Lois and Paul's "Gaudy Tour'! Part 1

I haven't blogged much lately because Lois and Paul have been in town, dropping by HK on their way back to New Zealand after a visit to Barcelona to take the Gaudy tour.

You know Gaudy, don't you? That amazing architect who created all those astonishing buildings in Barcelona? Well, that's what they went to Europe for; after a life-time of admiration and respect to see for themselves all the buildings he designed.

"Ah ha!" you are undoubtedly saying, "There's no such thing as 'A Gaudy Tour'!" and you'd be right. Lois and Paul had to invent their own by doing their homework and finding out for themselves where everything was. And, yes indeed, there should be a Gaudy tour, but if you're a Gaudy fan you'll be very pleased to know that the city does make it easy for you to create your own because there is a single bus that loops around past every one of his buildings, and they have a pay-once card so you can get off and on whenever and where-ever to explore anything your heart desires without having to pay again!

Lois has kindly promised to send me the photos she took on this tour, although she says they really don't do these buildings justice, the moment she's settled back in Kiwiland, which means you'll have to come back at some future date if you too are fascinated by this strange genius and his extraordinary creations!

And here's something else interesting. The very first time I was in Macau, I spotted several Gaudy-esque apartment buildings - very Casa Mila - in a row along the waterfront and thought "The moment I have some time I have to come back and check those out properly!" and, can you imagine it?, I have gone back many times to look for them, and simply cannot find them. The city has changed so much since that first visit back in 2003, with an entirely new skyline and a new waterfront - several new waterfronts in fact, because they keep reclaiming from the sea - and there's not a single point of reference anymore that helps me to pinpoint where they are.

They may even have been demolished! It's always possible! Modern Macau, yes, is preserving its centuries-old Portuguese heart under World Heritage, but they are ripping down the rest of it. Guess these copies of Gaudy's incredible apartment blocks wouldn't have been understood and may indeed be gone forever.

Is there anyone out there who can solve this one for me?