I grabbed a car share ride, BlaBla Car, from Madrid to Barcelona. The folding bike makes all options of transportation available: train, bus, ride share & best of all? You have a bike to ride! I was dropped off at the train station, found some shade and put the bike together. I’ve been to Barcelona 3 times & La Familia twice, I wasn’t planning on visiting this time. While biking the 22km to Camping Masnou I noticed the 250km of bike lanes around Barcelona, they were very inviting. From the campground you can put your bike on the train for 5euro, roundtrip into Barcelona. This is a great way to visit Barcelona and save some money too.
My friend Stanley from France has a house in Morocco and has invited me to visit. If I’m going to go that far, I’ve got some people & places I want to visit along the way. Bike touring brings you places you may not experience, otherwise. When I biked through Colera, Spain 5 years ago I was only going to stay 1 night. After setting up my tent, I biked into town, I was here 2 weeks. I met Nuria a local artist who had her signature ants walking the street. Hiking, Biking, Beach walking, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving & more can all be found in Colera. (3 Photos from 5 years ago) Gardening with Nuria, (you can see why I came back) Continue reading “REVISITING BIKING ROUTES COLERA, SPAIN”→
We pay for our train ride and are released from the underground train station. We meet our Air B&B host and get the keys. We glance over the maps and make our wish list of places to visit. . After 5 weeks of adventure travel and Natasa killing me in Colera. , I don’t want to walk 5 blocks. We decide to buy the all day tourist bus ticket, on & off all around town I’m looking forward to the bus ride. They give us headphones to listen to our recorded tour guide.
FEELING LIKE A TOURIST NOW, BUT STILL BETTER THAN WORKING!
I notice a lot of the apartments all have outdoor patios, there are no patios here in Skofja Loka.
Were go to Sagrada Família first, but can only get a ticket for a 4:30 entrance. We hop back onto the bus and head to Park Güell, can’t get an entrance ticket until 6:30 pm. So we get back on the bus, we’re full fledged tourist now.
The bus only stops at designated stops, not like when you ride a bike. After all the walking in Colera, I’m super happy just sitting and riding around on the outdoor top deck of the bus.
Were back at the Sagrada Família ( outside google images) (inside google images) for our entrance time.
WE PAY EXTRA TO GO UP THE ELEVATOR IN ONE OF THE SPIRES
TREE BRANCHES THAT HAVE BEEN REMOVED WERE USED FOR GAUDI’S DESIGNS
We grab the last bus home, but must ride the whole route around town before we can get off at our destination.
I’m so done, I tell Natasa that I don’t want to walk anywhere or go see anything tomorrow. After 5 weeks of adventure travel I’ve reached the limit. I just want to take a shower, write some postcards and have a hit. I agree to meet Natasa at the church square, but even that is a bit too much for me.
THIS IS A PICTURE OF A PROFESSIONAL TOURIST
Natasa went out alone, to see and explore more of Barcelona. When we met up she asked “did you miss me?”, we were laughing so hard. So were walking down to the beach for lunch and see this rock shop.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE LARGEST “FLAWLESS” AMETHYST CRYSTALS I’VE EVER SEEN.
I TOLD THE SHOP OWNER I WAS A ROCK COLLECTOR AND HE PRECEDED TO TAKE US TO THE BASEMENT AND SHOW US MORE, A ROOM FULL OF AMETHYST CRYSTALS AND MANY MORE SPECIMENS
We go out for our last meal in Barcelona, paella, which is a traditional Spanish meal.. We order the cod and vegetable paella, 2 little pieces of fish and not a vegetable in sight. Then they’re shocked were not buying any wine. But then they too pull the same “appetizer scam” , they bring us toast with ketchup and a bowl of olives just another 10 euro. Lunch was 60 euro or 60 dollars. I can’t wait for a home cooked meal.
AFTER THAT MEAL, WHERE CAN I GET SOME OF THESE?
AT THE FARMERS MARKET i SEE THESE DEER FEET, FOR SOUP?
We must fly to Rome first, then fly to Triesta for our 2 hour bus ride to Ljubljana. As old as Italy and Rome is I couldn’t believe this.
THIS ULTRA MODERN BATHROOM HAD NO FAUCETS OR ANYTHING, WATER, SOAP AND DRY BY JUST PUTTING YOUR HANDS IN FRONT OF THE IMAGE.
We must wait another hour in Ljubljana for our final bus to Skofja Loka-HOME!
NICE COMFY COUCHES & COFFEE FOR OUR FINAL HOUR OF WAITING.
It’s so great to be home.
Thanks for reading and commenting
Jeff & Natasa
NEXT? I’m going to America in a few days. I will be comparing America to Slovenia and Portland to Skofja Loka, this will be fun!
Corey from France via Portland is visiting for the next couple days. I’ll keep you posted
