La Pinada, Salou, Spain 2018 Day 8 - Camp Nou and Barcelona Fountains

Day 8 of our holiday was probably one of our most amazing parts of this holiday which was thoroughly enjoyed by all of us. We had booked an excursion to the Barcelona Camp Nou and then on to the Barcelona fountains at night. However before we left for Barcelona we were all up bright and early to head down to the Friday morning Spanish market in Salou. Here we purchased a few cheap sun glasses as all of us except Tina left them at home (doh!), Tina bought a new handbag, Holly bought a mermaid doll, I bought a Bluetooth speaker and then we bought a few souvenir bits like magnets etc.

 

After lunch we jumped on the 2 hour coach ride to Barcelona and got dropped off at the Camp Nou first. We spent about 2-3 hours at the football ground and that was a rush to try and see everything. There is on on site Camp Nou experience which is a tour around the stadium and the museum. The museum itself is huge and contains hundreds of trophies dating back many, many years. They have all their La Liga Cups, Lionel Messi's ballon d'or trophies, various golden boot trophies from over the years and so much more. There is also lots of interactive TV screens around the museum where you can flick up loads of video clips of from Barcelona matches and special moments (of which there is a lot).

 

The stadium is very impressive holding over 80,000 people but what stroke us the most is how intimate the stadium feels compared with the big UK stadiums. The tearing really stacks over the layer below meaning everyone is very close to the pitch. The pitch itself seems small and with the seating all so close you can just imagine how great the atmosphere must be when Barca play. We got to see the plans for the stadium upgrade which is being called "Nou Camp Nou" and also got to walk around the shop (very expensive with shirts at €90 each!).

 

After the Camp Nou we had a bit of time in Barcelona to walk around the harbour, take in some sites and get some well earnt food after the time spend at the stadium. What was frustrating is that some of the restaurants and cafes in Barcelona looked amazing, but all the kids wanted was a McDonald's!!!

 

After our time in Barcelona we then jumped back on the coach to head up to the palace to watch the fountains. This didn't disappoint and was absolutely sensational. The show lasted over half an hour with fountains hitting 60m high, loads of different colours and music blasting out. Literally thousands of people turn out every night to watch the spectacular show.

 

Whilst walking around the streets of the old bull ring and the palace we also found a few dodgy street sellers flogging more football kits. Needless to say the boys both got their second kit which only cost about €20 each. Joshua got a Ronaldo kit and Brandon bought a Messi kit. After a very long day we jumped back on the coach about 10pm and headed back to the hotel arriving at about midnight.

All of us with our new €5 sun glasses which we purchased at the Friday market.

Holly also bought this mermaid to play with in the pool.

Holly teaching her mermaid how to swim before we head off to Barcelona.

The start of our Camp Nou experience.

Through the entrance tunnel we go.

The boys were both really excited to see the Barca stadium.

You have never seen a trophy cabinet so huge in all your life, this is just a very small part of it.

Joshua showing his impression of Saurez next to a pair of his boots.

Joshua and Holly with a pair of Messi's boots.

The legend himself. As you can guess a lot of the museum is dedicated to this modern legend.

Holly with one of the La Liga cups.

Joshua playing around with some of the interactive screens.

I think Brandon could have spent all day flicking between the football clips.

Even Holly was enjoying scrolling through loads of the screens.

One of Messi's golden boots on display.

Holly in front of a large Barca flip screen which fascinated her.

Me and the boys in a special area dedicated to Messi's ballon d'or World Player of the Year awards.

The stadium tearing is very stacked up and seats over 80,000 people.

Me and the kids checking out the view down on the pitch.



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The Barca treatment room.

The spa area - must be very cosy with 11 players in there.

The corridor that the Barca players would walk down to get to their changing room.

The stadium even has a chapel for praying.

This is the tunnel that takes the players out on to the pitch.

All 3 kiddies having a great time at the Camp Nou experience.

The 5 of us sitting in the players seats on the side-lines of the pitch. Very comfy chairs!

The boys down by the side of the pitch. Moments before the water squirters came on and got them both. Haha.

Joshua got to enjoy a virtual experience at the stadium.

The pitch seemed small to us, but I guess that's because the seating is all very closed in and compact.

This is where all the press and commentators seat. Amazing view of the action.

And this is half of the model up the upgraded stadium, the "Nou Camp Nou".

The kids with yet another one of the many very large Barca trophies.

Outside of the Camp Nou on a very hot day.

A bit of site seeing in Barcelona.

Some of the boats in the harbour where just incredible. Some must have been worth absolutely millions.

Joshua decided he wants to be rich and own one of the big super yachts.

Some nice Ferrari's in the Barcelona harbour shopping centre.

Holly with an ice cream (she liked the lime Calypso on holiday) and a "bouy" I mean "girl" in the background.

We had a lovely time exploring Barcelona harbour and just walking around soaking up the culture.

The column in the background is Columbus pointing in the direction of the harbour.

A street performer blowing some of the biggest bubbles ever kept the kids entertained for ages.

That bubble is almost the size of Josh.

Holly chasing bubbles around and stamping on them.

More bubble action.

Check out this super yacht that even has its own helipad and helicopter on the back!

This is the old Spanish bullring which has now been converted in to an indoor shopping mall as bull fighting is now illegal in Spain.

Outside the entrance to the bull ring.

Me and the kids at the top of the bull ring with the palace in the background.

The palace where the fountain takes place every night.

Another unusual statue in Barca. I am sure our guide said this was supposed to be a bird of some sort.

Beautiful moments as the 3 kids sit there arm in arm watching the amazing fountain show.

I am not sure what I enjoyed the most the fountains or the way the 3 kids were behaving towards each other.

A view up towards the palace and you can see the thousands that turn out for the fountain show every day.

Pictures don't do the show any justice what so ever.

Supposed to be 60m high in places, but Joshua questioned this and didn't believe it.



A rare picky of me and Tina on holiday whilst the kids were quietly watching the show.

Such amazing colours which really looked amazing as the sun started to set.

Holly giving her brothers a cuddle and a pat on the back as she watches the show. So touching. Probably the moment of the holiday for me.

Love these 3 and glad they had an amazing day in Barcelona and that we can give them opportunities and memories like this.



Farewell Barcelona. Its been good.