Welcome terrorists to Air Italia

There is something very relaxed about the Italians. I am not sure if it has something to do with the siesta or quantity of red wine consumed at any time of the day. But our experience so far with Air Italia has been 'interesting'. Flying from Rome to Barcelona, going through security check in the person who was meant to be watching the x-ray screen was in deep conversation with a fellow worker ignoring what was going through. Even Kathy who set of the metal detector had a momentary hand waved over her and that was it. Then boarding the plan there was no check of boarding tickets.

Was this a rare case? Seems not. Leaving Rome (stopover) to Athens as I was pasing through the security I noticed the person 'watching' the screen had a strange bobble to his head. On closer inspection he was asleep and slowly droping his head to the desk then lifting it as he got close. He certainly did take the concept of siesta seriously! Then boarding the plane we noticed two people in our seats. It turns out they were not meant to be on this flight!

I am guessing that Italy is not high on Osamas priority targets but it does make you wonder???

gaudi or gaudy?

I dont know where the word 'gaudy' came from and why it was used to describe something not very nice but after visiting some of the most breathtaking architecture today I hope it didnt come from 'Gaudi'.

We left Rome early to our next destination Barcelona. I like saying this place - 'b a r c e l o n a'. Although I didnt have much breath left after we found out that our flat was on the fifth floor...... and NO LIFT!!! After carting up our suitcases, bags, prams, toys and other accumulated luggage a well earned rest was needed.

But no time for that with a day exloring a world of 'modernisme', in particular Gaudi's famous 'Casa Batllo'. With not a straight line in sight and the use of organic forms, colours and all types of material this was one amazing building. Even more amazing is that this was over 100 years old yet it looks more modern than buildings of today. His other famous building 'Sagrada Familia' - the most unconventional church you have ever seen, dominates the skyline of Barcelona. The eavening we finished up in Palau Nacional with a fountain and light show that kept the kids ammused.

the 6th was half way through our trip so decided to have a rest day. Hoped on the City tourist bus and did the circuit of Barcelona. Past the olympic stadium and village, past lots of speci buildings and public art and the odd fake beach or two ending up in 'Port Olimpic'. 4km of promenade and beaches constructed for the olympics. While the sand now seemed more like grit and nothing compared to our golden beaches we had a relaxing time watching the people and boats pass by.

Final day was a trip up to Parc de Montjuic with great views over the city then a wonder around the narrow lanes and streets of the old town. So another city down and 2 more to go.

ps: you would not guess what happened. Yes - our special money making machine, Bethany, managed to find another 5 euro! This is getting so funny that she is now constantly scanning the pavement and on spotting something springs from the pram to investigate. Must get her to get that lottery ticket.

And I am not Catholic!

I have always wondered what the pecking order is for the hundreds of hawkers plying their trinkets to the tourists. I reccon top of the food chain are those selling fake Prada and GUCCI handbags. bottom would be those selling flour filled ballons as cheap toys. But Rome is the first place I have seen several selling all sizes of camera tripods! Must be an entrepreneur seeing a niche gap in the market.

But it was not trinkets we came to Rome to buy (althought the kids did get one of the flour filled baloons!). It all started with a queue that snaked its way from one end of Rome to the other. 2 hours later we finally entered the Vatican Museum to gaze at the awe inspiring frescoes, statues and other priceless art. From 3rd Cent. BC Etruscan artifacts to Roman statues of male appendages that would make any porn star envious, it is amazing what they have accumulated (stolen). But what most came to see was the Sistine Chapel painted by various artists, the most famous being Michelangelo's wall fresco the Last Judgement and its amazing roof. Now I am not sure if it is an 'origional sin' but I did sneak a photo of it.

Next stop St Peter's Basilica and at 615 foot long it is almost big enough to have a good game of Ozi Rules (another great religion) in it - and I dont even think Locket could hit the 448ft high dome ceiling.

We also ventured over to the Pantheon. Despite our best guesses no one got this amazing building as being 118-125AD. It is only from the inside that the true scale of its beauty can be appreciated - although I dont think the kids were as impressed as they spent their time playing chasings with each other. After seing St Pietro (St Peters) you get a bit blase going in to the plethora of Churches that are on every street corner (much like a pub on every street corner in the UK) butSain Ignazio was impressive with its Baroque ceiling.

We finished of Roma with a quick look at the Plaza Navona markets selling all kinds of witch dolls in prep for the Befana festival on the 6th then our last Italian dinner of spagetti at Trasteveria.

While not a practicing catholic (altohugh my Dad tells me it is in my blood), the Vatican and St Peter's was a highlight along with the Collosseum. Although I am not sure now if I have to go to confession about the photo???

Colosus

2 mellenium of history can be a little bit over whelming and messes with my head as i try to comprehend the age of monuments and buildings with names such as "Arch of Septinius", "temple of Saturn", "Basilica Julia" and one of special interest "House of the Vestal Virgin". The whole of Roma is one big ruin with some areas looking like a scene from a Gladiator movie.

New years eve was spent wondering down past the Victor Emmanuel Monument (I thought Paris monuments were on steroids but this was huge) and on to the daddy of them all the 2000yr old Collosseum. A stagering site even if the gladiators were now fleesing tourists rather than slaying lions. New years erupted with the booming sound of fireworks across the city - they are legal here and it seemed every street corner was ablaze with sparks and the odd fire out of control.

New Years day was a quiet affair with most things closed so we spent it wandering through the city, past the "piazza di spagna" only to find the millions of people that had no where else to go apart from the Spanish Steps. Someone did tell me that they were there somewhere under the swarm of bodies. Escaping this we had to stop in at the Travi fountain where the kids threw a coin in making a wish for the latest Nintendo DS that Santa DID NOT get them.

Every place we have visited is unique and we have new suprises every day. Tomorrow we are going to have a chat with the Pope. till next time

Becoming destitute in Rome

So what does sea eagles, no money and my moms beautician have to do with each other!

I will come to that in a minute but our adventure in Rome began with a trian ride past white covered fields - not snow but an amazing ice freeze with every tree branch, leaf and blade of grass coated in white crystals - yes it was COLD outside. Arrive at Roma with our overflowing luggage and compress ourselves into a taxi for a ride of our lives - thousands of people, horns, traffic and the unique italian way of driving. Managed to find our apartment - you could not mistake yourself being in Roma - guilded mirrors, patterned wall paper, ornate lamps - Beaaauutifullllll.

First - had to pay lady for flat but we didnt have any cash so had to go to bank to withdraw some money. Stick card in machine...... declined! What the!!! Needing to pay we changed our last travellers cheques - well not that simple at it took 2 banks and 4 tellers before someone would do this for us. So we now had a place to stay but no money to live. Try to ring bank but due to their 'customer friendly' automated service it would not recognise the tone when you had to dial your account in the phone. shite! Planning options
1. join the gypsies begging in the street
2. give bethany advanced training in pick-pocketing (she seems to have a flair for getting money)
3. despirate call home

This is where the sea eagle comes in. Standing at the tourist info stand getting directions to buy a mobile phone I noticed a man and his son wearing a Manly scalf. Commenting that it is good to see another sea eagles fan we got chatting - the usual stuff - where are you from - how many days are you here - where are you going next. but then all of a sudden the lady next to him says - "I may be wrong but I think I know you - Your the Careys!"

It turns out that she is the beautician for mom in Manly so obviously they discuss LOTS of things (be careful dad - they know too much). A loverly couple that offer to lend us money. We take their contact details and try our last despirate bid to buy mobile phone and contact bank.

Phone works. Turns out our number has been stolen and used in some scam. For the rest of the trip we need to ring a special number while standing at the ATM - they will unblock it for 3 minutes while we withdraw cash.

So in the end everything continues to be great. Will post a bit more about Roma later on. Having fun

Getting rich in Venice

Some say Venice is the most expensive city in Europe but for us it seemed cheap. it all started with Benthany's unique tallent. Where ever we go she sems to find the odd coin on the floor. There was the 1 pound in London, 10 euro at airport in Bristol and today a small envelope in Venice. Usualy we yell at them not to pick up rubbish but this time she did her best finding 220 euro!. From now on she can pick up anything!

Getting to Venice was fantasitc- a 5 hour train ride through snow capped mountains, past little villages each with their own church tower - and even one with an open air ice rink. Ariving in italy the country side changed with the first sign of vineyards, a loan castle of villa atop a hill and rows of olive trees. Then on to Venice - what a unique city. teeming with vaporetti, barges and gondolas. We spent the morning walking around the sestiere of Venice - San Marco with its elegant basilica and piazza. the Basilica built from 1094 had the most amazing mosaics cealings made from millions of individual pieces making up intricate pictures from old testiment stories.

Afternoon spent wandering along narrow lanes each opening out to a sun filled square or campos. It does not take long to escape the mass of tourists in San Marco to find yourself alone marvelling at the little canals that thread their way all over the city or exploring the local markets. A walk back along the promonade and dinner of pizza, noci and ravioli. The next moring we continued our exploring getting on and off the boat that travels along the grand canal making the most of this amazing place. But all good things have to come to and end so time to pack our bags (ALL of them) and get readt for another train trip to Roma.

White Christmas

How to sum up in 1 sentance so far. Fantastic sunny days, white christmas, magic Venice, lots of VERY old stuff in Roma, getting rich, becoming destitute.

But I am getting ahead of my self. What a fantastic Christmas we have had. Our trip almost didnt begin after our 4.30am wake up call did not happen. Luckily something told us to get the hell out of bed as we woke with a jolt at 5am. A quick dash for the airport to join a 5km snaking line of people escaping England for Christmas. With 2 minutes to spare we got to checkin before closing only then to almost miss the flight as we had to run to the other side of the airport to the boarding gate. But yes - we did make it, flying into Innsbruck on a glorious day.

The eavening we made our way to Mutters, a cute village covered by a light dusting of snow.The area was spectacular with magnificant mountains surrounding us, minus 5 deg but lovely and sunny. Christmas eve we caught the ski lift to Axamer Lizum at 2300m where the twins played in snow for the first time. After the snow fights, toboggan rides and building a very poor excuse of a snow man it was decided that tomorrow Santa would be letting us ski.

so up early, this time to Mutters and another crystal blue sky and pearly white mountains - no better place to spend Christmas Day. Droped the kids of with Hanz for ski lessons and - just liking riding a bike - Kathy and I dust of the cob webs and hit the slopes.

with the afternoon coming to an end and geting close to pick up the kids Kathy and i chose a different run only to get to the bottom of the mountain and find no lift back and in a town of Gotzner Berg 3 miles from the kids and no way back up the hill!!!! PANIC.

Luckily we dragged ourselves in to a local bus back to mutters and up the mountain just in time to meet the kids - now all skiing without falling over - well almost.

Finished the day with a traditional Christmas dinner of austrian sausages and zipfer (beer).

Next day we ventured in to Innsbruck to see the Christmas Markets with fairy lights every where, buildings adorned with christmas characters from fairy tales. A great end to Austria.

D DAY

After exactly 361 days (and a few less for the rest of the family) it has finally come to this. Our life is packed into 5 suitcases plus an assortment of hand luggage as we prepare to say goodbye for the last time to Weymouth. I hope you have all enjoyed my little rants and stories and got a sense of the fun, agony, excitement, challenges and life changing experiences we have all had.

There is only the final chapter to write as we head off for our last journey. It begins with an overnight stop in Gatwick before heading to Austria and the snow fields of Innsbruck for a white Christmas. Then a train trip over the mountains to Venice. From here we continue on the train to Rome to watch the New Year in. Then (don’t ask why) a flight backwards to Barcellona to visit Manuel’s relatives. From here back to Rome then straight on to Athens for a kebab. Finally on to the pyramids then a rest (!!!!) for 7 nights in Luxor. Finally BACK (again don’t ask why) to Heathrow for a night before our trip home.
(http://careysadventure.blogspot.com/2007/10/maps-of-our-travels.html).

For those that don’t know, Kathy is flying back with the kids on Virgin Atlantic and I am flying 5 minutes later on Singapore Airlines - yes I can hear you all screaming “YOU BASTARD HOW COULD YOU!” Now I could spend the entire rest of this blog giving you the very legitimate reasons why, but like a pig going to the slaughterhouse squealing all the way, I know I don’t have a chance. Lets just say I now have an entire life time to repay my debts.

With 31 days of either amazing experiences or psychotic hell ahead of us we should both be arriving back in Sydney on the 24th January at 7am in the morning. It is likely that either the kids have driven us to check in at the nearest rehab centre or we are just having a great time so it may not be possible to make time to get to an internet café to keep you posted with what is going on.

“So as they set of into the sunset, what lay ahead of them was unknown. Will Luxor be a translation for laxative as one of us succumbs to a rapid loss of bodily fluids in Egypt? Will our Italian translation of ‘cheap accommodation’ in Rome turn out to be ‘Bordello’? Will our luggage enjoy a great holiday – IN BARBADOS!?

to be continued..............................

Centre Stage

And in great ozi tradition there was no better way to say goodbye to work than on centre stage with a beer in hand saying thanks to all the pommie bastards for a good time and inviting them over for a barbie. The work end of year pantomime (only something that I have recently realised is a British tradition) was the 'Wizard from Oz' so who better to enter the stage to the shouts of “HE’s BEHIND YOU” than a real Oz.

I still have one more encore with drinks tomorrow night. With all this going on it is difficult to comprehend that we still have not packed and we leave in a couple of days. It is not that we don’t want to leave but more a denial that we will be able to actually pack all our crap into the same cases we came over here with. It looks like I will be wearing 2 pairs of pants, 4 pairs socks, 3 jumpers and 2 jackets on the plane. Ok – need to go and sit on a suitcase………

winter

With a week to go before we leave winter returns bringing to end the full cycle of spring, summer and spring since I have arrived. The winters in Weymouth are not usually severe. While the rest of the country comes to a stand still at the first sign of snow, it is the early morning frosts that mark winter here. In the morning as you step out side your senses know straight away it is winter. The feel of the crisp frosty air on your face; your breath visible in front of you; the sound of ice crunching under your feet; and the smell of wood smoke from the nearby hamlet. Gloves are a must as a strong northerly wind cuts through 4 layers of clothing.

Different seasons each have their own unique light and winter is no different as the sun hovers on the horizon, trying unsuccessfully to get itself in to the air. As a result, the light is muted and subdued. The sky is a light pastel of blues with sunrise and sunsets being infused with streaks of pale pinks and yellow. With the sun struggling to get up in the morning the daylight hours are restricted to just a few hours which you manage to see outside your window during lunchtime.

In the winter months, when the leaves have fallen, the landscape takes on a strange sleepy state with the bare silhouettes of the beech trees against a grey sky. The light gleaming from thousands of frozen drops on all the branches gives the countryside its own Christmas decorations. Hunting season is has started and the faint sounds of gun shots echo out across the valley.

Walking around the villages, towns and along the many paths there is no sign of the thousands of tourists and visitors that have descended on the place in summer. The peace and tranquillity encourages you to linger longer and explore but the cold pushes you to the nearest pub, preferably one with an open fire.

It has been a great experience being able to see England in all its seasons. But, like the many birds that have decided to migrate for the winter, it is our time to join the flying birds on a path to warmer lands. I wonder if they have a nice cold beer waiting for them at the end of their journey?