Muscat - day 3 (28/9)

Today is tan work again, laundry maybe, souq market this evening followed by a dinner at a French restaurant near the souq.

After spending the day in the sun not doing much apart from reading, tanning and jumping in the pool nearly every 30 minutes to cool down I went to the gym to do some laundry.  I need to make sure l have enough clothes which are sort of cleanish for Dubai also.  With the humidity it is hard to keep clothes lasting.

The gym has a machine which is for swimmers that you place in and it spins them to make them dry a little.  I took advantage of sticking some clothes in there to make the most of it and have hung them around our room like a laundry mat.

Get ready for dinner and we get a cab to the souq and this time at least this driver is nice and has a sense of humour.  He drives like a maniac, as most do and a 30 minute trip is less than 20.  The souq is on the harbour and a near the fish market and when we arrive the driver says to call him and he will come back to pick us up and its not an issue.  He was at least nice and didn't chant all the way like last nights driver.  We walk down to the souq which is covered and has really high ceilings.  My first impression is this is nothing what l expected and very different to the movies....lol.  It was really tacky and felt like we were at a tackier version (if that exists) to Vic Market or even trash and treasure.  Each lane way had a theme and we got to experience lanes just for children, just for ladies, jewelry, oils and stuff.  We managed to buy up a stack of really nice pashminas and silk scarfs from an Indian man who has lived here for 21 years and take note, had an air conditioned store....lol. He was also listening to the 20/20 cricket and the Aussies were beating the Indians at that point.  I advised him that that was a shame and apologized with a smile.  I do really like the humour here.  They joke with you and you can joke back.  The drive out to the souq gave me some insight to their infrastructure which is pretty good and the city is very clean and well planned out.  I thought it would be rough and dirty but no way it is very well kept.  Once we finished at the souq we walked down the road to the French restaurant we wanted to try La Brasserie and it was really nice.  We had grilled garlic prawns for dinner with some spices and they were delicious.  The staff were really nice and friendly and very proud  that they won best restaurant in Muscat in 2010 and hope to win again soon with extensions and renovations to the restaurant.  The driver came back to collect us and again he drove like a maniac and in no time we were at the hotel.

Same routine again.  Phernergan, spray and sleep.

Night Zana xx

Muscat - day 2 (27/9)

I have big plans today and that is to move as little as possible...lol.  Head for the spa again and this time it was to inflict pain on myself and get eyebrows done via threading.....omg it hurt but all good in the end.  The price we pay for beauty l guess.

I get to the pool and jump in straight away due to the heat and the ocean is warm but the pool is temperature controlled and really nice to cool down in.  Laze around and read my book.  I am onto the 3rd book and have nearly finished all 3 of 50 Shades of Grey.  A little snooze here and there, a swim here and there, turning to tan here and there and a full days work has been done. How exhausting!  Liz and l decide to head into the hotel to ask about local restaurants to go to and the souq market we want to visit.  A souq is basically a market which sells everything under the sun l hear and something l want to experience, but l bet it's nothing like The Sex and the City movie, lol.  We work out that the restaurants Liz has found are nice and we book dinner at a place called Kargeen which is about 15 minutes away at 8.30pm for tonight.

When we arrive at the restaurant we are sitting outside but thank god this time each table/area has big air conditioners blowing so it's cooler a little.  I am prepared this evening and have sprayed myself all over with mozzie spray and have long pants and long top on.  Hope to keep the mozzies away and to respect their culture l have covered up as much as possible.  Not knowing what to expect out of the hotel with regards to dress attire cause even in the hotel its still required to dress appropriately and some people do but others don't. We order a lot of food due to Lis having food envy and wanting to trying everything.  The hummus is very different to back home and we also have this meatball dish drowned in yoghurt with bread and tomato at the bottom of it.  Very interesting spices.  The restaurant is well known for its juices and we each had a pomegranate juice which was delicious.  For our mains l had something which looked like a chicken kebab but didn't taste like one.  The flavours were intense and Liz had a piece of lamb which was wrapped in a banana leaf, burnt within an inch of its life but was very tender and delicious.  The spices in that were hot and right up her spicy alley if you know what l mean.  Enjoying dinner chatting away and all off a sudden l get a visitor....a bloody cat!  Under the table under our feet and omg l stopped breathing.  By this stage even though l had covered myself in long clothes and sprayed l still got eaten by mozzies and so did Liz.  We got out of there straight away for a number of reasons but the food and place was really nice.  We sat in the garden area which was lit up with fairy lights and very cute and pretty.  We headed outside for a cab and the driver this time wants 6rial to get us back to the hotel.  Which is about $18 and we only paid 5rial to get here so Liz keeps on telling him we only have 5rial and finally he says yes to take us back but boy am l uncomfortable.....he chanted or prayed, who knows what the whole way back.  I was just hoping that he didn't curse us and he drove like a maniac.  They say in these countries there are about 5 thousand accidents a year and l really do not want to add to that list.

Back at the room l have the same routine as the previous night.  Shower, spray again, phernergan and then sleep.

Cheers Z xx

Muscat - day 1 (26/9)

After about 4 hours of sleep I wake up to make sure l don't miss out on breakfast and am exhausted but the thought of food gets me up and going.  Breakfast has everything you could ever want and thank god we had it included cause this place looks expensive.  After breakfast we headed off to sit by the pool and beach and at 2.30pm l am booked in for a 'Jade' massage and Renovating Facial.  2.5 hours of relaxation and l can not wait.  A Jade massage here is where 2 ladies massage your body and has a deep tissue element to it.  After all this traveling, walking and carrying stuff l am really looking forward to it.

The hotel has 3 swimming pools and all 3 have beach views.  The beach here is a private beach which is also nice.  One of the pools is for families and the other 2 are adults only.  The lounges by the pool and beach are wider, longer and bigger than the bed l had in my hotel room in Paris!  I look at these lounge chairs and l am looking forward to having a snooze on one.  They also have large couch like areas where it's like a double bed and 2 of them joined together. Very relaxing already.

It's massage time and l am very excited.  When we eventually find the spa, due to the size of this place, we learn that most of the staff here are from Bali and the Philippines.  Some of the girls at the spa have worked at The Legian in Bali and for those who know Bali, The Legain is a beautiful hotel and part of the GHM chain of hotels, which The Chedi is part of as well in Muscat.  After l have a foot scrub 2 small ladies with a lot of power behind them get to work on me and l am in heaven.  I had know idea where to concentrate cause all areas felt amazing.  One works on the top while the other the legs and the motion and feeling is amazing.  I will stop know before l get carried away but again it was the best massage l think l have ever had.  The facial took for ever and she massaged every single muscle in my face and at one point l woke myself up snoring and her laughing at me....lol

Dinner that evening was at the hotel beach restaurant and we decided to sit outside which was the wrong move.  In 2 minutes my makeup was running down my face, water was dripping all over the place and l look over to Liz and she too is in a world of bother.  We review the menu and wine list and check prices cause here, $1 Aus is worth 20cents.  A bottle of average wine we would spend $14 dollars at home on is about $50 here.  We soldier on and attempt to order a bottle of Rose mindful that the prices here might mean l need to take out another mortgage to pay for things.  So after a long process of elimination by Liz we settle on the Spanish Rose cause you can never go wrong with theirs and the waiter comes back and says they don't have the Spanish one but they do have the German one and the one that Liz doesn't want.  Anyways she tries it after the waiter suggests its similar and her comment to the waiter is "ok for a German wine but a little sweet and l guess thats not something the Germans would be good at anyway"...... He looks at her with a smile and immediately l think we both realize that he is German, good one Liz.  She apologies and lucky he has a sense of humour and explains that he is from East Germany and has worked for GHM hotels for a while now and has just been in Muscat for 2 months and previously was in Miami.  I think wow what a life but he goes on to explain that in Miami he worked 7 days a week and never got out anywhere and quickly l have decided that l am not changing my profession...lol.  Half way through dinner we have been eaten by mosquitoes and we can no longer stand it.  Scratching all over the place and itchy as.  We get back to our room and need to shower form the heat and calm our bites away and when l walk out of the shower l am covered in bites all over.  You can play dot to dot on my body and quickly l look for the phernergan to calm these bad boys down.  The phernergan knocks us both out.  Thank god cause there is no way l would get through the night without wanting to scratch myself to death.

Cheers Z xx

Arrival at Muscat - (26/9)

Finally l have reached Muscat and get off the plane, which only had about 35 people on it.  We each had rows/sections to ourselves.  As soon as we land l hear on the plane that we need to purchase visas and l thought great that's news to me and wonder how hot it is at 4am in the morning and l soon learn that it's 30 degrees and you can definitely feel it when you get off the plane.

So I get off and walk into the arrivals terminal and immediately l am confronted by a very different culture l know nothing about.  It is a bit alarming at first.  So l find where to buy my visa and thank god l took some cash out in Doha.  Made life a little easier.  Some dude in front of me lost it for needing to buy one and that scared me a little as well.  I just kept on thinking that once l clear customs all will be good.  So l go to passport control and that takes for ever as l am asked 100 questions but politely and l reply with a straight face as not sure if l am allowed to smile, how stupid am l.  Just worried l guess and l have the alcohol with me which made me more nervous as well and just in case l get in trouble with it.  Anyways l collects my bag which finally came off the plane and head to where the exit gates are.  At this point l am required to put all my bags and handbag on a belt for screening and once they are through l collect them and security comes over and tells me to stand aside and give them my passport.  Instantly l panic and just hand it over and try to remain calm.  No idea why l panic but l just think l might have been intimidated by it all.  Gets me a seat to sit down and looks me up and down with a smile on his face.  He then calls all his mates over to look at me and the passport and they are flicking through pages, touching it, feeling it and l am thinking its an Australian passport for goodness sake.  Finally he walks over and says "what's your name" and l say it and he goes "enjoy Muscat"..... I finally breath.  What was all that about l thought but didn't ask, said thank you and walked out.  The poor guy waiting to pick me was left there with the only person holding a board with my name on it.  He must have been exhausted waiting in the heat or maybe he is used to it.  He greets me and takesme outside where he leaves me to go and collect the car and there are men and only meneverywhere.  What a different world and culture.  An experience l will never forget.  Finally he comes with the car and it's the biggest Merc l have ever soon.  It had cold towels ready, water and very cool air conditioning, thank god cause l was boiling.  I text Rachael to let her know that l have landed as she is in Doha and he tells me that l also have wifi in the car, how cool, so l check emails and quickly we are at the hotel.  Can not see much as its pitch black and l am greeted and taken to my room my staff.  This property is huge and l look forward to seeing it in daylight and chilling out here.  I get to my room and catch up with Liz on her camp trek and all is well.  Finally l get some sleep.


Night Zana xx

Venice - Doha - Muscat (25/9)

Tuesday (l have to start putting dates and days in my posts now cause l have no idea what day or date it is, lol), we woke the next morning feeling very average and we left the hotel on our private shuttle transfer to the airport for Doha.  On our way the driver put my little suitcase which had my every expensive purchase in it on top of all the other cases and each time he went over a wave and we bounced l nearly cried as the case jumped up too.   If that bag ended up in the water l have no idea what l would have done.  Thankfully it was ok.

We headed off to our business class lounge and did our tax free back.  After all those purchases l got hardly any money bag and think the whole process was such a waste of time that the money was not worth the hassle.  But anyways its all done now and something is better than nothing.  Rachael is staying in Doha for 3 days and then heading home and l am transferring to Oman (Muscat) and have a 3 hour wait at the airport.

Flight was smooth and the food and wine was delicious!  Prior to landing we got asked if we wanted to have the 'indulgence platter' and we immediately said yes...lol.  Another delicious plate of food.  Watched a movie, listened to some music and in no time we landed in Doha.  Said goodbye to Rachael which was sad and both a bit worried about us being in these countries on our own but all is good.  I meet Liz in Muscat which is cool and she is now back from her desert (camel) trek camp thing....lol.

Waiting at Doha airport l get a text from Liz asking me to buy a bottle of alcohol of some sort for us and l get to the duty free counter and ask a gentleman if l am allowed to take alcohol into Muscat.  He asks where l was born and where l am from and shows me the piece of paper that says that for Oman a non-Muslim person can take 2 liters of alcohol but for me cause l am Muslim l am not allowed...l look at him with a confused look and say l am not Muslim and l live in Australia and he says, "no, l say you are Muslim, so no alcohol for you"....wtf.  I ask again l look at the paper and think is this a lost in translation moment and then after 5 minutes he can no longer keep a straight face and gives up and says what alcohol do you need l was joking. I wanted to kill Liz and him for putting me through this integration and not that funny in countries like this. On the bright side he did have a sense of humour though.

Boarding my flight soon and until next time.

Cheers Z xx

Venice - Monday (24/9)

Monday our last full day in Venice is about more sight seeing and shopping, for something different!  Rachael and l are the only ones left and we wake leisurely, have breakfast and we set out on foot to walk to the main part of Venice.  Our hotel is on the outside island of the main part and it's about a 45 minute walk cause we are tourists and stop along the way to check things out, otherwise l am told its about 15 minutes.  This time we walked onto The Rialto bridge, took photos and wanted to kill people in the process. It's amazing at how many tourists there are and the number of people traveling always.  We again hit a makeup store (this time for gifts only) and a local department store for some more purchases.  

Walking around we ended up in Prada again and sun glasses were purchased on this occasion and a purse by Rachael.  At one point they had to close the doors and not let any more people in for a while due to the number of people in the store, guess the type of people...lol.  Hermes was also visited but 310euro for a scarf seemed a little steep and we were out of there quick smart.  Plus it smelt like a dead dog in the store as well.  Again exhausted from walking we decided to have some lunch and a drink to celebrate our purchases (again).  A rest was required after such hard work and we sat around for ages watching people go by and making sure we have got everything we needed.  We quickly did some calculations and determined due to luggage limits, which are now per bag we should buy carryon suitcases.  So we head back to the hotel on the shuttle, drop off our stuff and head out quickly to a shop we knew was close by.  We buy our bags, walk out of the store and the sky is black a storm hits and we get drenched walking back to the hotel.  The lighting across the sky, clouds and rain was great to watch and photos were taking from our hotel off the back jetty.  Where our room was we had the back jetty of the hotel we could use.  It was covered and a really pretty part of the hotel...it always amazed me that our room got hit by water all the time but instead of panicking l blocked it out of my mind.  At this rate we knew that we couldn't go out to have dinner so decided to stay at the hotel, drink our bottle of Prosecco we had in the fridge and enjoy the restaurant food.  The food at the hotel was really nice and the staff, who by this stage had become our mates were really cool so spending time there was cool.

Packed our bags ready for the morning and headed out to dinner, where l had delicious scallops and beef fillet for dinner.  We drank our bottle of Prosecco during dinner and had 2 Margaritas each.  We tried so hard to get dessert but couldn't and seeing as we were the last people in the restaurant we decided to take our 3rd Margarita and have it in the bar area instead and let the staff clean up and prepare for breakfast.  We take our drinks, l walk into the bar area and there they are, 4 very drunk Canadians who jump onto their feet once they see Rachael and l and are all over us.  They were so glad to see us and said that they were talking about us the whole time and were hoping that they bumped into us at some point, cause apparently we came across as fun!  Lol, fun we had.....they sang, danced, did Godfather impersonations, told us about where they lived in Canada, their jobs and we had god knows how many more Margaritas after that.  All of us had flights the next days and theirs was really early, so l hope they pulled up ok cause let me tell you for free l was very average.  Towards the end of the night as each staff member at the hotel finished their shift they joined us for drinks.  The Canadians had to leave and hours were spent taking photos and kissing us and hugging us.  The men very, very friendly, at one point l was thinking that they may ask us for a group session....lol.  Once they left, in the bar was Rachael, myself, 2 waiters and the bar tender who worked and drank with us at the same time.  We had the bar to ourselves and no need to pay, free pouring of Chivas Regal into our Margaritas was another wrong move and by this stage l was exhausted, very drunks and ready for sleep.  We said our goodbyes to the guys which seemed like 20 times.  They wanted us to continue partying and go to a discotheque with them but at our age no way can we stand the pace that they were going at, so finally we got away and into our room safely.  At one point l was worried cause everyone knew our room number but even if someone was to knock on our door we would not have heard them.  Both Rachael and l were out like a light as soon as our heads hit the pillows.  

Ciao Zana xx

Venice - Sunday (23/9)

Sunday morning after breakfast we say goodbye to Ange and Paul who are heading off home and we take the hotel boat shuttle to St Marks square for some sight seeing and shopping.  Liz leaves Venice this afternoon for a desert camp in Muscat and Rachael and l leave in couple of days.  Rachael is off to Doha and then home and l Muscat and Dubai and then home.

We got the shuttle at 10.30am and on it we met 2 Canadian couples who have been traveling around Tuscany and Rome for the last couple of weeks as well. We exchange stories, battle the 30 minute ride to the square and am speaking at 100 miles per hour so l am not sick from the water.  It was rough and not expected at all.  The Canadians were hilarious and lovely and we exchanged travel stories.  People still get a shock when we tell them how long we have been traveling for and places we have been.  We arrived at St Marks and we start being tourists taking photos and battling the crowds...gee it is so busy always.  We then head off in search for a handbag for myself weaving through all the lane ways and ending up in the same place again and again.  Getting lost is fun and you always find interesting and different things along the way.  We visited Channel, Hermes, Prada, Louis Vuitton and others and l really didn't like anything and then we head into Gucci and l am going "l went into Gucci in Rome and there was nothing l liked...grumble, grumble cause l haven't found anything and really want to purchase something for my birthday with the money all my friends had given me and then all of a sudden l turn and Rachael is holding up a bag which l immediately fall in love with.  As l say, it had my name written all over it.  The sales assistant saw my excitement and came running over to explain the bag to me and l am just feeling how soft and beautiful it is.  I take one look at the price and need to sit down.  The sales assistant proceeds to explain that its 'deer' and l am thinking bloody oath its deer and omg l could go on another holiday at that price and l look over at Rachael and she is holding and rubbing her nose and giggling.....not sure why. So l let that go and then in the excitement l buy myself the matching purse, which l love as well and at this point l am thinking that's another holiday l have given up but you only turn 40 once and l deserve it and l skip out of the store practically in excitement with my beautiful purchases.

We spent hours walking around and going into stores, seeing The Rialto bridge and many canals and people taking gondola rides.  Venice is just so cute and surprising as you never know what you will find or see around the next corner you take.  We hit a makeup store again, god knows why and then our feet could not walk anymore and we were are starving.  So we sat down and had a late lunch near the hotel and Liz got ready to leave while Rachael and l sat around in the room resting.  I take out my purchases and eye them off and feel how soft the leather is and Rachael goes its a really nice bag and l am calling it Rudolf.  So l go "why?" and she goes the lady told you in the store it was made from deer, thats why l was rubbing and holding my nose cause l was thinking of Rudolf, so l am calling your bag Rudolf....lol.  I am beside myself as l thought she was referring to the price and Rachael is shacking her head at me and going you are such a goose.  I knew something was funny at the store but l was in love with the bag that l didn't pay attention.  Such a ding bat l am.

That evening Rachael and l had dinner at a restaurant over looking one of the canals and in bed early as tomorrow we have another big shopping day ahead of us and our last day in Venice so we want to make the most about of it.

Until next time Ciao Z xx

Venice - Saturday (22/9)

Saturday morning we wake early and l Skype my family who sang happy birthday to me and who celebrated my birthday all day waiting for my call.  Over Skype l got my presents....a gorgeous Tiffany & Co ring from my parents and a Furla handbag from my brother, the nieces and sister in law.  Ring was purchased from New York by Rachael and bag from Rome using money l was given.  I thank my family again for all their wishes and gifts and l packed my bag at the villa to head off to Florence train station where we caught the train to Venice.  Rachael and Ange also spoiled me with gifts in the morning and breakfast.

We arrived at the hotel on a boat transfer as that's the only way to get around Venice and as we traveled we told people that it was my birthday and many hugs, kisses and wishes were provided along the way.  The best being at our hotel in Venice were a bottle of wine on ice was waiting for us and the guy at the reception desk ran out from behind the counter to give me a hug and a kiss.  Now he's our best friend and always checks in on us and allegedly gave us a room upgrade.  It's a tiny room but most rooms are in Venice.  Our room is facing the lagoon and we can hear and see boats going by all the time.  By this stage we are starving and we had lunch at the hotel, lobster with spaghetti and a bottle of Prosecco.  We have the afternoon with no plans and as others go shopping, Liz, Rachael and myself hit the hotel spa.  Sauna, jacuzzi, steam room and pedicure to get us relaxed for the evening.  I was the only one having a pedicure and instead of staying in my cozies l went back to the room to change and left Liz and Rachael at the spa.  Upon my return to the spa l could not find them and instead l see a German (l think) couple in their 'white' see through underwear....disgusting and not a sight l wanted to see at all.  By this stage Rachael and Liz are hiding around the corner mortified and ready to run out of there to get ready for dinner.  Luckily my pedicure was in a separate room as l didn't need to see any more of that.  The Romanian lady doing my pedicure clearly didn't understand what "please cut my nails a little short meant". She practically cut the whole nail off....I have skin and then a nail and when she filed them, god knows why cause there was no nail left l was sweating due to the pain and tears were forming in my eyes.  Ouch!  She did a good job though and l was out of there quick smart as l only had an hour left to get ready for dinner and l needed to put on my birthday face and outfit for the evening.

Finally we get ready and there is no time to drink the wine which was provided for us so we were are out the door to walk to the restaurant, allegedly a 15 minute walk and we were running late by 30 minutes already.  Prior to leaving the hotel l called the restaurant to advise them that we were running late.....getting myself to look good took a lot of time, especially at my age!  Lucky l called the restaurant cause it took forever to find it.  We had to stop for directions constantly and 45 minutes later we were there.  By this stage my newly polished feet were killing me as the lady had scraped 3 kilos off the bottom of them and they were so sore l just wanted to sit down and get drunk to stop feeling the burning sensation and pain coming from the bottom of them.

Dinner was at a very nice restaurant called Algiubagio and they greeted us with open arms.  We had a table on the deck outside facing the lagoon and looking out which was really pretty.  Our waiter was fantastic and took care of us assisting with our wine and dinner selections.  I had scallops for entree and beef (cut by a knife....lol, that's how it was written on the menu) with potatoes and some sort of sauce with cheese grated on top.  Yum!  Everyone's meals were great and 3 bottles later we are chatting away and out comes the waiter with a large flat plate, 1 candle and icing sugar on the plate.....my immediate reaction was, where is my cakes, that's just a plate??  So he pulls out this blow torch and starts running it across the icing sugar and l am thinking WTF is going on here and all of a sudden everyone starts singing and through the icing as it melts it says "Happy Birthday Zana". How great was that!  The singing finishes (thank god) and l blow out my candle and make my wish and am so happy that it was such a different surprise and secretly that it wasn't a cake cause l was so full from my meal.  We sat back for ages and took in the view and drank some more.  We had planned to head off to the Hilton Skyline bar but as it closed at 1.00am, it was midnight now and it would cost about 100euro to get there we decided to head back to the hotel by foot and walk off some of the dinner......my feet are still going "no bloody way, we don't want to walk" but we walked back slowly and got lost again but made it back to the hotel ok.  Getting lost in Venice is the whole point and part of the experience. I love it!  My birthday is over....another milestone reached and many warm/best wishes were received from friends and family all over the globe.  A very special place and day was had to celebrate and l look forward to celebrating many more birthdays.

Thank you to everyone again for all your birthday messages and l am lucky to have such beautiful friends and family in my life.  Love you all.

Ciao Zana xx

Tuscany - Friday (21/9)

Friday is our last full day at the villa and I had a massive sleep in which was nice.  After breakfast we headed off to the supermarket to purchase the evenings meal components.  As its my birthday (across 2 time zones) we decide that we are having the following for the day.....2 jugs of Rachael's special vodka, wine, lemonade, soda and peaches mixture. Great for by the pool and very refreshing in the sun.  Followed by a frittata for a late lunch, then antipasto plate and roast beef with veggies for dinner.  A day of eating, drinking and tanning was planned and that we did.

The days meals and drinks were prepared and off we went by the pool drinking our spritzers, listening to music, tanning and reading.  Rachael flapped around all over the place each time a bee or any flying object came near by.  Hilarious to watch and i have never seen her move so fast.  Late afternoon my stomach suggests strongly that it needs food and we get up to eat and my knees are going "no way". I am drunk. Those drinks were lethal.  Lunch was nice once l eventually made it to the top of the little hill we walk up and down to get the villa.  In no time I had resumed my pool position and jump in the pool to cool down.  Note to self.....don't get in the pool drunk!  I just wanted a nap by this stage and out I got to do so.

We got to watch the sunset this evening by the pool and it was beautiful as it sets and the olive trees glisten in the light.  Very pretty it was.  Dinner is in the oven and smelling great.  Looking forward to eating another delicious meal.

Get ready for dinner and set up the table with a  smorgasboard of food....yum.  Rose for dinner is our drink of choice this evening.  We eat and then off to pack bags as tomorrow we are off to Venice early in the morning and I shortly will be 40...omg another milestone celebrated well with close friends in a beautiful part of the world.

 Ciao Zana xx

Tuscany - Thursday (20/9)

Thursday morning we wake, have breakfast and by 10.30 we are out the door for our day trip.  Head off to Siena first as its the longest drive and the town is up high on the hill (another hill).  This time the parking lot to park the car is at the bottom of the hill and for a moment l feel like it might be another Rhonda (Seville) moment and this time l  have 5 people in the car and not 3. So l park the car up top of the car park and due to its size l need to take 2 spots and off we head up the hell to climb to the Duomo and piazza. Siena is much larger than San Gimignano but still very pretty and very busy.  Lots of people and tourists everywhere.  We quickly get to the top and not like we haven't shopped enough we find ourselves in a makeup store buying up a storm.. It's makeup made in Milan and very cheap.  Need to take advantage of that as it cannot be helped if its right there in front of us and anything to help the local economy. We head off to the Duomo take some snap shots and head back down as we go into many stores selling leather and handbags.  Liz ends up with a bargain purchase of a great leather jacket and instead l purchase some tiny items as gifts.  The piazza is buzzing with people and school kids on camp.  2 kids must have been dared and they run through the piazza streaking (but pants on) and everyone claps and l explain to the Americans sitting next to us at the restaurant that in OZ streaking means no pants at all and they laugh.  We have lunch and then get ourselves ready to walk back to the car to head off to San Gimignano.  I get to the car park to collect the car and the parking attendant is yelling at me, his hands are all over the place and showing me photos......l parked the car in 2 spots and not 1.  Oh well l say it was hard to park that car in 1 spot so l took 2 and he goes " you pay for 2" oh well charge me l think... So l pay 14 euro instead of 7 and we are off.

We arrive at San Gimignano and park the car and spend about an hour walking around and we stop to have the "worlds best ice cream" in the piazza.  It's voted the best for 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010... Not sure what happened after 2010 but it was nice and we got a chance to take some more photos and back to the car to the villa.  Very long day was had and the driving required so much concentration, l was spent.  Instead of cooking that evening we went out to dinner up the road to a little local restaurant.  We had pasta for entree and meats for the main and we were full.  Only 1 glass of wine for me as l was driving but by 10.30 we were back and in l was in bed reading and relaxing.

Night. Ciao Z xx

Tuscany - Wednesday (19/9)

Wednesday morning l wake and the sky is black and it's raining hard.  The drive is going to be crazy.  1 hour to Florence and then another to the outlets on the opposite of the road with rain and no idea where l am going.  Lucky l have the driving in Spain to thank for my experience as Florence is as bad and even worse in some places.  There are one way streets which you can not go down and if you do there is a photo taken of the car and massive fine issued. This l cannot afford.  I get through the morning traffic in Florence after 1.5 hours and would you believe it there is no lines marked when getting to roundabouts. It's who gets there first, goes.  So l just breath hard and go for it slowly building my confidence and if there is one thing l know l am good at, its driving.  In no time lam beeping and weaving through the thousands of cars it seems through the traffic.  I drop Ange and Paul off finally and then head onto the freeway to outlets.  Prada only let's in 100 people at a time so l need to be there by 9am to get my ticket and grab myself the first items which come out otherwise there is nothing left.  At 9.30 l am still in Florence traffic, taking it easy and not via the freeway  (thanks Tom Tom) l get to the outlet at 11am.  We park, walk in and there are no bags left.  Each Asian person (no offence) has snatched them all.  Liz walks in leisurely looking around and l am like WTF are you doing snatch bags and review later....no idea.  I grab some and place them over my shoulder as 2 people follow me tugging  at the bags and wanting to take them from me.  Over my dead body, even if l don't buy them they are not having these...bloody pains in the you know what.  I finally decide that these are not the the bag/s i want and even though they are half price l really want my original and current version of the Prada bag which is expensive but l guess you only live once and it is my big40 after all. I reserve the bags with the lady l had on my shoulder for them to hold as l walk around and they hold these bags for 3 hours.  I walked out laughing as l knew that those people following me should they want them would need to wait the 3 hours to get them.. Karma l say for being such pains in the you know what and pulling at me.  

Off to the other outlets we go and drive as safely and as fast as l can knowing that soon Rachael will arrive at Florence train station and l need to be back by 1.45.  The other outlets were crap and quickly we got out of there all soaked from the rain to get to Florence.  I need to be at Florence by 2 but cannot reach Rachael until 3 due to one way streets, rain and traffic.  It was so good to see Rachael finally and l look forward to spending the next couple of days together to commence celebrations.  

We head across the road to the nearest bar as l need a drink and some food after all that stress.  We catch up and then all 5 of us squeeze into the little car we have (inc her suitcase in the boot) and head off back to the villa. On the way l need to change this car as it struggles to get up hills even in first gear and seeing as we are going to Siena and San Gimignano as a group tomorrow l need some power behind me.  We get to the town where th car is from and l exchange it for a 2litre car and omg what a big difference it makes and people can now sit comfortably.  We stop to do a grocery shop and this evening we are making pesto pasta with tomatoes, prosciutto, olives and mushrooms...yum.  We buy a bottle of vodka to celebrate our catching up and why wouldn't you at 8euro a bottle and 2 bottles of red wine.  We are all thinking that  it might be too much alcohol but at that price if we don't finish it we can tip it down the sink if we have to once we leave the villa to Venice.  Who were we kidding.....we drank the lot.

Dinner was amazing thanks to Liz and Rachael for cooking and l was prep.  We had some drinks and at some point giggles came on and we were drunk.  Looking forward to tomorrow as we are going to Siena and San Gimignano.

Ciao Zana xx

The villa - Tuscany (Sunday, Monday & Tuesday)

Sunday and Monday in Tuscany

Sunday we spent the day tanning by pool and awaiting the arrival of the hire car. Enjoyed the pool and view all day and looking forward to doing the same tomorrow.  Late in the afternoon as we enjoy a wine and an antipasto plate the hire car arrives at the villa and l am excited to know that l can shortly go exploring around this beautiful country side.  The guy who delivered the car and his son, brother actually he got the terminology wrong when he introduced me to him and everyone went omg no not son, seeing as they looked the same age and we quickly determined it was the brother.  They were both very good looking boys and he gave me his mobile number in case something happened and to call him, but again l refer to it as lost in translation as he said not to call him but meant to call him...lol.  That evening l went to the local supermarket which is about 15kms away and bought some stuff for dinner and we cooked up a feast and enjoyed a bottle of red wine.

Monday was much of the same.  Breakfast and then got the work stations ready the pool by 11am for the day.  It's hard work doing nothing and tanning.  There is a process one goes through.  Some late lunch was had and dinner was followed with some meatballs, roast vegies and another bottle of red.  Wine here is so cheap....you think it might be crap cause a bottle is like 6euro but no they are delicious and great.  

Tuesday l had enough l wanted to explore and explore l did with Liz.  We found a winery we wanted to see and were on the road after lunch just driving around the Tuscan country side and getting lost in it all.  Eventually we found the winery to only learn that it was their siesta time and it was closed so instead we headed off to San Gimingano, a beautiful little and cute town which has 7 towers up on the hill and amazing views of the Tuscan hills and valleys.  After parking the car walked through the little town stopping to check out local produce, some retail therapy (handbags) and the piazza.  The view from the top was absolutely stunning and some artistic shot were attempted with the camera.  In the town there is a statue of a famous British architect naked and he is all over the place.  His front is in the start of the square, his back is in the police complex and he is all over the place even on top of one of the towers.  There are many little lane ways to walk through and there are artists sitting around painting, people playing harps and guitars and it's so peaceful and pretty.  There are also people laying under trees and enjoying a plate of salami, cheeses and breads.  Liz and l enjoyed the afternoon getting lost and visiting the town.  We arrived late back at the villa, had dinner and off to bed as tomorrow l have a long drive to Florence, Arezzo (Prada factory outlet) and then to a massive outlet called The Mall which has all the famous labels at it.

Until then ciao.  Zana xx

Tuscany - arrival

Leaving Positano and its beautiful sunshine this morning was hard if only the weather had been like that the whole time we were there.  Anyways we call the porters to collect our bags as we can not carry them up the steep stairs to the were the driver is waiting for us and we are on the windy road again to get out of Positano via Sorrento to Naples where we catch a train for 3.5hours to Florence.  The train this time has leather seats which recline, free snacks, drinks and wi-fi.  

Arriving at Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station I immediately knew it was Florence based on my last visit.  One side it is extremely beautiful and the other you see the poor and homeless begging for money and doing their business (peeing) right there in front of you.  We quickly head off to our drivers car and jump in and head out of the city to our villa.  The driver we have speaks a little English and attempts to very kindly show us some of the sights around Florence as we head out.  We are quick to get onto the freeway and soon we are surrounded by olive trees glistening in the sun and vine leaves loaded with heavy grapes which are yet to be picked and dark red in colour.  The view of the rolling hills with churches, houses and small towns is picturesque and peaceful.  We stopped off to get some groceries from a town nearby the villa with our driver and soon we arrive at our villa.  The caretaker greats us with open arms and she is delighted to see us as she thought we got lost cause we were late.  She takes us through the villa and has her friend (our cleaner) with her as well so we can get to know her and we understand that she doesn't speak English very well (or at all), which is so cute cause out come the hands to point and explain things.  We agree what tasks will be done and times she will visit.  The villa is just outside a very small town and in the middle of nowhere.  To get around you need a car or you can walk to the nearest town (2kms) and hope for the local bus.  One day will be spent in Florence and shopping so at that point l will get a car and get driving around these beautiful hills and towns.  I want to visit Siena and San Gimignano at some point and it's easier driving instead of paying 260euro for a day while a car will cost that much for a week.  The villa reminds me a lot of my grandmothers house in the village but kept and restored better than hers.  It has 1 bedroom on the bottom floor which has a small sitting area attached to it (this is my room due to my motion sickness issues where floors are uneven) and the 2nd level has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and another sitting area, while the top level has another bedroom with a bathroom.   The last floor which is near my room is the kitchen area which goes out onto the garden area.  We have a table and many chairs under a pergola and down a small path we have a swimming pool with lounge chairs looking out onto towns and hills,  absolutely peaceful and beautiful views.  The only thing l can hear is the geese in the neighbours garden near us, bees, flies and lizards.

Dinner is bought for us on the first  evening and we eventfully attempt to use ovens and microwaves to get it going.  By 10pm we are eating and spent from the days travels.  Off to bed.

I awake to a beautiful sunny morning looking out my window over to the hills, have some breakfast and put on a load of washing.  I am quick to get the swimmers on and sit by the pool reading and typing my blog.   The sun is warm and every so often a small breeze comes our way making it a little more bearable, not sure how much l can take the heat and will be in the water soon.  Lunch and drinks are to come as we ease into a week of doing nothing, so to speak.

Will keep you all posted on the weeks travels.

Ciao Z xx

Positano day 3

We wake to the darkest clouds, roughests seas, thunder and rain.  We get ready for breakfast and make our way down our path from our room to the other building.  Our room has a beautiful courtyard which looks out onto the sea.  It has deck chairs where you can sit to tan, read or just simply look out but these have not been used at all.  We get saturated taking about 20 steps so we can get to the other building and we sit for another long breakfast as there is not much else to do.  After breakfast we read, listen to music chat and chat to other travelers, who are sitting around in the lounge reading papers or playing cards.  Regardless everyone is still having a good time and the view is still beautiful as ever.

By about 1.30pm it looks like the rain might stop and l am getting excited as l want to go down the road to buy something l saw for a good friend and if l don't do it today l will miss out.  So Liz joins me and we walk out and leave the hotel and 5 steps later it is pissing down.  Regardless we enjoy the walk and rain to our destination and instead of going to the clothing store we turn left and head into a very small cafe that Liz wants to get some food at.  The place is small and cute and has 3 tables and 2 bar stools.  All 3 tables are taken up by people (Americans) and we take the stool and take a seat.  We order 2 glasses of red wine and a small seafood plate with calamari, prawns and fish.  I am not big on fish but it was all beautiful.  We sat there eating, drinking, chatting and watching MTV music on their big plasma screen as it continued to pour.  The 2 waiters were bored as everyone was waiting it out and by this stage we were on our 2nd glass of wine and they too were mixing themselves some drinks and drinking with us.  They talked to us for ages and practiced their  English and half way through in fear of the shop closing l get an umbrella, roll up my jeans to fmy knees and go and purchase my gift.  Another glass of wine was had and by this stage l am drunk and it's 6pm.  We head back to our room and this time we get into the cleaners cupboard and get plastic bags to place on our heads and to cover our shoulders so we don't get too wet.

We read until 8pm and then headed off to dinner next door to our hotel.  I decide to wear a
pair of jeans and a gold sequence top.  We sit down and the place is packed and we order
our meal.  I stupidly order prawns again and this whole plate of salt and pepper tiger prawns comes out fried, which you cannot peal....you know like the ones you get at teppinyaki.  So l attempt to peel these things and eat away and the waiter is pissing himself laughing with me and then proceeds to smile and wink at me, he says something in Italian and then comesback with a large oyster shell which has a small round circle on it and l see the word 'napkin' printed on it and he also brings a bowl for my scraps.  He gets me to look at the oyster and says "watch it grow". He pours water on this napkin and it grows upwards in a cylinder shape in front of my eyes rising steadily and as he pours slowly he continues to smile and wink at me...by this stage l am pissing myself laughing and especially seeing as l am reading '50 shades of Grey" at the moment, l am beside myself.  This dude will not leave me alone and l also stand out like a disco ball in this restaurant with my top.  He continues to ask if everything is ok each time he walks by and if he could get me anything.  Hilarious and meanwhile due to it being such a small place Liz keeps on getting knocked by the other with his tummy each time he walks by....lol

We pay our bill and off to bed.  The daily intake of red wine has hit me and we are off to Tuscany tomorrow morning for 7 days were we have a villa.

Arrivederci Z xx

Positano day 2

Good morning sunny NOT Positano.  The sea is black and not clear blue as it was yesterday.  It has rained all night and still no stopping now.  The clouds are black as well and the water coming down from the top of the mountain is flowing down the stairways fast and rapidly.  Minor flooding at the bottom on the beach as locals try to clean up and remove debris out of the way.  I quickly check the weather to find that in the 2 days we have in Positano it will rain and thunder....what the!!  Regardless it is still beautiful and will make the most of it.  The ash from a previous fire up the mountain has washed all the way down and now into the town, sand and sea.  Poor people, not a nice sight to see.

We had a long breakfast this morning and l caught up on my blogging, checked in with family and did some face booking.  I then took an umbrella and walked up the cliff to see the view from up there what a climb in the wet, don't recommend this at all.  We also checked out some hotels along the way and they also has amazing rooms, areas to sit in and restaurants which look out onto the sea.

Due to the bad weather dinner was had at the hotel restaurant Nd it was absolutely beautiful.  Had a nice steak (a bit over the pizza and pasta) and it was delicious.  It had pepper sauce with zucchini and roast potatoes. Another bottle of nice red wine was had and then straight to bed.  Doing nothing is exhausting.  Tomorrow l plan to hopefully get some more walks in and allegedly there should be less rain.

Arrivederci Z xx

Rome - Positano

Get out of Rome early this morning and head to Termi to catch the train to Naples.  I drug myself, for my motion sickness prior to getting on board with some tablets from an Italian chemist and l am out cold in 15 minutes and wake 10 minutes before we get to Naples....not bad at all but boy am l drowsy.  We meet the driver who's taking us to Positano and to get out of their train station parking area we needed to go around the same roundabout 4 times.  Naples is crazy.  No driving rules, dirty and really hard to get out of, but eventually we were on the freeway and heading to a place which l know is absolutely amazing and beautiful.  As we climb the mountain we enter the road to Positano just outside of Salerno and the view looking back onto Salerno is stunning.  We then get to Maiori which is a tiny little finishing village town which has its own little private tiny cove where people are swimming and tanning (we can see this as we look down from the car), then onto Miori which is the same but just a little bigger and the great Amalfi which looks much smaller from what l remember but still very busy as we take 20 minutes to get through a street which is only one way. We skipped the extravagant town of Ravello and headed into Positano all dying to get a bite to eat.  At this stage it's 3.30pm in the afternoon and we sit down for some wines, beers and food and l add the 's' at each if these as we did not move.  Our intentions to swim and tan were not met and instead we relaxed and l was drunk quickly (medication didn't help)...even though l was drunk my cat like reflexes were in still in great form as l jump from the table and run as a cat approaches me.  No damage done to anyone apart from my embarrassment at people watching me.  By this point l could not sit still anymore in fear of it coming back (which it did) and instead l scoped out restaurants for dinner and went shopping for moo moos (these are dresses we 'ladies' where ontop of our cozzies). 

Dinner was on the balcony of a nice restaurant who also had a cat outside the door but l made sure l picked a place where cats couldn't climb up...lol.  We had a beautiful view of the nightlife and during the month of September Positano put on a concert between 9.30 and 10.30 in the square and we enjoyed dinner with music, great food, wine and company (l got drunk again). Straight to bed and looking forward to getting up in the morning to the sunshine and breakfast on our balcony.

Ciao Z xx

Rome - shopping

Heading out from breakfast this morning we walked to Piazza Navona and spent the morning walking through all the little tiny streets near there and St Angelo's.  The are was really cute with little cases, cupcake stores, trendy hairdressers, antique places and jewelry stores.  We then crossed the bridge to St Angelo's and could see down to The Vatican where we got asked to buy everything under the sun, mainly fake handbags and umbrellas to keep the sun away.  At this point no shopping was done.

Back to Piazza Navona we went and then to Trevi fountain to meet Ange.  We stopped for a well deserved Gelato and headed towards the Spanish steps cause that's where all the stores are that l wanted to go into, Prada, Gucci, Furla, bvlgari and etc.  Stopped at Camper where Ange got some sandals and then Liz and l headed into the stores......my favorites was a 1250euro Prada handbag (which remained on the shelves) and l got myself a going out little Furla bag for 90euro...bargain!

Then headed bag to the hotel all excited with my purchase and hot from walking around and so looking forward to jumping into the pool, having a drink to celebrate my purchase and chilling out. Get to the hotel and look for the pool before changing and cannot find it.  We can see it from the top balcony (it's one floor down and the deck), we see pictures of it in the brochure and gym but can not access it.  So we go to the room and call reception and ask how to get to the pool and the guys goes "Madam the pool is for guests who stay in the presidential suite only, it is for their access only from their room..." and my immediate reply was "Sir, is there someone in the room and if not must be in the wrong room and surely if no one is using it other guests could". Guess what the reply back was?  "No madam....you are exactly where you are a meant to be, goodbye". Ouch....lol

Instead off to the roof top bar we went for a bottle of Rose and some snacks prior to going to dinner.

Off to Positano tomorrow where we will get the train to Naples and then a service car to Positano via Amalfi coast.  Looking forward to sitting in the sun for 3 days and doing nothing (maybe going to Capri) and enjoying the beautiful view.

Ciao Z xx

Sight seeing in Rome

My first sleep in this morning was fantastic.  No plans for anything apart from wondering around and getting to breakfast.

Breakfast in on the 2nd floor of the hotel which looks out onto the piazza which is busy as early in the morning with a protest happening down the street and police vehicles everywhere, tv crews and helicopters.  Had to ask the hotel what was going on cause the large presence of it all was overwhelming and you could see most people at the hotel were concerned but all was good.

So l have breakfast and head across to the Spanish steps which are still a very popular tourist spot with people sitting around, filling up their water bottles from the fountain and attempting to take self portrait photos.  Looking down the street of where the steps start is a street which has all the designer stores on it so after sitting around for a while l get myself going down 'luxury avenue' lets say and believe it or not l didn't walk into any of them.  All where empty and looked very unwelcoming so l strolled by and securely l think by credit card was happy about this.

So l head into stores such as Gap, Zara and Sephora and then head towards the Trevi fountain and on my way l find 4 elderly American men lost looking for the fountain who have just arrived from a cruise ship and had limited time to see things. So l advise that l am heading that way so they can follow me and l have a map.  So we walk around we get around a corner and l am not too sure which way to go next so l ask a police officer who says straight, left and then right it should be there. So l put the map away and we follow her directions and, guess what we end up at the Spanish steps again.....lol. I was so embarrassed the men were annoyed (but laughed) and said that they did exactly what the
guide on the cruise ship told them not to do which was "don't follow strangers who may
seem nice".... Lol.  I defended myself by saying it was the police officers fault and one of them goes "typical female, never their fault...." but in a nice funny way.  So let them get back to their ship and l continue on, again and guess what at exactly the same position l asked for directions we were meant to go right and then left...anyways the Trevi fountain was in front of me and it was as beautiful and spectacular as last time.  Half of the left side of the fountain wall is covered up due to restoration works but still very packed with people
throwing money in, taking photos and generally sitting around having gelato while listening to the water flow.

I head back to the hotel to greet Liz who has just arrived and we spend the afternoon
chatting and chilling out and planning dinner for the evening.

For dinner we went to a suburb outside the Rome city walls which was really cute and full of
ambiance and people.  Eating in the suburbs is very different to the city centre due to the
noise and lack of tourists.  We had a delicious meal and then walked around from one piazza to another stopping at a bar, meeting some great Americans and Dutch people.  The American couple were traveling with their daughter and were from Wisconsin and invited Liz and l to visit and stay with them anytime should we be in the US.  They were a very cute couple and we had hours of entertainment due to their surname which was 'Truelove'.  To prove it l saw their ID.  It is so great to meet nice people while traveling.

Tomorrow brings more walking around and exploring.

Arrivederci Z xx

Ciao from Rome

We arrived in Rome safely with Czech airways who were good and got a private transfer car from the airport to the hotel.  We are staying at hotel Bernini in Piazza Barberini, which has the Spanish steps on one side and the Trevino fountain on the other.  Location is great for sight seeing and shopping.

After checking into the hotel (beautiful room we have this old world boutique hotel, even has a lounge room) l spent the afternoon sitting at a cafe people watching and having a pizza.  I can people watch for hours and the waiter at the cafe was hilarious.  A young kid who worked hard but perverted on all the female tourists as they walked by and tried to chat most of them up.  

That evening we had drinks and dinner on the roof top of the hotel and enjoyed the views of the Vatican and the. Rest of Rome.  The food was amazing and in Italy they cater very well for Gluten free meals......I had my first pasta dish which as you would expect in Italy was delicious.

Tomorrow brings walking around and welcoming Liz to Rome.

Arrivederci Z xx