Montserrat...Amazing!
We both can enjoy and appreciate big cities (though we don't want to live in one); the energy, the hustle and bustle - they overflow with culture, museums and culinary delights, but after about the second day…we long for green space.
I believe what we love about being outside and in nature is the absolute simplicity of it all. It is the ability to feel small, humbled by the natural beauty that surrounds you. It also reminds you to marvel in the small wonders of the world.
The photos below are from a day trip Robert and I took to Montserrat in Spain. It was about an hour by train outside of Barcelona, followed by a fun trip on the cable car. Montserrat is a special place. The legend goes that in the 9th century a wandering mountaineer had a blinding vision of the Virgin Mary. In the 11th century a monastery was built to worship the Virgin Mary and is still active today. Many people visit the area each year from all over the world.
The Basilica is the only part of the monastery that is open to the public. Upon our arrival in Montserrat, we walked the grounds and made our way inside. It was quite impressive, as we entered a monk was outside speaking with a visitor.
Montserrat is quite a unique place. Not only are there several monasteries sprinkled over the landscape (we did a hike to the highest monastery in the area 1246m), but also the mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. Hermits once populated the area and as you hike, you can see where they once occupied the inside of the mountains. It was a fabulous, blue-sky day and the hike was just what we needed!
Our transportation to Montserrat
The photos below are from a day trip Robert and I took to Montserrat in Spain. It was about an hour by train outside of Barcelona, followed by a fun trip on the cable car. Montserrat is a special place. The legend goes that in the 9th century a wandering mountaineer had a blinding vision of the Virgin Mary. In the 11th century a monastery was built to worship the Virgin Mary and is still active today. Many people visit the area each year from all over the world.
The Basilica is the only part of the monastery that is open to the public. Upon our arrival in Montserrat, we walked the grounds and made our way inside. It was quite impressive, as we entered a monk was outside speaking with a visitor.
Montserrat is quite a unique place. Not only are there several monasteries sprinkled over the landscape (we did a hike to the highest monastery in the area 1246m), but also the mountains are breathtakingly beautiful. Hermits once populated the area and as you hike, you can see where they once occupied the inside of the mountains. It was a fabulous, blue-sky day and the hike was just what we needed!
Our transportation to Montserrat
The shapes of the mountains are incredible...
I just love this image...the angel
The monastery
A close up of the monastery
Jacques...this image is for you...
What a special place...
Jen & Aaron - St. Francis of Assisi
The highest monastery in Montserrat
Blue skies
Stairs on the hike
A view from the top...
What can I say....
Can you find the monastery in this photos?
The lone tree...
Hiking in nature...who wouldn't be smiling
Robert admiring the views...
Robert and Melinda...
Beautiful flowers...
The littlest birds make the sweetest songs...
Us in front of the monastery...
Part of the hike...
Schoutens...
Taylor Schoutens...
Statues...
The front of the Basilica
The courtyard
Robert admiring the views some more....
Montserrat 2008
3 comments:
Wow - that all looks amazing! Parts of it remind me of SB - even parts of the mountains - like Lizard's Mouth - made me want to fly over and check it out, but I bet they don't have Cuca's...
Awesome - The mountains look finger-like and I love the litle bird - I wish I could hear its song! Looks like it was an uplifting and heavenly experience.
Hey Schoutens...
Long time no speak...:-)
Believe it or not I have been following your adventures as the two of you are jet-setting around the globe...looks like you are having way too much fun in the EU.
I'm so very happy for the two of you to be able to share this assignment together and to fully immerse yourselves in the wonder and awe of mankind's ever changing destinies and dynamic cultures.
Happy trails and keep the pictures coming...they are scintillating!
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