Amsterdam and Barcelona

This blog post is long over due and I'll try my best to remember everything (and look back through the little vlogs I made)

My family and I went to Amsterdam for 4 days (April 12th - 16), then Barcelona for 5 days (April 17th - 22nd)  

Day Uno.

We got off the 13 hours plane ride and it was early morning there - we were exhausted. We checked in at our hotel, which had the most incredible view, and we did some shopping! I really loved the architecture and buildings in Amsterdam as it was rather unique and special. I saw many people cycling around and noticed the houses there were very little, but pretty and cozy! We also walked around to a flower market and around the Golden Bend (and I was definitely in love with the weather!)

For dinner, we ordered room service (pizza) as we were too tired and jet-lagged. Additionally, there were Nickelodeon episodes (like Sam & Cat, Victorious, i-Carly, True Jackson VP, Zoey 101) and it made me realise how much I missed my childhood series! I fell asleep watching them and adjusted to the time-zone there really well!

                           

  The view outside our hotel

Our Hotel in Amsterdam

Day two. (Probably one of my favourite days.)

We took a 2 hour bus ride to Kuekenhof, a truly beautiful flower garden. It was very cloudy in the morning and we were worried it was going to pour while we were at the flower garden. It did rain, yes, but only towards the end - when we were heading back, thankfully. When we got back, we just did some shopping and went back to the hotel for a rest. We had pasta for dinner in a Small Cafe - the weather was starting to get cold! Then, we headed home and relaxed. 

                     

                      

                     

Day three.

It was definitely a productive day! We took a tour bus and visited a variety of places. We started the day with a quick breakfast and rushed to the tour bus - we managed to get a seat with a lovely view. The first place we visited that day was a Windmill site. It demonstrated how a windmill is functioned and we got the chance to go into the windmill. Also, the view was a countryside view and it was marvellous - filled with greenery and was very calming.

The next stop was a Cheese Factory. It started with a presentation which showed us how cheese could be used in different ways. Then, they demonstrated the different types of cheese (I've never tried that many different types of cheese before!) After trying at least 15 different kinds of cheese, we decided to buy some home. At this point, we started to get hungry. We stopped by at a little dutch café and I had ice-cream and waffles (very healthy, I know).

Afterwards, we took a short boat ride, with an extraordinary view, to a clog factory. Clogs are well-known there, and we had the opportunity to observe the different steps or manufacturing them. After a fun-filled day, we were tired and decided to pack home some kebabs to have for dinner, yum!

                     

                      

                      

                      

Day four. 

Day four was more of a laid back kind of day. We basically did a lot of shopping, ate delicious food (cakes, hot chocolate, etc) and had dinner at a very traditional Dutch restaurant. Then, we went back to the hotel and packed our things for the flight to Barcelona tomorrow. 

Day five.

We woke up bright and early and did some last minute packing. Then, hopped on a plane to Barcelona! When we arrived, we checked into our hotel and explored the shops outside our hotel. We were told that we only had a few days to shop as shops weren't open on Sundays and it was Easter!

Dinner 

Our hotel in Barcelona 

Day six. 

We started the day with a lovely breakfast at a little café and did some sightseeing after that. We visited a few churches and noticed some talented street performances. Later on, we met up with my auntie and uncles at their hotel room. We then went out to the beach which was just outside their hotel and it was incredibly fun!

We wanted to have dinner at one of the restaurants at the beach but it wasn't our cup of tea, therefore, we left. (Yes, we did feel bad, haha) At this point, we were feeling quite peckish, so, we found a restaurant near our hotel named Attic, and decided to have dinner there. We could see the Easter Parade on the streets, too. We then went for a stroll to see if we could find a café for dessert - we managed to find one! We had a few giggles and when it was getting dark, we said goodnight and went back to our hotels.

Day seven.

The day started with a lovely breakfast, however, I couldn't enjoy it as much as I was feeling poorly. I went back to the hotel to have a rest, and thankfully, I was feeling better towards the middle of the day! We then went shopping and visited a mall which was a bull ring converted into a shopping mall (I found that rather fascinating, haha) We took an observation lift and the view was spectacular. After dinner, which was pleasant, we walked to the Magical Water fountain and it was breathtaking.

Day eight. 

Day eight's breakfast was probably my favourite! I had a cream-puff (best one I ever tried, honestly), some other types of pastries, a smoothie, hot chocolate and a scrumptious club sandwich. Then, we went on a hop on hop off bus, which was so very slow but fun, and it took us all around Barcelona - we got to see all the main attractions. What caught my eye the most was Gaudi's building in Barcelona. It has been building for a few hundred years and it's still in progress. Later on, it started to drizzle, but luckily it stopped. It did make the bus ride much colder, though. 

Next, we went to a Park Guell and it was splendid. The view was top notch and the weather was amazing! For dinner, we had a seafood meal and we definitely over ordered! The atmosphere was great and we were entertained by some performances. We were there to celebrate my dad's birthday, too. After dinner, we went to watch a Flamingo Dance, and it was such an experience! 

Day nine. (Last full day which made me very sad)

We took a train, and then a cable car to Montserrat. It was located on top of the mountain and it was very chilly. (it also rained, which made it super cold) We went to a monastery and it was spectacular and massive. After that, we walked around and explored the place. We had lunch and tea and the cafeteria there. Then, when we were getting tired, we headed back and had a rest. For dinner, we went to a 150 years old restaurant, named Los Caracoles. We had paella, different types of meat and a variety of desserts. When the day ended, we said our goodbyes with my aunty and uncles, as we were heading home tomorrow while they continued their travelling. We went back to our hotels and packed our things. 

Day ten. 

We woke up and did some last minute shopping. Then, we headed to the airport and went back. Europe '14 was such a lovely trip and I'm so grateful and thankful to experience it :) 

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