Let's Travel with Gisela

Sunday August began with a huge buffet style breakfast here at the Calypso Hotel. Every kind of breadroll imaginable and chef making omelettes on request right in front of you. Did I mention the water views from the restaurant? I'm running out of adjectives to help describe the scenery (help me out here Loretta, Rhondda, Lyn). Then I spent the whole day as planned, at the beach which is located right in front of the hotel, and it is a sandy one. Did I mention that the weather was perfect? And the best thing was, NO JELLYFISH. Everyone was in there floating around which is a good sign. Floating is so effortless in the sea, apparently because of the salt.

I swam and swam and swam. You don't want to get out of the water, the temperature is just right and a very slight swell (hardly any at all). A nice Maltese man was floating around beside me and we started chatting. He lives on the mainland of Malta but has a weekender on Gozo. We floated and chatted and floated and chatted. His English was very good - used to be a tour guide. So I felt like I had a friend to play with for the day. At lunchtime he had to go home to have lunch with his wife but said he would be back at 3.00 pm. Sure enough at 3.00 pm he was right there beside my towel and said let's go swim. So off I went with my new best friend to float around and chat again. It was Sunday so he had to get the ferry back that evening for work in the morning. Apparently waterview 3 bedroom units over here cost 35,000 lire 4 yrs ago
(x 4 $A). Not bad hey. Minimum wage here is 60 lire (remember x 4 $A). He also said that Marsalforn was the ultimate place to stay on Gozo, sort of the Mecca, that is why the Maltese have their holiday homes here. So I chose well from the internet.

While sunbaking and reading on this sandy beach, the church bells chimed every 1/2 hour which sounded just beautiful. It was Sunday afterall and the church was right beside my hotel and directly behind the beach. Nearly everyone on Malta is Catholic, even my new best friend went to church that morning. Anyway, the bells ringing were magic and at lunchtime they played a whole tune. Can you tell, I was in heaven. Nothing like sun and water to put a smile on my face all day long and the church bells just topped it all off. I watched the children playing along the seashore - they all have nets. Fishermen all along the rocky coastline and ladders every few metres so you can enter the Sea from any point. So there is plenty to watch while floating.

A lot of people left the island Sunday night, so it went back to being a sleepy little village. I wandered along the shore in the evening, they actually close off the main street to cars at night only, for the procession of walkers. I stopped at the last restaurant right on the edge of the rocks and asked for a pot of tea. Boy did I get a pot of tea. A huge pot filled to the brim. It was fabulous, I drank four cups and enjoyed the best views of the whole village all lit up at night and with lovely background music. The bill was 75 cents (x4).

Monday my Blue Lagoon trip was cancelled unfortunately due to tiny drops of rain the boats wouldn't go out. But as always I look at the bright side. Had one of my laziest days this holiday. Joined in siesta time and had an afternoon nap. Then watched CNN news to watch the Hurricane in New Orleans live for a couple of hours. I think I really needed a good rest. Also read my brochure for the upcoming Germany highlights 11 day tour and am now really looking forward to returning to the homeland tomorrow. I am island hopping. Ferry from Gozo Island to Malta then Lufthansa from Malta to Frankfurt. I'm excited about speaking German again for a whole month and the music and beer and the Rhine and castles etc etc. I hope the group will be as much fun as the English crowd were on the Italy tour. I feel like I am doing 10 years worth of holidays in one. I guess in a way I am. But the novelty hasn't worn off at all, I look forward to each leg as it comes. So goodbye beachbum, hello Fraulein.

Saha in Maltese means goodbye and good health. So SAHA to all my friends and loved ones.
And in particular, just in case I don't get to an internet cafe with the tour before the weekend:

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY DAD!

love Gisela xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Day 55 of my 90 day holiday

TUESDAY 23 August

MDINA medieval town with a population of 400. It is in the south and high up. From there you have views of practically the whole island. Also visited the Presidents home and walked through his garden right up to the gate. He was home, flag was up.

Did some prickly pear liquer tasting here. It was good so I have bought a bottle. It is pink in colour and very strong and sweet. Cactus with prickly pear on them are everywhere. Also the odd bougainvillea to add just a hint of colour. The landscape all over the island is almost like a desert with honey-coloured buildings on it. They all have flat roofs to catch rainwater which does straight into the underground via a drain. Actually MALTA no longer has water problems because there are 4 factories just for salinating sea water. 80% goes back to the sea. However they do not drink it, even locals buy bottled water. The whole island is only 27 kms long and 14 kms wide. It is hilly which makes driving around more interesting. Speaking of driving, the tour guide said the road rules are "the one with the biggest wheels has right of way". Plus they park anywhere.

The afternoon was spent back at the motel pool. Lots of kids there. 400 rooms all full. Apparently it is cheaper for the poms to come here for the winter than to pay their electricity bill back home.

No fences here like our colourbond ones, every fence is made out of white pebbles so no matter what village you are in, they all look the same. Most have a beautiful bay or harbour with gorgeous coloured clear water. Did you know that Marsa means harbour. eg Marseille, Marsala etc.

WEDNESDAY 24 August

Hot but slightly overcast. Got in early for my front row deckchair by the sea. Very different today, waves rough and crashing onto rocks. Too difficult and perhaps dangerous to get in for a swim but still beautiful to lie there and watch the sea behave this way. Other die hard sunbathers were there as well. We know each other and you feel at home here by day 2. Shopkeepers know you and other tourists who you may have met on a tour or hotel pool etc.

Afternoon was spent doing a Harbour Cruise starting in Sliema. Sailed to Marsamxett and the Grand Harbour of Valletta and the nearby natural creeks and 2 small fishing villages. Very nice just cruising around admiring all the honey-coloured buildings from the seaward side. I stole that line from David Niven's autobiography. Was reading it the following day on the deckchair by the sea and on p. 67 "the moon is a balloon" he described how he joined the infantry and was sent off to Malta. He wrote all about entering the Grand Harbour and Valletta, and seeing the big Fort etc. just like I did the day before. What a coincidence! So of course I could really picture it all. They even showed us Errol Flynn's old boat which is on land and now used as a restaurant.

THURSDAY 25 August (Pay Day)

A normal sort of day. Sent my 1st parcel home to empty my bag of 3.7 kg. Then to the hairdresser who gave me a 2005 fringe, you know the one that slopes down the side and into your eyes. Have to join in with the jet set here. Enough chores for the day so by 1 pm the Mediterranean Sea was calling me again. Front row deckchair, umbrella and all afternoon swimming, reading etc etc. MAGIC! Didn't leave till 5 pm and then only because Doris and George were picking me up at 6 pm. A Maltese friend in Australia organised for them to meet up with me. They took me out to SLIEMA another beautiful large tourist resort. We did a really long walk in the evening along the promenade, fairy lights in trees etc and loads of people. We stopped for coffee and later again for dinner & wine at a great sidewalk restaurant that had the garlic aroma coming out of it. We got on really well and they were so nice they spoilt me and wouldn't let me pay for a thing, said I was their guest. Like I said before, the Maltese have been really nice and hospitable. Fireworks and band in streets of Sliema for festival that evening. A wonderful night with two really nice locals.

FRIDAY 26/8/05

Very hot but we were so lucky that it wasn't rough on the water like the other day because otherwise the BLUE GROTTO boats don't go out. So I got to see quite a few caves and there is even coral just below the water line. I hope the blue of the water shows on my photos. It really is something special.

Other sights included Ghar Dalam Cave (I love caves) and we could walk into this one for 50 metres, although it is much longer. Then the Tarzien Temples where they admired big women and called them Goddess of Fertility. The women were also the head of the household (got the food, had the children etc etc and they aren't sure what the men did), this is what they say on the tour. What has changed I ask?

SATURDAY 27/8/05

Said goodbye to my home of 7 nights, the beautiful village of Bugibba and headed north (by a black mercedes taxi - felt like Princess Di) to catch the car ferry to GOZO ISLAND. I really enjoyed the 30 mins on board, it was huge, I felt I was on a cruise and I wanted to do the Titanic thing up the front of the ship. We passed another small island famous for its blue lagoon. I am booked on a cruise on Monday (full day) to see it as well as to cruise right around Gozo Island with lots of swimming stops in some nice bays. I'm at the Calypso Hotel (like new inside, very very nice) with a pool & bar on the roof where I spent the afternoon till 7 pm. I have wandered around this village after arriving here in Marsalform. Walked for miles along the waters edge and guess what, no-one is swimming, you could see jellyfish everywhere, so this is why I opted for the motel pool.

Tonight I left motel room at 9.30 pm and its so funny to walk out the front door of motel and this little village is raging. All day it is quiet and I was warned that it is a relaxing type of place. Then because it is cooler at night, everyone is out and about. All the locals are out walking with grandparents as well with kids, prams etc. Beats the TV hey! It's such a nice way to socialise for families and the young and old. You see them stop to shake hands etc.

So what is the plan for tomorrow. I found a beautiful beach I plan to park my bum at!

Goodnight everybody. love Gisela xxx

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FIONA!

Weekend in Bugibba went as planned. Two days of pure joy. Spent 1 lire and 25 cents for a sunbed and umbrella and sat in the front row because I got in early. Nothing and no-one between me and the Mediterranean Sea. One lire = $ A3.9 - best value for money I have received all holiday. It is a rocky coastline but there is sand where I swam so the water is crystal clear and a gorgeous green colour. You can swim as far out as you want. However most Europeans stay near the ladder where they can stand. Some do swim but I have to say, I am probably the best swimmer around here.

I know I shouldn't laugh, but the adult poms really do swim with those inflatable rings around their wastes with kiddy pictures on them and all. It's so funny though to see grown men wearing them.

The Maltese have been very friendly and start speaking to me while floating around the sea as most of them do. I don't need to tell them I am from Australia, they know the minute I start speaking. Even I can tell now how Aussie it sounds when I say, "see you later". Anyway, it seems they all have 5 brothers living in Australia. They all complain about the dust in their homes because all the buildings here are made of limestone bricks and since there hasn't been any rain for a long time, there is a lot of dust around. I think it also has to do with the land around here all rocky etc.

Food is good here, plenty of fresh fruit and veg sold on every street corner. Actually everything I need is here, PO, hairdresser etc. I am particularly enjoying my hot breakfasts again, bacon & eggs and baked beans hooray!

This morning I visited VALETTA which was a really busy city with markets and churches etc. I even saw 2 Caravaggio paintings in one church and from the Barraca Gardens we had beautiful views of GRAND HARBOUR. Actually I'm really looking forward to my harbour cruise on Wednesday afternoon to see it all from the water.

We were lucky today for this half day tour of the city because it was only 27 degrees today and we actually walked through the city which was good, stopping at all the important buildings eg where Napoleon stayed. I also got to sit in a movie theatre for 45 minutes called "The Malta Experience" where they take you through the history of Malta eg Phoenitians, Romans, Napoleanic times right up to the German bombings. I daren't mention my German heritage around here. Just joking. I have noticed loads of German tourists here and English so I haven't missed my newfound pommy friends' accents yet.

Because it was cooler today I also decided to do a long walk along the seashore promenade. Bugibba is a cute little village on a peninsula and I walked from there to the next little village called Qawra on the other side of the peninsula. Colourful boats were a pretty sight all the way and as it is evening the sun was doing beautiful things to the water and surrounding scenery. Along the walk I also noticed that all along the road that was raised like a type of bridge, there were doors underneath and people sitting in chairs outside cooking BBQs etc so I spoke to one of the men. These are there weekenders and they sleep in there. When they open the doors they have flowing curtains and overlook the water from under the bridge - another amazing and very good idea to make the most of space here in Malta and of water views. They are decked out with kitchen etc inside. Just amazing!

Thursday evening I am out to dinner with one of the locals, a contact through a friend of mine in Sydney (Mary Grech), her sister-in-law. We decided to go to Sliema because she drives a car and that is another town I'd heard about and would love to see. So I'm finding this a very relaxing break between my 2 tours of Europe. I'm always happiest near the water and being able to swim endlessly is just heaven for me. I swim right out to the boats and back. My suntan is coming along too now even though I do wear 15+ . Thought I'd just get that in before anyone lectures me.

All the shops close down here for the afternoon because it is too hot so they have siesta time and reopen again after 4.00 pm or whenever they are ready. You need all your patience around here and Italy if you are used to the fast pace of Sydney life. Anyway all the shops then stay open till very late and thats when everyone, tourists as well as the locals all go walkabout. So now and even more so later on tonight, the streets are full of people. So I just started to stroll back knowing I had a long walk ahead of me back to Bugibba when I decided to have a little treat and hopped on a horse & carriage ride. It was fun and romantic to travel the old-fashioned way along the rocky coastline admiring the sea and cliffs in the background. He took me all along the promenade and then into the sidestreets through the centre of the little village and back again. So that was my highlight for tonight. I will sleep well and dream of my handsome prince charming.

Goodnight everyone. love Gisela

Drove by coach to the toe of the italian boot. Calabria region. We took the whole coach onto the ferry across to Messina and then drove on to Taormina. We stayed down at sea level in a motel but had to get a cable car up to the town. Then a bus up to a Castle for good views. Amazing places. The old outdoor theatre is also high up there and Andrea Bocelli was singing there that evening. I enquired about tickets but the only ones left were 200 euro, nearly $400 and a black tie affair. It would have been fantastic. Strolled through the town of Taormina little alleyways and found a sign that said DON CORLEONE.

We had a buffet dinner that evening on the roof of the hotel by the pool. They even put on a one man band for us. We danced especially to the Ricky Martin song in Spanish I SAID HEY; HEY; :::::: I am sure you all know the one, the italians go beserk when they here it, in the pool, on the deckchairs both young and old.

The motel belonged to a Fiat-Citroen car place so we all had our motel keys on keyrings with a little car. The men especially looked really funny carrying their little cars around by the pool.

Climbed Mt Etna the next day. Only a little way because it is smoking badly, some went further with a jeep for extra money, the keen ones. Mt Etna last erupted in 2003. I climbed inside another smaller one, right down into the centre and just then, Robert sent me an SMS with the Big Brother update. Technology is amazing hey.

Syracuse was next. Lots of archaelogical sites to visit in 42 degree heat. Limestone quarries and grottoes. Also a great ruin of a roman outdoor theatre. Then to Ortiga, a lovely town by the sea. Even saw a boat race there. It looked like our Sydney to Hobart yacht race, full of small boats.

Sicily is like a triangle so we crossed the country and passed marsala vineyards and nice hilly landscape and plenty of olive and lemon trees. Then back to the Mediterranean sea to a place called Agrigento. This is a place where we all got into the let your hair down mood again. The motel had the biggest pool i have ever seen, I had a wonderful balcony overlooking the pool. Italians are on holidays as well so the place was full which made it fun to observe the italians on holiday. We all swam and spent all afternoon and evening dinner by the pool. After 6 pm entertainment began with a disc jockey playing italian songs the locals like to party and dance to. Young and old, some dances similar to line dancing and some like ballroom dancing when the romantic songs came on like VOLARE, oh oh..... I have bought all the CDs by the way.

The poms have been great fun. I haven t laughed so much for a long time. A few of us have exchanged numbers etc because we really clicked. They liked my warped sense of humour, so I have to apologise to all you aussies out there now, because the poms might think all aussies are like me. Heaven forbid.

The following morning began with more RUINS. The Acropolis overlooking the ocean. I really do enjoy climbing around the rocks of the ruins, these went on and on for quite a long stretch and many columns were still standing so you could really imagine what it once looked like. It really was like rock climbing amongst lizards because we couldnt see each other whenever we climbed over each lot. I loved it even though we would fight each other for any scrap of shade given by the large cactus plants. Are you getting the visual of climbing in 42 degree heat. We were rewarded with a free wine tasting stop of marsala and almond liquer etc with marinated olives which I loved. It was all good. Then further rewarded with a nice long lunch break on the beach, with water so nice and clear and the archaelogical ruins on the hill behind us. A gorgeous view.

The drive to Palermo was nice, even though we sleep most of the time on the coach, must have something to do with the motion and the sun beating in. It was mainly along the coast, sometimes so close to the water, we felt like we were on the same level. No waves, so thats OK. With Palermo I kept thinking of THE LOVE BOAT show I used to watch, they always cruised to Palermo and Valetta.

So in Palermo we were told that this is mafiosa headquarters. We even wined and dined in a very classy restaurant on the beach at Mondello, an exclusive seaside resort, and apparently the mafia sometimes eat there. Another beautiful evening full of laughter because we know each other quite well now. I ate the swordfish. Even tasted ricotta canoli here in Sicily because it is known for it. Hopefully my pasta and pizza days are over. As much as I love it, enough is enough. I had salami breadrolls for breakfast, quite the norm here. We also toured up to Mondello on the hill with a grand cathedral and views overlooking Palermo. Last night all the others from the Cosmos tour left me in Sicily on my own. I waved goodbye as they left by overnight cruise ship back to Naples. So I had my first evening after 15 days at home alone and put on the TV for the first time. It was nice and a much needed quiet night.

This morning I wandered around the city, felt quite at home already as you do after 2 days in a big city, there is a whole street full of shops like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Charmaine, you would have been in heaven. Me on the other hand, I decided to keep walking right down to the port and spent my time watching the boats, ships and fishermen. A long walk along the harbour, but lovely.

Then I caught the cab at 2 pm to Palermo airport. Luckily I have picked up a few words. We had a 40 min drive and he started driving so fast in the traffic that I said, PIANO; PIANO; which means slowly, slowly. He understood that. I also love saying SCUSI and have actually often used it in fun at home, but its funny here because everyone says it seriously all the time.

Palermo is a big city they liken it to Cairo because of the mixture of races it has attracted over the years. Arabs etc. Interesting place but doesnt look too clean. The influences are also very obvious in the architecture and in particular the Cathedrals, arabic style mosaics and walls covered in 24 carat gold leaf. Anyway goodbye to Sicily and Cosmos holidays and hello malta.

The flight was funny. The plane no sooner took off, they served drinks and then the announcement was made to prepare for landing. Short and sweet, that is how all flights should be. Some things were said by the pilot but of course I couldnt understand and just switched off. However when we landed, the man beside me did the sign of the cross and everyone on board began cheering and clapping the minute the wheels of the plane touched the ground. So I dont know if I missed something or if it is just something they always do over here.
I also enjoyed beautiful views of all the Malta islands from my window seat.

I am now in MALTA and look forward to 2 days of no wake up calls. I have 10 days here and I plan to take it easy. I am at the Bugibba Holiday Apartments and this place is amazing, from the reception area I have to go down a lift 3 floors, then walk across the pool area, more than one by the way and then get in another lift and go 3 floors up. People keep popping out of everywhere because there are steps and corridors at every turn. Its really weird but I think I am going to like it here. The motel is like a village with its own restaurants, bars, games area etc and finally once again, the Internet. I have had trouble this last week reaching one.

As far as Malta goes, I have to say I was quite surprised at the numerous amount of houses I saw from the air, all so close together. I will however reserve my judgement of this place until I get out and about a bit.

So good night for now and thanks for the emails. I will be able to respond this week as I have easy access to a computer right here in my hotel.

I will add though a little something I said to Dad by phone the other day. He is right, WE DO LIVE IN THE LUCKY COUNTRY.

love Gisela xxx

Magic Days

The perfect day yesterday. In Sorrento you pay to go to the beach. They are all set up with decking which goes out to the ocean. Jean and I wandered into town which is thousands of metres above sea level. We reached the coastline and saw the beach below. You get the lift down and pay for it (you can walk but we wanted to give our legs a break). The ticket includes the beach. Weird hey! So then we chose which beach we wanted and paid 10 more euros for a sun deck chair and towel and umbrella. It was so nice that we stayed until 6.00 pm. We even had one of those little huts that are painted in green and blue stripes for our change room. It was the best feeling swimming in the clear waters of the Tirranean Sea. Also it was so colourful to look along at all the other beaches and their umbrellas orange and red etc. They each have their own restaurant and bar so you dont need to leave the area. We spoilt ourselves rotten with a beautiful seafood lunch and lounging in sunbeds floating in the water. It is also a boat harbour so you are constantly entertained with boats coming and going. We had the best day and a fabulous lunch. It was Jeans last day unfortunately. She left this morning.

Today was another perfect day. I did the BLUE CRUISE to Positano and around the Isle of Capri. I now know how it got its name. The water along the Amalfi Coast turns into the most gorgeous deep dark blue, it looks and is so refreshing. We had a 3 hour stop in Positano which was wonderful. I took myself off to a nice seaside open air restaurant and had a yummy seafood salad. Rocket, prawns and fresh tomatoes with a view to die for and a nice hot cup of coffee. I will remember it always, especially since visiting Positano has long been a dream of mine. It didnt disappoint.

So folks, I just dont know if anything can beat these last two weeks. They have been absolute beautiful places to visit, some of the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. I was actually thinking on the way back on the cruise this afternoon, I have now done everything I really wanted to do on this trip, it has been magic and to think that I am only nearly half way. Anything after this is a bonus.

And did I mention the Gelato. Everyone is having one every night so they can try as many flavours as possible before they leave. It is delicious, and I am not even a fan of ice cream. It is made from real fruit and chunks of berries or pistacchio nuts or whatever can be seen and tasted all through it. I may get one now on my way home tonight. I think I am up to cherry flavour tonight.

So Sicily tomorrow night. Mafia territory and olive trees, should be very interesting!

By the way, another piece of trivia I forgot to mention when in Rome. They fire a cannon at midday every day and it is loud, you jump out of your skin. The reason is an old tradition. Back in the days when women didnt work, a cannon was fired at midday to remind the women to boil the water for the spaghetti because the men would be home for lunch soon. They still keep up the tradition of firing the cannon today, just for the sake of tradition. Funny hey!

OK then, I must wander back to the motel, it is 11.10 pm and I have a 6.00 am wake up call tomorrow and a full day of travel. So good night and have a great weekend. Apparently there is a party at my place this weekend and I miss out, so have fun everybody.

love Gisela

Bon Giorno

ROME Arrived safe and sound. Shared a cabin with a nice young couple from Naples. I probably spoilt their little love nest, a planned cosy evening overnight on the train turned into a threesome. They were actually very nice and even let me have the bottom bunk, probably thought the old girl wouldn t make it up the ladder.

I slept in and thought I missed my stop in Rome but luckily the train was running 1 hour late and Rome was 2 more stops away.

The motel was great, this time i had my very own balcony, even though it looked onto a very busy street, it was nice to be able to sleep with the doors open because i was on the 6th floor and remember it is very hot over here. 3 nights here was good, so much to see and do. Firstly the tour I am on is made up of 51 people. One other Australian couple from Melbourne, very nice (he is like Paul Hogan and she is like Meryl Streep) and the rest are poms, also very nice, they make me laugh.

I have teamed up with Jean. An ESOL teacher (English for speakers of another language) for any non TAFE people reading this. She is like Joanna Lumley from Absolutely Fabulous, so we have a ball together and laugh heaps. eg We never d0 what we are supposed to do with the tour. And the tour guide Rosella is young and really lovely and lively, our driver is Antonello and Vincenzo, we haven t quite worked out yet what his job is, he just comes along for the ride I think.

VATICAN CITY very interesting tour with a local guide, Maria Therese, believe it or not. I loved the Sistine Chapel and very impressed with Michelangelo s Cameo paintings, hard to believe they are not 3 dimensional.

A BIT OF TRIVIA

They say the Chef in the Vatican had to learn how to cook Snitzel and sauerkraut now.

Michelangelo didn t like painting and was horrified when asked by the Pope to paint the whole ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Arena means sand.

Romantica and the whole Rome and romance thing came from antique roman.

End of trivia.

Next was THE COLOSSEUM and many ancient ruins. We wandered around all day in the heat and to get an idea of how hot it was, one of the poms, not very old, fainted while standing under the tree in the shade. We don t go anywhere without water in our bags.

We also did a ROME BY NIGHT TOUR which was a beautiful way to see the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain. I threw in my 2 coins and made my wish. She told us the 3rd coin was only if you wanted a divorce.

The next day was free so Jean and I caught a local bus into the city and walked all day. The Pantheon and the Basilica and a palace, the war memorial and wandered along the banks of the Tiger River back into the main Piazza. Caught the wrong bus back but we finally got there.

Tivoli Gardens in the evening in the town called Tivoli outside of Rome in the mountains. The gardens have over 100 different kinds of water fountains. Another palace backyard. This was followed by our 2nd fun evening out together with the whole group of 51. The dinners include really nice 4 course dinners and as much wine as you can drink. Each place we went to also had there own entertainment. Nice Italian music. One night they sounded just like the 3 tenors and sang their arias. We sang along all night and all the way home on the bus eg "Arriverderci Roma". The poms like us, love to have a good night out. By the way, our waiter was just like something out of a Faulty Towers, John Clease movie, his name was Pietro and Jean and I just cracked up laughing everytime we looked at him.

We drove to Pompei and climbed up to Mt Vesuvius to the top of the volcano. Last time it erupted was in 1944 and a minor quake happened in 1980. There is still smoke coming out of it just on one side. Very interesting to stand up there at the rim. Boy were we all dirty when we got home at night. My hair was stiff. We did a tour of Pompei with a local guide who knew all the details which made it very interesting to hear of what went on in that city 2,000 years ago and to think we are actually walking through their streets. Boy did the Romans know how to build!

We drove to Naples Boat Harbour and got on a hydrofoil, a 45 minute crossing to CAPRI. Talk about going from one extreme to another. We were filthy and arrived in the plushest motel I think I have ever stayed in. My own courtyard overlooking the Mediterranean. Just in time for a quick shower and down to the restaurant for wine and dinner again. What a life. But I have to tell you, that day was exhausting. I didn t even leave the motel the folllowing day. Just lazed by the pool under a sail and was served lunch and drinks on my sundeck. Now I know how the jet set live. It was lovely to experience it for 2 nights anyway. Waking up in paradise was wonderful and I actually felt sad again having to leave so soon. One more night would have been great. So we hopped onto another hydrofoil, only 20 mins this time and headed for Sorrento.

3 nights now in Sorrento before I head for Sicily. At 10.30 am we did the well known Amalfi Coast drive through POSITANO and onto to the town of AMALFI. We saw Sophia Lorens mansion down near the water just before arriving at Amalfi. What a place this Tyrannean Sea and Amalfi Coastline is, just magic views. But you know what has also been really exciting, watching the driving on these roads. The buses reverse and pull over to let each other pass and the motorbikes ducking in between. Hairy and really amazing. So again many wonderful experiences these last few days and I am sure many more ahead. I wandered into the Piazza on my own tonight to locate this Internet Cafe. The streets are full of people all just roaming around. A very lively atmosphere. Tomorrow I have a much needed free day to roam around this beautiful town and perhaps visit the local beach near the boat harbour and on Friday I go on a Blue Cruise for the day. It sails down to Positano and around the island of Capri etc.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR THE 12th ADAM, have a great weekend!

love you all, Gisela

Hi again. As from tomorrow I shall be joining a day tour and losing the freedom i have so much enjoyed along the Mediterranean. The bright side is I will have people to chat to and wont have to worry about how to get to places any more. Looking forward to the Amalfi Coast, Positano in particular, a dream of mine.

My last few words on France. Forgot to mention Antibes. When we visited the other day and strolled along the boat harbour admiring all the yachts, the crew of a yacht owned by a Belgium millionaire told us that many of their neighbouring yachts had to leave urgently to fly back because the King of Saudi Arabia had died. The neighbouring yachts were owned by the King of Bahrain and the Amir of Qatar etc. Now we know who has the money to afford such luxury. It costs 1100 Euro to dock their for 1 night; and the Belgium guy had already been there for 5 months.

For all you food lovers out there I thought I would tell you about the French delicacies I have been enjoying. I go to the supermarket most evenings for fresh baguettes and olives and cheese one night and then Baguette and pate another night and baguette and prawns another night. Pastries are beautiful especially quiches. I am also enjoying fresh seafood with a treat at a restaurant last night of spaghetti marinara, they cook their spaghetti in saffron. It was a really nice evening with loads of restaurants all in the one area and all full and outdoors, a great atmosphere.

Tonight I will join the paupers again on the overnight train.

Today I had a leisurely free day and climbed about 1000 steps to the Castle Hill lookout. Probably rated as the most beautiful panoramic views I have ever seen in my entire life. Would love to perch my house up there and it was well worth the climb. You can see the port, the beach and the city. I watched as the Corsica Cruise ship came in to port. It only takes 3 hours from Nice to Corsica and you can take the car with you. I was up there thinking I can actually stay and watch it come in, how often do we have the time to relax and enjoy watching ships go by. Like the saying, stop and smell the roses. Thats exactly what I am doing.

So that is it for today. Will next write when Cosmos Tours take me to an internet cafe so I am not responsible for any delay. Wish me luck!

love to all, Gisela

Bon Jour

Merci, thanks once again for your emails, my time here on the French Riviera is precious and limited so havent had time until now for Internet. Thinking about you all though. You know the saying BEAUTIFUL ONE DAY, PERFECT THE NEXT. That is my life at the moment. Let me explain. This is my style of place. The italian influence in Southern France is obvious in the food and the friendliness of the French people. I love it here. My motel window opens and i can see all the balconies at night and up on the hill is Elton Johns house. With binoculars i would be able to see what he is doing. Perhaps that is not such a good idea. His lights were on and his pink rolls has been spotted in town. While i am name dropping, Rod Stewart walked right up to me at St Paul De Vence, a nice little 14th century medieval town where artists like picasso and matisse went for inspiration. So u can imagine how beautiful the landscape is out there in the countryside. I had breakfast there, freshly baked spinach quiche and coffee.

Also went to a gorgeous little town called EZE where BONO FROM U2 bought a house. If you get a chance, look them up on the internet, too hard to describe. I had a yummy crepe for lunch there. Visited Fragonard perfumery and of course bought myself a little indulgence.

Also spent a whole day at St Tropez where I hiked up to the citadel. As u all know, i am not a shopper and really that is what St Tropez is all about, so apart from the beautiful ocean views, it is not my cup of tea. Brigitte Bardot lives there, a recluse. On the way back we (minibus tour) stopped at a little place called Port Grimaud, a cross between St Huberts Is and Venice. I could spend a few weeks there. We sailed around on a little boat. Actually i have been out on a boat of some sort everyday since arriving in Nice. This is the life!

Cannes was nice I had ice cream and a nice walk along the beach and the mandatory photo on the red carpet. Main street is full of name brand shops, preferred my walk along the beach, actually had sand. I say that because where i am staying in Nice, the beach is all pebbles.

Speaking of Nice, once i got here i just knew this was the place for me so immediately booked 4 nights: 5 days of heaven. I am so happy here near the water. I now know where I will go to contemplate life when i win lotto. Notice i said when. Villefrance is right next door and Rothchild house; Mick Jagger, Bill Gates and Tina Turner all have homes there. Seriously beautiful area for the rich and famous.

Speaking of which i havent even mentioned MONACO. I have been there 3 times, just cant get enough. First for an evening at the Casino. Chandeliers etc; I got all dressed up to make sure they would let me in. Didnt do too much damage and i just had to have a flutter at the real Monte Carlo casino. The 2nd visit was to the palace on The Rock and the old town by minibus, saw the changing of the guards and apparently albert was home because the flag was raised, also did a few laps of the Formula One circuit, the Cathedral where Grace and Rainier are buried. The 3rd visit was today by cruise. Thought it would be nice to see it from the water. So the Cote D Azur as the French call the Riviera certainly lived up to all my expectations.

By the way Elizabeth, i dont have to worry about the toilet seats. You know in Monaco I got the shock of my life. Thank God I hadnt been drinking, when I flushed the toilet, something came out from the back and the whole toilet seat rotated through this thing and was cleaned. I just stared in amazement.

For all those concerned about my overnight trip on the bus, it went well apart from arriving at the hotel at 4 am. Security gave me a pillow and let me sleep in the foyer as it was way too early for check in. I felt like a park bum. I did get too sleep but the bus had to stop to pay so many tolls that i woke up every time. There are 16 tolls between Barcelona and Italy. The views before it was dark were like the movie chocalat. Houses here have to be an earthy colour so they looked beautiful in the sunset.

Tomorrow night i leave 9 pm by overnight train to Rome, i have booked a sleeper and arrive at 6 am. Italy here I come!

By the way, i have saved about 1,000 Euro doing this leg of the trip on my own instead of with Trafalgar tours.

Getting late and i have a very long walk back to the hotel along the beachfront; so i will love u and leave u there. Nite nite everyone.



I have been out boating every day because the boat harbour is only a few blocks from my hotel.