Our Cruise to the Mediterranean (Part 1)

This year Dave and I took a 10 day cruise in the Mediterranean. We left Salt Lake on Wednesday May 25th, (traveling with friends of ours Neil & Karen), and flew to Rome, Italy, (the 'Eternal City') - were we spent Thursday and Friday. We took a Segway tour around Rome seeing all the sights. It was truly magnificent seeing all the arches, ruins, the fountains, the Pantheon, the Cathedrals, and of course the magnificent Colosseum. I was amazed at how crowed the city was. And at how crazy the people drive. Everyone drives scooters and little Smart Cars, and they drive very, very fast. We enjoyed the up close and personal tour around the city and afterwards stopped by a little restaurant to enjoy a delightful un-rushed meal and a walk back to the hotel shuttle bus pick up point where we watched people dodge traffic as they try to cross the street. The next day we boarded a bus to tour around Rome in comfort to once again see the sights. This time we also got to stop at Vatican City. But the line to St. Peter's front door was 2 hours, (just to get in), and our tour did not allow us enough time. Over at The Vatican the same thing another 2 hour wait just to get to the front door. So, we visited the square, and bought some souvenirs to bring home.

Then it was on to the pier and time to board our ship for 10 days at sea around the Mediterranean with stops at Messina, Athens, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Mykonos, Santorini, and finally Naples. We had our passports in hand, plenty of Euros, and our excursions planned out and were looking forwarded to 10 days of trying out new and exciting foods, customs, and seeing all the sights that we had heard about in school and from our friends. Arrivederci Rome, see you in 10 days when we dock.


MESSINA, SICILY

First stop - Saturday, (May 28th), Messina, Sicily the southern part of Italy. We had arrived at 10:00 am and were in port until 6:30 pm. Our first stop was at the Cathedral in the center of town to see the "Treasures of Messina". Inside was a wedding, but we were allowed to view the lovely Cathedral and the gold artifacts. We also got to see the hand carved clock tower which moved when it struck noon. The whole process took about 15 minutes as each section of the clock moved and turn in process. Our tour guide explained each section and it moved and turned, twirled and played music and chimes.

Next we drove down to the beach and saw the fishing boats. Most of the town makes their living fishing and farming.

The residential area of town is very crowded, much like Rome. But, the buildings are very old and the streets are very narrow. A few souvenirs to bring home, then back to the ship. Tomorrow we have a full day at sea as we head out to Athens, Greece. It will be a good day to just relax and take it easy.



ATHENS, GREECE
On Monday, May 30th, We pulled into port at Piraeus, (Athens), Greece. The largest city in Greece, and one of the most important in the Mediterranean. The capital of Greece and considered to be a gift of the Gods to the mortals. Our tour of ancient Athens, Plaka, and ancient Acropolis was wonderful. We saw the ruins of ancient and modern Olympic sites and the marina which is actually right in downtown Athens. Unfortunately, downtown Athens is very crowded with lots of high rise apartments, and very dirty with litter and graffiti. People just park their cars anywhere and any which way on the street. Parking is so scarce in Athens, that our guide told that after living in her apartment for 2 years - when she finally got a parking space in front of her apartment building, when she had to go to the pharmacy that afternoon she took a taxi so she wouldn't lose her parking space. When you get out into the countryside it is so lovely, and very lush and green. Every where you go, if the house has any land, the people plant small gardens and flowers. They try their best to beautify their home. The apartment decks all have pots of flowers sitting on them. We went to a wonderful little jewelry shop and picked up some more souvenirs to take home.

EPHESUS, (KUSADASI), TURKEY
On Tuesday, May 31st, we docked at Ephesus, (Kusadasi), Turkey, where a group of local entertainers greeted up as we departed the ship. Our day long tour with Yoseph, (Joseph in English), took us to the rural Aegean region, which was settle in the 10th century BC. Where everything is VERY, very green and lush. Turkey grows every thing you can image - all kinds of fruits and vegetables. Orchards as far as you can see. We stopped at the ancient city of Ephesus to visit the ruin and walked the narrow streets where the disciple Paul walked and preached to the people, over 2000 years ago. Then on to the center of town for some bartering on some souvenirs, purchasing some spices, and sampling of the local specialties of the merchants. Our tour then took us past the hill where the disciple Paul was buried and on to a Muslim mosque, where we were allowed to enter and learn about the religious customs. Their temples are very plain, no paintings or photos. But a large beautiful chandelier does hang in the middle of the room and that's all. Women are still separated from men during religious services. Then on to the government school where Turkish carpets are still hand woven the same as they have been for centuries, and a private showing of dozens of samples of many sizes of rugs available for purchase at a fraction of what we pay in the US. Our next stop was "Cherry Village" and into the home of a local villager, where we were served local Turkish household dishes - YUMMY. We dined like royalty. We arrived back at the ship late in the day, (just 15 minutes before departure), exhausted but totally in love with the region. We really enjoyed our time in Turkey and came home with many pleasant memories.

RHODES, GREECE
On Wednesday, June 1st, we landed on the island of Rhodes, Greece. This is the largest of the Greek islands, first settled in 4000 BC. The beaches are spectacular, with their white sands and colorful umbrellas. The city is a medieval walled city, built by the Knights of Ioannites in the 1300s. Our tour took us through the area where the knights lived, worked, and served the not only the king but also the people of the island. We were able to also visit the site of the Colossus of Rhodes, one of the 7 wonders of the world. Imagine walking among the ruins that have been here before the time of Christ! Rhodes was a wonderful island to visit.

Mother's Day 2011

This year for Mother's Day, Dave and I were invited to TGI Friday's for lunch with Ian, Trevor, Shelle, Josh, and Shelle's family.  Ian and Trevor gave me a wonderful card and a lovely orange "Star" flowering plant.  Shelle also gave me a lovely card that was very touching.  I must say that it was a very enjoyable couple of hours, and everyone enjoyed wonderful conversation and lots of laughs.  Even though Josh isn't our son-in-law, he is always very nice to Dave and I, and I notice that he is very good with Ian and Trevor, (something that is very important for a grandparent).  We enjoy visiting with Shelle and Josh, and are so appreciative that they include us in Ian and Trevor's lives, as they mean the world to us.  Yes, considering all things, it was still a good Mother's Day.  THANKS SHELLE.

OUR GARDEN FENCE

Last fall, when we were putting in our landscaping, Dave built our raised garden beds.  He did an excellent job.  We have 3 beds that are 4" high and 1 bed that is 8 inches high, (for our root crops).  These beds are 4' wide and 10' long.  They will provide us with plenty  of vegetables.

 This spring, he installed a fence to keep Balsa, (our CCI puppy that we are raising), from getting into the garden and digging - one of her favorite hobbies.  He installed a nice gate with a very good locking latch.  And it's very secure, so it will hold up for years.

Here's a close up of the latch.  Our raised beds have a root drip system, and each bed has it's own valve that we can turn on or off, depending on the amount of water that the vegetables will need.  (see next 3 photos). 

 I have already planted our strawberries, cauliflower, broccoli, onions, lettuce, potatoes, carrots, and peas.  I am still looking for cabbage plants.  Now if I could just get mother nature to just stop snowing on my garden and warm up a little.

 I have my corn packets and tomatoes plants sitting on the kitchen table just waiting for the nice warm soil.  And Dave's mouth just waters when he thinks about the juicy tomatoes that he's going to enjoy later this year. My herbs are doing well in the kitchen, but they also long to be outside in the warm sunshine.

I wish you all a warm summer, and enough space to plant a few tomatoes, or whatever you enjoy eating.  There's nothing more enjoyable than working in the dirt and then reaping your rewards, and sharing with your friends the excess bounty that mother earth provides.  We trade our extra garden items with our friends Karen and Neil for their farm fresh eggs.  Good deal!!  I always tell Dave, the more we share, the more our garden produces.  Happy Gardening to everyone.  

WHAT HAPPENED TO SPRING ??

 WHAT IN THE WORLD HAPPENED TO SPRING ??

I woke up Sunday morning, April 3rd, and look at what was outside!!

Here we are starting our 3rd week into Spring and another 6 inches of snow on the ground !!

Is there any end in sight to this winter?  I am so ready to start planting my garden, but can't even get out outside to the garden boxes.  I need to move south.

Destin Florida

 Last Fall, the Asysco group asked Dave to chair the United States Lion Users Group, (L.U.G.).  Dave agreed to do it for 2 years, provided that they agreed to find a replacement at the end of his term.  Part of his duties include attending and helping to chair the annual Users Group meeting and doing round table discussions.  This year the meeting was held March 24th at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa.  The resort was lovely and huge.  Most people get around on golf carts and bicycles.  And everything was awash in lovely flowers of every color.  Our room was on the 9th floor overlooking the pool and beach.  We flew out on Wednesday, March 23rd, arriving early afternoon.  The company had a lovely reception set up for everyone by the pool.  Lots of food, drink and entertainment.  Since Dave's company has been associated with Asysco for about 3 years and we have been going to dinners and functions with different members of the company on and off during this time, I have come to know quite a few of the U.S. and European company members and their wives.  It's always so nice at these events to see the spouses when they attend with their husbands.

 The weather during our 3 1/2 days in Destin was lovely, and the sunsets over the ocean lovely every evening.  We didn't get much time in our room to enjoy them, as the company keep us pretty busy with activities. But I did manage to get a shot of the sunset on the first day, between our welcome reception and dinner.  While Dave was in his meetings all day on Thursday, I did some souvenir shopping, sat on the balcony reading, enjoyed a long nap, and of course as usual worked, (I am never far from my blackberry, cell phone and laptop - always the property manager).  I did manage to join Dave and the group for lunch down by the pool - it was a wonderful lunch.  This group sure did know how to feed their attendees, and we had lots of good conversations and laughs as we all sat around talking.

After the meetings were over, the group had 1 hour to change, then meet downstairs to shuttle over to the pier for a dinner cruise around the harbor.  There were about 40 people who took the company up on the offer.  Once again good food.  The wind had kicked up and it was rather nippy up on deck.  But down below everyone was having a good time mingling around.

 As you can see by the flag - the wind is blowing pretty strong.

After dinner, quite a few got up to dance to the live music and work off some of the good food and drink.

The company gave Dave a thank you gift - a lovely jacket, engraved with Lions User Group President on the front.  It was a very nice London Fog jacket and he loves it.

 We returned to the pier around 10:00, and a group of 20 of us walked over to a club called the Funky Blues Shack.  They wanted to still keep the spirit of the night going and listen to a live blues band.  The place was an eclectic deco of just about everything imaginable.  Sort of reminded me of something I would have seen during my college days.

The band played wasn't too bad.  Dave enjoyed a couple a their songs.  The group hung around until 11:30 and then we all piled back into the van for a trip back to the hotel.  Some called it a night, (they had early flights home), some went to the bar for a night cap, Dave and I went to our room.  Dave did a little work on his computer - then lights out, we were going on a road trip tomorrow.

 Friday morning Dave and I got up, grabbed a quick breakfast then we hit the road for Mobile Alabama.  We wanted to see the Annual Flower Show and get some ideas for our new landscaping.  Around noon, we stop at a little funky roadside place called Derailed Diner.  It had all kinds of travel related stuff hanging all over the place.  It was the coolest place to see.  And the food was wonderful, real down home style cooking.  And the prices were very reasonable.  Highly recommend the place if you are ever in Southern Alabama traveling to Atlanta.

 It's fun to look around and see the different items from different eras tacked on the walls, sitting on the tables, inside the display tables, even the bar stools were travel related.

When we got to the flower show, Dave found some lovely Southern Belles to have his picture taken with.  Of course these lovely ladies were young enough to be our grand-daughters.  We loved looking at the different types of roses, and definitely want to plant some "Voodoo" variety type of roses, (they are a beautiful orange rose) along with the traditional American Beauty in our yard. 

Dave of course found a place to sit a dream about how he would like our yard to end up looking when all the planting is done.

Of course this is my idea of flower plantings for a yard.

On Saturday morning before we left for the airport, we shopped to get a thank you gift for Balsa's puppy sitter.  Dave found a chair that he wanted to take home for the deck.  But, I don't think they would let us take it on the plane, so I had to tell him "sorry not this time"....

All in all, we had a good time, and it was so nice to get away from the nasty snow and cold weather, even if it was just for a few days.

MARCH MADNESS

Step aside all you college basketball players - you might as well sell your basketballs, there's a new kid in town.  And boy can he play basketball!!

Valentine's Dinner 2011

 This year for Valentine's Day, Dave and I went to LaCaille for dinner, (or as some refer to "the rich man's version of Hooters").  Since Valentine's Day was on Monday and everything is usually so booked and the best places are always so busy, we decided that this year we would go out on Friday evening.  That way we could have an enjoyable Valentine's Day dinner, get a good table, and good service without being rushed and be able to enjoy the evening.  Also, with the estate recently being sold Dave wanted to go one last time before the new owners made all the changes. Even though the restaurant will remain, there will soon be a B&B where the main house now stands.

   

I had never been to LaCaille, and I had heard stories about the food only being so-so, and it was all about the atmosphere and the buxom waitresses.  I will tell you that is NOT SO.  The food was excellent, and the portion was extremely large.  But it was also very expensive.  The restaurant has received 5 stars from AAA for the last 15 years and they proudly display all their dining awards in the front entry.  It is truly a 5 star dining treat for all who visit.  The decor is very lovely and I am so grateful that I let Dave talk me into going.  It was a very rare treat indeed.



Dave choosing his waitress

  


Dave wants to know if this is OK to buy?

This dining room in the summer opens up on to the courtyard where the geese and deer wonder freely and the dining guest experience the wildlife as if they are sitting in a French courtyard. 

I enjoyed baked onion soup, lightly pounded chicken breast sauteed with Chateau La Caille, garlic, caperberry & sun-dried tomatoes, mashed potatoes, and vegetables.  Dave feasted on crab cakes followed by a rack of New Zealand lamb with a Grand Marnier glaze & mint jelly , (Hey Could a Million coyotes be wrong?), mashed potatoes, and vegetables. 

For desert we shared a Bananas Foster, (yummy), then they brought us each a chocolate tuxedo strawberry.  We were so stuffed.  

Oh - did I forget to mention the wonderful baked bread, it was SO GOOD and warm out of the oven.

YES it was a wonderful Valentine's day.  Thanks Dave, you always make EACH and EVERYDAY a wonderful Valentine's Day for me.