Our last day in Verona

MMM, I am not sure what to say. This feels like the end of the trip. Tomorrow we head off to be with friends (which will be awesome) but this is the end of our official trip. Three months together, 24 x 7, 7 days a week as Brett pointed out before we left and we made it. We have been to England, France and Italy. We have been in two places that haven't seen snow in 20 - 30 years (Lyon and Rome), studied for a month, made new friends and fallen in love with a country which we already really liked. We have eaten some amazing food, drunk some fantastic wines and well generally enjoyed ourselves. We have learnt that italian drivers really drive to their own rhythm and rules and they only seem to apply to them and no one else. Don't even try to attempt to drive way beyond the speed limit, park in the middle of the street or on the footpath, park other cars in, ride your scooter while talking on the phone and doubling someone and well generally do whatever you want.

According to me it has been fantastic, we have had the best holiday every and although the trip is shorter than we originally planned the three months have been awesome, fantastic. Would I say life changing, no but would I say that we now look at things differently. Yes. Are we glad we did this trip yes.

For us it went so quickly. At the beginning it didn't seem to go so quick but this last few weeks have flown by. How can we be heading to Venice already. I mean we just got here. Who knows what the rest of this year will bring but let me say the first three month have been worth it.

This will probably be the last post in Italy as I am not sure if my next place has wifi. So you will get a final update when we get back to australia.

We finished off our tourist card today. One of the places was closed and I think that Brett was secretly glad. We headed off to the roman theatre and museum.

















After this we headed off to lunch, the first place we went to didnt serve us so we left and I found this place called "Romeo and Juliet". Now you would think it was a tourist trap but it wasn't. The food was fantastic and it was a great finish to Verona. After lunch we strolled and then sat in the Arena for a bit.







Lovey, lovely and well lovely.


Thanks everyone for following our holiday but we will see you when we are back in Australia.

Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Verona

A castle, Juliet, and a tower

We played tourists today, oh hold on we are tourists. We bought a 2 day Verona card. More for the free public transport than anything else but well we have it so we used it to visit the touristy stuff.

First stop was Castelo Vecchio. We got to tour around the castle, look at lots of old paintings of jesus and mary. I am sorry but there are only so many of those that we can look at. However the views from the castle walls were great.










Marty got a ride on a stone horse. He so enjoyed it. However I did not like walking on the floor as it wasn't the original floor and you could tell. So I walked around the edges.




Now one of the reasons we came to Verona is the so called Juliet and Romeo debacle. So with the tickets we bought we got free entry into Juliet's house and onto the supposed balcony where that really famous scene happened.

So the guys made it out today to check out the bed of Juliet in her house. They were very impressed. Unfortunately for Brett and I the words "tourist trap" springs to mind. You will remember my early posts about Jane Austin and somewhere else I cant remember where they have claimed something cause it makes good tourist business. This may be one of those cases. At least we got something to laugh about.




Look me and the guys got to be on the balcony of Romeo and Juliet. It wasn't possible to get it by ourselves but look how romantic it is. Brett was down below serenading us.



Now to my very exciting news. I made it to the top of the tower. Finally. Let me say I was not a very happy camper but I got Brett to take photos so I have proof. So we get to the tower, it is part of our card so Brett heads up using the stairs. I start talking to the guide dud and there is a lift that will get you almost to the top for 1 euro. So I figure I can do that bit and see after that. So I get in and we move towards the top. It stops and I get and guess what there are more stairs to the top. Now so far this bloody height thing has beaten me. So I walked around the other side and there is a little window (great views) and a little seat. So I sat down and watched everyone going up. Watching them go up so casually and I thought I can do it. So when no one was around I got up the first flight of stairs which wasn't to bad but then it went around and curvy and I went come on just look straight ahead and keep walking. I made it to the top but then there was a door. I had to let go of the railing to open the door. This door was nearly the end of my triumph. I finally was able to let go of the railing and push at the door. I eventually got out of the door and made it up the last few stairs. There was plenty of room at the top without having to be near the edge but I sat down for a bit to get a control of myself. Brett was very happy to see me. So I made myself do little things as well as being up there. Like take photos or move away from the railing in the middle and move to one side so he could take photos. It was very hard but I won. The elevator helped as it took me most of the way and my mind didn't have time to think about it too much. So yeh to me.


Don't I look so comfortable leaning into the wall.





Here is me at the bottom of the tower with a Yeh I made it jump.

After here we did two of the churches that were on the list. They were nice but I am over Jesus (sorry Jesus).

A great tourist day and and we have another one planned tomorrow where we will finish off the things we want to see and then on Sunday it is off to visit our friends Fiona and Francesco for 4 days and then it is time to head on home time.

Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Verona

where for art thou my sweet juliet

Interesting day. We started off with visit to the local bank in Como to discuss with them how their machine ate our money. We had used the card yesterday but half way through the transaction it cancelled and gave us our card back. However when we check the bank statement that night it said that we had taken the money. So we had to go talk to them.

They were really nice and are looking into the problem at the moment and hopefully it will be resolved shortly.

The trip to Verona was uneventful. The trains are always easy to catch etc so we got here with ease. Even the bus wasnt that hard to get. We did have to ask someone and we found out we were standing at the right bus stop but going the wrong way. So we are just outside the city centre and the hotel seems really nice. The room is good but the internet is not functioning so not sure when you will get this. Probably when we get home.

We went into town just to have a look around. We bought a 2 day tourist card which gives us bus travel and entry into most of the places we want to see. So tomorrow we start being tourists. Will let you know how it goes.

M


Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Verona

Tweedle dee and Tweedle dumb

We will go backwards today. The title is implying that we are getting bigger by the day. It has slowly (or not so slowly happening) since we left. The last few nights we have been having salads with very little carbs and no meat at all.
So tonight being our last night we thought we would have salad for lunch instead of tea and have tea out. Why is my stomach controlling everything. we had 3 courses tonight. I could have just had the 'here dried meat and rocket salad' yes that is what they called it. Second course was pasta and then last course was pork chop in curry sauce. Each of them was really lovely but it was way to much. I don't feel very well at the moment.
When will my brain learn not to listen to stomach when it says 3 courses are a great idea.
We went for a ride on the boat today on the lake. It doest go everywhere at this time of year but enough places for us to see how lovely this place is. Poor George for having to live here. I feel so sorry for him.

PS I forgot to mention for lunch today we bought two premade salads,
1 litre wine and 500ml bottle of beer all for the sum of 11 euro.



























Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Via Alessandro Volta,Como,Italy

Como

I have nothing to say today but Como is beautiful in Spring. I got a hair cut, bought some makeup while Brett read comics and we had pizza by the lake and home for a nap. Out to go shopping for dinner and watch the sun set.























Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Via Alessandro Volta,Como,Italy

I can't find George

We arrived today in Lake Como hoping to catch a glimpse of George but no luck. He does't actually live in Como but one of the other places. I have it written down so if we ever want to visit him we can.

Como is bigger than I expected but still beautiful.




The colours around today are a bit muted for some reason. There aren't bright spring colours but more muted until you look at the lake.

We are here for 3 nights and I think we will find plenty to do. Our hotel is lovely and we always love that the staff continue to talk in italian to us after we have spoken in our awesome Italian.

They have a funicular here and we went up it today. Awesome, the views are splendid and if you walk up and around the hill some more you can see another part of the lake. The temperature is warming up and the days are getting longer. It is now I wish we were staying longer. Oh well.





Here is the view from the first look out. In the background you can see como town.



These photos are taken from further around the hill looking out towards to the lago.








Tomorrow if the weather is fine we will head out on the water and have a look around. Maybe George will be on his boat somewhere.



Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Via Giuseppe Garibaldi,Como,Italy

I promessi spossi

Today was our last day in Milan. It is sad each time we leave, there have only been a few places that we haven't really cared if we left or not unfortunately Milan is not one of those. I arrived here thinking oh well, we have to fill in 4 days somewhere, to this is a place I want to come back to.

We went into the city today to visit the castello (*castle). The city was closed as there was some sort of fun run, marathon thingy going on. Which is great when you want to walk around the streets.





Normally this fountain is very active with water but it must of been having a break when we turned up. It was another lovely day with the sun shining and us walking around in the public gardens, watching all the runners.




Here is Brett checking out the duck pond.







We found this spot in the duck pond that all the turtles come to sun themselves. There were about 10 of them either approaching by water or on the land itself. It was sort of funny watching them.

Today was my visit to I promessi spossi, an italian modern opera based on a book they have been talking about in classes back home for some time. So today we went and saw the opera version and it was a great spectacular and we both really enjoyed it. Not so sure about the old guy beside me who kept going to sleep. It would have been nice if he wasn't going to use his binoculars to lend them to me but oh well.








So thanks Milan for showing us a wonderful time. Tomorrow we head off to Lake Como, wonder if I can see George?

M
Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Milan

Spring has sprung

Wow, check out the photo below, it is so glorious. It is such a wonderful time to be here when the weather and plants are changing. They have remained dormant all winter and are now springing into spring (hee hee). We don't see this so much in Brisbane but to watch it here well like I said glorious.



We finished off our Big Red Bus tour today and well I had to take some touristy snaps for you. We both really love this city and think we may have to come back to do some study here.





















Thought you all might like to see the great neighborhood we are living in at the moment.




Sorry couldn't get the photo's I really wanted, for example some lady coping a squat behind a car yes in broad daylight, or the guy doing the same thing but just up against the wall. Lovely neighbourhood.



This is our hotel and our window is on the first floor and you can almost see our window, it is behind the one with the balcony.

Today we went without alcohol. It was very hard and we made it. This may be the last time we do something that stupid until we return home and start diets, detoxing etc.


Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Milan

Big Red Bus

I convinced Brett that after breakfast and phone calls that we should track down the big red bus that goes around the city and buy tickets and travel around like the tourists we are.

It was so much fun. We eventually got off near the restaurant we wanted and also a Decathalon store. We went into the store and ended up buying a running pack. It is small but it straps on so that you can carry stuff with you.

Brett was looking at heart rate monitors for when we return to Brisbane. I already feel sporty from my purchase.

Lunch was awesome, we had mains and dessert this time. We had an awesome chat to the owner and he told us about where he was born and it looks like somewhere we will visit next time. This time at the restaurant we were treated like a local, handshakes on arrival, little nibbles before the main meal etc. It was so nice.

When we were in Florence they had a modern opera of "i promessi spossi" and I didn't get to see it, I think it had something to do with Brett. Much to my delight it is in Milan this weekend so we are off to watch it on Sunday. I can't wait.

Back on the red bus and travel around the city some more. We eventually arrived home and had some wine and watched tv and read and now it is time to go to bed.

The weather is awesome.

Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Milan

First impressions are important

I think first impressions are important. Not always but in this case yes. I really think the weather, the people and the food you first have when you arrive shapes how you feel about the city. With this in mind we love Milan.

We arrived by train to beautiful weather. The first part of the train station when you arrive is sort of ugly but not. However when you walk out into the other area it is a lovely train station. We are staying in dodgy ville area, it got good reviews and is very very close to the train station. The hotel itself from the outside doesn't look great but the room is fine, we have internet and the bed seems semi comfortable. We arrived well and truly before lunch so we dropped our bags off and headed to the centre of the city. I had researched and found another place to eat so off to the metro to get there. This is always entertaining trying to work out a new metro system. Eventually we bought tickets, found the right subway and we were on our way.

I am now a strong believer in reviews - reviews for hotels, restaurants everything. They are so important. Especially when you want to eat well and sleep well. Our hotel is nothing special but the room is spacious and clean and and the place we chose for lunch was fantastic.

We really like it so much so that we are going back again tomorrow.
We had a sparkling pinot grigio and it was one of the nicest white wines I have had this trip. I ordered gnocchi which was lovely but a bit filling. Brett had seafood risotto which was really nice. We had a bit of a funny moment with the waiter. He was asked us if we were from Ireland and we said no australia and he pointed out to us that we were both wearing green. See girls it even happens over here. I hadn't even really noticed we were were the same coloured shirts. Will pay better attention next time.

I had Brett laughing at me for a bit at lunch. Most of you know what a soopy person I am. I love romantic movies and cry at some ads. So we are sitting there enjoying ourselves and an old lady turned up and got a table and said she was waiting for someone. She ordered a couple of wines and sat there waiting. I think she waited for a good 10 - 15 minutes. I had this image of she was waiting for her dead husband and no one would actually show up, so I was getting upset she looked so lonely. Eventually some other ladies turned up and I assume they were her daughters. Not long after her granddaughter turned up with some flowers for her. I was so happy for her I had tears in my eyes. So Brett has been giving me heaps about this for the afternoon.

We got two little glasses of lemon cello afterwards and they were really really nice. When we went to pay it seemed to little so we said something and ended up having a wonderful conversation with the owner (I assume). He said the lemon cello was on the house, asked us where we were from and then when he found out we were from Australia began to tell us his children who both have degrees in something were living in melbourne making pizzas and really loved australia.

We promised we would be back tomorrow for another great meal. I cant wait. We wandered the streets with all the other italians and tourists walking down streets full of shops, cafes, people selling books, trying to get money out of you. In a little space was this asian man sitting there quietly making these animals out of vegetables. They were so amazing, I asked to take a photo and gave him some money. They were so cool.








Marty got out to look at the church which with the blue sky behind it was amazing and a brilliant white. We went and and wandered around. Here is one of the cardinals. That is actually him. He has been embalmed and dressed so that people can pray to him. To me it is creepy but to millions to catholics it makes sense.




Once outside the church brett as asked by this guy to take a photo. It was so funny cause he took like 10 photos. Every time Brett would take a photo the guy would ask for another one from a different angle. Brett was thinking at this point that it was a scam and was trying to work out what it was but I think he just wanted his photo taken.






Walking down the street we saw this police man stop the traffic and a woman just standing in the middle of the road and we couldn't work out why. Then we noticed the dog was doing a poop in the middle of the road. She had to run of the road and get a bag and then run back and pick up the poop, it was so funny.

It was such a lovely first day in Milan and can't wait to see what happens tomorrow.



Love Monique, Brett, Marty, Kiwi and Hooter

Location:Milan