Day 6: Ruining, L'Escala.

Today we set an alarm, but I was up an hour earlier. We’re far enough ahead of schedule to make one last stop at the pastry shop before checking out and heading to the train station. The metro line runs right to the station, and once we’re there, the signs are easy to follow. The train is fairly comfortable, and the ride is smoother and quieter than expected. And only 45 minutes to Figueres. Once there, we check into Hotel Duran and head off to the bus station across town.

Theater in Figueres.

A park we accidentally wandered through.

Back on track, heading for the bus station.

Teatre-Museu Dali here, but it’s closed Mondays, as are most museums and attractions. But not the Empuiries outside of L’Escala. This is the least planned portion of the trip – I could only by a bus ticket to L’Escala online, not a return ticket, so I figured I’d get both at the bus terminal today. The ride is about an hour, meandering through several small towns and farmland.

Farmland.

Riverside town.

Or just a few minutes, if you’re Bill.

This is Bill every time we're in a car, but usually busy driving and can't take pictures.

L’Escala, a vacation destination for the locals, is the end of the line and has a tourist information place right behind the bus stop. We pick up directions and a map, heading down the main road until we reach the sea.

Oh, hello Mediterranean.

Then, turn right at the Olympic monument, cross the bridge, and follow the footpath.

Olympic Monument.

Bridge for apparently fast pedestrians.

Footpath along the shoreline.

Shoreline.

Eventually we reach the fences off site, and find our way to the entrance. The ruins of a Greek city are closer to the Mediterranean, and the Roman ruins further inland. A small museum sits between the two. We hit the museum first.

Not the most phallic things we'll see today, plus tools and pitchers.

This reminds me of the time we caught Riblet taking cash out of my purse. True story.

I'm not sure what this fat little horse is for, but I would have bought one if they had any for sale.

Then the Greek ruins.

Greek city.

Bill enjoying the ruins.

These were labeled "water pipes."

A former marketplace and residences in the Greek ruin.

Then the Roman site.

View of the museum from the walk up to the Roman city.

Oh, good. Stairs.

This portion of the city is only open to tourists during spring and summer months. No idea why. There are several well preserved floors that I think Bill will be highlighting in his post.

Roman ruins.

Remains of the wall to the Roman city.

Bill assures me he is being clever here in the amphitheater remains.

The builder carved something in the stones near the gate for good luck.

The most phallic thing we will see today.

Also, a more modern treat on the way out of the site.

I don't care what Jeremy Clarkson thinks about the gearbox. If these were still in production, I'd be figuring out how to buy one.

There is a medieval city further along the coastal walk, but getting to it might mean missing the (last) bus back to our hotel, so instead we enjoy the view and lovely breeze.

Shoreline on the walk back.

Me, enjoying the view.

Bill, back at the edge of the city.

And grab some refreshments at a local bakery.

Bill declared this the best shandy ever.

Once the bus gets back, we pick our way back across town to the hotel.

St. George and the dragon in the streets of Figueres.

The hotel restaurant is a family owned venture opened in 1855. I found it by asking google maps to show me hotels near the Dali Museum and had no idea what to expect. 

Expect elegance from a bygone era, apparently.

My dinner was an octopus salad and monkfish. The salad was served with a vinaigrette and each piece of octopus was served on a slice of potato. I destroyed it in record time. The monkfish was actually a seafood plate with mussels and a whole shrimp. It was good, but not as good as the salad.

After dinner (which was also after 10), it wasn’t long before I hit the pillow. How could a day of sitting on trains and buses be so exhausting?