End of Oceania 2008 Med Cruise

Well I'm packed and ready to go. Great trip. Loved the Med. Beautiful ship.

Dubrovnik

Just arrived in Dubrovnik. Can't believe that Kotor Montenegro is so close to Dubrovnik, only 4 hours by sea. We are going to Buza our favourite hole in the wall for a glass of champagne and the sunset.Ended up at Buza 2 then 1 and it was even better.

Montenegro

Walked 2 hours along the malecon seaside in Kotor, Montenegro. Sailing in through the fjord was amazing and the reflections in the water just fab. Great scenes for painting.

Corfu

We rented a car and drove all around the upper lovely part of Corfu. The beaches are beautiful and the island is lush. Must get lots of rain.

Capri

Capri was once again wonderful and we went back to the Blue Grotto and the restaurant Add'o Riccio for incredible antipasti as we sat and watched the excitement around the blue grotto. The picture shows the boats going into the Grotta Azzura.

Livorno

In Livorno on our way to Amalfi

Cinque Terre

Arrived in la Spezia and took the train in the rain to Cinque Terre and Vernazza where we stayed 6 years ago. The rain stopped and we climbed the steps to have a little lunch at the restaurant we loved so many years ago.

Then we hiked to Corneglia, a strenuous but fabulous hike (shades of the Grouse Grind) through groves of silvery olive trees & incredible views of the Ligurean Sea.

Genoa & Camogli

Took the train from Genoa to a beautiful fishing village called Camogli. It really competes with the villages in the Cinque Terre. The antipasti was just wonderful.

Bonifacio, Corsica

Limestone cliffs and beautiful town. Hiked up to the upper town for wonderful views and yes for lunch moules et frites.

Tarquinia

If you want to see tombs dating back to the 6th Century BC that have been recently excavated, go to Tarquinia, a town with medieval turrets and fortifications atop rocky cliffs overlooking the sea. It would seem unusual for a medieval town to have an Etruscan name, but actually, Tarquinia is the adopted name of the old medieval community of Corneto, in honor of the major Etruscan city that once stood nearby. It is easy to get to from Civitavecchia.

Amalfi

What a beautiful place. We climbed and climbed and climbed. Didn't have to go to the gym today.

Sorrento

Hung out at this beautiful Grand Hotel Europa Palace. Wouldn't mind staying there one day. Colour of the water is turquoise & 498095.

Sardinia

Olbia, Sardinia, a place that we don't need to come back to. Kind of like Mexico but the euro is not the peso!!!

Portofino

Back in Portofino and the buses and trains are on strike. So we had to alter our plans to go to a quaint little fishing village. We walked the 5 km from Portofino to Santa Margherita along the ocean and bought some very fine olive oil. Probably weighs 5 pounds. Gorgeous views of the villas and gardens below. Back in Portofino 9 euros for a corona but hey who cares it is Portofino tiny picturesque Liguerean port with the beautiful people.

St. Tropez

Myrna was happy. This Mediterranean town is on steroids. Beautiful women, fabulous clothes, incredible yachts, OTT cars. Had moules a la crema with frites and a lovely rose wine watching the parade along the seawall. It doesn't get much better than this. It was July 4 and the town was pumped.

Monte Carlo

What a magical and glamorous place. The Princes' palace is spectacular. Visited Prince Ranier's incredible antique car collection.

Toulon

We are in the typical Provencal town, Toulon. They had a lovely morning market with the most gorgeous fruit, vegies, olives, tapenade and the best baguettes that I just wanted to rent a place for a few days and enjoy it all. The aromas from olives, lavender, and French cigarettes filled the air. Tomorrow we will be in glam OTT St. Tropez.

Barcelona

We rented a 3 wheel GPS tour guided storytelling"Go Car" and wheeled around Barcelona enjoying Gaudi's incredible work. It was a bit of a wild ride but really awesome.