Livorno, Italy Beautiful Tuscany October 26th Monday

Oh, how do I begin to share the feelings driving along these country roads among the flowing hills with plowed fields, grape groves, farm house castles and more. I see animals grazing on the distant hills. I imagine the many acres of sunflower fields blooming in July. The guide tells that very likely it is the Etruscans from southern Asia who emmigrated here many centuries BC, fleeing hardship, war, discrimination. No one really knows why. The Guide tells us that they were a peaceful & passive people in this area of Tuscany with a Matriarchal Society. She says the men would be out in the fields doing long hours of work while the women managed the homes deciding the leadership style for community prosperity.
Tuscany became popular because of the Hollywood film "Under the Tuscan Sun".
Our tour bus meandered along the bending, rising roads as we watched the rolling hills and vast vistas slip by faster than we could print a memory in our brain.

We arrived at the first town very high above the valley of rolling hills, Volterra.
The morning air was brisk, fresh and the sun glistening off the ancient rock and stone castle-like fortress of the town.

Alabaster is mined off the mountains. The store near our bus was a large alabaster store. We meandered in and I bought a blue stone bracelet for 5 Euros.
Soon, we were called together and the 50 tourists were led to the Medieval Center (of town). There were open air cafe's with out patrons so early in the morn. There were many narrow cobblestone walkways leading in all directions begging us come hither and remember or spend money...We found an empty park and a potty for free. The park was nestled along a hillside mental institution. We found lots of colorful trees as autumn had arrived.

One incredible observation we noted that everywhere in Italy one must pay .50 Euros to use the toilette. We wondered how does one pay an employee take these small monies. There surely is more to the story.
We found a cafe serving coffee by a Phillpino and the busy owner of this chocolate and coffee store. We had some treats and meandered among the stone streets admiring the way people hung out their wash and lived in these old buildings with flowers and plants in pots on their front step or hanging from their windows high. We purchased some items and noticed a small yellow bus filled with young children taking a tour of the town center.
We were off to the next town and a farm house lunch in the town of San Gimingano. Lunch time was 1:30 and we thoroughly enjoyed the dining event. Seated, and with quick picture taking, because it was time for some wine and rest. We were served a type of basic brushetta with tomatoes, purple onion,white cannelli beans and wine
(The guide told us that the tomato first came to Italy from Mexico centuries ago. Tomatoes were not a natural occurence in Italy.)
We had bowtie tomato pasta and wine, salad and proscuitta and salami, more wine and rasberry dessert, more wine. We were a happy crowd and I am thinking how wonderful people are, the talents and desires, the energy and creativity, it is breathtaking when I think of it. I can only give to God, thanks for this joy I am gifted.
We walked the stone streets, visited numerous shops, took too many pictures and amazed at the crowds of people from all over the globe. It was a beautiful farewell to our Italian countryside visit.
We were back on our boat at about 7 pm. It was an 1 and 1/2 hour bus ride back to Livorno and the Cruise ship. We were tired but Donna and I managed to freshen and dress for our last dinner in the dining room with Anthony and Leslie attending to our every dining need. How I wish I had more energy to go to one of the numerous dancing lounges as I was not with a care in the world when dancing with my girlfriends. To room 7343 we went and packed and nudged our clothes and souveniers into place. Placed our bags outside our door at 10:30 pm and slept our last nite on this Carnival Dream...Tomorrow meet John Fiore, our Rome Guide and our Vatican Visit.

Monte Carlo, Monaco Saturday Oct 24th

It was sunny and warm and beautiful as we slowly cruised at 7pm into the most beautiful Port of Monaco, framed with mountains and cliffs, the Grimaldi Palace and beautiful architecture graced the mountainside. Stately yachts were everywhere this Saturday nite on the glass topped sea. We were on the high deck portside watching the events of bringing in this huge boat. It would be the second time in history a cruise ship of this size docked. The residents joked that if the captain missed his target he might knock out all of tiny Monaco. They claim it takes two of this tiny country to fill Central Park in New York.
We were dressed our best and dashed out of the boat for a free nite of fun on the town. We found our way to the Casino palaces and gained entrance to the slot machine room. No cameras or coats allowed. Entrance fee of 10 Euros to get to the tables in the next rooms. People were everywhere. A huge white tent was set up outdoors and German Octoberfest music could be heard from it. I slipped into the arena to have a look and smelled the familiar sauerkraut. Accordian music was playing. I left quickly as too late for the festivities. The four of us bought souvenirs and walked the streets, gazing into the windows of expensive stores. A carnival was happening at the port entrance. I asked a couple that seemed kindly what the celebration was about. They said it was Prince Albert's 50th birthday. Celebrations for 3 weeks. The next morning we were up early to take a tour bus through Monaco to Nice, France and Ese Village. It was breathtaking, but terribly crowded in Nice, part of the French Riviera. Goodness, Ouch, they sunbath on rocky beach terrain. Yuk! We saw the incredibly expensive and 5 domed Russian orthodox church built by Emperor Nicholas. He and his family spent many vacation holidays in Nice. We were not allowed to enter as it was Sunday Mass time. We were taken to the markets and were amazed by the open air market products and cafes, many filled with smoking patrons reading the newspaper and having family visits.
Soon we were off to the Village of Ese. I loved this quiet place high atop the mountain safe from pirates in ancient times. The tour guide pointed out the homes of Elton John, Tina Turner, Bill Gates, famous artists and novelists among others. Also the area Princess Grace drove her car off the cliff. We shopped and walked the cobblestone hillside village. We soon were whisked back to the cruise ship. We grabbed a bite to eat and back out to the Principality Castle of Grimaldi and Cathedral which Princess Grace was married. We toured the ancient 20 rooms of the palace, learning much of the history of the Grimaldi Family. We were back to the ship by 8pm as it would be leaving port for Livorno, Italy.

Rough Seas cancels Barcelona, October 23/24th

After our Messina visit, We, Charley and the 3 Angels, found ourselves in the hot tub with our customary glasses of wine when a young man who seemed to move from hot tub to hot tub appeared. We were soothing our heels and relaxing as we did most everyday for a few minutes after our tours or working out in the gym. (Now this young man with no name had visited with us most everyday in this hot tub. He reminded us of our our sons. Kind hearted, handsome with easy conversation. He was from Seattle, Washington. He and his wife were traveling alone because his parents and brother had to cancel due to serious illness. In fact, they were in Houston at MD Anderson Hospital. He began to announce to other cruiser friends we were his Houston girls. That is when we decided to adopt him as our son. His parents weren't there and we were. We were in the hot tub after Sicily on our way to Barcelona when he told us that a terrible storm was brewing and some rocky cruising was in store. Within minutes a heavy cold wind blew across the hot tub knocking over everything in site. Mostly our wine glasses. We jumped out the hot tub and grabbed our flying and flapping angel robes and went to our rooms.
Later in the nite our boat was indeed rocking with our doors creaking. I jumped out of bed and wobbled to the Burgundy Lounge for Mass, in Latin no less. I heard the lower decks had some very ill guests. The Infirmary was handing out medicine for motion sickness. We watched the TV monitors as to the boat position in the seas with reported 40 feet waves. We noticed it had turned back. Shortly, the announcement was made that we would have to cancel the Barcelona stop as the seas were too rough. We were going to cozy up along the eastern coast of Sardegna and Corse Islands on our way to an early arrival in Monte Carlo,Monaco. The rocking boat settled immensely. Our group stayed healthy.

Messina, Sicily, October 22nd

We arrived early at the Messina, Sicily Port (6am)after a full day at sea on October 21st.
We, again, hustled onto a tour bus for our travels up into the mountains to the site of The Godfather's filming. We saw the mud slides and the damage to river beds. We saw a car partially buried in mud. We visited a Cathedral where just earlier in the day, the funeral of a young girl who died in the mud slides a couple weeks ago. When we came upon the village of Forge de Agro, we were enchanted by it's unique history and lovely mountain side vistas, a castle in the distance atop a mountain peak, the tavern in The Godfather Movie where Michael Carlione asks permission to marry his Sicilian bride. The church was stunningly beautiful inside. Then the wedding celebration site, another memory maker. Only the sun shining would make the area a jewel to behold. Sadly, due to clouds we did not see the top of volatile Mount Etna.
We were back to the city of Messina after our tour to the mountain side villages and found the shops closed due to siesta from 2pm to 4pm. So that was the moments we became street walkers and found the huge cathedral that was the site of the funeral for a mudslide victim. The cathedral steeple has a rotating scene of soldier or saints that move about 6 feet with each time the bells chime. We were back on the Carnival Cruise Ship by 4:30pm as we were about to make our way to Barcelona, Spain at 5pm.

Croatia,Tuesday, October 20th

We arrived in the beautiful walled city of Dubrovny, Croatia. It sits on the cliffs among tiny islands and with easy access from the seas. Apparently the city throughout the centuries was an easy attack for pirates and warriors eager to claim the nicely located country along the Mediterranian. We were on our bus tour and destiny of a 2 hour bike tour visiting a monastary, the farmlands and countryside and a winery for a wine tasting. It was a cloudy morn with predictions of rain. We arrived at the biking location and winery. Got some quick instructions, adjusted our helmets and bikes and followed our three Croatian guides. Of course, it began to mist on our group of 25 bikers. We found a tavern along the way, and, just in time as the rains began to pour. We hustled in and had coffee and waited for an hour making frineds. The sun came out and we were on our way biking to the monastary. We toured the monastery and had fruit snack. Then back to the original start and Winery. We enjoyed the ambience of the old winery and drinking with our biking friends. We traveld by bus back to the old walled city, the guide, providing us with much history of the region. The walled city was fun to walk and visit shops and more churches. Back to the boat by 6pm as we would be leaving for Messina, Italy and another full day at sea.

Venice, October 19th, Monday

We were up early, 7:30am breakfast and another day in Venice. We walked off the ship and made our way back to the Vaporetto, No.1 for our water taxi to Rialto Bridge exit. We walked the shop areas and back to St. Marks Square. It was apparent the tides had come up during the nite. There were wooden plank walkways erected along the square area. The crowds in the square were packed. We left as the lines were too long to visit the large and famous Basililca Di Saint Marco. We shopped and pictured and bought masks for the Crusie Ship Masquerade Party. It was a beautiful sunny day. We were back to the ship by 3pm as the boat would be leaving for Dubrovny, Croatia.

Venice, October 18th Sunday

After a restful full day at sea on our cruise to Venice from Naples, we were anxious to get off the boat. Bonnie was about to see her son, Ross, stationed at the American Military Base. She was first off the boat to spend two days with him. The three of us, Gail, Donna and I casually exited the boat, filled with anticipation. We walked to the Vaporetto Station and bought a 24 hour day pass on the water taxi. Jumped on board and snapped pictures. We were amazed at these homes, cathedrals and businesses on the water ways with boats tied to pier walkways as we made our way to Murano Island, home to the famous glass work of artists. Took in a glass demonstration, and wondered in a few shops.
We quickly took the next Vaporetto boat back to Venice, a kind of island, and made our way to St. Mark's Square. We were warned earlier in the day the tides had made about a 5 inch flood over the square. Fortunately when we arrived at 4pm it was slightly spotty with water. We found a table among the hustle and bustle of late Sunday afternoon business and snacked on olives and cheese stolen from the cruise ship.
Fortified, we purchased tickets to top of Bell Tower and view Venice from above. Amazingly cold and windy and packed with warm bodies, the bells started to ring.....5pm hour....So incredibly loud I had to plug my ears tightly with my finger tips. Gail is so excited she is taking video and pictures of the huge bells swinging just inches above our heads.
We, with ringing ears, descended back to the main square and ventured back into cobblestone walkways, the heart of shops and artists, cafes and bustling people among the Gondoliers. We found a cathedral with 6 pm Mass. I took in the moments seated among the Italians, trying to imagine the english words corresponding to the Italian, spoken by the priest.
Then we were off to walking and pictures and surprises along the way as we were anxious to find a Wine Bar and the Rialto Bridge before we walked back to our cruise boat by 9 pm.
Thanking God, we found a tiny wine bar nestled in the quieter area of Venice. We peeled off our coats and ordered from two women behind the bar as their elderly mother stood guard at the end of the bar. The old woman gave us an occasional glance,determining our intentions in her bar. We had two glasses and then finally found our Carnival Dream Ship at the port brightly lited. We were tired but found enough energy to get to the hot tub. Our feet were aching. Then, sweet sleep......'cause we had tomorrow to revisit Venice, once again.

Naples, Italy, Friday, October 16th

We sailed for Naples, Italy Thursday evening and arrived early Friday morn. We were early on our tour bus for travels along the southern Italian Amalfi Coast, heartland of Olive and Lemon Trees along with grape vines. It is a rock and cliff coast with beautiful vistas along the edgy roads. Our first stop was the little beach town of Positano. We love the cool air and the brisk walks up and down the stone walkways with shops and churches along the way. I purchased Limoncello and lemon soaps. The lemon fragrances were intoxicating, the sites delightful, the church inspiring, the beach inviting. I yearned for more time in this little village that people will soon vacate for the winter.
We then traveled to Sorrento for a luch date and shopping the open market area. It was so fun. We watched a demonstration of wood artistry which is fast becoming lost art. I purchased a scarf, orange/ blue to wear. Everyone wears scarves in this land...
After luch we traveled to Pompeii Ruins.... Oh my, the history is interesting and I wish for me to remember it all.
Back to the ship and long journey to Venice.

My Cruise Time went into Vacuum Mode

After we boarded the ship, Carnival Dream, and cruised to Naples, I discovered we had very little free time to spend in front of a computer screen.
I am home and trying to shrug off Jet Lag and time adjustment situation.
More later.....off to bed, ZZZZZZ, Jeanne

Arrived on boat, Cruising!

We arrived on the Carnival Dream, cruising to lots of fun with an Amalfi Coast Tour, Pompeii, Sorrento visits via van and walking the city of Naples. You are 7 hours younger than I am here. At the early hour of 0715 we will disembark for our 7 hour tour of the sights. At that time it will be 12:15 am in Houston. We had a most wonderful tour of Rome today with private tour guide,John Fiore, an Italian, from Boston,educated at Trinity Univ in San Antonio. He promises to take us to the Vatican on October 27th. We are listening to great Lou Rawls type live music on stage next door.

Arrived! Seeing the Historical sights

Hi you all, I had smooth arrival. Caught a few winks and then it was time to land. Every thing going great. Spent the afternoon, 4 hours, walking and seeing the Colisseum area, walking along the river and having a wine, cappucino and gelatio. Cathedrals, basilicas on every street, it seems. Everyone is friendly and helpful.... I am awaiting the three musketeers arriving from London. It is 9:30 pm here and I am ready for a hot bath and sleep. They misssed the free shuttle so they may have gone into town quickly before the sun set. It was a beautiful setting and I have lots of pictures. Arivedercci!

While I was typeing this blog at thehotel i heard familiar laughter in the background but with further analysis I decided it was a stranger. How ever, when I finihsed at the computer station I walked out and there announced a familiar voice, Jeanne over here. It was Gail, Bonnie and Donna laughing about the dinner with waiter commenting on only one eye who did not wish to be blind....

Waiting to board in Newark..New York Skyline nice....fun fast flight.

Visited with talkative Christian man(quotes bible often) on his way to Newark from Houston. He works for international company based in Newark that manages chemical, hazardous transportation in our country.
He also is recently divorced from an Italian, Rome, woman and nurse who has a drinking problem very well masked.
Thankfully, Debbie came by often to break up the conversation. That leg of my trip went by in a flash.

Friend, Debbie Smith, is stewarding my flight.

As I was sitting in the Houston Intercontinental Airport, at gate whatever,I was running through my mind all the events about to unvail in the next 24 hours on my way to Rome. When I glance up from my I-Phone, I see Debbie in her stylish Continental Uniform checking into at the counter. Almost at the same moment she sees me. We were thrilled to have some moments to visit on our way to Newark.
At the same time, Son, John, being the kind kid he always is took care that I had the best seat available on my flights via internet to Continental Site, lots of leg room and up front. With the flight take off I was blessed to find I had a great conversationalist seated next to me. Debbie stopped and visited frequently giving info about other past passengers experiences traveling to Europe. The flight seemed only 1 hour. Actually three hours.

Airport quiet everyone helpfull

Can't Sleep

I awoke at 3:30 AM thinking of everything I packed. Geez ! Then I decided, enough already, send a blog! Wahla, I became sleepy and slept 2 more hours. I had a margerita and Mexican food with my honey last nite. Made Michael his breakfast and lunch bag for school this morn.... Sent him off to good grades and awesome football tonite....I will be on the plane to Rome when he is playing. I miss them already......oh the fun we will have.
Til next time....

Waiting on Seat Assignments

In about an hour I'll be linked on a conference call with Donna and Bonnie. We're going to attempt to coordinate our seat assignments on British Airways. I've never flown on BAW so I was surprised to learn when we bought our tickets way back in May that we couldn't get a seat assignment until 24 hours before departure. I'm getting anxious to get it done ... packing is done, newspaper stopped, mail held, bills paid ... only thing left is the seat assignment.

Jeanne is braving the skies by herself, flying another airline to take advantage of air mileage and arriving about 8 hours before the rest of us.

This time tomorrow we'll be standing at the gate!!!

Today is Monday, October 12,2009.
Tomorrow at this time I will be sitting in the Newark NJ Airport waiting to board Continental flight to Rome. My clothes are partially packed with numerous pieces strewn about the bed and scarves needing a zip lock. Feeling excited and anxious...Later, Jeanne

Italian Boot Skoot

Hey, You all this is my very first attempt to blog. Michael is coaching me and I am excited about the new events about to begin for four girls and a boat around a boot.

We are packing and chatting, counting our clothes, cash and cruise details.

We depart Houston Intercontinental Airport. Jeanne will depart Tuesday morning 10:30 am via Continental Air through Newark, NJ. Bonnie, Donna, & Gail will depart via British Air through London, Heathrow. We will meet in Rome at Holiday Inn on Wednesday. Our big adventure will thus begin.