Today is our last day in bella Florence.
We checked out David, saw the gardens and the costume gallery at the Pitti Palace. Stunning dresses from 1520 to now. Amazing how the old becomes new again and again. We then lingered at the Uffizi over Bottechelli and all the the old masters the Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles are named after.
Mia had a artist draw her and we rounded the evening off with a very good meal (5 courses). Am now busting at the seams.
Thursday, 22 September 2011
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
In love
I'm in love yet again with Florence. Around every crn, is a masterpeice - a fresco, a statue, a rococco building. The shops overflow with chic fashion and the bakeries are stuffed with delicious goodies that pop in your mouth.
Yesterday we wlaked 2 mins from our hotel in the piazza della repubblica to the Duomo. The 3 mins in the other direction fm our hotel to the ponte vecchio.
Today we explored Pisa. Morry & Jai climbed the 300 steps to the top of the leaning tower. We also got the necessary photo's of us holding up the tower with one finger.
Tomorrow we introduce the kids to my beloved Uffizi. Then we plan to head to the Palazzo Vecchio to see the secret passageways. We hope to also give Jai a chance to snigger at David (as he does with all the nudes).
Yesterday we wlaked 2 mins from our hotel in the piazza della repubblica to the Duomo. The 3 mins in the other direction fm our hotel to the ponte vecchio.
Today we explored Pisa. Morry & Jai climbed the 300 steps to the top of the leaning tower. We also got the necessary photo's of us holding up the tower with one finger.
Tomorrow we introduce the kids to my beloved Uffizi. Then we plan to head to the Palazzo Vecchio to see the secret passageways. We hope to also give Jai a chance to snigger at David (as he does with all the nudes).
Friday, 16 September 2011
We have been up to lots but hv not had time to get online. Here's a quick update on our travels:
Monday - spent the day at the beach with Franca. The Italians really know how to 'do' the beach. Very sophisticated. Franca hires an umbrella for the summer. It comes with swept pathways leading directly to deck chairs with a huge umbrella and table. Other deckchairs are supplied in case you want to to place them in the water as you sun bathe. Lots of beach toys for the kids to play with. A nearby private cafe supplies drinks and amenities such as showers.
Tuesday - Our hosts took us up to the mountain, La Majella. The cooler mountain air was wonderful on the 35 degree day. Hidden away in the cliff face is Santo Sprito a monestry built in 927 AD. Jai was facinated with the bones of the monks that were on display behind glass. The evening was spent with Morry's father's relatives. About 20 of us went to an 'agritourisimo' restaurant. All the food they served was grown and prepared on the premises. Delicious cheeses, meat (so I'm told), salads, breads, fruit, dessertsThe kids has lots of fun looking at all the goats, rabbits, cows, chickens etc. .
Wednesday - spent the day at Carlo & Lidia's. Friends of Morry's parents who lived in Melbourne for 14 yrs. Morry was pleased to catch up with their son, Rocco, who Morry grew up with. Lidia cooked a very welcome Aussie meal for us (crumbed fish, chips, peas & carrots) and it was a relief to be able to speak English.
Thursday - saw where they make pasta. The water is so cold and crystal clear and it seems to magically appear from out of the mountain. Apparently that's the secret to the perfect pasta. Then it was lunch with the squirals in the forest (well we saw one at least). A pic nic here involves china plates and silverware, hot pasta cooked at home, meats, salads, fruit, brewed coffee - home made cakes - the lot. A pre-dinner passeggiata (walk) saw us explore a quaint little town called Pennapiedemount ('the foot of the mountain'). Winding cobble stone streets, ornate church, glimpses of Mumma's preparing pasta thru open doorways. Dinner was at Morry's cousin's -Viola & Dominic. Dom can speak English as he is a Doctor and English was part of his studies. Their son is away at uni. A talented student he was invited to study at Princeton in America for the summer. Joining us was Morry's other cousin, Corrado. Corrado arrived from his home in America for a quick holiday and to see us.
Friday - wandered around the local market, ran into Corrado. Hd lunch at Biasette & Rina's. Off to Aldo's & Franca's casa for dinner - apparently an intimate affair with 40 other family members.
Monday - spent the day at the beach with Franca. The Italians really know how to 'do' the beach. Very sophisticated. Franca hires an umbrella for the summer. It comes with swept pathways leading directly to deck chairs with a huge umbrella and table. Other deckchairs are supplied in case you want to to place them in the water as you sun bathe. Lots of beach toys for the kids to play with. A nearby private cafe supplies drinks and amenities such as showers.
Tuesday - Our hosts took us up to the mountain, La Majella. The cooler mountain air was wonderful on the 35 degree day. Hidden away in the cliff face is Santo Sprito a monestry built in 927 AD. Jai was facinated with the bones of the monks that were on display behind glass. The evening was spent with Morry's father's relatives. About 20 of us went to an 'agritourisimo' restaurant. All the food they served was grown and prepared on the premises. Delicious cheeses, meat (so I'm told), salads, breads, fruit, dessertsThe kids has lots of fun looking at all the goats, rabbits, cows, chickens etc. .
Wednesday - spent the day at Carlo & Lidia's. Friends of Morry's parents who lived in Melbourne for 14 yrs. Morry was pleased to catch up with their son, Rocco, who Morry grew up with. Lidia cooked a very welcome Aussie meal for us (crumbed fish, chips, peas & carrots) and it was a relief to be able to speak English.
Thursday - saw where they make pasta. The water is so cold and crystal clear and it seems to magically appear from out of the mountain. Apparently that's the secret to the perfect pasta. Then it was lunch with the squirals in the forest (well we saw one at least). A pic nic here involves china plates and silverware, hot pasta cooked at home, meats, salads, fruit, brewed coffee - home made cakes - the lot. A pre-dinner passeggiata (walk) saw us explore a quaint little town called Pennapiedemount ('the foot of the mountain'). Winding cobble stone streets, ornate church, glimpses of Mumma's preparing pasta thru open doorways. Dinner was at Morry's cousin's -Viola & Dominic. Dom can speak English as he is a Doctor and English was part of his studies. Their son is away at uni. A talented student he was invited to study at Princeton in America for the summer. Joining us was Morry's other cousin, Corrado. Corrado arrived from his home in America for a quick holiday and to see us.
Friday - wandered around the local market, ran into Corrado. Hd lunch at Biasette & Rina's. Off to Aldo's & Franca's casa for dinner - apparently an intimate affair with 40 other family members.
Friday, 9 September 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Mini-mus
Today at the Colosseum the gladiators acted out a short little play that they made Jai the star of. They gave him a Roaman cape, gladiators head gear and sword. They crowned him not Maximus but Mini-mus! We got it all on video. Jai was as proud as punch.
Also saw The Mouth of Truth - another highlight for Jai as he got to keep his hand! Mia was too scared to try.
Tomorrow we travel to the other side of Italy to visit the relo's. Will be nice to be amoung family.
Also saw The Mouth of Truth - another highlight for Jai as he got to keep his hand! Mia was too scared to try.
Tomorrow we travel to the other side of Italy to visit the relo's. Will be nice to be amoung family.
Funny toilets
When we entered our apartment Mia asked what the funny little toilet was. Sage Jai replied "It's like a shower just for your bum." Good way to describe the bidet.
Will try to figure out how to post some photo when I get a chace sometime soon.
Will try to figure out how to post some photo when I get a chace sometime soon.
Tuesday, 6 September 2011
Throwing money away (all in a good cause)
Spent the day sighseeing. Saw the Pope's house, threw some coins in the Trevi and sat on the Spanish steps.
Last time we threw conins in the Trevi fountain the legend came true and we returned. Let's hope the waters work their magic again.
Kids much more impressed with having their photo taken with a guy dressed as a Roman Gladiator than St Peter's Bacillica.
Weather perfect for gelato - hot & sunny 29 degrees.
Last time we threw conins in the Trevi fountain the legend came true and we returned. Let's hope the waters work their magic again.
Kids much more impressed with having their photo taken with a guy dressed as a Roman Gladiator than St Peter's Bacillica.
Weather perfect for gelato - hot & sunny 29 degrees.
Monday, 5 September 2011
The roam-ing has began
We have arrived in the eternal city. Tired but all (luggage) intact. Hotel is charming, clean and well located. Tomorrow we explore.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Chilli crab and other spicy things
We survived the 8 hr plane ride fine. Kids were real troopers and did not complain once nor ask 'are we there yet?' Mia did ask quite a few times whilst we were waiting for the last of the passangers to board if we were taking off yet - she wanted the lolly I promised so her ears wld not pop.
We arrived at midnight so yesterday was the first full day in S'pore and did we jam pack it with stuff. For breakfast we went local and tried our luck at the food market. Interesting. Can't really say it was tasty but it was definitely different. Then we spent most of the day at the zoo. Saw cute little monkeys, elephants, huge giraffes and flamingoes among other exotic animals. Inside the zoo is a kids water park, which the kids took to like a duck to water. For me luch was a spicy mix of the local take on Indian and Jai tried dim sum.
Back at the hotel pool we frolicked before heading to the waterfront seafood centre for a delicious chilli crab dinner. The locals on the table next to us tried (unsuccessfully) to teach me how to use those confounded chop sticks. They were celebrating a birthday and shared some delicious cake with us (after singing a happy birthday song that sounded to us like Kum-ba-ya). The cake tasted just like choc mint slice biscuits. Amazing.
Today were are taking a River Cruise then a city tour to see little India, China Town and the orchard garden.
We arrived at midnight so yesterday was the first full day in S'pore and did we jam pack it with stuff. For breakfast we went local and tried our luck at the food market. Interesting. Can't really say it was tasty but it was definitely different. Then we spent most of the day at the zoo. Saw cute little monkeys, elephants, huge giraffes and flamingoes among other exotic animals. Inside the zoo is a kids water park, which the kids took to like a duck to water. For me luch was a spicy mix of the local take on Indian and Jai tried dim sum.
Back at the hotel pool we frolicked before heading to the waterfront seafood centre for a delicious chilli crab dinner. The locals on the table next to us tried (unsuccessfully) to teach me how to use those confounded chop sticks. They were celebrating a birthday and shared some delicious cake with us (after singing a happy birthday song that sounded to us like Kum-ba-ya). The cake tasted just like choc mint slice biscuits. Amazing.
Today were are taking a River Cruise then a city tour to see little India, China Town and the orchard garden.
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