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  • SiewchSpain & ItalyViajante
    Park Guell.
    Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.Park Guell.A mural I saw while walking to Park Guell.

    Park Guell: The Viaducts

    23 de março, Espanha ⋅ ☀️ 15 °C

    After exiting the Sagrada Família, I ate a delicious paella before walking two kilometers uphill to Park Guell, another of Gaudi’s masterpieces. As I approached the park entrance, I thanked my lucky stars I managed to book tickets when I saw other people being turned away.

    Park Guell turned out to be a labyrinthian mess of walkways, most of them on raised viaducts, as well as a central viewing platform. The focus of this entry is on the viaducts.

    There were several serpentine viaducts at Park Guell. They were all in raised stone walkways supported by stone pillars. Walking under the viaducts was a little unnerving as the columns and the underside were irregularly shaped with large sharp stones simp,y stuck in. They reminded me of stalactites and I kept thinking they could lodge loose and fall on me. Regardless, I had an enjoyable time walking the serpentine viaducts to get to different parts of the park.

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/park-guell    Leia mais

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  • SiewchSpain & ItalyViajante
    The interior of the Sagrada Família.
    Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.The southern door with "give us our daily bread" from the Lord's Prayer in different languages.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.The altar with Jesus in the center.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.Sagrada Família stained glass.The ceiling of the Sagrada Família with the pillars as symbolic tree trunks and the canopy.Another view of the tree trunks with stained glass light refracted on it.Sagrada Família stained glass.Mary on the western flank.Joseph on the east side of the Sagrada Família.St George, sans dragon, on the south side of the cathedral.I had a nice paella lunch at a nearby restaurant after my Sagrada Família visit.

    Inside the Sagrada Família

    23 de março, Espanha ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    This entry covers the interior of the Sagrada Família. Delores started by talking about the columns in the cathedral, the material each one was made of, and their symbolism. Again, I had no idea how much nature inspired Gaudi’s design - they were designed to look like trees. To me, nature and churches don’t necessarily belong in the same sentence… apart from the whole “go forth and multiply” mandate, I always thought the whole point of grandiose cathedrals was for God’s structures (physical or otherwise) to dominate its immediate environment, including nature… so this was a pleasant revelation.

    The four central pillars were made of basalt and are symbolic of the four gospel writers. The outer pillars were representative of the apostles, and were made of different materials. The cathedral, not surprisingly, is shaped like a crucifix, with Jesus in the middle and Joseph and Mary on the east and west respectively, and rather oddly, a stylized St George, sans dragon, on the south.

    Symbolism aside, the stained glass was the main highlight of the interior. They were designed to refract light differently at different times of the day; indeed, I witnessed the light changing while I was there. Blues and greens were on the east, and reds and oranges on the west. The windows were marked with names of holy sites such as Fatima and the Camino de Santiago.

    While I bristled at paying a premium for this tour, I don’t regret it one bit because Delores pointed out so may things I would have missed.    Leia mais

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  • SiewchSpain & ItalyViajante
    The eastern entrance to the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Nativity.
    The eastern entrance to the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Nativity.The eastern entrance to the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Nativity.The eastern entrance to the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Nativity.The eastern entrance to the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Nativity.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The door on the western exit of the Sagrada Familia.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.One of the satellite buildings of the Sagrada Familia.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.One of the satellite buildings of the Sagrada Familia.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The western exit of the Sagrada Familia depicting scenes from the Passion.The exterior of the Sagrada Familia.The exterior of the Sagrada Familia.The exterior of the Sagrada Familia.

    Sagrada Família: External Shots

    23 de março, Espanha ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    As this was a last minute trip, I was unable to secure tickets for the Sagrada Familia, so I reluctantly looked for a tour with one of the agencies that prebooks tickets in bulk.

    Prior to my departure for this trip, I had read news reports about a significant milestone having been completed in the long saga that has marked this cathedral’s construction, so I assumed that construction was pretty much done. When I emerged from the metro station, I was surprised to see scaffolding all over. I made my way to the meeting point for the tour, ate a small breakfast at a nearby cafe, and then met the guide, Delores, at the appointed time. We were soon on our way to clear security before Delores gathered us at the eastern entrance and gave us the lay of the land. At the eastern entrance was a model of the plan for the cathedral, with the completed and the planned sections in different colors. As it turned out, the big milestone was the completion of the central tower. Per the model. At least four smaller towers have yet to be built, along with two other structures. Executing Gaudi’s vision would also require the acquisition and demolition of several apartment buildings, so everyone if skeptical whether it would ever be finished.

    We started the tour at the east entrance, and then we walked into the cathedral itself, and we ended at the western exit. This entry covers the two exterior sections of the tour.

    Delores explained that the eastern entrance focuses on the Nativity, whereas the theme of the western exit is the Passion. On the eastern entrance, she pointed out various scenes from the birth of Christ, as well as various animals. For example, turtles are considered steady, solid creatures, and there is one land turtle holding up a column on the inland part of the structure, and a sea turtle on the ocean side. I was unaware that nature played such a big role in Gaudi’s iconography.

    On the western exit, Delores pointed out various scenes from Christ’s crucifixion. Because different sculptors have been hired to interpret Gaudi’s vision, there was a marked difference on the two sides.    Leia mais

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  • SiewchSpain & ItalyViajante
    The Bad Bunny and Trump mural.
    Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Font de Sant Just, Gothic Quarter.Basilica of Saint Justus and Pastor, Gothic Quarter.Spanish Inquisition plaque, Gothic Quarter.Temple of Augustus, Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Part of the old Roman walls, Gothic Quarter.Part of the Roman walls, Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.Barcelona Cathedral.Barcelona Cathedral.Gothic Quarter.Gothic Quarter.An Argentinian street performer.I am guessing this is some sort of religious procession before Holy Week.Street dancing by performers from various parts of Latin America.A Hare Krishna procession.Church of Santa Maria del Pi.St Josep Oriol plaque on the Church of Santa Maria del Pi.One of my lunch tapas plates: Catalan sausage in mustard sauce.One of my lunch tapas plates: Chickpea and chorizo stew.

    Gothic Quarter

    22 de março, Espanha ⋅ ☀️ 17 °C

    My original plan was to explore Montjuic, but due to my delayed arrival, I adjusted my plans to go to the Gothic Quarter instead. My main goal of the afternoon was to track down a new mural that popped up after the Superbowl depicting a triumphant Bad Bunny and a confused Trump looking on. After that, I wandered around the meandering alleyways looking at the old buildings, in particular the Roman ruins, utilizing Atlas Obscura as a rough guide.

    My first stop was the Basilica of Saints Justus and Pastor, which is believed to be the oldest basilica in Barcelona, and the nearby Font de Sant Just, a fountain dedicated to the man who helped bring water to Barcelona. After that, I looked for the 2000 year old Roman columns from the Temple of Augustus.

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/basilica-of…

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/font-de-san…

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/columns-of-…

    I was feeling hungry after this initial exploration, and I found a small tapas bar that didn’t look touristy. There, I asked the staff what he liked best and he recommended a Catalan sausage in mustard sauce and a chickpea and chorizo stew.

    After enjoying my meal, I explored some more. I looked for another Atlas Obscura site - a symbol of the Spanish Inquisition- before exploring the area around the Barcelona Cathedral and enjoying the street performers. I first saw an Argentinian man performing with a hoop, and a procession which appeared religious.

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/inquisition…

    I then explored the area a little further, clocking in one additional Atlas Obscura site - the Saint Joseph Oriol plaque - before returning to see some more street performers. This time round, a troupe of hip hop dancers from all around Latin America had the stage. Rather bizarrely, I then saw a Hare Krishna procession with some people dressed in European traditional dress.

    https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/st-josep-or…

    It was past 5pm by now, and the jet lag was catching up with me. I made my way back to my accommodation, picked up some snacks, and gratefully sank into bed.    Leia mais

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  • SiewchSpain & ItalyViajante
    N129HQ waiting to operate to JFK as AA4401.
    The Admiral's Club at Pittsburgh.Takeoff and climb video with a spectacular sunset view.The sunset at PIT.The sunset at PIT.The sunset at PIT.The sunset during climb.The sunset during climb.The sunset during climb.The sunset during climb.The sunset during climb.The NYC skyline as we were on finals for JFK.The NYC skyline as we were on finals for JFK.The NYC skyline as we were on finals for JFK.Flightpath of AA4401 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    PIttsburgh to New York JFK

    21 de março, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    American Eagle AA4401 | PIT/JFK
    Domestic First Class
    Embraer E175 | N129HQ
    ATD/1932 | ATA/2108
    Admiral’s Club

    Arriving in Pittsburgh from Phoenix, I spent a couple of pleasant hours at the Admiral’s Club. Went it came time for boarding, I walked the short distance to Gate B2 and settled into my solo seat on the E175 taking us to JFK.

    At takeoff and climb, I was treated to a spectacular sunset. The flight was short and pleasant. Before long, we were descending into JFK with the Manhattan skyline in the distance.    Leia mais

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  • SiewchSpain & ItalyViajante
    N973AN in OneWorld livery at the gate in PIT.
    Warmed nuts to start.My chicken lunch on AA1044.Raspberry sorbet to end the meal.Routing of AA1044 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Phoenix to Pittsburgh

    21 de março, Estados Unidos ⋅ ☀️ 16 °C

    American Airlines AA1044 | PHX/PIT
    Domestic First Class
    Boeing 737-800 | N973AN
    STA/0943 | ATA/1637

    My HNL to PHX flight took an agonizingly long time to get to the gate after landing. From there, it was a mad scramble from the end of the B Pier to the end of the A Pier.

    I was upgraded on this flight and on the next sector to JFK. When I checked my JFK to BCN flight, I was stoked to see my seat assignment was 3D on an Iberia flight, which led me to believe AA had rebooked me in Business Class. Alas, my joy was shortlived. Upon further investigation, I realized I had been rebooked on a flight operated by Level, Iberia’s low cost subsidiary, and that I was in Premium Economy. Ah well.

    My flight to PIT was fine, and we were crewed by a set of flight attendants who behaved pleasantly and professionally. I slept some more after downing my lunch.    Leia mais

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  • SiewchSpain & ItalyViajante
    My seat on AA694. I didn't take more shots because the cabin was already semi-boarded.
    My snack at the Sakura Lounge.Flight routing if AA694 as captured on FlightRadar24.

    Honolulu to Phoenix

    20 de março, Estados Unidos ⋅ 🌧 23 °C

    American Airlines AA694 | HNL/PHX
    Premium Economy Class
    Boeing 787-8 | N810AN
    ATD/2355 | ATA/0906+1
    Sakura Lounge/Admiral’s Club

    I know what you’re thinking: I traveled barely a month ago. Well, I have a big project at work starting in April, and it is expected to last through this calendar year and into next year, so I decided to clear my vacation days ahead of this busy period. I looked at traveling to Malta or Greece first, but in the end I chose Italy because I have friends and family there. As for flights, I knew Cathay Pacific had reasonable one-way Business Class fares out of Rome, so I looked for one-way fares from Honolulu to Southern Europe. The Premium Economy fare to Barcelona was very reasonable as it was still the Northern Winter schedule, so I selected Barcelona as my first stop.

    My first leg on this trip was delayed for almost an hour because American had two aircraft that needed a Ground Power Unit but they only had one available. I knew this was cause me to misconnect my next leg to Dallas/Fort Worth and onto Barcelona. I managed to sleep pretty well on this flight, and as we descended into PHX, I got a notification that I was being rerouted via Pittsburgh and JFK, with the final leg to Barcelona on Iberia. With this rebooking, I would arrive in Barcelona almost five hours later than initially scheduled. I wasn’t pleased about this, but the other options presented to me on the AA app were worse. Because I had a short connection in PHX, I decided to take this option and not go to the customer service desk to ask for help.    Leia mais

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    20 de março de 2026