Rivera notes: July 2009

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Nautical Museum

This is one of the oldest buildings in Barcelona, it was the place where ships where built.

The building is huge . . . that is an entire ship in picture below.

Museum of the city

Museum of ancient Roman city, it is underground and pictures are not permitted - I took this clandestinely.

Vilafranca de Pedenes

Tour of the Torres winery, below is the place where the oak barrels are kept.

Grapes on the vines, but not ready for harvest.

All the wine and brandy the Torres family produces.

Jennifer standing by the grape vines.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Sitges Beach - part II

Taking a day trip to a place called Sitges, a beautiful beach.

Church near the water at end of beach.

Swimming . . . The water is very clear and very salty, which makes you very buoyant.

Montserrat

Taking a day trip to Montserrat, thirty miles west of Barcelona. Montserrat is 4055ft over the valley floor and it can be reached via train and later you must take the "Teleferico" to the top.

Once you reach the top, you reach the basilica area. Below is the basilica. . .

In line to see "La Moreneta" (The Black Virgen)

La Moreneta - Said to have been made by St. Luke and brought to Barcelona by St. Peter. The virgen resides in the sanctuary of the Madre de Deu de Montserrat.

Later we go higher by taking the "Funicular" to Sant Joan, a place where 13 ermitas inhabited by hermits until Napoleon's troops hunted them down and killed them.