A boat docked in a tiny Mexican fishing village.
A tourist complimented the local fishermen on the quality of their fish and asked how long it took him to catch them.
"Not very long." they answered in unison.
"Why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?"
The fishermen explained that their small catches were sufficient to meet their needs and those of their families.
"But what do you do with the rest of your time?"
"We sleep late, fish a little, play with our children, and take siestas with our wives. In the evenings, we go into the village to see our friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs.
We have a full life."
The tourist interrupted,"I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat."
"And after that?"
"With the extra money the larger boat will bring more fish, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City , Los Angeles , or even New York City ! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise."
"How long would that take?"
"Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years." replied the tourist.
"And after that?"
"Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the tourist, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!"
"Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the fishermen.
"After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends."
"With all due respect sir, but that's exactly what we are doing now. So what's the point wasting twenty-five years?" asked the Mexicans.
And the moral of this story is:
Know where you're going in life....
because you may already be there....
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Sunday, 18 July 2010
Brisbane Monday 19th April
We stirred early as the family were off to work and university etc and we were off to see "ol' Crikey!", for today was Steve Irwin day and the famous Australia Zoo!
We waited until the morning traffic had subsided and headed off on our journey after a round of goodbyes.
An hour out of Brisbane, we got reached the zoo, just in time for the 11am feeding time show.
Amazing how the animals were trained and fantastic acrobatic displays from beautiful birds, snakes and crocs.
The zoo was one of the more impressive that i had been to and although i do not like the concept of caging wild animals, they provide a brilliant way of educate people who would not necessarily be able to see these animals in the wild and does a lot for cultivating conservation.
I could not help but feel the immense loss that was felt by everyone when Steve Irwin died. He truly was a terrific ambassador for wildlife conservation albeit slightly unconventional. Fortunately the zoo continues his work and there are tributes to him everywhere.
All i wanted to do was hug a koala! That was my goal at the zoo. Unfortunately the best i could do was pet a little fella. They were amazing fluffy creatures.
We saw loads of 'roos and wallaby's, crocs, Emu's and loads of other ozzie wildlife.
It was then off to Mooloolaba. After driving through it, I could clearly see why my parents had originally planned to move there. It has all the hallmarks of a lovely little place that still had the infrastructure and lifestyle that would have appealed to the crusties(parents).
The waterways with yachts moored just out side of houses. Modern developments all around for well heeled holiday makers. Just magic.
We did not stay long and headed to Noosa for a drink and booked our Fraser Island trip before driving to Hervey Bay.
We got in fairly late and so had a drink in the rain before settling in for the night.
Fraser Island tomorrow...very exciting!
We waited until the morning traffic had subsided and headed off on our journey after a round of goodbyes.
An hour out of Brisbane, we got reached the zoo, just in time for the 11am feeding time show.
Amazing how the animals were trained and fantastic acrobatic displays from beautiful birds, snakes and crocs.
The zoo was one of the more impressive that i had been to and although i do not like the concept of caging wild animals, they provide a brilliant way of educate people who would not necessarily be able to see these animals in the wild and does a lot for cultivating conservation.
I could not help but feel the immense loss that was felt by everyone when Steve Irwin died. He truly was a terrific ambassador for wildlife conservation albeit slightly unconventional. Fortunately the zoo continues his work and there are tributes to him everywhere.
All i wanted to do was hug a koala! That was my goal at the zoo. Unfortunately the best i could do was pet a little fella. They were amazing fluffy creatures.
We saw loads of 'roos and wallaby's, crocs, Emu's and loads of other ozzie wildlife.
It was then off to Mooloolaba. After driving through it, I could clearly see why my parents had originally planned to move there. It has all the hallmarks of a lovely little place that still had the infrastructure and lifestyle that would have appealed to the crusties(parents).
The waterways with yachts moored just out side of houses. Modern developments all around for well heeled holiday makers. Just magic.
We did not stay long and headed to Noosa for a drink and booked our Fraser Island trip before driving to Hervey Bay.
We got in fairly late and so had a drink in the rain before settling in for the night.
Fraser Island tomorrow...very exciting!
Friday, 25 June 2010
Brisbane Sun 18 April
We had a very enjoyable night listening to the pleasant sounds of an inebriated individual molesting a bongo drum till the wee hours.
Washing day today! Nicole diligently set about washing everything, including the bedding. Personally i would have left that and just done the clothes but that's one of the perks about travelling with a woman. Clean little creatures!
Off to visits yet more of Nicoles friends in Brisbane. This time a family of fellow South Africans who had emigrated to Oz a few years prior.
Diana, Eric and their 2 boys Carl and Cliff live in Brisbane and used to live in Durban. We met them for lunch and headed to Brisbane via the ferry to see the sights and sounds.
Magic city. Very aesthetic and reminded me of London in many ways as you have this large business district on the river.
It was interesting to hear about what could have been the Trompeter's lives had we left SA all those many years ago and moved to Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast.
Eric and family had left SA a few years earlier and lived in a great house in a friendly neighbourhood with no fence and where cars are left on the street at night.
After spending the rest of the evening on the porch, sharing stories and sipping wine it was off to the comfort of the blow up mattress. I had by now learnt the fine art of levitating on a bed of air at night.
Washing day today! Nicole diligently set about washing everything, including the bedding. Personally i would have left that and just done the clothes but that's one of the perks about travelling with a woman. Clean little creatures!
Off to visits yet more of Nicoles friends in Brisbane. This time a family of fellow South Africans who had emigrated to Oz a few years prior.
Diana, Eric and their 2 boys Carl and Cliff live in Brisbane and used to live in Durban. We met them for lunch and headed to Brisbane via the ferry to see the sights and sounds.
Magic city. Very aesthetic and reminded me of London in many ways as you have this large business district on the river.
It was interesting to hear about what could have been the Trompeter's lives had we left SA all those many years ago and moved to Mooloolaba and the Sunshine Coast.
Eric and family had left SA a few years earlier and lived in a great house in a friendly neighbourhood with no fence and where cars are left on the street at night.
After spending the rest of the evening on the porch, sharing stories and sipping wine it was off to the comfort of the blow up mattress. I had by now learnt the fine art of levitating on a bed of air at night.
Byron Bay Sat 17 April
Despite a night of heavy rain, we awoke to sunshine and went for a walk along the beach.
It was school holidays and the "schoolies" (children) were out in full force.
We watched dads and sons (and the odd daughter too) going surfing together.
Kids as young as 7 were out surfing away and having a lovely time. Great lifestyle i must say.
Fathers seemed very engaged with their children. Family values still appears to be prominent. Maybe I have only seen a subset of the culture...?
People had mentioned that Nimbin was an interesting place to visit with aging hippies even more odd than those in Byron.
We saw a number of physcadellic buses offering trips, so we had to go and check it out.
Very small community full of old hippies. Every second person offers you giggle twig and loads of "far out" types of artists who had licked one too many stamps in their youth created vivid art works and heaps of hemp paraphernalia.
Off to Mullinbimby! Nicole lead us down all sorts of off road trails and we rallied along in our little Toyota. When we got there found it to be a quaint little town and if we had blinked, we probably would have missed it.
We drove straight through and headed for Pottsville.
We had lunch at a nearby beach and watched as a couple of locals had a wedding...in the parking lot. Surfers dressed in suits and sneakers and bronzed girls in high heels stood around sweating in the midday sun waiting for her Majesty to arrive.
Very strange and quirky.
I went out for a swim and attempted to get to the backline through a farily sizey break and rip. I soon gave up and realised just how far i had come from the old days as a Surf Lifeguard back in SA.
We continued north and drove through Tweed Heads which was very pretty and then into Coolangatta and QUEENSLAND!
Headed for Surfers Paradise and were very underwhelmed! I was expecting a better beach and scene from what people had told me and what one reads about. Guess we were just not into tall buildings and loads of people and noise.
We went to a caravan park nearby and settled in for a nights rest.
It was school holidays and the "schoolies" (children) were out in full force.
We watched dads and sons (and the odd daughter too) going surfing together.
Kids as young as 7 were out surfing away and having a lovely time. Great lifestyle i must say.
Fathers seemed very engaged with their children. Family values still appears to be prominent. Maybe I have only seen a subset of the culture...?
People had mentioned that Nimbin was an interesting place to visit with aging hippies even more odd than those in Byron.
We saw a number of physcadellic buses offering trips, so we had to go and check it out.
Very small community full of old hippies. Every second person offers you giggle twig and loads of "far out" types of artists who had licked one too many stamps in their youth created vivid art works and heaps of hemp paraphernalia.
Off to Mullinbimby! Nicole lead us down all sorts of off road trails and we rallied along in our little Toyota. When we got there found it to be a quaint little town and if we had blinked, we probably would have missed it.
We drove straight through and headed for Pottsville.
We had lunch at a nearby beach and watched as a couple of locals had a wedding...in the parking lot. Surfers dressed in suits and sneakers and bronzed girls in high heels stood around sweating in the midday sun waiting for her Majesty to arrive.
Very strange and quirky.
I went out for a swim and attempted to get to the backline through a farily sizey break and rip. I soon gave up and realised just how far i had come from the old days as a Surf Lifeguard back in SA.
We continued north and drove through Tweed Heads which was very pretty and then into Coolangatta and QUEENSLAND!
Headed for Surfers Paradise and were very underwhelmed! I was expecting a better beach and scene from what people had told me and what one reads about. Guess we were just not into tall buildings and loads of people and noise.
We went to a caravan park nearby and settled in for a nights rest.
Byron Bay Fri 16 April
The Yamba mozzies had left enough fluids in us to allow us to get moving the following day.
Nicole managed to avoid the worst of the onslaught and it was just me that looked like a chicken pox victim.
We got to Byron early afternoon and drove to the local lighthouse (Cape Byron) to admire the view.
we saw dolphins in the distance and we went and stood at Australias most easterly point.
The bustling centre of Byron Bay was alive with all sorts of folk from all sorts of places. Definitely not short of the odd Hippie or ten.
I did have to agree with my parents who had been there not so long ago...Byron is a great place. Full of young back packer types and hippies (old and young). Good bars and restuarants and a fantastic vibe.
We stocked up on food and then headed to the beach for lunch.
I had my afternoon swim and could not help but think that the whole time i had been in Oz, the surf had been very small. Not the way i had imagined it.
We found the most expensive camping spot in Australia to settle down. It was also probably the best as it was in Byron and on the beach and very pretty.
We headed to town for a few drinks and to see the sights and sounds. Really nice selection of bars along the way.
In the spirit of adventure I made Nicole try an oyster. Needless to say the image of her contorted face will stay with me forever. The napkin ate her oyster and i had the rest.
Nicole managed to avoid the worst of the onslaught and it was just me that looked like a chicken pox victim.
We got to Byron early afternoon and drove to the local lighthouse (Cape Byron) to admire the view.
we saw dolphins in the distance and we went and stood at Australias most easterly point.
The bustling centre of Byron Bay was alive with all sorts of folk from all sorts of places. Definitely not short of the odd Hippie or ten.
I did have to agree with my parents who had been there not so long ago...Byron is a great place. Full of young back packer types and hippies (old and young). Good bars and restuarants and a fantastic vibe.
We stocked up on food and then headed to the beach for lunch.
I had my afternoon swim and could not help but think that the whole time i had been in Oz, the surf had been very small. Not the way i had imagined it.
We found the most expensive camping spot in Australia to settle down. It was also probably the best as it was in Byron and on the beach and very pretty.
We headed to town for a few drinks and to see the sights and sounds. Really nice selection of bars along the way.
In the spirit of adventure I made Nicole try an oyster. Needless to say the image of her contorted face will stay with me forever. The napkin ate her oyster and i had the rest.
Thursday, 29 April 2010
Port Maquarie, Coffs Harbour, Yamba
Nicole dragged me out of bed for a run along the beach.
Great way to start the day.
We headed north again and stopped in at Trail Bay to see the Trial Bay Gaol.
We popped in at Coff's Harbour for lunch and went to the main beach for a swim. Then put a little more tar under the tires.
We filled up the car and I was surprised at the price of fuel. It was fraction cheaper than the UK. The price of alcohol was also exorbitant. One could argue that the old exchange rate is not great at the moment, however the cost of living seemed very high in OZ!
We popped in at Yamba for the night and got eaten by Mozzies...
Great way to start the day.
We headed north again and stopped in at Trail Bay to see the Trial Bay Gaol.
We popped in at Coff's Harbour for lunch and went to the main beach for a swim. Then put a little more tar under the tires.
We filled up the car and I was surprised at the price of fuel. It was fraction cheaper than the UK. The price of alcohol was also exorbitant. One could argue that the old exchange rate is not great at the moment, however the cost of living seemed very high in OZ!
We popped in at Yamba for the night and got eaten by Mozzies...
Newcastle and Port Stephens
After Hunter Valley we set the sat-nav and headed to Newcastle to see yet more of Nicoles family friends.
They were an old couple in their 80's who emmigrated from SA in the 60's and we had a fantastic time chatting to them about days of old in the old country.
We wished them farewell and headed to Port Stephens (Shoal Bay).
We settled in to a camping site in 1 mile beach and listened to Koalas chattering away which sounded like babies crying.
The next morning the local semi wild Wallaby came and checked us out. We got close enough to pet the little fellow who was very cute.
I went for a shower and had the privelige of a Possum peering at me as i showered. Most unnerving...Creepy little bugger.
We went for a walk of 1 Mile Beach and then to Anna Bay to see the 32 Km of sand dunes. I even climbed one and admired the view.
We went for a walk up to the viewing point (an old radar station) and saw beautiful views of the ocean, fingle bay and even a school of dolphins. I went for a swim at Fingle Bay.
We headed north on the Pacific Highway and through an abundance of lakes and pretty countryside all the way to Forster.
We went into Port Maquarie and stayed there for the night.
They were an old couple in their 80's who emmigrated from SA in the 60's and we had a fantastic time chatting to them about days of old in the old country.
We wished them farewell and headed to Port Stephens (Shoal Bay).
We settled in to a camping site in 1 mile beach and listened to Koalas chattering away which sounded like babies crying.
The next morning the local semi wild Wallaby came and checked us out. We got close enough to pet the little fellow who was very cute.
I went for a shower and had the privelige of a Possum peering at me as i showered. Most unnerving...Creepy little bugger.
We went for a walk of 1 Mile Beach and then to Anna Bay to see the 32 Km of sand dunes. I even climbed one and admired the view.
We went for a walk up to the viewing point (an old radar station) and saw beautiful views of the ocean, fingle bay and even a school of dolphins. I went for a swim at Fingle Bay.
We headed north on the Pacific Highway and through an abundance of lakes and pretty countryside all the way to Forster.
We went into Port Maquarie and stayed there for the night.
Hunter Valley
We picked up our Jucy Campa from Sydney and headed north to the Hunter Valley (Wine Country) to meet up with Nicoles other friends who live there.
We met Clodagh (its Irish), at their house up in the beautiful Cassnock region and soon Russell came home from work and we had a brilliant time catching up.
Russell and Clodagh have a great spot in the country with loads of bird life. We went for a drive and saw our first Wallabies and Kangaroos.
Had a good ol ozzie BBQ and sunk a good many beers before calling it a night.
The next day we went for a drive around the wine region of the Hunter Valley and even popped in to a Winery and had a tasting before buying a bottle.
We met Clodagh (its Irish), at their house up in the beautiful Cassnock region and soon Russell came home from work and we had a brilliant time catching up.
Russell and Clodagh have a great spot in the country with loads of bird life. We went for a drive and saw our first Wallabies and Kangaroos.
Had a good ol ozzie BBQ and sunk a good many beers before calling it a night.
The next day we went for a drive around the wine region of the Hunter Valley and even popped in to a Winery and had a tasting before buying a bottle.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Ozzie!
Well all, i have arrived safe and sound.
I have flown a few different airlines and i can categorically state that Singapore Airlines is the best i have ever flown. Granted, flying on a new Airbus A380 did help the experience as one has a lot of leg room and a large TV to keep you company on the 12 hour flight to Singapore. We did "downgrade" to a 747 from Singapore to Sydney, but the service by the Sing Air staff was amazing! This coupled with the fact that they were one of the cheaper airlines has me first in line to sign up for their miles program as i will definitely be traveling Singapore Air again!
But god damn was i jet lagged. I have only just recovered!
Sydney is just amazing!
For so many years i have said that Oz is not for me as it is full of Ozzies, I have to retract that statement. They really do have something over here!
We have gazed upon the Harbor Bridge, the opera house and been to the aquarium. Been to Darling Bay, Swam at Bondi Beach, stayed in Manly. Caught the ferry to and from Manly to the city. Just brilliant! What a great city!
Its our last day in Syd today and leave tomorrow to fetch the car and start heading north on our adventures.
Will be sad to see the back of Sydney, but onwards and upwards!
*This post was sponsored by Singapore Airlines - A Great Way to Fly*
just joking...but not really
I have flown a few different airlines and i can categorically state that Singapore Airlines is the best i have ever flown. Granted, flying on a new Airbus A380 did help the experience as one has a lot of leg room and a large TV to keep you company on the 12 hour flight to Singapore. We did "downgrade" to a 747 from Singapore to Sydney, but the service by the Sing Air staff was amazing! This coupled with the fact that they were one of the cheaper airlines has me first in line to sign up for their miles program as i will definitely be traveling Singapore Air again!
But god damn was i jet lagged. I have only just recovered!
Sydney is just amazing!
For so many years i have said that Oz is not for me as it is full of Ozzies, I have to retract that statement. They really do have something over here!
We have gazed upon the Harbor Bridge, the opera house and been to the aquarium. Been to Darling Bay, Swam at Bondi Beach, stayed in Manly. Caught the ferry to and from Manly to the city. Just brilliant! What a great city!
Its our last day in Syd today and leave tomorrow to fetch the car and start heading north on our adventures.
Will be sad to see the back of Sydney, but onwards and upwards!
*This post was sponsored by Singapore Airlines - A Great Way to Fly*
just joking...but not really
Monday, 5 April 2010
Ozzie...The Beginning
How to pack for 2 months in a hot climate.
"Pack as little as possible."
I have read a few posts and have taken this advice on board.
I bought a 35 litre Berghaus Freeflow pack with an 8 litre lid attached.
In it i placed the following: (Some may find this useful, other inane.)
Travel Bag
Day travel bag
3 shirts
1 x zip up top warm
1 pairs of longs (Craghoppers - easy drying ones)
1 x Shorts
1 x board shorts
3 x under wear
3 x socks
Viscose Travel Towel (large Lifeventure)
Hat / peak
Torch – Small Pen Sized (Mini Mag)
Crappy Mobile phone + Charger (incase i lose it or have it stolen...)
Plug Adaptor
Ipod (fully loaded with music for long bus trips)
Sunglasses
Pack of cards
Passports
Dollars
Camera
Slops
Travel Book
Print outs of flight details (times etc)
Photocopies of all docs / passports etc put online (google Docs)
Travel Insurance
Meds:
- Sun cream
- Lip salve
- Anti Diarrhoea
- Pain killers
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Razor + Blades
- Deo
Dont know if i got enough stuff, but time will tell.
Wish me luck!
"Pack as little as possible."
I have read a few posts and have taken this advice on board.
I bought a 35 litre Berghaus Freeflow pack with an 8 litre lid attached.
In it i placed the following: (Some may find this useful, other inane.)
Travel Bag
Day travel bag
3 shirts
1 x zip up top warm
1 pairs of longs (Craghoppers - easy drying ones)
1 x Shorts
1 x board shorts
3 x under wear
3 x socks
Viscose Travel Towel (large Lifeventure)
Hat / peak
Torch – Small Pen Sized (Mini Mag)
Crappy Mobile phone + Charger (incase i lose it or have it stolen...)
Plug Adaptor
Ipod (fully loaded with music for long bus trips)
Sunglasses
Pack of cards
Passports
Dollars
Camera
Slops
Travel Book
Print outs of flight details (times etc)
Photocopies of all docs / passports etc put online (google Docs)
Travel Insurance
Meds:
- Sun cream
- Lip salve
- Anti Diarrhoea
- Pain killers
Toiletries
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Razor + Blades
- Deo
Dont know if i got enough stuff, but time will tell.
Wish me luck!
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
Europe 2010 - The Al and Jo Farewell Tour
Alex and Jo...Off to Singapore on new adventures. They have lived in the UK for 10 years and had yet to see a good few places on the continent. (In all fairness, I have been in the UK for 6.5 years and seen very little of the place too)
Being the nice friends that they are, I decided to join them on their romantic adventure. So there we were, a less than a year married couple...and me, traveling on the wrong side of the road through a good few countries.
The general plan was to do: South of France, Monaco, Italy and Barcelona...Tapas style! (i.e. having a taste of each place for a short duration)
Flew in to Nice on a bright and early delayed Easyjet flight and picked up the car. We (Alex and I) have both experienced driving on the wrong side of the road in Canada on a previous holiday. However this was different. We had the joy of another variable. Changing gears with ones right hand as you round a hairpin bend on a cobbled road that looks as if it was only designed for bicycles!
A automatic car would gave been easier! Note to self for next time! The VW Polo we were driving was also not ideal. The rear view mirror restricted my view (i am only 6 foot tall) and the left side between windscreen and drivers window was also obstrucitve. I would not buy a Polo having driven it, however it had enough pop and was very economical fuel wise...
We headed west to Cannes to admire yachts and scenery. Very pretty with great marinas and pleasant seaside walks.
From there it was back in the car to drive to Monaco. An amazing place with no real divide between France and Monaco. Had a great time admiring the opulence, fancy cars were 2 a penny. After a night drinking expensive drinks and pleasant pasta it was on to the casino. THE Monte Carlo as featured in umpteen movies probably most famously James Bond. It was there that we placed a small bet and won a tidy sum on the roulette tables. Great fun and highly recommended even if u are not a gambler.
Tolls throughout France and Italy were very expensive but the roads were good and fast. Our brilliant little TomTom helped us immensely and would highly recommend taking a satnav if you are driving. Most useful was the camera warning system. It saved us from a good few tickets...
An early morning start had us leaving Monaco for the small Italian town of Portofino. A beautiful little village outside if Genoa. Very tight windy roads and hair pin bends had us eager to reach the destination and not so eager to leave the very scenic little place. We stayed the night in San Margarita just outside of Portofino in a very comfortable B&B run by a charming Italian family only too eager to please. Rates were reasonable and breakfast sufficient for the days journey.
Highly recommend travelling in low season as the prices are a great deal cheaper and there is a distinct lack of tourists. This allowed for easy travel and minimal lines / delays at most destinations and attractions. On the negative side, a lot of places were closed or closed early. But this did not affect us much.
Onwards to Florence! Via Pisa. The leaning tower is highly recommended as it is free to view it and it is amazing. Despite low season it was teaming with people eager to see the iconic tower. There is not much else in Pisa to see (that interested us...) so we did not stay long as we were keen to see Florence in the evening.
Florence, wow! The art capital of Italy and one can see why! We wondered the streets in the evening admiring the architecture and style. Visiting a few of the main sights. Only the following day did we head out to truly appreciate the scale and beauty. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore stairs to the top is a must do. It is an incredible building and you crawl around between the inner and outer domes. Even if u are claustrophobic and suffer vertigo it is a must. The view is amazing from the top of the dome. Don't let the 400 stairs put you off.
The whole city is a museum with quaint red roofs and sandy coloured buildings. The Ponte Vecchio Bridge was equally interesting. Never before have I seen shops on a bridge (only heard about it on old London bridge pre fire of London)
The city is the home of the original David sculpture by Michelangelo and there are a number of copies in the city. Loads of amazing large sculptures litter the city.
There are numerous museums in the city that are well worth a visit but unfortunately we just did not have the time to do the museums.
We went to the Michelangelo Piazza which over looks the city and admired the city from another flattering angle. Loads of tourists but one can see why. Would not recommend walking to it unless you are a fit flea or enjoy masochism.
Onwards to my highlight. Venice! What an incredible place. It is just so very different from every city i have ever been to before. The canals that snake between the houses are amazing.
Gondola rides are every where and expensive, but interesting to do. The gondolas themselves are pieces of art. They are beautifully made and maintained by skilled craftsmen and all by hand. The emblem that can be seen on all the bows represent the 6 districts of Venice.
Our gondolier informed us that he was one of a generation of gondoliers and his family had been doing it for hundreds of years.
The marble Ponte di Rialto built between 1588 - 1591, is incredible! It is a huge marble bridge with shops on the actual bridge. Definitely worth seeing and spending time just admiring the architecture.
Unfortunately the Bridge of Sighs was clad in scaffolding and Gucci advertising so it lost a lot of its impact and we were underwhelmed, however i am sure once the work is complete it is quite a sight.
Difficult to imagine that 15 Million people visit Venice each year. It is after all only a very small place. Very glad we came in the "low" season (which was VERY busy).
Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is a meeting place for all and sundry. Teaming with students and tourists milling around just enjoying the very fact that they are in one of the most famous and one could argue romantic places on earth.
St Marks Basilica is beautifully adorned inside. The entrance fee is also very attractive. (Most of the basilicas are free...unless you wish to climb stairs etc.)
St Marks Clock tower is a pricey entrance, but a lift takes you to one of the highest points in the city for amazing views of the city and surrounding islands. Worth doing if you like getting a "lay of the land".
Tuscany Time!
The drive from Venice to the Tuscan region was very pleasant. Most of our lunches involved viewing points with a large baguette, a brie and a salami. Although we could not help but enjoy the parma ham that most shops had on offer. Amazing! Most nights we spoilt ourselves with Prosecco.
We stayed in a really reasonably priced hotel with all the mod cons and beautiful views of the vineyards and olive trees. Apparently Sting (the singer) and his wife have a place nearby. I did not bump into them...
We saw loads of old castles and winery's en route. Stopped on the top of a very windy mountain to have a salami, cheese and bread lunch before scooting off to Rome!
Rome...
This is highly recommended to anyone who is a history nut. The whole city is littered with monuments, ruins, museums, statues and wonder. We did not have nearly enough time to see the city. Although we had 2 days in Rome, we managed to go on a great walk around the city seeing it during the day and then night upon our arrival. The next day was a good walk to the Spanish Stairs. Loads for tourists just hanging out there...hawkers too. Not as impressed as i thought i would be with the stairs and basilica above it, but worth a visit non the less. Then too the Vatican City for a tour. We paid for a guided tour and boy was it worth it as we wandered past heaps of people standing in the sun in what looked like a very long line.
The guide was very good and spoke clear English (listening to some of the less fluent guides I was glad he had him). He gave us a full tour of the Vatican. Once again, there was way too much to see in there and at times you do feel rushed and cannot quite absorb the full splendor of the Church City.
It is quite amazing. I am not religious but it is still an amazing feat of architecture and art.
The Sistine Chapel is amazing. Most people expect it to be a lot larger. The interesting thing is the controversy surrounding "Did Michelangelo actually paint it?".
I thought that the Last Judgement was more impressive as a painting and spoke to me a lot more than that of the arguably more famous "Sistine Chapel Ceiling / God's Creation of Man".
It is so difficult to appreciate the paintings when seen in a book or picture. You actually have to stand and stare at its enormity / scale and detail and story.
Truly magnificent.
As it was nearing Easter weekend, the whole of St Peters Square was decked out in chairs for the annual mass. The ever famous St Peter's Square that one can recognise from all sorts of movies. Unsurprisingly The Da Vinci's Code which featured a lot of the Vatican, was actually not filmed in the Vatican for obvious reasons. St Peters Basillica is another incredible building and houses the La Pieta (Mary holding Christ in her arms) made of Marble and made by Michelangelo. There is also Bernini's Baldacchino an enormous bronze pavilion structure.
From there it was off to the St Angelo's Castle on the river Tiber. Then to the amazing Trevi Fountain where the ritual coin was tossed into it. I really liked it. At night it is well lit up and looks incredible. Apparently about 3000 euros is tossed into it every day.
The Pantheon was next on the list. Quite an amazing architectural piece and interesting that it survived despite being pre Christian and used for ritual sacrifices etc. The 9 metre in diameter hole in the roof's centre is quite amazing.
There are loads of Piazzas along the way and every few steps is something interesting. Each square usually has some monument or spire or column in it. There were just too many to name and mention. You get so over whelmed by the immense attractions that the "average" attractions (read: really amazing by any other cities standards) stop seeming as interesting.
Off to one of the most iconic buildings in the world. THE Colosseum!
What a building. We missed the last tour of the day, so had a listening aid and Alex as our tour guide. The scale of the building is just...WOW. It could hold 40,000 people back in the day. You have to stand there and just imagine lions and tigers and gladiators and christians playing in the middle of the arena. The engineering involved in the floors and stadium etc is mind blowing.
By Christian standards it is probably not the nicest place in the world, but as a structure and piece of history it is great.
We did not have time to roam the old Forum and walk amoung the ruins. But we did walk around it and the Victor Emmanual Monument which most Italians are not very fond of and affectionately refer to it as the "Typewriter" but i thought it was incredible. It stands on the hill and there are the huge statures of charriots on top of it.
There was loads of other things that we saw and did, but it was all worth it and it really need a good few days of walking and soaking it all up. Museums etc are next on the list.
One regret is that I did not do enough pre reading to fully understand the history behind all that i was seeing. If you go to Rome, take your time there and stay a while!
From Rome it was off to Barcelona for 2 nights!
Joanne was our tour guide and lead us around on a mammoth walk to see all of the famous Gaudi sights. As it was, our accomodation was right near the Sagrada Familia. Probably his most famous work...the strange basilica. I was not a fan of his work, but i must admit it is different and unusual. I can appreciate the work he did but would not ask him to design my house...
Being the nice friends that they are, I decided to join them on their romantic adventure. So there we were, a less than a year married couple...and me, traveling on the wrong side of the road through a good few countries.
The general plan was to do: South of France, Monaco, Italy and Barcelona...Tapas style! (i.e. having a taste of each place for a short duration)
Flew in to Nice on a bright and early delayed Easyjet flight and picked up the car. We (Alex and I) have both experienced driving on the wrong side of the road in Canada on a previous holiday. However this was different. We had the joy of another variable. Changing gears with ones right hand as you round a hairpin bend on a cobbled road that looks as if it was only designed for bicycles!
A automatic car would gave been easier! Note to self for next time! The VW Polo we were driving was also not ideal. The rear view mirror restricted my view (i am only 6 foot tall) and the left side between windscreen and drivers window was also obstrucitve. I would not buy a Polo having driven it, however it had enough pop and was very economical fuel wise...
We headed west to Cannes to admire yachts and scenery. Very pretty with great marinas and pleasant seaside walks.
From there it was back in the car to drive to Monaco. An amazing place with no real divide between France and Monaco. Had a great time admiring the opulence, fancy cars were 2 a penny. After a night drinking expensive drinks and pleasant pasta it was on to the casino. THE Monte Carlo as featured in umpteen movies probably most famously James Bond. It was there that we placed a small bet and won a tidy sum on the roulette tables. Great fun and highly recommended even if u are not a gambler.
Tolls throughout France and Italy were very expensive but the roads were good and fast. Our brilliant little TomTom helped us immensely and would highly recommend taking a satnav if you are driving. Most useful was the camera warning system. It saved us from a good few tickets...
An early morning start had us leaving Monaco for the small Italian town of Portofino. A beautiful little village outside if Genoa. Very tight windy roads and hair pin bends had us eager to reach the destination and not so eager to leave the very scenic little place. We stayed the night in San Margarita just outside of Portofino in a very comfortable B&B run by a charming Italian family only too eager to please. Rates were reasonable and breakfast sufficient for the days journey.
Highly recommend travelling in low season as the prices are a great deal cheaper and there is a distinct lack of tourists. This allowed for easy travel and minimal lines / delays at most destinations and attractions. On the negative side, a lot of places were closed or closed early. But this did not affect us much.
Onwards to Florence! Via Pisa. The leaning tower is highly recommended as it is free to view it and it is amazing. Despite low season it was teaming with people eager to see the iconic tower. There is not much else in Pisa to see (that interested us...) so we did not stay long as we were keen to see Florence in the evening.
Florence, wow! The art capital of Italy and one can see why! We wondered the streets in the evening admiring the architecture and style. Visiting a few of the main sights. Only the following day did we head out to truly appreciate the scale and beauty. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore stairs to the top is a must do. It is an incredible building and you crawl around between the inner and outer domes. Even if u are claustrophobic and suffer vertigo it is a must. The view is amazing from the top of the dome. Don't let the 400 stairs put you off.
The whole city is a museum with quaint red roofs and sandy coloured buildings. The Ponte Vecchio Bridge was equally interesting. Never before have I seen shops on a bridge (only heard about it on old London bridge pre fire of London)
The city is the home of the original David sculpture by Michelangelo and there are a number of copies in the city. Loads of amazing large sculptures litter the city.
There are numerous museums in the city that are well worth a visit but unfortunately we just did not have the time to do the museums.
We went to the Michelangelo Piazza which over looks the city and admired the city from another flattering angle. Loads of tourists but one can see why. Would not recommend walking to it unless you are a fit flea or enjoy masochism.
Onwards to my highlight. Venice! What an incredible place. It is just so very different from every city i have ever been to before. The canals that snake between the houses are amazing.
Gondola rides are every where and expensive, but interesting to do. The gondolas themselves are pieces of art. They are beautifully made and maintained by skilled craftsmen and all by hand. The emblem that can be seen on all the bows represent the 6 districts of Venice.
Our gondolier informed us that he was one of a generation of gondoliers and his family had been doing it for hundreds of years.
The marble Ponte di Rialto built between 1588 - 1591, is incredible! It is a huge marble bridge with shops on the actual bridge. Definitely worth seeing and spending time just admiring the architecture.
Unfortunately the Bridge of Sighs was clad in scaffolding and Gucci advertising so it lost a lot of its impact and we were underwhelmed, however i am sure once the work is complete it is quite a sight.
Difficult to imagine that 15 Million people visit Venice each year. It is after all only a very small place. Very glad we came in the "low" season (which was VERY busy).
Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square) is a meeting place for all and sundry. Teaming with students and tourists milling around just enjoying the very fact that they are in one of the most famous and one could argue romantic places on earth.
St Marks Basilica is beautifully adorned inside. The entrance fee is also very attractive. (Most of the basilicas are free...unless you wish to climb stairs etc.)
St Marks Clock tower is a pricey entrance, but a lift takes you to one of the highest points in the city for amazing views of the city and surrounding islands. Worth doing if you like getting a "lay of the land".
Tuscany Time!
The drive from Venice to the Tuscan region was very pleasant. Most of our lunches involved viewing points with a large baguette, a brie and a salami. Although we could not help but enjoy the parma ham that most shops had on offer. Amazing! Most nights we spoilt ourselves with Prosecco.
We stayed in a really reasonably priced hotel with all the mod cons and beautiful views of the vineyards and olive trees. Apparently Sting (the singer) and his wife have a place nearby. I did not bump into them...
We saw loads of old castles and winery's en route. Stopped on the top of a very windy mountain to have a salami, cheese and bread lunch before scooting off to Rome!
Rome...
This is highly recommended to anyone who is a history nut. The whole city is littered with monuments, ruins, museums, statues and wonder. We did not have nearly enough time to see the city. Although we had 2 days in Rome, we managed to go on a great walk around the city seeing it during the day and then night upon our arrival. The next day was a good walk to the Spanish Stairs. Loads for tourists just hanging out there...hawkers too. Not as impressed as i thought i would be with the stairs and basilica above it, but worth a visit non the less. Then too the Vatican City for a tour. We paid for a guided tour and boy was it worth it as we wandered past heaps of people standing in the sun in what looked like a very long line.
The guide was very good and spoke clear English (listening to some of the less fluent guides I was glad he had him). He gave us a full tour of the Vatican. Once again, there was way too much to see in there and at times you do feel rushed and cannot quite absorb the full splendor of the Church City.
It is quite amazing. I am not religious but it is still an amazing feat of architecture and art.
The Sistine Chapel is amazing. Most people expect it to be a lot larger. The interesting thing is the controversy surrounding "Did Michelangelo actually paint it?".
I thought that the Last Judgement was more impressive as a painting and spoke to me a lot more than that of the arguably more famous "Sistine Chapel Ceiling / God's Creation of Man".
It is so difficult to appreciate the paintings when seen in a book or picture. You actually have to stand and stare at its enormity / scale and detail and story.
Truly magnificent.
As it was nearing Easter weekend, the whole of St Peters Square was decked out in chairs for the annual mass. The ever famous St Peter's Square that one can recognise from all sorts of movies. Unsurprisingly The Da Vinci's Code which featured a lot of the Vatican, was actually not filmed in the Vatican for obvious reasons. St Peters Basillica is another incredible building and houses the La Pieta (Mary holding Christ in her arms) made of Marble and made by Michelangelo. There is also Bernini's Baldacchino an enormous bronze pavilion structure.
From there it was off to the St Angelo's Castle on the river Tiber. Then to the amazing Trevi Fountain where the ritual coin was tossed into it. I really liked it. At night it is well lit up and looks incredible. Apparently about 3000 euros is tossed into it every day.
The Pantheon was next on the list. Quite an amazing architectural piece and interesting that it survived despite being pre Christian and used for ritual sacrifices etc. The 9 metre in diameter hole in the roof's centre is quite amazing.
There are loads of Piazzas along the way and every few steps is something interesting. Each square usually has some monument or spire or column in it. There were just too many to name and mention. You get so over whelmed by the immense attractions that the "average" attractions (read: really amazing by any other cities standards) stop seeming as interesting.
Off to one of the most iconic buildings in the world. THE Colosseum!
What a building. We missed the last tour of the day, so had a listening aid and Alex as our tour guide. The scale of the building is just...WOW. It could hold 40,000 people back in the day. You have to stand there and just imagine lions and tigers and gladiators and christians playing in the middle of the arena. The engineering involved in the floors and stadium etc is mind blowing.
By Christian standards it is probably not the nicest place in the world, but as a structure and piece of history it is great.
We did not have time to roam the old Forum and walk amoung the ruins. But we did walk around it and the Victor Emmanual Monument which most Italians are not very fond of and affectionately refer to it as the "Typewriter" but i thought it was incredible. It stands on the hill and there are the huge statures of charriots on top of it.
There was loads of other things that we saw and did, but it was all worth it and it really need a good few days of walking and soaking it all up. Museums etc are next on the list.
One regret is that I did not do enough pre reading to fully understand the history behind all that i was seeing. If you go to Rome, take your time there and stay a while!
From Rome it was off to Barcelona for 2 nights!
Joanne was our tour guide and lead us around on a mammoth walk to see all of the famous Gaudi sights. As it was, our accomodation was right near the Sagrada Familia. Probably his most famous work...the strange basilica. I was not a fan of his work, but i must admit it is different and unusual. I can appreciate the work he did but would not ask him to design my house...
Lots of great things to do and see in Barcelona. The cable car accross the bay was good fun and so too was the walk to the castle on the hill over looking the city.
The "W" hotel had an amazing bar with an even better view. Never before have i had the pleasure of going to the toilet and seeing the entire city below me. Not for those with vertigo.
You have to try it. Apparently it is not the same in the ladies...
Las Ramblas is the "high street" of Barcelona. Loads of interesting shops and people and performers.
The Market just off the street was one of the best markets i have ever been to. Fresh fruit juices and fish and fruit. Etc etc etc. The smells, sight and colours, the atmosphere and vibe...all really great. Park Guell was full of tourists admiring more of Gaudi's work. Well worth a visit.
We tried the local dish of "Black Rice" / Arros Negra. Made with squid ink it was unusual and looked most unappealling, but tasted great.
Final thoughts...I would highly recommend one of those coach tours / trips if you have a low budget and see a whole bunch of places in Europe. It is really a small place. After you have been to a few places you will know which are worth revisiting and spending more time at. I really enjoyed my holiday. My thanks to Al and Jo for allowing me to join them on a most memmorable trip.
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