How does a young American couple unknowingly end up on a nude beach in Spain?

Well, let me tell you how…
A couple months ago I was considering travel ideas for our fall holiday and found airline tickets from Malmo, Sweden to Barcelona for 1 Swedish Krona (or 15 cents). Hard to pass up. And, then, I found return tickets that would take us to London for a day before returning to Gothenburg, Sweden. So, we booked our trip.
Before I continue, let me tell you how this young American couple “missed” the only bus that could take them to their train, that would take them to their plane, that was to take them to Spain (rhyme not intended). The morning that we were to leave for our trip, out of sheer enthusiasm, we got to the bus stop 20 min. early. So, we waited, and waited, and still waited for 30 min. after the bus was scheduled to come. Uh-oh. And the school grounds were almost empty because everyone had gone home for the break. Double uh-oh. We started to panic. We're we going to miss our entire vacation because the lousy bus didn’t pick us up? I got my Klassen high-speed walking shoes on and bustled around the school looking for someone to give us a ride. Finally, I found the headmaster, who asked what time the bus was supposed to come, while checking her bus schedule. I told her 10:15 and she said, “But, it’s only 9:45.” And then, there was a pause and she began laughing and said, “Didn’t you know the time changed?” “I guess we forgot to tell the foreign students.”
Well, of course, we made it to our train on time and eventually our hotel, very late that night. We rented a car in Girona, Spain. It was a Ford Ka and it looked like a big, red gumdrop.
Then next day we went on a driving tour of northeast Spain. We were like leaves blowing in the wind, with no idea of where we might land. We just went where we felt like and followed signs that sounded nice. It was relaxing. I had fun in the car - I think I missed driving. We wandered through the countryside, where we once had to stop because a shepherd was guiding his flock across the road.

And for lunch I had a vision of finding a restaurant that was full of working men on the their lunch breaks, enjoying a meal so delicious and hearty that they had to undo their belt after. It just so happened we found that place. The restaurant was in a town called Bisbal, and the restaurant only served one meal. It was 4 courses and we were so full after, we practically rolled out the door. The rest of that second day was spent in Girona, where they were celebrating All Saints Day with a big festival and more roasted chestnut vendors than you could ever imagine. We also walked through a medieval village and drove through another.

On out third day, we went to Barcelona. What a beautiful city! On the drive in, you are not sure if you have found Barcelona because there are no American-sized skyscrapers. But when you get to the center of the city, it’s clear you have arrived. The architecture was unbelievable.
Every street had buildings that you wanted to stop to photograph. We followed the signs to city center until there were no more sign for the city center and we figured we were there. We parked and went on a walking tour of the city. We were the quintessential tourists: camera draped around our neck, walking at a sauntering pace, making repeated confused glances at our map and pointing into the distance. We loved it. Our highlights of Barcelona were Antoni Gaudi’s architectural masterpieces (especially Park Guell, on the outskirts of the city).
Our fourth day was beach day. The weather was about 70 F (21 C) and sunny. We asked at the tourist office where the nicest beach was. We followed the directions we were given and it took us to Boadella, a remote beach outside the town.

When we got to the beach, I noticed that an older woman, among several others, sitting in a chair, sunbathing…without a shirt! Okay, okay, that’s new for me, but we’re in Europe after all. Maybe this is normal here? Just a good place to hang out, I guess. We walked on a little further, nothing really out of place, until we turned the corner and…bingo!! Jackpot! Naked people everywhere! Helloooo nude beach. We immediately got the giggles and found a nice sunny spot, away from the excitement, with our clothes fully intact. We spent most of the day at the beach, losing it in laughter every time a naked person decided to go for a stroll past us or bend over for a seashell in front of us. After some sunbathing we got up the courage to go for a swim. The Mediterranean was a shimmering aquamarine color. We had a great day at the beach.

The next morning we caught an early flight to London, where we bought an all day rail pass and headed into the city. We did everything you’re supposed to do in London - we saw Big Ben, London Bridge, Westminster Abby, Buckingham Palace, Harrods, Piccadilly Circus, ride the double-decker bus, and go on the Underground.

We had lots of fun. We just hopped on and off the train as we pleased. We had a delicious American meal at TGI Friday’s in Piccadilly Circus and watched the sidewalk traffic as we ate. Mmm, how we have missed French fries.
The next morning we flew back to Sweden, before taking a train across the country and back to Kalmar. We had a great vacation. In fact, it was our first vacation longer than a weekend where we were not visiting family.
Baby update: Baby K has now traveled to 6 countries, visited 9 airports, is approximately 10.9 inches long, and never ever stops moving!