Bonjour to Bonjourno

12/07/11

Another day getting to know our second home – Black Betty – our merc bus. From Barcelona back into France and a sweet stop off at a servo with Maccas with a French twist and heaps of toilets – finally no line for the girls.

Then we went testing our noses at a Perfume factory – there are about 1000 ‘noses’ in the world – takes nine years of study to become a noser and you only work about 2 hours a day – not a bad job – pity I have only one nostril that works! I bought ‘etoli’ – which translates to ‘star’ a fresh perfume. Onto the French Riviera – pretty flashy – lots of yachts and beach goers. We went for a walk and finally found a way under the train tracks and to ‘pebble beach.’ Was therapeutic to walk on the smooth rounded pebbles and just stand as the water lapper our feet – was like a foot massage.

Out for dinner at a French restaurant-pork entrée, steak, fries and a salad and cream caramel dessert – only problem serving 33 top deckers and understaffed. Looking forward to spending the day in Nice tomorrow.

                                                                                                                                   

13/07/11                                                                                                                              

Shopping, old chateau, an impressive War monument, another pebble beach and a trip to the second smallest country in the world – Monaco and the Grand casino.

Finally a sleep in – woohoo. Dropped off and Nice centre, amidst the grand old buildings and tram. Once out of the square the cheap shops beckoned. Grabbed a few things amidst the rain, some great souvenirs, Monaco Grand Prix shirt, some Eiffel Towers as I didn’t want to buy them from the dodgy peddlers and enviously saw some line up  Harry Potter.

Walked up to the old chateau and pumped myself up for the 200+ steps with my legs still aching. I’ve figured out I need to get into a step climbing routine and two at  time causes no pain.  Winding our way up the switchback stairs we were treated to some breathtaking views over the city and beach. There was a park up the top and a nice waterfall.

Katie and I decided to venture around the front of the chateau and check out the War Monument. It was quite impressive with some fine sculptures and imagery.

Time to satisfy our rumbling tummies and we found a reasonably priced café along the esplanade. A beaut club sandwich with ‘frittes’ (fries) and an ice tea. The girls also treated themselves to a French crepe whilst I headed to the pebbles to dip my feet in the water of the Mediterranean again. The rocks underneath was different experience for a beach but it wasn’t too warm so we had a great arvo hanging at the beach before heading back and getting ready for Monaco and the casino made famous by the James bond movie – Casino Royale.

A scenic drive with some great views of the ocean overlooking Monaco and the million dollar yachts. About 800 years ago Giribaldi family dressed up as a monk and slaughtered the guards and took over at Monaco and so basically they have been squatting for over 800 years. There are only 5000 citizens of Monaco, 30 000 inhabitants and a they don’t have to pay tax since the casinos make so much in revenue. The front bus wheel became our chocolate wheel for a chance to win some big bucks at the Grand Casino. IT was so exciting when Michelle said, “Who is the lucky owner of 22.” I decided to use that number when I hit the roulette tables with my big winnings of 36 Euros. Luck evaded me however on the table, when I picked a number it had a habit of coming up on the other wheel. Then when I finally quit on 19 low and behold two turns later it came up!!

Had a delicious dinner at a little restaurant with great pizza, tuna and pasta and a lot cheaper than the 17 euro drinks in the Grand.

14/07/11

Farewell France and bonjourno Italia – I’ve wanted to see Italy for so long and been fascinated by it since learning about the foundation of Rome and the Etruscans back in ancient history- the creators of the arch and aquaducts which allowed them to pump water throughout the dry lands – one which we visited at Pont du Guard – still standing over 2000 years later. Also home to Vatican City, St Peters Basilica and the Sistine Chapel – can’t wait!

First stop will be Verona and Romeo and Juliet’s balcony. My first impressions of Italy were very old buildings and very steep mountains – with steps down the side for farming and housing – it’s amazing how different each country is.

We stopped off in Verona in search of Juliet’s balcony, statue and tomb. On the way we saw the arena – actually older than the Coliseum and still looking vey imposing and some dressed up Roman guards for effect. We viewed Juliet’s actual balcony and many had their photo with her statue. Some went up to have their picky from the balcony too. Afterwards we headed back to the main square for some pics around the arena and in search of Juliet’s tomb. We were conned for the first time by a Roman soldier offering to take a photo with us. Afterwards the catch was he wanted a tip – and not just coinage but notes! Be wary tourists – don’t accept anything from anyone!

From Verona we headed to Venice-city of canals – actually 100 islands and no cars are allowed inside – travel by foot, gondola and vaporetto. Ours to explore tomorrow

15/07/11

Venice, gondolas, rabbit warren, fine lace and fine gelato. If you ever want a great maze to try to find your way out of – let me highly recommend Venice – narrow cobbled streets with only signs to the Rialto and Academia Bridge and St Mark’s Basilica to follow. St Mark’s was very impressive –exquisite architecture with a definite Byzantine influence. The bell tower was destroyed previously and the heads of victims hung from high up. We had a preview of one of the last lace schools in Venice home to the finest Venetian lace creations. Some pieces take 7 people 8 months to create. After some souvenir shopping we headed to lunch and had some Italian Panini.

After lunch we had a relaxing gondola ride through the extensive canal system and along the grand canal. Our gondola steerer was on a mission and we overtook several of the other groups on our trip.

For the next few hours it was all about getting lost and attempting to find the signs out of Venice. We frequented a few back streets and many souvenir shops along the way back to the Rialto Bridge, bought some Italian made masquerade masks and the best chocolate mousse gelati I have ever tasted.

Ciao Venice – onto Pisa and Florence tomorrow.

16/07/11

Around lunchtime we arrived at Pisa, a university town now as a result of silting but famous for the Leaning Bell Tower constructed over 700 years ago. On exiting the bus we were flocked by sellers of bags, Ray ban sunnies and other cheapo imitation things.  We took many tacky photos – holding it up with our hands, head, feet, on a platter and so forth. We saw people up the Tower and went to see how much – unfortunately 15 Euro and the current times were full. Some more snaps from the other side and church buildings around it. Lunch beside the bus with some leftover penne  and onto Florence.

Arrived at Florence in the afternoon with time to enjoy the facilities of the camping ground – 4 swimming pools and sides, zorbing and  bungee.  I was finally succumbing to the bus flu after doing so well so I just rested on a banana lounge in front of the biggest pool as others roasted in the sun.

For dinner we were treated to a very Italian meal – first course spaghetti bolognaise and penne with mince. If we weren’t already full then came the pizza – now we are talking the real stuff- massive pizza with only a few ingredients – sauce, mushroom and ham yet soo tasty. Our table went through 3 pizzas quite admirably. Vanilla sponge roll for dessert to top it off.

17/07/11

Ciao Florence – wow so beautiful and rich in cultural arts. Nico met us at about 9.30 to take us on a local walking of the sites of Florence. First stop the Santa croce Church – the front intricately crafted by a Jewish man who requested to be buried outside the font as it was a Catholic Church. He melded some old and new testament themes together. Inside lay the remains of Galileo, Machiavelli and Michelangelo. The  baptistry – where thousands were welcomed into God’s family. The doors made of gold took some 27 years to build and has ten images carved into it and even the artists own head on one of the door knobs. However after severe flooding some 40 years ago they have been replaced genuine copies.  

Our guide walked us past one of the many museums, his favourite in fact that houses many sculptures and works by the great artists Michelangleo and Da Vinci yet is very quiet and has no line ups.

We waked on the Pont Vecchio – a 700+ year old bridge, the only one not destroyed during WW2 and it has an overpass so the rich didn’t

have to walk the streets with the ordinary folk. Many gold stores and souvenirs stores along the walk and some nice views either side as it is the central bridge.

Down along another square and walkway where statues of the famous Florentines – Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, Dante and others

which led to the city hall and the impressive art work first made famous by Michelangelo’s David. An exact replica is now in place but the other statues – Venus and Theseus and Medusa’s head  - originals, are still in place. The detail and beauty are amazing. We also checked out the impressive square home to the Doumo Cathedral – made of marble and left for 20 years as they were trying to work out how to create and enclose the dome in the middle without timber scaffolding normally used and not successfully completed since the Pantheon 1200 years earlier. The result a dome that joined in the middle not requiring scaffolding and magnificent – the red and green marble a feature and one dome inside adorned with paintings.

We had a session learning about leather handcrafts and the Florentine jewellery box that needs no stitching or glue, the real leather test – rub as the suede should be hard to pass over each other and the Puzzle ring that falls apart when taken off.

We set out on a quest to find a Florentine steak – quite unique, at least 1 kilo of medium rare t-bone. We shared it as well as some veges and potatoes and fed Jared the leftovers as we didn’t want to waste it – we should have just got on for the 4 of us. After lunch we set off for the Acadamia and a chance to see the Statue of David. We were warned the line could be a few hours long and we were quite lucky with it only being 40 metres long however I went to enquire about prior reservations – only 4 euro extra Euros and instant entry- yes please.

David was the first piece we saw and wow – it certainly was worth it. Some tried to sneak a photo and were quickly told – ‘no photo.’ We could see the cracks on his left arm were he had been damaged by a chair out the window. What was most impressive for me was having a really good look at his face from a front-on perspective – the concern the frown and furrowed eye brows – the contemplation in his face of his upcoming battle with Goliath. We completed a few laps around David before moving onto some other sculptures several hundreds of years old and many 13, 14 and 15^th Century Christian paintings with the gold paint and stylised saints, angels and images of the Holy family. The portrait of Mary and Jesus in arms I have seen so many times I was able to come face to face with. Also many pictures of Jesus being pierced and angels catching his blood in the chalice.

There was also a musical instrument museum with some of the original piano fortes created by Cristofore and a bowl with water that with wet hands you rub the handles and make a ringing noise and can see the water vibrate – I had magic hands – Katie not so much ; ).  

After our browse of the Acadamia we decided to head to the Doumo – check out the inside and painted dome interior.

Katie and I decided to brave the 414 stairs to the top of the bell tower. Narrow passages and steep – we actually ascended quicker than I thought and without much leg burn – go the skins! Majestic views from a top of Firenze and the mountainous countryside surroundings. After some happy snaps we descending to find some gelati since we had earned it with the 828 stairs.

Love the ice cream in Italy- I must say and a walk back to the tower where the bus was parked along the Arno River.

We swapped photos and time in our shoe/swelter  box cabin being entertained by our neighbours pumping iron with their dumb bells and playing dumb when they asked us to join them dancing.

18/07/11

Off to Orvieto for lunch – a small Greco-Italian town up on the mountainside with a brilliant Church. Similar to the Doumo in Florence and just as ornate. We went in for 3 Euros and were amazed by the cloth with ‘Christ’s blood’ and chapel with paintings on the overhead domes – just a prelude to the Sistine Chapel and if this was anything to go by – wow, will I have a great

 day tomorrow – better do some neck exercises to have a good look above.

Took some pictures outside attempting to get the whole church in one shot and some look out pics before grabbing a sandwich on the run – mozza and tomato and back down to the bus to take the skylift. Now approaching Rome and enjoying the ancient ruins and home on the tops of the mountain ranges- very lush and green and Rome walking tour this afternoon- can’t wait!

In the afternoon we arrived in Rome – woohoo! We took the metro to the Colosseum – breathtaking – so huge and still standing around 1900+ years later. I could just imagine hearing the 60 000 plus crowd roaring for the gladiators and letting the animals loose. We took many snaps around the Colosseum and a  Top Deck group shot before heading past the Roman Forum  ruins, past the monument referred to as the wedding cake or type writer – dedicated to the man who unified Italy then onto the amazing Pantheon. Built nearly 2000 years ago with a dome that has a 9m wide gap in the middle. The Dome was not successfully recreated for over 1200 years until the Doumo in Florence. The Pantheon translates to House of the Gods so is also a house of Worship and Houses Raphael’s tomb. We also had a chance to try some great Pizza and some more of our favourite – Gelati – today’s flavours pistachio and chocolate something!

From the Pantheon we headed to the Trevi Fountain – said to always be cool despite the outside temperature. Many drink the fresh waters and make a wish by throwing a coin in left handed and over the shoulder. Again impressive and massive. Last stop the Spanish Steps. Not so many steps – for Katie and I anyway. We were up and down before we left again with some memorable pictures form a top and a nice view of the city.

Arrived at Camping Roma and treated to spacious double rooms and air conditioning. Early start tomorrow for the long awaited visit to the Vatican and Sistine Chapel with a guided tour Ciao.

                                               

19/07/11

A monumental day – so many famous icons to see and be a part of and on my last day with Top Deck! Up early with the birds to have breakie and set out to on our guided tour of the Vatican. Group tours are the way to go as we jumped the queue and went straight in. First stop the square and a view of St Peter’s Basillica. Then we had a look at the replica of the Pietera – Michelangelo’s brilliant first sculpture of Mary holding her dead son. Many hbelieve Mary is a bigger figure to represent the Motherly figure caressing her baby boy. Other ideas are that Michelangelo lost his mother young so that is why he created Mary young or because of his inspiration from a Greek statue of a young woman. It is the only piece of his work that bears his name as some cardinals thought another artist completed it. He was a revolutionary especially in the way he recreated writhing and turning bodies similar to the Greeks several thousands of years before him.

Into the square with the pine cone, bronze sphere and pictures explaining the Sistine Chapel. It was quite a decision for Michelangelo to take on as he was commissioned by the Pope but he was a sculptor, not a painter and knew nothing of alfresco painting. He took 4 years to complete it and fired every other painter on the job. He even got back at one of the cardinals he didn’t like by putting him in the corner in hell in the picture of the last judgement.

We went past a vast collection of statues, the magical tapestries that took 15 plus years to create – each and if you look at the right way have different images and eyes that follow you. Through the Pope’s former rooms, saw Raphael’s most famous image of the thinkers, the scandalous Pope and rooms and into the brilliant Sistine Chapel. Simply marvellous and awe inspiring- the size and the imagery. I was moved to see the ‘hand of God touching Adam’ the last judgement image and so many of the intricacies of the chapel.

After the tour Katie, Jared and myself decided to attempt our final climb – Up the 551 steps of St Peter’s Basilica. After a tiring line up in the sun we were stretched and ready to tackle the large stairs, slanting staircases and narrow winding and steep turret. Thankfully there was two breaks along the way – one on the outside and then at the top inside the Basilica. Magnificent views down only spoiled by the protective wiring. A bonus on the way down – entrance into the Basilica except we were disorientated as to where exactly we were in relation to the entrance. Saw a few Pope’s tombs, the beautiful altar, some great statues, Peter’s and his rubbed off feet, the door that only opens every 25 years and finally the original Mary and Jesus. I remember the picture of the statue from Expo ’88 and it etched in my mind and always wanting to see the real thing – it was well worth it and housed in the most magnificent Church I have seen to date.

Some snaps outside the square and in view of the Pope’s balcony and we were off back in to ‘Italy’ and to another authentic Italian lunch.

Roman forum and Colosseum next. We bought tickets at the Forum to jump the queue at the Colosseum – love queue jumping that is legitimate! We spent quite a bit of time walking and being a part these ruins dating back some 2000 years. Then the Colosseum. Astonishingly big and yet on the inside it didn’t feel that way.  I compare it to Suncorp – similar capacity of around 60 000 spectators and the home to great sport. A thorough walk around and many snaps later and we were ready to call it a day and rest our weary feet, ankles and my disappearing voice.

Back at Camping Roma I had to pack and move up the street as I was no longer a Top Decker and get ready for the White Party – white shirts so that we could get them signed by our group. It was quite sad to think this would be out last evening together and how attached you get after spending two weeks together living in each others pocket. We had a close knit group and I thank God for the good friends I made. I’ll miss my first day buddy Katie, us Queenslanders liked doing the same stuff- Wimbledon, Origin, going in the Churches, seeing as many things as possible in one day, taking lots of tacky photos and poses and all the heights we could fit it – scaling the Eiffel Tower in record time, Bell Towers, Spanish Steps, attempted to go up Leaning Tower of Pisa and St Peter’s Basilica.

Ciao Top Deck and bring on the Hanssen family – Nederland style.

20/7/11

Bree and I gave up our sleep in to go and say goodbye to our Topdeckers. Headed straight back to bed after that and I’m sure we will be thinking of them as they galavant around Europe and be wondering what they are up to.

After packing and checking out we booked into our respective flights online and then rested by the pool deck. Had a yummy Ciao bella grilled cheese burger and some of our favourite – gelati before I headed off on the shuttle bus and into the realms of being by myself for a few hours till my flight to Milan and what I term to be the middle of my adventure – with family and friends.

Passed the time nicely reading from my i-book and just when I thought we wre ready to board- my heart skipped a beat – a different flight advertised on the board. My boarding time of 4.50pm had suddenly changed to 5.40 and departure at 6.05 instead of 5.15 – noooo! So I kept reading and when I looked up again another change – 7pm departure – yikes! There goesour awesome dinner reservation at Lasize. I decided to waste the hour and a half with some Maccas and look for my i-phone head phones which I dropped along the way. I headed back across the other side of the airport to be back at 6.30 for my new boarding time when disaster struck again. This time I couldn’t find my flight number anywhere on the board and the gate didn’t have our flight at all anymore-aaahhhhh!!!  I sprinted back to the other side of the airport to find information when I found an Alitalia desk and they said, “That flight is already….. (in the split second it took to say the next word my mind wondered and thought oh my gosh I missed my flight it really did go at 5.15 –noooooooooooooo) boarding at gate B5. B5 – I just came from that way so – running shoes on and I made a beeline to Gate B5 and made it only just in time. I felt really bad for my cousin who had been waiting to pick me up since 6pm.

Arrived in Lasize a bit after 10.30 and all the restaurant’s kitchens had closed. We were recommended to one along the Harbour Side that had a grill till 12.30am – thank you God and I had some nice BBQ turkey and veges. Home just in time before midnight and hello a night in a plush as caravan!

21/07/11

After breaky I went for a walk around the caravan park and was picked up a few hundred metres down the street – but an adventure awaited. My cousin forgot to click in the leads from the caravan to the car and when he took off – snap and they were broken- so no tail lights on the caravan and unsafe to drive- so much for our trip to Austria and Germany today. After 5 hours of running around Verona between service stations, BMW service centre and caravan repairers we finally found out we would be rounded until tomorrow awaiting a part.

We checked into the Elfante and have a great room – two beds and a couch all to myself and free Wi-fi.