Sunshine in Sitges!

We had such a lovely day today! It started by sleeping in until 8:30am. This was unexpected since we had gone to bed at 8:00pm! I guess it's a testament to just how tired we both have been feeling.

While travel is full of amazing new sights and experiences ... our nervous systems prefer predictable and familiar things. So, given that by the time we get a feel for a place we are moving onto somewhere new ... it's no wonder our systems are feeling tired.

This is why Sitges will be JUST what we need. After our 12.5 hours of sleep, we hopped on the elevator and arrived at the buffet! It was beyond words!! Everything you could possibly think of was available! And so, we enjoyed it to the maximum.

When we checked in, the concierge suggested that the most lovely path to the old town was past the harbor. So, with rested and full bellies and happy hearts we found our way to the marina and commenced the most surprising beach walk we have ever taken.

We rounded a corner and low and behold ... there were naked bodies on the first beach we came upon! We are not surprised to see women sunbathing topless, but this was the first time we saw so many penis's dangling in the sunshine! There was even a little old couple (older than us!) who were both stark naked and commenced to head up the path from the beach. I am not sure where they were going, but suffice to say this was a common practice for them because they had NO tan lines anywhere.

We wondered if it was a nudist beach ... but maybe not ... there were many people in their swim suits. We kept walking and came upon the next beach. More bare naked men than women. We were scratching our heads. I began to wonder if Sitges is a welcome place for the LGBTQ community ... so ... I asked "the Google". Here is what I learned:

"Sitges is a really picturesque coastal town on the Costa Brava. It's just a half-hour train ride from Barcelona and it has some of the best gay beaches in Spain. Long a haven for artists, it's now known as the gay vacation capital of Europe - along with Mykonos.

Wandering around the old town, you'll find plenty of shops, restaurants, and a lot of gay bars (about 24!)." One of the most heartening thing about Sitges' gay scene is how open it is. The bars aren't hidden away down a back street. The take up much of the town center ... [T]he sad truth is that there are few places in the world where gay people feel comfortable showing PDA [public displays of affection]. In Sitges, you'll fee as comfortable as it's possible to be." It's so nice to be in such an accepting place that welcomes difference.

There are 17 beaches in total! It is gorgeous and feels kind of upscale ... somewhat like Whitefish feels in comparison to Kalispell. We wandered down the beachfront and toured through the old town. Apparently, the property prices are approaching those of the most expensive in Europe.

The marina area near our hotel has many, many fine restaurants so we popped into one of them for lunch. The old boy hadn't had any mussels yet so he ordered them for a starter. Then we ordered a rice and prawn and crayfish dish that we thought was paella. We were surprised when it showed up as a big caldron of soup.

It was not really what I was hoping for ... I was coveting the paella at the table beside us ... but, I can't say it was terrible. I am hoping now that we are back in the districts that invented paella that we will enjoy another really good one before we head back home.

We enjoyed the walk back home! We knew were were on the right path when we came to the beach where (as the old boy put it) "oh ... this is where the dinks hang out". Oh my ... his candor struck me so funny!

When we got back to our hotel, we put on our swimwear and headed down to laze on the beach chairs in the sunshine. It was so relaxing. The warm sun and a little breeze. We both listened to our books and simply relaxed. It was so nourishing for both of us.

And now, back at the room ... I will be joining the old boy on the balcony once I post this blog. We might play a game of clever and then head down to the restaurant for a bedtime snack.

All in all, a simply wonderful day! I hope you all have a great one too.

Warm hugs and much love and 5 more sleeps until we are flying home!!
xo ❤️ k&jRead more