Barcelona, Spain Again

11/04/2012 (Sunday) -- Barcelona, Spain

Our ship scheduled to arrive Barcelona at 1:00pm. We had the whole morning resting. We went to the excursion desk to confirm our ship tour for Tunisia and everything was fine. Breakfast and lunch were at the Pago Pago again. We liked  this area at the back of the ship because it's usually quieter and the view is great. 

the quiet Pago Pago

arriving the port of Barcelona

waiting to get off the ship near the crystal staircase at the atrium

the atrium is just sparkling and beautiful

We did not purchase the shuttle tickets while on board because we wanted to see if taxis would be available. Unfortunately, the taxi station was manned by police and they told us that there are no taxis that will fit five people. So we had to purchase tickets for the shuttle here to town for 8 euro each round trip. I really think MSC should provide courtesy shuttle rides. 

getting on the shuttles from here

After getting off the shuttle, we were met by the HOHO bus sales. A taxi driver also came up quietly and told us that he will take us for a three hour tour for 30 euro pp. I don't think the taxi driver was suppose to be there because I heard the young men from the HOHO bus said something about 'police'. They also questioned the taxi driver but he wouldn't answer them. We decided to take the Greyline HOHO bus which cost 24 euro pp, with senior discount for 18 euro. Four years ago we took the other HOHO bus so it was good to try another one. Greyline has two lines looping around the city vs. the three lines the other company has. We took the West Route (red) first and planned on taking the green route later on to go to Sagrada Familia.  

Placa Espanya area

Barcelona Arena

we spotted a Chinese restaurant along the route

the rather empty streets of Barcelona on a Sunday afternoon

We were to change o the green bus at the top of La Ramblas but we had to get off the bus to look for a restroom. After more than two hours on the bus we all needed to go. There was a McDonald's nearby and the restrooms were up on the 2nd floor. After that we decided that it was a little late to take the green bus because we also wanted to explore the La Ramblas area. Too bad the Siahs didn't get to see Sagrada Familia which we did last time we were here. We decided to split up here to spend time as we wished. We had fun walking around and off to the side streets of La Ramblas.

A ham store caught our eyes.

They were selling a special kind of ham in a cones for 4 euro each. The sales person said that was the best kind of ham produced in Barcelona. It had a deep red oily color which I forgot the name of. It tasted great and came with a pack of breadstick. It was a good find and a must try if anyone is in the area.

back to the shuttle bus station near the World Trade Center

Security check to go back on the ship was especially heavy with x-rays and pat downs. Don't understand why. Dinner was at 7:00 tonight instead of 6:30 because of the late on board time.