Day Twenty One. Barcelona, Spain.

We got up bright and early at 6am to head to the country to go hot air ballooning. We got picked up at Hard Rock Cafe which was a five minute walk from the hotel. After a 40 min car ride we stopped for a coffee and to have time to meet the other people going up with us. Then a quick 10 minute drive to the departure spot. It was very picturesque, beautiful countryside, with old farm houses around. It was then time to help inflate the balloon, very interesting to see the process they undertake to get up in the air. Steve was one of the men to hold the side and it only took about 20 mins for it to be up. We meet our pilot "Thomas" who has over 20 years experience.

The takeoff was very smooth and before we knew it we were up and away. We got to a height of 1500 meters and the view was breathtaking. Wa could see the country side of Barcelona, with its fields, farmhouses and many towns in the distance. After about 1 hour up, it was time to start the descent, and the pilot was in radio contact with the driver on the ground to advise where we were going to be landing. This is not as easy as it seems as it is dependant upon the wind direction. The first landing we over shot and I caught a funny exchange between the driver and pilot, that looked like up yours sign language, the pilot realised I had saw and had a laugh. On another attempt to land we did touch the ground, but it was not level enough and was right near a golf course and power poles so we were up and away again.

The next attempt was the successful one, and we all got out and help to pack up the balloon, it is really interesting to see the process from set up to pack up, and one we will remember for a long time. We all got back in the vehicle and headed back to our starting point, we were treated to a champagne to celebrate, and had toasted cheese sandwiches cooked over the balloon burners for breakfast. What a great experience and it was only 11am, on the drive back to the Barcelona city most of us in the car had a sleep.

After we were dropped off Steve and I made our way to visit the Sagrada Familia, which is an old church that has been over 100 years in the making, it is very big and very ornate. It is still under construction and had cranes and scaffolding all over it.

After this we walked the streets on our way back to the beginning of La Ramblas, which is the one of the main shopping strip filled with designer shops and markets. We found a nice cafe to have lunch and watch the world go by, we have decided we love people watching. Eventually headed back to the hotel, had a siesta, and meet Larry and Amanda for dinner.

Went to a restaurant in Plaća Reial, and had an average meal. Afterwards Larry and Amanda headed back and Steve and I explored again at night, we love just walking the streets and seeing what we can find and watching the locals. We found a nice bar, had a drink and listened to the music from concerts around us. There is currently a cultural festival on in Barcelona. We finished there and moved to another bar and repeated the process. A really nice night, where we just relaxed with no timetable.