Wednesday, December 27, 2006

OLAH! ESPANÃ

Spain was the last trip for me outside Sweden before I head back home. Initially I thought it was a good chance to 'thaw' myself a little before going back to the tropical island. Well...it wasn't the case cos the temperature in Spain was kinda erratic with fluctuations ranging from 1-15 degrees.

Still, it was a trip of quite an adventure especially when we have to be on full alert whenever there's a crowd or when we are in a subway. Why? well...because Spain probably has the most professional pickpockets you can find. Of the 6 people who went on this trip, 3 of us were being tried on. While non were really successful, one of us, Shengzhi's boyfriend, Kenneth was kind of unfortunate yet fortunate to lose his umbrella to those slithering hands.

However, I actually thought it was quite a nice trip if not for those extra pair of hands around. It was like another architecture pilgrimage for me when we were in Barcelona. The 2 hostels we stayed in were also really nice and we had probably one of the fullest meal(k..make that 2) for all the traveling all this time. Fresc Co. was the name and if you wanna have a full and pretty decent meal, look out for this place when you are in Spain. It serves a wide variety of salad bar buffet and some pizzas and pasta as well. K, shan't write another letter if not someone will complain again. Here are the pics taken. Enjoy.


BARCELONA | GAUDI LAND







The Sagrada Familia. The symbol of Barcelona. Another 30 years before its ever completed....





More of Gaudi's buildings above, Casa Milla followed by Casa Botlló

















Photos from around the city..lazy to name them all..haha.

Following are few other famous architectures in Barcelona.



Torre Calatrava by...Calatrava of course..




Torre Agbar by Jean Nouvel



And of course, how can we forget the ever so famous, most talked about architecture that we've come across, the legendary Barcelona Pavilion! Apparently, these are photos of the replica and this site doesn't really do justice to the pavilion. In fact, it kinda spoil it quite a bit and it did not really impressed me like Villa Savoye did. Probably its small and there were too many people inside. Still, some photos were taken after I paid $2EUROS to enter...yes...and I spent like probably 10 minutes inside?...bleah








The famous Barcelona Chair.




My favourite for the pavilion.




A group pic by Catalunya's National Art Museum


MADRID | FOOTBALL LAND











Pics from around the city of Madrid.




and yes....SANTIAGO BERNABEU



The Galacticos



the trophies..and this is not all...too many to take..:P



this's the reason for the trophies.






UEFA CUP



me by the interview stand, no stunts this time..haha. More of Madrid follows.









Barajas Airport Terminal 3 & 4 by Richard Rogers.




Retiro Park





Above is my favourite shot in Madrid. In fact the entire trip. The leave was on this frozen shallow pond and beneath it was more of the same kinda leaves. Below is another group photo by the entrance of Retiro Park. So that marks the end of my Europe Escapade...actually not quite cos there's still the farm stay. so Next up, back to the nature.


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