Travel Day from Hell

We got on a Ryanair flight from Girona to Pisa at about 10:30 at night. I am definitely not a fan of flying, for whatever reason the older I get the more nervous I am when getting on an aircraft.

So the story of travel day from hell starts.

First we had to line up to get on the flight, as it was every man for themselves to grab a seat. Think Allegiant Air. The interior of the aircraft was in cheap yellow and royal blue, definitely an eye sore. The flight only cost 19 Euros which probably explains why they had to advertise for the entire duration of the flight. Food, drinks, perfume, lottery tickets, and yes, cigarettes! The flight landed an hour later to an airport in Pisa.

We did not want to chance having to walk too far in the middle of the night, so we got a cab to the hotel. 500 metres, and TEN Euros later, tah-da!

We were greeted by a reception desk probably built in the 1950s, which was ironic because the hotel name was Hotel Moderno. We wanted a place close to the train station and was cheap because it would be one sleep and out we go, but a room without a toilet was not something I was prepared for. UGH!

We got up and saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa, yes it was neat, and yes I did take the picture everyone takes but instead of holding it up, I tried the tipping over pose.

But this town will always be remembered as the place I paid 4 Euros for a can of coke!

After the tower, we jumped on a train to head for Florence, only to get a ticket on the train because we had forgotten to validate the ticket at the station!

When we arrived in Florence, we had thought it would be easier to walk to the hotel since it didn't look too far (should have really done my homework) but Ended up dragging my heavy bag for an hour hike, AN HOUR!

When we finally got to the hotel, we checked in to room 601. The room was on the sixth floor, and oh yes of course the elevator only goes to the fifth!

Once we entered the room, it stunk like cigarettes! Could we catch a break?!?!

We finally just dropped everything and decided to head into town, but only to be told that the easiest way was by bus, and there we were on a bus and had no idea where it was heading until finally a girl helped us with the stop we wanted.

Sigh, seriously, another few weeks of traveling left? I could have totally ripped out all my hair with the last 24 hours!

Away to Smaller Spanish Towns

Our trip in Barcelona included a couple trips out to its neighbouring towns, Sitges and Girona.

Sitges was like a small version of Miami, with its nice sandy beaches and a long enjoyable seaside promenade. We stayed in a nice smaller boutique hotel outside of town within 2 minute walk to the beach. I have to say the weather was not great while we were there but there was one day where we got to go out to the beach to further my tan that will probably last me till summer 2014!

The centre of town was by a church on the water. Although what was a bit alarming is that the church had a cannon... umm... what for??

The town itself is also known to be the Gay Mecca, and believe me, we saw a lot of "family members" out and about in the centre of town, and on the beach. Matt and I felt like prey to the "wolves" and "bears" in town as the centre square is filled with older men just sitting around drinking and well...starring.

I had some time during this keg of the trip and I started to laugh at one point as I turned to Matt and said "look how accomplished I am as I reach 28! No job, in debt, no car....truly a model citizen".

The town was really beautiful. The waves were huge as they crash onto shore. The surfers out every morning and dusk really had their appetite filled with the crushing waves, and I have to say kudos to not having changing rooms around the beaches! Lol..... No but honestly they were terrible to look at ;)

What I did also get to enjoy here is the famous Spanish Tapas. I have to say, the Brava Patatas are delicious! Also the vermicelli was great as well. Some other things were a bit of a miss, but hey, gotta try it before judging it right?

We left Sitges after a few days and headed for the town of Girona.

After a train of an hour or so, we arrived to meet the heavy rain. Eventually when the weather moved inland, we were pleasantly surprised to find a beautiful old city with an amazingly preserved city wall to hike on.

The town was a bit bigger than Sitges and it is situated inland from the coast. We took a city tour on a car train and saw the sights in the old town. On top of the hill sat a church that has been there since the 11th century. The inside of the church was spooky. It was dark, cold, and empty! What was interesting about the place is the coming together of four different architecture styles over the last thousand year.

Girona was also close to the town where Salvador Dali's museum is. The museum la
Ies in the heart if Figueres, a half an hour train ride away.

I have to say, before this I have not heard too much of his work, but he is one strange dude after visiting his museum and seeing his work. I'll let you be the judge of what you'd make of his art.

What I did like that came along with the museum ticket was a visit to Salvador Dali's work in jewelry design, some of the pieces were exquisite, wouldn't mind having one of two of these!

What I liked the most is in the video, I don't know how he did this, but isn't it gorgeous?!?!

Our flight now leaves for Pisa, as we start the Italian leg do our trip!