Postcards from Sea: SPAIN

DAY 96 — April 10, 2017 – Sailing the Mediterranean Sea to SPAIN

DAY 97 — April 11, 2017 – Palma de Mallorca, SPAIN

On this visit to Palma, Ron toured on his own because I ate something that didn’t agree with me. We have been here before and that time I dragged him around shopping – not his favorite activity. So, while I spent the day in our bathroom, he was happy to go off on his own and see the sights that interested him. Here they are.

Palma’s unique round-shaped Gothic-style Bellver Castle was built between 1300-1311 AD as a royal residence and fortress for Mallorcan King James II. It is also known as the Castle of the Beautiful Views since it sits 403 feet above sea level and gives an awesome panoramic view of Palma Harbor.

The majestic Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca sits in downtown Palma near the waterfront. It was built in Gothic style in 1230 on the foundation of an ancient mosque. With the mountains in the background and the water before it, the church presents a picture-perfect postcard from the sea.

DAY 98 — April 12, 2017 – Barcelona, SPAIN

Barcelona is a city of magnificent architecture from the Gothic Quarter buildings of the 13^th-Century to the modernist buildings of today. Riding the HOHO (Hop-on Hop-off Bus) around the city we had the chance to view a lot of interesting buildings.

This hotel is startlingly fresh looking when you first see it against a beautiful blue sky. It is in the new section of Barcelona that borders the Barceloneta beach area which used to be full of factories and warehouses. This is also where Barcelona built a lot of new buildings for hosting the 1992 Summer Olympics.

A huge metal fish glittering in the sunlight is a local icon in New Barcelona. I never learned exactly what its purpose was. It is right next to a casino, so maybe . . . reel ‘em in?

Designed by a French architect, the Agbar Tower is supposed to remind you of geysers bursting into the air. It reminds most people of a pickle. It can be seen from all over the city and changes color as the sunlight moves.

The old Barcelona Bull Ring is now used as a shopping mall.

Known as The Basilica, this building was originally built to be a hotel but became a medical clinic instead.

There are many lovely old, classical apartment buildings in neighborhoods all over the city. I like to imagine the lives of the people living tn them.

DAY 99 — April 13, 2017 – Barcelona, SPAIN

Barcelona is often defined by the architectural work of Antoni Gaudi (1852-1926). His buildings are unique because he saw each of them as a total piece of art inspired by nature and geometry. He is greatly admired today but, for a long time, many critics have felt he walked that fine line between genius and insanity.

La Sagrada Familia (The Holy Family Church) has been under construction since 1888, when Gaudi made its design and construction his life’s passion. He died in 1926 with the church far from finished. Other architects have taken up his work and are closely following the original plans to the smallest detail.

When Ron first visited the church in the early 1990’s, the shell of an exterior was up but there was no ceiling. Over the years, he has watched its progress and visits every time he is in Barcelona. This was my third trip to La Sagrada Familia and the progress that I have seen in the last 7 years has been astounding. The goal is to have the church completely finished by 2016 on the 100^th anniversary of Gaudi’s death.

This is what the church is projected to look like in 9 years. Seven more towers need to be added including the tall one in the center which will double the height of the current church.

Although he was the creator of several of Barcelona’s most famous buildings, he was a bit eccentric. When he was killed by a tram in 1926, he was dressed in rags and had no identification. It took several days for authorities to figure out who he was.

La Pedrera

Described variously as “a stone poem, a giant sculpture, and a great petrified wave,” La Pedrera is an apartment building built by Antoni Gaudi for one family. It is now on the UNESCO World Heritage list because of its “uniqueness.” Gaudi wanted its rough outer appearance to remind people of an open quarry with curves and decoration from nature. It took 6 years to complete.

The roof terrace of Pedrera has no resemblance to the architecture of its time. Gaudi hated buildings with flat-topped roofs because their antennas, pipes, and other hardware sticking up reminded him of a bald head with a few stray hairs popping up. This collection of weird towers and sculptures covering stairwells, ventilation, and chimney shafts apparently was far more pleasing to him.

Barcelona is an amazing city with always something new to discover. We are looking forward to our next visit.

DAY 100 — April 14, 2017 – Sailing the Mediterranean Sea

Day 100! Only 11 more to go! I am happy and sad at the same time.

Sailed through the Prime Meridian this morning so we are back in the Western Hemisphere once again. We sail through the Straits of Gibraltar in the middle of the night tonight – for the 4^th time. We may get to see it in daylight someday.

DAY 101 — April 15, 2017 – Cadiz, SPAIN

Cadiz is the oldest continuously inhabited city on the Iberian Peninsula and has served as the home port to the Spanish Navy since the 18^th century. It is on a peninsula that stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. Its Old Town, on the waterfront, is another labyrinth of narrow, winding streets. Apparently, pirates need to be foiled everywhere in the Med and the common wisdom of the day was that they had no sense of direction on land.

Cadiz has always been the launching point for cruise ship travelers who want to make the trip up to Seville. Having already done that, our main interest in Cadiz was to see the Camera Obscura located there, one of the 60 Camera Obscuras that can be found worldwide.

What is a Camera Obscura?

Here it is sticking out of the top of the tower, like a periscope.

It works exactly like a pinhole camera, that is, just like the human eye.

Although we could not take photographs, this photo from the brochure shows what you see during the demonstration. The Camera Obscura projects a brilliant MOVING image of whatever it is pointed at – vehicles moving, people walking, boats sailing in the bay.

The optical principle is quite simple, really. But to see it in action was a surprisingly interesting experience. And to have a little fun, the demonstrator used small card stock to “pick people up” from the sidewalk they were on and then they were walking on the card. Using a tent-folded card, people appeared to climb up and then fall off the other side. If you are demonstrating something 8 times a day you have to do something to amuse yourself as well as your visitors.