Brilliant MSC Splendida or cruise to and from the Atlantic (continued)
3. Barcelona
For each day of the ship's schedule in the evening, the steward brings an information leaflet that describes everything that will be on the ship and beyond. We knew that in Barcelona we have time from 12-00 to 18-00, but the first shuttle from the ship is at 12-30 to the city, and from the city to the ship at 16-45 the last one. The total time left for the city is no more than 5 hours. And this is Barcelona! In my understanding, are Barcelona really not interesting for Europeans, and Valencia, as it turned out later. Or is it discrimination against Spain by an Italian company. In the morning, having gathered for breakfast, and so we did along the entire route - we planned the day, cut our appetites for Barcelona, leaving the main thing - “Sagrada Familia” (Sagrada Familia), how could one not see it. Further, the house of Mila and the houses on Gracia Avenue, created by the genius of Gaudi, then Plaza Catalunya. We go out to the Rambla and go towards the embankment, if we have time in time, we will go to the Gothic Quarter. Park Guell disappears, we will not have time, to the Spanish village - too. So we decided. Of course, it was possible to take excursions from the ship (3.5 hours for 45-50 euros per person), but we are independent tourists. In the forefront, we got off the ladder, the blue “portobus” stop was nearby, boarded the bus, paying 3-50 euros / person round trip (ship shuttle - 8 euros / person). "Portobas" brings tourists to Columbus Square. There is a stop and Bus Turistik, a bus that runs on three routes, circling the sights of Barcelona. The cost is about 25 euros per person. But we get to the starting point of our route - Sagrada Familia by metro (3.5 euros / person). The fantasy of this building is amazing. The towers look like giant stalactites, sculptures you can't imagine in churches. The cathedral was founded in 1882, and since 1891, Gaudí became the head of the work. The main basilica was planned to be huge in size for 15 thousand believers, the height of the main tower was 170 meters. By the time of his absurd death, Gaudí had built only one facade, the Nativity Facade, half a century later the Passion Facade was completed, and the Glory Facade is still ahead. Well, what to describe, you have to see it. There are photos, but words are not enough to describe. Further, at a pace, to the buildings of the Gracia Avenue, created by Antonia Gaudí . His creations do not fit into the usual framework, his motto is no straight lines. We look at the Casa Batllo with multicolored glass and ceramic cladding, the House of Mila with cast-iron grilles and sculptures on the roof. There are also a number of interesting structures. Next is Plaza Catalunya, followed by the Rambla, which stretches for a kilometer to Columbus Square. Probably the entire tourist population of our ship walks on the boulevard, and also other people. The Rambla is the heart of Barcelona and the most famous pedestrian area in Spain. And we are walking, between souvenir shops, cafes, kiosks, shops, moving to the embankment, we do not have time to go to the Gothic Quarter. What can you do in Barcelona in five hours of boat parking? We still need to come here!!
We sit down in the blue bus again. That's what else struck me, although I knew, but had not seen before. A disabled person in a wheelchair drove up and not only did the ramp move out of the door, but the bus seemed to sit down in his direction and the person calmly drove into the bus. We drive up to the terminal, go through control and before our eyes we have a Dutik with a wine department, and we have a whole day ahead of us at sea, and Morocco is an Arab country. We sent women to study perfumery, and we ourselves produced a decoction, the cost of whiskey (liter - 8 euros) martini (liter - 4 euros). Don't take it wrong! After all, we have already passed the control!
Next in order! A little rest in the cabin and forward to dinner. At dinners in the main restaurant, themed meals are organized, each day is dedicated to some region of Italy. Or the province of Veneto, or Calabria, or Apulia, or Naples. Accordingly, dishes from these provinces are recommended on the menu. In addition to them, there are generally accepted dishes. I can’t forget “pasta with a rabbit in... with spices”, I ordered it - they brought a very similar dish to our “naval pasta”. I was hoping that at least there would be a piece of rabbit meat, but it turned out to be rabbit crumbs on pasta. We laughed! I won’t write about restaurants anymore, I think that’s enough. There were cakes with candles during the Day of Italy, and performances with songs of our chefs and waiters, birthdays and other anniversaries were celebrated. After dinner, entertainment programs: theater, live music in all bars from classical to jazz, someone wants to try their luck at the Casino, at the stern - a disco with a choice of "Miss Splendida". The next day we have a rest at sea and the Captain's reception.
