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Europe May 18

Mei 2018 - Juli 2025
  • Karen Cotton
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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18

    Magical Venice

    27 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    We are looooving Venice. There’s a surprise around every corner. You also get lost around every corner. Our hotel is on the canal. We paid extra for a canal room, as you do, and we are rewarded with the world’s smallest balcony. I’ve attached a photo of Graham on said balcony. I had to take it from the room as we both can’t half stand on it at once. But we do get to hear the gondolas go past with the gondoliers chatting and singing away. They are a happy lot. Apparently they are incredibly well paid and smoke a lot of weed.

    Graham is bringing out a book in Spring 2018 – 1001 Gondolas of Venice I Have Photographed. There will be a follow up book Summer 2019 – And Here Are the Canals.

    We visited the bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica before the crowds to get a bird’s eye view over Venice. Then off to Doge’s Palace, which was a bit of a mix of Parliament House and Supreme Court. Saw the cell Casanova escaped from. Managed to squeeze in a Crime and Punishment Exhibition and then wandered around getting lost.

    Had a lovely dinner (aren’t they all) and asked for the bill. Certainly sir, but here are some biscuits first. Well it would be rude not to eat them. Asked for the bill again. Certainly, but now here is the limoncello. Still rude to refuse. About an hour later we rolled out and were rolling home through St Mark’s Square to find it full of people, as the restaurants on the square had orchestras playing. Everyone was clapping along and some were dancing. It was wonderful!    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18
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    Four Trains and a Ferry

    26 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Had a fabulous time in Vernazza but off to Venice. Graham carried the two cases down the steepest stairs I have ever seen. Well done to him. Got on the first train with time to spare. Had a 30 minute lay over before the second train from La Spezia to Pisa so all relaxed. As we were in first class we wandered to the end of the platform. The very, very long train arrives with no first class in sight. Where is it? Down the other end. Sprinted from one end of the platform to the other and Graham threw the cases up the stairs. Just made it, but because we were late had to store the bags in the doorway so I spent the next hour of what should have been a relaxing, first class train journey pacing up and down to check on my suitcase.
    Got to Pisa and had 10 minutes to get down through the underpass and up the other side onto the next train, so threw the cases down the stairs and then Graham had to carry both up. Made train number 3. Fifteen minutes at Florence to get train number 4 but by now I was a tad stressed so when we were queuing patiently to get on a lady pushed in front my inner bitch came out and I just about flattened her with my suitcase. Wrong day to push my buttons lady! Once again Graham was throwing cases up into trains and off again.
    Finally arrived in Venice, and now for the fun of the ferry with suitcases. After waiting for three ferries to get on one a young man tried to push past me so I ran over his foot with my suitcase. When will they learn.
    So we made it to our hotel in one piece after a very physical journey and we are still talking. Lucky we have lost weight and Graham has been working out – that’s all I can say!    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18

    Cinque Terre Towns

    25 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Caught the trains to see the other four villages that make up Cinque Terre. Tonight we are going to hike to Corniglia, the next village, for tea and train it back. Graham said it should only take us two hours to get there. I don't think this will end well.
    Stood for ages watching people cliff jump into the ocean. One poor guy kept getting to the edge then backing down. The crowd was getting bigger all the time. He had the crowd slow clapping him and counting for him – he’d cross himself and you thought this is it, and then he’d back off again. Eventually one of the local guys climbed up and held his hand and jumped with him to a huge roar from the crowd.
    Had a walk through one of the local cemeteries. They must have a very healthy lifestyle as a lot of people were aged in their 90s when they died, and there were very few young people. It must be all that fish, olive oil and hill climbing; and possibly the local wines.
    Off to Venice tomorrow. Four different trains with 15 minutes between each train. Should be fun. Might get to use some of the new Italian swear words I learnt at soccer the other night.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18

    Vernazza - Cinque Terre

    24 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    We arrived in Vernazza late afternoon and thank goodness iron man Johnny was there to meet us and carry both cases (at once) up all the stairs to our accommodation. The stairs are so steep here I think we’ll just push out suitcases down from the top on the way out. It’s such a quaint little town and so quiet at night when all the cruise ship day trippers head out. Got a great relaxing vibe. I have never seen so making hiking boots and hiking poles in one place in my life.
    Had way too much limoncello last night so spent the day thinking I was going to die and either sleeping or reading. Graham headed out to hike to the next town on his own. It’s four minutes on the train or 1 ½ hours up and down hills to hike. He looked shattered when he got back. I was still feeling like death so he hiked the other way to the next town, which took 2 ½ hours and he said was even harder than the previous hike. He caught the train back but once again it turned into an express so had a bit of a tour of the train stations trying to get back to Vernazza. All in all the day ended up quite good for me.
    We sat for ages last night eating gelato and watching people walk past a cat that was asleep on the path. Every person that went past would stop to pat the cat (which kept on sleeping) and take its photo. I was going to put a hat next to it and a sign asking for donations for cat food and I think that cat and I would clean up.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18

    Road Trip Day 4 – Pisa

    23 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Back into the car for a short drive to Pisa. We have been following Stefano in the car for the last four days. Didn’t lose him once. He had to follow us for 600 metres – didn’t follow us when we turned off. Graham won’t let him live that one down!

    I don’t know what people go to Pisa for more – to see the Leaning Tower or the people all pretending to hold it up. How that thing hasn’t fallen down I don’t know! I refused to pretend to hold the tower up for a photo, but peer pressure and all. Picture is attached. You can see how thrilled I was. Ernie had a crack but I don’t think he’s got the hang of it yet.

    Went to a restaurant for the last supper (well lunch anyway). I couldn’t quite finish my meal and had left 1 ½ tortellini and Stefano was aghast that I was going to send it back to the kitchen. Apparently it would make Jesus cry. Stefano helped me out by finishing it and said “Ok, Jesus is happy now”. We have laughed every day at the funny comments Stefano comes out with. I love the relationship the Italians have with their food – no wonder they are such fabulous cooks.

    Said a sad and tearful goodbye to Deb, Stefano and Ernie. It has been so special spending the last week with them. Stefano put together a fabulous itinerary and we feel we have seen the real Italy, but then who better to show it than an Italian. We have had many laughs and have made many special memories with them. I hope one day we can repay them. Every gelato from now on will be in their honour. Then we said a not so sad goodbye to our hire car, but not before we got lost in La Spezzia and drive through a market, oops.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18

    Road Trip Day 3 - Tuscany

    22 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    A relaxing drive in the Tuscan countryside are not the words I would use to describe today's journey. Graham is now officially an Italian driver. He was getting annoyed with a tourist who had the nerve to do the speed limit. To add to the excitement level we had a bit of rain as we were weaving our way down the highway,
    The countryside is spectacular; well I think so from what I could see when I was brave enough to look away from the road.
    Stopped in Cortona for morning tea (gelato) and a wander. Lots of middle aged men in lycra making the most of the hills.
    Then off to Siena for lunch, limoncello and a look at the town. They have an annual bare back horserace in the piazza which is madness. The cathedral here is spectacular - black and white striped marble. It took 150 years to build and I see why. We only planned to have lunch and a quick look at the town but before we knew it, it was 6.30pm and we still had a two hour drive to Calcinaia. Oh well, we are on Italian time. Once again eating at 10.30pm.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18

    Assissi to Poggioleone

    22 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C

    Assissi is the prettiest town we have seen so far. It is medieval but as lots of tourists go there it is very well maintained. Lots of quaint shops. Stefano wanted to buy his monk a pair of leather sandals. People go to Assissi to pay homage to St Francis, the patron saint of animals and the environment, so I think he must have been a good guy.
    The highlight of our day, by far, was when Stefano decided it would be a good idea to stand Ernie on the wall above the fountain. That was mistake number one. Mistake number two was to turn his back. There was a splash and a scream and one wet Ernie. Ernie was crying but we couldn’t help ourselves and were in stitches. We are horrible people.
    Back into the car for some more mad Italian driving and off to Poggioleone for the night, which is on the border of Umbria and Tuscany. Once again the rain set in so off to a wine bar to wait for it to stop, which it didn’t. We had a wet Ernie for the second time today.
    Graham is up to over 1,200 photos.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18

    Road Trip Day 2

    21 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    We spent the night at the Hotel of 100 Cats. At least I think that is what it is called. It was very remote but there were a lot of hikers passing through Monteluco on their pilgrimage from Rome to Assissi. It is very hilly. Good luck to them.
    After breakfast we wandered to the small monastery, where monks still live today. I’ve added a photo of a room that a monk had lived in, and they were still being used up until the 1960s. I’m not sure if the photo will show the size of the rooms but they are tiny.
    As the monastery is a place of reverence you have to whisper in there. Stefano made a donation to the monastery and then picked up a leaflet and said “Oh look Debbie, we can adopt a monk. I wonder if we will get to name him”. Debbie and I lost it and rushed out of the monastery as quick as we could. We headed down the hill and then laughed for about ten minutes. Strangely enough I think he is seriously considering it. He hasn’t stopped talking about it all day and wants to know if he will get an annual photo and update.
    Hopped in the car and headed off to Assissi. The Italians are mad drivers and Graham doesn’t need any encouragement to drive like them, but I think Stefano is providing it. The scenery was, like every day, spectacular. Every couple of minutes there is a little town on the hill and they have three things in common – at least one church, a castle and a great big wall around the town to keep out invaders. Our word of the day is “wow”.    Baca selengkapnya

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  • Karen CottonKaren CottonEurope May 18

    Road Trip Day 1

    20 Mei 2018, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Let me start by saying you shouldn't let Graham and Stefano drive a mountain crossing together. More on that later.
    Had a last minute stroll (and gelato for Stefano/Ernie) before heading off on our road trip. As we headed into the mountains we witnessed first hand the devastation caused by the 2016 earthquake where 299 people died. Whole towns were completely decimated and left as a pile of rubble with the odd wall or two standing.
    We stopped for lunch in the town of Amatrice which was near the epicentre of the earthquake and where 234 lost their lives. It was like a war zone and so sad to see. After the original earthquake there were over 2,500 aftershocks so it must have been terrifying for those that survived.
    They are rebuilding the town and have created a centre where all the local restaurants were relocated to, so it is good to see there is still employment and business in the town. The restaurants were packed as people come from far and wide to eat the local pasta. It was worth the trip!
    We continued on our road trip and headed up to cross a mountain - at one point we were over 1,100 metres above sea level. On a positive note, the view was spectacular; all these beautiful towns sitting on the side of the hillside. Lots of postcard moments. On the downside, the drive was terrifying (well for Debbie and I anyway). Graham and Stefano thought they were driving Formula 1 race cars. The road was very thin and incredibly winding - I don't think the steering wheel was in the forward position very often and our poor little Yaris was getting thrown around the corners like our lives depended on it. Actually they did. I could see Deb holding on to the roof for dear life in the car in front.
    We stopped for a breather and the boys jumped out the car giggling and saying how much fun they had had. Yeah, right.
    Just as the sun was going down we arrived in Monteluco, which is of course situated up another winding hillside road above Spoleto. You would not want to drive these roads if you suffer motion sickness.
    There is a photo in the town with the snow capped mountains in the distance. In the foreground you can see Ernie running and Stefano chasing him. I have just noticed there are two photos featuring Ernie being chased by Stefano. This is pretty much our view all day.    Baca selengkapnya

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