New Zealand

From one end of the world to the other...

Obviously apologies are due for the extend period between blogs (sorry)  However, I have made it down to New Zealand just in time for spring!  Lucky Me!  The weather is typically unpredictable just north of Auckland (where I am now) and it has proven true in the last week, rain, sun, wind, sun again... and that all before lunch... I'm definitely going with the "layers" approach.  This weather combo however, works wonders for the green rolling hills and lush gardens New Zealand is known for ;)

I love all the Baby lambs in Spring!

My sweet tooth has lead me in the right direction yet again!  This time to the traditional New Zealand dessert, known as the Pavlova....  This delicious "cake like" treat has a bit of controversy over its origins (being from Australia or NZ) and although I may be a bit bias, I'm going to side with the Kiwis on this one!

The Pavlova is like something I have never encountered, the inner most center is in-between a pudding and cake texture, surrounded by the harder, shape-forming meringue.  To complete the dessert fresh whipped cream covers the meringue and strawberries or kiwis are placed on top.

Since I had never seen or heard of anything like this before, I cheated and started with a store bought! Opps... I have however found a recipe that seems worth trying, and will post it for all of us non-South Pacificers...  

I am back on the move and back on the Blog!  Happy Weekend Everyone XXX

Rome

Rome - the Eternal City - the Capitol of Italy - the Oldest Empire I have ever visited.  This city is incredible...

The great importance of Rome, the empire and innovation, simply oozes from the streets, the history dates back to the first century BC and is home to one of the earliest known civilizations.  Even if you are not a history buff, the stories and remains of a time so long ago, excite and inspire.  However this magnificent city does not come for free... As a major international vacation destination with multiple points of interest, this trip will take your time and your money!

The Colosseum

Inside the Colosseum 

At Night

The Colosseum might be one of the most well know monuments, (rightfully so being one of the wonders of the world) but the list doesn't stop there.  On top of the endless amount of art and architecture, the museums, the Vatican City, there are popular tourist stops including the Pantheon, Ruins, Catacombs,  Trevi Fountain... and the list goes on and on and on.  Like I said, to see it all takes time!

As far as the eating is concerned, there is a lot more average and overpriced restaurants than exceptionally good and inexpensive ones.  To eat well, will cost you.  Best advice, eat a big breakfast at the hotel, which is usually included, and when sightseeing, stick to the basics and just be prepared to spend a little more than usual.  As far as the drinking/dancing/partying  is concerned Rome is full of it!  Testacio is an awesome street lined with club after club, at Campo di Fiori you will run into many other travelers, and if all else fails, any neighborhood your in will have bars/cafes open late, and filled with both locals and happy people on vacation.  Enjoy, I sure did ;)

Trevi Fountain

Vatican City

St. Peter's Basilica

Welcome to the official home of the Pope, the Vatican City, a must do in the city of Rome!  Most important tip on this trip is to prepare yourself to face the crowds, (take deep breaths) and extra time needed to really enjoy the beauty, history, and experience.  This was my second visit to the Vatican City and the Vatican Museum (which holds the Sistine Chapel) and it was just as beautiful as I remembered... Even for me, as someone who isn't Catholic, I was moved by the overwhelming feeling of grandeur within the walls of the Basilica.  The detail put in to every inch of the church, from the floor to the ceiling, the statues, to each individual paining, is really the most impressive part - every wall tells a story, and a guided tour of the entire place could easily take around three hours.  

The whole trip is obviously more of a museum trekking, learning and exploring exercise, rather than a cocktail sipping, magazine reading, sun bathing holiday.  But there is just something about the ancient, historical location that really gets you in the spirit!  Make sure to take your lunch break between the Vatican City and the Museum, or you'll legs will give out on you, and by the time you get to the Sistine Chapel, you will so not care about anything but finding water and a table as soon as possible.  Any of the restaurants in the area will be acceptable, all are priced about the same and served the same pizza, pasta, or meat options.  

The Creation of Man - Michelangelo 

Elba Island

Let me have the greatest pleasure of introducing you to the most beautiful hidden treasure in Italy... Elba Island, known as the Island of Tuscany.  Only an hour ferry ride away from the coast, (perfect amount of time for the first beer of the day) this historically famous, final island prison of Napoleon, yet seemingly unknown vacation destination, is enjoyed by mainly only Italians and Germans.  Other than Vesspas, tour buses with Willkommen written on the side are the only vehicles you see on the narrow, winding, cliff roads.  German tourists are so prevalent, that the menus are actually translated into German from Italian, rather than into English.  This being said, even on the busiest summer day in Elba, you feel like you're on a private fantasy island.

The oceans are saturated with salt, so floating is done with the greatest of ease, (which of course makes you feel pretty good, after the beers and pizza) and the water is so unbelievably clear, you can practically count the stones on the bottom of the sea floor.  With several dozen beaches to choose from, one can rent a beach lounger, or enjoy sun bathing on the rocks for free... mix with the locals on one of the more populated beaches, or sneak off to a private spot for some topless tanning.  Dining on local seafood, Mediterranean snorkeling or scuba diving, and watching the many colors of the sunset, are all possible activities on a beautiful Elba day.  Most of the beaches here are 1000 times better than any on the mainland; inexpensive, not overly crowded, and breathtakingly gorgeous.  There are very few places in Italy that I can recommend as highly for a beach destination

The ferry ride in

The Port

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Of course, I paid special attention to the food, I defiantly suggest ordering anything from the sea, it taste like they caught it the same morning! (and they probably did)  Most the hotels are run as a Bed and Breakfast, where they try to sell you dinner as part of the package, usually a cheaper option, but if you can avoid it, do.  The restaurants in the area give an extra effort to try to get your business ;)  Ultimately, other than your friends not knowing where the heck you are talking about, it will be a vacation you talk about for years!

My favorite Italian appetizer, Bruschetta and Steamed Mussels

Paradise

Cinque Terra

Vernazza town 2 of 5

The Cinque Terra is five small towns along the coast of Northern Italy, most tour guides and travel books will suggest that you visit here, walking or taking the train from town to town, enjoying the old world life, the great outdoors, and the swimming holes.  However, I would NOT suggest that you do this particular trip.  Don't get me wrong, it is a beautiful area, and for the amount of food I have been eating, the walk would probably be very good for me.  But the crowds of tourist out-way the beauty of the place, the "little" towns seem tiny when thousands of visitors are shoulder to shoulder in the streets, taking pictures every five feet, and waiting in lines for everything: lunch, the train, postcards, the toilette ... A little overwhelming for "vacation"

Corniglia town 3 of 5

Overlooking La Spezia

I visited the Cinque Terra for only one day, (had not done my research and wasn't prepared) I got a taste of the area, but for me it was all I needed.  If you are interested in visiting, Do It Right and Be Prepared!  Explore the five towns over two or three days, bring a bathing suit, and remember, if you are going during summer months (even into September) it is going to be HOT!!!! (real hot) Plan a leisurely day walking from just one town to the next, instead of trying to see them all at once.  If you are traveling to more than one of the towns, get the all day pass or else each step of the way (literally they charge you to walk) will cost you.  

Perfect Swimming Hole!

Looking back through the pictures, I recognize the beauty, but while I was there, I just couldn't take the heat/crowds/"paying for everything feeling" and overall I wasn't impressed.  The people in the picture above had the right game plan, take it slow, spend more time swimming, and less time sightseeing!

Sunset Restaurant

The most amazing meal by far was had on my last night in Greece, on the island of Hydra, at The Sunset Restaurant.  Although I would love to claim that I discovered the place, it has already been ranked #2 by ABC News for Restaurants with a View.  At this place, you not only get the perfect sunset view (hence the name) but an exquisite meal to go with it.  I've eaten Octopus hundreds of times, but this grilled octopus was different! It was served as one long tentacle and seriously tasted like lobster or crab, soft, flaky, melt in your mouth good.  We also shared Shrimp Saganaki (One of my Greek favorites) that was out of this world, prawns in a spicy tomato feta sauce, I was really upset when the waiter took it away because I wasn't finished stuffing my face with bread dipped in the sauce!!!

By now, I'm actually full, but there is still champagne to be drunk and main courses to arrive, full steam ahead!  I ordered the grilled sea bass, not knowing I was going to get the whole fish!  A bit of a surprise, but a good one, it was actually fun having some skinning and deboning  to do in order to get the succulent, light, buttered, white fish inside.  yumm yumm yum.  I can not say enough about this wonderful experience, best part, it was affordable!

All in all, Greece was an amazing vacation, friendly people, inexpensive accommodation, breath taking beaches, and delicious food.  Highly recommendable!!! 

P.S.  I mentioned the Iced Greek Coffee in an earlier post, (known in Greece as a Freddo Espresso or Freddo Cappuccino)  All I have to say, is its the original Starbucks Frappaccino!  You can get them anywhere and it's not uncommon to see the locals drinking upwards of eight a day!  You know what they say... When in Rome....

Saganaki Heaven

Cheese, Cheese, Cheese... Grilled cheese, fried cheese, cheese pies, spicy cheese dip, feta cheese, cheese salad, cheese and honey... OMG Chhheeeeeeeeeeesssssssseeeeeeee.

YES,  I went a little cheese crazy in Greece, but I swear, they make it so easy!  It was really quite surprising to find out just how heavily ones diet could be based on cheese,  and I went a little overboard (YUM).  Saganaki - basically Greek for fried cheese - is very traditional, and in the first couple days of Greece I had some at nearly every meal. : /

Cheese Saganaki

Once I found myself in a cheesy covered coma, I decided to step away from the cheese and enjoy some DIFFERENT traditional Greek cusine.  It is only fair to say that as easy as it is to be unhealthy in Greece it is just as easy to be very healthy.  Especially in the islands, many menus are focused on seafood, and grilled octopus seems to be a local favorite.

Octopus - hung out to dry

Grilled Octopus, Baby Shark with a Garlic Sauce, Sardines in Oil, Fried Bait Fish, Greek Salad, Spicy Cheese Dip, Potato Salad, and a bottle of Rose -  Dinner for Two...

There is also a number of vegetarian dishes, Stuffed Tomatoes, Stuffed Peppers, Stuffed Grapevine Leaves; all of these filled with a tomato/rice mixture.  I had the Moussaka as well, which was an Eggplant Lasagna, delicious, not traditionally vegetarian, however I did see it offered that way in some places.  Of course you have the Tzatziki, the tomato and cucumber salads, and one of my personal favorites... GREEK YOGURT!

Breakfast - Fruit and Yogurt with Honey

Stuffed Tomatoes

Call me obsessed, but I could just go on and on about the food.  I guess before I had been, I never thought much of Greek cuisine, but I sure do think highly of it now.  I will let you digest some of this yummy food for thought and put up a Recipe for Kapamas (meat ragu).  In case you feel like getting in the spirit! 

Kalispera! -good evening