The End?

We are now back on Aussie soil after having the best six weeks of our lives. Couldn’t have asked for a better bunch of blokes to tour with and some of the yarns will be shared over a few beers and many laughs in years to come. We've met some cracking people and some we'll keep in touch with in the future.

 

People have said to us prior to leaving that as soon as you come back, you’ll want to go again, therefore catching the travel bug. We all couldn’t agree more on that and as such a planning to tackle Europe again in 2015! So for all you fans that enjoyed this blog, you can expect bigger and better things come next year.  Until then, DS.

Barcelona

We arrived in Barcelona and immediately were impressed. Along with the awesome weather, we were getting a sore neck looking around at all the good sorts. Spent most of our days chilling at the beach and at this point of the trip, the tourist attractions like buildings and churches had become blasé.  Once place we did visit was the Sagrada Familia, a large Roman Catholic Church designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi. Construction began in 1882 and still remains unfinished as it relies on private donations to progress.  It is a UNESCI World Heritage Site and anticipated completion is 2026.

Went to a club called Razzmatazz to see headline act Diplo who we’d seen in Ibiza and were keen to throwback to our time there only to be severely disappointed as it sounded nothing like the set he’d played in Ibiza.

Our last night in Barcelona was spent at the pub sharing the yarns we’ve had over our time. That next morning, we flew to London, bound for Aussie soil.

Pamplona and San Sebastián

We flew into Pamplona feeling quite lagged after a massive four days in Ibiza. Connected with our Topdeck Tour and walked around the city and coming to the realisation that in just a couple of days, we would be running through the city with 500kg+ bulls hot on our tail. As a background San Fermin or Running of the Bulls is an event popularised By Ernest Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises based on his experiences in the city in 1925.

 

Watched a traditional bullfight on our second night and was admittedly a little hard to watch, the tradition of killing and eating the bulls during the festival dates back to the 16th century, so it was hard to make judgement on tradition. Men on horses would insert metal pegs just behind the head of the bull also along with the matadors. From there, one matador would take over and tease the bull until fatal blows were made to the back of the head with a long metal rod. The bull is then tied up and taken away on horses. I certainly acknowledge tradition but our feelings were it was pretty rough.

 

Our final morning we awoke at sparrow fart for the event we had all been anxiously waiting for, the running of the bulls. Upon finding ourselves a place within the hundreds of runners, we awaited a first rocket which is set off at 8 a.m. to alert the runners that the corral gate is open. A second rocket signals that all six bulls have been released. With the runners jumping up and down like meerkats attempting to get a view of the bulls, everyone begins to make a move through the streets for an 800 metre run to the stadium. The feeling of running into the bull ring stadium with thousands of people cheering you on just adds to the rush and made for one of the best experiences we've had.  Thankfully, none of the boys were injured and mate it through safe and sound.

 

From there we headed onto San Sebastian and again showing that we weren’t on a backpacker’s budget, we took an hour long taxi as opposed to rail or bus.  San Sebastian was beautiful and just what we needed after a hectic week in Ibiza and Pamplona.  Hired bikes a few times and took in the sights of the amazing coastline.

 

Ibiza and Madrid

If there is one thing you need to do in life, it's to go to Ibiza. Easily the favourite destination of the trip and personally the best four days of my life. Although still pretty shattered from the experience, I can honestly say it was well worth it. We arrived our first day and attended the opening summer party at Ushuaia, an open air club which really has to be seen to be believed. Headline act was David Guetta, and he tore it apart, supported by Afrojack, incredible. Met a few blokes from Perth who have just started their travels and are absolute legends!  Coincidently, they will also be attending the running of the bulls festival at Pamplona in a few days time. Day two saw us return to Ushuaia to see Hardwell perform then move onto a club named Amnesia where we saw Dip Lo, Skrillex and Aussie act, Pendulum. At this stage Ibiza had us hooked and still had two days remaining. Day three our stop was at Pacha, a well renowned club in the area, acts were Benny Bennasi, Will Sparks and headlined by the ever impressive Steve Aoki. Day four saw us move accommodation to club Ushuaia where we had the most incredible view (see picture below) saw Dash Berlin and Armen Van Buuren. Most of the boys called it a night at that point however Leesy and I tried to soak in the few remaining hours of the night to go to see Nicky Romero and once again the man David Guetta at Pacha. Again can't explain how good this place is and we weren't ready to leave. Weary eyed and wounded we then caught a flight to Madrid and spent the night to make our way to Pamplona and running of the bulls! DS.