As mentioned previously, we have been using local transit to get around and well, it is the ONLY way to get around. Not because its easy or cheap, but for the pure entertainment value provided. Italian people are HILARIOUS!!! Local transit is our form of daily entertainment and you can't beat it. Every day on the bus we would experience some form of Italian drama and it would keep us laughing all day long. I'm not sure what it is about Italians, but it seems like they are non-stop drama. haha but maybe its because I can't
understand a word of what they are saying??
On our way back from the coast, this Italian lady was pretty much crying because the bus driver wouldn't stop by bus when she wanted him to. "Signore, Signore, Signore" was all she kept saying. And we weren't laughing because of her issue, but more so because of the commotion is caused on the bus. Everyone knows an Italian person or two, and when they talk, its in a very excited tone, with a lot of hand motions and it just sounds like drama (even if its not). By the time the bus stopped and she got off, most of the Italians on the bus were having a bit of a laugh over the situation (BTW, you should have seen her face when she finally did get off - man, if looks could kill hhahaha). Then the next day, same bus, different city and some guy was mad because the bus was too hot. Once again, talking loud with a lot of hand movements, and walking around the aisle opening windows.
I honestly, can't get enough of the amazing Italian drama we would encounter on local transit. And it seemed like every where we went, whether it was bus or train, there was always something. But I think its because they talk in such excited tones and don't know the meaning of quiet voices. hahah Either way, local transit
is the best in Italy.
Love Melissa and Arnold
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
The Blue Ribbon Highway
Aaah, the "blue ribbon highway" hahah .... I don't know if I can ever explain this well enough, but I will try. From Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi, you have to get there via "The Blue Ribbon Highway". And when I say "highway" I don't mean a typical highway that you would see in Canada. HA HA umm no!! From Sorrento to Amalfi, it is only about 35kms, BUT it takes you two hours to get there. YES, you read that right, 2 HOURS! The highway is pure switch backs, winding around the coast on a road that is not meant for two cars, but one at the most. We took the local bus to get to Positano and Amalfi (each on a different day) and it was quite a treat. The highway was built for horse and carriage, so at most turns, only one vehicle can fit. Here we are on a big massive bus and it can barely make the turn. At every corner it would honk, sort of to warn oncoming traffic we were coming. The highway is right on the cliffs, one side is mountain, the other side, cliff, 1000m down to the ocean straight! No room for error at all. The speed limit is 50km/h and I would dread going any faster then that (and really, I don't think you could go any faster even if you tried).
You have to be a damn good driver to be on that road and you are definitely paying attention. At points on the drive, we would come to a stand still because the bus couldn't fit around the corner due to oncoming traffic and it wouldn't just be one car, but multiple cars. So each car would have to get as close to the wall as possible and back up until we could fit through the turn. Like I said, the highway is meant for a single car, let alone a two sided highway with non stop buses passing through. I think that this has been my favorite Italian experience since arriving here. Arnold even said that there is no way he could ever hire a car and drive this highway - you leave it to the professionals. The Italian bus drivers (even the regular drivers on that route) could teach us North Americans a thing or two about driving. I think we both were close to puking by the end of the two hour bus ride and said a quick thank you for arriving in one piece. It is definitely a white
knuckle ride from start to finish (highly recommend it).
Love Melissa and Arnold
PS. I am slowly getting caught up on things that have been happening with us over the past couple of weeks since we got to Europe - plus I'll update everyone my daily life in Capri. Thanks for reading!! Hope all is well.
You have to be a damn good driver to be on that road and you are definitely paying attention. At points on the drive, we would come to a stand still because the bus couldn't fit around the corner due to oncoming traffic and it wouldn't just be one car, but multiple cars. So each car would have to get as close to the wall as possible and back up until we could fit through the turn. Like I said, the highway is meant for a single car, let alone a two sided highway with non stop buses passing through. I think that this has been my favorite Italian experience since arriving here. Arnold even said that there is no way he could ever hire a car and drive this highway - you leave it to the professionals. The Italian bus drivers (even the regular drivers on that route) could teach us North Americans a thing or two about driving. I think we both were close to puking by the end of the two hour bus ride and said a quick thank you for arriving in one piece. It is definitely a white
knuckle ride from start to finish (highly recommend it).
Love Melissa and Arnold
PS. I am slowly getting caught up on things that have been happening with us over the past couple of weeks since we got to Europe - plus I'll update everyone my daily life in Capri. Thanks for reading!! Hope all is well.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Next Stop, Amalfi Coast
After spending a bit of time in Rome, we were off to the Amalfi Coast - anyone who has been there, knows how stunning the cities on the coast are; Built into the cliffs with the ocean 800M straight below. The "highway" between the cities is enough to make even the best driver in the world sweat buckets, holding on for dear life. We booked a hotel in Sorrento for 6 nights and used that as our base point for the coast. Every day we would head to another town to check out the sights. Positano, Amalfi, Pompeii, and Capri. All equally beautiful, but each in their own way. My favorite being Capri (but for different reasons) and the next being Positano. Positano, is incredible!! Our friends, Grant and Nat, spent their honeymoon there and we now know why they would go there. My descriptions would do the city no justice, so if you have a chance
just google the city and see the pictures for yourself. We spent our day there in a restaurant by the sea sipping on wine and soaking in the sun. I think half of the reason why its such a great city is due to excitement of getting there.
The 6 days on the coast were really relaxing and a good mix between sight seeing and relaxing. We ended up picking a hotel that was a bit out of the city center and couldn't have been happier with our choice. The hotel had a washer and dryer for the hotel guests to use. Clean laundry when backing packing, is like the BEST thing ever!! Plus we weren't being charged $7/shirt to be cleaned - just fill the washer, put 5 Euro in and you are on your way. LOL anyways, enough with my tangent, but clean clothes seriously make us so happy.
Sorrento was a really cool city, sort of a big city vibe, but felt small (if you know what I mean). The prices at restaurants, clothing stores and most places in general were cheaper then all of the other cities on the coast - so you could load up on stuff you needed without paying a small fortune for it. I plan on heading back into Sorrento one of these days to hang out and maybe load up on a couple items that are pretty pricey in Capri.
Off to sleep now...
Much Love
Melissa & Arnold
just google the city and see the pictures for yourself. We spent our day there in a restaurant by the sea sipping on wine and soaking in the sun. I think half of the reason why its such a great city is due to excitement of getting there.
The 6 days on the coast were really relaxing and a good mix between sight seeing and relaxing. We ended up picking a hotel that was a bit out of the city center and couldn't have been happier with our choice. The hotel had a washer and dryer for the hotel guests to use. Clean laundry when backing packing, is like the BEST thing ever!! Plus we weren't being charged $7/shirt to be cleaned - just fill the washer, put 5 Euro in and you are on your way. LOL anyways, enough with my tangent, but clean clothes seriously make us so happy.
Sorrento was a really cool city, sort of a big city vibe, but felt small (if you know what I mean). The prices at restaurants, clothing stores and most places in general were cheaper then all of the other cities on the coast - so you could load up on stuff you needed without paying a small fortune for it. I plan on heading back into Sorrento one of these days to hang out and maybe load up on a couple items that are pretty pricey in Capri.
Off to sleep now...
Much Love
Melissa & Arnold
When in Rome ...
After leaving Tanzania - we were off to Rome. I know that a lot of you guys reading the blog have been to Rome (if anyone still reads this blog haha), so I won't spend too much time on every detail of Italy/Rome, but I do want to tell you guys about our experience here and our daily life. It was my first time in Rome and maybe, Arnold's third (possibly fourth time). So everything, to me, was incredible beautiful and breathtaking. I still can not believe how beautiful this city is and was blown away by all the history. At every corner there is an extravagant fountain or an amazing building, so for me, it is a perfect city.
We booked a hotel for 4 nights, so it felt as though we had some time to see some of the sights and relax at the same time. Our hotel was in a great location - LOVED IT!! (the same area that Arnold stayed in last time when he was in Rome with the boys - yes, we walked past Harry's all the time. "One more Peroni"). It was close to the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. PLUS the breakfast at the hotel was sooooo good. (BTW, I base my ratings on hotel food and towels haha) So obviously, our hotel was money in the bank if I said the breakfast was good. Every morning, I would go for a run while Arnold slept for a bit longer. I felt pretty lucky to have chance to run in this beautiful park in the city center (and up and down the Spanish steps daily). After not being able to run for the past two months, I was so pumped to be able to finally run and the added bonus was that it was in Rome. We spent our days walking around checking out the sights and soaking in the Italian lifestyle. Arnold would have chestnuts from the vendors and I would get my gelato. BEST dessert EVER. It will be a small miracle if I leave Italy without weighing in at 300 lbs. The food here is ridiculous.
After spending two months in a third world country, it was sort of nice to be back to more of a "normal" state of life - meaning we were able to walk around without worrying if anything bad will happen to us and leave our hotel after dark. I truly enjoyed every moment in Rome. I think its a city that everyone must visit once in their life time and you have to take the guided tours of some of the historic sights. Paris is still my favorite city, but Rome might be taking the second spot on my list - I don't have one complaint about the city (and the shopping is AMAZING!!!!)
Love Melissa and Arnold
We booked a hotel for 4 nights, so it felt as though we had some time to see some of the sights and relax at the same time. Our hotel was in a great location - LOVED IT!! (the same area that Arnold stayed in last time when he was in Rome with the boys - yes, we walked past Harry's all the time. "One more Peroni"). It was close to the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. PLUS the breakfast at the hotel was sooooo good. (BTW, I base my ratings on hotel food and towels haha) So obviously, our hotel was money in the bank if I said the breakfast was good. Every morning, I would go for a run while Arnold slept for a bit longer. I felt pretty lucky to have chance to run in this beautiful park in the city center (and up and down the Spanish steps daily). After not being able to run for the past two months, I was so pumped to be able to finally run and the added bonus was that it was in Rome. We spent our days walking around checking out the sights and soaking in the Italian lifestyle. Arnold would have chestnuts from the vendors and I would get my gelato. BEST dessert EVER. It will be a small miracle if I leave Italy without weighing in at 300 lbs. The food here is ridiculous.
After spending two months in a third world country, it was sort of nice to be back to more of a "normal" state of life - meaning we were able to walk around without worrying if anything bad will happen to us and leave our hotel after dark. I truly enjoyed every moment in Rome. I think its a city that everyone must visit once in their life time and you have to take the guided tours of some of the historic sights. Paris is still my favorite city, but Rome might be taking the second spot on my list - I don't have one complaint about the city (and the shopping is AMAZING!!!!)
Love Melissa and Arnold
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Land of the Italians
Sorry for being such a slacker with the blog for the past couple of weeks, but some things came up and I didn't have a lot of time to sit down and write. But now we have some time and I can slowly update everyone on the past couple of weeks. I just posted a couple new posts, so scroll down to get caught up.
Currently we are in Italy and its been BA - especially the food. I will be lucky if I don't leave weighing 300lbs. We spent 5 days in Rome and then headed off to the coast. It is my first time in Italy and life here is so entertaining that I wish I could just sit at a coffee shop all day and watch the locals. LOVE the Italian people and all their drama - it really makes me smile.
Anyways, we are on the hunt for a flat and have decided to spend the next 5-6 weeks on this little island. Hope all is well with everyone and will be posting more stuff soon.
Love Melissa and Arnold
Currently we are in Italy and its been BA - especially the food. I will be lucky if I don't leave weighing 300lbs. We spent 5 days in Rome and then headed off to the coast. It is my first time in Italy and life here is so entertaining that I wish I could just sit at a coffee shop all day and watch the locals. LOVE the Italian people and all their drama - it really makes me smile.
Anyways, we are on the hunt for a flat and have decided to spend the next 5-6 weeks on this little island. Hope all is well with everyone and will be posting more stuff soon.
Love Melissa and Arnold
"Gut Bomb"
On our first night in Stone Town, we stumbled upon this market that had about 30 different vendors all selling food. Since we were on our way to a restaurant, we decided that when we came back to Stone Town for our last night we would go have dinner and try out the local food.
So on our last night - we headed back to the square for some delish eats. Had I not gotten sick, I probably would have tried some of the food, but there was no way I was going through that pain all over again, so I made Arnold try all the food for me and stayed far away from any street meat. (Plus I was still on antibiotics and knew that it would just make me feel worse).
At the first stall - Arnold had a chicken kebab, samosa, salad and bread. I would have never have had the chicken and/or the salad - haha, but Arnold enjoyed it. I told him about all the signs that I saw for "Zanzibar Pizza" so I told him that he should try some. I thought it would just be your normal pizza, but I was definitely way off. We got up to one of the pizza stalls and saw how they were making them. First he would make a flat round disc (like a pancake or I guess a very thin "pizza crust") and then add in ground "beef" (or as I like to say Baboon meat), egg, mayo, onions, veggie mix, cheese, tomato and maybe another couple of surprise goodies. Then he would wrap everything up like a little parcel and fry it in his pan with a bit of egg. After it was cooked he would cut it up into squares, add a little sweet chili sauce*, thousand island sauce* and you were on your way (*could be those sauces, but I am pretty much guessing). Arnold said it was the best thing he has tasted and that it reminded him so much of Korean food, who knew! haha...
We dubbed the food that night as a "Gut Bomb" because we thought he was definitely going to be feeling that the next day, but of course he didn't - it barely even phased him. I have come to the conclusion that Arnold has a lead stomach and for him to get sick, he would pretty much have to lick a toilet seat or something repulsive like that. Had I eaten half of the stuff he ate, I probably would be stuck in the bathroom for days and days.
I definitely recommend trying to make a "gut bomb" next time you are away in a third world country.
Love Melissa and Arnold
So on our last night - we headed back to the square for some delish eats. Had I not gotten sick, I probably would have tried some of the food, but there was no way I was going through that pain all over again, so I made Arnold try all the food for me and stayed far away from any street meat. (Plus I was still on antibiotics and knew that it would just make me feel worse).
At the first stall - Arnold had a chicken kebab, samosa, salad and bread. I would have never have had the chicken and/or the salad - haha, but Arnold enjoyed it. I told him about all the signs that I saw for "Zanzibar Pizza" so I told him that he should try some. I thought it would just be your normal pizza, but I was definitely way off. We got up to one of the pizza stalls and saw how they were making them. First he would make a flat round disc (like a pancake or I guess a very thin "pizza crust") and then add in ground "beef" (or as I like to say Baboon meat), egg, mayo, onions, veggie mix, cheese, tomato and maybe another couple of surprise goodies. Then he would wrap everything up like a little parcel and fry it in his pan with a bit of egg. After it was cooked he would cut it up into squares, add a little sweet chili sauce*, thousand island sauce* and you were on your way (*could be those sauces, but I am pretty much guessing). Arnold said it was the best thing he has tasted and that it reminded him so much of Korean food, who knew! haha...
We dubbed the food that night as a "Gut Bomb" because we thought he was definitely going to be feeling that the next day, but of course he didn't - it barely even phased him. I have come to the conclusion that Arnold has a lead stomach and for him to get sick, he would pretty much have to lick a toilet seat or something repulsive like that. Had I eaten half of the stuff he ate, I probably would be stuck in the bathroom for days and days.
I definitely recommend trying to make a "gut bomb" next time you are away in a third world country.
Love Melissa and Arnold
Stone Town/Zanzibar
Zanzibar was our last stop for the African part of our trip (well we were supposed to head to Egypt, but had to change all of that due to the conflict in those areas right now). Anyways, Zanzibar is pretty much all about the beaches - so it was our last stop and meant for pure relaxing after two months of non-stop sight seeing. It was a perfect way to end our African Adventure. We ended up extended our stay - so we were on the Island for 11 days (I think) and it was amazing. Stone Town is probably my favourite city in all of Africa (from the ones we saw anyways). There is so much going on, so much to see and its actually very safe. It was the first (and only) city that we could walk around after dark without too much worry.
After spending a night in Stone Town, we headed north to Nungwi and spent 9 amazing days at a beach resort soaking in the hot, hot heat (+34 every day). Arnold hated it (well the heat), but I loved it. The resorts location was stunning - I have never seen water so blue like that before - and it was sooo warm, like bath tub warm. It was honestly, one of the nicest places I have ever been to. We have pictures, so hopefully, I can load them up so you can see what I mean. We played tennis (yes, Arnold won, but not by much), went sea kayaking, and layed by the pool.
On our second last night there, we went on a sunset cruise on a sail boat - and no, no not a fancy sail boat, but an old wood sail boat. They took us around to the other side of the point (we were on the east side of the point) and it was like bustloose beach vacations. Vacation braids, drunken dudes, and pretty much everything you would see if you were in Cancun. It was hilarious, because our resort is so quiet, very sleepy and then you head to the other side and its a whole different story. We got out on the party beach and swam for a bit in the nicest ocean water ever - even the sand was soft with no rocks. After the sunset, we headed back to our hotel and in order to get back on land you pretty much have to swim to shore (a very small distance and you can almost touch right away), but you still have to swim. It's dark and I'm not a fan of the water to begin with so I'm terrified, but I have no choice but to jump in and swim. Our boat guide might have held my hand for a minute on my swim hahah...
I was sad to have to leave, but it was a perfect way to end our time in Africa.
After spending a night in Stone Town, we headed north to Nungwi and spent 9 amazing days at a beach resort soaking in the hot, hot heat (+34 every day). Arnold hated it (well the heat), but I loved it. The resorts location was stunning - I have never seen water so blue like that before - and it was sooo warm, like bath tub warm. It was honestly, one of the nicest places I have ever been to. We have pictures, so hopefully, I can load them up so you can see what I mean. We played tennis (yes, Arnold won, but not by much), went sea kayaking, and layed by the pool.
On our second last night there, we went on a sunset cruise on a sail boat - and no, no not a fancy sail boat, but an old wood sail boat. They took us around to the other side of the point (we were on the east side of the point) and it was like bustloose beach vacations. Vacation braids, drunken dudes, and pretty much everything you would see if you were in Cancun. It was hilarious, because our resort is so quiet, very sleepy and then you head to the other side and its a whole different story. We got out on the party beach and swam for a bit in the nicest ocean water ever - even the sand was soft with no rocks. After the sunset, we headed back to our hotel and in order to get back on land you pretty much have to swim to shore (a very small distance and you can almost touch right away), but you still have to swim. It's dark and I'm not a fan of the water to begin with so I'm terrified, but I have no choice but to jump in and swim. Our boat guide might have held my hand for a minute on my swim hahah...
I was sad to have to leave, but it was a perfect way to end our time in Africa.
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