Day 1 : Barcelona

¡Hola!

The hubs, Son#1, and I—along with 27 other Malaysians—took a red-eye from Kuala Lumpur to Barcelona: six hours to Dubai, a three-hour layover, then another six hours across Europe. After nearly 12 hours in the air with barely any shut-eye, we landed in a dazed mix of sleep deprivation and excitement only long-haul travelers know. Barcelona is six hours behind Kuala Lumpur. A coach was waiting to whisk us straight into our first taste of the city.

It was late afternoon when we began our walking tour. Since it was Day 1 (and we’d just come straight from the airport), the itinerary was kept light—a relaxed stroll with photo stops at Casa Milà and Casa Batlló. Afterward, we wandered around Passeig de Gràcia, La Rambla, and Ciutat Vella. We made a quick stop at La Boqueria Market before heading to dinner.

Casa Batlló

Casa Batlló was originally built in 1877 by architect Emilio Sala Cortés. Gaudí transformed it between 1904 and 1906, turning a conventional building into a modernist marvel.

Casa Batlló is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Antoni Gaudí’s most iconic architectural masterpieces, located on Passeig de Gràcia.

Here are some fascinating facts about Casa Batlló:

- 🐉 Dragon symbolism: The building’s roof resembles the spine of a dragon, referencing the legend of Saint George, Catalonia’s patron saint. The cross-shaped turret represents the knight’s sword plunged into the dragon’s back.

- 🌊 Marine inspiration: Gaudí drew inspiration from the sea, incorporating wave-like forms, iridescent tiles, and organic shapes throughout the façade and interiors.

- 🦴 Skull and bone balconies: The balconies resemble masks or skulls, and the supporting columns look like bones, earning the nickname “House of Bones”.

- 🌍 Sustainable design: Gaudí reused materials and incorporated natural ventilation and lighting, making Casa Batlló an early example of eco-conscious architecture.

- 🎨 No straight lines: True to Gaudí’s style, the building avoids straight lines, favoring curves and asymmetry to evoke natural forms.

- 🏆 Cultural significance  Casa Batlló was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 for its outstanding contribution to modernist architecture.

Casa Milà

🌪️ Casa Milà: Gaudí’s Stone Storm

• 🏛️ Nickname: La Pedrera (“The Stone Quarry”) — locals thought it looked like a wave-carved cliff.
• 👷 Architect: Antoni Gaudí, completed in 1912 — his last civil project before devoting himself to the Sagrada Família.
• 🔄 Design Quirk: It has no straight lines — even the walls and floors ripple like water.
• 🛠️ Hidden Innovation: Beneath its sculptural rooftop chimneys lies one of Europe’s first self-supporting steel structures, allowing open-plan apartments.
• 🛡️ Symbolism: The rooftop chimneys resemble warriors guarding the city, and the building’s curves echo natural forms like sea waves and mountain ridges. 

Plaça Catalunya

Plaça de Catalunya isn’t just a big square — it’s a giant playground for pigeons… and children who think they can outrun them. I stood there for a while watching kids dash across the open space, arms flapping like mini bullfighters, while hundreds of plump pigeons lifted off in slow, dramatic waves. The parents looked exhausted, the kids looked delighted, and the pigeons looked like they’d seen it all before. Somehow, it all felt perfectly Barcelona — chaotic, lively, and a little bit funny.

And then there’s this striking fountain statue — a woman on a horse holding a ship, part of Barcelona’s fascinating mix of art and history that pops up in the city’s squares and corners. It’s a small reminder of the city’s maritime roots, classical artistry, and the little surprises that make wandering here so endlessly charming.

Seeing these black and yellow taxis makes me feel like they could transform into Bumblebee (Transformer) any moment!

Right at the corner of Ben & Jerry’s, this tiny, centuries-old fountain sits tucked away — an unexpected little twist of Barcelona. Who would ever expect to stumble upon a fountain that's part of the facade of a nondescript building?

Portaferrissa Fountain

Dating back to 1604 and moved here in 1680, the Font de la Portaferrissa is adorned with 373 ceramic tiles depicting Barcelona’s old city gate, daily life, and Saint Josep Oriol — its water was once thought to have healing powers.

Mare de Déu de Betlem church

La Rambla

La Boqueria Market

When you finally taste empanadas in Spain itself — that’s the real McCoy, no imposters allowed.

Dinner @ Mussol 

Mussol means owl in Catalan — the language and culture native to Catalonia, the northeastern region of Spain where Barcelona is located. Catalan is distinct from Spanish, with its own words, sounds, and rich traditions that shape much of the city’s character.

The owl isn’t just the restaurant’s namesake — it’s also a symbol of wisdom and quiet observation, perfectly matching the warm, thoughtful spirit of Mussol. This lovely owl sculpture felt like a fitting tribute to the name and meaning behind it. 🦉

After a colorful array of tapas, we savored Rape a la brasa amb patates al caliu at Mussol. 

Grilled monkfish with ember-roasted potatoes, smoky and tender, served the Catalan way: simple, bold, and unforgettable.

A tiring yet exhilarating Day 1 of our 12-day journey through Spain and Portugal.

By the way, for anyone guessing we were in San Francisco… nope! Just us in front of Portugal’s April 25th Bridge.  Gotcha! 😏