The first day in Barcelona, Spain (Dec/9/2013)

"Hello Barcelona!!"
The city must perfectly suit you like a wanderlust, I think.  ^---^

We arrived at Prat International Airport in Barcelona early morning, and it took, by Aero bus, only a half an hour to get to the hotel, Jazz, at Plaza Universitat in downtown.   Even so, the hotel room for us was immediately available to get in, and Darrin and I were so relieved.  

We just left our bags in the room, and headed down to the first destination, Granjaviader. 

Cafe Granjaviader 

Address: C.d'En Xucla 4-6, Barcelona

Granjaviader is the oldest milk bar in Barcelona, started around 1870 and now the forth generation of the family runs it.   It is also renowned for the birth place of Cacaolat, which is sort of milk chocolate drink. 

I loved this little cafe so much, as there was such a relaxed vibe with old-age decorations and people who was chatting in mainly Spanish or Catalan.   I felt like I was sitting in another world where time stood still.  

We had,

Chocolate mousse

Cacaolat

and Cheesecake

"We will come back again~."

 at the shoe store in El Raval 

After a short break, we spent time in El Raval district, one of the two historical neighborhoods, which is home to diverse restaurants, bars, and night spots.   

Mercat Boqueria, very famous outdoor market of Barcelona, located in this district as well.  We were absolutely thrilled and excited. 

Oh no!.....  Pig in Santa hat!   (-(oo)-)

Jamon shop in the market

Darrin and I really enjoyed tasting all the different flavors of Jamons. 

We moved to Barri Gotic (The Gothic Quarter) across the street from El Laval, which is the centre of the old city in Barcelona.

Barcelona Cathedral

It was built between 1882 and 1913 with a profusion of Gothic style elements.

Chapel of the Cathedral

 Fountain in the atrium

Geese and pigeons in the cloister

Buskers in C.del Bisbe (Bisbe Street)

La Basilica Galeria

Perfume Store/Museum in the back alley

There were so many different scents of the perfumes nicely displayed in the shelves, and we had a staff who speaks english 

well and passionately explained on the origins, sources, raw materials of some of the perfumes.  I was totally struck in this place for a long time, crazily sniffing at them one by one as if by enchantment.  Guess what, I soon ended up getting totally numb with a heavy headache from too much fragrance.  (#ㅡ_ㅡ) (ㅜ.ㅜ)

Les Quinzenity at Placa Reial 

We had Mixed Paella, Deep-fried squid, and some olives for lunch.  We were a little disappointed  by the foods here; the paella was just okay and the fried squid was too chewy and thickly battered. T.T

After late lunch, we took a good rest from the fatigue of long walk at the hotel, then took a cab to Park Guell, our last destination for the day. 

Park Guell is a decent sized garden complex situated on the hill, designed by one of the greatest architects, Antoni Gaudi.  It was built between 1900 and 1914 and now designated as a UNESCO world heritage site. 

Uninterrupted rocky terrace walls with trees 

Large wavy mosaic bench in the central terrace

View from the entrance to the Park Guell

Columns support the roof terrace

Fountain at the main entrance 

Park view from the Pavilion

Gaudi's multicolored mosaic walls

Back gate to the park

The third day in Paris_ Dec/8/2013

Place des Bastille 

Our first destination of the day was Place des Bastille, which is a symbol of the Revolution as well as such a tragic venue where King Louis XVI was executed. 

The bronze monument so called July Column was erected smack-dab in middle of Place des Bastille as a memorial to those who were killed during the Revolution of July, 1830.  

After Place des Bastille, we headed to Place des Vosges which has Maison de Victor Hugo. 

Place des Vosges located in the Marais district

Darrin with the picture of Victor Hugo

ps.  Virtually I am on the picture as well, being reflected in the glass of the frame.  s(￣▽￣)v

After a Victor House house tour, we started to look for the bistro, L'As du Falafel which is renowned for a traditional Middle Eastern food or a typical Jewish dish, Falafel.  

Falafel is kind of a wrapped sandwich that is topped with salads, pickled vegetables with some hot sauce.  It was very new taste for me and wasn't bad, but I think one time is enough. 

On the way to Angelina Store

The weather could not be better!

Angelina Store

Just as was expected, when we got there, there were so many people waiting in front of the shop to get in- although the shop was relatively huge.  So, it took a long time to enter the shop and we barely got a tiny table surrounded by a bunch of people, pew~~.

However, we were still thrilled about having some delicious dessert. 

Angelina Tearoom

Angelina tearoom was established by Antonie Rumpelmayer, a Austrian confectioner in 1903, named after his daughter-in-law; like its name, the interior of the shop was decorated with very feminine charm and romantic designs in an old-age way.  

We simply had,

Mont Blanc 

Choc African

Hot White Chocolate

and Hot Dark Chocolate

Just like what I've heard, the hot chocolate here was awesome.   

Darrin finished up his Hot Chocolate and accidentally mine, and ended up gulping down two full large jugs of water at one sitting due to an abnormal level of sugar in his blood.   It was very new experience for him that just normal still water could be incredibly fresh and tasty right after drinking two jars of the hot chocolates, ha-ha!  ^6^

Christmas tree in the air 

We headed for Orangerie Museum situated in the Tuileries Gardens.

The entrance of the Tuileries Gardens

The lake in the Tuileries Gardens

Music in the Tuileries (1862) by Edouard Manet 

Oh, how lovely...!  

It was a bit chilly at nightfall, yet people were sitting along the lake. 

Ah, I am so jealous of her long legs.  

Darrin walking up the hill linked to the Museum

 Indeed, Orangerie Museum is well-known for being the permanent home for eight Water Lilies paintings by Claude Monet displayed in two oval rooms all along the walls.  

Well, taking picture of the rooms was strictly banned, so I don't have any pictures of them.  

This picture below is from the movie, Midnight in Paris by Woody Allen (2011), which Darrin and I really enjoyed. 

One of the Water Lilies' rooms

While we were there, the Museum was presenting an special exhibition of Frida Kahlo (1907-1954).

A lovely Cezanne's apples at the wall of another corner. 

Hector Berlioz's house (La Maison de Berlioz) by Maurice Utrillo (1883-1955)

His paintings makes me so happy, even just looking at them.

I was pleased with this rooms in particular- displayed like ordinary office room for someday.

When we got out of the museum, darkness already sank in the gardens.  

Eiffel tower twinkling in the distance

Cinema Francais near Hotel de Ville

One thing I'd really like to do in Paris is watching movie in the old cinema.  I couldn't make it this time, so it is still on my bucket list.  (-.-)

Our last destination was Foyer Mon Vietnam for dinner.  When we arrived at the restaurant , it hadn't opened yet, and hence we walked a bit around the neighborhood.   

Waiting for foods at Foyer Mon Vietnam

The restaurant was very cozy and homey, and we were ready to have a nice dinner.  But the problem still remained- the bistro owner speaks only French.  I hastily dug out a few pictures of the dishes from my phone and ordered what we'd like with full body language.

 We got two bowls of rice noodles and deep-fried pork with some vegetables (no photos -_-;;).  They were as yummy as we expected.