The Last day

The day has finally arrived after 5 months of traveling we are coming home.
We are sad to say goodbye to my cousin Nik who made us feel at home in Madrid. The bikes are packed and we are hoping for a smooth trip as there have been lots of delays due to the snow. Next post will be from home soil.

Snowing in Madrid

Bbbrrrr it's getting cold! Yesterday it snowed.

Barcelona

Leaving the bikes and camping gear with my cousin Nik, we fill two backpacks and jump on a plane to Barcelona.
Wow what a beautiful city from the winding streets of the gothic neighbourhood to the shimmering Mediterranean sea.
Our first day and we go on a Gaudi bender. First a trip to the Güell park for a picnic and to see the famous mosaic lizard and a panoramic view over the city. Then to his famous church la Sagrada Familia after which my neck was sore from looking up at the intricate towering spires surrounded by cranes. Then to Casa Milà and finally Casa Batlló what a day.
The next day we visit the sea. I rolled up my pants an plunged my feet into the icy water. Walking in the sand bare foot on the deserted beach i feel like I'm back at home walking along Bondi on a crisp winters day.

So much art so little time

There are many fantastic art works in Madrid from the Prado museum to the street murals, there is always something to see. Reina Sofia was a must with Picasso's, Miro's and Dali's almost filling an entire floor!
The Goya works in the the Prado were another highlight especially the black paintings, unfortunately I got into trouble for photographing them so no pictures I'm afraid.
I did manage to get a picture of Picasso's Guernica though which was quite a sight.

Hamburgers with the lot

Staying with Marcus' cousin Nik in Madrid has been fantastic. So what do you cook if you want to share a true Aussie meal? Hamburgers with the lot just like the local fish and chip shop.
Complete with egg, bacon, tinned pineapple, beetroot, cheese, tomato and lettuce.

Lunch in Madrid

Madrid must be full of insomniacs because the place never sleeps!!!!
It is without a doubt also the busiest city by far. Everyone seems to out and about or packed into one of the thousands of smokey bars.
On our first day exploring this crazy city Miriam was craving seafood for lunch if you still call it that at 4.30pm? We found a bar serving plates piled high with assorted crustations. The inhabitants were munching noisily on crab heads and scampi. When they had extracted meat they just tossed the empty shells on the floor. We decided this was a bit to interactive for us and settled for empanadas and some toasts with a selection of anchovies, baby eel and jamón.

San Sebastien

San Sebastien has been a feast for the senses. Not only is it a gastronomic wonderland but the location is also picture perfect with the wild atlantic ocean crashing against its shores.
The streets of the old town are packed with bars laden with legs of ham hanging from the roof and plates of pintxo.
Visiting the Mercado de la Bretxa underground market was an eye opener. There was a huge array of alien fish and strange crustaceans. These were displayed in crushed ice with shells and autumn leaves as decoration. One butcher had a cabinet full of hanging rabbits still in their furs next to dusty pigeons that looked like they came straight from the town square. The selection of hams and meats was mind boggling.
But not as impressive as vast array of nana shopping carts they even have a lock up area.