23 more days...

Barcelona!

We touch down in Barcelona at 9: 15am on Sunday May 23rd.  Brittany's 18th Birthday!  Feliz Cumplianos Brittany!  We should arrive at the port between 11am and noon.  If you've completed you're on-line check-in (Mike and I have), the boarding process should be quick.  You'll need a printout of your electronic cruise documents, your passport, and your photo ID (driver's license).  Our bags will be tagged and sent to our rooms.  If you plan on heading into Barcelona, remember to have whatever you need to be a tourist with you, because the bags will take a few hours to get to the rooms.  (Keep valuables with you and not in your tagged bags!)  We can lunch at the Windjammer Cafe.  We may get a few hours in Barcelona.  If you leave the ship (and I really hope we get to) you will have to reboard.  To reboard you will need to repeat the check-in process at the pier (I called RC and they said you can use your SeaPass to re-board). In addition, Government regulations mandate that the ship will be locked down 1-2 hours before her scheduled departure time. Once the lock down begins, no guests will be allowed to reboard in Barcelona.


Port

Port Vell (Old Harbor) was built as part of an urban renewal program prior to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Before this, it was a run-down area of empty warehouses, railroad yards, and factories. 16 million people visit the complex each year.  It is now a focal point of the city and tourist attraction, containing the Maremàgnum (a mall containing shops, a multiplex cinema, bars and restaurants), IMAX Port Vell and Europe's largest aquarium.  A pedestrian walkway, Rambla de Mar, connects La Rambla to Port Vell.   It incorporates a swing bridge, in order to allow ships to enter and exit the harbour.
 

La Rambla

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Rambla is a street in central Barcelona, popular with both tourists and locals alike. A 1.2 kilometer-long tree-lined pedestrian mall between Barri Gòtic and El Raval, it connects Plaça Catalunya in the center with the Christopher Columbus monument at Port Vell.  Street performers, nudists, and tourists all in one place!  And don't forget to drink from the fountain in Rambla de Canaletes, the upper part of La Rambla, near Plaça de Catalunya.  Folklore says that if you drink from this famous fountain at the top of La Rambla you will always return to the city.

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria

Mercat de Sant Josep, Mercado de La Boqueria is one large building with hundreds of food vendors to excite and delight every palate. This is the place to be if you are looking for something to eat, drink, or purchase the ingredients to fulfill a gourmet's desires.  Each stall or store has colorful vendors who will help you make decisions on what's good and what's great.

La Sagrada Familia

Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia (Expiatory Church of the Holy Family), often simply called the Sagrada Família is a massive, privately-funded Roman Catholic church that has been under construction in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain since 1882 and is not expected to be complete until at least 2026.  Considered the master-work of renowned Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí, the project's vast scale and unusual design have made it one of Barcelona's (and Spain's) top tourist attractions for many years.  You must see the detail that covers the exterior.  Truly amazing.  There is symbolism and biblical references that literally cover the walls.

Park Guell

Park Guell is a garden complex with architectural elements situated on the hill of el Carmel in the Gràcia district of Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It was designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built in the years 1900 to 1914. (The park was originally part of a commercially unsuccessful housing site.) Gaudí avoided leveling the grounds so that the park has a network of twisting roads which follow the contours of the land. The lowest point is the entrance, from which a double staircase leads to the hypostyle chamber, the ceiling of which serves as the floor of the huge public square. Outlying areas have imaginative viaducts and colonnades, which in their design evoke natural forms.

 

Casa Milà and Casa Batlló

Antoni Gaudí was an architect from Catalonia, Spain, who belonged to the Modernisme (Art Nouveau) movement and was famous for his unique style and highly individualistic designs.  Two of his building designs located in Barcelona are Casa Milà and Casa Batlló.  Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera (Catalan for 'The Quarry'), is a building designed by the Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí and built during the years 1906–1910.  Casa Batlló, better known by the local name  Casa dels ossos (House of Bones), and indeed it does have a visceral, skeletal organic quality, was originally designed for a middle-class family and situated in a prosperous district of Barcelona.

Now quick, get back to the ship!  We have a cruise to take.

24 more days...

So who thought I would forget to submit my blog on time?   :-)

What are we doing in Barcelona you ask?  Andy/Dad/Pop Pop was simply brillant with this quote: Actually I do not plan to "plan ahead" for Barcelona but instead, upon arrival, decide what to do based on available energy after a long airplane ride, what is still available and what seems appealing at the time.

Maureen and Karen are experiencing Barcelona to the hilt...but my money is on Mo.  1. She filled out the survey before even me (I admit to waiting though) 2. Mo filled out the "Other" text box with like 3 or 4 sites she came up with on her own.  Sounds like a woman with a plan, map and iternery.  Minimally we can all meet up on Las Ramblas as we've all unanimously said we'd be strolling/shopping.  Ken and I are going to stalk Mo though.

This family is so like minded - we are all looking to drop a couple of pounds before the cruise -- which works perfectly for the couple of pounds a cruise adds to one's waist line.  We are also not dead set on buying any souvenirs - that's ashame Ken and I thought we'd be showered with plastic snow globes :-)

Speaking of like minded most of us will be eating the scrumptous seafood offerings in Barcelona.  It should be simple for us to stop off at a Tapas bar for seafood. 

What we decided to splurge on was all very cruise related such as suitcase, comfortable shoes, messenger bag (check out my messenger bag!) but Ken's response was priceless -- he said his splurge is the cruise.

Well that's it for now.  Get ready for questions about what we are doing in Naples.  Oh my did you see that?  I think that was the Naked Man of Barcelona!

25 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.


Barcelona is the first taste of our European adventure. And a small taste it is.

We have a bit of time buffer in case our flight is delayed (see Karen's weather reports for more info on that possibility).

Logistically we have to make it from the Barcelona airport to VOTS. There should be someone from RC there to direct us to the pier.  We will need to secure our luggage and go to the pier. We've been told that we will be allowed to board the boat (oh no my mom says it is a ship appparently boats are small and the Voyager of the Seas ain't small), I digress (have you seen that commercial?), drop our luggage, relax a bit (but do realize I believe staff will still be tidying our rooms on the boat, I mean ship) and then we may leave the ship if we are back by 5PM.

So what does one do with a limited and undetermined amount of time in a foreign city?  Here is a short description of items to do in Barcelona taken from the RC web site.  Just make sure you are back in time.   

While you're in Barcelona, don't miss the Picasso Gallery. Several adjoining 15th-century palaces house a huge collection (over 2,000 pieces) of Picasso's work.

- Other Fun Things to Do Stroll along Las Ramblas, a wonderfully vibrant part of the city where street vendors and performers vie for your attention. [We are within walking distance to Las Ramblas.]

- Explore the many churches and cathedrals of Barcelona and discover the city's modernist architecture along Paseo de Gracia.

- Visit Antoni Gaudí's unfinished Segrada Familia. With eight soaring spires and a spectacular main façade, this cathedral is a true architectural masterpiece.

Of course there are also things to do outside of Las Ramblas, perhaps a taxi drive away. 

Onto the crux of this posting...please tell us what you may do in Barcelona and take the survey below.  I will then post the results in a subsequent posting. 




And don't forget to do your homework - see what excursions RC has in Naples.

See ya in Barcelona!

78 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cyn's Cinema, we will be exploring movies that have been filmed in the regions we will be visiting. Take some time off from your everyday life and watch a movie with scenes from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon.

Let us know if you've seen any of these movies and what your thoughts are.

Title	Year	Genre	IMDb Rating	Staring
The Oxford Murders	2008	Thriller, Crime	6.1	Elijah Wood, John Hurt
Synopsis:	At Oxford University, a professor and a grad student work together to try and stop a potential series of murders seemingly linked by mathematical symbols.
Sightings:	Filmed in the UK.
Thoughts:	Sounds good, very mathmatical for the Lang eggheads.
Vicky Christian Barcelona	2008	Comedy, Drama	7.4	Javier Bardem, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson (director Woody Allen)
Synopsis:	Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.
Sightings:	The main characters themselves are exploring Barcelona. Barcelona Harbor, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Boulevard of Barcelona, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Santa Maria Del Mar Church, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	I'd watch it.
Movie Perfume: The Story of a Murderer	2006	Genre	7.5	Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman.
Synopsis:	Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), born in the stench of eighteenth century Paris, develops a superior olfactory sense, which he uses to create the world's finest perfumes. His work, however, takes a dark turn as he tries to preserve scents in the search for the ultimate perfume. Synopsis written by Nuno Cordeiro
Sightings:	Filmed in Barcelona particularly featuring the Barrio Gótico and el Pueblo Español (central plaza). Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	Good cast but I pass
Frágiles	2005	Horror	6.3	Calista Flockhart
Synopsis:	At her new job in a rundown children's hospital, a nurse desperately tries to keep her patients safe from a plague of random, mysterious attacks
Sightings:	Filmed in Barcelona and set in the Mercy Falls Children’s Hospital.
Thoughts:	Calista Flockhart in a horror movie?! I'd watch it.
The Machinist aka El maquinista	2004	Mystery, Thriller	7.8	Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh
Synopsis:	An industrial worker who hasn't slept in a year begins to doubt his own sanity
Sightings:	The film features gorgeous sets from the city of Barcelona, including exterior shots of the Port and the Tibidabo Amusement Park. Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	Sign me up for this one
The Spanish Apartment aka L'auberge espagnole	2002	Comedy, Romance, Drama	7.3	Romain Duris, Judith Godrèche
Synopsis:	As part of a job that he is promised, Xavier, an economics student in his twenties, signs on to a European exchange program in order to gain working knowledge of the Spanish language. Promising that they'll remain close, he says farewell to his loving girlfriend, then heads to Barcelona. Following his arrival, Xavier is soon thrust into a cultural melting pot when he moves into an apartment full of international students. An Italian, an English girl, a boy from Denmark, a young girl from Belgium, a German and a girl from Tarragona all join him in a series of adventures that serve as an initiation to life. Synopsois written by Sujit R. Varma
Sightings:	Unknown
Thoughts:	I'd watch it.
All About My Mother aka Todo sobre mi madre	1999	Drama	7.8	Penelope Cruz, Cecilia Roth
Synopsis:	A single mother in Madrid sees her only son die on his 17th birthday as he runs to seek an actress's autograph. She goes to Barcelona to find the lad's father, a transvestite named Lola who does not know he has a child. ... With echos of Lorca, "All About Eve," and "Streetcar Named Desire," the mothers (and fathers and actors) live out grief, love, and friendship. Synopsis written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}
Sightings:	The movie is said to capture the city's natural essence. Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Palau de la Música Catalana, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain Sagrada Família, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	I'd watch it - movie won an Oscar.
Barcelona	1994	Comedy, Drama, Romance	6.6	Miro Savino
Synopsis:	Ted, a stuffy white guy from Illinois working in sales for the Barcelona office of a US corporation, is paid an unexpected visit by his somewhat less stuffy cousin Fred, who is an officer in the US Navy. Over the next few months, both their lives are irrevocably altered by the events which follow Fred's arrival, events which are the trivial stuff of a comedy of manners at first but which gradually grow increasingly dramatic. Synopsis written by Tim Horrigan {horrigan@hanover-crrel.army.mil}
Sightings:	Unknown
Thoughts:	I might watch this. Movie won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Cinematography
Uncovered	1994	Thriller	5.9	Kate Beckinsale
Synopsis:	While restoring an old painting showing a woman and two men playing chess, Julia discovers the text "Who killed the knight" underneath the paint. The owner of the painting tells her that one of his forefathers was killed, the painting might identify the murderer. When Julia's friend is killed she understands that there is more to it. She consults Domenec, a chess genius who reconstructs the game from the painting. With any piece he takes, somebody dies. Synopsis written by Radboud Bruinsma {Radboud_Bruinsma@hg.maus.de}
Sightings:	Filmed in Barcelona, the architecture in the Ciudad Condal, particularly, that of Gaudí are shown.
Thoughts:	I'd watch it.
A Room with a View	1986	Comedy, Drama	7.5	Maggie Smith, Helena Bonham Carter
Synopsis:	When Lucy Honeychurch and chaperone Charlotte Bartlett find themselves in Florence with rooms without views, fellow guests Mr Emerson and son George step in to remedy the situation. Meeting the Emersons could change Lucy's life forever but, once back in England, how will her experiences in Tuscany affect her marriage plans? Synopsis written by Bridget Jones
Sightings:	Unknown.
Thoughts:	I'd watch it.  In fact it is being televised on 2/25 on Turner Classic Movies and I set the Tivo up to record it.
The Passenger aka Professione: reporter	1975	Drama, Mystery	7.7	Jack Nicholson, Maria Schneider
Synopsis:	A journalist researching a documentary in the Sahara Desert meets a gunrunner who dies suddenly. When the journalist notices that they have a similar appearance, he assumes the recently deceased's identity and accepts the consequences that it brings. Synopsis written by MuzikJunky
Sightings:	The movie catches glimpses of the streetcars of the period, as well as the terrace of la Pedrera, with its chimneys and ‘characteristic’ shapes, quite different from how it is today. Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain La Pedrera - 92 Passeig de Gràcia, Eixample, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain
Thoughts:	Good cast but I pass

Next week we'll move onto watching movies taking place in Naples.

120 more days...

Cruising with Cyn
Collection of useless information circuitous to the OPERATION: Poisson Rouge Adventure.

This 6 week installment of Cruising with Cyn, we will be exploring local cuisine from the regions we will be visiting. Ken and I will be preparing a traditional meal from Barcelona, Naples, Rome, Florence, Nice and Toulon. We will be posting the receipe and our review.


Barcelona is at least partially responsible for putting tapas on the culinary map. Tapas - finger food - is a staple on the bar scene as well as the 'eat on the run scene' and has become in vogue. The more I researched it, the more it seemed that everything was called tapas. So while what is on today's menu may not seem to fit the bill - I saw it on the net so it must be true.

Chosen for this week's recipes is: Spanish Flamenco Eggs and Pa amb Oli (Bread with Olive Oil). The eggs really were listed under Tapas and I could not do a search without seeing a link for the Bread with Olive Oil.

Spanish Flamenco Eggs
Ingredients
1 Large onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 Red pepper, chopped 1 Green pepper, chopped 1 400g can chopped tomatoes 2 Boiled potatoes 4 Large fresh eggs Olive oil
Instructions
• Cut the potatoes into cubes and par boil until almost soft.
• Fry the onion, garlic and peppers in olive oil until soft.
• In a large cazuela heat up the tomatoes, season then add the cooked potatoes, onions, garlic and peppers. Mix well.
• Using a wooden spoon create four indentations in the mixture - crack one egg into each one.
• Cook in the oven at 180°C for around 15 minutes or until eggs are done.
• Serve with fresh crusty bread and a glass of good red wine.

Tip: This dish is highly versatile and traditionally would use left over or excess vegetables. Other ingredients would include green beans, wild asparagus, broccoli, sweet potato, butternut squash, etc.

Serves 4

Pa amb tomàquet
Ingredients
Bread (the bigger the slices, the better) Fresh Red tomato, it has to be ripe Salt Extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
•Pa amb tomàquet at its best must use bread that is two or three days old. That is the origin of this preparation, to make stale bread comestible.
• If you don't have stale bread, or you just want to do pa torrat amb all i tomàquet you can put it on the toaster, or better, grill the bread lightly on a wood-burning fire. With this, we'll get the surface of the sliced bread hardened enough to rub the tomato against it, but also, we can introduce another ingredient: rubbed garlic. You must rub the garlic before the tomato. Please use fresh garlic and peel the cloves prior to use.
• Cut the bread in slices, the idea is that whatever the shape of the bread, you'll end with a flat surface, a good sliced bread.
• Cut the tomato in half crosswise, and rub the tomato against the bread. As the bread is stale, a bit of the tomato will crumble in it.
• Put the salt, two or three picks would suffice. Then distribute oil in the surface of the sliced bread, trying not to soak it.

Next week - traveling back to Naples where Pizza was invented! If only my dyed blonde head could think of a meal to make we would be set.