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Ice Ice Disney
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Ice Ice Disney

The Big Five have left the enclosure again.. Read more
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  • Trip start
    December 10, 2022
  • Ice Ice Disney
    A little late, but all in one pieceThe Lava rock makes for a dramatic entrance1Too bad phones aren't scratch 'n sniff....mmmm sulphur1Plotting a spell to conjure1What's that bubble?Mask 3 of 3: Algae (the kids were given a mineral mask because the algae is for "older skin"!)

    Beyond Blue

    December 11, 2022 in Iceland ⋅ 🌙 0 °C

    We arrived at Sunset just in time to make our Blue Lagoon stopover between Keflavik airport and our hotel. At this hour it was more dark witches cauldron than Blue Instagram backdrop, but it was still amazing.Read more

  • Ice Ice Disney
    Getting the lungs and thighs ready for skiing
    With a reward at the endPerfect conditionsMýrdalssandur or just the beach near Vik1Volcanography in actionRecreating the opening scene of Rogue One. A star is born.1Another recreation attempt. The aim: Death Troopers in formation. The result: Boy band.Another rewarding hike under gloomier skies-10 degrees C... feels like brrrr1Our cozy lodgings after a warm meal and world cup semi-final2Where are you Northern Lights? Lots of shooting stars and a weird ring around the moon but that's it

    To the Boondocks

    December 13, 2022 in Iceland ⋅ 🌙 -5 °C

    This was a travel day to get us to the edge of the glacier with stops at waterfalls, fissures and the famed black sands beach of Mýrdalssandur where the opening scenes of Rogue One were shot.
    https://youtu.be/JVnNdKdWBsY    Read more

  • Ice Ice Disney
    Moose would not like these steps
    The entrance to the Ice Cave which will be gone come summer time1The conditions were just right for a bit of blue bedazzle from the cave gods1A low light shot of the wall that will be my new screensaverNo Lara, you didn't discover Iceland1Langoustine bisque from a food truck... Worth the trip just for thisDiamond Beach. Jonah figured out the reason for the name on the way back.Look at this place, isn't it neat?Children behaving badly1Bad example

    Ice Caves

    December 14, 2022 in Iceland ⋅ ⛅ -5 °C

    A 40 minute trek to the Sapphire Ice Caves of Breidamerkurjokull would test our wet weather gear and our resolve...

  • Ice Ice Disney
    1Getting our crampon
    They made a big difference on our way to a massive ice lakeThe cutesy fishing village of Stykkisholmur1A tiny restaurant with amazing seafood. (See Bel's blog!)The lighthouse shining out to the Western wildernessThe reason I took the photo from behind the lighthouse12 people died trying to climb it this year1The grandaddy of all meeples.1A pretty church with a dark story

    Icelandic Saga

    December 15, 2022 in Iceland ⋅ ☀️ -4 °C

    Our travels took us to parts with deep connections to Iceland's history and mythology. Our guide knew every story... If I was five I'd now be having nightmares!

  • Ice Ice Disney
    1We braved the outdoor hot tub and sauna but not the cold plunge pool!
    1Those expressions are more relief than happiness.. We still had 10 toes each."Stevie" (minus 8 syllables) is an aspiring actor and showed us the city sights between 5 food stopsThe food ranged from gourmet (Icelandic char)...To street food...To comfort food...To the obligatory tourist trial of fermented shark. (Our verdict: OK, but a dirty aftertaste)"Black Death" helps to burn the shark pee ammonia out of your nostrils.1Always room for ice-cream! Rye bread flavour with a doughnut that tasted like cardamomGlad to see the hotel after a wild walk home

    Snowed in

    December 17, 2022 in Iceland ⋅ ❄️ 0 °C

    Today was to be the grand finale: dry suit snorkeling in the silfra fissure. The brochure for this was the selling point for Iceland, but today the road was closed! Argh. At least we had a walking food tour in town to look forward to in the evening.Read more

  • Ice Ice Disney
    Goodbye Iceland, Hello Italy

    Transit Day

    December 18, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    Our first flight was delayed which caused a bit of stress, but in the end we made it and so did our luggage.

  • Ice Ice Disney
    Every dog in Stresa came to greet us on our walk down to town to get groceries
    Even machine Italian coffee is better than Icelandic coffee and 1/8 the priceOur eBike adventure began with a long climb through the woodsSusanna took a liking to Lara and made her practice her high school ItalianThe terrain changed markedly as we climbed to the peak.Ultimate satisfactionLake Maggiore all the way to Switzerland20 little chapels all with amazing frescoes, statues etc.. All unguarded and empty1Hey kids, wanna explore the island or get hot chocolate?Did we have to ask?

    Stresa by eBike

    December 19, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 0 °C

    35km to the top of Mottorone and down to Lake Orta! Who knew that eBikes could handle the snow? The only problem is that rear wheel drive just leads to tailspins so we had to work hard!

  • Ice Ice Disney
    Time to brush over plans for the rest of Italy
    Beautiful views from the apartment....Came with a price!Trouble around every cornerLooks like it's contagiousLake Maggiore all to ourselves and the pigeonsNice place to soothe the muscles

    Wash and wear

    December 20, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 6 °C

    We were due for a rest day so today was it. Our apartment had a good washing machine but no drier so we utilised every hanger, rail, door knob and antenna to freshen up our gear. We took a quick walk to town for lunch and supplies then crawled back up the hill to flop some more.Read more

  • Ice Ice Disney
    The funicular to the Sassi Superga. Sounds like a ski run but there is just a basilica
    The Italian Alps in the backgroundBeautiful clear skies from the topBasilica di SupergaThe Mole: the next peak we were to "climb"Not for the feint heartedThe National Museum of Cinema with lots of old fashioned contraptions.Our new favourite lunch stop. Seems to be a student favourite too.Torino home of Vermouth: a new one for me - a bit like Campari.1Pulled Donkey on Polenta at Solferino. Tasted like tinned braised steak on toast.

    The high ground

    December 22, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 1 °C

    Today we travelled to the top of the Sassi Superga and the top of the Mole for the best views of Turin.

  • Ice Ice Disney
    1Rapid fire sightseeing setting with a car finally allowed the big gun to make an appearance
    1Arco Castle. Best appreciated from afar. Also best appreciated after tagliatelle and a macchiato.1Lake Tenno. A turquoise and nearly perfectly circular mountain lake near Arco.Disturbing the serenity. Adults no longer present they asked a passerby to take this???!!!!!A short walk from the lake is the mediaeval town: Borgo Canale di Tenno. Their view of Lake Garda.1Borgo Canale di Tenno. Hasn't changed much since 1211. Abandoned after WW2, now back on the market.1Pretty cheap, provided that you can cover the reno and are happy to put up with the odd Australian.2Wildlife photo of the year 20221Giacomo Vittone was the resident artist for the village.1Sanctuary of Madonna Della Corona makes Meteora look like child's play. The drop is incredible.

    Albany channels Ascari

    December 28, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 4 °C

    If you've got 4 wheels, use 'em. Ok some people circumnavigate Lake Garda by bicycle, but l was proud of taking on the Italian drivers and coming away unscathed. Steven Ong, the drive back along the lake at sunset is better than anything you'll experience in Gran Turismo... Jonah even insisted on playing the Top Gun soundtrack on the way back. Oh yeah, we saw some stuff too.Read more

  • Ice Ice Disney
    Story of the day
    The local merchants weren't interested either.1Make hay while the sun doesn't shine?Silver lining. Actually, cream in coffee is a bad idea. The waiters look at you like you're American

    Rain delays play

    December 29, 2022 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    We contemplated a trip up the cable car, but Mother Nature suggested otherwise. We took the opportunity to catch up with the essentials and have a rest day.

  • Ice Ice Disney
    1Jonah's arms are growing longer by the day
    1Spotto!Cooking with the beautiful Christina! We were a bit nervous before discovering how lovely she was.Plenty of tips and stories from her years as chef and sommelierExultation as Christina declared "perfecto" upon observing my pasta ball!Elliot is now keen to try his skills at home. His plan is for a broccoli risotto!So simple. So good.Round 3: Tirimisu. After this, the pasta and the risotto we didn't need much for dinner.Happy faces after a fun day in the kitchen.Piazza Bra warming up for NYE.

    Partying is such sweet sorrow

    December 31, 2022 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Our last day in Verona

    We started the day at Juliet's house...

    (Ok, The house that was the inspiration for Juliet...OK, just some place in Verona that reminds people of the house so they stuck a statue there so that people would pay to get a grope of a well worn bronze orb)

    and ended with the Piazza Bra NYE bash.

    The highlight, however, was a simple cooking class that had all five members of the family enraptured. It will leave fond memories for a life time, but will also damn us to eternal frustration as we try to emulate our one moment of making perfect risotto and pasta from scratch.    Read more

  • Ice Ice Disney
    Venice turned it on today. Blue skies, no bad smell and an optimistic vibe in the air
    We mostly ignored the "must do" sights. Today we just wandered into random nooks and crannies.The one exception was to show Jonah St Mark's square. He was too little to remember it.20k steps later...1The late afternoon activity: Gondola rowing. I seem to be taking it a bit seriously1Lara was doing fine until she looked ahead...Half the people on the Rialto Bridge were looking at her.. with cameras.Don't hit the wall!Phew! Good job, Lara!So easy!

    Happy New Year!

    January 1, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C

    The sun is out for the start of the year. We'd like four more sunny days then freezing cold with lots of snow please. A few days in Venice Mestre lie ahead. Today, the old city to show the kids, followed by a couple of day trips to places that we've never been to...Read more

  • Ice Ice Disney
    Clementines! Our "go to" Italian backpack fruit.
    2Literally "Fountain of Tits". Before the restoration it also delivered red and white wine.The walls of Treviso. Even the Russians would be able to get past these.1The source of Tiramisu. No BreadTops here.140cm trout right outside their door!If you're going to fall into a canal, do it here...not in Venice.The Christmas lights in the canals must look pretty at nightProsecco... Ok, it's pretty good.

    Sweet Clementine

    January 2, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Today we travelled to Treviso.. home of Tiramisu, the United Colours of Benetton and Prosecco. I note that Prosecco is a grape not a region. The grape actually comes from the Karst region of Slovenia so any move by the Italians to "geo-trademark" the term Prosecco is clearly bullshit. "They're dreamin'!"
    Beyond all that, Treviso is beautiful... Calm, pretty and dotted with greenery, eateries and waterways.    Read more

  • Ice Ice Disney
    The 78 statues of Prato della Valle celebrate Padua's finest including Galileo Galilei
    An astronomical clock. Not the only one. On some the sun is the centre, on others it's the earth!1My new favourite gelato shop. (My flavours were better: Fior di Latte and 75% chocolate)A horse for Mr MaGiusto de Menabuoi's Baptistry. Well worth it: included an audioguide synched to spotlightsYoung Paduans must go to Diego Bar...2A tour of the University included this student effort. Guess which saint was the kids' favourite.Too easy!2View from the dissection table looking up at the anatomy theatre1Familiar territory

    Pounding the Pavement in Padua

    January 3, 2023 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    Padua is an old university town. Capernicus and like-minded heathens would come here to study away from the prying eyes and influence of the Vatican. The town is a monument to science and religion developing a relationship and living side by side in a uniquely Italian way.Read more

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