Barcelona, Spain: 1-5 January

Our last destination before returning to Oslo was Barcelona. The city had a lot of interesting architecture and art, the climate was mild, and the pedestrian walkway (La Rambla) filled with flower shops, pet stores, tourist stands, and street performers was entertaining to meander down. Below you'll also find photos of some of the Gaudi works we saw...most noteworthy is the Church of the Sagrada Familia. Gaudi was a popular Spanish architect and part of the art nouveau movement.

View of the city from atop a hill near Gaudi's Park Güell

The pedestrian walkway downtown

Statue of Christopher Columbus situated at the end of La Rambla.

In the Gothic Quarter of the city

Arc de Triomf, built for the 1888 World's Fair

Gate of the Roman wall with Cathedral of Eulalia in background

In Barcelona the children don't ask Santa Claus for Christmas presents; rather they make their requests to the magi.

Before you saw the 'La Rambla' pedestrian walkway. This is La Rambla del Mar, the maritime version.

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The next few photos are all of Gaudi's work around the city.

Casa Batlló

La Pedrera

In Park Güell

Park Güell lizard

At Gaudi's Park Güell

Guadi's Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia

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We went to a chocolate museum and learned quite a bit about the history of the use of the cocoa bean and production of modern chocolate. Barcelona was the entry port for the cocoa bean into Europe starting in 1520 coming from the Americas. An interesting tidbit I learned from the museum that I hadn't realized previously is that chocolate has been consumed as a drink for most of its history. Since its first documented use around 1100 B.C. until around the time of the Industrial Revolution it had only existed as a drink.

The museum also had a fascinating display of chocolate sculptures...

This one should look familiar...its the chocolate counterpart of Michelangelo's Pietá found in St. Peter's Basilica.

And here is chocolate model of Gaudi's La Pedrera building

A chocolate Arc de Triomf

Enjoying some chocolate after the museum visit. Consumed in the traditional technique, as a thick warm liquid with pastries for dunking.

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Some modern art

At the Olympic Stadium complex where Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic Games

View of the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys (the Olympic stadium)

Inside the stadium

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Another aspect of Barcelona we really enjoyed was going to the markets. My personal favorite was the meat stands with salamis and sausages and legs hanging all around.

Rome, Italy: 28 December to 1 January

Kristie and I departed from Heidelberg on 28 December for our next destination, Rome. We stayed at a hostel but spent most of our time out and about exploring the city.

Trevi Fountain

St. Peter's Square

Queue for entering St. Peter's Basilica

Entrance to St. Peter's Basilica

Inside the massive basilica. The main altar with the dome above can be seen in the distance.

Glimpse of the front section of St. Peter's Basilica

The Pietà sculpted by Michelangelo

The main altar

The dome above the main altar

Listing of all the Popes in the history of the Roman Catholic Church, starting with Saint Peter

Kristie and I with the dome in the background

View from above of St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro)

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These next few photos are from within the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Head of a statue from Thebes, ca. 2000 B.C.

Mummy of a woman from Thebes, ca. 1000 B.C.

Statue of Hercules, ca. 1st century A.D.

The School of Athens fresco, Raphael

The Disputation of the Sacrament fresco, Raphael

This fresco symbolizes the implementation of Christianity as the official religion of the Roman Empire. Note the shattered pagan sculpture lying at the feet of the crucifix. This fresco was painted by Raphael.

The magnificent frescos of the Sistine Chapel

Ceiling adorned with frescos painted by Michelangelo

Video from within the Sistine Chapel. First you see 'The Last Judgement' on the wall straight ahead, then you will see 9 stories from the Book of Genesis depicted on the ceiling. Sorry about the shaky footage.

The double helix staircase in the Vatican Museums

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Piazza del Popolo. This is the plaza we went to for viewing the fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Sign describing the history of the Spanish Steps

Below the history section on the sign are the rules and regulations for the area around the Spanish Steps. Please note the fourth point.

Kristie and I at the Spanish Steps with Trinità dei Monti church in the background

Mopeds were everywhere.

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Inside the Colosseum

Colosseum with the Arch of Constantine to the left

Check out the size of this pinkie toe, Kristie's hand on it gives perspective


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Inside the Pantheon

Entrance to the Pantheon


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On New Year's Day (our last day in Rome) we went back to St. Peter's Square to hear the Pope speak and give a blessing.

The crowd was gathered outside in the square while the Pope was saying mass inside St. Peter's Basilica. After the mass he came out to address the crowd.

Video from the Pope's address