If you read yesterday's post, you know that today was about the pool. Tomorrow there will be time for museums and cathedrals. Today there was time only for relaxation.
After sleeping in, we headed to la piscina.
I love hotels like this one where you can get to the pool without going through the lobby in your bathing suit. Here, we get off on floor 2 and take a special walkway to the pool. This picture is the walkway. Nice building, no?
Along the way, I spotted the fountain in the roundabout in front of our hotel. Remember how I said that roundabouts are perfect for statues, fountains, and general public art. Yet more proof.
The walkway to the pool. Is that not one of the most inviting pool walkways ever? Could you possibly stand there and turn around to walk back the way you came? No, you could not. You would have to walk forward to the pool.
I promise pictures of my feet, and I deliver. This was not set up in any way. I sat down in my lounge chair, started listening to music and took a picture of my feet. I made no extra effort to adjust the viewing area beyond my feet.
At the pool we met Peter and Gloria. They had been enjoying quite a bit of champagne. When Peter learned that our trip is to celebrate Barbie's birthday, he sang Happy Birthday to her in a drunken, operatic manner. We sipped champagne in the pool and they invited us on the yacht that they are chartering tomorrow, but we already had plans. A splendid afternoon.
The view next to the pool, beyond the railing, above the casino. Yes, there is a casino directly next to our hotel, below the pool. We are not even tempted to enter, though they are having a WPT tournament there right now.
I moved to another lounge chair to get a picture facing the pool. It seemed like the right thing to do, since I had no picture of the pool, only pictures around it.
It was exactly what we needed, a relaxing day right before our trip's mid-point. I don't know why all these lazy people were not exploring the city.
Our friends Stacy & Stephanie, who we shared dinner with in Rome at Taverne Trilussa before they got on a cruise, disembarked their cruise here in Barcelona. What were the odds our being in both cities at the same time? I tell you, this what not planned.
We joined them and Stacy's friend Don for dinner. Next to our hotel is Marina Monchos. There are 13 Monchos around the city of Barcelona, the eldest dating back to 1914. They are famous for their paella. Guess what we ordered?
Paella #1. Chicken & vegetables.
Paella #2. Seafood.
I felt the need to use the fork for perspective. I am not eating directly out of the pan.
On our way to ice cream, I noticed that the casino is not just a casino, it's a, "CasinOH!"
The ice cream parlor. You know, I didn't hold up my ice cream and take a picture of it. Sorry. Not sure what I was thinking. Between us, it did not compare to Italy's gelato.
We walked back to the pool when the night was over, to test the warmth of the jacuzzi. It was warm enough, but we opted to retire for the evening after taking some pics of the hotel.
One of the finest foot picture angles yet, sir.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you have no idea how jealous I am of your paella. I would kill for that.
glad you're both having a good time in barcelona - it's one of my favourite cities! agree totally about the gelato though - italy definitely makes the best!
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