More chilled than before, with a slight tan, and with the after effects of too much Italian food and wine :)
The break was to go on vacation with Mrs Stace to Camogli on the Italian Riviera for a week, but due to me being one of the world’s worriers that isn't something I feel comfortable with saying in advance... Stupid I know, but there you go :)
We drove the 1250 km's as we are both terrified of flying (shame as we would both love to see New York at some point, but it's just not going to happen), stopping off in Basel for a stopover (apparently it's a lovely city, but we wouldn't know as we did not get further than 2km's from the motorway).
We stayed in a 4 star hotel, with a salt water pool, private beach and a few restaurants. So much nicer than the hotels that we normally pick, we thought that we would treat ourselves for once. Only problem is that we are really not 4 star people, and it felt so strange to have someone carry our bags to the room whilst we carried nothing. And having someone park the car for us (though I’m not for handing my car keys to someone else…)
A week of relaxation (managed to finish 4 books by the pool / on the beach) and some sightseeing followed. Lots of great Italian food (and some not so great) and lots of Italian coffee (all good) and a few cocktails whilst looking out over the sea…
Right, time for some home-made Italian espresso and to get the pets sorted :)
Sounds like a wonderful break! Hmm espresso and a book on the patio... a little bit of Italy! Time to get out the machine.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Back!
Actually I think it makes good sense not to announce that you'll be away in your blog. These days, what used to be paranoia is really just common sense. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you had such a nice break! Is there really such a thing as too much Italian food and wine? At least of the great variety.
The only time I've ever gone through the four-star treatment was when I travelled for business, on the company tab. Then you have to make sure to have tip money ready. :)
Oh, BTW, I'm sure there is some cognitive-behavioural technique for overcoming fear of flying. It's such a common fear. But they go through desensitization techniques, like for any phobia. It would be a shame not to go somewhere you wanted to go because of this.
Tanned, rested, and ready. Welcome back!
We have never enjoyed places with too many stars, seems to be less relaxed.
ReplyDeleteCaroline xxx
Benvenuto indietro, Stace! (according to the on line translator, that's supposed to mean "Welcome back, Stace!")
ReplyDeleteI understand the fear of transoceanic flying, especially with some of the insanely hateful people that are menacing the globe these days, but when you take the sheer number of safe successful flights into consideration, you are probably safer on a plane, then in your own car. Of course there are always ocean liners, but they can get pretty pricey, but you can sometimes book passage on a freighter, for pittance in comparison. I never realized that you could do that, until I saw Micheal Palin do it, on one of his Around the Globe shows. He and several other passengers got first class treatment, and got to dine with the ship's Captain each night.
Melissa XX
Halle: It was great, thanks. The food was wonderful, the cocktails were great, and seeing as I am adicted to coffee I was in seventh heaven in the mornings :)
ReplyDeleteVeronica: It makes sense, but then it's a pretty anonymous blog - there is not that much to link to my my male life. The only people who I think could link it already knew I was going away... Hohum...
Tipping was really difficult. And it seems we got it wrong. Most waiters / waitresses were surprised to get the tips, and we found out when we came back that it's included in the price in where we were staying and they were not expecting a tip... Oh well.
The odd thing with my fear of flying is that when I can get past it I love it (I even applied to the RAF to be a Pilot nd would love to get my private pilots license if it didn't cost so much. But most of the time when on a passenger jet I listen for every sound, notice every vibration.
Caroline: It took a few days to get used to it - and we got trapped outside the room a couple of times when we came back from breakfast and they had already started making it up. Mind you it's quite relaxing starting the day watching the waves break on the cliff where the hotel is built.
Melissa: Thanks! It's nice to be back! Isn't it great - no matter how nice it is, getting back is always special :)
I hate to admit it but even a 45 min flight to the UK fillsd me with dread for the days leading up to it!
I don't think a ship would work either though. We took the overnight ferry to the UK a couple of times and never slept well, and spent most of the time out of the bay listening for the same noises that we were listening to on the plane. There's no hope for us :)
Stace
Sounds like you had a great time, Stace. Sorry to hear you will never be able to see the States (and there's more than just NYC). When I visited England, I had a fear of driving on the wrong side of the road. Took trains and the tube everywhere.
ReplyDeleteCalie xxx
Hey Calie,
ReplyDeleteIt was wonderful thanks!
Never say never, but I don't see it happenning...
OK there a few places I would like to see... (in no particular order:
NYC
Montana Mountains (are they as great as they look in the films?)
Route 1 (IIFC) down the Californian coast (in a '66 red 289 CID drop top 'stang with white interior - no I've thought about it at all honestly)
Grand Canyon
Washington State
Texas
Melissa's lake :)
Stace