Travel to Barcelona

Not much to add here really. We caught our Euromed train from Joaquin Sorollo station in Valencia to Barcelona Sants. It cruised along smoothly at between 160 and 200 kph through the coastal resort towns that dot the Mediterranean coast between those two cities. At some points it ran right along the coast and when I say right along the coast I mean about 10 metres from the water. Sometimes we even bridged over the Med.
We hailed a taxi to our hotel and arrived just in time to see a fist-fight break out in the street outside. What the hell kinda town is this? Well, you get peanuts everywhere I suppose.
The Hotel Gaudi is very nice. La bella Aurelia on the front desk is ever so helpful and has the nicest smile too. Best of all it has a rooftop terrace with 360 degree views over Barcelona. There is a landmark building of Antoni Gaudi design right across the street called the Palau Guell with an iconic rooftop design in mosaics and strange shaped vents and chimneys. I took a shot of it for you from our rooftop.

Our train set to depart Valencia and built for speed.

Why are we even still talking about hi-speed trains in Australia?

Europe has them by the dozens and uses them pretty much matter-of-factly.

 When I say coastal, I mean like VERY close to the water.

 Some of the towns we passed through are holiday spots. This one had a golf course.
We belted through it at 100 mph anyway.

The view from our balcony. 

Just at the end of the street is Las Ramblas.

The rooftop off the Guell Palace across the street from us.

The people in the picture had to pay to see it, but we didn't.

Some of the skyline of Barcelona from our rooftop terrace.
This is the spires and bell tower of Barcelona Cathedral.