Messina, Sicily

All Stacey wanted to do was have a traditional Sicilian meal when we got off the boat in Sicily.  After a quick cappacino and watching the clock tower at noon.  At noon the lion roar’s three times, the cock roars three times, and the dove circles three times.  There is not much to do in this small port city so that was one of the highlights.  Then we walked to the restaurant I had found recommended on the internet called Al Padrino or The Godfather.  

We were loadly welcomed by a traditional Sicilian man and took a seat inside the small restaurant.  There was no menus or prices and we just wanted to experience it all.  He takes our drink order and then brings out a bottle of wine and water.  We didn’t necessarily want a full bottle of wine, but the word "no" kindly said doesn’t mean a thing.  Our first course was a seafood salad for me and a plate of olives, salami, cheese, and a potato and cheese puff for Stacey.  Stacey was already full, but we pressed on.  Next came the macaroni, but it was ten times the size up regular pasta and had a cheese flavor kind of like gnochi.  It came with tomato sauce and I liked it.  Stacey couldn’t finished all her food and got a disappointed look from the waiter.  Then came the main course with meat with cheese inside for Stacey and I had four types of fish balls in tomato sauce.  The food was different than Stacey was thinking, but the experience was great.  For dessert you receive a cup of sliced peaches and a cannoli, but don’t forget about the shot of a dessert wine.  I tried it, but it wasn’t very good.  Did you know that cannoli was invented in Sicily?  That was my favorite part of the meal.  Good bye Godfather.  Good bye Sicily.

Murano, Italy

I had been thinking about this day for a long time now and was very excited to see Murano glass made.  Stacey and I took the vaporetto past San Michelle Island (where the cemetery is) to Murano.  There are numerous glass shops and we seem to either look in them or went inside most of them.  In one of them a man was actually making ladybugs.  He was quick and fast and seemed easy to make for him, but probably not for me.  We then went to see the Museum and learned how blown glass was made and how the art was almost lost forever.  

Now we were hungry so after a few more stops at shops we had a nice lunch outside by the water.  It is amazing how tiring you get just walking around.  After lunch we paroozed a few more shops.  We were looking for glass cufflinks and never seem to find the right ones.  
Then we stumbled upon a shop where some men were making a piece of blown glass and watched them transform it into of all things a pig.  That was truly a highlight.  We went in the store and finally found some cufflinks to buy.  We also bought some Italian wrist bands that change color in the sun for the boys.  Thank you Stacey for a wonderful day. 

Venice, Italy

Venice is certainly a unique city with all its history and alternative methods of travel.  Today Stacey and I took the vaporetto or water taxi around Venice and down the Grand Canal.  Quite easy once you do it a few times.  We were told the best way to see Venice is to get lost and we made a good crack at that going up and over lots of bridges and down streets that did not go anywhere.  We found a few shops that sold Murano glass.  We bought a pig (guess who wanted that one?), Christmas tree with ornaments, and a santa driving a gondola.  I am sure we will remember this day every Christmas now.  After we made our purchases Stacey had her coffee gellato and then we saw the Rialto Bridge.  Next was St. Mark’s Square and Doge’s Palace.  Seen it once and it was good enough for us so we found an outdoor restaurant and had a pizza and raviloi with white wine.  After we were filled to the gills we took the vaporetto back to the boat.  When I got back to the boat I was pleasantly surprised to receive gifts from Cameron and Mason.  They think I am #1 and that is all the matters to me.  I can’t wait to go to Murano tomorrow and hope to see the blown glass being made.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a beautiful city and looks amazing.  Quite remarkable since it has been only around 20 years since their civil war.  When rebuilding the city all the new roofs were made the color orange (the country's color) and by the pictures you can see the devestation the war must have had.

Stacey and I took a gondola ride up to the top of Srdj Hill and what a site this was.  I could have spent the entire day there.  The beautiful water, roof tops, and the Old Town which is where the city is enclosed in a wall.  After taking in the views we went into the old city and Stacey had a beer.  We walked around and also learned that Croatia was where neckties were made so I tried to look for one to buy, but he one I wanted only came in a tall man’s size so I came up empty on that one.  We exited Old Town at Pile Gate, which is the main entrance.  This was our best stop yet.  What will Venice be like tomorrow?

Juggling Act

One night I took the boys to see a juggling act.  The act featured a previous Dutch national juggling champion.  He could juggle anything and even most objects up to seven at a time.  I love seeing this dedication and amazed at what he could do.  After the show the boys and I put on a show for Stacey.  We juggled candy and then made it disappear.  Of course we had to do it in our underwear.  Special Memories.