Greatest Adventure short recap

Italy

There is so much to say about Italy. I loved the sounds of people walking on cobblestones, the taste of genuine and truly delicious banana gelato, the way really good and locally sourced pancetta melted in my mouth and so very much more then I can describe. I have always dreamed of going to Italy. Ever since high school where I learned about Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Boticelli,  Bernini and so many others I had this great desire to exist in their awesome and glorious presence. That may seem silly to you but for me, that was one of my greatest dreams and I am lucky enough to have experienced it.

I already vaguely posted about Venice and I will go into each city in more detail in later posts but for now I wanted to share some of the highlights. The pure ADVENTURE of travelling overseas was unique and unforgettable. I was born overseas but we came back to the States before I could remember anything and all my family has been to explore and experience all the things Europe has to offer. This was my time. I also enjoyed the differences that each city has to offer and while I enjoyed them all I am glad that we had the most nights in Roma. 

I greatly enjoyed the FOOD! Who doesn't love food? Pasta, pasta and more pasta? And pizza. And that gelato and pancetta I mentioned before? I LOVED the food tour in Roma and that is where we had both. That was a true and spectacular adventure right there and my husband loved that just as much, if not more, then I did. Eating Italy Tours with Kate was AMAZING. We stopped so many awesome places in the Testaccio neighborhood in Rome. I will link it below! We did a bicycle tour in Florence that was really unique and as my husband and I haven't ridden bikes in years and we didn't fall (though I tried one time!) and we survived to tell about it.

There is so much more that we experienced and enjoyed! Stay tuned for individual city blogs with all the details!

Ciao!

Our anniversary pictures shown are done by
Mike Kire at http://mikekire.com/

Ahh Venice

Well hello from Italy!
The trip in was long and at times arduous but we made it yesterday. So did our checked bag! This was my first trip back to Europe since I left with my family as a babe.

We made it to our hotel without any issues and settled in. We showered, had some great complimentary snacks provided by the hotel (snacks, wine and tea from 2-11) before we headed out yo explore. We were surprised by all that we could see in such a short time of wondering: Rialto Bridge and Saint Marks Square are only 10 and 15 minutes away, respectively. We got gelato and pizza. It was great!

Today we revisited Rialto and Saint Marks Square. Again we got gelato, this is me after all! We explored the Doges Palace and the Rialto market and they side of the Grand canal. We were having a leisurely walk when it started to rain, but it was no big deal.... When in Rome... Err... VENICE! we ended up at this restaurant where we hoped to wait out the rain. I got to use the Italian I have been practicing. We got a little lost in the dark but found our way back to the hotel. We are now enjoying an Irish Pub and free wifi!

Packing

I like planning. I have so much fun in the planning process.  So when it came to planning for what I wanted to wear and pack for my Italy Adventure I took my time. I made flash cards. I religiously checked the weather forecast leading up to leaving and as the weather patterns shifted so did my wardrobe choices.

For this trip I wanted a new suitcase. I didn't want to have to check luggage to Italy (I can totally see having to check it coming back). Also, the menagerie of suitcases that take residence under the stairs are not, as a whole, in terrific shape. They have been gifts (both new and used from parents) and have all seen some travel. I also wanted a hard-case suitcase. It is more durable and I am klutzy so that is always to my advantage; also I felt that I wouldn't be able to OVER pack even if I wanted to. And lets be honest, no matter that I LOVE planning, I do have a tendency to over pack. Mostly because I like options. I like the variety that extra clothes allow. But as we are going to be in Italy  with their quaint cobblestone roads, we will be taking trains across the country and having to walk from the stations to our hotels I felt like this would be my best choice.

SO since I have established that I love planning I am going to let you in on a secret: I wanted to PACK a week ago. But that just wasn't logical as I wear most of the clothes I planned on taking to work or on the weekends. So I resisted and waited until today. I have five days to go until we embark on our journey and I am almost completely packed: clothes, shoes, basic toiletries and jewelry as well as accessories. I have to decide on make-up and there will be an additional blog for that. I will also have final packing of items like toothbrushes, deodorant, contacts etc.

So here I am, mostly packed and super excited for out journey!

Bermuda

Hi! So the last couple of days have been a real adventure. We were hammered by Hurricane Sandy for about 24 hrs. No damage to the ship. About 100 cabins on the lower levels were flooded due to a pipe breaking. But, miraculously, none of us got sick!

I woke to see the sun rising on a clear and vibrant morning. I also got to see land for the first time in days, and what a wonderful sight that was! Today we wondered Bermuda, shopped and had a delicious lunch at the Smokin' Barrel food truck! They were very nice and all four of us truly enjoyed our meals. I didn't take a picture. I am sorry for that but I was just so hungry!

Day two we arose to rough water and a beautiful sunny Bermudian day. Because of the rough water, Sonny at Snorkel Bermuda, was honest with us and says we wouldn't see many fish as the sand was getting stirred up. Really nice guy. I'd your ever in Bermuda give him a call! We ended up at Snorkel park there in Kings Wharf and to Horseshoe Bay. There I got to see fish! There was a cove if shallow water and I fed them mango trail mix! Lots if fun!

Cruising Hurricane Sandy

Hey so the Captains plans changed as the weather continued to change. We ended up sailing south instead of east by southeast because Sandy, the fickle sea witch, decide to head that way. Needless to say we ended up rocking with the sea. He warned us last night that between 4am and 8am we would have the worst waves, weather and turbulence.

Well we woke at 530am to water bottles, glasses and shoes flying. Good thing that my mother-in-law brought anti-nausea pills. They have been extremely effective.

The waves are getting smaller and the wind isn't as strong as it was. I am glad that we are moving away from the storm. Hurricane Sandy has been upgraded to a category 3. I am worried about the entire eastern seaboard and I am hoping out flight back is not cancelled or delayed.

That is it for now. I will keep you posted.

Getting ready to cruise

Ok, I know I have been an epic failure with posting. Life is crazy and I had been looking for a new job while working full time. Sheesh. BUT! I got a new job and I start when we get back from our fun cruise adventure!

Now, I feel, your first cruise is a new adventure anyway. But for us there is added adventure. Her name is Hurricane Sandy. I have never been involved with any type of storm system like a hurricane. But the Captain has a plan and the storm isn't suppose to hit until tomorrow.

I'll post as we go!

Rogue Brewhouse: Issaquah

My family and I hit up Chateau Rogue last year near Independence, Oregon and we had an absolute blast! My husband, sister and her boyfriend really like their beer. They really like local craft beers. So when my sister moved back home after graduation she told us that there is Rogue Brewhouse in Issaquah. So, naturally, we decided to go check out lunch and see what was what.

Well, it isn't nearly as awesome as Chateau Rogue. And I guess we shouldn't have thought it would be. Chateau Rogue had a little beer shack that sold food (really, really good food) and yard games! It's basically a hop yard that is an adult backyard. The Rogue Brewhouse here in issaquah is similar to any random restaurant with a bar. Average food and pretty poor service.

Now to the beer. I don't drink it. It's not nearly sweet enough for me. But again, my family likes it. Rogue Scotch was what my husband had. And he liked it enough to consider getting a growler.

Although I don't drink beer I do sometimes try cider. My buddy Mutton Chop is in town from Australia and he doesn't like beer either. So this trip he ordered Ace Cider. Pretty funny, as the waitstaff couldn't understand what he said because of his accent. I tried it and it was pretty good. Not too much if a bite and a little bit sweet. I would try it again.

Overall I don't think I would choose to eat there again, but I would stop in and pick some beer up for my family.