EL BULLI

After hours on the beach, and an afternoon siesta, we began to dress for dinner.

One feels somewhat overdressed, walking down the beach side promenade of Roses, in suit jacket, black dress and high heels.

But then we're sitting in the cab, beginning our magical drive to another world; the winding, coastal road, looking out over the sea. If our excitement and anticipation dissipates for even a second, we may wonder if the taxi driver actually knows where he is going...

Until he steers down a slight incline. And we are at the gates. 

El Bulli. A stroll through the courtyard. We take our time. There is the white house, by the sea, just like the thousand photographs we've seen, in books, over and over. It is easy to forget the sea when one is inside - until you walk along the terrace to use the restrooms and hear the waves lapping against the shore.

Everyone, walking down the main entrance hall, is greeted by a fleet of perfect Spaniards, all dressed in handsome grey suits, and blue-green ties. They give us a tour of the kitchen, where Chef Ferran Adria shakes hands with each of his guests, graciously welcoming us all. For all the million times he must have done this, he doesn't seem at all tired of it.

And then it begins. 

There is no way to describe the food here, for it is beyond words. From the almost laughably simple, to the most complex and scientific - or at least it seems. It is not a meal, only an experience, involving food and wine, and a beautiful room, and all those things that make an unforgettable evening.

We have wondered what it might be like... and as we sat there, for our 5 hour dinner, our 30 or so courses of wondrous creations, glancing occasionally at the single red rose that adorns each table in a glass vase.

It is completely surreal.

Later we found ourselves on the terrace, sipping tea and coffee... and suddenly we can hear the ocean again.

And then, all we can think about is waking up. For at the end of such a magical experience, we can only assume we had been dreaming...