Day 19: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Venezie

Subtitled:  HOLY GUACAMOLE I'M UP TO DATE WITH MY BLOG!

This morning started out reasonably early considering this was our 2nd day in one town.

After breakfast we all piled on to the bus back to Tronchetto (?) to catch the ferry back to the historic centre of Venice with another Cosmos group (from memory they were doing a best of Italy).

Upon arrival Leo escorted us to the bell tower near St Mark's Square to point out to those who weren't with us last night where we had to meet for the gondola right today.  We then all proceeded into a small shop hidden behind St Mark's Square to visit a Murano Glass Factory.  We watched a master make a glass jug before our eyes before venturing into the showroom for the "hard sell".  I only made one purchase.  I bought a red and gold brandy balloon to replace the one that smashed when I moved back to mum's in '01.

After our visit to the Murano Glass factory we were given an hour of free time.  Theresa and I set off to see if we could get lost.  Surprisingly we found our way back to St Mark's Square but in the meantime we wandered through some back streets, found the post office (Theresa wanted to send a postcard) and we spotted a little place to go and have some lunch afterwards.

Theresa and I headed back to the bell tower (via a Gelati Bar, naturally) meeting up with our group for our gondola ride.  Hm that was a lot more rough than the one I had in '93 and have since vowed and declared I am never doing another gondola tour again!  It was not helped that our "driver" was Captain Cranky Pants who rearranged our gondola which resulted in me being squashed.  Have I mentioned the rocking?  Really thought I was going to end up in the drink a few times.

Made it back onto solid ground.... my osteoarthritic knees prevented me from getting down and kissing the ground!  We then had just under 2 hours more free time before our "Discover the Lagoon" boat ride.  Theresa and I managed to find our way back to the bar we spotted on our earlier walk and had some very nice sandwiches before making it back to our meeting spot for our next boat ride.

All aboard we hit the "high seas" again making our way to Burano.  Here we had free time to wander around looking at all the gorgeous houses all painted in different colours and having another gelati before making our way back to the boat to head back to the historic centre to pick up those who didn't do this cruise.  Fortunately our group (and another) stayed on the boat while the other Cosmos group had to get off and wait for another bus.  Yay!  I don't think this Queenslander could have coped with standing in the heat again (yes, even by my standards it was freaking hot!).

Final boat journey (for now!) over we greeted Rocco and our bus and headed back to the hotel where we had plenty of time for a cold shower and a siesta before our included dinner in our hotel.

Tomorrow...... Vienna!  Hopefully by then my brain will realise it is off the boat.  I still feel like I'm bobbing along on some form of watercraft.  Very annoying!

Until Vienna!

Jax xo

Day 18: Cosmos European Masterpiece: San Marino - Venezia

Well this morning we awoke to the view we weren't supposed to have!  Because my roomie and I had one of the crap rooms in Sorrento our Tour Director "promised" us that we would get one of the best rooms in San Marino.  Hmmm..... I looked out our window to see a brick wall!  But if I did stand at the window and look out to my right I did see an amazing view.  But I didn't complain.  Really I am only in the room to sleep.... and check my email.... and check out facebook.... and upload photos.... and write a blog, I don't REALLY need an amazing view (though it would have been nice).

After breakfast our Tour Director took us on the "Clayton's Tour" of San Marina... yes, that's the tour you have when you're not having a tour.  Apparently Tour Director's aren't supposed to be tour guides. We won't tell :o)  We basically visited the main square, watched the changing of the guard in the Parliament House (not as impressive as the Greek Parliament aka Monty Python's Ministry for Funny Walks) then went up to a lookout for an amazing view of San Marino/Italy.

We then had a few minutes for some free time to take some happy snaps before our TD took us to a chemist to stock up on drugs.  In San Marino (well at this pharmacy anyway) you didn't need prescriptions.  So considering the lurgy is going through the bus like wildfire we all stocked up on amoxycillin.  After our busload of passengers had been through the chemist it is now suspected that the pharmacist can now shut up shop and retire!

Stocked up on drugs (for medicinal purposes of course!) we wandered back to the hotel to grab our hand luggage and waited for the dedicated time of departure.  We all got rather bored senseless as we were all pretty much standing around for half an hour waiting.... then of course on top of that, Rocco was late bringing the bus up the mountain!

On the bus we went and finally hooned up the SS309 towards Venezia.  We had a lunch stop at some village (Pomoza?) that had a bell tower from the 10th century.  The lunch was rather ordinary.

We made it to Venezia around 4pm and had about 1.5 hours to recuperate before a group of us went out on our optional of a dinner and sightseeing around Venice.  We caught the boat (with another Cosmos Group) over to the historic centre.  Leo had us walking around the back streets.  Prior to this day I never really rated Venice has highly as Florence or Rome.  I have since changed my mind.  I want to come back and get lost in Venice and take in everything in all those back streets!

Finally we made it to our restaurant where we had our four course dinner (too much food!).  the food was nice but it was stinking hot in the restaurant.  one of the head waiters turned the fan on over us.... yay!  But when the main meal came out he turned it off.  When we were all nearly passing out in the heat we asked for it to be turned on again.  We were advised it was "broken".  Yeah right.  the reason was more like they didn't want to pay the electricity!  We also had a very cute waiter.  He was hot!.... and I'm not talking about the fact he was constantly mopping his brow!

For the Posse I have a new manoeuvre for us..... The Gloria Manoeuvre.  While leaving the restaurant one of the older ladies in the group tripped and literally fell into the arms of a waiter.  Sly move there Glo!  I think I may have to use that Manoeuvre!

After dinner Leo took us on a detour back to the boat via some more back streets and onto St Mark's Square where everything was lit up.  Alas it was time to make our way back to the boat to catch the ferry back to where our bus was parked on the mainland to take us back to our hotel.... and in the last 20 days I had the best sleep ever on this tour!

Day 17: Cosmos European Adventue: Patras – Ancona – San Marino

Today was a quiet… boring day.  Unfortunately we were on the ship for most of the day.  We were supposed to dock at Ancona at 6:30pm but instead docked at 7:30pm Greek time.  Then it took aaaaaages for Rocco to bring the bus out of the boat.  He was on the receiving end of a huge cheer when we all spotted the bus coming down the ramp.  Unfortunately a few of us also had to tell off the Aussie Wanker for taking a photo of one of the young daughters on the tour who was sick and was just sitting there waiting for the bus with her head between her knees.  We made him delete the photo.

We had to pull up as we left the port as Rocco had done all the hours he is allowed to drive so we had Luciano drive us to San Marino.  We hope we get Rocco back today, he drives faster!

The day ended with us driving up to the mountain to our hotel in San Marino then a late (even by European standards) at 10pm before we all crashed into our beds.

Tomorrow morning we do some sightseeing around San Marino (including a visit to a pharmacy where we can apparently by prescription meds over the counter… woo!) before finally head up to Venice.

Day 16: Cosmos European Masterpiece: She Came from Greece she had a thirst for knowledge

OK I was ready to leave Athens but not before this morning’s sightseeing with our local guide, Vicki.

First up we left the hotel and drove past some pretty impressive buildings.  Our first stop was at the stadium that was built for the first Modern Olympics in 1896.  We were given 5 minutes there to take some photos before getting back on the bus on our next stop…. The Acropolis!

I was hoping I would survive this visit “incident free”.  We followed Vicki who took us the “easier” way which involved a straight walk halfway up the hill passing Mars Hill.  St Paul preached to the Ephesians there.  Well I think she said the Ephesians.  It was hard to tell with her Greek accent / the different way Greeks pronounce things.  We made it to the top of the Acropolis.  I swear it must have been the windiest day ever.  I was fearing reports of “Australian Woman swept off Acropolis by gale force wind”.  Some people in our group got to the top took a photo and made their way back down again.  I persisted.  I made it to the top and I was going to take it all in.  At the  end Vicki gave us time to stay up there for photos but I had taken all the photos I wanted and Theresa from our group had had enough so we started our descent.  Thank goodness I had her with me otherwise I suspect Leo may have been filling out another incident report for me.  Seriously who thought marble steps were a good idea?  Slippery as!  A few people were slipping on them but fortunately none of us had any falls.

We got up and down the Acropolis just in time.  As we were leaving heaps more buses were arriving.  It would have been so busy up there after we had left.

As I got to the bus Leo was hanging out the door screaming “Jackie, did you make it?”  I said I did.  He was giving me the thumbs up saying I was a legend.  Before we made the ascent I asked if I couldn’t make it could I come down again?  He said if you don’t make it I will kill you.  Ummm okay.

So Acropolis/Parthenon ticked off my bucket list.   We only had one more stop before we left Athens… Parliament House to see the changing of the guard.  I didn’t think we were going to see Parliament House up close.  I was disappointed but thought I’d live.  So I was happy we were getting to see the changing of the guard after all.  You know the skirt those guards wear have 400 pleats?  Wouldn’t that be a bitch to iron!  I still love their shoes and their march.  It looks like something out of Monty Python.  I had my photo taken with one of the guards.  I asked the army dude in the khaki if the bear could be in the photo.  He couldn’t.  The Greeks seem to have some funny rule about “posing”.  Good thing I asked.  The last thing I would want would be to be standing there with “the bear” to have the guard stomping the butt of his rifle on the ground when he was displeased.  For example, when the Aussie wanker (there’s always one) on the tour saluted as he posed for his photo with the guard.  The next minute the guard is stomping his rifle on the ground and the army guy in his khakis asked for the photo to be deleted.  The Greeks are sensitive alright! 

OK I’ve seen basically everything I wanted to see in Greece…. You can get me out now!

So off we went heading back the way we came to the port of Patras.  We stopped off at the Corinth Canal for lunch.  We were in for a treat.  Apparently when ships come in to the canal there is a bridge that goes under the water to a depth of 8m to allow the boats to pass.  As we arrived at the café for lunch a boat was going through the canal so we got to see the bridge coming out of the water.  The lunch was ok.  There were a lot of cats roaming around meowing for food.  It broke my heart.  It also made me miss Psycho Pussy!  Funny, I’m not homesick yet, but I’m missing the cat!

Back on the bus we finally make it to Patras only to learn the ferry was half an hour late.  Then by the time we got on the ferry it was another half hour late leaving.  We were to have another welcome drink hosted by the Captain.  I made it into our cabin but for the last few days I’ve been feeling like the lurgy that has been going around our bus is trying to hit me (that or I’m getting tonsillitis).  I suddenly felt really tired so I took some Ibuprofen for my throat (everything else I thought of taking is in my suitcase that is on the bus which is in the hull) and got into my jammies and went to bed.  I have since learnt they served ouzo last night.  I KNEW that would happen.

Oh well Italia…. I’m coming back!

Day 15: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Athens

Today was a non-event for me.  I was supposed to go on my optional full day cruise around 3 Aegean islands (Hydra, Aegina and I forget the 3^rd). 

Instead I woke up with a slight beginnings of my fortnightly migraine so I stayed in bed getting up around 9ish to get downstairs and have some breakfast before they shut the buffet before crawling back into bed and napped until around midday.

Woke up feeling much better so I went for a walk around the local area finding something for lunch and taking it back to my hotel room.

Spent the rest of the day just lazing around relaxing.

Day 14 – Olympia - Athens

The day started early with an early morning walk to the archaeological Olympic site.  We walked around the site seeing ruins of the area where athletes trained and had what would be qualifying/heats for the main event.  We also saw ruins to a temple to Zeus and we visited the spot where the Olympic flame is lit for every Olympics before ending our tour on the Athletics field.  We were then told to make our own way back to the hotel but to make sure we were back at the hotel before 10:30am which was when we were to depart for Athens.

Most of us made our way from the Archaelogical site to the Museum across the road that had on display lots of statues and lots of pottery discovered from prehistoric times. 

We made it back to the hotel by around 10:10am which gave us enough time to get back to our rooms and gather our hand luggage and be down to the bus in time for our 10:30am departure for Athens.

First thing I noticed as we were driving through the outskirts of Athens was the amount of derelict buildings and the amount of graffiti.  Leo said a lot of the graffiti was actually about the 3 soccer teams in Athens, but that was not my impression.  Even John the Greek on our tour when asked said it was political.  As we entered the city proper there was so much graffiti and posters for the upcoming election.  I really thought I would fall in love with Athens, but it wasn’t doing it for me.

We arrived at our hotel and it was definitely the best hotel this tour.  Heaps of room, another balcony (although the door that turned into a window had many of us thinking our door was broken when it started coming of it’s top hinge!) and the buffet breakfast had a great selection.

On our first night we had an optional excursion “Taste of Athens”.  First up we drove around some ruins (ancient, that is) before stopping at the base of the Acropolis.  Here I had the first look at the steps up as Leo had warned us that it was a strenuous walk and not everyone would be able to do it.  Leo asked me what I thought.  I said they looked OK.  I asked if they were all light that and he said “you’ll be ok”.   I hope so, the Partheon was reason #2 I chose this tour. 

After getting off our bus we hopped on the “Happy Train” that took us all around the Plaka.  Leo had us all yelling out “Yassou”.  First few people just stared at us.  We were starting to think he had us saying something rude and we were about to get embroiled in some international incident.  But some people started waving and yelling Yassou as we went past.  Our journey ended near the base of a hill that we had to walk up to go to our restaurant for our dinner.

Again it was another case of too much food!  We had bread to nibble on, then a small tapas-style plate with fried haloumi, stuffed vine leaves and some other Greek tidbits that I had no idea what I was eating.  We then had a greek salad followed by souvlaki.  I passed on dessert because a) I was full and b) I don’t do Baklava!

Day 13: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Patras - Olympia

Well we all met in the self-serve restaurant for our breakfast.  What an experience that was.  There was a wide selection of food available but we could only have what was given to us (bread roll… or was that a rock?, croissant, bacon and eggs and coffee and a juice).  If you wanted anything extra you had to pay for it and someone in our group got yelled out for taking an extra knife.  So this is travelling Greek-style during the economic crisis?

The rest of our voyage was spent just sitting around contributing to the Greek economy (4 euro for a coffee) relaxing before it was time to disembark and rejoin our bus.

First impression of Greece?  Olive trees!  Second impression…. Lots of unfinished / derelict buildings.  Leo did explain to us that people start building houses but don’t complete them because then they have to pay a tax; and the Greeks appear to be excellent at avoiding paying tax!

We made it to our hotel late in the afternoon and we greeted by the Greek version of tapas and a shot of ouzo…. NOW WE’RE TALKING!  That impressed me straight away.  After our welcome we went up to our rooms and well this was the best hotel so far on the tour.  Andrea (my roomie) and I had the most room since the start of the tour and we had a balcony.  I went out onto our balcony to admire the view yelling out to Andrea “OMG the view!” only to notice down on the street was Rocco looking up at me.  I state now I WAS going ape over the view…. Not the fact that Rocco was downstairs cleaning the bus in his tshirt and black lycra bike pants.

Of course then there were the internet issues.  We were told there was free wifi in our rooms.  About 7 of us all tried (including Leo) and it wouldn’t work for any of us.  We all ended up down in reception with our laptops and the beatch at the counter tried to tell us it was working perfect for her and that it wasn’t working because of our settings because we were from another country.  Errr we’re all from different countries and our computers have been working in other hotels.  In the real oddity of the situation I tried later in the night in my room and it worked.  Yet Andrea was in her bed next to me and it still would not work for her.  Go figure!

The night was ended by a Greek buffet in our hotel.  A lot of people were saying it was the best meal we have had on tour.  I’m not sure about that.  It’s up there with the tapas in Barcelona.

Day 12: Cosmos European Adventure: Following the herd…down to Greece.. on holidays

Arrivederci Roma!  I didn’t want to leave Rome, but it was time to head down to Greece.  I was really looking forward to going to Greece.  It was the second reason I chose this tour – to see the Acropolis/Parthenon.

Leaving Rome we headed across to the east coast (only took 1.5 hours!) to the port of Ancona to catch the ferry to Patras.  We were originally told our ferry crossing would take 17 hours.  Latest update was it was going to take 22 hours because it was a costsaving measure.  Going slower apparently means they use less fuel.  Wasn’t this a comforting feeling.  Needless to say as soon as I entered my cabin I made sure I checked where my lifejacket was!

We were told by Leo prior to boarding that the Captain would put on a welcome drink for us and they always give us a glass of Ouzo….. woo!  Imagine our dismay when we go for our Ouzo only to be given a Fruit Cocktail drink… NO ALCOHOL!!!!!!  Obviously more cost cutting measures :::grumble:::  But they did give us lots of free nuts.  Yes we were awake up to them…. We eat nuts, we get thirsty, we buy lots of funny water.  They make money.  In desperation I had a Baileys on ice and like many others in our group made my way back to the cabin to catch up on some much needed sleep.  I must admit I like sleeping on a boat.  The sensation of moving does make it easy to drift of to sleep.  Though one did not like being woken up by the loud bang during the night and laying there waiting for the sirens to start.  I wasn’t the only one in our group who heard it.  One person wondered if we ran over a speed bump.

Day 11: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Roma!

Today started with our sightseeing around Rome with our local guide, Flavia.  First stop for the day was the Vatican.  First up we stopped on a big terrace where we had a fabulous photo op to snap a photo of the dome on St Peter’s Basilica.  Back inside we walked through the Museums looking at all the amazing art pieces (and being reminded why I stopped putting money in the collection plate) before heading into the Sistine Chapel.  This is the first time I have seen it since the ceiling was restored.  Wow!  The colours are so much more vibrant since all the grime has been cleared from the ceiling!  Before we entered the Sistine Chapel Flavia explained a few of the masterpieces to us including The Last Judgement.  Apparently the image of St Bartholomew holding his skin (he was skinned alive) is a self portrait of Michelangelo himself and apparently at the time there was a Cardinal who was none too impressed with Michelangelo’s work.  So Michelangelo put him done the bottom right of the painting with a serpent wrapped around him piercing his nuts.  Nice work there Michelangelo!

After leaving the Sistine Chapel we headed for St Peter’s.  We walked past the Holy Door that is only opened every 25 years for the Jubilee and anyone who passes through it is granted a Plenary Indulgence for their sins.  So….. when is it going to be opened again?????

Inside the Basilica I finally got to see the Pieta close up and also saw the tomb for Pope John Paul II.  Since he was beatified his body was removed from the crypt and placed up in a tomb in one of the side chapels.  If we had some free time in the Cathedral I would have gone and said a prayer in this chapel.  We also saw the body of Pope John XXVIII (the Pope responsible for the Second Vatican Council – for the non-Catholics…one of the results of this Council was Mass could now be said in the vernacular rather than being said in Latin).  We also saw amazing mosaics made from coloured marble.  They actually looked like paintings the tiles were that tiny.

We were led outside the Basilica to see St Peter’s Square which was being set up for an audience with the Pope (where was my invite?) before being able to photograph the Swiss Guards.  I spotted the 5^th Station of the Cross outside in the Square.  I have always wondered where the Stations of the Cross where located at St Peter’s.  Now I know!  We were also shown the balcony where the Pope appears from to address the crowd in St Peter’s.  Flavia was describing more but I received a phone call from my school friend Juliet who now lives in Rome to tee up where we were going to meet up.

After St Peter’s Square we had some free time to have some lunch before heading off on the next sightseeing excursion.  I managed to find a cheap little place selling some lovely Panini before making my way back to the agreed meeting spot for the tour.

Back on the bus we headed to the Colosseum.  Before entering the Colosseum we had our Troup Group photo taken in front of Constantine’s Arch.  Flavia then took us into the Colosseum explaining everything to us before letting us loose for a few minutes to take some photos.  Some people decided to go up to the next level.  Good job I didn’t attempt the stairs as people from our group said they were a death trap waiting to happen…. Marble and each step sloped down so there wasn’t much grip.  I would have had a “colosseum incident” for sure if I even attempted it!

Leaving the Colosseum the next stop was to be The Forum.  I had been there before (and loved it) but it was hot, and my feet were tired so not knowing what Juliet had in store for this afternoon I decided to leave the sightseeing there and went and found a shady spot near the Arch which was to be our meeting spot.

Juliet found me no problem.  Apparently despite not seeing one another since high school (ok I’ll admit that was 26 years ago), neither of us have changed a bit.  We caught a bus up near Juliet’s work where we had lunch before Juliet had to “make an appearance” at work for a couple of hours.  I entertained myself by walking around the block, sitting at another café for a while having a cappuccino before heading back to where I had to meet Juliet at her car.  Luckily (for my hips) there was a gelati bar nearby so I had a chocolate gelati while I killed some more time.

After Juliet finished work we headed out to Rome’s Zoo to pick up her son who was on holiday camp at the zoo.  Juliet and I caught up on all the gossip and Juliet pointed out some other sites while we also discussed the current economic climate in Italy.  We made it to the zoo in time and I even managed to spot some elephants!

Unfortunately we both didn’t really know when we were going to be able to catch up so it worked out best that Juliet dropped me back off at my hotel on her way to taking her son to an appointment back near the Colosseum.  All the same it was fabulous to catch up with her and we have made a pact not to make it 26 years before we see each other again!

Day 10: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Pompeii – Rome

I was really excited to leave Sorrento today as we were heading for Pompeii.  Pompeii has been on my bucket list before the term “bucket list” ever existed.  After my “incidents” Leo asked me if I was going to do Pompeii as the ground was not the best.  I said I would do it as Pompeii was one of the reasons why I chose this tour.  I was going to do it if it killed me!

After travelling through the countryside bypassing Rome we finally pass through Naples arriving at Pompeii.  I was so overwhelmed I could have cried.  Just seeing the outside of it sent shivers down my spine.

We were met by Giuseppe our local guide who took us through a part of the site explaining everything to us.  Pompeii was certainly ahead of its time.  The residents of Pompeii had bathrooms in their homes, Giuseppe pointed out a septic tank pipe on one building and 2 of the kiwis on our trip who are Architecture graduates said the Pompeiians were using cavity walls which they said only started being used in NZ in the 19^th century.   The roads were also curved at the sides to allow clean water from fountains to flow down the sides of the street.  I wish I could have stayed there longer.  I know we were only shown a small part of it.  You definitely need a day there.  The only downside was we didn’t get to see the brothel that was intact.  I soooooo wanted to have my photo taken inside it.  Ah…. The Hoare in the brothel…. The champagne comedy!  Alas the brothel we did see was not fully intact and it was roped off, so you couldn’t go in :o(  We did learn that the people of Pompeii were not very tall.  If Jax had been alive in 79AD she would have been a giant among them!  Their height range varied between 135-150cms!!!!!!!!  Having said that, why did they make some of their steps so damn high?  Fortunately for the steep/rough patches I had help from my tour group, so no sobernfels at Pompeii!

Unfortunately it was time to leave Pompeii and head for Roma!  Driving through to our hotel we drove by some of the main sites.   On arrival at our hotel we had around an hour to have a bit of a relax before we boarded the bus for some sightseeing (on bus) including a stop at the Trevi Fountain so we could throw our three coins in the fountain and the Piazza Navone before we headed off for our dinner at a Roman restaurant.  OMG they gave us a lot of food.  We had an appetiser, 2 entrees, a main meal and then dessert!  I only picked at the last two courses as I was so full.  At the end of the meal all the ladies were given a rose and a kiss by one of the waiters.  Leo called out to me prior to me receiving my rose giving me the sign to slip the tongue in.  Hm if it was one of the young, cute waiters I may have thought about it… ha!  Driving back to the hotel the bus stopped outside St Peter’s so we could take a photo of it lit up.  Also driving back Leo mentioned at the dinner it was customary for the ladies to pinch the waiters on the arse…… ROCCO…. TURN THE BUS AROUND!  Now Leo tells us this?

Day 9: European Masterpiece: Sorrento – Isle of Capri

Today was an optional excursion.  A few of the group stayed in Sorrento to catch up on some rest / do washing etc while many of us hopped on some local mini buses to catch the ferry to Isle of Capri.  Apparently we encountered a cranky Italian nonna who was trying to drive past us all as we were getting on our mini buses.  When it came to driving off it appears the gate we had to drive though had been shut on us.  We came to the conclusion that nonna rang someone to tell them to shut us in!

The gate was opened and we were off to the port at Sorrento to catch our ferry.  Theresa and I bought some 10 euro hats (because we left our hats at the hotel) before boarding.  Apparently the same hats were 18 euro on Capri!

At Capri we were met by our local guide, Luigi who first took us on a walking tour around Capri before leading us to the chairlifts that would take us to the other village on the island, Anacapri.  We were told to be back where the bus dropped us off at Capri by 1pm.  So off we went on our chairlift ride up to Anacapri.  How many more times can I say how amazing the scenery was?  On the ground I did spot some sacrificial shoes.

We made it to the top of Anacapri and took some photos and had ice creams before we decided to head back down to Capri to have some lunch before meeting Luigi back at the bus.  This is where the “Capri Incident” occurred.  We were leaving the chairlift area and walked past some shops.  We were walking down 3 steps to go to the café and well Jax made it to the 2^nd step before she landed on her padded arse.  Not real sure what happened.  I “think” the step was narrower than I thought and the back of one shoe caught on the edge of the step behind me and THUMP!  At least I went straight down but I did somehow manage to twist the leg that had the brunt of the “Pisa Incident” and gave it a bit of another knock.  Just as it was feeling almost normal! (for the record it is now day 17 of the tour and it’s feeling normal to walk on despite some bruising still present).

We had a bite to eat before meeting Luigi to catch the tourist bus back down to Capri where we had an hour to kill.  Most of the group decided to pay the 15 euro to go on the boat ride around the Island where we saw 3 of the 4 grottos.  We all really enjoyed it.  After we finished that tour we had just enough time to make it back to the ferry gate to meet Luigi to catch the ferry back to Sorrento.

The night in Sorrento ended with us having our dinner in the hotel and celebrating the birthday of one of our tour group.

Day 8: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Florence - Sorrento

Unfortunately today we had to leave my favourite Italian city for Sorrento.  We drove down the highway taking in the remarkable scenery including spotting Vesuvius who according to our local tour guide is overdue for another eruption.  There’s a comforting thought!

Eventually we made it to Sorrento and our bus snaked along the winding roads to the sounds of “oohs and ahhs” as we spotted scenery that just seemed to get better and better.  I think most of us are getting quite good at taking photos from the moving bus though we still here the cry of “TREE!” when someone tries and fails to get a photo of a sight courtesy of all the bloody trees.

We arrived at our hotel and were given time to relax before the optional excursion “Sorrento Flavours”.  I was supposed to do it but I was a bit headachey and my knees were still feeling a bit icky so I decided to have the night in bed and hope I slept all my aches and pains away.

Day 7: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Grasse – Pisa - Florence

Today we left the French Riviera and were heading for the next stage in our tour…… ITALY!  I could not wait to get back to Italia.  It stole my heart in 1993 and I was really looking forward to seeing Firenze again.

Before we left France we stopped into the Fragonard perfume factory near Grasse.  Not a good place to go when you have a bit of a sensitive nose!  Fortunately I didn’t have a sneezing fit but my nose was glad to get out of there.  In the factory we were shown how they made perfumes and soaps before being let loose in the shop where we were seduced by everything being sold at “factory prices”.  I didn’t expect to purchase any fragrances as I’m not really a floral perfume person.  I’m more into the woody perfumes.  But they had one that had musk in it.  So I ended up buying the smallest bottle of it and some Argan oil.

Time to leave France and into Italy.  We drove through Carrara where we could see Marble quarries high up on some mountains.  It actually looked like there was snow on the mountain tops!  We had a brief stop in Genoa because we had to drop off a suitcase (can’t remember where we picked it up?) for someone on another tour.  Apparently it belonged to someone who was on their honeymoon and the husband ended up in hospital.  We never got told the full story, so not sure what happened there.

After being taunted by Leo that we were passing the turn off to go to the Cinque Terre we arrived in Pisa.  From the bus we caught a shuttle bus up to where the Leaning Tour was.  Leo said we would be given free time to look around before meeting back at the shuttle bus.  As we were walking to the Tower Jax was taking note of the surroundings so she wouldn’t get lost.  This was a fatal error of judgement on her part.  One minute Jax was walking along, the next minute Jax was flat on the ground.  Jax rolled her ankle on a dodgy part of footpath and down she went.  According to people behind me I came down pretty hard.  Leo wanted me to go to the doctor but I said I was fine.  I knew I hadn’t broken anything but I sure as hell re-aggravated my osteoarthitic knees.  But I managed to hobble around the Leaning Tower and back to the shuttle bus / bus.

We eventually all make it back on the bus and head to Florence.  This is where it became evident that this part of the tour was poorly planned.  We made it to our hotel in Florence at 5:30pm to be told we were leaving at 6:00pm for a tour of a leather factory and walking tour.  It was too much for a lot of the older people on the tour.  For myself I felt up for it, I wasn’t tired.  It was just my knees that were protesting after the “Pisa Incident”.  But I wasn’t going to let that stop me.  The visit to the leather factory was ok.  I had been there before and I refrained from buying a new handbag.  That was helped by the fact no bags were really grabbing me.  It was then time for the walking tour.  We met our guide outside the Santa Croce proclaiming how beautiful it was inside and all of the people buried inside and then said “next time you are in Florence you must go inside”.  What?  We’re not going IN?  I was disappointed.  Yes, I had been in there before, but that was 19 years ago.  I wanted to go in again!  Epic fail Cosmos!  We then headed up to my favourite square, Signoria Square.  Each time I’ve been there I remember the fight scene from A Room With a View.  Plus second time in Rome and still I have not seen the real Michelangelo’s “David”, only the replica in the Square.  We then proceeded up to The Lucky Pig (yes, I rubbed its snout for a second chance for good luck) and also walked past the golden doors to Paradise, The Duomo before meeting Leo back at our meeting spot for our walk back along dodgy footpaths back to our bus.

I think a lot of people were glad to be back at the hotel that night.  There were many complaints that night/next morning that the day had been too rushed.

Day 6: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Barcelona – Arles – Cannes

Today we departed Barcelona heading up to the French Riviera to our destination of Monaco.

Our first stop of the day was in a little town of Arles.  Apparently Vincent Van Gogh lived there for a while and if memory serves me correctly he may have painted quite a few of his masterpieces there.  When we arrived Leo led us up to the Roman Colosseum that was there.  Unfortunately there was restoration work going on so we couldn’t go in.  Leo gave us free time to explore the city saying “it is impossible to get lost”.  Straight away I headed back the way we came to photograph some places I spotted as we were walking to the Colosseum.  Good thing I spotted Leo when I came to a junction in the street because I wasn’t sure which way to go.  We all made it to the bus with the exception of one couple who had to call Leo on his mobile to say they were lost.  Now, along with the “it’s a 10 minute walk”, “it’s impossible to get lost” also results in giggles from the bus when Leo utters those immortal words.

So on we go to Cannes.  We reach the outskirts and it is hard to believe that this is where the Cannes International Film Festival is held.  Watching Cannes pass us by we notice a BMW Convertible driving along beside us with 3 rather good looking fellows in it.  I look down at them again a moment later to see the bloke in the back seat throwing up into a bag.  There’s husband material right there…. Classy….not.

We make it into our hotel and are given a little time to get settled and get ready for our night out in Monaco.  As usual we are herded onto the bus and first given a driving tour around Monaco before being dropped off at the base of the rock where we made our way up to the top of the hill where we saw the church where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier were married, the outside of the Nautical Museum that had a yellow submarine out front… Leo said it was donated by The Beatles, I think it was actually Jacques Cousteau’s submarine and finally the Royal Palace.  We were given a few minutes to take some happy snaps before heading off to a very nice meal at a local restaurant called St Nicolas.

After dinner we were back on the bus and off to Monte Carlo.  We were given a free drink at the “unofficial” casino before being let loose for some free time.  I never bothered going to the “official” casino.  To go into the gambling room you had to pay 10 euro and I have been in there before.  So I hung around the unofficial casino (donating 20 euro to the economy of Monte Carlo…. Actually they owe my 60 cents.  I’ll claim that next time I’m there!) before wandering around outside with a few of my tour group husband hunting… whoops I mean taking photos of all the fancy schmancy cars parked outside.

On the bus back to our hotel we learnt one of our tour group won 300 Euros.  Alas, drinks weren’t on him :o(

Day 5: Cosmos European Masterpiece: Barcelona

Woo hoo!  Our first full day of sightseeing in Barcelona.  I was looking forward to this.

We were herded onto our bus bright and early and introduced to our local guide, Somnia.  Nicknamed “insomnia” by some of the embarrassing Aussies in the group.

Driving through Barcelona the first sight spotted was an old bullfighting ring.  Apparently bullfighting is now outlawed in Barcelona.  This ring is currently not being utilised but later in the day we saw another that had since been converted into a shopping centre.

Not long after we alighted from our bus and we could just see the spires on the famous Gaudi-designed cathedral, Sagrada Familia (Sacred Family).  It is just amazing! It won’t be finished until 2020-30.  The amount of detail on it is mind blowing.  I can’t even remember all the imagery on it.  You could spend hours walking around it and in it (we didn’t get to go inside).  I recall seeing ceramic fruits on it to represent the various seasons and what looked like a game of Suduko.  No matter what row you added up, it came to ‘33’.  The age Christ was when he was crucified.  I really want to go back there!

After the Sagrada Familia we drove through some streets and were shown some more buildings designed by Gaudi.  Unfortunately we could only “try” and photograph them from the bus (if you could get a good view of them).

Our next stop was up at Montjuic.  The site of the 1992 Olympic Games.  We were shown where the Olympic flame was, and we could peek into the main stadium before being let out at a vantage point where we had an amazing view of the entire city.  Unfortunately it was pretty foggy so the photos don’t look as amazing as they could have been.

Back on the bus again we drove around the city seeing the Marina before being dropped off at the Holy Cross or “Cathedral”.  We had a walking tour around it which included seeing part of an old Roman Wall. We also visited the old Justice Building that featured a tortoise on the letterbox.  Legend has it if you rub the turtle you will receive good luck.  Yes, jax had a grope of the tortoise.  Bring on the good luck!

Next up was our optional tour of Montserrat.  It was (is?) the site of an extremely old monastery.  It is amazing.  The scenery around it is nothing short of spectacular.  I took heaps of photos.  Montserrat is also a place of pilgrimage.  Located in the church is the “Black Madonna”.  I wanted to go and see it but unfortunately the line was really long and we didn’t have a lot (well, enough) free time so in fear of being left behind I didn’t attempt it.  I’m thinking if Montserrat is offered as an optional on my tour around Spain/Portugal I might go again and just head straight for the Black Madonna.

We made it back to the hotel with about an hour to relax / get ready for our second optional of the day, a Flamenco Evening!  When we arrived at the Las Ramblas Leo gave us 15 minutes to have a wander along to take in the scene before heading into the restaurant for TAPAS!!!!!!!!  Finally real Spanish food!  The sangria was also “on tap”.  Each table was given a jug.  Fortunately at our table it was only my roomie and I who were drinking it.  Woo!

After dinner we were moved into another room for the Flamenco show.  The show was done my authentic flamenco dancers and they were mindblowing.  Watching their feet made me think flamenco is a bit like Irish dancing, except they are far more expressive with their arms.  The male flamenco dancers were also very easy on the eye – or that may have been the sangria talking?

The only downer to our stay in Barcelona were the “incidents” at our hotel.  The Greek couple from Melbourne were on the receiving end of it.  It appears on the first night someone changed the locks on their suitcases and they had a jacket taken.  Then both the Greeks and a few other people had hotel staff just barging in and upon seeing people from our tour in their room would go out and knock and then come in again and ask if everything was alright.  My roomie and I left a do not disturb sign on our door.  The cleaning staff ignored it.  At least they were honest, because we both had our laptops on our beds, and my roomie also had a kindle laying on her bed as well.