6th October Madrid-Barcelona

This morning Linda and I woke early and left Madrid on the high speed train (first class) for Barcelona. We had a very comfortable trip, we could spread out our legs, watch the Last Exotic Marigold Hotel (in Spanish) if we wished and we were given breakfast...just like if we were on a plane! It took about 3 hours on the fast train, as opposed to 12 hours by normal train. It was worth the extra money!

We took a taxi and checked into our hotel, then caught another taxi up to Park Guell as we had booked a group tour. We had been to Park Guell with the CEO group but this time we began the tour at the bottom gates and walked up the hill. Today's guide was excellent and gave us new insights into Gaudi's work and encouraged us to look at Gaudi's work through the artists eyes and see the natural objects that Gaudi was inspired by. We walked up to where the 'chapel' was which was meant to be the place where a real chapel would have been built for the intended community of residents that Park Guell was built for. Originally 60 homes were to be built here, but only 3 residences ever were. While we were at the 'chapel' the guide warned us that we were likely to see the most "special" busker at Park Guell...and oh was he "special"...with his leopard skin tights and crazy antics...of course we took pictures!!!! It was nice to get another perspective on Park Guell, and our guide was really good and we found that no information was repeated, we actually learnt more which was great.

After Park Guell we managed to find a bus to take us back into the city and drop us off near Casa Mila (La Pederera) where we had booked a night tour of this magnificent building. This building was built between 1905 and 1912 and has an undulating facade and metal balconies, quite 'out there' for its day, and it includes an underground carpark! It was built for the Mila family who had made their fortune in the 'new world'. We were shown through one of the apartments upstairs which contains original furniture from the time period. We were then taken into the attic which is made from timber beams which make you think you are in the belly of a whale. Lastly we were shown up to the roof where the air vents and chimneys have been gracefully shaped and are in fact a work of art. These are beautifully lit which only just adds to the magic of this place!