Aeri de Montserrat

 Today we had a late start, I was not feeling the best.  I had a pretty sore throat with a cough, so Pedro ran out to the nearest pharmacy to get me some cough syrup.  After some food, we made our way to Montserrat.  The metro sell all inclusive passes for the metro and train to Montserrat, with transport up the mountain to the abbey, along with all access to the basilica, museum and a meal. Not bad for a day trip!  There is a train or a cable car up to the mountain, which you must pre-book when buying the ticket.  We chose cable car for the views.

It was about an hour train to the station just below the abbey, where we needed to wait for the cable car.  The ride was only 5 minutes to the top, though we didn't take into account it only fits about 20 people at a time.  So we were waiting for awhile, but at least we had a gorgeous view. 

The view at the top felt larger than life.  The abbey built into the mountain looked perfectly nestled.

We wanted to visit the abbey first, as they let people in by groups in a one way system. Didn't want to get caught in a long wait again. I loved the outside of the doors and archways, it was so striking and dramatic. 

Inside the abbey was beautiful with many intricate tile mosaics in gold, yet very dark due to the few windows being stained glass.

Every church, abbey, cathedral we visit where we see the opportunity to do so, we light a candle for Pedro's father.  A cool way to think his memory is around the world at this point. 

We visited the local museum though it had a wide scope of exhibits, not so much to do with Montserrat.  We had just enough time to eat a meal before hoping back in line for the cable car back down, just in time for the last ones.