Journey to Barcelona.

Last year we were planning a trip to Spain and France, but had to cancel. This year we booked a, hopefully simpler, trip to Spain. I'm not sure how easy or difficult this will be with Peter in a wheelchair, but we will see.

Our flight left Hong Kong around 1am, so we headed off to Chek Lap Kok Airport around 10pm. We were surprised to be able to use the lounge there before our flight. I'm trying to cut down a bit on my alcohol intake, but I did have a wine there and Peter had some draft Carlsberg beer. There was plenty of food, too, but we weren't very hungry, so just had some sandwiches and nuts.

Peter in the lounge.

The plane was pretty full and I had a large Arab gentleman on one side of me and Peter on the other. At one point both of them fell asleep on my shoulders. Talk about squashy!!! I hate flying!!!

I didn't eat the evening meal on the flight. Somehow I couldn't work up an appetite around three in the morning. I watched a documentary called 'The Road to Patagonia'. It was actually really interesting. It was the story of a life changing journey made by an Australian ecologist from the north of Alaska all the way to the tip of Patagonia. On the way he was attacked by wolves, almost died in a car crash, had his motorbike stolen, travelled with four horses and met his future wife. The scenery he encountered on route was sensational.

In Doha we headed to the silver lounge. I never get to explore the airport nowadays as we always get taken to our destination by wheelchair assistance, but this time our wheelchair assistance transport got stuck in a jam right next to a statue of lots of animals on a bike that I wanted to photograph before but generally just whizzed past.

Statue.

Statue.

I took a couple more pictures of the airport on the same ride.

Doha Airport.

Doha Airport.

Doha Airport.

In the silver lounge.

In the lounge we had some snacks but not much sleep. We were only there for around four hours.

On the next flight we were very lucky, we got three seats between the two of us. I was much more comfortable, but I still couldn't sleep. I watched an Australian drama called 'Black Snow.' It was quite gripping. A private detective with a very violent and troubled background has to try and find a missing girl. At the same time he reestablishes contact with his younger brother that he was separated from in childhood.

At Barcelona Airport we got passenger assistance. The young man who helped us, very kindly also helped us to get a free now cab to our hotel. It cost around 33 euros. When we finally reached our hotel, we were both utterly exhausted.

We were staying in The Ibis Styles Sant Joan Despi. It's only in South East Asia that we get lots of perks due to Peter's platinum status. Here we didn't really get anything other than a free drink. Still our room was clean and comfortable and surprisingly big.

Our room.

We were both desperate for a shower and some much needed sleep. Later we headed to the hotel bar/restaurant for something to eat.

We decided to have a tuna and onion pizza and drank the local aguila beer, which was very good.

Service was a bit odd. We are used to surly service in Hong Kong, but excellent service in most of South East Asia. Here, well, it felt like everything we asked for was greeted with the word, "No!" Yet somehow we still ended up having a very pleasant and enjoyable meal!!! Firstly, I tried to get served at the bar and was told: "No, waiter." Then I managed to attract the waiter who told me:"No." I was tempted to leave, but it was late and we were tired. Eventually we managed to get the waiter, who was actually very pleasant. I think the problem here is that they are understaffed.

Anyway we managed to get an excellent thin crust tuna and onion pizza and a couple of the local beers. The price was very reasonable and the food and beer were good.

Peter enjoying the local beer.

Tuna and onion pizza.

After dinner we headed to our very comfortable bed and had a great sleep.