Ok lah, enough of the excuses, back to the topic: our Europe (more specifically: Spain and Italy) honeymoon trip highlights. 10-days of intense walking, sight-seeing, shopping and surviving on around S$2,000. Believe us, it is quite a challenge, given that every meal costs at least S$40 for 2, we'd to save on transport by taking the metro (taxis are a no-no) and our trusty bus no.11 (read: leg work).
First stop was Barcelona, Spain, which turned out to be our favorite destination in the itin. Although it took us quite a while to navigate from the metro station to our hotel (not eased after a 13-hour flight, with 1-hour stopover), and it was a starter to what will become a very leg-muscle-bursting trip.
Anyway, maybe it's time to show some pictures of the Barcelona hot-spots, lest I am starting to bore you with words.
There is the Sagreda Familia (hope I got the spelling right) which is the first of many Gaudi architecture in Barcelona we've visited. This is the famous church that has not be completed after 100+ years of construction. Geez, they sure know how to take their time. Think it is estimated to be completed by 2012; just hope that it can be completed in our lifetime..
We also walked to this mansion that Gaudi built on a hill, and here's where you'll find the famous lizard at the steps and the longest chair/bench on the rooftop (think it's about 200+ metres long); these are classic Gaudi symbols you'll see being sold as minature souvenirs and printed on almost any brochures/ T-shirts/ mugs... you get the idea.
2 more Gaudi architecture must-visits for tourists are found on their equivalent of Orchard Road: the left one is the House of Bones (as the components resembles bones and skulls), the right one is Casa Milla (peculiar as it has no edges, quite a contemporary design for Gaudi's era).
What we liked about Barcelona was also of its proximity to the seaside (the Mediteranean Sea). It not only makes the weather more pleasant, but also a great place to stroll and chill out, be it day of night. I like the rightmost shot, with a very clear sky-sea horizon and moonlight reflection, ideal for wallpaper on desktop.
Now for the food. Actually, Spanish cuisine is ok, but not with that many distinctive flavors or uniqueness. We'd thought tapas to be some special dish, but in fact, they are just small portions of various dishes like chicken, squid, clams, salad etc, much like our chap-chai peng, without the rice.
There is a hybrid between a sandwich and sushi (but bread instead of rice, as the base), called bocadillos, that are somewhat unique bite-sized snacks. The ingredient can range from ham, cheese, tuna, to even anchovies. The cost: 10 Euros.
If you are really dying for rice, there's the paella, which is something like fat marinated rice with ingredients such as tomato, seafood/chicken. Oh, and it costs a cool 16 Euros for this plate shown here.
The ang-mohs simply love to dine alfresco, out in the sunlight and wind. But we Singaporeans tend to prefer the indoors, since we get too much sun back home already. Nevertheless, the outdoor dining experience in Europe is unlike that in Singapore, as you it is really not hot and humid at all, and you are surrounded by exotic buildings and in a relaxed environment.
(Note: the purple drink is called sangria, a unique Spanish concoction that is part red wine, with orange, lemon and some other stuff. Tastes great, and hard to get drunk on :)
We did smuggle some instant noodles there for some of the meals in the hotel though (dire cost-cutting measures...., although the shiokness of eating chu-qian-yi-ding is priceless, too bad we forgot to buy some eggs from the supermarket!)
We also went to FC Barcelona stadium (the 3rd largest stadium in the world), for a stadium and museum tour, to peek at their player dressing rooms, shower and toilets (yes, it a bit -duh-, but as football fans, who would not be curious as to how it looks like..).
And, the cream of the crop, is the 2005 Champions League Trophy! !Ole!
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