TassieToTuscany

Sunday 24 June, 2012 Milan to Hobart, via Abu Dhabi, UAE I was able to sleep in as I didn’t need to leave for the airport until 10.30 am, so a relaxed breakfast without rushing. It was good. Then full on again once at the airport – luggage drop – security checks – waiting for flights – and waiting some more. It was a good, easy 9-hour flight though, and not too cramped, I had two seats to myself, so I wasn’t forced to make conversation with anyone which I thought was a bonus and prayed the next sector from Abu Dhabi to Melbourne would be just as good! Once in Abu Dhabi though things changed. The connecting flight was late, so instead of waiting 2 ½ hours the wait dragged out ... read more

Friday 22 June, 2012 Enjoying Lovely Venice Today, I lazed around and did not much except catch up and my travel blog, sort out my stuff and repack. It was a good move to not go outside today, as it was so very hot again… around 40 degrees. A local told me the summer didn’t officially start until yesterday, 21 June, but since I’ve been in Europe, you could have fooled me! I mean I’ve lived in Queensland for the past 30 odd years and I don’t think it was ever this hot. Wonder how I’ll cope back in Tasmania next week when the temperatures are around 8 degrees. This evening I did the Grand Canal circuit. This really is a cosmopolitan country and so steeped with history. Venice itself is so ... read more

Venice Wednesday 20 June Yes, I have another cold… grrr. Sinuses stuffed up and cough, cough, cough, cough. Its lunchtime now and I’m starting to feel hungry. I’ve hardly eaten since I arrived in Venice on Monday night. There’s a little supermarket not 100m from here, so I’m going to venture out for something to eat and a quick look. Then I’ll come back to the cool of my room and rest some more before this afternoon’s tour. I found my way to Rialto Bridge where I met my tour group. Funny thing is; it literally is less than 5 minutes when you know which way to go. I can’t believe it took me nearly an hour and a half the other night! I guess not being well didn’t help; I obviously wasn’t thinking ... read more

Monday 18 June, 2012 A day in Athens I got up early and went straight to the Lido outdoor café, where I’d had breakfast with Ed and Miriam for the past two mornings. I hadn’t seen them since lunchtime yesterday on Santorini and wanted to swap addresses and say goodbye. They didn’t come. Perhaps they went to the dining room, I thought, so I decided to wait at the disembarkation point to catch them as they left the ship. They were part of one of the many tour groups (Trafalgar) on board the cruise, and as groups were being called up as I was standing there, I was positive I would see them. I watched every face of every person that disembarked, until there were no more people bar crew to get off. I was feeling ... read more

Saturday 16 June, 2012, cont’d Patmos, Greek Islands, Island of Saint John the Apostle A tender boat was the only way to get ashore and it was nice to have a breeze as again it was very hot... around 30 degrees. I liked this place; the colourful houses, lots of flowers, clean and welcoming. Again there were more markets, bars, cafés and shops. The section near the port isvery tourist-orientated, like most of the ports on the cruise itinerary.But when you have time to explore, it’s great to get the ancient history. Patmos has a population of around 3,000 people and an area of 34 km2.There are some world heritage sites; Chora, the island’s historic centre, the of Monastry... read more