Wednesday 23 September 2015
It was our last day in Platja d'Aro. We had made arrangements with Sonia and Eric to pick us up around 12:30 or something. I had no idea what check-out time was, so I didn't worry about it. The sky was cloudy over the sea and it looked like it was raining out on the Mediterranean.
in the morning |
Lizzie and I decided to take a walk along the beach. There's a nice sidewalk that runs the length of the beach and we wanted to walk down to the rock on the beach. It has a name, but I can't think of it (or find it online) for anything. It's a landmark, though.
I'm talking about the big rock on the right |
Click on photo to enlarge; the arches are on the left past the beach |
the beach looks like it's smiling! |
view of Platja d'Aro from the arches |
clear water |
We walked back to the apartment and the hotel had called and said we were supposed to be out by 10 or 11. Oops! We had already packed our stuff, so we went down to the lobby of the hotel to wait for Sonia and Eric. There wasn't that much time until they were to arrive, so it was no big deal. While we waited, Mom went to look at the sea once more. She returned just after Eric and Sonia arrived and she had the saddest face - in fact, she was crying. Thinking of her family and seeing the beautiful sea made her feel emotional. I had a lump in my throat, too.
We loaded our bags into the car and decided to stop for lunch before we drove back to the city. Eric and Sonia recommended a restaurant in Santa Cristina, the Grill Ruta Bavaria, so that's where we went. They specialize in grilled meats. I had the botifarra - yes, I really like that sausage. I think Mom had a pincho of grilled chicken and Lizzie had croquetas (not grilled, but delicious). We all shared a huge plate of fries that were supremely delicious, especially when dipped in alioli (garlic mayo). My favorite thing, though, was the basket of beautiful fresh tomatoes, olive oil and salt that they brought to the table along with some crusty grilled bread.
olive oil, salt and tomatoes...pass the bread! |
lunch at Grill Ruta Bavaria |
The apartment building was old, but the apartment itself had been remodeled and updated very nicely. I'll show you some photos of the apartment in the next couple of posts. There were three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was super nice looking, but not perfect. There was very little water pressure. More on that in coming days too. The view was nice though.
view from the apartment on Carrer Arago |
Sonia and Eric headed back to Santa Cristina with plans to return on Saturday night. We relaxed and got our bearings, then it was time to head to the Barri Gotic to meet Mom's cousin Franc for dinner.
September 23 is the eve of the La Merce festival, so many streets in the Barri Gotic were closed to traffic. The festival is a huge event celebrating the patron saint of the city. We took a taxi from out apartment and the driver took us close to the cathedral and we walked the rest of the way. There were gobs of people everywhere. In one square, there was a concert going on and people were dancing and having fun. Cool scene.
The restaurant Franc chose was Can Pitarra. Like Can Culleretes that we went to with Ferran the previous week, Pitarra is a very old restaurant named for the poet who brought theater to Barcelona. I liked the way it looked.
the view from my seat at Can Pitarra |
The meal was wonderful and lasted a good three hours. Dining there is such a pleasure! The servers check on you, but they are not obtrusive. Your second course won't be brought to you until your first course is done and the plate pushed away. The check (la cuenta) is brought when you ask for it. You can linger and chat for as long as you like. Very pleasant.
me and Lizzie on the left, Franc and Mom on the right at Can Pitarra |
We took a taxi back to the apartment and climbed into bed, very content with our day.
Up next...an up-close look at the Sagrada Familia church, lunch with Ferran and his family and an afternoon at Parc Guell.
2 comments:
I just finished today my blog on the trip, I'm sad, I love reliving the trip. Now I look forward to reading your posts. And hopefully Lizzie will also write some more about the trip :)
The rock's name is Cavall Bernat :)
Post a Comment