The Trip that was: October 10, 2016/2017/2018

 2016

Scenes from Alkmaar.  

Where there is a beer museum. YES. 

I see this view of Dutchboy a lot while we're traveling.  He's always trying to get his GPS to work. 

2017

Utrecht.  Dutchboy had an idea!! Let's go to the Nijntje Museum!  Nijntje, or Miffy,  is a beloved book character created by illustrator Dick Bruna.  Everybody loves Miffy!

Playing it cool with Miffy.

But Dutchboy loves her so much!!

As much as I love Miffy and Dick Bruna, it really is a children's museum.  I was eager to see the fashion on display at the Centraal Museum across the street. 

Dutchboy isn't much for fashion.  But functional design? He's a big fan! 

He is also a fan of interactive art. Like indoor swings. Doesn't he look just like the Fragonard painting?!

And you can enjoy the whole idyllic scene, too!

 

We won't talk about what this looks like...

A brief stop in the basement to view the preserved Viking longboat from around 1100 and we were done with the day. 

2018

After a night of a headache, and being awoke every hour to answer math questions, I was happy to get up to sunshine, warm weather and trip to Park Guell.  We, of course, got off at the wrong stop, and walked the wrong way.  We ended up high on the hill above the main entrance to the park, but I didn't mind a bit.  The view was fantastic! 

Here's a short video to show the scene. 

You can see the tower of Gaudi's house peeking over the tree tops. 

Gaudi's house.  No, we didn't go inside. The line was exquisitely long.  You can't believe how overrun the park was on this day. And it was 85 degrees. In October. And I was hot. And still had a concussion. I was likely very pouty. But we don't talk about that. 

The main entrance to Park Guell, far below.  We were slowly making our way down, enjoying the views. 

When we reached the Casa Martí Trias i Domènech, one of the two houses out of 60 that were actually built in the Park, we paused, drank some water, and listened to the people selling these ridiculous bird whistles for "uno euro!" But in the midst of all these crazy vendors and their calls, this amazing guitar player started playing.  It was a moment outside of time, and one of my favorite memories of Barcelona. 

Gaudi's  Park Guell. 

Leaving nature behind, we ventured back to one of the busiest places in Barcelona, the Placa d'Espanya. 

 Las Arenas de Barcelona. ,former bullfighting arena turned shopping/sports/music center,

The square is dominated by this enormous fountain, designed by a contemporary of Gaudi.  Designed and built to be the focal point for the 1929 International Exposition. 

The Venentian Towers.  Also Built for the 1929 International Exposition., they flank either side of the park.

This is the "Magic Fountain".  I didn't get any pictures of it being "magical". But it really was lovely.

Palau Nacional. The National Palace, home to the national art museum's collection. 

The Palau de la Musica Catalana. We happened by it on our evening walk. Too bad we didn't look ahead and get tickets to see inside?!!? Too much to see in a couple of short days. 

Perfect way to end an evening in Barcelona! It was 24 hours later. Stop judging me. :-P

Tot Ziens!