It started with a kiss cruise……. ended with Woodstock relived!

The holiday/travel is over. Part of it was a leisurely holiday but some of the travel was gruelling as we tried to see as much as possible in the time available while enduring Europe’s heat wave.

Yes, it did start with a cruise and I was apprehensive at first when Ruthie told me we were spending 68 nights on a cruise! It was fantastic! The places we saw, the people we met including the fantastic crew and the memories we made.

If you asked me to describe our month in Italy, I would say it has natural beauty and the most volcanoes in Europe. Rich fertile land good for agriculture which produces amazing tasty produce. Ancient, ancient history, the Roman Empire, superhero’s of the Empire, ancient ruins, invented plumbing (aqueducts), good with bricks and mortar, created beautiful cities, cobblestone roads still in use today, fantastic art, the Renaissance, Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Gallileo, Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus. Fast cars (Ferraris, Lamborghinis). Soccer mad, cycling mad, Pinocchio, shopping, fashion brands. The Pope, Churches, Basilica’s and piazzas. Truffles, coffee, food and wine. Big cities full of graffiti.

The only advice is not to do Italy as we did in the height of summer and the tourist season. What I really enjoyed most was the different regional cultures and their unique foods and wines from each area.

Ruthie’s summary.

Our cruise seemed so long ago now! We saw more stage shows than most people see in their lifetime. Many new friendships were formed over some wonderful speciality dining experiences and dress up theme nights. Also, great fun was had at Vintages wine bar and The Pub just like at home. Not to mention some exotic destinations we never dreamed we would see.

We’ve had amazing experiences in Italy too. Sitting in impossibly cramped Ristorante’s or even on a step in the shade with a take away pizza slice and an Aperol Spritz, watching the elegantly dressed Italians not even aware of how elegant they look. We’ve explored crazy cobblestoned streets with Trattorias next to centuries old buildings. If only the beautiful battered wooden doors that have been the entrance to homes for generations of Italians could talk. The churches, museums and Basilicas take your breath away. The olive trees, Sunflowers and lemon trees are spectacular. The coffee bars are great but we learnt it’s a sin to order a Cappuccino after 11am. We grew to love the evening walk where the Italians take a leisurely stroll arm in arm called “the Passeggiata”. Makes such sense as it’s so hot during the day. More friendships were formed on our bus tour. Oh and there’s always room for Gelato. Italy is always a good idea!

Italy you are Bellissimo.

We really are in need a holiday from this holiday!

For the statistically minded:

42 trains

2 Mono rail

10 Cogwheel trains

6 Tender boats

47 Buses

Tour Bus – used for 10 out of 12 touring days.

15 cars/taxi’s/ubers

1 almost roadworthy taxi

2 almost seaworthy ferry’s

7 Deluxe ferry’s

1 Sailing boat (pirate)

5 Speed boats

3 planes

22 beds

1 Ship

2 Tuk Tuk’s

3 Safari jeeps

2 open air trolley/trains

5 Funiculars

2 Cable Cars

1 Venetian Gondola

1 water taxi

25 Passport exit and entry stamps

Countries visited: (25)

Singapore

Malaysia

Sri Lanka

India

UAE

Seychelles

Mauritius

Réunion (French Territory)

South Africa

Namibia

Angola

Ghana

Sénégal

Canary Islands (Spain Territory)

Gibraltar (British Territory)

Greece

Italy

Slovenia

Croatia

Montenegro

Malta

Switzerland

San Marino

Vatican City

Qatar

This brings our total countries visited together to 64

Theme nights:

70’s

80’s

Rocky Horror

Island/tropical/Caribbean

Rock n roll

African safari party

White night

Latin night

Ozzie night at the pub

Stop or go (wear red or green)

Silent disco

National costumes of the countries we visited.

Toga Party

Mundi Mundi

Just 6 days at home after 14 weeks overseas, somehow we had previously committed to going to a music festival. The Mundi Mundi Bash is held out the back of Broken Hill and is considered outback territory.

There was no running water or power and compostable toilets. Most had caravans or camper vans but we roughed it in our swag and tent. It didn’t seem such a good idea when on the 2nd morning there was 2 hours of rain. I sloshed through the red dirt in my thongs that soon turned in to red crocs.

One morning we took a bus to the nearest town, Silverton where large portions of the Mad Max movies were filmed. Quite an interesting town with special characters.

Back to the music, this was our Woodstock. It just so happened that Woodstock happened on these same dates but 55 years apart. We didn’t swim naked in the river and Ruthie didn’t take her bra off but …..it was absolutely fabulous! The organisation, the music, the friends, the people, the scenery. As the kids say “Epic”.

Leaving the festival, we called into the mining town of Broken Hill. Ruthie’s grandfather was a police sergeant here in the early 1900’s and has a plaque dedicated to him. It’s also the home of Pro Hart and The Palace Hotel which was used in the Pricilla Queen of the Desert movie.

Now we’re home and suddenly i’m in the fetal position, not answering the door or taking calls. We will recover and wouldn’t swap our travel adventures for anything!