PARIS

5 to 8 October.
Paris:
Paris has been full on. Tuesday was just travel Rome to here. Day 1 of Paris was a great start, we stumbled across some markets just a few blocks away from us, had a very yummy breakfast from there. Then we hit some of the most well worn tourist spots, Musee de Orsay (Renior, Monet, Sisley, the list goes on, the Art Noveau area was amazing) then to Notre Dame, St Chapelle (where the Bible is done in Stained Glass) then the shopping areas of Galleries Lafayette, where I was in tow of 3 women on a mission.
Day 2 was Sacre Coeur, Montmartre District, Musee de l’Armee (the Hotel national des Invalids), this was great lots of military history on show. There was a ceremony happening in the parade area, there were decorating some of the Military people, it was great to watch. Napoleon’s Tomb, was amazing, in one of the most beautiful buildings, I’ve been in. Then at night we did Seine river cruise from the base of the Eiffel Tower, always a highlight. Today a bit of a wander around St Germaine, and then off to meet the other girls at Champs Elysees

FAREWELL POSITANO HELLO ROME

October 1,2 & 3:
Salerno & Rome:
Last morning in Positano, we said goodbye to our Villa, and Luigi (see Pic) and took the ferry back to Salerno to take the Train back to Rome for our 3 nights there. On the ferry we met another Luigi, (see pic) I talked with him for most of the hour we sailed to Salerno. 20 years on the water, doing what he loves, he lives in Amalfi, with his family. The thing here is people don’t move up any ladder corporate or society, they just do life and love life for what it is. Mind you this is pretty much paradise, why would you want to stress out. It was great talking to him about life for generations on the Amalfi Coast.
Then we hit Rome, certainly an experience for the girls with suitcases on the Metro, it was crazy, but we got to our apartment at the Spanish Steps. We didn’t really know how this would go, but we are a block away from the Piazza di Spagna & Spanish Steps. This is the bomb location, and we look down on a street with a Café just under our window, with lots of posh shops, it’s great to watch. Sunday, we hit the Colleseum and then headed to the Forum. There was a big Market Fair on for Organic food, so we just sampled food for Africa, it was awesome, and we bought heaps of fresh organic things for dinner tonight, it was great!
We went to the Vittoria Emanuelle, a most beautiful and imposing structure in Rome, but full of History, a monument to all those who have bravely fought over the centuries. We spoke to one of the Carabinieri, (Military police)on duty there, due to heightened security alert (see his Pic as well). He served in a few wars, spent 2 years in hospital after his tank was hit with a shell, and he lost his Capitan. His Uncle came to Australia in 1938, and loved the fact that they accepted him so openly, he served (volunteered in WW2 for Australia), now laid to rest in Adelaide War Cemetery. He himself went to Bali for a few years after the Bali bombing, working with Aussie and NZ peace keeping troops. Fascinating to spend time talking to him, such a lovely brave and caring man, given his whole life to protect others.
Then it was shopping all afternoon for the girls (me in tow), $$ were spent today as they found the shopping strip…… Monday, Emma and Ali are off to the Vatican, Sharon and I are off to meet Fabrizio (Umberto’s Uncle), for a day of sightseeing Italian Style!!!! He is an architect that specializes in restoration of old building, but blending with modern style, We had a great time with him, lots of walking, to the artistic area, the Medieval area, The Jewish Grotto (we had Kosher lunch there), and all points in between. Lots of history. One of the photos shows 2000 years of Rome in one shot, all the different building periods from the Romans through to today, just priceless. Off to Paris tomorrow!!
Au Revoir!

Capri & Positano by Night

September 29 & 30:
Sorrento, Capri & Positano by Night:Wednesday we decided to go to Sorrento, later in the day so we could travel back to Positano at night and get some shots. Sorrento is good for cheap shopping, which was good for the ladies to get some retail release… I didn’t take photos here, because I have a pile from our last trip here 3 years ago. The night shots didn’t go as planned for me. The motion on the bus with the delay on the camera for night shots, didn’t work real well, you really need a tripod.
Thursday was the pick of the weather, and we were off to Isle of Capri. There were a few cruise ships in which made it chaos in Capri. One of the things we wanted to do was see the Blue Grotto, an amazing hole in the cliffs just big enough to get a 5 person boat (lying down through the hole) and then into this rock cave hollowed out, with rock floor, and the sun hitting the water, gives off this electric blue iridescence. Well the ferries to take you there were full, and there was up to a 2 hour wait to get in. But we saw a sign for a boat hire place, so we investigated.
Long story short, we hired a small speed boat, and off we went. I was the Captain of my boat. Scary seeing I have never driven one before, but the guy assured us it’s easy. We had a blast, we had it for 3 hours and went all around the island. My crew were not very helpful (threatened munity a few times), but we did get to see the Blue Grotto and we swam at the Green Grotto as well. (See Pics) An awesome day in all, beautiful weather, and we did and saw so much.
Last night we strolled along the cliffs, to have Pizza and a glass of wine at Fornillo, the next little bay around from Positano, and when we got there, the sun was setting, so lots of pics as the sky changed colours,it was beautiful, but not much action there, so we ot our pizzas and we ended back at Positano at the jetty, watching one of the local ladies catching squid and octopus, as we ate what would have to be the best Pizza ever….. Today (Friday) it’s relax, wash, and pack, as we leave Saturday morning, and head back to Rome for 3 days. Arrivederci!!

RAVELLO & OUR VILLA

Tuesday 28 September:
Ravello:
We were supposed to be going to Isle of Capri today, but the weather didn’t look great, but Thursday is supposed to be, so we have put that off till then. So instead we decided to go by ferry to Ravello via Amalfi. Ravello is high in the mountains above Amalfi, and I would have to say this is the hidden Jewel in the crown of the Amalfi Coast. We didn’t expect this place to be this beautiful, the vistas up and down the coastline from different vantage points is stunning, it was a pity it was so hazy today, our photos probably can’t capture how great it really is.
Cameo’s are legendary here, from Camo, where the owner told me he has been doing these for 40 years. His customers photos are all over the walls, Presidents (Fords and Clintons), actors like Sigourney Weaver, Nicholas Cage, Wynona Ryder, Pierce Brosnan and royalty, have bought here. We found this deli for lunch, and the lady behind the counter made us rolls,(local bread) with Prosciutto, Mozzarella (world famous here) and fresh cherry tomatoes , basil, and olive oil, wow!!! Nothing tasted as fresh as this, just delightful.
Then we were told earlier in the day to make sure we didn’t miss the Villa Cimbrone, so we went, and we are glad we did. This estate is perched on the top of the mountain, that juts out and from Ravello, and as you walk through it’s magnificent gardens to the Terrace of Infinity, you have Amalfi and Minori either side way down on the coastline below. The Villa itself now a 5 star hotel, the grounds house some wonderful pieces of sculpture, like David, with Goliaths severed head at his feet, and Eve’s Grotto, where a white marble sculpture by Tadolini, sits alone, just amazing.
That’s was a big day, time to put the feet up tonight.

Our Villa:
Here are a few photos of our villa, it is awesome, works really well for us. Great outdoor area, our bedroom and bathroom are just so nice, it is a real blessing to be staying here, and we are about 2 minutes from the action in the main Piazza. You could really party all night in this place!!

POMPEII

Monday 27 September:
Pompeii:
After our early morning jaunts to find some coffee (we are getting up way too early for holidays (5 am ‘ish, hope our body clocks adjust soon), the weather was still not good, raining again this morning. We decided to do Pompeii, and had an early start with 45 minute ride on bus from Positano to Sorrento then 30 minutes on the metro to Pompeii. When we arrived we opted for a tour guide, this place was so huge, we weren’t expecting that, so the guide was a smart move. It was great to get the history and ask questions along the way, powerful story of the earthquake 17 years before the eruption and how this city was on the rebuild before Vesuvius let loose, on what was the port city of Pompeii (now a few km’s inland), a mix of Greek and Roman architecture.
The preservation of what was not vaporized from the gases when the ash fell is truly amazing and the lifestyles they lived were not dissimilar to ours. There is nothing new under the sun. Their city was a model of what we have had for thousands of years now, just mind boggling how technically advanced they were.
When we got back, we headed down to organise our trip to Isle of Capri tomorrow as the weather is supposed to be good, and no wind, which is important for the ferries to run, as Positano is not a sheltered harbour.

ROME & POSITANO

Sunday 26 September:
ROME & POSITANO
Well, it has been a fast few days, First day in Rome Friday) we just saw a bit around the streets and a few of the Basilica’s that were close. We stayed in a B&B with great sized rooms, (unusual for Rome), and the ladies there Angela & Serafina beautiful Italian Mommas, spoke no English, but looked after us, and we had breaky in their kitchen the next morning, it was great.
Saturday was travel day from Rome to Salerno (by Train) then we went to take the ferry from there to Positano, but they had cancelled ferries because it was too rough, so it was the famous bus ride for 2 hours up and down winding roads cliffs, quaint little villages and vistas to die for. Then we arrived just before dusk, (Photo is our first view on Positano).
This place is unbelievable, it’s hard to describe really, while the photos are lovely, it’s the atmosphere of the place that really gets you. It takes you back in time to the 60’s in some of the places, but it is also very ancient and modern at the same time. The bus loads of tourists off the cruise ships arrived, just after our mid- morning stroll, and they took over the place, so we hiked it back to our villa (I’ll put photos of it in next Blog Update). It wasn’t the best weather today, mind you the rain passed on, but seas are choppy, so no ferries to go places, so we had a rest and plan day today for the rest of the week.
Night time here, is just exquisite, after dinner at Chez Black restaurant (many famous celebs photos cover the wall) we stumbled upon a guy busking in a little Piazza with a small crowd around him, playing an unusual instrument, a cross between a mandolin and a harp, man could he sing, quite moving, just magical.
Off to do some shopping (food) and organise Pompeii trip for tomorrow. Ciao for now!

SINGAPORE

Thursday 23 September: SINGAPORE: Day 1 on the ground, We landed in Singapore not as refreshed as we would have hoped, not the best night’s sleep on board our 777. Anyway we spent the day with Craig and Wendy Smith ex LIFE’ers who are now living here. They took us to the $6 Billion, Marina Sands Hotel and Casino. Its 3 towers with a massive span that has observation decks, alfresco dining and an infinity pool that looks back across the city. Fairly impressive building, I remember seeing it on Megastructures on SkyTV recently (see the pics). We then hit Orchard Rd for the shops just to browse, no buying though. Had a great dinner down at the beach, at a seafood place, jammed packed, and great food. Now I’m sitting here in Changi Airport awaiting to board our 1.05am flight to Rome, let the fun begin!!!! But the free Wi Fi is working….