Traveling: PortAventura

Tuesday, 9 November 2021

Barcelona 2021 - Part 2

Arriving In Barcelona

Tuesday - October 19th 2021

After we got up, we packed our stuff and then we took the bus to the terminal. We had planned more time for check in due to corona measures, however it took only a couple of minutes and so we had plenty of time for breakfast. We ordered a coffee and a pretzel each and waited for our flight to depart. Around noon we landed at Barcelona Airport and once we passed the corona security check, we searched for the train station. Our initial plan was to take the train into the city and from there to catch the train towards PortAventura. When we arrived in the city, we realized the next train to the themeparks was departing in the late afternoon. So we left our luggage at the train station and walked to the next vegan restaurant at a nearby shopping center. The restaurant was called Supervegan and after we both got a delicious vegan burger, we headed to Barcelona Olympic Park. There we just walked around and stopped at an outdoor bar for drinks until it was time to catch the train to Salou.

Breakfast

Taking the Train into the City

Barcelona

Lunch

Supervegan

Barcelona

Barcelona Olympic Park

Welcome Drinks

Barcelona

The train ride from Barcelona to PortAventura near Salou took about two hours and around 6:00pm we arrived at the resort. At first we wanted to walk to our hotel, but unfortunately there weren't any side walks. That's why we took a taxi to our hotel. At PortAventura we stayed at the Gold River Hotel, one of the few hotels that was open during off season. Check-in was quick and easy and once we dropped off our luggage in our room, Claudia and I got a welcome beer at the hotel bar. Later we got hungry and ate at The Opera, one of the two hotel restaurants. We ordered a veggie wrap and a veggie burger and both dishes were fine.

Train to PortAventura

PortAventura

Hotel Gold River

Welcome Beer

The Opera Restaurant

Dinner

Monday, 8 November 2021

Barcelona 2021 - Part 3

PortAventura World

Wednesday - October 20th 2021

Today was our first full day at PortAventura World. The first night at the hotel was really good and since the park didn't open before 10:00am we were able to sleep in a bit. After we got up, we headed down for breakfast. The hotel offered a huge breakfast buffet with plenty of vegetarian options. Afterwards we still had to kill some time until park opening and so we just walked around to check out the resort.

Hotel Gold River

PortAventura Hotel Area

Since we stayed in an official PortAventura World hotel, we were allowed to enter the park earlier than regualr day guests. Our hotel had its own side entrance, which was very convenient, because we could enter the park near the main rollercoasters. We headed straight to Shambala, the huge B&M coaster. The coaster was already testing and soon we were allowed to get in line. Shambala was so much fun, it was fast but still very smooth. Since there weren't any other guests yet, we stayed for a second ride in a row. Next was Dragon Khan, another B&M coaster, but that one was very bumpy and hurtful, so we didn't bother with riding it just once. Now it was time for a cup of coffee and then we did the free fall tower Huracan Condor.

PortAventura Park

Dragon Khan Coaster

Shambala Coaster

PortAventura Park

Shambala Coaster

PortAventura Park

Hurakan Condor

The next attraction on our list was El Diablo - Tren de la Mina. That coaster turned out to be a lot better than what it looked like. Afterwards it was time for another highlight. PortAventura Park is home to a huge wooden double track coaster called Stampida and it didn't disappoint at all. After that amazing coaster it was time for a break and we stopped at an outdoor bar for a beer and chips. Before it was time for lunch we rode Tomahawk, another wooden coaster, but this one is aimed towards kids and families. Still it was a fun ride.

El Diablo

PortAventura Park

Stampida

Outdoor Bar

Snacks

PortAventura Park

Tomahawk

Since it was already noon we decided to get lunch in the Mexican area of the park. We ordered loaded fries, vegan tacos and wraps. The food was really delicious and so much better than one might expect from a themepark. Now we walked to the front of the park to give Furius Baco, the last remaining coaster on our list, a try. Furius Baco was an Intamin wing coaster and it was really intense, mabe a little bit too intense. Afterwards we checked out the entrance area with its shops and restaurants, before going on another round on Furius Baco. After getting ice cream we rode Kon Tiki - Big Wave, a swinging ship.

Our Lunch

La Taqueria

PortAventura Park

Furius Baco

PortAventura Park

Furius Baco

PortAventura Park

Kon Tiki

In the afternoon Claudia and I checked out the Sesame Street area of the park that was aimed towards families with kids. However there was one dark ride we wanted to give a try. Sesame Street Mission was a lot better than expected. In that 3D dark ride we had to help Detective Grover to solve a mystery while collecting cookies. Afterwards we just strolled around the park, checked out the merchandise and then we stopped in the Wild West Area for a snack. We shared a vegan burger with fries and then we got a foot long glas of beer to walk around with. Before we returned to the hotel, we got in line for Stampida again to ride the second track. Back at the hotel we refreshed a bit. For dinner we went to The Opera again, and like yesterday we ordered the veggie burger and the wrap. The rest of the evening we spent at the hotel bar.