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We have been to Barcelona several times and we are coming back again later in the cruise. Barcelona was also the end of a cruise segment for others so was a disembarkation/embarkation day for some. Only 106 of the 600 passengers remained for the next segment.

We decided that we would have a walk along the harbour rather than head into the town and the tourist crowd.

The weather was perfect for a walkabout. We weren’t aware until we went ashore that the Americas Cup was underway and being held in Barcelona. All along the harbour front there were big screens displaying the race and a running commentary.

New Zealand is this year’s defender so I was puzzled as to why the race was being held in Barcelona. A google search reveals:

“Team New Zealand chose Barcelona for its title defense because of the quality of the Port’s facilities, the diversity of competition venues, the city’s experience in hosting major sporting events, its love of water sports and its educational and leisure offerings.”