Is Venice Sinking or is just the water getting higher?

Hello all,

It was again a long day on the bus from Rome to Venice.  Up through Florence and Bologna then over the central ridge of mountains that run North to South through the entire country and on to Venice.

We couldn't take the bus over to our hotel as all ferries and public transportation are out on a strike. So all luggage had to be transferred to a boat over to our hotel on Lido Island.  We took a water taxi to St. Marks square where we had a drink and listened to a band play for about an hour. Then it was off on a gondola ride with a musician who sang and played the accordian during the trip. Here are a bunch of the pictures that Deb took today.  You can see she is fond of seeing clothes out on the line drying :)

After that we took a boat shuttle over to Lido Island where the annual film festival is held. On to supper and a relaxing evening just walking around the island.

Tomorrow we go to the islands of Murano (Glass blowing) and Burano (lace).  Then a free evening before we head to Austria.

Ciao!

D&D

Smile more!!!

Arrivederci Roma!

Well another great day on the tour, up early and toured the Vatican in the morning.  First stop was the Sistine Chapel, with all the paintings and sculptures that are at the Vatican the tour guide told us that if you were to spend just 2 minutes looking at each piece it would take 4 years to look at everything here.

In the chapel (which is where the pope and the cardinals worship) when the crowd gets noisy a recording of the pope comes on and goes Shhhhhh!  And the guards go "Silence!"  I was waiting for Jeff Dunham's terrorist go "I KILL YOU"  :)

From there over to St. Peters Basillica, the intricate tile and stone work, and of course the marble statues.  Debbie mailed 13 postcards from the Vatican post office so look forward to those.  After a short break we went off to the coliseum and tour of the cities roman ruins. Hard to imagine there are still structures after 2500 years.  They were the inventors of concrete and of the archway. The coliseum was built in just 4 years and could hold 70,000 people.

Met about 5 for dinner and went to a great little restaurant.  The waiter and staff put on quite the show for us kissing all the ladies, they had a guitarist and flautist that entertained us all night.

One great thing is one of the couples Gregg and Mary booked to go on this trip 5 years ago as of yesterday but had to cancel due to Mary developing cancer.  Yesterday was 5 years cancer free for her and it was a moving moment for her as the guys sang to her and her husband gave her flowers.

From there it was back on the bus for an evening tour of the city.  Our bus driver Mario (we call him Super Mario) had disco music going when we got on and would flash the interior lights to the beat of the music.  The ladies all loved it and I didn't have the heart to tell him I didn't like disco the FIRST time it came out.  :)

Off to Venice this morning. Deb and I are looking forward to returning there, should be interesting because the public water taxi's are on strike! Thank goodness we're on a tour as they are arranging private transportation for us.

Talk to y'all later

D&D

Left Sorrento this morning and had to use small vans as the roads are too narrow and winding for the regulary bus for the trip down the Amalfi coast to Posatani.

When we got there the streets are too small for the mini vans so a hiking we shall go.  Great shops and restaurants with fabulous views. 

From there we drove back to meet our regular bus and then on to Rome.  Along the way stopped at a travel center and we were mobbed by fans for the Palermo soccer team that was on their way to watch the final against Inter Milano tonight.  Could not even move in there when they showed up.  Of course Debbie wanted to know if we could get tickets and go to the game tonight, I dont think so.

Walking tour of Rome when we got here Karen and I opted out knowing that we will have some massive amount of working to do tomorrow.  Met up with the group at 7 and had dinner with Peter & Debbie then walked around the square enjoying the sites.

Of to the Vatican tomorrow morning to see St. Peters Catherdral and the Sistine Chapel.

Talk to you later
D&D
 

Anicient Roman Bungee Jumping

Very relaxing day today (well except for the shuttle rides christalmighty they use the vehicles as weapons here)

Took the shuttle bus down to the docks and caught the ferry over to Capri about a 20 minute ride.  Then on a boat for a ride around the island hopefully we can get a couple of pictures up.   Very steep and rocky homes built on the ledges.  They have a funicular to get you to the top of the village.

This island has been a resort dating back to the times of Tiberius the Roman emperor over 2000 years ago.  When his enemies tried to plot against him in Rome his nephew gave him all the names of the conspirators. Tiberius invited all of them to a vacation on Capri and took them to the top of the cliffs.  There he invented bungee jumpee, except it was only one way as he shoved them all off of the cliffs.

Had lunch and shopping at all the cheap stores like Prada, Gucci, Buccaleta you know the Wal Marts of the mediteranian.

Spent a relaxing day got back to a nice dinner on the patio here at the hotel overlooking the bay of Napoli. Great way to end the day.

Driving the Malfi coast tomorrow and then on to Rome.

Ciao,
D&D

Can't keep the boy off the farm

Bon Giorno,

Headed out of Assisi first thing in the morning and began our trip to Sorrento.  Going further south we began to leave Umbria and Tuscany.  The larger farms gave way to smaller plots of land and mostly orchards.  However as we neared Rome we found the urban decay had spread to the countryside with a lot of trash in certain locals and veirtually no upkeep to the homes.  Naples was even worse.  It wasn't everywhere but it was a shame to see that.

Stopped in a small town south of Rome called Cassino.  During the second world war a 4 month long battle was waged here where the Germans had dug in their defenses. Look up the Battle of Monte Cassino on the internet. Visited a cemetery where soldiers of the commonwealth are buried. Soldiers from Canada, Austraila, New Zealand, Great Britain, South Africa and India are laid to rest there.  It is beautifully maintained Mom your Royal Canadian Legion Poppy Fund's are doing great work here.  I also never realized that personnel from South Africa and India served during the war.

From there it was on to Pompeii. I had read about it as a kid but never dreamed that I would be walking among the ruins.  You can see the wheel ruts in the stones of the streets from the wagons, the shops, houses bakeries and brothels.  I hope Sean can post the picture i sent of the columns with the beams on top of stone.  Take a look at how they use an invertedd system to lock in the beams using short peices instead of having to try and hoist long beams up.

Another ingenious technique was used by the excavators on site.  When they were digging through the ash in the late 1800's (over 18' had fallen and it became as hard as rock) as they came upon a hollow sounding level they would cease digging. What they were encountering were places where people had died on site and the body had decayed but the skeletons were still there intact. They would then drill a hole into the hollow and fill it with plaster and let it harden.  Then they would dig out a full plaster mould of the body. The two most famous moulds are one of a dog that was still chained to its post another of a pregnant lady with her arms wrapped around her tummy.

From there it was on to Sorrento. A lot of Rome and Europe come down this beautifull part of the coast. Beaches are a little rocky but the cliffs and scenery are breathtaking.  Water is very clear.  Our hotel is perched up on one of the cliffs and has stunning views.

For dinner we went to a farm that has buildings dating back to the mid 17th century. They make their own mozzarella and ricotta cheese (I STILL think thats a fancy name for cottage cheese), but on 4 acres they grew olives, lemons, cherries and oranges.  Here are some pictures of the cows and the cheese making.

I have to say we had more fun at that farm than any 5 star restaraunt we have been to on this trip!

Off to the Isle of Capri this morning, will chat later.

Ciao,

D&D

Au Revoir France, Bon Giorno Italia

Sorry couldn't get on the blog the yesterday so here we go with a recap.

Left Cannes on Wednesday morning and stopped in Monaco for the morning.  The principality is very crowded with housing and apparently has some of the most expensive housing per square foot in the world.  Monaco is its own country called a principality ruled by Prince Albert.  His mother was the actress Grace Kelly who was killed in a car accident driving her daughter Caroline to school one day. Grace suffered a stroke and drove off one of the cliffs. The Monaco Grand Prix runs there this weekend so the road track was already blocked off and the viewing stands erected.  Views are spectacular and yachts are anchored in the harbor a week ahead of time for the guests to watch the race from the back of their yachts.

From there it was not far to the Italian border and drove to Pisa. It is the first time in 25 years that there is not any scaffolding around the tower.   Interesting history the tower is built on swampy type land and it started leaning immediately upon construction.  No problemo, the opposite side it is leaning the next floor we put larger bricks on the high side to counter balance.  Starts leaning the other way, no problemo we make the columns longer on the opposite side.   If you look carefully the building isnt straight at but like a banana!

From there we ended up in the neatest town called Montecatini.  Checked into a hotel that was built as a hotel 158 years ago called the Grand Hotel and La Pas Spa.  What a gorgeous place here is a link to the hotel if you want to look at it

Grand Hotel



Went for dinner and then hung around the town square until almost 11 watching people just visiting and talking.  It was so great I threatened to sabotage the bus so we wouldn't have to leave for a day!

This morning left out early and went to Florence.  Walked the squares and went to the Acadamie to see the works of Michelangelo including his statue of David.  I never imagined it was 15 feet tall the detail in  the marble structure showing veins and muscles it is pretty stunning.  What was very interesting were his six unfinished pieces.  He worked on all the pieces simultaneously and lost funding half way through so they were never finished and they are called his unfinished slaves as they are only partially out of the marble.

From there we went through the Tuscan country side on to Umbria and Assisi.  The medieval village is on top of the hill with the basilica where St. Francis is enshrined. Roman ruins dating back to 200 AD. All the rock (Limestone) was quarried on site and built all the roads and buildings in the town.

 

Off tomorrow to Vesuvius and Sorrento.

By the way here is a picture of Peter enjoying the sights.  :)

Buona Notta

D & D

Just some random photos they have all sent me.

Here is their guide, Brent, he has been doing this for 25 years.

Here is Peter.  He must of had something in his eyes, as he had to keep them closed.

Dale pondering a pretty big problem on the way to Pompeii.

Peter, should you get some new glasses?

Nice is pretty damn nice!

Well we are officially halfway through our tour.  I have to say that we are having a great time, just when you think you're going to be bored to tears or not enjoy yourself they throw something else at you.  Hasn't been a day that we haven't gone "Wow!"

The tour director is a great guy lots of history and local knowledge.  Out of 40 travellers there are 3 Canadians, (Peter Karen and I), 4 Americans, and the balance are from Australia and New Zealand and they are quite a lively lot.  We have been having a lot of fun with them.

Today after visiting the medieval village of St. Paul de Vence built in the 8th century, (which is on a hilltop still surrounded by the ramparts), narrow streets neat shops and stunning views.  At the end of the walk we were at a cafe having a morning coffee and there was a Bocci Ball court there. Peter, Debbie and the tour director (Brent) took on the Aussies and beat them all!

From there we toured Nice. Holy cow miles of beaches and apartments.  Yachts the size of a BC Ferry in Vancouver.  Toured the three Cornishes which are twisty windy roads going along the coast and ended up in a parfumery.  I thought it smelled like a New Orleans brothel but most of the ladies bought something.  It was interesting seeing how it was made. It takes 2 tons of rose petals to make 1 kg of perfume essence oil.

From there it was on to a hilltop restaurant for lunch. Again just stunning views. Then it was back to Cannes.  Peter, Karen, Deb and I went down to the beach and dipped our toes in the Mediterrainian Sea.  Peter actually swam but the water was too damn cold for the rest of us.  (Truth be told Peter only swam about 4 strokes and got out but he did swim).

Went for drinks afterwards and just got back into the room at about 9.  Lots of beautiful women some topless on the beach.  Our cab driver taking us back to the hotel even got hit on by a transvestite.  I heard this mans voice and turned around and here was the face of a woman talking to the cabbie.  The driver turns to me and says"youre not in a little town any more eh?"

Tomorrow we stop at Monaco, Pisa and finish up at Montecatini.

Adieu France Damani Italia

D & D

Peter here,

I think that Dale just has a stunt double that goes out and does all of these pics.  Everytime I look I just see him like this. :)

Jose Cannes You Si?

Drove up from Barcelona to Cannes today.  Interesting drive quite diverse, wheat fields, olive trees, mountains and the mediterainian sea.  600+ kms of driving with the heat blowing on our feet and the AC blowing in our face.   Hopefully they will fix it tonight.

Got in at 5 and immediately went out to dinner. Drove down along the shore where all the action is for the Cannes film festival which just ended last night.  They still had the red carpet rolled out.

Hopefully Sean can post this video I took of all the shops along the street, Gucci, Dolce and Banana, Fendi, Dior.... and Fred!   See if you can pick out the shop named Fred :)Larger Video Here.

Its been a long day tomorrow we drive in the morning to some mountain top and then back right after lunch to spend the afternoon at the beach.

A Bientot,
D & D

Bye Bye Barcelona

Sorry was having internet difficulties so no posting yesterday.  Arrived in Barcelona about 4 in the afternoon yesterday.  Driving across Spain from Madrid was a lot like crossing Wyoming/Utah/Nevada. Very arid, not a lot of populace crops mostly irrigated for grains no cattle.  Saw some dairy farms, then vineyards and orchards once we got in closer to Madrid. 

Madrid is a port city that was the seat of power when Columbus wanted to get funding for his voyage to America.  SEVEN years this guy pestered the court until they gave him money.  Part of the reason for the delay was Spain kind of had their hands full chasing the Moors out of the country but once that happened at Granada they gave Columbus some ships and funding.  Old Chris was more persistent than a used car salesman.   (this is the statue of Columbus)

Madrid is a very vibrant city. Statues by Lichtenstien, the architecture by Gaudi is something you have to see to believe. Google Gaudi architecture and look at his work its pretty visionary. This area is in the Castillian region which has just outlawed bullfighting in January.  Dont know if I would be crazy about attending that anyway.  I would like to see the matador take on the bull without all the lances now THAT would be fun :)

Off for dinner early at a restaraunt much like our Fogo de Chao in Houston way too much food then off to see the fountains and light show after dark.





This morning we jumped on the bus and went to Monserrat a cathedral on top of the Serrated mountains an hour outside of Barcelona views were great the best thing was a festival going on at the square with all different young people dressed in Castillian costume and performing their dances.

Speaking of dancing tonight we were at a Flamenco dance concert Deb and I were dead center front row.  The show was very exciting and fun to watch but a word of advise to anyone attending the show.

DO NOT SIT IN THE FRONT ROW!!  I had more sweat thrown on me and bitched slapped by one of the dancers dresses than I care to remember. Oh well, it was a great show :)  Nasty Nasty!!!

Off to Cannes tomorrow can't wait to spend a bit of time at the beach in the mediteranian.  The Cannes film festival ends tonight so maybe we will get to see some starlets topless sun bathing with the locals!

Adios Espana

D & D


Dale hard at work here today we see :)  Mom are you txting she-she or playing words with friends? :)

Holy Toledo!

Good Evening!

Took a day trip over to Toledo today which was about 50 miles away.  I can see why the Basque people from this northern region of Spain settled in Wyoming, Nevada and Northern California.  The terrain looks very similar to Wyoming and Nevada.

City of Toledo is still the same buildings that were built in the 1100 and 1200's.  Hard to imagine the Moors and Christians trying to scale the walls of the fortress it just boggles the mind. A lot of the shops have gold and silver dishes and jewelery a lot of handcrafted items.  Suits of armor that reflect either the moorish or christian styles.

I don't know if anyone has seen it on the news but there are huge demonstrations going on in Madrid right now.  We were told to go to the main part of town for drinks and tapas tonight and walked straight into the middle of the main demonstration! So here we were with 50,000 people not a great scene!

 

Anyway Debbie thought it was exciting but all Peter and I could think of were the terrorists that could just walk into the crowd let loose.

Speaking of Peter he went to get a haircut this afternoon and asked for a 1/4 inch off.  Here is the result :) Just call him Buzz for the next couple of weeks.

Off to Barcelona in the morning for the next two days we will talk to you tomorrow.

Buenos Noches

D & D

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Aye Yi Yi Yi Yi

Good evening,

Left Burgos this morning.  You drop down from a hilly area into a rolling type prairie kind of like the foothills around Calgary or Denver.  Lot of grain farms the fields are bigger here ( a woodpecker would have to pack a lunch)  LOTS of wheat fields, they're larger but its almost like the strip type farming that they used to do in southern Alberta.  No zero tillage they plow everything and seem to rotate the crops and keep the crops seeded in the fields to about 40 acres max.   Not much cattle in this area at all.

About mid morning we pulled into a travel stop, lo and behold there was a McDonalds. About 2/3 of the bus made a beeline for the McDonalds and had a burger, fries and onion rings.   Its great trying all this different food and culture but it was nice to taste food that your used to as well :)

As we got closer in to Madrid we rose out of the prairie and drove into treed hills, saw a few cattle but not too many at all.  Madrid is a very modern and urban city lots of factories and distribution centers.   Once in the city center we went to the Prado museum (NOT Prada sorry) and saw a lot of paintings from the spanish masters, El Greco, Velasquez and Goya.  Went to have a drink afterwards at the Ritz Hotel Madrid across the street.  They are pretty proud of the place 18 Euros for a drink.  But we showed them we cleand out the bowl of cashews and almonds they put in front of us.

Here is a snapshot of our tour companion Brian, his daughter is following the blog back home in Australia!

This evening we went to a restaraunt that featured the local fare.  Had our choice of lamb, suckling pig, salmon or paella.  It was all delicious great little restaurant for dessert they brought out this huge baked Alaska and lit it on fire in front of everyone!

Then the big surprise a trio came out playing traditional Spanish music but we recognized a lot of the songs. (Blue Spanish Eyes, Guntanamera, and as I called it the Frito's Bandito song)  Tried our hand with trying to video it so hopefully you will be able to see a bit of it here.Larger video is here

After dinner we took an evening tour of the city a lot of the traffic circles have beautiful fountains in the center of them with statues.  (Good thing I didn't see these prior to Scott building our fountain at the new house)!  Their post office here dates back to the 1800s and looks like a cathedral.

Off to Toledo (setting for Don Quixote) tomorrow then back to Madrid to be on our own tomorrow afternoon and evening. 

Talk to y'all tomorrow night.

D & D

Ola Espania!

Good evening everyone.

Had another great day weather and people couldnt be nicer. 

Stopped in Biarritz (note to Joan its pronounced bee air itz NOT bar mitzvah)!  Anyway what a beautiful place its right on the bay of Britany, surfers were out.  Peter, Deb and I took off our shoes and went in the Atlantic for a while. We stayed in the shallow part as there was some surf out there with at least 10' waves.  Had lunch at a great little restaurant and had the lunch special, poisson (fish) that was loaded with garlic and safron rice.  Very scenic would be a great place to spend a few days. Topless beaches hubba hubba.

Then we crossed over into Spain, quite twisty roads going through the mountain passes reminded me of the Fraser Canyon in BC in some places also a lot like the interior.  Then into the plains and stopped for the day in Borgus.

This is the home of El Cid and the Castille that was started to be built in the 11th century and took about 400 years to complete.  I guess our timeline isn't too out of whack huh Scott? :)

Now to the gyspy story, when we were at the Eiffel tower Peter was approached by a couple of gypsy girls, however when he waved them off one of them pointed her finger at him and hissed!  I laughed and told him that she put the whammy on him.

Well tonight when we got off the bus Deb hit her head on the overhead door getting her bag out.  Then one of the ladies walking down the stairs slipped and fell spilling red wine on Debs white pants and top.  Then the waiter serving Deb hit his tray on the wall behind Debbie and jammed his elbow. 

I said the gypsy had shitty aim as all three things happened around Deb.   I also informed everyone to stay clear of her in case she got hit with a lightning bolt! Oh well everything happens in three's lets hope that is the last of that. 

We are off to Madrid tomorrow and will be spending two nights there I believe that is where we are going to the Prada museum, (NO girls thats not where you buy purses and shoes at).

Anyway until tomorrow.

Buenos Noches
D & D