Showing posts with label Barcelona. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Barcelona. Show all posts

The Frakarsa's on the road: Hola Espana Trip: Parc Guell, Barcelona

Does Gaudi ring a bell to you? 
Yuup, Antonio Gaudi.


Frankly, I just stumbled into this famous name when I prepared my petite family trip to Spain. It was back in 2010 (almost 8 years ago) and we were still living in Geveve, Switzerland when we started the trip. And even before arriving at Barcelona, looking at all those photos and stories on the web, we know Antonio Gaudi was indeed a GENIUS!

Born in 1852, Gaudi has been world-widely know for his Catalan modernism, highly inspired by nature and  religion. To him, nature comes with the best shapes and colors. Some dubbed him as the 'God's  architect' for his incredible works, including Sagrada Familia, famous church in Barcelona as well as the most visited monument in Spain. And his works there is incomplete! So, no wonder we planned to see three amazing places in Barcelona created by Gaudi.

One of his famous masterpieces is PARC GUELL, in Barcelona.


Undoubtedly, Parc Guell is one of the most impressive parks I have visited so far (and I'm one of park's biggest fan :D). 
It has been world-wide famous for being Gaudi's great masterpieces, as the park is adorned with so many unique elements.

Di hari kedua road trip kami di Barcelona, kami memutuskan untuk mengunjungi Parc Güell yang asli ngetop banget. Pokoknya kalau ada kesempatan main ke Barcelona, jangan ngga mampir ke sini ya. Taman luas yang terdiri dari beberapa kompleks ini memang unik. Seperti yang saya ceritakan di atas, Gaudi memang bener-bener luar biasa dalam merealisasikan aneka bentuk unik dari alam. Dan taman ini adalah tempat pertama karya Gaudi yang kami nikmati di Barcelona. Kesan pertama memang jawdropping! Mencengangkan! Bikin menganga.

His attentions to details continued to wow and amaze me, Udi et Bo while we  got an opportunity to stroll around the city of Barcelona to see his magical works. 


Alhamdulillah, amidst flowing tourists, warm January and packed park, we managed to take a stroll around the park, starting from Casa - Museu Gaudi. We didn't get inside as the park itself is huge but we took a few pictures in front of this house/museum.



Then we walked up to the main part of the Park.
Parc Guell consists of several parts, including the famous Dragon (or 'gecko') stairs, the Greek Theater, Casa-Museu Gaudi, and Casa del Guarda.
 

really comfortable and unique...Gaudi ooh Gaudi...
As you walked into the area, you can immediately see Gaudi's signature.
Amazing details with out-of-this-world designs and shapes.
The park has been known for its famous 'gecko' (although some say it's the dragon) and incredibly comfy bench filled with quilt of ceramics tiles as well as stunning view of the city of Barcelona.


strolling around the 'forest' of asymmetrical columns...

When we continued to stroll around the park, especially, the upper part, we found the forest of unique columns.
More interesting spot to enjoy.

clear blue sky....
They are indeed unique as the columns are not even straight.
They are strategically positioned to frame the clear blue sky and trees in the park.

Even the roof along this promenade looks like natural caves, at least for me.
It feels like getting lost in the forest of brick columns.

Waktu kami sekeluarga menjelajahi taman ini, ada bagian yang seru dan unik serta tidak terlalu ramai. Di bagian ini ada jalan setapak dengan kolom-kolom dari bata yang terlihat alami dan uniknya tidak ada yang lurus.  Paling tidak terlihat alami dan seperti karya Gaudi lainnya, tidak ada garis lurus. Karena tidak terlalu ramai, seperti bagian taman lainnya di Greek Theater dan Dragon's stair, kita bisa puas foto-foto di sini.

let's take a walk :D...



The next part that we love so much is the gingerbread house. It's like those whimsical houses  popping out of children story book. 
Take a look at these photos and tell me what you think!





Jaw-dropping ceilings with intricate designs can be found in the Greek Theater part. Those mosaics in different colors and shapes will be interesting to look. I can't stop thinking how they actually built all this amazing park. There has got to be special techniques being used to get all those curves and colors.


The ceiling and its colorful constellation...




Wanna see more of Parc Guell ?
Enjoy some more photos we took during our trip to Parc Guell, Barcelona


Hope you enjoy them as much as we do!

amazing details indeed...mosaic of colorful tiles and patterns...

I love the shapes and their vibrant colors....yet, they serve their functions normally ...

in front of one of the houses...nice blue, yaaa...


we were not the only admirers of Gaudi works :D...
Here's the map of the Park.

Do 

Do you like visiting the park as well? 
What is your favorite park so far? 
Will you visit this park if you get a chance to visit Barcelona? 

See you in the next story and happy traveling!





 




The Frakarsas on the road: Hola Espana trip - Barcelona

It all began with our dream to visit La Alhambra...


Alhambra, Granada, Spain....

Warning: This is a throwback story. I realized we have been traveling to so many places yet haven't really got a chance to write the stories on the blog. So, bear with me as I spill some beans from trips back in 2008 - 2011, while we were living in Geneve , Switzerland and making trips to around 20 countries and countless cities. Most of the information are still up to date but feel free to correct me. 


To be able to visit this amazing place is one of the highlights of our live!

Spending some times in Europe made us pretty well exposed to the typical European cultures, including their heritage buildings, cultures and vibes. It's incredible of course. But after quite an intensive period of time visiting various cities in Western and Central Europe, we crave for something else,

No wonder, Rudi and I were intrigued to explore another exotic face of Europe.
And Spain was on top of the agenda. 

So, after browsing here and there, calculating this and that, asking people  we finally decided, in 9 days, to start the trip from Barcelona, heading to Zaragosa et Madrid, top for a while before hitting the road again to Toledo, Cordoba et Granada. Another stop was added et we continued to Valencia, before going back to GE from Barcelona..

Ambitious, huh :D.
Indeed it was.
And we made it!

Preparing 8-day roadtrip for three, involving a 3.5-year-boy (at that time Obi was not born yet), was not easy. You know the fun and drama traveling with toddlers. Meticulously, I managed to contact  the hotels (many stopovers, many hotels indeed) through online booking, browse the highlights of the cities plus their hidden 'treasures', book our car (free upgrade and we got the latest smart Peugoet, yaaay), and  this and that.

Senangnya traveling jaman sekarang adalah banyaknya kemudahan yang diperoleh lewat internet. Semua perjalanan di Spanyol saya siapkan dari hasil browsing sana-sini. Berhubung kita akan berhenti di sekitar 8 kota, ada 6 hotel yang saya book di Barcelona, Madrid, Granada, dan Valencia. 

Untuk mobil, pilihan kita saat itu adalah Alamo rent-a-car yang diambil di bandara Barcelona. Untuk trip 9 hari, kita membayar kurang lebih 300 Euro, cukup murah untuk hitungan mobil sewa. But that was back in 2010 dan kami melakukan perjalanan di awal tahun alias bulan Januari yang notabene adalah low season. Jadi, japan ke mana'mana pas dan ramah di kantong, plus perfect weather karena tidak terlalu panas or dingin.

And we did make a great choice.

SPAIN IS AWESOME.

Yet it was a very pleasant trip, except for the final twist at the end thanks to never-ending pouring snow in Geneva at that time. Well, that made us have to stay longer (yaaay...we didn't mind at all) in Barcelona while waiting until we could fly back to Geneva.
It was 3 extra days all paid by EasyJet. No complaint, just enjoy it!

So, where to start now.
For sure, no need to introduce Barcelona I suppose.
This colorful and vibrant city has so much to offer! 
Great architectures, wonderful food, colorful night scene, lovely cultures and friendly people! Almost everything we ask for while traveling.

We read though that Barcelona was a bit high in terms of street crime so we tried to be extremely vigilant and cautious during our trip. And I have to say, we almost had the incident when to pickpockets came near us on one of the subway stations! Good thing my hubby saw that and warned me before the two young men tried to open my backpack while I was busy with Bo and his stroller, and snatch something. When they saw that we fully realized what they were trying to do, they fled. So, just be careful when you happened to be around the city.
Anyway, let us start by enjoying some of the colorful records of our time down there.

As we arrived in Aeroport de Barcelona  - El Prat, we took the bus to the city.

It was very convenient to take the Aerobus, the bus from airport to the city center, for only 6 Euro per person. And the ride took less than an hour.

We walked from Plaça de Catalunya our hotel in La Rambla. It was not that far and as we only traveled with one big bag and backpacks, it was very manageable even with Bo and his stroller. We chose this place because it is one of the landmarks of Barcelona filled with so many attractions, including museums, Antoni Gaudi`s works, good restaurants, and more. We also walked around to see the beautiful Baelaric Sea near the promenade.


So, once we settled our stuff at the hotel, we walked back to the middle of the city and enjoy Plaça de Catalunya.


 Plaça Catalunya, Barcelona...
 We took some photos and walked around, as the surroundings were lovely as well.


Another side of  Plaça Catalunya...
Plaça de Catalunya is the big square in the city center of Barcelona, surrounded by shopping malls, restaurants including Hard Rock Cafe, boutique, tourist informations and more.

We stopped at El Corte Ingles, the big shopping mall here. Just doing some window shoppings. Good thing we came in January, so that we had a lot of sale. Lucky me!
For sure we took a lot of photos.


Bo et maman happy posing for bapak...tho' it was quite freezing :D...

lovely architecture, in one of the busiest corner of Barcelona :D...

In La Rambla, we strolled around this long street and really enjoying the view.
What strike me most are those elegant apartments along the way.
And yummy seafood Paella we ate here. 




Don't you just love it!
As the day was already long after our flight from Geneva, we called it a day after our early dinner.

Again, be careful when you are enjoying La Rambla.
The pickpockets here are quite famous.
Alhamdulillah we didn't have any issues besides the one I share up there.





Well, next on our agenda is Parc Guell, designed and built by one and only Antoni Gaudi.
Ring a bell? will talk more about him and his fantastic works on the next post. 
Stick around!

Homey Casa Battló, Barcelona, Spain



"What is that, maman?" asked Bo, pointing to the façade outside of the famous apartment redesigned by Gaudi.
Those windows are indeed extraordinary.
"It looks like bones! Like fish bones!" exclaimed Bo. 
"You're right! Those windows remind me of fish bones," my hubby said.
That morning, we were stepping into out-of-this-world architecture situated in one elegant corner of Barcelona, Spain.
And our trip to Gaudi's world has just started.

***
 
So, it's time for #throwbacktuesday.
I kind of miss a few posts for these series due to the crazy schedules of meetings at UNGA High Level Week.
Let me now, take you to Barcelona, Spain, then.
To be exact, another trip to Gaudí's out-of-this-world creation.
And what I have here is Casa Batlló.

inside the fish bone hall :)

We visited beautiful city of Barcelona back in 2009.
Flying from Geneva with Bo et Udi (Obi hasn't been born yet), we stayed for 10 days in Spain and our road trip started in Barcelona. It was our end-of-winter trip, escaping the cold weather Geneva and heading south to Spain.
We had planned 9-day road trip starting and ending in Barcelona, exploring Madrid, Toledo, Zaragoza, Sevilla, Granada, Valencia, and back to Barcelona.
Quite ambitious but my hubby and I were super excited!

The cute roof we have here..
So, any of you are familiar with Antoni Gaudí?
Or you have visited Casa Batlló yourself?
 Who's Gaudi?

To me, Gaudí's brilliant, one-of-a-kind technique is a vivid example of his incredible imagination. This architect was born in 1852 in Reus and has long been famous for his indigenous creations. Claimed to be 'prodigious' on his era, Gaudi had been presenting unique works of art which beautifully blend into functioning designs and details inspired by nature. His original works in creating those concepts and spaces have won the hearts of many important figures in Spain and his works can now be enjoyed in many forms.
 
 The first time I saw his work in many parts of  Barcelona, including the one-and-only Parc Güell, Casa Millà dan Sagrada Familia, I can't help but admire his works.


The windows! super cute right...and look at the 'bones' structure

Only a few blocks from La Pedrera,
Casa Batlló ,- a lavish yet unique apartment, is another proof of Gaudi's amazing interpretation of Art Nouveau.
And this time, it's reflecting the 'underwater world' in a broader sense.
Underwater world.
My fave!
Underwater world duly applied to the apartment design.
Well, at least that's what I heard on the audio guide .



the lights...
The roof has a lot more interesting shapes, colors, and textures

So, I wouldn't mind at all to stay in this wonderful apartment.

And of course, the details are amazing.
Still with Gaudi's signature, no straight lines.
Can you imagine...one incredible building with no straight lines!

It took us around 1.5 hours to see many parts of this apartment.
From the main hall, the Noble Floor, bedrooms, kitchen, staircases and ceilings, to the laundry room and the roof!
I have to admit the great attraction was the roof, with  a lot more intereting shapes, colors, and textures.
Somehow the chimney and the top of the roof reminded me of garlic and the dragon!
Weird combination, I know, but it's strikingly reminding me of these 2 items as we spend some times and take tons of pictures on the roof of Casa Battló.

Let's take a look at it closer.



the lights on the ceiling.. you see the ceiling is nothing ordinary


Bo having fun at the roof..




The chimneys :)..with garlic-inspired cross.
Don't miss Casa Batlló if you get a chance to visit Barcelona
Its address is





Have you seen Gaudi's works before?
Do you like them? 

I hope you enjoy traveling and happy to share #myitchyfeet story.
Bon voyage!


WPC: Zig-zag

For this week's Weekly Photo Challenge, zig zag is the theme...

So I was thinking of this..










Simply no or little straight lines..and that's zigzag for me..
All the masterpiece of the genius Gaudi, taken during our visit to Barcelona back in 2010..
So out-of-this-world, brilliantly one-of-a-kind..



The Frakarsa's on the road: Hola Espana #Barcelona 3

Continuing our family trip in Spain, particularly Barcelona :D...

I certainly hope I don't bore you with Gaudi's masterpieces as I have written in the first 2 blogs in our family adventure...


Well...now...allow me to introduce Casa Batllo this time....

another vivid example of  Gaudi's out-of-this-world creations...

Only a few blocks from La Pedrera, this apartment is another proof of Gaudi's amazing interpretation of underwater world..duly applied to the apartment design..

well, at least that's what I heard on the audio guide :D..

So, I wouldn't mind at all to stay in this wonderful apartment..
man, the details are amazing...

Still with no straight lines, yet it's pretty unique...

Built in 1904 - 1906, Antoni Gaudi was commissioned by Mr. Joseph Batllo to build and adorn his apartment...
The veranda....what do you have in mind seeing this :D..

Along with Bo, Udi et big flocks of Gaudi lovers (aka tourists :D), we strolled and continued being wowed by Gaudi in the legendary Noble Floor (used to be the former residence of the Batlló family, incredibly unique and spacious), 

The interior design is also mesmerizing....

even the vase and the window are out of this world :D...

















look at the wall.....and the window...
then the Loft (the former store rooms and laundry rooms which I love to see...the washing room is soo cute :D), 





Of course we went to the Roof Terrace with its mythical Chimneys (where you will see the famous backbone of the dragon slain by Sant Jordi, or Saint George where I took tons of photos with Bo et Udi), 

My fave...the chimneys....so cuteeee.....

and the fabulous building well (once the communal stairwell...please see the details underneath :d...breathtakingly beatiful ;) ). 

inside the house....blue tiles dominating the wall..

Loveeee it.....and hope you share the same feeling, too :D...

Meanwhile....we have more photos to share 

So enjoy and cheers....



Bo enjoying his tea in the back....

The ceiling... pretty unique....

weellll...what do you have in mind....



spacious living room...nice view....

da stairs.....

more of the stairs.....

the elevator.....

we are hereeeee....from INDONESIA....:D....