Getting a bit (very) behind!

Hi from Toronto!

I've just looked back at my last post. Do much has happened since we were last on the bus to Venice. 

If you are following Taylor's blog. He has got do far behind he doesn't know where to start again. 

Anyway we arrived in Venice and went straight to the waterside where we got a water taxi to take us down the grand canal. The views were breathtaking! Then we had a magical gondola ride around the smaller waterways. Once finished we bused back to the mainland of Venice to check into our hotel. Our tour guide warned the kids that the pool was the size if a hanky compared to the pool in Rome. That didn't stop 20 kids taking over the pool after a group dinner. 

The next day we went back to Venice to a Murano glass factory. After a demo using cheap chip glass (their words) they took the kids upstairs to paint masks while the adults went into the glass shop (with the expensive Murano glass) for a quick explanation and show of dome of their products (this is the hard sell area!) we hot to walk around but if you got interested in something (even just looking) the staff jumped on you. (Hence the hard sell comment!) 

After we went back to main wharf area of Venice for free time and lunch. We got told a easier way to get into St Marks church and avoid the queues. Just go to back door and say you have come to pray (cameras hidden of course).

After lunch we had a local expert tour thru a palace and views the prison cells. 

Then we got a water bus out to Burani island for dinner. This is the only island in Venice that can paint their houses whatever colour they want. It was stunning! 

On return to the hotel after a quick dip in pool (kids and dads) we boarded the bus for a movie night! The movie was about a bus tour through Greece. I can't remember the name of it. We had soft drinks, wine and chippies during movie. 

The next day we went back to Venice for another local expert tour around the alleys of Venice. The guy explained how to find your way around without a map, (maps guarantee you will get lost!) how they built Venice, how they got a fresh water supply etc. 

after free time we went to Lido island for a final group farewell lunch then an afternoon at the beach! We hired an umbrella and 2 long sun chairs and sun bathed and swam in the Adriatic Sea! It was so warm! Like bath water!!!

Once back to the hotel we stayed on the bus for a final presentation of the winners of the kids drawing competition. On the trip from Rome to Florence, our tour director, Federica, announced a competition in which she gave the kids crayons and paper. They were to do a picture on something they did or saw in each city. In the end every kid got something. The boys got a copy of the story "the little prince" and as we had 2 boys Jordan also got a glow in the dark pen as the youngest boy in the comp. the girls all got a bead necklace. 

Pictures!

This is coloseum in the evening. We knew it was big, but it was huge!!

The Vatican. Just simply stunning!

St Mary's of the Angels church in small town below Assisi. This has an original smaller church inside. St Mary's was built over it.

The Basilica at Assisi. Gorgeous frescoes inside. St Francis tomb is on lower level, main level the frescoes are about Jesus' life. The upper level frescoes are about st Francis' life. The frescoes are meant to be read as a book.

The bus went to a lookout above Florence when we arrived for a stunning view of the city. Sadly we didn't get near it. Our days were busy!

Milan Duomo. It was huge!!! Out neighbors challenged us to climb the dome as they have done but with our walking your and michaelango 'David' visit we just didn't have the time. :0(

Us up on the lookout over Florence.

Interesting street sign. I saw quite a few of these.

Our group optional dinner at a winery, outside with long tables. We are so much food right thru Italian. I swear each meal was 5 courses!!!!

Taylor holding up the leaning tower of Pisa. 

Rolling Tuscany hills....... Ah!!!!

San Gimignano at sunset. A gorgeous medieval hilltop town!

Grand canal in Venice. Everything is done on boats. There are no cars, scooters, or bicycles. Lots of little alleys to get lost in. We were given a map and then told not to use it. To get back to St Marks square we just needed to follow signs. It was easy. To use map was a guarantee of getting lost!

We saw this cute little jellyfish...

Burano island in Venice. This island is very quiet as quite a way out from main tourist area. Houses are painted in bright colours here. 

Sunset over St Marks church

Now these were interesting! We learnt lots on walking tours. We had little heat sets so you could hear as you wandered around. Anyway this is a rainwater collector on the islands of Venice. As Venice is in a lagoon any wells would only provide sea water. In the paving are drain holes to collect the rain water. It runs thru sand to filter it and collects in these tanks. Nowadays fresh water is piped into the city over the main bridge. 

Jordan hanging around!

Florence to Venice

We are on our way to Venice. The roads are long with gentle curves. Lots of bridges and tunnels to get over valleys and thru hills. We have front seats on the bus today.  The seating works on a rotation basis. We started at the back of the bus and today we have front seats! The views are amazing. We have left the rolling hills of Tuscany behind and are now in the larger hills/mountains. The bus makes regular stops for magic rooms (toilets) and a quick coffee/soda. We must be due for one soon. 

In Florence we went out one evening for dinner in a winery. Long tables outside with lots of wine, dessert wine and grappa. They had music so the kids were  dancing away. 

The same day we did a walking tour thru the historic centre of Florence. Our local expert explained the buildings and statues that we saw before we went to the michaelango museum to see David. Here she explained how David was carved. He used a piece of marble that had started to be used by someone else. This explains why his legs are in a relaxed position but his face shows he is concentrating on something. 

We did an evening tour out to San grimano (excuse spelling) a Tuscany hill top town. It had 100 towers in medieval times. There are only 10 standing now. The towers were used as lookouts for the enemies (it was a walled city) but the main use was the town did commerce in dyed fabrics and so needed the tower surfaces to dry the fabric. Otherwise it was far too many towers for a small town. 

We also had an included 'be my guest' lunch at a family olive farm. The views of the rolling tucan hills were to die for!

Rome and Hong Kong pictures

Here are some pictures from our first few days.

Sky100. 100th floor of new tower showing 360deg views of Hong Kong 

Jordan found this rik shaw to ride in and I found these interesting dogs in Elements mall.

Boys cooling off at pool in hotel.

Having a wander in 33 deg heat in Hong Kong CBD

 

Hong Kong Disneyland (2 illusions from Mystic point)

Jordan on flight from HK to Rome

Boys on reaching hotel in Rome and waiting for early check in to be completed.

Some photos taken from our hotel in Rome.

Rome, Italy

We arrived this morning! What an amazing trip across Italy to get to the airport. (That was the treat at the end of a nearly 13 hour flight from Hong Kong) I took heaps of aerial photos of Italy from the plane. 

The departure from Hong Kong was eventful too. There was a huge thunder and lightning storm over the airport as we took off ! We were gate 1 at Hong Kong so I had the chance to do the shops in duty free. I found Jimmy Choo but they only have a small part of the range and nothing jumped at me! 

We arrived at the hotel at 8.30am. Check in is 4pm but we only had to wait 1.5 hours and we got access to our room. We had breakfast and watched the boys play in the playground until the room was ready. 

According to some trip advisor reviews the hotel is tired and dated but it is still comfy and clean. Breakfast and lunch were yummy! For lunch I had my Italian language card describing coeliac disease. I just had to show it and within 10 minutes I had a gorgeous bowl of gluten free pasta and a chargrilled chicken and vege fish to follow. Lots of fresh fruit for dessert too! This was much easier than in NZ. 

I had read an article in the coeliac link mag about an Italian family with a Daughter who has coeliac and today's experience just showed how easy it is. 

We are all having quiet time before we head to the pool for a swim in the inviting waters, 

This pic shows the view from our balcony. The other side of the hotel is prettier but I need to upload those pics first. 

Hong Kong!

Whst an amazing city! But it is so hot!! 33deg most days. We arrived on Sunday morning and checked straight into our hotel. After breakfast we had a rest before we let the boys loose in the swimming pool. The water was warm and refreshing. After lunch (there was a subway next door) we went to Kowloon trsin station and went up the fast lift (100 floors in 30 seconds) for amazing 360 deg views of HK. It was a clear day with visibility of 18000 metres. After we had a quick look around the new elements mall. It is full of designer flagship stores. You name it, it was there! Jimmy choo too!! On Monday we went out to Tung Chung to get the cable car up to the giant budda. Due yo weather the cable car was closed so after another subway lunch we checked out the outlet mall. Unfortunately for me everything thing is for the Asian body so I enjoyed a sorbet instead. We went back to the hotel for another swim and then went to get dinner at Ruby Tuesdays restaurant in city plaza. We got off at Sai wan ho instead if taikoo and had to walk back. Luckily we knew our way around.  Yesterday was the all important day for the boys. Disneyland! It was still hot but armed with novelty water spraying fans they survived. The park was busy but we still got a few rides in. The new mystic point was fabulous but had Jordan crying in fear before it started and during but he emerged the mighty warrior and wouldn't stop talking about it. Taylor and I did the grizzly grouch (?) ride as singles. (That line was quicker) I ended up in the front sit but I too survived. Yes I would do they one again. We did the river ride and mickeys 3d show. Taylor and Craig did space mountain while Jordan and I headed for buzz light year. No queues but Jordan chickened out st the last possible moment. We all did the a autopia car ride (I'm not teaching Taylor how to drive!) after dinner the boys were tired and barely walking so we skipped  the fireworks and headed home. Today we had a sleep in, swim and a late checkout. We are now headed for the airport and Rome ! 

Running around the world!

I managed to get a 5km run in yesterday before our family heads off on our big adventure. 3 more sleeps to go! Packing has started and I'm still deciding what is needed and what can be left behind. I need to pack my running gear too, as I'm hoping to get out for a 20-30 minute run in each city as we travel.

I've finally decided what projects to take either me. I have been working on a Baltimore album style quilt for a few years now. I can take the block I am nearly finished and I have prepared the pieces I need to start on the wreath of hearts block. I'm also going to take a cross stitch to finish. The cross stitch I started for my nephews first birthday. He is 20 in a few weeks so it's a little late :0) 

It looks good after a quick iron....

I also discovered last night (this post was started last night) that I need the blogger app to post from an iPad. Phew! Lucky I figured that out before we traveled! 

Jordan has a blog page too now. Due to his age, it is based off my google sign in so he's not happy about my mug shot appearing on his blog! 

2 sleeps to go!