here are our new friends..
Papa Joe, Doug, Steve and Andrea. Karen had to go work a bit...even on vacation!!!
Location:Sailing away from Sardinia
Thursday, April 14, 2011
let me introduce young my friends
We have made friends with two couples...Karen and Doug from Florida and Steve and Andrea from California. Karen and Doug were on the BIG hike with us the first day and we met Andrea and Steve at the Sail Away from Monaco. Both are delightful and great fun. Well today at breakfast, Andrea told us what she does. She was Arnold Schwartzenegers chief council for 6 years. OK, real deal!!! Great stories! Like her 50th birthday in Maui and the Governator sent her a cake and the Four Seasons got it wrong and sent a cake saying "Happy 70th Birthday Elvira" Andrea was 50, Or the time he asked what she had done over the weekend and she said "we bought bikes". Wrong thing to say!!! The next day, she has to ride 30 miles with Arnold! After Steve took the tags off the bike, Andrea figured out what to wear, etc... She begged him not to tell the staff that she did not keep up...and he didn't!! She said he is a great man, very smart, a tremendous family man, and very personable. He has just signed a contract to do a cartoon called the Governator. Andrea is now a judge for the California Supreme Court.
here are our new friends..
Papa Joe, Doug, Steve and Andrea. Karen had to go work a bit...even on vacation!!!
here are our new friends..
Papa Joe, Doug, Steve and Andrea. Karen had to go work a bit...even on vacation!!!
Jet Set life
Today we anchored just off of Porto Cervo, Sardinia. We toured the island and saw how the extremely rich and famous vacation. Just a few of the people who have vacation homes here are David and Victoria Beckham, Vladimir Putin (whose home was purchased for a mere $35 million euros). The house was previously owned by Bill Gates. The house below belongs to the Aga Khan who developed the island...
Nice house, huh?
next door is his daughter Jasmin's home. her mother was Rita Hayworth.
The season starts next week, so NOTHING was open. We went to a darling old farmhouse to sample Sardinian snacks, flatbread crackers, cheeses and wine.
The countryside is lovely....granite EVERYWHERE
Tonite we sail for Florence!
And guess who was in Portofino when we were? Madonna! And we missed her!!!
Nice house, huh?
next door is his daughter Jasmin's home. her mother was Rita Hayworth.
The season starts next week, so NOTHING was open. We went to a darling old farmhouse to sample Sardinian snacks, flatbread crackers, cheeses and wine.
The countryside is lovely....granite EVERYWHERE
Tonite we sail for Florence!
And guess who was in Portofino when we were? Madonna! And we missed her!!!
Location:Port Cervo, Sardinia
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
At sea
So this afternoon while I was enjoying the sail out on deck, Papa Joe was napping and the phone rang... And HE ANSWERED. We were invited to eat at the Cruise Director's table. I think they do a "dear occupant" call. He said YES, so there you are. Joining us were again, Carol and Sue, and these darling women from Australia (we had had breakfast with them today...Papa Joe thought they talked too much) and Alma and Ted from England. This is Alma and Ted's 26th cruise. OMG. They are very sweet, and Alma still isn't over Princess Diana dying. Poor Papa Joe was stuck by the Australians. he is now in the casino, drink in hand, recovering. It is another rocky night at sea as we head to Sardinia...I think Papa Joe thinks his drink will help his tummy...uh oh, may be trouble!!!
But, I just had to share some photos...of our sail out
And my awesome, fantastic, amazing new Corsican hat. I am obsessed and in total love with it!!
And do you see that Meditereanean sunburn??? LOVE it...hate the saggy jowels though. (getting older is NOT fun). But the hat is cute enough to forgive the face. IN LOVE!!!!
Trust me, beyond cute. really...it is!!!
But, I just had to share some photos...of our sail out
And my awesome, fantastic, amazing new Corsican hat. I am obsessed and in total love with it!!
And do you see that Meditereanean sunburn??? LOVE it...hate the saggy jowels though. (getting older is NOT fun). But the hat is cute enough to forgive the face. IN LOVE!!!!
Trust me, beyond cute. really...it is!!!
Location:Sailing out of Corsica
Napolean's Homeland
We had a fairly rough night at sea....both Papa Joe and I hit the Dramamine... But we awoke as we were docking in Calvin, Corsica, a French island.
After breakfast we boarded our tour bus and set out for Calenzana. a little village, with what appears to be a depressed economy. I would be depressed if I lived there.
There are 5000 residents on Corsica, until summer. Then there are more like 55,000 residents. Calenzana had some beautiful, albeit run down buildings. This island is Napolean's homeland. (yesterday we were docked in Elba, where he had been held prisoner until he escaped to meet his fate in Waterloo). In Calenzana, we saw this statue....
And Papa Joe questioned why we were in such a sad town...we never did figure it out.
There is not much industry here, tourism is it.
They do have 4 water bottling plants here. And the locals still go to the fountain in the town square to get their own water, why pay for it when it is free? The water is wonderful and so fresh. They also produce honey and chestnuts. A main crop is olives. Here, however, they only harvest the olives every other year. They absolutely do not shake their trees, they just hang out until the olives fall into the nets and the nets are out all year. Our guide told us,we never hurry, and we don't stress. That is obvious! And how do they get the olives to fall in the nets? They wait for the wind. if the wind doesn't get them all, well so be it. Then the press the olives once, a cold press and it truly is Extra virgin Olive oil. The Corsican people are small...rumor has it that the Mama's tell their children that when they grow up, they have to work, so they stay small.
Beautiful views...and our darling Jo and Tony.
Jo told Papa Joe that she looked so tiny next to him...and his "mountain" , said as she patted his tummy.
Tony apologizes for her constantly. But Papa Joe and I are totally smitten by her. Poor Tony can't get Papa Joe's name right...he has been Jason, George...Jo said tomorrow he will be Jesus!!!
We stopped at the top of the island at Chez Leon for Corsican snacks...wine, Source de Zillia water, crusty bread, cheese made from sheep (really???) and sausage made from hog hind legs.
Jo has a brother who lives above Highland, North Carolina and when she met a couple from there today she asked "oh, do you know my brother? he lives in North Carolina!" They did not. But it turns out he designed the Healy 100. Jo said: "he's rather a famous car designer for Austin Healey." she is full of surprises.
The only traffic we saw today...cows.
Family graves here are very important, and very elaborate...see the cemetery?
Our tour ended in Calvi and Papa Joe and I walked along the port and the beach...truly beautiful. we had lunch at a cafe on the port. Papa Joe got his mussel fix!
We ran into Holly and Marty...Holly is waiving.
I then hiked up into the old fort, waved to Papa Joe sitting on the deck of the ship.
I walked back through the village and found the most amazing hat!
Made here in Corsica. They are rumored to be good weavers, when they work. LOVE it. Baby Henry is also getting a hat, and Finley? A Stuffed Corsican pig. There is still snow on the mountains here...really lovely.
I then went to the pharmacy. Why? Well, Gwyneth Paltrow wrote of fabulous creams she finds only in France, so I am all over it! Hopefully you will all notice the difference!
We sail in an hour, so I am on deck, basking in the Meditereanean sun... Loving every minute of this amazing trip. We sail for Sardinia...cannot wait to see what awaits us!
After breakfast we boarded our tour bus and set out for Calenzana. a little village, with what appears to be a depressed economy. I would be depressed if I lived there.
There are 5000 residents on Corsica, until summer. Then there are more like 55,000 residents. Calenzana had some beautiful, albeit run down buildings. This island is Napolean's homeland. (yesterday we were docked in Elba, where he had been held prisoner until he escaped to meet his fate in Waterloo). In Calenzana, we saw this statue....
And Papa Joe questioned why we were in such a sad town...we never did figure it out.
There is not much industry here, tourism is it.
They do have 4 water bottling plants here. And the locals still go to the fountain in the town square to get their own water, why pay for it when it is free? The water is wonderful and so fresh. They also produce honey and chestnuts. A main crop is olives. Here, however, they only harvest the olives every other year. They absolutely do not shake their trees, they just hang out until the olives fall into the nets and the nets are out all year. Our guide told us,we never hurry, and we don't stress. That is obvious! And how do they get the olives to fall in the nets? They wait for the wind. if the wind doesn't get them all, well so be it. Then the press the olives once, a cold press and it truly is Extra virgin Olive oil. The Corsican people are small...rumor has it that the Mama's tell their children that when they grow up, they have to work, so they stay small.
Beautiful views...and our darling Jo and Tony.
Jo told Papa Joe that she looked so tiny next to him...and his "mountain" , said as she patted his tummy.
Tony apologizes for her constantly. But Papa Joe and I are totally smitten by her. Poor Tony can't get Papa Joe's name right...he has been Jason, George...Jo said tomorrow he will be Jesus!!!
We stopped at the top of the island at Chez Leon for Corsican snacks...wine, Source de Zillia water, crusty bread, cheese made from sheep (really???) and sausage made from hog hind legs.
Jo has a brother who lives above Highland, North Carolina and when she met a couple from there today she asked "oh, do you know my brother? he lives in North Carolina!" They did not. But it turns out he designed the Healy 100. Jo said: "he's rather a famous car designer for Austin Healey." she is full of surprises.
The only traffic we saw today...cows.
Family graves here are very important, and very elaborate...see the cemetery?
Our tour ended in Calvi and Papa Joe and I walked along the port and the beach...truly beautiful. we had lunch at a cafe on the port. Papa Joe got his mussel fix!
We ran into Holly and Marty...Holly is waiving.
I then hiked up into the old fort, waved to Papa Joe sitting on the deck of the ship.
I walked back through the village and found the most amazing hat!
Made here in Corsica. They are rumored to be good weavers, when they work. LOVE it. Baby Henry is also getting a hat, and Finley? A Stuffed Corsican pig. There is still snow on the mountains here...really lovely.
I then went to the pharmacy. Why? Well, Gwyneth Paltrow wrote of fabulous creams she finds only in France, so I am all over it! Hopefully you will all notice the difference!
We sail in an hour, so I am on deck, basking in the Meditereanean sun... Loving every minute of this amazing trip. We sail for Sardinia...cannot wait to see what awaits us!
Location:Calvi, Corsica, France
Monday, April 11, 2011
At sea
We set sail at 10:30 last night after a fun evening.
We received a phone call inviting us to dine at the "entertainers table." Papa Joe agreed, so we joined Holly and Marty for dinner. Also joining us were Carol and Sue, cousins from Ohio. Sue had lost her husband, so she and Carol had started traveling. The other couple were Josephine (Jo) and Tony from England. Jo is a very spry 78 year old and Tony is 80. They were both widowed over 34 years ago and have been together 32 years. They have never married, and have maintained their own homes. Why? Well, Jo has a"wonderful home on a hillside overlooking the sea. And on a clear night, I can see the lights of France from my bedroom window." ok, I get it. And Tony, well he has a "special home, very grand. Bits of the home were built in the 13th century, or was it the 15th century? oh, I can't remember, but it is old, and quite large," darling Jo told us. She then invited us to visit them. But only for one night. Then our bags will be on the door mat. They live in the country, with "really only one road with shops and such on it, the homes are dotted about the countryside." She and Tony live 5 minutes apart. They are adorable.
Holly hails from "Philly" and Marty from Canada. They met eight years ago when Holly was a passenger and Marty "the piano man." They married and have been cruising ever since. Holly has alit of facts...on our cruise, there are 54 Americans, 50 from England and 38 Phillipinos. Their last cruise was a Japanese retiree charter. only 150 passengers made the trip. others had to remain in Japan to "deal with the earthquake." Holly allowed as how it had been a quiet cruise. "they talk really quietly and go to bed really early." Holly enjoyed it quite a lot...one day she slept until 9:00 p.m. REALLY? Who does that??? She also told me that there are 224 passengers on this cruise and 170 crew. She and Tony are contract entertainers, they just bought a home in Las Vegas. That is where she buys all of her clothes at the Dress Barn in Vegas. Who knew the Dress Barn had so many sequined garments??
Marty and I were discussing the quail egg on my asparagus and pancetta when I heard Carol talking about their last trip to a Dude Ranch where a friend had had a run in with a horse and broke her jaw. Her jaw is now wired shut. Remember this...this Tidbit sparked a great conversation!!
Marty told me that they cruise for 9 months at a time. This year they have done two crossings, Europe to Ft. Lauderdale. (I asked, but they were not on your crossing, Sue.) In the fall, 5 of the 9 days crossing, they were caught in a storm. Guests were falling out of bed, breaking bones. Ow. The second crossing was great, don't fret. Last year, they worked on The World. It is basically a ship that sells condos on board starting at $800,000. Then you only pay 8% annually for your meals, maid service, etc. Only 8%? ONLY??? Then you sail the world and stay in ports five nights at a time. Holly said that these "ultra rich millionaires were as rude as hell." what a nomadic life.
So back to the wired jaw. Jo was deep in conversation with Papa Joe. As his first course arrived, she said "how unhealthy, you're not going to eat that are you???" Papa Joe allowed as how he was. He was having a great time, smiling and laughing with Jo. I was then engaged in conversation with Marty about how much they enjoy these evenings...not for the conversation, but the food. crew food isn't as good. Then Holly allowed as how she has only gained five pounds a year for the last 7 years. Only 35 pounds. Marty just smiled at her adoringly. Then Jo asked Papa Joe if he loved me? To which he, rather startled, said yes. Then Jo told him that he needed to get his jaw wired shut and stop eating. He was eating too much. To my amazement, Papa Joe LAUGHED and laughed and laughed!
I tried to change the subject by asking Jo if they were invited to THE wedding. To which she replied, "oh no, not the wedding, but rather a lot of nice parties leading up to it. You see, Tony is really rather a big deal in England. So we do lots of wonderful things." Jo's husband started the ferry service from England to France. I'd say that he had been rather a big deal as well!!I
Papa Joe is still laughing about his jaw... He loved Jo!
We are nearing Golfo Stella, Italy where we will have a day at sea. It is marina day. Pool time for me and pilates as well.
We received a phone call inviting us to dine at the "entertainers table." Papa Joe agreed, so we joined Holly and Marty for dinner. Also joining us were Carol and Sue, cousins from Ohio. Sue had lost her husband, so she and Carol had started traveling. The other couple were Josephine (Jo) and Tony from England. Jo is a very spry 78 year old and Tony is 80. They were both widowed over 34 years ago and have been together 32 years. They have never married, and have maintained their own homes. Why? Well, Jo has a"wonderful home on a hillside overlooking the sea. And on a clear night, I can see the lights of France from my bedroom window." ok, I get it. And Tony, well he has a "special home, very grand. Bits of the home were built in the 13th century, or was it the 15th century? oh, I can't remember, but it is old, and quite large," darling Jo told us. She then invited us to visit them. But only for one night. Then our bags will be on the door mat. They live in the country, with "really only one road with shops and such on it, the homes are dotted about the countryside." She and Tony live 5 minutes apart. They are adorable.
Holly hails from "Philly" and Marty from Canada. They met eight years ago when Holly was a passenger and Marty "the piano man." They married and have been cruising ever since. Holly has alit of facts...on our cruise, there are 54 Americans, 50 from England and 38 Phillipinos. Their last cruise was a Japanese retiree charter. only 150 passengers made the trip. others had to remain in Japan to "deal with the earthquake." Holly allowed as how it had been a quiet cruise. "they talk really quietly and go to bed really early." Holly enjoyed it quite a lot...one day she slept until 9:00 p.m. REALLY? Who does that??? She also told me that there are 224 passengers on this cruise and 170 crew. She and Tony are contract entertainers, they just bought a home in Las Vegas. That is where she buys all of her clothes at the Dress Barn in Vegas. Who knew the Dress Barn had so many sequined garments??
Marty and I were discussing the quail egg on my asparagus and pancetta when I heard Carol talking about their last trip to a Dude Ranch where a friend had had a run in with a horse and broke her jaw. Her jaw is now wired shut. Remember this...this Tidbit sparked a great conversation!!
Marty told me that they cruise for 9 months at a time. This year they have done two crossings, Europe to Ft. Lauderdale. (I asked, but they were not on your crossing, Sue.) In the fall, 5 of the 9 days crossing, they were caught in a storm. Guests were falling out of bed, breaking bones. Ow. The second crossing was great, don't fret. Last year, they worked on The World. It is basically a ship that sells condos on board starting at $800,000. Then you only pay 8% annually for your meals, maid service, etc. Only 8%? ONLY??? Then you sail the world and stay in ports five nights at a time. Holly said that these "ultra rich millionaires were as rude as hell." what a nomadic life.
So back to the wired jaw. Jo was deep in conversation with Papa Joe. As his first course arrived, she said "how unhealthy, you're not going to eat that are you???" Papa Joe allowed as how he was. He was having a great time, smiling and laughing with Jo. I was then engaged in conversation with Marty about how much they enjoy these evenings...not for the conversation, but the food. crew food isn't as good. Then Holly allowed as how she has only gained five pounds a year for the last 7 years. Only 35 pounds. Marty just smiled at her adoringly. Then Jo asked Papa Joe if he loved me? To which he, rather startled, said yes. Then Jo told him that he needed to get his jaw wired shut and stop eating. He was eating too much. To my amazement, Papa Joe LAUGHED and laughed and laughed!
I tried to change the subject by asking Jo if they were invited to THE wedding. To which she replied, "oh no, not the wedding, but rather a lot of nice parties leading up to it. You see, Tony is really rather a big deal in England. So we do lots of wonderful things." Jo's husband started the ferry service from England to France. I'd say that he had been rather a big deal as well!!I
Papa Joe is still laughing about his jaw... He loved Jo!
We are nearing Golfo Stella, Italy where we will have a day at sea. It is marina day. Pool time for me and pilates as well.
Location:On our way to Golfa Stella, Italy
In love!!!
Honestly, the pictures will tell the tale...but Papa Joe and I have fallen totally, completely, madly in love with Portofino!! We started with breakfast on the deck...
Overlooking Portofino, then we set out on the Tender,
Into...heaven!
We hiked for 3 hours..straight up and over to Santa Margharita... And it was only 4.5 miles, but when I say straight up, I mean it!!
Our guide lit a candle for us, praying we would make it!
Wild onions growing out of the rocks..
I'm a little obsessed with the laundry...
Hoping Maggie will paint it for me!
We hiked to Santa Margharita, had refreshments and came back to Portofino where we had lunch...
A bit obsessed with the pink table linens... And my spaghetti with pesto.
We purchased wine, olive oil and pesto to take home.
I was intrigued, this dinghy is a rental, locals take it out to fish...
And check their traps. Then they return and show off their catch.
Local artists...
Local craftsmen
Local shops...
You name it, Gucci, Hermes, Ferragamo... They all have mini shops here. Rumor has it George Clooney boats over for lunch often...
Like I said, LOVE, pure and simple!
Now, I am on the deck of the ship getting ready to go to yoga and Papa Joe is getting a massage. The walk did him in!!!
Portofino...LOVE!!!
Location:Portofino, Italy
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