Can Tarrades

Fanals Park

by mymannsmilie

"Our arrival"

Our departure date was 5/7/96 to Fanals Park, Lloret de mar, Costa Brava flying with Unijet . We arrived early hours of 6th Saturday morning having spent several hours in Manchester airport with delays, and finally arrived at the apartment at 9.30am, we slept most of the day and just browsed round the local shops and quick nosy at the beach. The studio apartment wasn't up to much supposed to have balcony/terrace with sea view but you couldn't even put your feet on the balcony/terrace there wasn't a sea view unles having crammed your head to the right around past the neighbours divider you could just see a slight glimpse of the sea. 5 minutes from the sea was the brochures info but it was nearer 10-15 mins walk. On the Sunday 7th we headed off to the beach for a few hours for bit of tanning, we then went back to the pool to meet a few of our neighbours, before planning which bars to hit first.
Monday 8th we headed into Lloret for spot of shopping and more beach bathing. We found a nice pub call BODEGA EL CID with live music from 9pm till midnight although it usually went on longer.
Tuesday 9th we went to the pool, strolled along the beach and to the local grub shop, as we were self catering.
Wednesday 10th we went on the MEDAS ISLANDS CRUISE the programme from Unijet described this as Exploring the underwater natural park with superb marine life this trip also took us to the village of Pals which was really beautiful. We followed this with a meal at the Robin Hood. Thursday 11th we went to Fanals beach followed by a trip to the local pub.
Friday 12th we went to Marineland the tour leaflet described it as dolphins, parrots, pools and more fun for all the family. We enjoyed the park it was good just relaxing watching the dolphins performing and the parrot show was good although once you've seen one and all that but it was a relaxing day and something we don't do at home.

"Barcelona"

Saturday 13th we booked the Barcelona Fuenta trip, panaramic tour, FC, Museum and Fountains . The coach left early in the morning and we arrived in Barcelona having picked up from so many local hotels and apartments near to mid-day. The coach took us on a tour of the four large areas of the Olympics '92 which were set in Barcelona itself. The four sections were; The Montjuic area, used for athletics, gymnastics, handball and volleyball events also the opening and closing of the games. The diagonal area is where the outstanding 'Camp Nou' Barcelona Football Stadium, which my son Gary loved and insisted he have his photo taken to show to all his friends, the iceskating, judo, tennis and horse-riding were also held in this section. The Vall d'Hebron area held the world track cycling and archery,and The Parc de Mar area was where the Olympic Village was set up also the construction of the Olympic Port where the sailing events occurred.
We all boarded the coach again and were then dropped off at The Church of the Holy Family and Gaudi museum, which was still under construction as it seems it has been since 1882 relying on donations and voluntary contributions. Francisco del Villar began construction of the crypt in neoclassical style, in 1883 Gaudi took over the direction of the work and when the crypt was finished he changed the whole project showing his own personal style. The church is symbolic of the church of christ, and consists of three monumental facades dedicated to the birth, the passion and the glory of christ each has four high towers which together symbolize the twelve apostles, the centre spire the saviour and four towers surrounding that as the the four evangelists, the apse has a finer spire representing the Virgin Mary. In the crypt is buried Gaudi and the museum is dedicated to his work. Having spent quite a while amongst thecrowds of tourists photographing the beautiful art work we strolled up the Ramblas Road which stretches from the Port to the Plaza de Catalunya this was great, so many kinds of market stalls, Stalls selling everything from books in every language to stalls selling birds, flowers, artists painting tourists , live statues who looked so real until you saw them blink or smile at a child. We walked up to the port and there were musicians playing, art displayed that was for sale to the public, so much to see and it was all so breath-taking. In the evening we were taken to see the illuminated fountains of Montjuic, a fantastic show of water, music, light and colour. We found it a most spectacular display which really did give the best finish to our day in Barcelona.

"Our return"

Sunday 14th we just had a day by the pool and chilled out after our interesting but very tiring day in Barcelona with a much needed early night.
Monday 15th we went to Water World the biggest aquapark in the area then on to the local pub. for a bite to eat and a few jars and Kareoke with the neighbours a few lasses from Manchester who were all training to become chefs. Tuesday 16th we went for a stroll along the beach with the neighbours and a bit of sun bathing. In the evening we had booked another trip out to El Relicario which was a Flamenco and Brazillian show/night club in Tossa. We had a lovely meal and plenty of Sangria, thoroughly enjoyed our night out. Wednesday 17th we went into Lloret to do some souvenier shopping and bit of grub shopping more lazing by the pool trying to get rid of the hangover from the previous night. Although it didnt stop us going out again that evening to the local for a few more jars. Thursday 18th BBQ, and beach and party which was great fun there was one the previous week wish we had gone but never mind. Friday 19th packing day ready to fly home our flight out was 20.40 so we were due to leave to apartments by 1700hrs so having packed we just stayed local had fish and chips from the chippy who were both English and a really nice familyl, said goodbye to all our new friends the family from the local supermarket, the pub family and of course our neighbours.