Girona

Today I explored Girona and found a little place of heaven. 

After saying goodbye to Noëlie I rode my bike towards the old Cathedral.  The city center is encompassed by a dense wall.  It was well maintained.  I walked around the outside perimeter until I passed by a beautiful garden that was teeming with huge oaks and various exotic plants and animals.  The lush vegetation provided great relief from the blaring sun.  I know now why Spain has the siesta during the middle of the day! 

I also checked out the old pond again and explored the various nooks and crannies of the old town. 

In the afternoon I returned to the garden and took a 2 hour nap!  It was so refreshing.  Coming back to my bike I saw some street event that was taking place.  There were mountain bikers rushing down the castle walls into the small streets below!

Finally I came back on my bike to Julio's place.  Tomorrow's destination is still up in the air.  Still trying to find couchsurfers in the Spanish coast right before Barcelona and not having much luck. 

I think Mataró is a good destination so I might just get a hostel there if I don't find anyone tonight. 

Amazing garden inside the old city

Me and Julio!

Peace from Girona. 

Girona and the departure of Noëlie.

Today was our second day in Girona and the last day for Noëlie. 

The ride over yesterday was really nice and fast.  We did more than 100km and arrived quite early by my estimations.  Leaving at 9am, we encountered some really strong winds.  Going through the first mountain pass in France was the hardest.  After that we were mostly going downhill and had the wind in our direction.  The road itself was also a big boon.  I could have married the N-11 (road we took)! Perfectly flat gravel as far as the eye can see. 

We stopped by Figures the city where Salvador Dali was born and worked around mid day.  Spain has some really amazing architecture and the best part is the cheapness of everything.  By my accounts everything was about 20-30% cheaper than France.  Sometimes even 50% cheaper. 

Noëlie was such a trooper carrying her big backpack and using a mountain bike the whole time.  We did however make many more stops because of that.  I really enjoyed her company and it was great riding with someone else and sharing the experience. 

We arrived around 7pm in Girona.  After getting some Tapas,  we explored the old city and the area around the Cathedral.  It was so beautiful around the river area with houses painted in vibrant colors of every palette. 

Around 10pm we parted for our couchsurfer Julio's place.  We didn't get to talk to him that much because it was late already.  But he seems very nice and had an amazing apartment right by the city center. 

Today Julio had work again in the evening so Noëlie and I headed out by ourselves in the morning. 

Noëlie bought a ticket for the train to go back to France.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't sad.  I really liked Noëlie but as they say the show must go on.  There is still Barcelona waiting for me! 

Noelie and her mountain bike and huge backpack

Entering spain wooo!!!

Figures

Highway to Girona

Girona at night

Salvadore Dali museum

Salvadore Dali museum

Cathedral in Girona

Night tapas place

Dude I think this guy doesnt know how to work my camera. He literally took 100 photos. 

Peace from Girona. 

Côte Vermeille and abandoned Factory

The urban exploration continues! 

Today Noëlie took me to the beach and we relaxed really for a couple of hours. The water was amazing and quickly became deep so it was great for swimming. 

We also saw an old abandoned factory in the distance and did some climbing and exploration.  The entrance into the factory was well tucked away and we had to weed through some really thorny areas as well as mount multiple barriers to get in.  But the view at the top and the feeling of being somewhere where you are not suppose to be was well worth it. 

In the evening I helped Noëlie sort out her bike for tomorrow.  We messaged our couchsurfer and got ready to depart tomorrow bright and early since we have about 100km to go. 

Tomorrow I am going to officially enter Spain I am super excited but also a bit sad to be leaving France where I have made amazing memories with my new friends and can speak the language. 

so excited for the abandoned factory haha!

Noelie's mom, Noelie, mom's bf, Nathan and Eva

Peace from Saint Andre. 

Saint Andre, Abandoned planes and the Spanish connection

Today I arrived in Collioures with Katerina and met up with my couchsurfer Noëlie!

In the morning Katerina and I said goodbye to Ouassini who has been just such an amazing host.  Every evening we shared good conversations around the dinner table and talked until 11 or 12am.

The first stop we passed by was an abandoned airplane parking lot! And of course I suggested to check it out urban exploration is always a must in my books! So we climbed the barb wire fence.  Luckily there was an opening where there wasn't barbed up.  But in any case it was a bit tough as there was not a lot of grip with the mesh fence.  We got in all the same.  And it is just so cool inside! We opened the rear hatch doors to discover our treasure trove of the caveat of the airplane that once was!  The interior was decapitated but still retained the feeling of an airliner that crossed oceans and brought people together.  We took some really cool photos exploring the plane and got out of there soon.  

Katarina actually teared her pants coming out so we went back quickly to Ouassini's place and got her some new pants!

In the evening we arrived at Collioures. It was more of what I was used to in the south east!  Beautiful beaches and crystal clear waters.  Katerina and I tours around the town with Noëlie who just came back from Argentina 2 month ago!  So we could all speak to at least 2 other people in the group but not all 3 at the same time!  Spanish,  English and French!  Noëlie was in Argentina for 2 years originally with her ex boyfriend but then traveling on her own.  She really enjoyed speaking with Katerina and I simply stood back and listened to their conversation for most of the time because I was really happy for them.  

In the evening Katerina left for Ouassini's place by herself and Noëlie and I walked around the beach some more. 

We went back to her parents place and met with her whole family

She has a small brother Nathan and sister Eva.  Her brother is really curious and a charmer I loved talking to him at the dinner table as he tried to act adult.  He is 11 years old!  Her mother cooked an amazing Roti du Porc with potatoes! 

In the evening we checked out Argeles sur mer and walked around the beach together.  We really got to know each other without reservation sharing our relationship stories.  And now she is going to come with my cycling to the next stop in Girona!

ripped pants

Katerina, Noelie and I 

Peace from Saint André.