Day 35 – 30th May, Venice ->Murano then Burano!

Day 35 – 30th May, Venice ->Murano then Burano!

What a cool day today! Knew these were going to be the best optionals of the tour and we would see lots of firsts.

Left the hotel at 8.30am, with a short bus ride to the ferry, then over to Murano where the famous hand blown glass is made. Venice is a world of its own with all its water, water everywhere.

We did the obligatory glass blowing demo which was actually very interesting and wandered around their Murano factory, where you would not want to knock anything over. All the glass objects are amazing but very expensive of course. An apprenticeship for a master glass blower is an incredible 15 yrs!! You would have to be dedicated.

Then we were free to wander around and discover the wonders of Venice. The day had cleared for us after all the rain yesterday and we wandered up the warren of alleyways looking in shops.
St Doges palace was shut today due to a strike, so we decided to just wander back through the square- came around the corner and found this huge open square we had just walked through an hour ago was under about 3 inches of water!!!! Apparently it floods 350 days a year and it had come up in an alarmingly short time.
Only one thing to do – take off your shoes and wade through it with thousands of other stranded people! The water probably wasn’t too clean and it stung my skin causing a rash straight away – eeww! But it was a funny thing to experience.

Luckily though it lead us to what Danni later called the best experience of her life. One of those things that just happen – we came upon a large flock of beautiful grey/green and pink pigeons. There was a man selling corn feed so we bought a packet and they came straight up.

The birds all flew up, landing on our arms and hands to get the feed, it was fantastic. One even landed on Danni’s head and our delight was plain to see!! It did pass through my mind about bird germs but they all looked in great health and it was such a cool experience, it was worth it!

Then we wandered around and bought gifts etc and met up to board the boat over to the island of Burano. This is where all the hand made lace is made and has the famous homes on it that are painted different bright colours, depending on the family who own it. These colours were significant as originally it was a fishing island and the fisherman would wear their house colour when they went out to sea. If one was lost, they would know who it was by the colour the man wore.

Went to a restaurant that served an amazing seafood meal of fish pate/spread, seafood lasagna and risotto, then fish steaks, calamari and battered shrimps. This was followed by almond brittle and shortbread with fresh fruit to finish. Drinks were included in the price so a few beers and wines were had!

After being taken care of so well we walked around and bought more gifts. This time though I bought myself 2 lace parasols made here by hand. They are beautiful, once cream and one black – these will hang from the ceiling at home Graeme tells me! We were just so lucky with the weather as this optional would have been off if it had been bleak, but we could have used the parasols today as it was hot.

Caught the boat back to Murano and then on to the famous gondola ride! It is true that there is a lot of rubbish around Venice in the water and some in the harbour area are really bad, but the canals weren’t too bad. Unfortunate for us, we got a very surly gondolier who wouldn’t let us sit together and broke the couples up, then seated us with the 2 heavier guys on one side so we all spent the trip tipped over to one side! He was a grumpy so and so, so I asked him if he was going to sing for us since he wouldn’t let us sit together but – No,”the guy in the next gondola does that”!

The man who sang had a beautiful voice and had another playing the accordion which we could hear so that was good. To finish it off, we caught a water taxi and went around the grand canal – complimentary glass of champagne in hand!

The TD said that the gondoliers are born in to the profession, you cant just decide to be one and that these guys are millionaires – they would need to be since the cost of making a gondola is €150,000 ! This is because they are handmade to very specific specs.

Back on the water taxi across the island, back to Venice and the bus.
What a cool day we have had today- one of those memories you will always have.

Day 34 – 29th May. Bus Day, Rome->San Marino->Venice

Day 34 – 29th May. Bus Day, Rome->San Marino->Venice

Wake up at 6am today, bags out at 6.45 and on the road at 7.45am. We drove almost ½ the length of Italy today! Stopped after 5 hours at a fantastic little town called San Marino, which used to be the smallest republic in the world until Naru declared its independence. It is way, way up in the Appenine mountains.

Friendly people there after Rome, and the shops were full of imitation label perfumes, watches, caps etc and it was actually great to see cheap stuff for the first time since we left home. Had a nice hour there, even in the rain it was picturesque.

Drove another 5 hours to Venice and stopped at a restaurant for dinner then finally to the hotel at 10pm – a long one today but since we had previously done a tour, it wasn’t such a shock for us – although this has been the longest bus day overall for sure.
Danni was so great, she never complained or asked how much further once, she was happy reading and playing the PSP. We do make sure though, that if we are having a long day we tell her about what to expect in advance.

We have a big day with touring in Venice then 2 optionals tomorrow- a trip to the island of Burano on a boat with the infamous “Burano seafood meal” that everyone on the Trafalgar forum raves about then a combined one in the evening with a trip in a water taxi up the grand canal and the famous gondola ride.

We get to sleep in till 7am tomorrow Michael the TD tells us, he is a real chatterbox and likes to tell stories a lot of the time about himself and his experiences?!@#!!

Its been great history wise to have read the Da Vinci code prior to coming overseas, so learnt heaps about Paris and its architecture, history, religion etc. Also, now reading Angels and Demons which is centred around Rome and the Vatican – I was reading today about things I just saw yesterday in the Pantheon- this author really does his research!
Was also interesting to note that the Coliseum was actually called Flavivin ampitheartre and many Italians don’t know it as the Coliseum! (think it was something to do with a family name?)

Day 33– 28th May. Rome- The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peters Basilica, Catacombs, The Pantheon.

Day 33 – 28th May. Rome- The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, St. Peters Basilica, Catacombs, The Pantheon.

Phew !big day yesterday and another today. Last night we went out for the welcome dinner then on to an optional for the illumination tour of Rome. Have to say it was a bit of a disappointment as it was rushed in some places like the Spanish steps and the Trevi fountain, although in the short 15 mins at the steps, I was accosted a dozen times by hustlers selling roses (try to shove them in your hand), neon flying things, flashing earrings and other assorted junk. They are so persistent.

It was quite funny really, Danni got into the swing of it and when they would try yet again she would come out with this loud “NO” at them, which sent them packing as don’t think they expected it from a 10 yr old!! They nearly got some of the Italian language I had been taught in cases of extreme irritation!!

There were many, many people in theses 2 places and lots of pickpockets – often young pretty girls in their 20’s, trying to lift wallets etc – cant say we really enjoyed it there at night in that environment but was good to say you have done it. Then onto a driving tour and got back to the hotel at 11.30pm after the TD told us it would be 9.45pm!

Wake up call at 6am today, which we expected but others hadn’t. We thought that it was pretty good considering we were going to the Vatican and I know others have had wake up calls at 4.45am on their tours to get there early!

Had breakfast all together, this is quite a quiet group compared to the very outgoing group on the France tour – but still early days yet, got to get to know people.

Unfortunately, the Tour Director was the same today with time, really lax and the schedule went completely out the door pretty quickly. Late to leave, late to arrive at the Vatican and into a loooooooooonngg line but we were lucky as we did get in after an hour or so, another 50 metres back and the TD said they dont – even though they had reservations as tour groups.

The Vatican is somewhere that is so immense and opulent in its paintings that its hard to explain. The roof in the great hall is unbelievable and the statues were pretty impressive too. Had to smile as I am reading Dan Browns ‘Angels and Demons’I think (or was that the kiwi tour director yesterday who told us??!)about how one of the Popes at the Vatican in the past had feared the male statues genitals might insight lustful thoughts, so had them all hacked off – and guess what – its true!!! They don’t say anything about it when you are there, but sure enough they were all eunuchs!?!@#@.
Someone wondered if somewhere in the Vatican is a room full of discarded penises!!

We also saw the glass coffin of the pope who died 44 years ago – believe me he looked like he should be buried again- have included a pic!!

The group went on to the Coliseum, but as we had been there yesterday, we three went off for lunch in a restaurant. It was funny, it was semi quiet there, then the skies opened and it poured and the wind howled in a sudden storm – the place was instantly filled!!! We had a great meal of pizza, bread and strawberries and they were very nice – until they decided we had had long enough and paid the bill- then they got very rude and asked us to leave before we had even finished our drinks!!! Told them we would go when we were done, so the waiter whacked all the glasses together loudly and took them all away?! Rude little Italian! We stood to go and the tablecloth was off and table re-set before we reached the door, so he got a little Kiwi flea in his ear as we left.

Stood outside waiting for the 2.15pm pick up in the bus for the optional, and were set upon by ?Indian hustlers now selling umbrellas!!! Where do they keep all these wares ? Dig them up? It is funny – they have wares for every weather type. Bargained them down from €5 each to 3 for €10!
Stood and waited and waited for the bus- didn’t turn up till ¼ to 3pm, so we were wet and cold. This TD is really unreliable with time which is rare I have heard as they are usually very pedantic about being on time.

Once picked up we were taken to the catacombs, I was really looking forward to it as have read abit about them - 17kms of tunnels. Was disappointing though, we were taken into the catacombs, looked at the empty niches where the bodies used to be, walked around 3 corners and that was it ! Only about 20mins and no bodies which for some reason we thought we would see. But still interesting how the Romans buried their dead. Not enough cemeteries, so they dug into the rocks dating back to 600AD and put whole families into crypts on shelves in the walls.

After this we were taken on a walking tour to the Pantheon which is architecturally very different – there is a large circular hole in the roof of this basilica! Walked around various piazza’s then stopped for a gelato. Back on the bus- 2 hours late getting back and for those who are going on the optional for dinner, they only had 15 mins to get in, freshen up and be back out again – not good really. Graeme had a word with the TD about it, but not sure he will change his spots as has been doing this for awhile I think.
He tells us we have an amazing 13 hours on the bus with stops tomorrow – it is a new route this year from Rome to Venice. Trafalgar advertise though that the longest days are around 7-8 hours! A quiet night in with left over pizza for us!

Day 32 - 27th May. Roma- Coliseum, Palatine Hill & the Forum

Day 32 – 27th May

We both tossed and turned during the night as we possibly had one of the hardest beds in europe!! They felt like tables, so late in the night I swapped a sleeping Danni into our bed as Graeme was fast asleep, and slept in her fold out.

Woke to a grey day but with promise of fining up. We decided to come to Rome a day early to see the Coliseum and Palantine Hill, as it wasn’t clear if that was included on the Trafalgar Itinerary. No-one at TT was sure if it was a “visit”or just a “view of the coliseum” on the tour, so we decided to go alone as it was something we really wanted time to see.

We walked from the hotel, only took about 20 mins and found it no problems due to Graemes amazing sense of navigation – you would think he was born in Rome (He made me type that)!!
There was of course a huge queue we could see, but were approached by a company offering guided tours, English speaking, with headsets and no queue. All for €6 more than if we waited in the 45min line. Even better they told us that Danni was free as she was from NZ and under 18yrs! Guess which choice we happily picked?! The tour was great, lead by an Italian god ‘Daniella’, who would have all the girls at home drooling. He gave a great tour and the headsets were so much better than the TT ones we had at the Eiffel tour.

We spent several hours happily wandering around – I think we were lucky there didn’t seem to be huge crowds even though it is a Sunday. Filled 3 sticks of memory with photos! Then went outside for a gelato – a rip off at €4 each! But in the heat it was a necessity!

Sat with the crowds outside the forum until the next tour they told us about, which was free. We were split into 2 groups and lo and behold this very Kiwi accent tells us he is our tour guide.
A young guy from Masterton who came here 3 years ago to study Anthropology, he was so funny and it was great to have that typical easy going, humour around us again (Makes you realize that eurpoeans on a whole seem to more serious by nature).

He took us on a great walking tour of Circus Maximus and Palatine Hill – boy was it getting hot?! We were all sweltering but the guide said the temp actually reaches about 47C in July. Not sure it was that hot today but nearer the 40’s probably.

It has been a great day today, to stand in front of the Coliseum was amazing and something I've always dreamed of.

After we had had a good look around we walked very slowly back to – yet again McD’s!! Their icy cokes are great!.

Back to the hotel and caught a taxi to the Mercure Corso Trieste where we are staying to start our next Trafalgar tour – Best of Italy and Greece and 3 day Aegean cruise.
We have learnt quickly to just suck it up and pay for taxi’s when we are transferring with heavy suitcases, its just so much easier and safer with the metro and buses being prime targets for pickpockets- some of whom we have heard are very aggressive.

Met our tour guide, reminds me of a English professor, sure he will be good?!
We are off to our welcome dinner and then think he is offering an optional of Rome illuminations, Trevi fountain and the Spanish steps – plus a Basilica. Think we will do this as we haven’t seen any of these yet.

Day 31 - 26th may. Tuscany to Rome

Day 31, 26th May

Woke in the night, again thinking we were on the bus in the pitch black feeling claustrophobic as I couldn’t see. Must have looked funny actually – I put one foot on the ground trying to work out what was under me!!

Another blue sky day today, spoke to the people who run the Borgo and they said the weather has been the temp. they usually experience in July at the peak of summer. All I know is I think we have been very lucky!

We had packed last night, so were ready to go, had a breakfast of very hard French stick (the bread is SO hard in Italy) and left over ham and tomato, it would be funny trying to eat it with false teeth! Then we were invited to go into the castle (Castelli) by the elderly owners. What a place! The ceiling had frescoes painted on it and they were about 30 feet high. The fireplace was something else again – it reached from the floor to the ceiling and occupied a whole wall, with green painted tiles. They had bought the Borgo 40 years ago, the castle is only a century old but the hamlet where we all stay was built in the 1600’s. The owner converted them from the grainary etc to apartments over time.

We said goodbye and drove to Arezzo, about 45 mins and dropped off the ugly rental that has served us well! The diesel for the whole week only cost us €35.
Got a taxi to the stazione and had some lunch then sat on platform three for 1 ½ hours in the shade and people watched. The train to Rome was half an hour late which almost caused a calamity – the train came in on the Roma platform at the exact correct time, so we got on it as did a couple from Adelaide. They got on in the 1st carriage as they had first class tickets. We went down to 2nd class, the normal one in carriage 5 and, as we had just got out suitcases on the conductor came along luckily and questioned our destination. Guess what? We were on the wrong train as ours was going to be late and another had come for another destination.
We were SO lucky it was just before the train left. The Australian couple weren’t as lucky I think, as we told the conductor they were in the first carriage thinking they were going to Rome, but he just shrugged his shoulders as the train was pulling out!! Don’t know what happened to them, Graeme walked up the platform to see if they had got off but no.

Got the correct train and the trip was only about 1 hr 50mins, it was fine but the compartments of 6 only had space for 3 suitcases, so 2 of ours were out in the aisle like everyone else’s. Had to keep moving them for the wally who continuously pushed a wide food cart up and down. If he couldn’t get passed the suitcases he would just shove the cart at them until he scraped passed?!
It was strange that every time we went through a tunnel- which was often, you got awful pain in your ears like when you dive too fast with scuba diving.

Arrived in Rome – what a dump at the Termini – graffiti everywhere and everything is covered in black soot/dirt. Lots and lots of people but we had no problems finding the hotel.

I had purposely booked one just down from the station and it only took us 1 min or so to walk with our cases which was good. We were very wary of pickpockets and the groups we have heard hang around there hassling tourists. Lots of teenagers hanging around but lots of police too.
Apparently you don’t want to wander around there at night as the prostitutes and lowlife come out after dark.

We dropped our bags then went out for a walk around, it was hot and sticky here with grey sky. Quite a change from clean, green and sunny Tuscany. We learned quickly to follow the locals when crossing the roads in Rome – saw a group of Japanese tourists who all put their hands in the air and waved all the way across the road- funny! The cobbled roads are really ancient here as I have heard. We see there are lots of shops in town, something we haven’t seen since England and prices look ok.

Stopped at Mc Donald’s for a cold drink and a burger. We don’t eat it at home so aren’t very up on the prices, but $33 for 3 ‘coka lights’ and 3 fillet of fish burgers is up there in comparison to NZ I think?! But boy were they good.
Wandered back to the hotel and rested for a couple of hours then out for dinner just down the road. A very popular restaurant that we noticed the Italians use, so must be good. In Italy you order your main which is just the meat, then buy your veges separately – these always consist of a plate of fried potatoes only!! No greens in sight . In France they give you bread and don’t charge you for it , but in Italy you get it if you want it or not and you are charged €1 each.

Next we had the most delicious desserts, Graeme’s was of course chocolate but with a twist. It was chocolate and chili –true!! He thought it was yummy but Danni was very glad she had changed her mind and got cheesecake.
A very enjoyable meal. Out onto the street and we found the stall vendors were setting up on the sidewalk. Danni loved some pretty bracelets for her friends and the guy said they were €5 each. Too expensive I told him, €3 each. No. Told him I would buy three for €7.50. He accepted that, looking not too happy, but I got the feeling I could have got them for €6 !!! Next time I will drive a harder bargain!

Back to our room and Graeme and I watched Officer and a Gentleman in Italian – puts an interesting slant on it!!

Day 30 -May 25th Last day in Tuscany

A sad note today as I hear from home that Flynn, a fantastic little guy I have helped to care for the past years in my work role, has passed away. A shock that he is gone and while I cant be there for the family,know that Sue my job share partner will be with them.

So a thought goes out to them today from Italy.

An hour after hearing this, we find that our credit card has been fraudulently used to the tune of $1500, even with all the security we use. These "moto" transactions are ones where the card is not physically present and are very sophisticated.
So the first Kiwi voice I have heard since leaving NZ was that of the banks credit card team!! Was nice to hear anyway...

Consequently there are issues to sort, but the money will be credited back once we get home and sign affidavits they tell me. Pain in the bum as now there are strict blocks on the card and we can only use Graemes card.

This can happen via merchants use/ tapping into merchants databases or at ATM's so you cant get away from it they said. Ours seem to come from Canada/USA and mostly say they are linked to purchases and phone calls/accounts? via telecom.

Glad we were planning on a quiet day today as needed to sort all this out and good to know things can be done.

Will spend the rest of this scorcher day by the pool I think, then pack up ready for our train trip from Arezzo to Rome tomorrow. We start out Best of Italy and Greece tour with a 3 day cruise at the end on Sunday.

Not sure when we will be able to post again as we will be back to buying Wi-Fi access cards where available, but will check for any emails or comments tonight before we go - so send me some!!!!!!.

Hope Hamilton is not too foggy and cold today, we are actually suffering in the heat if its makes NZ feel better!!!!

Cya

Some pics of Tenuata Lupinari in Tuscany

Here are a few photos of where we have stayed this week - paradise and perfect weather to boot!

Day 29 - 24th May. Arezzo and Cortona

Day 29 – 24th may – Arezzo & Cortona

What a great day today- the day we went tiki-touring and found Cortona. First though we set off to find Arezzo ( Are- ret-so) as we need to drop our rental car there on Saturday before getting the train down to Roma. Graeme wanted to find it before then as other people staying here said it was only a very small europcar sign and not obvious to find. Took us 40 mins to get there and thanks to their directions we found it no problems. This city size is manageable and we got a park, after I went into a shop and asked a guy in there who fortunately spoke a bit of English. He directed us to the correct side of the road to park on – we had followed all those who were illegally parked, however, cant say I have ever seen anything akin to a metre-maid in Italy. Have included a pic today of the funny little 3 wheel utes that alot of the older Italians seem to drive here. Saw Mama & Pappa out in several of them today - off to town at 30kms top speed!!

Walked into Arezzo town and wandered up a long, long cobbled street and bought a few gifts for people. We note that the pace of life here is a bit slower – its nice. The temperature was up to 29C by 11am but nice dry heat and we enjoyed just strolling around.

After this we found the road for Cortona – have got the roads more sussed now and nothing is busy after Firenze! Drove for about half an hour and found ourselves winding up a mountain to Cortona- setting of the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. It was gorgeous looking back over the plains below. Got up as far as you could drive – no parks visible so we do the high five”good luck”thing again and within 10 seconds, there is the last park in the large parking area. I swear it works just like that!! Better still, there is a man sitting there with his toddler who speaks “Pico, pico english”(just a little/few words). He is able to tell me the parking is free and unrestricted on time – double yay!

We wander up through a stone arch and up the narrow cobbled streets- just like the movie. This town is magical and our absolute favourite so far in Italy. It is small and is centred around the piazza or square, with little lanes with shops snaking off it. It has a uniqueness about it that makes it a special place to visit. No traffic roads as such up here finish the feeling of the place.

We ate lunch outside overlooking the piazza, then wondered around shopping. I wanted to get a few gifts from here and found a beautiful Italian leather shop that happens to have an English lady running it.

She tells me bit and pieces about “Under the Tuscan Sun”, where the house “Bramasole” is and that the fountain where the English woman dances was actually a prop, placed in the next square just for the filming. Danni tasted some of the grapes and said Yes, they even tasted purple”like in the movie, where she sat in the piazza and wrote postcards home!!
Then we went around to the point, where we can overlook as far as the eye can see – it is really breathtaking, even if you aren’t into views. Even Danni is spellbound! We get a photo up there all together then wander back down the cobbled streets and back to the car.

Driving back was easy, we are in the swing of it now and have only been tooted at twice today!
On the whole, the Italians are incredibly patient in traffic. If you are on a busy city street, they wont make a spot for you to pull out – but if you do they always let you in!! Phil Weston’s map from NZ is seeing a lot of work this week and has helped us get to the various towns – thanks!

Back home and we pass the same spot as the other day and yes the hookers are out on the lonely strip of countryside again. Sorry, but they are definitely a health hazard just to look at –scary! No wonder one of them was carrying a big stick, it is a dangerous way of life out here.

Back to Lupinari for a beer and a swim before perhaps going out for an Italian meal in Buccine.

What a cool day!

Day 28 - 23rd May. Montevarchi

Day 28 – 23rd May

Woke around 7 am today, it is going to be a scorcher. We decided not to spend the day traveling around today, instead we drove to Montevarchi to the ipercoop (supermarket). This was the biggest one we have been to, we were able to buy me a new bikini and Danni a pair of togs in it!!

We have got used to the different ways – for example we had been pre-warned by Grace about the fruit and veges. You have to use a plastic glove when you pick them and you put them on the scales and choose the right number allocated to that particular item, then put the sticker on yourself before going to the check out. Tomatoes and strawberries are particularly cheap and tasty here.

Had also been looking around as Graeme’s hair has grown so fast he was soon to resemble a hedgehog! We spotted a hairdressers and asked the young guy in there if he “Parla Engliese?” No, shake of the head, but he could do his hair in 5 mins time he gestures.
Now- Graeme is very particular about where he gets his hair cut as he likes his flat top very square and not rounded like an egg, so he was feeling a little nervous about getting this across.

Anyhow, we go back in 5 mins and - as Gray realises the guy is putting a pretty purple cape on (that’s the gay colour he whispers to me) I notice that the hairdresser has glitter in his hair – eek!!! Wonder if his name was Gary? (Glitter)

We get across in sign language that he wants it shorter and square, then “Gary” starts work. I can feel Graemes nervousness, so I look away and pretend I’m reading a book. Next, Danni goes “Mum, he has just shaved off all the hair on the back of Dad’s head with a razor”. I turn around and go Nooooooo, to Graeme in mime- eek! Graemes eyes are about the size of saucers and he seem’s to have lost all his Italian, sign language or otherwise!!.

I go back over to them and say “cut square ok?” Ok he says but I’m not sure he understands. Oh Well Im thinking, at least if it is awful, he might get some glitter in it!!

It all turned out ok though as the guy, who is only probably 24 years old or so, then pulls out scissors and goes to town – without a spirit level Gray is used to, but he did a really good job although a little in the vein of ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and only took half the time it takes at home. It’s a little more rounded on the outside than usual but looks fine. Graeme gets his 2nd shampoo and wash!! Then we are done. €15 and we are back on the street -Phew!

After this funny event, we head back to the Villa, driving more comfortably on the right hand side of the road now, and have a lovely lunch in the sun of rolls, ham, cheese and tomatoes- mmm.

Down to the pool and we have it to ourselves today, it is scorching hot , around 40 C and the sun feels like its biting you, but then we hear all this thunder and one huge grey cloud appears. Then everything cooled nicely – not all hot and sticky like it would be at home.

Came back and had a Heineken – we now buy the big bottles – 600mls for €0.80c!
Then had a siesta as all good Italians do.

One thing I meant to mention is that there are red anzac poppies everywhere in France and Italy, growing wild on the sides of the roads- have included a pic of one growing against the stone wall outside our villa. They are very pretty but apparently turn black if you pick them.

There is also a pic of the pool and above it you can see a white sun umbrella- this is our apartment- the old grainery. We have the best spot as there is also a big lawn out in front of it, it is right at the end and the sun comes in,in the morning so it is cooler in the afternoon!
http://www.lupinari.com/eng/home.html is the hamlets website if you want to have a look. There is an interactive map were you can click on the photo and see where all the apartments are located. The bedroom they use on the frontpage picture is actually ours!

Day 27- 22nd May Siena

Day 27 – 22nd May

Hi all - thanks for all the comments - everyone keep up the posting, even if there isnt much to say at home we really enjoy logging on to see who has left us a note.

I hope the posts are loading up ok- they look fine from this end but the pages are all in Italian now after being in French for the past 2 weeks- makes it harder to navigate when I am posting as I have to remember where the icons are to click on!!!

Woke after a good nights sleep at 7.30am, although last night I had my 2nd time where I wake up in the dark and cant work out where I am. Always think I am on the bus in the pitch black and feel very claustrophic as I cant see anything at all. I have experienced this before when away on travels, but still leaves me feeling like I am suffocating – ick.

Anyhow, was fine when we got up and we decided to try out Siena today. First though we drove up to Buccine to get our train tickets from Arezzo where we are dropping the rental car, to Roma, about 2 ½ hours south. Here it is done through the travel agents for the high speed train and at only €50 in total, cant complain!

It only took us about half an hour to reach Siena then another 45 mins or so to find the correct carpark – which was full! Italian signage is non existent compared to NZ. Then, when we had almost given up Graeme says “where’s our usual goodluck with parking Wee’s? and gave me a high 5 – next minute round the corner, was the ONLY carpark space left in Siena I think!!! Yay, we were off!

We wandered along in the midday heat- check out the temperature of the included photo today!! The difference is it is dry heat, so you just sweat non stop but don’t get sticky.

Wandered down long narrow alleyways then up a steep hill and voila ! there was the Piazza. Our first Italian square.
It was great and we wandered around buying a few bits and pieces in it till the heat saw us in a gelato shop.
Funny thing was we chose tubs for our ice creams and Graeme said “Tre”(3 meaning 3 tubs). Then we gave her the flavour each of us wanted and she proceeded to put the 3 flavours into 1 tub. Alright! That was a good mis-communication that saw us all trying 3 flavours of gelato each!!!

Pinnochio must also come from here I think as there are many shops with the wooden toy- must check that out as I think the story did come from Italy.

We wandered back to the car and drove home- since we had driven around the town 3 times when we were lost! it was now nice and easy to work out the way home!!

Stopped at a shoe outlet on the way, where we bought Graeme a pair of hand made leather slip ons, that are so soft and light. Also saw a perculiar sight. Along one short strip of highway were 5 negro girls in different lay-bys, obviously hookers waiting for the truckies!! They were pretty trashy looking and should probably have come with a health warning! What a weird place for a pick up joint – on a short stretch of country highway??!!

Came home and had baguettes with cheese tomato and ham- all of which are so much stronger in flavour than at home – puts us to shame really. The foods here are very simple but so flavoursome.

We both think Italy is a beautiful landscape with gentle rolling hills, open spaces and lots of terracotta. More beautiful than France it seemed, although to be fair, we were always in the bus in France and perhaps don’t see it from the same point of view?? Food seems much cheaper here although we will have to wait until our Italy/Greece tour to know for sure, as in France you were always taken to the tourist places- so pay tourist prices I’d say.

I would most definitely highly recommend Lupinari as a central place to stay in between Siena and Firenze (Florence) and it is such a beautiful setting here at the hamlet. Another great spot is Camponella I think it is called, where the camping ground is I have mentioned. With those 3 huge swimming pools I would go and stay there two if we were on a tighter budget- it has a lovely feel about it, almost like NZ camping grounds when we were kids!

Another afternoon around the pool I think then a quiet night – tomorrow its off to Cortona where Under the Tuscan Sun was filmed. Another gorgeous hot sunny, clear skied day today!

Day 26- 21st May Into the naughty forties!

Day 26 – 21st May

Ok I’m really 40 now !!! Had another beautifully hot sunny day – temperature up in the 30’s, thank goodness for the pool!

Have spent parts of the day jumping out of the car, climbing in between grapevines and hedges, pinning that plate size Ïm 40”badge in numerous places!!!
You girls at work should be proud, I have brought it to the other side of the world and will now be able to use it as a placemat if I need one in the future!

Also had my first go at driving on the other side of the road – it was pretty easy actually, only problem is I keep going to the left hand side to try and find the gear stick as we have a manual!!

We spent some time on the internet today, it is free here and easy with a laptop as you just have to go to certain places to get the Wi-Fi access. This is a plus they don’t advertise they have!

Went to Buccine and bought supplies from the coop, it is a small supermarket by our standards and we note – as in France, there is little junk food here in the shops. This would explain why they aren’t big people as a rule.

We bought some bread and tomatoes, they are so big and red and the flavour is something else again- nothing like our pale tasteless tomatoes from the supermarket.

Spent a few hours around the pool which was great – it is very quiet here today. Then Graeme is cooking me a birthday dinner that smells heavenly, ooh the garlic!! We are just having a quiet night as a family which I am happy to do. We will go to a restaurant another night. There is one at the hamlet, but it is a set 4 course meal and more fine dining, very posh and $70 pp!

We are now sitting outside having a few drinks and appreciating what we are doing while Danni and some American girls play on the lawn outside the apartment. Doesn’t get much better, although having family here today would have been good too but that is a bit of a big ask I think!! Missed Sam today as she is always with us on birthdays even though she has moved out of home, but know she is happy in her new house with Alex and his brother and partner.

Day 25 - 20th May, last day in my 30's !!

Day 25 – 20 th May

Woke up in our big wrought iron bed, to perfect blue sky. The smell here is overwhelmingly of honeysuckle as it is growing on the stone wall outside our apartment – fantastic.

We realized today that this is the first time in our lives together – 23 years, that we have been together every day for more than maybe 2 weeks?

We had found out last night that the supermarkets or “Coop’s “are all shut in a Sunday, but there is a camping ground a few km’s away that has a small store open, so we drove there for supplies. I wondered if this was a spot that Sue and Andrew had stopped and camped in, in Buccine ?(“Boo- chee-nay”)
The store was great and got the necessities until the coops are open tomorrow. My Italian language skills which are non existent, were ok actually, just have to encourage Gray a bit more as he is too shy at the moment – he just needs to “let go” he says!

We went for a short drive through a town called Levane (“Lee-varn-nay”) so Graeme could get his bearings. His internal map is pretty good- it is definitely a man thing as I have no such talent!!
Back to Lupinari and out to the huge pool area for a sunbathe and a swim. It was bliss and we spent several wonderful hours there just relaxing after yesterdays stress.

Had a siesta for the first time for a couple of hours, then got up and went for a walk down the road. We saw a man made lake with these weird animals that aren’t otters, but a name I cant remember (some Americans told us) they are like giant rats!!

Had a lovely dinner at the apartment of pasta and sliced ham- it is nice to be able to cook and have dinner alone together. Also to unpack and use a dresser is bliss!!!!

We are really relaxing!

The big 4 - 0 , 21st May

Has been published in the wrong date order and cant change it back again now, so my birthday pics are before the day before ??!! Its the Irish in me sorry!

This one is for all my fantastic colleagues at work who gave me a 40 badge bigger than a lunch plate and instructed me I had to take it to Europe with me to wear on my birthday - and they wanted photographic evidence>??!@!#!!!

This thing is so big it even has a stand like a photo frame on the back of it!!

SO here is the first installment to 11am on the 21st May!!

sigh...........