Day 1231 (Barcelona, Spain)

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Barcelona, Spain - Cruise Day 1

We woke up around 7 and went to Starbuck's across the street around 7:45, one of only a handful of cafes open so early on Saturday morning (most places stay open until 2 and even 4 a.m., but don't open until 8 a.m. or later...Barcelona is definitely a late-night city).

We walked to Casa Mila, or La Pedrera, passing by another Gaudi building along the way.

Exterior of Casa Mila, the famous Gaudi apartment building

On the roof of La Pedrera

Looking down onto Provenca Blvd.

Listening to the guided tour

It's like a 1950s sci-fi set, but it was built in the early 20th century

We spent a little less than two hours at La Pedrera.  With a two hours to spare, we headed back to La Boqueria for Quinn, the eatery featured in "I'm Having What Phil's Having."  We ordered the squid and eggs, wild mushrooms and foie gras, alone with a shrimp dish.  Everyone was superb!

Breakfast at El Quim

At the counter of Quim

If you get there before 11 you can get a seat!

Squid and eggs...yum!

Faus Gras, wild mushrooms with a soft boiled egg inside...Mmmm.

More candy

Waiting for our Metro train

After breakfast, we went back to our hotel, packed up, checked out, and headed for the Columbus Monument to take a shuttle to our ship.  We boarded around 2 p.m. and Alice was in a for a big surprise.  For the second time during our trip, we were upgraded to a suite, this time on Dolphin Deck, room D121.  It was much bigger than the mini-suite we were originally assigned and the bathroom was particularly roomy.  Alice was very happy.  We went to Horizon Cafe on Deck 16 and had a quick bite to eat before dinner.  Our cruise was off to a great start.

Hanging out at the Piazza, Deck 5

Afternoon tea

A very good singer and...

...very good string quartet

Because we were in a suite, our first meal on the cruise was comped at Crown Grill.  We all ordered big steaks and Alice and I ordered lobster.  We were all so in our element.  What a perfect day on board the Royal Princess!

Comped Specialty Dinner at Crown Grill