Look up! Look waaaay up! That is where Castelmola is from Taormina. Of course, the only rational choice was to take a taxi.
Castelmola on the left, Taormina on the right.
Feels like the very top of the world
That’s Mt. Etna with the cloud on top.Taormina down below
There are the remains of a wall from the Hellenic period. Probably a good choice strategy-wise, but a helluva slog to bring up supplies.
It’s a tiny village, with a few shops and more restaurants. Main claim to fame is the Turrisi Penis Bar.
Joan and I did some window shopping and some real shopping, and here is where we found the men (one of whom is trying not to be found yet):
A fabulous little car and a cute little girl later, and we headed back down the hill.
How do you say, “We’re in Italy” without saying a word?
A little lunch and then it was time to head back to our hotel for a little siesta.
Another day, another wedding . . .
And more beautiful people
Definitely drinks at our roof top bar
Mt. Etna made a brief appearanceCheck out my new earrings!
Two pizza, a bottle of wine and four gelatos later, we are ready to pack it in. Tomorrow we have a reservation at the resort made famous by the White Lotus series. 40 euro pizza – can’t wait.
After a bit of a rough introduction to the island yesterday, today was a wonderful surprise. Taormina is absolutely gorgeous. Colourful and beautiful people crowding the streets, stores brimming with unusual (and kitschy) wares, and so many places to get gelato, freshly made pistachio brittle, granita,wine, beer, chocolate – pretty much anything you could desire. And the clothes . . . Oh the clothes . . .
This outfit is only 7,000 euros
Not to mention ridiculously impractical – but exquisite – handmade baby items. A looky loo’s dream streets.
Check out the street vacuum:
We checked out a few churches while following Rick Steves’ walking route.
Stay tuned for the photo shop version of this after I get home – featuring Don as baby Jesus
We followed the route and made it to all but the acropolis before we decided that it was time for lunch,
Eggplant parmigiana
Definitely time for a siesta before carrying on with our sightseeing.
Then it was on to the ancient acropolis and all the sites along the way.
Waiting for the Bride & Groom
Finally, we made it to the ancient acropolis and it didn’t disappoint.
Joan captured this amazing shotThe bride and groom finally emerged . . . To great fanfareLooks like there was a second wedding going on at a different churchHis Mom is making him do itYes please!
So that’s it for – I’m going to call it Day 1 in Sicilia (“Sichilia”) because I would very much like to forget yesterday.
Sicily here we come! Only an hour’s drive to return the car, a shuttle to the airport, two flights and another shuttle before we get to our next destination – Taormina.
We needed to leave Greve by 7:00 am in order to have time to return our car and for Tina and Dave to check in for their 9:45 flight to Munich. Sounded early the night before, but at 5:00 am I was wide awake anyway, so that made it easier. Maybe all that wine last night helped, but I had a pretty good sleep.
So off we went, a few minutes before 7 and made it to the car rental place with only one wrong turn just before the end.
We were there in plenty of time, said our good-byes to our dear friends, and then Don and I had no trouble boarding our first flight with our overweight carry ons and two massive “personal items”. Even though, when we were waiting near a different gate, I saw several people made to check their items and be charged 65 euros to boot. I think it is very much up to the discretion of the flight attendants at the gate. Our lady didn’t seem too bothered.
That small kindness really helped us at our Rome connection, because then all we had to do was move from the gate we arrived at to the gate we were departing from without further ado. Which we did. And grabbed two amazing paninis on the way to eat later, since both of our puddle jumpers have no food service. Best airport sandwiches we have ever had – prociutto cotto e fromaggio.
We eventually boarded our flight to Catania, Sicily and are currently in the air as I am typing this part of the blog. We can hardly wait to land, grab the shuttle to Taormina, and meet up with our friends Joan and Mike, who are waiting for us at our hotel there.
We are definitely looking forward to four blissful days of no planes, trains, busses or automobiles.
As we were hurrying up and waiting for the second time today, we decided that future travel is not going to include connections on the same day. Wherever we land first, that is where we are going to stay. For at least three days. Then, we will try to plan a minimal amount of moving from one place to another for the balance of the trip. It’s just not that fun anymore. Though I do still get a thrill when we finally take off and are on our way.
Not a lot of leg room anymoreFirst glimpse of SicilyReally?The welcoming committee – a sight for sore eyes!!Don, not following the instructions to look as bedraggled as we feltThe view from the rooftop bar of our hotel
After a bit of a rough start (I think Tina and Dave probably made it home before we got to Taormina), I think Sicily might be starting to grow on us. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
Last day in Italy for the four of us together. Early tomorrow, Don and I head for Sicily and Tina and Dave head for home. We have loved having this gift of time together to wander and chat and just be together without having to rush home or take care of business elsewhere.
This morning we took care of some last minute shopping and an early last lunch before heading back to our place to pack. Our hostess popped by and left us each a beautiful dish cloth as a thank you gift.
Don wanted to bring this pizza box home. Sorry, a photo will have to do.
Meeting up with Don’s family in Greve for dinner at a favourite pizza place was such a great way to end the Tuscany part of our trip.
It was an early start today – off to Siena to see the famous cathedral and the Piazza Campo, where they hold the famous Palio horse races. Not a lot to write about – I will let the images of the cathedral and the Piccolomini Library speak for themselves.
Funny story about this painting. Don and I are standing there, admiring it, when he leans in and says, “I wonder who that guy was?”. I look at him for a moment and said, “Are you kidding?”. “No”. I pulled out his ear and whispered, “it’s Jesus Crist”. “Oh” he said, looking for carefully and not quite believing me.
The Piccolomini LibraryPiazza Il Campo
Then it was off to the Il Campo Piazza for a bit of lunch before heading home. Pretty much our first sandwich in two weeks!
Then it was off home for a well-earned siesta, charcuterie dinner on the patio, and off for an early night. Tomorrow will be our last full day together with Tina and Dave here in Italy, so our only plans so far are to chill, do some shopping here in Greve, and meet up with Don’s siblings for dinner (long story).
It has only taken us 4 days to figure out how to open the door to our apartment. There is a key, the likes of which we have never seen before, and it is finicky. Very finicky. Though Don has now mastered the technique. As long as we don’t lose Don tomorrow in Siena, we should be okay.
All this before breakfast – check out the view to start our morning off in the best possible way.
Then it’s off to Panzano for a bit of wandering and exploring.
On our way up to the church at the top of the hill we happened upon an art exhibition in a beautiful garden. We even got to cast our votes for our favourite piece of art. Each of us chose a different one (of course).
On to the church, where we promptly got kicked out because mass was starting.
We headed back down to our car via the back lanes – with their magnificent views over the Tuscan countryside.
Don – friendly Canadian tour guide . . .
We actually did hit the Panzano Wine Festival, but weren’t ready to taste a bunch of wine. Just yet. . .
Had to check out the famous Butcher of Panzano – holding court as always.
Back to Greve for a trip to the grocery store for some healthy food for lunch and dinner at home today. We tried, we really did. Unfortunately the Co-op is closed on Sundays, and there is only one. Too bad – so sad.
Tina and Dave headed back to our place for a swim and a siesta, while Don and I (after parking the car back at home) headed to Enoteca Il Falorni, which is the most wonderful place where you can purchase a taste, a half glass or a whole glass of almost any wine you can imagine. Don was in heaven.
Of course, we needed some food to soak up all those little tasters.
So good. Such a lovely way to spend the afternoon. And just a few hours later, it was time for dinner!
Lemon risotto – mwah!!Tiramisu – double chef’s kiss
So anyhoo – those were today’s adventures. I can hardly wait to see what tomorrow brings!
We entered the breakfast room at Casale le Masse to a returning hero’s welcome. Big hugs from Stefania and a warm smile from her assistant, who makes the breakfast eggs and special coffees. These two ladies put on an amazing spread to start the day.
Then we were off on a little trek up the hill to the tiny village of Montefioralle. It is a really beautiful walk up there through vineyards and above the houses of Greve.
The first look is very inviting:
Montefioralle
Tiny circular lanes lead you deep into the village. We were there pretty early, so not too many other people around at all.
Wood carver at work
This fellow was working in his tiny gallery and he kindly allowed me to take his photo. It is definitely my favourite photo of the day.
Our walk back to our little apartmento is just a full on Tuscan experience. Check out this little villa across the valley from our place:
Back home Don sat by the window and just enjoyed being back where we love to be.
This the main piazza in Greve – with a statue of some famous guy.
Greve in Chianti main piazza
Then it was off to our favourite restaurant in the world, Il Ristoro di Lamole. I think we have been here five or six times now. We found it totally by accident on our first trip to Tuscany in 2009 and have been in love ever since.
Apparently all these amazing sculptures have been created by Boris, the waiter.
Ristoro di Lamole, high in the hills of Tuscany
The complimentary limoncello is a perfect end to the perfect meal. I told Fillipo that after experiencing it there for the first time, I have been making my own and it is almost as good. To which he replied, “I don’t think so, my Mamma makes this one!”. Well, I can’t compete with that, can I!?! Or the ripe Italian lemons. But it’s close . . .
Fillipo has served us every time we have come here – about 5 times since 2009
Here is the fruit we bought for breakfast in our apartment tomorrow.
Because our wifi was out for a couple of days due to a storm, you are getting a two-fer in this blog. Saturday morning we headed out for San Gimignano.
San Gimignano
With a stop for cappuccino – as you do.
Piccolo beers!Mandatory Gelato from #1 Gelato in the World (self proclaimed)Aerial View (not my photo!)
Back to Greve in time for dinner and a nightcap.
On our walk home down the country lanes, we saw a gaggle of wild boars. They were foraging in the vineyard and took off as soon as they heard us coming. That was exciting!!
It is a wonderful feeling when you want to cancel the day’s plans, and your travel companions were all thinking the same thing! So a unanimous decision was made to have a lazy day, a delicious nap and ready ourselves for our booked concert at 7:00 pm in an old chapel in Vernazza.
Don and I eventually wandered down to our village of Riomaggiore for a few last shots, a pizza, and some quality people watching time.
When we arrived back at our little apartment to find Lorenza waiting for us, with a bottle of Prosecco and some delicious aperitivos. We immediately cancelled dinner plans in favour of a sumptuous feast of savoury treats and bubbly.
Then it was time to get the train to Vernazza for our concert. There was a little confusion as to exactly where the concert was to be held. We knew it was behind the church, but that was a bit of a maze in itself. I saw a guy come out of a private gate and asked, in my best Italian, I said, “una demanda, dove sanctuario s.s. Trinita?” (a question, where is the” etc. And he replied, “I don’t know, that’s what I am looking for too!”. So we added one more to our parade.
We headed up to where we thought it should be, but that building was closed up tight and didn’t look promising. There were three young people standing nearby, so we asked them and they said that they were looking for the concert too. Maps were consulted. So we added three more to our parade.
Finally, a young man and woman climbed the stairs to where we were standing, the young man holding a big set of keys. Aha! “Concerto?” – “Si!”
He was the pianist and she was the vocalist and they were ready to perform.
Such a beautiful location and amazing acoustics. Even Don enjoyed his hour of opera.
We headed back to our place to pack up and get ready to leave early the next morning.
All went according to plan, and we even made our 5 minute train connection enroute to Florence. This lady had a small dog in her designer purse:
We got to the car rental place without incident, except that the clerk insisted that our reserved rental was for 4:00 and it was only 1:00, so we would have to wait 3 hours. The only alternative was to take a larger car and pay more for the daily rate, but I overruled Don on waiting and okayed the big car and a few extra bucks on the final tab.
Only one more toll booth between us and paradise:
We arrived at Casale le Masse and found our little apartment – it is a jewel!
We were all starving, having not had an opportunity for lunch, so we dropped our bags and headed down to the Greve town square for a bite to eat. So for your viewing pleasure, here is a little more Italian food porn – it was so good!
A quick stop at the wine store and we braved the elements to walk back up the hill to our little apartmento, where our super-considerate hostess had stocked our fridge with dessert for our travel day.
For the first time in many years, the walking trail that follows the cliff side from Riomaggiore to Manarola is open to the public. Closed due to a landslide since 2012 and restoration only completed this year, we had never walked this trail. So that was our main objective for today – walk the trail from Riomaggiore to Manarola, and explore the village of Manarola for the rest of the day.
We enjoyed the walk and headed into Manarola.
Tomatoes!!
At the top of the village is a wonderful church, and on one outside wall was the cross of the Knights Templar over a long forgotten entrance.
Time for an Aperol Spritz.
The crowds were oppressive, but Manarola was as picturesque as ever.
You can’t help but feel the romance when you’re here.
Down to the harbour and up to try to get in to one of the coolest restaurants in the Cinque Terre, the Nessun Dorma.
This s is the restaurant’s basil garden
Alas, it turned out that the restaurant was closed today and we had to go to plan B, which wouldn’t have been so bad if we hadn’t stood in the hot sun for fourth-five minutes , waiting for the final word about Nessun Dorma.. Which was “we are really closed”. This is the view
Plan B entailed getting a train back to Riomaggiore and having dinner at a cliff side place there, with almost as good a view, sans quaint buildings.
Our spirits restored, we headed home, with a small detour for gelato, and are all now enjoying some quiet time after the most glorious sunset. Tomorrow we take the ferry – the water gods willing – to Monterosso, say hi to the Gigante statue, have a swim, and later take in a concert in Vernazza. Should be a fun last day in the Cinque Terre.
So overnight the day we arrived the most terrific thunder and lightning storm rolled in and it was amazing. We were all up (hard to stay sleeping), watching the thunder gods do their thing in the most dramatic way. Delivering some much needed rain to this area. All in one go.
Needless to say, this was going to be an inside day for us four, and none of us minded a bit.
I had a warning from one of my Facebook pages about the storm and that here in the CT, they have learned from the past floods and now close down not only the trails, but also any stores that do not have a back entrance, which is most of them. In about 2012, Vernazza was decimated and lives were lost as massive amounts of water, mud and debris washed down the tiny street from top to bottom, with some shop owners being trapped and killed in their shops. So they take these weather warnings very seriously, as they should.
Forewarned, the night before we had armed ourselves with some meats, cheeses, tomatoes, burratas, and wine so that we would be able to hunker down happily.
Our homemade dinner
We played cards and listened to the rain until bedtime.
This morning, the sun was out and all was well with the world.
Mornings at Casa Lorenza always start with a cheery note under the door, announcing that breakfast had been left for us just outside our door.
Good Morning! I wish you a beautiful day . . .Riomaggiore harbour
Then it was off to Vernazza. We had planned to take the ferry, but due to continuing high winds, all ferries were cancelled today. No worries, the train is good too.
Down the narrow, winding road to the harbour – it is just as spectacular as we remember.
We stopped for a couple of must have shots and a quick drink (juice for three of us, beer for one – at 10:30 am!) and then headed up to the first 15 minutes of the hike between Vernazza and Monterosso for the money shot.
Here are a couple of wandering the back streets shots:
Time for lunch! We headed to the Cafe Luca, the closest place to the waterfront. The food and service were spectacular, and the crashing waves were over the top. Literally.
Our waiter’s name was Michael(eh), and when our order was easy, Dave remarked, “See, we’re easy!”, to which he replied, “I am too!”. Now we’re old friends.
Check out these meals:
This lasagne doesn’t look like much, but it was amazingPerfecto!
Yum, yum and yummer.
Before we left from home, there was one thing I really wanted to do, and that was to visit a wonderful little morning restaurant that we had found in upper Vernazza (where tourists rarely go), called Il Pirati. In 2007, when we were last there, it was owned by Sicilian twin brothers, one of whom was a pastry chef. At that time, I got this photo of one of the brothers and myself:
Today, I got a photo with the self-proclaimed “better looking brother” and presented him with a copy of the other one.
He was thrilled and the other employees crowded around to see him from the olden days. Then they served us the most magnificent dessert and iced coffees.
Get a napkin, because you are going to drool.
Cannoli with pistachio cream and panna cotta with fresh berriesHappy, happy campers
With full tummies and happy hearts, we all headed back to our little slice of heaven for some serious quiet time.
The only plan for the rest of the evening is to have a light supper at our place, drink some more wine, and a rematch on the gin rummy game. Oh yeah – and watch the sun go down over the Ligurian Sea (not the Adriatic – I stand corrected!).
Travel Day! Today we took the train from Florence (which station was conveniently just a ten minute walk around the corner) to Riomaggiore in the Cinque Terre.
We had one last go around (make that three for Dave) at the breakfast buffet. I thought it might be interesting to compare breakfast plates.
Then we said good-bye to our lovely Hotel Croce di Malta and set off, bright eyed and bushy tailed (as one usually does, in the beginning).
There were some train station shenanigans while we waited:
We saw the Carrera marble mountains as we whizzed by:
Unfortunately our train was a bit late arriving at our connection station and we found our travel mates, all of us wearing the same confused expression and wandering aimlessly looking for someone to ask which other train would stop at our tiny village of Riomaggiore (many don’t). Someone else managed to find a guy who looked like security. He knew which train and he spoke a bit of English, so of course I eavesdropped like the veteran traveller I am and lead my little crew and our luggage to the new platform to await the new train.
There was a very suspicious-looking guy just lounging against a waiting train, and even though it was 20 minutes before our train was due to leave, he was telling everyone that this was indeed the right train. I believed him . . . Thousands wouldn’t (as my Grandad used to say).
Turned out he was right, and it was indeed our train. So we all got to where we were going in the end.
Heaven.
Lorenza greeted us with smiles, hugs, beer and snacks – such a warm welcome every time.
Don is in his happy place:
After much needed siestas, we headed out for dinner, so back by request – a little Italian food porn:
So today’s plan was “no plan”. I do love those kinds of days. Our friends were off to an early start at the Uffizi Galleries, so Don and I took the opportunity to sleep in, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, and just wander around for most of the day. We checked out the train station for tomorrow’s journey and it is only an 11 minute walk from our hotel, which was a nice surprise. Then we headed towards our favourite piazza for people watching – the Piazza Della Signoria.
Got a cold beer for a hot day from this guy, and just enjoyed the passing parade.
Florence is very dog friendly, and we even saw three or four wiener dogs. There are lots of babies and toddlers here too – not really looking all that happy in the heat. Unless they are getting a ride on the merry go round – then it’s ok.
Here are a few photos from our wanderings:
As we headed back to our hotel for a swim and siesta, I spotted something shiny on the road just by the edge of the sidewalk. After looking around for a gypsy (we know the ring trick!) and seeing no other people around us, I picked it up and it turned out to be a Prada bracelet. Then I really did look around, to see if there were any expensive looking women near by – but there was no one at all. This is a pretty terrible photo of it, but it’s really cool and I guess it’s mine now, until the magnetic clasp fails again and it gets a new owner.
Lucky me! We immediately googled it and a used one is going for almost $400.
We had a reservation for 7:00, so the four of us headed out again and managed to see this Korean couple having a photoshoot in full traditional dress:
And the lighting was just right for a couple of old couples to get a romantic portrait too.
One last pick of the carousel and it’s off to enjoy one last drink on our rooftop terrace. Arrivederci Florence – we will undoubtedly meet again.
Part of the fun of travel is finding treasures and beautiful things along the way – you know – how life happens when you are making a “plan”? Today the plan was to walk up to the Piazzale Michelangelo, shaking off the cobwebs and taking in the amazing view of Florence from high atop a hill. Don and I have walked up there several times before, but never in this heat. (31 degrees +).
Anyway, we were ambitious (in the beginning), but also making lots of peekaboo stops along the way, just to check out the things we were seeing.
So many beautiful sights along the way.
Basilica di San Trinita
The clothes in the windows are to die for. If only we had a ball to attend . . .
Our travel partners in crime for the next two weeks, Tina and Dave
Finally we make it to the Ponte Vecchio – gotta get the money shot!
Also saw some beautiful politzia guys
We still have to get across the Ponte Vecchio, which is like running the gauntlet for any jewelry lover, whether you are in the market or not. Needless to say, it took a while to get to the other side.
Though completely bored with our window shopping, Don managed to find a wine store and got to tell Tina all about whatever was in the window.
Having managed to tear ourselves away from the wine and the jewelry, we all decided we needed a break before tackling the hill up to the Piazzale. Our first Aperol spritzes! And a little box of nibbles at Signorvino’s on the altrarno (other side of the Arno River).
After which we all agreed that we didn’t want to walk up the hill to the top and took a taxi that was conveniently parked right outside the restaurant! Yay!
There is a church called San Miniato al Monte (“on the hill”) above the Piazzale, and we got dropped off there. It is a gorgeous church, surrounded by a wondrously huge cemetery. The church was closed for lunch by then (as they do), but we really enjoyed checking out the amazing statutes and crypts. Here are a few pics from that – I think maybe we should go back to these amazing monuments for the people we love. I want a giant angel with wings on mine (David, Cam please take note . . .).
Iconic shot of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo
The walk down the hill, through rose gardens and past a still-standing portion of the original wall that surrounded Florence, was thoroughly enjoyable.
After a siesta and dinner at a place recommended by Tina and Dave’s cab driver from the airport – which could have gone either way, but was actually really good food – we retired to our rooftop lounge for a nightcap.
Tina and I noticed this amazing little place with its lit balcony – this could definitely be our home away from home (ideally for a few months) the next time we come to Florence.
Today’s objective is to make our timed entry to the Accademia to see the original statue of David (and other things). If you would like to see this museum, you should book your tickets online as soon as you know you will be in Florence. I was unable to book just the entry tickets, so we ended up booking a skip the line tour on Viator. We usually just wing this kind of thing, but it was actually nice to have guide to tell us all about what we were looking at. There are some other cool things in here, such as the unfinished sculptures of Michelangelo, that are still “prisoners” in their blocks of marble, but of course, the start of the show is David himself.
There are also some amazing paintings in the exhibit.
The Accademia was not as crowded as we had expected, but even at that early hour, the temperature inside was starting to rise and the humidity outside was making its way in with all the damp bodies. Did I mention that the skies opened? And yes, we did have umbrellas – lucky us. Everyone else outside was huddling under even the slimmest of overhangs to wait out each deluge.
Next stop, and virtually around the corner, was the Santissima Annunziata. Another spot Don and I had never visited. It is huge inside, super ornate, and really quite mind-boggling.
Then there is this guy – is it just me, or does he look like he is having a jolly good old time?
Then it was on to the Cappelle Medici – we were on a roll, and this was a trifecta of things we had never seen before. The photo above and the ones below are from there.
In our quest to find a washroom, we headed into the Rincente department store. Super high end but this display caught my eye. I think this might need a rebrand for the English speaking market – check out the labels:
And all of the above adventures before lunch!
We are now having a long siesta/downtime, before heading out for a fashionably late dinner (7:30 – what!?!).
Tina asked if there was spinach in the lasagne and the waiter gasped and clutched his chest crying, “No! Please madame, No!!!”
Beautiful Florence!! I’m just going to start with that, because I do like to do these blogs chronologically, and chronologically, there is some complaining (not ‘splaining’) that I need to get out of the way. Just a little.
We might be getting too old for these long travel days.
There – I said it. Though the alternative is probably not anything we want to do, ie getting ourselves across Canada and then possibly a week of enforced cruising across the Pacific. Already that sounds like something we don’t want to do, but we would probably arrive refreshed, at least in London. Which is close to everything else we could want to get to. So – maybe that’s the answer. With the size of airplane seats these days and the 2 square feet of personal space, even shorties like me are feeling claustrophobic. And no Swiss Air, chopping the tray in half and making it fold over into itself for storage is not helping. As a matter of fact, it screwed up Amazon Gadget Number 1, which was a cool tray cover with its own storage pockets (so you don’t have to reach inside the gross ones that everyone else has put their dirty Kleenexes into). Doesn’t work with the magical folding trays if you ever want to have the tray in the closed position. Amazon gadget fail #1.
There might be a few of those over the course of this trip. Fail #2 (which is actually #1 I guess, is my handy dandy portable toilet. Yes. It is a thing. However, even though it folds up to a flat 2 lb in its own carry bag, not really doable when one is determined to only take carry on luggage. Which the Swiss Air website determines to be 8 kg/18 lb., and that should be the combined weight of your carry on suitcase and your one personal item. So we worked hard to get our contents down to the bare bones (without the handy dandy carry on toilet) and made it to between 9 and 10 kg. Don needn’t have worried so much about it though, since we were directed straight to the security line, no need to check in at a desk. No one ever even looked sidewise at our over weight carry on suitcases or over stuffed personal items. So that was a nice surprise.
Don’s complaint was that they charged us for wine on the international flight. He thinks that should be against the rules. Though they wisely charged us in Swiss Francs, so we have absolutely no idea how much our drinks were.
By the time we arrived in Florence, we were both wondering what we were thinking and our stomachs hurt from lack of sleep and movement. All of which was cured by a dip in the pool.
We asked for pool towels as we checked in – no, we don’t want to wait until we come back down – we’ll take them now thank you.
So we cooled off, had a spritz, and checked periodically at the reception area to see if Tina and Dave had arrived. Second time lucky, and there they were! We had all made it – and we are ready for our first once in a lifetime Italy adventure with our dear friends from California.
Once we had all cooled down and had the tiniest of siestas, we headed for a walk to the duomo and took in all the beauty that Florence has to offer along the way (to anywhere). Towards the back of the Duomo there was a guy playing so beautifully on his violin that we took a table across from him and ordered a couple of pizzas and a bottle of red wine. I took the all time cutest video of the four of us with the violin playing in the background. Unfortunately, I didn’t press record when I thought I did, but it was a wonderful moment that we will always remember.
Heading home Dave wanted to have a gelato experience and so of course we all joined him. And the first one did not disappoint – here are a bunch of happy, sticky faced gelato-eaters.
A good night’s sleep is what we all need, so we can drop the exhaustion, the travel concerns, the stress, and start living la doce vita, here in beautiful Florence.
Oh – and a quick trip to the rooftop deck – that was amazing too – complete with lightning in the distance. A portent of things to come? Who knows!
So, the previous “here we go again” post was linked to the wrong blog site (that one is full!). I have finally pulled out enough hair to get back to this one, which is the right one, and which has enough free space to keep the Japan trip photos and blog (if you haven’t already read those), as well as add new and scintillating material from this upcoming trip to Italy. Sorry folks! Thank you for all the encouraging comments – there are more of you following than I thought!
As a reward for your patience and perseverance, here’s a photo of Kaiden having his first homemade chocolate chip cookie.
Well, here we are, at the end of our trip. At the beginning, it seemed like we would be here forever, but now – in hindsight – the time has flown by. Ayami asked me where was our favourite place in Japan and the answer actually was that each place had a “best” aspect to it.
Tokyo, obviously, for the wedding, but also for the cute district that surrounded our hotel. We loved wandering around there and watching the kimonoed women and other characters wander by. Kyoto was special because we travelled there and stayed as a family in our little rice paper house all together. We watched sumo on the t.v., Cam made us breakfast every day, Ayami made us many dinners, and we shared so many stories and so much laughter. Kobe was a good stop because of the onsen in the hotel, but also our day at the Arima Grand Hotel onsens. And memorable because of the flat tire debacle, which has since been resolved with us driving on the spare for the rest of our trip and the company apologizing for the inconvenience and not charging for the ruined tire. Then last night at the dinosaur robot hotel with Jenn and Cam – that was a unique and entertaining check-in experience! So, all in all, a wonderful and heartwarming family trip, with the highlight of highlights – David and Ayami’s wedding.
Enroute back to Tokyo, we stopped in at the Fushimi Inari red tori gates. I had seen photos of these in my trip planning, but we hadn’t managed to get there while we were staying in Tokyo. The one day we were close, we all drank too much sake and forgot all about it. Anyway, they did not disappoint.
From Fushimi, we headed to where we needed to drop the car off – Ayami dropped the rest of us and our luggage near a restaurant and went to drop the car off. She returned to the restaurant with the good news that we were not going to be charged for the ruined tire after all. So we had a good lunch, then boarded the bullet train headed back to Tokyo.
We kind of snuck on the fast train (there are non-fast bullet trains that stop at every stop) – even though the return tickets we had bought in advance were for the slow bullet train. This is how we know Ayami is one of us – it was her idea! And saved us over an hour of travel time, which we truly appreciate at this point in our travels.
We had to get off at the stop before they did, so we said our good-byes on the train and hopped off on our own to find a taxi to our hotel near Haneda airport. Jenn and Cam picked this one – the Henn Na – a dinosaur robot hotel. Sure, why not?
Cam and Jenn weren’t too far behind us (they had come from a different starting point after visiting Hiroshima, the Kawasaki Museum and Universal Studios Japan) and their room was just down the hall. We headed out to find dinner that wasn’t from 7-11, but none of us wanted to venture far, so ended up with fried chicken, which is a bit hit here in Japan. Good enough. Hit up the 7-11 for some drinks and had “cocktails” in our room. In our matching (supplied) pajama shirts.
Right now I am enjoying a glass of red wine in the departure area, while our plane is being cleaned and restocked for our flight in about half an hour. It has been amazing, but we are looking forward to our own beds tonight.
