Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Italy ~ Part 1

I don't even know how to begin to describe my experience in Italy.

First of all Italy was never on my must see list when I moved to England last year, but after numerous people telling me Italy was one of their favorite places I thought well why not.  So I decided to do a Busabout tour from Rome - Pompeii - Sorrento - Isle of Capri - Positano - Amalfi - Ravello - Rome. This was the best decision I have made about a holiday!

This was without a doubt the best holiday I have been on since being in the UK.

Pisa airport
I arrived in Pisa and made a mad dash, suitcase in hand, to the Leaning Tower, which should have been straight forward, had I not tried to take a shortcut.  In the end I saw the leaning tower in all its glory and it does really lean a lot.  I also have to mention that it was about 35 degrees in Pisa so this was a sweaty mad dash as well, but so worth it to check this icon off the list.


I hopped on the train to Rome which was thankfully air conditioned!

Nuns taking the train
I arrived at the campsite in Rome and quickly ate and went to bed.  Sadly despite being in Rome for 2 evenings I did not see any of the sights of Rome.  I'm not worried as I know I will be going back to Italy!

We departed for Pompeii bright and early.


When driving into Naples Mt. Vesuvius is a looming sight over the city of Naples.  It was very easy to see why there was so much devastation when Mt Vesuvius erupted.

The city of Pompeii was so well developed considering what little tools the Romans had, they even had elevated walkways (which doubled as speed bumps for the horse drawn carts) over the streets which allowed the Romans to walk through the streets of Pompeii avoiding the water and sewage that would be in the streets.

In Pompeii there were also 28 brothels! Imagine! You could tell if there was a brothel because there was a penis in the wall of the building pointing towards the brothel. Naughty Romans. 

Plaster cast of a resident of Pompeii
The grand square in Pompeii with Mt. Vesuvius in the background.
I enjoyed my first Napoli pizza and then it was back on the bus to Sorrento, along the winding, narrow, hanging by a thread roads along the coast.

Kite surfing outside Naples
The beautiful city of Sorrento is absolutely gorgeous its location perched on the cliffs, the cobbled streets and narrow walkways and alleyways are absolutely gorgeous, everything you would expect from a quaint Italian town.
The cutest Italian man
Amazing lemon flavored candies.
We had a fabulous Italian meal, saw 3 wedding parties getting their photos taken around town, which couldn't have been a better setting for a wedding, then off to bed for an early start to the Isle of Capri in the morning.
Sorrento


Friday, June 29, 2012

Italy preview

I have to put a lot of effort into my Italy blog post(s) so here's a sneak peak of what's to come. Amazing scenery and tasty treats.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Happy festivus!

I went to my first festival her in the UK. Lovebox. What a great time with great friends. There was great music dancing and very sore feet. What more could you ask for.

MUD! There was that too. Really wish I had some gumboots (or Wellington boots as the Brits call them), a worthwhile investment I'd say especially living in BC that's for sure.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Amsterdamsel

I took this Amsterdam trip long ago but totally forgot to blog about it.

Three things I love about Amsterdam.

The canals. I mean it doesn't get much more beautiful, as you wind your way through them no matter what the weather it's do romantic and feels like you have been transported back to another time where life was slower and people stopped to enjoy life instead of having their heads down, earphones in and ignoring everyone around them.

A canal full of river boats
Another beautiful canals
Bikes. This city was made for them. Everyone no matter age or gender rides bikes. No matter what their attire as well. Women in dresses, men in suits, businessmen, students and even tourists ride bikes. I enjoyed the walk-ability of the city myself,
bikes + cobblestones = falls for Kim.
At the Anne Frank House
Anne's House(on the right)

One of the many bikes locked to bridges throughout the city.

The large hooks on the front of houses to hoist furniture in and out when people move

A bike parkade

Hundreds of bikes outside the train station


Amsterdam Central train station

Infront of the Iamsterdam sign
Tulips. The Keukenhof gardens were open when I was there do of course I made my way out there with all the other white haired people. I was AMAZED at he beauty of the gardens and all the tulips in full bloom. The pictures don't do the gardens justice. The vast expanses of colour were just amazing and truly a check of the bucket list in my books.
Beautiful tulips on display

Paintbrush strokes of color




A beautiful windmill


Wooden clogs



Cool checker board tulips




Windmill pub in the city.

Cheesey Goodness





All  in all it was great to visit yep another great place! The dutch people are so friendly and welcoming which was refreshing