GrantD

ROME TO HOME Today was the long haul from Rome to Auckland via Singapore. We booked a 9am shuttle to the Airport for our 12 noon flight. The airport was extremely busy but we found our Singapore Airline check in with relative ease and started the ordeal of being ‘processed’ through the system. Despite the number of people things ran smoothly and efficiently and it wasn’t long before we were through the official part and into the departure area. We took the inter terminal train to Terminal 3 where we were scheduled to depart from. We had something to eat and grabbed a couple of books for the flight and before we knew it we were winging our way on the 12.5 hour flight to Singapore. We travelled Singapore Airlines both ways and for 3 of ... read more

Today was our last in Siena and our 3 month epic adventure is drawing to a close. Tomorrow we head to Rome and have an overnight stay before flying out for Singapore/New Zealand at midday on Friday. SIENA SHOPPING We had no firm plans for the day, we were just going to have a look around the central area of Siena and do a bit of last minute shopping. Whatever thoughts we might have had went out the window as soon as we walked out of the Hotel. As we left the building right outside the Hotel and extending over the surrounding area was a massive market –mainly new season winter clothing-but lots of other stuff as well. There was no chance of me getting Jeanette past it so we spent an hour or so battling ... read more

Today we left Monterosso and headed to Siena for our final stopover before heading home. GIARDINO INCANTATO We will miss our special B&B Giardino Incantato; staying in such quality accommodation in a really special location in the centre of a historic town has been one of the highlights of our trip. When we went to see our housekeeper yesterday to say we wouldn’t need breakfast in the morning as we would be leaving early, she asked what time we were going and said it was no problem they would do an early breakfast or us. It is typical of the level of service we have received. The accommodation has been fantastic, the people lovely and extremely accommodating and they show incredible attention to detail. An example of this was when we came back to base one ... read more

It was a bit colder this morning, but still warm enough (just) to have our breakfast in the garden. We discussed the best way to get from Monterosso to Siena - we leave for siena in a couple of days - with Fausto (our host at Giardino Incantato), he suggested rail was the most effective and offered to work out the best schedule with the least changes for us. A nice gesture which we very much appreciated, the level of service since we arrived has been outstanding. WALES V FRANCE WORLD CUP RUGBY Originally we were going to head off early to see the last two towns in Cinque Terre (Manarola and Riomaggiore). However last night we found a Pub that was screening the Wales v France Rugby World Cup semi final live – 10am our ... read more

BREAKFAST After a very good night’s sleep we started our day with breakfast in Giardino Incantato's lovely Ligurian garden. It is situated just across the alley from the B&B and the seating is set amongst Lemon and other Mediterranean trees and flowers. The weather was nice and mild so it was a great spot enjoy a quiet breakfast. In Italy they don’t typically have cooked breakfasts, I had a selection of ham, cheeses and breads, Jeanette had fruit, yogurt and cereal. The food was fresh, plentiful and delicious. ANGELO’S BOAT TRIP We were scheduled to take a boat cruise to Portovenere at 11.30pm so we had a wander around the centre of town and the weekly market which had lots of interesting bits and pieces (for Jeanette especially). It was a glorious day so we were ... read more