Barcelona, Spain and The Basilica De Sagrada Familia

Interesting to watch a cruise ship pull into port.  A few times we were able to watch the port pilot come aboard.  He jumps out of his little boat towards one of the hatches on a lower deck and an arm comes out to grab him and pull him in.  The first people off the ship are the guys who set up the gangways.  This takes some time.  There is all number of safety items to secure things.  Like nets around the gangways in case someone falls off.

The second people off the ship are on a gurney.  There are a lot of very old people on these ships.  Many of them can barely walk.  In almost every port there were people being taken off and into an ambulance.

We took an excursion this time.  They pick you up in a very nice bus.  Off you go.  The guides all speak English and know how to deal with the group.  Our first stop was at the UNESCO site of The Basilica De Sagrada Familia (The Church of the Holy Family). This Basilica was started in 1882, by architect, Antoni Gaudi.  He had a vision for the finished church, but alas he died early into the project.  Our guide did a great job moving us around the very crowded church.  The fact that this church is still unfinished, and will be for maybe 20 more years, does not distract one from the awe and shock reaction to it.  Words really can't descibe the unusual design.  Some people hated it and some loved it.  At first I was shocked, but then fell in love when I walked inside.  For those interested there is information online.

Once we recovered from the Bascilica and loaded back onto the bus we took a tour around Bacelona.  It's a beautiful city.  We drove by a few of the homes and buildings that Gaudi also designed and built. We finished our tour high above the city on a hill overlooking the area.  Beautiful.  Here's some of the best pics.  You can click on the pictures to enlarge them.