August 10, 2016- Checking Out of the Grand Hotel Central Barcelona, Private Car Service from the Hotel to BCN, Duty Free, Air Canada Rouge Premium BCN to YYZ, Air Canada Premium YYZ to YYJ

This morning we woke up exhausted after not enough of a sleep. We packed.

When we checked out of the Grand Central Hotel Barcelona, we asked about their private car which was advertised in our room. They said that it could take us to the airport for 30 EU (a taxi is 35 to 40 EU normally the front desk woman said). We hired it and were whisked out the door with our bags by several staff.

As we drove to BCN, the lovely driver, Alex, told us about his time in the Spanish Navy and the many countries that he had lived in. At the airport, he took us to the right terminal and then left his vehicle and carried April’s bags and took us to a screen, determined where we had to check in, and then took us to the check in place. We’ve never had service like this before. The hotel may have rough spots like its room service, mattresses (at least in our room), the weird perfume, and street noise, but the service and location make it probably almost impossible to beat.

We had checked into our Air Canada flight online the night before, but we had to show our passports for verification and hand over our two checked bags to an agent. The lineup was not long. The woman took our two bags and put a priority tag on them (we think it’s because we ended up in Air Canada Rouge Premium, either through some upgrade because of Bill’s status, or because that was what was left).

We went to the VAT office to get the receipt for the scarf that April bought stamped to get the tax back (it was put on her credit card at the department store in their duty free office, but if you don’t get the receipt stamped at the airport and then send that to them, they reverse the credit card refund). There was quite a long lineup to get this stamp and we contemplated whether or not it was worth it in the future. We think that unless you're spending a lot of money or you don't mind standing in long lineups, it's probably not really worth it. We didn't spend that much money, so we don't really think that it was worth it. After the form from the department store which resembled a receipt was stamped, we were directed to put it, in the envelope provided, in the box at the end of the line.

We then had to go through the exit visa line. We asked the airport employee directing the lineups which would be faster, EU or non-EU, since sometimes non-EU moves faster. She said it was a gamble, but probably EU, so we took that lineup with April’s Irish passport. The lineup moved quickly and after we were out we went to the duty free shop to spend our last few Euros.

We then found the area where our gate was located, had a late breakfast at a café, and then went straight into the priority boarding lineup for zones 1 and 2 (there is no zone 1 on this flight and we were in zone 2 at the front- shi shi shi baby).

Only two seats side by side in the premium section of Air Canada Rouge. And the seats are bigger with more leg room.

Neither of us has ever been in priority before. In Air Canada Rouge Priority premium it is only two seats at each window and two seats in the middle. They are larger seats and have more legroom. You are given a welcome bottle of water and a drink before take off. We also were given a pack that contained an eye shade, earplugs, and socks.

We left almost 30 minutes late from Barcelona, heading for Toronto first (almost a 9 hour flight). We would have a layover of about four hours, before catching our second flight to Victoria in Air Canada Premium seats (so since it's Air Canada and not Rouge, there would be a business class in front of us, then the premium section, then coach). The second flight, YYZ to YYJ, is about 5 hours.

After takeoff, for the first snack with a drink, we were given a drink in a real glass or mug. The meal was served on porcelain with metal cutlery and a drink in a real glass. The food seems somewhat fancier, though still an airline meal.

The view out the window leaving Barcelona.

Real glass and porcelain.

Our main meal.

Silverware with the Air Canada logo on it.

We were given an iPad each for entertainment. April watched a couple of episodes of a TV show. Bill played some video games on the iPad.

For the duration of the flight, Bill and April fought to stay awake to try to get back on Pacific Standard Time. Bill dozed once for about 20 minutes, while April worked on the blog on Bill's laptop. We worked on choosing pictures for the blog to post later. We listened to a Harry Potter audiobook on Bill's computer, sharing a set of microphones.

Towards the end of the flight, we ate a "sandwich" which was more like a burrito in a cardboard box heated up. All in all the food on this flight wasn't that bad (certainly better than Delta last year).

The flight was actually quite rough at many points and we were both glad that we're not nervous flyers. The seat belt sign kept going on as turbulence made the plane bounce through the air high in the sky. But we arrived safely.

In YYZ (Toronto's Pearson International Airport), we did not have to meet our bags, as they would go through to Victoria themselves, but we did have to clear customs (paper forms still). At  one of the kiosks, April's passport would scan (N.B. her Canadian passport- Canadians are supposed to enter and exit Canada on their Canadian passport even if they are dual citizen of some other country), but Bill's brand new 10 year one wouldn't.  We tried again. And again. We asked for an airport employee. She tried it at several other self serve kiosks. It didn't work. We were not impressed as Bill's passport is one of the new 10 year passports that cost more, while April's is an older five year passport. The airport employee finally routed us into the Nexus lineup (Bill has a Nexus card). An agent said it was fine that Bill's passport didn't scan (it seems to be not unheard of). He marked up our customs form and sent us on our way. We then had to clear another lineup to hand in our marked customs form.

After, we walked towards the connecting flights signs, branching off from those meeting baggage. We followed the confusing signs to find our gate area (others were lost and asking for directions, not  good signage). When we left an elevator, in our gate area, we discovered that we had to clear security again (we did this in Barcelona already and had been stuck inside two airports and a plane ever since).The airport employee told us that the next floor up had more doors so it was better, so we went up another level. We were able to use the Nexus lineup (Bill has a Nexus card, but April doesn't, nonetheless they allowed it). The Nexus lineup took quite a while (not as long as non-Nexus though, those lineups were massive). April went through screening first and of course set off the alarm that indicates that extra screening is needed. The agent ran off to grab the special paper to rub on April's hands and her belly to check for explosive making trace residue (ah is good to be back in Canada where April is targeted at almost every single airport screening she goes goes through). Not unsurprisingly, no traces of explosive making were found and we moved on to find our gate.

By the time we found our gate, we were feeling sick. It was far past bedtime back in Spain and we had been up a long time already. There wasn't much to choose from to eat in the area, so we had sandwiches from Tim Horton's and a couple of huge cups of steeped tea (stay awake!!!!!!!). We also had some chips (the salt is so much more pronounced in Canada than Europe. We really do have a love of salt here). We worked on the blog and fought to stay awake.

We boarded our flight from YYZ to YYJ (Victoria, BC). We were a little late leaving. When the plane took off the noise was very strange and Bill and April cast several nervous glances at each other, wondering if the plane was going to make it (when we had boarded the flight, the technician was telling the flight attendant that it was an old plane that was very fragile, great).

Let's get this flight over with. We're tired.

This flight was about five hours. We were in the first row of the premium economy section, behind the poorly drawn mini curtain over the top of the business seats in front of us. We were assigned to aisle and middle. No one showed up for the window seat which we were pleased about. It's three people across in the premium economy section on an Air Canada flight. In the first row of premium where we were seated, the middle person has no pocket in front of them (there are only two seats in the business class rows, but three in premium) and their screen is a pull out one from the seat arm. We don't really understand how Air Canada can charge more for these seats. Yes you get a free sandwich and snack, yes there's a bit more leg room, yes you're almost first on and first off, but for the amount more that they charge (when you're not assigned or upgraded for free), it seems kind of disappointing (or at least it is especially for the person in the middle of the first premium row who doesn't get a normal tray table, entertainment screen, or seat pocket).

Plus, there were only two bathrooms at the back and one at the front of the plane. We were screened off from business class by a curtain, so we had to walk all the way to the very back of the plane from almost the front to go to the bathroom. Unfortunately, the flight attendants were blocking the aisle most of the time on the flight, so eventually they just sent April up to business class, where the flight attendant there warned her that the seat belt sign was on and she would have to use the bathroom at her own risk. Don't worry about it, buddy, I can handle myself in a bucking airplane toilet. Better that than having an "accident." And it was a very rough flight. One of the roughest we've ever felt in a bigger plane (besides that previous flight, which was also really turbulent).

We fought to stay awake, listening to Harry Potter for a while, but then both drifting out and missing most of the chapter, drool dripping out of our slacked jaws. We tried to drink more caffeinated beverages and lots of water, but it was no good. It was nearing our normal wake up time in Spain and we had still not slept. We had almost been up 24 hours by the time we neared home (other than Bill's 20 minute nap and the few stolen moments on that flight).

The views coming into Victoria were gorgeous and we were relieved that we would be in bed soon with our kitty, Lamont.

Mount Baker was visible above the clouds.

Mt. Baker with the faint outline of Ranier in the background

North Saanich at sunset.

We met our bags at the Victoria Airport (they were priority tagged, so they were some of the first out). Both of our bags arrived, which we were very happy about (better than our honeymoon night where we arrived at our destination, but neither of our suitcases did. Funnily enough, the exact same thing happened to April's sister on her honeymoon night).

We took a taxi home, then took our car and drove to April's cousin's place to pick up Lamont. Lamont was very pleased to see us and we drove home with him yowling his displeasure at the car ride.

Lamont knows how to show his displeasure.

We were home, with our kitty, and the trip had all in all been good. Success. Oh, and we won't be taking a cruise ever again.

And now we sleep. . . . 

August 8, 2016 – A Very Gaudi Day

We woke up feeling tired today and slowly got ready to go out.

View from our hotel windows in the morning sun.

We left the hotel around 11:00 AM and walked to a café and had a sandwich, fruit salad (excellent and cheap!), and a chocolate croissant.

A hand of Fatima door knocker, a nod to the city's Moorish past.

We walked on a route that Bill had planned in order to see as many of Gaudi’s buildings as we could within a walking distance from our hotel. We saw Casa Calvet and then Casa Batllo, proceeded north to Casa Ametller—the latter two located on some of the fancier shopping streets in the city. We stopped in for a croissant and a cool drink at a café to get out of the hot afternoon sun and then continued along Pesseig De Gracia to Casa Mila la Pedrera.

Streets packed with sightseers just like us.

Unusual and ornamental balconies are a Gaudi trademark in Barcelona.

Giant eggs seem to feature in architecture in Barcelona (Dali's museum just up the road in Figures has giant eggs all along its roof).

And now for something completely different . . . a random modern building with the strips of a modernist zebra.

Gaudy balconies.

The day became steadily hotter as we climbed toward the north of the city in search of Casa Vicens. We stopped for a couple of cool drinks at the metro station and soon thereafter found the building, however it was undergoing restoration and only the façade of its side was visible.

Casa Vicens.

We then lost ourselves in the hills, climbing steadily along narrow streets and turning back every once in a while the see the city fall away at our feet.

Another beautiful door we found along the way.

Nintendo graffiti.

Zebra butts.

Looking down towards our first  Barcelona hotel, W Barcelona, by the sea as we climbed the hill.

When we finally found Parc Guell, it was surrounded by a throng of tourists, most of whom were as chagrined as us to find that tickets must either be purchased online ahead of time or at the door, but only allow you to enter at a particular time. When we arrived there at approximately 3:00 PM, the next available entry time was 8:00 PM. We didn’t remember reading that there was an admission to Parc Guell and others did not seem to be aware either. Also, we were surprised that admission was 8 euros per person. Others were also shocked by this and we overheard them muttering as we took in the visible buildings from the street before descending the narrow streets towards The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia.

Looking from the outside is free and you don't have to wait until they happen to find time in their packed schedule to let you into Parc Guell.

We had purchased online tickets to La Sagrada Familia earlier in the day for entry at 4:00 PM and entry into the Nativity Tower at 4:30 PM. It was a system similar to Anne Frank House and it is a really great idea to keep the line-ups smaller and give as many people as possible as best a viewing experience as they can (although it was still very busy). April observed that the church is much much busier than when she was in Barcelona 20 years ago (this may have something to do with Pope Benedict XVI declaring it a minor basilica in 2010).

The church was started in 1882 and is still unfinished. Gaudi died in 1926 and it is estimated that the church won’t be completed until 2026, the centenary of his death. The church has largely been built up from plans left by the architect and not during his lifetime. However, most of the church is quite true to his style and therefore is visually arresting, spectacular, unique, and remarkable.

A stone forest that seems to be alive with all of the light that filters into the church.

One side of the church is done in cool colours where the sun rises and the other side is done in warm colours where the sun sets. 

The inside is meant to look like a forest with columns that bear weight instead of buttresses. He designed the "trunks" to have light come through them so the church would have as much light as possible. The effect is spectacular.

Panorama shows the warm colours on one side and the cool on the other side of the church.

The Nativity Tower (the one he oversaw in his lifetime, unlike the Passion Tower which was done by someone else not in his style and is the other option for a tower visit on the ticket) has an elevator. We took this to the top and then we walked across a bridge to another tower. The view was spectacular and both Bill and April felt very nervous as they observed the tiny ant like forms of the people far, far below. We had to walk down a twisting spiral staircase all the way to the bottom of the other tower as they don’t have an elevator that goes down (unless they have to use the one we came up in, they did offer it to a woman who was terrified of heights). The views of the city are worth the extra money for the tower access ticket in our opinion, although if you have a severe fear of heights, perhaps give it a pass.

In the elevator up the Nativity Tower.

The view down was terrifying. We were really, really high up and people below looked like ants.

Doves on the tower look down on Barcelona.

Old styles mix with new in Barcelona's skyline.

The shadow of La Sagrada Familia falls on the ground below.

Fruity decorations on the church.

We walked all the way down a spiral staircase to get to the bottom of the Nativity Tower.

We wandered around the main part of the church when we arrived back down on the ground with our audio guides on (the ticket that gives tower access includes an audio guide- 29 Euros per person at the time of writing- steep but this is also a contribution towards the church being completed). All of the columns on the inside of the church that support the weight of the structure instead of buttresses look like a forest with bewitching light falling on them from the many varied stained glass windows. The ornate carvings and decorations were in stark contrast to Oude Kerk in Amsterdam (old Protestant church) which looked dower by comparison.

The church was packed with sightseers.

It's impossible to catch the light and the colours of the stained glass properly. The church is stunning.

The exterior of the church.

Cranes working on the unfinished church are visible.

Can't capture how ornate this church is.

The last time April posed in front of this church, she was 16 years old. 20 years has gone by very fast. And the church is more complete than it was last time too.

When we arrived back at the hotel, we were feeling exhausted after walking about 11 km in the hot afternoon sun and being out for 7 hours. The hotel hallways reeked of a sickly sweet perfume and when we entered our room it was rank with it. April felt nauseous from it and it aggravated her headache. Bill called down to get someone to open up our windows, so we could air out the room. They had to send someone up, as the windows are normally locked. We have stayed in hotels in Las Vegas where perfume is pumped into the casinos to cover up the scent of tobacco products, but we never have been affronted by a smell like this that permeates the entire hotel so thoroughly including the room where you have to sleep.

We decided to go up and check to see if we could sit by the rooftop pool to have dinner. The rooftop pool area was much smaller than the pictures on the internet and in our room led us to believe and all of the spots were taken. We retreated back to our room to order room service.

We ordered a Caesar salad, two mini Club sandwiches, fries, and ice cream off of the limited menu. It took a while for the food to come and the fries and sandwiches were almost stone cold (toasted variety). We called back to room service to inform them of this and they promised to send up “hot” fries and sandwiches in about 15 minutes. In the interim we had our salad and the potato chips that were provided as sides. In about half an hour the redone fries and sandwiches arrived. They weren’t hot, but they were slightly warmer than before and as we were very hungry we just sucked it up and ate them.

The club sandwiches were not at the level that we had come to expect from this hotel (the lunch yesterday was very good) or Europe in general (Costa cruises excluded). We surmised that the cheese was of the ilk of Kraft Singles or some other reasonable facsimile. It was like eating at Denny’s, but it took forever and the bill was 68 Euros.

Halfway through eating the sandwiches that we had to slather with mustard to disguise the taste and texture, we realized that we should check on the ice cream that we had put in the mini-fridge. Given the length of time that had passed in waiting to get a warmer version of dinner, the ice creams had melted in their tubs. We called down to get them to replace the ice cream. When the server eventually came to the door with new ice creams (that were different than the ones we handed back, because they had run out of that type) and spoons (because they didn’t give us those before), he told us that the meal would be free of charge.

Until then, we had been sitting on top of our sheets. As April began to pull down the covers on her side of the bed, some odd looking marks appeared. They resembled blood, fecal matter, or dried up nasal mucus, but the fellow at the front desk explained to Bill that it was probably grease from under the bed as they often put two beds together . . . right. Anyways, within 5 minutes, a duo of cleaners arrived and replaced the sheets.

We then got ready for bed, worked on blog posts, and listened to Harry Potter as we drifted off to sleep, eager to put this day and, in particular, this evening’s events behind us. Tomorrow is our last full day in Europe and our anniversary.