Traveling alone is Therapeutic
As an employee with shifting schedule, traveling in between is a way to relieve the stress and burn out. The problem is, when all your friends have the same job as you, traveling together should be planned ahead (but as you know, based on experience, planned travel has a little to none chance of actually fulfilling it). But when you have four days off in a row... What will you do?
TRAVEL ALONE.
Yes, you heard it right. Travel alone. Some people will wonder why, and I answered, why not? Because why the hell not? At first, I was also skeptical if it is worth trying. But after some uncontrollable events that happened, I decided to give it a go. Let me guide you to my solo tour in Catalunia, Spain.
THE PLANNING:
When I saw my schedule for the month of June, I noticed that I have four days off. Since my friends are either at work or living their life, I decided to travel alone in Spain. After all, I needed some quiet time to think.
I booked my flight with @ryanair from Cologne-Bonn Airport to Barcelona EL Prat (177,48€). Next step would be the roof under my head for three days. I used @booking.com to looked for a hostel. Unfortunately, there was no available hostel in the city at the time of my travel. Then I found one decent B&B Inez in Valldoreix (128,41€). It was far from the city center and I had to travel by train until the last station, but it was quiet and comfortable (complete reviews later). My days of course would not be wasted by sulking, so I booked a lot of activities under @getyourguide. And with that, my planning was now complete.
DAY 1 (June 10,2022)
My flight was at 16:40 departing from Cologne-Bonn airport. I arrived at the airport a little before 15:00 and the line to the security was already piled up, but they were moving fast. I think I spent at least 30-45 minutes in the line.
My flight was delayed for about 20 minutes. It was not really strict if you are traveling to a European country from a European country, although you still have to have your passport and visa (for foreigners like me in Germany) then you are good to go.
I arrived in Barcelona at around 19:00. Since it was already summer time (I mean literally, here in Europe there’s a winter time and summer time, which I still find... strange?😬) Anyway, so 19:00 was like 16:00. The sun was still out, it was still so bright everywhere. I found my way to exchange my voucher for a four-day ticket in Barcelona courtesy of @holabarcelona (31€). The tourist office in the airport was really helpful, he even gave me a map and pointed my next destination and how I would arrive there. At first I got lost on finding where the train station was. I asked again but some of them couldn´t speak English, and I couldn’t speak Spanish, so yeah. I kept circling the airport and I refused to get a taxi. 😂 Eventually, I found my way to the train station.
I travelled from airport to Pl. Catalunya, then from there another train (S1/S2) to Valdoreix (9 stops). From Valdoreix, it was either you walk or take the bus, which was not covered by the ticket. But since I was a one ass lazy girl, I decided to take a bus, in which I didn’t regret! There were lots of going up in a steep hill. After 6 stops, I arrived at the site of my sleep. It was hard to find it at first because the name of the hostel is a little small. I arrived at around 23:00. I booked one room with 2 beds (because there is no other available anymore). The place was quiet and clean. There was a common toilet and shower for girls and boys, a common area with television, kitchen, fridge (you can put your foods). I didn’t have a picture of the place because I forgot to take one 🙄.
In the morning, I woke up early for my first agenda, I walked from the hostel to the train station for about 18 mins. I like to think of it as an early morning exercise.
DAY 2 (June 11,2022)
Barcelona is the capital and largest city of Catalonia, also the most crowded municipality of Spain.
I arrived on my first agenda of the day at around 8:00. It is too early so I decided to eat my breakfast. You cannot start your day without coffee. I forgot the name of the restaurant 😬
The beautiful @sagradafamilia (31,60€ + access to Nativity facade tower). Sagrada Familia is an unfinished minor Basilica located in Barcelona. I thought there will be a guided tour. My tour guide should be my phone, I downloaded the Sagrada app to hear the story of the church, but it was not working. The very helpful staff from the church said it is a common problem by booking over third parties. She then gave me a telephone-like device to listen to the history. The details in the church is really fascinating, that it left me in awe.
The Nativity facade
It is truly a work of art. It is still not finished, so tourists actually help them to finish this masterpiece.
The Passion facade
Judas´ kiss to the Lord as a betrayal. The number at the back is called “the Magic Square of 33”. Once you add any 4 numbers, the total would be 33, the age of Jesus when he was crucified.
Inside of Sagrada Familia:
The Sagrada when finished.
That conclude my stroll of the Sagrada Familia.
I then consulted Mr. Google for my lunch. I found a Filipino restaurant nearby, called Isla Negra located at Carrer de Sepúlveda, 159, 08011 Barcelona, Spain. Check them out.
I ordered a barbecue with lechon kawali and fried rice with egg. Delicioso.
After my sumptuous lunch, off to my next stop.
Park Güell
Fun fact: the Taiwanese version Meteor Garden shot a scene here at the park!
If you like nature, this place is for you. I suggest to allot the whole day to explore the park, so you can enjoy. Better if you bring a cap/hat and sun block, it is really hot there.
From Gaudi and Güell (10€)
That conclude my 2 days in Barcelona. See you on my next post!
