Monaco

Yeah Baby, we're in Cannes

October 14, 2008

Cannes is the home of the famous Cannes Film Festival. We walked the red carpet and found a few paw prints of stars like Sharron Stone and Michael Douglas. Cannes has a much better beach than Nice with a large stretch of sand, where Nice has rocks that are hard on our travel weary feet.

Nice

October 12, 2008

Today in our travels to Nice, I had my second encounter with a pickpocket. This time it was someone else leaving the train station. A women walking next to me had a large purse and roller bag and had just carried her bag up the steps when a young women came up from behind and reached down into her purse and was gone in a flash.
My first encounter was with a person trying to pick my pockets (backpack) on a bus. We were at a crowded stop and a man started to shove his way on the bus pushing me aside. I gave him a good hard push back and moved us both onto the bus steps. He then dropped his umbrella across my legs with what he thought would block my path, it did not and I plowed ahead. He ran in front of me and again blocked my way. I shoved past him and after a few seconds he left the bus and the person directly behind me informed me that my pack was open. Nothing was taken. I carry nothing of value in my pack so nothing was hurt. Just another part of the European experience.
As for Nice, it is warm and sunny with lots of beautiful people and the food is French again. That is a good thing but I will miss the excellent Italian coffee, which to Gary and I, is the best.

A few more photos

The Cinque

October 11, 2008

The Cinque was all we expected and more. Very beautiful and rugged with 5 small cities clinging to the cliffs high above the Mediterranean. We took a hike which turned into a two hour goat path through vineyards and up steep rocky cliffs to the next small city. Of the 5 major hikes in the Cinque Terre, we found one of the longer ones. The reward was worth the efforts as we viewed the most picturesque city, Vernazza from above.

The last picture is of the tighty-whitey Italian gardner. You won't see this back home folks!

Bye bye, Mr Clooney

October 10, 2008

We are leaving the shores of Lake Como and saying good bye to George who has a villa on the other side of the bay. We are also leaving a good friend Jes and some new friends from Denmark that we meet in Como. Much to my shock, two of the folks we were with at dinner that speak Dutch started singing smelly cat. Friends was very popular in Europe too. The little cat in the first photo was taking some sun on a back door of his house and reminded me of my Tigger.

Next stop, the Cinque Terre on the Mediterranean.

Torno Italy

October 9, 2008

Today we woke to a beautiful sunrise, high over lake Como. Last night we connected with a former work associated from Kodak. It is amazing how after 3 years, good friendships are rekindled in just a few moments and the years melt away. Jes pulled the group together and we enjoyed a wonderful dinner with good Italian food, wine, beer and Grapa is a setting that is hard to dream up. Today we will walk off the nights excess on the trails around Torno.

Lake Como

October 8, 2008

The first photo was taken by Gary as I write tonight blog from the hilltop room over lake Como. Beautiful! We will connect with my friend from the Nordics tonight for dinner and exploration of the lake area tomorrow.

I've also included a few shots of the wonderful markeet we passed this morning leaving venice. This will be the first night with Web access from our room and CNN, time to catch up to the rest of the world.

Venezia, Romantic getaway

October 6, 2008
I’ve always held Paris as my standard for a romantic city, Venice is close to equal with a new view of how a city can enchant. Venice hides it’s secrets around each turn, getting lost in the maze of tiny streets and canals only to find a new restaurant, handmade paper store or architectural detail on a 13th century building.
The Bed and Breakfast that housed our three night stay was built in the 14th century. During the busy season, this would normally be out of our price range, but in the off season it is within grasp. We have a very large suite complete with Venetian glass chandelier, marble floors, a mural and extremely large bathroom. With the age comes some settling. There is a dramatic slope toward the door. We noticed that the sheets and spread needed pulling up during the night and by morning, we were sliding toward the bottom of the bed. I suggested to the proprietor that it would be an interesting place to play a few rounds of mini golf, which he found amusing.
We’ll spend two and one half days exploring the island with its many churches, palaces, museums, guildhalls and unique shops. We have taken a ride on the Grand Canal and plan another tomorrow. Next stop Lake Como in northern Italy near the Alps.

Gary's Pics

Hunter can you find what is wrong with the first photo?

High above the Amalfi Coast

October 4, 2008
Gary and I have seen a number of hair pin curves that are nail bitters including much of the California highway 1, the beautiful rugged coast of Cape Breton, Nova Scotia and we now include the bus ride to Amalfi. Beautiful, dangerous and very Italian, with vineyards and lemon groves along the steep cliffs. They claim their crop as the most famous lemons in the world, I would add, the most dangerous to pick. Gary was very glad to leave the driving to the bus driver. This 21 km drive took almost 2 hours up and back consuming much of the day. A day well spent. The little towns along the coast seem to grow from the cliffs they cling to. Sometimes there is little definition between a rock and a wall on a building.
Our trip also took us near Mt Vesuvius and Pompeii but too late to stop. Tomorrow is a travel day as we make our way to Venice on the train. Then three days in Venice.