Gone to See Europe and North Africa. Semester at Sea Spring 2013 Enrichment Voyage on the MV Explorer. Ultimate Travel Photography Workshop IV with Michael Mariant. Day 0: Barcelona, Spain.
After a long day of travel – Overnight on British Air from Tampa to Gatwick, then Gatwick to Barcelona we made it to the Semester at Sea MV Explorer. The ship was not docked at the location that the SAS folks indicated, but we saw it in the taxi when we got near the port. Once on board we found our cabins and had dinner. We spent the morning visiting Barcelona. The weather was great with blue skies and fluffy white clouds. Our first stop was the Sagrada Familia Cathedral. There were many, many tourists visiting the unfinished Cathedral. My parents had online tickets to visit the inside of the Cathedral. If you plan to visit, get the online tickets – it will save you a line that was blocks long. I went to find Xavi, a friend and fellow student from 30 years ago when I went to Graduate School at Caltech. We had a great lunch of Tapas at Cerveceria Catalina. Xavi also recently retired and is spending his time traveling and doing photography: Xavi’s Blog. Then back to the ship for our mandatory safety drill before sailing off to Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/16, 1/80 sec). In camera B&W. (David J Mathre)Tourists Viewing the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/400 sec). In camera B&W. (David J Mathre)Tourists Viewing the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/250 sec). In camera B&W. (David J Mathre)Detail in the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V2 camera and 10-100 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 100 mm, f/5.6, 1/100 sec). Converted to B&W with Capture One Pro 7. (David J Mathre)Motorcycle Passing the Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. Image taken with a Leica X2 camera (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/16, 1/15 sec). In camera B&W. (David J Mathre)Xavi on His Bicycle in Front of Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Spain. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 and 6.7-13 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 6.7 mm, f/4, 1/500 sec). (David J Mathre)Xavi on His Bicycle in Front of Casa Batlló in Barcelona, Spain. Image taken with a Nikon 1 V1 and 6.7-13 mm VR lens (ISO 160, 6.7 mm, f/3.5, 1/400 sec). (David J Mathre)
Author: David Mathre
I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.
View all posts by David Mathre
