The breakfast at the Hotel was pretty bad but we ate some anyway and then packed up and drove in to Barcelona as was able to park close to the Port which is not only the centre of town but also close to where we catch the Grimaldi Car Ferry to Italy.
We left the car park and walked along the beachfront which was quite busy as their were at least two cruise ships in port and by god was it hot in the sun and we guess around 34 degrees centigrade. At the far end of the first part of the promenade we came across a large marquee which enclosed about thirty stall holders all selling food and wine and clothing all from Argentina. So we tried some of the local produce a a treat before lunch as we planned a light lunch and then eat on the ferry later.We walked around the Las Ramblas for a while and felt it looked a bit shabby with some shady characters everywhere and others selling rubbish copy Gucci bags and sunglasses etc.
We continued exploring the side roads and eventually came to the main food market which was still open and quite busy especially the small fish restaurants where people were standing waiting for others to finish but the prices we thought were quite high.
By this timer we were slightly peckish and then headed back to the Argentinian shops and purchased their equivalent of the Cornish pasty and a bottle of coke and hoped that would keep us full for a while.
Time was soon flying by and then we went over the bridge to the Marina Ramblas which appears to be fairly new and this area was packed. We stopped in a café by the side of the sea and had a glass of wine and then realised that it was restaurant called The Wok and of course selling Asian food.
It was now 1800 and we thought well by the time we are on the ferry and get to the restaurant it would be around 10 pm and rather late and so plumped for some Asian noodles and a glass of wine.We got the car from the garage and started looking for the Car ferry Port entrance and initially got lost and with lots of arm waving and a loud Italian voice we were directed to the ferry port. Arriving in the ferry port which initially looked dis-organised but we found the check in desk which is about 200 yards away in a building with very little signs. Also in the car park there were quite a few vans and cars with self-built roof racks and on top was anything you can imagine and built to the same height of the van or car. This would be strictly illegal in the UK but seemed to be Ok here but the people in these vehicles looked a little rough and so I did not take any photos fearing for my life.
Finally about 45 minutes before the Ferry was to leave we were sent down the port roads to our next car park right next to the ship and here chaos took over. There were lines of cars waiting, tugs pulling trailers on to the ship and with trucks collecting trailers which had arrived on the ship and hundreds of Toyota small trucks and other small cars being driven at reckless speeds through the previously mentioned list of vehicles etc. Then the fun really started as two coaches pulled up with the walking passengers who then proceeded to cross the path of speeding trucks, tugs, Toyota cars and on to the ship whilst avoiding the loading that was taking place. Finally we arrived on the first ferry deck and were ushered up a very steep ramp which was no problem for us but the small car in front first of argued that he could not make it then backed away and took it at a fast pace and eventually made it. One more ramp later and we arrived and was shocked to find all the Asian crew waiting to help us to our cabins which was really not expected.
Our cabin was ok but the shower was rather small with a light shower curtain which stuck to you as you turned the shower on. We looked in on the fast food restaurant and it was pretty bad and so we had a quick drink and went back to the cabin but the ship seemed quite empty.
