Collioure to Girona…..and a visit with Dali in Figueros

September 14th

Another beautiful morning with the forecast calling for sun and mid 20’s as our stay in Collioure is coming to an end…….slowly but surely we are getting used to the departure routine…bring the luggage to a predetermined spot while the other person gets the wheels, meet up, luggage in, on the way >>> what a symphony of cohesion.

Today no back roads as we take the autopiste towards Spain where we will be travelling for almost 2 weeks >> smooth drive with Miss Charm being right on as we land in the center of Figueros after a 45m drive….the Rambala and some guys passing time

Through the Rambala up the street and we are at our destination > the Dali Museum……which is slated to be a continuation of our Dali dalliance:

and the good stuff:

yes, that is his car after all he built the museum for himself and his remains are embedded there;

the show goes on……and on

 

 

 

 

 

 

now that’s a bed!! I think I will order one….

Although bizarre one has to admit he had a talent for producing diverse art forms from jewellery to classic etchings, as well the sheer amount and size of some of the art is pretty amazing.

…. back on the road and about 45 minutes later we arrived in Girona (originally a Roman garrison town called Gerunda) ahead of “schedule” . With our new phone from ORANGE in hand, Annie texts our host and we meet up in front of our flat in Girona’s old town…..well located a few hundred meters from the Cathedral….it is actually the father who meets us speaking slightly more Franglaise than we Spanish ….so in no time at all we all say Buenos dias with everything about the apartment, keys etc. being crystal clear???  This apartment is HUGE relative to our last digs, has a TUB (….had to stop Annie from jumping in on sight) immaculate, and the WiFi works well…what more can you ask for > 3 nights here…all settled in, and good to go by 4PM. Went for a walk before having a short form dinner at the flat….this is a beautiful town:

Good morning all … sunny morning and coolish…quick breakie and onto the ramparts for a 2 klm walkabout…some detours due to the Game of Thrones being shot here…almost got some good shots but was admonished by the “guards” wherever there were photo vantage points. …did however get a spot of flavor…..this really is an incredible setting for the production:

Spoke to a Spanish reporter (also looking for photo opps) who said the event was being well covered by the media due to the pros and cons of “shutting down” portions of the town for tourists….In any event it was a great walk…btw more stairs ….should have one of those FITBIT’S, as I think we must be averaging about 100,000 steps per day!!

 

In the afternoon we set off for lunch >>> factoid: breakie is a non event, lunch from 1PM to 4PM and dinner starts at the very earliest at 8:30PM …so a new drill to get used to. We did our best, arriving at the 8 de 7 Restaurant around 1:30PM (still managed to be the first ones there) and departing around 3PM…best meal of the trip (so far) this place could be a hit in Vancouver or Toronto…we again received what we think will be normal Franglaise explanations about the menu making each course a surprise package with even a bonus round (unexpected starter) and even a bottle of wine thrown in….this for 24 Euros all-in:

This is another country where they make it simple for the consumer to know how much he pays > no add-ons, tips, blah, blah, blah. Carrying on a bit here but it was a really fun experience with great food and presentation, went back to the flat slowly, stopping in Independence Square to watch life pass by, window shopping and then back to for a well-earned siesta haha.

Did some computerizing, and then a short walk to check out the Arab baths …..

and then decided it was time to chill back at the apartment with more wine, after all in Vino Veritas:

…………and some ham and cheese before calling it a nite. The balance of Girona will follow in the next post….adios!!