After 4 weeks of travel there is allot that I experienced and shared.
There are a number of people I want to thank so bear with me, as the list is really long….
I want to start with thanking Murray and Kathleen who were the single factor in me traveling to these parts of the world after all the trip was for their wedding and that was the primary reason for the travel.
Mr & Mrs Mackay best wishes for a bright, blissful union and may your days be as happy as that day in Loch Lomond.
I would like to thank my buddy Mitch who encouraged the idea and slowly pushed me into taking the initiative in booking the whole trip…Thanks Mitch I hope you are enjoying Sth America.
My brother in law Chris for driving me to the airport and looking after my bike (aka Emma MK II).
Frank Moran for assisting me in the Dublin accommodation and that was the first step in a chain reaction…
Dublin:
The city of Irish folk dancing and Guinness (not to mention Jamison in the jar)
To Joe and Patrice my Irish friends with amazing voices…you guys should think about a duets album you have talent…thank you both for two nights of drinking and restoring my faith that there are still Irish folks in Dublin somewhere ☺
Edinburgh:
Alasdair McLeish for meeting me and reviving everything I know and love about Scotland, the bars, waking down George Street and revisiting where I once lived and love to one day again to be there.
Loch Lomond
To John and Andrea in the BnB that was better than any 5 start Hotel I stayed at and going the extra mile…if ever I go down that path I am sure to emulate everything I experienced in your lovely home. To The Noble clan and the Mackay clan thank you for a great day and a beautiful ceremony…It instils hope of happiness forever after…Best wishes for your new family and stay in touch in Sydney town.
London
Jon McBride and Jamie Kong, hey Aussie expats should keep the networks going especially abroad, you never know when you might just need another contact. Paul Vincent, I am yet to hear that excuse about you not showing up…so whenever you are ready, I’d like to hear it. Hey it was busy time in London but just don’t over promise brother…stay focused and maybe we will meet somewhere else when the time is right.
Spain
Its no accident that I spent the most amount of time in Spain… it was the country with the profound lessons that I needed to learn…
Spain’s experience to me is summarised in a single word…”FAMILY”
Thank you Angela for the invite to Majorca that was the epitome of understanding what family really is. Thank you, Inmus and Eva for sharing your home and your table and I will forever be in your debt for introducing me to your family of friends…Barbara and Sarah as well should get a mention…it has been a long time since I have been in a large circle of friends of diverse cultures and backgrounds and seeing so many happy people. To you and your friends whenever you wish to visit Australia me casa is sou casa…(well I hope I wrote that right)
The second family I met were Trey, Claire, Sherry, Janice, Mandy and Martin where another friendship formed in a quick meet and I am privileged to have met you guys and I extend the same invite to you guys as well should you ever wish to visit Sydney Town I would be happy and more than Happy to play host. Mandy, thankyou for reminding me that taking a snap is more than a click of a button and something to shelf…its worth sharing and remembering that instant.
The dinner at Granada in front of the cathedral was a special moment, the stop over in that little town on the way to Seville and the discussions at lunch and so was that afternoon at the bar in Macarena… those will be forever etched in my memories.
Janice and Mandy especially for opening to me the world of Hostel stays… Yes, Donna would be proud ;-) Martin, you are cool dude…and perfect in what you do follow your dreams and don’t let anyone judge what you do, when, why or how…because, only you can be right all the time even when you are wrong…its your life and your lesson…Just Do it and come and visit Aus…you will like it here ☺
Portugal
Although I was only there for less than 24 hours, three people have taught me various lessons…Best of all that even as a bald man Lisbon is a city to let your hair down and it’s a crazy party time. Definitely, will do this again.
Blake my man from old Sydney and the man with all the news about Lisbon and where to go and what to do…cheers mate, seriously you fly the Aussie flag so high…thank you for all your tips and advises and I wish I actually stayed there longer but maybe another time and another place we will meet again.
Serena, I hope you took that train ride and bought that jacket it looked good and don’t worry you have the rest of your life to work so you have an education and clearly a bright mind so enjoy it and just believe that the right job at the right time will find you without having to look for it. And Yeah I am envious that after you shaved your head off it grew back :P
Finally, Dana ummm…I blame you for me starting smoking again (even though I started smoking the night before I met you) By the way, you can drink but not as much as me…trust me…would be happy to test that theory as I didn’t drink that much that night…shall we say DC after the marathon? Or will it be NYC?
And get a Facebook account will ya…
Italy
The land of he roman empire…where I discovered a lack in my sense of direction…Jaoa, Pedro, Paula and Alex…thanks guys technically you are the last friends I made on this trip and enjoy your travels…Alex, if you are ever in Sydney give me a shout and I will do the same when I am in Melbourne next. We can have another beer and possibly pizza in Lygon street although, I know a great Indian place in Lygon street.
Italy is ne of those countries where I have not seen anywhere else in the world thus far a greater ratio of police, army and security per capita. I know it’s a beautiful city and needs to be protected but fair dinkum…the United Nation should just keep the Italian army and get rid of all the other nations and that will solve any world problem.
I think Italy is definitely the land of beauty, the galleries, the churches, the shops and it was easy spotting the Italian women that were single…not a hair out of place. Favourite city Florence by a long shot you just can’t beat that Tuscan sunset…
Europe 2011
Finally, a very special thank you to my facebook and blog followers…Beth, best wishes for the birth of your next child and thankyou for picking me up and cheering me when I was in the dumps… Steve (40 ain’t bad body…it’s the new 30 and damn we might have had a few hiccups along the road but I am sure you wouldn’t have it any other way) still waiting for them drinks invite to see you in a new decade… Maddie and Kaz do it mate get there ASAP and just chill in Italy or wherever you want. Steph wow it took a mention of Cinque Terre to get me on a roller coaster trip but hey it was worth it and I am disappointed I didn’t make that restaurant maybe next time…perhaps we will find something comparable in Sydney and we will have lunch there. Rigot and Dane for the smart arse comment at Majorca’s airport well it was a happy coffee ;)
Samir, you keep talking about travel…but none organised…and hey it’s a 20 years high school anniversary who is organising the party? Yes we re getting old. And we should head on a track day in cars or bikes and see if we can hit the 300 km/h mark… The Vodafone crew who reminded me that there are some silent followers and I hope I didn’t spam you too much…and maybe even inspired some to travel. And the many more silent followers or the ones that I hadn’t mention.
Finally, my dedication and last words will always be to my greatest adventure that will last a lifetime, my three boys who I will forever strive to be their best dad, friend, travel companion a shoulder to lean on, an ear to listen to, and huge hug to keep them close…I forever and ever love you and I can’t wait to read your travel blogs.
Over and out.
H in Europe 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Day 28 15th May 2011
Lost in Airports and travel...
At least the flight back was empty with 170 vacant seats and had a whole row to lie in not that it made much of a difference as I stayed awake most of the trip anyway.
Thank you Etihad airways
At least the flight back was empty with 170 vacant seats and had a whole row to lie in not that it made much of a difference as I stayed awake most of the trip anyway.
Thank you Etihad airways
Day 27 14th May 2011
I packed my bags for what I thought was the last time and loaded it all up in the car… The San Siro tour was not to eventuate but well here is another reason to come to Milan…and decided time to go shopping…
The shopping was 50-50 success…As I had forgotten the PIN for my card, I couldn’t use it and that meant purchases had to be made in cash only, which I only had AUD & Sterling and the exchange rates were horrendously low…so luckily I bought all the kiddies gifts and had 100 euro set aside for last minute emergencies…So out of four weeks of travel I got myself a bracelet with the flags of the countries I have visited with the promise I would add to it every year and that I will one day ensure that all of my three boys get to fill their own bracelets before 30…
I still loved the shopping in Milan and decided if nothing else I will buy me those things I want albeit this time from the NYC when I am there at the end of the year.
For now I bought the gifts I wanted to and duty free the outstanding items…Also, thought of buying a nice camera to get back into a long lost hobby that I had forgotten about…I think my physical training for marathons and the likes will probably come to an end in the not too distant future and will probably decide that I will need to be kind to my body and do photography and that French patisserie classes that I always wanted to do.
By 4 pm I had my last pizza and decided to head to the airport early (a very wise move).
I think at this point I conclude my European adventure 2011.
The shopping was 50-50 success…As I had forgotten the PIN for my card, I couldn’t use it and that meant purchases had to be made in cash only, which I only had AUD & Sterling and the exchange rates were horrendously low…so luckily I bought all the kiddies gifts and had 100 euro set aside for last minute emergencies…So out of four weeks of travel I got myself a bracelet with the flags of the countries I have visited with the promise I would add to it every year and that I will one day ensure that all of my three boys get to fill their own bracelets before 30…
I still loved the shopping in Milan and decided if nothing else I will buy me those things I want albeit this time from the NYC when I am there at the end of the year.
For now I bought the gifts I wanted to and duty free the outstanding items…Also, thought of buying a nice camera to get back into a long lost hobby that I had forgotten about…I think my physical training for marathons and the likes will probably come to an end in the not too distant future and will probably decide that I will need to be kind to my body and do photography and that French patisserie classes that I always wanted to do.
By 4 pm I had my last pizza and decided to head to the airport early (a very wise move).
I think at this point I conclude my European adventure 2011.
Day 26 13th May 2011 (Black Friday)
Its cool because I like Friday the 13th and THIS WAS TO BE MY LAST NIGHT IN EUROPE FOR 2011…That much I was sure off…
Started driving in pursuit of my definite final destination and it was to be the Crown Plaza Milano. I decided that for my last 36 hours I would just live it up and that was it.
http://www.crowneplazamilan.com/
The day started with a list of 4 things to do:
1. Climb the Duomo and tick that off http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/milan-cathedral
2. See a painting by Caravaggio http://www.wheremilan.com/site/?p=3876
3. Shopping
4. Tour the San Siro
http://www.google.com/search?q=san+siro+milan&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsm&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8tHSTeaPPISSuwOGouS6DQ&ved=0CD8QsAQ&biw=1275&bih=621
Well I was on track after the first few hours, checked in the hotel and yes its worth the money… Got my underground ticket and headed to the Duomo…not the grandest or the prettiest cathedral but it was super cool walking on the roof.
Then attended an impressionist exhibition which was amazing (I sneaked a few photos…no flash) but then also was given the access to a Caravaggio exhibition in Milan and yes I got to go after going in the wrong direction three times but I made it…the painting I was really wanting to see was the last supper and the medusa (the medusa was removed) but the last supper was there and many many more including John the Baptist execution and the baptism of Christ… I think I started my fascination with Caravaggio back in 2006 and it was through a novel and probably that novel was my inspiration to select Italy as my final destination…It has been a long time coming but hey, I get there and that’s what matters.
To say I was walking on cloud 9 is an understatement. Just after walking out of the exhibition I realised nothing else matters and I had fulfilled all that I wanted to do on this trip albeit rushed and that the next 24 hrs were just going to be and nothing else mattered.
I tried to buy some cloths from a boutique shop for the kiddies but without a pin number it was not going to happen. So I decided back to he Hotel to freshen up and dinner somewhere nice and maybe head out into town again.
I did make it back, I did freshen up and decided that hotel in the restaurant would be good enough (the three courses did not disappoint nor the bottle of wine to myself…Needless to say, I think I have become a light weight as the bottle of wine got to me and I was too lazy to go anywhere and just got back upstairs and I think slept til the morning in a plush bed with real fluffy pillows…
Quote of the day was from Steve on my facebook wall where he said “…Hostels are gret to meet people but I would rather stay where you are” I tend to agree… I loved meeting new people and making new friends but also its harder to sustain a friendship that lasted a couple of days or at times a few hours… and travel in comfort is nice and maybe nicer if you have family to share it with…but for now I was the family to myself and its probably been the lesson of the trip…
Started driving in pursuit of my definite final destination and it was to be the Crown Plaza Milano. I decided that for my last 36 hours I would just live it up and that was it.
http://www.crowneplazamilan.com/
The day started with a list of 4 things to do:
1. Climb the Duomo and tick that off http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/milan-cathedral
2. See a painting by Caravaggio http://www.wheremilan.com/site/?p=3876
3. Shopping
4. Tour the San Siro
http://www.google.com/search?q=san+siro+milan&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsm&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=8tHSTeaPPISSuwOGouS6DQ&ved=0CD8QsAQ&biw=1275&bih=621
Well I was on track after the first few hours, checked in the hotel and yes its worth the money… Got my underground ticket and headed to the Duomo…not the grandest or the prettiest cathedral but it was super cool walking on the roof.
Then attended an impressionist exhibition which was amazing (I sneaked a few photos…no flash) but then also was given the access to a Caravaggio exhibition in Milan and yes I got to go after going in the wrong direction three times but I made it…the painting I was really wanting to see was the last supper and the medusa (the medusa was removed) but the last supper was there and many many more including John the Baptist execution and the baptism of Christ… I think I started my fascination with Caravaggio back in 2006 and it was through a novel and probably that novel was my inspiration to select Italy as my final destination…It has been a long time coming but hey, I get there and that’s what matters.
To say I was walking on cloud 9 is an understatement. Just after walking out of the exhibition I realised nothing else matters and I had fulfilled all that I wanted to do on this trip albeit rushed and that the next 24 hrs were just going to be and nothing else mattered.
I tried to buy some cloths from a boutique shop for the kiddies but without a pin number it was not going to happen. So I decided back to he Hotel to freshen up and dinner somewhere nice and maybe head out into town again.
I did make it back, I did freshen up and decided that hotel in the restaurant would be good enough (the three courses did not disappoint nor the bottle of wine to myself…Needless to say, I think I have become a light weight as the bottle of wine got to me and I was too lazy to go anywhere and just got back upstairs and I think slept til the morning in a plush bed with real fluffy pillows…
Quote of the day was from Steve on my facebook wall where he said “…Hostels are gret to meet people but I would rather stay where you are” I tend to agree… I loved meeting new people and making new friends but also its harder to sustain a friendship that lasted a couple of days or at times a few hours… and travel in comfort is nice and maybe nicer if you have family to share it with…but for now I was the family to myself and its probably been the lesson of the trip…
Day 25 12th May 2011
As stated earlier, the day started with a nice brekky then walked back retracing my steps from the night before and went to a couple of churches and Marco Paolo sq and walked around the shops…a few more photos of gondolas and although it was something I really wanted to do, decided its not something I wanted to do on my own…so I’ll pass for now.
I hung around til lunch but really just wanted o spend the last few days in Milan in one place so I decided to leave Venice and headed to Milan for the last of the Treks in the car (or so I thought).
The only thing worth mentioning in that leg of the trip was I saw my first Highway police patrol…lets say it was embarrassing…in fact there was a car that constantly was trying to over take it and I wanted a photo of that so I was giving chase behind the 2 cars doing 180 km/hr and couldn’t catch up with them…so much for the worry about the Italian police (don’t take that as an excuse to ignore the reputation of the Italian Highway patrols but this car was a fiat and not the Lamborghini I was assured they drive)
I could get my Internet access using Hutch USB HSDPA key (see 3 and Vodafone’s services in Europe are just as shit as they are at Home) so I used my mobile and my Hostel App to find a place but opted for the high end (well price wise anyway). I opted for Alessandro Hostel (which had no reviews-that’s a bad sign) and I think later on I figured why I opted for that out of the dozen places I found…it shared the same name as the Hostel in Roma which wasn’t too bad!
And that was the second mistake…so going on two ends of town I finally found this place…and just as I was about to enter Milan, I was almost tempted to drive up to Toulon in the south of France but that was another 400 kms and I still only have 300 euros and $1k AUD and no pin number for my firkin debit Visa (mental note don’t travel without a Credit card and a back up card…even when carrying sufficient catch. So I got to the Hotel Alessandro and thank fuk for Babel Fish to translate to the guy behind the counter…
How do I describe this place that I was intending to spend my last couple of days in, umm a shit hole and its only redeeming factor is they have broadband internet in the rooms…so I decided, stay put tonight and visit the sites tomorrow after staying in no less than four star for my last night in Italy… and with that started searching the web ad swore that I will read all reviews…
It came down to three hotels…the first was ranked number one on Trip finder sadly it was sold out…the second which was my favourite had very poor reviews so I decided not to and the third was ranked number 3 on trip finder, and the deluxe rooms were reasonably priced albeit a little out of town (5 tube stops from Duomo) and so it was the Crown Plaza.
Now I needed food and the pathetic place I was in which I might add felt like a prison cell with big iron gates and screen shutters on all windows (which was a little disconcerting to say the least) once I walked out of there it was not hard to understand why…I was in the ghettos of Milan and walking down the street trying to find a place to get food I had two sensations:
1. I needed to keep my fists at the level of my eyes
2. I was grateful I had typhoid and hep shots before I flew out…
Trust me its no exaggeration and the place wasn’t cheap either…
I quickly picked my Pizza and got back behind the iron gate fortress… bought two beers at the reception and went back to my room…Gladly I slept soundly that was until the dick head from night shift and his skanky gf decided to see how much noise they can make in the halls downstairs and test every fukn door…to the point where at 1:00 am I had to go downstairs to show them my bearded fukd off face to ensure they see that the are at least annoying me…it must’ve worked because there was only one more door slam after that and I am guessing that was them locking themselves and barracking themselves in a room. It pays sometimes having a rough head like I do ;-)
And so was my second last night and in the morning I couldn’t wait to leave. And if nothing else I got to update the blog and upload some more photos.
I hung around til lunch but really just wanted o spend the last few days in Milan in one place so I decided to leave Venice and headed to Milan for the last of the Treks in the car (or so I thought).
The only thing worth mentioning in that leg of the trip was I saw my first Highway police patrol…lets say it was embarrassing…in fact there was a car that constantly was trying to over take it and I wanted a photo of that so I was giving chase behind the 2 cars doing 180 km/hr and couldn’t catch up with them…so much for the worry about the Italian police (don’t take that as an excuse to ignore the reputation of the Italian Highway patrols but this car was a fiat and not the Lamborghini I was assured they drive)
I could get my Internet access using Hutch USB HSDPA key (see 3 and Vodafone’s services in Europe are just as shit as they are at Home) so I used my mobile and my Hostel App to find a place but opted for the high end (well price wise anyway). I opted for Alessandro Hostel (which had no reviews-that’s a bad sign) and I think later on I figured why I opted for that out of the dozen places I found…it shared the same name as the Hostel in Roma which wasn’t too bad!
And that was the second mistake…so going on two ends of town I finally found this place…and just as I was about to enter Milan, I was almost tempted to drive up to Toulon in the south of France but that was another 400 kms and I still only have 300 euros and $1k AUD and no pin number for my firkin debit Visa (mental note don’t travel without a Credit card and a back up card…even when carrying sufficient catch. So I got to the Hotel Alessandro and thank fuk for Babel Fish to translate to the guy behind the counter…
How do I describe this place that I was intending to spend my last couple of days in, umm a shit hole and its only redeeming factor is they have broadband internet in the rooms…so I decided, stay put tonight and visit the sites tomorrow after staying in no less than four star for my last night in Italy… and with that started searching the web ad swore that I will read all reviews…
It came down to three hotels…the first was ranked number one on Trip finder sadly it was sold out…the second which was my favourite had very poor reviews so I decided not to and the third was ranked number 3 on trip finder, and the deluxe rooms were reasonably priced albeit a little out of town (5 tube stops from Duomo) and so it was the Crown Plaza.
Now I needed food and the pathetic place I was in which I might add felt like a prison cell with big iron gates and screen shutters on all windows (which was a little disconcerting to say the least) once I walked out of there it was not hard to understand why…I was in the ghettos of Milan and walking down the street trying to find a place to get food I had two sensations:
1. I needed to keep my fists at the level of my eyes
2. I was grateful I had typhoid and hep shots before I flew out…
Trust me its no exaggeration and the place wasn’t cheap either…
I quickly picked my Pizza and got back behind the iron gate fortress… bought two beers at the reception and went back to my room…Gladly I slept soundly that was until the dick head from night shift and his skanky gf decided to see how much noise they can make in the halls downstairs and test every fukn door…to the point where at 1:00 am I had to go downstairs to show them my bearded fukd off face to ensure they see that the are at least annoying me…it must’ve worked because there was only one more door slam after that and I am guessing that was them locking themselves and barracking themselves in a room. It pays sometimes having a rough head like I do ;-)
And so was my second last night and in the morning I couldn’t wait to leave. And if nothing else I got to update the blog and upload some more photos.
Day 24 11th May 2011
After last night’s adventure, I was well and truly rooted and not looking forward to a cross-country trek by any stretch of any imagination, least of all mine. The trek was from Cinque Terre to Venice (370 kms to be precise)…but I was going to anyway…
I started the morning with brekky and a walk on the beach and a few more snaps and then was on my way.
I think what I am doing is crazy and I promised myself I will have a break somewhere soon, but for now gotta hit the road Jack.
Even with all the sleep the trek is a hard one and it takes me a while to get across the country albeit that total trip is less what I drove last night alone…I think I am also getting worn out by all the driving and my old age is clearly showing through…I am no longer in my teens or twenties, hell I am in my twilight 30’s and I need to slow down. Slow down is not what I do best so I persisted on the road to points of exhaustion and then pull over in a rest area…sleep and wake and keep going. Now here is something for fellow travellers, blog readers who intend to travel to Venice…The GPS is rooted…so unless you have one of those James Bond aqua cars leave the car on the west side before crossing the bridge…There is a car park and a bus stop across the road that will take you to the Piazzo Roma where you can walk or get a ferry to be in Venice…Which the stupid GPS did not advise…Mental note for the next trip anywhere…Read up and learn.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/venice
Now I am not sure if its because I am beyond exhaustion but I decided that I am over hostels and picked the Rialto Hotel which is a nice Hotel right in the heart of Venice to stay…I didn’t pay full fare so I got the cubby house room but it was clean and tidy with a good bed and I needed sleep.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187870-d205795-Reviews-Hotel_Rialto_Venezia-Venice_Veneto.html
I think I probably tipped going in and out of that hotel the fee of a Hostel room not to mention I probably paid 5 times the price of the room for my little room…But if I had any doubt about whether the best room in a Hostel or the worst room in a Hotel…well they are about the same actually…except the worst room in a Hotel will still provide you with comforts and I didn’t realise that till the next day.
I slept for four hours, woke up showered and decided to go walkies in town.
Venice is a beautiful city but its not Florence and somewhere the canals really stink…I should’ve explored more but I am just getting through seeing the sites and now I am just getting over playing tourist and took a few snaps and my favourite was just walking in circles at a point to a dead end and seeing th building Campiello Michiel (my bestie name is Michelle Campbell) so it was kind of cool.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150181229425983&set=a.10150177860395983.303234.615980982&type=1&theater
Had dinner about midnight and Pizza & Ice cream diet with little running training is ruining my training and will have to now get back in the gym when I get back.
I slept and early woke to walk again but not before I got a five star start with breakfast…Oh how I missed that ☺
I started the morning with brekky and a walk on the beach and a few more snaps and then was on my way.
I think what I am doing is crazy and I promised myself I will have a break somewhere soon, but for now gotta hit the road Jack.
Even with all the sleep the trek is a hard one and it takes me a while to get across the country albeit that total trip is less what I drove last night alone…I think I am also getting worn out by all the driving and my old age is clearly showing through…I am no longer in my teens or twenties, hell I am in my twilight 30’s and I need to slow down. Slow down is not what I do best so I persisted on the road to points of exhaustion and then pull over in a rest area…sleep and wake and keep going. Now here is something for fellow travellers, blog readers who intend to travel to Venice…The GPS is rooted…so unless you have one of those James Bond aqua cars leave the car on the west side before crossing the bridge…There is a car park and a bus stop across the road that will take you to the Piazzo Roma where you can walk or get a ferry to be in Venice…Which the stupid GPS did not advise…Mental note for the next trip anywhere…Read up and learn.
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/venice
Now I am not sure if its because I am beyond exhaustion but I decided that I am over hostels and picked the Rialto Hotel which is a nice Hotel right in the heart of Venice to stay…I didn’t pay full fare so I got the cubby house room but it was clean and tidy with a good bed and I needed sleep.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g187870-d205795-Reviews-Hotel_Rialto_Venezia-Venice_Veneto.html
I think I probably tipped going in and out of that hotel the fee of a Hostel room not to mention I probably paid 5 times the price of the room for my little room…But if I had any doubt about whether the best room in a Hostel or the worst room in a Hotel…well they are about the same actually…except the worst room in a Hotel will still provide you with comforts and I didn’t realise that till the next day.
I slept for four hours, woke up showered and decided to go walkies in town.
Venice is a beautiful city but its not Florence and somewhere the canals really stink…I should’ve explored more but I am just getting through seeing the sites and now I am just getting over playing tourist and took a few snaps and my favourite was just walking in circles at a point to a dead end and seeing th building Campiello Michiel (my bestie name is Michelle Campbell) so it was kind of cool.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150181229425983&set=a.10150177860395983.303234.615980982&type=1&theater
Had dinner about midnight and Pizza & Ice cream diet with little running training is ruining my training and will have to now get back in the gym when I get back.
I slept and early woke to walk again but not before I got a five star start with breakfast…Oh how I missed that ☺
Day 23 10th May 2011
After a long long walk, I slept in…I woke up at 8:30 and its weird but I was by myself in a nice room and that felt good…I didn’t worry about the noise (that I am not making), the tardy state of the room or the fact that I have all devices charging and photos downloading. It is a little lonely to be in a beautiful city and not share that with someone, but I am ok with that as well.
I was going to head-out and add to my photos from last night…Asking reception what was the light perched on the hills that lit up the city last night and she advised it was Michael Angelo’s palace…so I walked around town for an hour or so and saw all the crazy frenzied tourists shuffling to every site in town and I decided not for me and headed back to get the car and head to MA Palace high up on the city…Well, the 5 kms trek was well worth it…the views were even more spectacular Oh and I was also blessed with another car park. I think car parking is my thing, if there is ever a need for a career change I will park cars for a living…not much different from what I do now really ☺
Took many snaps and even tried my tripod and took some good shots (you have to take my word for it as I deleted the 100 or so pictures I took…don’t ask it was a moment of madness when I was after 3 weeks wanting to set the right time zone on my camera ☺…well, now you have to go and see it for yourself.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2783552-piazzale_michelangelo_florence-i
I then headed out to Pisa and yes as per the last paragraph had lost about an hour’s shooting but luckily, I hadn’t climbed Pisa yet and hence it was a minor loss and snapped away up there and a couple when I got back down.
http://www.italyguides.it/us/pisa/pisa_italy.htm
I am still pondering the decision about Cinque terra but decided to wait for a sign… it didn’t take long and it came in the form of Stephanie posting on my FB wall to try a restaurant in Cinque Terre and decided, ok this is something I am destined to do.
Now for the believers out there and I don’t mean a sectarian belief but just general belief in something other than themselves, something weird really happened to me…I am going to refer to them as “my guides”. When I got back in the car a few events took place that were out of the ordinary…Not X-files material but extraordinary not to mention…
1. I typed Cinque Terre into the GPS (it displayed about 150 kms away about what I thought it would be)
2. My seat belt buckle just wouldn’t click in and I tried a few times (more than 3 times to the point I had to get out of the car to see what’s the matter
3. The car refused to start on the first two turns
Now I sensed that my guides did not want me to head that way at all…I know paranoid schizophrenia must seem a logical explanation, but seriously I felt all weird-ed out. Being a stubborn ass (I have been called that before) I insisted I am heading to Cinque Terre no matter what… and I drove off following the navigation.
http://www.google.com/search?q=cinque+terre&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsm&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=JczSTdDvCYvEvQOkicW6DQ&ved=0CEMQsAQ&biw=1275&bih=621
The photos from Shireen showed a coast line and the GPS was leading me into up the mountain…so I decided to do the manly thing and stopped and asked for directions…the response was in Italian but understood enough that I am heading in the wrong direction and turned left and right without having any clear understanding to where and the damn GPS voice saying “recalculating” every minute or so as I am not following any of its instructions.
Luckily, I found an information tourist kiosk and pulled over for a second opinion (who says men don’t ask for directions…Urban myth I tell ya). Side point but did I mention how impressed I am by multi lingual people. The couple in front of me were French and the girl (ok she was about 25 but too young for me to call her a lady albeit she looked nice and proper) and she spoke to them in French and then started speaking to me in Italain and then assumed I am Spanish so started speaking in Spanish and when I closed my mouth to stop letting the flies in and asked her if she spoke English, she just replied “sure” and yes I was heading in the wrong direction (not for the first or last time this day) and she guided me towards La Spezia and to my delight that was only 110 kms away…so no real time lost…
I started driving there and when I got there, just not to be outdone, every major street leading to the main strip was blocked off…Another sign…ummm you decide but wait there is more…I have probably tried at least 4 B&Bs and none would take me and they kept pointing me to the Hostel which I never was able to find…and the snobby Garvin does not track Hostels…so my spirit was dampening and when I put Steph’s restaurant in the Garmin t was another 60 Kms nth west and Venice is East…so bugger it I just stopped, parked the car and went into the local for a cold one. Speaking to the publican he pointed me to two B&Bs and then said go to the next one because they are nicer…excellent, finally getting somewhere…finished my drink and drove to the place he indicated and viola accommodation sorted just like he said…freshened up and got dressed and off to Steph’s restaurant I was heading…the reviews on all websites was this restaurant is superb and a must…not that I didn’t trust Steph’s judgement ☺
It was 50 kms away and I really wanted to get a few more Tuscan sunset photos and I was on my way…
Now if ever you need to have a horror story about GPS going mad…bookmark this page.
Now by this stage in the trip I had managed to navigate over 2000 kms in foreign lands, find Hostels in alleys in Seville, Lisbon…Climb and find a hotel in a tight climb in Alhambra, navigated my way in and out of Valencia…but I really now know why I wasn’t meant to travel to Cinque Terre, its because I was going to be LOST…400 kms lost…with no credit card so better not run out of fuel and severe language impediment…about 10 kms out of the destination I was following ‘’GPS” instructs when all of a sudden I was climbing a one and a half lane wide road, leading to the most spectacular scenery ever…
Needless to say, I am a stubborn ass and insisted on getting to this restaurant which by now the GPS put at 80 kms away after 2hrs of driving and getting back to the hotel was only 50 kms away in the opposite direction… no matter, went for it anyway…when I got there I was exhausted to say the least but as soon as I walked into the door I figured I am not at the right place and the cuisine presented proved my worst fears…by this stage its 11:00 pm and I have been on the road since 10 am and maybe should have stayed where the hell I was…
This is where I was meant to be but nowhere near it
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187821-d1372485-Reviews-IL_Grottino-Riomaggiore_Cinque_Terre_Italian_Riviera.html
No, I decided to get back to my BnB and by this stage I am clearly instructed and my lesson taught to just stop and listen. The trip home consisted of a 3 * 40 km trek up and down the highway, I know that because I paid toll at three different gates and I was not going to stop and ask for directions because the only people on the street were Ho(s) and it was something I wasn’t willing to chalk up as an experience nor did I think my Italian or whatever language they were to dialect in was going to matter too much.
I did make it back but it was after trekking another 180 kms and was back by 1:00 am…in my cheer exhaustion, I slept.
I was going to head-out and add to my photos from last night…Asking reception what was the light perched on the hills that lit up the city last night and she advised it was Michael Angelo’s palace…so I walked around town for an hour or so and saw all the crazy frenzied tourists shuffling to every site in town and I decided not for me and headed back to get the car and head to MA Palace high up on the city…Well, the 5 kms trek was well worth it…the views were even more spectacular Oh and I was also blessed with another car park. I think car parking is my thing, if there is ever a need for a career change I will park cars for a living…not much different from what I do now really ☺
Took many snaps and even tried my tripod and took some good shots (you have to take my word for it as I deleted the 100 or so pictures I took…don’t ask it was a moment of madness when I was after 3 weeks wanting to set the right time zone on my camera ☺…well, now you have to go and see it for yourself.
http://travel.yahoo.com/p-travelguide-2783552-piazzale_michelangelo_florence-i
I then headed out to Pisa and yes as per the last paragraph had lost about an hour’s shooting but luckily, I hadn’t climbed Pisa yet and hence it was a minor loss and snapped away up there and a couple when I got back down.
http://www.italyguides.it/us/pisa/pisa_italy.htm
I am still pondering the decision about Cinque terra but decided to wait for a sign… it didn’t take long and it came in the form of Stephanie posting on my FB wall to try a restaurant in Cinque Terre and decided, ok this is something I am destined to do.
Now for the believers out there and I don’t mean a sectarian belief but just general belief in something other than themselves, something weird really happened to me…I am going to refer to them as “my guides”. When I got back in the car a few events took place that were out of the ordinary…Not X-files material but extraordinary not to mention…
1. I typed Cinque Terre into the GPS (it displayed about 150 kms away about what I thought it would be)
2. My seat belt buckle just wouldn’t click in and I tried a few times (more than 3 times to the point I had to get out of the car to see what’s the matter
3. The car refused to start on the first two turns
Now I sensed that my guides did not want me to head that way at all…I know paranoid schizophrenia must seem a logical explanation, but seriously I felt all weird-ed out. Being a stubborn ass (I have been called that before) I insisted I am heading to Cinque Terre no matter what… and I drove off following the navigation.
http://www.google.com/search?q=cinque+terre&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=ivnsm&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=JczSTdDvCYvEvQOkicW6DQ&ved=0CEMQsAQ&biw=1275&bih=621
The photos from Shireen showed a coast line and the GPS was leading me into up the mountain…so I decided to do the manly thing and stopped and asked for directions…the response was in Italian but understood enough that I am heading in the wrong direction and turned left and right without having any clear understanding to where and the damn GPS voice saying “recalculating” every minute or so as I am not following any of its instructions.
Luckily, I found an information tourist kiosk and pulled over for a second opinion (who says men don’t ask for directions…Urban myth I tell ya). Side point but did I mention how impressed I am by multi lingual people. The couple in front of me were French and the girl (ok she was about 25 but too young for me to call her a lady albeit she looked nice and proper) and she spoke to them in French and then started speaking to me in Italain and then assumed I am Spanish so started speaking in Spanish and when I closed my mouth to stop letting the flies in and asked her if she spoke English, she just replied “sure” and yes I was heading in the wrong direction (not for the first or last time this day) and she guided me towards La Spezia and to my delight that was only 110 kms away…so no real time lost…
I started driving there and when I got there, just not to be outdone, every major street leading to the main strip was blocked off…Another sign…ummm you decide but wait there is more…I have probably tried at least 4 B&Bs and none would take me and they kept pointing me to the Hostel which I never was able to find…and the snobby Garvin does not track Hostels…so my spirit was dampening and when I put Steph’s restaurant in the Garmin t was another 60 Kms nth west and Venice is East…so bugger it I just stopped, parked the car and went into the local for a cold one. Speaking to the publican he pointed me to two B&Bs and then said go to the next one because they are nicer…excellent, finally getting somewhere…finished my drink and drove to the place he indicated and viola accommodation sorted just like he said…freshened up and got dressed and off to Steph’s restaurant I was heading…the reviews on all websites was this restaurant is superb and a must…not that I didn’t trust Steph’s judgement ☺
It was 50 kms away and I really wanted to get a few more Tuscan sunset photos and I was on my way…
Now if ever you need to have a horror story about GPS going mad…bookmark this page.
Now by this stage in the trip I had managed to navigate over 2000 kms in foreign lands, find Hostels in alleys in Seville, Lisbon…Climb and find a hotel in a tight climb in Alhambra, navigated my way in and out of Valencia…but I really now know why I wasn’t meant to travel to Cinque Terre, its because I was going to be LOST…400 kms lost…with no credit card so better not run out of fuel and severe language impediment…about 10 kms out of the destination I was following ‘’GPS” instructs when all of a sudden I was climbing a one and a half lane wide road, leading to the most spectacular scenery ever…
Needless to say, I am a stubborn ass and insisted on getting to this restaurant which by now the GPS put at 80 kms away after 2hrs of driving and getting back to the hotel was only 50 kms away in the opposite direction… no matter, went for it anyway…when I got there I was exhausted to say the least but as soon as I walked into the door I figured I am not at the right place and the cuisine presented proved my worst fears…by this stage its 11:00 pm and I have been on the road since 10 am and maybe should have stayed where the hell I was…
This is where I was meant to be but nowhere near it
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187821-d1372485-Reviews-IL_Grottino-Riomaggiore_Cinque_Terre_Italian_Riviera.html
No, I decided to get back to my BnB and by this stage I am clearly instructed and my lesson taught to just stop and listen. The trip home consisted of a 3 * 40 km trek up and down the highway, I know that because I paid toll at three different gates and I was not going to stop and ask for directions because the only people on the street were Ho(s) and it was something I wasn’t willing to chalk up as an experience nor did I think my Italian or whatever language they were to dialect in was going to matter too much.
I did make it back but it was after trekking another 180 kms and was back by 1:00 am…in my cheer exhaustion, I slept.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)