CHAPTER 5 We were awake at the crack of nine, followed by our regular routine of granola, coffee (usually with some baking), check emails, news feeds, weather back home, etc. and we were out the door by 10:45. Another grueling start to the day. We run the gauntlet of fellow Coritans lounging by the pool …
That’s not funny…
CHAPTER 4 Yesterday was not a funny day. Not much sleep, bad bed, no milk for our granola, cloudy skies (what's up with that God?), and the loudest room in the hotel. On top of that it's our Organization Day where we take the bus to the Mega for our supplies after spending 45 minutes …
Getting settled in
CHAPTER 3 After two uneventful flights, the first taking us to Seattle and the second landing us in PV right around dusk. After negotiating Immigration and then Mexican Customs we grab a taxi to our southern home at the Hotel Corita. We check in and head for our room which is poolside facing the bay. …
4, 3, 2, 1… GO!
Chapter 2 Is it just me or did it seem like it took forever to get to this day? That's the last time I book a trip 211 days and 13 hours in advance. Yesterday I spoke with our friends Richard and Nina (Ricardo and Ninja) who are currently in Vallarta and they have assured …
Hasta La Vista Winter
Chapter 1 It's only Jan.22 and we're not leaving for our trip to Bucerias until Feb.7 but that hasn't stopped me from day dreaming about sunny skies, warm weather, and soft zephyrs. Granted, it's been a relatively mild winter (-8 was the coldest daytime temp) but grey skies and short days are reason enough to …
No coffee for you… the end.
Travel info meter set to 100%  Sunday/Monday  June 11-12  Our last few hours in Italy were spent walking to the tram, tram to train, and train to airport, for our final leg of the journey to Amsterdam. Being Sunday, our coffee shop was closed, no more smiles, no more sweets to start the day.... …
La dolce vita, the sweet life…
Travel info meter is set to 96% Saturday, Â June 10, Â Our last full day in Italy started as almost all others with great coffee and a pastry (croissants have been our #1 choice). Returning to the same cafes each morning in every place we've been has proved to be a ritual that develops a bond …
When in Rome…
Travel info meter set to 93% Â Thursday and Friday, June 8-9, Â This is a 2 for 1 post this time. It is hot, really hot in the 30-34C range and we're set to see the sites. We've been assured that it's only a 20 minute walk to the Colloseum and all of the other …
Be careful what you wish for…
Travel info meter set at 77% Â Nostalgia meter set at 50% Â Wednesday, Â June 7 Â We did our normal exit routine from our Airbnb, Â first exchanging cheek rubs with Eleonora who was almost obsessed that we enjoy everything that Orvieto had to offer and act as our concierge while we were under her care, and …
Day off from our vacation…
Travel info meter set to 92% Tuesday, May 6  We are back to being a couple. Ted and Veronica are on their way back to France and we will have a day of leisure. This vacation stuff is grueling. Our only plan today is to join a tour to explore the caves made by the …
On the road again…
Travel info meter set to 91%  Poking fun at Ted meter set to high  Monday June 5 Breakfast is included with this apartment and Eleonora replenishes our supplies during the day at an appointed time and then emails us to make sure we're happy and offers to line up rental cars (NOOOOOOOO!!) or whatever …
Hey buddy, can I borrow your battle axe?…
Travel info meter set to 89% Clever humour level set to 13... 12... 11%... 4% Â Sunday May 4 Â Today is the big festival day in the cathedral square (Duomo). The Festa de Palombella happens every year on Pentecost Day and a representation of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove is sent across …
Continue reading "Hey buddy, can I borrow your battle axe?…"
Train to Orvieto, all aboard…
Travel info meter set to 99%Â Saturday, June 3Â We bid Florence arrivederci and head for the train station with nary a slip up. I can't remember the last time we were lost, it must have been hours ago. It's a 2 hour ride to the Umbrian hill towns and we will be staying in …
Go with the Flow…rence…
Travel info meter is set to 90%   After cohabitating since the '70s Carol and I are on the same page in a number of areas.  Yesterday Carol  looked up from her book and said " What's the name of that other big organization"? "Other?.. you mean like UNESCO,  Wal-Mart,  Amtrak, ... uh, NATO"?  "Ya, that's …
Short and sweet…
Travel info meter is set to 95% Â Interesting meter is set to 45%Â Okay, I'm falling behind because we had spotty WiFi when we were in the uber rural areas so I'm changing up the format for this post and it will be short, concise, and partly in point form so I can get to …
These boots were made for walkin’…
Travel info meter set to 100%Â Wednesday, May 31 finds us up and out at 8:00 and off to our latest favourite breakfast spot in one of the small squares. Â A hearty breakfast will be needed as we will be hiking one leg of the Cinque Terre this morning. Â We are leaving Corniglia, Â the …
Cinque Terre or bust…
Travel info meter set to 98%  Tuesday  May 30  Our last morning at the organic farm finds us seated at the table that provides the most awe-inspiring view from the terrace. Isabella has left us her usual breakfast of fresh bread, pastries, honeys, jam, yogurt, juice, fresh fruit, 2 types of soft cheese, and …
You can’t miss it…
Travel info meter set to 72% Outrage/incompetence meter set to maximum. Paolo, our host, is explaining how to get to town from their mountain paradise. He stretches out his arm and points toward Saturn and says "You go back down the road and turn right, and you'll see the path going down and it …
Welcome to Italy…
Travel info meter set to 99%. We had an early  (before 11:00) train out of Aix so we packed up and made our last journey down the hill pulling our luggage with backpack strapped on and Carol toting her new bag filled with essentials (everything is an essential at this point). to the bus station …
Oh, to be Irish…
Travel info meter is set to 81% Insanity meter set on high!  Saturday  May 27  Today we will be going on a wine tour in the Sainte-Victoire region in the afternoon so there was no need to rush to leave our flat early as in past days. 11:55 saw us on our downward journey …
Cruisin’ with my buddy and 7 chicks…
Travel info meter is set to 98% Friday May 26  We are out of our place at the crack of 11:00 as per usual. Down Avenue Paul Cezanne  (the killer hill) and into old town to kick up a ruckus. Look out Provence the Crazy Canucks are comin'. Carol wearing her white cap with the hole …
Blue Delivery 