So today is a big one here. We have a cooking class in the morning as well as in the afternoon.
Cooking class this morning was a bit slow after our long day out yesterday but none the less still cooked up a storm!
For morning cooking class we prepared Spanish food. We made a really good Gazpacho which I will definitely make when I am back home it was very good.
Main dish we made was a Seafood Paella but all the seafood we added we prepared right from start. So cleaning and cooking. I was the lucky one and got to clean the squids, what a messy job! But still has not put me off in any way and if someone goes diving in future I will make a paella, promise! O we also added drumsticks to all of this, was really a fantastic meal and makes a good photo as well with all the colors.
Then no meal in Italy, lunch or dinner is complete without desert! So we made Crema Catalana, which was really good! And then just to spice things up we made Sangria to go with this meal. Very good.
Tonight we will be serving French.
We made a Baked Goats cheese salad, Sea Bass baked in a crust of salt, Ratatouille and then to keep in the theme of lean and slimming food you have been reading about over the last week and a half, we will finish off the meal with Molten Chocolate cake (which mostly is made out of 70% Coco Lindt Chocolate!) o yes and with that we have made a Lavender ice cream.
So dinner will be served in about 15minutes time and it is going to be a long evening with loads of good food and more good wine!
I have to say goodbye now, as I have some clothes on the line and it might rain soon so let me speed.
Will let you know how dinner was.
Hope you are all with your loved ones and having a super evening.
Take care
D
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday - Day trip
Hi All
Once again thank you so much for all the emails and comments!!
There was a time earlier this week that I had decided to give up on blogging...just lazy, but after all the comments you have made and mailed me I will keep this as up to date as possible.
So Tuesday was our day trip day, once again. And as I am here for 2 courses I attended the exact same day trip as last week. So I won't bore you with all the detail you already have. There were some changes though which made it interesting for me as well. In stead of 2hours shopping in the town of Arezzo, we did a museum and cathedral tour. It truly is an amazing city and some of the Fresco's date all the way back to the early 1600. Our guide was wonderful, and recognized me from last week as well!!
As last week, this was a long day, but we had fun. Dinner was at the same restaurant as last week...thank goodness the meal wasn't the same! But this time we got to sit outside as it was not raining and the place has a great view of the town of Poppi and the Castle on the top of the hill, which is lit by night! Stunning.
Once we got back to the Villa, everyone went straight to bed.
Well hope you all had a super day and that things are well
Regards
Deidre
Once again thank you so much for all the emails and comments!!
There was a time earlier this week that I had decided to give up on blogging...just lazy, but after all the comments you have made and mailed me I will keep this as up to date as possible.
So Tuesday was our day trip day, once again. And as I am here for 2 courses I attended the exact same day trip as last week. So I won't bore you with all the detail you already have. There were some changes though which made it interesting for me as well. In stead of 2hours shopping in the town of Arezzo, we did a museum and cathedral tour. It truly is an amazing city and some of the Fresco's date all the way back to the early 1600. Our guide was wonderful, and recognized me from last week as well!!
As last week, this was a long day, but we had fun. Dinner was at the same restaurant as last week...thank goodness the meal wasn't the same! But this time we got to sit outside as it was not raining and the place has a great view of the town of Poppi and the Castle on the top of the hill, which is lit by night! Stunning.
Once we got back to the Villa, everyone went straight to bed.
Well hope you all had a super day and that things are well
Regards
Deidre
Monday, August 27, 2007
Finaly - Blog up to date.
Hi
It is Monday today and the 2nd day of my Mediterranean cooking course.
Today we have 2 cooking lessons! Yes, I know it is very hard work but someone has to do it...lol!
We had to prepare a 3 course French meal for lunch. It was okay, we made a Eggplant Caviar, which I could probably go through the rest of my life and never ever make again...to sweet.
Then we all got to make our own Focaccia's, wow!! As I said I need a outdoor pizza oven!!!
I made Tapendae today and it was really good, I had it on everything...lol!
For dinner we have prepared a Moroccan menu. Dinner is at 8 here and we get to try 1 white and 1 red wine every night from different areas in Italy. The menu for tonight looks good, and cooking lesson this afternoon was not to bad, so lets hope the food it great.
Hope you are all keeping well and that you have had a good start to the week.
Tomorrow we will be out from 9 in the morning until 11:30 in the evening on a day trip. Should be fun...as this is the second time I will be visiting everything (the groups get to do the same outing!) O well, I am sure I will still have loads of fun, even if it is just to see the area again.
Take care
Regards
Deidre
It is Monday today and the 2nd day of my Mediterranean cooking course.
Today we have 2 cooking lessons! Yes, I know it is very hard work but someone has to do it...lol!
We had to prepare a 3 course French meal for lunch. It was okay, we made a Eggplant Caviar, which I could probably go through the rest of my life and never ever make again...to sweet.
Then we all got to make our own Focaccia's, wow!! As I said I need a outdoor pizza oven!!!
I made Tapendae today and it was really good, I had it on everything...lol!
For dinner we have prepared a Moroccan menu. Dinner is at 8 here and we get to try 1 white and 1 red wine every night from different areas in Italy. The menu for tonight looks good, and cooking lesson this afternoon was not to bad, so lets hope the food it great.
Hope you are all keeping well and that you have had a good start to the week.
Tomorrow we will be out from 9 in the morning until 11:30 in the evening on a day trip. Should be fun...as this is the second time I will be visiting everything (the groups get to do the same outing!) O well, I am sure I will still have loads of fun, even if it is just to see the area again.
Take care
Regards
Deidre
Weekend in Casa Ombuto
Saturday was fairly sad as everyone I have been cooking with for the week had to leave, I am the only one staying for the following week in this group.
I spent the day reading and catching up on some much needed sleep!
Then in the late afternoon the new group of people arrived for the Mediterranean cooking course.
We had the welcome dinner on Saturday evening and I now feel like part of the furniture!
For this course I have a different chef. Her name is Laura and she is so different from Paula. Paula was a real Italian mama, she is out going and mad and very funny and everything was done really quickly and perfect! Paula has also offered to be a Mentor to me with my future plans, makes me teary just writing this. I am thrilled by this offer, she shares her advice and in sites so easily and freely.
Laura is a sweet Italian woman who is only now studying English and doing really well considering I only know about 10 Italian words. Allora being my favourite one which could have so many different meanings it is not funny!
Dinner was great and then off to bed another day complete.
Sunday spent the morning at the pool and yet again I look like a lobster! Body is a bit eina but should blow over in a day or two.
Sunday evening was our first cooking lesson with Laura. Pace is much slower than it was with Paula last week, also here we all work on one dish all at once and then only do we move on to the next on, and as we prepare 4 dishes every night is takes quite some time!
The food was really good.
Hope you have all had a super weekend and I heard that it has been raining in CT, I will bring some good weather to you when I return.
Take care all
D
I spent the day reading and catching up on some much needed sleep!
Then in the late afternoon the new group of people arrived for the Mediterranean cooking course.
We had the welcome dinner on Saturday evening and I now feel like part of the furniture!
For this course I have a different chef. Her name is Laura and she is so different from Paula. Paula was a real Italian mama, she is out going and mad and very funny and everything was done really quickly and perfect! Paula has also offered to be a Mentor to me with my future plans, makes me teary just writing this. I am thrilled by this offer, she shares her advice and in sites so easily and freely.
Laura is a sweet Italian woman who is only now studying English and doing really well considering I only know about 10 Italian words. Allora being my favourite one which could have so many different meanings it is not funny!
Dinner was great and then off to bed another day complete.
Sunday spent the morning at the pool and yet again I look like a lobster! Body is a bit eina but should blow over in a day or two.
Sunday evening was our first cooking lesson with Laura. Pace is much slower than it was with Paula last week, also here we all work on one dish all at once and then only do we move on to the next on, and as we prepare 4 dishes every night is takes quite some time!
The food was really good.
Hope you have all had a super weekend and I heard that it has been raining in CT, I will bring some good weather to you when I return.
Take care all
D
So far behind on my Blog!! Friday 24Aug
Hi all
Thank you so much for those of you who have been able to post comments to me on my blog. I am sorry but Darryl tied via phone to explain to me how to allow anyone to Comment and not only people who are signed in...I still can't get it right. Blame it on my holiday mode.
Right so the final Cooking day for the Italian cooking course has arrived :-(
I have made such wonderful friends in this group. We all got along from the word go and it feels like I am having to say goodbye to people I have known for years. But we had loads of fun and worked hard together and had a wonderful time. I hope to keep close contact to some of the ladies I have met here.
Our chef Paola had us prepare 13 different things for the buffet farewell dinner tonight. Wow! What a long afternoon in the kitchen. But it was wonderful, a bit mad with 12 people in the kitchen but all went well. I made Rabbit....O yes that is correct, I made a really good rabbit stew and also made the Biscotti (and left the sugar out!!!) Thank goodness I remembered just before I rolled them out and backed them, still came out really nice. In Italy you don't have your Biscotti with tea or coffee, but you dip it in Vincanto (holy wine, like a cherry)... I just think it is another excuse to dink....lol!
I have taken photos of all the stuff we prepared and will post them on the site once I am home.
We also made Gnocchi which is just to die for, and I will have to make some when I am home.
Then once everything was ready we had dinner and drinks...again! All the food was really good. I am running every morning otherwise I might have to reserve another seat for my flight back to SA!!
It was hard to say goodbye to everybody and we had a wonderful evening. Our chefs son and husband joined us and we sang and danced till well in the morning hours. A perfect way to end a perfect week.
I think holiday agrees with me... I am so much more relaxed and could go on living like this forever. I like the person I am now far more than I have in quite some time!
To those of you who are unable to comment on the blog site, please feel free to email me on my hotmail address as I am on there every day as well.
Take care all
D
Thank you so much for those of you who have been able to post comments to me on my blog. I am sorry but Darryl tied via phone to explain to me how to allow anyone to Comment and not only people who are signed in...I still can't get it right. Blame it on my holiday mode.
Right so the final Cooking day for the Italian cooking course has arrived :-(
I have made such wonderful friends in this group. We all got along from the word go and it feels like I am having to say goodbye to people I have known for years. But we had loads of fun and worked hard together and had a wonderful time. I hope to keep close contact to some of the ladies I have met here.
Our chef Paola had us prepare 13 different things for the buffet farewell dinner tonight. Wow! What a long afternoon in the kitchen. But it was wonderful, a bit mad with 12 people in the kitchen but all went well. I made Rabbit....O yes that is correct, I made a really good rabbit stew and also made the Biscotti (and left the sugar out!!!) Thank goodness I remembered just before I rolled them out and backed them, still came out really nice. In Italy you don't have your Biscotti with tea or coffee, but you dip it in Vincanto (holy wine, like a cherry)... I just think it is another excuse to dink....lol!
I have taken photos of all the stuff we prepared and will post them on the site once I am home.
We also made Gnocchi which is just to die for, and I will have to make some when I am home.
Then once everything was ready we had dinner and drinks...again! All the food was really good. I am running every morning otherwise I might have to reserve another seat for my flight back to SA!!
It was hard to say goodbye to everybody and we had a wonderful evening. Our chefs son and husband joined us and we sang and danced till well in the morning hours. A perfect way to end a perfect week.
I think holiday agrees with me... I am so much more relaxed and could go on living like this forever. I like the person I am now far more than I have in quite some time!
To those of you who are unable to comment on the blog site, please feel free to email me on my hotmail address as I am on there every day as well.
Take care all
D
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Another day of cooking
Hi All
Right Wednesday we prepared quite a lot of dishes in the kitchen. It was a long lesson but we had loads of fun. Wednesday seems to be a bit of a blur right now, so until I remember all of it I will move on to Thursday now.
Thursday was our day off. So we could do whatever we wanted to for the day. But seeing as there was only one car amongst 11 it took quite a bit of organising to get everyone mobile for the day.
I spent the day with 3 of the great friends I have made here, Fiona, Angela and Denise. It was raining for most of the day so we stayed in and lazed around on the upstairs balcony with a view over the pool, we chatted and listened to music. Fiona played some Andrea Pochelli for us, and to our surprise one of the ladies that works here told us that she - Sylvia has written a song for him. Wow! It is a long story which I will tell to those who are interested when I see you again. The song is "Live for the Music"
Then when the rain had FINALLY cleared up we went to Poppi for the evening. Poppi has a wine festival this weekend and start the fest with a Firework show on the Thursday night at 24:00. There is a stunning castle in the town of Poppi, in the middle of the old side of town right up on a hill. So 6 of us had dinner at a really stunning restaurant and we had a wonderful time! We laughed and drank wine and just relaxed and had a dinner with "old friends". Perfect!!!
As we only left the Restaurant after 23:00 we walked to the Castle and were just in time for the start of the fireworks.
One can try but you had to be there to understand. The fireworks were done from inside the castle as well as on top of and the front of the castle. Trust me, Symphony of fires is nothing compared to how impressive this was. They had a fountain of fireworks run off the top of the castle all the way to the grass. Then the more fireworks the more smoke, so you had these wonderful colors and this castle in this smoking haze, so mid evil. It was a perfect end to the day.
Then at long last bed at about 2:00.
Take care all
D
Right Wednesday we prepared quite a lot of dishes in the kitchen. It was a long lesson but we had loads of fun. Wednesday seems to be a bit of a blur right now, so until I remember all of it I will move on to Thursday now.
Thursday was our day off. So we could do whatever we wanted to for the day. But seeing as there was only one car amongst 11 it took quite a bit of organising to get everyone mobile for the day.
I spent the day with 3 of the great friends I have made here, Fiona, Angela and Denise. It was raining for most of the day so we stayed in and lazed around on the upstairs balcony with a view over the pool, we chatted and listened to music. Fiona played some Andrea Pochelli for us, and to our surprise one of the ladies that works here told us that she - Sylvia has written a song for him. Wow! It is a long story which I will tell to those who are interested when I see you again. The song is "Live for the Music"
Then when the rain had FINALLY cleared up we went to Poppi for the evening. Poppi has a wine festival this weekend and start the fest with a Firework show on the Thursday night at 24:00. There is a stunning castle in the town of Poppi, in the middle of the old side of town right up on a hill. So 6 of us had dinner at a really stunning restaurant and we had a wonderful time! We laughed and drank wine and just relaxed and had a dinner with "old friends". Perfect!!!
As we only left the Restaurant after 23:00 we walked to the Castle and were just in time for the start of the fireworks.
One can try but you had to be there to understand. The fireworks were done from inside the castle as well as on top of and the front of the castle. Trust me, Symphony of fires is nothing compared to how impressive this was. They had a fountain of fireworks run off the top of the castle all the way to the grass. Then the more fireworks the more smoke, so you had these wonderful colors and this castle in this smoking haze, so mid evil. It was a perfect end to the day.
Then at long last bed at about 2:00.
Take care all
D
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Day trip
Hi all
Tuesday was our day trip. A bus collected us from the Villa and we spent yet another day eating and drinking!
We started the morning with a visit to a butcher shop in Arezzo, and tried some wonderful meats. I bought a role of Salami and will have to sneak it back to SA somewhere in my luggage. Going to have a problem with weight when I come back, well... mine and my luggage!
After that we went to a cheese farm, where they showed us how they make some of the most wonderful cheeses in Italy. From goats as well as sheep! Then off to a tasting! We tried a number of Cheeses and seeing as the couple whose farm it is are from Sardinia they made some traditional Sardinia stuff with the cheese for us to try. You won't believe this but in some of the cakes we had they had added cream cheese in stead of butter, lovely!
After this visit we had gone to a Linen factory. They weave the linen on these massive machines and the fabrics are to die for...so are the prices so only nice to look at.
After this, shopping in Arezzo for almost 2 hours, we had a wonderful time there, they have this 1 very long street in the centre of town where they have all the Brand stores you can think of.
Then a wine tasting. Tried 2 really good wines there, so bought Darryl and Ida a bottle of each for my visit in Sweden. Lets hope I can get it wrapped up between my clothes without breaking so I can get it there in one piece! The wine estate is a little treasure up on the hill. The owners are a elderly couple who also run a guest house there the place is stunning. There tasting room as a very interesting room and has some really great modern art all over, I have loads of photos of it. O, sorry I am unable to add any photos to my log as I had left my cable at home and this computer has no slot to insert my card to download.
Then to end off the evening we had dinner in a restaurant in the town of Poppi. We were all really tired by then as it was 21:00 already and conversation was an effort for all. We had fun anyway.
Another wonderful day under the Tuscan skies has come to an end!
Till my next blog.
Take care all.
Deidre
Tuesday was our day trip. A bus collected us from the Villa and we spent yet another day eating and drinking!
We started the morning with a visit to a butcher shop in Arezzo, and tried some wonderful meats. I bought a role of Salami and will have to sneak it back to SA somewhere in my luggage. Going to have a problem with weight when I come back, well... mine and my luggage!
After that we went to a cheese farm, where they showed us how they make some of the most wonderful cheeses in Italy. From goats as well as sheep! Then off to a tasting! We tried a number of Cheeses and seeing as the couple whose farm it is are from Sardinia they made some traditional Sardinia stuff with the cheese for us to try. You won't believe this but in some of the cakes we had they had added cream cheese in stead of butter, lovely!
After this visit we had gone to a Linen factory. They weave the linen on these massive machines and the fabrics are to die for...so are the prices so only nice to look at.
After this, shopping in Arezzo for almost 2 hours, we had a wonderful time there, they have this 1 very long street in the centre of town where they have all the Brand stores you can think of.
Then a wine tasting. Tried 2 really good wines there, so bought Darryl and Ida a bottle of each for my visit in Sweden. Lets hope I can get it wrapped up between my clothes without breaking so I can get it there in one piece! The wine estate is a little treasure up on the hill. The owners are a elderly couple who also run a guest house there the place is stunning. There tasting room as a very interesting room and has some really great modern art all over, I have loads of photos of it. O, sorry I am unable to add any photos to my log as I had left my cable at home and this computer has no slot to insert my card to download.
Then to end off the evening we had dinner in a restaurant in the town of Poppi. We were all really tired by then as it was 21:00 already and conversation was an effort for all. We had fun anyway.
Another wonderful day under the Tuscan skies has come to an end!
Till my next blog.
Take care all.
Deidre
Day 2 of my Cooking classes
Hi all
Right today was just wonderful! I now know how to make my own Ravioli, so prepare yourselves as I have now falling in love with the taste and will be making my own Ravioli when I am home. We made 2 different fillings which the one was Spinach and Ricotta cheese, with Mushroom truffle sauce over. The other was Goats cheese and Parmesan with loads of fresh chopped herbs and a butter dressing... WOW!!!
We normally cook 4 different things in a day. One would be the starter next the anti pasti, then the 2de main which is you meats and salad and maybe a veg. Then last but not least would be a dessert. Takes us from about 15:00 until about 7:30 to prepare all the food. Then we have a sit down dinner at about 20:15.
The food is amazing and the people I have met here are just wonderful. We all went for a swim this evening at about 23:30 water was stunning, also this event took place after lots of wine and dancing in our diningroom.
Then at long last bed~
On a all day outing in the morning. Will blog and tell you all about it!
Take care, have fun what ever you are doing.
D
Right today was just wonderful! I now know how to make my own Ravioli, so prepare yourselves as I have now falling in love with the taste and will be making my own Ravioli when I am home. We made 2 different fillings which the one was Spinach and Ricotta cheese, with Mushroom truffle sauce over. The other was Goats cheese and Parmesan with loads of fresh chopped herbs and a butter dressing... WOW!!!
We normally cook 4 different things in a day. One would be the starter next the anti pasti, then the 2de main which is you meats and salad and maybe a veg. Then last but not least would be a dessert. Takes us from about 15:00 until about 7:30 to prepare all the food. Then we have a sit down dinner at about 20:15.
The food is amazing and the people I have met here are just wonderful. We all went for a swim this evening at about 23:30 water was stunning, also this event took place after lots of wine and dancing in our diningroom.
Then at long last bed~
On a all day outing in the morning. Will blog and tell you all about it!
Take care, have fun what ever you are doing.
D
Monday, August 20, 2007
Day 2 in Tuscany and 1st cooking class~
Hi All
Sunday and day 2 here for me. This morning I went for a long walk to work off some of the wonderful food we had last night. The place is so quiet and there is no one in sight for miles.
We had breakfast at 9:00 and then all lazed by the pool until 13:00 swimming and tanning.
I now look like a Lobster! But working on my summer tan is hard work........lol! So, how's your weather been ;-)
We started our first cooking lesson at 15:00
I want this kitchen it is amazing.
We have received recipe books and aprons.
Paola showed us how to make our own herbs and salt mixes and oils.
I can't tell you all about the cooking lesson, but it was busy and we kept going till about 20:15. Then we sat down and we were served the meal we had just prepared. It all came out wonderful and the main meal was Pizza which we all made for ourselves and done in a really pizza oven, will tell you all in person when I see you.
Then after dinner drinks and chat and then bed!
Will let you all know how today had been. Hope you have a wonderful week.
Take care all
Regards
Deidre
Sunday and day 2 here for me. This morning I went for a long walk to work off some of the wonderful food we had last night. The place is so quiet and there is no one in sight for miles.
We had breakfast at 9:00 and then all lazed by the pool until 13:00 swimming and tanning.
I now look like a Lobster! But working on my summer tan is hard work........lol! So, how's your weather been ;-)
We started our first cooking lesson at 15:00
I want this kitchen it is amazing.
We have received recipe books and aprons.
Paola showed us how to make our own herbs and salt mixes and oils.
I can't tell you all about the cooking lesson, but it was busy and we kept going till about 20:15. Then we sat down and we were served the meal we had just prepared. It all came out wonderful and the main meal was Pizza which we all made for ourselves and done in a really pizza oven, will tell you all in person when I see you.
Then after dinner drinks and chat and then bed!
Will let you all know how today had been. Hope you have a wonderful week.
Take care all
Regards
Deidre
Off to Tuscany! At long last :-)
Hi
Finally I have arrived!
On Saturday we left for Tuscany. I had a lift with 2 other ladies to the Villa and met them at Florence airport. I was very surprised to find that they were 30 and 35 two sisters from the Philippines traveling together. Made me miss Stellie lots!
We got here at about 7 in the evening. This is a piece of heaven people! I wish that all of you could do a trip like this some day. The Villa is really far away from everything near a small little town (about 12km away) called Poppi.
The Villa is situated in a valley and you are surrounded by green hills as far as the eye can see. It truly is breathtaking. We are 11 people on the course, woman only. What a super group. We all got along straight away. Our first night was spent around the dinner table where we had a welcome dinner. The food was fantastic, wish I could bring Paola back home with me she is a brilliant chef and what a personality.
After dinner out came all the liqueurs and we sat here till very late chatting and swapping stories.
My room is stunning. It is on the bottom floor of the stone Villa has a great bed a little kitchen corner and my own bathroom. I slept like a baby my first night
Take care all
Deidre
Finally I have arrived!
On Saturday we left for Tuscany. I had a lift with 2 other ladies to the Villa and met them at Florence airport. I was very surprised to find that they were 30 and 35 two sisters from the Philippines traveling together. Made me miss Stellie lots!
We got here at about 7 in the evening. This is a piece of heaven people! I wish that all of you could do a trip like this some day. The Villa is really far away from everything near a small little town (about 12km away) called Poppi.
The Villa is situated in a valley and you are surrounded by green hills as far as the eye can see. It truly is breathtaking. We are 11 people on the course, woman only. What a super group. We all got along straight away. Our first night was spent around the dinner table where we had a welcome dinner. The food was fantastic, wish I could bring Paola back home with me she is a brilliant chef and what a personality.
After dinner out came all the liqueurs and we sat here till very late chatting and swapping stories.
My room is stunning. It is on the bottom floor of the stone Villa has a great bed a little kitchen corner and my own bathroom. I slept like a baby my first night
Take care all
Deidre
Capri
Hi All!
On my last day in Pimonte the Hotel Manager Antonio (who spoke English) arranged with a lady from Sicily (Maria) that I join her tour group from Sicily for the day for a visit to the Island of Capri.
I made friends with 4 lovely ladies who were on the tour together, Maria Grazia, Gratziola, Rosa and Castanjana they were so sweet, did not understand a word of English but spoke a lot of Italian to me and I just kept saying Si, No and all the other limited Italian word I know. Worked really well we had a wonderful time!
Travelled by bus to Sorentto, which was a stunning beach front town. We then got a Boat there and travelled across to Capri.
Capri seems to be this Island that is very rocky and the houses and most of the little town is right up on the rocks very high above sea level. Then we had to go by "Funicular" which is a little cable cart on a track up to the top of the town. Now Capri is the holiday destination for all the very very rich! So all the shops in Capri are brand names only, I have never seen so much bling bling and Prada stores in my life!
I took millions of photos on the Island as it is truly something to see! I walked from one side of the Island to the other by myself taking photos will show you all when I get back.
Then we had lunch at a restaurant in town. Was very good, but very very hot and really busy in Capri.
After lunch we took another smaller boat for a tour around the whole Island. Not very big! But the water there is amazing the colour is just stunning and you can not capture its full glory on camera...what a pity. Because I was with another group who were kind enough to allow me to go with them I did not get the opportunity to go into the Blue grotto, the one regret I have..........means I will have to go back some day. One thing I do have to mention is that Capri is very very expensive! O and we saw the Boat Home of Armani there, I have photo's and will show you, you could house a small village on it!!
The outing was definitely a highlight for me. Trip was well worth while.
I have also realized my name is very difficult for the Italian to say so Maria from Sicily had explained that in Italian my name is Desiree, so from now on I will be Desiree in Italy!
Hope you are all doing well and having a good day
Take care
Deidre
On my last day in Pimonte the Hotel Manager Antonio (who spoke English) arranged with a lady from Sicily (Maria) that I join her tour group from Sicily for the day for a visit to the Island of Capri.
I made friends with 4 lovely ladies who were on the tour together, Maria Grazia, Gratziola, Rosa and Castanjana they were so sweet, did not understand a word of English but spoke a lot of Italian to me and I just kept saying Si, No and all the other limited Italian word I know. Worked really well we had a wonderful time!
Travelled by bus to Sorentto, which was a stunning beach front town. We then got a Boat there and travelled across to Capri.
Capri seems to be this Island that is very rocky and the houses and most of the little town is right up on the rocks very high above sea level. Then we had to go by "Funicular" which is a little cable cart on a track up to the top of the town. Now Capri is the holiday destination for all the very very rich! So all the shops in Capri are brand names only, I have never seen so much bling bling and Prada stores in my life!
I took millions of photos on the Island as it is truly something to see! I walked from one side of the Island to the other by myself taking photos will show you all when I get back.
Then we had lunch at a restaurant in town. Was very good, but very very hot and really busy in Capri.
After lunch we took another smaller boat for a tour around the whole Island. Not very big! But the water there is amazing the colour is just stunning and you can not capture its full glory on camera...what a pity. Because I was with another group who were kind enough to allow me to go with them I did not get the opportunity to go into the Blue grotto, the one regret I have..........means I will have to go back some day. One thing I do have to mention is that Capri is very very expensive! O and we saw the Boat Home of Armani there, I have photo's and will show you, you could house a small village on it!!
The outing was definitely a highlight for me. Trip was well worth while.
I have also realized my name is very difficult for the Italian to say so Maria from Sicily had explained that in Italian my name is Desiree, so from now on I will be Desiree in Italy!
Hope you are all doing well and having a good day
Take care
Deidre
Friday, August 17, 2007
Pompei and Men!
Hi all
Right, day 2 in Pimonte, I took a bus to Castalamarra once again and then the train to Pompei. In Pimonte they seem to work on something far worse than Africa time! I sat at the bus stop (bus comes round every 15min. or so they claim) for 2hours waiting for the bus, then just as I was about to burst into tears..........okay right my eyes were watery by then, the bus finally arrived!
Pompei is a stunning place. I spent 4hours walking around in the old city that was ruined by war and then the Vulcano. It is just amazing and no words can explain what you see and feel when walking through a stone city that no one lives in any more. I wish I could publish some photos but will have to try and to that over the weekend for you as now and here it is not possible, and the computers settings are all Italian and my "Word Bible" is in my room.
Then I made my way back to Pimonte in the late afternoon. Only to realize that it is a holiday in Italy and there are no busses in the afternoon!
Yes I know this can only happen to me!!!
So I sat at yet another bus stop for 2hours while every Italian man in the area drove past hooting at me and if I have to hear "Ciao Bella" one more time!!!
So many of the men on Vespas stopped to offer me a "lift" it was shocking, then the men in cars start pulling up next to you stop the car sit there staring at you and hoot all the time......and any man I mean it! All ages they are not shy! One guy and his girlfriend asked me if I wanted I ride with the 2 of them and said something which after saying no thanx and checking the "Word Bible" meant they wanted to know if I was a hostess! O yes, you feel realy cheep trust me it is honestly as bad as I make it out to be! But o well!
The hotel then sent a driver for me, and as you can only imagene before I got into the car I asked him 700 questions to which he sweetly replied in his very very broken english.
Okay I have got to go now, cant use their internet for ever.
Wish I could stay and chat as there is so much more to tell you all!
Well till next time then, when I will tell you all about Capri
Take care all and Have a wonderful weekend.
Please feel free to mail or post a note to me, I would love to hear from you all
Regards
D
Right, day 2 in Pimonte, I took a bus to Castalamarra once again and then the train to Pompei. In Pimonte they seem to work on something far worse than Africa time! I sat at the bus stop (bus comes round every 15min. or so they claim) for 2hours waiting for the bus, then just as I was about to burst into tears..........okay right my eyes were watery by then, the bus finally arrived!
Pompei is a stunning place. I spent 4hours walking around in the old city that was ruined by war and then the Vulcano. It is just amazing and no words can explain what you see and feel when walking through a stone city that no one lives in any more. I wish I could publish some photos but will have to try and to that over the weekend for you as now and here it is not possible, and the computers settings are all Italian and my "Word Bible" is in my room.
Then I made my way back to Pimonte in the late afternoon. Only to realize that it is a holiday in Italy and there are no busses in the afternoon!
Yes I know this can only happen to me!!!
So I sat at yet another bus stop for 2hours while every Italian man in the area drove past hooting at me and if I have to hear "Ciao Bella" one more time!!!
So many of the men on Vespas stopped to offer me a "lift" it was shocking, then the men in cars start pulling up next to you stop the car sit there staring at you and hoot all the time......and any man I mean it! All ages they are not shy! One guy and his girlfriend asked me if I wanted I ride with the 2 of them and said something which after saying no thanx and checking the "Word Bible" meant they wanted to know if I was a hostess! O yes, you feel realy cheep trust me it is honestly as bad as I make it out to be! But o well!
The hotel then sent a driver for me, and as you can only imagene before I got into the car I asked him 700 questions to which he sweetly replied in his very very broken english.
Okay I have got to go now, cant use their internet for ever.
Wish I could stay and chat as there is so much more to tell you all!
Well till next time then, when I will tell you all about Capri
Take care all and Have a wonderful weekend.
Please feel free to mail or post a note to me, I would love to hear from you all
Regards
D
Hi all
The train to Napoli took about 4 hours and then I had to travel to a smaller town Castalamarra by yet another train. The hotel I was going to stay in for 3 night was in a little town Pimonte up on the hill named Hotel Saint Angelo.
The manager was kind enough to arange a collect from the station for me, a friend of his collected me, Angelo. The hotel is stunning stunning stunning!!! And ONLY the manager and Angelo speak any english........no I kid you not it was really that bad! So Nikolai the little Italian phrase book was in my hand for 3 solid days, thank goodness for that and here we thought I would have no use for it ;-)
The night I arrived I went to a food festival in the little town of Pimonte with Angelo (who could explain to me in English!) and a couple from Roma. The fest was great, lots of people and lots of food.............o and wine, dont forget the wine!
The fest was all around their 6 best produce in the area:
Baby Marrows
Egg plant
Wine (Red)
Pasta
Cherry Tamatos
Mozorella
Lamb Sausage
I had pasta and loads of good red wine. It was lovely they had a bad there and all.
The guy at the pasta shop gave me 2 bags of raw pasta as he had never met a South African before and was so pleased to see me there! I will have to cook for some of you when back : )
The town of Pimonte has 6,000 people who live there, really is small place but even though the people dont speak english at all they are so friendly!
My room was on the very top floor and had a view of the valley as well as the Gulf of Napoli. Breath taking I must say!
Read more in my next post on my visit to Pompei............O and my thoughts on Italian men!
Take care all
D
The train to Napoli took about 4 hours and then I had to travel to a smaller town Castalamarra by yet another train. The hotel I was going to stay in for 3 night was in a little town Pimonte up on the hill named Hotel Saint Angelo.
The manager was kind enough to arange a collect from the station for me, a friend of his collected me, Angelo. The hotel is stunning stunning stunning!!! And ONLY the manager and Angelo speak any english........no I kid you not it was really that bad! So Nikolai the little Italian phrase book was in my hand for 3 solid days, thank goodness for that and here we thought I would have no use for it ;-)
The night I arrived I went to a food festival in the little town of Pimonte with Angelo (who could explain to me in English!) and a couple from Roma. The fest was great, lots of people and lots of food.............o and wine, dont forget the wine!
The fest was all around their 6 best produce in the area:
Baby Marrows
Egg plant
Wine (Red)
Pasta
Cherry Tamatos
Mozorella
Lamb Sausage
I had pasta and loads of good red wine. It was lovely they had a bad there and all.
The guy at the pasta shop gave me 2 bags of raw pasta as he had never met a South African before and was so pleased to see me there! I will have to cook for some of you when back : )
The town of Pimonte has 6,000 people who live there, really is small place but even though the people dont speak english at all they are so friendly!
My room was on the very top floor and had a view of the valley as well as the Gulf of Napoli. Breath taking I must say!
Read more in my next post on my visit to Pompei............O and my thoughts on Italian men!
Take care all
D
Back in Florence!
Hi everybody.
Right it is Friday today and I am back in Florence for the night.
I will give you a breakdown of my week:
My 1st night
I stayed in Florence, in the same hotel I am staying in tonight.
My flight to Italy was long!!!! Yes travelled all of 20hours with a couple of stopovers.
Goodbye Air Namibia and HALLO Air France! Wow what a change from my flight last year. This trip was fantasic, even though my luggage as mis placed and I spent R400 on traveling by Taxi to and fro to collect my luggage at the airport (o and please note the airport is 1km from the hotel!!!)
Next morning I went to the station to travel the 4hours to Napoli by train.
More on that trip in the next post!
Hope you are all keeping well. And that SA is not to cold.
Diane, tears of joy on the good news!!!! A boy and a girl this is wonderful news!!!
Take care all
D
Right it is Friday today and I am back in Florence for the night.
I will give you a breakdown of my week:
My 1st night
I stayed in Florence, in the same hotel I am staying in tonight.
My flight to Italy was long!!!! Yes travelled all of 20hours with a couple of stopovers.
Goodbye Air Namibia and HALLO Air France! Wow what a change from my flight last year. This trip was fantasic, even though my luggage as mis placed and I spent R400 on traveling by Taxi to and fro to collect my luggage at the airport (o and please note the airport is 1km from the hotel!!!)
Next morning I went to the station to travel the 4hours to Napoli by train.
More on that trip in the next post!
Hope you are all keeping well. And that SA is not to cold.
Diane, tears of joy on the good news!!!! A boy and a girl this is wonderful news!!!
Take care all
D
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Almost on my way!
Right, this is it.
Tomorrow I will be on my way. I leave SA at about 16:00 from JHB international airport.
Then I get to Florenze at at about 10:00 the next morning as there are some stop overs for me, so a long night spent in the air.
I might not be in contact the 1st week as I will be traveling on my own and will see what I can do.
In the meantime, hope you are all doing well and will think of you while I am traveling ;-)
Take care, till we chat again.
D
Tomorrow I will be on my way. I leave SA at about 16:00 from JHB international airport.
Then I get to Florenze at at about 10:00 the next morning as there are some stop overs for me, so a long night spent in the air.
I might not be in contact the 1st week as I will be traveling on my own and will see what I can do.
In the meantime, hope you are all doing well and will think of you while I am traveling ;-)
Take care, till we chat again.
D
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