Dieva Marina, Portofino and Venice, Italy.

Wow I can't believe how fast time goes by and all that we have covered since I wrote last! Especially at our age! We have covered a lot so I will be as brief as I can here to cover the fun high-lights since leaving Monterosso (Cinque Terre).

We took the train up the coast a bit to a town we had checked out called Dieva Marina. 

After leaving the crowds of the Cinque Terre it was almost unbelievable that we would find a little place this close in the same area, one that was quiet and still on the ocean too!

Our new home in Dieva Marina called "Residence Kriss" - We highly recommend this place!

We checked into our new home called the Kriss Hotel or as locals call it Residence Kriss. I highly recommend this place and the owners will treat you very well at a decent price. Add to that Maria who served us our breakfast every morning was so nice we would have liked to sneak her home with us!

Most of the people in this town are locals. At the time of our arrival there were very few tourists and hardly any from North America at all! Most were from Europe. 

Barb finds us all the shortcuts and alleys to wander through = Fun!

Our lil boutique hotel was well located a block from the beach and everything in town is within walking distance. Food prices were much more reasonable and one could tell there was less and less English spoken in this area. Heck there was even a camp ground near by where people were camped with their Motorhomes and trailers. That always gets my attention and we have seen quite a lot of the RV culture over here.

Our days would start off with breakfast downstairs in the hotel with a nice Cappacino or two. If that isn't your fancy ask for an Americano or tea. Orange juice is right off the local tree and you can hear them make it in the back once you order. Mmmmm!

The main patio below our room.

PORTOFINO, ITALY

our favorite local Italian Restaurant back home happens to be in Cochrane and goes by this very same name; "Portofino." So we knew we had to venture over to this famous little spot. Off we went on the trains again and once we landed in San Margharita we took a ferry over to Portofino. Wow!

Trains in Europe are what moves most of the people and they are very efficient.

After riding the train we took a boat into Portofino.

Barb agrees it is a beautiful sight to see!

Now if you didn't know as one lady put it (standing beside us) this is where the rich men bring the ones they want to marry and then later on their their mistresses that they want to impress. I don't know that this is true, but I do know this place will impress most anyone. What an unbelievable place, the views are indescribable. It's all located in a tight little cove with those beautiful blue green waters another very cool old Italian town. 

A view to behold!

Boats are constantly coming in and out of the lil harbour and the locals boats are all tied up to buoys in the most orderly fashion you have ever seen! The beauty of some of these boats. Mahogany wood and dark blue, clean and pristine! Places like this really make me want to own a boat and bring it here to relax the days away under the Italian sun.

Later in the day one of the yachts came in that I saw earlier anchored outside Portofino. One would swear it was the US Navy! I have seen larger but she was a beauty. This thing was huge with four decks, gizmos and gadgets like you wouldn't believe. I counted 6 or so Crew working on the decks outside, I don't know how many were on the inside. It was very cool to see it come in and dock in the tight little Marina here. On the transom was her name " i Boat 2."

I know who was having a yacht built with the name "i Boat 1" so I'm not sure who now owns this one? But it was very impressive indeed. Photos do not do it justice.

Who is this and why haven't they invited us aboard!

These pictures do not do this yacht justice.

When we first arrived here Barb decided we should go on a little hike up to a castle. About 10lbs weight loss and a gallon of perspiration later (humid) we arrived near the top. We never did go in the so- called castle but the views were extrodinary to say the least. As well there were a number of homes along small brick lanes (no cars up here) with perfect Italian gardens and so much more beauty and views. It always makes me wonder how and who brings up their groceries and new found furniture pieces etc when they purchase same?

The hiking begins.

A quick photo from above.

Note the Castle over looking the water.

The homes and their yards above Portofino were beautiful.

On the edge of the water on the other side is where most of the restaurants are.

Off we went on our trip down which except for stopping for more pictures took but a few quick minutes. After that we went back to the harbour is search for a good restaurant to re fill our energy, rest and enjoy the sights which there were plenty of.

The restaurants are mostly along the harbours edge which is shaped around the cove like a horseshoe. We found the spot that looked the best, it was a floating section tied to the edge and containes about 10 or 12 tables, enough to sit 35 people. We lucked out there was still room on this busy sunny day.

The floating restaurant. Here we are waiting for our food - Bellisimo!

It was plain to see that this place probably made it on to " Robin Leeches" TV Show "Lifestyles of the Rich & Famous" at least once or twice. There was a lot of money in the water (boats) and walking around the Marina too. We ordered our meals and relaxed in the comfy chairs as the floating decked swayed up and down and back and forth, the perfect place for one of Jim's naps I thought! But alas not today, too many things to see haha.

As we sat there Barb decided to have a "Bellini" as I ordered up some well deserved desert. A while later Barb was off touring the lil shops and I waited and relaxed. In Italy rarely does the bill come until you ask for it. It is rude in their culture to rush you out the door, they want your meals to be a restful experience and today that was so welcomed. I finally called for the bill.

Now in my day of a lot of business luncheons and travel over the years I have had a lot of expensive lunches. I don't know that any of them would top this one though. The Bill was over €80 Euros and if you do the math at about $1.45 Canadian to the Euro you will get my drift.

But I really wasn't surprised... what happened next I will never forget! 

In fact, I will never let Barb forget it either! :) 

As my eyes moved up the bill from the total below I noted each price of the items. My eyes quickly stopped at Barb's after lunch Bellini. At that point my eyes sent a message to my brain!

Now I saw the Bellini that she consumed. It was in a regular sized Champagne glass but very petite when compared to the price. We were charged a mere €25.00 (Euro) for that little bit of a delight. 

Well I thought... That was enchanting wasn't it and I draw your attention back to the name of Robin Leeches TV show of days gone by! 

My advice is bring a snack or eat before attending Portofino! 

Oh... And before I forget... the food at Portofino's in Cochrane, Alberta is better in my opinion!

After lunch we wandered a bit then roadie the ferry back and took the train home to Dieva Marina.

Much of the rest of our time staying in this area was exploring other towns and relaxing. We even had a day on the beach and did some reading too. All in all we love Dieva Marina! It is easy to get around to other places and has everything you need including a nice beach right in town.

VENICE, ITALY

We had decided that we would go over to some of the eastern countries while here and in doing so headed up to Venice for a couple of days including it in our route.

If you know Venice, it's that city built out on the water so many years ago. Canals line the buildings like alleys and streets. It is unimaginable to me how that long ago they were able to build & do all of this. It is one thing to see the photos or the video on your lap top computer or TV, but once you arrive and step out to see it for the first time in real life I guarantee your jaw will drop. The only bad thing I have to say is the crowds, it's like all the other popular tourist places, crowded!

Riding the train to Venice. This time we had compartments with room for six people in each.

The Conductor does come around & check for paid tickets so don't try to fool them!

Travelling through this part of Italy took us through a lot of farms and agricultural areas.

Here as you come in to Venice is view from a distance!

After getting of the train you come outside of the station and this is the view. WOW!

Sitting in the Bus Stop waiting for our Bus to come along.

Our advice was to stay away from the tourist area and to eat in the regular area (local restaurants). One can go into the tourist area but it is best in the evening after they have either left or have gone somewhere for dinner. By the way dinner in Italy doesn't really start until about 8pm.

We arrived by train at around 430 pm. After we got into the area we took a public bus (often the best & cheapest anywhere in Europe) over towards where we were staying. By the way the buses here are all boats, as are the taxis, ambulances, police vehicles etc. There are no cars or vehicles here - none!

Fire Department - sure beats driving around in a big Fire Truck!

Federal Police on patrol. Most places have local municipal Police as well.

The yellow & orange boats are all Ambulances parked outside the Emergency Dept at the Hospital.

Ambulances here are just like at home, except they do not have any wheels!

We made it over to our drop off point and what a sight to see. It's busy here and lots of coming and going. The locals are busy and the work boats are either doing construction, carrying food, or goods and materials back and forth up and down the canals of this wonderfully crazy little place.

Inside the city Bus. It's a lil humid inside here so it's better to be outside!

Another city bus going the other way.

Boats of varying descriptions. Some times there are traffic jams too!

There are a lot of "Cargo Boats" like this one. Moving goods for hotels, restaurants & businesses.

I didn't realize this but there are several islands which are apart of all this. We didn't venture to the others we stayed on the main island.

Our home for the next two nights was what we would call a mix of a B&B and a little boutique hotel. It had 6 rooms. We had breakfast every morning here. The owner (Davide) who runs the place is very helpful & friendly. 

Our room was great, they even folded out the hide-a-bed but we didn't need that.

Davide states the ceilings in our bedroom are original from the late 1400's (15th Century).

This lil Boutique Hotel is actually only the main floor of a five floor building. This is the Reception.

At the other end of the room (lobby) was our Breakfast area. Our room was to the right.

This is the brass name plate on the door, we recommend the place, you can find them on the internet.

The building was 15th Century (late 1400's) and was originally someone's palace. 

Due to rules put in place by the ruler of the time no one else could call their place a palace so they called them "Casa." You will see a picture of the name plate in Brass above. Venice in it's day was a very rich and powerful group of people I'm not sure I can call it a nation but? You can read up about it on the internet - pay particular attention to how the islands were built to support these buildings.

So on our first night we had a nice little Venetian dinner at a place recommended by Davide. Our reservations were for 8pm and after dinner we decided to walk and enjoy the warm (very humid here) evening while taking in the sites.

At 130am with Barb almost in tears and me not far behind her we stopped. 

We had asked several people how to get back home and they all had their opinions. Most of their directions while heartfelt I am sure but were so lengthy no one could follow them so we had hoped we would just get closer and closer to home each time we asked. That was not to be. 

We had a full moon that night and it started off as a beautiful evening with that moon out there above the buildings shining down on us. Once we were trying to find our way, the buildings were so close together we couldn't see where the moon was or get our bearings. By this time we were both exhausted and not feeling all that great about Venice.

We couldn't bring my IPhone with us as the battery was dead therefor we had no compass or GPS to find our way with. We did have a map that was given us but we also found out we need new reading glasses. No more fooling ourselves we could not read the tiny print with the street names! Yikes!

Finally a young Italian man with broken English saw us at the steps of a canal bridge with a map in our hands. He was the one who thankfully walked us half way and sent us down the right streets to our door, we were ever so thankful!

You must understand that many of the streets are very narrow and dark. The buildings in places almost touch each other as they wave back and forth (wavy walls after so many years). Every canal begins to look the same and so do their bridges. When we saw an actual street name they meant nothing at all to us if in fact we could speed them or even pronounce their names.

One of the problems was that map they give out. Neither one of us realized before this just how bad our eyes were getting for reading small fine print like that, especially in the darkness of the streets and alleys. What a way to find out. I would also think that normal vision would have had a problem reading the fine print (street names) on these map! But alas the adventure was over and to bed we did retire!

The next day we used my cell phone as it was now charged up.

So we spent the next day seeing more of the sights. We took one water bus that toured us all around the Grande Canal and that was fun. So many boats, so many people and all this old buildings sitting like that on the water. 

Door bells for apartments. 

That's a Federal Coast Gaurd boat on the right.

A Gondalier paddling a Gondola and chasing us down!

Traffic is starting to build with Taxis, busses and all sorts of cargo boats!

This gives one an all new meaning for a "waterfront Hotel." There are lots of them!

Beautiful Mahogony Taxis everywhere!

The Grande Canal!

I think we spent close to half the day trying to get Answers and figure out how to get a bus to go to Lake Bled in Slovenia.

Every time we thought we were close to the right answer it failed. We walked and walked. The Tourist people didn't know, the other bus driver thought you could buy direct from the bus driver who goes there and we couldn't afford to take a chance without knowing or a reservation of some kind. If one didn't get out of here one may not get a room again for the next night without a hotel reservation. Finally we got the bus issue solved but it took hours and miles of walking.

Let me say this. Barb is the ultimate Travel Tour Booking Agent!

She spends hours ahead of time researching places to go, how to get there, pricing and where to stay etc. I have to say with out her I would be lost and not very happy. If you do one of these trips and we recommend that you do, do the research and bring a computer (we have IPads this time) with you.

Back to Venice, The humidity was a bit heavy (high 90's I was told) the temps were only in the mid 20's C but it felt warmer in the sunlight. Due to all the tourism (people here from all over the world) most locals in the service industries speak some kind of English, to some degree. So my thoughts are; come see the place but don't plan staying for a week, a couple of full days is enough and well worth it.

So as our time closes for Venice and Italy (not sure if we will be back again this trip) I think of all the fun we have had here. I also begin to wonder what the weather will be like as we head farther into Eastern Europe through so,e of the Alps into Austria and then into Slovenia. Stay tuned! 

ROME Our 2014 Starting Point

Ahh Rome! One of my favourite cities in the world! - Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2014. 

We left Calgary bright and early on Saturday Morning (Sept. 13, 2014) and flew our usual route that again had nothing to do with our destination! Why you ask? Because we fly Airmiles. Yes we are sponsored by our bank so to speak. We spend like crazy on our Visa card (paying the bills off as we go of course) to rack up the valued Air miles so that we can travel.

As a result we fly with American Airlines and their affiliates which often makes our first stop Dallas,Texas. I swear that if we were flying Calgary to Edmonton we would still have to go to Dallas first!

After our wonderful time in the oh so familiar Dallas terminal we ventured onto stop number two which was Charlotte, North Carolina. 

 

Jim finds his people in Charlotte N.C. 

This would have been perfect if we would have had time to visit with our good friends who live down there but that was not to be. The only good felling was knowing I was close to my ancestral primates as you can see in the picture above. This is the home of NASCAR and the sport (my sport) of stock car racing!

Add in the fact I had been developing such a good cold over the last few days being anywhere around Jim at that time could have proven fatal to your very existence.

On Sunday we finally got on with the trip and headed with our last leg on to Rome!

Generally speaking in a perfect world one would have had a great sleep on the aircraft thus making the jet lag experience a thing that only others talk about, this was not to be.

As with modern aircraft anywhere now a days unless you have about $4000.00 to shell out you end up in the "Sardine Class" which some refer to as the "Cattle Section!"

Squeezed into the Sardine Class!

Most of you can relate to this I am sure. If you are a male and over 5'7" tall this is known as barbaric torture on a flight lasting any longer than about two hours! As depicted in the photo above, one has to squeeze into their seat and remain there.

It amazes me with today's modern technology as proven by Honda and others how they can make the inside of such a small car so roomy! This technology is apparently not shared with the airlines.

If this was a restaurant the Fire Marshall would have said ok, no more than 200 people can be in here at the same time. But this is a commercial airline so let's squeeze in 342 people and see how miserable we can make them!

 Travelling on airlines can get old.

Have you noticed over the last few weeks that aircraft have been diverted on several occasions to different airports because of fights breaking out on-board? Then they have the nerve to blame it on the passengers! 

One inventive guy had a device so that the seat in front of him could not recline into his already too small space. He too was removed by police! I still can't figure out how not to put my elbow in the persons lap beside me? But so goes the tales of modern transportation and we were about to live it all over again.

On TV commercials they (lie to you) show passengers lounging in their chairs with their laptops on their tables and enjoying the flight with a refreshing drink and meal. Are you kidding me! 

In real life have you ever tried sleeping on one of these? First off even with the chair reclined your head only fits in about 2 positions neither one of which is approved by the Canadian Chiropratic Society. After 4 hours women in shorts & skirts are noted to have purple legs and huge ankles. Walking the isles and doing exercises near the bathroom (like the good old days) are no longer allowed by the FAA due to our friends from the Middle East slowly trying to take over our way of life.

In fact you will notice that on Trans-Atlantic flights the reason why it takes so long to get off the flight at the end is due to the morgue people removing all the victims of blood clots. 

I almost forgot that I was molested at the airport by an immigrant in a security uniform! Oh, Am I allowed to say that? The rest I know I would offend someone so I will leave that there. 

Ordered to I raised my hands in the air while his female partner stood there smiling at me, he fondled parts of me I had long forgot existed! Only because my legs were still numb (fooled you didn't I).

"All I want to do is go on a holiday" I cried! 

Then I woke up with my neck so sore I expected my head was detached and laying in my lap. Yes lil Jimmy it's true you are still on the flight from you know where... Somewhere over the Atlantic. 

I guess I did doze off but for no more that 15 mins I am sure!

About nine hours ahead of our home time now, we finally landed at our destination Rome! 

Full of excitement we sat in our chairs to watch the crowd of hundreds spring to their feet in anticipation the doors would somehow quickly fling open and they would instantly be rushed out of the winged monster! We knew better. Remember my story about the "morgue men!" 

After about 8.9 minutes we were still in our seats while the others were lined up wondering what happened to the doors.. when the pilot came over the air to announce that the Bridge guy failed to show up to work so they were looking for someone who knew how to attach it to the plane. That's another rule of flying, nothing happens fast so why get in line thinking that it will?

EUROPE THRU THE BACK DOOR.

So before I forget... many of you may think we are rich (because of all the travelling we do) and the answer is simply no. We do it very frugally so that we can do it. One way is in thanks to our sponsors at Visa for the Airmiles we get. This trip cost us $90 a couple in airfare!

Rome felt so good. In many ways coming back to Italy for me is like the feeling you get when you go back home. I'm not Italian but I do love Italy! I love the culture, the food, the hussle and bustle and did I mention the people! It's just fun here in so many ways. Add in the history and location and you have one of the best locations. Don't forget I did live in a Sorrento apartment for two months the last time we were here, so in a way it does feel like home. The memories do all start flooding back once you are out walking the streets.

As we wandered through the airport we went through customs and Immigration. Wondering what this would be like today I laughed as I went through... the officer was too busy talking to his girlfriend on his cell phone to do anything but stamp my passport and away we went. Luggage was easy and we wandered out to the public area where the crowds were waiting for us. Cruise ships, limos, tours all holding their signs and then we saw them!

Julie and Tony! The whole reason we are here!

You see a year or two ago the four of us decided that one day we should tour Europe together. 

This was now the time. Julie and Tony hale from my ancestral country of England and now live in Marrorca an island off the coast of Spain. You may know them from our last trip to Europe or perhaps you have met them as they travel often to Calgary. In fact Julie lived in Calgary for many years at one time and is a wonderful cousin of mine (Jim's).  

So, they met us here in Rome with their car and now the true adventure is about to begin! It seems a bit funny at this age but I think we actually all have more fun travelling at this time in our lives! So stay tuned to this Blog as we record and share our adventures over the next couple of months. We will travel Italy, Greece and other parts of Europe yet to be determined!