Venice by Vaporetto

...because why pay E100 for a gondala for half an hour when you can go right round the lagoon and Grand Canal in a ferry for an hour for E14. Ok not as romantic.

Venice was amazing and we felt like extras in the ballroom scene in the great movie Labyrinth.  Like Rome and Florence it was also full of gypsies who cursed you if you ignored them. I know we have beggars at home too but I've never been wished ill luck by one of them!

We could have spent several days exploring the Doges Palace especially the armoury. Another highlight was sitting in a street bar listening to some fantastic buskers. A string quartet playing Vivaldi.

All too soon we were on the train heading to Austria. Next stop the Tiernsee (actually the Achensee).

Viva Viareggio

After the hectic pace of Rome and Florence a few days r&r was in order so we caught the train to Viareggio, the southernmost resort on the Italian Riviera. We explored the town and had a swim in the Med. Neither of us thought much of the surf but Matt did manage to catch a wave. We walked miles to the free beach because the idea of paying to go the beach was so abhorent!  Below are the local bar bouncer and beach.

Flat out in Firenze

Just realised it's been a few days since I updated on our activites.  We caught the fast train to Florence after our Vatican visit and spent our first afternion just walking around. Every time we turned a corner was another beautiful medieval building or shrine.

Saturday morning we visited the Uffizi. No queue, just straight in (unfortunately this made us complacent about the Acadamia...). Spent about four hours there just in awe.  A couple of interesting things we've noticed...the primatives really couldn't draw/paint babies (all those baby Jesus's looking like little old men) and in older crucifiction scenes Jesus's feet are on a kind of platform; not nailed straight to the cross.

Of course we found a craft beer place for Matt eventually.

Today we waited in line for a loooong time for tickets to see the Real David (vis earlier comment about complacency) and both enjoyed the early instruments and illuminated manuscrips exhibits.  We also took in a modern collection of Leonardo's machines made from his drawings.  Finally a walk over Ponte Vecchio and viewed Piazza Pitti.  Now enjoyinga local beer (Matt) a prosecco and some delicious snacks in Piazza S. Spirito.

As you know we were planning on Cinque Terre next but a combination of walks being close (thanks to Dad for the heads up) and Matt having a gammy leg (on the mend; so convenient not needing a script fot antibiotics) means we have decided on a few days in Viareggio and a little rest instead. Our next major stop will be Venice.

Vatican two

We took a tour of the Vatican this morning and after seeing the queue we skipped we were very pleased we did so.  Just seeing all those amazing artworks in real life made me speechless.  And the size of St Peter's Basilica was mind blowing.  Our guide was very informative and we both snickered at the cardinal in the Sistine Chapel being attacked by a giant snake. After my recent studies I really enjoyed the many metafictive references in the artworks.

A quick but delicious zucchini flower and anchovy pizza for lunch and then we caught a train to Firenze.  Distance about Newcastle to Conjola. Time - 1 1/2 hours.  Australia could learn a lot about civilised infrastructure!

taking it easy

After all the walking we've been doing we thought we would have an easier day. So we walked to the Spanish Steps (and decided the people "giving away" roses were part of a pickpocket gang) then to Piaza del popolo.

Highly recommend lunch at Babette's nearby. Under E30 for a two course meal and drinks for the two of us. Then we walked across the river to Castel st Angelo and had a very comprehensive look around. Great views from the top.

Not quite crippled we walked along the river and back to hotel Fontana. A light meal very early for Italians and collapsed! I bought a Ferrari to ease the pain in my feet.

a funny thing happened in the way to the forum

Well after the forum actually.  After a fascinating tour of the Colluseum (more scaffolding)and the Forum, Matt had a bar he wanted to visit in Travestere.  A tram and long trip by bus number 11 (Roman slang for Shanks pony) later we found it...and it wasclosed.  We also got lost out there and gave up on visiting Santa Maria in Traveste (3pm by this time and no lunch yet). Saved by some lovely students, one of whom reminded me very much of Alice, we made it back over the river and enjoyed beer and prosecco gellati. I'm sure guessing who chose which flavour is not hard!

I rode all night...

An airplane that is.  And finally arrived in Roma about 7 this morning. We caught the Leonardo Express to Termini Station then battled the metro to our hotel opposite Trevi Fountain. We don't know where to throw our coins :-( It's surrounded be scaffolding.  We've been walking since then; just wandering to get a feel of the place (and can't get into our room until 3).  Now enjoying a drink in what must be an old church.

Hungry in Hong Kong.

We have made the first leg of our trip safely with no disasters. Lots of leg room in those exit rows!  After all that unappetising plane food I was determined to get some delicious dumplings and just so happened to be in the know on the place to go. Tim Ho Wan has the honour of three Michelin stars (and all Europe trips involve at least one Michelin restaurant don't they?). We stuffed ourselves silly on amazing food including the best bbq pork buns ever.  We also thought the chee chow fan was amazing. Nearly as amazing as the price.  Five dishes came to a grand total of $hk115 - or about $A16 including drinks

We are now enjoying watching the rain from the rooftop bar of our hotel and listening to 80s pop music. Another busy day tomorrow.

another test.

Playing with new phone...

Testing testing

As we are about to head OS on a Great Big Adventure I thought it was time to revive my blog.  And test to make sure I can still post.  So yeah, this is a test.And a picture of a Tawny Frogmouth outside my bedroom.