亚军事历史展览馆，然后上上下下把能走的地方走了一遍，非常漂亮让人惊叹的的建筑，手机根本拍不出那感觉。
接着我们来到塞维利亚大教堂（Seville Cathedral)。我们提前买好了带向导的票。这个建造在穆斯林清真寺旧址上的罗马大教堂历史非常悠久，如今是世界第三大的大教堂，同时也是最大的哥特式大教堂。大教堂内部结构可能是到目前为止我们所看到过的最壮观的一个。据介绍里面有80个礼拜堂（chapels），包括皇家礼拜堂（Royal chapel）。除了许多西班牙王室成员埋在那里，最著名的应该是哥伦布（Christopher Columbus）了。他的遗骨被搬迁过多次，最后来到这里。哥伦布的儿子也埋在这个大教堂。大教堂的钟楼也是非同寻常，曾经是旧清真寺的尖塔，之后改建教堂时被加高。上塔顶并不是走台阶，而是斜坡，按穆斯林传统逆时针方向一圈又一圈绕着走上去。
看完大教堂，来到旁边的塞维利亚王宫（Royal Alcázar of Seville)。我们也是来之前已买好票的。先参观王宫楼上的住宅区，这里现在还是国王的官方住宅，必须分开买票且按定点时间参观。这是到目前为止管得最严的一次，所有物品必须放储存柜，随身不能携带任何物品。每一组参观者大概也就十几个人。先过安检，然后二名保安一前一后带着我们走。每个房间都不能多停留，看完一个房间马上锁门去下一个。不能带手机，一张照片都没有，也不记得里面长什么样了。 接下来我们就在王宫的其它区域走走看看，王家花园大的走不完。40度高温下再怎么找阴凉处还是热，结果我们在花园里的cafe 休息了二次，先吃个午饭，之后又再回去喝个咖啡。
专门提前买了今天晚上弗拉明戈(Flamenco)表演的票，看完王宫后来到戏院，结果被告知走错地方了，再赶过去估计会迟到。急急忙忙叫了Cabify(类似Uber), 碰到了一位好司机。因为有些街道是步行街，司机想办法帮我们带到了离戏院最近的地方。虽然晚了几分钟，表演刚好开始。这是一种西班牙传统的集踢踏舞，歌唱和乐器一体的音乐表演，舞者非常的热情奔放。
战高温一整天，看完表演找了家Tapas店享受一下当地的小吃。
Return to Spain 重回西班牙
July 22, 2024
Today, we say goodbye to Portugal and head back to Spain......
今天我们要和葡萄牙说再见，。。。
July 22, 2024: Today, we say goodbye to Portugal and head back to Spain. Yesterday, we took a day trip outside of town, but we didn’t have enough time to properly explore Faro. Since we had some time this morning, we decided to start with breakfast in town, followed by a leisurely stroll around the small town, visiting a few historical sites in the old town.
As there’s no direct train from Faro, Portugal to Spain, we had to take a bus to our next destination, the historic city of Seville, Spain. While waiting for the bus, we squeezed in a quick lunch. The service was exceptional—the server even had the kitchen prepare the fish exactly to our liking. The two-hour bus ride was smooth and comfortable.
After a previous experience of being scammed by a taxi driver, we opted not to take a taxi upon arriving in Seville. Instead, we used Cabify, a ride-sharing service similar to Uber. The service was reasonably priced, very courteous, and even provided complimentary bottled water, which made us feel well taken care of. Cabify dropped us off at our hotel in the city center, and after checking in, we went out to explore the nearby streets.
Before coming to Spain, we had been wanting to try churros but hadn’t had the chance yet. We found a churro shop online right next to our hotel, so we headed straight there. We had never tasted churros this good before. They reminded us of Chinese fried dough sticks but were even tastier. The freshly fried churros, dipped in hot chocolate sauce and paired with a cup of coffee, were absolutely delightful. They were nothing like the churros we’ve had in the United States, making us wonder if those were perhaps the Mexican version.
Just a short distance from our hotel is one of Seville’s major attractions—the Metropol Parasol (Setas de Seville). It’s a striking wooden structure with a viewing platform, touted as the largest wooden structure in the world. Unfortunately, our phones couldn’t capture the full view, no matter how hard we tried.
In the evening, we treated ourselves to a hearty dinner at a tapas bar. While the dishes were enjoyable, they didn’t quite impress us as much as we had anticipated. Perhaps we’ve indulged in tapas a bit too often lately, and it’s beginning to lose its novelty.
2024年7月22日: 今天我们要和葡萄牙说再见，重新回到西班牙。昨天去镇外一日游，法鲁（Faro)小镇还没时间好好看过。趁早上还有些时间，先在镇上吃个早餐，然后悠闲地在小镇上走了一圈，在老城区参观了几个历史遗迹。由于葡萄牙法鲁这里的火车不通西班牙，我们只能乘坐巴士前往我们的下一站，西班牙历史古城塞维利亚（Seville)。等巴士的时候赶紧再吃个午餐，服务员的态度真好，特别让厨房按我们的要求做了鱼。二个多小时的大巴旅程既平稳又舒适。
因为之前有过被出租车司机诈骗的经历，到达塞维利亚后，我们没有再选择出租车，而是选择使用Cabify。这是一个类似于Uber的共享乘车服务。这个服务价格合理，态度非常好，还免费提供瓶装水，这让我们感到很贴心。Cabify把我们送到在市中心的酒店，办完入住手续后，我们便去周边的街区探路。
来西班牙之前就说要吃churro，但一直没机会吃。在网上查到我们酒店旁边有一家专卖churro的店铺，我们就直接去到那里。从来没有吃到过这么好吃的churro, 味道就像中国的油条，但比油条更好吃。现炸的churro蘸着热巧克力酱吃，再来杯咖啡，太享受了。和美国吃过churro完全不同，在怀疑我们的churro是否是墨西哥的版本。
离酒店不远处就是塞维利亚的一大景点 - 都市阳伞（Setas de Seville)。这是一座木建筑，很别致，有观景台等，号称世界上最大的木建筑。手机怎么都拍不出全景。
晚上在一家塔帕斯(Tapas)酒吧享用了一顿丰盛的晚餐。虽然这些菜肴还不错，但觉得并不特别出色。也许是Tapas 吃多了，有点腻了。
Cartagena, Spain 卡塔赫纳
July 14, 2024
Cartagena is a port city on the southern coast of Spain,......
卡塔赫纳是西班牙南部海岸的一座港口城市,。。。
July 14, 2024: Cartagena is a port city on the southern coast of Spain, boasting over 2,500 years of rich and diverse history. Our ship docked near the city center, and our tour began with a visit to the city hall and the plaza.
The city was ruled by Muslims at one time. In 1988, a Roman theatre was discovered buried during the Moorish Period under a ruined house during demolition. The tour we joined took us to see the Roman theatre and climb to the highest point in the city (350 ft up) for panoramic views. However, more than half of the group quit before reaching the summit. Then, we visited a bomb shelter cave used during the Spanish Civil War, during which much of the city was destroyed. Although Spain didn’t participate in World War I and II, the Civil War saw brothers killing each other, leading to a dictatorship under Francisco Franco.
New and Old Amphitheater
After three hours of walking under the scorching sun, we were exhausted and decided to go back to the ship for a break. We returned to the city for more exploration after a quick lunch. Away from the tourists, we wandered through the narrow streets to see a more authentic side of the town. We also visited more archaeological sites and museums.
Dinner was at Taste Café, and we watched the European Cup final in the Hollywood Theatre. Many Spanish fans were very happy.
2024年7月14日：卡塔赫纳(Cartagena)是西班牙南部海岸的一座港口城市，拥有超过2500年的丰富历史。它曾经被穆斯林统治过。1988年，在拆除破旧房屋时发现了一座埋在地下的罗马剧场。我们参加船上组织的岸上游带我们参观了这座罗马剧场，并爬上城市的最高点（350英尺）欣赏全景。然而，因为要走很多台阶，超过一半的团员在到达山顶之前就放弃了。接着我们参观了西班牙内战期间使用的防空洞，当时整个城市几乎被摧毁。虽然西班牙没有参与第一次和第二次世界大战，但在内战中兄弟相残，最终还导致了弗朗西斯科·佛朗哥的独裁统治直此1975年他的去死。
在烈日下上上下下走了三个多小时后，我们感到筋疲力尽，决定回船休息。简单吃过午饭后，我们再次下船自由行。远离游客，穿梭在小巷中看看这个城市更真实的一面。同时也参观了更多的考古遗址和博物馆。
晚餐是在船上的国际餐厅Taste享用的。之后我们俩一个听音乐会，一个观看了欧洲杯决赛。今晚是西班牙对英格兰。白天自由行时在一个广场上看到为了今晚的足球比赛而设置的户外大屏幕以及排得整整齐齐的椅子，估计晚上那里应该是人山人海了。我们船上西班牙球迷不少，除了影院，船上还在其它地方都安排了大屏幕实况转播，大家非常开心。
Mahón, Spain 马翁
July 13, 2024
We docked at Mahón, the capital of Menorca island in Spain......
今天我们来到西班牙梅诺卡岛的首府马翁。
July 13, 2024: We docked at Mahón, the capital of Menorca island in Spain. Known for being the second deepest natural harbor in the world after Pearl Harbor, Mahón offers a blend of history and natural beauty.
We joined a ship-organized shore excursion called Authentic Menorca. The tour first took us to Monte Toro, the highest peak on the island, providing the best panoramic views. At the summit, we visited a sanctuary and a small church run by six to seven nuns, who we encountered after they completed their prayers.
Next, we visited a local shoe store of a famous Spanish brand, which unfortunately turned out to be a waste of time for us. However, the following stop at a multigenerational family dairy farm was both informative and interesting. We observed the cheese-making process and toured the dairy farm, followed by a delightful tasting of cheese and sausage.
Our final stop was the famous cave bar, Cova d'en Xoroi, located on the south coast of the island. This natural cave, situated in the cliffs, offers stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Each of us received a ticket to exchange for a drink. Cova d'en Xoroi is a popular spot for both daytime sightseeing and nighttime entertainment. Sadly, we didn’t have enough time to finish our drinks before we had to hop back on the bus to the terminal. We wished we had more time to relax and enjoy the view.
Dinner in the evening was at the Waterside restaurant, where we ordered a delicious T-bone steak that was too big to finish. The escargot dish was also top-notch.
2024年7月13日：今天我们来到西班牙梅诺卡岛（Menorca)的首府马翁(Mahón）。马翁被认为是世界上第二深的天然港口，仅次于美国的珍珠港。
我们参加了船上安排的“真实的梅诺卡”岸上游。首先大巴带着我们前往岛上的最高峰——蒙特托罗山（Mirador Cim del Toro），从那里可以欣赏到全岛美景。在山顶上有一个由六，七位年轻修女管理的一座小教堂。我们进去参观时碰巧遇见了刚刚完成祈祷的修女们。
接下来导游带我们去了一家西班牙当地生产的世界著名品牌的鞋店，可惜我们对品牌一无所知，对购物不感兴趣。倒是接下来的一站，一个几代相传的家庭奶牛场更有吸引力。我们看到了奶酪制作过程，参观了奶牛场，并品尝了美味的奶酪和香肠。
我们的最后一站是岛南海岸著名的洞穴酒吧Cova d'en Xoroi。这个天然洞穴位于悬崖上，提供了令人惊叹的地中海美景。我们车上每人都发一张可以兑换饮品的票。Cova d'en Xoroi是白天观光和夜间娱乐的热门地点。真希望我们能有多些时间在这里好好享受美景，只可惜我们连饮料都还没喝完就不得不跳上回码头的大巴。
晚上我们在船上的主餐厅用餐。法式焗蜗牛非常美味。点了一份T骨牛排，份量大到根本吃不完。另外可能之前在巴塞罗那海鲜饭吃多了，今晚的海鲜饭就觉得很一般了。
Picasso and Symphony 毕加索与水晶交响号邮轮
July 11, 2024
In the morning, we went to a small bakery ......
今天早上，我们去了酒店附近的一家小面包店。。。
July 11, 2024: In the morning, we went to a small bakery near the hotel to grab a couple of pastries for breakfast. Then we visited the Picasso Museum. As an adult, Picasso lived between Barcelona and Paris. He donated a lot of his early work to Barcelona, so the museum we visited exhibits mostly his early works, which allows us to see other sides of his artistic talents before the Cubism period.
Afterward, we picked up our luggage from the hotel and took a taxi to the cruise terminal to start our Mediterranean cruise with Crystal Symphony. Since taxis to the port are one-way business, the driver charged a fixed fee of 30 euro for the ride, probably twice what it should be.
The embarking process was smooth and fast. Ten minutes later, we sat down in the Marketplace to have our first meal. Crystal Symphony is a small ship with a maximum capacity of just over 600 passengers. Usually, the demographic on Crystal cruise ships leans toward an older population. On previous voyages, we always joked about being the youngest group. To our surprise, this time we felt like we belonged to the oldest group. There were a lot of young passengers, from babies to teenagers. We were told there are more than 70 kids on board.
We spent the rest of the afternoon checking out the ship. Although we have cruised on its sister ship Crystal Serenity several times, this is our first time onboard the Crystal Symphony.
Tonight’s dinner was at the Waterside. As always, each dish was done beautifully and tasted delicious. At 8 pm, as the song “What a Wonderful World” was playing, our ship left Barcelona.
2024年7月11日：今天早上，我们去了酒店附近的一家小面包店，买了几块小面包作为早餐。然后赶往我们在巴塞罗那的最后一个景点 - 毕加索博物馆。成年后，毕加索生活在巴塞罗那和巴黎之间。他向巴塞罗那捐赠了很多他早期的作品，所以我们参观的博物馆以他的早期作品为主，让我们看到了毕加索在立体派风格之前的艺术才华。
回酒店拿了行李便打车去了邮轮港口，又一次登上我们最爱的水晶邮轮公司(Crystal Cruises)的船，开始我们欧洲最南端的西班牙和葡萄牙邮轮之旅。由于去港口的出租车是单程业务，司机收了30欧元的固定费用，可能是正常价格的两倍多。到了船码头听到其他乘客抱怨，也有同样的经历。
登船过程顺利而快捷。十分钟后，我们已经在船上的Marketplace自助餐厅坐下，享用我们船上的第一餐。这次我们坐的是水晶邮轮公司的另一艘船 - 水晶交响号（Crystal Symphony), 她比我们之前坐过的水晶尚宁号稍小些，最大载客量刚刚超过600人。通常水晶邮轮上的乘客年龄偏大。在之前的航行中，我们总是开玩笑说自己是船上最年轻的一群。令我们惊讶的是，这次我们感觉自己是最老的一群。这次船上有很多年轻乘客，从婴儿到青少年，且有不少三代同游的。据说船上有近70个孩子，给船上带来巨大的活力。
今天晚餐我们选在主餐厅，每一道菜都做的精致，入味。晚上八点左右我们的船在“What a wonderful world”的歌声中离开巴塞罗那。音乐演出照旧安排在9:45，对我们来说虽有点晚，但还是不能错过的。
一直盼着能来西班牙和葡萄牙，这次终于成行，很兴奋很期待。
Hot day in Barcelona 炎热的巴塞罗那
July 10, 2024
Today was extremely hot,......
今天非常炎热。。。
July 10, 2024: Today was extremely hot, making it unbearable to walk under the direct scorching sun. Fortunately, the tall buildings in the city provided ample shade, making our stroll through the streets more manageable.
In the morning, we took a taxi to Parc Güell, another of Gaudí’s accomplishments. We could definitely see his architectural signature. However, compared to his masterpiece, the Sagrada Família, the park seemed less impressive. Climbing up and down the hill was exhausting in the heat.
After a coffee break, we visited Casa Vicens, the first house designed and built by Antoni Gaudí. The vibrant colors of the house stood out in the neighborhood, but we didn’t go inside as we had a lunch reservation coming up soon.
Our delicious lunch was at Paco Meralgo. The grilled octopus with cured pork and grilled razor clams were the highlights of the meal.
Then we walked to see another of his masterpieces, Casa Milà (La Pedrera), a unique residential building with an undulating stone facade and wavy walls. After taking a few quick pictures, we hopped on the subway then funicular to the cable station. The cable car took us to Montjuïc Castle. At the castle, we learned more about Spanish history and the complex relationships between Spain and Catalonia.
Dinner was at Arume, located in the El Raval area, which is often considered less safe. It was recommended not to walk in the area alone. The dinner was excellent, especially the duck paella.
After dinner, we went to the rooftop café at our hotel, enjoying a drink and a panoramic view of the city. Tomorrow, we would say goodbye to Barcelona.
炎热的巴塞罗那
2024年7月10日：今天非常炎热，走在烈日下让人有些难以忍受。所幸城市中的高楼挡去不少太阳，沿着大楼阴凉处行走感觉稍微凉快一些。
早上我们打车去了帕克·古埃尔（Parc Güell），这是安东尼·高迪的又一杰作。我们确实能看到他独特的建筑风格。但因为我们昨天刚看了他最著名的杰作 - 圣家堂，与之相比，今天这个公园就显得不怎么样了。此外在炎热的天气里，上上下下的山坡让人疲惫不堪。
路途中小息喝完咖啡后，我们去了由安东尼·高迪设计和建造的第一座房子——卡萨·维森斯。这座房子的鲜艳色彩在街区中非常显眼，但由于我们有午餐预订，没能进去参观。
我们的午餐在Paco Meralgo餐厅享用。烤章鱼配腌肉和烤剃刀蛤蜊是这顿美餐的亮点。
酒足饭饱后我们继续前往高迪的另一杰作——米拉之家（La Pedrera），这是一栋具有起伏石质外墙的独特住宅建筑。
看够了高迪，我们乘坐地铁和缆车来到了蒙特惠奇城堡（Montjuïc Castle）。在城堡里面的小展览厅中，我们进一步了解了西班牙的历史以及西班牙和加泰罗尼亚(Catalonia)之间复杂的关系。
晚餐是在阿鲁梅餐厅（Arume)享用的，这家评价不错的餐厅位于通常被认为不太安全的拉瓦尔区，昨天导游建议不要单独在该区域行走。从外面看一点不起眼的小饭店生意兴隆，晚餐非常美味，尤其是鸭肉海鲜饭。
回酒店后又上了酒店的屋顶酒吧，继续在那里享用甜品和美酒，最后再欣赏一下城市的全景。明天我们将告别巴塞罗那。
Barcelona, Spain 巴塞罗那
July 9, 2024
We had a full schedule today in Barcelona......
今天我们在巴塞罗那安排了满满一整天的行程。。。
July 9, 2024: We had a full schedule today in Barcelona. After enjoying the breakfast buffet at our hotel, we headed out to join the free Gothic Quarter walking tour. Although termed "free," these tours typically end with participants paying what they feel the tour was worth. We've taken several of these tours in various cities over the years and have found them to be quite informative. We usually do them on the first day at a new destination so we can explore the area in more detail later.
Our tour guide was young and very knowledgeable about Barcelona's old neighborhood. He not only shared fascinating stories about the area but also pointed out the “fake” old buildings, which had been renovated to look clean and attractive to tourists. We’ve noticed similar trends in many places around the world.
After the walking tour, we went to a nearby Tapas Bar for some quick bites and then took a taxi to the Sagrada Familia, the most famous church under construction for the last 142 years. Both the interior and exterior of the church were stunning and awe-inspiring. The vibrant light streaming through the stained glass windows inside the basilica was unlike anything we had ever experienced before. The columns branching out like trees were also very intriguing.
We then took a taxi back to our hotel for a short nap before heading out again for a Spanish cooking class. There were 19 participants in the class. First, we went with the chef to La Boqueria Market to get some fresh squids, shrimp, and mussels before walking to the kitchen. We started by sitting down and drinking Sangria, a famous cocktail in Barcelona. After a glass of the drink, we gathered around the kitchen table to prepare seafood paella. The chef showed us how to make the dish, and we helped with the cooking. Meanwhile, we also learned how to make Sangria. It’s a mix of two bottles of red wine, four shots of whiskey, four shots of gin, vodka, and some juices. We realized why it tasted so strong!
While our fellow travelers managed to finish two jars of the drink and became quite high and talkative, we focused on the cooking. The seafood paella turned out to be very good, and we’re eager to try making it at home using the techniques we learned. After the class, everyone was offered a free shot at another bar, but we decided to head back to the hotel directly. It was definitely the best experience we’ve had in Barcelona so far.
巴塞罗那
2024年7月9日：今天我们在巴塞罗那安排了满满一整天的行程。享用完酒店的自助早餐后，我们出发去参加免费的哥特区（Gothic Quarter）步行游。虽然称为“免费”，这些游览通常在结束时由参与者根据感受支付费用。多年来，我们在不同城市参加了几次这样的步行游，发现它们非常有益。我们通常在到达新目的地的第一天参加这种步行游，让我们对城市就个初步了解，以便之后能更详细地探索该地区。
我们的导游很年轻，对巴塞罗那的旧城区非常了解。他不仅分享了关于该地区的有趣故事，还指出了一些经过翻新以吸引游客的“假”旧建筑。我们在世界各地都看到了类似的趋势。
游览结束后，我们顺路进了一家附近的小吃（Tapas)酒吧，里面挤满了人。我们点了几份小吃, 有熏沙丁鱼、火腿，橄榄等，再配上冰啤，每一样都非常美味。因为要赶场，我们站在吧台前，匆忙地吃完了小吃和啤酒，然后赶往下一个目的地。
打车来到了圣家堂（Sagrada Familia），这座著名的教堂已经建造了142年，还没完工。教堂的内外都令人惊叹且敬畏。像树枝一样分叉的柱子不同寻常，教堂内部的彩色玻璃窗透出的光线极其鲜艳，这是我们从未经历过的景象。
回酒店小憩了一会儿，我们再次出门去参加西班牙烹饪课，我们这组有19名学员来自世界各国。厨师首先带着我们一起去了波盖利亚市场(Mercat de la Boqueria)购买新鲜的红虾，墨鱼，鱿鱼和青口，然后步行回到厨房。我们先坐下来喝了巴塞罗那著名的鸡尾酒——桑格利亚汽酒，然后大家围着厨房大桌子准备海鲜烩饭。厨师向我们展示了如何制作这道菜，从准备各种海鲜到烹饪，我们全程参与。同时我们还学会了如何制作桑格利亚汽酒。一大罐酒是由两瓶红酒、四份威士忌、四份杜松子酒、伏特加和一些果汁混合而成。我们终于明白为什么它的酒味如此特别。
大家喝光了两大罐酒，变得非常兴奋和健谈，不知不觉饭已熟。海鲜烩饭非常美味，整整一大锅也是一扫而光。我们以前自己也做过海鲜烩饭，但完全不一样。这次等回家后一定会尝试用新学到的技巧来做正宗的海鲜烩饭。课后大家都被邀请去另一家酒吧继续喝免费的酒同时看欧洲杯足球赛，西班牙对法国。但实在是太晚太累了，我们直接回了酒店。这无疑是我们在巴塞罗那最难忘的一次体验。
西班牙赢了，大街上人们兴高采烈，高声唱歌为此庆祝。
Nîmes and Barcelona 尼姆和巴塞罗那
July 8, 2024
Since we could only book seats on the morning train to Barcelona,......
由于我们只能订到早上去巴塞罗那(Barcelona)的火车座位。。。
July 8, 2024: Since we could only book seats on the morning train to Barcelona, we left Avignon early and made our way to Nîmes first. Upon arrival at the Nîmes station, we dropped off our luggage at a nearby hotel for 5 euro per bag.
In Nîmes, besides transferring the train to Barcelona, we want to visit the amphitheater of Nîmes, also known as the Arènes de Nîmes, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Built around 70 AD, it shares a similar design with the Colosseum in Rome, though on a smaller scale. The amphitheater is still in use today for concerts and other events and is open for tours. As we arrived before it opened, we took the opportunity to visit another historic landmark, the Maison Carrée, a beautifully preserved Roman temple. Nîmes, often referred to as the "French Rome," is rich with historic Roman architecture, and we found ourselves wishing we had more time to explore the city.
After a quick espresso, we returned to the amphitheater for a brief 20-minute tour. We climbed up and down the stadium steps, enjoying the unique experience of having the place almost entirely to ourselves.
Next, we embarked on a four-hour train ride to Barcelona. The journey was smooth, and we both took advantage of the time to rest. Although we arrived at the station on time, it took an hour and a half to book seats for our future rides—a frustrating experience that highlighted the need for a better ticketing system.
Once we settled into our hotel, we set out to explore the city. Our hotel was located right next to one of the busiest streets in Barcelona, and the sheer number of people on the street was overwhelming. We had heard stories of protests against tourists, but we were unprepared for the crowds that greeted us.
We sampled local tapas before heading to Barcelona beach, where we relaxed for a while. Later, we tried Thai tapas, which turned out to be delicious.
With the sun setting around 9:30 pm, we found ourselves ready for bed after dinner, wrapping up our first evening in Barcelona.
尼姆和巴塞罗那
2024年7月8日: 由于我们只能订到早上去巴塞罗那(Barcelona)的火车座位，我们改变了计划，一大早就离开了阿维尼翁(Avignon)，前往尼姆(Nimes)，另一个法国南方小镇。到达尼姆车站后，我们将行李寄存在车站旁的一家酒店，每件行李5欧元。
在尼姆除了转车去巴塞罗那，还想去参观尼姆斗兽场（Arènes de Nîmes），世界上保存最完好的罗马竞技场之一。它建于公元70年左右，结构设计与罗马的科洛西姆相似，但规模较小。这个斗兽场如今用于音乐会和其它活动，同时也对游客开放。由于我们到达时斗兽场尚未开放，我们先去看了另一处历史遗迹——梅森卡雷（Maison Carrée），一座罗马神庙。尼姆常被称为“法国的罗马”，因为这里有许多历史悠久的罗马建筑。真希望我们有更多的时间探索这座城市, 只能说是计划跟不上变化。
在斗兽场边上找了家咖啡馆边喝咖啡边等开门，然后第一个买票进斗兽场，来了个20分钟的快速参观。我们上串下跳攀登了整个斗兽场，没其他游客，我们二个人几乎拥有了整个场地，非常不错。
接下来是四小时的火车旅程前往巴塞罗那。旅途平稳，我们都得到了需要的休息。火车准时到达了巴塞罗那火车站。因为后面行程中有二程火车手机上无法预订座位，我们又在火车站排队花了一个半小时的时间将这二程座位预订好。这个票务系统的管理确实需要改进。
我们的酒店就在巴塞罗那最繁忙的La Rambla大街上。入住酒店后，我们开始探索这座向往已久的城市。但街上的人之多，我们的头都开始晕了，有些不知所措。前几天我们有听说过这里抗议游客的故事，虽没遇到抗议者，但没想到街上会有这么多游客。
我们从酒店往巴塞罗那海滩方向走，沿途先找了家店品尝了当地的塔帕斯（Tapas)。来到海边坐海滩上休息了一会儿后，我们又去尝试了泰国塔帕斯，非常美味。
这里的日落大约在晚上9:30，晚餐都吃得很晚。基本上晚餐后就已经是我们正常的就寝时间了。 但到了这里也就入乡随俗跟着晚吃晚睡了。