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Perpignan Non 2004 - Dinner at Picasso's Favourite Restaurant

Perpignan Nov 2004 - Driving through the Pyrenees

On one of the sunny days of the week - we arranged a taxi with a lady driver who took us on a drive to the Pyrenees mountains

Pakdokter had exchanged pakdokter's time-share apartment in Malaysia with one in this southern France city which is the capital of the French Catalan. During the Spanish Civil War - many Catalans sought refuge in this southern part of France thus creating a Catalan city within the French region.

The apartment where we stayed was by the sea near the marina. As it was winter and the season of the 'mistral' - the strong typhoon-like winds of the Mediterranean - we had a few rainy and windy days which forced us to spend our time at the resort only. It was not 'high-season' - so the resort was relatively empty.

The town of Perpignan was a bus ride away from the resort. The old town was very 'Spanish' in character. Many of the old buildings were 'gothic' in its style.

We found one lovely restaurant which used to be the regularly patronised by Picasso and some of his original sketches were on display at the restaurant wall.

Barcelona Nov 2004 - Meeting Up with Maria

Maria Latjjos - a histopathologist pakdokter's partner became friends with when she did her 'sabbatical leave' at the Karolinska Institute in Stockhlom some years ago. Maria had come to Malaysia and visited us since then and pakdokter and partner had taken her on a holiday in Cherating as well as the jungles of Sarawak where we spent the night with the long-house folks in Batang Air area, close to the Indonesian border. One of the photographs Maria took was sent to a competition in Barcelona and won an award for it.

Pakdokter and family had visited Maria in her hometown in Barcelona during one of our earlier trips there. We had in fact put up at her lovely apartment at the foot of Mt Tibidado on the outskirts of Barcelona. Pakdokter and partner took the opportunity of this trip to catch up with Maria. She now lives with her adopted daughter, Carolina, whom she adopted from ?Venezuela or ?Nicaragua. We went to a restaurant near Maria's apartment for dinner.

Barcelona Nov 2004 - the Barcelona Marina and Harbour

Barcelona has a lovely waterfront with a port and a marina. It is a regular stop from the many cruise ships in the Mediterranean. The marina has many restaurants offering Catalan cuisine and seafood.

Barcelona Nov 2004 - the Mercato de Sant Josep

This market was located somewhere midway along the La Rambla. It has been operating since 1836 and is huge with every imaginable foodstuff being put up for sale. Fish, exotic fruits and vegetables become art here. There are also restaurants and bars located in this area.