Importing blog
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/template/default'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/template/default'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_PUBLISHING_MODE</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The type of publishing done for this blog.</title><content type='text'>PUBLISH_MODE_HOSTED</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_PUBLISHING_MODE'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_PUBLISHING_MODE'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_ADMIN_PERMISSION</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The list of administrators' emails for the blog.</title><content type='text'>alicedjones@gmail.com</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ADMIN_PERMISSION'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ADMIN_PERMISSION'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_ADULT_CONTENT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether this blog contains adult content</title><content type='text'>false</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ADULT_CONTENT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ADULT_CONTENT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_ANALYTICS_ACCOUNT_NUMBER</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Blog's Google Analytics account number</title><content type='text'>UA-30490036-1</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ANALYTICS_ACCOUNT_NUMBER'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ANALYTICS_ACCOUNT_NUMBER'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_ARCHIVE_DATE_FORMAT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The number of the archive index date format</title><content type='text'>9</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ARCHIVE_DATE_FORMAT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ARCHIVE_DATE_FORMAT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_ARCHIVE_FREQUENCY</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>How frequently this blog should be archived</title><content type='text'>MONTHLY</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ARCHIVE_FREQUENCY'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_ARCHIVE_FREQUENCY'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_AUTHOR_PERMISSION</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The list of authors' emails who have permission to publish.</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_AUTHOR_PERMISSION'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_AUTHOR_PERMISSION'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_BY_POST_ARCHIVING</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether to provide an archive page for each post</title><content type='text'>true</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_BY_POST_ARCHIVING'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_BY_POST_ARCHIVING'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_ACCESS</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Who can comment</title><content type='text'>ANYONE_NEW</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_ACCESS'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_ACCESS'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_CAPTCHA</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether to require commenters to complete a Captcha</title><content type='text'>false</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_CAPTCHA'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_CAPTCHA'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_EMAIL</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>List of email addresses to which notifications of new comments are sent</title><content type='text'>alicedjones@gmail.com</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_EMAIL'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_EMAIL'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_FEED</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The type of feed to provide for blog comments</title><content type='text'>FULL</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_FEED'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_FEED'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_FORM_LOCATION</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Blog comment form location</title><content type='text'>EMBEDDED_IFRAME</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_FORM_LOCATION'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_FORM_LOCATION'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_MESSAGE</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Blog comment message</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_MESSAGE'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_MESSAGE'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether to enable comment moderation</title><content type='text'>ON_OLD_POSTS</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION_DELAY</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Number of days after which new comments are subject to moderation</title><content type='text'>14</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION_DELAY'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION_DELAY'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION_EMAIL</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Email address for receiving notifications of new comments that require moderation</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION_EMAIL'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_MODERATION_EMAIL'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENT_PROFILE_IMAGES</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether to show profile images in comments</title><content type='text'>true</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_PROFILE_IMAGES'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENT_PROFILE_IMAGES'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENTS_ALLOWED</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether to show comments</title><content type='text'>false</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENTS_ALLOWED'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENTS_ALLOWED'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_COMMENTS_TIME_STAMP_FORMAT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Comment time stamp format number</title><content type='text'>19</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENTS_TIME_STAMP_FORMAT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_COMMENTS_TIME_STAMP_FORMAT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_CUSTOM_ADS_TXT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The custom ads.txt content of the blog served to ads search engines.</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_ADS_TXT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_ADS_TXT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_CUSTOM_ADS_TXT_ENABLED</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether this blog serves custom ads.txt content to ads search engines.</title><content type='text'>false</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_ADS_TXT_ENABLED'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_ADS_TXT_ENABLED'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_CUSTOM_PAGE_NOT_FOUND</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The content served when the requested post or page is not found.</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_PAGE_NOT_FOUND'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_PAGE_NOT_FOUND'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_CUSTOM_ROBOTS_TXT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The custom robots.txt content of the blog served to search engines.</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_ROBOTS_TXT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_ROBOTS_TXT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_CUSTOM_ROBOTS_TXT_ENABLED</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether this blog serves custom robots.txt content to search engines.</title><content type='text'>false</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_ROBOTS_TXT_ENABLED'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_CUSTOM_ROBOTS_TXT_ENABLED'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_DATE_FORMAT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The number of the date header format</title><content type='text'>12</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_DATE_FORMAT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_DATE_FORMAT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_DEFAULT_COMMENTS_MODE</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Default comment mode for posts</title><content type='text'>DEFAULT_HAVE_COMMENTS</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_DEFAULT_COMMENTS_MODE'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_DEFAULT_COMMENTS_MODE'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_DESCRIPTION</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>A description of the blog</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_DESCRIPTION'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_DESCRIPTION'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_EMAIL_POST_LINKS</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether to show a link for users to email posts</title><content type='text'>true</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_EMAIL_POST_LINKS'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_EMAIL_POST_LINKS'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_FEED_REDIRECT_URL</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>URL to redirect post feed requests to</title><content type='text'>http://feeds.feedburner.com/Travelswithalice</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_FEED_REDIRECT_URL'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_FEED_REDIRECT_URL'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_FLOAT_ALIGNMENT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether float alignment is enabled for the blog</title><content type='text'>true</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_FLOAT_ALIGNMENT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_FLOAT_ALIGNMENT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_LOCALE</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Language for this blog</title><content type='text'>en_GB</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_LOCALE'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_LOCALE'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_MAX_NUM</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Maximum number of things to show on the main page"</title><content type='text'>13</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_MAX_NUM'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_MAX_NUM'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_MAX_UNIT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Unit of things to show on the main page</title><content type='text'>POSTS</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_MAX_UNIT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_MAX_UNIT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_META_DESCRIPTION</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The meta description of the blog served to search engines.</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_META_DESCRIPTION'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_META_DESCRIPTION'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_META_DESCRIPTION_ENABLED</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether this blog is served with meta descriptions.</title><content type='text'>true</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_META_DESCRIPTION_ENABLED'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_META_DESCRIPTION_ENABLED'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_NAME</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The name of the blog</title><content type='text'>travelswithalice</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_NAME'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_NAME'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_PER_POST_FEED</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The type of feed to provide for per-post comments</title><content type='text'>FULL</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_PER_POST_FEED'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_PER_POST_FEED'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_POST_FEED</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The type of feed to provide for blog posts</title><content type='text'>FULL</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_POST_FEED'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_POST_FEED'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_POST_FEED_FOOTER</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Footer to append to the end of each entry in the post feed</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_POST_FEED_FOOTER'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_POST_FEED_FOOTER'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_POST_TEMPLATE</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The template for blog posts</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_POST_TEMPLATE'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_POST_TEMPLATE'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_QUICK_EDITING</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether Quick Editing is enabled</title><content type='text'>true</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_QUICK_EDITING'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_QUICK_EDITING'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_READ_ACCESS_MODE</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The access type for the readers of the blog.</title><content type='text'>PUBLIC</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_READ_ACCESS_MODE'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_READ_ACCESS_MODE'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_READER_PERMISSION</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The list of emails for users who have permission to read the blog.</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_READER_PERMISSION'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_READER_PERMISSION'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_SEARCHABLE</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether this blog should be indexed by search engines</title><content type='text'>true</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_SEARCHABLE'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_SEARCHABLE'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_SEND_EMAIL</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Comma-separated list of emails to send new blog posts to</title><content type='text'></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_SEND_EMAIL'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_SEND_EMAIL'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_SHOW_URL</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether to show a related link box in the post composer</title><content type='text'>true</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_SHOW_URL'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_SHOW_URL'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_TIME_STAMP_FORMAT</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The number of the time stamp format</title><content type='text'>15</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_TIME_STAMP_FORMAT'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_TIME_STAMP_FORMAT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_TIME_ZONE</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>The time zone for this blog</title><content type='text'>Asia/Manila</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_TIME_ZONE'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_TIME_ZONE'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.settings.BLOG_USE_LIGHTBOX</id><published>2006-09-19T21:45:24.909+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-21T21:15:37.399+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#settings'/><title type='text'>Whether to show images in the Lightbox when clicked</title><content type='text'>false</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_USE_LIGHTBOX'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/settings/BLOG_USE_LIGHTBOX'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4259459495151214462</id><published>2023-12-05T12:47:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2024-04-16T08:13:01.678+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Wedding Anniversary </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday, December 3, 2023.</font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back again in Hong Kong, third time in a month. This time for our 41st wedding anniversary.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_afac_e839_3800_3f43" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1mNukehfDls2EdTFHQmuwRa5zB2FzG37h" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width:700; height:'auto'; "><br><br><br></div><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A good portion of the city’s hotel real estate has been carved out for December</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;wedding parties.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">There are no suites available at Grand Hyatt.&nbsp;</span><br><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re across the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui at H</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">yatt Regency.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There are no suites or harbour views here either.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So we’ve come knocking at Winnie’s door for a room at the inn, where there are no rooms to be had, suite or no suite, not even a 17.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But Winnie, bless her generous heart, managed to get us in anyway.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">we’re happily back</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;home at Grand Hyatt, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">billeted in a room where most of the floor space is taken up by 5 pieces of luggage.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Days of wine and roses.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And glorious food.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">…</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">then on to Sydney on Cx139…</span></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><a href="https://kareeladiary.blogspot.com/2023/12/in-kareela.html?m=1" id="id_71a2_184b_62cd_53e9">https://kareeladiary.blogspot.com/2023/12/in-kareela.html?m=1</a></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4259459495151214462'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4259459495151214462'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/12/wedding-anniversary.html' title='Wedding Anniversary '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1mNukehfDls2EdTFHQmuwRa5zB2FzG37h=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2798109686445337055</id><published>2023-11-26T19:10:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-12-23T08:27:26.070+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Back in HK</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, November 19.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart wanted to go just because…</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><img id="id_e8c1_c9eb_798b_4153" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAnfWiVzq0-MxnbxQ9PJGvMAWXt_zaePAOzLY3I8pQ-kP30PvXwc7_TOPcU9CnmvOFKfjcdUQGNPR1SOrAuP1zE-o-pGw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Monday, November 20.&nbsp;</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At <b>Cuisine Cuisine</b> with Patrick and&nbsp;</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Felix.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_244c_4004_5554_3e0e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBYVoyGBePoSiPhGXqRuNRu2JLYegR2bJAOeciy1fTUX0YxVg3hXfMgZKDOJVmWIsWq9YlDTj0MTpD7JSVKJT6rveEM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2798109686445337055'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2798109686445337055'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/11/with-stuart.html' title='Back in HK'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAnfWiVzq0-MxnbxQ9PJGvMAWXt_zaePAOzLY3I8pQ-kP30PvXwc7_TOPcU9CnmvOFKfjcdUQGNPR1SOrAuP1zE-o-pGw=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6281433338021312447</id><published>2023-10-26T20:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-12-23T08:31:52.040+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Hi5 in Hong Kong</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>October 22 to 25.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re Hi5 and we’re in Hong Kong!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><img id="id_6f31_c839_9f14_139f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaA1YBXGEoS5BVtE-YRaf4Az4rcNXNSxzv3U3Ts7HUPx0zxJKVOUqOQ9aaCWtV4FZ_K9L2K2vqElK-L0dGxoriGFlyjg0Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Mornings in 2520 and 2521. ❤️</font></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xet7i2XGjUQ?si=mcS34xEs3t8KEKNV" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_c736_a44_bca7_68e6" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And so, good night! 😘</span></p></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UZRnnZB8O90?si=AdXRGZEC5AlOm0bQ" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_9270_6ce8_372c_105e" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6281433338021312447'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6281433338021312447'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/10/hi-5-in-hong-kong.html' title='Hi5 in Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaA1YBXGEoS5BVtE-YRaf4Az4rcNXNSxzv3U3Ts7HUPx0zxJKVOUqOQ9aaCWtV4FZ_K9L2K2vqElK-L0dGxoriGFlyjg0Q=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4900053569944363353</id><published>2023-09-10T12:57:00.003+08:00</published><updated>2024-05-19T13:51:33.940+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Birthday week in Monza</title><content type='html'> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Saturday, September 9.</font></u></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNq3lR31i8ZWih7d9OVocxIK8FgFV76jtyiiKEY2QWXqH-L6HuIXrgqx3iArfjFRRppAg16G41wdicfgFvB-raxn-4-nVa1-zfXOyBiMyvAsKO7pXHAc-ou8U1iHwTpgl7l9ecpnTNVnKij6_Fk9E5nonPtiN7emqwLMdu00yneULxu6pW9-9/s1572/IMG_2346.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1572" data-original-width="1178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNq3lR31i8ZWih7d9OVocxIK8FgFV76jtyiiKEY2QWXqH-L6HuIXrgqx3iArfjFRRppAg16G41wdicfgFvB-raxn-4-nVa1-zfXOyBiMyvAsKO7pXHAc-ou8U1iHwTpgl7l9ecpnTNVnKij6_Fk9E5nonPtiN7emqwLMdu00yneULxu6pW9-9/w480-h640/IMG_2346.jpeg" width="480" id="id_4bf5_5ff9_82d5_1b28" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a></div></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></u></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s been a very happy birthday week!❤️</span></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><u><br></u></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><u>Friday,</u></font></font><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">&nbsp;September</font></u><u style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;8.</u></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><u><br></u></font></font></div><div><div><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The day of the opera, any opera, is always an exciting day for me.</font></span></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4" style="font-family: Verdana;">We had dinner at&nbsp;</font><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Il Foyer</font></b><font size="4" style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;beside the theatre.</font></div><div><font size="4" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVFKkC5ui7VYNPRxx2hooFvAxt2x8ciPDP_u065FnCqpEiTzEi3AuWlI7AhHWDxmvsm5fj6EXegoFOEQJFJgg_mk208tewNbaIhmNbApdlHuIQO6843SK2-jqsMMHheySONmuA9TZaztOz_EEzRy0qPIebXu6LU7Z1t0RugVdXP8nbgii89bI/s4032/IMG_2274.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKVFKkC5ui7VYNPRxx2hooFvAxt2x8ciPDP_u065FnCqpEiTzEi3AuWlI7AhHWDxmvsm5fj6EXegoFOEQJFJgg_mk208tewNbaIhmNbApdlHuIQO6843SK2-jqsMMHheySONmuA9TZaztOz_EEzRy0qPIebXu6LU7Z1t0RugVdXP8nbgii89bI/w640-h480/IMG_2274.HEIC" width="640" id="id_4d2c_718e_607d_9e9c" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I couldn’t believe how dressed up the people there were. A number of ladies wore ball gowns. I’d never seen that before. At least not for an ordinary evening at the opera, even in Milan where they do dress up but not in ball gowns.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Inside the theatre, the foyer was totally jammed. We could hardly squeeze through the crowds as we made our way to the entry doors. We headed straight to our seats.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxG20GBlfQoVYRsmhzZ5514k3cke1y217l4Hyj_CYhHDj5d5IVwBwDc5JfC1I-7egs5cO9pEhpqRTb2xXx0zStx0SEQxMT4wfPZGK-OyoJHM7zvxX00M202gYQ1zfITQXoYLBnrCVrwXFHJd_lsUnqX1maNYKY37FwgWlTnYyTYO9CE2sbjAu/s4032/IMG_2281.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYxG20GBlfQoVYRsmhzZ5514k3cke1y217l4Hyj_CYhHDj5d5IVwBwDc5JfC1I-7egs5cO9pEhpqRTb2xXx0zStx0SEQxMT4wfPZGK-OyoJHM7zvxX00M202gYQ1zfITQXoYLBnrCVrwXFHJd_lsUnqX1maNYKY37FwgWlTnYyTYO9CE2sbjAu/w640-h480/IMG_2281.HEIC" width="640" id="id_97d5_44fb_dd5c_6d00" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It must’ve been because there wasn’t a chance to walk around the foyer, take in the ambience, smile at people we didn’t know, or take a selfie or two, that the evening lacked the special celebratory atmosphere I’ve always looked forward to on opera nights.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he air inside the theatre was stuffy. I was restless. I kept crossing and uncrossing my legs, shifting them from side to side. My feet were hot and achy. And to top it all off, the opera was boring.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There was no chance of champagne at intermission. T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he queue in the bar was too long. We went out to get some air. We walked to the park across the street and sat on a cool park bench. I looked at my feet. They were swollen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOYKvHm_LXWPH7Qq6xUK3Mio-1kHuHjwskkFsyGFItQIW4a4F3GLMWm5hGCZy4bsoeGimBCKw0XbOOwoqzedfRDYR3SSLZAN9A5YKpFETQO71VUdO5q0MSt5_nDNKFX2Zq3rr-OxPBm-TwmXoVEQcNhYiK6pLT2SaBqZYrDHLDh_BH61FLNEt/s4032/IMG_2287.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOYKvHm_LXWPH7Qq6xUK3Mio-1kHuHjwskkFsyGFItQIW4a4F3GLMWm5hGCZy4bsoeGimBCKw0XbOOwoqzedfRDYR3SSLZAN9A5YKpFETQO71VUdO5q0MSt5_nDNKFX2Zq3rr-OxPBm-TwmXoVEQcNhYiK6pLT2SaBqZYrDHLDh_BH61FLNEt/w480-h640/IMG_2287.HEIC" width="480" id="id_74b7_7bdf_c7c3_decf" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We decided to leave.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We went back to the hotel where we kicked off our shoes (at least I did) and stayed in the Derby Bar until midnight.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7UMs-EP6CwkgCsvkdsgEjLT496OYIAKi8WA4sbwBS2cn1e16jNPwM_YLLG54zncWUXrw8UXvJm0xsltq2F6P_o12CboZkLAV8CYWAKuU8SnlH63klZWS1cp0Rtp23nB3b5AjGvHWfHKtZ1bjUtuYkVBcakbHzgexdMuVL-UEc5mtnDVJT5Sq/s4032/IMG_2300.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW7UMs-EP6CwkgCsvkdsgEjLT496OYIAKi8WA4sbwBS2cn1e16jNPwM_YLLG54zncWUXrw8UXvJm0xsltq2F6P_o12CboZkLAV8CYWAKuU8SnlH63klZWS1cp0Rtp23nB3b5AjGvHWfHKtZ1bjUtuYkVBcakbHzgexdMuVL-UEc5mtnDVJT5Sq/w480-h640/IMG_2300.HEIC" width="480" id="id_88fd_f13b_2d2e_3256" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ0UasF-26-7tXy0Ce3jGi2aT45yraH8usS_C8hKsuHTxGgjGbVmPUYdXe76fCNOKjuFApWlaeX1GMYm_wnCjwHP_tvdEF8Jr1yki98pHZiAVKj_l3FAb743I5am5k1ZUdTRgOW5VpNjTtyMdj9ixm_pMjDCtCBFYIkSc2oFLlpjXtGx0V-Vg/s4032/IMG_5740.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHJ0UasF-26-7tXy0Ce3jGi2aT45yraH8usS_C8hKsuHTxGgjGbVmPUYdXe76fCNOKjuFApWlaeX1GMYm_wnCjwHP_tvdEF8Jr1yki98pHZiAVKj_l3FAb743I5am5k1ZUdTRgOW5VpNjTtyMdj9ixm_pMjDCtCBFYIkSc2oFLlpjXtGx0V-Vg/w480-h640/IMG_5740.HEIC" width="480" id="id_5a59_58fa_2e77_fc63" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><u>Thursday, September 7.</u></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We were in Italy for my birthday and as soon as they were available online, we got&nbsp;tickets to&nbsp;<b>La Scala</b>&nbsp;for&nbsp;<b>The Barber of&nbsp;</b><b>Sevill</b><b>e</b>. &nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">But we didn’t care to stay in Milan just for the opera. The recently reopened&nbsp;<b>Park</b><b>&nbsp;Hyatt Milano&nbsp;</b>had just undergone a two-year €20 million renovation and now lists a standard room at €2,000 a night.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Instead, we stayed in&nbsp;Monza,&nbsp;less than an hour’s drive from Milan.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Monza,&nbsp;</b>a city with a rich history going back to the 5th century Kingdom of Lombardy, is these days best known as the home of the<b>&nbsp;</b><b>Formula One&nbsp;</b><b>Italian</b><b>&nbsp;Grand Prix&nbsp;</b>and the&nbsp;rabid&nbsp;<i>tifosi, </i>the<i> </i>passionate&nbsp;fans of&nbsp;<b>Scuderia Ferrari.</b></font></div><div><b><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></b></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the week after the Grand Prix however, Monza had settled back to being a lovely, serene, and very chic&nbsp;</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">city.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_3919_faef_25bc_dc3e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTJLqaDVD8cv7r9NEJ6gKKdhQ4ToEvliPaCbLVLV5pMZYhL_BZMJ_4lN3IstxwFXA6C3yExkpVd9rLXKCTH-ya-wZE_wQ" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;</font><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Basilica of San Giovanni Battista,&nbsp;</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Monza’s Italian Gothic Duomo,&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">has a striking&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">striped facade of green</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;and&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">white marble. It was e</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">rected in the 13th </font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">century</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">on the remains of a 6th century</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">chapel built by </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Theodelinda</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, Italy’s Lombard Queen.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_5770_312a_d04d_1ef8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTqHxOmPGb8m9kA-PzW8TAwTUbaAPo7G763T-RBC44tp75VXbG3qgKw1t-grDqkNnvxuwfbCoPTzkPGnqvpiD3FOyFl" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re staying at the exquisite&nbsp;</span><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Hotel de la Ville</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">, across the street from the <b>Palazzo Reale</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;and the vast&nbsp;</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: #fbf7f5; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Reggia Savoia Park</b></font><b><font face="Verdana" size="4">.</font><font face="Open Sans, sans-serif" style="font-size: 14px;">&nbsp;</font></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;neoclassical&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">palace built by the Habsburgs in the 18th century was subsequently used as the summer residence of the Savoy King <b>Umberto I</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The hotel used to be the palace stables. It’s chock full of artwork and knick-knacks presumably inherited from the palace.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_323e_a9a6_b4e_fcc0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYThEbVm6gFmZvFM2H2ob1TBFY2txcDn9f7tz-e7Dh_F_BBu5nl3K3GNW0wnUrhOvIHlWFtaEVKYVBX4XXRVkaul_AmYpQ" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The guest room is lavishly furnished in a clubby English style with all the trappings and comforts of a lifestyle one would gladly get accustomed to.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_6f6b_e4fb_4f7b_6031" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYSdKWdx0mbmSREpzrZs5HF-ZyPka0mE0_BzmF21XKNmSVXfqgE6fJ_oRmas6nwlz8oBQwPFWQPdmZ4lKs3M29JurrXfuA" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Derby Grill</b>, the hotel’s Michelin awarded in-house restaurant is a gem, and&nbsp;<b>Chef Fabio Silva</b>&nbsp;is an artist.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img alt="" id="id_cf4a_1a19_2f8a_3302" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AEYmBYTXG-MirmLoQffX-2ic2SAeLPRTTELmoVAE9fzATZTzHGNJqa81TiScxOUdqvxMVedmXB7i5O9wQQt9HcpLLQ2L61S_" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">…September in Manila…</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><a href="https://madjdiary.blogspot.com/2023/12/back-in-manila-in-september.html?m=1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">https://madjdiary.blogspot.com/2023/12/back-in-manila-in-september.html?m=1</font></a></div><div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4900053569944363353'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4900053569944363353'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/birthday-week-in-monza.html' title='Birthday week in Monza'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPNq3lR31i8ZWih7d9OVocxIK8FgFV76jtyiiKEY2QWXqH-L6HuIXrgqx3iArfjFRRppAg16G41wdicfgFvB-raxn-4-nVa1-zfXOyBiMyvAsKO7pXHAc-ou8U1iHwTpgl7l9ecpnTNVnKij6_Fk9E5nonPtiN7emqwLMdu00yneULxu6pW9-9/s72-w480-c-h640/IMG_2346.jpeg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1635450183392026179</id><published>2023-09-09T23:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2024-04-12T15:58:11.079+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Barcelona </title><content type='html'> <div><br /></div><div><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, September 6.</font></u></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It was Flamenco night. Carolyn and Richard Adkins, a very charming couple we’d met on the cruise, were staying in Hotel Claris too.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Carolyn organised tickets to<b>&nbsp;</b>a flamenco show&nbsp;and made reservations for dinner before the show.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Food was very good at quirkily named&nbsp;<b>2254 Km</b>, a restaurant they had discovered the day before.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img alt="" id="id_1423_58ca_e503_419c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAXdGmSehPkk1D-t2vIy_4TGu01sWLs0c0fYoU1AGbG7DdzWb8rFlP5bhVv4Y59aFFSZVX2JS0bla8qWorPpvLE9LS9" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The flamenco at&nbsp;</font><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tablao Flamenco Cordobes</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;was foot-stompingly fun. We were glad we didn’t have front row seats so we could watch everyone else watching the show. Also, we were safely out of reach of the dancers’ flailing feet and&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">flying&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">skirts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It was</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;a great way to end the&nbsp;<b>World Navigator</b>&nbsp;chapter of our holiday: with new friends.</font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday afternoon,&nbsp;</u></font><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">September 5</font></u><u style="font-family: Verdana;">.</u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br /></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We had two days left before leaving for Milan.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><br /></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At&nbsp;<b>Hotel Claris</b>, we regained our land legs. The hotel is artfully appointed, has a good restaurant, and is a short ten-minute walk to&nbsp;<b>Casa Batlló</b>, our main reason for staying in the city.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><img alt="" id="id_65a7_2aec_bbef_4bd7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDu0lCAb3tCh1AtyrsKMbDTdXprFrESluTirakRXLudoUEb_EnjF2YupmudZnLHmKYQjSUYxa4wsuF7iz_kJjkiPmCu" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch in the hotel’s breezy sun-splashed&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">roof top restaurant reminded Stuart and me why</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">we keep coming back to Spain.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re always happy to be here. C</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">limate, food, wine, and friendly natives.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What’s not to like?</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the evening, we walked the three short blocks to Casa Batlló for a special tour of the house and a jazz concert on the rooftop.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><img alt="" id="id_6a46_49e2_baf7_fae6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB79ydTvpdkE54MRnS4suCGT3cE_7WDKcV9tWseOf_OIQKIitHUPJkF8YmsC1OXAxHpGngnIceETNTr4o2T9_ZuhfFS" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="281" id="y_id_4337_7781_c239_e1c8" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TWsRSMKWMDk?si=r39YF61iom6GKSjz" width="500"></iframe><br /></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tuesday,&nbsp;</font></u><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">September&nbsp;</font></u><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">5.</font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br /></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We said our farewells to new-found friends on the&nbsp;</span><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">World Navigator</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">To the lovely people who have made the past three weeks gloriously, unforgettably fabulous.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">To Nuno, Michael, April, Mark, and Janelle, who stopped at nothing to make Stuart and me happy campers on land and sea.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">To Chef Cassius, Sheena, Dave, Jeff, Antoni, and Daniel, who made every meal on board a uniquely enjoyable dining experience.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">To the ship’s star butler Joseph, who spoiled us, anticipating every want and indulging every whim.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">To&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Abdos and William</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;who pampered us&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in our home away from home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_4653_66cd_e407_a907" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaA46tbOYSJ0tKQw9VST9oPdrfvHEC3qFIbaqEfY3jiN9yuI5do77grjn3_2pfEuve5QQMn-_WwWwXMaHESRUfZ5fjkung" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br /></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Monday,&nbsp;</u></font><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">September&nbsp;</font></u><u style="font-family: Verdana;">4.&nbsp;</u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After a somewhat rocky sea last night, we</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;arrived in Barcelona before lunch.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We joined the late afternoon tour of <b>Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia</b>.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjcIg6epPi2i919l1oFxm1tZLpP2osSLgnySLZnu5L1h0t0ouZcYTQP3OwAwdLLu18gLBG3UjXnh629nDYBOpMXJ45Wd1IRviDqOwdOPt7E0oOaU4HPyPL3ptCsR2-waN0E7UGjE-8xVjEawN77zz5wrz4C9O9pdr1fcxYNE8IkGE0gIt3_Je/s4032/IMG_5459.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjcIg6epPi2i919l1oFxm1tZLpP2osSLgnySLZnu5L1h0t0ouZcYTQP3OwAwdLLu18gLBG3UjXnh629nDYBOpMXJ45Wd1IRviDqOwdOPt7E0oOaU4HPyPL3ptCsR2-waN0E7UGjE-8xVjEawN77zz5wrz4C9O9pdr1fcxYNE8IkGE0gIt3_Je/w480-h640/IMG_5459.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m sorry to say this guided tour hasn’t changed my mind about Barcelona’s main tourist draw.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I said it back in 2006 when first I saw it and there were but eight spires sprouted, and I say it again.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I cannot fathom how the genius that created the&nbsp;enchanting&nbsp;<b>Casa Batlló</b><b>,</b>&nbsp;marvel of art, architecture, and engineering,&nbsp;could also be responsible for something so incredibly unappealing.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Yes, I know: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But, honestly!&nbsp;</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/la-sagrada-familia-stuart-went-on_11.html?m=1" id="id_7c76_fbb8_ca03_c32"><font face="Verdana" size="4">La Sagrada Familia</font></a></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And still, they keep at it . . .</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Having come back to the ship too hot and too tired, we decided not to join the farewell party table that Karen had organised with Colin, Nancy, Howard, and a few others we’d met on the first leg of our cruise.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We went straight to the&nbsp;<b>Aft 7 Grill</b>&nbsp;for a leisurely dinner, ending</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the day- and the cruise- on just the right note: intimate and sweet. ❤️</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9jOmJ332iN4PyRveLJQPtOLqI7YUXfJVOAZdh5-D4vqj19htlD4vrv609odUb93STE6gBMEJ0OHUDquBEEpo3q1Z6CJrZrYbt-K4yLb29qBBvNFxLFG678v1JGj1pV49Np-Y3lNw7TY3FBzniMQXolwM7Od0K0oH5zgPeo3-0RonK6KW2ec3/s4032/IMG_5556.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo9jOmJ332iN4PyRveLJQPtOLqI7YUXfJVOAZdh5-D4vqj19htlD4vrv609odUb93STE6gBMEJ0OHUDquBEEpo3q1Z6CJrZrYbt-K4yLb29qBBvNFxLFG678v1JGj1pV49Np-Y3lNw7TY3FBzniMQXolwM7Od0K0oH5zgPeo3-0RonK6KW2ec3/w640-h480/IMG_5556.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br /></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1635450183392026179'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1635450183392026179'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/barcelona.html' title='Barcelona '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAXdGmSehPkk1D-t2vIy_4TGu01sWLs0c0fYoU1AGbG7DdzWb8rFlP5bhVv4Y59aFFSZVX2JS0bla8qWorPpvLE9LS9=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1302155578180750932</id><published>2023-09-07T06:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-28T21:14:11.307+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Mahón, Menorca</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Sunday, 3.&nbsp;</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It was the day before Barcelona.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I had no intention of overtaxing myself.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I had a shiatsu massage in the spa.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After which, taking Virginia Woolf’s words to heart, I contemplated the wisdom of <i>dolce far niente</i>.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_20e5_489a_6d3a_2e51" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAic7zXgIDaV72KQupP1DlpORAIHzf07cqlaJH0RAZVfHtM1jD9kA3e4vAqIfxVYMahDf-KITm8_DM374KKVvszCYfQPg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br><img id="id_bc8d_838c_777c_a849" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDVivYGnqSLVIeykTKpUPM6T154SzcwsCJ47DXH3VUZR7w1019KTFB9oZzNAWVyNDKO2acbQl2VBnsjG7LFpHToZRGR" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart had gone ashore to explore the town.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the evening though, he went for broke and ordered the most decadent dessert on the menu.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_4a9a_731d_a606_c18f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBEKAAUkFEL34sa-G5SmR2y2_xnpeEreDnd8OxqN2Kg368hjUqIU2_CJ-6caT2AgcxSWO4g4hqI5jaSnJ-aoQx35G1MRQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And we ended the day with wine and music at Michael’s last show.</span></div><div><img id="id_afd8_6c8a_9068_1348" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAPutj_ICvr1y6tMTeMg9Ak0knjzEGOF20aPITY6AQvknRaF0fha4Y7OhdS-Tkl1XtJbCB4lvw6pQkci-lo5NL56XzpSw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1302155578180750932'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1302155578180750932'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/mahon.html' title='Mahón, Menorca'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAic7zXgIDaV72KQupP1DlpORAIHzf07cqlaJH0RAZVfHtM1jD9kA3e4vAqIfxVYMahDf-KITm8_DM374KKVvszCYfQPg=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-322077423296498782</id><published>2023-09-06T22:20:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-15T18:10:29.836+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>At Sea</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Saturday, 2.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A day at sea.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Chef Massimo Capra </b>makes Beetroot Risotto.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_4a44_dcad_9fae_6d77" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDypZRkc31pHD0o1wMbYye-B2FsY-LkW0erh4b2GDcrtwHEO87rfBGNB7A-uMMbpMp-nPTQiqDSTmR9WCKw_icsWWO5bQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I meet Sinta and Kadek in the ship’s galley.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e9fc_ab7_2701_6c32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCatlBSHoAEEt4F0SS04RI21ckInEh5Bb3-JwIGhEzibvqcc3aX7HwXGdG27Vh4CPvP6uBaSjPLAc90Fpg4fJn3-ONS8A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After dinner, the crew puts on a show.</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Maître’d&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Mark onstage.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cs9RObgBHkY?si=lX_ahdKIiapWE6ph" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_8bde_3a21_c54c_7411" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sheena’s Song.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TY7g8mc0UG4?si=t3P5yeQA9Ifey25W" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_f99e_fcfb_b317_bec6" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Janelle &amp; Joseph’s finale.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZDtelSgHW_A?si=jTe2vgJoTEgncSf9" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_c699_24f9_7434_1190" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/322077423296498782'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/322077423296498782'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/at-sea.html' title='At Sea'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDypZRkc31pHD0o1wMbYye-B2FsY-LkW0erh4b2GDcrtwHEO87rfBGNB7A-uMMbpMp-nPTQiqDSTmR9WCKw_icsWWO5bQ=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5940345458076969879</id><published>2023-09-06T20:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-28T20:42:35.945+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Trapani</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Friday, September 1.&nbsp;</u></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I didn’t go ashore. Stuart took this wonderful&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">picture teeming with&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">local colour.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_bbc_8197_df60_2dc3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAASV5PQZjlbk-C5B_FP8ytj4tHa4hzGLE7Mdd9UzgtjxI82rEUFiJzlNR0AdyJGkf45hPY7S7MMVHVqztp-GJe96as" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart’s onshore excursion wiped him out for the rest of the day so we missed the Gershwin concert in the park.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5940345458076969879'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5940345458076969879'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/trapani.html' title='Trapani'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAASV5PQZjlbk-C5B_FP8ytj4tHa4hzGLE7Mdd9UzgtjxI82rEUFiJzlNR0AdyJGkf45hPY7S7MMVHVqztp-GJe96as=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7360959447790364739</id><published>2023-09-02T23:33:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-16T16:56:07.521+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Palermo </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 31.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the last day of August,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">cooler weather,&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">a beautiful opera house, a fabulous sunset,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">and a Super Blue Moon.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Palermo’s opera house,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Teatro Massimo.</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><img id="id_b790_3d92_b77b_8fc5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCHeEdTd2Wcn1Gg2AmSDPFpKDNBDZEmxM9T6dA6cuxhO-4iWroeU_cRIG7lpfz5v6H4g5yiGPbi4GN95m446svY6YUx" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font size="4" face="Verdana">After sunset.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_efa3_d3c2_cc34_56f7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDHMWbSrRwoRzMaf972sXQgx3iUmwUOfpXqXeOfAe-WFqROJtl1mRSmo4gxEJw3Q8AYYfoIv4v5TEg0HbsFyakz0LVZ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Under a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Super Blue Moon.</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3b37_4f6e_6eea_c98e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDMU6kqnku7a4UiJG2Vgourv2hmMTyhJWag2VY8Uh9HHDz-7uMrrpO6DkOCpuyFd_Y1JXVSnTQqLfnEr0XAjulziuCAHw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Hugs, good wishes, and a promise of great</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;times ahead in this</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;beautiful world we live in.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><img id="id_924f_1825_896b_ca8a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC56_Y4mpPr9DH-z4Cecnk_h--pSvhycMjngZFkdN2PbmmArxVzmZzX7lPZOX2S9J43OD2dFcWvljSKCJr6f649dMHf" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7360959447790364739'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7360959447790364739'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/palermo.html' title='Palermo '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCHeEdTd2Wcn1Gg2AmSDPFpKDNBDZEmxM9T6dA6cuxhO-4iWroeU_cRIG7lpfz5v6H4g5yiGPbi4GN95m446svY6YUx=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5553902376929597564</id><published>2023-09-01T18:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2024-04-17T13:22:01.131+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Lipari</title><content type='html'> <div><br /></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, 30.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The captain issued a warning of high wind as we sailed from Taormina, f</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">irst time on this cruise, </span><font face="Verdana" size="4">advising all to s</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ecure movable stuff.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">William folded up the deck chairs on our balcony.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><img alt="" id="id_ad4d_1945_f5f5_ec9b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCIlF8ZH3GF3qaicwgmxQrdOMNI1Q_h346phrmaBAQ1Wc-9ESLQzEoSayeG3avj38PlsCLWMeGjZ7lRrDnDJ_hCMQNI" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">night’s sailing proved to be a non-event though, and we arrived in Lipari to calm waters and bright sunshine.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We went for wine tasting at <b>Tenuta di Castellaro</b>.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Location was photogenic but the wine wasn’t anything to write home about.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><img alt="" id="id_654c_3273_d5e3_4c80" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDQ8SsyU6rdWtWVqCJZO0qKAv1S-DLMGklXbOEbQGI-mQUrlRZIao1MzFraulwYaDfIPRNz3YvIMnQ_kndNt-PS-_SdxQ" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Back on the ship at dinner time, the moon was gearing up for next day’s super moon show.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I asked Sheena to pose for me.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><img alt="" id="id_2453_730f_3712_efbc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaATnT0Ign1kf569os33O93dlg14n9DfuImF1h_BvTK5afulPWZYUNQpu7mIvw3rWSaobWRpsgWtpJwoIncIX7L_W1sf" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><br /></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5553902376929597564'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5553902376929597564'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/lipari.html' title='Lipari'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCIlF8ZH3GF3qaicwgmxQrdOMNI1Q_h346phrmaBAQ1Wc-9ESLQzEoSayeG3avj38PlsCLWMeGjZ7lRrDnDJ_hCMQNI=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6575768427750671143</id><published>2023-08-31T15:33:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-16T15:19:43.927+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Taormina </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, 29.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The sunrise woke me up. We’re in Taormina.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b76d_c6ad_adca_2066" src="blob:null/4817e316-4dec-4f05-8765-83737b21864c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_19c1_fc97_adeb_2311" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBKd06lRSryLD9k6Ujud3el-sIFIwwGVg1MFLS1OfKy5DbhBF8NYG0hdJCBKkdFQi54xdb57l2zl4HOT9E562B5p-jvag" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We changed rooms and changed to a caveman’s diet.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_838f_5e4b_9acd_dbfd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAEuxnPLW8R4ZBV1szpMW3ERsXCPZQz213EpXp-25zu71ubZLeHTEQ2gRJWrBwvnXCU9GwAXXuWdweY525-_tKyGXJi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I spent hours on the balcony comparing&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;our ship views with my blog views from last year.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_9104_eb3d_8d3c_dfb3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAPUuCmMGOIP0eCooOsbcZqPL8L9BFfJ8iLS7v9aqM2SOZqRwC4mFkAh65KAUxrBWeilQZNZ8s9HrUvXQzjyUGgZRUfBA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It rained briefly in the afternoon, quickly followed by a rainbow dipped right in front of our balcony.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The captain has warned us about tonight’s sailing. Rough seas. 7 to 9-foot swells. Take your sea sick pills, patches etc before going to bed. All pills available in the pharmacy.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Oh dear. I’ll just take my Virlix and maybe&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a double dose of Miss Marple. And&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">hope for the best.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><div><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6575768427750671143'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6575768427750671143'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/taormina_3.html' title='Taormina '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBKd06lRSryLD9k6Ujud3el-sIFIwwGVg1MFLS1OfKy5DbhBF8NYG0hdJCBKkdFQi54xdb57l2zl4HOT9E562B5p-jvag=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7929235465334804949</id><published>2023-08-28T16:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T13:47:31.773+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Siracusa part 2</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Monday, 28.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Arriving back in Siracusa at sunrise.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b6d9_21bc_81f_eb5d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB9OavcgKL-Ci8OKVpwod0sAdL9eGXabzgJtSY-qHJnrZwSzCiLIGKsYxX4POO8DRHryt8xeqRmpUsfRSXLNXO2x7pg1A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Beautiful Ortigia hotel, <b>Ortea Palace</b>, as seen from the water.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_95dc_4acb_fb23_3281" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDIWfTk7u6ASlOuid06h6JYJ6rAwOFjbEsMDbOD106QxAM1aPbGqapxRkyMAGQe2ico-jAryRedwsmh_1BNQxnCC6ousQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7929235465334804949'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7929235465334804949'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/siracusa-part-2.html' title='Siracusa part 2'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB9OavcgKL-Ci8OKVpwod0sAdL9eGXabzgJtSY-qHJnrZwSzCiLIGKsYxX4POO8DRHryt8xeqRmpUsfRSXLNXO2x7pg1A=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7157416082527878207</id><published>2023-08-27T21:56:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T13:54:02.269+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Malta</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Saturday, 26.&nbsp;</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Left Gozo 2pm, arrived Valletta 3pm.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I didn’t see anything of Gozo and not much of Valletta either. Totally slayed, and I don’t mean impressed, by the 33 degree heat.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Were the noonday cannons</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;signalling a war or an oncoming pirate attack, I wouldn’t have budged from my position sitting stock-still, hugging my water bottle on a bench in the shade of a tree in the <b>Upper Barrakka Gardens</b>.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_d184_814e_990b_34b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC0HUZA-Twmi_9iPUeGuNPP92TVSHekWYEN-p7XZlRXeHR0O7lHG9XpQKtpKHWkZslEw5QG1hdWxYpXXx22l4Z5zRChNA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Leaving Malta</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://youtu.be/ECBuGn2fhe8?si=fBlJ79mbAEiIxqi3">https://youtu.be/ECBuGn2fhe8?si=fBlJ79mbAEiIxqi3</a></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ECBuGn2fhe8?si=fBlJ79mbAEiIxqi3" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_50e7_900a_f2d5_8c0b" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7157416082527878207'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7157416082527878207'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/malta.html' title='Malta'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC0HUZA-Twmi_9iPUeGuNPP92TVSHekWYEN-p7XZlRXeHR0O7lHG9XpQKtpKHWkZslEw5QG1hdWxYpXXx22l4Z5zRChNA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1374719341617263823</id><published>2023-08-27T21:49:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T13:52:18.943+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'> Siracusa </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Friday, 25.&nbsp;</u></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">First order of business, lunch at <b>Sicilia in Tavola</b> on&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Via Cavour. We loved this cozy family-run restaurant last year and were eager to go back for their grilled fish and nice Sicilian wine. Very</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;disappointed to see the sign saying they don’t serve lunch during July and August.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We liked the look of a place called <b>Scialai</b>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">further up the street. It was an excellent choice. Finally got the fresh mussels I’ve been dreaming of since we started the cruise and realised all the shellfish served on board are frozen.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Mussels and caponata, followed by cannoli and a glass of <b>Malvasia</b>. Fabulous!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The owner spoke no English but tried, with loud exclamations and elaborate hand gestures, to explain what the restaurant’s name meant.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">He said, “You say, Che bello! Ma scialai!”</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I guess I got the drift but I still want a literal translation.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e95e_c337_5722_e98d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDxxBKrPa9ynMiG6NjU2OIn7j2Gx79WbnyitkoMhvhEwOST8cetXygfClqeLppSrJQbdnotCl-A0JCIfI057y5RMtFisg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After lunch, we headed for the cathedral. As we reached&nbsp;<b>Piazza Minerva</b>,&nbsp;I<b>&nbsp;</b>realised I was missing my sunglasses. Stuart went back to the restaurant in case I had left them there.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">No luck.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Strange, I thought. I was sure I had them on when we left the ship that morning. Too bad.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he&nbsp;<b>Cathedral of Siracusa</b>&nbsp;is a marvel of Doric architecture embellished with Sicilian Baroque.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Believed to have been built as a temple to <b>Diana</b>, it really does feel more like a temple than a church. Massive, stout, solid.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It has a hushed almost ghostly ancient feel.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_24fb_1651_799b_ac1f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDxmhM1H0l_4BwR0LAN3DrQOKsRF6Kv5wJE3cS6ErJxg_LqcL7jlocsLDRnKA0c-oT3ThGeV41GJ-ZUVtPMy7sulbvzFQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We were hot and tired and wishing to be back in the cool of the ship. It</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;meant a detour,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">but we just had to drop in first at <b>Orteo Palace</b> for <i>sharbat</i>.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">It was so worth the detour! Having been welcomed heartily at the hotel and given drinks on the house, we were reenergised and refreshed enough to enjoy the walk back to the ship.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_edcf_21ce_9d34_a8f6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaD3OVL2qLwePmilllMGHgclHRSfHGxYIrhxasGIQeRQVQM-4S0j1x8pM5SRFthkEb79DgQl1qGPWP_FDHi_tuJ40gHzKA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Before going to bed, I said good night to the moon. It shone bright over</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the Strait of Sicily</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">as it waxed gloriously towards Wednesday’s Super Blue Moon.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div>_____</div><div><br></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>N.B.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I have to make a note here about my lost sunglasses.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">As we got back on board, I remembered</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;that our waiter at lunch had told</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;us that&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the corner table we were sitting at&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">was the hottest place in the room. W</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">e then moved to another table.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So we asked the ship’s receptionist to call the restaurant to explain what had happened and ask them to try looking again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Yes, they’ve found it!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Nuno dispatched someone on his staff to go and get it. But by the time he got there, the restaurant had already closed for the afternoon.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">That evening,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Nuno himself went to retrieve the sunglasses.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Unbelievable!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I was mortified.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And that, my dear diary, is the incredible tale of how my very ordinary</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;sunglasses came into prominence and notoriety on the good ship Navigator.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1374719341617263823'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1374719341617263823'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/siracusa.html' title=' Siracusa '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDxxBKrPa9ynMiG6NjU2OIn7j2Gx79WbnyitkoMhvhEwOST8cetXygfClqeLppSrJQbdnotCl-A0JCIfI057y5RMtFisg=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6130306395554721234</id><published>2023-08-25T16:18:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T17:38:51.024+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Parked in the Mediterranean Sea.</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Thursday, 24.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">They’ve stopped the ship in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. The ship owners are on board. The family occupy the cabins on either side of us. Owner Mario Ferreira and wife in one and daughters in the other.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Looks like fun but no, I’m not getting in. Tea looks more my cup of.</font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_93ea_a52f_157b_bb69" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDid7wYYdiCdxZkWpVmZ7cgmdHuDZv1uVVxSfrD2tBXQnkA_BWqJtxPm-fpIm3TYXDJmb_PBA5vFHHUMB88bcDXYH8EKA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Of course, meeting the owner’s wife later as she came back on board, dripping glamour and sea water, saying it was wonderful and I should’ve gone in too, I wondered if in fact I should have…</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">After dinner, the ship’s crew put on a show. A most enjoyable evening!</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Pretty Kadek doing a Balinese dance.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_978c_c5a0_2658_2021" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xw4-9GIOS87ZmFhgSqc_plCkSAwEgI-0Ykze8u9S1VrlRxR9bGBMxLmfKtd6RQLXdZ42Yr5LmQPN0uuWZxAJ6_CNobfQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Janelle with Albert and Joseph.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_8ac_673b_3d9a_b94" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yNhV0Jd5nZOpGI3NEwElZXmIOJV1xi8guiPxQbRH1AenpPVg_JvZesSKcR32IIAjtV-RK9CJwZNYCxOeLgIJs-LBxg1A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">After the show with Mark, Sheena, April, and Michael.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_91aa_7663_975d_1a1b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wUIk4XN3Gb2ePgPU2PbPIgjskXQhfDCLojPHTmNkGJ92g6uvFpWLj2cYRtc1nKNeK5HCJZxvyCzu_jW2B7oU32gcdf" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6130306395554721234'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6130306395554721234'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/at-sea_25.html' title='Parked in the Mediterranean Sea.'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDid7wYYdiCdxZkWpVmZ7cgmdHuDZv1uVVxSfrD2tBXQnkA_BWqJtxPm-fpIm3TYXDJmb_PBA5vFHHUMB88bcDXYH8EKA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4435824732261684952</id><published>2023-08-24T21:36:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-16T15:41:53.402+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'> Gallipoli, Puglia</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Wednesday, 23.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We were driven in 3 coaches from <b>Gallipoli</b> to <b>Lecce</b> for a g</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ala dinner in beautiful&nbsp;<b>Torre del Parco</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_4d36_19c5_ea62_aec0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDk_apDqAyp3D7H-TQG6Ck4i09J0wS9VEpf5b4eVk37NnLQ6KmHaEn0et9vqZpge4rWcYebxEJoV7jLxqBvcYraJUPj7g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It was an interesting </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">hour-long drive</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;through the countryside dotted with</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><i><font face="Verdana" size="4">trulli</font></i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, the dry stone field shelters with conical roofs</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;that feature prominently in this agricultural landscape.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">However, the more significant feature that blighted the landscape and made my heart break was what has been called “olive tree cemeteries”. Row upon row of dead and dying olive trees.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A bacterium called <i>xylella</i>&nbsp;is killing precious olive trees all across <span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Southern Italy and is threatening those in Greece and Spain as well. The deadly disease has been called olive tree cancer and to this day, there is no known cure.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Our tour guide gave an optimistic ending to this sad tale though.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">A strange thing is happening, she said. A miracle. There are dead trees that seem to be sprouting new life. And there is hope that maybe the new growth is not infected too.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">I do love happy endings!</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_81ce_c00d_d1dd_bded" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCWXK3Vq2P8l2WQ5X2yfQv17RTh8nLHFC11joxKeY8AnOu39qR1v2YtI3uU9wvngY9XLswT3v9Q2DkDdwUpJbEaYRInRA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We arrived back on board at 10 to a beautiful moon and a lovely dessert buffet. They really do know how to spoil guests on this ship!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4435824732261684952'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4435824732261684952'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/wednesday-23.html' title=' Gallipoli, Puglia'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDk_apDqAyp3D7H-TQG6Ck4i09J0wS9VEpf5b4eVk37NnLQ6KmHaEn0et9vqZpge4rWcYebxEJoV7jLxqBvcYraJUPj7g=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5818392958675617754</id><published>2023-08-24T19:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-12-18T13:46:30.009+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Butrint, Albania</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, 22.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We had booked a tour for 8.30 in the morning, a shock to my system. Even the crew was shocked to see me up so early. To ensure that I was ready for what the ship’s guidance on tours called “Active”, I had set my alarm for 6:30.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Because our ship happened to pass by Corfu, my phone picked up a signal from Greece and shifted to Greek time. So my 6:30 alarm went off&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at 5:30</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our tour was conducted by&nbsp;<b>Auron Tare</b>,&nbsp;<span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">a prominent Albanian public figure in government, journalism, and archeological exploration,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">who for many years has actively championed the preservation of Albania's rich cultural heritage.&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">He was one of the founders of&nbsp;</span><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butrint_National_Park" title="Butrint National Park" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background: none; color: rgb(121, 92, 178); text-decoration: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);"><b>Butrint National Park</b></a>&nbsp;and its first director.</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_3340_6e2b_4552_1dce" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBjUvfEUOC5fQHP317JWTMPO1LujdvtTU-kuJzSta9Cl5d4xGSdC1AFTj1Hkg1sjcXYok62F-oppEXfh4P4dHtBrDrK" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><img id="id_71d6_6483_222_4f70" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC-ElTjQvJvJWqG_i88ly9Bz15to-yqtKB8yTpkoxMvDWm06SoWx_LmFvmldxUMTy9pOBmfEnBnkDtGfK3UP-sY-NkFFg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font color="#202122" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#202122" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">It was for me one of the highlights of the cruise. I was totally energised and completely spellbound. Unfortunately, my enthusiasm far exceeded my physical capabilities. Towards the very end of the tour, I took a separate, less demanding route and struck up an interesting and more leisurely conversation with a like-minded dropout.</span></font></div><div><font color="#202122" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#202122" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#202122" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#202122" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5818392958675617754'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5818392958675617754'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/butrint-albania.html' title='Butrint, Albania'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBjUvfEUOC5fQHP317JWTMPO1LujdvtTU-kuJzSta9Cl5d4xGSdC1AFTj1Hkg1sjcXYok62F-oppEXfh4P4dHtBrDrK=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2421201426033154672</id><published>2023-08-24T18:36:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T16:46:01.923+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Monopoli</title><content type='html'> <div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday, 21.</font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><img id="id_68f1_7c7d_2d02_7426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAv3tDEqE0qXzVMKKGFQlQDnp7Xx5Z3QnRW8um2b6s5XCY9-hBdUJ2cpISbBxottmqtv_G5bbc2tYoR3ezOr0-dG1OIvw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2421201426033154672'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2421201426033154672'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/monopoli.html' title='Monopoli'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAv3tDEqE0qXzVMKKGFQlQDnp7Xx5Z3QnRW8um2b6s5XCY9-hBdUJ2cpISbBxottmqtv_G5bbc2tYoR3ezOr0-dG1OIvw=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2032920640819368943</id><published>2023-08-24T02:39:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T16:40:56.493+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Dubrovnik</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Sunday, 20.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><img id="id_2cf_4631_d5d5_dd04" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB84rgo4f7OgfCyMii34-5vfO2ncNByPuSI9sBGFoJBuSml1vvINpLN2V-mb6BECWiPc0AhxspkKPYbqvcYbvYkiJ66SA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Happy memories of time spent here in June of 2016 with Dilwyn and Marian.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b304_5066_25b0_e36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaBNQDPGbkzn_mGHpRG2s4DNjjEkwH_6WIAnfmjraivWdi3UVuh4fQmNFgJcX41yFyx6NUcVswZlKAC7WezUDBJGY5aCmw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><a data-original-attrs="{&quot;data-original-href&quot;:&quot;https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00mHgTej6T9jVwBX5xfChFV6nYx9FXG5C5YbFe-AeAlgIppBCFbOwRaK85lahc4Kah0DqfMUiSUaqtfRkzt9cNrQu2y47QJKoGgOVCxmmvE2ZBjsx78h3AmBuKQfykup3FGA5/s640/blogger-image--1191885367.jpg&quot;,&quot;style&quot;:&quot;&quot;}" href="#" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2032920640819368943'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2032920640819368943'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/dubrovnik.html' title='Dubrovnik'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaB84rgo4f7OgfCyMii34-5vfO2ncNByPuSI9sBGFoJBuSml1vvINpLN2V-mb6BECWiPc0AhxspkKPYbqvcYbvYkiJ66SA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5193648103393621186</id><published>2023-08-23T19:31:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T14:06:12.945+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Šibernik</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><u>Saturday, 19.&nbsp;</u></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4">On Kanal-Luka, a scenic strait linking Šibernik Bay to the Adriatic Sea.</font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><img id="id_2ac0_f70a_4170_89b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDCY1c3E-1cypMFtp-yONoLKza9lj3_4F9eRW7VSRtkJ-syzipLzn23bJPaWsG4fmuUfrEgXglFjGa-6E_KKVqRhgFXnA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><img id="id_f043_884_cb_b131" src="blob:null/e70416ea-d7d7-484d-b5d7-cb45a0d509ed" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4" style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></font></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5193648103393621186'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5193648103393621186'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/kanal.html' title='Šibernik'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDCY1c3E-1cypMFtp-yONoLKza9lj3_4F9eRW7VSRtkJ-syzipLzn23bJPaWsG4fmuUfrEgXglFjGa-6E_KKVqRhgFXnA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5263363918623481017</id><published>2023-08-23T16:50:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T15:18:26.797+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Captain’s Cocktail Reception </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 18.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the Captain’s Cocktail Reception.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_15bb_ea08_d327_1971" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaA4gCghozzGLD1H5tgVUVUhgdZy9Rjd9EsoqhvBMV5wL9ObVA9YHUw3CQzmmlz9V0C2_FUUoiTIqztnVfWytrwXgQFbZA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">With Nuno da Silva, the Navigator’s Hotel Manager, the man responsible for what may well be one of the most pleasurable, most efficiently run hotels at sea.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_3e93_2274_1c09_562f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDZS2BGQNCWH6iUbIaO-Tu1mrnxU-CRYi7MO7TAB-rbgIiEsjHbCsUBpyqcbYdD4Wd2Z5dAmiLgRmsYXdR29gkqf6gPIQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5263363918623481017'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5263363918623481017'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/09/captains-cocktail-reception.html' title='Captain’s Cocktail Reception '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaA4gCghozzGLD1H5tgVUVUhgdZy9Rjd9EsoqhvBMV5wL9ObVA9YHUw3CQzmmlz9V0C2_FUUoiTIqztnVfWytrwXgQFbZA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7636967780077470756</id><published>2023-08-23T13:54:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T17:26:52.251+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Pula, Istria</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Thursday, 17.</u></span></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The arena beckoned to us from a distance across the water while we were at lunch. It wasn’t until much later, after the early excursionists had come back, that we decided to catch the 4:20 tender to shore.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_681_fc35_3787_37c7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCzRsxlRkfXKNr8Tvs0J1gbSQ8o0WzQRK2TgRQyqRnyZ9UOFPY18o3ULSoAsfoRxuMfkr0hYXWIeIiHPOVFMYI5hBMU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We were tailed by paparazzi from the ship: Sheena and Dave. 😊</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_18d5_e862_ec3b_60f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaAGqkdsC_fpS7dRykxtm3Na1po31Z47BY2e3-p1MIDrKASx4K09wWNXdeXXk7ZCG9UgW68OaekF3KQS-DyvALONP1VNZQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Pula&nbsp;Arena&nbsp;</b></font><font face="Verdana" size="4">vies for attention with other&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">Roman&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">amphitheatres still&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in use today.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s up there with all the majestic</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;relics of antiquity like the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Colosseum of Rome, the Verona Arena, and the Arles Amphitheatre.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The amphitheater stands close to the shore, its three<span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">-tiered limestone walls and four towers&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">elegant and tall.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_c25c_51d0_d5d5_5f79" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDsNsI7WedDh3cfoifZdnJ1mHDz23zg5ixCnHHV7yX6jFFN-qwF-vgkMSoc8PPxcSewRhn1r9ABl1Sgd_oPRu6PPAIPTQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I had initially planned to get entry tickets to see what it’s like inside. But there really is no need to enter. Unlike the Verona Arena, this one is open all around.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_a87f_77d7_ff02_afc6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDNZN8qrWJbncNhu1isIxJMsm1sJbwRHOvUs9b0fEUN-FiH83Zj-8f0Dl8INjO_1NU1FBlJ6bQjrvfaL6fo6bauL0Qj_Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sadly, there isn’t much left inside the walls, most of the stones having been appropriated by early inhabitants for building their homes.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">It’s known to have kept intact the three orders of Roman architecture so I’m scrutinising the photos I took hoping to recognise which orders they are.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It must be quite an experience to be here for a performance having glimpses of the sea in the background.</font></div><div><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: rgb(51, 51, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_91c4_30e6_810f_7900" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaC60jTRUcQ4Y3JfPPY0_ovP2GNYe18-Z_e0KgY1ZrrrVni7mWRzjO7QqQpO-g-uK7MRiWGKvt_yFJ6_Y5D62B6ATRu4CA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7636967780077470756'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7636967780077470756'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/pula-istria.html' title='Pula, Istria'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCzRsxlRkfXKNr8Tvs0J1gbSQ8o0WzQRK2TgRQyqRnyZ9UOFPY18o3ULSoAsfoRxuMfkr0hYXWIeIiHPOVFMYI5hBMU=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2333212388492707580</id><published>2023-08-23T13:52:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T14:59:06.264+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Rovinj, Istria</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><font size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><u>Wednesday, 16.</u></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">In the morning, I awoke at dawn to find we had arrived in&nbsp;<b>Rovinj</b>.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_226d_ebd8_3758_cb91" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCRiJmpSCY_mYVDFV108enBRTVfI0Ewn0-qc46b35LMtOM5tj4oSB-mG4w-hDrTenihCTtfsLgUgyx7BKn1Hg64JAcyAA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">After a breakfast of champions that by rights should’ve readied me to explore &nbsp;Rovinj, I found I was content to watch fishing boats come in escorted by flocks of hungry birds.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8680_9e3_e8ab_774d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDaGXQAI2VymAtPSA34ZHfBP9g3NqFnBfINDSoWsGF0NQvH8dAWax-PTd0L4bXZ38HtV7q31ORIMjxA1BgRj9pVL4nHOA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the afternoon, kayaking in the brilliant blue waters of the Adriatic was an attractive option. But not for me.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5f1b_df02_fc24_db76" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaA6DfzeUTIx0s_JH7KmRVD5Y6k6X6fIhg0pL4thJCIAzJtLDQUTwA6eOi9v7G_I-O_cnQ8Uc-aGGZqwNLlhmStGz88xCA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2333212388492707580'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2333212388492707580'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/rovinj-istria.html' title='Rovinj, Istria'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaCRiJmpSCY_mYVDFV108enBRTVfI0Ewn0-qc46b35LMtOM5tj4oSB-mG4w-hDrTenihCTtfsLgUgyx7BKn1Hg64JAcyAA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8460571408455459808</id><published>2023-08-23T00:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-11-27T14:46:27.775+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Epicurean Expedition </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><div><u><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">Tuesday, August 15.</font></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the evening of the new moon, we start our&nbsp;<span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">12-night Venice to Valletta <b>“Epicurean Expedition”</b> on board the&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>World Navigator</b>. Stuart and I are very excited. We like the cruise profile</span></font><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Small craft (they call it a yacht), less than 200 passengers (on this voyage, maybe 106), no slot machines, no stage shows, no water slides.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is what carrier&nbsp;<span style="caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Atlas Ocean Voyages</b>&nbsp;promises:&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><h3 class="si-event-title" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 1px; min-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.75rem; border: 0px; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.2; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; overflow-wrap: break-word; caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-variant-caps: inherit;"><i><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></i></span></h3><h3 class="si-event-title" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 1px; min-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.75rem; border: 0px; font-weight: 400; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 1.2; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; overflow-wrap: break-word; caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-variant-caps: inherit;"><i><font face="Verdana" size="4">World Navigator was conceived with the sensibilities of an explorer — one who believes the world is best experienced up close, while still leaving the destination untouched. Launching in 2021, this vessel realizes the possibilities of environmental stewardship with a propeller-less hybrid propulsion system and anchor-less positioning, both designed to leave the marine environment undisturbed.</font></i></span></h3><p style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; box-sizing: border-box; min-width: 1px; min-height: 1px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.875rem; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-variant-alternates: inherit; font-variant-ligatures: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; font-variant-east-asian: inherit; font-variant-position: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(5, 37, 48); color: rgb(5, 37, 48); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>This is how you can best enjoy the world and protect it for others. And as the expedition-style World Navigator quietly nestles into the amazing, remote and rugged locations on your itinerary, you’ll wonder why anyone would roam any other way.</i></font></p></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i><br></i></font></div><div><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">From the moment&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">we stepped off the water taxi at San Basilio in Venice,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he very efficient Atlas Ocean Voyages staff were on hand to breeze&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">us through the check-in procedure.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We were sipping</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;champagne and being welcomed</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;on board in no time at all.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Shortly after 6, a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;tug and a pilot escorted us out of the Venetian Lagoon as we set sail for Croatia.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d6c_9693_8749_247" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDtz-78T4UeJZIa4KIG0szm4ndEHDgF_CLiH0VwnE2kweulk0NkYrdrTgz4p57H0p0zuzWqRMmCBxhr3LdUlkUOgHL7" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">Later, as we sat down to dinner, the setting sun drew calligraphy in the sky.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_736b_ea52_8a71_7b24" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDP9y7d68kwOutYCbRdzT1t_nBmLqwSbDpCTAL5JSEp_LplS7obbvjV05xmahtV9UzC6juDzNV5rNpX3uc-WRtOiprzCQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8460571408455459808'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8460571408455459808'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/temporary-backup-epicurean-expedition.html' title='Epicurean Expedition '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AK7aPaDtz-78T4UeJZIa4KIG0szm4ndEHDgF_CLiH0VwnE2kweulk0NkYrdrTgz4p57H0p0zuzWqRMmCBxhr3LdUlkUOgHL7=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4070651029877169286</id><published>2023-08-16T13:25:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-08-26T05:17:38.013+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Verona </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 14.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Via Sottoriva</b>&nbsp;is a medieval cobblestone road with a long dark arcade running along one side and the Adige River on the other.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It has an away from it all atmosphere, quiet, shady, a great place to go for a meal or a drink or just for a sweet. This was where, years ago, we first saw horsemeat on the menu.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At the osteria on the corner closest to Due Torri, at the back of&nbsp;<b>Church of Sant’ Anastasia</b>, we’ve now discovered our new favourite dessert:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b><i>sbrisolona.</i></b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a dry almond cake which you dip in&nbsp;</font><i style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">passito</font>&nbsp;(</i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">sweet wine</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">) or grappa. We can never remember the name, nor can we &nbsp;pronounce it.</span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>&nbsp;</i></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We just point to it on the menu.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_3737_d5da_b9a9_c089" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wX-Iz_pRE8AmerI5wlupsBfPEOfJ_d-Sv0H1no2i-cSrrigNfsDl0BZklB6nHJ3mBNJ_-C_bZgvkeFJgbfmem_m9U-" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><img id="id_41a6_7248_b3cc_31b1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-z1TqpzmYUQfxV3t-zY907IlsYqzZBQU5AUduWNTPgSS_YtTdXb6GcJneULWbHJUp5aKnss_nK8TxKlhKTQSMpUJ7wG" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><br></p></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Saturday, 12.</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Madama Butterfly at<b>&nbsp;Arena di Verona </b>was a very special treat for us as we had only decided to go to Verona two days before. Milan had seemed too crowded and somehow sadly uninteresting.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">We got last minute tickets to the opera without even checking who was going to be in it. What a fabulous surprise it was to find we had lucked out with major stars&nbsp;<b>Aleksandra Kurzak </b>as Cio-cio san and husband&nbsp;<b>Roberto Alagna&nbsp;</b></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">as Pinkerton.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;I loved Kurzak as Juliette here in 2012. Alagna of course is considered one of the greatest tenors of our time.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1aa7_fdb_ec85_bd22" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zCxqVGFtRRbI9dSx5IlEOXkblLUZhjnULqeVgMVh90Oxg78i8GiINA0UJm_vejUP3HBOtHQN9eqJDubJFZSmRwCp3z" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/QnsCcKSn8V8">https://youtu.be/QnsCcKSn8V8</a></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QnsCcKSn8V8" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_abd2_3c99_7471_95d8" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We ended the evening with drinks at the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;hotel bar. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Franco presented us with special snacks and stories about his 40 years as bartender at&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Due Torri</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><br><img id="id_689c_11f1_2f75_d114" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xKXaH-6GTyqoHd0bML9F95uN3CxrqmjoHvoUjRifbUa4oAKfW2gU4qAhlFfA2tryhFY4s9ResYfQYn9L4hilt8Yf_A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d1f4_7821_2193_f795" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yYk-WGA6QEjskoSxHg07YyBEOD4laBKPmUKnAosrK-UuXB4bwENlLPMYxlwEPYhq-dc3D10SG30lQvfYUHtm-k6MxKfQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, August 11.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I thought I’d found another one of my smart discoveries- like Barchessa di Villa Pisani…&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Hotel Trieste</b>&nbsp;&nbsp;looked really nice in pictures. Quirky, artsy, edgy. Booking.com&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">rated it “Fabulous”.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sadly, it turned out to be another one of my ill-advised recommendations. So after one night there, we moved to our longtime favourite<b>&nbsp;Due Torri Hotel.</b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">And so, happily we’re once again in a place we love.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6568_69d0_1e01_3799" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yEiIq0EsPq87UBTsJ5qJP_KPs498HU-W8qj5VU3KUQoWGbs43RS4qDpnqjOqsVUvsKPkEYsaZsWcIA_hMzLCd-qiCerQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_72ab_47b5_9b46_3fcd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yBc4GZivDs7BKQeppZv4AKzuBIkVvIGJq4lb6aWCIvBVLBfUbIkZy0zb7e3VihG6h01APZThqa_BdzbuuOLhqn5CHW" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><br></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4070651029877169286'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4070651029877169286'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/verona_16.html' title='Verona '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wX-Iz_pRE8AmerI5wlupsBfPEOfJ_d-Sv0H1no2i-cSrrigNfsDl0BZklB6nHJ3mBNJ_-C_bZgvkeFJgbfmem_m9U-=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7865735472648822237</id><published>2023-08-13T22:49:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-08-14T04:44:30.941+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Reentering EU</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 10.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the train to Verona.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_75ce_65f3_4408_93b2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yG-PIj6hlnTUIuSu5FSFMw4tMVwrZtMAczmI-49I_1z_RfjzIAWHPuTkAXlGx8kkFIsATAefnB0-zkZHhmNJRU0-BQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Monday, August 7.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We leave England for Italy for the remaining days of our 90-day stay in Europe.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Flying from Heathrow to Milan Linate on BA570.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_dfd1_7824_ba24_4345" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-ynABM48RXXz2WESbHTrB2xEHQ842Xzf9PIt6VhJvVI08L7U8iOXfv2xfgnuvQATYrsy0_YgGo3zT3YwFXh8RFdUJPp" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">At</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Hyatt Centric Milan</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> o</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">ur room’s best feature is the<b>&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">view of the beautiful </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Bosco Verticale</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> building.</span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_6491_a62_5973_c429" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wTvE7ki5R7Q96tc-Byt2-zGWRAJXbyMplssDNyyXX-G2WW9YgjPF_qxRpq0RYPO0vU6OTslP3QHqmDe2dhSbG8Vksr0g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The hotel has just reopened their&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">newly renovated,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">very pretty, very green </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">rooftop bar,&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Organics</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d85a_7a6e_efb4_ff55" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zcrIWrMKsbZeb3jvCO_L-iG6_FQiYLFGjr7hn2pHaxYZZ_DlTxhwBU4fvQA7T8JL-oFwdJnEk4-P2lWMSfWFi73CnrAA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7865735472648822237'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7865735472648822237'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/reentering-eu.html' title='Reentering EU'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yG-PIj6hlnTUIuSu5FSFMw4tMVwrZtMAczmI-49I_1z_RfjzIAWHPuTkAXlGx8kkFIsATAefnB0-zkZHhmNJRU0-BQ=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-345050582774681346</id><published>2023-07-31T08:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-09-30T07:19:15.724+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Back in London </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, 6.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At Old Shades with &nbsp;Mari.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_416a_9b9_570f_60be" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yMvn9FNJOxJCyAfcViU9ikssmc0Ve-vHP4u5BOAEWCwfb6oqZvu99Fj3r4t0V_eSxrkG69cH4QUJRxxxmFdnvT-hUNaw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Magic Marius livens up Sunday roast.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_bca3_6b23_597b_cde9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w1BWvbrf10feS5C0Dl8OGj9SoPqidMUfOD60dcOIA-NhSTQGdzNVzcxd3X5omhxOry6Un9dULZa40e5P91uUOJgqMHWA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 12px; line-height: normal; font-family: Helvetica; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><a href="https://youtu.be/x_y1VZJQsHo">https://youtu.be/x_y1VZJQsHo</a></p></div><div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x_y1VZJQsHo" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_b4e0_9030_2c22_ecd5" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 4.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Fabulous day with Singapore girlfriends&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Emilie,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Beth, and Anna. Lunch through to dinner, from 12:30 to 10!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_c9a9_2df4_25c1_7b74" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w3QXL1toRjyyu3qF1CnRDlAEwuqCpiJPYoUz3LMF_BQREf59VgjGEeslirMzbdf_N6erXmUFObURYZzi-nKAVsdfp8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_670c_dad2_a906_b7cb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yY1xceZaTDWaNrzlmis5SqTkarfue3uUvKKAPqUKsTneO7KPOEdXlQpP9Dqq_OhmrSJhlH39gJJFAOjK1suI_zDjz6ew" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 3.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;<font size="4">Sadler’s Wells</font>&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">for </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Matthew Bourne’s “Romeo and Juliet”</font></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></b></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The dancing was brilliant. The powerful&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">driving&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">music fired up raw passion in the young dancers’ every gesture.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">It also drilled itself into everyone’s brain. The “Dance of the Knights” &nbsp;earworm hummed around us on the way out of the theatre, as we crossed the street, and at the bus stop.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">The narrative though, a laboured twist on the very premise of the tragedy, didn’t work for me.</span></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></b></div><div><img id="id_c04e_f101_1ab9_1904" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zbGO-nkgaHpgy1JFZTNVYmu5RDjtRtE-A_WYbHwsnGofyHEmyl-7Ni26LS6TvX4nq6rZeZ2bGlNSslC1SdMZ6BzSsh" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, 2.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At&nbsp;<b>ICA,&nbsp;</b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the Institute of Contemporary Arts. We made a special effort to be there despite a heavy downpour.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We didn’t get much for the trouble of getting there as ICA is not fully operating as &nbsp;an exhibition place just yet. We saw just the one exhibit, “<b>Moki Cherry: Here and Now”</b>. Sone of the textiles and some writings are interesting. The upper galleries are either closed, being renovated, or being used for interviews.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">To be fair, we were really more interested in the in-house <b>Rochelle Canteen</b> and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the <b>John Nash</b> building itself</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. As it turned out, there was only a very basic cafe. But</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the building is beautiful.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_e1b0_6b1_b4b8_d391" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zHgPBsdYQ44k4AViHfnERjlTwY-YihjRgvsrRLhv2KxrNxc8SBnOwmj-o3UA5KP3k9sjHLbg8FjM1N6qd7gK1IfsTY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We enjoyed walking around anyway. This is a delightful city to walk in, even in the rain.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1db6_dd6a_b86_9c05" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w5oHixUIKd4VO1V576OzymfVJwP-mqKOsDVNbgl8apeICTYS8tiz2deWZEy1HnMwjNxcy2otWJ0nDBP9wuPOH4AX6F9w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Walking in the rain is tiring work though so we had a sit-down, a drink, and a snack in <b>Fortnum and Mason’s </b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">3rd floor bar&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 18px; text-align: center; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(249, 245, 239);"><font face="Verdana"><b>3'6</b></font></span><font face="Verdana" size="4">.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_28b5_6381_5df1_f5d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yileLQbzTTFVwtby5QYx7IRvHmJabBk7UbYS7qrjBFVfvdfM6VFw_40gAh2Wnx6BSacqIe3bvb_8A7HG_qiFt7w538zg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Afterwards, we put togeter delicious stuff from the food shop&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">downstairs&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">for an indulgent bed picnic later: duck rillettes, prosciutto</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;figs.</span><br><br><img id="id_fceb_5357_3bae_ee79" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wNYsS7IPWoQYkoPUtx9eww8T3oRhCol7rLQ7HXwZZ9VYfQnYOCB2E9LCSKLV9DHxH6knELcBBvfa3qIfAs06Oa8_q2cg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, August 1.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Accidental Death of an Anarchist</font> </b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at Theatre Royal Haymarket.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It is a farce, yes, and should be farcically funny but I found it too stressful and strenuous to watch.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The play is adapted from a 1970 Italian political farce tackling corrupt police practices to do with the real-life case of a suspect’s death while in police custody. While the subject is undeniably very relevant today, a lot of the relevance has somehow been lost in translation.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_3ec9_ea0e_5930_af1d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zRfM0DnACIXVsOpNIU5EqPt0rAdOPWebe7NRVpZl3hFZdnnxjM-GD5o74X06Z8tXbj_Jg2SnPemK7freQpW_wEJ36ktQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I was more intrigued by the venue, the storied <b>T</b></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>heatre Royal Haymarket</b>.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5920_2118_b50e_2733" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yi_RcOcvGqDj1WY_ssYyJeI-wm5qGKkwEqZSPMcera-yhyM2gTc46alFQj8htNrnrCw0459BX_cHqKHnH4YVEwKig_qg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">historic </font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Grade I listed Victorian building</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">original structure dating back to 1720, was subsequently moved and redesigned by architect and town planner </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>John Nash (</b>Buckingham<b>&nbsp;</b></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Palace, Brighton Royal Pavilion, Marble Arch).</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, 30.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This will be our final week in England.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">London’s cold and wet and Stuart has a cold but we’re happy to be back.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_8359_31ad_70cf_594b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-x_1s3A4kK9HjyWY9zuoWfNDtXuTBPrTl2pQoxJm0ygdwFHnD5Wl_9d-lD9LEuZj1_P4Vg0Z2jjSOS2UVEiXW9MZthwQQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">“<b>Carlos at 50</b>” at the <b>Royal Opera House</b>&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">is completely sold out. It’s <b>Carlos Acosta</b>’s birthday celebration, a return to dancing after retiring in 2016.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Because he’s from Havana and used to be with the <b>National Ballet of Cuba,&nbsp;</b>I’m interested.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’ve seen the ballet in Havana twice. Once in 2010 when the company’s founder, Prima Ballerina Assoluta <b>Alicia&nbsp;Alonzo,</b>&nbsp;then 94 and almost totally blind, held court in the theatre’s royal box.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I wondered if we could somehow get tickets anyway. By dint of perseverance,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;did.</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_cb20_1ad7_86d_e83a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-x-o6NlqdmRVH3cjFebYlw-FMnK3nZHrOaKe2RnuQvRTzSf6aFKGiRSfuSczIVSXYeN42SE_Mh8K_yCiE-HyWS-XVRC" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I loved being in&nbsp;<b>Covent Garden</b>. The rain made it even nicer. You could almost see Eliza Doolittle… and hear Henry Higgins…&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Just mentally erase the crowds.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">At the&nbsp;</font><font size="4">Royal Opera House</font><font size="4">, Carlos Acosta opens his 50th birthday bash draped in figure-flaunting silky whites as the young god <b>Apollo</b>. He has bragging rights.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">Reprising their&nbsp;<b>Royal Ballet </b>partnering&nbsp;in “Apollo”, “Swan Lake”, and “Manon”, Carlos and <b>Marianella Nuṉez</b> are superb. That they are doing this today, exquisitely, when Acosta is 50 and Nunez is 41, is simply incredible.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ec3c_1a8c_1ae6_135e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-ymUxcTXaNwTIAL9RH5FLxnV2mvYMGmLx5QfZHfCM0uG_iWqu15fcqgPZxCiWoXG3AfOcf0UDlgdeba6wo66rnbihhWaQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s still raining when we come out of the theatre.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Walking in rain soaked streets somehow feels acceptable when on holiday. And if one has to take the bus with damp seats and smelly wet floors, why not? It’s not your daily grind and there’s always a cozy pub to serve you a hearty Sunday roast.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_bc3a_4aa6_43e2_7ec4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-za114HoQqsJ1DV0t-ghjEuGqsEuzK5xgcORX6pC3_x9BmP9WJavU67kRd7MP2-bvDUk4Jhvx-yFlaJ-PbZcyUyCqwGHQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 28.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The train station has the best views of Bath.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2850_cad7_1cbd_7f3e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xyuhgfC6rAGx_ITnEpSJa1KrkyHgEjT0ZLqUpu8dQghxzsxMz1lEv5Q8_Lj2aK0Ks_Wxg3NdOqqFURVsVIeRAh_jFnOw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/345050582774681346'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/345050582774681346'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/07/back-in-london.html' title='Back in London '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yMvn9FNJOxJCyAfcViU9ikssmc0Ve-vHP4u5BOAEWCwfb6oqZvu99Fj3r4t0V_eSxrkG69cH4QUJRxxxmFdnvT-hUNaw=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8478091900085125817</id><published>2023-07-26T00:56:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-08-14T18:52:49.619+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Bath</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, 26.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the <b>Theatre Royal</b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">&nbsp;for </font><b style="font-size: large;">Ian McKellen</b><font size="4"> and </font><b style="font-size: large;">Roger Allam</b><font size="4"> in a new play, </font><b><font size="4">“Frank and Percy”</font></b><font size="4">.</font></span></div><div><br><img id="id_b3c4_2f78_389c_3b31" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wYAsR8PkR9ApDF2ODOSp5ZMjLM2Szhrlv-nNubBEV12_1ioz5QoKZEW2oR3W_QgQ9ToVjq3N3T49yYracSdFQEWBOo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">The two-character play covers, rather bravely I think, a lot of ground. Among others, class, ideology, climate change, a</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ging, death, grief, relationships, sexual desire, and most particularly, non-binary gender issues.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s a big ask really, talking about all that and having only two people talk about it. The play feels like a sketch, albeit a long one. It’s early days yet, we saw it on its second day in town. Maybe&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">it will get better when it grows up.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">But the audience, mainly faithful fans of the two stars I imagine, were very appreciative and most got up for a standing ovation.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3c9_7dcd_c0c3_9f2a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wkV1NO4g8vfvKDJJSkeAJ3q60DZPbBcloANrkJNaoeM0WehYZhAWf_24dMLmAsPM3Q3piKXnGd7vHPxTxPBmyyN6fbbw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart and I loved Roger Allam as Inspector Fred Thursday in “Endeavour” on TV and so enjoyed watching him and the venerable Sir Ian onstage, their RSC voices ringing out beautifully in the small theatre, not taking themselves and their star power too seriously, dressing up in drag, a micro mini rainbow tutu for McKellen as Percy and metallic neon rainbow shorts for Allam as Frank.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I thought, Oh my, what would Mrs. Thursday think of that?</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 25.&nbsp;</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><img id="id_e900_8eba_d759_db3e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w_w7szjjqAmzdifPVF1G3D79yBQzTInKH0r8khxKvRCMmnsdZ-XmMezVDUaQmcT9Ek5R2x1p0RHi7ED4TEGxmRFiZP8w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Margaret’s Buildings</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;is&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a pretty pedestrian street lined with Georgian buildings and small independent businesse</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">s. Art, jewellery, interiors, antiques, beauty salon, a cake shop, 2 cafes, a laundromat, a restaurant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Run by husband and wife team Simon and Leanne,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Crescent Restaurant &amp; Bar</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;is a gem. The food is very good, the place</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;welcoming and quietly efficient.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_544b_d4ad_fcf2_7e41" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yOmfas4cyz7x0YZUC-v7xe9ayA6yDo5dSSYkI8a-8d20UEhO-3kDNxM7a1uPqPQ5pmLQL8SM8G9XsDORB-dbnmA5yb-A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s a lovely shop there called<b> Berdoulat</b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_6395_c5d6_a850_cec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wjqAPg9FNCE4epCRvrnq_F-VzGBDGTbeqSwsFVo09QuYJeXV66WM1pIfXdEdfaF0wLuIKK9d6edB887xoV9wdsNAuaYw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 429px; height: auto;"></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><img id="id_5bd1_1bf_50c1_a1dd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zqVtuy_bN1AmherCtUntgSkoSsHWh16aaLv_D8RIU0bN9Go2cxbH8f39yAeVxQ_mebHU81ZZzRrDmhfE7xOBNrwxm9Qw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The storefront has a faded even slightly neglected look to it. But once you step over the mosaic tiled threshold you’re in a magical space full of interesting objects dangerously close to being not at all useful. They are however&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">beautiful</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;to look at and lovely to touch.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Down a steep staircase to a cave-like basement is an art gallery.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_ce1a_5e2d_fe52_6fc3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yr2nC9Kx-SJ0jarS4wmADW0CoOdZw8EF4Q0y6GLwzfrBUv-hy-44Y_fnQ8l8hOXZ_Q48POqRCA88VUaShjiHYmYrOkgA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">On a wall hangs an “honours list” charting the Grade II listed building’s history.</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7c20_f6a1_368b_8e39" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wkyZrXEAMrBszRXt9Ee20qaiS_cqxRvNPbXdmFo671m1mdPJP0j21jZBIoNtiERkjouXWFYtnT3xORl7hH9VeqF5qSTA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I chatted with the owner of a shop called <b>WYRD</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_6a30_9dcb_60f8_7d3e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-ye_NnGvPupPFXtVyd0enCxIO0QTinKHs0lnARBYTafpE7Qo2YCBAoXmnI0JpHN2Z7pbtsqND9LEI-Efu4rvWTGbVO_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the shopwindow was a huge bunch of glass flowers. I asked her about them. They’re solar garden lights. She had them in the garden of her Cambridge home and brought them along when she moved to Bath.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">People kept asking to buy them so she got more.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Nothing precious about them, she said, you can get them on Amazon.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">She was trimming leather pieces that she made into key rings.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I said what a lovely shop she had. It smelled nice too.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s great fun having the shop, she said. And Bath is a nice place. People are friendly.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Later,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">close to midnight,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I watched the setting first quarter moon briefly break through a thick bank of rainclouds.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_3b6_abe7_5aa1_47a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zE6n5RzyxubMcIyuEffP7kHVKYkwmoTaM3Meu2cxZo5D4Z3BOnewt84jHN4lUxsKBsrSNrIZpILGW3DLCJrepBkgZq-w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 24.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I love&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Bath</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">. I hate it when they do unsmart things to change it.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re at <b>The Royal Crescent Hotel</b> where they’ve refurbished the front parlour. I really do wish they hadn’t. It has lost the character and charm of this venerable Georgian building’s cultural and architectural roots.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">They’ve also redone the dining room. And the guest rooms. I wish they hadn’t. They’ve made it all look and feel ordinary, generic.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f98f_5acd_99bb_1aa4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yvpWhhaPYFJ4awVX9xIOPA53gvAq8GcvwvIqd1rJDRfXgw-eceD0TWEIphFcl-osvYtPZKYzh47JGLus2FnxiZhQCx" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">We were here last year. This is what made us want to come back.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_eed4_5acd_9b00_6886" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-x_dhKMD2Pk1ZTdJ9KZAZdtuC_JKC8hNwWxpGGtwJ9oe6SW5JyI2nuRDJ0maxmRJAGqHEyos5i0qmt_5FM5RetMpf9a" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">The £2million reportedly spent on the refurbishment could’ve been put to better use updating the hotel’s amenities which are woefully inadequate for any</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> property of this </span><font size="4" face="Verdana">calibre.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8478091900085125817'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8478091900085125817'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/07/bath.html' title='Bath'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wYAsR8PkR9ApDF2ODOSp5ZMjLM2Szhrlv-nNubBEV12_1ioz5QoKZEW2oR3W_QgQ9ToVjq3N3T49yYracSdFQEWBOo=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4161394215276573481</id><published>2023-07-15T18:48:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-07-24T22:06:16.092+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>London </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, 23.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At <b>The Audley</b> in Mayfair with Maurizio, Cristina, Floyd, Francesca, and Federica.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_4220_f238_c881_fc26" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xOxh9lhjbQk6aySHArwyR3ZLYjvWjND4HpRsTt3N7CCYgGX7Zl189zkAN_hpYYI6VW6tcCYkiwy76yJSR8LYlKCnWG" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, 22.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><b><br></b></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We walked out of the hotel prepared for a cold evening out but not for rain. So back in we went to the amusement of the doorman.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Welcome back, he called out laughing.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Out again, this time dressed appropriately for London’s version of summer weather.</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e25b_1551_b413_2272" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xuR0TWhs_Scq3kdyDzjGu-ljf62SsIScZJlX99EN4Kk9KqucuWcigKZMrjlV3Fq7LZcufDbOXK9SHdIaa7gs0hw3HX" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><b style="font-family: Verdana;">“<font size="4">Cabaret</font>”</b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, our musical no. 4, is a definite winner. <b>Playhouse Theatre</b>, transformed into the “Kit Kat Club” is theatre at its best.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">C</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">lattering down a series of narrow staircases, w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">alking through dimly lit narrow </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">corridors, then having the camera of Stuart’s phone summarily pasted over with a sticker (to remind you not to take photos, she said) got us&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">started on a highly theatrical evening.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 21.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At <b>The Lowlander</b> on Drury Lane, no.6 on our pub list, for pre-theatre dinner.</span></div><div><img id="id_96c2_124c_4461_9ae9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-w9KJXCNr036bOU2DaHAT9wEL1AvUi8_yA9NbXRW2eSwHik64FajwwTjz0FEgICCF-Zii1XJRL8SJcJEDgi4Z2Qeq5u" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">“Crazy For You”&nbsp;is vintage musical variety show. All good natured wholesome fun, tap dancing, and slapstick comedy set to a Gershwin &nbsp;musical soundtrack.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 20.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Our second foray into musicals- we prefer old and tes</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ted ones- was infinitely&nbsp;more successful. </span><font face="Verdana" size="4">Last night’s “<b>Jersey Boys”</b>&nbsp;was great f</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">un! Never mind that we’d seen it early on in its long stage life back in the day in NY.</span></div></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tonight we’re going to “<b>Crazy For You” </b>at the <b>Gillian Lynne Theatre</b> on Drury Lane. Much much older but hey, it’s&nbsp;<b>Gershwin</b>! And it’s got “Someone To Watch Over Me”&nbsp;so I’m looking forward to this one.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On this visit, we’re doing London properly. Art galleries, West End, and most importantly, pubs!&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’ve been doing a &nbsp;kind of pub crawl all week, not for the ales, but for the grub.&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Bull &amp; Bear&nbsp;</b>at the Conrad St James</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">,&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The Old Shades,&nbsp;</font></b><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">and</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;Silver Cross</b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;on Whitehall Road, and <b>Tattershall Castle</b> on the Victoria Embankment.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Last night’s was&nbsp;<b>The Clarence</b>, next door to our hotel, across from the theatre for the evening’s “Jersey Boys”.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Ploughman’s Lunch. Excellent.</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_ee8d_67bb_b4f3_95b4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-x7WeTuwwHuYHjIUXlzJOh8ZTwLqFKA1sxt53-61pw87QrmfI56DMlc2C3b9INajXzN5A5-nGe4mPqiZS6IyHFN8BBDPw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, 20.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our return to West End musicals after a very long absence was&nbsp;a total flop.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Last night’s “<b>Aspects of Love”&nbsp;</b>was a blind stab at what we hoped would be entertaining at the very least.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">It was bad.&nbsp;</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">At intermission, I tried to salvage the evening and my ill-advised recommendation, with a lame&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">“It’s not really that bad, right?”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">To which Stuart responded with a resolute “It IS really that bad.”</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">We decided to walk away.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">There is one bright spot though: we only paid half price.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_dd2_bbe6_5187_d4bb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wZP0EEQvheiCOo0S8swV7pNMsyT9ZIHX-IrDsyoFyYjtdFD8ix9s0vwCpJb7hUi2o4hXlTkeeezjmlKvBUpqQomcHy" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, 19.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Nice lunch at <b>Tattershall Castle</b>,&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a former passenger ferry now a pub moored </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">on the Thames at the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Victoria Embankment.</span></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_370f_ef75_f07d_886c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yeG7ePx9gr7Nf0F4XrGUY-UgX05R3EY_0HLpF8tTH6IAJ5_0EHqU396-Y2lUR8ThCW2nKvrdeXVsdzTHWsAFXyDk7fSA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 18.</font></u></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">Stuart went to see Uncle John in Buckhurst Hill while I spent most of the day with ex-Citi friend Ofel Gonzalez.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_1fdd_1f5_af70_790e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yw8OPuEo9SaGbn9AUgvpH1A1wEEpLaxpg8RWmURU61PeEa7OdWX9uuofsQ7fNSn3legIwi55efPbzxqRcKq_xrUggu" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f5d_b351_4a28_48be" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xhBWsqLM7NPhP4nR1VUG06PVm3iLzdmzx0AbyGZkcA5Mt15XtoyQeiiAB7CjO1IkmglNeOIceAGMldVHi5wh0IQO4tTg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, 17.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">At the newly refurbished&nbsp;</span><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">National Portrait Gallery</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">One of the highlights for me was a four-panel mural entitled “Work In Progress”.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_22a9_fc25_15da_d6c3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xmT1GFJBpC8Ckx3ZolPPO5CSG0CmY92LX_2sEZBCxdYRs2dJOoksjlH5nf6NDb-cb64h20t9Uq-x1pAAtObgfHKL8A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">From the gallery’s description:</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><font size="4" face="Verdana">“Guided by the artists Jann Haworth and Liberty Blake, each participant produced a stencilled portrait on paper with acrylic paints, based on an existing depiction of a woman of their choice who has contributed significantly to British life. An additional 14 artists from the UK and US created the larger portraits for the mural's front row. The finished portraits were collaged together by Blake to create this vibrant, visual celebration of women's history.”</font></p></div></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, 16.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re now right smack centre of the city. And the crowds. The place is teeming with bodies and traffic and noise. Trafalgar Square is packed solid. And as it’s Wimbledon season, so are the pubs.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’ve escaped into the relative quiet and sanity of the art galleries.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">Stuart’s cousin Mari, the family’s eminent art historian, took us on a wonderful private history of art swing around the&nbsp;<b>Courtauld Gallery&nbsp;</b>for<b>&nbsp;</b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana;">the Pre and Post Impressionists.</span></font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a317_2ffa_cfc0_2c4a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-z3MMNk8SMo4jXYdSAMb-TmzhE9oNBb8P6yrcfaFXu9i1WjPuU4MrP0lnPelD_YPfzXFwFU39WbW2HPLmkSOTVzIrHaqw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After which we caught up on seven years of &nbsp;family goings on at a long chatty dinner. And can you believe it? We have no photos to mark the happy occasion.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Friday, July 14.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We arrived Thursday from Vienna, booked for a week at our one-time favourite&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Conrad Hotel</b><font face="Verdana">. Sadly, the hotel has lost its charm. It’s just not the same hotel we used to love. So we moved out the next day and checked in at the&nbsp;</font><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Great Scotland Yard&nbsp;Hotel.</b></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ef97_470_a169_950f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-x8PoKK76Be9OrNYE5Y2SlttOtQkvZYq5n-dt9dmJID057efjwb837aVBjA2j5eMROPmlNU_6EpvGdIXBYjH0Pvybc3nQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">I always knew this hedonistic life will one day land us in jail. 😀</font></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">London’s Metropolitan Police&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">used to be headquartered here. It’s said Jack the Ripper was interviewed at this station.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s really not so bad in jail. Food is good and everyone here is nice.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br><img id="id_99cd_98fd_4fed_2daf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wsjHzzWVntCpWGlUCYKdPbu_S54FQlE2IjjhBFkRe1AjkIh8aocVvB2QxM1dnkeasripB9UCpQ58X8T5hTwcP0xOOThw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In fact it’s great! There’s jazz in the Whisky Bar!</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font><font size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2ZiolHArCqU" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_1e68_d62e_544b_364c" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana"><br></font></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4161394215276573481'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4161394215276573481'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/07/london.html' title='London '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xOxh9lhjbQk6aySHArwyR3ZLYjvWjND4HpRsTt3N7CCYgGX7Zl189zkAN_hpYYI6VW6tcCYkiwy76yJSR8LYlKCnWG=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8031614380236282281</id><published>2023-07-13T19:36:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-07-15T19:56:54.127+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Vienna</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, 12.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Day 7. Our last day in Vienna.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The <b>Museums&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Quartier</b> left us too hot too tired and spectacularly lo-batt. An early dinner in a lovely garden in Spittelberg did much to recharge us but only enough for us to pour ourselves into a taxi for home.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_ef15_b3d_5016_4054" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zuMcqKAbIyGf8DAmaDpEE6NPDOMSKBli76Yzr4VJOmDPfiYF4Ok0O_u_rK42nX5Yl-2UbTuBYou8buBg-aGS8yJZvz" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 11.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Day 6 was to be a simple tram outing to explore architecture. Target building was&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Otto Wagner’s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;<b>Majolica House</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our tram route was screwed up by ongoing roadworks. An hour and several tram lines after, we gave up and just walked around the <b>Burggarten</b> area.</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4b66_51f8_1b22_f5ba" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-whQK6LS8behXOcShUAm28AQTvdyf_yUK0j-_DSzVDA887GvyswkvHJ04zrFrCB1LqLKy-azFM4PQyHfyvc-rTB5i9EaQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 10.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Days 4 and 5 were really too hot to do anything but laze indoors. We’re tired of the hotel restaurant so we’ve moved to the quirky <b>Cyclists</b> cafeteria and have since taken up a new routine. Lemon tart and coffee in the lobby after lunch.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_21de_8627_f08_4b57" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-z5MX81h16jAtKZ3fVQA4auGANj_CfmM7N29kBzLqlgkrEinwrYp5kHcDvco9bQCrFZKTBTcdVaTa2U1fyXrgrEL5q0MQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sunday, 9.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Day 4. We set out in the afternoon to explore the city. We have loosely mapped out our tour using only the trams, with very light walking.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">As we walk out of the hotel, we realise that the place is deserted. I see maybe two or three people walking. It’s very hot out. Also, there’s a reduced tram service on Sundays.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We beat a hasty retreat and decide to enjoy the cool indoors at beautiful <b>Andaz Vienna am Belvedere Hotel</b>.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fe91_7260_21ad_51d4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wFOCnv1nqMQmB5ewxrCek2GQPOhmgHPSLvjYxuVSLipVhU2yUthjTeEILB-UURtyZznV4ddczVWkghc3xJVrwwLcEY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Later, we try the <b>Klein Steiermark</b>&nbsp;in <b>Schweitzer&nbsp;</b></font></span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><b>Garten&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">across the street</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. Too big, too touristy, and too many mosquitoes.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So, once again, it’s back to the hotel for s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">unset drinks and snacks at the Rooftop Bar. Fabulous!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_e78c_31e2_c03_353" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wS0IzJq59ZA53Dd_vcViM7v8m41uN8uYI-GAjnmq50fdGETmQrFXLyn1wGxwda01Sd1jvEUMK8dNbmMSAOTkL2HDcVTA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Saturday, 8.</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Day 3 is dedicated to&nbsp;the&nbsp;<b>Vienna Secession</b>.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In 1897, a group of Austrian painters, graphic artists, sculptors, and architects resigned from the traditional Association of Austrian Artists.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">They formed their own exhibition group&nbsp;with the ideal of reuniting the separate arts of architecture, painting, sculpture, and music.&nbsp;The Secession Exhibitions Hall designed by <b>Joseph Maria Olbrich</b>&nbsp;was the venue for their expositions.</font></div></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The Secession Building&nbsp;</font></b></p></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_790e_f368_6ff9_3771" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-ySyyGo6NmIF0Vqt5z19Z04D0JDpsiC0j8-aKUbvhQWvBj_5OITQFBSBUv9lE2b9hd4zRihbO0O7vHymKuTmDjQzlid" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><b><font face="Verdana" size="4">The Beethoven Frieze.</font></b></div><div><b><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></b></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Conceived as an homage to&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Ludwig van Beethoven</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the painting is a visual interpretation of Beethoven’s 9th&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Symphony.</span></div><div><img id="id_3f9c_a98a_75c1_dead" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yYWe_A05_YiWBil5yaTeDg3hu8PkNA2VR9F3Ex-tXTMYLi2TFAIaaGcQC8MCRbvJ4S-Z9DobIDh1S6331MP-P9oCpp5Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The allegorical painting was meant to be&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">an&nbsp;</span><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">ephemeral work of art, </span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">a temporary installation for an exhibition commemorating the composer’s 75th death anniversary.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Klimt painted </span><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">the frieze directly on the wall using such light materials as charcoal, coloured</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> chalk, pastel, and casein, and decorated it with gold, silver, glass,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">curtain rings, and mother-of-pearl buttons.</span></div><div><img id="id_9078_33c2_87b0_35ae" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yQE4wtLkdwcdF05SSV0MC5_pVPFVp5RRLCOx6pKwkfIVRQkcjLxfbJejehzdCJONUWqBOVpYNpX307Nuxef0RKsMozrg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">After the exhibition, the frieze was not destroyed as originally planned. It was subsequently purchased, dismantled, put in storage for years, and eventually restored.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It’s now on permanent display in a specially built, climate-controlled basement room in</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;the Secession Building</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><div><b><font face="Verdana" size="4">The Karlsplatz Station Pavilions&nbsp;</font></b></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div><img id="id_475c_32d6_d2b6_acc0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xc-lXqZyeJf9gOT_cU9EGTgbr_qr9kALm6h6V4C6XsplcFS3k7EjLr6zGpaz-ly0DuoEfEVTD7dnomRCFwQ37XfrBh" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e68e_116_5308_1b19" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xgq8MIIyzAHpliUdcxIvu3N1ePqlw2Ofw7ltgensu90TSnNqtC2rlsrDpxrjiJX8HMhOm-_Cc_XNicVfd4bUmg5nTHSA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Designed by&nbsp;<b>Otto Wagner</b>, the entrance pavilions to the old Karlsplatz station&nbsp;are prime examples of&nbsp;<b>Art Nouveau</b>&nbsp;architecture.</font></p></div></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 7.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re at the&nbsp;<b>Belvedere Palace Gallery </b>for some of&nbsp;<b>Gustav Klimt</b>‘s most famous paintings.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div><img id="id_19b1_d48b_8ac9_a7d4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wgpHsFcMLx8uyG3dxuNaQZ6pus0nVycHF-6gJgXRa6qkZZs1l6gWtZkrvwRA4br4YsjQ77YNfAXVsr4sDsqVMXKGob" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Portrait of &nbsp;Fritza Riedler</b>, 1906.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><div><img id="id_9793_8543_f952_8f42" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-y7WT_63a0AcF2WEkWW1cH4Y6aQjZtFsuDl58lIFkGh70iPADnFULvihgVthmO-S4OsNHEZyWC6HtgkrVSX3LiujGmNJw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4"><b><font face="Verdana">The Kiss</font></b><font face="Verdana">,&nbsp;1906/1908.</font></font></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_448_4f5d_d886_a8c1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-yfu0TpO1Alt5rdB7idm8Z04OHHoGQJxuISFC9Apz7H68C8zi3eybNaHk3mK9t8D22zxvBSvEnyaO56r5AsevTmZDmS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Portrait of Amalie Zuckerlandl </b>(Unfinished), 1917-1918.</font></div><div><br><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_c30_aa6d_d24_9657" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zmTEymOb8r5J0fnulaCQDuo2i21S0Nu9jRr0Ddw80DAGkLOtTHReHGGShD4dmIxm4Y1xaTJdWC5X3O5jktgVSDbtOS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></p><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Avenue to Schloss Kammer</b>, 1912.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Klimt’s landscapes used a square format, often without sky or horizon, zooming into &nbsp;detailed sections.</span></div><div><img id="id_449c_99f9_6909_9105" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-z44PFVK-jBbJ6OTq0tLu_7CDlKKg3updeyG_p8pGcVD8-Ga76oJyJHyBYJnx19iBwvck4IM1465cQUsWiT7en-kAr24w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">He reportedly used a telescope for closeup views using&nbsp;pointillist-style brushstrokes for a flat decorative pattern.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Ok, we’ve done Vienna Day 2.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Klimt, check!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sacher torte,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;check!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Apple strudel,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">check!</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_7e6e_87f5_ae57_9413" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-xoHRxyfkuqWrIQYrdRQG6BvjrvN2dXtZklTEMV3PVQQywatfYE4YpCjA9mQpgIyb2XYKrDtGHvDdtRASFtyvJ7NSW3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Vienna Day 1.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We arrive Thursday evening.</span></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8031614380236282281'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8031614380236282281'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/07/temporary-backup-vienna.html' title='Vienna'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zuMcqKAbIyGf8DAmaDpEE6NPDOMSKBli76Yzr4VJOmDPfiYF4Ok0O_u_rK42nX5Yl-2UbTuBYou8buBg-aGS8yJZvz=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-748961360879478328</id><published>2023-07-06T23:43:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-09-30T07:26:11.624+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Madrid </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u>Thursday, 6.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Night at the opera. “<b>Turandot”</b> at <b>Teatro Real.</b></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The theatre is contemporary,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">sleek, and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;unfussy</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. Again, no ostentation. People here don’t dress up for the opera.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_6831_a197_9e6b_86aa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wekQndIuFZgeS5OoqJdRLqgVBtHPTgPTs8e8pZ4Bfv6frzo39Ny5Gj0OkNGB83hQrbabWInZt4DFJhRqCTGCv0BVU91Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This is my third ‘Turandot”. &nbsp;This production is totally different, done almost concert-style. Highly stylised, very austere.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_c897_e685_9e2_4361" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-zlFvEmxlAwxt8mFYIDSzTEQi7YJ8O37StelParVBNESwONwUvEoMDQyFQq8ekIzrUYu-4c_jdSEYaRiw5cuWJQWeYm" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We loved having lots of options to go for drinks and snacks after the opera. <b>Cafe de Oriente</b> was perfect for our last night in Madrid.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_edfd_17dc_99cd_6fc9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qXdiigN4IMzAvQeujaxyXGJc_gxtmrdtqg9OrdZ7L63Zhy8aqOxW6rrdAEAbvs_2wNHZ1zc-T6wTbjiv12jOkzl1Sgtw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u>Wednesday, 5.</u></font><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Madrid is perfect. Good food, good wine, great climate, very nice people.</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Elegant avenues, beautiful buildings, leafy streets, parks, trees everywhere.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The c</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ity is human scaled.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Nothing overly grand or ostentatious. The r</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">oyal palace, the official residence of the monarchy does not look too precious or intimidating. &nbsp;It’s not set far&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">back&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">from the public park.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The opera looks accessible to ordinary people.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The lift at the metro opens almost at its doorstep.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">They’ve staged special lotteries at this opera house and even live streamed some shows on Facebook.&nbsp;</span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div><img id="id_ffcc_5c39_5538_68e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oFzRPSCoLShV2Pswtfx27MdBRFte206UeD5eDhYzwKJASOH5UUJ3ublap6BzW9ne4v4un8i0PqSW3tLSmsodjW-WXc-A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 4.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Two days in a row at <b>Bar Restaurante Río Tormes</b>&nbsp;on Calle Zurbano.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c870_7ca1_ba37_1cbb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pKjjDZ6FEqL7VOvbFmpx5ZuS0xRgdgW7lsQ2ApmmzBOmDZlzWtRAlf69bLlcV-tQyXjmXswHpSYr7GWkI9Y3Vdr4R9LA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Busy neighbourhood restaurant.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Mainly local mix of office people and family groups.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Delicious local fare and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;good friendly service once you get past the language barrier.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ried and loved the f</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ish and lobster pastel. Also the lentil soup just like Tito Amado’s </span><font size="4"><i style="font-family: Verdana;">ginisang monggo</i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> And they seem to always have my favourite Torta de Santiago.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">3-course&nbsp;</span><i style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">menu del dia</font>&nbsp;</i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at €13.50.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Five</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> minute walk from Hyatt Hesperia. What’s not to like?</span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>July’s Super Full Moon</b> rises shortly before midnight on day 3 of moon watch.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_eb1e_e5b1_d0d_d3a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rFc3mvRMtHPidsUKephQsL9ZKz53EsstkdG3zTa-XwdnHSK3v5b3KNkGGX1gZanD4Rp0XzfAO-9KPdzF36CACxUNs6oQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Monday, 3.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Days 1 and 2 of the full moon.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a9b9_7890_a7de_8b63" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rSk6cs2BiysurB4Cb3NITBRnpEtpIZozmlh_MfQy5zuY41Mte_l6av3FnsRiqRomJZQeZT5Cav1tWdu3qpzhIh3vt90A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, July 2.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Bienmesabe</b>&nbsp;on Trafalgar is one of our favourite restaurants in Madrid.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Thursday last week though was a very busy day in the restaurant- there was a private party in the dining room- so we had to content ourselves with an outside bar stool at lunch, not ideal with the heat and the car fumes.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Food was still good though and service was excellent.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We were back again Saturday, happy to be back for another good lunch in the smartly styled room I’ve always found cheerful and celebratory.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_10ba_5054_f56b_a88b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qBRmLYN0QLa5Pdw8y_1iw3nrD0WwutrFmk8VQ529kN8d79Brr0YBtmHetHVG6zKkNOv-dnNhV54MCRaLFeiKAdpzZrlA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Which is why I was particularly disappointed when we had to send our grilled fish back because it was not fully cooked. Too bad.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I was up all night at Novena prayers for Letty on Zoom with Route 66 classmates. A screenshot shows me bottom left, not quite awake at 3 a.m. mass in my Sunday best.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_bd86_f088_8721_f2ad" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pchyMyAtVQ4mWxbWs0Amljlx2FofpyP9i5gTLWNe3jzLqG1goB-lyj8-QHr7H_wrQFHpqT6h6YGZhoFSLi8D2v4RBIjQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Slept from 5 a.m. till about noon.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Went back to sleep after a late lunch and woke up at 9 p.m. just in time to see the&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Buck Moon, July’s super-moon</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;rising above the buildings on Paseo de la Castellana.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_adaf_a5de_f84f_8cb2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o5MNCwIcJqcrS975ImxYNDKXJ-37l6fEwOsYdsGRHvNMPA5PWv5LDZcB912gHLZaLRj0asnpg70ZkXnb12dMJmrG8QAg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;">Monday, 26.</u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s Laura’s birthday. At lunch yesterday, we drank toasts to her and sent her a boozy but heartfelt happy birthday song above the high volume chatter in the bar.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_49f6_6895_5f34_dd3d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81r8xH61qqUomsnWwz6nARZ-Eo0GH6aH-Pw2x222rcMiUwGnt4LqO5d1iiOjyHW94L6mv_LgEs9cyz3OJaZzUGWuUL_n" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I love the pretty tree-lined streets of this city. But even these shady leafy streets are no match for today’s</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;exceptionally hot day.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It very quickly shot up from a hot 33 degrees when we left the hotel to a searing 36 by the time we walked into&nbsp;</span><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">El Corte Inglés</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;on P de la Castellana to get my</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> MAC lip balm.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Having bought the lip balm, being in the cool was such a relief, I loitered.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I was happy to see&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>Soeur</b></font>,</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">a</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">shop I discovered last year in Paris. I bought</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;a swishy cotton tank top and a crushable sun hat.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I think the shop’s tax free lounge is customer service at its best.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_50ef_7909_e682_e2d5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p08rr6YahpuIXtDdgycd8eGCh7KOsoOwcTk8CzBpBTAZ2by2PaWvBpPY40_C__0Pk1B4ykLcbNVu6oDe0gCHn6jR4c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 22.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Jazz at <b>Café Central</b>. Tonight was bossa nova. Very appreciative audience.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_bbef_7e9d_5e2c_17f9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rYTFKt9IaBvMYdvTKRhBbPgPhTOv1ok684u9sRTagykiZfiihO_PLrlbTc6NaABYcAFJPtB3La7BIztIiOY5ze_VEQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jk7lXnxXduc" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_e8c1_837d_edd2_394f" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, 20.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, in Manila…</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re getting Regency spruced up while we’re away. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re also turning the lanai into a second dining room by closing the garden end with French doors.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_cddc_e1e8_9f23_3fe9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qaXs9QrKVkMPwrsOBN03oQXTHUVZFay8KhLcWE2qBxFZeJ11htkwtOv0afgn-3yLql-bElCMZ_iPSe_sb1WykF1mAIrA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Something like this:</span></div><div><img id="id_c398_56e9_686f_2415" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p1WdJ9pBZcDF_9HpuqnrZHznKHVhQHtOUjcP3dhDqIX8GivA5PqDmmvnIg7py6vWxLFyjZfeQYew17Q8Gjmn7F4AXx" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Most of the planning has been done remotely.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’ve been discussing the job with Edwin and Robin on viber and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m excited to see the outcome.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, 18.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We went to see Dan’s new apartment on the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Chamberi</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;end of Fuencarral</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. Nice building, great spot.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stopped at nearby <b>Zara&nbsp;</b>for incredibly low-priced basics- pants and tops.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Saturday, 17.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunrise.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_60ec_3cf0_e56e_58c1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pSZA_BeCYiAfz0-GHwk3b_yT1-ZHiZdphc5Dotz6N9juKvcSVBFyUb6ikkXRuyWoxNp9sVY4cxdmNiOG5XNjANXWsUxg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The golden hour.</span></div></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ca24_dc9a_6479_5493" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pnBeP2Et9mS3DdjdEVgUtLzqRw0JoPg5SKedLLLZzqY-MOMKr9eSpcyJDuZq-fTOh_FpTjCSvkylnhY8TRa9HJ_Gle3w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, June 16.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">First day in Madrid. At <b>Hyatt Hesperia</b>.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I woke up at dawn.</font></div><div><br><img id="id_1077_2f23_1e11_8901" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q_tpoLPJY0Y4PFIA1lCl5Typ6441u5IWYCD4fKWTme6GsbJGcVBoV7vY_PLHviuPDFtlwz7tZJaOdu3nSmuxYYQ9fMAg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/748961360879478328'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/748961360879478328'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/07/temporary-backup-madrid.html' title='Madrid '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wekQndIuFZgeS5OoqJdRLqgVBtHPTgPTs8e8pZ4Bfv6frzo39Ny5Gj0OkNGB83hQrbabWInZt4DFJhRqCTGCv0BVU91Q=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6469443563870577253</id><published>2023-07-01T00:31:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-07-07T19:27:09.569+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Restaurant Report</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, 4.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Bar Restaurante Río Tormes</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;on Calle Zurbano.</span></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"></font><img id="id_3475_1024_167e_b63f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wsa9M4vmRCx79KL1bkyjrfgCDEVoZFrfeU7820uasFwzRV8MuFdLbkeolbAum5uw2cAdYJKTzaPG1t4F2TZ16COI9-" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Busy neighbourhood restaurant.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Mainly local mix of office people and family groups.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Delicious local fare and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;good friendly service once you get past the language barrier.</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">3-course&nbsp;</span><i style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">menu del dia</font>&nbsp;</i><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at €13.50.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Five</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;minute walk from Hyatt Hesperia.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, July 1.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re back in&nbsp;<b>Bienmesabe</b>&nbsp;after two days.&nbsp;</font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_6822_658c_6a57_903a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81raPYZxsIkk_GnQYAVeRXcBwlRMO7icZzuFl2akokSFGodm_pK8YF0ydzUohKsd9luEABTteEzgZcsxLhxXhE60EX5M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’ve always loved this restaurant but today was a disappointment. We had to send back the grilled tuna belly because it wasn’t cooked through. Tsk tsk…</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">To be fair, when it finally came back after a long wait,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">it was really good.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, June 30.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re into our third week in Madrid. It must be time for a restaurant report.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our first lunch was&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">traditional Spanish cuisine&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Chamberi classic</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Don Sancho</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_6656_deee_24b3_99cd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rCWeJxzfrtBozl9dExxjNjciIVuGwNprxoULKIlaBzf7Yb7HykqaqfBvyyAmCbPmmq-ZL-bj1UGZb3OY-bSC-pwrPWLw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We were enthusiastically welcomed back by owner Miguel and his crew.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">was&nbsp;as good as we remembered it from 2021. This time however, we were a bit overwhelmed by the rich food and the generous portions.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A menu of the day each did us in for the rest of the day.</span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Izariya</b>&nbsp;seems to be our current favourite. We’ve been here three times in as many weeks.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At the omakase counter, young Yuki is now in charge. Riku is the new guy.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Yuki and Melissa remember exactly where we sat when we came almost two years ago.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e83e_cb63_7110_925c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qmb5mabLWZuJLq-k39zNaptBKBxQ9w5RCW7HhoLrUTZL22deIRMdP319seeagZj538vuhKAT_FYmGg-T0AwMjNnQPVhg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">Orío </span><span class="s2">is</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span class="s1">for oysters with Cava and Basque pintxos.</span></font></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 9px 0px 8px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_13ce_d465_b2b_334f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oqdUyEkZhhjA22Y-R65tgID2NgECRjxxEEUNcN_kiB1XosN1p2HSkksMJP-sC9r5FqXYStGu1MbX4oXugiblEv4Tr7gQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 9px 0px 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span class="s2"><b>El Rincón de Jaén</b></span><span class="s2">&nbsp;is in nearby Barrio Salamanca.</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><font size="4" face="Verdana">It’s always c</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">rowded and noisy with mostly neighbourhood locals.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We prefer the bar to the main dining room across the street.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 9px 0px 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Food and service here are always good. <span class="s1">Most appreciated are what come before and after the meal. A generous serving of&nbsp;</span><span class="s3" style="font-style: italic;">frituras</span><span class="s3" style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">&nbsp;</span><span class="s1">and lovely fat green olives&nbsp;turn up as soon as you get seated at your table. Afterwards, small desserts, mini ice cream bars, and liqueur shots called&nbsp;</span><span class="s4" style="font-style: italic;">chupitos.&nbsp;</span><span class="s1">All on the house.</span></font></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 9px 0px 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana;"><img id="id_3fd9_5b56_caf1_6a8d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rcmSwe8exBiSR7DAX9QMke7JZ_TNJj3QjUVAFeb_wjyTpV7Z4HILqIqsDLJZIfeeXV4-xdTRb476EOU4xoqxtICOMpCA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p3" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 29px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span class="s1">Another lunchtime favourite near the hotel is&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">El Yate.&nbsp;</span><span class="s1">Usually a business office crowd plus a few art gallery types from the nearby&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="font-weight: bold;">Sorolla Museum</span><span class="s1">.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span class="s1"><br></span></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span class="s1">I’ve always thought this was a “grown up” bar- &nbsp;the songs played are usually from some decades back- until a crush of millennials invaded the space, ratcheting the chattering up by several decibels.</span></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span class="s1"><br></span></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Food is good, service is quick, efficient, and cheerful. One of these days, Stuart and I will finally learn not to order too much food in this overly generous city.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b548_e23b_d31c_b319" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p3HPYAHO-EjAHjQPInw5Yc9_5RFbKaMAeBnIJqfZ9sVIIFyr0ZcCJ1IMWxGsH73_VJwhVBvLg26UNQokCtppa162HE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="p4" style="margin: 0px 0px 4px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 30px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 37.8px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br><br><span class="s5" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-weight: bold;"></span></p></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6469443563870577253'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6469443563870577253'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/07/food-restaurant-report.html' title='Restaurant Report'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AITFw-wsa9M4vmRCx79KL1bkyjrfgCDEVoZFrfeU7820uasFwzRV8MuFdLbkeolbAum5uw2cAdYJKTzaPG1t4F2TZ16COI9-=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4605800661541911748</id><published>2023-06-14T23:31:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-06-30T02:01:20.093+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Teatro Olimpico</title><content type='html'><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u><font size="4">Sunday, June 11.</font></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At&nbsp;<b>Teatro Olimpico</b>&nbsp;for&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Gian Francesco Malipiero’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><i>Ecuba</i>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_3972_e8b9_6e76_2f3d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oR5lBOfnx6jbrP9Y64Des6xLsUtas-ZviSNotEjxt7mn6W1DCEGaw1TRAmjYD6wHP4FE7bhgvxbNa_8HJrNEr2LkA5HA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Even just a glancing familiarity with Greek mythology goes a long way in making sense of the goings on onstage.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The opera,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;presented in concert form&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with no intermission and barely a pause between acts,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;is based on a 5th century BC</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">play by Euripides. It’s sung in Italian with no surtitles,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;no acting, and no stage sets. This leaves only Malpiero’s eloquent&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">music to tell the story.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Brilliant as the entire performance was, all onstage were outshone by the very theatre itself. Teatro Olimpico is the star.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><div><img id="id_bf3a_ee43_4305_be36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pfN2_Y_ePT2JJ_L5_esc_ksrURitQOR7YRZOHinZZpGpboGSmI_V1u-A37WpxxEZ3L9QC_aF7-om4i-8i98EcmX7Rv_Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_d9f9_3a3c_c220_f928" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q_D89ZHj6aMOrMBE4rxeYv315EDWtcrf1NPnykr6LjLQqODLn5EpXkwtKPy8jr-UgiRhT1gprrzz8LHrl-Pk9CECPoIg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4605800661541911748'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4605800661541911748'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/06/teatro-olimpico.html' title='Teatro Olimpico'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oR5lBOfnx6jbrP9Y64Des6xLsUtas-ZviSNotEjxt7mn6W1DCEGaw1TRAmjYD6wHP4FE7bhgvxbNa_8HJrNEr2LkA5HA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2891464694487247361</id><published>2023-06-13T17:23:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-06-23T23:36:41.512+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Villa Pisani</title><content type='html'><div><div><br></div><div><div><div><u><font size="4" face="Verdana">Thursday, 15.</font></u></div><div><u><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></u></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">A&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">perfect</span><font size="4" face="Verdana">&nbsp;room. It’s a&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">lovely&nbsp;</span><font size="4" face="Verdana">room full of&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">beautiful&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">books and all kinds of interesting things.</span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">I happily spent several hours here waiting to leave for our flight to Madrid.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_11f1_c1a1_6935_91cf" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qWLji6kiVq3Zb2TTqqhixOmu31r0bQYYP1tRG83DjXToXjx-2-KkoWv52bs-lu3o7E9pTKw_N-9xEGTXE-NzWCF99YHg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The hotel staff thoughtfully sent us off with bottles of water and a pretty little box of cookies and chocolates for the drive to the airport.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_2a51_b253_4f52_600a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qW0V0t8ojpXg8JcAS5aR_tH79B9KfoQmval8Xg0GKYGgiuYOHCitYVb3ew6iyQsiYXwbxJkCHlQLPHVpYItbp39GaiNg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><u><font size="4" face="Verdana">Wednesday, 14.</font></u></div><div><u><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></u></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">I went down to breakfast for the first time in two days.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_de5b_9b0b_70d_f063" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qHkRqjhHMb-6Hinb_Lwe_kGb8v2HkBno-xE8kXbsDMI9sWQjqPo2DSkC-r46IMBac3zuhIclDMfIxmEYgkFcBtw6jxXw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">We then went to the town looking for somewhere to have lunch. A wonderful pastry shop called <b>Il Chiosco- Francesco Ballico</b> was just the ticket for sandwiches and gelato. It took all of our willpower to walk away from the delicious display of pint sized jars of Baba Rhum.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We thought we’d go and see the Duomo but it looked hot out there so we changed our minds, took the requisite pictures, and headed back to the villa to rest before the evening concert.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_90e8_96d0_788_cd7e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o7y8YPwtrplwREMu3LwgkIDqIzU63-lOHOtiM5coHYLDGuY2qocweqECwwJ8MMJ1awW6pYYTQZyslPhlAdnIy0mX25" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><u><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></u></div><div><u><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></u></div><div><u><font size="4" face="Verdana">Tuesday, 13.</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Still feeling enervated and I have no idea why. A quick drive was all I was ready for.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The nearby Villa Cornaro didn’t look interesting. And the one in Piombino Dese was at least an hour and a half away.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_25ca_6e45_e583_5cb2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qgrXgNJP0iJaAb9fnw89y4uRH25Tnax3qo0LcZ9bJCYrFVrHRk0b-DlqO7B6RvWRunl0pe2wM680SIeS2QjC2kJCgdIA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We knew that&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">my favourite <b>Villa Poiana</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;wasn’t open on Tuesdays but&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I was happy to see it again even just from outside the gate.</span></div><div><u><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></u></div><div><img id="id_4701_8d23_d97d_146d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pIigiGCwP-OEQ10YhgfRUzyx9uOeJ06e2MmNMtOkRB6IHxdkV08ScVNFHMFfSbvO7n1l8uumrClecbvpczZHCfOdVfsA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><u><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Back in Villa Pisani, they were busy preparing for the evening concert in the garden. I enjoyed watching everything happening right outside our room. Chairs setting up on the lawn for the expected 400 people. Orchestra tuning up. Singer testing the sound system with&nbsp;</span><font size="4"><i style="font-family: Verdana;">Someone To Watch Over Me</i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">And later, it was sheer luxury lounging in</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;my bathrobe</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">bedroom windows wide open,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;the orchestra striking up with Gershwin’s&nbsp;</span><i style="font-family: Verdana;">Rhapsody in Blue</i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday, 12.,</font></u></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dear sweet Giada has brought me breakfast.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8833_23a3_82d3_700b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81okpkZniBgd6eSROWaW6i7fiMuPfKtunLo2OsbdJOyRxd2Rs4NeE0JbqM3cSsKiKRiljJ5BcWIx_7q0jNvNIXqRgJABpw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Spent all day in the room. Not feeling well.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, 11.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Last night’s highly anticipated dinner at the hotel’s restaurant Osteria del Guà, part of the reason we’ve chosen to stay here, was a total disappointment.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Doesn’t matter. The hotel is wonderful.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Saturday, June 10.</font></u></div></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re staying at <b>La Barchessa di Villa Pisani</b> in Bagnolo di Lonigo, halfway between Vicenza and Verona.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This is a wonderful hotel in a glorious setting shared with Palladio’s Villa Pisani. B</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">eautifully appointed, it is also e</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">xceptionally well-run.</span></div><div><div><img id="id_c0bc_14d2_7b18_c7d0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o4_v1ku2spoDednLaxUJUK09UwAhweul5vpQp2RlOtUItBdBFpishFIg_OLuhCyHcVNOqNCbRSTQ-DDlmJa3hbSvYExQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><div><br><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G4JXYgh5spA" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_630c_2ed4_5054_7bda" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div></div></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2891464694487247361'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2891464694487247361'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/06/villa-pisani.html' title='Villa Pisani'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qWLji6kiVq3Zb2TTqqhixOmu31r0bQYYP1tRG83DjXToXjx-2-KkoWv52bs-lu3o7E9pTKw_N-9xEGTXE-NzWCF99YHg=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6813249367344632030</id><published>2023-06-03T01:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-06-23T23:16:39.694+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Milan to Venice</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Friday, 9.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Last full day in Lido. Tomorrow we drive to Vicenza.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">I’m going to miss a lot of things in this place. The wonderful staff at the Ausonia, evening drinks at Lepanto, the low-level buzz at passeggiata, but most of all, I’ll miss lunch at Parco delle Rose and coffee and almond tart at <b>Al Canton del Gallo</b>.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_2b9_4d8_4c3a_ff2a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rnfJ10tjknsMcaxHk0g0aknLpDpYuehnzLz8fijAiI7-aVJzIhbGnD-EOm5ctYCmQYXFvypiX7aielek_OlBr6zun_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">In the evening, we have drinks at Lepanto then dinner at new place, Africa, as Andri is fully booked.</font></span></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, 7.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">We’d planned to go to the Biennale in Arsenale for the Philippine Pavilion. I feel it my patriotic duty to be there, as a Filipino. I must try and appreciate my country’s display of our clogged esteros…</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Anyway, in the end, we decided not to bother.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">We went to <b>Parco delle Rose</b> for lunch instead. Their spaghetti alle vongole was very good. I’ll never eat at Roxy again.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We watched the final episode of “Breaking Bad” then tried to muddle through Visconti’s “Il Gattopardo”. The picture was no good and there were no subtitles so we gave up and went to <b>Bar Lepanto</b>.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Angio&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">gave his usual salute as we walked in. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The younger waiter greeted Stuart with a nod and a bright smile then gave me a pat on my shoulder as he walked past.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It was busy as usual.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">People at the table behind me were getting really noisy. Not rowdy noisy, just happy noisy.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Everybody looked happy. Stuart and I decided that it would really be hard to be miserable in this place.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner was at <b>Andri</b>. I had grilled fish- a local fish. And a glass of local white wine. I asked our waiter what his name is. Alessandro, he and Stuart said together, laughing. He’d already told me just a few minutes before.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It must be the wine, he said cheerfully.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I was already drunk when we arrived, I said.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A busker outside was singing Sting's <i>Fields of Gold</i>. It’s that kind of place.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s been that kind of day. At the Lido.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_54fb_6434_a0f0_a552" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q_U8WRhVM5wMrRRpn3PZxvQlpEco0MtQJ84I8t6Jjvq5kHoVLvYAKM9mNYD_0nBAl0Z1MD0CFIsu8rsot64yXkvQzCqA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 6.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">At the <b>Biennale</b>.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Venice is for me always interesting but biennales are not a main draw. I see them mostly as either too disappointing or too difficult to appreciate properly.<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>The crowds, the distances to walk, and the heat all demand the kind of dedication I don’t possess.</font></span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 29px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s1"></span><br></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">This biennale though has been a feel-good experience. A respite from the negativity that seems to be all around these days.&nbsp;<span class="Apple-converted-space">&nbsp;</span>An antidote to all the scepticism, fatalism, and pessimism I get from too much immersion in media, whether social or mainstream.</font></span></p><p class="p2" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; min-height: 29px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s1"></span><br></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There is genius in demonstrating and displaying humanity’s goodness and its ability to accomplish meaningful things.</span></p></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I love the Belgium exhibit about building materials manufactured by living organisms. Mushrooms to construction bricks!</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m intrigued by the finely crafted architectural design models from Africa. They’re a lesson in perfection.</font></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are different strokes for different folks:</font></span></p></div><div><br></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Hungary burnishes its country’s image with a richly embellished gilded pavilion.&nbsp;</span></p></div><div><img id="id_83b8_256d_d434_670c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pFU4tcJ1-r-XnfZL4yDG8pZJPzQyKt7sGT1KYcZmQv2z5W2j4GrdXxLS9gg6c6O6pRhJvfvp0d089Yuy1Q0alACdS1VA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Finland on the other hand chooses to demonstrate how to husband our planet’s freshwater resources with the <i>huussi. </i>It’s<i>&nbsp;</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">a dry toilet used in their remote locations and summer cottages.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ac2f_40d_30fe_51b6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qpNRtM6c9mh1Y7l1nwhgxwX5zCahMJ5hL294_Ht3NP_RLPrvtid2DyDqdBtbjxGssUZxpJf845jPcymtxoS1Yj9ClBLQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A giant mobile hangs from the glass roof of the Giardini Central Pavilion. The curators call it “an enmeshed map,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a suspended loom, part-canopy part-plan.”</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-kerning: auto; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-feature-settings: normal; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-variation-settings: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_22ff_b3ae_6c13_de11" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p5kLwhZ9vaxkNE7lnySKTx70x9Yj9O2SIjLTEAKKwcSiDCdrqmbJ1OTeppqgSlPVb36cXuwVPHfWrqPrcA9-zqmYPT" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></p></div><div><img id="id_cdfb_12da_7315_917b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oakgNy7u48YWgHhzNYIYRsjisd-_brteZZDO5FeO1bYjJe6MBF1eVtj2fCwgZVghicGXP3hLN2IhYCSVNnmaU4VkTkyg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Made of slivers of fragments gleaned from the various exhibits, i</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">t’s a fabulous 3D map of this Biennale’s exposition on Architecture.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>The Laboratory of the Future</b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 5.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><img id="id_138f_3051_c31_ab28" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pq0YNGA9wSCfmxypGyBYLmXuwphtIhNgF9c5CIMCR4Ac7iDQ_sQa2z5t-g5GMzhf8PFvmInDuQCfv-LS2_KO6xeQKM2w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">I just had&nbsp;to know what these fascinating wooden structures were. The staff in the hotel wasn’t much help. Trawling the internet for hours yielded scant clues.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">At lunch today at Parco delle Rose, I showed my pictures to our waiter who happily identified them as<i>&nbsp;</i></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">covered boat shelters called <i>cavane</i>.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">I asked if they were for renting. No, they’re private, he said.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">All of which still doesn’t explain why there were so many of them in just that one place. Could they all belong to that big house beside the row of all six of them? Like a huge garage to house a collection of expensive cars but in this case, boats?</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div></div><div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Friday, 2.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">At Malamocco.</font></span></div><div><img id="id_f7b2_9ad7_57d5_32de" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81owFZ7j4UGY_h1WNmCcxLpzntJK4kMeDt2mflg_C6iUTxhs85jLHSasSTZ5P721fd4uVVUuryL0SC4T55XkK9jAhoa99w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re here for two weeks so we’re pretending to be residents. This is our neighbourhood.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"></font></div><div><img id="id_ff7f_8885_527d_5846" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rt7VN1AjKTWm9adpH-tE-ttt2I61FKNOegDqVc4tg0PzB80cuZCy-my2vuKYs3DAQFFlRb4u2pS9iUKcM-NL0rTp_q9g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_cc0e_eec8_62e3_b7c6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o_tJorQ-DWZu2cYslDn1JqaL1lJeyR979pPBDrLzEPax0am9xGrzcXnbkm70R48fkNv210ByUc9jxKvb3XWAa2N9Gg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></font><br></div><div><br></div></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Thursday, June 1.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We went to the beach right after it emptied out. The moon was a small bright dot above the water. There were ominous looking clouds above brooding <b>Hotel des Bains</b>.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_343f_1222_38d6_93f8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pXinXLETRF-hlzPoITsXq_IBEJp9rOn4LE9LdcPjQznDjlu_HjxSTVy6qadHG2N4xrixa5nYyImAwrWfvYtVw3NKSiWA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There was tango dancing on the patio when we&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">got back to the hotel. So we got ourselves drinks at the bar and watched.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_99db_c81_c703_ef75" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qBJdKz6_tm_fsO7DDqmAVoGQEq2KwF2owIficIP2kGEEek2NuJ062yEo90vb_KXrJp3WIOFwX_H-0LL7cZqQCuDslLLw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div></div></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 29.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I slept through most of the weekend. How is that even possible?&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In Venice?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re on the Lido where t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ourists head to the beach most days. Leaving the rest of the island to</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Stuart and me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">By Monday, I’m a hundred percent again.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We go&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">across the street&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">to <b>Roxy Bar</b> for lunch. C</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ozze alla Roxy and Fegato alla Veneziana.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_13f2_504b_b298_e556" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pna422hYFn0hALH3NoPm6fj8v2NqRI6MsY2xmrZFTN6DLd4bkDOQ94K2yfX0wl3zQb4eEJwCanc-cJWvdlB9n8RX0Rwg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Friday, 26.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s an easy walk to the train station from the hotel. So, first a train to Milan Central station then on to Venice &nbsp;on the Frecciarossa.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We had booked a water taxi to take us from the Sta Lucia station to the</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Lido, our first real destination on this trip. And as our train pulled out of Padua station, we called to confirm and get the taxi number.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_f310_94b0_bc29_6e65" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pUSMypk0scg0ldPl4jjqG1wf6D6HuhcXEsqHpdtpUuLRpDAfvM9R1pvIV4o1x8Wex5TLGrtLDn2EID2npN28-Awgit8A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re not staying in Venice this time. The ride to the Lido afforded us a quick peek at the crowded city. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It would be easy enough to take a ferry to the mainland if we</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;wanted to maybe look in on the Biennale. For now, we’re eager to while away two weeks in the relative quiet of the Lido.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re once again in <b>Grande Albergo Ausonia Hungaria</b>, third time since May last year.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_a890_83d0_a925_baf9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81q8Q7KYl-3tEMDthgFEf8uq7a9zE-4YnveTckkxnDYg2c9UKwbkCFh6cRNF1fRmFBkW0SnJAZLiq4xW5hY3G8HxLQgIww" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, 24.</font></u></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">After about half an hour circling above Milan in bad weather, we finally landed a little after 9pm.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We stayed two nights&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at the airport Sheraton</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;to rest&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">then went straight to Venice.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Milan can wait until September.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6813249367344632030'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6813249367344632030'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/06/milan-to-venice.html' title='Milan to Venice'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81rnfJ10tjknsMcaxHk0g0aknLpDpYuehnzLz8fijAiI7-aVJzIhbGnD-EOm5ctYCmQYXFvypiX7aielek_OlBr6zun_=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7683511271679731138</id><published>2023-05-24T14:40:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-05-25T22:56:09.204+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Qatar Airways, my current favourite airline </title><content type='html'><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, May 24.</u></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">From</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">impeccable in-flight service in</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">their </font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">QSuites&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">to Quiet Rooms in their airport lounge,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Qatar Airways is quickly making all the others seem like budget airlines.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7c33_efd0_a9fd_66b5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oy8c77PTwvllEe7xjqHZAXx5cdq3_HglzSflu4Lxj5zwLX_IfN2G1ISmDyqxxxoHa8s26Jb5rWts5yeOHeatsQYNlcLg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><div><img id="id_4f73_6db9_4eb_9ff8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p42djTGg00P5GJ0893gf_E2iKfnEYrMpCYDEjs2QouJ6XKBh_98iFlynBEhjQ_59XyIkUX9VLtOuxuTAGuvull1RyLfQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">newly opened Al Mourjan Garden Lounge</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;overlooks the spectacular indoor tropical garden in the airport’s new North Terminal.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>I came away from this overly indulgent airport lounge well-rested and well-fed with a newly acquired addiction to Qinwan dates.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7683511271679731138'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7683511271679731138'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/05/qatar-makes-all-others-look-like-ryanair.html' title='Qatar Airways, my current favourite airline '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oy8c77PTwvllEe7xjqHZAXx5cdq3_HglzSflu4Lxj5zwLX_IfN2G1ISmDyqxxxoHa8s26Jb5rWts5yeOHeatsQYNlcLg=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7385177308345392543</id><published>2023-04-16T22:27:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2024-04-17T13:20:43.051+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Singapore and Hong Kong</title><content type='html'> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, April 14.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">SQ 222 arrives in Singapore at 9 pm and as&nbsp;Grand Hyatt is still closed for renovations</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">we’re now at&nbsp;<b>Conrad Centennial</b>.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img alt="" id="id_1794_55bd_2165_e3a8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AAOQEOTdkxPl5QktjAnsJB3n5xeCMOy5oY1owSila8W-50KpQsVBW-k7vaIkbulN48V5QTOm1VzxrZtaGBIWE6IOj0sf3yYp-A" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /></font></div></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, 15.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Our first engagement was dinner at Beth and Bertrand de Mil’s with Cynthia and Jimmy Yim.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">As always at the de Mils’, drinks flowed and talk at table was fast and furious. We covered everything from private islands to global taxes to Singapore’s premier golf clubs&nbsp;to Julian Assange&nbsp;to the US’s role in the Ukraine war, then ending happily with Bertrand’s tale of true love.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re finally settled in our fourth hotel room in the first 24 hours of our six days in Singapore. It’s a happy conclusion to our room arrangements courtesy of Mark, a welcome relic of the good old days when the hotel spoiled us rotten. (They had in the past rearranged the furniture in our room, repositioning the bed&nbsp;and rewiring electrical outlets&nbsp;just so we could watch TV more comfortably in bed.)</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday. 16.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Via and Gino&nbsp;took us to&nbsp;<b>Imperial Treasure</b>&nbsp;with their two girls Amelie and Annika for&nbsp;Peking duck and dimsum. We finished up&nbsp;at Tanglin Club&nbsp;for coffee and dessert.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 17.</font></u></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">My Singapore ladies put on a fabulous welcome dinner for me&nbsp;at the home of Tom and Cheryl Hansen. It was the splashiest potluck party I’ve ever seen!&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Cheryl was making&nbsp;tom yam soup and fried rice&nbsp;when I arrived at 6. She then whipped up a grazing platter while scurrying around setting the table and answering the door.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Carmen brought a whole suckling pig, Christine a duck curry, Cynthia a Vietnamese roll she herself made, Beth a noodle dish I didn’t even get a chance to sample. Ernie brought egg tarts and busied himself putting finishing touches to the dinner table, lighting candles, and taking photos and videos. Tom tended bar.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_719b_601f_2f9a_ad7d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pHMu5gh7bH7nLPtsqaOmYriOzKZFtDPreogg_9zQk_lecvdCT3jzuUyYCjdqvRLxVkNKAToHmo6zremroKPvOSWOW4Lw" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe frameborder="0" height="281" id="y_id_1dce_3a8_e1de_e998" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7sE2De1zjfA" width="500"></iframe><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 18.</font></u></div></div><div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">With my Tanglin Club “Thank You Dinner”&nbsp;canceled, I invited Ernie to join me for cocktails at Conrad. After drinks and a snack, we went in search of live music and found a band playing 80s music in the&nbsp;<b>Highlander</b>&nbsp;whisky bar.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, April 19.</font></u></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’ve now moved from Conrad in Singapore to our old home&nbsp;<b>Grand Hyatt</b>&nbsp;in Hong Kong.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_acc6_9b3a_4ed8_d01f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81o5bBxwn662znSIwdvPZU5TU0os9IcTDPrPR2SGbhmM_mf2TfjwiiYN5cH_gMPo6vRHBWv82EiKj-Sn7fu2NywX6JO4" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 24.</font></u></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br /></u></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Sunset on Victoria Harbour.&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana">First sighting of the sun since we got here.</font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_5194_a379_d5a0_ddc0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qRxsQ3oggF_Wqb7MvcwFwsjPhpujhK7bS0Jy5MJis45zgks3sEIU5LwNLp9J4sE1TWFDjJtlGfJFACP5wp-bPZbOIqRg" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></font></div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 25..</font></u></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br /></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">In the Grand Club.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_2c9c_df25_5bbf_a49c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81p3blucKljfR1JAcqyeUiDPmg6l6B0b5qhVfa62rZmjlh1_O18unBDbWXsRK-9bQGWVhiMuGzyf7U9BJVc11rASHmdfnQ" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Change is not always a good thing.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some things are better left untouched.&nbsp;If it ain’t broke…</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The Grand Club ca 2014.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_c1d2_8f04_8e17_9f36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pCk__CElMEJ-WwlJdwv4HIBzi70CaMZ_piySwVIs14cx-Tu33oIBVevKL8Lcpq-zY7EcgTLzf5AZx41Wy5BtjnBZ9U4Q" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_e553_44fa_db0e_7c0c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pLYuAEe9fEHjGJwhCU22CGc5E1eWKmkPJNFhHPApbyz88AjLESLpzpFUgbs5vnvHStZ1Vbbk726bYe4KPK_kCQbBYr" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, 26.</font></u></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br /></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Hong Kong emerges from days of cloud and rain.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_9a94_7c6a_9c8d_7c36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81pJ80NeU3Z1ZnzRTcM7lZLQOylU3jYMl4gsByUjCxuOeykJU2L1EgrelhKZbb_G6JfiK-KT7gDEGEXJWHREPH_cJ-Odlw" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Thursday, 27.</font></u></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br /></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch with Stuart’s Citi colleagues Patrick and Felix at&nbsp;<b>Lei Garden</b>.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_d271_82d6_850a_63b0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81omo8LtQQnFolxzDzC72ZfPmqr__vIxoTjgm2P-z8fvueOxWjcH3ncNNVkKm70zPh-T2BUKcZ4e5ivPwyJZsdDK-ewZHA" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Friday, 28.</font></u></div></div></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br /></u></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">At the start of the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">first Golden Week holiday since the border reopened in February</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">a fabulous sunset to welcome</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">an expected 600,000 people</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;from the mainland.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_4676_d96b_c36c_d73" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oHpCKLc1UEiylC6SS2LkrDSzn3Uwa08J8GeIEb31Ifcxn2p2NaSJRjzkwqEXb5eq208uyyexF6xhlBCJJbC5l7JOaH" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br /></span></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, May 1.</font></u></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">&nbsp;I lie in bed watching the gibbous moon until way past midnight.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_d4b9_9fdb_4deb_4b13" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oUvbawELiYlpCZ_w8r-DRwNyrk0GkgZEGy03x_y3uk7OJVDc-8vGbMefEMHoWnJhHg-Gc93nEqwxNzGxoCTZeZIA1Z" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">It just hangs there, unmoving, hypnotising me.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br /></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><img alt="" id="id_2901_44ac_8d27_bb53" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81oyQJ9TafCRYGhPbkhP-Lg-YaMhhh0OF6Ct227COYAvZNRg9-vifhAQiIsRJNW25C-faIYB0vqmgAgpkCI3TcIjKLPC" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br /><br /></font></div></div></div><div><font size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, May3.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">CX 919 to Manila.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">…in Manila…</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br /></font></div><div><a href="https://madjdiary.blogspot.com/2023/05/temporary-backup-price-of-yogurt.html?m=1">https://madjdiary.blogspot.com/2023/05/temporary-backup-price-of-yogurt.html?m=1</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7385177308345392543'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7385177308345392543'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/04/on-road-again.html' title='Singapore and Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AAOQEOTdkxPl5QktjAnsJB3n5xeCMOy5oY1owSila8W-50KpQsVBW-k7vaIkbulN48V5QTOm1VzxrZtaGBIWE6IOj0sf3yYp-A=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-773066207572507711</id><published>2022-08-16T13:40:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-10-29T12:07:46.119+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Back in London </title><content type='html'><div><div><br></div></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday, 7.</font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">QR16 to Manila.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Friday, 5.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">With Maurizio and Cristina’s family in Surrey.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img alt="" id="id_530_b4f9_7d4b_72b0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/81XYD0qMwFWOw2DWMY3reifEynzTKZQaUKc730nXYLEQYelPy9JWDQHzEWhrT3wJ6SM" style="height: auto; width: 700px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><br></div><div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Thursday, 4.</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I twisted my ankle slightly on the way to&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Eataly</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. Just to make sure I didn’t sprain it, we put an ice pack on my foot and Stuart held it on his lap while we had lunch. I wonder what people in the restaurant thought was going on under the table…😀</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_35ce_550e_2116_fe3b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yB0nIZC38xW3UG21R7MpU6wQQgBaJNe77smyvu_TjBNuModYUbvGPkGsUauObzOiZM8" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; width: 700px;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><font size="4">Hoxton Radio</font></b><font size="4">&nbsp;broadcasts from the lobby of the hotel every last Thursday of the month.</font></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_1436_e553_4cbd_903" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N5LChu0Dhb88iSXI35eS19sxLoI1J4vZWLH8Bjr_NRJr4ezDh9X1vNsTjO5o6BD7R7o" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; width: 700px;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At Her Majesty’s Theatre&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">for yet another delightful evening with the</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;<b>Phantom of the Opera</b>, third or fourth maybe at various times with various companions and various cast members throughout the show’s long life.</font></div><div><img alt="" id="id_839d_fd96_380f_7b20" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/y8kSSl0jE2eOzFqH1XM6WBciHPCFcql0EAsIt6IRx-kh07ZoTlXoAjojKLOMp37qroI" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; width: 700px;"><br><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Wednesday, 3.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In Epping Forest to bring flowers and a new grave marker to Mum in&nbsp;<b>All Saints Church</b>&nbsp;in Theydon Garnon.</span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_d294_698a_f9bd_6bcb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DvsXtYKi7vJxH4v1LCnLMRygui6IbQmYI-B-uSsSj5s9jFt3RmqNhDIk01Mc--lTP64" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; width: 700px;"><br><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tuesday, August 2.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">We left Paris for London on the Eurostar.&nbsp;Gare du Nord to St Pancras.</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_bb3d_915_d12_5444" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qoUjLwpzPD21Go8Ya8LItITpF3V1FZl4mhX4qkRoZwZVaNxxHh7bv0T7pnn5TR_sPgc" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; width: 700px;"></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_4869_feba_4d59_504e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/drive-viewer/AFGJ81qMuc9xLzgijNqypya9BJJWodH9HJo88k-WrBkdHQ7zncarzNIVtWRzs0FeMDhUq0f6xZQGE_A4C0dsojYFKJyOs95r" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back in London on the last leg of our 4-month long holiday, we’re now in&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Andaz Liverpool Street</b>&nbsp;where we had left most of our luggage when we went to Jersey two weeks ago.</span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_2353_4d9f_c9ad_7f02" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KAsRKNo4qIrQaD5gINokVCsHQXCOLjYu0Cu_dif_2A4oRNpG-ejFY-SCspuYBexWPhQ" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; width: 700px;"><br><br></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Rake’s</b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;is always a great choice for quick and delicious meals.</span></div><div><img alt="" id="id_8ad9_fcce_61d8_fa80" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pSoJpiuw8UmGvOzirWHNGDgl94iZHWpUEulFDJZfywqMGZ6qpehVcqKKOtB6AavB7M8" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; width: 700px;"><br><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/773066207572507711'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/773066207572507711'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/08/temporary-backup-back-in-london.html' title='Back in London '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/81XYD0qMwFWOw2DWMY3reifEynzTKZQaUKc730nXYLEQYelPy9JWDQHzEWhrT3wJ6SM=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4738569001442987399</id><published>2022-08-01T03:05:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-05-28T00:50:33.816+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Paris</title><content type='html'><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, July 26.</font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is the lobby of the&nbsp;<b>Hilton</b><b>&nbsp;Paris Opera</b>, surely one of the world’s most beautiful&nbsp;hotel&nbsp;lobbies.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_5966_394c_4179_a04a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3rXm-pSfkKm80-aui7DKKFfsrU6aogYcTQ9bs9K9_N55YDNvkdnbjIqcsfywRYdTWSo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">just as beautiful are t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he views from our gentrified garret.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_4064_a772_e778_4053" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YW8Gsel_21xXMAoK-DXMHUVTRNfgS1ckNUJ_xfd6F1w0qgRviitLtSPkFAZ13SKqy-o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, 27.</font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A quick lunch in <b>Printemps </b>at<b> La Reine Mer</b> was surprisingly good, served with a stunning cityscape on the side.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_acc9_f2fe_7cfc_4699" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hV6WAfaF-HnJpJAHJUWJ_1TyXbrmKN6NX_olGxX8anKXDr90vIm39vh5td-GLbhat48" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 28.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Picked up my shoes and bag from Loewe then had lunch at a curbside cafe.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_81c1_3c85_7be_6036" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AuLES1815s0PFGQ6Pf5pxK_Qly7OpAzZatGoyFVdJYQWmX9TP3sY0Yc3LnbRAZegtY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><u>Friday, 29.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Lunch at </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Brasserie du Louvre-Bocuse</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> was both elegant and hearty as we readied ourselves to face what we hoped would be a much thinned crowd at the Louvre. The weekly round of maintenance closures of several rooms might discourage people from turning up, we hoped.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Nope, no chance of that! We spent more time in the queue to get in than in the museum itself.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_237f_5111_1e1e_bf7a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/niSvJ3cbnyXkvj_9dwaCtmgDGz7k85knpcNoCj6fMhG_xRdofrEFllgVwtCwvh7ka1A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This is no way to appreciate art.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e296_a21e_a95b_1a77" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/EXBUpzCc61b56VLxoePUCeN1_MGUS1APr5gQqmBlfoukG-TSSX2mUwdmnwFvFgslJjU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I managed to get to a few choice pieces. Portraits by Gainsborough, Reynolds, and Goya. Delacroix’s icon of the Revolution, Marianne. And an atmospheric image of tragedy by Delaroche.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_52b1_fe47_5ca4_a821" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/iDovhYv5xwz1MZY5K9jMfo3gsUzIRVyNE5B4Td9J8D3zYtVVWdgHMidZ9NB6-k54Vpw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But after waving goodbye to La Gioconda from behind jostling bodies several metres deep, we soon gave up.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, 30.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As expected, </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Musée de l’Orangerie </b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">was a completely different experience.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Of course it’s different; it’s a small collection. But what is more evident is the love for the collection, for the art that is on display.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I had intended merely to once again, after so many years, spend time immersed in the wonder that is Monet’s Water Lilies, here gloriously and sensitively displayed, lit from above in naturally shifting daylight.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e99e_df2d_e30f_93f4" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/B83qtbpcriN3c6StnKJfPU3z30box9MHhwGAy4MfvWEHZtY-t-jxZf1navXII1R1h8E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I was unaware of the existence of a treasure trove of Impressionist and Post Impressionist paintings on the floor below. And w</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">hat a delightful surprise that was!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Rousseau. Modigliani. Picasso. Renoir. Cézanne. Matisse. Derain.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_ed3c_28eb_6074_225d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/L3EV1F6tfIl_AZKox-K5jJsV2853kSI0VZe4GMBy-5oSTIaXCw5LgJOOm9Ldg6YSSVs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_c9b_786d_6c24_410c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gn5kA8VWEZpDsacS_jDCsibwDSJ8PUcx4p5QqBQ9-lJLenZECJNxph3yI6cknZAlQzc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We emerged into the <b>Tuileries Garden </b>feeling light as air, as though all is right with the world. Or at least hopeful that it will be.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_ec4a_4dcd_2bb9_67" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/IlnAflsEKUOdpjIWJqkbQViiucRtKDX7ggqIUSEbPYM1JEPzxRwq_XOG8OwnkoXhjZ4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4738569001442987399'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4738569001442987399'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/08/paris.html' title='Paris'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3rXm-pSfkKm80-aui7DKKFfsrU6aogYcTQ9bs9K9_N55YDNvkdnbjIqcsfywRYdTWSo=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1008346873679203685</id><published>2022-07-24T05:58:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-01-05T13:42:27.047+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Saint-Malo</title><content type='html'><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sunday, July 25.</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sunday morning in beautiful Saint-Malo.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><img id="id_6693_dcc8_70d6_bf16" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0a9JQ_2lN2ULhiNI9Vv5vJXb4nIENjse-lqxw9GQJEVOmz_2HvXleBDXjoSnznJiIL0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Remembering the fabulous fish and seafood from the last time we were in Brittany many years ago, we’re thinking maybe we&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">should stay longer, go around the area for a while, before heading off to Paris.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But by lunchtime, after a desultory search for hotels, we’ve decided to keep to our original schedule.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At <b>Le Lion D’or</b>, we indulge our craving for great French food in a fun setting without the typical grouchy French service.</span></div><div><img id="id_2617_2faf_27ae_6893" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/dPVPEBB6DIDZgfbypx_rkzuOD2G8e8e5TwKoccT9TovTQGoUG_LbYCx8z97YIQSu-78" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner is at </font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>La Cabane</b> beside the quay.&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is an interesting restaurant.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">You enter through a quirky little&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">narrow&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">door marked Entree, into a sparsely decorated open space with simple tables and chairs. You order at the bar counter where the day’s menu is explained to you and you pay upfront, in cash, cafeteria style.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">They have an all you can eat buffet but we opt for grilled sea bass from the à la carte menu.</span></div><div><img id="id_2e3d_e7a1_b335_5271" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PUHMZ8Jvvtabv4LI6dF4STqwWwHazXNQDB1FJc95QAiucvvuiFGTc6Vu5oVs-nSUGp4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">La Cabane is owned and operated by a very charming lady who tells us it’s only been two weeks since she started operating it. Her experience working</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;at Hotel Chateaubriand for 19 years probably partly explains why&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">everything goes so&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">smoothly&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with only two women manning the dining room. They even manage to sing Happy Birthday and bring a slice of cake with a lighted candle to one of the tables.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Monday, 25.</u></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">Finally, my long awaited fish soup! Lunch at <b>Brasserie du Sillon</b>.</font></font></div><div><img id="id_2a38_dee5_2f3d_7a92" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QTzOYwZLe1M-WtXiGWSqOdQV1RBxnGZ_LbrT6YWN7Q5PDiBPvFV4VS-2G33a0Fmjpc0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">I had photographed it a lot,&nbsp;</font></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">this mysterious-looking house on the beach.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Mommy would’ve loved to paint this dreamy seascape. Stuart says I should paint it for her. Maybe I will.</span></div><div><img id="id_b931_5a2b_9fb_5af9" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dfTJaN2UK2pPL36B49po_iq-bJiU-mfn4IktV7B8H0kTf1Krw-Ec28jfmm_D4QspNGc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_22e2_c31d_d32a_fd9a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/oWeEggJ-xDMihL5W4L1UnuTk4g-aINwGUfJ5Y1u0zM_b0Ln7IF4H6ib0gwKDfEzHNgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ebf_7f0_3fc_9f17" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nlQid-ycfUui1djTjHLbZ_51DuR7lPEWafb7IU-UNLtmyNwB-qbkQYEOpnx2Ewy1giA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br>_____</div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">We were back in the restaurant for dinner.&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">The tide had gone out, the afternoon’s wild surf had calmed down; a&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">lone surfer was making the best of the dying waves.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">Gliders and kites sailed in the rising wind</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We watched all this from our window-side table, the same one we had at lunch, while we battled with the exquisite sea creatures on our plate.</span></div><div><img id="id_ca42_e7e3_85d0_d5eb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uINXbfNZnrgl1OMYpIZuh5tKa6RLcqfsqbg2-MHUdCDe-Y2u5wlkympX9tne8ISWdus" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">It was a protracted pitched battle and it was just the starter. By the time we’d gone through the rest of the meal, which ended with lime sorbet in chilled vodka, the sun was beginning to set and a cold wind had gone up.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We shivered in our summer clothes as we hurried back to the hotel but I had to keep stopping to take pictures of the gorgeous sunset.</font></div><div><img id="id_b9be_e401_eaa9_7b04" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-NZsgeP2swiFUYzVI9SWQBe99PzCH29ko4Ce1RxzXwBfJyeZCHhhIYEGAHXA2CmUCnQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2430_91a_a239_aec9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Ia9WpWSB-gfTzW3hsLUDDVQwZiqYDBg-df9gM2NbS-9NrRUREssKD9j0s9IitGlDJqA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1008346873679203685'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1008346873679203685'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/07/saint-malo.html' title='Saint-Malo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0a9JQ_2lN2ULhiNI9Vv5vJXb4nIENjse-lqxw9GQJEVOmz_2HvXleBDXjoSnznJiIL0=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3930756927860206274</id><published>2022-07-21T17:59:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T01:56:39.717+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Jersey </title><content type='html'><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, July 19.</u></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We flew to the Channel Islands to escape sizzling 39 degree London.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It was touch and go for a while; we wondered if our flight would even go. A London airport had to close the day before because part of the runway had melted in the heat.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The hotel porter struggled to find an air-conditioned taxi to take us to the airport. We weren’t getting in a taxi with no aircon in that heat.</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We landed in Jersey in lovely 23 degree weather.</font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">However, the hotel we had booked online was no good. W</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">e quickly walked out of our assigned room because the bathroom smelled bad.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the hotel’s half-open restaurant, we sat down to fish and chips and wine to help us decide what to do next.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">When<b>&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Samuel in Reception came to report that he checked the room himself and found nothing wrong with it, we decided that&nbsp;</span><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Radisson Blu Hotel </b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">had nothing better to offer.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We went to the <b>Royal Yacht Hotel</b> instead.</font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">An excellent decision!&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><img id="id_3a6e_3a6_c90_3918" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7qwBcckidVQxhtN2PJxz0Btmc-EOQNBVPSB7d09fktV3AtolYzXcFfCf-N9btGysCGs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 21.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The world goes at a much slower pace here. From our balcony we watch the tide come in at midday and go out in the evening. I look up the tide times at St Helier.</font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">High water at midnight and noon, low water at 7.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><table class="generalTableStyle" id="id_c4dc_94bb_7496_8c8" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border-spacing: 0px; color: rgb(29, 29, 27); vertical-align: top; width: 356px; caret-color: rgb(29, 29, 27); font-family: proxima-nova, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; clear: both;"><tbody><tr style="padding: 5px;"><td class="TidesDate " style="border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); padding: 5px; width: 165px !important;">Thursday 21 July</td><td class="TidesLowHigh " style="width: 94px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); padding: 5px;"><span class="hiddendesktop" style="display: block;">HW</span><span class="hiddendesktop" style="display: block;">LW</span><span class="hiddendesktop" style="display: block;">HW</span><span class="hiddendesktop" style="display: block;">LW</span></td><td class="TidesTime " style="text-align: right; width: 85px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); padding: 5px;">00:29<br>07:14<br>12:54<br><span style="color: rgb(182, 0, 17);">19:36<br></span></td><td class="TidesHeight " style="text-align: right; width: 50px; border: 1px solid rgb(224, 224, 224); padding: 5px;">9.1m<br>3.2m<br>8.7m<br><span style="color: rgb(182, 0, 17);">3.6m</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><img id="id_39c9_724f_f7d0_d5b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VvqozB8O19cOYFFP8hMYvQgsgTgrrOcPWPaw2QQNv9VGEaTIB4Ude-zVrWyCpmEykTw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The ferry to Saint-Malo leaves early in the day. It’s already half way there as I get ready for breakfast.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Locals play&nbsp;<i>boules </i>in the park.</font></div><div><img id="id_167b_2647_c29c_855e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/mNGXsDSnk5eSNzSycsVImcr2AmvmUKHbW5UuJrYyd14PHjhzAN37xBweP6mcF7d2MXg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I love walking around the marinas.</font></div><div><img id="id_be1c_efac_d2c7_9c29" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/SHQJxN3vtovdoAoGyxhmJBGvnghZqQzHypMa3oAdVO5nxpyGBvfzkqMIwbDMEa_yLYA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Meanwhile, the hotel has champagne sent up to our room by way of apology for the spotty wifi.</font></div></div></div></div><div><img id="id_cd50_1c5a_e90f_8047" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/mv6jHteqir4URu46HkOcasdeasjBsA9Tu8lYs8X1hdbIyCqydr2gOLItcBVnUgct4pA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Saturday, 23.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">We’re on a 4- hour bus tour around the island.</font></div><div><img id="id_6861_c11b_f1ca_d21c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rQgc9vV7bE1hTQAZclebm1xrr2CTtK7ZukjWb_wJ73NXqlTRPCV-USCap5qIWhxAlC8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">Stopped for cream tea at The Priory Inn in a place called Devil’s Hole.</font></div><img id="id_8f09_17ee_27d4_6b30" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FTfEMbR2HA8i3cJMjkTsm7Oil4zH4TAO4v_wMN80-dEtQ1XrYi-oAPYAqOTPTZvxusE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">All in all, a lovely getaway less than an&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">hour’s flight from London.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Now at the port waiting for our ferry to Saint-Malo. It’s an hour late.</font></div><div><img id="id_d6a0_4f33_e471_b0c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cVHjrd7RaCLqNiDt8FDCZrsB_ctoy8I9HeIq5TdgN15Ujyo-ei3k1JJzUEp4A84bKLk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3930756927860206274'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3930756927860206274'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/07/jersey.html' title='Jersey '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7qwBcckidVQxhtN2PJxz0Btmc-EOQNBVPSB7d09fktV3AtolYzXcFfCf-N9btGysCGs=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9014004618431159652</id><published>2022-07-18T00:23:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-05-05T01:14:06.839+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>In and Around London </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 27 June.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">After two and a half months in&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Italy, it’s t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ime to move on. We’re now doing England.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b9e2_d647_ceb2_42aa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gVmztOVgXpLjDChedywUZeSgoTgSIvJnqu_z7vIfazOVyMvup7G7lV35h1dlnmX4NjA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is the London&nbsp;roof line viewed from&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">our hotel room. I’m waiting for&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Peter Pan to fly out of a window or maybe Mary Poppins to float down with her umbrella.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">London still enchants. Most of the time.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Unfortunately, after a few days, the incredible lack of professionalism in the hospitality area begins to grate.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The Waldorf Hilton needs to shape up to protect the Waldorf Astoria franchise.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Harp music and coronets on the table</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;can hardly justify t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">heir Jubilee Afternoon Tea’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">£49 price tag.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There’s nothing special about the tea and the service is atrocious.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Why we’re kept waiting for our bill while the restaurant manager chats with staff right in front of us is beyond me.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_df1_bf81_6da5_e107" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0jooJAmyPDyN0srIdFFrcqSvUbP5tOHqQwZFrdAWyti1e2eyc9JJLVFFsnxYScnp1CU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">When we check out the next day, we find that t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he charge for the tea has been taken out of our hotel bill.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 1 July.</u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re headed for Dorset&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">to revisit Stuart’s childhood seaside holidays.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_f757_6981_84c1_9c49" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YP1hoewkIaiqg_MceBZOQ5yxMmLXoF_-W9yotXVdfdZ2Z_FDtrDxU2IDbWW3MW8Acnk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">That’s Dad’s plane on one of many nostalgic posters on the&nbsp;Bournemouth pier.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_643f_cbd9_c01_135d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OW7h_9qFSKCZRdqCKXZGY3TppqAHFCWmOOFwFF7jpc_wBPgLxIKvlufMouoRDFkEVJM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Mussels and fish &amp; chips in Sandbanks.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d6bd_5c53_6b98_2741" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6nYS7FLx-wQid86bdYRKj-wU848tkuGt7UClLxjbk1IMmqjh3cuQatOS6W8zmCAo38c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There’s not much else for us to do here, so we soon bid good night and goodbye to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">our seaside interlude</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_2860_cf14_ad3b_ad32" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/O2ab8eaTdgTJgGX_zhhecjvQ4PH5D-niB1NR5C42jWr2HnNW6yme1mHKylb_fmtD7Vk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday, 4.&nbsp;</font></u></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b9a3_f45f_37be_a40b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6MyhjPBBxF-zj9SabIPUlOgxNe2lcQliQYeHO_Dvn_dNKV8dCB8HMSS9rM4zqxyn1Uk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">We’re racking up miles on the Great Western Railway, now&nbsp;headed for&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;">the city of Bath</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_fa7a_3660_a650_943a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2xbR-Zp2gzaa-s44yrqEhFw537fXyQTGsZKNPG4QggFdMDxuBEH3Ak0AjVrTKdv4mI4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The Royal Crescent Hotel showcases things the English do very well: gardens, tiny bedrooms, and afternoon teas.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Breakfasts too, of course. Preferably served with a garden view.</font></div><div><img id="id_f134_df25_1969_1ab" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OCxqSFgSZjexyY5mg3VzVQA37tmCMPHMwerXEZHPT1Rb1WB_BptHtMSVsfXGu-0fPnw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 5.</font></u></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">English Gothic: magnificent fan-vaulted ceiling in&nbsp;Bath Cathedral.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_7f49_d817_271_c17" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1l-k7ony07MTjaGitNCLqMlOH2k_7QXUughaKR2oq-5SK55DFENVDbCUiRvlZH4fPf4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_32a0_20df_6b7c_352e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VgbZ6HbK98GlQpeMIUmgJs9yAmwd3xkEMH1ODWL_SwUqazMJKagXTZ3MRZQ4o6Zow-E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">Georgian<b>&nbsp;</b>is the English take on Neoclassical and Palladian. All done in the lovely caramel-coloured Bath stone.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_28a8_20c6_baa5_cb38" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6J-XVxqC_wDZ_R1c-SZLnBd337vdIUXuG1TItxoTklGXelX8TFkA7WTdVzBiQoWNUuQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">And can there be anything more English than pubs and Cornish pasties?</font></div><div><img id="id_ee9e_a568_3dfc_a0d7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Z0voVbgYEdY1bSYse14wTwZo45v2EKRYCn5J0YQjuip5lXv-6Z8hNYH72hmucGDqKeE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, 6.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On our last day in Bath, a perfect composite multinational meal. French lunch at Chez Dominique, Portuguese&nbsp;<i>pastel de nata</i> from Nata &amp; Co for dessert, and Argentinian coffee at Cortado. All just off Pulteney Bridge.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_980c_934e_d724_ae1f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fqszh7taDpq_wa4-GYwgf7fsgkjn3uZyzlMbzME1_T-MPngeCJ6aQKIH2iXJEPznTdQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 8.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back in London. Beautiful weather, fabulous views from the Hilton Metropole.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_763_672c_53fc_403a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TDVm5wSVk3q1CZlJqt_8lXthVgmesb9aHWsSOr5ldOu6H6En53vdgNbs_JoXlOFI3l4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 11.</font></u></div><div><br></div><img id="id_59_54eb_b938_cf6c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TuJsCeqOvDyULH7RXc3LU3sFArCQ7UHhIzceek5w0kqvBjAhwo1Op9gffA_bcPpQfTs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">With Marilou and Eddie</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at the Barbican<b> </b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">for An</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">ything Goes</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u>Friday, 15.</u></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u><br></u></font></div><div><img id="id_f8ae_5a6f_4199_a3fb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/p2ZzRNroA7_cJ7wiObAMgsXrpqT4u7eaZ8kxRRlFZoGHgBpS-UN4M-86gjw9B8a8xHM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Lovely easy Friday on the canal. </span><font size="4" face="Verdana">At Merchant Square in Paddington, just across from our hotel.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">No sign of a heatwave here.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Sunday, 17.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We've moved right across to the East End, City of London.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">This magnificent Victorian red-brick building opened in 1884 as the Great Eastern Hotel. It’s listed Grade II on the National Heritage List.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_eee1_948d_18d8_f18" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DX9V_owII5jmwmACmEiGdc_zTnxxy5Fovox6nKHU6MiPMeLhlQtomMVT2QqualQwkEg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Once through the doors of what is now Hyatt’s</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Andaz London, the Victorian era morphs into the 21st century.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_1ff7_4a2e_48f8_27a0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_T_JRCpLJmYyhh37TP_Wh7bL3U4c0siMz6P5PhwqICnmwz1tH4yTiT-bVqZdReWR-XM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m thoroughly intrigued by the hotel’s creative aesthetic. The decor barrels through traditionally conservative Victorian motifs, setting everything down squarely in the present. They’ve painted Palladian columns and Georgian architraves aggressive shades of green and red.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_45be_bf9c_60b1_f634" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/StUPL6QzA_APfzc238YsC6DNmE5_uL4NMmdWzBqLQR00eXLENPtHBzB96smpRmG2PeY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our guest room goes deeper into&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Alice’s “through the looking-glass” adventure with artwork unlike any I’ve seen in hotel rooms before. This is vibrant street art, 3D murals crawling up to the ceiling. Marvellous!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_f8e_abd5_ac2b_1bcb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lNbn9_qt72HMteHOwseKIUVVElQC8jaXxACks1tta-jePIv85RHPCe0LxO9e82kAxIg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9014004618431159652'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9014004618431159652'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/07/temporary-backup-in-and-around-london.html' title='In and Around London '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gVmztOVgXpLjDChedywUZeSgoTgSIvJnqu_z7vIfazOVyMvup7G7lV35h1dlnmX4NjA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8708062450784747445</id><published>2022-06-25T22:29:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-07-06T18:36:01.513+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Verona </title><content type='html'> <div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Friday, 24 June.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner at <b>Bertoldo</b>. Highlight was the starter of cold meats: salada Trentina&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">and poached&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">pear</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with spiced fruit jam, carpaccio with sweet gorgonzola, and roast veal with mustard cream, all&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">served with crispy polenta crackers.</span></div><div><img id="id_1bfd_abb8_40b5_2613" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W6lMT99bQu6GA390egA0_30Rq1rtpU2cGxILazkmc_29NP1eYKQuD9Tbe-tqXn1BTH0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><u>Saturday, 25.</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">Lunch at <b>Osteria Sottoriva</b>.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana"><u><br></u></font></div><div><img id="id_3634_e2e3_bd28_96ee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KOTfhjniyzNgihMwnFl3CnjPB3k36r7-o8B2k-RRvs14JvHkODHQtMzXKqFe2DiylAo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We seem to be reprising our 2012 Verona trip with Margarita and Maurizio: from Bertoldo, to Sottoriva, to the arena.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The only difference is the hotel. We’ve traded in <b>Due Torri </b>for<b> Accademia.</b></span></div><div><img id="id_6a69_caec_b6ef_bfe3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9_23Uhn7gkYqruMt6ADKm2QlWFGF51g1Ky_zQ3jGAhGt03PkyKh85B93syl8Hnqm2NQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">At the </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Arena di Verona</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> for&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Nabucco</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_5564_fecd_2392_df73" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jhb_Kke3pRwqGAysPsDpTiKqViCUvzeHkDLP-TQg3r0oTBnEo-tgbrzipu-Lx5UyPH4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></font><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I thoroughly enjoyed the production even if t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he story’s migration to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a different time and place</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;and people never really made sense to me</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There are several first night glitches. Getting twelve horses to strut onstage can be tricky especially when rifles keep firing, frightening them and me as well. And by the time the storyline really gets going, and the music gets really engrossing, the show has gone on far too long.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So when the Slaves Chorus is being wildly applauded with calls of Bis! Bis!, I’m really hoping they wouldn’t oblige and just get on with the show.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But does any of that really matter?</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">As always, only the spectacle matters.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This is&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Verdi</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;in the Verona Arena.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">extravagant sets, the sumptuous music, the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">wonder and delight that is opera.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And the glory of it all is that the theatre itself is even more spectacular than what is onstage.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8708062450784747445'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8708062450784747445'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/06/verona.html' title='Verona '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W6lMT99bQu6GA390egA0_30Rq1rtpU2cGxILazkmc_29NP1eYKQuD9Tbe-tqXn1BTH0=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6663052820870467551</id><published>2022-06-20T19:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-21T11:17:45.541+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Back on the Lido </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tuesday, June 21.&nbsp;</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re back on the <b>Lido</b> at the Ausonia &amp; Hungaria. At this point in our two-month holiday, we feel we’ve found the right balance: a place between not too hectic and not too dead;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;where there’s life after 9.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1eea_1a2_19a9_2960" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/G10-_KMZ-TOTCw594do09T8zoMXZhTUUvxMteI5S7FeWc07XZiYKIDt7fEunaBrice4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_d08b_f76a_8115_87d2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/CcXLCjva-1tpAGDfyMcmJkItF2kKyikc-4DGbJS1nUGBgkrlugzRvQRJUKyxEMocnRo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Across the street, there’s Sunday night jazz at Roxy Bar.</font></div><div><br><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZYY7Xz8bWpE" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_2b2a_a8f7_5967_fef6" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">My plan for this week is to not do anything but rest, be comfortable, and unwind from the running around of the past two months.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart though can’t stay put; he goes off on the ferry everyday.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Mondays are usually quiet because m</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">ost places are closed so I joined him for a quick trip to the mainland.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The ferry was full but&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">St Mark’s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;was relatively uncrowded; you could actually see the pavement you’re walking on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After taking a we-were-here selfie, we’re happy to just turn around and go back.</span></div><div><img id="id_2c09_c214_6df5_8854" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0fiq8lu6m1IFZecat0epJpoSMH4VXubbGghEfCVSOWNdQYlx_Bfvb0L9Wk3tjW0hYSc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I went inside the </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Fortuny</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> shop just to be surrounded by beautiful things, chat with the nice shop lady, look at the lovely lamps and exquisite little purses, touch the luscious fabrics.</span></div><div><img id="id_15ed_249d_e56_71cc" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Nle7s3m2hj96YQ-tJS-omlGovPInl3nNFGOTnm5N4esUcL4eZ1P_l9nPVkT3emllPhs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart then smartly headed to the #1 ferry so we got on before it filled up.</span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">We like going to <b>Bar Lepanto</b>, a cheerful local neighbourhood bar around the corner from the hotel.&nbsp;</font><font size="4" face="Verdana">They’re open all day, serving drinks and snacks.<br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">Obviously a favourite with locals, the place fills up at passeggiata time and empties by 8:30.<br></font><img id="id_45e9_513f_1957_fcee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FgIUlvSBpu37QxEdYladDGqca2zMAD019_ZI3dWKHA_rgPdCfVYFYR-WsWNZ8500nuU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, 22.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At Lepanto, I ask Angio where he would go for a nice dinner. He points us to a place further up the road, beside an inner canal.&nbsp;</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s a nice street, mainly residential. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Small&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">dinghies and motorboats are parked alongside the canal.</span></div><div><img id="id_de2f_37e3_2dfd_e04c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/T3pj-vU8OHWYbUnXpC3THcjiHq6nPLFN2I7lsvgDl5uHXGdnxEyYJwOxAEY3ERbdMC0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_eaa3_a8c1_ae64_ef7a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OolJv6HM4O_QmBE8MCuCZWBav-6TTFO_wXyduda3AZSTUAdSFEeHUPO5JtYbZkCldxU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">elegant houses, a small hotel, no shops or bars. There’s a laundromat, nice and quiet, with only one person sitting in front of a large table.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Ristorante Andri</b>&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">is on the ground floor of an Italian Liberty style house.</span></div><img id="id_8df2_9516_f496_80fa" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qNldIIe-R-tlcLlXP1P2BuZ4Z4mp6E9mhIgBncV4sZUPes-bF7WKy9B3XNjZ0MX64Lw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;sign saying “Sorry, we’re fully booked” is on a table outside.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There’s a table available only until 9. It’s all the time we need.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The restaurant is&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">delightfully decorated in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">bright cheerful colours. There’s art on the walls and on the table. The table itself is painted in lovely colours and the glassware on it is beautiful.</span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_53d8_5ffa_ed01_3a24" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/taEjzZGfjqpeyVRhAZ3Rn9AV2XlqyTxyuDcbujW78TLzv8kBaBBB34Cue2s2wl8lUcM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></font><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There are moments on holiday when it’s a comfort to find that English is spoken. This is one of those moments. Our charming young waiter went to Oxford, so what’s he doing waiting tables on the Lido, I wonder?</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We enjoyed our dinner so we’re going back tomorrow. I must ask him then.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 23.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Last day on the Lido was much like every other. &nbsp;We’re going to miss this.</font></div><div><img id="id_9e1d_dc6_c058_1ecd" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3PCLcvhnMssiwEkF5Dz8T02QKgcCqtib2sX28FEi1hCuVKbRAu5RRcncg6aVSLvOdnw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6663052820870467551'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6663052820870467551'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/06/back-to-lido.html' title='Back on the Lido '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/G10-_KMZ-TOTCw594do09T8zoMXZhTUUvxMteI5S7FeWc07XZiYKIDt7fEunaBrice4=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-625705543737074666</id><published>2022-06-16T23:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-06-25T17:52:28.611+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Murano </title><content type='html'> <div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u>Thursday, June 16.</u></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">On the hotel&nbsp;launch.</font></div><div><img id="id_d6a0_719d_cd7f_9767" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9XaEryLWVgcQfk7g21aCDdnZDA9wUyTVsLTMIqNF8ZT_rwhcU9u_OqCdosGBW8a2krw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Hyatt Centric</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">porters are on hand to meet our launch.</font></div><div><img id="id_e167_7b56_582a_6c3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/tRNHfInml0_Mp2fK2GZA42ShfZGxMnrRWMFyzMmDK-76eSMA-UWE8tWZKaiRUnQDqtY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A very late lunch at a friendly neighbourhood bar. The sign said Beware of the Dog but we only saw a pet tortoise.</font></div><div><img id="id_7466_6e7d_7bd6_eb83" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qUWTWqrE9_bkStPaikETKia8pBCJPFRPkRI9QxBsGj8sJPFIBN-gAK4lyMNnKKmtrWs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Murano is like Cannaregio, only quieter. The place goes to sleep before 9.</font></div><div><img id="id_738f_54c0_9b4e_2961" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M6oShkgeh7SkP1Ta001scMvfrkwb6pjcys365XIkpcpZhviMxgCsXhUP5DfiwXRRbwo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’ve been through this route before but only just noticed the&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">monument standing on the water in front of the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><font size="4">Cimitero</font></b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;a bronze sculpture called</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;“</span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Dante’s Barque</b>”, a reference to Dante’s “Divine Comedy”. It’s a haunting memorial to honour the dead buried there.</font></div><div><img id="id_186b_a15b_9bd3_faed" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XM3p-VUxvolMw8Ef7oPW0QWQe2PFCH9CYWP1MUMqt91kORer3wfg6sKxtnA6DHutQe8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 17.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>It took us close to three hours to find our way through the ferry circuit to get to Lido for three important errands: lunch, barber shop, and laundry. We scored well on the first two but didn’t feel up to the last.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Coming back was more straightforward, arriving right at our doorstep.</font></div><div><img id="id_2072_47b3_ffa3_5d44" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/72o9pZl6wEdHVzBvgzneEFL35R7vkRmrZbb2rEQL3oHMakZeNkQlBLz80MaNj7y1Cr0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We can actually watch the ferries, we can see the stop, from our window.</font></div><div><img id="id_c05_7d5_1fb5_6191" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9jY7z5p1oekp8FsnEUtCi2jQ-GsoEAi0R7a7TocM7c8v_Ewb9l-t6MHEhqvmAGpQI94" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, 18.</u></font><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">The hotel is nice, the location in front of the ferry wharf is great, very convenient if you intend to make Murano a base from which to come and go. Trouble is, the ferry is not convenient.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">You need more than one ferry to get to and from anywhere. They &nbsp;tend to be overcrowded as they pick up from several stops, so you may not even get on and have to wait for another one.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday,19.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After three days, we realise there’s really nothing for us to see and do here.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re leaving and moving to the Lido.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the evening, we went to leave some of our luggage for the next day&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at the Lido hotel&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">then hurried back to Murano for dinner.</span></div><div><img id="id_1d81_de15_1eb0_ba24" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lvvYykFT39CT-T0JHE-hjlcG3FOKhHrBgthrYJTf_c5OSOlaR8QrfYMqvUbYtEVfQ8k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_69dd_7c7e_3e8d_7f74" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OMssSnS-xmFgT0-9J1wO_Uqto1fu2x0jxrZMa6lbR1Dc41gV0Zxoic4nGqUT4SEj2bY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The evening 5.2 ferry takes a longer route so we took</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the Alilaguna water bus to Colonna and walked the rest of the way. By the time we got to Murano t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he restaurants had closed for the day.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/625705543737074666'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/625705543737074666'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/06/murano.html' title='Murano '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9XaEryLWVgcQfk7g21aCDdnZDA9wUyTVsLTMIqNF8ZT_rwhcU9u_OqCdosGBW8a2krw=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7742945998998481077</id><published>2022-06-13T21:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-01-02T14:46:02.037+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Palermo </title><content type='html'><div><br></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, June 11.</u><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s nothing grand about <b>Grand Hotel Wagner</b>. Their booking adverts lied. No old-world charm here,&nbsp;it’s just old and dreary,</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;shabby and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">neglected</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">They offer us two other rooms, neither of which is any better than the one we’re already in.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s 8 p.m., surely too late to change hotels, but&nbsp;Stuart goes out to try anyway.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">He’s &nbsp;back in a few minutes saying the magic words:&nbsp;We’re leaving!</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><b>Grand Hotel et Des Palmes</b>, only a two-minute walk from the Wagner,&nbsp;is a world away.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">As the doorman whisks open the door and swiftly relieves us of our luggage, I’m transported to a happy place.</span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The&nbsp;lobby&nbsp;is&nbsp;full&nbsp;of light, there’s lively jazz music in the air, and bright smiling faces at the front desk.</span></div></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_574b_f353_7ff_2982" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kJvrm_btR4FFaa-AMID0t4VQbaiF0-f3VmE02tI7Vl2j9BNtJTmqwhjrX4kFr0iZxeo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">We go straight to dinner in</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the hotel’s rooftop restaurant</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;The evening gets even better as we take our bottle of lovely Sicilian white onto the terrace&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">where a jazz band is playing</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><img id="id_5042_437a_e83a_5f78" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Vu0JnPl8KLDgEOqPGrPQjCPP_8odg74CWT_Y7AanJo6Q2OvvyLFmZnGsRkXxfhfWQZA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vULcgzAXdPc" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_e02b_6949_3014_a098" frameborder="0"></iframe></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div></div></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday, 12.</font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We have only two items on today’s agenda: lunch and the Serpotta sculptures.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">As it’s Sunday and already past 3, we have limited options for lunch.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Bistrot 107</b> is packed. Mostly with hulking big men in black leather and heavy gold and silver jewellery. Hell’s bells, they’re&nbsp;<b>Hells Angels</b>!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c46c_d136_72fb_cc4f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Zqyc2M1qjXDc9cChkEGm8yc_pw0lUyjEhB1SkkpzzX1rYSyp7kUxQj-z-3mwWkYpdm4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br>Not the convivial atmosphere we like to linger in but the sardine involtini and the grilled gamberoni are really very good. We decide to take out the seafood risotto.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The back streets of Palermo don’t exactly fill one with a sense of well-being. The narrow lane we’re in fills me with dread. Are we on the right track for the&nbsp;oratory, I wonder.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>Tucked away in a grubby street replete with graffiti is the&nbsp;<b>Oratorio del Rosario di Santa Cita.</b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_aa2f_fffd_d3cb_6991" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cqWru5Aj_NSJY18BmRAzCeNkiCZkAsEFx5ZBPLEeE87OPrUC8k3EfJBHvnY-6nppTkI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is a magical place where stories traditionally told in paintings and illustrated in stained glass are here rendered in stunning 3D&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">by Rococo sculptor&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);"><font size="4">Giacomo Serpotta.</font></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);"><img id="id_5229_20b2_39d_39bd" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VZwtCi3NtncNQH2epgByPKmGYr6TCViV7KXdA_dKd-_d3NEICE-lhp53QmfpmV0UoFA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);"><br></b></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Scenes from the life of Christ celebrated in the&nbsp;mysteries of the rosary are staged theatrically in a series of dioramas</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">.</font></div><div><div></div><div><font face="Verdana"><font size="4"><span style="width: 700px;"><img id="id_e094_6a8c_85ac_ea47" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/mfgsxZwWGokX7Tf4I77KuO4gokS8BU_fSLaDhC5IcBeTqDDeGbHknYMcfKrWYpWZXIY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></span></font><br><font size="4"><br></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Biblical figures, allegorical&nbsp;characters, mythical creatures&nbsp;are all&nbsp;elaborately sculpted in&nbsp;meticulous detail&nbsp;in&nbsp;snow-white stucco.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Adorable impish putti frolic among&nbsp;fruits and flowers and cavort&nbsp;around windows,&nbsp;climb up to the ceiling,&nbsp;and dangle from sills.</font></div></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2f38_3421_c632_4287" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kch1UddHmZALpSt2dci-iU-wqyFqvgMgkshj9I3-6n1MGqyck_gP2HYr4d_eJ3KufLE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It's closing time, so I rush to see the adjoining chapel which has original 16th century decorations.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c34c_23e8_84b9_6ab5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BkqM920v65zaWsKlLDtsV0pNFMJKRkLMV1AmT6vuFJfZ6XqZT1uVd26_IxdAFXbBLto" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s miraculous how this ancient structure, seriously damaged by WW2 bombs, has managed to retain this hoard of precious jewels of art.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There’s a mighty roar on the street as we come out of the Oratorio. Our lunch companions are on the move.</span></div><div><img id="id_6cec_49ae_b19d_9dd7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hvtg8XEPrkJuiU8nSRlQE5k9qbGkIECkyN_nK3-vNoSeNjpBlyon-v9-eT27nfrP9iU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Monday, 13.&nbsp;</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A profusion of architectural styles traces the history of the city.</span></div><div><img id="id_a978_7bf7_d2b1_15ca" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JgbkHmOzvl1n2mKljbssnab1x97u-pDz5eOB8HDvSjmdDMOelYpq4zqmI9hrzF9V7VQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 14.</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Teatro Massimo&nbsp;</b><b style="font-family: Verdana; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; caret-color: rgb(32, 33, 34); color: rgb(32, 33, 34); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2);">Vittorio Emanuele</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">The opera house,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;">the largest theatre in Italy,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;is&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">renowned for its perfect acoustics.</span></font></div><div><img id="id_2bbe_6a1a_2f_c88c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/dzIYTdd7aULFBoktbUZlPifirThV6F79jYdohgfzK20Ck9a_xEqx3nH2fCTGfpOcbdo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">That iconic scene from&nbsp;<b>The</b>&nbsp;<b>Godfather 3,</b>&nbsp;Al Pacino’s agonised silent scream when Sofia Coppola gets shot, is&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">played out on these steps.</span></div><div><img id="id_697_c610_a5cc_7a5a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4_t8IOZZnBra7JefCn8o2UUtoe-qAtx36HAXjz_WFVGiXuq6V7fq1S5x_ovQA-YBOP0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>Teatro Politeama Garibaldi</b>, home of the Sinfonica Siciliana, is an elegant Neoclassical structure.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><img id="id_7e7f_7e90_337c_ccbf" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ZJK-muMycJlVq1G9_HRRNaMHkAw-K_I2Skc20rVhC7t2F8QdMxq0oaG3OF5sXaRREDY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><br><br><font size="4" face="Verdana">Our day at the market fell flat at lunch, our w</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">orst meal on holiday.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart sent back his fish fry.</span></div><div><img id="id_f1bf_993b_7bce_850e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VOb5T3O-dvhL1a-RDfuYV1yDsflTKoKdnltc5ATdZh1JuveUxnzKa3FoFttzBYTu_Vo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’ve had several delicious meals at this osteria near the hotel.</span></div><img id="id_1f00_feee_bdf2_5b63" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QHVe-30F_MEiJLUbfG3fkRTBVawWd83wJ7ANSwRiTsfUP5EJch9hjSfeJCI8IaJDNx4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 16.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Arrivederci, Sicilia!</font></div><div><img id="id_b1e2_9166_6191_2864" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hJwn4pSGpSpwqpqnNKEJhhmtx8LqzTcDvUqv7ukXBU0D5L-96mD8FX46dwxu4PLmu2E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><br><br><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7742945998998481077'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7742945998998481077'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/06/palermo.html' title='Palermo '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kJvrm_btR4FFaa-AMID0t4VQbaiF0-f3VmE02tI7Vl2j9BNtJTmqwhjrX4kFr0iZxeo=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6793877508417998168</id><published>2022-06-09T01:13:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-06-18T23:34:54.443+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Taormina </title><content type='html'> <div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, June 8.</font>&nbsp;</u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Another train, another adventure!</span></div><div><img id="id_5124_f0ad_1ee4_c896" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jNDCque3y64nhvweXRneck_zv0g2_3y66i5YhTjvTCT9vUxw64DVsQa2qhtQee8an0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Now experienced train travellers, we know how to get a taxi from the station. Having called our hotel to send us one, we soon leave&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">behind&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a number of tired, frustrated, befuddled other travellers still trying to work the call-phone at the taxi stand.</span></div><div><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re in&nbsp;<b>Taormina</b>. </span><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s so beautiful here.&nbsp;</font></p></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2ef1_fdb6_8f2c_f8c8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3Yep6USoZ2pyVNG3RMNESa20KTOHf9SyIIFnfkYzN4AEGzBBoz7Muu4whHl28Te-UNM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><br><div><img id="id_42a_ac01_fe66_1895" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OytB7IvC88bGg4utgbqNBZaka4GgtiW0ptEzX487uVdDUt9b_86035QgmfkeMXHzvbs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Perched on a mountain slope 400 meters above sea level, it has astonishingly gorgeous views across the Ionian Sea and&nbsp;<b>Mount Etna,&nbsp;</b>the hyperactive volcano that locals affectionately call “Mongibello”, beautiful mountain. &nbsp;</font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At dinner in&nbsp;<b>NH Collection</b>’s&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">rooftop restaurant <b>Zefiro</b>,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Giuseppe&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">our waiter cheerfully informs us that Etna is currently erupting.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After helping us choose the wine, explaining the&nbsp;evening’s&nbsp;specialties, and introducing the restaurant’s chef, another Giuseppe, he then takes us around the&nbsp;rooftop balcony&nbsp;to point out the most beautiful spots in his town.</span></p></div><div><img id="id_4232_1cb9_e13f_15f4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZHuxO5s4ICcL6sbMa-2QcOZVOpo_aFsMzGwi3psSSF9nZED0CfKcA02ZFAXZXMvk590" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">So we’re 20 miles from Mount Etna,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Europe‘s</span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;largest and most dangerous volcano. It is, at this very moment,&nbsp;</span>erupting. Should we worry?&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Well, we’ve just had a marvellous dinner with a bottle of very nice wine, so we’re really in no&nbsp;mood to worry about anything at all.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After all, I’m told that Mongibello is not known to hurt people.</span></div><div><img id="id_b42e_f24f_3628_5ebc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yrFD7AHMAdT2TSWNcAR7kzGdoYOcrfRtPyGbJlpwN0Sdbwb3Be4Q8yhdEQK0WA4aUsY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_b641_8453_f74b_fe02" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zKMcoq0PRwr7CM8TJ-QFOiDbYULjaxgYXGKh3wFKnHOqLOC7eZL0-Fco7dtxCAahdBs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Thursday, 9.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">We spent the morning at poolside, finally taking the time to just laze and read.&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’ve&nbsp;really fallen off the wagon this time and it’s not even lunchtime yet!</span></div><div><img id="id_5e43_3191_f815_c55" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZX7hOqh42cm3VhrfoaBKB2G0gLi4AIweKdDPG3K-WuvipA1kwYp7VxV0JgBtS7IARU0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">In the evening, dinner at family owned and run <b>Malvasia.&nbsp;</b>We loved the food and the informality. Our bill was handled by the matriarch. She was wearing a large kitchen apron so I asked if she was the chef.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Yes, chef and “padrone”,&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">she said.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Taormina is an elegant town. The architecture ranges from ancient Greek and Roman to Medieval to Baroque.&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There are many smart bistros and romantic scenic restaurants. People tend to dress for dinner.</span></div><div><img id="id_2fc4_944b_12b3_7f4" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/oekAmUqeQuDFoSI6qABCUrICMz8OOaQFif-16-rJPnYnvZpE0rI-P-DhW1Im3IcALUQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The tourist souvenir shops are all on&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Via Teatro Greco</b>,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">the street&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">leading to</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">&nbsp;the amphitheater. M</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">ain street</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>Corso Umberto&nbsp;</b></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">has the smarter&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">shops</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;big name luxury brands.&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Dior</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> has a beautiful store in a splendid Baroque building.</span></div><div><img id="id_faf1_c71d_5b1f_2236" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lqChA1LG3jUq1ZALg-6b9jYk-UNfwLAzf_u4RJtmU831ABZTaeL91cXVqrPhv9GmXKw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The wind started to blow a gale as we walked back to the hotel. Later, for the first time since we arrived here, stars were bright in the night sky.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 10.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our last day in town was reserved for the two famous theatres of Taormina.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The&nbsp;<b>Odeon</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, the small Roman theatre, was</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;built&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in 21 BCE</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;but&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">was only just discovered, accidentally, in 1892.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Intended only&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">to host musical and literary presentations for the elite, it sits less than 200. Built of</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;red clay bricks, it’s &nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">now&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">sadly</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;mostly rubble.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_43f7_428a_d2c4_e03b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RDng-d0pITWths9LK6QwdM3ad1xYECC5ZSoxViX5MMZZRAgZv0__q9Ws_ECDbTsBDho" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 785px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The <b>Greek Theatre of Taormina</b>, built in the 3rd century BCE, was dug directly into the hard rock of Mount Tauro. With seating for thousands of spectators, its design follows the Greek building tradition of incorporating natural scenery into the architecture.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I wish we could stay to watch a performance.</span></div><div></div><div><img id="id_73ad_120d_57a4_f343" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/aFIRB8RBmJsOwq-b6KDZ1T9gQU-p2nonw0FuLEIfo6_Zczq5_QhaTjUW74N1IRtaUl4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e4d5_38b4_861a_3e83" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OtkHkCKtRGAu09UMjFaWI7JBfeXjxf6vtX7UKky1v8Ib_ZOTsaNRWMSY5NIxNvqbepU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_20dd_e84a_4b19_6d37" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/eTdvJpMuaqzgQBKXtgIszXp1bD61V0iI-EKX4MXtOCcU70iwBUgkjasB1J3K-6ufrz8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none;">Later, we had&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none;">Negroni and Etna Spritz</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none;">&nbsp;on the terrace of <b>Hotel Timeo</b>.</span></p></div><div><img id="id_fef_ec6b_5641_96f6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/lQTJIIfjdnZ9kSTIvY_pOfYPQlQk5MqvK12_kW1w79KX_aEGDYG6l31GTeRU_d3Lrqw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Rain has been forecast for days now so we canceled our booking at Malvasia and went instead to</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;<b>Trattoria</b>&nbsp;<b>Tutti Cca </b>(I believe it means everybody’s here),&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the pretty restaurant on the twisty steps beside the Roman </span><font face="Verdana" size="4">theatrette.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It did start to rain after dinner and we had to make a mad dash for the hotel. Luckily it’s just a few steps up and across the road.</font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6793877508417998168'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6793877508417998168'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/06/taormina.html' title='Taormina '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-jNDCque3y64nhvweXRneck_zv0g2_3y66i5YhTjvTCT9vUxw64DVsQa2qhtQee8an0=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4360516212609493598</id><published>2022-06-04T22:44:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-06-08T05:59:08.302+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Noto</title><content type='html'><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 3.</u></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The 2:07 train from Ragusa arrived in Noto at 3:43. It was a pleasant hour and a half ride through interesting&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">landscapes&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">rugged and ancient,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">sandstone cliffs, olive and almond trees, and miles of drystone walls.</span></div><div><img id="id_733_e455_2be5_dbb2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EDpRLMWwZmWURUCygkrbtbhZLQqX_v3yPbq8ZRG6_kGltqvoVYivvRnmMRd2dAs06_c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Train trips in Sicilian towns are nothing like those in Rome or Milan for example. Sicily’s are trickier, especially if you don’t speak&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Italian</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. This is easily remedied by just asking help from anyone of the uniformed railway personnel. They’re not always available before it’s actually time to board though.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The real problem is arriving somewhere and finding no taxis and no numbers to call for one. Even your hotel may not be able to help when there are just no taxis to be had.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Things can look pretty bleak when you’re wondering what to do next.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">From our experience however, a taxi comes along eventually if you just wait patiently.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At <b>La Dépendance Hotel</b>, arriving is a bit daunting when faced with a steep staircase and no one in Reception to help with the luggage.</span></div><img id="id_865a_8489_8ba1_f369" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W-N8Gxz4RTR_-BRho7GCbV4Pxyb1WZqNBOhDTlpo4BUjLo_hinTWS6JM0EBYSn3DTZk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Help does arrive eventually. Andrea takes charge, the luggage is hauled up, we’re checked in, and shown into a nice bright modern room.</span><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, 4.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our hotel is surrounded by inviting restaurants, artsy bars, chic shops…</span></div><div><div><img id="id_b995_7d4a_4380_49ad" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JCbFNKhj94Q9H7Wc3li-uBugbnDtiiWod6i2Ajlh3RjocL5ONtPch8LYQO1-Gye-Agw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">…and most importantly, what we came here for, glorious&nbsp;<b>Sicilian Baroque</b>&nbsp;architecture, up close and all around us.</font></div><div><img id="id_ca9a_c1d1_2a7_2dd" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/L6IbLDxXt0-k2b0pgTScQ6c2K_lfCtqxLyo3G_ZM4p-aNwEQ6xbRpkh3F0A2apsnLn0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div></div><div><img id="id_dabc_cdd5_3164_dc37" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Q4htDOPzWOkcpGTgEtnufxzmDj7utLYZLFBSxLi7ts8GoITIFF3DCK0_lhjtbW2em1c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_5773_f8e0_3b67_4f67" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/O3QgWxXw90Yf4GsoYJXLLfONUfqMRIN0S5Bv3wpL-nbrIn4n0df4PxzUgpQSv67NVd8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QzIbPKSkdpU" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_938_4cde_537d_1cb0" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Cathedral square at night</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, under a young crescent moon.</span></div><div><img id="id_d11d_c824_dd43_4225" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/61DIU84R2-xIQ23PdeJYv2RS39VTaaN7X1tUd0g0kJpqqgIiiCn6Drjvm8YvakQee2o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VnGOCeJqhSM" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_cb7e_1069_c3bd_3667" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><br><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sunday, 5.</font></u></div><div><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">I’m afraid having to go out in the noonday heat is really not my kind of holiday.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">And any hotel that will not clean my room after 11a.m. gets no stars from me.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 6.</font></u></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We spent the hottest part of the day indoors, visiting the <b>Ducezio Palace</b> which houses the Hall of Mirrors and the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">City Hall</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. We stopped for lunch just to get out of the sun.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Cortes</b> was not quite open yet but welcomed us into the cool embrace of their friendly restaurant. I’ve been eyeing their blackboard menu for a while now, wanting to try their spaghetti with bottarga. It was very good.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In the evening, when we thought it might be cool enough, we&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">went to the <b>Palazzo Nicolaci </b>and walked along the <b>Porta Reale</b> garden, then crashed huffed and puffed and very hot into Cortes even before they opened for dinner.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had very nice fish fry and seafood spaghetti.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 7.</font></u></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">There’s&nbsp;</span></font><font size="4" face="Verdana" style="color: rgb(32, 33, 36); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">a&nbsp;</font><span style="color: rgb(32, 33, 36); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">dreamy deli in Noto that simply calls itself a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; color: rgb(32, 33, 36); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">sandwich shop.&nbsp;</span><h2 class="qrShPb kno-ecr-pt PZPZlf HOpgu wa0UMd gbVAKd aTI8gc RES9jf qD2lpc" data-dtype="d3ifr" data-local-attribute="d3bn" data-attrid="title" data-ved="2ahUKEwjFkunt2Zv4AhWoR_EDHep0DwYQ3B0oAHoECB0QAQ" style="color: rgb(32, 33, 36); overflow: hidden; line-height: 26px; margin: 0px; position: relative; transform-origin: left top 0px; display: -webkit-box; -webkit-box-orient: vertical; -webkit-line-clamp: 2; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Sabbinirica à putìa d'ercole<span style="font-weight: 500;">.</span></font></h2><div><img id="id_6ee9_1f65_1130_ff5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/t1zg70v5_sWfRZaD4X0UvhdgxZ0x2oI2Dappzan8dCFSuKKIVoMJ60cEO67w4gKwCNg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The best of Slow Food Sicily on a plate. Salami, mortadella, and prosciutto made from black pigs of the <b>Nebrodi</b> and wild boar from <b>Palazzolo</b>. </span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Aged and fresh&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">cheeses made from&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">cow’s, buffalo’s, and&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">goat’s milk</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;served with honey and jam and traditional <i>pani cunzatu</i>.</span></div><div><img id="id_774f_6ecd_a9f3_ee23" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/YMC71hAtFhsjtsqzhMPl9PYmIL3y0UEmvvLg_Jb4KyAGKrGFN6o0J1KGrOWHG7StPaQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><br><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4360516212609493598'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4360516212609493598'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/06/noto.html' title='Noto'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EDpRLMWwZmWURUCygkrbtbhZLQqX_v3yPbq8ZRG6_kGltqvoVYivvRnmMRd2dAs06_c=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8705801457512694860</id><published>2022-06-01T04:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-09-18T20:50:59.126+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>The train to Ragusa </title><content type='html'><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><b>The train to Ragusa</b></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana">I guess I’ve seen trains like this&nbsp;before&nbsp;but I’ve never been on one.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><img id="id_6519_3b7c_7787_8b3f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4lV2hlQRSUhFVz6Ul4GNG2gFvKSzfiUwSD3owsfvEYk6pAcmuzFUtBHyUfSw8pXBHYw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">We would have missed it if I hadn’t noticed groups of people rushing to go to another part of the station.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our train stood waiting in back of the station where we sat waiting on the one platform. The notice board said platform 1O. It meant 1 Oest.&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">How were we to know?</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><img id="id_69a6_a9b4_ba52_2b1e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8VgKeZ8BnK_1M4KJZLQQUnfAjgydA4_a0DcN8lgijaqLySqDuapZ8UQuyKlnTQXuxu0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6986_eede_8a66_6540" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/vWdkwCJ7mC6FWHs7UbUmR4KyB-M7BedHhay-apves0Ia4Q9RqnFDK-ASuEYjuVkr79o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Inside the train, the curtains are all drawn. I guess nobody’s interested in the scenery.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><img id="id_3cee_ce12_c353_4809" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/r60jApoEHUpKyKxuI2UkSGISc0EmBE_xRVdZooMdCK8xcTuAg97WYAs52MMHg_amDVQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">My window is covered in green and black paint anyway.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Your graffiti friends have taken away your view! Stuart says with glee.</font></div><div><img id="id_af85_6084_6620_6211" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/b-oHAcbHCObjkbpAKb9My56evxSU1eqvfnUm85z1zIjtOARwSkYyIBbKHb7azDnM0iE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The first hour of the trip was uneventful, the scenery unremarkable.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And then, on the last leg, all hell broke loose when a riot of energised schoolchildren took over our cabin.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">These two will probably have a future in crime.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The one on the right took a potshot at me with his pink slingshot.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I wagged a finger at him and took his photo to warn him not to do it again. He immediately apologised.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">His partner in crime was elated and sidled up to be in the shot.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><img id="id_a87_dec1_184b_612" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/peKGZYLZcejwvCiMozEmudqqOUs4K8zm34j3iHttgpgDmcvA8mhPtTlmb7oO9A6zxxQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Who do you think is the instigator? And who is left holding the bag?&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8705801457512694860'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8705801457512694860'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/06/the-train-to-ragusa.html' title='The train to Ragusa '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4lV2hlQRSUhFVz6Ul4GNG2gFvKSzfiUwSD3owsfvEYk6pAcmuzFUtBHyUfSw8pXBHYw=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-768582838222966834</id><published>2022-05-30T20:54:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-06-25T18:11:45.453+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Ragusa</title><content type='html'><br><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana"><u>Tuesday,</u></font><u style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;31</u><u style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;May.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The&nbsp;<b>Antica Badia Relais- San Maurizio 1619</b> is in&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a renovated 18th century &nbsp;palazzo across the street from the <b>Cathedral of San Giovanni Battista</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, the patron saint of <b>Ragusa</b>. I like the way the entrance to the hotel is set back from the curb.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_fbfc_fe13_fe6a_766f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oA40RPbwAybvIfuBTqL5cCf2C8O9aPGtNK9Qm7CNQTKuRvIr7LziXzO4zI3x90TQ218" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_aa62_8618_7a8e_fb30" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1IqU3A3yJSRikIR_NDrYDINnsOA72ejf67idxqnnskLtnHmhtRtioNoinicuQxKNaAo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Having just arrived from a nerve-racking trip on a train full of rowdy school kids, we had planned a relaxing evening, a nice meal with maybe a glass of wine.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Dinner at the hotel’s restaurant&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Ciano</b>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">turned out to be a more elaborate affair than we planned. I’ve lifted the descriptions from their menu card.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After the amuse-bouches, came the appetiser of crab and shrimp coral.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Coraline</i></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Crab with passion fruit pearls, raw beetroot, shrimp coral and hazelnut</i></font></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I had turbot&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with roast beef carpaccio.</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font face="Verdana" size="4">Congruente</font></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font face="Verdana" size="4">Turbot with wild mustard, taramas sauce, roast beef carpaccio and seaweed broth.</font></i></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart had risotto with donkey fillet. Donkey? Really?</span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Ciano</i></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Carnaroli risotto with donkey fillet, hazelnuts, artichokes, robiola.</i></font></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Dessert was ice cream with lemon mousse. It was served with a shot glass of basil water on the side. I asked if I was to pour it onto the ice cream. Delia, the very charming hostess said No, you drink it. Hmmm…I didn’t much care for that.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tokio Blues</font></i></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font face="Verdana" size="4">Pizzuta almond of Avola ice cream with lemon mousse, basil water, wasabi granita and raw green bean.</font></i></div></div><div><br></div><div></div><div><img id="id_e87c_aa12_8cb7_1b46" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fD7wprjgvxAZyZb3zubXCxb5CX5bwEICdUGng3Vw-oPUDt_LEKfdCH5JaH7nek4zSGM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">“Ciano” in the local dialect means lower church square. O</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">riginally used to store animals, the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;restaurant is a series of rooms with cream coloured rough-hewn stone walls and cove ceilings. It has a casual contemporary vibe, its walls hung with modern art, several by a local artist whose&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">paintings are&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">too weird for my taste.</span></div><div><img id="id_965e_6663_cd12_d1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/t3IgDcrXmbAm6K5O4fb8I3k5F5falzQxjkTEmRjr2vV-nySIcGe-F9fO0xouUXitTWg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c347_668b_6c0a_85d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/y_DMZC1gCELZ-j3oVZ1Kews-Ur7Gu54xy4dwb_HUsVcnln8mnNWZDxZFwEcKwjCultQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">With&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Luca Gulino</b>, Ciano’s 29-year-old peripatetic chef.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This young Ragusa native has skilfully brought to the table the wonderful flavours and colours derived from his culinary experiences abroad.</span></div><div><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The next day, I set</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> myself up on the window </span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">ledge</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> for a lovely breakfast.</span></div><div><img id="id_bb48_1e0e_96f1_d8e4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RsXfqRBIv_f0GjGUXlPDSRzurhHTWzqiuf6AZHH5hOC8MeTcQwxOvoSlC5exUxyGlr0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2aee_c5db_e1f3_90d2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kbyXwQkMaDhaBeUpFoNXR78EAKs4ZreEOucL_Jt5ZaHKGgaYr1LSfk3gUrekKDSWu2I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><br><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, 1 June.</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The morning was not a good one for me as I’ve had a sleepless night.&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">They asked to move us to another room because of a problem with the bathroom lights.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">I don’t like this new room they’ve moved us to. I loved the other smaller one, the one with the pretty window.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This afternoon&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I stayed in</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">while Stuart went to&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Ibla</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. </span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">I didn’t go out until it was time to go to dinner.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">The restaurant that Mariza at the front desk recommended was booked up until 8, so we went to a place called</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><font size="4">Basilico</font></b></span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</b><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">instead. Good choice.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">I had grilled prawns, Stuart had sea bass baked</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;in foil</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. We’ve booked for dinner tomorrow.</span></div><div><img id="id_ceef_21d_55c1_52ef" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/h2L3y2RwiF7cjZA7fe7hDf5j8EYLZYNr8cgrwb3ksA4JLEbox8Uv1xN4QjpG0dqgb-o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Stuart had brought me from Ibla a book from the&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>Inspector Montalbano Mysteries&nbsp;</b></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">by <b>Andrea Camilleri</b>.</span></div><div><img id="id_484d_8a89_83ec_c8f3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Ygx8FjK1_g_e1gQc_T72FEnvZ6NhzAjS5iuMy8A1OQgnUVNT2QehPt0LWyZ-mnfW66k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">These are the stories we’ve enjoyed watching in the TV</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;adaptation, stories that are responsible for our detour to Ragusa.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><u>Thursday, 2.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">Today,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><i>o</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ur last day in Ragusa&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">is “</span><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">Festa</font><font face="Verdana"> della Repubblica”.</font></font></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">After the day’s military parades, there was dancing in the cathedral square in the evening.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font><font size="4" face="Verdana"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kJFNdBMFqTs" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_98c2_3473_7c20_d448" frameborder="0"></iframe></font></div><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A marvellous way to end the day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/768582838222966834'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/768582838222966834'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/the-train-to-ragusa.html' title='Ragusa'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oA40RPbwAybvIfuBTqL5cCf2C8O9aPGtNK9Qm7CNQTKuRvIr7LziXzO4zI3x90TQ218=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3166709564304519611</id><published>2022-05-28T22:25:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-01-02T15:11:58.217+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Ortigia</title><content type='html'><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re&nbsp;on the island of <b>Ortigia</b>&nbsp;in <b>Syracuse</b> where we’re surrounded by remnants of the ancient world, immersed in Greek mythology and lots of seafood, and faced with a losing battle with the formidable forces of pasta and Sicilian sweets.</font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><b>Temple of Apollo</b>, 6th c. BCE, Doric order.</font><div><img id="id_f812_ad21_7aec_9319" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Goa67SH3xORmWQKYRg7yOJC08R7T3WXUGg8bsXx8KoihCWMvqC731swqzjd6qGr-E-Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1e0f_c47a_ac8b_ad8b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yxLeXVa5_0HKRY6SOV28FdSGUnD9Ka-zp6rvU00YGNJG2QoVIwpH84J7jJoTRKf4czQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>Lunch in&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Sicilia in&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Tavola</b>, 3rd time this week. Fettuccine with anchovies and breadcrumbs, grilled anchovies and sardines.</span></div><div><img id="id_d1b7_47a2_7dbd_f45d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cZHWpYxv8yCSUEtY2g-W3XSm8hxSvCMw2i1_UVQm6vt7I7ZDoGX4b5MKCOF-O12jJgs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m afraid that if I keep eating so much fish, I’ll</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">start growing gills!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>Fountain</b></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b> of Diana</b> with Arethusa and Alpheus on&nbsp;<b>Archimedes Square</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_64e0_e5ed_93ee_6c00" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XoR1hLD7coAmeL_jI6qgasCokwUPCvrRvwJDHTfxOTBHA6TKr8zY9GdMuoqbFiMTM4k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Considering the company it keeps, surrounded by remnants of ancient civilisations, this is n</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ot an old monument, 1906-1907</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. Beautiful nonetheless.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Diana</b>, goddess of the hunt, hides the wood-nymph </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Arethusa</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> from the amorous river-god </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Alpheus</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> by covering her in a cloud; whereupon Arethusa starts to melt, eventually turning into water.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Spring of Arethusa</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">, revered for its association with ancient Greek myths and for the natural colony of </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">papyrus</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> plants that grow&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">in its banks and along the&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Ciane</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;river.</span></font></div></div><div><div><img id="id_de06_c467_ad14_ab9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1Kj4DNq6mhBlwNPor7uHNoAzmfmLBUyHSBkY9Zey2OTqSnoso2GnYBVwsF99TBb0Rrc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m now convinced, more than ever, that I can no longer put off studying Greek mythology. Seriously.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The air is perfumed by the lavender plant and a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">small olive tree in a planter by a street corner.</span></div><div><img id="id_9665_596e_c6eb_d4f2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/M4kG58x7lClUGu2ijisVpf96Y06XaHkWegEoUk3uXwqa-ORKlmXrv1QjT56z6v7ExK8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_ea3c_6593_a9ec_1539" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vWGPXw8ueHRx00EF3Eomb_Sce6bVsddegWkB5mPCmkC5u1gBfiGsLypazoWNqxTSGiU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We thought it was the back of the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">duomo</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;but rounding the corner to the front of the building, we see that it’s a theatre.</span></div><div><br><img id="id_e012_b8b6_8cc6_c4c5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QFzp62c0D50xa8lBntAZszzgnjWnjsS8jwlv8atARMIVkwjp_hbpihoC-ZseX1UlQVM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b><br></b></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>San Giovannello</b>, in<b> Piazza del </b></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>Precursore</b> in <b>Giudecca</b>, the ancient Jewish quarter.</font></span></div><div><img id="id_849f_58aa_63d6_a400" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IWn6tNa30hoFi1oB5TGCDN46v120A4PE2nKeI_A-FO1BiSWMe5_abfLG0xZz_HaFxIo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The former&nbsp;<b>Church of San Giovanni Battista</b>&nbsp;used to be the <b>Jewish Synagogue</b>.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I found the structure curiously off-center and hemmed in by adjacent buildings. This was explained to me later when I looked it up online to discover its complicated history as a 14th c.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Christian church built on top of a 4th c. early Christian basilica,</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(42, 47, 51); color: rgb(42, 47, 51); font-family: &quot;IBM Plex Sans&quot;, &quot;Trebuchet MS&quot;, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, Tahoma, sans-serif; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">turned into a Jewish synagogue, then returned as a Christian church, only to be later deconsecrated and eventually turned into an events venue.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">It’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">now used for concerts and cultural events, and as we saw today, also for weddings.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">I took a photo of a building abutting it on its left because it looked pretty.</font></span></div><div><img id="id_485c_1918_36e7_8abd" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VO3n4fKNkkBAl1hpt-_68NjorJjbNza917ualmwJihBMy0BaXbfrNxL6nRt5Jn_ier8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">I’m to discover later that&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">it was the house of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">relatively unknown Syracuse painter,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>Mario Minitti</b><b>,</b></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">contemporary and friend of&nbsp;<b>Caravaggio</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">Although Minitti’s artistic work is held in high regard in Sicily, he is more famously known as the model for several of Caravaggio’s celebrated paintings&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">including</span><font size="4"><i style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;Bacchus, The Lute Player,</i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;<i>The Musicians</i>,&nbsp;<i>Boy with a Basket of Fruit</i>, and&nbsp;</span><i style="font-family: Verdana;">The Fortune Teller </i><span style="font-family: Verdana;">among others.</span></font></div><div><img id="id_99dc_4d42_a25f_7529" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ofpAQNu-DujMwFdXApWbQIugx8Y6h9iLrMqyetRjPgvh1jBoLiMDS3NDI_J5uw50MAQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">Of special interest to me is&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font style="font-style: italic;" size="4">Bacchus</font><i>&nbsp;</i><font size="4">which I had recently viewed</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;at the&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Uffizi</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;in Florence,</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;gloriously &nbsp;exhibited, dramatically lit, hanging</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">all by itself</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;to great effect in a recessed alcove at the end of a long gallery painted a deep scarlet.</span></div><div><img id="id_fc48_48b9_239d_2f98" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZELswDvdHq6fJsdgJ8cfW8mQcNMHU-JlI0NPTA1d8tCTj5r8fYQac4vukQVsDrvqXUw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3166709564304519611'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3166709564304519611'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/ortigia.html' title='Ortigia'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Goa67SH3xORmWQKYRg7yOJC08R7T3WXUGg8bsXx8KoihCWMvqC731swqzjd6qGr-E-Y=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3514274929540960429</id><published>2022-05-23T03:56:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-01-02T15:03:12.676+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Sicily</title><content type='html'> <div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sunday, May 22.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Alitalia flight lands in <b>Catania</b> 2:55, on bus to <b>Siracusa</b> 3:45, in taxi to hotel by&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">5.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our luggage is being loaded into the taxi and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart picks&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">up&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">something from the ground</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. It’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a €20 bill.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;As I always say, good things happen to good people. I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">t must be a good omen, a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">great start to our Sicilian adventure.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our room in the&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Ortea Palace Hotel</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;has two tall windows hung with sky blue damask curtains. One looks out onto a marina and the sea, the other onto a narrow street lined with old buildings that Stuart says remind him of Havana. (Except the cars here are new.)</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The room is a duplex: the bedroom on the floor above shares the ground floor’s six-meter high ceiling. A free-standing bath off to one side of the bed is angled to face the view which this morning features a Viking cruise ship parked close to the coral coloured buildings on the main street.</span></div><div><img id="id_2f0_5f7f_3a97_e3ba" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jqs_OZ00-wT2Yutl_lONOB3Q8WUYlkc_-5wS0Jc1ae_cWxps-OztpKY3erZuDPC6Buc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The hotel is housed in a renovated</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;former post office building built in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">1920 in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the Italian Liberty style.</span></div><div><img id="id_5718_321e_6edb_6fe4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sBCPwK265fbLkx6QfesjF26wvdz-a09E1W6b8a7-ZCGroxSDveHj4hyLBRTwbgyX77k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2539_f036_ab85_d058" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jpwQ6kn2xsACvV5XozXWh52HxFbefaL5Rr-bUTGZ7S2JdM4j3n5f85mR1Y20b3hm_OU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the hotel bar, Ana introduces us to&nbsp;<i>sharbat,&nbsp;</i>a kind of slush made from the juice of the cedar fruit.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Like a watery lemon granita, it’s tart, astringent, very refreshing. Sharbat is Persian, a drink of water and sugar; the word has morphed into sherbet and sorbet via Italian sorbetto.</span></div><div><img id="id_39f3_ac30_d58a_127d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/iMiJ0RWA_QnYWbsBzDk-A9xk5ak28IWv8pVRQ-8d2c8wY64fzLEsZyw5KqCpD0nuxgk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There cannot be for me a more splendid introduction than this to&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sicily</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, the “toe of the boot” of Italy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3514274929540960429'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3514274929540960429'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/sicily.html' title='Sicily'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jqs_OZ00-wT2Yutl_lONOB3Q8WUYlkc_-5wS0Jc1ae_cWxps-OztpKY3erZuDPC6Buc=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7308800282974958686</id><published>2022-05-20T19:12:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-05-30T06:17:22.440+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Milan</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u><font size="4">Wednesday, May 18.</font></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">At <b>Hyatt Centric</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Rooftop Bar.</span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_beb9_a7c0_bd67_80bb" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AzbrMDAukVmJuAuj3zjd76nM7UdNDhjNVUA1KKn19Y3bVuuh3_B-Emz5Unzln78GmkM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></font></div><div><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Thursday, 19.&nbsp;</font></u></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Checking out &nbsp;the renovations at </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Park Hyatt</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">, “my hotel”. I don’t like what they did to it. Too bad.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">And what have they done to <b>Anish Kapoor</b>’s mirror?&nbsp;<br></font><img id="id_1f43_439d_e3b4_6125" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lyZLFCyFAZjlMudwcTRvCS_M6XVgwhjCJZ8Y1s4rR548dt0gtAxyJa86eI77GPulpg8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch at <b>Al Cantinone</b>. Always very good.</font></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_b387_e0f5_dd98_c527" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5V9r1Eyj2PcV-n64NLeTiYCwRlyWZsCxU4SrVetg6GhKiFLbqHjD83Y8p8R7-6EtwuY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I keep waiting to see veal with radicchio on the menu ever since I first tried it there many many years ago. I was told then that it was a typical Milanese dish, so how come I never saw it again?</span><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">This time I had lovely stuffed zucchini flowers and roast chicken breast with a mountain of roasted vegetables.</font></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_9a89_9cfa_a7ba_6f6e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QGcRUZpbSSEVwYHDsVUh7ljvl0p9e4wja_OjQi93r6WVNLwadk9QW6Ew358cUZr0Q4I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">Stuart had&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;">scallops&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">risotto and grilled sea bass. He has risotto whenever it’s on the menu. It never photographs well.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Dessert was&nbsp;</span><i style="font-family: Verdana;">crema di grom</i><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> at </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Grom</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_bbe2_4dfd_b858_cd6d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jJ1dIH9BDxq0RfjeqNu9yB-NfDXHMkcP-R_Fm-8PYElUxmvw4CIsHRcwirXJvzzm570" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Opera night at&nbsp;<b>Teatro all</b></span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">a Scala</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><img id="id_eae8_c5e5_c994_b3bc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/TMPDZ5qH9XnB-X_IhN9xrD4z_rz5MJ73EyHU0Z8O23OVC9-mhVbxbyK63Pz_ozSEFaM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Seeing</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> that “</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Un Ballo in Maschera”</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;was on that evening, we sat in&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Il Foyer&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">the restaurant next door waiting for the ticket office to open at 2. We got tickets at reduced senior prices for excellent 4th row Platea seats. Fantastic!</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the intermission’s second call, usher Jacopo, whom we’ve been chatting with, escorted us to our staircase.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">Follow me, he said, worried we might be late getting back in.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;">He’s sweet, only 22, a pianist studying Economics at the Conservatory.&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana"><br></font><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;">After the opera, we had drinks at&nbsp;Park Hyatt.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><img id="id_ee83_6b2_9e6f_676" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/l-8o7bGKAIpzJ9m3H16soF87qEl3dnKqLRBDfPwvBPw5DnQIPbdl55YB4pu6r5PJcOE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I thought the evening’s <b>Riccardo</b> was completely outshone by both <b>Amelia</b> and <b>Renato</b> whose voices packed enough power to be heard above the orchestral music which seemed to me overly loud.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Is this even possible at La Scala?&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">Jacopo may have unwittingly given us unauthorised information that may partly explain this. He told us that Covid cases necessitated the substitution of the&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana">La Scala</font><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">orchestra with</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;another flown in from Berlin.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">I’ve tried to get confirmation for this from opera news on the internet but only managed to find reports of the theatre’s announcement early on in the season that the ailing&nbsp;<b>Riccardo Chailly</b>&nbsp;had withdrawn as conductor because he was unable to rehearse with the orchestra</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">for this production</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">I’m not qualified to make judgments on the performers’ musical abilities- I do know that this particular opera title is notoriously challenging for both the singers and the orchestra. But I can definitely say whether or not I can hear the tenor’s voice above the chorus and the orchestral music. And I can categorically say that at times, I could not.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><img id="id_1898_5b18_4958_a23b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/z6h5WpFS6IqU4_0gZ9DVtuzT5ml11pUefBO8OmSeidWm8z5C8NqeUgJRvoUnNDTvHLw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Soprano</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;Sondra Radvanovsky&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">as&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Amelia.</b></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><font size="4">Friday, 20.</font></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We found a fish-only restaurant! Pretty r</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">are&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">in Milan! <b>Enoteca</b> happened to be the only restaurant still open when we went out rather late for lunch. I guess it had remained open after their 3 o’clock closing time only because of the </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">ladies at the curb-side table who, judging by the noise level at their table, obviously had a very boozy lunch.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_c773_f82c_3f0f_920f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZFJ9G3MyuprqRA2vPSCg-Xkiypn8SEb2lwjS5cRarhwSx_wnAtbRZbQ09x12ywpuO_c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I had an enormous plate</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;of delicious fried fish and seafood.</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_9f0a_8e92_f245_1040" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vb3oGagB7na_1uPmxk427XS6M8cZjDZ80ORVzx03MTqjzoiFtOZJZfv4POovYoq1wfw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4">Stuart had spaghetti with mussels.</font></span></div><div><font size="4"><img id="id_668a_b55c_804e_b46a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sRs-7mWHoN9OFfDvxlE4a2_NSPNZUNWH4J0IW75a2WirIwmIwAjA8o8w2aKhZplHbNM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><font size="4"><br></font></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><font size="4">Saturday, 21.</font></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Today was hot and humid, not really the ideal weather for browsing around the Brera district.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It was Open Day at the <b>Accademia</b> so there was no escaping the crowds in its&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">usually cool and quiet square</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">So even though lunch wasn’t really part of the day’s plan, lunch at <b>Trattoria Torre Di Pisa</b>&nbsp;seemed a good idea. We remember it from when we went there with Marilou and Eddie &nbsp;several years ago.</font></div><div><font size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We chatted briefly on the phone with Jimmy, Beth, and Belen who called from Sydney.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I had to try the <i>lardo</i>&nbsp;but in the end I found the unaccustomed fat overload a trifle daunting so I piled some pieces onto Stuart’s risotto where they melted nicely into the warm rice. I &nbsp;ordered a simple dish of roasted vegetables with provolone cheese to go with it.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><br></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7308800282974958686'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7308800282974958686'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/milan.html' title='Milan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AzbrMDAukVmJuAuj3zjd76nM7UdNDhjNVUA1KKn19Y3bVuuh3_B-Emz5Unzln78GmkM=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8219096040079830584</id><published>2022-05-18T00:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:01:04.995+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Villa di Gargnano </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re now happily ensconced in one of our all-time favourite places in the world,&nbsp;<b>Hotel Du Lac&nbsp;</b>in<b>&nbsp;</b>Villa di Gargnano, where we are warmly welcomed back after 12 years absence by friend and very charming host, owner&nbsp;<b>Valerio Arosio</b>, who guarantees clear skies for the evening’s full moon.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_da7e_a81b_cebb_95ba" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/I35NIz3mJNtZ2f4zyRb0vTnpKbLeeylziA28Edlffaa8G6_wGYPlZn9WLV3j0BCLTRs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aCKU_qt113g" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_b507_b5d4_7c82_d053" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And as promised, May’s Flower Moon puts in an appearance at dinner time.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_5ef0_d743_c669_a74f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tY0P6Tdfyg_deQ6diL0hgUIKt7hJiXJFOl9pq5_ggNvh2tCYepCVByWq0r6EVjldBZc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Happy day!</span></div><div><img id="id_10e7_2ac6_239d_2b9f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gkQ-hx_V7rFLJoCDE_foG4RGCVqTD81TEk2TelkW_HJXdeUQuYE_vDORpfEha4wadmY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u>Monday, 16.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I stayed out on our balcony most of the day. From breakfast…</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_d74b_7011_b22e_98c8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/aGMTU8dliUJ0Pl6zaz8XDa-UNAme9dEpZ4iDtzT7Fy9rO1z3rDuTpoRA_Ae_zaN_zuI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">…until very late in the afternoon.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_469d_a7d0_b89f_a39f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/S6I4ExcWX-QKwnzHQk6jNeCHlEAVVq1erMzmw-T2WO8wacBQIoJIGCo4KAvRNEtqdyE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We went</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;out for dinner because Valerio’s restaurant is not open today. Nearby&nbsp;<b>Valentino Bar</b>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">is a good option.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b612_f0de_73f2_23a8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ya3JFwVg9vUseuJMS9Z3j8WvVKsZ3f5fV-WKaj_dmM-M_sjWtWrXeJcZqd-JDckOhsU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, 17.</u></font><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The much anticipated full moon didn’t manage to push through the thick clouds until very late last night.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_a0c4_fd44_21e3_49f7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/o1wF1eNv9Me0AtMnKedwbjgpiPAu9e09ysFahTXtoL3atDbZBSWlV3Uo3YmsIkBvxfY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But the fully risen moon</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">lit up the lake</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;at way past midnight.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_de59_ed4a_9c09_f96c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ur3nYkvW5YiE8SFgxOM3UbImjeEhtgN4NyvwtpO0uLSQl6XdzyxJ3913_txZd4yJLi4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the morning, I woke up to glorious sunlight streaming into the room.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_97ec_1cdb_5295_2107" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dJQ3MZVm6PFVfy8qUww2YsxoDU8x0Qs1CGG6DgOpmy2RFYD1uVNScZd0RLLsxLBVvis" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The balcony was much too bright so early in my morning so I had my breakfast indoors while last night’s laundry finished drying by the window.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_82df_1753_a5c_fb7a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PXOt9M5FV3NLmtVr4U7cWjQFFZlfh2gC8rOQocBsZnV8XmjdsvFBUUJVnYRaxVabvpM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d4c2_e32d_5ddf_3490" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/94Sog0oWEhXgfIhpJ-TTggAxgrvD-Qn-S7dO3Q2sBQV_XS2Ztm3m8BBk93HzQCgsueQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4"><br></font></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8219096040079830584'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8219096040079830584'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/villa-di-gargnano.html' title='Villa di Gargnano '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/I35NIz3mJNtZ2f4zyRb0vTnpKbLeeylziA28Edlffaa8G6_wGYPlZn9WLV3j0BCLTRs=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8923252603098381920</id><published>2022-05-17T23:02:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-05-30T00:49:49.620+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Adventures, misadventures, and wonderful outcomes</title><content type='html'><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Beautiful day, we’re on our way to Milan, stopping 2 nights in Brescia to break the long trip.</font><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Half an hour into the drive,&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="5"><b>BANG!!!&nbsp;</b></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our car ‘s hood springs open, slams onto the windscreen, shattering the glass.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_681c_c43c_b548_b48c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/INMBUfml6k7D8gMLL58T14VuvGEFup6irBRLYx0rCFv88ipXeAYZ55swii0ojczCbxI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I really don’t know how Stuart&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">managed to stay so calm, steering the car to a lay-by,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the hood up against the shattered windshield completely blocking his view, him</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;peering out from the open window.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Having gotten us out of the main traffic flow, he&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">gets out, shuts the hood, and calls</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Budget Car</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. &nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I brush off as much of the bits of broken glass on the dashboard</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;out the door</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. There’s some on the seats. On us too I imagine.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart doesn’t like staying on the highway, even on the lay-by. So he</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">carefully and very&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">skilfully, drives the car into the nearest&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">autostrada&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">exit, careful not to jar the mangled windshield.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">My mind is racing. Isn’t safety glass supposed to break up into webs of dull tiny pieces? This one has big sharp shards.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Budget Car</b>&nbsp;to the rescue?&nbsp;<b>Not!</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UtHVoPEMY0s" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_b4bf_8dbb_96ad_30f5" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I assumed the car rental company would take care of their customers, in this case, Stuart and me. Dreaming!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">They of course take care of the car, never mind us! We had informed the Budget Car people that we had luggage and that riding in the car with the shattered windshield would be dangerous. They said we could ride in the truck with the driver. Wrong!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;">We have to get ourselves to the airport in&nbsp;</font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Verona</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;to get a replacement car.&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">The tow truck man doesn’t</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;speak any English. He&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">writes down a number to call if we have any trouble getting a taxi ourselves. Not relishing the prospect of anymore trouble</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">,&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">I manage to get him to call the taxi himself.</font></div><div><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Moving on.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We have a new car.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At <b>Double Tree Hilton</b> in Brescia, w</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">e’re told they don’t have porter service at their hotel. They do have a luggage trolley, so we help ourselves.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">After checking in though, the front office wakes up and things start to happen. We’re given a suite and Claudia now decides she really must help us with the luggage.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s Sunday so the hotel restaurant is closed. Claudia recommends&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a nearby restaurant that delivers. She sends us a menu, we give our orders and settle in for a well-deserved rest after the broken windshield mess.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">As it turns out, it’s now too late for our lunch order. The restaurant is now closed until 6:30.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart goes out to buy food from the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">supermarket. We’re getting ready to eat a much delayed lunch when we discover that there’s no air conditioning in the hotel until tomorrow.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Okay, we’re getting out of here.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Shall we go to Gargnano?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Yes please!</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">As we drive </font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">out of Brescia, a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">n orange warning light on the dashboard indicates an oil problem. It’s Sunday, so there’s no service available in the service stations.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We nevertheless drive on to </span><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Lake Garda</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">without any trouble, arriving</font></span><font size="4" style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;in <b>Villa di Gargnano</b></font><font size="4" style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;in time for dinner.</font></div><div><img id="id_2931_8f63_29a6_2367" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DRQwY8ASCATrkirpNMmusNBq3Gnhyx6xxBYB0e0pQG9YC8--c45zHdnlTq6Rgfsfz_g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And just like that, everything’s alright with our world again.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8923252603098381920'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8923252603098381920'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/temporary-backup-adventures.html' title='Adventures, misadventures, and wonderful outcomes'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/INMBUfml6k7D8gMLL58T14VuvGEFup6irBRLYx0rCFv88ipXeAYZ55swii0ojczCbxI=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-344423639960359670</id><published>2022-05-13T16:21:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-05-30T01:14:54.197+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Palladio</title><content type='html'><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In and around<b> VICENZA.</b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re on the road again. All for the love of&nbsp;<b>Andrea Palladio</b>!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, May 12.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">First stop: <b>Villa Emo</b>. We finally got to see inside. We tried before, on previous visits but only managed to see the gardens.</font></div><img id="id_9604_ec7_6057_80a1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W5KVjZA07__tkkoBRc5hbAennq41z9J3xCJcyhUhNI_q9BIatWsIcIdQCjquRJLscZg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_4961_1601_87d8_2711" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xY6mF8HiLOHfL63hqlFiRavwD6U99JjLeowUxLHAFEnrH-zXEtkRfxdVp6BOcPl7eDo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8ere8Rjl3yA" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_ec5c_5834_158_8bba" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><font size="5"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">I’ve long&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">been&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">fascinated&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">by brilliant architects and the perfect houses they build.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">his colour-coded architectural model is in one of the rooms in Villa Emo. It helped me </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">understand a little bit better how geometry may explain why Palladio’s rooms feel right; why being inside any one of his houses seems to generate a feeling of well-being.</span></div><div><img id="id_f3f5_2ab2_a6fe_71b5" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QxIjuQbWspiz7Q-j3nGhbdXkbsShXr59pe9tM9vKg_dHobA1z-iWMdsSGxPk9Tr7QzI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 13.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I was up at dawn. Again. Exciting day ahead.</font></div><div><img id="id_31b4_bcc4_27cf_a027" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/i81sPV8PfUmbbpI4ulYXSpNAvRdrAu4swxBe6bV_wJKQpEIwbka2re9QVOULVAfHRvE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Revisiting&nbsp;<b>Teatro Olimpico</b>.</font></div><div><img id="id_df5c_d734_ef70_110e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d82wd0BSJzPy9_D55amfd2nl6s7qgFBdnG1TXYQBVgr0U-9POiUK7ex9VPJ5w7hZ2p0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nGFwM8hWVfk" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_7fe_b6f4_ea65_f4a7" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="5"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Saturday, 14.</font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s been an unforgettable grand finale for our Palladio tour.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">From the outside,&nbsp;<b>Villa Poiana </b>looked just as imposing a structure as before. But once inside, I felt it had lost its grandeur. There’s now too much clutter owing to awkwardly placed signs and things to do with paid visits to the property. Things had changed in the 17 years since we first visited.</span></div><div><img id="id_b347_dbf8_bfa9_ce2e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Q4XN6FDixYbKZiNF-D8yNdCl26SMsGEXauqdTep8_UZ7YFnbfAUBM_5m2S50WPNN78g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SvxPxcjfdMc" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_2844_ed53_9a82_19b0" frameborder="0"></iframe><br><br><img id="id_6d2a_e8b_1d4b_8b21" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uR-8yv2DZiMst_L0kmv93Yq2JVRHXnJtM27r42qFQff_HZ_boMuZSLsOrBIOaxzEpXw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><img id="id_fbc2_5883_c628_42b1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jZZoivlOQ5270dWGH65DHRQIqzyUDw40-jUXvSK4pYj-ObTLxWuUGCZl2112zE8C_1U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I was determined to demonstrate to myself the Palladian room proportions and was thrilled when even my rough measurements (taken inexpertly with my iPhone) proved that indeed the room height is half the sum of its length and width.</span></div><div><img id="id_d03c_6d80_12f0_7711" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lh70WmWM_RDZlKQtgivHTyl1LJLLFqgA2uhSBfFxT4pnV13s-r0M_6jlZkkMDg1qsBM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I found the main hall too difficult to measure.</span></div><div><img id="id_84db_58a_66eb_cfca" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kAAdB39-mCwM40KMXuek4LEdd5BCGzcNe7oir7bdZY85Dhf7-FGRhJLIbx1ByBfe7rQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Once again, just as in our previous visit, we overshot the route to&nbsp;</font><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Villa Pisani</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">,</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;now with the added name of&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Bonetti</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We made a U-ey, proceeded on to the almost hidden sharp left, at the end of which we were once again confronted with a closed gate. But like before, we were surprised to be invited in by the caretaker.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Having bought the entrance tickets, we picked up an English foldout&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">guide&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">for €1 but Ahmed said: No, it’s a gift. My gift to you.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_a56d_64b0_7d87_2548" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0jAHHs73G1EQx7oZ47O5kkklFDFiiMFhZzK7mKDa6gb45R-50esnklA1Bk-o2P0cbwA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c114_4a79_deeb_385a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2MTqdnD6Yk55IA833EsQ1brgi-aOCdb2EwwFUpxnJmgb49506iDEmpmnEAl0blTwrY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_22cd_190a_8d0b_6b2a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2WD3K2RaRzTM9GilAJHk7NtG-yQai-u02VY6kW3GDQrniWoKX29nPcVdxRPIcVFuDpE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">When we last visited, the Villa seemed to be lived in. This time, it looked more like a museum</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;or art gallery- it was chock full of things, displays, and lots of art work inside and out on the grounds.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There was too an Osteria which by default was our only means of exiting the property. The front gate was locked and Ahmed was nowhere to be found.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We didn’t mind though as we had intended to check it out anyway.</span></div><div><img id="id_731d_c29f_c44f_1667" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/va0s-N-_8lygYV98oS2UDsVihN-G7YfLjUeGh8eAfPsw55SUBqbi8XF0tYOS6DKQjEI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Through a shady terrace and into a lovely lounge. Jazz music.</font></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R7PmUBAL2zA" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_e2e8_e28b_9f72_697a" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The restaurant is beautiful.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We decide to have lunch.</span></div><div><img id="id_c0d0_38c3_8e4_910c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9WZ55QpDt_csLKVzkuKIjU0W2PdxnCEaog5IzvewesCu_kf48MnwmYIweus-87gWme4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">And the food? Exquisite.<br></font><img id="id_b76f_2a28_a22f_42c5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NvDrHQisdw7_brl0Sdt9Mqt-VPKmIjqYc_nm-Ee73HzR0-0OXLn8-q_be2mTZK0Ztw0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Olive oil comes in a small bottle with a dropper.<br></font><img id="id_951a_2209_64db_3f60" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9WSUMPMA9CvRGnR0R22evJ6i1Z0CtUXqrBmV2-HscsZcvICX25rVEIq5S9bLTIm3Oio" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">My guinea fowl doesn’t look anything like any fowl ought to look but it tastes divine.</span></div><div><img id="id_4553_7523_f3ae_b042" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/d1bjxEth2yt7Lt-7yxCtvyJohbcpeEZFoHqYzZ55ky7Ku-RFUYQLTAtzspkJW_pQ5e0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">No wine for us as Stuart is driving. The couple at the next table has just been through a long parade of wines.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Jonathan brings us coffee in the lounge.</font></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SqcIhVDj42w?feature=share" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_e56b_bf8b_433d_9da3" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We discover that this is also a hotel. They have rooms. So why not stay so we can enjoy a lovely meal and have wine too.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We decide to book for two nights.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">As Samuel was showing us the rooms, he casually mentions that the restaurant will be closed tomorrow and Monday. The two nights we’ll be there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Oh well, in that case, we won’t be staying after all.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Samuel, very flustered: We can recommend nearby restaurants. How about we book you a taxi? Order a pizza?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">How will any of that help, I wonder. We were only staying for the restaurant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So off we go back to Padua, to our not so nice <b>Sheraton Four Points</b> and the just okay room service dinners.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I don’t mind, really. It’s been such a glorious day!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/344423639960359670'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/344423639960359670'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/palladio.html' title='Palladio'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W5KVjZA07__tkkoBRc5hbAennq41z9J3xCJcyhUhNI_q9BIatWsIcIdQCjquRJLscZg=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4918352898141571770</id><published>2022-05-08T03:21:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:03:10.049+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>On the Lido</title><content type='html'><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, May 4.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">It was a fantastic trip on the water taxi when we left the main island of Venice to stay the next week on the Lido.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><img id="id_c2fc_158_33b4_b43b" src="blob:null/630921d1-e743-4d27-98bc-8dbc3d81c0da" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><img id="id_7cad_18db_3573_af59" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NRn2AWDT2D8yHc1lRl7jWuLpMRxv0gLbzXW12wTtUSmEeX29cL63WwurMXi1txAkjxg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">As we went along the Grand Canal, I&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">was on video Messeng</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">er&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with Laura and Annette, chatting and sharing the scenery with them</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ptMNtj_DDrY" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_921e_5f22_2967_3083" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It was like they were actually there with me!</span></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nKUZmT1aVO8" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_9680_38e0_bae6_11cf" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">At </font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Grande Albergo&nbsp;Ausonia Hungaria, I couldn’t get the air con to work. Stefano at the front desk explained that because of the war in Ukraine, the Italian government has banned air-conditioning. Lisa at the Wellness Centre said it was because they’re between seasons.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">A 5-star hotel without air-conditioning?&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">Sorry, we’re leaving!</span></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">We didn’t have to though.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The hotel owner apologised, moved us to a lovely suite, and promised to have the air-conditioning switched on in the morning.</span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s all good now and we’re happy to be in this really charming hotel.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a historic&nbsp;building decorated in the <b>Liberty </b>style, the Italian version of <b>Art Nouveau</b>. Built between 1905-1907 at the height of the <b>Belle Epoque </b>when<b>&nbsp;</b>the Lido was the beach of North-east European royalty and aristocracy.</font></div><div><img id="id_8bc_7cab_28e9_fbaa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oDcPYzO3LEeuGN1dsD1PROiVdHEHd3ROZOEGIdh8arivl7uJ68l0t7pWNBvQZqL8Jyc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;">Thursday, 5.</u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’ve now got air conditioning but the weather has made a U-turn and we’re back to wearing coats.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At lunch in a small neighbourhood bar,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Bar Lepanto</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, we opted for an inside table. It was too cold to sit outside even in the sun.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Outside on the street a parade of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">trolleys ferried crates overflowing with fresh flowers to load onto a boat bound for Hotel Cipriani.</span></div><div><img id="id_8a78_e8ba_10d6_4232" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IHCY43ddokmn-wb8uoJgB7UZTZuritdk-9IaqzdHUmZRfqX4CNxoy7mwERIZOu1YWC0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">As we walked to dinner later, I hugged my coat tighter around me as I shivered in the chill of the evening air.</font></span></div><div><img id="id_ca56_ad44_b36d_4221" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9MotG7inH4xKE6haceoo6XYFpv5MwcnsscazWqcxe93qrpuZrOCuBKdBzU8LPvDJUWg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b><br></b></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><b>Osteria Al Mercà</b> is<b>&nbsp;</b></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">located in a fish market so it’s more <i>spaghetti alle vongole</i>&nbsp;and&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">grilled prawns</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">for dinner.</span></div><div><img id="id_b61c_322f_f8f9_1b0a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vnEH_0cylGHc0WHG4zIeDqi8XdAYNykbZZSFy4XTBy7IAkykicjwQOzYuWi7tdaq-os" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Friday, 6.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s a wet grey day but lucky for us this is the kind of place that looks good whatever the weather. &nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I love having breakfast here in the delightful conservatory.</font></div><div><img id="id_c0a6_5c69_a48c_2918" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8LklVt5HgeRbiB2a2Vr4KfG4uapiSgPj29s3ZGwerFVNnUmYAbT0wvD7GDtjwzOEczg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I love that we only have to cross the street to Roxy Bar to have delicious mussels and small-fish fry.</span><br><img id="id_ada_8092_44f6_1a27" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FDnEHnVPLWkx7440KB8bZRFDpSKsb5U2gurQl85GEIPxmLL87RrVP9clglNnIf3yxZY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And I love the Thai massage</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;in the hotel’s wellness centre too!</span></div><div><img id="id_c8aa_7391_9812_5da8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GCYGVMlShqbpF-NdmPC8GdJT-5h0I-7Yzz0AxpU88X1lYk4oHdh8BNcB8OHqH5bdNXo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Saturday, 7.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">I’ve been very curious about a strange looking family that arrived in the hotel yesterday. Could they be refugees from Ukraine maybe?</font></span></div><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">To get us into the right mood for&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">this afternoon</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">’s exploration of the neighbourhood, we</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;watched&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Luchino Visconti’s famous film of Thomas Mann’s “</span><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">Death in Venice”. It was</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;shot mainly in&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the palatial&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Hotel Des Bains</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, now decrepit,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">desolate,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;and boarded-up.</span></div><div><img id="id_8301_ed28_c14c_2645" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qtGsnHMUkcUz9P4cWysRlwMxYFj8dsjXx3YiHe57wYObZbhf5s2ihPTMzWOmEKSfhBg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;rain had stopped and the sky had begun to brighten but&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the air was still very cold</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">there</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;were muddy puddles on the walkway to the beach. A small wooden sign on the side of the lane indicated a beachfront restaurant so we&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">decided to go for a little snack.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We picked our way through a grassy side access to a white painted&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">low building</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with a sweeping upstairs balcony.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">At</font></span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"> </b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b><font size="4">La Pagoda Ristorante Pizzeria</font></b></span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">, </b><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">it</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">wasn’t a snack we got but a veritable feast.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">The mouth-watering aroma of our grilled mixed seafood perfumed the air</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;">&nbsp;as</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a whole sea bass was filleted tableside.</span></div><div><img id="id_e2b1_865d_33c9_690f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RjVLygD8ohLebEi1oHUsw23jQZ1j12ZC1AE39OBgOlBIcG95vjN8JdG3EESRQxLG6s4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Later, the restaurant manager, Giancarlo Mastropaolo came over to say hello and tried to chat, which with our Google-limited Italian and his non-existent English proved very difficult. In the end, our waiter Roberto explained that the “Direttore”&nbsp;would like to offer us a drink.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Everything about this ordinary casual meal somehow had an old-fashioned, courtly air about it.&nbsp;</span><font size="4" face="Verdana">A</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">n unexpected pleasure I don’t&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">normally associate with pizzerias.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">L</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">imoncello</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;was just the thing to round off an excellent meal in that cinema-perfect setting. Roberto assured us that it was “the best view in&nbsp;</span><font size="4" face="Verdana">Venice”.</font></div></div><div><img id="id_a9cd_ea60_a737_cced" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Im9Ic9zunxhI6StJmrJ1rWhFidSTnpuiMtuBt02j9kwoeAga4fwNkJKhr4HkYLz6Lsc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br></div><div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sunday, 8.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And just like that, Summer’s back!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The Venice Film Festival is the main event on the Lido calendar.</font></span></div><img id="id_e422_2dab_e882_e6c6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/jUxLSCeR-VoUpL8rAs_lFj7F3pvbC-I_pH9la_wum3S1IXYeJ1Vd6n-GNvnSS8GNGgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b9ed_82b5_afd7_1261" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0VRDsmrftf5UIU9vK4G2G3FZnQcvR7w8PZcMjIpaGbRwYs9hgaSM-KHucXsn73l04P8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Red carpet moment!</span></div><div><img id="id_547d_e7fc_b7b1_24f9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/oQEPN0qxiQXhe80ke2D3zjLp0u697qwtYWZw7SEwdgLgaoAXvLQNStQDj-nO6l8ufPM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">At <b>The Excelsior Hotel</b>, beloved by movie glitterati.</font></span></div><img id="id_4e73_fdc0_a7d6_b6aa" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cKAZXfKsNZYw3CgCO-7TwE_h_bkTUQe-A27Ig3F7dczGDSXf3zHNgbn5LLu4RSBPbIs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8eaf_e94b_6cd6_b40f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CAjhfyu2q6gFJWUGFaxNMze3WmVyFPtHzXdTaWlwtkvcfX0g_iyCvJdnttI401eBRuU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">S</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">orbet and tiramisu on the terrace at an extortionate €23.</span></div><div><img id="id_6eb3_d31b_4539_86f9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/EIaZQFfbUvgVUuO815NFjortOKpKH7L8guoHv7_I5wI6cqA-WGFxML-FSzGJ5zud2BM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">After splurging on dolci at the Excelsior, dinner was an austere event featuring </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">meal essentials bought at neighbourhood supermarket&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Conad</b>.<b>&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Total damage for a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;delightful&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">picnic&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">dinner in bed: a little over&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">€5</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;for vino bianco, burrata cheese, and tomatoes.</span></div><div><img id="id_d668_130c_7c83_1729" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HsyiSXfiHeVQfvTTvsOVoio6xD-mHnHVXa9rWPehGceU-4Nc93TrFfpr7ROA7jEVd1g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><img id="id_404c_aaa7_906c_121b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/h_aX4W6gfX3a1aZEfqEyiBBefsbCIMqUK6sz_ESweJZeQmxi74NMpdTrQ8ooHiuGqPs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, 9.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">BREAKING NEWS FROM HOME: Bongbong Marcos wins! Was there really any doubt?</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">We crossed over to Roxy again for&nbsp;</span><i style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Fegato alla Veneziana</font></i><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"> and small-fish fry. Best in Venice courtesy of two Filipino cooks!</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">And at sunset, wine and Aperol spritz for the most pleasurable tradition of <i><b>la passeggiata</b></i>.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, 10.</font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We savoured our last day in the lovely Lido di Venezia and made&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">sure to imprint in our mind&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a picture</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">of these&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">delightful</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;days we’ve been enjoying in this&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">charming,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">calm, civilised slice of Venice.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We reprised</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;our typical unplanned, unprogrammed day: breakfast in the sunny hotel terrace,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">lunch of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">mussels and small-fish fry at Roxy, afternoon watching forgettable films on YouTube, Aperol spritz at sunset passeggiata, followed by groceries at Conad, then more forgettable films with&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">picnic supper in bed.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Fabulous.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Wednesday, 11.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m up at dawn on our last morning in Venice. We leave in the afternoon for Padua.</span></div><div><img id="id_3c6c_3dd8_698a_c030" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cOLjflss7_bUzAMPTif3L-dSZMdin28E6Ibl84ENDV2aDI1JSNbRuymTFJF0em3Fg5g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4918352898141571770'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4918352898141571770'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/temporary-backup-on-lido.html' title='On the Lido'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NRn2AWDT2D8yHc1lRl7jWuLpMRxv0gLbzXW12wTtUSmEeX29cL63WwurMXi1txAkjxg=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5732631118447420557</id><published>2022-05-03T01:04:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:07:05.663+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Venice </title><content type='html'><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Wednesday, 27.</font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Venice makes an appearance as our train arrives in Santa Lucia station.</span></div><div><img id="id_12c3_2300_7d35_c101" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eU-5wfcP6M1qxd-ainJ1pd0c_eOQW2ybRtLwoYJy7cEfDHhepxd-vJWQWQKZnwUN6g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We like the less hectic pace of <b>Sestiere Cannaregio</b> and we’ve booked the same hotel we’ve stayed in three times before.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Disappointingly, we now find </span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Hotel Arcadia&nbsp;</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">to be not as nice as we remembered it to be.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Thursday, April 28.</font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The next day, w</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">e moved to a room upstairs just off the lounge.</span></div><div><img id="id_c1dc_7972_f3aa_d1b3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Mkwso_yV4BHdLYj97HmnnzslgRd323whpkV_wlqD62fmvUdD0uNKu41tZ2NrnikGO-Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re changing our breakfast routine. No more hotel breakfasts. M</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">armalade croissant and espresso at&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tera Ferma Cafe</font>&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">are so much more fun!</span></div><div><img id="id_8004_83d2_f6a6_eb27" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/r0MT89R8R-4OGJBV1aUkDlr0U0wcACdN7Wz2c4fTiSLB2R0S3FO6rpScF_IIKS3JTpY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Then a leisurely walk around the now familiar neighbourhood.</span></div><div><img id="id_996a_80c_f772_e1d5" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/oZUIhQjsWECwcbb32qWyDv4As9tgMEXuUdN_bLT6arT9W9tw2OFCEzCsydD_50ITbfE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><img id="id_1f21_8506_b91a_c795" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BzxJAD-ZhhsGx1lzQPwP4eMdhTdnts-GWN87DELmiPTfPOOGsKNj-R4dS44Ly3x8lwE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_91ad_9040_74b4_400a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZuELycMhgd1SOeqXs4ZNX3sgH9tnhjkW4bMI42aD5O2nBXZmf8RomoElNCeYp5j924Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A temporary stand selling fresh fish and seafood beckoned us to try the small restaurant behind it.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Their delicious <i>spaghetti allo scoglio</i> sealed the deal for us.&nbsp;</font><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Trattoria&nbsp;Bar Pontini</font></b><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;has become our favourite place to eat seafood in Venice this time around.</font></div><div><img id="id_4fce_fdf1_26fb_520e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/naCnmsG35T6vmty4iunFYIgHLNiyTec50Q1gMmp2crkb6FouOYK3GtywpfB6HZJAM6Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div></div><div><font size="4" style="font-family: Verdana;">In the very</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;touristy</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">&nbsp;area between the bridge and the Guglie vaporetto dock, only two minutes from our hotel, this restaurant is a gem. Its homey friendly atmosphere</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;owes mostly to the very charming&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Roberta</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, always welcoming</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, always brightly smiling.</span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart went on a walking tour in the afternoon. I decided I’ve walked enough for the day so I stayed in.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the evening, the whole place was eerily quiet. Very few shops and restaurants were open. There was not much choice to go to for dinner.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b><br></b></span></div><div><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Ristorante Due Fratelli</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;"> was a big disappointment.</span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 29.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We set off on the vaporetto to check out the <b>Australian Pavilion</b> at the <b>Biennale</b>.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We knew we’d hate it,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">having read the press releases,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">but felt it was our civic duty to go.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We went&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">instead&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">to the&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Lido</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We loved the place! We walked all around and the more we saw of it the more we liked it.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">stopped for a light lunch at</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;<b>Ristorante Roxy Bar</b>. A cheese plate, small-fish fry, and wine.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><img id="id_f00b_9eb7_7e12_2c24" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TXb88Lvqu24x7vdLsA7qNPTtk-5b53Bx9aSzPfZ2MoP7ZeIIRYIIs2q4wzufuzPaXlI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We thought we might like to stay on the island next week so we went to the hotel across the street for a look-see.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_b345_3d52_2903_b426" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/n-MAJcDgTSsaaghhN8WEMGLi6tO1jekHgN6A-sHvN3u864Qe-WjaSGex2fK5XP34YVA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-family: Verdana; width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It's a curious-looking</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;building with a floridly decorated façade and we were curious.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’ve now cancelled our week at the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Murano</b>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Hyatt</b>&nbsp;and booked&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">instead&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at the&nbsp;<b>Grande Albergo&nbsp;Ausonia Hungaria</b></span><font size="4" face="Verdana">.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br><br></font></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Saturday, 30.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><img id="id_3fad_2cba_8cf5_c6c7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xCJ_mudOjr50r-GqAgNY9De3O7nkWHSMa4Qqxz-Npx7lQn5TgsNGMENOAPyDIdbvftU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">We bought strawberries and peaches and took our place at Tera Ferma Café where we rounded off our breakfast with coffee and croissants.</font></div><div><img id="id_25c_e5e9_b3ef_b993" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FSPPxMs6QjtZege9xBAz6AMW44VZO-0Wr0enFsDMKaB4ofLY8T6_dZf3lY_1j2i0jtw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">At the&nbsp;<b>Peggy Guggenheim Collection.&nbsp;</b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I love just being in this place, always have.</span></div><div><img id="id_b45_d7cf_5798_3bca" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gTTAl2Cn5CW4T0yWGg5BcSmaX3twIfwXjHfAAuj-cfH0JfYbJOErCLrYJr7lhlIII7A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s a very particular feeling of well-being that money (in this case lots of it) can buy:&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A desirable house with a garden (an 18th c. palazzo really) in a prime location (on the Grand Canal), fully furnished (one of the world’s most important collections of modern art).</span></div><div><img id="id_9f68_2fad_69a7_a391" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/g6rQX-2pMDrEqdVy1VOWve4_8yKv1WLbCrWL4FpNHZXTUVLZBiAqHPV5flphRgA6UI0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Here are some of my new favourites:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d363_97ef_150f_6c92" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kx3NwdwnsmBtLqQ7mCSzZI5YaUW8xYmuAR7kTnLhbccT13bNN7HTju5CFNUWHRwtX7s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4" face="Verdana"><b>Remedios Varo</b></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana"><i>Star Maker</i></font></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></font></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana">It’s the stuff of whimsy: a&nbsp;</font></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">woman sits in a tower grinding stardust to feed a caged crescent moon, nourishing it so that it may regain its fulness.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_3aa7_9493_f1b1_569f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2k8umgN3r8HtXg2Juapw5kCqNji04noZOcy0GCcmBnwW67fjnmipK4wbDQ8Q1FfU_1g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Oscar Dominguez</font></b></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Freud, Magus of Dreams</i></font></div><div><br></div></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></font><img id="id_abd4_e2e3_bfb9_a6d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8jyabuuTRwYAwH1fbbjo0ZJ-knCtFfvkOSEwRDTkyRd9QU9LEwosnUTtg6X0zDX-wgk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font size="4" face="Verdana"><b>Max Ernst</b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Attirement of the Bride</i></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i><br></i></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i><br></i></font></div><div><img id="id_616b_e4ab_e864_b574" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eFxJs_E_1RxkH7BCwpmbgHsVmCXYnyrYwZSuyw_UhY-MVfu_9t6KgsoAu_J0EAaQLuk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><div><b><font face="Verdana" size="4">Max Ernst</font></b></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Chemical Nuptials</i></font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i><br></i></font></div><br></i></font><img id="id_a9f6_9c76_8ae1_6496" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0x78G54b2hpwwbkC26aRDAUD2G4cS_Gcm26LNINE9oYbWtv80YBREKT-SpmuoKCUiiA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Amedeo Modigliani</b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Woman in a Sailor Shirt</i></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">At the <b>Museum Cafe</b>.</font></div><div><img id="id_1952_eb00_767e_c8b4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pnJG9AghvM3mnkX3AfhUGeK-bs64NgpqkC-Iv6aZak9bhSN3adWo2Vva6i9TlI0QJb8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What was meant to be a light snack proved to be too much and too rich. It was just a club sandwich for Stuart and a small serving of creamed baccalà for me. I don’t know why it made me feel unwell but it did.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We went out onto the patio and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">sat on a marble bench. I rested&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">my head on Stuart’s shoulder and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">closed my eyes&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">for a long while.</span></div><div><img id="id_c050_ea68_10bf_f5ef" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PpdLFfMJhZ7Qe7BncB9UbBeZF9RklUoPJ7e5ULZ2mxnEy64sK8pLWzhBv87AytrLxcI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">The cool air at the water’s edge revived me soon enough for what turned out to be a very long walk back to the hotel.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; font-family: proxima-nova; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5em; letter-spacing: 1px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sunday, May 1.</font></u></h3><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><h3 style="margin: 0px 0px 0.3em; font-family: proxima-nova; font-weight: 400; line-height: 1.5em; letter-spacing: 1px; color: rgb(34, 34, 34); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; white-space: pre-wrap;"><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">At&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Rio Madonna dell’ Orto </b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">in Cannaregio.</span></font></h3></div><div><div><img id="id_b787_b7c4_d977_ce8e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/yVaDsbySpHnqjVT28liBTJr587K_95XheTJupY1lx79Qx03VFAnHV2Dw7YzAy73Oju0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Renaissance painter&nbsp;<b>Tintoretto </b>lived and died here.</font><br style="font-family: Verdana;"><img id="id_6d71_45db_d8ed_6f0a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/IEPwFaX4uCZB_dAxwEvKUSj2-4WkYqAHc54pPq6aN-rGC3YI05qH02Y3HKOKYR_l5l4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3f71_61b0_9fce_9fc5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/A2dc0Cvo3JZxiekbYUnINX0LJ_XyIl1pXc1Hn9h542fnkjZpDwBhtPGj-yInoFmCVYo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">His body is buried in the&nbsp;</span><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Church of Madonna dell’ Orto</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.</span></font></div><div><img id="id_8c75_b57a_a094_b875" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J88EyVcbT9yWwrWozafErT8bcCH4F2NiTbRUNgJPKTPwOWm1Ou2yMcyPUWZw2qhGRxg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b style="font-size: large;">“The</b> <b style="font-size: large;">Global Supper”</b><font size="4">&nbsp;exhibition by multidisciplinary artist <b>Lilli Muller</b>&nbsp;at the Cloister of </font><font size="4">Madonna dell’ Orto</font><font size="4">.</font></span></div><div><img id="id_108f_9747_d562_3e9a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YMqrB0egMgiCPeMNPFj8HmchU8F15AWVHs0WatfdbKMO5swqK86htgWpEds4O_XhFMw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">H</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">onouring&nbsp;<b>Tintoretto</b>’s painting&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">of Christ’s Last Supper, this is a 3-D metaphor,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">an invitation to all countries of the world to take a seat at the table</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;to discuss solutions to the problems facing our world today.</span><br><br></div><div><br><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Monday, May 2.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">Once again, we set off for the Biennale. On the vaporetto, I wondered if it being Monday, the exhibition would be closed. And it was. So we decided to take the ferry to <b>Murano</b>.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">It was a long circuitous walk to the ferry wharf, it was getting to lunchtime, so we changed our minds and went to the Lido instead. We had lunch at Roxy Bar again. Had small-fish fry, a bowl of mussels,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">and wine</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I don’t have before pictures but I have afters:</font></div><div><img id="id_e30f_71d1_b262_e372" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EGigfSoO6rkCJIfkJIhvxYmMkNuyW-HAE8qDdI8rv2g6YQoFT79U7ieIu7T0hRVkqbo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Then we walked it all off with amarena ice cream.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The vaporetto back was a long ride, with stops every two minutes or so.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the evening, we didn’t feel up to going out to dinner so Stuart got a plate of grilled vegetables from the restaurant downstairs. We had it in bed with the last bottle of&nbsp;<b>Aperol Spritz</b> from last night.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Tuesday, May 3.</font></u></div><div><u style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">A secret garden.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Just off a busy square near the Guglie bridge&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">and through a narrow lane</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">is an oasis of peace and quiet.&nbsp;<b>Parco Savorgnan</b>&nbsp;is a public park offering a welcome escape from the crowds and the heat. It has handsome tall trees, shaded park benches, and a small children’s playground. I also found</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;a drinking fountain but it wasn’t working at the time.</span></div><div><img id="id_65dd_94fb_f93c_b5ac" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6ORNXlmmO_Z5hLiGcOor0gbkchAETfCSWm0sylQiw_siPzeGG1OwCkV2GS7VE5KewUw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;"><br></span></div><div></div><div><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">We went to checkout the Europcar rental place in Piazzale Roma. It was difficult to find and when we finally did find it, we decided we needed an easier way for us to move to the Lido.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Once again, we attempted to go to the Biennale and for the third time gave up when after a long walk to the B dock, we couldn’t get on the already full</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;vaporetto</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana;">.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">On the way back to the square, we stopped at a small church. I lit a candle for Malu on her birthday.</font></span></div><div><img id="id_a996_d8a2_4eee_2c64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WPYHSCBmsf9rYPacQhofibr5aH9VD6nPMszjY6yYGJxIFb9phofiea3cJBl-Ih_bCMo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">By the time we got back to the square, I was too tired to want to go anywhere. We sat in the shade under the bridge for a while, then trudged back to the hotel.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It was our last evening in Venice so we went out for dinner. It wasn’t easy finding somewhere nice. Late in the evening and no reservation, most places were full or not so nice. After walking back and forth, combing through the one street, squeezing through the usual noisy young crowd outside <b>Al Timon</b>, we found,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at the other end, one that said yes, we have a table!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Osteria Al Mariner </b>was a happy find. Nice cozy place, food was good, service friendly.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5732631118447420557'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5732631118447420557'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/05/temporary-backup-venice.html' title='Venice '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eU-5wfcP6M1qxd-ainJ1pd0c_eOQW2ybRtLwoYJy7cEfDHhepxd-vJWQWQKZnwUN6g=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1112802160240579929</id><published>2022-04-23T15:10:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:08:09.345+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Florence </title><content type='html'><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u>Friday, April 22.</u></font><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u><br></u></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re slightly damp when we check in at&nbsp;the <b>Hotel Santa Maria Novella</b> &nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">having&nbsp;walked the few hundred meters from the train station, wheeling our suitcases through a light rain.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The room is pretty and has a great &nbsp;view of the basilica and the square.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_20c4_3476_b621_d68" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zPRLe7lWQwUDcTCruKHxCTSPBHkT8XN-D0wRn2q9Mol0MDfR_LOqdcHVHy2ar-risYo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_33ef_2499_4c70_8950" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0fxvA5SIytfONwnBWWy_-7sxmtV93Ovv8hK9SIXZn0HeGI-y2SLcAIJwOK8nfTtGoTI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday,</u><u>&nbsp;</u><u>23.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the morning the rain had gone. Buon giorno, Firenze!</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_990c_be84_5fb2_9237" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8numfqfwEaO8Ar3QMomsoFv39vJIOpEDPDI3pofhSjy7Ut8tA4k3NuKsBbC_TopQQd8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Breakfast in a beautiful room is a lovely way to start the day!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_317e_ef21_2300_9f09" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/riZwip9IesKqZzHIj60G43Ak9YLABXAnB9H3sJpdfeN3BZnw7BlvIk1H0x4A438_9rs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br>But is this any way to be on holiday?</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a612_e5b9_9ada_af81" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yuJtrZj0J1wOx_uvoD0y1Bimeq8utzMAt-R6aQrQNKoNjJ9maZYtrbUSfv0hO360sbs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Not a lot of people here bother with masks, so, away with masks!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_8516_26f7_8e5e_e331" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/C9ANUuBgj6u2xT_NrF9-EC-GG_6GU29nzfKKMNejctwBkL3dAYmY7lld_qRSdhL2FAw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><img id="id_36e3_53d_adbb_fef" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YoKhTZcB_xNDWlyH58Xb6u_SlLP9TDGbGFHNOndmaF-BjgLPHzgF8zw6m1syO3Rk19E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;">Now, how did that tree get up there?</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>We don’t usually eat lunch but walking has made me hungry. We just happen to be standing outside this cafe so it has to do.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lucky choice. Food is good. Tuna poke for me and avocado toast for Stuart. Nice jazz music too- they even played our song!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>A Casa Ca.Fe &nbsp;</b>at Via della Spada 47.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_af5b_dc96_ca4f_da81" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PEFhVB3-GRo3PXTwJKDAi9rUpRTFSQz1OR9SoC-pTFyHYwSGYEd-SNpf-1H6fY0DEbs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner is always in the&nbsp;restaurant in back of our hotel. <b>Trattoria Marione al Trebbio&nbsp;</b>at<b>&nbsp;</b>Via delle Belle Donne 49.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a2a_8281_cf4c_19fa" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/26Cpet7__WTwstb1npUwpaaDWD_CnpaI5oki2CgEUcwu33nwKFuSrWbV4LuW5wlCM1o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_eb0d_5f23_ddb4_3d27" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1bZv-yKDOiY7FS89WFeeynjOao1TgBJiSKxy2RWwwKqiePPswfzO4_goT0BHL4Cs4yA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our menu choices include spaghetti alle vongole,&nbsp;porchetta,&nbsp;risotto al lampredotto (similar to tripe), and pappardelle with cinghiale (wild boar),&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">spaghetti with baccalà and roast beef</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We first discovered our all time favourite dessert&nbsp;cantucci e vin santo&nbsp;here&nbsp;several years ago.</span><img id="id_1e3a_e343_b05e_fff8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6TrqhfHJJjEhz8Tq2H615S0kxTI-DNHObjLACFMKnHcVdhzYHFZjiikAVx0RZDyUVbg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-family: Verdana; width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday, 24.</font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_9839_3b7d_8bfb_dc09" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CohII-88pvb_Tu90WfXcD8jvHYC05nZiQnz_wQq-AI4xHDaJ7SksRviya76YDO3haME" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br>Too early in the day to be in the Bar?</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">No, we haven’t fallen off the wagon completely. The breakfast room is full so we’re having ours here all by ourselves.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Intermittent rain. After walking around for a while trying vainly to dodge puddles on Floremce’s beautiful stone slab streets,&nbsp;ruining my blue Loewes&nbsp;in the process, there was nothing else left to do but get out of the rain and eat.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Found a quirky little restaurant called <b>Quinoa</b>.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_b04e_320b_7673_bad6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/4HL-etfkQ6nYdYD9UvE3lrd47rcfIbsQvM9cZERZcID34YdboBtIUUDGvKfb2Pi-vyA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br>I had what looked very much like one of Laura’s meals: fried eggplant patties on a thick bed of red and white shredded cabbage. She wouldn’t have had the tzatziki sauce though.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart had the roast chicken.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the evening…</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s cold and wet outside and I’m much too comfortable in bed to even think of dinner so Stuart got take away from Morione. They were full but they rushed our order of ribollita and ricotta ravioli. They even included a spoon</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;for the soup</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">- a proper one, not plastic!</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday, 25.</font></u></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></u></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Having booked a 2:45 walking tour, we thought we’d take it easy and walk around a little before then. Well, that little walk was enough walking for me. We had a snack of canneloni with &nbsp;roasted zucchini and capsicum.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The hotel’s sitting room has a cozy fire.</font></div><div><img id="id_f5fe_a0a6_5101_d369" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lBzr8Rh1W0RLkUoYrPbpXB2bg35Xww4w4sfYYs8TQ4rDnOkj05ud0PGyxJrBiMp0780" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart went on the walking tour. I stayed and did my laundry.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I always look forward to dinner at Trattoria Marione. Stefan as always the good host made sure we get a good wine. He also let us sample their ham and</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;desserts: cantucci e vin santo for 2 and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a grandmother’s pie- milk custard with pine nuts- for me.</span></div><div><img id="id_9ab9_8c8c_8bf_d601" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ZH2APpagHkd467b1XI9kQzV_yofHz5ZpckEhrXdaQUZm3bAer_uUduhCe8NKhvl8bwI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, 26.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch at the roof top restaurant of <b>Rinascente</b>.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the <b>Uffizi</b>.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">My personal favourites.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_32e0_d605_2d7d_a14" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0xehx_zlLV9Posj5nISnqs2xT4KLZkaNGQPi9MPH9QOJvAL6S69shDRdz8jEMi1gnFQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1320_54aa_1a5e_e629" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/x4zr9cFfllF1sxmarpHL4rLVMtyxjLNW5G73u7CzSVzid50hQQNeQFk3Rh54tT-KR6g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Ceiling fresco depicting the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Basilica and Square of Santa Maria Novella, our present day view from our hotel room.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3afa_1586_ed42_d3e3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bqh328kFsbpIc0KVAv0CxvltU3tj4ZW39CWWESopiNFVlmFrjP16g2ClAJswxawlwVI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Dying Alexander.&nbsp;</i></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Marble, Roman, late C3 or early C2 BCE.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><i>Leda and the Swan</i>. Two versions.</span></div><div><img id="id_843f_a97_d4b4_864e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LiCqYfmH1R6JXcWmhIC7I-LCXpm0sYuLPg-AUVoYdasOoGSula5CjzSRK5oTWzMZSeo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Francesco Melzi,</b> 1505-1507.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_c0a4_868f_3e68_bd5c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eva9DmCjDrqiPlQZGNmRltyWbaANrMEDrml3cYWvWVxIy_fXda6DKwm1HabbYt0jY2M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Andrea del Sarto</b>, c. 1520.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_295c_b0be_fe72_5e05" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qOglQs-c0Qv3opPKbsp3BeX8Ae12eDHrFL939GYwfEormpUCg4rmxBHOohD4ME-lZ8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><i>Bacchus</i>.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Caravaggio</b>, c. 1596.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">And finally, Caravaggio! Spectacularly staged in a near- empty room.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">What a gift from&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">fabulous</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Florence as yet not fully populated early on in a post-pandemic world.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner as usual is at all-time favourite Trattoria Marione. Stefan made our last evening in Florence extra special by starting dinner with p</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">rosecco</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. V</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in santo</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;came later. Then</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;l</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">imoncello too!&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Even our wine was from a premium wine he opened&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">specially&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">for us.</span><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’ll miss coming to this restaurant. It’s a very special one. Good simple food, unfussy, always delicious.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">But it’s the staff that makes coming here such a pleasure.<br></font><div><img id="id_b0d3_8d25_d938_7e6e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/vcm7x7cnL7WIsiD17LswyPQCq99546k8Gh-57aZSNSx9dplh8nbC-39BFvv_MNH27HE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">With Stefan and Veronica.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1112802160240579929'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1112802160240579929'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/04/florence.html' title='Florence '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zPRLe7lWQwUDcTCruKHxCTSPBHkT8XN-D0wRn2q9Mol0MDfR_LOqdcHVHy2ar-risYo=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-517750032647836820</id><published>2022-04-23T05:00:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:10:14.197+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Rome</title><content type='html'><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Easter Sunday, April 17.</u></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our <b>Qatar Airways</b> flight was great. I think they’ve rightfully earned their awards. The new seats are comfortable and spacious. The service, particularly the Manila-Doha sector, was exceptionally good.</font></div><div><img id="id_9875_9785_2af0_c2e2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gefuccd-34ccKGQpLmvzYq0V_LuDWIsDqywHwDavq77v6Mj6c2ws6Xy5GKcDBj7FPso" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We arrived in Rome at 2pm.</span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Two Immigration officers very eagerly led us through an empty arrival hall, one helpfully removing rope barriers for me and personally putting me through the passport clearance himself. Wow, what a welcome change from the normally surly arrival procedure!</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s wonderful to be back in the <b>Cavalieri Hilton </b>where you get all of Rome laid out in front of you.</span></div></div><img id="id_2da5_5ffb_abe9_196d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DHobRq_m9u-iHjK6q8sbJVNp46ZzQYSmeVzk9iuvB0WQhFsRKvScD_4_KMb7jkb_w_k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Too bad the much awaited full moon rising over the Eternal City was a complete washout.</font></div><div><img id="id_1895_4141_42e_b09f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vJD3EX8vbU43v-RHswcGficGm7c28XZWBJJmyW10ElQ5Ul_MhXTibUAOpTrydiPCFJA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Next day’s sunrise however was well worth getting up for.&nbsp;</font></div><div><img id="id_e950_d1f4_45c6_e8bf" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/i3YSCrhrdwsKWU2-0Lsh_bsiJBwv8p43IjUofwEFh1A2lIz8sWmBAMoHBV6NDDTRzpE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the <b>Imperial Lounge</b>, there’s whimsical Easter decor and we’re happily back in the swing of hotel living.</font></div></div><div><img id="id_a229_2575_6b55_d6ba" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/yGUdZuWgigNZ5tprvZi-1SV6f8qp4qZfrvneW4H9nEcQBqGOaMTWfk-O2q4ZJrfQeSk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Monday, 18.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Bach</b> and <b>Vivaldi</b></span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;in the beautifully austere Episcopalian Church, <b>St Paul Inside the Wall</b>.</font></div><div><img id="id_77b5_d282_e99d_e489" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GUHTVNfokNHX1IYFt_uusmGv9wscFGGLQfnEDCQRWzlvAs8JwXiSa_wCesmBSxDU29A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday, 19.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>I Puritani</b> at the <b>Teatro dell’ Opera di Roma</b>.</font></div><div><img id="id_6e44_1b80_45db_cce1" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EDVlZiOugKIUulHGF5R-s3YomnRn7OUocs7GY_Reuu3C0_CbCRnCnblQeIqLz8wy_8M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1893_2a30_ba1f_be2d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/q9lz9rYQNVPhqPf6K5AH8A0KrRUPUGUwcMf_kZVTi2w39VRz5DycdMH7eZw6PeTj69Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart was disappointed that our box seats had a restricted view. I didn’t much mind as neither the staging nor the performers were really anything to look at.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>Afterwards, we had a lovely supper at <b>Maestro &nbsp;Bistrot &amp; Cocktail Bar&nbsp;</b></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">next door. At Via Torino 144.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Food and wine were good. We had a nice Sicilian red wine, tuna tataki, and a seafood pasta. Our chatty waiter provided welcome entertainment for us and a young Argentinian couple at the next table. We were the only diners left, very late on a cold night.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, 20.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On a Hop-on Hop-off bus tour. We did a round trip, not bothering to hop off, staying on board all the time.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 21.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Rain was forecast for the day so we went to&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>MAXXI</b>. It’s<b>&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;the national museum of contemporary art A</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">rt of the 21st century. XXI. At Via Guido Reni 4 A.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart was keen to see the photographic exhibit on the Amazon.&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_14d2_1daa_ad13_1645" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hTzOG6m2imU3KAHskCodBJTauiJMFOEG20s9jEOIGcQ13Ag70WpbTpUioPo5vcx9CII" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">More a political manifesto than an&nbsp;</span><font color="#1b1b1b"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">exhibition</span></font><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">,&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>Amazônia</b>&nbsp;</span><font color="#1b1b1b"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">by Brazilian artist&nbsp;</span></font><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b>Sebastião Salgado</b>&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">is an immersion in the sights and sounds of the Amazon</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">&nbsp;rainforest</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">The &nbsp;enormity of its ecosystem, its power, its beauty. The sounds made by its animals, the wind, the leaves, the rain, the rivers, the storms. The singing&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">of its&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">isolated&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">indigenous communIties.&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Their&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">collective voice</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">&nbsp;as a people, t</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">heir pleas, their petitions, their&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">remonstrations,&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">their outrage</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">.</span></font></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(27, 27, 27); color: rgb(27, 27, 27); font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 19px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Two other exhibits were not to our liking so we sped right through them. One was a noir-ish film involving dead people and hallucination.&nbsp;We actually walked out on that one.&nbsp;The other had unremarkable photographs of Tokyo scenes and&nbsp;unerotic erotica.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I lingered most of all in the <b>Architecture Collection</b>. I’m endlessly&nbsp;fascinated by architecture models.</font></div></div><div><img id="id_19ce_77e7_d7a9_323b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lUaF8dIe8dXWy_5yidQqJSDMF3nw_Yx56KkwQoLd4Ibt7AVLboo38egx9Xr2dYO2Ydc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a77f_73b6_1356_24ac" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IBCRxXVfnFN8sjHlmKQ2spOda1wvaupbkxxw2yINzfPxQ16EaZYsy4PPzfXGxgWSyDs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_40d2_ea26_afc0_93ec" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OZPDIBK2a56NpWLsl4arwcohicKuKGwQ7QCs_F670aGwRV68p1OFpITi1TUsAfepI5w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/H3XtsuYTobw?feature=share" id="id_da7f_75f8_f7fe_6f35">Walk thru model</a><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I was interested&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">mainly&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in the&nbsp;<b>Zaha Hadid</b>-designed building,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">itself&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the museum’s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;star exhibit</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a2a4_f104_7f7_6873" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/c21hZTCYAVRsHRh_4iJJJM2UzJR2EnkZ1f0_Y_q7q1_150p-P2XNQPEa4vw3fc2m-X8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6bb3_e841_6ed7_7a30" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/F7w-K3-DETjW52drmkEOCeucxmeTL_elEHpCPUWMP2FCHSNYjn7vxdjViPqHogXy5LE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_5c27_c61d_32e0_c82d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zhpF6osUY--7fpJ93Rtkq6gm-m9d4RKmLYSr-AZ8AVYupHSH7WYNDvlMBGYwGZNiojQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">You stand&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">outside by the entrance and listen to sounds of a rainforest. This, by design, sets the mood.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Inside, quirky turns and sculptural vistas.</font></div><div><img id="id_843_8610_749c_6a0a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/846fMOO6HlE7-aVjw0CR26H9bSgVllQ6YKGl1nB_K-AE66vUhHZuJu_tdTv-Nxgxbk0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_e41c_febd_ff77_45ce" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9QewT9zqglFJAwgO56kIX_04a64RzH_zyuXRcMFJ7jTphP35rPmXv97_dd_qJjr35lU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div><br></div><div><div><img id="id_e864_fd0_c613_3423" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OxTXiyzy7WdYfXXH3U6dZjJ1NnfBTx-D3STja0TQZ8TML7VdINsp0194ncnvcS-WcGo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There’s a garden restaurant set off from the building. <b>Mediterraneo</b>. I rushed in to select a table beside a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">window&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">only to be told very apologetically that the restaurant was closed for a private function.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f20_b69c_9b38_2215" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/osWJ8Bta2lgEmJuUAk8DwwXy8TJbjTbv_ieXWPQoWxBe6RL8UJtFJ1xLZIQPlyUNaLw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">____</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Afterwards, we had a late lunch in <b>Ristorante Arlù</b>.</span>&nbsp;<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At Borgo Pio 135.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A very Roman meal of straccetti with anchovies and burrata, cacio e pepe pasta, and saltimbocca.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Arlù was one of two restaurants Annette and I discovered when we&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">stayed in the area for our Vatican tour four years ago. &nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Later, I showed Stuart our hotel. <b>Hotel Della Concilizione</b>&nbsp;at Borgo Pio 163/166.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Then we had ice cream at <b>Sublime</b>&nbsp;at Borgo Pio 40, another one of our discoveries in the area.</font></div><div><img id="id_5d14_763d_ff19_4e2b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bjJXQ1w1iKE9ylQQ2y2KSwkSRLv08xD4LYEV62RffjE6MbyH0iVZVRC6x3r_P4mfIlc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/517750032647836820'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/517750032647836820'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2022/04/temporary-backup-rome.html' title='Rome'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gefuccd-34ccKGQpLmvzYq0V_LuDWIsDqywHwDavq77v6Mj6c2ws6Xy5GKcDBj7FPso=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3620069881647337617</id><published>2021-12-16T03:24:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-12-19T11:04:23.028+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Dublin and Coming Home</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Tuesday, December 14.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b51a_28a3_a4e2_30fa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ha5nx-PSKalshLupS7iNr_baZfJfgC5mj_PFdECLOrE_ghZ_Uq49VOcofU2h5d1DIF8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Looks like a nice day. Maybe I’ll go to Trinity College. I wish I could summon up a little enthusiasm though. Liza at Sunday breakfast in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the restaurant&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">tried her best to talk up her city but I guess she really didn’t have a lot to work with.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This is a sad place.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Of course much of this has to do with it being winter in the midst of a devastating pandemic. Also the fact that our traffic-clogged commute from the airport was soundtracked by our driver’s impressively articulate data-filled damning commentary on what he deemed the absolute mess his country is in and has been in for a very long time.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Added to which, when we had settled into our hotel room, the first thing we watched on TV was a documentary called “My Ireland” which I rather optimistically and mistakenly thought would show us all the wonderful things we would find in the country we had just arrived in, never having been before.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Instead it reinforced in poetic style everything our taxi driver had told us in no-nonsense prose.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’ve been gobsmacked the last two days, utterly astounded by the dreary turn our holiday has taken, unwilling to venture out of our hotel room.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart gamely walked around the city as much as he could but the photos he came back with were hardly encouraging. Mostly of memories of war and famine.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_3163_60c8_6758_47b1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ysqBKHh1Ba3riY_2h2PRH344DRqB3dbaPc8qsXeOJHEO8x0fbka34oeRjDr4nYqLPKk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Wednesday, 15.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">When we woke up this morning, we were booked to go back to Sydney on Saturday. However, reports of soaring Covid cases in NSW, an all-time high of 1,360 in the last 24 hours, and Health Minister Brad Hazzard forecasting 25,000 daily cases by end of January quickly changed our minds.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">By noon, we had changed our flight to go to Manila instead.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Feeling reassured and more cheerful about our latest travel plan, we had room service beer-battered cod and chips with mushy peas late in the afternoon then went for a walk around the block.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The walk didn’t change my opinion of the city but at least it eased my guilty mind about rash judgments and lack of exercise.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u>Friday, 17.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This is the view from our window. It’s quite a stunning view. The light changes so quickly. These photos were taken only two hours apart.</span></div><div><img id="id_46b8_fcb2_7a03_58fe" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zdvBNPwDH5rnrFt5XwEA3ooxs2GH0w6nZPvsJ-4zi2z4C_D3FL7YmB6WPofwx6tm1cs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8d9_137c_3ebb_8a2e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nvilNSZ-5sGEx_PC3bbLIq7J0TuwmKbqRDapHC0-pHhD4hTR0McOZR2ki7Bk2XqSzcs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">Gothic</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">brooding</span><font size="4" face="Verdana">,</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">mysterious,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">medieval, a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">perfect match for the weather.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We went to tour the beautifully restored Early Gothic interior.</span></div><div><img id="id_4b7_dfc_d0ca_9a94" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hhnDzLSCua-Y5Rs_o-KnqHuTHpk2q7MCBQHyvidgqLxKpl6lgEwz3idlK1YQpKfy-FE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Never had afternoon tea seemed more appealing than on a day like this.</span></font></div><div><img id="id_1b97_8065_fea3_5b85" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/E-woP9b2L3eSJGcXAFvKsaS8VuPuN9QZz7NnOrfW95L4fT3Q_fcBBH6SevocyglDlv0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And the</span></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;poky no-frills</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;café&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at the edge of St. Patrick’s Park is definitely the perfect place. It’s a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">sandwich and fresh juice bar</span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">called Bite of Life.</span></div><div><img id="id_f15_9dcc_906d_a77" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MZghDu7Fndn0rWU2vHcy8zc8uwBh5858cYX38vFRsmj57u7olLtT9_mSczGjM5sJMvA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_87d9_be32_86c9_3550" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ctlkesqq7PQsOvyhmpTU3fdPfpDsXdy7eUh7BcpPTmEgUM3ALGDe3inYToFDCjDp9HI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Later, in the evening, we returned to the cathedral&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">for </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Evensong. Quite a change for Stuart and me. It was lovely and restful and felt appropriate for the season.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It also brought back memories of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">afternoon choral practice every&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">first Tuesday</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;of the month</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;under the baton of Sister Robrecht who patiently tried, and mostly</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;failed</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">to get us&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">to sing psalms in Gregorian chant.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u>Saturday, 18.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Interesting day.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Went for our PCR Test early. Early for me that is, at about 8:30am. Too early as it turned out; the test place GoSafe48 on Bloom Lane was not to open until 10.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had a leisurely breakfast in the first place we saw that was open called Lemon Jelly. Stuart had a “mini” Irish breakfast and I had an avocado sourdough toast. A long line of people had formed at the door.</span></div><div><img id="id_f2f5_42a0_f3f3_8ba0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fwhf3GcfS3LZ6NtzoGBNjYEYl584hEb5_4ORp2FDQOq8wj3kJ0azVfR27u1-NfQ6LXY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">By 9:45, we had joined the queue outside the still closed test place. To one side of the narrow lane was</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">a spectacular life-size photograph of a staging of da Vinci’s Last Supper.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The figure that stood out was a man in a modern-day business suit, an&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">unmistakable&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">banker-type, cast as Judas.</span></div><div><img id="id_4cf9_e6a8_a000_16e8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HGyhLA3o0cwOn4kOxS_eWyo0wBbU_29wR5hhqgS6V5OuAo6CUKR0MkGn7iv2H6mlnt0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The PCR test was quick and easy, very organised. We walked back to the Hyatt, detouring to see St Patrick’s rival Christ Church Cathedral.</span></div><div><img id="id_c98f_757a_cb4d_e368" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/SB6sbJW7e2JHEGz89IS_zBPVrRGV1ZHYJBVY9EW-D4nehVobF6rYntKldbwWe_2v7NI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">No contest. Hands down, St Patrick’s gets my vote.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u>Sunday, December 19,</u> 1:15pm.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">On board Etihad flight to Manila.</span></div><div><img id="id_db5f_58f2_4f41_c994" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LOtl_Hsfhjpo_o-QW0AcTvVFti9_cTKJK-IcE9EAD5PqmyVgJNGyuKgDAtzjzw792zo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I guess this marks the official end of our 5-month Great Covid Escape which began on the 23rd of July.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It has been grand.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">…coming home…</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><a href="https://madjdiary.blogspot.com/2023/02/coming-home.html?m=1">https://madjdiary.blogspot.com/2023/02/coming-home.html?m=1</a></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3620069881647337617'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3620069881647337617'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/12/dublin.html' title='Dublin and Coming Home'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ha5nx-PSKalshLupS7iNr_baZfJfgC5mj_PFdECLOrE_ghZ_Uq49VOcofU2h5d1DIF8=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1704474117426664502</id><published>2021-12-02T02:18:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:17:54.868+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>December</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><u>Wednesday, December 1.</u></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><u><br></u></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana">We’re running out of ideas for lunch, so we head to&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Mercado de Chamberí for b</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">urrata salad and beef barbecue.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_ec5a_1ffb_8f7e_a18a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/j3bFxs0bmkEtORcKwF8GbsK_gFNzDkKFshYdltaOM8qYLy7y5JChAgNfS_BpDH6K0bw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Friday, 3.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s our 39th wedding anniversary.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We started the day with lunch at Bienmesabe.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b747_775a_265a_cf51" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8J-xrBtxO419hV2kbdHz0Jk3vQx1ZlaHi0BCRjq_63T4Jx3WYSgjU70LIoT1I0qUK0g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Later, we celebrated at nearby bar Quero with new Madrid friends from the hotel: Enrique, Fabio, Carolina, and Juan.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Guzmán dropped by but couldn’t find us as we had moved into the dining room in the back. I think it was a missed opportunity for him to get to know some of his key front-liners.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_d226_399a_642f_450e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K7_RxSBW2KqpSHs6rQ_PYQtqsy9lHvflMNUsBbKbgIRC3IvidHetOgIrG-ueXQylryM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_4285_29e9_b231_76a7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lLJwN8WUCeUgVqiMLdTEyC0q-UIU5oszFVEMcuwCQnfMyqSJT65kkdjhuP1hqXOrthY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Quero Bar is on Garcia de Paredes, just around the corner from our hotel. It’s a family-type bar and restaurant</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with warm friendly service and exceptionally&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">good home cooked food. We’ve taken out so many meals from them, they greet Stuart with a cheerful “Para llevar?” as soon as he goes through the door.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_f963_7449_7a92_f9fa" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6yxztgOPpACACD-Drjg21NDk05vuEXXpeABFEhD95SjrIEQp1bQ12gehBROSkp2BOlE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s been our thing lately, discovering good takeout to eat in our hotel room. After four months of being away from home, eating in has become as much of a novelty as dining out usually is.&nbsp;</span><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Monday, 6.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our last week in Madrid.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Apart from the knowledge that we’re leaving this marvellous Sydney-type winter meaning cold days but with brilliant blue skies to go to what could be a frozen Irish wasteland, what I’m most sad about is that we're leaving just as we’ve gotten to know where to go for a really good meal.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">One day last week,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart discovered Restaurante Don Sancho while looking for takeout lunch. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;on Breton de los Herreros</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, a five minute walk from the hotel. We’d gone past it countless times without even stopping to look</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">; the door is always closed with no way to see inside</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. This time though, the owner/chef happened to be standing outside so Stuart asked if they were open. Miguel led him in, recommended some dishes, and struck up a conversation.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There were two more delicious takeout meals after that day. Today we decided to have lunch in the restaurant.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The place itself is staunchly old-fashioned. Black and white floor tiles, peachy pale walls with black dados, black wrought iron balustrades,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;cushioned black bentwood chairs,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;white tablecloths.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s exactly what I’ve been hoping to find since we arrived over two months ago.&nbsp;</span><font size="4" face="Verdana">The food is excellent: delicious, classic, traditional, unfussy, as far removed from nouvelle as can be wished for.&nbsp;I had Castellana soup, veal escalope</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, and tocinillos del cielo.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_5361_4b6c_48c7_1236" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VfrIGkr6eBQEDfWeMj8s2iQ33LDxbl--P42eGud2EY6VTQ3pX3AYZfY1q9mTWuDzcX4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Miguel told us about some of the important people who used to come to his restaurant. The king, when still a prince, used to come on his bike.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It was famous, he said.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_3ed4_bc26_ab69_74a4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/oBi2Plvp98BsQJTeR93QFauduRUz1DMwOTzDWI4C3ADXP8rHq1HkZrlkOEFpQrcgneA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Thursday, 9.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m going to miss waking up to this:</font></div><div><img id="id_6fa8_7f45_b215_83ca" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kFj305ylGinjB5fkJyjMIyLgWDUbrBhjYheXRj-Nt7dqrO0ktb0gEOO2zA2LozTSDuw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We looked at an apartment in Argüelles.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Late 19th c building, renovated t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">op floor, attic really, with lots of natural light from roof windows, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths. I was very &nbsp;disappointed because the ad photos led me to believe it was so much nicer than it was.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Fit-to-Fly Travel test for Saturday’s trip at Life Length</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;on Gral. Martinez Campos was quick and easy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We then went across the street to El Yate for lunch.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s our third time in this restaurant. It’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a hundred yards from the Sorolla Museum, five minutes from the Hyatt.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We like it not so much for the food, which is quite nice, but mainly for the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;lively vibe of the place and the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">friendly efficient service.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Once you’ve deciphered the rather ornate penmanship on the Menú del Día and struggled through the translation- this is where friendly service comes in handy- you’re off to a very enjoyable inexpensive meal.</span></div><div><img id="id_c3cc_4d3d_51a0_1ab0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VcpIlU3pVzV_RdFBC8gLU-A9HDweKtgQaaY26wkZt9OIDcE1qiYcY3Uvp3Nklog6Qfg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_8915_a0cc_f593_a725" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2JLShopgTIXQ9FzGRS9RppJGncC9cSHe0pkPD8UxOYcxMuMwF7mOtJTzY-UYvCtPX6s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Saturday, 11.</u></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I can’t believe we’re actually leaving sunny Spain for wintry Ireland!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The best of Irish luck to us! 🍀</span></div><div><img id="id_d547_9c7b_d4cd_4717" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/UIRw8PjhcEzL9x10CBG2R7tgbyU_J-73UNN7sX2IFgHCSizOGLSHaPBoUOofnQOFWj0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><br></div><div><br><br><br><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1704474117426664502'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1704474117426664502'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/12/december.html' title='December'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/j3bFxs0bmkEtORcKwF8GbsK_gFNzDkKFshYdltaOM8qYLy7y5JChAgNfS_BpDH6K0bw=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-707015888190176493</id><published>2021-11-17T21:27:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:21:32.348+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>November</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Tuesday,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">November&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">2.</span></u></div><div><u><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></u></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We’ve decided we’re staying in Madrid until we have to leave Europe. We love being here, both in this city and in this hotel. &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Dinner at El Rincón de Jaén. Just as good as the first time.</span></div><div><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, 3.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At Thyssen-Bornemisza for the Magritte retrospective.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_70a1_f0b3_bf2b_6d0f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Br7026oRIi8diA5UEMfN4NtHK5qpeKd6f63hFsFxFYnR5NS4zUrPZY47K3_VvCgsWSM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I loved it- I’ve always been fascinated by Magritte- but after my third go-round, Stuart said we’d better leave before we go crazy too.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_aee9_d8bf_e778_4d64" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qk_U5_BZFTyjImIbrFVewV-pa8VVCg1Wwhm6QHNvaSFO1l1O-Zq54bYgWGYNo0JGD_8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Back in the hotel, we had our usual cheese plate at the bar.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Everything looks brighter and more cheerful now that t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">hey’ve reopened the Regency Lounge and the restaurants. Things are definitely looking up.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Thursday, 4.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Massage! Shiatsu in our room. And her name is Rachel too. Feels just like home!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, 5.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re having a break from Spanish cuisine at Torijiro on Fernandez de la Hoz.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_880c_5e3e_8de8_327d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4zcCg-1UHx74fh1TMRgAKRIccGd7UUTnWCnzQAaWelT7movD7Bkpv_Rl6ODXQMWTdgc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">The duck ramen was just the thing for the first really cold day since we arrived in Spain. It was a breezy 7 or 8 degrees when we went to lunch. It was sunny though so it was lovely.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, 6.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At Apple Store to have my iPhone battery checked. Diagnosis: 88% good. 80% threshold for replacement.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Meanwhile, Stuart and I were both feeling very lo batt too so we rushed out of there in search of a good place for</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;lunch. All of Plaza del Sol was packed. You could hardly see the road for the crowds. I guess the pandemic is as good as forgotten in this part of the world. Mask wearing outdoors now is, at best, spotty.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At La Tia Cebolla, a little removed from the brightly azulejo’d restaurants and bars close to the plaza, we feasted on seafood paella and fabada.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I love how the fabada was served in a tall clay pot with a huge kitchen ladle.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Nothing at all fancy here, rough tables, rough and tumble service. And, as it was almost closing time,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;there was roughhousing among the bar staff.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">_____</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I continue to be fascinated by this city’s&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">extraordinary buildings, all crammed side by side in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a dizzying cocktail of architectural styles.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_4191_222a_74c9_14e8" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XgSorurdJB3iyS0n5UGMHIPzIP_WSvpfVeluhN7W1k5e3kn3O1V3X_BIVG1LUXPTopc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This Art Deco- Expressionist- Rationalist building on Calle Alcala in Cortes has exquisite reliefs.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_ec79_7abe_666e_aaba" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GFRs232uwRyW5r8tFDlRXjYQ3tDbCH82AchetQlltvzgf_ic8SQOzMI9HHWQOs6gAHY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Neoclassical Beaux Arts Building.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_42a_10b9_8d42_e36e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3tckTaAz1y4ZvxxOJcvZ_F5-u03Stb2cmPFDZK3P4ZIK65QWU2jKdVFlxHZH0UfFbww" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the hotel’s Regency Lounge, delicate Art Nouveau lamps and sconces look like pieces of jewellery.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_a0ce_9c08_f808_d235" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/deZKoz_pzJmw9Ojq6DQNLmkJe1asUIPG33Y5uf9Ug78cYfh3kKiajugZ91nPVsV2NAc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, 7.</u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In Plaza de Olavide for lunch. So many choices… finally settled on Bienmesabe Trafalgar. Love the place!</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e1bf_f79_8590_3c45" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hez2N6ZFyO3ovJwLhfiGLGjUt9f_HeaBGeCul4J24MbTlrAlODK06ipxqJk-A3Ax3dE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At Pulperia O’Conxuro on C. de Ponzano, you’re fed like you’d be at your grandma’s house for Sunday lunch: very well and too much.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_b75c_227_c0f2_ec8a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Wswq4DLmgUdSLUXEWQoFXGaQpvVvf9WzQyi8IeJ-0jGdvnwMKh826r1otkRkm9M2LJ8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div>It’s not hard to find restaurants here that still do classic dishes. You&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">simply</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;have to resist the temptation to</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;stop at the first noisy bar or&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">crowded</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;terraza serving beer wine and tapas.</span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Sunday, 14.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Another glorious autumn day. We’re back for lunch at Bienmesabe.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart has nearly finalised plans for when we have to leave Spain. Looks like it’s going to be Jordan, Cyprus, and Egypt. Time frames still to be determined.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our usual easygoing days on holiday can at times be disturbed by the overactive otherworld of social media.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The only ones I’m really missing are the G7 Sunday video calls which are so difficult to schedule across the time zones from my current location.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Messages to and from ground zero in Sydney are best forgotten as soon as done: not much progress in repairing Kareela, with major works not expected before January. &nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Emails to do with deadlines can’t be ignored: as in manuscript submission for STC’s latest anthology, Solitaires. I made it just in time.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Some zoom meetings are more fun than others: as in Route ‘66 Christmas in November. It was a theme party. My group dressed as angels.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_6de7_bf75_1414_5fda" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YLeXOcXRXTLF7jOn6WhhFJbNOBCRmiE2BtzPfygNpCikZ8SJC9m-9p95rSmcgIrmGkQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It started at 2am, my time. By 4:30, my angel eyes were closing…</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><img id="id_f0f0_f6f3_898_4319" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KE3CjkWn8-ceTztAxgkUDdmxbYww44VDHQy1CLYbeyB6p7a1qE__xlKGhFYWX_TQeAM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; width: 700px; height: auto;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Monday, 15.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_5294_3405_82b7_4fb5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/h1xjRQdHUKuy8nAucV3g63M8yIgTD18snCs_obAIrGdEbADA1mV0sa034xMA51NdFAY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Bright gibbous moon at twilight… waxing towards fullness… time to finalise plans… family at Christmas and other holidays.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Wednesday, 17.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Pulled another all-nighter, second one in three days This time with Baby, Ezy, and Laura to iron out kinks in evolving plans.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Slept through the morning and woke up to this:</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_ffef_ffff_fc2_177b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/nvOXCuG25C_WBUtGoonaF5OEA6zFGk71__L0pBILxiHRHtSSM6EOYXlDqJLx7fuuRVQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I plan to go back to bed…</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><u>Thursday</u></font></span><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><u>, 18.</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana">November’s full moon, the Beaver Moon, finally manages to come out from behind dense clouds.</font></span></div><img id="id_9704_51aa_9889_40b0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J3TL7W9gCxeKlyTdNGXV6NuFQQ2WaYFs8_rE-WPisa0rMeJ_Yx9K1Eok7b56t3WW5I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><u><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sunday</font></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana">, 21.</font></span></u></div><div><u><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></u></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana"><font size="4">It’ll be 4 degrees and raining at sunrise tomorrow. But&nbsp;</font></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">today,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">it’s a picture perfect fall day</span><span style="font-size: large; font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_df37_ca49_4a73_410b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sjHBZz2ig65CQnzoz5QBZRZ6QKdNj9Puu6YAnW4atH63xfinPxep5jyuL1IvRO8xNnQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></font><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">Sunday</font></span><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana">, 28.</font></span></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></u></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana">Major discovery! Best meal so far in Madrid. Izariya on Calle de Zurbano.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_6b9a_1e67_cf43_8276" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XVFSvMYdXeNe_tx5N-SICTWhoMuaUWN8z9vuDg6kZZjbJU6qvnYc9t6a6cjT9ONKyp0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana">This tiny restaurant only serves lunch. It has four tables and a kitchen counter. They have four staff, two in the kitchen and two serving. The food is divine and the service, impeccable.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana">Today, Sunday, they only serve a 14-course Menu Degustacion for 50€. Tuesday to Friday, they have a Menu del Día for 20€.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana">We’ve booked for Tuesday.</font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br><br></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large;"><font face="Verdana"><br></font></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/707015888190176493'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/707015888190176493'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/11/november.html' title='November'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Br7026oRIi8diA5UEMfN4NtHK5qpeKd6f63hFsFxFYnR5NS4zUrPZY47K3_VvCgsWSM=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7010893018423381657</id><published>2021-11-02T06:56:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:22:21.463+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency Hesperia'/><title type='text'>Chamberi</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, October 28.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We finally moved out of Hyatt Centric on Gran Vía and transferred to</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Hyatt Regency Hesperia on</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Paseo de la Castellana in Chamberí.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The move was a bit rough- in the beginning at least. The room we had booked, a rooftop suite with a terrace and so looked forward to, turned out to be not</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;nice&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at all</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Very disappointed, we </span><font face="Verdana" size="4">transferred to another room, much smaller but better.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The very affable hotel GM,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Guzmán Muela,</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;has&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">made every effort to, in his words, “make us forget&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">our earlier bad impression of the hotel”&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">everything has gone swimmingly since.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Thank you, Guzmán, w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">e’re now very happy here.&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_66a3_c402_ca6b_5194" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/88F55-YxdagCa8Fv0TMnjF0CmEt2N0_FasqbD_XEG44xptGLv835ld4yhoy2bxAInpo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Monday, November 1.</u></span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The sun has come out after three cold grey wet&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">days.</span></div><div><img id="id_15e7_fc09_f64_163a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0PXq_d6vh2fykZl5vM_po7-WgbYSaFBYXo42HdXW_zIj08O4eLizn8oHCAktwF3OYp4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We explored the neighbourhood then came back to the hotel for a snack.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We were soon joined by a gentleman who had been seated at a nearby table. He asked us if we were enjoying Spain so I invited him to have a seat. He then spoke at length about his disgust for the current government: this President did everything wrong with the Covid… he&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">made deals with the ETA who even now continues to do horrible things…&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the Vice President is a woman who knows nothing…&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">things were so good when Franco was in charge…</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;“A good terrorist is a dead terrorist.”</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We don’t normally engage with anyone in the hotel. We like keeping to ourselves. We’ve chatted to only one other guest,</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a nice young man</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;from Medellin</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;on holiday with his wife; they </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">moved out of his mother’s Madrid apartment when his brother arrived.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">He stayed and chatted with us long after his wife had left, looking terribly unwell.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We later saw him again looking rather frazzled as he was rushing out to go to the pharmacy.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7010893018423381657'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7010893018423381657'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/11/chamberi.html' title='Chamberi'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/88F55-YxdagCa8Fv0TMnjF0CmEt2N0_FasqbD_XEG44xptGLv835ld4yhoy2bxAInpo=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4708809541304476210</id><published>2021-10-27T00:57:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2021-10-27T06:27:36.020+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Back in Madrid </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunset arrival.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our train arrived early, a little after 7, but we didn’t get to our hotel until 8.</font></div><div><img id="id_3f25_efdf_dd7b_ba2f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4RAA24kpkC4eJBucbkqy2umL-HqsiopbYCGEXlEjJICB8Nprrf1PN4S0GvD2EIenx3c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Arriving by train is not the best way to arrive in Madrid. Getting to the taxi stand is so confusing…no signs. Asking people is no help either as everyone has a different idea of how to get there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4708809541304476210'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4708809541304476210'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/back-in-madrid.html' title='Back in Madrid '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4RAA24kpkC4eJBucbkqy2umL-HqsiopbYCGEXlEjJICB8Nprrf1PN4S0GvD2EIenx3c=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8887244457835161770</id><published>2021-10-24T23:09:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2021-11-16T03:18:53.378+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Parador de Granada'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>We return to the Alhambra </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re ending the Andalusia chapter of our Spanish holiday back&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in the Alhambra, at</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;our favourite&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Parador de Granada.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Three weeks ago, we came to stay here, returning after fourteen years. We had a room in the new section which had been&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">added when the hotel was last renovated.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our room this time is</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;in the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">original part, now&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">fully&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">renovated.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The courtyard has remained exactly as I remember it all those years ago</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I took this photo in 2007.</span></div><div><img id="id_c9be_e0b9_ceae_5712" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sgkg0wyHrasUaeA0ZvWjk6If_TOxPbwAW-Sk1Fc9hGpGtnFjOCTQjGZXJ6GH_PEedE0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the 1920s, this abandoned monastery was a ruin, at various times inhabited by squatters and goats. It was due to be demolished but was saved by a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">comprehensive renovation during which it was decided</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">not to replace the collapsed roof of the church;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">keep it open to the sky. That brilliant decision ultimately gave us this serene, evocative space.</span></div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3hi1tVBj53E" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_c708_9c27_2e92_799c" frameborder="0"></iframe><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There’s a room just off the courtyard that has been preserved with the original walls, tiles, decor, and furnishings from the parador’s former life as a Nasrid palace.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Many of those features were used in the guest rooms before the latest renovation. Much as I love staying here now, I do miss the </span><font size="4" face="Verdana">enchanting</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> atmosphere of the old rooms, the very feeling of being in a place that belonged to a wondrous time long gone.</span></div></div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_HPzsvRjOFs" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_4769_1834_e7f3_883a" frameborder="0"></iframe><div><br></div><div><br><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8887244457835161770'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8887244457835161770'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/back-in-alhambra.html' title='We return to the Alhambra '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sgkg0wyHrasUaeA0ZvWjk6If_TOxPbwAW-Sk1Fc9hGpGtnFjOCTQjGZXJ6GH_PEedE0=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-138094448995499285</id><published>2021-10-24T05:19:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2021-10-26T22:54:30.626+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Fuente del Sol'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Joya'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Malaga'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Costa del Sol'/><title type='text'>Antequera en route to Granada</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re stopping in Antequera just to break the long drive back to Granada. Staying at a lovely mountaintop farm hotel called La Fuente del Sol. Too bad their spa is not open.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The views all around are stunning; you can see all the way to the coast.</font></div><div><img id="id_4d47_fb62_2722_6cd8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PHRyX50i6FypAzksca6qtgQXxxuY9czB1dwyXl8CVHLrf0o37ffRqt6tKdo83MNfBhk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Dinner in the in-house restaurant was nice. I had grilled duck breast with soupy rice. Stuart had veal sirloin.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The vegetables and the honey came from their orchard garden. I saw ducks and geese as we drove into the property so maybe my duck was in-house too. Don’t know about Stuart’s veal though; I saw goats but no cows. And the wine…in-house? I don’t think so; they have too few vines.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Tomorrow we drive to Granada where we’re to take the train back to Madrid.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/138094448995499285'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/138094448995499285'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/antequera-en-route-to-granada.html' title='Antequera en route to Granada'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PHRyX50i6FypAzksca6qtgQXxxuY9czB1dwyXl8CVHLrf0o37ffRqt6tKdo83MNfBhk=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2316309376182591183</id><published>2021-10-18T23:40:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:28:15.488+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Casa 1800'/><title type='text'>Seville </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u>Monday, October 18.</u></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">We arrive at the lovely Casa 1800 just after 5.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">I love the genteel air of this stately 19th century mansion situated in the centre of the old town, a short walk from the cathedral.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">You’re made to feel like a guest at your rich great aunt’s house.</font></div><div><img id="id_c1d0_15aa_67c6_9d4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GKop_SiNfvHXaN6jZZ-mqJ76t_Gm1r8Phk_4vd20ZQF8Tn6VG9b3XJCag_U3VaO0NTI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Tuesday, 19.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I took my breakfast out on the patio off our room and managed to spill my coffee all over it, and the table, and the floor! Bummer!</span></div><div><img id="id_4a47_5e1f_bbca_f3f1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/r_ERoxwgOnBBRdcwkHzpqmaWD5aaRf4IJ8ifu7IATw7Ki_mzG02k827OA6KacpnxMi0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The day’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">zoom mass for Max Edralin was sponsored by</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">XCiti Lunch group</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. The family played a video of Max’s beloved granddaughter Alexis,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">an operatic soprano who died at a very young age.</span></div><div><img id="id_f83e_5637_dbe7_3bfe" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EQSVLw3lEsRxzju0XSEY4GUkZGFihN0PiHHpzQjtFjw9lBXGK2F0TKhk0tBDybHZyv4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Afternoon tea in the hotel.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Somebody brought us croissants and palmiers. Once again, there goes my no sugar, no carb on-off diet!</span></div><div><img id="id_82fd_aad9_1712_29ce" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x6Ytbx4emX-Y7ARAqOaCSz7lTPf09fbwnS_-TVvy6U8js2eB3ZCqMTKH9_6tXD8Ib-Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Wednesday, 20.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The magic that is flamenco at the equally magical Plaza de España.</span></div><div><br></div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9pWZbEmSYSo" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_8f44_1bf4_b24_e4ba" frameborder="0"></iframe><div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Two years ago, I promised myself I would come back to Plaza España.</span></div><div><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/08/seville-august-2019_21.html?m=1" id="id_505f_53a1_e00e_7e45">Seville 2019</a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I did come back but my promise of bringing books for the cubbyholes remains unfulfilled.</span></div><div><img id="id_faf_33cb_b92c_25b2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/K6DECaNCL-1PmtkszeJK1bVO3AvPbN9yR3Ue0N5oXqx7NzDvvTbDFIG4fi-341pqyPI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">_____</font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m up on the roof waiting for the rising of the full moon.</span></div><div><img id="id_ae80_8520_f287_c109" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Qk1Zv0MDjvaoHCA26w9erTZUch7fTseVxkyyrR-RE2vQwzhkILvNDDqYvf0eeIOUBvE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">October’s full moon, the Hunter’s Moon.</span></div><div><img id="id_6982_e09e_3e4f_570b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/L7UTkL8i3KZ3_tifvme3A5pKIXxN9lJA-X-muBfR4rdM6uTZyLEL6pEMUUbSdJqMntU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We don’t always have lunch but when we do, it’s usually anchovies, maybe salmorejo, sangria, always&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">after 3,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at La Sacristia next door</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><img id="id_6b59_f8ce_3d21_4b88" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aRCo3kIwhIaH4f0owWagmRoG7yrmYmhlDQgyHfpX6t9NbiKeWi-FmdqTFmIs36E7Xwo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Nightlife begins as soon as you step out the door of Casa 1800.</font></div><img id="id_9c38_a0fc_4273_ca37" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/AZi6ftRjoluNLAh9aKdeGfQhjoHUZFSarDd9pmNI_JrWCuqDg5LJq6gLR8aCKI4J9BY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Thursday, 21.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The Church of the Divine Saviour&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">was built on a site where in Roman times, a basilica stood. Then a mosque in the time of the Moors. The mosque was demolished in 1671 and the current church was built soon after. It then collapsed and was later reinforced with solid piles.</span></div><div><img id="id_bdcf_bac4_d708_884b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Lr1Tyqi4iWYwmC8PM_5IgEspPP5sG4YxqQYvpKwuxK3MCNnh7_dted_gFM_Di0laLRc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H1E9p5994q4" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_bf27_3a33_d9d0_7611" frameborder="0"></iframe><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This baroque church is the second most important and largest in Seville after the Cathedral. It’s famous for its ornate gilded woodwork and frescoes. A museum in back contains relics and intricately worked religious ornaments.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the Plaza Mayor stands the Metropol Parasol, a.k.a. Las Setas de Seville or Mushrooms of Seville.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">This monumental wooden structure is undisputedly</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;unique, is visually striking, provides slatted shade in the square, and most importantly, is a talking point. For a global city like Seville, any publicity is good publicity.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It is of course the €100million reported cost that has made it controversial.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_17ed_8e2f_9d78_afbf" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2JG_ZzTc82Y5LLla7z85H7L-dbOVT26vsqE9o0zL2frpG3BXRlf6d61Hn0zphINrxrw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There are Roman and Al-Andalus ruins housed in the museum underground. I didn’t go there. I guess I’ve seen enough ruins to last me a long time.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The star attraction for me was the Mercado de la Encarnación on the ground floor. Markets are a town or city’s heart and soul.</font></div><div><img id="id_4b16_6ecb_af83_4cce" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KaR4yIsypseD2jdZaFHTAY1laqNHSFsL6VCLhnLBolWw-Djvh_hIvBr-ISbmzCmczSQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_f2fe_2268_62cd_bc8b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2IgFCHXiEq45i2FzRSlYlu7XiK2VSN77yRYBymc3syWsbRO8KgGpEhMR5eDIIOq1Rtk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qpYxL1s-dmo" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_cbe_47a9_c9d8_a5f2" frameborder="0"></iframe><br><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BRcEUg3tUBA" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_f972_adb4_68d2_f3f2" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Friday, 22.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">are two ancient sights we’re seeing for the first time on this our third visit to Seville.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A natural aversion to crowds has kept us away before but one result of the pandemic, i.e., smaller crowds, has made it less difficult this time around.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The Cathedral of Seville.</span></div><div><img id="id_c339_1e80_b81a_f4b1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R7cC2qpj0seNnfwxWr5-ToHYGGlAKOhQqvJzYSRVP-rcgJFoglhd_ZoynrnGiXFp4oU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It started life as a mosque in the 12th century, was Christianised into a cathedral after the reconquest in 1248, then replaced by the current cathedral in the 15th century.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Although built chiefly to demonstrate Spain’s phenomenal wealth, this lavish church ultimately demonstrates the creative power of religious zeal.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><img id="id_fed_d3c2_ac51_1b62" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/txXv26bToqrAkSucye5xHOZuct8sfoxLbVOu14kL-Xvi7Fqe5h69cfABzXLIbCuHUcg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jNDIaqm2Vyw" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_6294_4fb1_53f4_5477" frameborder="0"></iframe><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There are two things about this structure that blow my mind: its mastery of height and the splendour of its ceilings.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The Royal Alcázar of Seville.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Again, the ceilings!&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_5432_1436_3e47_87fd" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w_89EXGeBgB6__HGoW6h_zMavR2rUEjSa89YNw8CR72HFzh3Jvedo2tBfXHV_ypE53w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But here, there are also the vistas, the celebration of water,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">birdsong,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the blended scents of old gardens</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><div><img id="id_3a2a_adb3_8563_50e2" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JC5mJSpdsOh7opRhpSclx3FuU5xCLkfY30PTnSTK15_aSu2HQvuGdC02Ate5cI39l3Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m a fan of Moorish art. I don’t claim to understand it and I guess</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">part of the attraction for me is the mystery of it.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I see it as superior, on a higher level of sophistication compared to what is considered Western or European or Christian art. The abstraction, the going over and above the mere copying of what is obvious, as in painting or sculpture.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Moorish design derives from mathematics, their architecture, from geometry,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">whether studied or merely intuitive.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_a45f_e01d_ae23_be31" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TcraF_U2Zu8f4gCO5eRZqTDUkZ5Rlo5KZrf_7-K6JZJE-NEpXlyNofTbIg48DDnzn8M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2316309376182591183'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2316309376182591183'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/seville.html' title='Seville '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GKop_SiNfvHXaN6jZZ-mqJ76t_Gm1r8Phk_4vd20ZQF8Tn6VG9b3XJCag_U3VaO0NTI=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1192407127658236180</id><published>2021-10-16T03:10:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:30:10.442+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fuengirola'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>October Skies</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Friday, October 15.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re back in Fuengirola where the October sky is putting on quite a show. Three bright planets are all on display: Venus, Jupiter, and Saturn.</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">As autumn sets in, t</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">he sky gets darker earlier and&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Venus t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">he evening star dominates</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">western sky</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;where it’s now</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">higher above the horizon. Later, it’s joined in the east</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;by Jupiter and Saturn.</span></div><div><img id="id_18a0_3ecf_385d_c360" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Gx3jmRSLkk29KEeAcmJac5D0H0yExzh8eTFZdSSHGuHSBiqcc3nx-tr4yShwzq3Pwrs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">The three planets are easily spotted</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">even as the nearly full moon lights up the night sky.</span></div><div><img id="id_5aed_174b_e399_6b40" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3tSbnMstCOPFTU6M7dkjSZEGrQbDbse1Fav4iCs4tkf9ERMkNPhKKHpvtbXoj52gCc8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Saturn is there too but doesn’t quite manage to make it to this group photo despite my iPhone’s best efforts.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1192407127658236180'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1192407127658236180'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/the-october-moon-and-3-planets.html' title='October Skies'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Gx3jmRSLkk29KEeAcmJac5D0H0yExzh8eTFZdSSHGuHSBiqcc3nx-tr4yShwzq3Pwrs=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1833550370421634849</id><published>2021-10-14T06:20:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:50:44.598+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Parador de Jaén'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Jaén</title><content type='html'><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, October 13.</u></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I slept through most of the drive to Jaén. It seemed to be taking too long to get there.</font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our room at the Parador was quite austere, reminding me of the Betania and Manresa&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Retreat Houses of my school days.</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;T</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">he view from the balcony didn’t seem like much either. After all, we’ve been&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">driving around</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Andalusia for several days now,</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the Sierra Nevada a constant presence around us</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">.&nbsp;</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I thought the place unremarkable and wondered what the point was of having a parador there at all.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">That is, until we went down to dinner.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">As we walk under the cross-vaulted ceilings of the long narrow corridors, the ancient bones of this&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">13th century Arab fortress</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;start to reveal themselves.</span></div><div><img id="id_e553_2080_e92e_caa0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9S-2wvXfipZm7pOzPyFkR8iBlAyMu_YAtHCNljJ_Qj_20X48y3W7qxlHNpmhwJHHCb8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We enter what would be the hotel bar. But w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">hat a magnificent bar this is!&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">High&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">above mighty stone walls, the</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;vaulted timber ceiling is adorned with intricate woodwork so thickly patterned it looks</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;like a woven mat.</span></div><div><img id="id_6a44_86c4_11d2_bf35" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MY0VzMVhGgQwiAp3OB5Xy512wfrJ3UxhcLzcSRfAQkRUjBzOJyzO8a6FZjCb4huIvzQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I can’t wait to finish my drink so I can go on and see the rest of this fabulous place.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Through a great hall with enormous stone fireplaces at either end….</span></div><div><img id="id_23b_1415_f4c6_1fdd" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6nQgZBSTgG_pcvAySQiZj_v6u7A6TLXBuDImKvG7lITii030Ss43IKo2Bbr-Z85tnk0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">…and into the dining room.</span></div><div><img id="id_f7a1_f814_c3f5_245d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KozMQqK_Iz6YM85LQ-V_jzzyz91JudfE-RoSpTFcV3aXhrV5Gt7eVHd0QzJYMM2_8kg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This is not&nbsp;a dining room. It’s a banquet hall lit by a row of majestic lamps stretching from side to side nearly wall to wall. They’re hung from chains that look almost too fragile for the hefty pendants. Pointed stone arches hold up the heavy beamed timber ceiling.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I absolutely see the point of this parador now.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1833550370421634849'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1833550370421634849'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/jaen.html' title='Jaén'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9S-2wvXfipZm7pOzPyFkR8iBlAyMu_YAtHCNljJ_Qj_20X48y3W7qxlHNpmhwJHHCb8=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3176967675655702587</id><published>2021-10-11T22:32:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:49:01.323+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Parador de Ronda'/><title type='text'>Ronda</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Monday, October 11.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Nestor at the</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">front desk of the Parador de Granada assured us that our next stop, the Parador de Ronda, is one of the best.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Well, I don’t know what he based that recommendation on. This parador looks tired and neglected and i</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">t doesn’t compare at all well with the Alhambra’s.&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">But if you’re talking location, you certainly can’t beat this.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The New Bridge is next door.</font></div><div><img id="id_88db_b921_4a54_b926" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7i0ZX3tQl1ZCACUYM4ckjLm5rroWCEeePUzrbtomPnUh59V-3N7CI-nTIXJj1hSlCTY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So is the bullring</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">.</font></div><div><img id="id_1c7d_3d57_a602_66ca" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/sYeqFnusyAgXo9Olbfc_KrnxrPGLm_OXKFoq8R-vaPhpDsY9o_epE2DF9DRYXOhvKs0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Whether Ronda’s Plaza de Toros is&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Spain’s oldest and biggest is a contentious issue but its&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">place in bullfight history is unrivalled even by Seville or Madrid. It’s home to the Corrida Goyesca which we missed by a month.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/05/at-bullfight.html?m=1" id="id_3f11_bd5a_dda0_7ce9">At the Bullfight. Madrid, 2016.</a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">For sunset chasers like me, a bonus: the sun sets directly in front of our bedroom.</span></div><div><div><img id="id_cdc7_e324_fcf2_503" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fRtp58j2K8YhtcFhc7-SAykquQf4BZpOnrUcUYBnx9xJt0OqgRtKj9rfx5ZeuM4GmsI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><br></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">They’ve given us the Honeymoon Suite! Now, isn’t that sweet?&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s a duplex with a balcony on the living room floor and a large terrace on the bedroom floor.</span></div><div><img id="id_ace1_6d68_8f0d_f0af" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HD84WWOWA7V_RnQtYfuQ6Dp35Acee3fZB7lEDz7yZvkSPAUZoudso84TAsjRzYTqP7Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Dinner was bizarre, a hysterical scene right out of Fawlty Towers. Basil and Manuel’s antics are no match for the spectacular fumbling of Francisco’s two-man team serving dinner in the parador’s dining room.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I struggled not to laugh- but I did anyway- every time&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">cutlery drawers clattered open and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">banged&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">shut</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, things crashed to the floor, and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">plates practically frisbee’d onto tables.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Dinner was, as Stuart loves to say, a laugh a minute.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So, how about the food then? For now, let’s just say it’s irrelevant.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u><font size="4">Tuesday, 12.</font></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We drove to the other side of the gorge for a panoramic view of the bridge.</span></div><div><img id="id_a6d2_12a_3128_21a5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EZOv5S0uGW8KUqcu9z0FenNvXKA0ul6VU7-jjRiUL_QLf4AkHodfdveaeINyuWaguyY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Ronda’s New Bridge,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">certainly new and unparalleled in the 18th century,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;spans the Tajo, a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">gorge&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">100 meters deep.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The landscape here is majestic, sculpted by time and the forces of the earth. The massive gorge has been&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">carved out through the ages by the Guadalevin River.</span></div></div><div><img id="id_627a_b509_540a_be6d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5FxhszgjVk0bDAkzXQyFVxw51eDCgpA188ig60Awitw2RsOlrGj5T_wIQZ0mr0QdXoU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our drive through tortuous canyon roads skirted sheer drops to the riverbed. We took a detour to a signposted restaurant</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;hoping to pick up something for lunch.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The hostel/restaurant Albergue los Molinos looked interesting. There were tables along the path to the house, little kids having a merry old time taking turns leaping off mini cliffs, and something was cooking on a barbecue. But there was a 30-minute wait, so we passed.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The evening sky was pretty as a picture with two bright planets&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Jupiter and Saturn on either side of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a brilliant &nbsp;first quarter moon.</span></div><div><img id="id_6a51_a15d_ed85_6953" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/h7oNRTMcy7036rvif7UNiH2YQozTWTwvq6ysaHlmFB3AweEu1SNn5qHhM0T1o6Cnffw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And shortly after midnight on our last night in Ronda,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;the moon briefly lay on its back on a mountainside</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><img id="id_1153_66af_5610_fa6f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ujTr1gn3zEq8TMX1XmvhNdjZYxOdwAg9_q0zQBcIF4_snHrWY9uc4f4ltpM7vpiYgqY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3176967675655702587'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3176967675655702587'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/ronda.html' title='Ronda'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7i0ZX3tQl1ZCACUYM4ckjLm5rroWCEeePUzrbtomPnUh59V-3N7CI-nTIXJj1hSlCTY=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-167697301204264115</id><published>2021-10-09T21:46:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:44:57.086+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fuengirola'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Málaga'/><title type='text'>On the Costa del Sol</title><content type='html'> <div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Friday, October 8.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Higuerón Hotel Málaga is in&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">Fuengirola, a</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">hi-rise concrete jungle on the</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;Costa del Sol.&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">The hotel belongs to the</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Curio Collection of the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Hilton&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">so we mistakenly expected a small boutique hotel.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">car on a platform&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">stands</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;centre stage in the vast reception lobby. (Stuart later tells me it’s a classic Austin Healey.) A rocking&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">pig sculpture is joined by&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">a curious collection of art offerings.</font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our room has a </span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">terrace looking out to the Mediterranean Sea. Fantastic.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m not a fan of the open-plan bathroom though. The bath</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;sits incongruously</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in front of a sofa</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;in the lounge area</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div><img id="id_22cf_5a70_d778_7e7f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UuOI1eBxnM0f91TUkrzTrM7yrjXk31qxBp-tbxrMvRmNL9wVPkrlU27otJMoUowWgyY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Saturday, 9.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m taking a break from masks.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Angry red spots have appeared on the bridge of my nose and behind my ears. A reaction to wearing masks almost continuously since we arrived two weeks ago.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This of course means not going out. I don’t mind at all.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I believe I’m better off in our room than out there. This is the ideal place to recuperate from too much walking, eating, and drinking.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We couldn’t pass up popping open the</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Cava that arrived moments after we settled in though. Just a glass…just to toast our fabulous holiday…</span></div><div><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/167697301204264115'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/167697301204264115'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/fuengirola-on-costa-del-sol.html' title='On the Costa del Sol'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UuOI1eBxnM0f91TUkrzTrM7yrjXk31qxBp-tbxrMvRmNL9wVPkrlU27otJMoUowWgyY=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3747883261766887683</id><published>2021-10-09T20:36:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:43:59.654+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Granada'/><title type='text'>The Alhambra </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Tuesday, October 5.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At Parador de Granada in tthe Alhambra</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_c1_3373_4e58_a73" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/nSFfHG5C5bc6xFzx8Y1eCjDYVgqyjdhfXQxzq3_gC6pzvc5DK1z3HYIVLhshuuClLKg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e931_1347_dc04_6d3f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/e5hhME-V-tgsKPMNzGg_NxEqH5tG-4_u3eV8rAK2vcDAVFWxQbDyA8nkUuOhtILBWh4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1df5_7bdb_9d36_3aec" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/utfxBQTxgIFOo0AWCcqH6xdV50T-nfliIfzsATWf1bIQ5NWJ1h_4qmK1ZFirCobBAyI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Wednesday, 6.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Lunch.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_715e_826f_8021_8f6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GDdm3RC57G6_63ppfz9FNLbE8cC06B8YW0L3xOv4i5Fxviz8Uuqxwrd3fqu68V8ab8g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Thursday, 7.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the garden.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_4ca_38ef_bc80_8ad2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lx9fgF2FDCP-apM4axCoGFapQq8VmdxXNIgJKwELiJLoayFnVZb257NeQdDQWrdGI4o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6P9Fw31jKpE" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_cfec_a7af_efbe_c6c0" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://youtu.be/6P9Fw31jKpE">https://youtu.be/6P9Fw31jKpE</a></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_5a16_9350_c97f_4894" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/plKXmy9g7GRLMPW8w_6sWgI-52dqHgim4Isl1qlS8ogcAQz3J6ux0Q-lM-siuRmvHSU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The perils of lunch in the garden.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_bf39_44c6_8c40_7399" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rpCIXi8fQ9sydoiIE3r_NJka_MhBEgizDSbTzRxw0YTMmyUXJpJ_Qp7CE9I7cCYCoTg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Lunch as always is delicious and exciting but today I’m waging a losing battle with birds and bees, mostly bees. I desperately wave my white napkin in surrender but they just keep attacking.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Conchi&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">only shrugs off my call for help&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">as she loads up our table with&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">warm olive bread,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">3 kinds of Andalusian cold soup, acorn-fed ham from Extremadura, and Moroccan</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;soup and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;briwat, a savoury stuffed crepe.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">La naturaleza, she points out.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">On the patio at 6:30 pm.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_93d1_1fc7_a7f4_24ab" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/oH5bvq3GLr-9yPWNRfSsWVRKIuPRjFhPN6k5fxSlq0dMFIVOmkFlKAfGD2TQSrTFa38" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">That’s Albacyn out there!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Finding it on Google maps.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_6f98_66f1_7d85_3b84" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OYqgN2t7kNHd1D7hezxkAvo8QuKf6eTM2aL1XD9fqiWQJ5u65EDVhG8cm_L3fnVfHV0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Leaving soon for Fuengirola on the edge of Costa del Sol. Hmmm…hope the Curio Hilton is not too Costa del Con or Costa del English! &nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Can’t bear to tear ourselves away…</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_cbac_9a9e_10ca_c526" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YW-lcP5jwyvf8HB_kHvpZOD7zWEW8_opPpsVmoxXhGgVgbeDUzahmfEOVnrNMWR6cTo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_56ba_66c7_f5b0_c372" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RlwFG4_C3EamgpnI7_9qimbHJ_a1EUXnjH--xPCdwrXxWyaDjKdErmQVHdy_gXPeH_s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3747883261766887683'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3747883261766887683'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/the-alhambra.html' title='The Alhambra '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/nSFfHG5C5bc6xFzx8Y1eCjDYVgqyjdhfXQxzq3_gC6pzvc5DK1z3HYIVLhshuuClLKg=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3465807464475664237</id><published>2021-10-03T01:52:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:42:24.242+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mesquita'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madinat al-Zahra'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andalusia'/><title type='text'>Cordoba </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Saturday, October 2</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></u></div><div><br><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re at Hotel Conquistador directly across from the Mesquita.</span></div><div><img id="id_3d44_d002_6806_b2d8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7KgkFdf6WwJgUC0vEoRq47uNS0W8UCr6Xy5DakP7MBXWo3_izVmw9ErOjHGSvoGMIcY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_70b8_4fc9_ba1c_b8e2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Tz4F0IJFWhDtxWcwx1qeoK6Szf0wTAxO-ouZK7HFiXu4jPnJVkIBoV5_kEfIHtJIKrk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We can’t get much closer than this. The room is small and austere but comfortable. And with&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">lots of walking on the cards,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the location is unbeatable.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_75aa_dcf5_477e_4cf3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/UHhnMnLl6OaH9cS-aiNFmKi00UJ7_s-Kf_Qvuyj4-FtIsFYIE3IrWb59b30-mejoM0c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div><br></div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The Alcázar can only be accessed by registering at least a day in advance but the nice lady guard let us in anyway. All it took was&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">a “Please, can we see it today, please?”</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had a quick visit in a limited area that didn’t include the garden which was booked for a concert.</span></div><div><img id="id_3f8a_4bae_206c_734" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XUZpftYOYEyPYqxDJQnDCHexr_UMr55nK-E4BO13V7Vbfs4ANBFVvj-JbCDd4_yuwCk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 741px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I love the way the building is designed to shelter from the intense Andalusian sun and let in cooling breezes.<br></span></font><img id="id_9836_89b6_e613_1fb3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/eKKNImJhi2_P9wBbhcWkwhpNCQesIIQPo7K2a1xektCat1Oe_hoA4ta2VgiPS1ojRB4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 670px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The mosaics are beyond belief.</span></div><div><img id="id_2ffd_cfd5_a7e4_77f1" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kmGmhL6XJUeWSnC6bJ1F60A9mGzGSJXuN8qhZXvYlJLFVs0NZ7IpSjV1AgbdApq8uQM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3dd0_4516_1f0c_5b61" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2Z96jG2KnQGDX45CygRirhKiK4jEruNs67rUPrdfkmrwhCOoIxKsIDmomtpSD8ZE9og" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">When we first came to Cordoba</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;fourteen years ago</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">, we discovered a pretty little restaurant&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">called La Fragua</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">. It made quite an impression on me; I wrote about it then. We eagerly sought it out again this time, had drinks at the alley bar, and booked for dinner later.</span></div><div><img id="id_d704_d50e_f236_c1f4" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QBagWiAs-crbhNLi4xf96Le_hqMMgN7aJbZNijFvspLgeincPY85OD1-rpF03JFCzD8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We returned after the requisite 4-hour siesta break and ordered the Cordobes menu for two. The salmorejo was wonderful, the fried berenjenas equally delicious, but the main dish of flamenquin was not good: it was very dry and the loin was tough. We sent it back and accepted the croquetas that the manager suggested as replacement.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The evening was ruined for us despite the free round of drinks he threw in for goodwill.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">There was a palpable air of horrified disbelief at this brazen insult to the exalted Flamenquin of Cordoba.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I’m sure I didn’t just imagine the dagger looks that followed us as we left.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u>Sunday, 3.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Madinat al-Zahra was awe-inspiring. It was also also disheartening, seeing t</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">he complete and absolute devastation wrought not by the passage of time but by wanton destruction and looting.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The overcast sky added to the air of mystery and melancholy as we trudged along the vast area of ruins, trying to visualise the grandeur of what has been called “the ornament of the world.”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_1c8_a9ef_985f_622a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9fM2YM_7f6e_4COhUIq0PUrV38nljhBrkmYszp2SP_gc04c4GAdhPfksqcidYRyVXaY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">La Mesquita.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Gorgeous. The only reason I was desperate to go back to Cordoba.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/09/cordoba.html?m=1" id="id_b6ea_a28a_30ef_936f" target="_blank">La Mesquita 2007</a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">For me, nothing can compare to the sophistication, the majesty, the reverence, the religious experience that is this building. Not any church that I’ve seen anyway. Not St. Peter’s, not Notre Dame, not Chartres.</span></div><div><img id="id_b15c_91b7_6404_e30a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DGQKs6_vZFKhOvy2vXEH0z9UpxArjnP7VL7ThJ01hHfho_5GK19g5FyLGSJTL9-yIN8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c59d_c182_51b7_1fbc" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/v_1FWEA6qDNP8DIY2m4f8JMdcxQizqv8W4j7jRhi06Z_jSexBmGAlU5jQBqOVYHV-mQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6a7d_86a7_b49d_4634" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/iYwUiH8g60wi6Ujm0NxgTlmX1t5dZ4ju3oOOl_la9nCgmsrqMNEh7NH1KOwZriFXy9M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Our three days in Cordoba have been a resounding success. The hotel, the people, the food, the wine. Of course the food! S</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">almorejo, mazamorra, berenjenas, and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">flamenquin, the last having been restored to its rightful place as Cordoba’s prize tapas by our latest restaurant discovery, Moriles de Ribera.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">And now, berberechos too!&nbsp;</span></div><div><img id="id_6950_24c_d077_de4f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0XhAqsmZXhErvsyaIvC9eCQqpRunswM8D05o5jQI7UFOwI21z7biNfli09SMRRlVz1E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3465807464475664237'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3465807464475664237'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/10/going-south.html' title='Cordoba '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7KgkFdf6WwJgUC0vEoRq47uNS0W8UCr6Xy5DakP7MBXWo3_izVmw9ErOjHGSvoGMIcY=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7500665338402270797</id><published>2021-09-30T04:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:36:27.126+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Madrid </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Landed in Madrid at 12:30, in Hyatt Centric by 2 p.m.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A tray of ham, cheese, and olives, a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">bottle of wine, a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">bowl of fruits …&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Well, okay, we’ll happily wait for a bigger room.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I loved this hotel the first time, I love it even more now.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">On the roof staircase is a beautiful installation.</span></div><div><img id="id_8342_c3e7_ff8e_8481" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hDUmwS_Sjy082Wfqf2tWwLVnq8DdIwnL-P4FfT0-L7DPhF6oONZSeDPKOlawtggyLtM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c090_809b_f17d_1bc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/90NFbrUXlaODBaNFqoHitbywU6Pn2eOC1JJMIdqSuI63hIxl4O368C_gNoj3tKlxCsw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_168f_571e_44a6_61ae" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ATYKYtF7DwfdnH8f7V28z0GajRBWsKZ0_y4NuQcyIhQ-Yl3N-S_aqgfeitz96IalG14" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The lift well. The fan motif brings ancient traditions into the vibrant contemporary art scene.</span></div><div><br><img id="id_afb6_a78f_7ee3_f512" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/NQJ_h_JwPmYpmMRrscLsCk9SxqthtSkm0QS9DgqOTk5nWIaIlePwOaU8ORwMCTVJfas" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is what draws me to Spain. Art, crafts, excellence, poetry, heart.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Madrid offers a virtual cocktail of architectural styles. Most interesting of all is the Plateresque, a rich blend of Gothic, Mudejar, and Renaissance, which is uniquely her own.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Early evening v</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">iew from our balcony.</span></div><div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SKqZkujzFIs" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_51bf_4091_b34d_96bb" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div><div><br><br></div></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><u><font size="4">Friday, September 24.</font></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Friday for the Future climate defence protest march.</span></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gQeatNCbzEI" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_f3be_ba4f_d936_48f" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div><div><br></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Sunday, 26.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A bright new day.</span></div><div><img id="id_688c_3210_5a30_26fc" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5e1iVQ4tdJBEjKobyGqholOfZp9bLN9GS5RjFkdZNpWDQ9Bl_v8OtG99HLGsuafYEPA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I had to be up early for our weekly G7 video chat. It’s Edwin’s birthday tomorrow.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At Orio on Fuencarral for oysters and cava, a few pintxos.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_22e1_b1d1_6d75_759b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/btEdFbtVAeaZrF2Lp1oiDiIioQUHpoTn-WfkrHMBv7PhFievKt8T_nZyxAaSoDQ0dzg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5d91_f0cb_49c0_e8d8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hn1ALpy5C-OlfmNyP7mUkBFw5tbR2vnY3qcZgbQAH0CAuRPox-w7Ql_Hraexs2I6_eY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_edf3_9225_1d_d41f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Bfo2gWC5E5BQktfCiIshpSx_BSBX0M03w9GAhK4JoFSt1o1z0AD6squbtbCUnaW5vxU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Monday, 27.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">t the Prado.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Very quiet, perfect way to enjoy any one of the world’s best art galleries.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/tJjLrRqpPdY" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_7184_2dc9_fb41_3367" frameborder="0"></iframe><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Coffee and toast with ham and cheese in the courtyard.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_450b_8ec0_74e5_2084" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GrmbRdjbZmDnnnNE3mP1KLs1nClPZ2u39HIhRKJJVXwdW_HOzNMRlMybxdG01vsAYds" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Tuesday, 28.</u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The XCiti lunch group had a zoom September birthday party this morning but it was 4 in the morning, my time, so &nbsp;missed it.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1CscGqC7RJU" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_5c15_6382_8771_7db7" frameborder="0"></iframe><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><br><br></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Dinner at Public, our default white-tablecloth restaurant a short walk from the hotel, introduces us to the impossibly rich Tim Baon: turrones and ice cream topped with crema catalana, on a pool of dark chocolate sauce. It looks a mess but is really delicious. Too bad my diet only allows a little taste of it.</span></div><div><img id="id_42d9_ea0e_efeb_9331" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/yX4t0kXj72fB4XHfjPn5vrfhUanRDEKZjd1_kbnM2SnaBdZxFnd6oZ327-YqFyjXiFg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 30.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u><br></u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner at El Rincón de Jaén in Salamanca. Thanks for the tip, Bubut!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the bar.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Nothing to look at, just an after work quick drink kind of place.</font></div><div><img id="id_f682_af65_8eb0_56a1" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HxBobyIkJwJ-v8Urvoo-i2XQbjE5baRqTNCrverb3ICZOUjW-6hlWXBr3cC8_XH_f-8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Oh, but the food!</span></div><div><img id="id_67b1_b6ad_3ebd_70de" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cRvKaLMMnDkepwpZrNWYO9z0yF738KAp4eD2dTMZU_CNq-wmfT7ScoJARND1rSxcSBo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A bicycle parade was underway on Gran Via as we got back to the hotel.</span></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QON1O7DvOKs" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_b4e8_2561_78d_3ff8" frameborder="0"></iframe><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Friday, October 1.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u><br></u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At the Museo Sorolla. The studio, house, and garden of artist Joaquin Sorolla.</span></div><div><img id="id_9278_cafb_6daf_6f13" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IszXvGf_FDPaqSx3wdsqnG41LcrX6Lsi7vAbAc29haNLeIoE8DKYedrRhXC5oZ-0-lw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e82_280a_f74c_7e6a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CBGKl0IJSTdecHQMM4OgSK_0uTdDhrXMldjhaCrsiMVZO-jZZMWzBN_e-kNMfME0WJE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_fb8a_935_1cd2_5e2b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GG9Aw-wX2TRdHXHk-Sz3bddTC4UT8Mbvsj0gQ9cfpR12w9VGTVp1KyNELC19yxXiw7k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7500665338402270797'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7500665338402270797'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/09/madrid.html' title='Madrid '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hDUmwS_Sjy082Wfqf2tWwLVnq8DdIwnL-P4FfT0-L7DPhF6oONZSeDPKOlawtggyLtM=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1813531241786313358</id><published>2021-09-24T19:20:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2021-09-30T04:05:50.637+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spain'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Europe'/><title type='text'>Escaping the womb into an uncertain world</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Wednesday, 22.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Will miss HongKong but time to see the world again! Swissair to Madrid via Zurich at 11:45 tonight.</font></div><div><img id="id_967a_2dbc_c8ab_e38a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UBQvN7RlU4eKr7nG4Xdu0f7qW9cKlvpIeCC_wlZQQ2ZEHWdt3HClvVb7kpo-ICukfp4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; width: 700px; height: auto;">&nbsp;<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Thursday, 23, 7:30 am.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At Swissair lounge in Zurich airport waiting for 10:30 am f</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">light to Madrid.</span></div><div><img id="id_ca0e_31d7_8dfc_ef6e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vxTSxH54Q_ILGRwgU56uMDI0d7vi5wpSoacX7alTwdg1BHCVMGBv3mcBj38jsgHRXv8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1813531241786313358'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1813531241786313358'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/09/taking-plunge-into-world-less.html' title='Escaping the womb into an uncertain world'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UBQvN7RlU4eKr7nG4Xdu0f7qW9cKlvpIeCC_wlZQQ2ZEHWdt3HClvVb7kpo-ICukfp4=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5089845590590294893</id><published>2021-09-01T11:39:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-08-02T02:39:09.449+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>September </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday, September 1.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Staycations at GH are finally over! Thank goodness, the hotel has regained its usual calm.</font></div><div><img id="id_73bb_1ab0_2a9_6ee" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AJ0vG27bNubiYMzRpedaAHtWyca0bpV1sGVOwUXApl43FiTiiAU7Fbdryp8Pv07sq7E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Still working on Chinese brush painting. It’s incredibly more complex than I thought.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The purpose, the&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">method, the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">pace are all foreign to me. Discipline, calmness, and patience are required.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">My goal is not so much learning to do it well myself- it’s a bit late to start now- but just to have enough understanding of the art to be able to better appreciate masterful works.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I found this illustration of</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;The Four Gentlemen in an online painting course. Haven’t signed up yet, but maybe I will soon.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6b13_3d12_516f_f696" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I-elneCrzryGhSafetr7euZxHqx0h5MniQ0wh65MjjxuD4wBbd5AI4_XeFyhp7_4Y-U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><img id="id_d19b_7a89_28e9_9b74" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4XfWTKw_jzN6xp2tkk2BOqmuOAHhtuoqciG093lE3IAI2Ex98v91QyGaQOtVEjFUdhw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_77fe_809d_fe03_91a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cHc-8RFtH5lsIqrYCdIVDH6E-Bi9wdHRtqkIibP2NhYhIYP4ms-HG4mQfGuqGcbUsXA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><img id="id_41b6_fb5a_1698_4f2a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I5xUVHxqW97hMRUgV7Et4d2nOdeikRMMdR2MIKIe1RvTYXBz7Cpr3Zvv7eKjS_jhCXI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday, 2.</u></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch at Harbour Road Cafe. Half a chicken and a big mound of broccolini satisfied my craving for “that chinese style chicken that hangs in the window”.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Cindy at the cafe has now taught us how to say “Yeow Gei”.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Afternoon tea at Grand Club. Only Stuart indulged; I abstained.</font></div><div><img id="id_17d2_29f9_c68c_e540" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rubz-iuYMtT5vLbOcoJ8Niv8KdyAzqCEodk38AN5Or1UPPjTSyY-PCYhmYgG7vLYjSg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The day ends with a stunning sunset…</font></div><img id="id_e1b7_913e_fb72_6852" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uanLe2nA8IvGWzGsedcSMXdltfoZO_qVPAzsFnoOc2ByEZ4ixo4xP5oVwLoRIHEevLM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;…and a sweet surprise.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">❤️</span></div><div><img id="id_4533_36bc_b044_b1d7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jp2_fYM42lyf5jlLC6ykgDCKAd-rRErC9y4jlsuoiOTvd3g8cpVoWglJJSP9DziAj3o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Wednesday, 8.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Back at Duck &amp; Waffle for a lovely lunch. I think it may soon be our favourite restaurant in HongKong. I love the interior design: modern, fun, youthful, with a definite HongKong vibe; not derivative, not pretentious, superbly done.</span></div><div><img id="id_ef3d_7990_5bbf_f957" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_aY7RwauCa6DtPXKfspXt5jaCKEEcV5ScYbBY0RWwKUR_19TBQgiPjItjfz9MQDyv7U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The food of course is exceptional, striking a balance between inventive and classic. The signature dish is duck leg confit with fried duck egg and a light waffle served with a mustard maple syrup. I tried that the first time we came.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Delicious, rich, and sinful.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This time, I had a kind of Japanese-style “ceviche” of yellow tail with truffle ponzu. Stuart’s salmon tartare had kimchi and seaweed mayonnaise. We both had roast sea bass fillet on a soupy bed of baby peas and tiny diced pancetta, perfect for spooning every precious morsel. I didn’t have the dessert but Stuart threatened to lick his plate after polishing off the black sesame sticky toffee pudding served with burnt honey ice cream.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Thursday, 9. BIRTHDAY!</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Great things come in small packages.</span></div><div><img id="id_ee67_84ee_2be9_1477" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/v1ISpZ5duHQH9XaSBR8Z3DN76EmkIO_NX9nOrR6Mh6biMcc89gNRiccvjtocrKJCu8Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The real present on the left, mini mooncakes and mini Moëts from the store. 😍</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner at Grissini.</font></div><div><img id="id_1dc8_8180_87ea_b972" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qFV4jyxTYX652q9kW0e8w_EhTDt888fiI7lwVIstvkHAlCSP9T2g8RQPR6cbpsLdJok" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_41e6_fd68_3082_ecd3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MGrPECQYbIvrgY9gPUGEv8Koyxeu3mUZ0nrqfakreMv1pO2xsKYyfLskYJxrM1ivwbs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday,16.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Had 1st Pfizer/ BioNTech shot at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sports Centre, 2nd scheduled for October 7.<br></font><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">While I waited for Stuart to be officially released from his closely monitored 15 minute after-shot resting period, I looked around the sports stadium marvelling at how efficient the system here is, as was that at the airport when we arrived.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">As we walked away from the vaccination centre, Stuart and I realised that we both have been thinking the same thing: it would be a culture shock for us when we land in&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Europe next week.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Maybe we should stay here a bit longer?</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><u>Friday, 17.</u></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">And to pursue that train of thought, we go to Discovery Bay the next day for a look-see.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Patrick, our local expert on all things&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">real estate</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, meets us&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in Tung Chung train station where we are to catch the bus to DB.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">But first, lunch.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I just love the duck-lady portrait at the entrance to the restaurant!</span></div><div><img id="id_c558_6970_c5fb_3c56" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Xz3mZYOBm6eSkXxNzKqACx5Er5DOt-G-j05j5KZYAW9TCnBiTNMLJx038Qa-aou47Rs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">So it’s roast duck, 3 ways, as in Peking duck. I just have to try its mean-looking head despite Stuart’s doubtful look and Patrick’s anxious “We usually just discard it…”</font></div><div><img id="id_84a6_ee94_1bb4_ac9a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q6i60CDlIwZgkgEOVNprPxmXD3FIYGtZZGs8TF8-VcR91_kdPwOBa4h8cJ38esLWZcg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">No guts, no glory, I say…</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Interesting but most of it is just too tough to bite into.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The DB bus is full. Mostly school kids. Joyce from the local realty agency takes us to four units for sale by tender. The first two, in DB’s newest&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">north side&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">development “Poggibonzi” are beautiful, with great water views but one is too expensive and much&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">too big with</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;an estimated price of HKD26million. The other at about HKD16 million has only one bathroom. The last one, in 15 year-old “Chianti”, is ugly.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re hot and sweaty and can’t be bothered to see the last on Joyce’s list.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We conclude that there’s really nothing here worth considering. Not at the moment anyway.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The ferry ride back is wonderful, a great way to cool off and enjoy the harbour.</span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Wednesday’s Europe trip is back on track.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday, 18.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Oops! Spoke too soon. After a delicious sushi lunch, we decide once again to stay another month.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday, 19.</u></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Talk about plans changing by the day, our Wednesday flight to Madrid is back on!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">As health issues start to dominate our weekly chats, Ezy pushes us along to fun and laughter, just enjoying being together.</font></div><div><img id="id_5f36_e301_de7c_b81e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Z1xBiTyjS6ChpUXrQTKkDxFibk8gMeV54rNTT3q3s5kPenAoFLKydZxvQRgGmeaIEqE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5089845590590294893'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5089845590590294893'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/09/september.html' title='September '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AJ0vG27bNubiYMzRpedaAHtWyca0bpV1sGVOwUXApl43FiTiiAU7Fbdryp8Pv07sq7E=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8780616961596002961</id><published>2021-08-10T10:25:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2021-12-23T08:00:02.776+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tsui Hang Village'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Duck & Waffle'/><title type='text'>August </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday, August 2.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m wondering what that pool of&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">frothy&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">water&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">is</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;gushing out of the Exhibition Centre?</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_fa35_740a_1c6_a202" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KaCxHusjpY_ytr6goRMncxfSMvM5IYDFe5Y8SQaxQ-WhhzqjcrG0gGZb06pTSfRpoz4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tuesday, 3.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re mandated to undergo&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">a Covid-19 nucleic acid test at a&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">Community Testing Centre</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;on our 12th day in HongKong</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">. This makes a total of 4 Covid&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">tests since our arrival: PCR test at airport, “deep throat saliva” test and another PCR test while in quarantine, and now a nucleic acid test.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Wednesday, 4.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Scary news from Sydney.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">last 24 hours,&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s1">233 new cases,&nbsp;</span>68 infectious in community, 2 deaths including a 27 year old &nbsp;man on day 13 of isolation.</font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Total of 4,000 cases, 1</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">7 deaths in recent outbreak (about 7 weeks)</span></p></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Thursday, 5.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Eagerly awaiting the end of school holidays and hopefully the return to normalcy in the hotel’s public areas which are currently taken over by entire families on staycation.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Friday, 6.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’ve just received HK$10,000 courtesy of the HK government’s Cash Payout Scheme. How about that!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Meanwhile, recent developments in Australia have erased all doubts</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;about the timeliness of our departure from Sydney.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Updated rules will now require non-resident citizens to apply for exemption to go overseas </span><font face="Verdana" size="4">and “to demonstrate&nbsp;<span style="caret-color: rgb(10, 22, 51); color: rgb(10, 22, 51); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">to the Australian Border Force Commissioner a compelling reason for needing to leave Australian territory”. We wouldn’t now qualify for permission to leave Australia!</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">That, on top of this:</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font size="4" face="Verdana">There have been 4,610 cases and 22 deaths since 16 June, when the first case in this recent outbreak was reported, just 7 weeks ago.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Currently 304 in hospital, 50 in ICU, 22 on ventilators.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Monday, 7.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s official. I’m taking up Chinese brush painting. I have brushes, ink, and rice paper.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tuesday, 8.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Finally went out to the shops. IFC is a good start. Finding somewhere nice for a quick lunch was a bit of a struggle as our top choices were either not so nice anymore (agnés b’s La Loggia) or maybe not there anymore (that little dining place in Lane Crawford). The Hong Kong casual dining scene is much different these days of course, we realise that. It’s a lot more casual and less cosmopolitan.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We finally settled on Duck &amp; Waffle mainly because there was no queue and we were getting tired and were ready to eat.&nbsp;</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_f366_4d7f_bb62_3930" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OCNUf4EVrv4gtck7AmNaNlnJwHKGRjbeNVCFEFK9MCrz8CY3miVZIBzdK6UT2phH3ew" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We lucked out! I loved the look of the place, service was great, and the duck confit was lovely.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The shopping was unremarkable. Loewe had no espadrilles. I was not really in the mood for shopping but I came away happy with essential Khiels untinted SPF lip balm and Sweaty Betty shorts and leggings.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Thursday, 12.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On our first clear evening here, a&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">dazzling cityscape as Hong Kong puts on a nightly light show.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_8f5c_a63b_5763_f458" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/98dTRt4lwCQldbpUdayKa8yVyGBWo6HbY7OSLM2OJp7cXa8SnSvN6RfH7mJMp2G4KnY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_27d9_a9cb_8bca_708a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/AumPsDPK_EJxcGWEaMfV2pLUJmOn-QPK97L1ffh7LANj4L4TH1JuZABzephf53Sr6BI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_930_c96_9969_dd3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4bv3OZdagtBwAOnJdvbJLp7fKw3ntse40Vjt4QQZH7MbTVwA4a5htOoI1eGYg4yXAQI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Friday, 13.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s nice to see sailboats again.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_42f7_f458_a8dd_30f7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tEMQk3UGcZXsTosy0Z9J6DKyRyxHDVb0EVxPgIvPKwDfe08732yXsHGwFrXMA2JVOCM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_e613_c547_94cd_5298" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WJidDg20zYSIYynmxKJb7SbR0LkkNb11Fh70fK4xs0lfUsoJj8sQ3LfbbWtBU2zFDCI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I think Friday the 13th in the month of the Hungry Ghost is an auspicious day to start monitoring my blood glucose levels.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Using the FreeStyle&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Libre</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;System for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) I now have a sensor disc stuck on my arm.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’ve started a Diabetic Diary.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tuesday, 15.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Enjoyed lunch at China Tang with Patrick, Jenny, and Chichi. So nice to be out with friends and feel like a normal person again.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Thursday, 19.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Shiatsu by Kitty at Grand Spa. Heaven!</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday, 22.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Had lunch at Grand Cafe. Tried gluten-free linguini with seafood.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Coffee at Grand Club. Was welcomed warmly by Clarisse at the cafe and Maggie and Scott at the club. Feels like coming</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;home</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">August’s Blue Moon rises above Hong Kong’s skyline&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">through a gap between the Renaissance and Times buildings&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with Jupiter close by.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_a594_3b13_60de_c701" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Y3SyguLzj_sJRGl8C_uv901A5_CqBh9ksFKZLAoniHqAclmariDk37oS1pUB7HZOhpI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Monday, 23.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Patrick and Jenny took us to dinner at Tsui Hang Village on Queen’s Road Central.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_dfe6_c017_2af2_d864" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y_ZPeDl66ZXqQY-WUfi5vxOXpIs-d22pbUH5Rt_Mluoza4rL0actfTTIAkneuMAwZlA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And because Patrick&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">always&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">makes sure we</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;try something new, we were introduced to Cantonese grapefruit skin.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">This dish reportedly involves a laborious process that includes burning the skin until it blackens and falls off, followed by hours of slow cooking.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Certainly a novelty with an interesting texture and a long list of beneficial nutrients. The skin itself though has no distinctive flavour; it’s the sauce that makes the dish.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_8e1c_204b_b5d6_63de" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jIFhZKwU1Q1qzV3rJcbbcxtSe8u__wonXUqybkeQqVwTMo_e43vaSCrEpD0Tv5DY7LI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Wednesday, 25.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A crimson dawn breaks over Victoria Harbour.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_c587_570_e8dc_5a92" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/mtB5TIbnWUh83CUkzzT8uOatIj3ZvVGrUemvxQj8gwoxnNFz79kiWI2uplhnVyF8Fmw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">One of the rare moments when I actually get to say I was up at dawn!</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back in Sydney, the Taronga Zoo staff have finally explained that there are indeed lion roars to be heard at home in Kareela. I’ve searched for news or comments about the roars I’d been hearing but nothing surfaced until now.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); letter-spacing: -0.14000000059604645px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The official word from the zoo explains “the noise (as) a combination of two of the big cats Ato and Maya, becoming closer intimately and a significant reduction in the city's noise pollution following covid lockdown.”</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m happy to know I wasn’t wrong about the animal roars.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sunday, 29.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Still too many staycation people in the hotel. The coffee shop is fully booked for lunch. Maybe next week will be quieter and we can better enjoy our stay.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_43d1_321f_1d77_5b54" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/o4tJEAyDY5GmbpyMjGSQhcCiiV-15dczsI3dX0P8K4Y_dilBOCL5YKI4UBddDXJV7kE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday, 30.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Gluten-free spaghetti with seafood at Grand Cafe. Saw Rike there; she had us moved to a nice table. We now know to ask for table 201 in the Upper Section.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_8_a839_664c_2784" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hEhNHYg5xDflqF5U2Bom1NOrE9VYZFEDPVCtUe_IzI2MHPEZz7pnNgbEkb0IhjeUlkc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Practiced painting bamboo leaves; getting better at it.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="mol-para-with-font" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; -webkit-user-select: auto; -webkit-touch-callout: default; -webkit-user-drag: none; margin: 0px 0px 12px; padding: 0px; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><i><br></i></p></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8780616961596002961'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8780616961596002961'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/08/temporary-backup-hong-kong.html' title='August '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KaCxHusjpY_ytr6goRMncxfSMvM5IYDFe5Y8SQaxQ-WhhzqjcrG0gGZb06pTSfRpoz4=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6017141352672045906</id><published>2021-07-31T09:38:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-12-19T10:58:21.567+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rike'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Winnie'/><title type='text'>Hong Kong Quarantine and At Home in Grand Hyatt </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Th</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ere are very few passengers on the flight,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">maybe less than 50. In Business class only 12 including a family of 4. Stuart and I are by ourselves in the second section.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our flight touches down in Hong Kong at 9:15pm, a full 12 hours since leaving our Sydney apartment.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Another surreal scene at this airport, only more so. On arrival, a guard checks our QR code.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7aee_877d_2490_2510" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/a8r3OU62E2iyVftFeHa55dPz-rvnM4Jjzzq1XAYi5GAosogjfpC2F-q-b5dIPltUgPo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We snake through&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">miles of</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;walkways delineated by ubiquitous queue barriers in huge&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">deserted halls.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;At every turn, somber-faced guards wave us through with both arms, like airport marshallers directing airplane traffic.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At the first checkpoint, we are given cards on lanyards we are to wear around our necks. Mine has a yellow sticker matching the one stuck on my hand.</span></div><br><img id="id_8242_482c_c4f2_f871" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WFSRLN3nOmYpjm6O6RNAq73FDtYs-a0sRr7abKVHVpi_tYI__4fDmS36o_nNV2oPF2g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">We are interviewed separately and then briefed about what is required of us during our 7-day quarantine. We’re each given a pamphlet of instructions which includes a schedule of twice daily body temperature readings for the next 14 days. A digital thermometer is provided. There’s also a “deep throat saliva” test kit; the collected specimen to be picked up from our hotel room by health officials on Sunday.</font><br><br><img id="id_160a_7c1b_5e92_1ac7" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Hj527caKb635uVvzhrPdXp8z-iblV-rwgdq-v80plrJKWibLq-cjP3N4zV6obp9NNtE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Our QR codes are verified to ensure we can be reached while in quarantine.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We then proceed to have our PCR tests. We arrive at the testing site just as the shift is changing. A swarm of enthusiastic fresh-faced youngsters get swabbed, then hustled off into the “Gowning Room” from which they quickly emerge to man the testing booths</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;wearing long blue plastic surgical gowns and full PPE</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The swabs don’t take long; we are given our collected specimens in sealed containers for us to hand to health officials at the exit.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our cards get stickers with room and seat assignments where we wait for our test results.<br></font><br><img id="id_3252_5c_fd9b_ecdb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3apwWlniTnUFoDHKr2V19LA93nS_x-GTsiNsWr9jXquUKradc0_X7oYSYQLtrbUwNlg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s a long wait. (Stuart tells me later that it was an hour but it seemed much much longer to me.)&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There are charging stations and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">free</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;sandwiches and cookies.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our negative test results finally come and we are cleared to go.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our hotel reservation is verified and we’re escorted into the lift and onto a departure gate where we board a shuttle bus to take us to the main arrival hall.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The long circuitous drive gives me an idea of how big this airport really is. It is massive.&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the arrival hall, we take the shuttle train to Immigration.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our luggage has already been unloaded from the carousel in&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">the baggage reclaim area.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;We have&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">7 pieces including a large cardboard box hastily and rather untidily packed to make room for food items liberally distributed among random suitcases. Nuts, dried fruits, cheese, caviar, tinned oysters, crackers, coffee pods, etc. We have clothes for all kinds of weather and food to last us at least a year on any desert island.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We breeze through customs- no one even bothers to look in our direction- then another sticker and we’re finally outside.</font></div><div><br><img id="id_8299_f6f0_2273_f427" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/auJ9qewqrgLFzIrDZVaqcBQWaM7NU6c0A88lk-XZHR3HPrrxg9vbZiciJpCdu5iZWko" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re told to board our bus while they deal with our luggage. T</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">he whole lot is doused in clouds of disinfectant dispensed by a spray gun from a large canister.&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">A whiff of&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">industrial grade</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;antiseptic permeates the bus as&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">it’s hefted on board.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Apart from Stuart and me, there’s only one other traveller seated all the way in the back with his one suitcase.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Seated up front is a government health official all decked out in blue plastic</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;surgical</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;gown, mask, and face shield. He’s in charge of transporting us directly to our quarantine hotel.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s past 2am when we check in to the Landmark Mandarin Oriental. It’s 17 hours since we left our Sydney apartment.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_9943_e176_5387_581d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/JihN9PfIKZc-btHY5t_IlpGUNqb75-z6ZQQnqgAiRjFkaGiwEgZiIB1V4BWZ66MQq9s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We order a late supper and browse through the hotel guidelines. Most notable is a warning that should we step out of our room, the hotel will be obliged to inform the police who will then come to collect us and take us to a quarantine camp where we are to stay for 21 days. To date,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">already&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">10 hotel guests have been so transferred. We may also be looking at fines of up to HK$25,000 for breaching the government quarantine mandate and maybe also 6 months in jail.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At the moment, I am cocooned in a plush dressing robe, my feet in silk satin bed slippers.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A steaming bowl of aromatic wanton noodle soup welcomes me back to Hong Kong.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Quarantine here is no hardship at all.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Not being able to step outside or open a window may seem like being in prison for some, but not for me. It’s a small price to pay for being kept in isolation in great style.</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Having all meals delivered on time without having to make decisions or even to call room service may be too much like a hospital stay for some, but not for me. I welcome the reprieve from kitchen duty. I think this is marvellous, especially since the food here is fabulous.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’ve even managed to keep to a daily exercise schedule.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><a href="https://youtu.be/rX2L_YMyuB0" id="id_d941_c3a5_3752_43c">DISCO FUNK 3</a><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The downside? I have yet to find any.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday, 25th.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our G7 video call, the last for the month, is a riot. All because Avin asked Edwin a very provocative question.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_510f_d53c_5a94_bc5f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OFMGBpRaK3UU2TBdwBlkxdP6rnUZiMxEITyzuHjm2y7ZToNhSS5XKN34jcFs1-EIzuY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tuesday, 27th.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the 5th day of quarantine, HK Health officials come to our door to do a second PCR test. They have some kind of industrial type blowing machine behind them designed I guess to decontaminate the air and to blow our breath away from them.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Rustica’s electric fan was a precursor of this cutting edge technology. She certainly was way ahead of her time! 🤣</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"></font></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Friday, July 30.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Rike and Winnie&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">greet us warmly</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;at the door. The car they’ve very thoughtfully sent to pick us up from Landmark Mandarin is quickly surrounded by smiling porters welcoming us back. It feels like a homecoming.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’ve escaped lockdown, survived quarantine, and are now happily back in Grand Hyatt, our HongKong home.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2684_a563_8012_b843" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vz8w8IC2YxyrPNnzFAIpqolJzzeyTyLBVqe4aU7ofqeXqaGvaupJp6pp73H60XaCCM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_8174_596_c342_521e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hcGFqVZq0BDk4svSzskI1NUxCFuzoYYotPZcF2XWMuN52rnRRDJgbdNZ0gWNjJl919I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6017141352672045906'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6017141352672045906'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2021/07/free-in-hong-kong.html' title='Hong Kong Quarantine and At Home in Grand Hyatt '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/a8r3OU62E2iyVftFeHa55dPz-rvnM4Jjzzq1XAYi5GAosogjfpC2F-q-b5dIPltUgPo=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5409769615187103444</id><published>2020-01-18T10:30:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-01-21T12:56:39.874+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Peru'/><title type='text'>Our Man in Lima</title><content type='html'><div><div><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">On the flight to Lima, I watched the full moon beam ethereal lighting on a thick bank of clouds.</span></div><img id="id_8c1b_444c_36fe_f024" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1vWLItb_G5aA05HTeYrnXM0S5W2-6FRSy7Jr_zQ53ip-1553vu0HJQ2v9so" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Lima wasn’t really part of our original holiday itinerary.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We were there for two days before heading to Santiago and then home to Sydney.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">With only a day to explore, we hired a hotel car to take us to a few places Stuart had marked on a city map.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Eduardo’s suit was more impressive than his car. He had beautiful old-world manners but not a word of English. As Stuart had not much more than a word of Spanish, it was up to me to manage with my all but forgotten high school lessons with the unforgettably ineffective Sra de Ocampo plus the obligatory 18 units in college, most of which</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;I skipped.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the edge of the&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">historic centre at&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">Plaza de Armas, Eduardo managed to convey to us that we had to walk to our next stop as the street leading to it is&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">closed to vehicular traffic every Sunday; he would park the car and wait for us.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Knowing my aversion to long walks in the hot sun, Stuart suggested I let Eduardo drive me around while he himself explored the area on foot. I agreed to pick him up in half an hour at the Convento de San Francisco.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What I had failed to understand was that there was nowhere at all in the entire historic centre we could drive to. So with Stuart already off on his walkabout expecting to be picked up in 30 minutes, Eduardo made an executive decision. He parked the car and proceeded to take me to the convent on foot.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Lima proved to be much more interesting than I expected.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Eduardo stood guard as&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I lingered at a second-hand book market that lined a street for miles.</span></div><div><img id="id_288f_e763_e063_875c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TxTJb4CUNpej3Fcg4FFMtgcpS5uJ6cCB8yWbczlnnqn3nKPuJ1EwjweksHk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c81a_ab49_1180_2454" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tWDws7UZZSSrE8li3MSaSrR3zdC3NzK8WnEuCZZ-e_nJeCNHOhPVs4r_eWY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"></div><br><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">t a street junction, a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">procession was getting ready to start.</span></div><div><img id="id_d8ec_ea0e_37ea_f7f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vC92ZOwVLOU1PRe9aQOin6OJQZcnl4EPxArp_vgIOiuHmo_wAaMEP1Bu-6E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><img id="id_94da_47a_ffbc_b270" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/PgE3NBzz9siS90EN7Z90HiLGLu05j3U0RJFn6Nnx5H3bLaGuqvcFL5d63tU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Eduardo was an excellent guide,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">explaining &nbsp;the historical significance of the lovely old colonial buildings.</span></div><br><img id="id_3a24_c888_3681_a8fc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HsARDoeZdj4vae6jeihcJn7Q7OI_aKU0bRZ9vb0kufok1OuMqZhPJ3K6aCM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">He urged me to enter the more interesting churches- there’s a church every few feet or so.</span><br><br><img id="id_1ae2_d866_cfc7_5a04" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gWZgQSU8IPqOfXWZfw0gzKh73adTbpyu4Tw2MVnCKFmdqoZgbO3xPLEBExY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Inside&nbsp;the Basilica de&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Ntra Sra de la Merced</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">, Eduardo placed his hand gently on the foot of the huge gold cross. The spot shone from the millions of similar gestures made by supplicants before him who had hung&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">gold medals on the wall as offerings of gratitude for miracles granted.</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;He then made the sign of the cross, solemnly and with such devotion, genuine and unselfconscious.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the gate of the convent beside the church</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">two pretty young novices were selling steaming hot tamales. Eduardo bought me one;&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">it had a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">piquant&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">topping of</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">marinated shredded onions.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">When we got to the Convento de San Francisco, Stuart was nowhere to be found.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Unable to get him on the phone, we&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">hung around at the church square for a while then went up and down the nearby streets.</span></div><img id="id_2515_55f3_d48a_1253" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OJEJXuRb9iuJ15Y8svIXWQ_SBkP-N3szZ4Xhy3QrBsUZRORazC0-HvJU0Lg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_8a37_f94c_13d8_9ff8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pyyhEa1MV8YXZVLapoL78jkatFCD5oyUv7Ri9P9S5Lc69UKAGlWcNNao9S8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Finally giving him up for lost, I called the hotel and tasked the concierge with finding him.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It was another hour or so before we were reunited outside Plaza Bolivar.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">As I always say, getting lost is the best way to really see a place. Looking for someone lost is just as good.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5409769615187103444'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5409769615187103444'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/our-man-in-lima_18.html' title='Our Man in Lima'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1vWLItb_G5aA05HTeYrnXM0S5W2-6FRSy7Jr_zQ53ip-1553vu0HJQ2v9so=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5164307241641884865</id><published>2020-01-03T04:00:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-02-01T07:33:10.937+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Teatro Amazonas'/><title type='text'>Manaüs: Paris of the Jungle </title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the heart of the Amazon rainforest is a world famous&nbsp;opera house.</font></div><img id="id_fb24_4738_1b85_9a08" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/s1xUIaqMxYLseIadmym2LbT3q20suKhEWw3KHOKrN9Yw06-7ZeL6gDf9kME" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The Teatro Amazonas was built in the 19th century in Manaüs, once known as&nbsp;the “Paris of the Tropics”, a city carved out of dense jungle by the rubber barons wealthy beyond belief in an age when, it is said, “no extravagance was spared, no matter</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">how absurd.”</span><div><br><img id="id_856_c47b_8bcd_907d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/toeufaUwwtaseH71MJCSfU1-iP8izaX829K4PhDfNoqXQs4HlwvWKuD5E4Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The opening scene of Ken Howard’s documentary film “Pavarotti” shows a home video of the late great tenor on holiday in Brazil, arriving by boat to visit this very opera house. Disappointed to find it closed, he lets it be known that he is Luciano Pavarotti, whereupon the theatre is opened and</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;he sings onstage in murky darkness. I wondered why the video was so poorly lit.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I now realise that it’s because no flash photography can be allowed inside the exquisite 123 year-old theatre with its frescoed ceilings, Carrara marble columns, parquet floors like La Scala’s, Murano glass chandeliers, and a&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Tiffany&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">stage curtain.</span></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><img id="id_582a_6a7c_a022_15c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VP2-bSYGv1UFR-4DT-APb4m_dXPB7GVQGOx1iwB12P-_a0MSQIxdFit5sOo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><img id="id_bb5b_9fe9_6f43_c4b6" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AGT2FYDY36iCAIbQ973B0zG784Ah34j5qQIaIX6osXOOY21iW3lMpiJwsgk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Apart from countless other extravagances, the building is more notable for clever engineering designed to work around the hot and humid climate of the Amazon rainforest.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The building was oriented to face east from which cool trade winds stream in from the Atlantic Ocean. Th</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">e carriageway was paved with specially</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;made rubber cobblestones designed to muffle the traffic noise from horses and carriages. This allowed the doors and windows of the theatre to be left open, letting the cool winds in&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">during performances</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In the stalls,&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">further cooling was provided by floor vents located under the theatre seats.</span></div><div><font color="#454545" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font><div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Tiffany&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">stage curtain</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;needed the addition of an elaborate dome to enable it to rise without being rolled or folded.</span></p><img id="id_eb0a_e250_a203_7b3c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qujB1-1WIwrsbn1jlaPs20_K373PM-8wtaju-I_85HqGIuOttu0EphsYKVE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5164307241641884865'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5164307241641884865'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/manaus-paris-of-jungle_3.html' title='Manaüs: Paris of the Jungle '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/s1xUIaqMxYLseIadmym2LbT3q20suKhEWw3KHOKrN9Yw06-7ZeL6gDf9kME=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5174688748216686087</id><published>2020-01-03T01:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-01-03T11:33:31.353+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Santarém'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Manaüs'/><title type='text'>Meeting of the Waters</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s the day before Christmas, and we’re on a riverboat&nbsp;in Santarém near the mouth of the Amazon River exploring its complex system of waterways. I watch in fascination as the&nbsp;slow moving Tapajós&nbsp;River entwines fingers of deep blue clearwater through&nbsp;the opaque brown water of the Amazon.&nbsp;</font></div><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It looks like oil spill...or a Monet painting...or maybe a Monet painting of an oil spill!</font></div><img id="id_1e4a_2359_7a9_1bba" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FhrDwbkFxk0mcDYNKc7p2XrpJWb0_sDDngaszd3hNqjUGEs0Yps9AVHh71M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We are told that this is the mini&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">version of the “meeting of the waters”. The major convergence occurs in Manaüs,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">900 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">where the inky black Rio Negro and the muddy brown Solimöes marry and give birth to the mighty Amazon.&nbsp;</span><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">This striking natural phenomenon is an awesome thing to watch. Two streams of water, very different in colour, temperature, and speed, flow alongside each other for several miles without mixing together. There is turbulence at points where they begin to converge.</font></div><div><br></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It doesn’t take much imagination to see parallels to&nbsp;the human condition and&nbsp;the&nbsp;societal upheavals occurring today in far too many hotspots in the world.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the riverboat, we meander through small tributaries and creeks, passing ramshackle fishing communities, watching out for animals in the wild but finding only an iguana slithering along the waterline and a sloth perched atop a tree.&nbsp;</font></div><img id="id_d72d_1646_d6e0_bb18" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/T9hr-wYuiaTRvJmKHvIkCod8mAd1mbu6C6jj1exINNS0IS6U8D8S_dTkAt0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We pass alongside other boats much like ours and gamely wave to the people on board who like us are imagining themselves as explorers braving the piranha-infested waters of the Amazon.</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We choose a quiet spot to stop and try our hand at line fishing. I’m first to bag a catch and I parade&nbsp;around&nbsp;my&nbsp;tiny&nbsp;baby piranha to whoops of delight from everyone before throwing the greedy little monster back in the water.</span></div><img id="id_a1ae_b5e3_b8b1_72ac" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/uJKKxDnzpmacFtH8f_yFUTYPE_AJFUphF14XFlZAEVMOuAgXOrrooYRSSAs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I must confess though that I had a bit of help from the crew.</span></div></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5174688748216686087'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5174688748216686087'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html' title='Meeting of the Waters'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FhrDwbkFxk0mcDYNKc7p2XrpJWb0_sDDngaszd3hNqjUGEs0Yps9AVHh71M=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-372078600018373</id><published>2019-12-30T16:06:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2020-01-08T11:39:38.438+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>A birthday celebration in the Amazon </title><content type='html'><div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">Getting a year older can be lots of fun!</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/372078600018373'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/372078600018373'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/a-birthday-celebration-in-amazon.html' title='A birthday celebration in the Amazon '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/milo3AuscfKM8ICs3fo6XeyuPeT2YVytSIUIC8f82AypG3DEbDukkU6JxYA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2518939296583016101</id><published>2019-12-23T13:47:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2020-01-11T05:09:06.750+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>What to wear in the jungle &amp; some cruise notes</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What to wear?</span></div><div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In the jungle, it’s </font><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">bug-repellent treated fabrics,&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">l</font><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ong pants, long sleeves, hat, and comfortable&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">closed-toe shoes. Recommended accessories are bug-</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">repellent wristbands and stick-ons complemented by lashings of </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">bug-</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">repellent</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;creams and sprays.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s good to keep in mind that black&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">attracts</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;flies and navy blue attracts mosquitoes. I learned about this belatedly, on our fifth safari.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I noticed strips of cloth set up like banners at more or less regular intervals on the roadside.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">“They’re traps,” our driver informed us. “Bl</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ue&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">cloth&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">for mosquitoes, b</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">lack for flies.”</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Nice to know in places where blood-sucking&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">tsetse flies or parasite-and-virus-carrying&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">mosquitoes</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;scare me more than lions or any one of Africa’s Big Five.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It may be a good idea to take your cue from the locals. 😊</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a006_bab_e52b_1159" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ulJl_5J674QkNkgjx8OM-Eyq0o4_ks-PuwRfU52peIEhFaWj7hF2xUv3n9Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On cruise ships, wardrobe guidelines are simpler and less frightening: f</font><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">rom Relaxed Casual&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">in the morning</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">to Elegant Casual or Black Tie Optional in the evening.</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We always stay below the radar whatever the dress code.</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">* * *</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">My sentiments about cruising change from day to day. Today has not been great. Neither has yesterday, come to think of it. I’ve just sent this message to some friends:</span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div>The ship has hired lots of unskilled, inexperienced Filipino workers- they probably won’t get jobs in Manila! And have not trained them well. I feel sorry for them. It’s not fair because they’ll get blamed for not doing their jobs well and it’s not their fault! 😡</div></div><div><br></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">* * *</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’ve never been one for cruising. Even now as I write this while literally crisscrossing the equator, I’m still not sure how I feel about it.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">But if meditation or mindfulness are such wonderful things, then this must be just the thing.</font></div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><img id="id_1466_9e57_55d7_8c89" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Xva7i74qrBbcXCVaevmyyk2O9hyr9JKGLAr_7SPjUukW53PHfvCptae1tls" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">* * *</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Some highlights todate:</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In Rio de Janeiro, there are three o</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">bligatory stops:</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">1) Christ the Redeemer on&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Corcovado.</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Yes, we’re here at 710 meters!</span></div><div><br><img id="id_f243_63cd_55ea_8f47" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TDE7BblE1wtE3pDpnKWd6keCwgCjMkxhgNgkQ4dbbKgrmZpSfgt1tLssbOs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">2) Ipanema.</span><img id="id_1e26_9f31_5ab6_6611" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/33uObpvCSgl7RZMH03qfcJnyJj7cYvgDjd1VjlJKJygzUwWvRGiBx2A-s3g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">3) Copacabana.&nbsp;</span><br><img id="id_14c_6521_d177_fc0f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_3jKRqiZr6ksHzwSJfxf1QdPBNpvpfkk_4LwSGQ97nLZ5kY8ad0P9_wvV1Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">São Paolo&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">coastal town of Santos is the “Palace of the Official Coffee Stock Exchange”. It’s an imposing, opulently appointed building reflective of the enormous wealth generated by the coffee trade during the early part of the 20th century. Inaugurated in 1914, this was where the price of coffee beans was determined by brokers on the trading floor&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">until 1950.</span></div><br><div><img id="id_ec73_4857_3dbb_7b7c" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9zWybrjLD48mU5qSkuj_6f8ripBvfMQpR-747jcfdZVCtFrnBAtA4KYW32E" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Paraty is quite unique and very pretty, my favourite so far. I love the look of the houses with their doors painted in colours of the Brazilian flag and the curved cobblestone streets that are designed to be washed clean when the tide comes in.</span></div><img id="id_ad0f_a91f_fc56_c6ab" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/4zxMeXxdjeuJh7xrpBqT_DSLTIuVCsyF1l5VY1eOOue_V8UjHpJAvopaF1U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Olinda in Recife is an art-filled place. W</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ith brightly painted houses</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, music and dancing everywhere,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">it&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">seems to be always on carnival mode.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><img id="id_2f4d_a476_648d_aece" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/25XZFhmAmQstCaDFZFClQDYkiYlv_vrjWnCNXWRXPRjGJhpA_wsInKJPs8Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br></div></div><div><div><font size="4" face="Verdana">* * *</font></div><div><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Having left Recife on December 20, we’re at sea for three days, just off the coastline of Brazil.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re en route to the Amazon, for me the very object of this trip.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The adventure begins.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">* * *</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2518939296583016101'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2518939296583016101'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/what-to-wear-in-jungle-some-notes-on.html' title='What to wear in the jungle &amp; some cruise notes'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ulJl_5J674QkNkgjx8OM-Eyq0o4_ks-PuwRfU52peIEhFaWj7hF2xUv3n9Y=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9079856020103842317</id><published>2019-12-14T07:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-12-14T07:49:13.180+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Baar Fun Fun'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Carlos Gardel'/><title type='text'>Montevideo </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Apart from the beautiful roses from Uruguay that I always look for in the Dangwa flower market in Manila, I knew nothing about this country, nor to be honest have I ever tried to discover anything about it.</font></span></p><img id="id_a596_b507_6309_4d06" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gT92ZQVbMABKKRW3yOVgww7zvM8moQlBKkPUbWFkmyf-cTPQOVbfPL9tZww" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On a bus tour of Montevideo this morning, our young guide&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Cynthia&nbsp;</span><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">changes all that for me. E</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ngaging,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">spirited, and whip-smart, she starts her&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">commentary</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;with an invitation&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">to call her out</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;should anyone believe her to be lying or&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">mistaken.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><img id="id_d7fd_3066_b997_761c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1qqxo5aiGrow1s9hc4y6NDu59kcBDjvOdfCN2I3h7BJV8svbkwVMgNz3lEI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"></p><br><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“I’m liking Uruguay more by the minute,” I keep whispering to Stuart. What’s not to like?</font></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">People here are known to be friendly and generally relaxed. They have lots of holidays, a mild climate, great beaches, good public transport, and apart from petty thievery, there is no serious crime. Assaults or muggings are practically unheard of.</font></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Politics are not rabid or violent.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">While the country is predominantly Catholic</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">religious practice is&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">low-key and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;mostly private.&nbsp;</span></span><font face="Verdana" size="4">There is absolute sepa</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ration of church and state. &nbsp;</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">G</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">overnment and the economy are stable, inflation and unemployment are low. Majority of the population is middle class and&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">extreme poverty is&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">virtually nonexistent.</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Abortion, divorce, same-sex marriage, and marijuana are all legal.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Education is free and obligatory for 14 years from age 4.&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Free health care is available to everybody, including visitors.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;N</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ot only is a</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">bortion&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">legal, it’s free, paid for by the government. The decision is solely the woman’s just as in cases of divorce:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">it’s the woman’s prerogative.</span></p><div><br></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I have yet to see a policeman or an armed guard of any kind in the city. Cynthia says the country’s current president goes to work at his office building unescorted, using the main entrance just like everybody else.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">He opts to live in his own house and uses the official presidential house only when required by protocol for official functions.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span class="s2"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Except for the national flag by the front door, the president’s house looks ordinary; there are no guards.</font></span></p><img id="id_7ea5_5492_8c1c_3783" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/aBcwAyYCQLN7qavFr9NcJqz7_p4hZ_kllm6PQlM1RMOyWoCyb0EEb0k-NYM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><br></p></div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At BAAR FUN FUN, a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">virtual shrine to tango</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;dating back to the 19th century, we are introduced to the uvita, a high-octane liqueur similar to grappa.</span></p><img id="id_7410_ff32_770e_44b4" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hbSTNmbWyRaII6cT6l87YZSN-23kXMmckY6q9L79fjtHLnZBV3_LglJEi9g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Tango is a source of friendly rivalry with&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">neighbour Argentina with whom Uruguay shares a contentious tango history.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We are told authoritatively that tango should not be called Argentine tango.&nbsp;</span></div><div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">“It’s just tango.”</span></p></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><img id="id_f9cb_7731_bb70_b1e2" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YuRlm5hz_kEedsSykgfcZyZhJHhvKxsitGs7vwXeiFTyq8In3oo1RjNQGgg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_228_4715_f700_e645" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bVwuGkzbs_AXU7GisPY4tjWXqbG8cevbSgVpop34C1Yd-5orNXBC97It1XQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><br></p><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Furthermore, we are informed that</span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;contrary to popular belief,</span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;legendary tango&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">singer and&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">composer CARLOS GARDEL was Uruguayan, not Argentinian.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">(Actually, he was both; and he was born French.)</span></div><img id="id_8afd_b9c9_64ee_ba05" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PIpn0t5QXA6DhB-vjHx0_S6h1i4Xg-05A62YpcKTz5OHgrsHV1gwql_nRxU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9079856020103842317'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9079856020103842317'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/12/montevideo_14.html' title='Montevideo '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gT92ZQVbMABKKRW3yOVgww7zvM8moQlBKkPUbWFkmyf-cTPQOVbfPL9tZww=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7184163783305437566</id><published>2019-12-10T03:24:00.003+08:00</published><updated>2019-12-17T01:29:34.065+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milonga'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='anniversary'/><title type='text'>A week in Buenos Aires </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">First meal in Buenos Aires</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;has to be&nbsp;</span><font face="Verdana" size="4">lunch at SOTTOVOCE</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">in Puerto Madero w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">here for less than USD15, or a little over PHP750, you get a 3-course meal and a bottle of wine.</span></div><img id="id_7323_635b_5532_7594" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/In1ZNDcq6ouiVcMCV3ealNpVmXdzPZt4CXTe-S8QChRDTiVMEtARlmaR1DE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The set lunch comes</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;with a champagne cocktail and a bread basket with 3 dips.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’ll be happy to stop at this point or maybe go straight to dessert but the main course is usually too good to pass on.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">limoncello, cognac, and port on offer too but it’s really all a bit too much for me. Not for Stuart though; he almost never passes on limoncello.😊</span></div><div><img id="id_359a_d38_9fb1_7472" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dBoSgCyeSpFJLn2pdlSJYR_5-n0r8RfRAlb_o-IQrTg2ZJjZKFbngLfWiZo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A strange sight on the riverside. It</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;takes me a while to realise that it’s an advert for “The Irishman”. Wow, seems like an elaborate and expensive advert for a movie!</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_eab9_de98_348e_f190" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xK7j4EBxaG6kFqT_JXsFgkGg0WHDKOPUItwz5No3fyO-Txi2BSPlZ3dhckM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8a1c_86ab_d1f9_c197" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_II4gPBjanJJtpDXO3uiBNQF3Cmn309rpmEOO0G_0jbOJuPhmmkKejxhXcY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Another restaurant we like is LA PECORA NERA, in Recoleta, not far from Alvear Palace Hotel.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Jessica greets us warmly as she unlocks the door and leads us to our table. We like that table in the inner section.</font></div><img id="id_507e_b55e_a141_f96" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mL-vI9kQdxh4hYRr9b4ekYfE8Xi2266UrSeZ6BwnA-xWromt3KhvnETAFG8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m happy to see that ossobuco risotto and dark chocolate ice cream with candied orange peel are still on the menu.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana; text-align: justify;">December 3 is our 37th wedding anniversary. How to celebrate?&nbsp;</span></font><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana; text-align: justify;"><br></span></font></div><div><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana; text-align: justify;">Breaking out of our comfort zone, we decide to attend a “milonga”, a kind of tango party for avid tango enthusiasts. We’re helped along on this rather ambitious enterprise by&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; text-align: justify;">two accomplished tango masters,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; text-align: justify;">Natalia Galain and Victor Francia, who try to make&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">Stuart and me</span><font size="4"><span style="font-family: Verdana; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;look good on the dance floor but barely succeed in making us not too conspicuous.</span></font><div style="text-align: left;"><img id="id_eb78_ce23_6020_a9cf" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3L3OWZbypT7eUbqogStqOnEEdS5voXYMT6yKg5YY6r78gfLkY17sv2vomvU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"></div><br><img id="id_172e_436d_6571_dd0c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RVswpeq7YHG1XOGq8oOuOcGz7yqRUjljQP-XfbOV-NSM1Z_Kmr8Ia4Rz5rI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><div style="text-align: left;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s another Sottovoce, in Recoleta. It’s smaller, nicer, a little more special. It’s where we were at Christmas last year for Noche Buena and it’s where we’re having our&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">anniversary&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;dinner this year.&nbsp;</span></div><img id="id_8ede_1a02_8432_1f8e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cr0cC4kqstml-PUKVA4Tlx8r9xbedKa1hqRUffued_j7D5OqYmBCkJ9dLU8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">They lit up the Christmas tree in the hotel lobby last night; a string quartet played carols; and a crowd of excitable children waited for their audience with Santa.</font></div><img id="id_e95e_bb5b_1539_483f" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FHyYPByh1ZttmS3WGWlEJdqqOtCCVDlHPdW-wig6bv8N9tYj08-NPc6k-jk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><img id="id_e3ab_7b21_92e5_c093" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YmGThIt5J0Aa3eX6z6JZ6fZGbXbcj74oAiN0mUZBbAatmDPADTE_WqbJoFM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Outside our window, the river is all dressed up for the holidays.</font></div><div><img id="id_3e1b_22fa_8039_7a24" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8WG95ySwedVT7HQu-8F0sT0oa59zCMfet473f7Om2wnbMIzZ7xB7y-HSdNU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"></div><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><br><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7184163783305437566'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7184163783305437566'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/12/a-week-in-buenos-aires.html' title='A week in Buenos Aires '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/In1ZNDcq6ouiVcMCV3ealNpVmXdzPZt4CXTe-S8QChRDTiVMEtARlmaR1DE=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3277975577406694337</id><published>2019-10-09T19:05:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-11-04T20:48:10.848+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rod Stewart'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Aliante'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Wynn'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Caesar’s Palace'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Frankie Moreno'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Myron’s'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Aglipays'/><title type='text'>Las Vegas Diary</title><content type='html'> <div><div><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">September 28, Saturday.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">AA 2249 LAX to Las Vegas, then&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">dinner with Baby and Bob at Aliante Bistro.</span></div><div><div><img id="id_bf2b_64f9_6fde_4bf3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wQ9h5GMtO-iq2Vc74k8ATCASzIpaPREOFaVCXN3CQ4uiT-tHjGBMKS8HmIg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner with our Aglipay cousins at the lovely new home of Jam4 and Luz.</font></div><div><img id="id_d9a4_f531_47e7_560" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lKlcn9jdb6h8Hq9dWHiRaXVlHEJdgmvg0JWfV0RopWjBL27eoEpbydToa2Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch at The Grill, afternoon at Bob and Baby’s home, then dancing with Pam and Noli at Cafe Moda.</font></div><img id="id_b761_1794_8274_5969" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_LrhDRlc9v19azCaCxD4aSPDkqVXyZotDQZLUAoTlkwefxVPsmbZ-4UHFco" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Tuesday.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Afternoon of pampering at Aliante Spa, then dinner &amp; Frankie Moreno show at Myron’s.</font></div><img id="id_fea6_14d9_da65_68c1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6qajHvqIRPUiJQyHR7LuxhYSy5-83YJS24GaxmvyhQM57pCkUBxDGbfbQAg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Wednesday.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner at Aliante Bistro, then Rod Stewart show at Caesar’s Palace.</font></div><img id="id_5bc1_aa0_9469_3296" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/xdETYEI8CTqa058dAe0iI1MuolQVelzW_Rz-cc_LEiruiOixhEhbXP_obto" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Thursday.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch at The Retreat on Mount Charleston, new iPhones and stuff at the Apple Store, then dinner at La Cave in Wynn.</font></div><img id="id_5320_c4d3_2a29_e78b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/puvCC6UUuZOu7T4ti6sM7pCH0MMjNflOgIGEENR5zZXGhNNhjnGJjygc3Q4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Friday.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dinner at Buca di Beppo.</font></div><img id="id_85d2_7a15_a168_d00e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZUBVUHkM3LX0cL0tLK2CyX6ufFCdOrclU4ZbLS-i7baAJ7GMr8Fkg77BuM8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Saturday.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch at Bob and Baby’s home before flight AA504 to LAX.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A fabulous whirlwind super bonding week! What happens in Vegas continues after Vegas. Right, Babes? ❤️</font></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3277975577406694337'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3277975577406694337'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/10/las-vegas-diary.html' title='Las Vegas Diary'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wQ9h5GMtO-iq2Vc74k8ATCASzIpaPREOFaVCXN3CQ4uiT-tHjGBMKS8HmIg=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3767527519469664507</id><published>2019-10-07T19:40:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2019-10-11T20:42:23.837+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='R66 party'/><title type='text'>One Night in San Francisco </title><content type='html'> <div><div><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Finally! A glorious sunny clear day as we cruise into San Francisco Bay.</font></div><img id="id_e13_1cdc_c906_4e9a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p9xZqMNn2eUpv2HcwYcU3AJ9q3aBAdiEv6x2Gl2CYALiw14GGI3tFZlTPvU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Crystal Symphony salutes the Golden Gate Bridge with a mighty blast from the ship’s horn as we slip under the iconic bridge.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_825d_d9b6_441f_e945" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EROoMJHf1pTW4c-acbM3nVa4XK-a7mceymvYeYZjWOC0iD1CunK9WlG7gGQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re partying in the Ferry Building with the Bay Area&nbsp;Route 66 girls: Yollee, Malu, Ada, Josie, Daisy and Stel.</font></div><img id="id_a36b_31b6_f67_3352" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/HwMJSMJ3ezAVqnDIrnRdJzpQaKGgdVP4Scf7dhIqTlWB-Gn0PMrlDBaRSmA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The party starts predictably noisily&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">at 3 in Gott’s Roadside&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with wine and sandwiches- lots and lots of sandwiches as Malu manages to bring in even more to add to the already copious amounts on order- and eventually winds up with dinner at Boulette’s Larder on the opposite end of the building.</span><img id="id_5516_ddf5_faa6_fdf5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QnbvnTIil9O6T0Bw0qN6K5kVIrGRJi3QtHEqwnDHw_O3TH8Mgl42a0rH5BE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-family: Verdana; width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><img id="id_c57a_2685_e424_d214" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/o4OzPVrLTTT6flI1No_awLCJDw2nBi63JfkNNEZDRU_xfo9fl5y_CVIh9Mk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re joined by Stuart and Dandy who do double-duty as paparazzi and location scouts for our long-awaited get together.</span><img id="id_b139_63fc_f7f8_ba7b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S_XjtZ0DONVm5ilSUcgVpm6osGVYv3BWnBtWZ0aZAyJwZ1cYtEkXo3CkBI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-family: Verdana; width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></font><img id="id_d45d_fd4a_23f1_ed56" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/R263mnFJMluNAl6UC5dGJKgm826si_oSYDMJKmDC84DqLGu6_o2lw2aFzw4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">One perfect day in San Francisco. 💕<br><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3767527519469664507'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3767527519469664507'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/10/one-night-in-san-francisco.html' title='One Night in San Francisco '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p9xZqMNn2eUpv2HcwYcU3AJ9q3aBAdiEv6x2Gl2CYALiw14GGI3tFZlTPvU=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1860729012009923679</id><published>2019-10-06T11:20:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2019-10-14T10:24:02.096+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lamplugh'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Margerie'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mendenhall'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Glacier Bay'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Johns Hopkins'/><title type='text'>On Board Crystal Symphony to Alaska &amp; California </title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 23px; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sitka.</span></p></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a622_e192_a9af_d9cb" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HGsqc2F4zKcsKUg87hXpZlTmTE7rYgxcqukt-4JM2-QZbuI5yYzbyht7vSM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">First stop, Sitka. It’s almost completely shrouded in heavy cloud; which sort of announces the weather conditions we would be facing on the cruise.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Already I have broken out my seasick pills. I’ve had them with me since our South Pacific cruise in March but have not needed them until now.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Not a good start but I’m sure things will get better.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">Juneau.</font></div><img id="id_faca_4db4_6339_5617" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JFjKXDNykBgFv9tuiR2TBe_02bLD_le2qq0bLg5u1OfqpfvzvmuHw_z3jv4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br></font><img id="id_e705_c30_150a_5e46" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w1LuRdA8_JL6lZTrHe3oGvbwmR8Hfw0vyKah0JSehAUPdTCq5gKI76uT1UQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br></font><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re docked alongside the pier. It looks to be a pretty good day, so we set off to see the Mendenhall Glacier. We immediately double back though to get my raincoat which I had overly optimistically left in</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;our room.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">No sooner have our feet touched dry land than the heavens opened. We are drenched. No matter; we’re dressed for the occasion.</font></div><br><div><img id="id_e7fe_cfb0_f696_bc03" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/of0faSok-e1ihWiJH9JUF-6GeR9roff5UxDRw8Z5MftjpEBQvG2Y1ILZKPE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-family: Verdana; width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></div><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re kids playing in the rain, sloshing about on the footbridge through the Salmon Forest in search of leaping fish in the rushing stream. Sadly, no fish have come out to play.</font></div><img id="id_389b_e7bb_2863_4cd7" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/k7NP47uDoyftwGRLyu9CTLNhMj4ktEDw-EyWkmTtEgyQDV2IgaEv22Dp_f0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div style="font-family: -webkit-standard;"><span style="font-family: Verdana;">A woman walking towards me points to the end of the footbridge.</span></div></div></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are ice floes out there, she shouts excitedly through several layers of wet scarves.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">That means the glacier is nearby.&nbsp;</font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_eb6c_a845_acf_cf8d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ne0iyzE3vdoSb1mXLRKNAVS9wl0Ppbk43artM8oRPWEDG0ALLHs2lsFZ32I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font><img id="id_835f_918e_f00a_cfa0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IPpsa4g8qH1esXdz6QKFmPM0_2xTPwUU1T8n47d-JhUX1mjLt5XvUKdJfcI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is truly an idyllic spot. However, Mendenhall Glacier barely shows up from the rain-soaked landscape.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_1c23_a3d4_3fbe_c037" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RMLV2rcuwdffbHwDxluH7sve7K6DfmGbovJf7R_vicVy7JSvBmKyFmZaxFU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Glacier Bay.</font></div><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I haven’t been paying attention to the ranger’s commentary so&nbsp;</span><font color="#454545" face="Verdana" size="4">I’m still getting ready to join Stuart in the lounge deck when to my surprise, the</font><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;Lamplugh Glacier suddenly appears in my window. I rush outside to take pictures.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I figure I’m in the best possible position to observe the glacier; I feel I can almost reach out and touch it. But&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">it’s cold and wet on the balcony and I manage to take</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;only a few pictures.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><img id="id_4ca8_99d3_7bc4_195a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x383nRgCpFcWTtoUCB33KVZ_oUa2Jd8mPcW7vTbzo4QQb7QeV1E1TqFxl3s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_b88d_c5a4_2a13_76a4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3stke31XsBDdL_JfCexgwZCAM2MjNZGD7tgxJsX5ogMlcb1Kqflmx53fr5g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Having now joined Stuart in the lounge, we’re sitting comfortably warm and dry, mugs of hot chocolate in hand. We have a ringside view of magical, serene, majestic Glacier Bay.&nbsp;</font></div><img id="id_d3db_754c_dac6_7780" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QE3Lu683xmEusM-oJeNf0ZAm5Ipr_vDbfpX6Y8xUNmPNv2bHKyjm8AksGRs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Accessible only by air or by water, the bay long ago used to be one massive glacier. Higher average temperatures and lesser snowfalls over the past 250 years or so have transformed it into a fjord containing many smaller glaciers.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);">Those that terminate in water, whether in high or low tide, are called tidewater glaciers. There are eight of them here.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">T</span><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69);">wo of the most active glaciers in the bay are the Margerie and the Johns Hopkins. They are continually calving; that is,&nbsp;</font><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">splitting and shedding icebergs into the water.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#454545" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Approaching the head of the Johns Hopkins Inlet, we are face to face with the glacier bearing its name.&nbsp;</span></div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_6add_2066_9612_a5f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/k3fi56SOpHooksGXKGcN3S5ypW_QBfcK1TN7EF-8B2YUQP6Bj5mvfXP-edY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_1473_73ec_dc_917e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7OOCd3lt1Bv-lE0aaDtYFnvpWxxIkoA-NBRZ_Zx3a7BKbqp7PCHJXJhO7Po" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>The ship then turns around and enters the Tarr Inlet going up alongside the Margerie Glacier.</font><img id="id_1607_54c9_8294_683b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3Uh2ftutfWEJrVFbIkfUmOHs2gJL4U_aY_jvoxBFirwVukqNt4prbZKh6xw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_e834_8ba5_e9d_ff52" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/UgsyqWaf0YOqQHvpQf3fGLCCjifNmMmQAC0_VDIG4ivCFZNIgZxx6MyMiJc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; width: 616px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I guess seeing and hearing the glaciers actually shedding icebergs into the bay would be the only thing that could further this magic.</font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><div><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">My photos, taken with an iPhone through water-streaked windows, don’t do them justice.&nbsp;</font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Still, here they are, if only to keep a digital record of images infinitely more wondrous that have been indelibly printed on my brain.</font></p><p class="p1" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></p></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1860729012009923679'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1860729012009923679'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/10/on-board-crystal-symphony-to-alaska.html' title='On Board Crystal Symphony to Alaska &amp; California '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HGsqc2F4zKcsKUg87hXpZlTmTE7rYgxcqukt-4JM2-QZbuI5yYzbyht7vSM=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2786964539876115500</id><published>2019-08-21T14:21:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-09-05T12:36:03.313+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Alfonso XIII'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='film'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Carmen'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Plaza de España'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Giralda'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='on TV'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='UNESCO'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='University of Seville'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Alcázar'/><title type='text'>Seville, August 2019</title><content type='html'><div>
<div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We arrive in Seville to an elaborate royal palace, the&nbsp;</span><font size="4"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">Alfonso XIII</b><span style="font-family: Verdana;">.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_eb28_63a4_ccbe_1b7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/a9lbchS5hw18WBRY5LNN3U2fbLNrId1Is64iC944Z0BfYA0hPq9v4XmVbGY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re to discover later, at a walking tour in which our hotel is one of the highlights, that King Alfonso refused to stay in the customary royal residence, the <b>Alcázar</b></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">.&nbsp;He reportedly had this palace built for him so he could have the privacy needed to engage in his preferred hobby: pornography.</span></div></div></div>
<div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>Today though, we enjoy the more sedate use of the palace as a hotel. And lunch in the courtyard is as dignified as can be.&nbsp;</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">Later, from our bedroom window, I watch the near full moon brighten up the western sky, a brilliant Jupiter at its side.</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><img alt="" id="id_2b81_919_1b87_5364" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/H9KsrS9Q8GhRx-0vhDFwvXFow42uBveTVONjx2hjK3oF5vrNa0rmQHA2bgI" style="height: auto; width: 450px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><br><b>Barrio Santa Cruz</b> is in the old Jewish quarter.&nbsp;</font></div>
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We once stayed at a hotel here, so we look in to see if it has changed much since.&nbsp;<b>Hotel Amadeus</b>&nbsp;seems to have been frozen in time; it looks just as it did back in 2007. The hushed rooms with musical instruments everywhere, string instruments parked casually on the floor. Several violins are mounted on walls.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In a small practice studio off the wrought-iron gated front door, an upright piano has a sheet music open.&nbsp;</span></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">We go up to the rooftop to see if we can find the attic room we stayed in before. There’s a bar and a plunge pool. We’re told our old room must’ve been in the adjoining building.&nbsp;</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">We watch the sun go down behind the &nbsp;towers and spires.</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>Hotel Amadeus is on Calle&nbsp;Fabiola. It’s here that we now find a small flamenco theatre, <b>Sala Fabiola</b>, as authentic and honest and protective of the art as anyone can hope to find.<br><br><img alt="" id="id_d408_8777_1113_114a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/n81fMxaX6IzPKZYdPWJOySI_Vx0shaggyFazEOln6LPjfEyB6JphgjY3e8o" style="height: auto; width: 450px;" title="" tooltip=""><br></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><img alt="" id="id_413a_23a9_4db3_7964" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/n3cCpJuUI4yWcqVHT_tfgLZTpMySQwRVUHyHDvgJyZo-GN5qmkbrwllUex8" style="height: auto; width: 450px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">Saturday, we go on a walking tour with&nbsp;<b>White Umbrella Tours</b>. Our guide is José, a charming well-informed young Sevillano, an English and History of Arts graduate from the humanities-heavy <b>University of Seville</b>.</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s an enjoyable leisurely walk&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">towards the cooler end of the day&nbsp;</span>through Seville’s historic centre. W</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">e start in Plaza Virgen de los Reyes </span><font face="Verdana" size="4">where we are&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">surrounded by three UNESCO listed heritage sites:&nbsp;<b>Alcázar, Archivo de Indias,&nbsp;</b>and<b> </b>the<b> Cathedral</b>.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_55ef_3c5a_4fea_b356" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VGXWQoRLeUBIBRdxVPpjt9W25QIXDNUQz6SXhV-W3g_vJoAU0-OhRmlZ7lE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re&nbsp;</span>looking straight out towards&nbsp;<b>Giralda Tower</b>, the cathedral’s bell tower&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">which at a height of 104 meters dominates the city skyline.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_5062_88b_da2c_f4c3" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1Gs8KMXB85DiO_4J5AyA9ZfBFzqGnpz0ablzsnIUM6GxoWQWSmsrABQADNY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">On the other side of the square is the <b>Alcázar</b>. It traces the city’s history through eleven centuries with the evolution of its architecture and decorative style from Mudéjar, to Gothic, to Renaissance, to Baroque.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Seville is a photographer’s or cinematographer’s dream. Indelible scenes from opera, movies, and TV were either made here, shot here, or inspired by places found here:&nbsp;<i>Carmen</i>,&nbsp;<i>Kingdom of Heaven</i>,&nbsp;<i>Lawrence of Arabia</i>,&nbsp;<i>Star Wars, and&nbsp;Game of Thrones, </i>to name a few.</font></span></div></div><div><br></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The headquarters of University of Seville used to be the&nbsp;<b>Fabrica Real de Tabacos.&nbsp;</b></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_504b_aab5_aa58_39d8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/n5S_AhQ9fb_XoTjgrCfkI4YJEt-1KgzWksVURO-zTWSvW5kWfubEKBzsKYk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s here where Bizet’s Carmen&nbsp;meets and seduces the soldier Don José whom she promptly drops for a famous bullfighter.&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the end Don José stabs her to death outside the bullring.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Outside Seville’s <b>Maestranza Bullring</b>, I ask our tour guide&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">how people here today feel about bullfighting. José would rather not voice an opinion.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_46ab_3230_19e_8022" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZAJjw2N4ndnuOgm5-UxCuPirLpKm4GnE4LG2xbcvuZKqvjfVIQ0pOjJtHDY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Legend tells us that Seville was founded by&nbsp;<b>Hercules</b>. His image guards the entrance to the <b>Town Hall</b>, an elaborately decorated building executed in the Plateresque style of the Spanish Renaissance.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_f598_617d_6c60_94cc" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OATBGLg1Snklw4ipNFEwj2S6W7sOuh367UR8aEFQWTuQIXD7eh5G_6iYNzY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So h</span>ow did the faces of <b>Grace Kelly </b>and<b> Ava Gardner</b>&nbsp;end up on the facade of this 16th c. building? And why does our guide himself, to this day, refuse to go through its entrance archway?&nbsp;</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">The tour ends in quiet splendour at the magnificent <b>Plaza de España</b>, built for the <b>1929 Ibero-American Expo</b>. Designed as the Andalucian Pavilion in a Regionalist mix of Mudéjar, Renaissance, and Art Deco styles, it is grandiose in scale and presentation.&nbsp;</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e04_f793_7eab_919" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OD-1IFZ4lmqEuDZ0KpZSCb68aEN1NdwiUGxV7C50VYzYOyeCwhCtpnL4Gis" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana"><font size="4">It’s a bit over the top and kitschy, but I believe art on this grand scale has a very particular purpose: </font><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to tell a story, to glorify, or to frighten.&nbsp;</span><font size="4">Think&nbsp;</font><span style="font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sagrada Familia or</span><font size="4">&nbsp;Sistine Chapel. Plaza de España was built to impress: to show off Spain’s superiority in industry and craft.</font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div>
<div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">On its inside curve, the crescent-shaped brick building features 48 alcoves, one for each province, individually decorated with </span><font size="4" face="Verdana">lavishly</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> painted ceramic tiles called <i>azulejos</i>.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Each alcove has inviting tiled benches and a matched pair of cubbyholes for books.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_33e9_360a_18e8_3b0c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tdW0KuQJ1mUqMsQwfsGXVJWwWhJIAQs7lsgy0F73r3V3kv5x6F1SwZJ8zhg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">PHOTO CREDIT:&nbsp;</span></i></div><div><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tiles Plaza de España ©Carlos Jiménez Ruiz</span></i></div><div><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></i></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A free outdoor library open to all. Brilliant!</font></span></div><div><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></i></div><div><img id="id_987a_738e_3ae0_9ba4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1T63HV0_V0FgLjXpYGdbdXH1goPM9xE2BLmSdCAvLgLMA1eVJKg3SbzRrwQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I promise myself I will come back to this exquisite place. I’m bringing books to put in those darling little bookshelves. ❤️</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><br></div><div><br></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2786964539876115500'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2786964539876115500'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/08/seville-august-2019_21.html' title='Seville, August 2019'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/a9lbchS5hw18WBRY5LNN3U2fbLNrId1Is64iC944Z0BfYA0hPq9v4XmVbGY=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3614077865149371306</id><published>2019-08-09T22:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-11-29T17:48:57.919+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Casa Palacio Maria Luisa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='El Pasaje'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Gonzalez Byass'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andalusia'/><title type='text'> Jerez de la Frontera</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">The lush tropical garden in the central courtyard of Madrid‘s&nbsp;<b>Atocha&nbsp;</b>train station<b>&nbsp;</b>gives it a cool and relaxed feel not usually associated with train stations. We’re catching the 1:30 to Jerez de la Frontera in Andalusia.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c406_98d3_a4bd_dc7f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UjUnl8wVhxUqyddvWbQapAfFSA2jiKa8hM-cpbEwfk32WyWwo7h74c0IqFA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s 3.5 hours to&nbsp;Jerez through&nbsp;vast stretches of the famed olive groves of Andalusia. More than half of all olive oil in the world comes from Spain and a third of that is produced here.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At least 85 percent of the land area of Andalusia is planted with olive trees.&nbsp;I&nbsp;quickly tire of looking at this remarkably unchanging landscape and&nbsp;while away the time doing online crossword puzzles and watching&nbsp;<b>Michael Gambon</b>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<i>Maigret</i>.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">*****</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In&nbsp;Jerez,&nbsp;<b>Casa</b>&nbsp;<b>Palacio de Maria Luisa</b>&nbsp;seamlessly marries the scale and proportions of a grand aristocratic house with the lightness and playfulness of contemporary interior design.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_3595_a50a_ffd9_3a50" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TQFNae-K_43ndTLo30Oj3_owAFVIfUcr0MkNI3NQnWZTAge0vnXjzFpOWdw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_13d3_9568_a456_f626" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BugHfI9I96OWavfnxfaJPdzcV4ozygwqDXiacMzNxWOg1VMsY5JEFHdFkSY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5a7e_8a05_ef9_2c86" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FD4ksRCHm6LyZCW314_Rv0ZarXLF5MOoePEjqHXPFutlxqgMvmB84ot8sg4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s a lovely garden in back of the hotel where spread out on the lawn are bullfight-themed sculptures by local artist&nbsp;<b>BALCRIS</b>.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_876e_196b_8cd2_1be9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/71UrnEmpc3x1lF7_Di597_N0RDSo-vusLxNHUZ2V_I3rx-_Tcdm7xD5JyIg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2749_8e5a_3d73_97e8" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/T7XYgBq6zxk8gJ5L_H6x3cJhlBmPtEjII8lhJ3CfElc3Bt9o9govPs0850s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_aa3d_b1_b73f_a676" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PLSnaD-jThOYsDt3a1EuEwCSuNSiAYfCpJ2F6gv0nZ1-vaj3fqOPKJuzG0U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>Because we want dinner way before the Andalusian dinner time of 10 o’clock but don’t want tapas,&nbsp;Ismael at the front desk helpfully informs us that we can eat at the Terraza where they serve tapas that are not really tapas.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I see what he means.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_ed30_5d3d_1ea2_5cc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/69XJh-_PPWHC83qO6iYTu8_fxRxM2_zEfTdVr2dWpO5EdiIRetJMvTNYIuAMRUQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We start with a cold garlic soup with grapes and baby sardines. Little lilac cilantro blossoms float on top.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6108_b2cf_6d03_7248" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VKAfLmri2CmpHocoiMS_Ay-GVqK2FC5WzyLbqLPMdMk6kmdLNe12w2jHhGU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Next is asparagus tempura&nbsp;with&nbsp;<i>majao</i>, a traditional gypsy tomato and pepper sauce.&nbsp;Then follows a parade of dishes arriving in quick succession.&nbsp;There’s lightly deep fried lemon sole and pickled aubergines, fried marinated spinach on toast, cod croquettes in alí-oli, and boneless pork rib with garlic potato purée.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And to finish, a kind of french toast with honey and ice cream, a traditional Easter treat, I’m told.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f63d_39da_27a4_bda1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1Lwb5v1odF7NSrCf737G76zDJtqUtDfXekolryg0O8hAOlQtkRmbcyIuui8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">This exceptionally delicious dinner is served on the terrace in the shade of a giant jacaranda tree.&nbsp;Doves fly overhead, their wings painted orange and gold by the setting sun.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ba23_44ab_df6c_1b32" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/z_ao00JVkr1wRJyZeW8kWEGatb-W4Uh3lJd4eqsl7Sn1IhffvOyvHd9E8mM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font>There’s no one else around but Stuart and me with Ivan and Javier hovering by the bar.&nbsp;</font>Soon a waxing crescent moon starts to set behind the trees too.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c2c3_6bce_ddbb_206f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/POa1Uamys3RkBLeswnHgwiQRuqnwdkTaKt1xjL2m6O1v8FmLsdAAVjUtEUI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a&nbsp;magical&nbsp;evening in this wondrous place.</font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">*****</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Jerez&nbsp;is the cradle of flamenco and there’s no better place to experience it than at a local bar. We’re at&nbsp;<b>El Pasaje</b>. There’s just enough room for 6 very small tables and a tiny stage of not more than&nbsp;8&nbsp;feet across.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s nothing small about the flamenco here though. It’s wonderfully loud, passionate, energetic, and&nbsp;everything&nbsp;we want it to be. The food and the wine are good too for the minimum charge of 40€ which we’re not able to use up even after having our fill of wine and tapas and buying drinks for the performers. The 40€ is for a reserved table. Buy a drink at the bar and you get to watch the show for free.&nbsp;The place is packed; you couldn’t squeeze another person in the bar.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_8c11_d263_9b35_6cc5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zH7OGLSA0-BcRw2RvAVWo6-66U-VtSalxlNNo4V2vn5ERpDwV53-r5osut4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3482_c1eb_633e_64b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xkvEbRQShZKKkABQbfgCpZ5UPn4FFjz-6gDZKGF-jEp4lBkM3cqBY5qJlHk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br>*****</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Jerez is also the birthplace of sherry; it’s where the fortified wine gets its name.&nbsp;The wine tour at&nbsp;<b>Gonzalez Byass&nbsp;</b>gives us an idea how it’s made and how it tastes in its various incarnations.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_aacb_2e05_c37c_3600" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_bb7i3QrNm7OhFrjRC8oMoVOvHnyxgIlIoFDfEpk06rJqGeYXmx0O2cGWDg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c181_e9d0_bd8a_7d7b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/oBZC4heHctRAAwBxtPq-Bpqx68xjJyBEDo0gCLZDeEekX6-UBLJi5RaDZjw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_55df_71b6_6fe3_a508" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/x8EYY5LkgrWMkVDvwiT5tnnt0yks-o4wGo2jQYwOgikCJ6se7iR8WajIwyo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I like Jerez. It’s a quiet, refined town with nice buildings and good food and wine. It’s known for sherry, horses, and more recently, motorcycle racing.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_aefb_7370_83a2_25f5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_xI-yaQYbCX5iOZbEmuT9Tpvj05gfanNWm8HRp_II32onyrV31xnIs6tzzs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">For me, it has the two things that best remind me of my two Dads: Stuart’s Dad’s Bristol Cream sherry and my Daddy’s horses. ❤️</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3614077865149371306'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3614077865149371306'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/08/for-me-jerez-has-two-things-that-best.html' title=' Jerez de la Frontera'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/UjUnl8wVhxUqyddvWbQapAfFSA2jiKa8hM-cpbEwfk32WyWwo7h74c0IqFA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7394659841380508125</id><published>2019-08-03T04:38:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2019-08-04T06:18:09.176+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Puerto Rico'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Orio'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Public'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Centric'/><title type='text'>Madrid: more Malasaña restaurants.</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A two-minute walk from Hyatt Centric Gran Via, is an old fashioned little restaurant that serves good “home-cooked’” meals. It’s called PUERTO RICO, serves traditional Spanish food and wines, and is manned almost totally by a Filipino crew.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Starter, main course, and dessert, plus crusty bread and a half bottle of wine total 12.95€.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_3cf_5ccc_6845_97be" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1PbGXozGhHZrqfxD5prpmSDsEGF5wSVKdPwUYOyaBR9H0DScoAMWlYwHqPE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">An exciting new restaurant find in the neighbourhood is ORIO. The downstairs bar displays a delicious spread of Basque style pintxos- designer gourmet stuff.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Pork paté in deep amber aspic, tortilla richly layered with duck liver, and the “Gilda”: an anchovy curled up on a skewer with 3 small crispy green chillies and 2 olives. You get the picture.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Try a selection at 2.10€ a piece with a nice crisp lo-octane txacolí. A glass of cava comes with a pair of oysters for 9€.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_c99c_ded0_1bc3_6030" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wyYnd2BwOxFzQD0GOtXwxdtPaWOg-RqKcc2Gypd8rdd6UoMvKbFnVsaqaRc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d015_6793_4086_7647" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/k9-b7-it96QR8P039dhbJc_9lzt_M9K7qaywBpo4lfrJgUW71PxZ-SZDJ4g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">The upstairs dining room has an extensive menu. Stuart had a “marmitako” fish stew. I had a “euskal txeria” cochinillo.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_cfff_e43c_a996_b9ec" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4CdHldJkTDVd3Mx0Y93NYrftqUI69KNXPHnsrfkC6NybzUt9o4Jjjl5G3W0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">PUBLIC is another nice restaurant very close to our hotel. Set menu is 11.65€. It includes starter, main course, bread, a quarter bottle of wine, and dessert or coffee.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fec7_cd6c_ccbd_6299" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mQKJK1n-1OEql5Ic1Y7TzbVw9wIC16uQj3QQ9lpe4boQJ0YlZnmuZJGlilQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6442_8a75_ae76_d77a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QxCyF5LrkjE1bMpD6foARCn-KkEqtrwP3juW-hDgx9YIH9Jbs1DBJs0ZDZ8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3724_d594_3e39_e06a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cvkf_v3HpGLa2hABBcMqea8AuPA_tIOTxh8j1_PsC_WfygAlrs7Jeedqhxg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">With its fresh white tablecloths and staff smartly outfitted in black, the restaurant looks immaculate on a grimy street in an area best described as interesting but dodgy.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><img id="id_5f3_7d36_b5a5_f4e5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8SU7JU8fimKN4abcZlyo5xtrdu3R5f1vajv_9sssagJheUCjtdWERQYzRw4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3da7_3d53_c0f6_ce0a" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pCT76hfKyPlm9E_iGn3ePOqv4auzueAgya8Z6kF7HgIcOI2KhVxImBmdZq4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_bd67_af39_bc78_9044" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Ak31Qjxc9qAnrUt73mc-26cDeFXpN9wYQTQyxngpn3jRdJymp86OzYeFjao" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2249_b505_2690_b3a7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5Xqjmwect_VeeysjoY0j0nWSGTZpYqTLPtDZg5dEE2gGKrJfzOEE0GaIZ-0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_93a9_195a_3e0_e280" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/CGrVt_fyrwMoXOpVzYMXcJQIlw5DcdotlWcU2n5v-q52ER2Ig621u7r4cMs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_cbe7_37a5_2bb9_508d" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/SPS7wAX9Ai-JiYLQuJ6LWWuLIWThBurJo6bUWiEWHElsR4Xgtq1DcecvR70" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8598_296b_b818_ee06" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HEKDNg7z70fLxBxTXNBwNlIHJ3vR0z32MjDSQZ0fXL9yFtm3MW63HebGGmk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Saturday sees the temperature shoot back up to 35 degrees by lunchtime. We scrap our plan to go to Escorial and decide to keep close to home.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lunch at ORIO was meant to be a light snack. 12 pintxos, 1 apple tart, 2 txacolís, and 2 cavas later, we walk back to the hotel through very still, thick air with the sun beating down to punish us for our over-indulgence.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_37ac_344_fde8_4e44" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Pv1rz84nrB1RBbVPex8RwJCujFrPpCXeCmyLPAju6xCDq81IVyQFiB6CXTs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7394659841380508125'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7394659841380508125'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/08/madrid-more-malasana-restaurants.html' title='Madrid: more Malasaña restaurants.'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1PbGXozGhHZrqfxD5prpmSDsEGF5wSVKdPwUYOyaBR9H0DScoAMWlYwHqPE=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6086981156053818566</id><published>2019-07-31T18:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2021-10-26T23:07:43.225+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Chueca'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Capas Seseña'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fatgas del Querer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bazaar'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='El Rastro'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Ildefonso'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Typographia'/><title type='text'>Madrid, week 1.</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">They say you can never go back, but go back we did.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The lovely small hotel that we loved, the ADLER&nbsp;has closed down. So has niMÚ the chic, quiet restaurant downstairs that made our favourite after dinner indulgence, fried chocolate.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">MEERMIN didn’t have shoes worth buying.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">PLATEA looked sad and neglected; and the girl at the Vermut bar was not at all nice.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">However, other places we used to like are still here and they’re just as wonderful as they used to be.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We just have to get a fresh supply of T-shirts from TYPOGRAPHIA, which at the moment is partly defaced by roadworks.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f738_f3a1_ddaf_f3df" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/MxmASF1H5mP3ECPpK_0pJNkMeo-ZwsoTGWPFALunPhMkLdCrQryA_2d2Fbc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e892_ac62_44d4_25af" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/967KvVwabGJfdZ7AVD-4WnS_XWMwT2k3TWbcusshAV_w1INca_0aPYUYVk0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Then it’s drinks and bocadillos at nearby FATIGAS DEL QUERER.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Everytime we go there we ask the friendly staff for a translation of the poetic name that features prominently above the modernist arches of&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">this beautiful atmospheric taberna.</span>&nbsp;We always get a different answer. From “labours of love” to the latest offering: “mistakes of love”. Hmmm, no, that doesn’t seem right.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ad06_db9d_d085_8cfc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6mUNsYfip_Z2WrLt0qw2i-sPnfe3hyg55cV5sLDaVg_1VqU4HKja1VK8IYM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_b14_e8b0_9a87_4cfa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kxqsPQATofSa1NSjBU5TXkgayS_7LdztLSIeC1lsx1FsHVW806BZtEw4xJs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now that I have my own Fatigas shirt, I’m sticking to my translation: “tired of caring”.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At CAPAS SESEÑA.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is the venerable 4th generation atelier that made my sensational capelet. It’s the same Capas Seseña that made the cape Pablo Picasso loved so much he instructed in his will to be buried wearing it.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6ba0_e4fa_464a_c3a8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5DXd25iKCFWyLGyDv1EBrBTiNvHEE67qQwJsYpcQ8qBTauqa9aryxi_TUZM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br>The shop now has a younger, more avant-garde vibe, as new frontman Daniel Carillo himself illustrates. He poses in front of a portrait of revolutionary poet Garcia Lorca.&nbsp;</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b1e5_5118_2d87_1a7" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bxb2BDaEJTYc9zi7s_6pFrgQGPYga0DcDqk4JpLsJI_cf2GJQkxittU02OM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’ve just about had our fill of tapas for now so it’s a refreshing change having fish tempura at BAZAAR&nbsp;in Chueca.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_6302_9468_e3f1_2d99" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zW9mAzwbmH34_dmk_c-taZwYyvIcSGZjWlFA1tYQXHansf3xsmDE3sI5MJs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br></font><img id="id_e441_5564_c34b_4cd6" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/oyrzdkUIKTeGOoAKJ_VM6DwOeNnTf5YLXi6ptC5uQfSol9iCs7fPbN5k5DU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">For dessert and coffee, we move to ALITER DULCIA, a pretty café that caught my eye earlier.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d205_97b8_525a_8bd1" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bwtBtt3AoGOXqjYDra6wjSOvEjnlaspE2KyUVUraSI4KXlgkzhTH2M3jBw8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>Sunday morning, we take the Metro to EL RASTRO. Only purchases made are a sandwich, a salad, and churros.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9b88_b2e2_ea18_5f60" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fixnyXpclyJ03-1EzFSZ5-zTbUkgv_QTOheemwNmez2tijgpZMKpkEBBg7U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3a1_f422_a5ba_28e1" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Mo95pfR--xPu-7cJgdYBH7Er29QrDsmIZGIOGHir7hhpRpoBz6w1DPviPyQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ffda_85de_469_edb3" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/E2sF4uQxSD4x9Wehz-Y452up6Bi_8fQzxeaNXxV_MvIxeoddJnLwM3tRcZo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the evening, we walk around the backstreets of MALASAÑA for somewhere interesting to have dinner. We settle on the month-long street food fair at MERCADO SAN ILDEFONSO.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8aa2_7223_4f49_34c8" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/I0ukQW-qyxtCgWtgwtbsuHMU4-KtX5Vr-E5srda-5lP8CI8KwneD556nb8c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_464e_80ef_8919_2236" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MkzBLoWwBDSfsPKw60ujH_gKej0GeNz-rVAEmsOomjVMfOoZEyKfm1w18DI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><img id="id_b552_7a66_fec_5dce" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/r3UyepglCHUKro783uNaVx3oJVSg2rLDTV1Qxn1sW3hOaepkwXJEbJ0qd6s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f79e_f92a_4701_ee2c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IjQB93gejrMSzA3koXx43YpxmxgXJYpd7oWTUSL2posB8C4Cc9Cz8QmsvLU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">For dessert, it’s heavenly ice lollies on the way home at LOCO POLO.</span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2f72_fcbf_1702_e5e8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Hd4E73ibNuWZ_A-i4oM8xKrg5d1PDmzm0udrxJ6ag19pgSkc-xu99fdOzjk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br><br><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6086981156053818566'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6086981156053818566'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/07/madrid-week-1.html' title='Madrid, week 1.'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/MxmASF1H5mP3ECPpK_0pJNkMeo-ZwsoTGWPFALunPhMkLdCrQryA_2d2Fbc=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8573470144275375888</id><published>2019-07-14T13:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-09-20T08:30:44.416+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lemala'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Africa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tanzania'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>The Serengeti</title><content type='html'><p class="p2"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday morning, we’re up early for A</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">uric flight 612 to Seronera.</span></p><p class="p2"><img id="id_9231_4ae6_5eca_ccd6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Uz-bwRFU8NiB9kvwz1S_23J8svafeAIqeKBU2QpptGmEREPzPk8sV-aB5sA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_9cde_d94a_9e6b_127" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8s7RXIFchIPglpICdZitn29G9TsmbicSQ1Avn6JbUBzrOdnqNwqP8T387o8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“Don’t sink! Don’t sink! Traffic! Traffic!”&nbsp;</font></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The disembodied voice of the plane’s collision avoidance system has made me a little jumpy.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a perfect landing though.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re stopping in Manyara to pick up 4 pax for the 40-minute hop to the Serengeti.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, at </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">the Seronera airstrip.</font></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Vincent has prepared morning t</font></span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ea alongside&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the Lemala camp’s&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">jeep.</span></font></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_a8c5_13d5_d084_e465" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/i4Wijlkz5f4CopaihpOOoVppouRrFuDQdcRq4vW-AJzaT3FY-KZ08c9AM8Q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re back on safari!</font></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s our </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">fifth</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, including an uneventful first in Sri Lanka. Uneventful because at the time, we didn’t know that getting up at 10 is not the done thing on safari; especially not in these parts where the animals</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;seek shelter from the searing heat and snooze for most of the day.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p1"><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/09/sri-lankan-safari-at-entrance-to-yala.html?m=1" id="id_16a8_d33b_b9fa_6f51">A Sri Lankan Safari </a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="p1">
</p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">So we didn’t see much.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Never mind; we were hooked.</span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We then went to South Africa. Mala Mala in the Kruger in 2005 was our first real taste of safari.</font></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/an-african-safari.html?m=1" id="id_a63d_a5de_ebf1_9628">An African Safari</a></span></p><p class="p1"><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/am-i-safaried-out-greg-introduces-new.html?m=1" id="id_d33_eb1a_830e_f97d">Am I safaried out?</a><br></p><p class="p2"><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It took us 13 years before we could go again. Intermittent plans were oftentimes sabotaged by various reports of political </span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">unrest,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;rampant&nbsp;diseases,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">mauling by lions,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;etc.</span></font></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last year, at Rattray’s, again in the Kruger, we got our safari mojo back</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.</span></p><p class="p1"><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/07/the-vanishing-wild-world-of-africa.html?m=1" id="id_cca_db4a_a847_3d8c">The Vanishing Wild World of Africa </a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="p1">
</p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next, we went to Meno a Kwena in Botswana. This was our first tent camp.</span></p><p class="p1"><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/meno-kwena.html?m=1" id="id_577b_6ef6_76bd_f9aa">Meno a Kwena</a><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><a href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/on-game-drive.html?m=1" id="id_20d8_f51d_ed02_245b">Makgadikgadi</a><br></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Each&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">venue had its own brand of adventure, its own lessons learned.&nbsp;</span><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sri Lanka got us hooked on the safari experience. Mala Mala introduced us to the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo.&nbsp;</font></span><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;</font></span><span class="s1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Rattray’s reinforced lessons in conservation and endangered species.</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;Meno a Kwena got us on the migration trail and gave us a taste for tent camps.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And so, to the Serengeti, where w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">e get up close and personal with the wildlife of Tanzania.</span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_6e45_ff4f_cd98_e521" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/795KSMRvAQX1SN3CPoJBN7uxkNaROoxX4p6pNGq5n4w68qcYiTQoLLvXu28" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hese lions don’t care much for our presence. T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">ime for a selfie!</span></font></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_cf25_a4d4_7c19_a98" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/AkiIIWZ1DXmGxqhmC7QqdA3Fqbuaed3lA0dQVCXKGaZ282c67vh8wIquvPc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We cut right into the path of an elephant herd on the river.</font></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_b1b5_cb9b_70b1_302b" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BnsoFMXELoDqd7B2XK4OuvXdFUWQcroLAAbn8grom7S7CrJ9aBLK8Q8w91M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Will they gently nudge us aside or&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">swat us out of the way</span>?</font></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_46d8_494b_88f5_cfbd" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/n5diNxqPAmQR-jKy1osXB1JEs1K7G3HGMtdFDjLxqswL-3tmIxUrDFOTPBI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Things are getting hot and heavy at the hippo pool.</font></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_a229_bedd_b37e_cf9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wfVmAOjRKmPmVUmipgb18Zl0yNAV2N30PLKU8W-b7RXfO1K0XlqcEeRJUSY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 445px; height: auto;"></p><p class="p1"><a href="https://youtu.be/-IPAtRLiAio">https://youtu.be/-IPAtRLiAio</a></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s1"><font>A popular stop on the game drive is Black Rock. A leopard and her cub are often spotted there.</font></span></font></span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_e154_802d_ef7d_e392" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wgkEsn9pbkcjmNwnnBJBZ0rIzdO0Q6ezTZo9r27x6R-sS-_XiNg98d3rywM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_cf25_cdb0_5d52_b06a" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5xXAbM2MsJaVJ3n5YGVXl_u5zCWzr4uqR7E734me5bvWez8OQKbnEXxxq_U" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s1"><font>Much as we appreciate seeing these beautiful cats, we don’t like having to&nbsp;jostle with the ever present gaggle of vehicles to watch the leopards from afar.</font></span></font></span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_7d2f_b971_2419_5a97" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qcgsP0UfJy9LxRnbhr46LDFKbuxPlEtjMzbZs9IU7qGP6Wl2P-WTyVctL04" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s1"><font><br></font></span></font></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On our last day in the Serengeti, we decide to skip the crowds and go on a real safari of our own. With our driver of course.&nbsp;<br></font></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_68d0_79f3_e168_2c21" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N29DgGe0-j2qp6SAzFNNM3PW4mWvp4kGLcYY_B9SsqGPbzH-BVM8MhjW3U4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></span></p><p class="p1"><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s1" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Serengeti&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">is the Maasai word for “endless plain”. We do&nbsp;get a dose of this endlessness as we plough through vast stretches of grass, mud, scrub, and savannah.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re tracking down cheetah.</span></font></span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_1b48_7100_7054_6f5e" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/jZjtLPTitxDOtSi0kq0JikpVobT-V6FsYqXG-eOi1LMfWk1svUbiI2Bbb8Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"></p><p class="p1"><br><img id="id_bc18_d169_89b8_6863" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/e7yDb7NEg8tKGESYIPuolj7a6c24zGFA744pkNzV4O87ytHiCkD_JvvK5o4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2e87_f349_51b6_9967" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7ooyR-74hBygL8OHVu7YqNNT4R4TJiNEAcfVnR_gjh88KoyPNZitg6YWBC4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 493px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><img id="id_a4be_6fc7_e2b4_4bd3" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/tXPFB8CXKgeCiUto8h0I0x30Dzh07K3_sDNqMjI8D_dw5SzXF-jXUfN_LWE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="p1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Then finally, cheetah!</font></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_9b31_33c5_1929_ae25" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N0dXY1NKstDzsCVK0v1hMSyJB0AfhGhlJcaW6OqgbnaIKEj0EIVP2t5LC1g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s such a thrill&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">to&nbsp;</font></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">finally see the cheetahs, one of the last two on my big cat list</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. This leaves just one other: the tiger.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have to go back to India or Sri Lanka for that.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There’s the cougar and the jaguar too of course...&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’ll settle for the cars.😊</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We haven’t shaken off the crowds yet. The Cheetah Project jeep arrives and drives off the road, up close to where the cheetahs are. We’re not allowed to do that.</span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_518b_89e2_1238_29b8" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RFXAjB_DQUjJb-M96jXYtuQaQS1NCIYUuW4Dv6oXXjg_iardWWOHD9tHJgM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Soon other jeeps begin to converge on the roadside. We beat a hasty exit and go off hopefully to parts unknown.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Vincent hears there’d been two lion kills on a riverside in the </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">south</font></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, past the Moru Kopjes.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We zigzag the area all around the suspected crime scene to no avail. The lions must be sleeping off a heavy meal. I’m getting dizzy, we’re going around in circles.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">In the distance an elephant herd is heading in our direction.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_972e_9228_ed17_3b41" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Jx3SqB3Ry2KGc9yBwQjMaff4ZoVJEh0igtqfdJUUs3kspkBSepOGe-uWS5M" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Good!” Vincent says. “Theyll soon wake up the lions and drive them away.”</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Although the lion is generally considered king of the jungle, even he respects the mighty elephant. Everyone in the jungle does. There is no known predator of the elephant, save one: humans.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And true enough, as the elephants get into the river, the lions are roused from their siesta.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_f772_97bd_4dc0_fa64" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/i0dOAEkErxtNBssaEX6pXPIRZSEOpm8hTU17enit_upcbUpOxdFto7QDBw8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">They scramble frantically up the river’s edge, a mother and three or four cubs, too quick to tell for sure.</span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_5638_3071_6226_d198" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qVrDwJqFw0TyNP2AiUuFY9uN3pUx5V_4aqgahgj-XAy4bX18lvmupXvTY1Y" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In their haste, they abandon their kill.</span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_ab96_41f0_3ab1_3c45" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/w-iM9NiHxaAxhYdtNWZeUeBWNzV5QF0rLpP2ciB0J5LH4wkhgC8Tg0-47Bk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This has been the most exciting drive ever! And we’re here on our own, no other jeeps in sight. Just us and wild Africa. Perfect.</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tired and exhilarated by the day’s outing, I opt out of the afternoon game drive. I’ll stay in&nbsp;camp and just chill.</font></span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_c86b_8118_7803_2b43" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VHgfDtjQPwr--oX7_lyOVR5kBn0bHRhMA-WmrYqwciphWIWtb5WWyF2ziPI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Maasai guard is a reassuring presence.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_7274_234c_674d_eae8" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qK2zF5bKHXW65O8-a-8ZLZcKp5dHYJdSFehY04yVRAm1z2lHQ5mw2WSDdCI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Unexpected guests drop by. Giraffes come over to keep me company. They’re right in front of my tent!</font></span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_7e04_b6e2_f8d2_fe7f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8wKpGDxr1cn8Kj_g_ZhEbOpxFXpG0pbXqElPlrF5Oultpw0o4m0bADJpSxE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a193_d66_5035_e77b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5v8itiI4I-ydROyNzS6aRy1u-I314xQ9MALFfaayVWSsdorr3l9G20zWN38" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Later, Stuart and Vincent come back to get me so we can watch the sunset on the hill.&nbsp;</font></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">t’s meant to be a dramatic finish to our safari but Jumaa’s hilltop sundowner bar gets rained on. And the sunset is a no-show.&nbsp;</span></p><p class="p1"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Undeterred, we carry on.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart gamely dons a blanket...</span></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_5fe5_8142_a2b8_3aed" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Y0YSJWbliGV6nxckcvhbN92iR9UPMgQeUmvLBmdlbp_2lxMpTdoOFVeLUt4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"></p><p class="p1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">...while I take shelter in the jeep.</font></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_2f39_7e82_ba53_9e23" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J8fXJ-DlRm6TaPsakI1W-tkppBaGi3_l7akhAYyTY-6y_TIxqt_cSuNA_QQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_ea24_ab22_6d29_59c5" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9u0ddF0uY0Y9Wu2UnxULqLvSm0zQMgmgS34gexbgsD5J27dIo4nyQ3yC5aE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br></p><p class="p1"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Cheers!</font></p><p class="p1"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p class="p1"><img id="id_e52b_e36_63a8_ea9f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/u6kNq79Ixovw3PUg1URTjUhbk3h2lKJqSeD7BkFB8t8Bl_FTKlwJN_Pu03s" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back in camp, it’s time to call it a day.<br></font></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s1"><font>To Jumaa, Vincent, and Swaleh, we say&nbsp;<i>Asante!</i>&nbsp;And to Lelohe, a Masaai thank you:&nbsp;</font></span><font><i>Ashe!&nbsp;</i></font></font></span></p><p class="p1"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font><i><br></i></font></font></span></p></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8573470144275375888'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8573470144275375888'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/07/the-serengeti_14.html' title='The Serengeti'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Uz-bwRFU8NiB9kvwz1S_23J8svafeAIqeKBU2QpptGmEREPzPk8sV-aB5sA=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-790365477911001393</id><published>2019-07-11T15:49:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2019-07-11T11:41:14.294+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='flamingos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tanzania'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Momella'/><title type='text'>Arusha</title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We leave behind mysterious Zanzibar and set off for the wilds of mainland Tanzania.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_81c9_1d4b_1d4b_3ca" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/U2XzOB8N9ffW2qfaJc57QRUW9BZKae-sBlHyEF19Qcg6cunuklC7Q-oJPR4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d1f9_c31d_a046_6390" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1GFVG8tJ-_w4gCeJTyjBq3ueBR1jtNAoFXfm7dR3yazYhQIT1_bhYaU0en4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6bf4_3887_ebfb_a65c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/V0VTXkzcdQ42XSWwv0f3vWU_j2XfkIbcj9fvUiSG0IBDsCQ-_XOAreEBJZs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>*****<br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Outside Arusha National Park, Michael, our driver/guide bids us wait in the car while he goes off to buy entry tickets.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m getting hungry so I dip into my packed lunch and quickly down a samoza.&nbsp;</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">“Good idea,” Stuart says as he proceeds to dig into a bowl of pasta from his lunch pack.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Michael, back with the tickets, smiles indulgently as he informs his hungry wards that there’s a picnic spot nearby. I start to put the lid back on my pasta bowl.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“But it’s okay,” he says, “Carry on!”</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Bad idea.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The car rocks as something heavy swoops down onto our open roof and into the car. A blue monkey, huge, big as a man, is gate-crashing our hotel packed picnic lunch!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Plastic forks, foil wrappers, food boxes, penne pasta, and lovely grilled red and yellow peppers are sent flying&nbsp;up in the air, splattering all over the car, on the seats, on the floor, sticking onto the windows, and getting plastered all over Stuart’s hair and clothes.</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Michael tries frantically to frighten the creature away but only succeeds in frightening me even more. A man gets off a jeep next to us and joins in the fray.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">With all three men bellowing and beating King Kong into finally retreating,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m &nbsp;bent over the front seat bleating,&nbsp;</span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!”</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Panic stations over, not much harm done apart from the ill-fated lunch boxes, w</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">e’re laughing as we drive on.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The guy who came to our aid is visibly annoyed,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;pointedly ignoring my repeated attempts at thanking him.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a manifest breach of wildlife etiquette on our part of course, not the monkey’s.</font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e376_4255_8b46_536f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M55NMFHPcmxZj-VSZjg4Ekf5TA2jIQ2VhHAOfdFZFgJxZxXVIF8V63W2bbQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Atop a hill overlooking Small Momella Lake is a lookout point officially designated as a picnic place. Here, amid lush greenery and birdsong, we finish off what’s left of our lunch.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6ede_fe81_3392_ec9c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OHi7W7cAWoIT2NyjrjfYJgZKBoOlQGwmijHxfI_qb_BZtEsJ_SwNBcuJFjk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Fed by underground volcanic streams, Small Momella Lake maintains high levels of sodium making its water extremely alkaline and allowing for the profusion of algae blooms. All this makes for the ideal habitat for the pretty pink flamingos that we’ve come here to see.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d03b_c3ff_2726_cd12" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/2Zk8C97Tk9si6EG-n6o66_QZno8q_d802Asd3BM3ZDbF5NcWjmwLnrn5pLE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Flamingos are equipped with</font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">thick-</span><font size="4" face="Verdana">scaled</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"> legs that enable them to withstand the lake water’s corrosive elements as well as its nighttime freezing temperatures. Also uniquely equipped with the ability to desalinate water and to drink from boiling geysers, these seemingly puny yet strangely hardy creatures&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">thrive in this harsh, highly toxic environment with little competition for food or water from less fortified animals.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Thus is the balance of nature maintained.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: start; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br></p></div><div><img id="id_6298_2e88_9066_c61d" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/J9nSOZDJum4GpGUbOWU6eIdGLRLSO2GIfXMUmX66-crhjLRqkNAO401zyVk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Although its diverse habitats host a variety of wildlife, Arusha is not terribly big on big game. There are no lions or rhinos here; and elephants and leopards are hard to find.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dotted with lakes and bays, this lush green valley features forests, grassland, and moorland. There are views of the extinct volcano Mount Meru and, on clear days, but unfortunately not on this particular day, also of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a peaceful bucolic setting that launches us gently into our weeklong safari.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c7a3_a084_6571_3fb9" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/W1M8j2sRRNwJBZ9zckN4JhhD0r79Ns-DCsJYHn6_2E5pZ3PpCYzpwIOe0bU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_d60c_fd3b_15b5_71f1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xQXBgqqcNRYsf-qiXmeEuMUTKQcAAUhgIXH99WpheT0N57d5blf4RXByEGQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div>
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<p class="p2"><span class="s1"></span><br></p></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/790365477911001393'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/790365477911001393'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/06/arusha.html' title='Arusha'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/U2XzOB8N9ffW2qfaJc57QRUW9BZKae-sBlHyEF19Qcg6cunuklC7Q-oJPR4=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3775125135933509831</id><published>2019-06-27T20:02:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-07-13T14:00:06.757+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lemala'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Africa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tanzania'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>Ngorongoro</title><content type='html'><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the end of a torturous seemingly endless road, a pretty tent in a lovely wood awaits.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">What price this Lemala paradise? For this particular wimpy traveler, the price is one and a half hours of getting thrown about by merciless jungle roads. For me it’s too high.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Which is a shame because the camp is really nice.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The price for the Maasai people is far greater. Ngorongoro in the Maasai language means “sound of cowbells”. It’s the soundtrack of this wooded land that the pastoral Maasai and their cattle now call home after having been driven out of their ancestral lands in the Serengeti.</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Outside tent #1, flattop acacias above a scraggly herbaceous border frame a picturesque scene.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_640f_3a6b_d6ec_f1f8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W6mK6xV2xuAf_A0-9oOPQLOm6D6rinWBNY11eAa0KIZ0iRRj1swGA6-myuI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I lie in bed burrowed under layers of bedclothes, a gas heater purring by my feet.&nbsp;</font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m struggling not to think about the unavoidable return journey.</font></span></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our tent&nbsp;attendant is called Major. He’s a lot older and has a more superior bearing than young Swaleh, his counterpart in the Serengeti; so I’m a little discomfited sending the man off to prepare my bucket shower. He’s probably older than me too; besides</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, he outranks me.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Major has now come to bring me dinner. He’s very concerned about me as I’ve decided not to join the rest of the camp at cocktails and dinner.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">*****</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the morning, my man Major brings me coffee, a fruitplate, yogurt, and an omelette. Having recovered from the shock of yesterday’s ordeal, I’m now a bit embarrassed about my wingeing. Stuart assures me though that others in the camp feel the same way.&nbsp;</font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’ve decided to forgo the whole-day game drive in the crater.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Yes, I realize it’s the very point of coming to Ngorongoro but I’ve had it with really bad roads for a while. Even if I have to give up saying goodbye to the beautiful beasts of Africa, this being the last leg of our safari.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_6c1a_e420_6ee5_5436" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/8G4Tv8rA1G_gyB87GDfoROFGV2LsnzPn5iJV4FLa904FwdliK41bWR6ziK8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Chef Kanaele comes by to discuss my lunch. I just want a vegetable soup. He’s not&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">happy with the lack of starch in my meal. I assure him I’ll be fine with soup and salad.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I have yet to write about the earlier legs of our safari: in Arusha and in the Serengeti. Right now,&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I’m in a bit of a contemplative mood, sitting by the fire by myself in the main lodge. Everybody else has gone to the crater of course.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The fog has rolled in and my soup has arrived.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’ll write about the more energetic stuff later.</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3775125135933509831'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3775125135933509831'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/06/ngorongoro.html' title='Ngorongoro'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/W6mK6xV2xuAf_A0-9oOPQLOm6D6rinWBNY11eAa0KIZ0iRRj1swGA6-myuI=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-712602722820689886</id><published>2019-06-20T23:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-02-11T18:38:02.270+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Zanzibar'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Africa'/><title type='text'>Through a traveler‘s eyes</title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Somebody said to me recently: Zanzibar sounds so exotic and mysterious! Tell us more about it!</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8437_6ef7_2ce4_8d8b" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/minkWT2rpMsKciubJTxmroXO7LCIYlNW8nkpKhbEmsqjFfhspSSem4CieJ8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Zanzibar is supremely photogenic.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ed7_9527_8c5d_73c0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2EKdLEyh6nNbQoNb7H8fUdsf5Kz0nWVN1D3p02YlfhfR5nhMwFBWW6yJuHo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font><img id="id_64e8_1b55_cfdf_9f78" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wbTO8gxq9IeTCgup5TfALfBzjUH4ah2VCRqUi8aRx-cDF_c7XFB7YitdR885yLw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 448px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Her people have striking good looks. They’re friendly and hospitable; their manner soft and calm.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_4c0_b952_23c3_608a" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/brxmUm1PGJA3rz0LKd5fqGRFoB7f1VnmAvUVAu8UVNCC8I3fCUEECFpqxBw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_5f4b_63d2_7bf8_d5f2" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SOtmSLaRgnpgjpITl7YWXZqoLyAlrXmKzoE7OTPuqO7tP-ifJNmfpRkFTmE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The ocean is majestic and serene. No noisy water sports here.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_86ca_e6fd_4ccd_5aee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/132qYJUC7uVz-R9RShSeK6MkccSOo_c4A0PH9DJGWgWPqPyjxjpybv4k6rM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2eb_c088_dc85_e41c" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/szOBPvEAD_AioaifogRKEunptMyTHoNL0XDryC620aiFxTHhCmFMwAknEfA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br>The&nbsp;beach is immaculate.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d4f_22b4_b55c_ee83" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RU312f_H2tAgTAJivSgDquVMkzn7uP5IgW-hj28ommKYQG1fguvfD6XtnPk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sadly though, outside the opulent glamour of our hotel, the town is rundown and grimy.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">However, there are signs that things are looking up.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_9be5_1db3_cc43_c559" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/K7E8P85g7FLY3Wq2H3KLKgJYZ1_sg6Scx1JYdVmuoQig-Jkk_xRESmBfznA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On our way to the airport, our driver was eager to know if we enjoyed our stay. Yes, we did. He requested us to please tell our family and friends to come too.&nbsp;Yes, we will.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">I once recommended a holiday in Cuba to a friend. I loved Cuba; I went twice. But my friend hated it: too much poverty; no good food.&nbsp;</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">As in most things in life, one finds what one is looking for.</font></div></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/712602722820689886'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/712602722820689886'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/06/through-travellers-eyes.html' title='Through a traveler‘s eyes'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/minkWT2rpMsKciubJTxmroXO7LCIYlNW8nkpKhbEmsqjFfhspSSem4CieJ8=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5639532424623763307</id><published>2019-06-19T18:09:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-06-19T20:25:22.176+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Zanzibar'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='House of Wonders'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Stone Town'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tanzania'/><title type='text'>Zanzibar </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The House of Wonders</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">As I walk into the living room of the beautiful suite we’ve been generously given by the Park Hyatt</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, I’m greeted by the first of a succession of striking vistas.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_d3dd_1137_4538_600f" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/t13J0j5ennDyJVhkQ2NsMkxMwVBD1wvz0eIE8Zce2XLf8H_J_d0J9zd7jto" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_1b_131e_a746_3575" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DEoDNtrk689N4SBBftvmGnTPbxZUkk3ZECuIE1C-CWhMR1F9IDi4XXyQBpk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1533_3a54_e81e_7b7c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vzO8WfTDvEl04jFki2jYC935xcT0rjRhlDlaulYtK4n8RhhhNJJSNVHfOs0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the morning, the balcony off the bedroom is awash in bright sunshine. There it is again, that intriguing structure in the distance:</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1135_5bea_b5a_95fe" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/I5u4OQwgKdCrn0YpxdA_8BBARnhU-iXsD4WyNjx2xRDTZyoUCuog6cKh8uA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m hopelessly infatuated. I take countless photos of it in all kinds of light.</font><br><br><img id="id_da7_99e8_d89b_1939" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/U57iobv5RX65AdspyV82iMGV6MsyPr2AWnoBEMlw-eScDsBN9aTD8fxPLs8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b881_1ca1_4271_2001" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zKjf-wKMGCMvFiSjKjWEzpu8sPLgN-r2C-BjwH63Kx5YamhIbipLlzwJpuo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1a91_e0ce_6cfb_c227" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xSoRjrejkHO1fGp3d5Lhn-58j8O2bGf1yQw87yqs_GaS-KUljriY0CePxSg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">It’s called the House of Wonders, built in 1883 by the second sultan of Zanzibar as a ceremonial palace. It later housed the sultan and his harem after two of his palaces were destroyed in the Anglo-Zanzibari war of 1896.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">In 1911, it was transformed into government offices for the British governing authorities. Later, it became a school, and then a museum.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">Sadly, it’s now closed and allowed to fall into disrepair.</font></div></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5639532424623763307'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5639532424623763307'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/06/zanzibar.html' title='Zanzibar '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/t13J0j5ennDyJVhkQ2NsMkxMwVBD1wvz0eIE8Zce2XLf8H_J_d0J9zd7jto=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-821594689697158379</id><published>2019-06-18T20:45:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-07-13T14:08:50.978+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='airport hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Zanzibar'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dar es Salaam'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Johannesburg'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Auric Air'/><title type='text'>Africa </title><content type='html'><font face="Verdana" size="4">1st leg, Johannesburg. We’ve taken jackets out of our suitcases for the short walk across to the airport Intercon for an overnight stay. It’s a brisk 10 degrees, the Southern Hemisphere’s Long Night Moon shines high up overhead, a brilliant Jupiter beside it.</font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">Tomorrow&nbsp;we fly to Dar es Salaam for another overnighter then on to Zanzibar for a 2-day stay before flying to the Serengeti, for our fourth safari&nbsp;in Africa, our first in the northern migration route.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">*****</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ea00_1955_8093_81c6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m8L_RI3aaIUBQmcRsGerw0OrIQ6dtwI8rGiADRMKt1AEUueM-4nCxylxImU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_33ff_3dba_2a0b_8f61" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5s_haF5Pf5gLav6ltjVD0OzNj7jwB2b2Vm7zRO_HLs7ruVJtWYaC1wZr-hA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><div>*****</div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re awaiting Auric flight 221 to Zanzibar.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_1191_44f4_b57c_a586" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QyuDuv31oqNhzVqQOoclmRZxeEXCz81l1Sde3MXdN80-Z2oIcUMKacx1Yj8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 450px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I like this part of Africa. People here seem friendlier, quieter, more relaxed.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s a couple sitting a few feet across from us at the boarding gate. They’ve obviously been fighting or arguing intensely since we arrived almost an hour ago. Yet they do so very quietly, voices low.&nbsp;</font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/821594689697158379'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/821594689697158379'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/06/africa.html' title='Africa '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m8L_RI3aaIUBQmcRsGerw0OrIQ6dtwI8rGiADRMKt1AEUueM-4nCxylxImU=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2599091835323949792</id><published>2019-03-21T12:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-03-26T15:27:24.741+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Crystal Symphony'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='French Polynesia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cook Islands'/><title type='text'>South Pacific Cruise </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After years of waging a private war against cruising, I’ve finally surrendered. Stuart and I are on an ocean cruise.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_c872_f55_2b6e_cd76" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1PdI-D1c3IodmsiTLwvThY5mOKG5VhQqE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I know people who would consider it frivolous, hedonistic, maybe even immoral. Not quite decadent, but surely profligate.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d896_4834_8c42_13b8" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1t8s0fEr_Z_xJLGP35y9oqYlnOd-p9I3J" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">I call it simply wonderful!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_ee03_e543_2a35_631f" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1b2pODmJ1zlohzJ1OqfTMQAHi7yeMb0_L" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div></div><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2599091835323949792'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2599091835323949792'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/03/3-weeks.html' title='South Pacific Cruise '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9051177885493874414</id><published>2019-03-14T11:35:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-04-02T11:36:34.783+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Rarotonga</title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I like this. On the veranda, really just a small balcony off our stateroom, I sit blissfully reading my book. Off and on because the water distracts me. And the tenders going back and forth to the island, gingerly navigating through a narrow opening maybe about five lengths of the tenders themselves. The boats sway as they slip between the breakwaters against which the blue-green waves spatter into white foamy sprays.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I like being on my balcony watching life on the island. Containers stacked high in front of warehouses, cars and trucks and motorcycles, the craggy wooded mountains in back. They’re all beautiful. But I have no great desire to go there, to leave my comfortable perch. The rocking motion is soothing and the sea breeze is cooled by air conditioning streaming out from the open bedroom door.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I like it here.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Soon I’ll have to get ready to go to the 4pm lecture.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_807b_d2be_e3bb_1415" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjjHWK5bmMaan0qfut9hG4v_lPBeUmYJMI_phME5pX-BygCYFtYtLhAemYqj6L0qOzcS6LaETZ5BSj0BK_QSLdJXVuJ9bwMCPGPuyLluC36pBcZGll4ZsG9AjOVmZ-wQZml5b/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c4be_e116_1e14_62ad" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRTUlr9UYxcFvQsCD8LDfF5r6eoVCt5Xan7uVrg0J4sQzUUOQlpkhwepurbR8wvHXcMycFK4Og96ZZqLVeBcAkY-dKmdFq11h4mr5j1IBvy4qEj-17w0Vz0g673UAciBIn_qc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Going back across the International Dateline, we now lose the day we gained coming. It’s now Friday, tomorrow is Sunday.</span><br><br>Finally, a mystery!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The ship was due to sail at 5pm. It’s 5:41, we haven’t moved, and one of the &nbsp;tenders is still sitting on the shore.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the lecture- a very interesting one on film making and the future of movies- the PA interrupted twice to page two passengers.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">According to two officers on the bridge anxiously watching the shore, those two passengers plus a third one are missing...</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9051177885493874414'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9051177885493874414'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/03/rarotonga.html' title='Rarotonga'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEjjHWK5bmMaan0qfut9hG4v_lPBeUmYJMI_phME5pX-BygCYFtYtLhAemYqj6L0qOzcS6LaETZ5BSj0BK_QSLdJXVuJ9bwMCPGPuyLluC36pBcZGll4ZsG9AjOVmZ-wQZml5b/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1362397107206062505</id><published>2019-03-13T09:01:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-03-14T12:21:14.366+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mutiny on HMS Bounty'/><title type='text'>Aitutaki &amp; The Cook Islands</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many shades of blue and green!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_7303_7f16_728c_42b1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo70oaHs5rxgpY3skCYKZaQ2qsdtV8U-hujT2Rhtb42tdileBCm75l02jRTkFRWn4YOfg-o5LSWgq-S5E-tBqC9gjx7C-iGAqIO6ogsXD6CipqAxHo11R0jlEztt74Vss3ha73/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">In beautiful weather like this, it’s hard to imagine bad tempers and mutineers causing bad things happening to people. Even if, like HMS Bounty’s Captain Bligh, they’re thought to be bad-tempered or cruel.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3dcb_ba89_4139_d31b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZArN1fgbIJe6sb9WvBWvsxNb-ob140gWExNhu2Y5TU_cTf_8-jIuo6IctZ_hrJWhHJwtZmtJCLpULDZswzKmT2S1ePfqcR_yJsxROFT17o1UEcnDn389X_pgqN01i4pBLvqP0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><img id="id_1522_7412_a6a0_4aeb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Zg9oBu2HOkIVpA8OgwCCShQpKCSZaIPxqzVin2a6SCqxzkYc3epNHy9KgWiXx9TV-mKHE9upS2RRTDlRijGi8uiFrcDMOtiSJ4oi5VeqRskn6GvwiXvGJptIXBQWHkAUEHD_/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1362397107206062505'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1362397107206062505'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/03/aitutaki-cook-islands.html' title='Aitutaki &amp; The Cook Islands'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo70oaHs5rxgpY3skCYKZaQ2qsdtV8U-hujT2Rhtb42tdileBCm75l02jRTkFRWn4YOfg-o5LSWgq-S5E-tBqC9gjx7C-iGAqIO6ogsXD6CipqAxHo11R0jlEztt74Vss3ha73/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4673995372764964192</id><published>2019-03-10T10:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-04-01T10:06:21.158+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Crystal Symphony'/><title type='text'>Bora Bora</title><content type='html'><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">It would seem churlish to say that all this sun and sea and tropical island thing is nothing new to me, having been born and raised in one of over 7,000 islands, 7,641 to be exact, several of which count as some of the planet’s most beautiful.&nbsp;</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">However, there is something to be said for breakfast on the veranda looking out on the shifting blue waters of the South Pacific.&nbsp;</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">We are anchored off Bora Bora. I watch a strip of shimmering neon-bright aquamarine guarding the entrance to the lagoon. Coral reefs encircle these sheltered waters like a jeweled necklace. It’s no wonder that Captain Cook was captivated all those 200 years ago.</font></div>
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Today is Crew Emergency Muster day on the ship. Like a pair of overgrown children, Stuart and I lean over the balcony railing to watch the action, marveling especially at the rainbow thrown up by the fire crew’s spray. It’s a far superior show than last night’s after dinner&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">entertainment.</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At lunch today, one of the waiters confidentially advised me that good coffee can only be had in The Bistro on Deck 6. I have now taught the ship’s baristas how to make my cortado.</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">After a brief trip to the island, Stuart has decided it’s really just like Cebu without the traffic. I’m opting out. I’m going back to my veranda and my book.</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><img alt="" id="id_e6fd_2e76_4c96_d8b7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGxUNJQcrHn01yPtVatcLc-7gHi9zZqavkGDP_x-saDYnBUuTcMxS_zhm7MJ4MLTexTkgqJhZeKKYdaEO0kTlBJnLTouPgUwXp3CtBpzEiI46ofescEAHY0oMaTF8s8FoTnSvt/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>(The book is Arundhati Roy’s “The Ministry of Utmost Happiness”.)</i></span><br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4673995372764964192'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4673995372764964192'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/03/bora-bora.html' title='Bora Bora'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihf2u0QiJowl8AhZJCzLpz2lZBy3OkXZ-2hpwE2VYLJgdwWeZNV67fiW_gcEKtQv0b_nNorM4Jm8yYPRIFqkvujyEdufKUafpMLKnUGxaJ-LaJk-w8PSJVbjtGglh6saMHlI4E/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6367795142636047822</id><published>2019-03-08T03:12:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2019-03-12T12:51:01.095+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Crystal Symphony'/><title type='text'>Moorea</title><content type='html'><div>
<font face="Verdana" size="4">Breakfast on the veranda as we come up to the island.</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s 7:25 am, we’ve just dropped anchor. Noisily.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then another, 4 minutes later.&nbsp;</span></font></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the veranda next door, a man’s voice, impatient, annoyed.</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh, darling!&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Do what you want to do! Don’t ask me. Stop asking me!</span></font></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Last night’s dinner was exceptional. Umi Uma by Nobu. Exquisite sashimi! We plan to cancel all other dinner reservations and change them all into Umi Uma.</font></span></div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6367795142636047822'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6367795142636047822'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/03/moorea.html' title='Moorea'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ4r00j6PbGIIOvoAbzNmX191L0hB6wbTk3JI1p3VYorjHx6QU-kANqPS7b5vHaj5f3_OLoKdEKO9NQKeU8kWxvgEr2gqvdoHBl0og7G1zk2Ve1t7AXiF8N6eOTlZrAqX8eXxE/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-255152356367371740</id><published>2019-03-06T11:09:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-03-25T11:40:26.637+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Intercontinental'/><title type='text'>Tahiti</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">As our flight lands in Papeete, three things happen:</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">1. M</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">y watch moves an hour forward.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">2. My calendar moves a day back.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Having left Auckland Wednesday March 6, we then cross the International Date Line, and arrive in Papeete Tuesday March 5.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">3. It starts to rain.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">What? That wasn’t part of the plan!</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the short drive to our hotel though, as we are warmly welcomed with pretty leis...</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a2f2_450a_bde0_fbd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzeY6dGlrZdVLOVcHJVEYiGAGqu1P4xfhTt5xtmGWaixSkmB03-eQJbd19PZDzDDowiLo9mv-oq8ggkmsBiYc-Ingn82mbXv9FLzH4rQOKsZGzsuUfzbGRTlwPke1ZmeQlgNR/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">...a rainbow emerges on cue.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><img id="id_4aa5_c477_2eab_a932" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk3mkDMvopjrMOzXQy1Mhly9Cfrw9Lpe1U1Iwn2GY1_7gzXUBYcUPC2ysTz33TJYpIMVDb8DCSsqq643_u2SQo8OfpmytBJqGXe_fi7HgcDlGoFB9EVH64WrTqGWt8v0oVCoGl/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">The skies soon brighten up for a stunning sunset on the balcony...</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b1d0_7299_8d5e_2763" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJHq5oFJ4xLmMHN0DubY7tS8NGi0P_LonioMiH6e-k2iXbaLUaAaKgbgrvOnoSFZy4rgmD4q-TA6H-ZZfPED2Afps6muOzKls4lKVE2pI1cJSZzzvBr7Ennt9ZoH-iZoCa81Y/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">...and an early dinner while waiting for stars to come out on a moonless sky.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_b7c4_e09_f856_f280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6pkU_ud72YW8og2fFaMAksKB0cR_3piKViguuOvYzZErjBQ2AaqCVz5pD70ibJshCPIQbJbJcFmw1eHQrZu0ZZ0E1wFZ01J6syboNDylGgxiglL9BaMGKyehorGDH_e1yRFG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 777px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_75e5_d680_8a0e_9995" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheeokqyx80YHJKYIU-MY2V3zDN5yx3US4ZS_d4VRLBlqWJDyjAwZWnUMm53l-k4Qr4lDcbZfEKbpuEWcd-k7TwpiUaT9CPZk9pLdJ5j-F3N7h37sk4i8OhsXmunh_OZOKuy5CA/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/255152356367371740'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/255152356367371740'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/03/tahiti.html' title='Tahiti'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFzeY6dGlrZdVLOVcHJVEYiGAGqu1P4xfhTt5xtmGWaixSkmB03-eQJbd19PZDzDDowiLo9mv-oq8ggkmsBiYc-Ingn82mbXv9FLzH4rQOKsZGzsuUfzbGRTlwPke1ZmeQlgNR/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5750973384726918752</id><published>2019-02-20T17:14:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-02-20T17:42:06.193+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='marathon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Citibank friends'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Valentine Weekend in Hongkers </title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The weekend starts with crystal-clear &nbsp;bright blue skies over Hong Kong.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e92d_55d2_a534_d830" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfWWWgPNeFg3pgsUL1LWSvLUpF6L4-03MnsgcaM-v4ckhXVxyaM6aEsUxtY5BWlZF6v-gQ54ayg5lrCsO_ThxRIg85ervlmFfHF0Ve2HqPoCnppkNp_kWLfkvpnBpw3w1boDq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A happy surprise at Grand Hyatt as we are welcomed by our friend Rike Erdbrink who has returned to Hong Kong to assume the post of Hotel Manager.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On Valentines day, coffee and scones and sweet things at Grand Club.</font></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b998_b860_7317_1f9c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVekMprOwvBw5JeAWX26L3PBClMg_WERSzBW-tiY9ceuMBnHklnJLX5ODVwGyjS7OQxQ0_Rr1DitLtB-DKvBur6avhLoO7BMBFz3qAnX7nbd2R8YNU_2dWWLMKdY8unWCM3Cf4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f71_6e8a_1892_ab72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg83FDB4C0-a7WR7hVb00-jBfGuNy7qC6-VL696t1bz7DHh5Xy85KEUbCvZMQ7JvGKzGECSfFvvtAEM_6s_2m-g9NhXfgVR8cexZpUgA17il4DIt30FCEe2jUO_YyxEjXWU9zQz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c6af_767_54f9_8a6f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFKK4J4ZQa6FpEGFrqJLrUBaeYEH3BAhqiEEWpmPDpCznzRDO8hq3kVUXh2Io5Q9jJbFV-0Urj5NPLTRszAWR4b9vONm6ZXY_YSPTpPORy3YVQXG4YPaTPuQ5FlAH3XUee-7cz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_4228_1200_1b9b_598a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv5kvf_RxPCE77vXvxAJvOSNjNNz_NOL6IIaUwJMP03Blr_FGxffhili2Jd-n3e9xSdT_pZrPeX7JwEwXH840lxtDOArdnsHHTu4Ce5PGNjAStTsCynOpYVE6l6NMUKS9Sgx4j/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The evening begins, as most of our hotel evenings do, with cocktails at Grand Club f</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">ollowed by more cocktails with Rike before dinner at Grissini.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_e377_34a8_ca22_f3b6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghx1O7cpykEBS4yhQFMYtaXsUgp-SR-0xi0Uc8LhfJxUNh4V6-Xm8KhRZo9x5tcOZHSTy6SoXlvT19ho2cZHn6XBxOphIB0OzxXgPuQzYAvi1c4Jm3-iU5wU0x1jryYdyxk-L0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_89d3_2e00_c32a_1b3f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uVmMfjl6Uglo0ZNf3lOO_R4bd9TSSimc9zy7RS_3XRhR4nmh-NrJTWlIbtF2xHZbEDBdsuT5-jMq2qJAi5Oimy8ya-r7Bn6RRlDreExgAvOpFNmtZPNjYaoFD4x4VyGQrYrt/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><img id="id_9940_cca6_b5fb_38e1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNytA1BrGUfxew59viO7jbIDPhFpKizyrCl1ZCAr2hfEH1-YvHqnm5NbuC0QST3CzfXriKj3isJqhCOpXnwOqb4rhRjx_q46k5-7C63GJa2QX4flMV94JIVRlwjdE0GOVIh8cf/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On Friday we’re at Shang Palace for dimsum with ex- Citibank friends Patrick, Chichi, Felix, Pauline, and Hosana.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e422_6ab_8707_cf60" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nvfnd2sk7_xzOa1R8KHeVyFIeAVg6cx1ezsoamymXC0XoRmVw5LwAax9lvRb3WSxaB59R-uFFbMHi9NgPRuTbEIAF9tM0JId5aqRD-4S-l3Z19qpwwxt2MPOHWnyk5hT3DBW/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>Saturday’s skies cook up a fierce brew of wind, rain, and humidity for this year’s Hong Kong M</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">arathon.</span></div><div><img id="id_add8_b693_7d10_f51b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4drzVjUN1IZETy2MEGs3-ruTyHO6XiXmGK8WhtkQ4AQ6iTQOZwT9NO26okb08NS6B9fMI8-THHmGIVwEGDXpJY2llu05hXBAJoj0U8_i99OGtENhZtyU-mubgN3dz5otqqQh/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday at the Marathon.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The gruelling albeit gloriously scenic route takes more than 74,000 runners from a 6:10 a.m. start time&nbsp;on Nathan Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, across Victoria Harbour&nbsp;through two bridges, three tunnels and two&nbsp;highways, to finish up in Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.</font></span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fb20_4ace_7aeb_b53" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90fjbl3LKNhBLd9VwNDIa2YCk1NdpyDQXJft4LKOJWM4KS7s9maPS5T7iowwbcRHIHzWMUP3fC9BgZRYRIAOnRuoea0hel_dK67BTBrSuLfiT3YElPZLhUgAQxmbKlwAyASuh/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5750973384726918752'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5750973384726918752'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/02/valentine-weekend-in-hongkers_20.html' title='Valentine Weekend in Hongkers '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbfWWWgPNeFg3pgsUL1LWSvLUpF6L4-03MnsgcaM-v4ckhXVxyaM6aEsUxtY5BWlZF6v-gQ54ayg5lrCsO_ThxRIg85ervlmFfHF0Ve2HqPoCnppkNp_kWLfkvpnBpw3w1boDq/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5220628303465776317</id><published>2019-01-15T07:46:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-15T08:00:02.518+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Argentina'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Chile'/><title type='text'>For the price of lunch with wine...</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Let me compare what I can get for lunch in Buenos Aires...</font></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">LA PECÓRA NERA</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A restaurant in Recoleta.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ced9_a2f6_1a82_19b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJCSgdix4lytytv3CGeNSi8npN9CJP988KqKPV8Uq-EBK1SnNRas__aRrBmq8DPLZvey5Hwg7j767HX5JXfAdCAkbjebf8xVd6qZkmi4UaT74PnyQeIIaNAQNqX8oZ6TFl8Xu/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Menu Mediodía- weekdays&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Starter, main, dessert + glass of wine.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">AR$ 475.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">SOTTOVOCE</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A restaurant by the river in Puerto Madero.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4b80_3b17_5e22_88b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8tcvQ_UHhggjrzWYxcKqFTyEDACyp_aPZwCqmbbc0RoPhzeSQYIcIJfHiQ4c8-vrF2wSBQ9wVOqeZtHbNRG7PLKDss-osUUKpJcwguMYOYWjjuVKkglF_UyxrcqdhLmp2GBJQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Menu Mediodía- daily, cash only.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Aperitif, starter, main, dessert + bottle of wine + liqueur.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">AR$ 630.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">...with what I can get for an equivalent price elsewhere.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">MoVida</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A pintxos bar on&nbsp;Hosier Lane in Melbourne.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2852_76bb_858e_33c6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkkComKrYr5USd1vKzpvVpc298lpg7zv_Sakso6nDGwl9D_codlDVRB6u04SZLMKQbXkyBxieiK-s9MD4cCDSouOzRKnYsgQGB2h7ObqoRsPqLe5YaWoszlhb3DyR9SsyPr1g/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Chorizo- grilled sausage with green mojo, chickpeas, &amp; chilli peppers.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>AUD 18.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Or a selection of 2 cheeses with soda bread and quince paste.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">AUD 24.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Makes one think, doesn’t it?</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">An added bonus to an always wonderful meal at Puerto Madero’s Sottovoce is the invigorating walk to it along the riverside and back again to the Hilton.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_69e6_8dba_80fa_7da4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsusqpvvKfDcqwiEjXwLqJZUX_Uv0hq_XCsZcd5VZkMhq2Httjp-vZny_tPCYgIaTb8xcMazOgXbK9Xuuimiv6yi-9Y4FbmY_aCKXA9_B2wP-FoRHzJ0Ec7ufagLdK1IT2a39p/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7_4df6_646a_875b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGshoYqKMBk2NWd_p7iy2sorcwiLuMA2rkKdFEjmyafOOCIVQuYKNBGqrrAHS5UE7sxGlKjQRT9p0Bha3pEBzh91vuZSvfwcd0V_KB8xqAxhZcDLO4pLEJxJP3qMsY_mEgpD3I/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A fiery sunset over Casa Rosada rounds off our South America&nbsp;season.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><img id="id_c0c6_9e40_b580_e0ca" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjp3Af4qGQW_rYPSnNpPDDepqZm_ZkheyShhz7FU4FQ9-hpEtaVV1riJo6AqnknQK9V4hYCZ7D4u3bvOH3HGoyendvgs0TogvG0H317Cw48roQ8OzSu5UhL-5aC6pDBPVjv5Oc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></span><br><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5220628303465776317'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5220628303465776317'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/a-south-america-season.html' title='For the price of lunch with wine...'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOJCSgdix4lytytv3CGeNSi8npN9CJP988KqKPV8Uq-EBK1SnNRas__aRrBmq8DPLZvey5Hwg7j767HX5JXfAdCAkbjebf8xVd6qZkmi4UaT74PnyQeIIaNAQNqX8oZ6TFl8Xu/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8399413499082857171</id><published>2019-01-12T04:35:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-13T03:52:07.809+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Llao Llao'/><title type='text'> LEAVING PATAGONIA </title><content type='html'> <div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s cold and wet and Stuart’s going on the hotel’s scheduled 3 o’clock walk. I’m opting to stay cocooned indoors, happily waving him off to do battle with the elements.</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_e574_a786_cc6e_f674" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyvnDxEwKzLjJvIHBKKk0EfmwRDul-rVreBJqmETiQS1VRcCUAigSpFASVLUuCuAhqDDVGIXF41ksoRQJJRdrSvut_fYHR5Ok7HIXk2j1m79sciK0CKhJn1Zlayyhkq62eSAe/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It rains all day and throughout the night, blotting out the scenery.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_cf76_6569_f6af_ca64" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEr6jY8YwFVZddlTj60cRIdA6aP5loiobuEUFsHSEv9Rqfto_nJAOOau0K4wrRf7jc9BCrCTgKcYGx9a3eb1tdVw_oUV2WhEuaKnI13oJNoi8pqmR7cHIDZN96JemVjMIlqixV/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>But in the morning, the sun shines brightly to reveal an unseasonal&nbsp;wintry scene on Cerro Lopez and Cerro Catedral in the majestic Andes mountains.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_baf3_7523_6cbf_f384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpCV2HuP3MCuHixnO84P2AU1FMKal7XCsuFppxQyL75or0JZkj1a-vCXSNt4hwOsG3PuskCgXOZjRsE9LaV6rnXIuQNlczHzdGsLaCgfnXTCBYBr-umtHUxJ2d0Geyv5uxWMs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ad5_e591_5691_7b52" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPMqBJZCfAfgH19y5IXPq1qep2mzFdgM8vWK_8dIstqY4JGYNst4KgWVsJ66w-5l-RMFPzav76x5L2ozrW02xTgWDlxjxfF-Fu5B6iD4D4H5d5Z1eUmyAYzz2S2Ux6cB94KJs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><img id="id_9f54_d2af_3155_f31b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbCqZE4VdFrQcwFYx8lT4Y1LB4bWdMln7f2zdfatT1sfOK0Ys2aoEBSgq7UESfmmfyPE7dOH5QyEQrlHDfOt0gwugly2BKphc962a7sj6YcZNh5hTO8aC3v8GUvM77Rl5iQUec/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re told that snow is not expected to make an appearance here until June or July. Yet, here it is! Winter has descended on Patagonia in the middle of summer.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a glorious day though and we’re sorry to leave. But we have a flight to catch and leave we must.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_8a6a_38de_b48_342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp867fWrq50k4zsIAB5DOPF9sHycNtqZd9V6mOQ6pWOMk005fQDW-ScXE33bT73pdcoXAEJ9TMFI-qvYPDxDoc_pqTXB0KYgXyqO-jbSr70eJU4xkiRiX6fhktOWK34_k-VGc6/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We start off early, enjoying a leisurely drive through the forests, lakes, and foothills of Rio Negro.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is Llao Llao Hotel nestled in woodland, sandwiched between Lake Nahuel and Lake Moreno.<br><br><img id="id_c48a_9791_5c91_da10" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaC20ZcadpOi1rFuFABOlnt0jxRlAzmxRPT-2kyu8ElBr__78k4MEAiEH7WFelFvRQtIDkWw9ABJuvqFrtquktIKa2eTHRpOvH3uh9jXHwMCxwwGwBLOYzwRtbkw4vD8j1ER4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart spots a fox at the edge of the road.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_25a3_853d_3982_12a6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fqPPyVcTV5JBbWpAsCf489Wt__KqVbc_KTOSNpwlvaIFQNtARyfJOZFD9C2HTdlMCUknpIrXjAfnutMivQ8sYkWMufxWGgZKU-yIOkf_28cMI9-fv7VEPJnDfKraaySe30eD/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It moves quickly to a tree and sits there for a few minutes staring at me&nbsp;staring&nbsp;at it. Finally losing interest in me and my camera, it turns away and darts into the forest.</font></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_e649_12f6_c1fe_a775" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYowpQyIkPBv6SapoEcGk066CqFMe9KknijyiqdUA9qj7tiFmnP22VndV5nfh6x9Tk6pxlz1zkGAqk3vaLfC6QixS8DP77bpEyBb9OJhK_eIgEN0li9-A1UzA5ioK7U1jE54Kt/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br>We’re about halfway to the airport when it starts to rain. Hailstones briefly appear.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2c44_90f4_c36b_603b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6t4b4GGlaV-NYDxgECi0urTeRnsbPB1xdKw8oGRJGGCeuit1mJh0gWWHg3HcU4Cd0pibC7k6N3QCxaLPYDqxprAM5x66r8ImrQ7Soo1Dmk9YVr5cJ6d3CS0NB5GdAXc1RDBSH/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></font></span><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">It’s fair to say we timed our exit well.</font></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_d117_634e_80b3_a2ce" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUG0RnDV4Z88rc5OiSo2QgWe5-4miRRKMq4u_XfPOO6lOc79gQdOK0vDsRCLC6KoGY6meEnDhqGyFdiBXQTFK00v0iwRpqaYeoZu6dU6Z7YM82UoEnTeESEi0lk5_V_6D23xzd/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="width: 746px;"></span><br></font></span><br></font></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8399413499082857171'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8399413499082857171'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/stuart-spots-fox-at-edge-of-road.html' title=' LEAVING PATAGONIA '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyvnDxEwKzLjJvIHBKKk0EfmwRDul-rVreBJqmETiQS1VRcCUAigSpFASVLUuCuAhqDDVGIXF41ksoRQJJRdrSvut_fYHR5Ok7HIXk2j1m79sciK0CKhJn1Zlayyhkq62eSAe/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6715094079776904378</id><published>2019-01-08T02:44:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-10T06:40:47.248+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Patagonia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Argentina'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Llao Llao, Bariloche</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We left San Martin at 11 in the morning and drove straight to Llao Llao, not bothering to stop for lunch, eager to get to our much anticipated grand finale hotel in Patagonia.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We got there after 4.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Checking in was a circus. Reception made a big show of showing us, on a map, the hotel facilities, the way to the beach, the various lifts, the bridge to the other buildings, the other buildings, etc.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s a very busy place; it felt more like a theme park than a hotel.&nbsp;</span>It’s a historic place, we were told.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Happily, we were also told that we’ve been upgraded to a suite with lake views. That’s nice.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Well, it’s a poky attic room. With two tiny windows through which we can peer out on the lake. Okay, it’s a quaint little room in a historic building. Fine.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re tired and hungry so, resignedly, we set our bags down and go in search of somewhere nice to have a snack.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">They’re setting up for high tea on the terrace. Yes, we’ll have tea and look at the nice view and try to ignore the crowds wandering about.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">However, we’re told that they’re fully booked for high tea. We may need to book two, three days in advance. But yes, we can have <i>à la carte</i> tea inside, in the lobby lounge. Not so nice.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At this point, Stuart sends for the duty manager.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Meanwhile, we</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;head for what looks like a bar at the far end of the corridor. Should be simple enough to get a seat there.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Do we have reservations? No. The waitress then leads us to a table but before we can take our seats, she’s told that table has just become unavailable.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m getting angrier and angrier. And hungrier. I start to feel not well. A little lightheaded and getting ready for a meltdown.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We decide we really don’t want to stay in this hotel. We’re leaving and moving to another hotel after our sandwiches and coffee.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The duty manager comes. Would we like to see the new room she has found for us?</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Right. It’s a major suite. With a balcony.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We decide to stay.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_b3f9_b861_c38c_79a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjVrdwT46sek6c2yNraWnZgTxlx9lx94LZPaSdmmgnWPaAptj-E42yShjb9CSNGV7zIhAmfAxQnVn5-sES9MV4_ghff7nr3crIwt4sD6vob-yOPSatf10m5yfr-zgnGfd5hmu/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>_____</div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Later, I ask Stuart why this seems to be happening to us a lot lately. Why do we always get terribly disappointed, decide to cancel and leave, only to then be given an overly generous upgrade we’d find hard to refuse?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Not that I’m complaining. I’m just wondering...</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">When did the hotel market become a souk where one is expected to haggle, walk away, and be called back for a better deal?</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">_____</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At breakfast the next day, the sky has cleared. And so has my head.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_8f0d_491_1f19_7c4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBWIqmni482iJrgze_E9Bn4wdUR59Rb8XRZ0pBAi-LOVwsg2FD8EgZyenidPyORMx_p5-05DhJ2u3AgoBjfbVFCuF4ehZSWGJJbqy0iM7574OLtUgcJugxbSGibR4uYXUccDgT/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6174_4261_baa0_7872" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9at1L49gKsWfZ63-_QwGaA8Pe4PWc_zEuZoHNABatbHqkMYniOqWX4CCoezWRvikTrtVvnCUxCaEDK0Fa2vx23l-upVu1ydyX19hZJaAyE4kFKLgjomA5UIjHpNTiGh8j2trB/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On Moreno Lake. It’s another world. Away from the crowds.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6098_3979_e5e0_3ccc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislplkCgLVU0woR54oMeyJPLlnIbtXD2MtYT6RjkZ2TrFyIJpUlfkLr06nnAQnAg8wqo9nLtQFSUqPD1QNSTRCzoIjRm_wyBLMlrG-M2zm_G0nyxAz8-grFrXPfPxPsHqv-W1W/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’re at lunch in the bar of the Moreno Wing. This is more like it. Lovely and quiet. I like it here.</span></div><div><img id="id_4488_c730_f736_1734" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqh-bdyILnVD4O2eoF7U3JAnp8lrV8kgFGaNubYTPo3AcQZ4wv8yOI6QyOED5P54GxFpqj6jqa-n3hp_TWECq8YDTOwxFR9G9tjOCEamzg2a21vpd2XZ9VCULAAKKgikVyvx2j/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6715094079776904378'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6715094079776904378'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/llao-llao-bariloche.html' title='Llao Llao, Bariloche'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjVrdwT46sek6c2yNraWnZgTxlx9lx94LZPaSdmmgnWPaAptj-E42yShjb9CSNGV7zIhAmfAxQnVn5-sES9MV4_ghff7nr3crIwt4sD6vob-yOPSatf10m5yfr-zgnGfd5hmu/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-67777719126643139</id><published>2019-01-07T06:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-14T19:01:11.290+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>San Martin de los Andes</title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">National Route 40 goes through Argentina along the Andes, south to north. On our way to San Martin de los Andes, rounding the Seven Lakes, vast stretches of tiny field flowers line our way.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Delicate lavender clings to roadsides and climbs up rocks and cliffs. The sturdier lupins colonize huge tracts of scrubby untended ground, covering them with bright cones in various shades of blue, pink, and purple. There are little white daisies and small yellow buttercups. There are lovely wild flowers whose names I wish I knew strewn across fields and hills.<br><br><img id="id_d61_456d_c1c8_972c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1OnP27gjBvyzGSZWe39qcylronALXkmZa1biCa8vb2MiZ-Vogh08hebCsYcmUOdrajSUAfM0hXhhrlX3qa7dnaoDihfB1ENQiZ-sqb09PFnx8p5yJ7Z0A8vWD57qxeu58um2/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We stop for lunch at a roadside grill.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c2fe_c904_7297_25c4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYN_b4iNSRhss3Av1GHhhQnO30naPNwpoxzpzFVEv6nsNptAQVpnsg_hZ6R307EZyus71f74lh7bG7Plb9OBAhGOWXRNs_vQwHr32A8iioZrAw6YNbkVBvDVxpcA1AJGa-44n/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We share a huge delicious juicy charcoal-grilled Argentine hamburger. Stuart bites in saying, If you can’t get good beef in this country, the world would be in a really bad way.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><br></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_152_e8c2_1541_943b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6w-ENRzpIF-GLEFU313-w0Cs3capfHYOmy9kVIfHnbCTcxd6dbl9hy6a7NOx9xVZGULXYzj9an0njLFhoshuiS2yJl0Vbbqo8ygECf3EurIuuASu-_Y3XF6KGDye1bu8t2K1/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">They’re playing soothing soft Andean music and there are beautiful horses next door.</font></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_6913_69b2_8bfb_dcdf" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcgAIX_H8M0l-Y1Vf3gxnu4BbdOFaOOReB9kAVgbOyAK_BwDgZgu5Wd3jrSQIXI4WwTF7dFsFVWNtWs_K7VDOTLCZ-38okAVhKPXfaYrEip4l1k5eN2ZedRHz7CRWtdIJuIyzS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>It’s a leisurely drive through picturesque country featuring countless photogenic lookouts over brilliant blue lakes.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We arrive early afternoon at Loi Suites Chapelco, a golf club nestled at the foot of the Andes.<br><br><img id="id_4ef4_9304_1a63_774a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGW8jFBsgL1Usg3qM6gzvIBEIjsa2Hr1BBza8Zznj9eIiBZu0yJ0zdDK4UugaQcqXI7LcVdc6dehuRzdMnb-x7Bq2LIXnMtvd85yMOWH1ZDvzNrH2tK4-bOvk8IEBbgO5eGxCA/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></font></span><img id="id_450b_3a9e_57f7_59a5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr7u2Zl7vXTUDkMpak5VHSU_hqxDN2UAoBHSh5-yqgdy28_8Ww3TaFO-w8YvKzK18YSwObsVYZ60z_f8gmI-jH2eR8Z75HQue8-yYImBk48F6KgLUeFk4DxSgRFhwyPxBgMg8i/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3e4e_77ea_ee18_4cb5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtABMvFzrQxy7rkWlHmJWGMSP6W-L00aVO-tpz0CLBEMbYMNUsLObPJs7sNX25_AxwWDAvoYfaddZOsn8rO5PwPP3zmHId2gpJ4djQVPuRDJ5ozk7yZZygWiE3CNmN5LuHjCPg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><font>There’s a promise of big dark sky, the Milky Way, and a Quadrantids meteor shower tonight.</font></font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font><br></font></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font><br></font></font></span></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/67777719126643139'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/67777719126643139'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/san-martin-de-los-andes.html' title='San Martin de los Andes'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE1OnP27gjBvyzGSZWe39qcylronALXkmZa1biCa8vb2MiZ-Vogh08hebCsYcmUOdrajSUAfM0hXhhrlX3qa7dnaoDihfB1ENQiZ-sqb09PFnx8p5yJ7Z0A8vWD57qxeu58um2/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7315809785255035113</id><published>2019-01-06T02:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-09T05:33:36.469+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Patagonia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='dark sky'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Villa la Angostura</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Mornings&nbsp;on Lake Nahuel Huapi. Waking up to this view outside our window:</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><img id="id_bbcb_7793_299f_bf4e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2AkPFfQcW_3EjSYVFK0moffbzTmEODYJOcrjhdF_QPX6ugceLb7J-vG2nLRXQ2Mwy7E_Is36nYtc-XZcmx_vcuUrXYk1hbNxX7g6GH8Mxp3WjOp7lyBPAHE6QglNEJCfg87R/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></span></div><div><img id="id_7642_b4cd_e984_a9d6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyXero4fFGaSahCp83sgZo6GvrUM5-Gmu19eCAglPWg7VIeW2a6ane0-rwizrJT_iImGRXXx8YHS0gHnClpJ9fsqHEZ8GpTBVpQWDgKeNWkuWBzy66KIPud5DfEw6fqRcXfQ11/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re at</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;Marinas&nbsp;Alto Manzano in Villa la Angostura.&nbsp;</font></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Across the road from it is a lovely restaurant, a&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">dreamy spot for dinner by the lake. There’s jazz music and a wonderful organic Malbec.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Easily the best meal so far on this holiday: zucchini carpaccio with wrinkly black olives and tiny figs; braised beef cheeks with a velvety mash; grilled trout with the loveliest freshest baby vegetables and no sign of a potato anywhere near the fish.</font></span></div><div><br></div></div><div><img id="id_f88a_ecd6_8e88_410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZP2bEF4BC34kw2ZMrU1plaHupYduNT6f5ZDy3uRK-UAJDtCDvI3rEyQEXSUR_w8i4xV_SmlMUA73wDu4f5ycwSb6oEGlzwQSsJvT3yBPdTlpdPeQwsqJWvuPOuQF9yH1GSUc6/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_bd94_4a50_ed1a_4f2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB330vGdmyyT8yUalbp9aEf402IVDs98F2xetyvvL_0tkaQEc1AZV7deV_PO3l9E5bHkXhmV1D91qV-oNSpGC4iOIqKSaLNYh-Dp9PTAcJ5mGci4vVPbX8tLlq9q8A8L1uqpTj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 775px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A postscript:</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I think it bears mentioning, if only for the sake of the wonderful staff, especially the excellent chef, that things fell apart towards the end of the evening when a big group turned up and sort of took over the place. Friends, according to our waiter; but more like owners we think. The kind that don’t much care about guests.</font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7315809785255035113'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7315809785255035113'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/bariloche-san-martin-de-los-andes.html' title='Villa la Angostura'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2AkPFfQcW_3EjSYVFK0moffbzTmEODYJOcrjhdF_QPX6ugceLb7J-vG2nLRXQ2Mwy7E_Is36nYtc-XZcmx_vcuUrXYk1hbNxX7g6GH8Mxp3WjOp7lyBPAHE6QglNEJCfg87R/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2819453087587714239</id><published>2019-01-01T23:30:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-02-05T10:17:58.047+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Buenos Aires'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Palacio Duhau'/><title type='text'>NEW YEAR 2019</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">New Year’s Eve at Palacio Duhau.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><img id="id_53a3_501a_20bd_d201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVC0-0wJ5Zms-d9RwNRgb4qf3Rn9hrbePw8iV39Dy2VNY1-utVDnoWdH4piLAV4w9-ceT9sEFdhQn3_J4ifkCofOLToqFdEeX9e54SQShTl0ijhRm-hmn-uMzZ6cUA2E0oPW5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Now, <b><i><u>that’s</u></i></b>&nbsp;a tassel!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><img id="id_5600_e61a_7987_7fbf" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWShUcvVvCfrBc8u7w7x8JL_mBXbAi3rg0NlmnVG4_35_3dGnzhCdK2Sauj7eFYqs6SyEjXAQ6lPU5DRhFSh72Jd5gF8FQDqbufHS65YjGj6-qoxpsn0PmO8kHMdL_bQHkhLau/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></span></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">And <b><i><u>this</u></i></b>&nbsp;is a room!</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a9ef_2d75_6b72_b3e4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzzCnVV0d4MRG_I22s9RcNHSd0aTOYP0uzR1UyyBfMwwDASPNqdchBnrSNJXVDmC7o20CB8hCk8jNRpudt5sZV7tBbk_sfZafEFjnKYbGeaIQP7opgXKKJOKKGak-pN-ig0Yze/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We watched the band rehearsing outside our window.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5197_53a5_9c32_1a03" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmke-LeVhGwwMV4-gEza58aQoO3KzppmiNtlY2WSAz1iFs91CGhvexCJfIRzegMGS52nVjREs5-f7F0FmDXEjH8Qhe0osAuJT5-hIK7Wwx3sLDjb6YJZGFsnAXvUx1N0i8utof/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Later, as the palace grounds got all dressed up for the party, we got ourselves ready too.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_2b67_edcb_4339_8cd9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqQOW1LHIW-069TM3r9f2jgpGHAKToL9xjeZ1jl7UnfWF9Z2T2zzkJD5Mqx_sWts3zXZ5CK2XNA9hBinAIb6iIq94iW2HIj9llMHt4ciYE1RzWg-78pBiT1rzt828eoqz_pQj3/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">The hotel’s party hostess, Fanny, whipped up a party hat for me, instructing Stuart to make a wish and kiss me before putting it on my head.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_5017_e5ad_93ab_34d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJFObocI0e6veyrXTrgIqWeEMJF_6VYL8nQjPhJgFyiTFe4M2FKn-pPs7moXJB-R_K2GdVyc2mkPCATF0QS4tDkabXah50Q2jIJS8qgr7fGbBFWY7_5ev4O5wNc6e9R0yTtJvM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_1c5_6619_8a06_3223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQly4ar01JmCtToZMtXGopUyJeBAhF0zbV95_F8vgHJp21Y-NEA8_GoSwBVDT50sH7NaI5Eop1YqoMd_9n3baOoU914YfgaUxNjt3XVfeIJKiKUWLlfJFOEAYVEohXmWSS4VdO/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think&nbsp;Stuart wore it better though!</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_d27_1eee_9405_58ff" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwCyW2JKURk8u33Ln9_2-nGLbkAMfkhQWaQDcUfODMLTxE35dysdP7hQ0LG61HZ69z7g6QgV4RgxqlNxGZ8D3fiHgMnogwgPI7rt8Gn71Rdzt-4Xsqkdu_uAJLzcIJmYaV9SBj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The countdown :</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_a766_ddc9_d35f_f32e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsa8lp8J2K6uX0Brfg2fIGI7F5l_BvgWzV2HtfliHAEs8SGyLc2rq-Q9CF2_UwmDMuFlLIOc-TsT6SsjT8a0jm5roF3Aul1EANaLNF0uXjx3eWL1xUVsyXwOByDYlhuX9oneNP/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_10d7_ed10_b953_a14" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOrIuBB_xauXZ9XIuXXydaoDnN6tt7xCxa9IBTDo1HDXTGBcSCLivCk1xRadk-yziebt5vpcQZ-mIoIjvHfdFNlQo7Jy-xu89jel9o8LW87vpl7UyFmpzb3YxgRFxX-vxsgRgs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><img id="id_e07d_4b78_ac8b_cc49" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaaCYv6uw5ckYuNIWRrrcWnTG0z-AK7urKdc9g-QLyq2Wd8tNnjbg4A7sSCLD4Ser4LL8s68lORk6Zdd9vCp0_Wied1QnIY2rzOZw93Qlud_zbVooyPh2u6DrTQk1SlYk-K-kn/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">And just like that, it was 2019! 😍</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2819453087587714239'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2819453087587714239'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/nye-2019.html' title='NEW YEAR 2019'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKVC0-0wJ5Zms-d9RwNRgb4qf3Rn9hrbePw8iV39Dy2VNY1-utVDnoWdH4piLAV4w9-ceT9sEFdhQn3_J4ifkCofOLToqFdEeX9e54SQShTl0ijhRm-hmn-uMzZ6cUA2E0oPW5/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5443071441200299459</id><published>2018-12-30T01:09:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-02T22:52:09.684+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='christmas'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sottovoce'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Noche Buena'/><title type='text'>Recoleta </title><content type='html'><div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot;; font-size: large;">Christmas at Alvear Palace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot;; font-size: medium;">We walk to Sottovoce for Noche Buena.</span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">You can’t leave before 12, insists the pretty girl blocking my exit. She’s partying with her elderly parents and she teaches me how to dance the cumbia.</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">Everybody’s intent on partying right up to Christmas Day. You can’t walk two feet without someone handing you a glass of champagne. In the end, you just give up, drop your purse at the nearest table, and dance.&nbsp;</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">Soon, we’re Feliz Navidad-ing and kissing and dancing with whoever happens to be near by.&nbsp;I call over Sergio our waiter. He also happens to be a dance instructor.&nbsp;</font></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;verdana&quot;; font-size: large;">We’ve left tango behind in San Telmo.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5443071441200299459'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5443071441200299459'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/recoleta.html' title='Recoleta '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguXK-Kc0UT5OAHpRv6Ogi3EglCr87oWX_h1UX2x7Nxz2eErU9saWSPl2g1xjOLo2JDht3lKxjLoNuEsA68F5x_tiNQKq4SM56MTLzt7teQbwH3v8MbErdsPNOXvAF1Fj10OEV1/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6827581026657397442</id><published>2018-12-29T23:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-12-29T23:17:09.049+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Telmo'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tango'/><title type='text'>PLAZA DORREGO (a short film)</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OZXjJSv0mVk" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_293f_a60b_145a_7a6e" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6827581026657397442'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6827581026657397442'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/san-telmo-short-film.html' title='PLAZA DORREGO (a short film)'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OZXjJSv0mVk/default.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7317825554794480247</id><published>2018-12-21T03:18:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-02-05T10:23:02.090+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sotto Voce'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Plaza Dorrego'/><title type='text'>San Telmo to Puerto Madero </title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It took us an hour to get from San Telmo to Sottovoce in Recoleta</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">. Lunch was good but because it was raining, getting there and back cost us the same on Uber as the lunch itself.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_eed9_fccd_d85a_8f97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg328hhR-SEEtnMAK8TAYLsptiBBA0ue5PXE85zx0wiNK7AH6Ib1SAYMHnr55rzaeR5_ohelErgzpo2vbgq5SeD1eYoLcwgro9lDhroe1pgh1Rh44itPVokhKGxGlvAcoNvaUOj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_e4e_93cb_a8c7_49c9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6h9eT8TX9n4Tff1CfuebzpvdXHicup9JUpSL7sM5uolpA7CZUCcE7bg148zZN8Lu7cCIXhxmRrTDpBC_CBmGZkcd0G60qvUUeyQBjSeoJ3aRHXvwFdAt488qFAittmfIoZ0cm/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">We’ve decided to move to Puerto Madero. Anselmo has lost its charm for the moment; it’s too busy now.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But before leaving San Telmo, we have lunch at another favourite, Cafe San Juan.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_dee9_439e_2d9b_2b5a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyIP9peqET1c9p5Db4VuF0boILOmO8JThFC7BS6z4zLyNfAeGuMMM0HthGH7RzPnlxILFIYR7VFaVjfoAMIBflXhhZY0Q2xDYD0JJNSELTNMfUKOEr1OMQQUQxF9Cd5fUiubX/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">And of course we have to soak up the Plaza Dorrego atmosphere once more. We ham it up with Natalia and Adrian.</span></div><div><img id="id_9a41_25df_acd0_fb6b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1XVfP9_Xag1jD8-LRNPHQyS1hqf1iiaMWehH8IyKB7fdT8gDGPVI-nwPbqY6KX0EAiMz29YPlBMZuzc6uQ0Kl1UW5LuwG8v4iGUFeXZsdeIEaxg6NZZY5d7qyPpLLCZ2-gdR3/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><img id="id_7d90_9fee_9e4b_ca6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVMow3WIJvvcFOa-gaAQla4zYvU9NGREaywEaziXSWTvjqlBdUOtCGfyVCztcMu-NXyjzqBh3Mt6sJH2bQxx1Y6nyHuKQldgbpjO0Lyh4uLvi5P8f4QNDZJpJUzOgfVmdqVBc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">After several days in San Telmo, Puerto Madero works on me like sorbet does at a meal that has become too rich or too spicy. It cleanses the palate; prepares it for more adventurous flavours.&nbsp;</font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Puerto Madero is cosmopolitan; it’s familiar; it’s comfortable. Life becomes easier here, less complicated.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6e24_c8b4_a7da_c5fd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwctJEDlcfAqv0gIAXUg939hH97eolxpntsb0CWwh7G9UKzCFfOp66lKRqbc6mXGe_amj8RxCLHJbZ1Ds-sK7BM9CEaB5nZtGx3mis29Bsh2aRX4ata93AOzYismwfJadAiN-J/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And consequently, less exciting maybe?</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font><br><br><br><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><br><br><br><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7317825554794480247'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7317825554794480247'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/san-telmo-to-puerto-madero.html' title='San Telmo to Puerto Madero '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg328hhR-SEEtnMAK8TAYLsptiBBA0ue5PXE85zx0wiNK7AH6Ib1SAYMHnr55rzaeR5_ohelErgzpo2vbgq5SeD1eYoLcwgro9lDhroe1pgh1Rh44itPVokhKGxGlvAcoNvaUOj/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1279654798112371062</id><published>2018-12-20T01:31:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-12-29T11:14:51.724+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Telmo'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Buenos Aires'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tango'/><title type='text'>Plaza Dorrego: Tango!</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">First lunch in Buenos Aires is in El Rincón on Plaza Dorrego in San Telmo, in front of our hotel, Hotel Anselmo.</font></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a beautiful summer afternoon. We arrived yesterday to a cold, grey evening but today has turned sunny and we sit in the shade of sheltering Kapok trees.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_f262_4fa8_7f8b_2d9d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiogJNadkeEZEJH70v5SdGGbtRsl0YrKCVZwd1DS7oOraCV6L4X1IuGTJ_4Q7nL02L3PsyMohv5P4e_qBu5m3uFuS3USvYYTX2yj4Ab3imLMxDHQf3dlrK1Rw65HKNYVSG3hRS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_6e81_c121_88db_d322" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2QYEPb_8XkwaFSNUReGKgfergdNV7nmc_7q0edemAtPcEb5_tLh60FJAIxEDI7YtdoMw3nvlxkzbE75ZkTeJGQioIWgNr-LhPCg4VNMvGYodIgiWUBJGHKAI7ZPNjvVf4PFK/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We share a green salad and a plate of agnolotti stuffed with beef, spinach, ricotta, and nuts.&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">The food is simple and quite good but what we’re really here for is the tango.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_d9c5_4d41_4cc1_75f5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7lXzJcXB6IsMLQuqU1nt81VDvKbFWSDYcewAjcmlG9lk4jqVa-LDghis35bVV_-TRrqk8-D_UZTK0rBh4sYJkn5PHR1rP9fmkExZrR8wcH7zovgzJBcVO7ocAqsZM0kHsql73/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart sizes up the competition.</font></span></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8b8b_286_59a5_3dc2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMyNtOxJd4ZhZdWCwjBi7e_Y435hbaH_azv5UT1S242LymGnzLZ_JBAOCIW9I2d3C9sq-xYCur3NhKhWhOyGA3T0pxbUOq2NN6ReysDo37KxQ7IWVFWxndX3TQe2A9CBrM0tw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Even friars are not immune to the allure of tango.</font></div><div><br><img id="id_db75_7e81_730c_6b6b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbVdgF9q3njQ-9xmvIzIQc-4AQuY3WyaoRRLgNdLwYaCBsBBDoYu9XS98XG3j-fb4B2-gmf_Hs8hAmpq1jgy0nMSQNOz3QdoJ82QDvcxSZv0jsDOqQs2DTz8yU8Qp9VVj_v0OW/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_bdd0_b416_e3dd_fb4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaXm50mKXdHARX5_vh5Oeze_pnmUyzfn7guCgdKUo6pv59DVhONixzCQbOeAS7RLlX7A4ZIkHukC04UqQEnEjhv1fwnfoVNmLE6byLkpNUWWT-8iBknncmrlPVvULGMPaGrPx/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_85b9_edad_4ead_17d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLdDxlee83OpHG6uSjIOiS7eC_EkA81g8dkxcIBkTfFtsKyGIOlxUUVDAHS8HSm4L0KMqGWhJsX6ZZNsrS7tuf_8m9Y-CYnvx0jCsVzOyb9egbFPBCagjXsSiav5NujcmNwpBG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_44c5_8b8b_b1fa_c1fd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidZ-WReK-MXzxICSqlsWmPOxayUHzTY3Am8LgqQYiTKmht7Ao4nSNmP5fBEVvWbguDxjnPiiPHG0PC59cdYTNpsdjOP_s_Dg-eCLWL_dC4ghCX4lO9cbsdOG-dLxKmbYUHsGxx/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart’s got errands to do but I’m staying until the tango dancers leave at 5. I’ve got&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a glass of wine to keep me company.</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_7774_7ac5_6377_bd75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuoTx0ARrt8vNPPb-vxHEn3Aquud3VbhUw7cOZpfuSDt2CIhas01ginWzj0wgu07Wm7oZ3HeOkAKlkYQ6aS0uC4Vzs28YLHqxdNd4xss287FVZQZ2Mnne2yppg-v0T1pfCtJ-b/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></span><br></div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8Usg0LUnrOI" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_767_a2ff_1595_3e67" frameborder="0"></iframe><br><br><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1279654798112371062'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1279654798112371062'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/plaza-dorrego.html' title='Plaza Dorrego: Tango!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiogJNadkeEZEJH70v5SdGGbtRsl0YrKCVZwd1DS7oOraCV6L4X1IuGTJ_4Q7nL02L3PsyMohv5P4e_qBu5m3uFuS3USvYYTX2yj4Ab3imLMxDHQf3dlrK1Rw65HKNYVSG3hRS/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8224238083874240735</id><published>2018-12-19T10:29:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-12-23T07:02:03.999+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Patagonia: Earth, Water, Sky</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Breathtaking beauty, wild nature in Patagonia.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Calbuco Volcano rises above the city of Puerto Montt. Its most recent eruption was in 2015.</font></div><div><img id="id_40bf_29ca_fa6f_4565" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrtIcZDr-yKnmQgDvitoKgFoa8yf5aOGPlEMbiNeXr8RXPwi9R0O3OaWsO_34VMivs5E0BuYBuyE5zkOyko0YdDmhxddTB5g2BrW9aSDGZqk6FZBLu-BVaX4b80R0KGKRXgEz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Beside it, the glacier-covered cone of&nbsp;Osorno Volcano, one of Chile’s most active volcanoes.</font><br><img id="id_15cc_34d_60c9_36b0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMyz3psDjCh9tQhL2zYwJdcAOmnQ8rvUYdA8TAvUBMBUXEyzTa0RBEuBeXptqDvT63kFwR9Cp7dwGvHJkMVgGjz6KkmBDP84G2CGNYWd7OWMBHcsXERp2w0C10b66GR5e4DOGF/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">And the two volcanoes side by side at dusk.</font></div><div><img id="id_a681_6cd2_e8dd_a9c6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2uzKdLXtSow3eXzcogmXUqESQMApYHIwpUpqaPJMHNAaMuPOGRE4mgtgNHLK6_7DAqZHe_ahyuD-0is1600zId7dd-vLfuFUqZ_ix583gxhHOjBoCfJ3pV0AJGbKIk-iZ5Iqj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4">White water on the blue Petrohue River.</font><br><img id="id_57d6_e568_94a5_2ca7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkGC5xe1RAF6VEiYrocJqp78g1vukdRmXYGS4VXd3svIugP-vT1KpRSyaqGRewh1ppYzPqyqc5cb49V0Efs-QLOqwsTCF4bhIxtb8ONRph-7Yrn5-KMCj4xzn5om8YELlE7ilz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sky over Puerto Montt.</font></div><div><img id="id_cb76_c993_5ac4_d01b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdQHsPWle3Qvav8ND05OZh2NI28ZPFRMcA68kFPfS7PO4FwIwRrhFuqLLcqCbQwJ9kO0ATwe0h5OP6U9FlBy-ywNXOJhtyLYv6i63XY-200xTGwlwDFt2Q6G3VYa1RU68l7-1Z/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8224238083874240735'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8224238083874240735'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/patagonia-earth-water-sky.html' title='Patagonia: Earth, Water, Sky'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyrtIcZDr-yKnmQgDvitoKgFoa8yf5aOGPlEMbiNeXr8RXPwi9R0O3OaWsO_34VMivs5E0BuYBuyE5zkOyko0YdDmhxddTB5g2BrW9aSDGZqk6FZBLu-BVaX4b80R0KGKRXgEz/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8528385673182736658</id><published>2018-12-17T12:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-14T18:46:09.466+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Puerto Varas'/><title type='text'>In Patagonia</title><content type='html'><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div>
<div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re in Puerto Varas, Patagonia, in Chile’s</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;Lake District, on the shore of Lake Llanquihue.</span></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_9880_9fd7_5ad4_90c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknV6zER36UM07u1oZSy1_YofFLRZ9e2Egti9FJMy7Sco6ozg3V7GG66T_jG3JVVBYzgKVhJlBD9HzasWnjDRbjC2PIfC62hxseuyVCS9c0P7uwl0qAkgnwex2Wz5Xh7hPh6P7/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"><br><img alt="" id="id_8eb3_49da_e68e_4325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIB7qXjyLrpxnU3YwpwZX21jNCDiMPy3fHS3VeTVAXaZIYP_BjAkjsEVY97y0281i5e3nruYj9e75-gPSbfOWSZx3GdN4p1PEz6zBYb7V3-8ywWgC-rIFSYrMXJof6m3OU_We/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><br></span></div><div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s &nbsp;a white-tented Christmas market on the lakeshore, a choir singing carols in the town square, and circus performers at traffic stops on busy intersections, all lending a festive air to this lakeside town.</font></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></span></div><div><img id="id_2771_971_7a10_2fa4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXH-8xn9Fe0K3msOtCtdabnCrL2FR65ziDkBj8rwk5UVAG_KEt0Jk2yGVXXjxSj3tSzBPBfaRZ8-55eY5aZKiSAO53v9D8Zbd4QZ3mFRf95d1t8Q1Afzzc69hrfzsDPdOku1W/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">With Patagonian weather so changeable and unpredictable, and distances one must cover so vast, plans and schedules are fluid.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This morning started sunny but rain clouds soon claimed the rest of the day. We set off anyway for Ancud, hoping to see penguins on the island of Chiloé.</span></font></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For Stuart and me, newly arrived from five days in the Atacama Desert, the contrast between the driest place on earth (except for the polar regions) and this lush Patagonian countryside couldn’t be more dramatic. All around are verdant hills, forest covered mountains, and snow-capped volcanoes.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Delicate field flowers and masses of gorse bushes line roads that wind through grazing fields and woodlands.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_b84c_2f54_1144_bc28" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2Cmj2Di4Wu6Sg0quLBXQctPd00WushwHo83rmbDNTImH8o2Ti0iF1E60hjvq8L3xhmUBJ3205REpmji6ZK5nqAnGF1PhGH__-Sj4vmWxZqYAAT-QQ9KVNdV5hCblCW-EsbXe/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></div><div><img id="id_9120_eda7_fd71_a292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbzCbEJIw48SnlJo93LpoaFOu-0IJdhkJsTSOl7LLCeaeZNkPrvNRkzUVvBpwBmMSce2l7W-oFM1jthwfWnzkPc01pHjsGDBx4_2DOXEeuY_-ISCY1Xy82glolTKWU4EiFkJ8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div>
<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The lush green landscape gives way to blue waters&nbsp;as we board a ferry to cross the Chacao Canal.</font></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"><br><img alt="" id="id_a135_ad85_161d_cdbc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE_vxAYBXuqWiDXG96VLsPNx0wfDlcWkZ_hQzB_4oGFSqt5RRO9TNJYIODWA7px7pI4BJGIJXadC51q_441QjjIpyGI0ZfkqknZ4XEY7ZXawib3_4vNtDxYi39xVTS8mI5D3bY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><img alt="" id="id_5c4e_b002_153b_f8ba" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDYcuOYpSn9sWd0XaYdFpr08AnqkE0kE9hXbMMqJOw8NG7kMYDps6m9OZ6bFCPN6dhZcW99kyQKEcxGpR1KnjXbzkt47_OqiEHUeBpjFE6idSvTrpsemgAp0WjjQu22hotxcU/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px;" title="" tooltip=""><br></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re on the southern coast of the Pacific Ocean.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The plan is to get a boat to take us to one of the smaller islands to look for penguins.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The sea however has turned rough.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">A&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">pretty café overlooking the sea beckons.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<img alt="" id="id_3d1f_310_ad4_c12b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiZ3NKqmKX4utKud1rHpDWjrQAOBMmJltWI3d9J2ZMBxdB7XjBvXmD1tycs16LG6-HbJImHic6Ob2v92SJIlL3aMzYhaS8v8heF0Yl8Lz9LwzXsG-he_yTcFg4iUltaLKmHQ0v/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px;" title="" tooltip=""><br>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">In a tossup between getting tossed about at sea in a small boat and the promise of a nice cup of coffee, Café Amaranthine wins hands down.</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4">As it turns out, we get something more substantial than coffee. Two steaming bowls: one of quinoa and vegetable stew and another of tomato and kale soup. It all sounds suspiciously healthy but they taste really good too!</font></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8528385673182736658'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8528385673182736658'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/backup-in-patagonia.html' title='In Patagonia'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgknV6zER36UM07u1oZSy1_YofFLRZ9e2Egti9FJMy7Sco6ozg3V7GG66T_jG3JVVBYzgKVhJlBD9HzasWnjDRbjC2PIfC62hxseuyVCS9c0P7uwl0qAkgnwex2Wz5Xh7hPh6P7/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4578812235227335267</id><published>2018-12-16T00:51:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-12-18T10:05:41.490+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Valle de la Luna'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Altiplanico'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='salt lakes'/><title type='text'>San Pedro de Atacama</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Street art.</font></div><div><img id="id_1618_e8ab_26d5_6c22" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsjNwHox3gyuyZRZDJ_uxlrrZJh68Hwo83kK8H_iC9eIplFEBUaYhAru9Q0Ad0-7aRyqWC_NEUAyCT-1g3vchZm8J72VJzcbOjTiwgZA_qS_RyERB42nB0QkBYmHW7gMsj5cC/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_aadc_b3d2_a3_4232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLk3S5xEemLZF0srCMHuUrcbldckbLxLKN64p6dog2l_wJFRlcdz8tZx4MXN9VG2XzjU45reRcQNplc1A9wleAUh58rdNh39bP7ogRenxM_ss74tA3O0fZbOeKZFLBtKWQZmWE/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ca32_3025_c037_36d5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBO96myyoNn9hArDXmvPAhCpNlre-jBXQ9ZNOi_vY3YGvgNoMBI67aFxvUmJdWwyY-7Yxzsg3Lis2j-tUHRS1ajD80ugpzkbSfc3gMzZEh5W_ht_JN-AkXWX6yTLyAtdDjlNRq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2696_60b7_2c37_7920" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZVZVaXjrMGwXY1YKlXZa4kClJmJT4fLWatuRsGTfEa-5GadqZZFoH5_tuyubio4slihLstwf2lE3hdWO7LENux8hdngGHPXtszFdt81tXiVf5EJliga8qDL8MJrIOPdLutNL/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Salt lakes.</font></div><div><img id="id_1cb1_c84f_e1da_ecb0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSL0wEHa_hrLFAg2klRJ9Y2Y6rBY5_A0L5SDkLzAL2Zt3zeNH53sKcAsJyoukIP_CiL-6rvkgCWerHn1b6gL_RTLHq6MhBrvcmBF3yiQqiTtEC2XZ_mR3AZ7Vg4J423GQWrM9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c409_c289_eb4_ecb3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJwN8i6KGk_UsLnMv2VMFV3fskyPx1DT2gjfI5GZHKZ-EiTN4dW9hIha1xcuZtwJ-dJ2ZgvvzFIkNh7EopWR5dDZq9A4bUb6G6fCXuVj5fptiCwNJxyWIEZOLRlqqAwo6nRxCZ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_b1c3_ed39_1e50_7164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl02MxZ2X5llxPy_t08wKBxl5o_so_yLBL3BTa91v-pd0to1bedn-31gKkLcYoc3xiNT01SLcwp-KurIDXyXxh3oIlLlnDnwFeM8U_VU3955Kfgrgj-5_7iRsMa9-BVeBlQcM9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_98a8_9592_b9bc_1c63" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBru2jpCDYVyen4Jj7WhaHlp09FAI6-0cp99XlL1m0K0M0RHBxP6OkkLqrSkwM6bq3sUh6TJJaiQ7ZfpbU5JT3QqHRKGCTX6wrDculS_eEl43AdueaPyzZYDsD5R7UXuy7R_b/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Altiplanico.</font></div><div><img id="id_dd08_93bb_53dd_adfc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtb8upsRF4nPt_WbhTufIlSXUeuNQrWTbjpVc4kNKelpwX99Qfqy_CJypEgTHCu0P-7oZYlxA4wrzazlWRqyhCYyOKiFHsf9Ya9IJTCd3ye-pLC8zMZKu4F4bn98NogWXXqZo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a61c_7b39_2b2_8ba4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZkMPboePPv09SyxAXa0ckyohIEL8B8OWO_Ac7zP7DK804aBbA4v39xr67ZxSUrR9s6A1hDqN4-bDlA8ubGyj7Wdhi5WGvpKM00xdFHx0ejxJ0lhUuH0AoU82r6jMHxGGPVGe/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_2fd7_426f_e824_8c06" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitATuA1mb-G_Csnl0OmGV9zDWZ50FXola3rDHMn1oAR_-kjFIlxBJfkn_umIS_nJ55XJjWgXj7V9oQAmNpcAJx3OxVDLk5hz1Wi63N9ezkXQobh_3x-L8-58XEbyJA2EqHIdw5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></font><br><br><img id="id_fa0e_c1fb_4d29_6617" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-oCKwaJXWtb_Q_yrKuz2ZzDbYF18DqUoD7DgzYIXSLuyq9JegLERQzVSCfzkaDJMepl706M7x6F8LfrJjR5Tn1Gtm_I2Pieh8iXPgn_III5Vq3uiitBZCZHRR-9LL9vn89N5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Llamas.</font></span><br><img id="id_89f7_4cff_60f2_27a0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJjMJoJHeR-akKJan7uLJeX93_euyLwRRPAgOnZNORtB2EQQwvK6OfyDLbVur59cIRBhQ6C6cu486fW6bN1VesTbYE_g63kClZQ-tgh07V22BrknEmI_W0FKwfymi1nln1z8K/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_a302_d03f_5852_d7bf" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikZwqzz0iaB0oHtrNGvmkQRtvVwMFOrjlEFyeYz_zdAkGdzXk30E2g1BtABcpzSIFRZfw3GwYLH_jK5MWOHseldjZss4H_8UXWlz-YKnB9flVI7ccJYjMjd7lwwRN5ztAP499g/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Valle de la Luna.</font></div><div><img id="id_c080_f323_8cd9_e19e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqg1cKrzElVqTS283PwymosaUbUeWldRisxRi7FhzIbAuAJ9fOlNlHdO0Ezcyf0d7WsNUOWfGwiOB3lhQ2992MPzd64qUeGI1rxsIYz8h3LW29glm4gzmqYFaujs5B_r_saQ82/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2f3d_d997_8c5a_5c35" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlLPvedhntfTjucVMXsoKasX8OOXwM4dS00T7fXg2sHfgE-q-0dLlq7ibNcx-FD_kKyUAFsIpNktRtf6a1P6pmpQLE2eEUIV7VR0jiTzXPgBTP8s-QvkfeuOuwjctdT44puH6/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_1ebe_7c59_bf98_a121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNGFtzxsCBW-SEMOjyKqIUnn0ghvjITyJd-xf0gtSQktWB1g119x1LKCtDf8QJJIiPGKnl50LhH_bSKqaoa7FE7ug21J9FPZxTF3N7endlUHmP6tVi6FZKGA-qe21kGEazld9z/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_eab7_ca7b_a3b5_5a1a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK5KHH8u5R6VXAnhGUbbjcKHutOD6IkCH5IIilxnYCpHf8AkmV6kAqMKUZ4NgE6BXfAopbLeM4vH7RI5PyooUMVWFeKE1Etgun2SF1C10Jb4-_LN0iXJDfJteyPIOoQ3v1hFga/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4578812235227335267'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4578812235227335267'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/san-pedro-de-atacama.html' title='San Pedro de Atacama'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsjNwHox3gyuyZRZDJ_uxlrrZJh68Hwo83kK8H_iC9eIplFEBUaYhAru9Q0Ad0-7aRyqWC_NEUAyCT-1g3vchZm8J72VJzcbOjTiwgZA_qS_RyERB42nB0QkBYmHW7gMsj5cC/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4574138351553298953</id><published>2018-12-12T21:13:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-20T10:15:34.075+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Space Obs'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='star gazing'/><title type='text'>Skywalking in the Atacama Desert </title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Saturday.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At Calama airport, we rent a car for the four days we’ll be in the Atacama Desert for our date with the stars. As in stars in the skies.&nbsp;</font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></p></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We drive two hours through an otherworldly landscape rendered in a subdued palette of dusty browns, beiges, watery blues, and palest lilacs.</font></span></div><div><br><img id="id_82fb_9ac8_4b7d_5a02" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC75ACUVjnZMEuXPs0HsH9U7ajL9JZvHC5X2l-dLKS2F0Vm3pWDs09QseQBz5D-VdEnyoku2Bd9OcbcTyvmdTbJQBx1w9x32eewsutEWWNpAVPL8VeO097gW3dP3oz9sGgR-rz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><img id="id_eba9_f5e3_e1df_4678" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkSMwgxMvJlh69SgzPzVAZoM8yBU9sx8RPW0LL4WjlKt6Oo7Ac1cAwjM4qXAWx59QyDnfYtWf1Miz1Wmeh1ekZLWJ-eACaVVJvlmcDXqhuetKxty_j8hAlwEj3q2FnQgTU0qr/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Finally arriving at a welcome touch of green, we’re at the border of the town of San Pedro de Atacama.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><img id="id_e70c_114f_4272_859b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd0fK5zQwsnrFRtAhfhetdNhrCcA5aApOPNfvAgplyr5xWRGBylq68VftFq8truJ8fo8oPtqnIWiV-aTz6xQ7CgBmcEZ0xN3CNIDEgoRtN8OaVP3Ol0isZPnMCgR0CdcN3YLf/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><img id="id_9e1c_865c_a9b_1c5c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItGOrzb0Ub1qADo6xtPVkIsGhuJ0PjyZI9tPVR0TYo8Wt00c1v2AByc8ItqQpjQFKKX7Y1vjG6JCJuHH_O7V_epaMBXMhVWGSFK2TGrLzD5cHLQJjCT5NJtQMIGHoWHEuHiMf/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><img id="id_2cc1_2066_21a2_1f2a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBgklsA4RWCAgtRgqD_feJahnf0faTMKbo3uVNz0AAZ1Vo0bHZ48A8CqB-8QtwA9CVtCiO2agyGJAHEL26N_KS-M_BBx8IMGC7ZLetC_FMp9XhDUZNziN3G8f5mlH9tFA3GsQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_30a0_a92c_8d53_d75d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLjFPFMDFPILT4yZPrpJcPgV5M1MAuCaXEEKPIXZY_obp-OH1AwedBBgK7LVy7JWSFTHJ5ZDOG2QDq5doOm5SVMBNlFp4BcVVtUmOGObqnLG_NXtsgQKfNEPkPuB2PQXosm2H6/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_db74_2b53_ac2c_d0af" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIm4fEqYhs5_MgzGyLX_n5RbPRgqj3YHS8rdBbi_AG3dJPjr6pi5LhBnsF8lbOM8EfTByGPYUnDzchQJtgs8nc5alEryZkVU781uY7VCXmjQJv6TygTyjQb5fUuPEGicz7j1e/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">At NOI Casa Atacama, we loosen up at the spa. It’s barbecue night and we’re first in at 8, too early for most, so we have a quiet dinner. We also claim our free welcome drinks: a Cabernet Sauvignon for me and a Shiraz for Stuart. Not a good idea. A few sips- I swear that’s all I had- triggers a headache lasting all night and well into the next day.&nbsp;</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s the altitude of course. Although Atacama is just slightly above the altitude sickness threshold of 2,000 meters, it’s just my luck to be afflicted. I’m told it has nothing to do with gender, age, or physical fitness.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart goes exploring, including swimming in a salt lake- shoot! I so wanted to do that!&nbsp;</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><img id="id_53da_4a9b_2df_c058" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2j0ROVTjm3haGYPOuiEQSGNePZ0Yu3yyEVJbpwcsucqPe4Ljzpo1FQufXjvh6g7T-vLkEBkFW5-MMx51TIQ6ZczSC09vsMxUqmzs1lPl3fHV5krpvZ8Odvz9XqZdfBk7hO_XY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I stay in and concentrate on getting over this altitude thing. It soon passes.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday night is star studded.</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">At the Space Observatory, where we are given a crash course in Astronomy, I &nbsp;finally get the chance to look through astronomical telescopes and have astronomers explain what it is I’m looking at. The sky is chock-a-block with stars, clusters, star clouds, asteroids, meteors, etc. With the field so crowded, it’s hard to find the few constellations I’m familiar with.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Because of its high elevation (2,400 meters or 8,000 feet), dry air, absence of cloud cover, and no light pollution or radio interference, this spot has the darkest, clearest night sky available to astronomers and star-crazy amateurs like me.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><img id="id_f621_1135_e44c_ef15" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUy_GeIhzq8UndRgDs5jjzbGm0U9U2rnf9biueusl07By59reQwRAC-ru8r0JKxYrrDFNhEvWAktWAn2XqkjDk2rTiRwsAi8vRa6htLBim9W_eE9ejiCSk_NlNsCLGRLtF-f3d/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_48d9_5c91_b202_8ad1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPvc1vg3zjwRS59_kWfE_YPhZaFokOI6OtQ3f5DGS7QH1wal6KYpS_hvxaZNa8VJztWwVKUwpm56vLNqM5yKGKUOx4y6g13EGO53glfoUfS3Jp6h_N7OWJ_afodCMwz_T_s1lp/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To say the night was a memorable experience, a dream come true, or a mind-blowing marvel would not be enough. To try to describe the feeling of being there and being part of it all would be an exercise in futility, never mind frustration.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So I’ll just say standing there in the cold desert, covered in two layers of down coats, looking up at the stars blazing in the inky black dome of a sky above me was a great way to spend an evening.</span></font></p></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4574138351553298953'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4574138351553298953'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/backup-skywalking-in-atacama-desert.html' title='Skywalking in the Atacama Desert '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC75ACUVjnZMEuXPs0HsH9U7ajL9JZvHC5X2l-dLKS2F0Vm3pWDs09QseQBz5D-VdEnyoku2Bd9OcbcTyvmdTbJQBx1w9x32eewsutEWWNpAVPL8VeO097gW3dP3oz9sGgR-rz/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2015194451057715975</id><published>2018-10-24T17:26:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-27T06:44:51.289+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='HK China Bridge'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Victoria Harbour'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tai Hang'/><title type='text'>Dateline Hong Kong</title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I missed a big part of the Hong Kong experience despite having lived there on and off over 10 years. I also feel the same way about over 15 years in Singapore. Even of my five years in Sydney.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I used to say a lot of this was at least partially due to the fact that I didn’t have children to ferry back and forth to school, ballgames, or playdates. Or the fact that I’ve never enjoyed driving. The truth of the matter probably lies somewhere between laziness and </font></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">lack of curiosity.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Never part of the glitzy China Club set, nor of the bohemian LKF one, the nearby Wan Chai street market may have been the most adventurous exploration I ever attempted on my own.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I regarded Hong Kong as my quiet retreat, my “away” place, spending endless hours in the hotel lounge&nbsp;reading,&nbsp;having coffee and cakes,&nbsp;planning coming holidays, and writing about past ones.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In t</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">oday’s Hong Kong paper, there’s a photo of people swimming in the harbour. Over&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3,000 participants from 11 countries set off from Tsim Sha Tsui public pier en route to Wan Chai in a swim meet that was an annual event begun in 1906 but was suspended in 1978 because the water had become dangerously polluted. It was revived in 2011 after a rigorous clean-up campaign.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><img id="id_9c5c_837_3163_170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkdssdpjrIAECDG2DpXX5Ch9a639zTDfxtQ0qQqeozppBHq0E9Tyz_rwO5SinyYzCpwLuq_q1Ta4EwZu7buaO76W6biO-Sao7NUfcGblX1q6mSrD1SqxBQnuBRPH_2BWp2gI9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><sub><i>Photo grabbed from South China Morning Post.</i></sub></font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">So when did Victoria Harbour stop being the foul-smelling E.coli infested water that people dreaded falling into, fearful of dying not from drowning but from septicemia? And why didn’t I even notice?</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yesterday, Stuart and I took a tram to Tai Hang,&nbsp;an up and coming suburb just off Causeway Bay. Looks like it has a way to go yet but there are definitely pocketts of&nbsp;</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">expensive-looking high rises encroaching on the middle to lower levels</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font>We had a pleasant but unremarkable&nbsp;lunch at one of the smart looking cafes. Afterwards,&nbsp;</font>we walked around looking for curiously named Lab Made Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font>By this time, long queues had&nbsp;snaked outside three hole-in-the-wall type eateries. Several cars were stopped along the curb on both sides of the narrow untidy streets, their drivers keeping engines idling. A Porsche and a Jaguar among them.</font></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">I asked somebody what they were queueing for. Pork noodles. I guess we could’ve done with a bit more local knowledge.&nbsp;</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the bus going back to the Grand Hyatt, I saw row upon row of smart-looking European style shops and restaurants in Causeway Bay. When did all this happen?</font></span></p>
<p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tomorrow, the HKD120 billion Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge will start operations, cutting travel time from mainland China to Hong Kong from four hours to only 45 minutes.&nbsp;</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’ve only ever been to Macau and Shanghai. And that was way before the 10 or so years I lived practically next door in Hong Kong. Of course exploring China sometime was something I always meant to do. It just somehow never happened.</font></p></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2015194451057715975'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2015194451057715975'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/10/dateline-hong-kong.html' title='Dateline Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRkdssdpjrIAECDG2DpXX5Ch9a639zTDfxtQ0qQqeozppBHq0E9Tyz_rwO5SinyYzCpwLuq_q1Ta4EwZu7buaO76W6biO-Sao7NUfcGblX1q6mSrD1SqxBQnuBRPH_2BWp2gI9/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5538929816774342179</id><published>2018-10-01T21:26:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-08T14:16:38.231+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mangkhut'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='typhoon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='auctions'/><title type='text'>The Hong Kong Scene </title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">Prepping for National Day on Victoria Harbour.</font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_9d2b_b4f7_e43f_a48f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcS1vpwWH7YqBylRw0ip-DBeGfVQIhS6vOKp_yazbsZUFMyWUbQt5NfqHK7woYNY9wuW2zNROyQUj1OdpIFDvx26oJBwvwj698jRp9REbfEVibXDJn_kq14iymGU8mMjLkovl/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br><img id="id_955b_f8e2_d577_2e35" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8S2ctnqcWvYpXi3SxqCvX6pipSo_o_xkJJA-4PAtcBF2CqzYgPeAO6ZWXcqaADqqL2cVXUErWrGPp2Jm0t3dnyX4uaWrolDVZLiHGq8bX-ezensfnlWwEaq2FVsvP1FmhczB/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Throwback scene: sampans and the noon-day gun on Causeway Bay.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_381f_35cd_4b27_3b7b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHixRV8fA1MxMFu1ZKCuO__qD_380fXdfumF2KeifzyQf6Qv1RePAqMJdSw3_kxy13J04XIcoiT4SG2R6jgB0Z4e9OUR2nZaQvRhBE5jXk0kicnBWMVLas2TCNCQ9yuIPPE071/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Wan Chai windows: after the storm.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_22e_68d5_8c04_3b25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinm0N_ELM9eJX1NkzIvoVK49gLTvMeH3X0JEVxUTgMxwytqCTk8bJv6ZBvK5R0IR8SiQUwgIKCQ1NsYYgXMY2n5basfLThU5uO3_PCyX5pwxoacwgchov7FF1hts1fchHv5gvo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7940_e2_acb4_fd48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGLZ03AaqqK2Cszrngxtowo0f_C_4qj7wpsGE2dKjfvSLh-anBLiTBkLLKrXDlbDcx7syFK-g1AlRIEfz8ljnoC1emShozAzbmExlVoA5KKLGckVEBIpvwLLDLne8w84sBvAB0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_2767_83c2_831a_a6b7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BVU6bMQ316PzDFQTJy-WGPOdzTb2aPYD5d2JLKeydRY86rmiitmDDOUe8oPHD4S3PsIpB11-m3VkitDGlXMNrrFtwT0zke1Q6LE48mWkNKeYkmXjuIAhHNOtKIgFrUbKKf6c/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Auctions:&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Fine Chinese Paintings and Calligraphy.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I could’ve stayed and stared all day at the breathtaking beauty of the hanging scrolls. The calligraphy was beyond my comprehension though, save for the visual impact of the graceful, elegant brush strokes.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6212_2d07_ea1b_470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi880JbTzyGkAQJ8L7n68CkWIdXMMopB9jGeqgN9QF98MxO1rFnIlD5UWetw-NL6LYM-csIRDektOXbbbN_ZUzRXfxgLpytpfIfle_vwEG2jepRnMg3muxPj2ISGZ7NATPNGwcx/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_8f03_277a_c619_4e0d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYl4hXG1bSIrT_y8uns0Kov26iIJZgOG0kYPzK6W1gMRJ4RR_A3fOjjs3FHTKGCp4dyzv18eO71X3OvnWSmUyFuBYK5TbpvJk6q-PRAxQCQPd8H8Zg-Z0Opyz0sKqpm-g7G1F/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_7587_135c_3135_d2c2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9WLhorVpSI5CB6qJ688DGtWeDZDWRtrB1pBD6qDlmZ6q0tYI9zgu5SnE1dH8Vi2HXfgjrUgHZZlmZOjvT0yLASLA3FpXeUg5nF-sAO3kB23cVXA8qPtj2ODm_Rax7oI66Bjiq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br></font></span><br><br><img id="id_9431_5c9d_88e3_87da" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoNkUCCQxbmY4w_bZCAgzwJgwhsz08lgpg_kQDzaM5-XabF08HFiUYanaagcauKRQ7cUexOjBEWUAZT0dzpGngqECrrlwQFPCfravzAc7S40ZJve6WNcfYQ3KQXhz433mTXAH/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></span><br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_7c2c_910d_a8a4_e0b8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizrUn9YK-iwb-73dC3keWanbMffBSNloKCkWlif4J45T9jrIWkLtdEA5ebevRePtBbyAyBoNllLiRVrVHiJdceR1Gwc5eqNVX7bhgZJsMSu5x_edxrtQ1C2Y8nx3AdXifdHLLp/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_4846_2f94_ab24_9b93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXS61Zy98ebLsGZb1b5W2vb94v181zGLs4QM-oKKsiF51ps-Bk9TmcQ_rk8HJ9wb27XxmP8ghmzFv5sC6VEHee19nPDyPxhocRhp6dB4hO2RxQlFU5QmZ15eULm5LPmYZW58zF/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_3d50_a451_9715_fab8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuk15SyFkEWKw5HuPjoNe0TiL_b3GAloqtRRmj6OI96tL9A2JoLzm2HBMao0DopcKgibSZnjZu84AIhEasACSPnTddX63uwip27pqPtQe9MwkPzdREq5Q4iHziIUhxKCjfdN4v/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><br><br>Can you imagine the horror of misplacing a&nbsp;fan so exquisite that it’s valued at HKD100,000?<br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_a0ef_6c84_2d27_91a3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6iKFv1tWp0KJlM7_f-o2kqfaWr13R17ZdtN0iUaB8vtsxB1upXb9WoTnVmXHiMh_raF3wr-L1zgc4GCYtQa0RiSL4vEfO0mI6ttxFUsHyyUYgEzR-ogWIMek5xxSlMwAkdVCs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_a82a_5743_855_7c0c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9VznXTflCoV4sjjY_AkAfvABslR4sxHGzo2wyNLR2sDVnEVqZLcyPcitcWJKtmJS2D23SgcUb8Io-bQHCs_JCctZjfjOM0gYgRIXP4I3VZt4wQBbHcWDLIo3TrW4B1qieM0N/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><br><br><br><br><br></font></span><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5538929816774342179'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5538929816774342179'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/10/the-hong-kong-scene.html' title='The Hong Kong Scene '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZcS1vpwWH7YqBylRw0ip-DBeGfVQIhS6vOKp_yazbsZUFMyWUbQt5NfqHK7woYNY9wuW2zNROyQUj1OdpIFDvx26oJBwvwj698jRp9REbfEVibXDJn_kq14iymGU8mMjLkovl/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6442469648700537278</id><published>2018-09-22T14:34:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-11T07:37:17.472+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Birthday'/><title type='text'> My Birthday Trip</title><content type='html'> <div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17.4px; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;.SF UI Text&quot;; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 20.8px;"><span style="font-family: &quot;.SFUIText&quot;; font-size: 17.41pt;"></span><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17.4px; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;.SF UI Text&quot;; color: rgb(228, 175, 10);"><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TqJQaT4VyaU" width="746" height="281" id="y_id_eb30_844e_63cb_abbe" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17.4px; line-height: normal; font-family: &quot;.SF UI Text&quot;; color: rgb(228, 175, 10);"><br><br></p></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6442469648700537278'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6442469648700537278'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/a-weeklong-celebration_22.html' title=' My Birthday Trip'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://i.ytimg.com/vi/TqJQaT4VyaU/default.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5655026276158384203</id><published>2018-09-03T17:37:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-08T14:48:48.943+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Russia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Moscow'/><title type='text'>Saying goodbye to my Russian summer </title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The first two days of September, my last two days in Russia.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>Photographing old Moscow...</font></div><div><img id="id_9041_e0b_ef12_6b9a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEQf-477-seKKS0y_bDf8gGRdX9YPKKO3wXyKjRtR96PInxxvf6afA_eyBFknJfBA8nQnSp8jVe1DCAbkOSkYHcxf9o8oQhOVZSn2H_Vh-2ko7uSXsB8WNSrm6kwM3Sa4rHzH/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></div><div><br><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">...and new.</font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_ee69_6675_db_ddac" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQkPHZvHMu3BcQBWb_tn-1-MrEgh3M2Ybyo4VqtdmhJoeDf1SiMu39YMTpNsnNg-WFdpDpq1xDjIiVlLhZVBoy9GbBy79xjgZP0RKBo05tzeO16F7D_NcuVeehpPMMdm0BUPp9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" title="" tooltip="" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;"></span><br></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_59da_6b6_55e0_426e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQ3jfWH671s2JTsle9RdKnKRTjnHWPGEXqC1FBv6o7cD32BgctIN9Gh4GIODew1_MScXxwIxhz20ExkkAh2MIsHXHoifnDw2R6r3wLXflk7P7Vwr_T3Av6qTagXWbJGV0GjDF/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Favourite facades</font>.<br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7583_2fac_1389_44b2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhU7PoKB0vN3EReC2lAbYfNv41Mn-5WY1JqTW0vzFfZQbNGrttd9J0gA4Rs6FDzOMEUrxJ39RK_jcjEqAwcXFPZEhOmypq5JF46LyhQyqn_mVS7eQO6mTZ_fPbJny9Hx8-VSDY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Shopping can be epic, extreme.</font><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e1e5_a387_6807_aa58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Xftcj_LgoAkjwySKMtxwl_pw1Dbot45DA2ynUpAZVQMMd7eI1hUquCtiKH3jR6GXRv83Vgd1zXiRmWNkH2fe2y6iSJ63P3P_u8G-R6jWQo-qZgjGynlFl3DAqUzivVU_VsD_/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s a side of Moscow virtually unseen, almost unknown in our part of the world: youthful, optimistic, fun.</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_6f8f_28d8_735e_f0fa" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs5_agSBb8ib7arg8AV86jpXSNxfL1OsbyZFzu4gI9IL_SdAZowZkxEYkhgZMnWgQMACPitDlHSLUSdkK1LJ0gv_hVY6VeyGuZEsCuA0I_N2Rd09rBpYyTu2uGLxcPJ3BbGJW5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><font face="Verdana" size="4">Yeliseev’s Food Hall. Possibly the world’s most opulent grocery store.</font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
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</font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sunday lunch at a quiet cafe across from&nbsp;the Tchaikovsky Conservatory. And a Citibank branch.</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><img id="id_e322_75c7_8307_3679" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_fEKsK2Ah1nulFgigk1_iLg0qF_1v6tSu1ndPSqU7w07T0sV1wpVUPOtJ7MqeB5STwBUM3fdEYoU-zGz_qXR9MidnpKDpPDpquqUbbsosEn71wXljoiGTxZjEZbF4z96jXiI/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sanduny Bathhouse. Photos courtesy of Stuart who was there. Too bad I wasn’t.</font></span></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">***</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s not really goodbye, it’s <i>do svidaniya</i>! 😍</font></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5655026276158384203'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5655026276158384203'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/goodbye-to-my-russian-summer.html' title='Saying goodbye to my Russian summer '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEQf-477-seKKS0y_bDf8gGRdX9YPKKO3wXyKjRtR96PInxxvf6afA_eyBFknJfBA8nQnSp8jVe1DCAbkOSkYHcxf9o8oQhOVZSn2H_Vh-2ko7uSXsB8WNSrm6kwM3Sa4rHzH/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3773681815196560716</id><published>2018-09-03T04:40:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-08T14:53:39.105+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Suzdal'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Vladimir'/><title type='text'>Into Russia’s Golden Ring </title><content type='html'><div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>VLADIMIR</b>&nbsp;</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m fascinated by two very different structures. One is a park, the other, a monastery.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Near our hotel on a quiet tree-lined street is a small, woodsy park.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It has no lawns or flower beds, just rows of shady trees,</span>&nbsp;a small children’s playground, and lots of benches to sit and chat or to quietly read a book. It’s a place of calm and beauty.</font></div>
<div><img alt="" id="id_6234_47f9_728f_478a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPo1_vdgwOex1esze1dJ1IuMk7tignVUdvaVGWwDsTt3UJjE6WV_zYq2CEOZ4xWnCvxTa6EeUlfWOoyU_TdbwmRKv6WET7p4FBTOuOcO7sTMTSYL8KLctwAly3UJHv81L8ZWm/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br></font></span><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vladimir was the powerful seat of the Grand Princes of Russia from the 11th to the 13th centuries. The wife of one of these princes founded the first monastery in Russia, t</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">he 13th century Princess’ Assumption Monastery.</font></span></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></font></span></font></div><div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">The monastery’s main church is the Princess’ Assumption Cathedral, also called the Dormition Cathedral.&nbsp;</font></div></div><div><font size="4"><font face="Verdana"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7f49_3544_84db_aa7b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithZscR_qdL6fvq4RQonFZSC8Pkm20jHk-ytUlq-NBX42xInwpHigOm20-Ut6ef93SEQFyL4G7kUtxhvUTN9huImx5StCmJ9juZFi_hn1M01Vr9aQOznjg_qqdgr0XBOpz3XZl/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>The stark simplicity of its lines c</font></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">uts a stunning profile against a clear blue sky. It has no sculptures of any kind. This monastic austerity makes even more remarkable the drama of the interiors where walls and ceilings are lushly decorated with&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">exuberantly coloured and&nbsp;joyful 17th century frescoes.</span>&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_23c1_d84b_a033_7f5b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9VsdA-TAc_lur7ULliDTv_WNmUxUimbQO438qtVutJSlTeUYZgXO_cOVWSwEMHHdGc0wgrOSFAiKI8hJWlfupc81XlrtrpPfUHd4matyoxeb1sK-yDo89rtUS1wk6ownultu6/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the centre of the nave, on a bier festooned with lilies and white roses, lies an icon of the <i>Dormition of the Mother of God. </i>It depicts the death of the Virgin, a striking image I’m not used to seeing; a reminder of the subtle differences between faiths and world views.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="width: 353px;"><img alt="" id="id_1409_2026_cd6c_a839" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGs5rFFgpzXmIoeDdoCoJudXo-yoqb1v5fJq7EJUl9X8yvmakedY0ylM2ITRiIX61d6a8o_Oq23_Xe6IuTvGn3y_O3UAVWdukbK7XtFHsRX2YSc-Y1Nb4r8TbWI7LdQat1jFjr/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""></span><br><br></font></span><img id="id_92ef_2f3_3be0_a6a9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxirQLe-RnAcsjDHzbNIdj6m2Ik5rURcI21tMknOJFaI6G6WG8TYGvRWzW44a3mtN6UEfGa6-mYE7QDPFTh2-qR9hhPOVbZvJqYCm-DJd9GodcPgDU-wDMJ3uZFiceh7iEiiO_/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="width: 353px;"></span></font></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In 1923, the Soviets closed down the monastery, later dismantling the bell tower and turning the church into a museum.&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was reopened as a convent in 1992.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"></font></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><br><b>SUZDAL</b>&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The smallest town in the Golden Ring, Suzdal is also one of the oldest in Russia. It’s a showpiece fairytale landscape sprinkled with gingerbread houses and lofty churches.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><img id="id_241f_5220_5ae6_e809" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshyphenhyphenFg9wYlfBPkV8l1_1MoarikIQKpnutkeJe8nUfEfsm_7dqoE5hiyvwQrVEW2IUmBlAh9N_c1XvN4Ew9Nd_oo7wBow6T8zJrYXIMNWL5j0TM4Be-4izP5N8QL0EeXAyI-h8B/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_5f1c_c7a8_bfe8_e260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Vdj-Bw2cSIkukEkCkxhgQBLkJKYyR8CupWReHJqJ2MDbPKaX6qg4KypfG95yjocF5OJU2DCizY4YWJ3mev__AhsrhKhJQMI9Jg4g5EVxQDFNPZugzjnlA0lWJD7s8QnAzR2o/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_5e1a_a6c1_5ad1_716a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3jU_HChcMc01a8kegdon2G49exBB5oFlkbda7Pz0la2f-1s-OUUBNf1W7hdmhF3xgEzwMd65QfX2tm_xweKWyab0oKovOFm4B2qHB9whSzFS0FYVqEAuzGO0QV_ZFnbhDRKg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8dbe_5ad6_9b5a_a66f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4IFIQmUaUtlpF8NgYnMubQDNKov9cACS3pu9uosUZ2qbWq3VkHLlahbJpU-6wCuwvCDlCOIJc6EI-nUTtPOcPDiIeBJomwEB9izAyVmyGjh3iQaTUhQ9hAocFEcP125ttsdug/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_68b8_6599_73c1_e47d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJaNrNfVy_4Ob8EHlJFG_HwU8XnW2Wd5PJUCIbmIHkcON1nqjVuzLPNBmCqoP6pAO4x3CKPM0732aVcMk-QabcDJU9XF9WUBMFArrocbFUXQA4Tv1IhDFkBimYfWl0CbEZ3h1I/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_c27c_cc53_82fc_edab" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVdCbQkDSimo0UiU0N2z-WxJGi321lI8fG2gFfUiWhVsSdXnNVDr94CLX22hFe9GH_fOAK-7DMLnC5yVxbRN68BlZU03jg4A2UnJw2Ig6gmW7HCd_CquiHPl_jKbMsxVVEivD/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_1c57_cdcc_c4d9_22a7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sd5DRnxvGxxYuWao3c5JOE6hAqO_8vO8Qyb4vvgA2RiwV7pdgkPnCuvQC6mfsWNsr4SlRZXA0kmRlba2HUZpMNmZnOUUHi2j7UiGA3hAE5aH0jcBoRA6_ryka0Vk_KsV2D9w/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7a9c_bd5a_96c1_d39b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMGqF9XOCVk8Xt1FPvGmHiAs516FZLkkjEsDiGryUvWwI3F00flAykmWfpDhu4vuE_wFc0reXcfEaFLbjjFLCna7ug82SB8lmCmb_N2-h8IFL_4yzbBKvCVDRlNlh3tHXj66z/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_c90c_564c_ee30_76af" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-T7U-PYtVHYwWsV5Q6jc1N3Cojc7Yf6JLl87oZml3FWOV_tzsSzNVuWU3Q6PXVfRVKPGeN8jbmpZn2uoJTclMUqXbJe6K7BlmM7Wh71T7Zl1yeq-pck5CcZ3Ustt7ztQNAX9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7c49_821c_c8ac_3e72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGdQZokfWcDkI29L7NuzTD89yU1vBe9_LwkIhyphenhyphenL1UqqFZutX3wicc3tuZAOTM_eAtOhBMRM0eJhM-4ldkkHFtAQx0kEoj7jv7bwdETFlJK6udRHiYdLDzQMUx3msJwQmjfkIs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="width: 353px;"></span></font></span></div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3773681815196560716'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3773681815196560716'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html' title='Into Russia’s Golden Ring '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdPo1_vdgwOex1esze1dJ1IuMk7tignVUdvaVGWwDsTt3UJjE6WV_zYq2CEOZ4xWnCvxTa6EeUlfWOoyU_TdbwmRKv6WET7p4FBTOuOcO7sTMTSYL8KLctwAly3UJHv81L8ZWm/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-72875118780246213</id><published>2018-08-27T18:19:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-08T15:06:46.960+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Volga'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Russia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='river cruise'/><title type='text'>Nizhniy Novgorod </title><content type='html'><div>
<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I lit candles in the church of&nbsp;<b>St Michael the Archangel </b>i</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">nside Nizhniy Novgorod’s beautiful Kremlin.</span></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">During the Soviet era, Stalin changed the city’s name </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to <b>Gorky</b>&nbsp;to entice the Pro-Communist&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">novelist and political activist <b>Maxim Gorky</b></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;who was born there to come back from exile in Italy to permanently return to Russia.&nbsp;</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>This house was Gorky’s childhood home where he lived with his grandmother until he ran away at age 12. It’s now a museum.</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img alt="" id="id_9831_4096_d34f_2a26" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg2men5DuPJbgv3UqMa99FioMT5FY_tsmy-cQhCIVFzUDLP2lEnFEkFPgJ2zhM3PcdW0d0WhT7JlMr2OS8ObU-h2fPWLJu4te20pXEXN6c4DqBRHVYpljVeDSsjpBIVf3FXDU0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><img alt="" id="id_1181_368e_a137_5bd3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywhm9Rvtz9CienbDfTpfqZV83k_qfmn3uvUANp3KLyFWp5yBsjWr9n066aoq-1aeD_Bk0jpLDsKXvEaXlrG2ESiONzVIvl8KVqakz4PKXYwXbrCDcDknVcGAn2IhowYZ00SJM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><img alt="" id="id_cf48_ccd4_e596_9b7e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcsOPSKzIbfPwwWTJS48CYY6ed25VajpSrtBTpByDc6wdIL7CeTb0uHxlYrjSqZzHssvRJ-M-IV14G0kWm6vGpI3T5x6UW2d4-4gx7AnzOHsaxximxncqE1FfxMCAskoRbm5E2/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><b>Obisov Chambers</b>&nbsp;is a 17th century white-stone house, said to be the oldest house in Nizhniy Novgorod and one of very few such “white-stone” buildings existing in all of Russia. It was built by Afanasy Olisova, a member of the class of wealthy merchants called “guests” whom Tsar Peter the Great forcibly relocated to St Petersburg to boost trade in his newly created city.</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>In front of this house, Olisova also built a beautiful church. It’s one of a few churches not destroyed by the Soviets because they had been repurposed as administrative buildings or as warehouses. This one was used as a chemical laboratory.&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_7cf4_bd98_886a_257a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIu3MWuoSYRCHJ7BF0dZP6j0VHHtAgxzlbAWXqGh17bRYqulrhE-DZko6ZNv81ba0rmgAr9ZM-RDKWlDTmNFd2LUzhhOwBfvvaPlMqsHth1xqiJtN4vduNND313YvOC8faEKA/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><img alt="" id="id_b5ce_6f17_b6b7_8147" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7YsnaSv3xabGJb66wWbZt0BLyvV1RAal_fFiaHu5Wow3l56pizFdaQTnaBvndlkJ_EjOM67HUm-l9yFB_Y2gpvVrp63mvl3FAHZSjcGH4s8c9_Ef85MyYLreJ1c9nGP_zZ74U/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br><img alt="" id="id_e27b_37ae_88c_c1c3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Sl-rmjNeNTNPbpAc0bORv1fCCG_475u2m61xZ-OkXkomhEELUY4BAB-uOLqvRES4M9BEkA9ZkFyPRjPlhYfme0gjK8P_CH_E4JrWd5RyYeAgunDOyWMBxGmGppiqqugGITfP/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br>It is said that this ugly block of flats was built as camouflage to hide the church from prying eyes. To this day, the church is practically obliterated from the landscape as viewed from the Volga River, the only way it could’ve been seen at the time</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;because the Soviets had sealed off Nizhniy Novgorod as a “closed city.”</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s a restaurant in town called&nbsp;<b>Expedition</b>. It really does take you on an expedition - to Siberia.&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">You get to go in a chopper...</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">...stay in a chum swaddled in reindeer hides...</font></span></div>
<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_1050_65da_b336_24ab" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN4N9ALgfY9d3oVJvrvDCdJ_8bj-W0X8VbaDIsEQHgugLsTYErotf43lUc8jMfrJb_5vOFm09-t-nftqUHQklbaATc82mEjXhhJ3zaUetA_eGy0GZFuylHreqYdG0V90XuoD-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br>...dine on exotic game like reindeer liver paté, deer heart rolls, boiled reindeer tongue served with crisp rye bread and smoked cowberries...<br><img alt="" id="id_2f4_bc05_cb47_bfd7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_GgUlo4z7X2H4iEwM3VANqxv2TqJDhYy-SI1t1XfMKnrbzKGPVtZ3mIYP-fhQSOZuEZhr61K4nqO6tHCHFD5aYpXNmqZ1vMvrj6FEcHWzJnc0ey49P7kWKrseLZgE2hi3B9J/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br>...and sip a <i>nastoyka </i>(tincture), a spice and herb infusion with an alcohol content of anywhere from 25% to 60%.<br><img alt="" id="id_85f3_c123_bd7b_b20d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOxQydg-j5lREpsYkSPJp6hgaTrCYJlbDbX_AHHH2Ck3AGUOYfEeMZqmIZJpaqPy6RdrISsXHlgz6IgkzLGSxxIh8sgXwCnyIUQXqbvdX9BqSFhdnzutYM3FNXaY1UXsT7zsTs/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br></span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Irina, our very charming, very knowledgeable guide tells me the grand&nbsp;<b>Chikalov Staircase</b>&nbsp;that links the upper and lower embankments of the Volga River has 642 steps.&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“I know because I counted them myself,” she says.</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Wikipedia tells me there are 560 on both sides or 442 from bottom to top.&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are many interesting stories about this historic city; there are many secrets and myths too. Some stories can be fact-checked; others can’t. I guess I can do what Irina did: go up those steps and count them myself.&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Below the staircase is the very point where the <b>Volga</b> and the <b>Oka</b> rivers converge. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We take a riverboat cruise to watch the sun</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">set and the moon</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">rise.&nbsp;</span></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On board the boat, a nice gentleman from Nizhniy and his son who was born in Kamchatka (“It’s near Japan,” the father offers) and now&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">lives</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> in Moscow want to know why Stuart and I would come on holiday all this way from Manila. The older man offers Stuart a drink from a bottle of cognac he’d brought along with him, tucked away nicely in his shoulder bag. To me he offers a Twix chocolate bar.</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Who says Russians are unfriendly?</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">As we glide past the monumental staircase, he comes up to me, taps me on my arm, and says in his laboured English, “Do you know...that staircase was built by Germans?”</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Now, <i>that’s</i> a story I’d like to pursue! But his grandson is tugging at his sleeve and he reluctantly moves away.</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the point where tw</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">o rivers meet, the sun sets between the old and the new: the <b>Alexander Nevsky Cathedral</b> founded in 1868 and the <b>World Cup Stadium</b> built in 2018.</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Soon after, a near-full moon rises over the Volga river.</font></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/72875118780246213'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/72875118780246213'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/nizhniy-novgorod.html' title='Nizhniy Novgorod '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWfqWIZoYDgLBwVqRXYwSj3ptMu7KvmmreQYLRoFjJ2a1eDPF68ZFdkMCr6FAKAPzclTcy0J02Ya_fbs6NF0vA6dARhmrS4gO4CcUjlBNZA6biUhlE2Wc-Wkov7SvbJvt3CNHX/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1786125717448745379</id><published>2018-08-26T17:23:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-09T10:54:03.508+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='circus'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Russia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><title type='text'>Moscow, Second Impressions</title><content type='html'><div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The City and the People</u></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">When away on holiday, the last thing you want is to be in a place that feels like &nbsp;“you could be anywhere in the world.”&nbsp;Sometimes it’s hard to avoid those places; in big cities, it’s close to impossible.&nbsp;But in Moscow, you always know you’re definitely not in New York, or London, or anywhere else familiar. You know you’re somewhere different.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s the wide avenues, the vast public parks, the monumental architecture, the fabulous metro, the ubiquity of its national symbols.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_8a45_e429_e7e5_9e61" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlUWfOvqS4z6ZaTo2UGl5EXWn3YHPIRelnNxH5p7xHEh3mEEzocjFmCeSairpJ7jYPgN3XSsBVKexGJUS0PMFHcbJhpW0kWefRpZaOf5Y6sJMQzrRM3Xm__logYeRr2sQ7DOw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><br><img id="id_9048_f22d_f76f_e3c7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQVxelzA9ESfvk4EsecBVx-CXcPQZo_gJj0clz-FDCbB7AgHxp-pyJc5XpRMbrn0GHhBW77g6MiKbSp_4BxZp01y2ELxfPLLKad_1XhWOeROo3xXQvSSOxtpBaI85V6-gaY59/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7e9_8426_bef8_96b0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgaxZDEYwUJ6Ubdx1f5qbVKTR3Iz_Ax2j3Lk1aX0NkLsZtoSsxJZHCSW0Ckcxt2iqnuXnq_qyV2YilRsI8ev0159nBC1pIkBVB6GbheQ6Zq8Poiv5D5Upz3Gm-YS0fE7ta0B7/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_c959_9a70_47e7_31bd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCOPaWSo2178oO_Be_4I270VOhSJBvrs9swREdH1JrhTX4i1YABUobrs3gJmNsUk8tz-ltoyodEXKhzehcuFgn_fnRgZ4jPmehQzEwQeGSdVxj1FZ11yuQTPgoeuUcAdEjTo3Z/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div><img id="id_32ed_545f_520_a0db" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yaumAKELwTxjXlCk7gOux6rFqxV3aVKzcS4jXugIJqA16wlMpA8w6yV5wqtl_NQhAzs1WzNFNQ0jWo7zGg667RssOe5Fi3i6SHzv8dZfOOdxidLQ7IvQKwwlFEzH0OcxBL5Y/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><img id="id_fa5b_8b1c_10aa_2c6f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG7e4sDHpa4qfrgmtBOSEkdP31cyHFcPXoE1npP22skVuGyONe90eFlnDBXTUb1EYMmnZMoXah7ymXWp9Yhps-NZUrIcw2Z1exyGM-oDUcSk1ZKtHN_NIQ2LAHLdiHVTtyRvJI/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_9ef6_dde8_9927_9cf" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKjyhZn-wBl6J9y3xCEakMCvd8IMQRhmOUcDK5nkbMntcXKBPDAtHQPflniydNcqyAcFcF_1HEw3alvBjKkf1UEbYTXQN49IA0Hkpt6IfRT5BzqRXIRYMCD-kwvi-TdmMZ7Gh/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8b61_32e0_a2da_90e3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbpXiQOSumwFBSU62iDY1rvONpEOLv4HrvgFEpitKuvrgKscUOqGFebsYiSyf_iZWp5PfgvZRGUQNkuq2dYMt5T5ag8C1qCFnEQUJsPsQlLt-xbOeFQbeHh9tNrXJqC2HgjO0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7b95_9cba_f2e1_a5d6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-n-cYW_pfItsANJguw2kmrD2dOBuEb7f-IoxxPo1bi6DUVUFRCCBWnAEs8vw4BW3vRqffpZ50XZJ8t_fKWeSt6XCewtDLJQrxzZTj9r6GO7MtcugEMhyphenhyphen3AptHqcOV00mQPA8K/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_ba7d_ce27_5e37_c96a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmAA3_vPlde1t3gRIN5gf1dVpCTFbvkwZ4PKnXliG9n6D673XiH1u5AYa09RxbDwGAeYulxVd15O9NmR-FdMJFQSWoshA1oBdTx2kYXqXq0TkbiZCwp9L9WqqQo4e8ENDtQPTf/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_cbb2_d64f_1f68_9911" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdd3T3JcG5mR5v2QA0nw1d9cn591R0NCF64k6x4iJknPlRqQ1FsfiAYMI2PjAKJl0d02-wsHYfFuz3iYMhPPmUjZUIyGomPfWe6CWJ1ctiHH960_5yDgl4V9xORqzrVM9w442M/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><img id="id_da3e_cbd_26bc_b9ae" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUJJPVFJt3NyLwmB9WRFKjcYNr5HXf37wetBusw7G6r5LeX-OSPeWPizaH6-hMEgiGnAfL0SoE4VsEK7yB6DR04eJSmPdNsK5HFPvwn8WLL-s07rnRRA_KLH5nK2YHw0v2PrC-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_a57a_c179_3acf_893c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishhg35ZDngtHJb9KAgGjdKbJzA4xGzT-CLT4ptgik0KN4BDsr541wW2NPnQ6lwGQYBahlW0AlpxJYLOX0qG1t2UHxnGNS08wVUYSbPEEKSDrrIPQKbTQ54FqQGuV-6ID2aR4-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div><font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s also the cleanliness. Streets and pavements, underpasses, the metro, buses, trams, and trains are exceptionally clean. I can only speak of the places I’ve been to. In a big city like this, there surely must be untidy places; I have yet to see them in Moscow. On the train to Nizhniy Novgorod, they mopped the floor at every stop, four times in just over three hours.&nbsp;<br></font><br></span></font></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s the&nbsp;superb&nbsp;food always available at bargain prices.&nbsp;Their food culture reflects a strict work ethic. They do things well. There’s a lot of traditional cuisine, not to say staid or old fashioned, but based on classical food preparation. I noticed this even in small cafés and little takeout places. And they have exquisite pastries!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s the people.&nbsp;They’re reserved, very private; they speak softly to each other. They don’t always look approachable or friendly but they are helpful when asked.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">They don’t smile much.&nbsp;Elina,&nbsp;<b>Park Hyatt</b>’s<b>&nbsp;</b>Front Office Manager explained this to us. Her people, she said, have had a complicated, difficult history and this has affected the way they behave. They don’t readily talk to strangers, smile at them, or casually ask them how they are as people in other countries, like the US for example, would.&nbsp;So when you do ask them how they are, they assume you really want to know. They’re likely to give you more than just&nbsp;“I’m good, thanks.” &nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I love how people here bring flowers rather than gift-wrapped presents to parties.&nbsp;I often see them all dressed up, carrying bunches of flowers, usually roses. And restaurants are always ready to accommodate with large flower vases.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br><b><u>The Restaurants</u></b></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We eagerly went back to the restaurants we liked the first time around.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Grand Cafe Dr Zhivago</b>&nbsp;wins hands down for atmosphere, food quality, service, and low low prices. Caviar, dumplings, vodka, and all things Russian, including a view of the Kremlin.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_3d27_ba16_d800_6b27" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKIaCXIuFwi5Jmdyqy1zT8KRLTLCmnZWYOStcLfha7pdk-gOGbn5p5fjlkaxquI6F08fXJgQ3NmuLulRI1TJIv_DSAzoIqCoO9vWtJgXyqFGrYazqTe9IsHPngBqfnLSsMgS7/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Bolshoi</b>&nbsp;is my second, more elegant choice. Still Russian, but more European.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_5173_9429_a22_6c8e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyAYZHQWAZ-A3yo2il6Ae-CdP9wNsgT5w4E3yZMKxfjL7GBXuROQIZQgV2fycQNPacxjWRkfYxjIZUSKx6DPcX0F9wMonUX4mRAu6lunD5o_8uKrpRK0IjVRqsqF6TffigX4QS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_801b_d483_78f0_d963" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqnnmtNwBhNJWU-cLkoaWPxU_s2aAc4E1fxbuK4UfVMujT6QiNj3PK-k3hMNAwlzDaj9QWKDzn75lSbSb-vLHKz4ayGjs_XzUHjCxMOixBsyI5EL96LpYN7SpMonfKBLuowedk/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>The thing I like most about these restaurants is you can dine elegantly without having to dress up for it. Perfect!<br><br>I wasn’t overly impressed with the Park Hyatt’s&nbsp;<b>Conservatory&nbsp;</b>this time around.<b>&nbsp;</b>Their<b>&nbsp;</b>prominently displayed fancy olive oil was the same one I got with my complimentary in-room breakfast. They do have great views but so did we in our room.</font></span></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_bd92_48bf_94d7_7112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-fsbQdvgZOEr4Asb0jP1mbKrkiA8t7847Yh851BwYswqi6U5g4RPSviA4k21Zfk3iWKpYiVekv2K0MNfUM_tu8aK1ArQcBRC2WSWWsET3D4bCzZ3usYub499_Hfs-opfGyjG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8e1_62bc_7ffb_8996" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kc3G28KGeVEn2J2vf-1nCVqJ0XG6wae-s8zvb_8P4Z3KaqftaTjrs6d_qKZZS19dWu3vJgaK7-7264kBqOQKhMWYmUMNjiocfZmD6dkFRcXpciFFST_qNH-nUtEOYdgOB8i_/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><b>Lavka Lavka</b>, last year’s favourite. At first we thought having the outside option was an improvement on last year when the cold wet weather didn’t allow it. But sitting on the summer deck somehow didn’t have the same country farm feel of the downstairs main hall. Maybe that influenced our impression that the food quality was not as good as we remembered. The service also was a disappointment. In fact, service was almost absent. Too bad. We were so looking forward to going back.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><br></div></div><div><b><u><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);" face="Verdana" size="4">The Great Moscow Circus</font></u></b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our hotel is close to the&nbsp;<b>Bolshoi Theatre</b>&nbsp;and constantly seeing it from our window made me regret not being there during the theatre season. Every year in August, the theatre closes down and the ballet company goes on tour.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_b066_86bc_23f9_4775" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKWHHpLVVra6BP3MOLPq7Nuy2yesJa59xS9laxr0RMJTh-4R0-XKYh4YQs00EMlxH6wAEfJLHbCJFAbq9Wnrv21Pqrw1ud9gyijtmwCVsgCapFCurhwyERQo1nVP8upRywu4tI/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There was, however, a fitting replacement for theatre, ballet, and opera: the ultimate “people’s art form,”&nbsp;</font><font face="Verdana" size="4">the fabulous Russian Circus.&nbsp;</font></span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a spectacle like we’d never seen before.</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><img id="id_2fd6_9ec7_f4e4_5397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69g0dCBr5ZBZo6VR5HV0dD0XRoxITHA_Bv6z3HC9LUCcy3XI-k75pQOaR7M5vpwLAGwl9oXRTPPCy9h0P6j7QlFoLGXmGaD22oMIPycbb8KGpCHPh8-RgZez0rxsO0xNaWdIl/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_6eda_f869_c480_5d19" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtP7nu0aAZZwrA-2amPKj1kUpgyNJ4we40spToLvdWEl5nMzwIfYJMKxmVmFiEzKk51a1a6GP3t7OMPTymsXTfuhBhJorA3VmNaDM9nup2lB0BNtnyYrortZ0bIsgz6yxZ8jh/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_18c7_1aa0_af97_ec9e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZRSUU88LLTi0FUFS77k8E3PYzjzDrfFdS36rMCY8mXbVxEblnnugrCSfDvxz6psLYC3KS8k4NTsH3vsCu5QDLgvPX_5OF3d8rR4MMpRW_bqESVMaseoeY8KlGbvBS9mWf_7B/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br></font></span><img id="id_e7e_e84d_c66b_78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGaBw5ZDqZXLad68radAsBtJ1Skz948-fLFGQBwLlAlALoCp90gMbYhaWX-yc2vagM6MI9cibvYb1q1uRKuVuYOH6W57Cv7POmWJA2q62jbnr2LC2thvw2K00WXISjAWCggC4u/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_b2ed_610d_333_3ac6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLTbbmQGppBQybtPNddjTFfRHzqt8YlAMP0p5D_2YzNfbQ1NgCEYxAvxMTeJ_9PsoEwj-UBseHeAbe81vwOENx6PV2SnqjLdKQK38AUuhRSMjW2wDoz_FhgwvSDhsW7izlzpkc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br></font></span><img id="id_c0c5_44d8_28c1_97a7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0E6lxzc9SHGZDeybG8rG1f7WL2vL1b22Fi7pzHxB5vAwTyWTM2WUVVGtOdpXfs7IJD6vZFE75OO5_d2-pFs2x1tj13zJZ9YUYv55BkdDgM4GvFeHGqyKE_D5vMFcD7-sjzlG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><img id="id_ae11_31aa_b008_d03f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_dPKzIwMkup1oaPVMPkki6dyMmXac-uXme0VrpgLGuUhAKN2pKXERmD8M0Eguvx7q5h_zA8UaWYilFGbWrxHMqW46G07FdU47Vh2CDiLN65OcfF8bahzIwx6yaLkCjbUVWgor/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><img id="id_5672_eb79_e8c4_3ecd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8o6Qgnfg8QXtealk5jMJYe8RhksIzOvC2AK8jaB5RUC_huUpBT8dhWynDZFDZtWXroeuwNSalhfQYOI0JfzOmNsIwqWlwSnJzOnXXMlo8i8Z9IY9jWU8AqWHcD-CeipOXL4HH/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_9ab4_d9d6_19ae_a821" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_O8Ufw3rwiuc6IhEXgbLzOJzpq7wqNaHPiL_LnygENZ-7JtzyyrHQxEvtlHobwaFQkiweM4Cm7Y3vlxNerUBCc8o3S90O7bY_5ZQgF1FmwV5RV8eIQJRFagxvI-1srginEpA6/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br></font></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Produced for last month’s <b>FIFA World Cup</b>, this extravaganza pulled out all the stops, enlisting Russia’s foremost super talents. It was a spectacular three-ring mashup of Barnum &amp; Bailey, Cirque du Soleil, and Folies Bergère...on steroids.</font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It of course featured lions and tigers jumping hoops and curtsying on command, a long-established circus tradition&nbsp;</font></font><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" face="Verdana" size="4">already redacted out of other circus repertoires and which I personally could have done without.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></font></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The horses though, and their riders, took my breath away.</font></font></div><div><br></div><div><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zqi_994GavQ" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_f328_5db2_62ec_c659" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></font></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1786125717448745379'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1786125717448745379'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/moscow-second-impressions.html' title='Moscow, Second Impressions'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivlUWfOvqS4z6ZaTo2UGl5EXWn3YHPIRelnNxH5p7xHEh3mEEzocjFmCeSairpJ7jYPgN3XSsBVKexGJUS0PMFHcbJhpW0kWefRpZaOf5Y6sJMQzrRM3Xm__logYeRr2sQ7DOw/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5074624474398823325</id><published>2018-08-20T06:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-06-17T15:25:35.779+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Russia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hermitage'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='St Petersburg'/><title type='text'>St. Petersburg </title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re at Kempinsky Moika22, a short walk across a small bridge to the&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">fabulous Hermitage’s General Staff Quarters</span>.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_bbfa_6812_43f9_8094" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gWpootr0I1U7EVJzVMDw4VQxEb4yGlGFXShyphenhyphen5lSSQBjvYuMfzZfCQNCd-UoeukWJBlU2FGZUqZIsvgLxAGOKKvEjXRnir9aYQh4_GBQHpSj5MVlIricMhfinSPgY3Emi-4cn/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is really what I came back to St Petersburg for. This and the Mariinsky, which was closed when we came two years ago.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, first stop:&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the State Academic Mariinsky Theatre for&nbsp;<i>Le Corsaire. </i>And perhaps more importantly, for the fabled theatre itself.</span><br></font><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></i></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_729c_e177_f8d2_d6bd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTT4nWPn-C08LUfFO7ZA0_92UbWm4_034hzw6QLkMrefgIOHU_BOWLTABkMSBlAqsr3owgGA7OHHqkIhRDRR2YQBzjs9GcurMuouwFtko8XAwH-X2IaF-VpbEDOl7hLw-6a0l/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_1d4f_cc5c_4a8b_5dd1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp7EJ1KWoq0Y7Dh5pd2igd7ZGkxwzUtx5qJDPnE68DbDz0-bRKaCWp30OUIk63gFln9i1C6kl_qq7Vhusrw37QwTwfv9y0WmwvgYIlNlMPwoiYtDyEQIRQj-U0sACVHkNj5JXK/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><img id="id_5249_482f_2244_1ded" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgco5Hg6nooAPehJ5958a8PuWN9RtBzPMr_d8lk11rLk11yrG8dKiQbPQ_TNHQP0QgbOAQjrirDQARMrnIljhqYCWPIgdj9Spl3v5WL5lKYGaXRFbus67tMpHlQy9ReczTcVJEF/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_cd1e_fde_2f5_317c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHs5zkBHx4EG9cCLGc9AQNDLfOpDxIUEzIwYx0Qi9F181vvgx46zFH_hHYFxPUTR_6jOHwsxRskXHTUqQWPZ2b1X6uwYrzvgmm94702OZfbMLDKx9lhhoBT7gM0SdSD5NuzY-L/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><img id="id_404c_9d16_7ad2_d9dc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkrKLLyobYbUYPLvlhMYoIg9fQl2FW_7s2hl2ZUi2mmgRxxXJbkRV-pLKQb7ONQfCMBJqg40TETegvnCley5A6LO4b1JWrP0-uf-kffGIXkbLEoTcQvD1mQlxBftMVusYegc0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_704c_76f3_a5a1_dfec" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOS-OGT4abLwv1cHaZBIFTwNLIvIVTfujxRMCjVrzS8zqA8FhYZaGbhlhOKkvUSemfyV4c35bzuODlpIfGYURmZVgJ41IhUqrch2-ROK7r9rbZ70hyh9zcPoDHDyXICpC0XBM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><img id="id_1c04_24e3_609f_bb0b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8SiPBUOIZPtgEFaCxRQxMTZBLp9b_CcrRdb2CM_LTcgJBCqwqWsp569IXIqDtFBloqSBHOBK68-JKL0dsKb2ASxEuiunkNmrJcILz0ZqCLCr0GMkGOezdyDfKDeypcTIhDei/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_9097_b999_e6fe_2a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYzsDfSefw_beS5bSQaSYDLd31fu4JR18TCSc-3Ldf8ihUKKO2eiQ-sd0FqdrNY2WUI1E4RuGQ5-IvMNd4Syj9bstHPGfc9yPex9Cm-pIIVMRcN0bCrPZg0nHZPJKUuauAgdc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Crm_4AQa-eo" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_48f7_e29b_c1ba_4ad5" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><br><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After the ballet, w</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">e caught bus #3 right outside the Mariinsky for&nbsp;dinner at cozy&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">homey&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">restaurant TEPLO.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4afe_47_44cf_ec36" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTdnLvRbTa8tA-_qDzh6ra5cgYx9YU_552HqxRrYSCgfqfHtxTcDYCKtdrgObOXDtiYLnlYC823CmsVxppUZ4TsOThNonyUs7HQOyNWn3vncUSn2WLYa1muQL-c8V2AYZVtH2/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_50c6_1c46_611a_8dc1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5KTbqdugwFt5Lz6Uup_vEgXVTLxbePm3Qb1A3delDVKD_2ZiBlQdcUZmqhgNGEeRYbb6FBxZ_nrKFtVTf-CHRrBuIqfgrg0_H5DNdkbES2bZNLQDWZYq1YKtJiMxG-SlQNkIx/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_884e_8e79_e930_ee9d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKkFqyv9pdyOhnY8r2qbs-67uL7IrBdthcA7llnRyW6qAi1NFlfaYcDtIGaeI7p8nS8GBlvwzaVXrGv9XkApaJnpSRx-iKxROgsBC5BJ6Vb2Tc2kZMgyUSvysDze-zoNW__tJ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_db02_5255_f6a9_a4d6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwc7Pcsn9vpja5Vg_8O8wNiRjDAv_YLM98bgiKxtVXGFv6A8yDcmLLvdUesI99qo2l8Iq_qNFlc9rfWmwQXXVno5JJKl-YHpzLaPwIWEDYt0TKTQZNxh7RhV5OCIbzjTtNAANt/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">After dinner, the same bus took us back to Kempinski via a walk through Palace Square. Brilliant!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And so, to the General Staff Building of the Hermitage for the Impressionists, Post-Impressionists, and all the rest of the incredible treasures that for too long had been hidden from view...</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An excess of beauty, an overdose of favourites: a</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">lways and ever, Mommy’s (and Monet’s) poppies. Matisse’s layered interior, Cezanne’s still life, and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Degas’s&nbsp;<i>Place de la Concorde</i>&nbsp;which had been considered lost for four decades after WWII.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_90_ba45_4bdb_b803" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheKqs_1S2ZhYsOgeWt2unNHSbg7kZG6F1d95TH974wc-X4b2Vir6goNZ3A9L2eL4TI7ZSO5uRh7jgEv8-KpoMCHUE84WG8W0rMIrvEIcjskD3R4phuDwAAGbwIvaNpyQRdqTww/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7739_797a_3401_7f1f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-OUpjdbs6helUtECkITkGwHi5hr5H9aj8dMhqXAEWySxeVc_CraM0xjjYM8RR7Boz9zq_Q119VY4PlY9nNzBlBGeeiGOytTf1ktQ8wKXfqFrYexS4E_uTtC-NBRm93Y6TnpmR/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8549_79ac_bfb7_af25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakAJqBB7ba2qx1EdBFNos9jsvIhquXidSUyHNOCL3T-0-NiMGNLsW42yKPiEmLm_kyqPXEfxKPsthtxhuVd4jpiPcOqP-K4OhwPCo0-r4VyQUo5Yjvvqu4PJbvvD1S5HjIV7E/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_f888_1d9b_5fce_ac20" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3HIm-0tyhQqC4sLdXKp9P5SQQGnk6Umi7iEsSF8HnbvFTKDEiPBckLGbxZW5LBDLPZPf5bcvog6DjhqQU1PkylQ4Sy5Ybtf6SrMsBvrnR0eroT9wkJiHfApV2EWN6-FmbzbAX/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br>I loved this&nbsp;<i>Ball Scene</i> by Edmond Lempereur. But who is this Edmond Lempereur?</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a257_702_5c53_36be" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVWOKaYDhD9cha3cHrGTQzvOPX4a2QuMD4uD_-VZSUKl2aR_q5Z1J2pPlon4B486Nol5rtCNvCLyt95mggWhseC6W5Ed072e7w6htIPht7UwNMg2VESclhdioYxsqEqlYgLsN/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the rooftop of&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the Kempinski is&nbsp;</span>a lovely restaurant, Bellevue, with fabulous food and incredible views.</font></div></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_9f9b_fef0_db81_3e0a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkqiczfYksYVmfKpkJ070kMDr8JygFaunjbIU2oXoQSmUSJ55z5kVL1qOV9PoQ2fmgrW5Bc_1C1LFRCyHnDEtAJClr0mUwSHsumP_vBneAbjTnRxwX7mKdX8Hvst7tjJnDOcl/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_a5a0_9329_2228_3ecc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XpDYpAr3oDWRtYpwjonm0eOYaP5mdBMVpJq4FxtXPb1pFwf0XYIUnN-SAwWvAoEoBSvPfNNH5f5wrc1M8-euhpJ2cv-OMEEOLqicZ28ei1sMLlDzWSgtwbUPIyMrtG-LCDey/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><img id="id_a16a_e24a_dd7f_d43d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTFKN0DOOf9IXuVHv-8tupnWzy3XMYZmaEPD7OIV9k27mLeg3O2vmsjHd2NWd4_OHPzplllIYufHkODQFmch7a2z2z0OHK8zMA1tmu89Yg96Tuu3222llmesBr8MMscc32RyQA/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_17bc_b024_de6c_f20f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvM8UoOZB-zRn8xageAzShxyTB7s3vR05anYLr8kkJPTT3oQozDtxPZ4SV83nTjkAZR8u8hMLaOVJUpVkVNTocOp8uOjKLD4PSX2K4NCQPtI7I4TAyLFNkTqe4DBr4hlPjA60/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_f350_a2b1_d907_4870" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTssrmiYXD_9M2yPVEeHyQE8rBl9ItTCMMolhMEYScT7MpyRKudhsyUwjCFaVyIdthWC3G6ocngaTQZxcCzKhWVAhC8IcBBuacCW-JR0XA81f6e6At6lEbDVAUqLqErp8knTkC/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_3947_dab2_74b2_b67d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqYNuDdlM4axPeZUItxUg1UK0aEW0Bx_IwByl4ZPs2Z4voRX9SZrWRhzkiusimZCnKhfbazi6SfrAqqqDwiP0Srqx_VOTsJ6DHKqI6PtOBMqKsTqZkcwE5jXNlDa87fnXJWDA9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Bellevue’s Konstantin told us about&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a little-known, seldom-visited museum in his neighbourhood: the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">fascinating, well-curated Museum of Political History of&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Russia.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><img id="id_22e7_b2e8_3d5_be37" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXbJ83mWuI6cw7bgYVKrJA4oNSm_14WbFbzmmO7C6NAT0R9L2zFRnA04SFlk_zIIDxpK5GvfAzR8382wZsE9C1hyphenhyphenVuPvpp0gwBgECS0_qrjUM44irG4rPeP0DD7riwiti2weP/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_2332_e437_66f5_d320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4VfbiSzJbjakDqW2_NLf3PlJgC2OQgBTQ3yWJ-IOnhDkSiecImdotWYnf3HN3gT6CvN5IhaylSx7FMRYNWxlJj7k68SlJj8P23Wv07HM6D3ySY68g2VrMzo9lT6B-DeJFN6H/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_eb0f_fcc1_5193_732e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjevcUNwZq8tyjMdmecwaa2tXHYw21JjeVUASM8pqyMhq_jQOpTBWdkC42f-X0__NjuSnTGxoB3Apnuu_jma9S5g585zCAZAWKXt1YJKY1Z1BrALVPymS7ZOX4Khp_IxxE9ywy/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_690d_d150_4ab5_dd50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPt-MWRMYBVUS2yxM7okMrrPUw4OQFBzQxpg_RNMpv-C_l3N5arvesL_RGEylyMmlJrpXlwI9W-KMARX_uKMAPszvCYEy5X9KbdrzxAQ4G-jmhQYSS8zsZlwom7ZlWB-7pQdHE/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br><img id="id_4d9c_865d_326a_be1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc5T_DK3iRBX2pNlmN4h2wWfGURQOGogxBrKiWaFbhAIZpaPYgRLyk1uoi3KOV2SS9SHXCaS8t8HtTUsNOMhbjUOujWb2l2pixwgn4CouwgfwhCoAo7YYM0a_NX1PCSBt0ZYP/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br></font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A definite highlight of the week was a hastily planned meet up with STC best friend Marilou and her lovely family. After a longish snack and chitchat at&nbsp;the&nbsp;Hermitage cafe, we braved the hot, thick crowds barrelling through the length and breadth of the incredible museum’s five fabulous palaces.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_3592_2802_a55b_46c1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGkPkvihdreRQjb99qZ42NY8fgCoCnNjLZ_g7w_oVfq6XbV3U1RamSoQ9SVcFFc4ot9LqFvhVhzZob1z9kMcDPlwNB2L2y7cR2eM2LHOR1JfEwsi-SxMm7mHs9QeSy2-PTG6hJ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On this, my second visit to the Hermitage, I am bowled over by the near-manic fascination engendered by this truly remarkable embarrassment of wealth. I appreciate the historical significance of it all but for me, this display of mind-numbing acquisitiveness still defies comprehension.&nbsp;<br><br><br></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5074624474398823325'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5074624474398823325'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html' title='St. Petersburg '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0gWpootr0I1U7EVJzVMDw4VQxEb4yGlGFXShyphenhyphen5lSSQBjvYuMfzZfCQNCd-UoeukWJBlU2FGZUqZIsvgLxAGOKKvEjXRnir9aYQh4_GBQHpSj5MVlIricMhfinSPgY3Emi-4cn/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5544558793122023421</id><published>2018-08-08T05:04:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-01-25T17:43:28.890+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Estonia'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Europe'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><title type='text'>Tallinn </title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">How do you choose a holiday destination? Somewhere familiar, memorable, romantic? Educational, historical, artistic, exotic? A place for&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">adventure,&nbsp;</span>extreme sport? Somewhere completely&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">unknown?&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">What makes you want to go to a particular place?</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">We went to Tallinn because we hadn’t been. I&nbsp;knew nothing about it.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is what I found: a&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Europe that’s not stuck in some glorious past or limited by age-old traditions.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tallinn has</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;an unmistakable vibe of the present.&nbsp;</span></font></div></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The local food scene illustrates how the country is managing to honour its traditions while forging ahead with what’s new.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">MON REPOS is a pretty-as-a-picture restaurant set in an adorable little garden&nbsp;at the edge of the imperial Kadiorg Park. &nbsp;Here,&nbsp;classic czarist-era recipes form the base on which to develop an Estonian twist to the “New Nordic” cuisine, a departure from the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mediterranean&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">peppers-garlic-tomatoes staple</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_cca4_e913_7654_d872" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8UotjobI5VMQv8ac-hV2p1m2V5DKE0mXOZu3WswH58OqQdALlHxaXXs51n915VFMW9cSHLncEGOrr6lT7FKly5qomDYrdUaYFISdp_VkKEFrSqwgDI3p5cEV4sZ3VC1Z_bca/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Access to forests and the Baltic Sea means lots of&nbsp;game, fish, and seafood. Long winters mean lots of&nbsp;food preservation like&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">salting,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">drying, smoking, pickling. Presentation is also key.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our meal not only tasted great, it looked really pretty too! Our starters featured bird liver pâté presented like shiny red cherries and tiger prawns encrusted in popcorn.</font></span></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_e6b1_9e20_a67c_da68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI_YmbU-eKAut8qZSa_kWNJOObRIKdylWSbYLQksjKC9hmfhZafeMjoQTx3eDF2Df-q3bEY4Z27aNBy2ptUakt6Hl_L0jJbKet6JkH7G613Yyb2xuNo0dB0Yj9hL3zeUGMVss1/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">At&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">MAIASMOKK CAFE, w</span>hat was meant to be a light snack at a touristy cafe in Tallinn’s old town turned out to be a&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">delightful old fashioned meal</span>. From the menu, we chose “a selection of snacks for two dashing gentlemen.”</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_85f_1f04_1d6f_e178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiADLaceI46JRJeB3iiRQjjQu4Du_R1-xhtJ6WhPu69VtFDVbrXggPnCPSTMK5-BJP0WrC27f1CuC6OfpLpeat2DlQmZojgX3Pbllnu2EJwjK6LR5v9G72jIl7DZMpMwLJGFe9X/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_225e_aa0e_3602_6901" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ-xUZiY7qlgNigiHrZYY0hBjgwia2oOgiuEJ3uc3n1VftfCgFRzl8mvkVMb3d1jVukjO6ct6_MAaBTNC1enyymKVymiPm_7AVmhh8eSr9kEJqHAOAwLrSgkj39NoB3JPsUWPz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the balcony, live music and a lovely view of the old town.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uTQfybN1m_w" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_82d_269f_911e_a6f1" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><br><br></font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At hip bistro FRENCHY, products are sourced directly from France</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;A sizeable wine list is exclusive to the fastidiously French restaurant. Prices though, are surprisingly low, definitely non-European prices.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_5181_d0d3_db9c_eb6a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9Q2pPje31Tq931hb941tu3LMVvySoYAuV2fMW5umWDoByUn2U4eC_bBQ8xWfetawudg-kdLAoCVBGkls1-jUhoOcC-bZ7dDgP9uxAVDBtHsAjEHo83j_A3YfApDxxCGfprTt/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Velvety d</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">uck leg confit, crisp Muscadet wine, a delicate pear tart, and great coffee. €28 for two.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_61a3_e391_f0a3_76a1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6TuArGXC-aypJiUw-iEYT3ED4Tath3p5KojMNUL_p1aVYu9Y1T9EQDoa2nXKyQnunXaSKfvhOt1uaDpxVpT-WHMVsbI7StMdru7b55fKKMMkTqXP371Qw0hU6bsT7MgOWQfzL/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><sub><i>Photo grabbed from Frenchy’s fb page.</i></sub><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The National Opera House provided yet&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">another venue for a collaboration of old and new.</span></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_3e7f_98dd_e230_7d1e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGfzvY143nIguSm5tp9mkXHjUVQnGaG50H3cKVx3YTxR6m-QoLZRjCNFYUkob74YIvtmIn60_wYzhWwkL7PcvbDthn_N5G8WsaTFluUDw2qnYf2EeSLmdWs093CUAUX_j1_L7/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_dab0_28dd_b7a1_d6fc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV2r0_oAZHKd2mBVgKERn72bvU1J5SvYMBFdst-U_PqEL9A5jKRLucMXD9SfGbz-R8sk6rBRaDpuMNUkDOnP8_RUteY23RlvlPcpcMM4k6mN4y9zdIjvsDbRQ7rbmskFE0H1fn/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>A few days too early for the theatre season, we were nevertheless lucky enough to catch an excellent performance by the Summer Ballet Workshop of Estonia, considered one of the best ballet&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">intensive</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">s in the world.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Guest soloists from the Paris Opera Ballet and the Dutch National Ballet performed excerpts from well-loved classical as well as contemporary pieces.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Two delightful short ballets were<i>&nbsp;</i>created for and performed by selected workshop students. One of the titles says it all:&nbsp;<i>#</i></span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">thelitllegirlandhersmartphone</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>.</i></span></font></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Just outside our hotel, a new town is emerging from &nbsp;what looks like a socialist-era suburb.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_dc50_3e89_5df2_e7ac" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKzLInDhHj1zYTzEPIyot_iWsV5h_3-a2O0wVDTVIzTX5F-qfmUtX33BhkZGyHEYVd67IcXqxE9YicFGuQBVWlS5h-1nzi2wt3mi7WXPEeh_RJDdSZ4_F6a2wAn2I2F64i7FyI/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_bb21_1fc3_be68_181f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUkSzy9_meA1-8Jykp58ILxKPmGaNOQQT5KJO4arQQ3-hOq4ZiFsH-DnfVlWK9N6fz7tXuFfz6UZ2Fxqux1hce_Ku4HU1RGjDJi5O1ilSeW04D3L0UEXhis_ShHiYAMsmEcQ-7/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Teleskivi Creative City,&nbsp;a virtual laboratory for entrepreneurship, is a&nbsp;vast&nbsp;industrial complex&nbsp;that houses retail startups, design studios, arts and crafts stores, clothing boutiques,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">small pubs, restaurants.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;There’s a broadcast studio in a glass box under the trees, next to a children’s playground.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_55f4_8268_864b_ae04" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1rZZ2j1kMJlvybx-1jORvlcE3tOacEdt47pO_qQ5cxEThF_vbjsWjQBj5ksCISvzJckXohxFb6O0YneesXeiUfGRItYC3G-BkIdJc3vD1PiywgD1tjNMOKtEQQ4zE1P8Jz2x8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f4e4_d08f_6be2_9b0c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXpEZYZ6Gu8WGXooEj0lYQoFgyiyGKputezjSImaCFZq4eS30pB0uDaoEGZfi0jCzzUJUyZo4n0K6XgFxvbHnVKbO_Zb2S7c8Om8SbIJByiRrF0H9NdtEjj2r8Aw4RlhVot-nL/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a6a9_9426_aabf_dd50" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGPrwmbeqyHJban3lgc01HNSNz6EFPJJXxFLG0CZX_d_cCCsCcLWocGuJNyAgka3sb27QrhyfQUlL3DWi117DBm98_9Oae-AIEfltDSrlzbbqJevDYujx9gkVW3bJuUF_RmdI/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_a5df_7542_e6de_1dc4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mRUYEHjC9u5B6iEh_fNESKpLhvWW5WgmTYwUWKpsaokf3DdNjX9k5G8Ucu4fZxC1RhJ838b1WzPwIwRsHjDKQUaTcdb9eNYUsWP9XWGPgA4aJmTdeXrxNQBEekBwHRdI62UO/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_bec8_1566_7503_80c3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDMSAGtB_mDeVlSdkrksv6T1UMyibXRIuBanBVk6pZkv7ChUmPA0aSEugf1qt_ZPEgBNX518iYBgZyGqq49gMqyZpPLnsElyM5VK_mWtMrxL8z_YmdLF_mO074S0f1zoXWaYjn/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s not hard to see why this place has become&nbsp;the startup capital and&nbsp;the IT centre of Europe, probably of the world. In the birthplace of successful brands like&nbsp;Skype and Taxify, it takes only five minutes to register a business.&nbsp;&nbsp;It’s home to a tight-knit community of tech innovators and startup entrepreneurs working together and supporting each other.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On twitter, they call themselves #EstonianMafia.</font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="width: 353px; height: auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_1069_38bd_b17b_1fb2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2Z4FPe4ZO7JN53j2ThZHHVB9BTcbnfLQ5Weg9BIXRmdsIg0EQv0push8WtMXcL4N3nNWzE7IaL36W1-2PWPWaRGoVWAFjwCHU0Uhx5Ln43G4vZJTbAISf9LYRsEgcdZxztJh/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></span></div><div><span style="width: 353px; height: auto; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Tallinn was a great choice. What a wonderful new discovery!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><br></b></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5544558793122023421'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5544558793122023421'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/tallinn_8.html' title='Tallinn '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8UotjobI5VMQv8ac-hV2p1m2V5DKE0mXOZu3WswH58OqQdALlHxaXXs51n915VFMW9cSHLncEGOrr6lT7FKly5qomDYrdUaYFISdp_VkKEFrSqwgDI3p5cEV4sZ3VC1Z_bca/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4321124302481090759</id><published>2018-07-18T07:12:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-05-15T14:31:30.798+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Big5'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Africa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Conservation'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='IUCN list'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Endangered species'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rattray’s'/><title type='text'>The Vanishing Wild World of Africa (Short Film)</title><content type='html'> <div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><iframe frameborder="0" height="281" id="y_id_d09d_30b8_a6ff_38c5" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uzZq5Xaz2Io" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;" width="500"></iframe><br /><br /><br /></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4321124302481090759'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4321124302481090759'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/07/the-vanishing-wild-world-of-africa.html' title='The Vanishing Wild World of Africa (Short Film)'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://i.ytimg.com/vi/uzZq5Xaz2Io/default.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7061207560262982611</id><published>2018-06-28T17:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-02-15T08:23:37.304+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Meno a Kwena'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Africa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Botswana'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>Makgadikgadi</title><content type='html'><div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">On our last full day in camp, I decide to join the afternoon game drive. Stuart shows me on the map the route we are to take.&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">Mosah tells me the history of the landscape.&nbsp;Once upon a time, the Okavango delta didn’t exist and the Boteti river fed the saltpans. Over time It has changed course leaving the pans to dry up. The river now comes to a stop in Lake Xau in the south.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">The past several months have been very dry and the river on Meno a Kwena has narrowed considerably, retreating miles away from the tree line on either bank.&nbsp;&nbsp;Further upriver though, on Makgadikgadi Park, the river is fuller and bluer.&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">We&nbsp;drive up to the river’s edge and into a magical world, like stepping “through the looking glass”. But the animals here are not make-believe. They are real. They are wild. And they roam free.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">This is their land. We are visitors to their kingdom. We must strive to behave as respectful guests.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Towards the end of the game drive, we get to see two lionesses tending to their three-week old cubs. A brilliant finish to an incredible day in the wild.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">On our way home, all are quiet in the jeep as the sun sets and the evening star sparkles in the twilight.&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">Nirmal breaks the silence, announcing, “I need a bush.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">KB dutifully stops the jeep and steps out with him. Stuart also gets out and heads for a tree.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">I’m left in the jeep by myself.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">“If all three of you get eaten by lions, what should I do?” I call out to nobody in particular.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: medium;">“Take pictures,”&nbsp;Stuart replies.</span></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7061207560262982611'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7061207560262982611'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/on-game-drive.html' title='Makgadikgadi'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLsvg4xlTFl8Gdwl5eyeoQ8uAZ7j5wgTe2Bg5idQFC8-kQE8Lo3wD28FwujPGwYeYUs90py28CmhKx83HK3E5bDlqIwzlTni-wHxkBcgI-Uwh6qC0FTNlCpiv9WGvsCVL8ACIr/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1667792165093541792</id><published>2018-06-27T15:16:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-09T15:53:29.016+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Meno a Kwena'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Boteti river'/><title type='text'>The animals come to me</title><content type='html'><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69); min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the morning, I skip the game drive.&nbsp;I hadn’t slept well. I kept waking up in the night because my face was freezing. I plan to take it easy, maybe catch up on my sleep.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;My breakfast has arrived. I take it out on the deck.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2414_1195_7c4d_a72a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTAOUFRtixzu5MVYNb5gOlLo1EAohyphenhyphen59_NZlAW91ut5-pNHG6rYtPVeIBUPaja2JE4J3u0RHgXU3ioowxDj6DEBlxnD559DfBZK7MhNQSHw1TGrc3BtAcc_xTm3yjpQvYhq-J/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/97UfFpz_r_o" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_7020_2b46_66de_ed00" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 9px 0px 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The zebra are now on the right bend of the river. The air fills with cowbells and moos as cattle take over the left side.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By noon, they’ve all left the river but I can still hear cowbells....and they’re getting louder. I soon realize they’re actually marching right behind the tent!</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_1bb6_b251_6e14_9c9a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS6U4JsisqcKDwr62S6FzdMsM0iYIREtgxMTh8J25VL80DIKP2AYFS0hoCU_50Rrf4H4LKh2s-w0sGrnATgtdHxAIUXOjVMf-rqGAJcCoK9wCLL064bn5F7EoKZHh4IYyChAq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After lunch, a family of vervet monkeys drops in, literally, swinging from trees surrounding our outdoor shower, making a racket scrambling all over its canvas half-roof.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_641e_b75b_d8b8_db2f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdRxfOKnLlybPQorZxemugYSF77hFnbthCjGRoAcfEcHqcXIpKfkZcPsl15ILeF2obAMdPJvqF-kghuRRqrML8_ifyAY8r9uQYsJoZn16D1aFF1Wpx4F5asfiuuBeBoJi5SLS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_ee31_cc40_2f69_a0d6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1WBAUuIv0ezhwd_pOVaONj6kKlNRmvOZpf-Vb65Z6wCh95Lq1DrLOsornLNtUQQwXlDHUcX6AcXQHZShXSol6UfYadkiUJMJI5dl-EsrMnXh2fLpbI4aXl47LZEQaZNLPZlLj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Remembering the meal tray I’ve left outside for collection, I quickly lock it up in the tea cabinet away from prying monkey eyes and fingers.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Elephants have now taken over the river.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7d7e_9043_b8ee_6abc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUonWdtgRqV6VYd5AbthiK-wTN4NQeD5n-rOZXLdh3xBrwWzx98k_GNV5HthCi5pi9qjpvkgz_ILUk5FDPLJkzg4OJqmdG1lEunkB_JIIu8ju0lqCq_XAkRQJSROqKLx8g1Bic/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_fae9_60c5_8ca9_4197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6R5jAmgHTUikRY0Z_ybBgqTOIPKz0PMNtH9zjXoFk7pf6-5GCnOW8KuVYzSKdjqWmZmH3fAGhsUPjf1CY_C9PT8CW9GWgR6WoJxTbrWlCFVTyTlVjNxUD7FCGCkUnTJY0JTjB/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 9px 0px 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When a lone elephant comes to join the party, he’s welcomed with an elephant-style&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-style: italic;">beso-beso</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">: trunks linked in a loose coil.&nbsp;So cool.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 9px 0px 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Soon the zebra come too. I</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">’m supposed to be catching up on my sleep but I’m rushing around chasing animals.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 9px 0px 8px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_222e_4521_7b8a_404f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiYvuu6H1Q3PqXseSGbE_ONVgfm9LBQDshYPNrqu-M6MA8LEqeqt45rbZwy1P-C5hpjctpuOmo8TavpcJmM5TfVdiyNcBl3pfTrHXu5c4fvB3uOsPj53j7JgDWLSw9bdhdOSyD/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">*****</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I love the quirky little things about this camp.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The lounge/library/tea room, not really a room but an open area with a parachute silk top, is clubbily furnished with leather sofas and armchairs, squishy cushions and rugs.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7045_3f51_dede_f316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmWTMCw24dFCdDP2rkstGMCwPfBdd-KAp2Dg5z0uT116w4KzJqvxehijO-M5Psgm1WIOH-ffONJgOoNIddfKfKsfzzZ7_umvmULyHZZm0m-gH85THl2Ud2vE2gm5CtekshzGa/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s a toilet beside it that has no door; only a rope hung across the entrance to indicate that it’s occupied.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Little bead bracelets are wrapped around water taps: red for hot, blue for cold.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And I have to laugh every time housekeeping comes to our tent. They call out “Knock knock!” and I’m always tempted to answer “Who’s there?”</font></span></p><div><span style="font-family: &quot;.SFUIDisplay-Semibold&quot;; font-weight: bold; font-size: 23pt;"><br></span></div> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1667792165093541792'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1667792165093541792'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/the-animals-come-to-me.html' title='The animals come to me'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTAOUFRtixzu5MVYNb5gOlLo1EAohyphenhyphen59_NZlAW91ut5-pNHG6rYtPVeIBUPaja2JE4J3u0RHgXU3ioowxDj6DEBlxnD559DfBZK7MhNQSHw1TGrc3BtAcc_xTm3yjpQvYhq-J/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-353074250777479151</id><published>2018-06-26T19:01:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-09T15:56:50.371+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Africa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Botswana'/><title type='text'>Meno a Kwena </title><content type='html'><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re in Meno a Kwena, in Botswana. T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">his is where Prince Harry took Meghan Markle for her birthday on their third date. So you can imagine the hype that preceded our first view of camp.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The camp is remarkably basic. Having been to&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">only&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">two other safari camps, I’m a little taken aback&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">by</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;how basic this is. The website does say it’s a no-frills camp but the photos still hadn’t prepared me for the middle of the bush setup.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We are warmly greeted by the five people who run the camp. Matilda, who seems in charge shakes my hand and says rather formally, “Welcome to our paradise!”</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="text-decoration: underline; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">That afternoon.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’ve just come back from afternoon tea. Matilda has made a cake and husband TT took charge of making tea and coffee. Camp owner Hennie Rawlinson and daughter Carla, also staying in camp, came to say hello.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fellow Aussie Kimberly, whom we met on the long drive from the airport, </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">works as a vet at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo&nbsp;and lives in Mosman, practically next door to us in Sydney and now stays in the tent next to ours.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well, brave Aussie girl that she is, she announces that she’s going for a swim in the pool. It’s the middle of winter here and the pool looks really cold.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We escape to the relative warmth of our well-appointed tent.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ccdc_7499_636_38c9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOazyRgSe3dbe7RCh5Ghpe6JcygQkmuOkXaI89OeTz7GKrAQWc5mi6ntOwdwJZHKg9rOM9yzQBBJoiZmgvt1OFMPpnA1TXxj6XXuZznM5ID_PcQz6kFEm1HnGou05BH96_wqK/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s a private deck outside the tent. We’re on a bluff jutting out to a bend on the Boteti river. We watch a herd, or more precisely, a dazzle of zebra pausing for a drink along its migration trail. They’re barking, hee-hawing, splashing in the water, galloping up and down the dusty slope.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/f9bPS16D93g" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_8bd3_4d25_df66_e64f" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The river is low, too low to paddle a canoe or do a river cruise. The rains have come to Angola though, and the folks in Meno a Kwena wait eagerly for the floodwaters to come. They’ve already reportedly reached the nearby town of Maun.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a55f_1888_2379_fcb4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCQiRbyHJ7mpn_Lg28QnFuU3tFkshmdM78OlWeJjQgfUiSnHvqHWtEARA_x-gz454Fv7RkwoJzEs3Xj1U7XBwlda4L8nKTgKxA3uHqKXL-vieruinpT3ZyT3lssp75E3YAwvf/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_8aa2_dddd_5ac9_b502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh6Uzr8i9I9YNLLW9LKdSbwP3M3P2wp9ZpcakINK_WjkwLlXqOGoljtENp9sMOkhPWz8bK_KUOlvyZlvXro1D_KRDyECKLAQ7W2jPxgU_cpRkSaEdHB9AEl2dLELucqKHt-oaR/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/19LFUqYfwf8" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_3f9c_d622_6134_905d" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There’s a mighty roar from the river to our right. Hippo.&nbsp;Two of them splashing about.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_daf7_eec9_bedb_c4c5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnBFpfcK5jtPAoI7vulxkE54Z5Sd-l9jv7wxUnby14GQ5bFre4pqXeNgOmnQDWd_ssfPJwnzwAtnMxBWpwT4W0dt2UYmmGv4fHMvP4q0-Qhoxkelo-_8TkrgDNSdlu3wAofkSO/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart rushes down to the floating hide&nbsp;for a closer look. It’s a camouflaged observation post on the edge of the river.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7ea2_733f_2991_faf8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOuogZdX2zm_df4gmJPSRoLkdI6XHEHDQ3dRjqp49TIym8vcuJ5jdmV3KBbL_CSaC2oR1Bknj9v-X2eMhQlYJBpo8RBM7zw4sejgZ_bVPj8yj_GazGOXYRMYc-I7M3hihmh3A/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d943_3245_903e_155e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlZGNX7JkdVVrmwQAvZJtAIsv3FNVV0ig8xPVnWufTe6yOZuUq421ygZqjIfTbvUIQJBbc8kVNUj-dTcB3mzmlqDTdAI54GeWfHWhO7g2ZI7RZ9V2K380JUJBJiHGjoO8BTlK/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An elephant has arrived as the sun begins to set.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_e134_100b_a69f_567b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqFXihr7MA5lFWLatiqnVAcLcwWRZ79C11t4Oi1WBtYO02zpaLCD7VuggdvbRIyztMkdpZXHh9KY2KNOPTvxFxbqK0lruSNujOeFvslk3so5vtVK-239dMHrh-IA2_vpHDfS5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, dinner&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">under the stars&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">with everybody in camp. Afterwards, stories by the campfire.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’ve armed myself with mosquito patches but there doesn’t seem much need for them.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_b382_c7ca_de34_5e89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAYjWk-8IdpCp3x-I6djJ5Kt1NrzoNb0KApojPnUJr6MoX0HAK_9h7EHCzdcThV92mRmyPk2OiEO3kXsbahl5mwC2HRUIKGig5RPbwLBUDr09u2XcajrOwIazP63RvbvWBL9S5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart and I sit close to the fire, snuggled under a wool blanket, sipping Amarula on ice.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4b40_46e7_e6d0_fb48" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiRsPjb0O1xr13MpMbbvd_poNSRPZZ2O8dBIfP6JAiZPUla7QK2m8cz2qqYqCKPKwswidxSIt5L0MkSY0E0tYm2HAo_IKBoyXRcYKQ7aKiHQKWnK-shg7kDZ2dwNLTwb2c6JG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></p> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/353074250777479151'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/353074250777479151'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/meno-kwena.html' title='Meno a Kwena '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioOazyRgSe3dbe7RCh5Ghpe6JcygQkmuOkXaI89OeTz7GKrAQWc5mi6ntOwdwJZHKg9rOM9yzQBBJoiZmgvt1OFMPpnA1TXxj6XXuZznM5ID_PcQz6kFEm1HnGou05BH96_wqK/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7904847342436891952</id><published>2018-06-17T02:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-09T15:58:58.066+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa'/><title type='text'>Cape Town </title><content type='html'><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Arriving at night in the rain and waiting on the tarmac to get bussed to the terminal wasn’t a good start. We had flown to Johannesburg from Livingstone in the &nbsp;morning to then fly out again in the evening to Cape Town. It wasn’t the best way to travel but it was a choice between that or flying Kenya Airways.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I peered out the hotel window at what promised to be a great view of Table Mountain, which we hoped to explore the next day.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the morning though, Table Mountain had disappeared. It was completely shrouded in thick cloud.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Undeterred by the overcast skies and the cold, Stuart went off on the hotel shuttle, calling later for me to join him at the V&amp;A Waterfront complex. We had a fish lunch and stayed there all afternoon.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4072_4fb1_1669_fc30" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-XbVYz5xT4NpERnRnEfcuSblfH8jR13lH1UXPzmZjWVC57rRVuQMoi-n8e0sdPFqKdr32QDwdqBoTrMRQzTAf0ql_kaAMWrVkcecngCc47wcwvJx3pNf-C2d98fUi0TXtTX-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><sub><font face="Verdana" size="4">V&amp;A Waterfront</font></sub></i></div><p></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I guess the experience of. a new place has a lot to do with the weather. Unfortunately, the weather had put a damper on our experience of Cape Town.&nbsp;Planned outings to Frranschoek and to Stellenbosch for the wines and to Sutherland for the stars didn’t pan out.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Apart from the one sunny afternoon that allowed us a nice Red Bus tour, today, the day we’re leaving is the only non-rainy day we’re seeing in Cape Town.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_b90e_a1af_afe4_258a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7NLUeQE3qwxQ53ZNvHevicwmE1WoyrrNudNGnIUvRwVEZXbupJhPmD1HxcyQSmVWE9LWDf6uDQYwwjC21Cx9lVBKmn-9Mc026MZT7GzogDirtItfiZBN7ZRWNdbMxcaOuhXAQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c831_61e0_9f41_d57" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSaVtr89rMrpbSy08kAYLG7HNhwWtkL0JNMRTn_gN6YuX1wkFfXWk0VW2vBZRfHLN106U05zs_Agtj_KkJ75VNe0jzSVZTFNm3T018vib84ORHkbgWb8I19N0XnIqmfkRfjD8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><sub><font face="Verdana" size="4">The one sunny afternoon on the Red Bus</font></sub></i></div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a870_6fb_67cc_c3b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz69la7K037EKhP0VbKGFAnjomdU8cuux6wxIL3ZwGRvaJdQUkxnDlEFQ4_cjmPYQwnVkny_ghpwrWK4tUbVl8XGSCTl25Kl5SqTaKYhabQlUkiUHFVfQpieEuzIZxSA_OCc2O/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="text-align: center; margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><sub><font face="Verdana" size="4">Last day, best day</font></sub></i></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re now at the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">airport for our eighth flight in three weeks.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">SQ Mnl to SIN, SIN to Joburg, FedAir to Mala Mala, SA Airways from Skukuza to Joburg, BA to Livingstone, BA to Joburg, BA to Cape Town, Kulula to Joburg.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In two days, we fly to Botswana.</font></span></p><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7904847342436891952'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7904847342436891952'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/cape-town.html' title='Cape Town '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-XbVYz5xT4NpERnRnEfcuSblfH8jR13lH1UXPzmZjWVC57rRVuQMoi-n8e0sdPFqKdr32QDwdqBoTrMRQzTAf0ql_kaAMWrVkcecngCc47wcwvJx3pNf-C2d98fUi0TXtTX-/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8644796424253499993</id><published>2018-06-15T03:18:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-09T16:02:31.693+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sunset river cruise'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Zambia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='giraffes'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Royal Livingstone'/><title type='text'>I’ve been waiting for giraffes </title><content type='html'><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’ve been waiting all morning for the giraffes to come back, so S</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">tuart gets someone to take us to them in the hotel buggy.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Jeffrey has&nbsp;been with the Royal Livingstone 14 years and always knows where the animals are.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_433_de61_dad4_fa4b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU6P1Tnkc69RI-o8zAgy1I6QNC9ZTzCukHXTb92WOaFUeOkUKuB0jKLVo5b3qfUDUfksOe2EwnALiiDdT5kj55iAdCv4JtkbbYdcdybUSq89twyK5NclOZGHsDSuBS3fVaUkp/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">He suggests taking our picture with the giraffes.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Hmmm...we’re not sure...</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_f085_4237_cfbe_a14e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNtUe_E983zqPqemv3hRn2jylJOfMvPlyvY9g6LA_stEtTrprBDJuMKcqoxypm9e4PkKXaaA2eRCq6UFoW8pf74sf8HwAQIPZJkZL9o39n9-ALXYVyc4YInnhgO7x0U-FOnga/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_ccdf_1687_fef_8746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAN3ug1YlKsbknH7oUObqJAkukodHDiJGMWWVSU0qnyM6olsMQaTBvFxx-0xKeCifC5VLIhEZwdN1VWyBb3aa05A0duNc_vPpKQ5-2Cy8XuKZk1rbzmDx8hC3uNKz8cyCTrW7/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">“So, what was that you said about Bob again, Jeffrey?”</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">“Bob used to be the alpha male here but he became violent and started kicking people, so he had to be sent away.”</font></span></p><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_6d32_9003_b829_acc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5LZq_qzXUnNHT1d7NaKY8inlRYUfAcs4-_4BEgEmVoIo-9ihIG2_XFZy5xXVLmobGErXXOgspj9dSVJLX9xxaj4oYFtKCe-TQnBU9xjFdrFMPYfS-hePib-el1FKucRuIHwu/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">“Okay, this is close enough. Let’s move along now, please!”</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Later, a sunset dinner cruise:</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font><font size="4" face="Verdana"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aWcad-jiGVI" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_7d36_4c46_8e86_1932" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_4e31_8c38_8c6a_d675" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuafM-YYI5Tt_RKTK6GV4F_GFHrG0bSVia17hiij5Q-MOqPp1ikMjgOZmD1smB3BqpoVfc20p1RO26JUn-69gFj3Fr60gWiqGUvSDPDsBlc43b4F9fhKZreUwL_aKlPh-T7PL/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>River guide Webster is quick to explain they are cattle tusks, not rhino or elephant.<br></span><img id="id_9eba_4824_c6bc_f153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9wOxcio1n6As8lj-QwpiB1iWYkkF8K2AtycN9nUqeQip-dSh9Orj63SrsQUJ0XQqBiRPVDaSYhNkq1l0Gp9uEBlrzRe8cJnxl7FFG37yZyzo5hGSWrdnRAv2wL2zWe9dmBhgT/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br>It must be that time of day...<br><img id="id_e5d2_2bb2_1439_df6c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSx6C4xoks9ulVIvFD7ujz4Uq-lH60QKsbCB-RNKy_gB5NoRtd2bDtuboXgNlvcIqfNqmWPdnwn5JIcZmUiCJBltYfMDrQ-ts1fI_A2UQkQB7uzS_lwfYZILG_ZxKzx11h1exF/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">Webster tells us about the wildlife on the river. He points out&nbsp;birds: white-fronted bee eaters, egyptian geese, herons, ibises, kingfishers. I can’t remember the others. There are also hippos and a giant crocodile.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana">A golden sunset on the mighty Zambezi.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><img id="id_c4a_92d1_201e_5f85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF9omndTkEDUr4J19W5K0h3eQ9fh9yrFVkBgKUJau8tJaw1k1w0vfiGEPwvcFiGHDaHOcpMKRWOWzDZ4M7frAdwTL801pKsoewriy7gxu4DcgRZUGUs_vCmnsNbIvqox1FpSKj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font size="4" face="Verdana"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_91f2_a4fc_8207_d08e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EkFyLCi3wE8LbbHpEL1V55X3__s6YoRVR9oX3HbXip3hcEdp7KNvAbgFeB3hiysv1qzY8c0UzdoqzlZJ5vyaVRmAkhYmt2juQTxvGCREFBYGcvgBQZZ2SlLw3Y0Jf5kgI_jg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br></span><br></font></p><div><font size="4" face="Verdana"><br></font></div><div><b><br></b></div> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8644796424253499993'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8644796424253499993'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/ive-been-waiting-for-giraffes.html' title='I’ve been waiting for giraffes '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU6P1Tnkc69RI-o8zAgy1I6QNC9ZTzCukHXTb92WOaFUeOkUKuB0jKLVo5b3qfUDUfksOe2EwnALiiDdT5kj55iAdCv4JtkbbYdcdybUSq89twyK5NclOZGHsDSuBS3fVaUkp/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1539938932621018151</id><published>2018-06-14T05:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-09T16:07:07.414+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Royal Livingstone Hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Victoria Falls'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mosi-o-tunya'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Zambezi'/><title type='text'>Victoria Falls, Zambia</title><content type='html'> <div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The Zambezi river rises from Zambia, flows through and along Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe, then crosses Mozambique to empty into the Indian Ocean. It’s water is clean; unpolluted by cities or industries, people actually drink from it.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Zambezi has given its name to&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Zambia</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;and the people of Zambia have given its falls the lovely name&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mosi-o-tunya. “The smoke that thunders.”</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_3815_9663_a50a_5b1c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRlLo9b4ewoTy6OSzyRx1ZIzvw-2DhN4D4YmhJ7YVymaj8YmmCvzI3rXpJb5AtGATnnzmHg58v7LGFoMu8IVcIzxI38g4N9UR_llPJArlHo9IWpM7XiFVQ3I3nGSNbSBuZz_f/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/b15OhDCDAPg" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_c33d_a0b0_ecd1_7b4a" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d89_ce15_151b_6381" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTSsYYgIojpLOKCBkF1lISZecoHcSTn10zmmeSghz5CwSfIPU2fpmM_1xIzWn17RM30zvtugXyVuTibo4lX_pC8GI8fVrdlwFgjnvMJ4BxnEoafHU8IcnF0TcgHsnjrdzxrxb/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_920_b9b8_bf75_2e59" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXGKxuesFb9LL8VqIX9lamrl2ifcoYkicz-cTAPSebXwBBbde-EGXxHp0DtPh7rzEklVcUGQ4UQ3UF8P4QDE2m6OfZ0HlG5gh9SPnyBeubXt7AYGV35uunPOaLJyasvQ4te_M/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">“Are the zebra always here?” I ask Ruth of Guest Relations. She had earlier checked </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">us in while we sipped iced tea and had welcoming hand massages.</span></font></p><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“Yes! This is where they live,” she replies, smiling brightly.</font></span></p></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We are at the Royal Livingstone on the north bank of the Zambezi River, a short walk to Victoria Falls, a.k.a.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mosi-o-tunya</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_da79_9ea1_99e9_90a0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheOGwIHBBkqBBsHv3OWUR8wM2UU-JlNQO1Ai3WWtf3jNf0GZjt7h7YCrETOOdFUCCcQOnmQadR2c3TyOGuSRmJjmShAnJNJfoXBpy-jQ5DQXwo8Eiogz6ncqmaA6blk1h7-5zt/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></span></p></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are zebra just off the driveway; giraffes are feeding on trees in front of our room; in back are impala.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And we didn’t have to get up at dawn or brave the cold to see them!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A safari on the balcony.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_57a9_e15c_717c_e00f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2vwYNA9cZEjK5FYB8Tz1hIndx_00vA4GYbNd_kvbpoCUADOVpr1ql8B9FiuiqYzJQ_suRjLOMis1ODtiG9F7thf2YA41xfD_7suaSkugyihG2RWAY5DXSbzlSrZDewqr5GF-9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ec29_d796_3fb1_660d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwiIHp43MhKJK3kJqBwEByYKTW5KGTCJ9vWkSKWE_VWOfGeWkX44Ap5v9Epsl2hSbsqt4tc0SUcOq0DKoB9SP0oKkh31Rcj3i7niRcw-dcOQoyxviXB_BYPVD7te31VxXI_FYY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_566a_ded2_daa2_baba" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5-1UyRSa_iaNo6mRKVyQdUyJNy_HZjPl5-L2yzCVkvQM8wJ7EfS_lHEXHhw-Vd7RV2O_sOt2KpQoUjaC48Q23HXUnwcy13Lffy3IocZ56ExUtJt1BogZMvvzqGIXQ1HBxO9Y3/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A glass of wine as the sun sets on the Zambezi river.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_329a_5648_d84b_422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQyuUn8VV6U2EKyPBBGgeehTDssl1yI6AI2ndf8Udm0lu6CqB8xpA0S0OjWlZsM0oDlRY2RsLampLnuBXv00RXLi134HDm_AfR8l_7qSzbUq16_WETxHSXC3lpj404MCVjBsk_/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_80bf_78b1_5452_9be9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvThMXO0ipRzQWynQOb3rRIyCAcNDiG91a9rsMVmEqB0lFYU78slcsrom8wLz80mGxplNYi_efOno-bSJEkrnL_BjQy-4T97Q87OMCxF6AUZLI3qZNIf4E1mc4-ktAVDqggjO/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_20fb_f0d2_a944_4aa9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cslHSIVRHnypugLVUSPQMdhZ6469-41z0zD6GEbfbP9eFOQn0M1xr8FDU6mpHzNgkSp9hsijH5gW6e3BTaPytGvoF-Qk-X_PrQZR8cXA40oMnvWVCITXJHSxZ7Lxj_6a4W44/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/erk2ubXKpxI" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_64c5_1bb9_5419_4aa6" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_e44d_a063_e3f0_f89f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPtXFV2wAoqrG2Vtfqr2CLXtxQOPXbjc8HArn1Uq8m-u3RnrHzEs54JJKsV4Yl-TPupyMB0gqRXYmiR84qJ4Ygbz0HGLbGYK_sxnOKv1g6OBAmgcnMorp9efAuUQ24ELsuQ2w/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br><br><br><br></font><br></p></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1539938932621018151'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1539938932621018151'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/zambia.html' title='Victoria Falls, Zambia'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRlLo9b4ewoTy6OSzyRx1ZIzvw-2DhN4D4YmhJ7YVymaj8YmmCvzI3rXpJb5AtGATnnzmHg58v7LGFoMu8IVcIzxI38g4N9UR_llPJArlHo9IWpM7XiFVQ3I3nGSNbSBuZz_f/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6273624351387702151</id><published>2018-06-10T21:20:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-07-25T09:09:51.742+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='boma'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Africa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Endangered species'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rattray’s'/><title type='text'>Farewell to Mala Mala</title><content type='html'><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On our last evening game drive, I get an unexpected lesson in conservation and survival of species.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Southern Ground Hornbills, &nbsp;large black birds with bright red wattles</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">are an imposing sight as they waddle imperiously through the yellow grass.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some cultures revere them as birds from the gods and are believed able to summon the rain.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They&nbsp;can grow up to a meter high and have been known to live up to 60-70 years.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are very few of them left outside conservation areas like the Kruger because of loss of habitat.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What’s more, these birds have very complicated breeding habits: they mature only after seven years and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">breed only every three years, if at all. Only the alpha male and female mate; and they&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">mate for life</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. All of which can’t help much in the survival stakes.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometimes called thunderbirds, they are classified sas <i>Vulnerable</i>&nbsp;by</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;IUCN&nbsp;(International Union for the Conservation of Nature) but conservationists of the Kruger consider them</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Endangered</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a87_8184_ec21_a7e7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS1_CKZywa19mEZ6JFzTtOzypMpiQnvYmpG4ZzoEGdOedhdJnMgCnzPeZRt7IBgaVHwWVlLwXIUxoWam9BHW-IakrnyNyr-LjtPv8fUcOyb5OqAHJ1DJk-GcLwDuBIAbeW_1N/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_643f_92b2_67c9_1eee" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzdKM94onKGy1P0uWPYFnLuNdDgxfPEN3OqPipw4N9WTdBICpDhUcsuQAuVn56Kbos6eTlIT-0Tfca9MnbAWSqU4tyzXxiqdlgrCSQKf7lO9h5jPwwkS15-ydbLo0jpbOQGUqi/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">As twilight descends on the veld, we are made acutely aware that this evening‘s Sundowner schedule has been preempted by a sighting of wild dogs.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Two African Wild Dogs</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;are&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">dining on what looks to have been a small nyala.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_147a_6637_fcc2_bb04" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbYOvPWI5_UseI8b4qyVaU9dYuvVLeBG6OonSnZ7Fr5acuRZCxCuvxlyO9fTWEmTIv0Av0ojNKm2sglibGJos2b5Z5PaxrgTQl23yuZ-WeySNbGSUBKUBVlna2lceGf248BV8/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_9db5_b264_68f6_e0ab" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRFWfvqiRZBbiz9j_qgY_3WBlcnisJPG5w4fHMt-URCLWszx587J-_00nSivaMshuZVjKzhGp_AS8IrcxoIAcfdaZlc_Ccz_itDEtLIhxvHyEowbd9xiWo5bcOFSfQv_-sxDu/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometimes called “painted wolves” because of the unique patterns and colours of their coats,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">these hunting dogs&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">have few known predators a</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">part from lions</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Considered to be the most efficient hunters in the wild,&nbsp;they chase prey to exhaustion before viciously tearing it apart without bothering to kill it first.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This last may go a long way to explaining why “h</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">uman persecution” is a big factor&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">decimation of these dogs’ numbers.&nbsp;</span>They are classified as <i>Endangered</i>.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think maybe raising funds dedicated to saving the African wild dog may prove to be especially challenging.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the drive back to camp, we come across a&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">sorry- looking, battle-weary Spotted Hyena nursing a mangled left ear dripping blood. &nbsp;Not an inspiring sight.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_8f74_f9a_87d3_3fc2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUMaKLq2jSGlN1bGD_rQjFXiKXe2mpLYqLbABTPumELRfqbKlZkKv859-HK68UlriW3mQ-C32peQS4FYQB_SARV5bwbrqOKBRyTvrwRHQCANNBQqaboTVtU6Dwhf3Kq1YCVKO/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">otally lacking in charm, behaviour-wise as well as appearance-wise, hyenas nevertheless have better chances of surviving as a species than most.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The IUCN classifies them as of <i>Least Concern</i>.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">_______</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back at camp, cocktails as usual at the bar at 7:30.&nbsp;Ever solicitous and warmly hospitable, Trevor always welcomes us into his lair with drinks, pre-dinner nibbles, and&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a roaring fire</span>.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Dinner tonight will be served under the stars in the boma.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At Mala Mala, this</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;serves as the dinner bell:</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_44f0_986_cc5b_4b3d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8buSFsFMveq-ts5z8Dmzjp1JBc1ddHXTuzfPm-hvDXUqSxKzmHNZ7srS6pihOk8kdDoHzZcjW6Zzvcq1nuznvSrdnztOLFAfOxKTJmzU4cupeKZT0H48neQ7C2ovCd3h1ChLY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The boma is an outside enclosure</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;dominated by a huge campfire. It’s enclosed by&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a tall reed fence but&nbsp;is open to the sky. And c</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">ontinuing the tradition of African tribal gatherings, the kitchen staff sing and dance for the dinner guests.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In the morning, I bid farewell to Mala Mala.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Having missed the last morning drive, I wait for the sun to rise&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">on the deck of our khaya.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_b050_de28_abb0_ad78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroKnfjaCuhd49pbibDth1GxL0bpjhT3senh1ofCeQigyMQ7kTEu5dbShHh9l24dCMoNRnnLdg6Y1cqYM9Lj0yYcDqLBciNRmG_TVcRq9Q2lBY1ylWmMyNf7Qs1K_9nZgp82SS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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I will miss all this. The early morning light, the brisk air<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, the smell of freshly cut grass,&nbsp;the birdsong, the star-spangled African&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">nights.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
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</b></span></p></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6273624351387702151'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6273624351387702151'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/farewell-to-mala-mala.html' title='Farewell to Mala Mala'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS1_CKZywa19mEZ6JFzTtOzypMpiQnvYmpG4ZzoEGdOedhdJnMgCnzPeZRt7IBgaVHwWVlLwXIUxoWam9BHW-IakrnyNyr-LjtPv8fUcOyb5OqAHJ1DJk-GcLwDuBIAbeW_1N/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8165008651623545378</id><published>2018-06-10T08:54:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2020-07-25T09:07:07.328+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='giraffes'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hippos'/><title type='text'>It’s a cold morning in Mala Mala</title><content type='html'><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dawn is breaking on our second morning in Mala Mala. It promises to be a fabulous morning game drive. But at 5 degrees, waiting for the sun to rise, it’s much too cold for any kind of drive.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4697_5e3e_6efd_f05e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzkllgj-4NOJnDrz4H2902DuzWcd0_SnfAJoNab2qhAGFoGNdustJKpm6f5gXCPNv1v1PCFTllEomPC9GZvA41frkF2wi6i21kN62J69O8QGsuN3SCUB9hF2JyJef9H4PJCZX/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">This is Liam.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">liamjameshenderson@gmail.com</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">@lj_hendodo</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6887_d676_2bd4_a864" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwAGDYlz_uz3s6-Yt3k9qgpcYeTmO5e-pn-IKlv3KQBMNi31RqKUCyZRg8kXhVRbGdhcdm-NoG3J1hyzXnE_ZWt6-3w5xHQt1HTJizWMh2dLg4OVYq02f_yf3GfG1x5zcXzdO/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He’s responsible for the game drives. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are four of us in the Land Rover with him: Houstonians Lynn and Armand, and Stuart and me.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He&nbsp;makes us as comfortable as we can possibly be on a wintry early morning in the wild. He’s packed warm blankets and hot water bottles for everybody.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I always sit up front. It’s less bumpy and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">theoretically</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;warmer from being closer to the engine. In practice, it doesn’t really make much difference.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m so cold, my face feels like it’s stuck on a block of ice. I wrap my scarf around my head and tuck my gloved hands under the hot water bottle on my lap.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And then...</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Giraffes! Liam announces.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Three&nbsp;male, three female. The cold is forgotten. I quickly peel off my gloves and start taking pictures.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_61bf_125c_c5cd_d10a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv9QaL1Krq-31bl7AWbPm0llpT1f5cki7X-3ZNF6FyEFKhB4JtPNn-nzkeosQ3Y7g5IxyCpPvKNXWEWOdvCTjKwCrZpEuFHmnE0kXOyLY0rVIc4Zg7BX2xBNogUvVHxlQ6A23j/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">These are m</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">agnificent creatures; and in this rosy golden dawn light, they are absolutely gorgeous!</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2899_2eb9_ea90_624f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgh26cGhTnxFrJ38u0jy4bV0BLKEVkjfXgd_UARZFNEWLR7r5mEfYo_oslH2Lv4oYBwuwg8DIMfMEkre4RovKq0C9UbE6up4BaURJYxGN2pm2jXiZv2FUG9i6KlUE2_unt4-v_/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I just learned two new words: journey and tower. As in, &nbsp;a</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-style: italic;">journey</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;of giraffes are on the move; and a &nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-style: italic;">tower</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;of giraffes have stopped to feed.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Liam gives us the lowdown on giraffes. R</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ecent research has discovered that giraffes are not the silent animals they were thought to be. They hum! &nbsp;At very low frequencies, mostly at night.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like most ruminants, they don’t really sleep. They have brief low-level sleep, still partially awake. This prevents them choking on the cuds they’re continually chewing. &nbsp;They only sleep an average of 15 minutes a day.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">As children, my siblings and I were told that if we didn’t sleep the requisite eight hours we wouldn’t grow tall. Guess we’ve been sold a bill of goods...</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Meanwhile, a male leopard has been spotted. Liam listens intently as animals in the area spread the word. Birds and baboons send off alarm calls. A&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">herd of impala stand still, &nbsp;backs straight, all looking south, the direction the predator is expected to come from.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_fd98_2266_a119_635d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuKaCNffY3YHM3uBIsG6Dp4NOwVj8qXLnCiCqzcunbLZZ2P93flkD7kfGjXAaU6MAanrUF88fa2OW04qQih1YG8AoRHBD5FrVrtXpz0PnllIP2lTuqqbGgiTpVuzy9CtPSGqlD/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Hippos have been sighted. As we pass the first vehicle onsite, we are told to proceed quietly so we don’t disturb the hippos resting out of water. &nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Sheltered by tall reeds,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a mother and her cub, about two weeks old,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;lie on the sand, soaking up the sun, &nbsp;waiting for their waterhole to warm up.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a473_65c8_41da_7639" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnIHkO8JTN19P6buMB8ViJcUA-jm27lVCxCp-alDppKCx4G2zD3CilqKcq7K2_c4e2L1aepUn8FOYORB8GN8s-WuJymTfEJRpP86lUndlMpyqq_DcfpRQ4Mmk0uoilJ148BDq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Mum creates a nook between her head and an outstretched leg, revealing the delicate skin of her underside, the part usually submerged in water.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;It’s pink!&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As we try to adjust our position though, the cub, still unfamiliar with camp vehicles, scampers away, closely followed by its mother.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_14bf_c91a_fa67_87a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGZLwB2-pIii1GCOZcx1E8O5bGs-4fnyemXKx-FyVKosLMDw7qhZvM2zKCR6npz9zicGEL31UW2T687OLb4wrKUr7c5TD7eIkykdt1Ym6XUQYXxu7oJDq7mOlPZV3GHgxUxi-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Have you ever seen a hippo blush?</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2552_bf1_9bb3_3557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm5FrGJEf4pLnf7bouLqxoeEHCURXJUdTkfp8051TQVLHGpMKKLJpVbiHUCSYgcFp9lkqmQoe2yZ5L1kXUp66hg5MvYjHDCAojmb4w8-vnNckz9t8wXLmy1su0wNMv4x9l4QWX/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We drive through the reeds,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">skirting&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the river,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">sometimes going through it. We see two other hippos. They move quickly and by the time we see them again, they’re already half submerged in their waterhole.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The air is filled with birdsong. This area is teeming with bird life. &nbsp;I wish I knew what they all are.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I love the feeling of solitude about this place. I’m lulled into a calm a</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">ll-is-right-in-the-world pastoral stillness.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_e842_fb5_4d86_8b99" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL6fSsT3y4WAmJP7Li-UYN02LupXOEcMjCFbxzdmXwiK8amkwMyPaneCilWbt7waMdq_mlt-nIcxvAsZHUBQPGgzK7V6oWE8OsaqgoNxlk1-5Q_Zk_WxNcKaSnoBNArn_YBqym/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a2c5_bb03_bcab_c9e3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHYNW-dizlAw9bUFL0hArA3eZrt9D-M-Ne4bY-zpoTEUQhYiWxeFs3zTSU1R0l_sKZBdpoXIcIEVntqZTQ7pvk6sa1qlQUztu9EMDYByW66wQ0vu-ezC8yj2FrjPruEgG1Fdi/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
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</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, &nbsp;back in camp, chef Peggy sets my breakfast tray down out on the deck. Did he really say his name’s&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Peggy? I can’t call this nice man that!&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_3811_7593_55fb_a995" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ2iMDR0OArbbgcElLg0CMwLqqy_HdKXC8YgPmvD2J0Iuk7IFBdvsGeMCdNEutsb60duxkxo1G1KgEIhFmXpXdi6tfViTcotmS15hAcQBQlWOiSTD2YCOdMxWoo_Bu04TKbwY2/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br />
</font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">He points to his nameplate: BHEKI.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">As he turns to leave, he tells me he’s sending the lunch menu over. He also tells me to watch out for the monkeys.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">If the monkeys come, just take the tray in, he says.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Johann is outside the khaya patrolling the grounds. He’s on the radio to sonebody and they both sound a little worried.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A baboon takes a flying leap onto a swinging branch beside the deck. Monents later, there’s a godawful clatter on the roof. &nbsp;More baboons!&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br />
</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I take my breakfast tray in.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br />
</p></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8165008651623545378'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8165008651623545378'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/07/its-cold-morning-in-mala-mala.html' title='It’s a cold morning in Mala Mala'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzkllgj-4NOJnDrz4H2902DuzWcd0_SnfAJoNab2qhAGFoGNdustJKpm6f5gXCPNv1v1PCFTllEomPC9GZvA41frkF2wi6i21kN62J69O8QGsuN3SCUB9hF2JyJef9H4PJCZX/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8090167392058177153</id><published>2018-06-08T18:16:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-07-25T09:16:30.514+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa'/><title type='text'>Rattray’s on Mala Mala</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We land on Mala Mala’s airstrip where our ranger waits by his Land Rover to welcome Stuart and me. He quickly hustles us and our two small bags off to camp where lunch awaits.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f6b9_e52c_f858_af7f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjO59CRM9E2S2J2et7GBw4TatU64DZ-AT5qCCIdHFjc7iNhpwT30K9QHgopf_-AFOwwijMKTLYezk_YcsJOX7tLTGZNdVNDLJBvH5yXNsMLDtfkUmEmI2nvgiH1wVqt-8zgi4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d060_f91e_f576_6cd1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0q1lI4FsuAq4EIMGamQdR9ttdTlyLjY6VLIfBRyJJo-1EAa8jmrumb-30600bMGNXlgxDYlNmO3iruXs8yiDSwTlBjm5c3UAjBaH5GTRiSk7hAwysxrbmSred8SQmc-T2FwQR/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_f882_15a_57c9_4e18" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiv31po7iNG-8d0PET7Qx-5FRpiY8WtbPzKnLdYzDN-0iVp-q3GsSGvPFW2S-caPhdy3edWLgXLxXNDu_C___pm_74fjXgf1fQexhHx7KPQs3miyz_qeajwqW820Z2G_siY_DN/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’ll feed you well here, Liam says. It sounds like a warning.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well, I now realize the feedings come up against each other in quick succession. I don’t have time to get myself ready for the next.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s the same with the adventures. On our first drive, the sightings come up so close to each other. I barely have time to breathe and take it all in.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We quickly tick Lion off our Big Five list as we watch three lionesses of the Kambula pride,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">two of them heavily pregnant,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">resting on the riverbed. We’re so close, I can smell them.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_3054_58a_1555_aba0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeokDJuE_IEiZmfD6vHxD-l4yesv8mnixDUesk77itekefWvUC6uYOxXEIik3d3915D32h7nLbksVjaV39qLDoWvE6HIysc1jLNAtwVs8h5qCE31vUN0tyZIf0A3QkDScDkMbT/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A leopard has been spotted, s</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">o off we go in hot pursuit. We are sidetracked though when I spot two rhinos.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wary of poachers, Liam requests that we don’t tag the location if we’re to immediately post the rhino pictures on social media.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6a15_de9b_a7e_d481" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfb-SR_a3GZRO1fVTDWqv1U0BoDN1Aq3xo58bLYQ2HGOskqmarXNC6pSj2KksNMiPkxrCDt6ZOnqFomi3PPavkyaIgTX4RlndGCbqNQoubU1bg7cIiFbJmbGNhBdiLUttDTjS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_5cfe_420a_1785_8fe4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1D53jWVWkCn4his7nWH-Tpx2uBRxi7ZW5GRkSQNPM5w3MGnNDe31Q7NzLdxzGWNTh_LqYnfK1BgqqYDVJtETgq99yhod4rhAymqMzrSpOBEfxvDYlX0ak44s6PY417RJS5Zcx/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Off to the leopard! It’s the Tomboti female leopard. We follow her for miles as she roams her territory, marking it, scratching and rubbing her scent into trees, pawing the ground, spraying pee around, and casually browsing for prey. It’s really too early in the day for stalking prey; the leopard prefers to hunt after dark when her eyesight ratchets up in deadly efficiency.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7bc3_faad_49a8_4822" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP9tH-hW5e55UOkI9YrRKHObS3Y4Ck2NDkDkUnTKIFYsR6p10XswMufM8OqV1Xfl5aKkvCG_I3oGbnUZkzgJVOBW42CK10tFSRa90t4-Fg1kQNMqQlb3ef02I_uKFDmTo6Kpfz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_8de2_f6d3_fd49_e399" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfecQBIa7bPatbODeojLQU-kyHHmMMBCU07yfcjzienQwbCnmv11nqfiaApDRkEjN9WBSbNmkIl2GQdnlAEdxtcyHwZ06F96fwZwodRYJJ1otbsz8oP56oOqEFaaVz9TbpRuXJ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the evening, stars blaze across the Southern skies. Liam guides us around&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">bright stars and planets and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">familiar constellations. He also points out the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">slow-moving&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">International Space Station whose reflected light makes it the brightest man-made object in the sky.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_73fa_ceb8_c7dc_b88a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTv7bT24nQWGtrosrj60E54GIH6rMBJYJCkM-b6v0czOeHoO1Bh31iDSN7UMEevJ_QvTIZUCQ28o0fpdQgozDJVPNBK55BLPX3O39o0pk2V3c4Nj0b5NpJQ6GXA2lUxsuGIL6a/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Next day’s morning drive starts once again with lions. A male one this time, one of a coalition of four brothers, around six years old, accompanied by three lionesses, probably sisters of the pregnant ones we saw last night.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_246c_63b8_e425_63b4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFsGX1EwdLCeDJ0YcnWTELUdiQP6ZZRmyIX4qhoQBQn4-sY5VMGLoJqg0ZPjKHDH4GqerHr9uxD79v6eq55-upmp678Web4urLtDE_5BvT7tSUNQ9HkBb67HOd8HKQUfcS2ahx/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We follow them walking amiably along a ridge.</span><br><img id="id_7c48_8e1a_1ede_e856" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGj6L75Iaxs_zGa4sdjl0v7BKTLEEp7om7z6bxnvXqdp4MgMo_oI12v0xYRay5oidp9xSVPSILj7sE3SAScAlqSTl2AyEg16BaH8jMnSuyVjq6JNyPwFG1dro_FcOeTFXAyOZ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Two of them start horsing around, playing, teasing each other...</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CR7T81_GTE4" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_7829_3832_feaf_d0e7" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">...and skittering up and down a tree!</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f96d_1827_c59b_6bc5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5mKkBN4Otl29M1WjPmqbVlq3QbZ7DYIM69qsH1hRJz1IPQ5sG4HkbyInqkQuyuWwzRjfHJDpZsxtfsh1mM6G6YCbjH8P5lD97WNCOrvM9g3uy0KqnZty4fP9thUiABrU37tsu/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0nfeCk_4MqA" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_8ab5_db3e_945d_7521" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A&nbsp;lot of this is happening directly above us, which&nbsp;is wildly exciting. However, having two frisky big cats within pouncing distance of our vehicle below is seriously unnerving on several levels.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s the most anxious yet I’ve been on this safari.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And then there are all those elephants. At one point, we are completely surrounded, up close, like reach out and touch them close, which of course is really not a good idea.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c48f_81c7_c037_ba01" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFKHk6w8fkG9u8TE-LyHgl85D6ic658RxWzdr2xnl2uuNXGuv4epO6bDcfLn6dK0puLOlP-AIX1Sd059_DRo9ra86dRJyyWx0mhFAeNPCFI8egbyHAiNq4W4PV7mNpuPxYWJie/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_1f46_9795_9fdd_c84f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTZVy6PZCUvmHzNMIb5j5dnwhRQADxi9iWfVKnhAruaC7sVopB__QFSZ7SxRnejYKVh0OUZv3TLgta3dPUul6MIeiRH_3ZUPohLcSflUUVQ6e7W-Gej5CFq6gKC4z7p2_y-KW/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Liam assures us that as long as we don’t get in their way, they won’t bother us. I&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">don’t know; they are very big and they are too darn close!</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back in camp, I’ve decided to have breakfast in our khaya. The Cape buffalo we’ve been looking for all morning are waiting for us right outside the camp and I have a long leisurely breakfast with them.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the evening drive we score big.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We find ourselves surrounded by a herd of Cape buffalo. This smacks of <i>deja vu:&nbsp;</i>this happened to us once before<i>,&nbsp;</i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">when we first came to Mala Mala in 2005.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2b38_a120_d3f2_29bb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPyWgqSb4d_-x-YX8E8tWl16qBEt-S1WK9HolV0zFUW_Vfc26EIzp3cGtTCfviSH86s9WPe_rpffqGowkmdRGNPuad32_H4Rb4a5oGQXSLi3DftuZ8KCDUGP1x4JNSSMJ2mnz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_9c20_cc16_bf84_8243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKi9vnjcm4_P7pcmh4XHdsJK-a6oPpgLmpM_NObzKHPt3ynbteT00B-DkFemWgL4x_fTn4aODYjurNapz93kv_Ff9iAvrv4DtG2j8clBIVVdxfGT9Mzny2GbaXCZ2E9y0TTgMa/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sad to say though, this is a much smaller herd than the thousand-strong one that engulfed us then. &nbsp;Droughts and an epidemic of bovine tuberculosis have decimated their numbers in recent years, such that herds of over a hundred are now considered big.</span><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We come across three rhinos grazing. These are not the same ones we saw yesterday.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_283_aabb_22a5_a232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAdtMx4zUtfFSXkY0EO9mrw6M_Ex0GHnmINjLUypAGGTm_7JI8-G2qDfbYuGvtcTuzqD0sMGcI2Es_d0dV61vs2x11hwquI0XDC0Po0zXaOB2xSykKFb9LLWEv27uIz72fWRWL/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_3e5c_8fd5_8523_80c7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdZpacXaaqNegwSXd9gp0XbeVp-v58BhhQs8bNC7VICvj2aWPYLH_UYLKEvMmUueESBNEpn6Um_oEdkFc92aXFqX2eyM4XA4C5sUJ1d9yQawH9obuTk9tWNQ77MEatBaWN5oiw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Talk about a zebra crossing: four zebras cross the road and quickly move away from us.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_742d_b675_441d_318b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIfk163QxQdHrdRaWECuPqJmChe4Q_bhb56_1QulvrKif1Y2m0Cr3ywbTt8Y73zZxWeIHglLQguoI01QEqiTiY2vNRypLE9t2JFdmc52Acu_HVJQ9gSenXhriecC6mlRORRuF/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_54fd_ee8b_9c76_4dd8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjRZu_Wcbq5q6eP9wM2ZRW1XMbXRm22uYd1gb2uqPKk0YxYIQgUutH7pCwf-TttAN2_qcG1UqmpcNi4KqzmaJusdB7-1EE1weu6hXOU8LCezbN6JNtstoOvCbFjAWtjBFRNJoH/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></span><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Eleven lions belonging to the old Styx pride present a tableau of family life: the adults are restful, the kids are at play.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a39f_f03b_9c6f_e957" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaS2Thyphenhyphen6S_l8gxD2sF9x4_OHR6yym5A0-wQo8ej8GvQRGQeceVZfng0_8qQWavbhcQX6P2RJRd1g2VU7BR7n4HhdGuB5vUcjnoDPdMWzBmtDuW7MZDoZh2v_ZJ-m094B-N-yT/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After all this, we stop for sundowners at a clearing.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Liam</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;says the impala nearby will serve as our eyes and ears. Remember, we’ve just left 11 lions gamboling by the river.</span></font></p></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4ef0_b53a_2073_5d31" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7OwLiB3zFtYv-qN1gdQGwXnM-E8Ei66Q1f9b0QOWrJ1GwQH-du5PTCVDwHtyhiTtSDERzCORtj9XJQdhOYqdoOgLUYhVOGiHQGMp3FATSkgUAfRpVi_DUSu6RVxr8NTsa23ki/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As the sun slips into a watercolour horizon, we drink a toast to a very fine day.</span><br><br><img id="id_15ac_b28b_6a3c_3e8e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXfA40_DxoyIKWQRUvhkRA_p2S47crcAMAhqKHmqIqbPhBK57k_I1YbEr7mzD2NcgkrSDsMBSVYAQz-H45jkRqdihAgspuZ3B-odKE-ssPPLDIFCQks5SFT3oRkdU7GrONKnkQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><br><br><br><br></font></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8090167392058177153'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8090167392058177153'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/rattrays-on-mala-mala_8.html' title='Rattray’s on Mala Mala'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwjO59CRM9E2S2J2et7GBw4TatU64DZ-AT5qCCIdHFjc7iNhpwT30K9QHgopf_-AFOwwijMKTLYezk_YcsJOX7tLTGZNdVNDLJBvH5yXNsMLDtfkUmEmI2nvgiH1wVqt-8zgi4/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7690032312801950684</id><published>2018-06-07T17:33:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-07-28T13:15:36.926+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mala Mala'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fed Air'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rattray’s'/><title type='text'>To Mala Mala</title><content type='html'><font face="Verdana" size="4">Waiting for FedAir flight #3 to Mala Mala.</font><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_dec0_3ea8_1f73_b8ba" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkclmkiDvctfy16AQSImDy6GGcp6NgpInkm70k4Zcw1XJ7e8WsfelT9ShDVmOEEoC4RaYZ_2GmQlty5y1qddyyfmxeI4wWZEGT_-mfbXOci-b5QnBC3A3wC_Uyx9oi62r2j199/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Boarding.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_182e_e1a4_b83f_4c3e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImWVo1yxXOiSY6SzHwauwZVXkVGBgZJXOEEWTwSZ2WGjhLCa3jKFVSIOb_rU9IcdD4uVb1Vy6kvgnsvSgPjiyRM2gJfk7Vgxp_LLWgC7u9n0I62KH_tZLZYY3TN7zzKcN3GbC/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>On board flight #3</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c4dd_4779_d925_11a5" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_CvKKAfKfYBlHPdyQSw1Gv4LGa832o2mfIKqviYVeFIQ9PFsyGkM4r4HpTJWf-_ZlBq8vMXMcBEK0OOpCiFtzl8OHIEG3U3AA3nCx5txeNeLzEHVLJJHp3sjETJbaVyDsc4dS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_7f13_e2c2_90f3_4783" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXyY3Y2kx8huVriYVnZnX2xbL21n9masLsxCCoby-V2Wb5Ie4AkqO_P7QMCdtKNKxMxTZPaQO_DTD8Fo4QC_62-dEQrAnmXrITiwrbnMLwOhspLA3sZ3HSfovAAa9C5mhiNh4b/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br>The pilot says It’ll be slightly bumpy at first... please take your sickbags out with you as you leave the aircraft.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Oh dear. I reach for my Ricola.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">An alarm goes...</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Oh dear.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Another alarm.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The two pilots are talking, seem to be discussing something serious. Now they’re both looking for something on the floor. Who’s looking where we’re going then?</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">A loud bang in the rear of the plane. Stuart looks around.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Another bang. Stuart looks puzzled.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">What’s that? I ask.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I don’t know, he replies.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Dear oh dear.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">I decide to close my eyes and go to sleep.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart discovers the source of the bangs: packets of Lays Potato Chips popping open.&nbsp;</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are only four passengers on this flight. Two of them are asleep.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart though is in Airplane Heaven, eating potato chips.</font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_836_e72f_2ab4_1615" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirws6qYXXB8iDSHSoqB7PPAYPCvzcGbF9_ZUHwxHfGuaeYQdTxAhzgCS0cnk0uACwFW0VQAjWfnqDCfhanh1keT1jdrhYTWgMwqGFNVHh2cmKi7kYxZs-dbzPZZoyCXBRPu2-x/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7690032312801950684'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7690032312801950684'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/backup-safari-2018.html' title='To Mala Mala'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkclmkiDvctfy16AQSImDy6GGcp6NgpInkm70k4Zcw1XJ7e8WsfelT9ShDVmOEEoC4RaYZ_2GmQlty5y1qddyyfmxeI4wWZEGT_-mfbXOci-b5QnBC3A3wC_Uyx9oi62r2j199/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6810653825654706609</id><published>2018-05-31T21:43:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T08:14:58.924+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa'/><title type='text'>Johannesburg </title><content type='html'><div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">SPOILER ALERT!</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The next few days are devoted to intensive resting, boning up on African history to try and make sense of what’s happening today, weather watching, and moon watching.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;I’ve set my alarm for this.&nbsp;</font></span></p></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f03e_5bd1_684e_f150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtPehV8OZKjtoVrxUf8r8uPfDaLv_lpYp7UNjjSbVTkH_6rR5lS8fTXCzxe7uE1ZR5h5ZcM6DILttAHKtby9AWwmCVukctvtiHrLmFAeVItX8fWSWyARggeFnFtoz6q2a-z0U/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><sub>A wonky late-rising moon over Johannesburg.</sub></i></div></font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Day 1</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Do you mind if we go off the freeway, sir?</font></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m wondering why the driver wanted us to come this way.<br></font></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Okay, the freeway is busy.&nbsp;It’s early morning, so people will be on their way to work. Streets off the freeway are busy too. Lots of nice cars- our airport pick up is a gleaming late model Mercedes SUV.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are many pedestrians presumably on their way to work. There are also people sitting on pavements and on street corners.&nbsp;It’s hard not to notice that there are no white people on the streets.&nbsp;</font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our hotel is located in Sandton, the new business and financial center that the country’s big corporations have fled to, to escape the urban decay of&nbsp;Johannesburg’s CBD.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Originally consisting of rural farms and grassy estates of the “horsey” Town &amp; Country types, today’s residential Sandton&nbsp;is cocooned behind high walls and tall fences topped with barbed wire.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the Sandton Hilton, a word of caution:</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_5314_8e3c_158c_664b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQybJ3-mHR8Ax4HGrn43_coEA_tduMZwtrE5zTx2KgVlMk3E_9TQQy2vD9IwpB_Ss0HJTMZgF0nQ2dUnMhHUXgFGcIPMRyACDcpyscL-PWtH5P3Q013Zw_3emCqIwXu-lxZhfP/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And just in case you missed that, here’s another:</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6264_61cf_779f_5bb9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0nng91lpSimhbU5_O64amx9v2C8R-rC_JVPHZPElP_CcOuJt7bfmMStHRVGFmBSM8ip_fbI60JDaMkOxalQEH6ow0aOXS2lg4C7ijdbl1aKB-LFTrSZvuQj-hPtTHfLnjpzy/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And I thought it was the lions I had to watch out for!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Day 2</font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m really not feeling up to a safari just yet. I guess jetlag from last week’s Europe trip with Annette has collided with an epic case of gastritis, leaving me feeling wiped out. Not actually sick yet, but well on my way. Which is why we’ve decided to hole up in Johannesburg for a few days while I sort myself out.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Day 3</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">After sleeping almost continuously for two days, drinking gallons of water, and eating next to nothing, I’m feeling much better.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Day 4</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I find it difficult to imagine how the culture of injustice, violence, and degradation that this country’s indigenous peoples have been subjected to could result in anything other than the terrible backlash against the perceived perpetrators that is now threatening to further tear this brutalized land apart.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Looking back on the day we arrived, the cavernous airport was noticeably lacking in activity. Airport personnel seemed to outnumber passengers.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Day 5</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_3446_7c74_dadc_b29c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKlnehLlXL7yjpf1F7rldA8cavNOXGYml6-V4J2iYekxh3ncbnUa7LnLVkFuX0sRtW9sx42zrVHeLuDvXzuPsFtPvXo_xU-8eD16vHYj9ldbWE3WXGonao1q8iB-2zMuhu5upc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><div style="text-align: center;"><i><sub style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Sandton at 9am is shrouded in fog. At 7 degrees, it feels like 4.</font></sub></i></div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stories that come out of Africa always manage to pulsate, to throb, to go on forever.&nbsp;They are inveterate storytellers, the Africans. Stuart always comes back from&nbsp;breakfast&nbsp;loaded with life stories of the</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;staff.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Even discounting for the inevitable differentness, the foreignness of the names of people and places, theirs seem designed to be spoken.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Which of course is part of the reason why I feel wildly excited that I’m soon to be in Mala Mala, or in Zambia- to say Livingstone doesn’t give the same thrill, or in&nbsp;Botswana, in&nbsp;Meno a Kwena.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></p></div></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6810653825654706609'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6810653825654706609'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/johannesburg.html' title='Johannesburg '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtPehV8OZKjtoVrxUf8r8uPfDaLv_lpYp7UNjjSbVTkH_6rR5lS8fTXCzxe7uE1ZR5h5ZcM6DILttAHKtby9AWwmCVukctvtiHrLmFAeVItX8fWSWyARggeFnFtoz6q2a-z0U/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4501716528180813847</id><published>2018-05-28T15:01:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T08:18:27.599+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rome Cavalieri'/><title type='text'>Annette’s Rome, part 2.</title><content type='html'><div>
<font face="Verdana" size="4"><u style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monday</u><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">&nbsp;</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Annette and I are back in Rome, and after the best-forgotten San Donato, we are happily ensconced in the <b>Rome</b>&nbsp;<b>Cavalieri</b>.</font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div>
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<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the way to dinner at the restaurant downstairs, the sound of piano music in </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Tiepolo Bar</b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;draws us in. Never mind dinner, this is better! We order sandwiches and sit at the bar for hours, listening to one of the best bluesy jazz singers I’ve heard in a long time.</span></font></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_1d1e_a09d_bb3_f913" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXA_Nzgzuq7aAU2olTlBAfPgtUQAc3dkYYBEizckZ2-AoFaiDQOtUqACxKGJfq19PdRNMxZnaY_WUsw7vl-h7Nib_6J-PdCOUi9UKHNmj8o2a-SrRmomOFc79Yic683yBybM-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img alt="" id="id_39fe_c615_35bb_cf8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7qXZKaHjSr0-QtgvezYyJbJgEkIqZ8VFzQ0SPsAFrT04-8piUlwq9syGgUBypxMK7DOxgddpou3PvK3jHLce9X0s5k2bky37mW1oxrwVtRNph74-Sp_ETO_66k6XQRiwYkvIk/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;" title="" tooltip=""><br><br></span><br></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re to spend the day with Maurizio but he’s delayed by the rain and arrives too late to join us for breakfast.</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s raining heavily and the hotel shuttle service goes all wrong, so the concierge has generously paid for our taxi into the Centro. Luckily for us, the driver takes a different route to the usual stop in Piazza Barberini and we’re conveniently dropped off at the Vatican. W</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">e pick up our tickets for tomorrow‘s Papal Audience and go to l</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">unch.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We have gelato&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">at Sublime while waiting for the rain to stop.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It doesn’t stop; it starts to rain hailstones. Fortunately, we’re just steps from Hotel&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Conciliazione where we wait for our taxi away from the rain.</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back in Cavalieri, the weather perversely does a 180-turn on us; the sun comes out and beckons us to come out too.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Maurizio however has decided that all this is temporary. “Look at those clouds! They look white and harmless but they’ll soon turn into rain clouds,” he warns.</font></span></div>
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<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We have an easy lazy afternoon instead, holed up in&nbsp;the Imperial Club, watching the day’s highlights of the Italian Open on TV, talking about friends and family, and reminiscing happy times with our dear Margarita.</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Wednesday</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We set off early for St Peter’s with a packed breakfast courtesy of the hotel.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_def8_2d64_f9c1_ce7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfqEI13-Wgt6hjBarcsBkY-rfW_uPfHzD_uiel2TMGSDpidiIAG_1J9x0SN4g2r0b7rCnU25KdmgtRhTSoTqoRpqC2eSUCBWP2KXv39Bl_AckbrdRcgySZd8e-HdjNv5e0tXQz/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re in the presence of the Pope, we listen to his homily, we join him in praying the Our Father in Latin, and we have our various religious articles blessed. With the sun beating down mercilessly on the faithful, the Popemobile circles&nbsp;the packed square, causing the crowds to rush about, moving in waves like flocks of starling, drawn by the magnetism of this most beloved of holy men.&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Later, we join the queue waiting to go inside the basilica. The vast square starts to empty. Wedding parties have photoshoots. Brides beam in full bridal regalia, tottering precariously on regulation white stilettos&nbsp;on the ancient paving stones. The more&nbsp;sensible&nbsp;ones are wearing sneakers with their frothy gowns.</font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">All of a sudden, our orderly queue starts disintegrating and we’re being swept along by a mad rush as&nbsp;the basilica doors are thrown open.</font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_a831_c510_6419_7b35" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4dsGzycq7bjkbu2Low_pNYhLSOn80M8vlow0M3eHucveh1JTDlxUZRgCLwbs-fZxhLYST0AXcDSL3KRbBdmzFom3lAtC1P3hatEiDQQlMlkHs1HcnKoCIRoJ5nuyQ6VlHHiw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s quite amazing, this Vatican side of the Rome experience. It’s&nbsp;also quite startling, seeing up close the changing nature of religious devotion.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was here with my mother several years ago. It felt different then.</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Thursday</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div>
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On our last day in Rome, a &nbsp;hotel limousine makes quick and easy, and luxuriously pleasurable, Annette’s much delayed tour of the sights.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Luigi, our driver cum history professor cum bodyguard expertly shoehorns Annette and me into the inevitable throngs massing around the venerable monuments of ancient Rome.</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the evening, we catch our flight home. </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Arrivederci Roma! ❤️</i></font></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4501716528180813847'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4501716528180813847'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/rome-part-2.html' title='Annette’s Rome, part 2.'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMN2489_APU2ij1Vko0QDwNNADVnLzKVWCFnakh98tA9nj0KuG3LN5dqlLynVD4Wy6NkoIao2Ek_vMn2mJ96XmbUlpNnIdiq0guUSaWwnCQN2jxdsR3i-68P5wCNrX-RhkiUW/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-649808059117672795</id><published>2018-05-21T14:56:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-12-01T11:49:07.637+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'> Two days in Montepulciano with Annette</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Saturday</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Early start for our weekend in Montepulciano.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Taxi to Roma Tiburtina Station, train to Chiusi, bus to Montepulciano, and finally, shuttle bus to Centro.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_66f1_e8cb_a667_da2a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RKSOBRFNpogLcq3eYO1re_5kQt3oOIzRw0IaGabO6Yc8XtM_yI-Kdh7Nx0ZPltYqnN49BYw4NYLSKMiCg2jFMvR64Q6vBhWsH4aF4H6UqGnmFD91UAZ8yuLrLQrAj5ER-OPv/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The shuttle bus driver points out our hotel, the Palazzo Carletti before pulling up at the bus stop a few feet away.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_736e_6755_348c_91f1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRCis3hV_KvbBaT56XuaAUhRyGWxS-zIHT2RFwxevCWxbUo7aAqApPFsWKr6c_1zaRUQeCuw3enR3GS1e-kBH4b6bFnEQgQpFkGL5Pw6eyBOrMSyq0OHD6d7WmU1AQ4YfifMNG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_83b9_4c65_26b3_faa7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhldcj2cLezJEaWcX462jlT8WHJPRYgdaNGFuatsNBOeFHRnUxzw_t0Nd2-l8bIm1w5jZwfJ0RDa5zgJSni4FTfVDDyG57pZNtFR5oaV2aCQHMopMdpCIiZAZAu1eHYp2uNbF14/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_63e_5fea_ca98_4b06" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgVOwyESuISOk0IW_SqWo_IeBeUE93EhwgpqrHZJnrZpvQRH7Sb0mhZ4HpTQRM3qtDZ3pgVhhn-JGn7nSokjT9oiMcODbozlI9fmwfIkXhLdy_9grCirh6QDqAt5LnSjm3-JM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_bd36_1c51_3a53_2e0e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAhpRpk47Ag8-noxFZ5GPsvrWQzy4f5X57NfIWmZFdxSJtEveGJazAu-rC4JUvBwYjt3AX7CFkxdBpeveGR8rKfVm96Pf1RRGvvr6Wo_ClASrG92WmCzPShj5iVpTTIi5k0g6h/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><img id="id_2863_d511_34c1_45d7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicKdHdUDHmhyphenhyphenWxLb2m5eBnLcpzMDmIR_9sr7vrEy1S9smfLMoXzCdCYmC9RrzMf83v5VqYVDq-WnuibWwWAEZ11t1cdR3kMFG_bHDrszcUdLNmvSV6upbzvpO5-EY3Wak9z46g/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><img id="id_1e7a_42c8_f280_cda8" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7MXPbEK-UA_-F2XJn40ra77idsV712mssxCAU9a6hqg0lxRFMZMvc_mR_9nohFR3S2ONaGj1G7FSPenv1Q8xayCjLSolOi52rd7u6-VPRySW5BDosdOrqXc0YtGk2RnQLBUEM/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re at the source of our current favourite wine.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c9ea_9a6f_1abf_eb7a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsxqiJrcRYjaRdZuJBy8eqWTvQ55T5cNiGc5Db5AQjvbAU7egK6bHt7GpJp4iBsMAMwoMTFPRTrawvYKC3yECEiaXYW2Fzul4NvUELFFfNfZw3lt_EEHJVjKFmJE5gYJlzMHgZ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">After dinner at the&nbsp;Gattavecchi Winery,&nbsp;the owner’s son Maurizio Valente takes us to the wine cellar. He tells us his grandfather invented the&nbsp;Montepulciano Nobile&nbsp;wine. Actually, he invented the name that made the wine famous.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_dd95_8fdc_6988_10ca" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSP3nc9upwOkLE8advBeQadjD70l_wOaSi35uiUToRjUfsoucnEVl_Ps1SlqIoqp_uoLZioho4T34-HxgjKHIlxr-tNRhiYIc1CgbwQ4kLMXw_0YTg1PLCbRkApiaw0NKOXW9i/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_a14f_8c69_eb17_873e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1wqMg4SbIwKD6Mj2_vKUG_OdgGXhRoJiTvG-eqpga-ljXSPG68fM6J5C_YQAkehgUwqmUcPjoLpPqaUBruC2mV2ERANJTMwG1X_P0yzPDpjlojhk2bMR4RBe_834j9slp7sgd/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_c8d1_b10f_b51a_2983" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54qkbJsarODWR8-fDUezLBkQ0ihBbuqM7CQogPC0EiX23NNkWUn39mt_ueo1A-r4A2bIuaJDpGIp1k0It5bGH5O0wjvNYW72_w3QG4EWPKzqG4E_CidE9IkkjnFr3g0c7ZMhV/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_9207_b1a0_8fab_f363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFD3YrnipbejDhdK9ihS70JrQUelVhC3RTNjIYfV9WrbZcqzQhiFouqrGWk9H3cJs-G_8Qxdh0OQj8XtF_IqZnl381vRHwm3gG2ZH2KxBbDLmGC10587047ZfDhNIwxBLgxWa/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We walk back from dinner in pouring rain. &nbsp;Our landmark, &nbsp;Ristorante Rosso Robino must’ve closed early as it’s in total darkness, so we shoot right past it. It takes me a while to realize we’ve also gone past our hotel.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I later wonder if the nice good looking gentleman whose shop we took shelter in, who gallantly helped me into my disposable plastic raincoat before showing us the way home was actually an angel or a figment of Annette’s and my imagination....</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On our second day, we have to change hotels as Carletti is full. Check in time&nbsp;is not until 4 o’clock, so we leave our bags at Carletti while we go and explore the town.</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In the lovely little church nearby, where we watched a wedding party yesterday, we light&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mothers Day&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">candles for Mommy and Tita Naty.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_68b4_d7bd_3243_280c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRdQrcIefT1A89_ykqkbBBX7eBDuNGAMMgGXr00JWyS05zkG8jPSUs3_SXclqUpJeiXO53CTqjqjdxb0hPW0rWN46VreVWLj1jo0UYvjaOn5s_TM3RL9c-oO9PXUjJX7qM9dIp/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_ddbc_43be_cc34_4754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9UW7_J6F1KqPzuuM0f34JMskj3JoGWV3hYhtGfXhEbk994c66oGJb6XFDKKHoa4ZWW33caGhHKj-LRaHFmKhvI7-2mfOfnVJxy4nGCnAQTErTX45rLNcI7Os2yajGIGDmWCMD/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We&nbsp;browse at a flea market on the main square&nbsp;while waiting&nbsp;for the 12 o’clock mass in the Duomo.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">After mass, we walk all around the tiny hilltop town&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">chock-full of shops,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">restaurants, wine merchants,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">pretty little&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">art galleries.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The landscape is incredibly beautiful, the Tuscan vistas reminiscent of Renaissance paintings.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It’s hard work walking the steeply sloping streets though and we’re exhausted by the time we pick up our bags and bid farewell to Carletti for our move to&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Palazzo Nobile di San Donato.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Palazzo? More like a dungeon, says Annette.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This place is a&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">complete and total let down after Palazzo Carletti! Someone ought to call them out on their patently misleading website!</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Never mind, we only have a few hours to spend here anyway as we’re leaving early tomorrow morning.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Monday</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It’s 8 degrees outside and a brisk wind makes us shiver. The one good thing about this inhospitable “house of the nobility” is that the shuttle bus stops right outside its front door.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We arrive&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">at the bus station&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">in plenty of time to wait for our 10 o’clock bus to Chiusi.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart calls to suggest we go to the Centro instead of Tiburtina because it’s closer to our hotel.&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The train to Roma Termini leaves a good hour and a half after the one to Tiburtina, which</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">&nbsp;makes us much too early to be waiting at the train station. &nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This puzzles the man at the Chiusi ticket counter.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Am I sure I want tickets for today? He asks again.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">With time to spare, we have a leisurely brunch at Bar Italia some distance away from the station.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We now firmly believe that Italian station caffès make the best coffee ever.</span></font></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the train:</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_5da0_e2d2_d269_da87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLMPblkmlAWRbfTEKPr4S7PfNcZHY3CMtrUKUbVX-_Mg1eTk2BbxjTxWxa5U57wVhnMpvIg7uSmcWqlfXyXD2Qfz2kaeg62qRd6uq5RDybN1sI_t98tQDByppbWVQvCwv6BsS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just adter leaving Orto, the train grinds disconcertingly to a stop in a tunnel.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the dark, with the engine completely quiet, a sudden change of air pressure makes&nbsp;my ears pop and&nbsp;the glass doors in front of me swing sharply open.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Annette is sleeping soundly in her seat.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">After a long interval when everyone on the train is starting to look around restively and worriedly touching their ears. an announcement on the PA. But only in Italian. There will be a delay of 20 minutes.&nbsp;I’m yawning continuously.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re moving again at 2:30, by which time we should’ve already arrived in Roma Termini.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Annette is still sleeping, blissfully unaware of what happened. Just as well, as it probably would’ve freaked her out.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p></div> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/649808059117672795'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/649808059117672795'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/weekend-in-montepulciano.html' title=' Two days in Montepulciano with Annette'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RKSOBRFNpogLcq3eYO1re_5kQt3oOIzRw0IaGabO6Yc8XtM_yI-Kdh7Nx0ZPltYqnN49BYw4NYLSKMiCg2jFMvR64Q6vBhWsH4aF4H6UqGnmFD91UAZ8yuLrLQrAj5ER-OPv/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1659834591684590105</id><published>2018-05-15T07:08:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-03-27T09:46:36.014+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Annette’s Rome, part 1</title><content type='html'><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Wednesday</span>&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We arrive in Rome on a cloudy afternoon; big change from sunny Amsterdam.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart has thoughtfully arranged for Annette and me to be in a hotel as close to St Peter’s as possible. We didn’t have high expectations; the main thing was to be near St Peter’s.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Hotel della Conciliazione</b><i> </i>is on Borgo&nbsp;Pio, right next to the arches of the Vatican walls. We’re thrilled to find that our room has a big terrace from which we&nbsp;see Rome’s umbrella pines and the yellow and white Vatican flag fluttering&nbsp;over the rooftops of neighbouring grubby old buildings</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. As church bells start to peal, we realize we also have a distant view of St Peter’s, its cupola peeking out from above a terrace next door. Perfect!</span></font></p></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_33ea_7140_fa25_6d72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnavXGuPIK5KwpQQwTi7jWNyiVoOjhlW6J3n_Y_eYqmOYj4H6xqQs9BK2RU4NmMiLlQgtfoq5CxzgQrkS7ZnrenZ5emtVuq3IsmHhW9qMdD-DwKd4WsF-QDo4Nb5bGftzim2Fl/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It soon rains, but no matter. Armed with raincoats and umbrellas, we set off to find a restaurant recommended by Jhislaine at the front desk.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">As promised, dinner at <b>Arlú</b> is wonderful! A half bottle of <i>Montepulciano d’Abruzzo</i>, saltimbocca for Annette, and grilled swordfish for me</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At the table next to ours is a chatty Irish couple celebrating their 25th anniversary. The wife, a pretty Elizabeth Taylor look-alike works in the Customs Office of Ireland, so talk inevitably drifts to Brexit and the looming problem with borders.&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a cheerful celebratory evening. The rain has stopped and as we stroll back to our hotel,&nbsp;&nbsp;we stop to buy fruits for tomorrow’s breakfast.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Thursday</span>&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d45a_40e_ee1f_7c7a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCpsJ7G4pxKPptzsINBxa1VUAZ4Hp4dQrvJRlPIMtiA_vxmtbfKiLdKiN5zbp0FU-P60PxMLOdJpIzUYLV-dzkwmJSwDxXqAh2GUe8tcFL91N_uOyXZHZnWR1d2e2u-ZfO7jx/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the morning, the sky has cleared and after a quick breakfast of fruits and coffee, we head off to the Vatican Museums for a guided tour Stuart has pre-booked for us.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f284_1395_9803_fd1e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5bR4paht_BM_yDKMwswAEXR_o3X2oWfyFeOwe4b2SJrsKLiyla7htV9LUkXAu_Vzx2znYZwncJOBLJHkdmxcs8_HsRF5s8etDahGKwwkxtOUFuemdTpQQ8HIMKDKf7vv4IpbH/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4609_2cab_2bab_21b4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJy6tUEgRlM6FOckYhztbIx02P6ycyZuggHTrgbKAVsdAxdDjdLRWbxGacX0OBD4h7u6oBSh53SvAe13y5cxiq5Oo2zyIfX3nggnrrnQoaaQyG42b1Wzy9EYZCmbcxyctrsG1/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>Our excellent guide, Art Historian <b>Francesca D’Orazio:</b></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">francesca.dorazio5@gmail.com&nbsp;</font></i></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_cd26_4222_868c_289b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAW8iST3oKoYNgqzpNT2YJHoyyV3kX-FoFyqTR_N5I8GLSRVzhl74E7luxvPBLmVOBUcKlH4Kg8pHZ5b5ju6iz4vDOCEqyc8YgnifvAzwLQ9xjJxLCklAWCdUHo3b07LwnCFqa/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">he Museums and Sistine Chapel Tour takes up most of the day, starting&nbsp;with queueing at the gate for security checks, then the waiting inside for the tour to begin, and the eventual recuperating from being on our feet for hours on end. Even at lunch in the museum cafe, we were standing at a cocktail table.We’re glad to have our hotel close by.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the evening, Maurizio joins us for dinner, again at Arlú. The restaurant is full. I’m glad I booked before we left last night.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maurizio spots local football star </span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Marco Delvecchio</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> who has just walked in to the restaurant. They &nbsp;briefly&nbsp;exchange pleasantries.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Delvecchio" id="id_fc63_daf4_6b58_ff8e"><font face="Verdana" size="4">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Delvecchio</font></a></p></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">After dinner, we buy gelato from an artisanal&nbsp;shop across from our hotel. It’s called&nbsp;<b>Sublime</b>, an appropriate name for its products.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4704_a9fc_70ea_1e2e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlUwK3P2ZmzErZfsMZipUmgiWUek1CVEBYOg1lINGIIbcHYq9egdvo_anO0ctXeb6N82ziNF9NYL8qlM-Z7Ma-5pwqBH59ofwOPREG2ylOvEMa9qEBhhSIz9hI4RUMt8jYyrDh/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We stand outside the shop, watching the goings on in festive Borgo Pio,&nbsp;dripping gelato all over ourselves,&nbsp;cheerfully&nbsp;chatting until it’s time to go hone.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><u><font face="Verdana" size="4">Friday</font></u></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It’s a beautiful sunny day. We go to the bakery next door for breakfast . It’s a real working bakery, not just a shop selling baked stuff. &nbsp;They don’t make coffee though, so we buy a pizza bianca and a padini and go straight to St Peter’s.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We watch enormous tour groups pouring into the square further stretching the already long queue for the Basilica.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We wonder</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;if we should aim to get in today. Maybe we’ll just wait to see if the Pope makes an appearance for the Angelus.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We eat our bagged breakfast still&nbsp;hot&nbsp;from the bakery,&nbsp;fragrant and delicious.&nbsp;&nbsp;We take pictures.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f878_aa48_92fb_6b65" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQhZ1eHNQqkG-usiW5gHOrRwWxDVbUy_GSH4EF1XkCFFwo-HMNX9COBMnlwlDQW7XPvhV4wrbJFltxnykHNelV5I3yR_8V565ibW7p2NYDZ0RRZKyOuH7xE8WhNmWm7gF6E5H/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_bd4_425d_7cc1_51fa" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xAG5z238heFLqFWPyydY7n74qxCua5l0v7FUMNjmB6mJcxfsVh89zGtcUS89eWGqz7wwgFfX8VtUI1DdTKqySZoRBQsJ-O4lJ_U-gw0X9-5aIMjzYcgxr6XNVBrrke7Y8_FJ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The queue has gotten much too long. And we’re getting much too hot. So we&nbsp;head back to the hotel, stopping at one of the Vatican gates to try our luck getting tickets for next week’s General Papal Audience.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“It’s too early, I don’t have them yet,” the Swiss guard says, smiling affably.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“Try again tomorrow.”</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“What time?”</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“Anytime&nbsp;tomorrow. We’re here 24 hours everyday.”</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">But tomorrow we’ll be in Montepulciano...</font></span></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, we take our luggage to be stored at the <b>Hotel Cavalieri</b> for our return to Rome on Monday.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The hotel shuttle takes us to Piazza Barberini, a short walk to the Trevi Fountain. &nbsp;But as soon as we see the throng of people coming at us from the direction of Trevi- we still haven’t recovered&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">from yesterday’s long tour of the museums- we abandon our plans for Trevi and the Spanish Steps.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back in the relative safety and quiet of Borgo&nbsp;Pio, we chance upon a restaurant just off&nbsp;Piazza del Risorgimento&nbsp;that looks to be somewhat off the beaten track. It’s in a basement and seems to be not too touristy, if that’s at all possible around these parts. We book for dinner.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It proves to be an excellent decision. At <b>La Soffitta Renovatio</b>, we</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;enjoy an all-Roman fare of grilled fresh artichokes. suppli, zucchini flowers&nbsp;stuffed with anchovies, and osso buco.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d0f3_51ca_dba9_10d0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3Eio_hSopT-9Lt5A9Zm01sLwoQrqs1DeJU0s9FY018usJhSaot9e93_NI7CeybMfuf0Q-CSxTulM6Jh8Ddfgi1i0g5pswi8vBq2VeB2ShE7x4-JbP5dWnicxa0sk4oAaQG6f/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4679_c144_11d5_4f2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI0s2Uq4b-t-2iFSAIhC_WEuqEpejOv2bc3msjzpUrR70aJcSVityu3hHecjPB1N8jU8jTw-G260TNVa1cvMaoIYuFUyg6Cq5f2hAv6u9GTRUy_HhCzHOq5Q3w8Q_Gh6km0M_/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">No half bottles though, so we walk back afterwards carryng our half-drunk bottle and singing <i>Arrivederci Roma</i>....</font></span></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_387f_e636_b605_d6ca" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXXFb5Vr60VCLfGj2opUDyZhjEegULsjX2or-MjnsZht5hjXQNs5pa1CXXmUawCv-tGoP8EeBQX7HjvEc1RA9quo3OJXp3nYNOWd6uaXUUg8jqiyHWnGdSUbJlwPsXqqpODLgW/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tomorrow, Montepulciano!</span></font></div><div><br></div> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1659834591684590105'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1659834591684590105'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/rome-part-1.html' title='Annette’s Rome, part 1'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnavXGuPIK5KwpQQwTi7jWNyiVoOjhlW6J3n_Y_eYqmOYj4H6xqQs9BK2RU4NmMiLlQgtfoq5CxzgQrkS7ZnrenZ5emtVuq3IsmHhW9qMdD-DwKd4WsF-QDo4Nb5bGftzim2Fl/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8974415238805282385</id><published>2018-05-07T21:08:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-12-01T11:29:41.773+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='canal cruise'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tulips'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Keukenhof'/><title type='text'>Getting Lost in Amsterdam with Annette</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“When angels travel, the sun shines,”&nbsp;Anna at the front desk declares, thanking Annette and me for bringing beautiful weather that had eluded the city for days on end.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s a splendid Saturday afternoon and we eagerly set out to explore.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alas, it</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;doesn’t turn out to be the brilliant introduction to Amsterdam- actually, to the continent- that I had envisioned for my sister who is seeing Europe for the first time.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Keeping to streets I should feel comfortably familiar with proves increasingly difficult as I now find most of them closed to traffic. There are police&nbsp;barriers&nbsp;set up everywhere. I very quickly lose my bearings&nbsp;and proceed to get&nbsp;lost on our very first outing!&nbsp;As it turns out, the city is celebrating the anniversary of the end of WWII and the King and Queen are laying flowers at various memorial sites.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We have fun finding our way around&nbsp;anyway. Me failing miserably to make any sense of various maps I optimistically brought with me, along with my phone’s Google maps, still in denial about my total lack of navigation skills.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f1ea_5380_96f3_71b6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo_kCc7BJBPuz6VXGFfQ1wfgPi_kIqHC5bJHZW6NLRQXWhxu2BCWgq2WwsXlE_ZExR1wp-mKTQg_AdDAPlmEM4s03KkNVEEd9-ky2RFOZMbl4agAnqUpUDVC4dtskU-aqUrfG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_affa_af83_bfe1_e332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXEhF4TKodm0MxHDWLvUSwT2LxGAJwKWwaILoP-HkLwy0PSa2mLYqPlxJKwILI-vx16_GzfXnpt57K9BIw1cxdzv71zD4wzxr3DN31cBkxxWaL4LB2kDbvZnv4-PXfavLBhkQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_fc85_30bb_9987_fdc1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPjwfX81X2HCPUdg11aaXpc3YMFwvKCsAmhFgW-KWPmwN1ZHldWqNTMCYOqIyijbFLeMzzt8EfapHC3HkyicWKG-0lJYUtdtf6vBdt2b2zpU2HLFE2IKO-s5kubaB3NllTsS9x/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_5e0d_53f9_1cbe_1a58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiae7OrT0zAzmDD7Ay_gbQsjxcsoPKvNBZgccKdxESQT_khfHmFsmX-T_koE9DvsrTJfryXKW8qalrugNUuNlEiQxo46dqj-bhrT6ODT0r1hJPTudEyPx2R9-ewgAIdxUb0sFfV/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_8a15_b6e8_194e_8eac" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNUXII4RidpfnXcmTsFjJ1TQeTcdfVefhhyphenhyphenC9Drx5M7YL2EHob5Ti5gEOZ-kOJ7q5Rs20wpX9h0j3qpuCw3k3OcKpTxH3C_DaNz7AA8XmUMktYMtg4N4JaW3wKZ9wxUVH9jZiE/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_f68b_119_fcc7_1fcc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8f-1vBpx1X87amUQUFzlecrfJNxIfCN_kSbhRq7rzofd3KQDZfSJADYDCfA3-e6ZIX3Zjdhrjlq2mVlnw66GFYAROptW9MgW0j4QFgDDyhPeb0Z6NgF7zc79GeOr0qhVjAE5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_93a8_cbaf_878_5713" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr5g4HKD1y1Lwce7jfjvl2Cg3jgZ9HO5Z0hq9J6Q1Ug-bgw4kZnX9xxP_t6pAOeZJmD-pWDweGJhTfLoQUg8UgtrO2EuECFzne_5QkY3s6t4qWeuQx2bbnVQo4O6653J-PsmhV/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Having managed to make it back to the hotel in time for cocktails in the lounge, it’s early to bed for us, tired &nbsp;but exhilarated by the adventure.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Sunday</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A Canal Cruise gives Annette a proper tour and me the chance to sit back, relax, and not worry about getting us lost.</font></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_c496_1eb8_15a_644b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYmr3tF7BfeyLI0bcUpC5-wwfnWclGgtSDzQEjAOKJmrNY1odPtH0_qGTdCGkjFeATZcWNJ9akrpNSlTLDSPiuLludmsosP3nD-L8051V2WZACBXUPnqCCk4TecZQuGLrXfp5o/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><img id="id_9460_53bf_46bb_68fc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1slKd7uL8-Pk6JmuH4zNr1WZEyEo6fAnzv78qP0VQp413wmSyE5byeWIjDns8IrDZDy14ziTUpxOoCfAo8XjtgK8guaiFwtebMlEP6SQ-KoboRrsspjJwhM-7rx2ChUv_VAVS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_bba6_7824_465d_131d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAK30HLaDRlQDXSVKVms62FOr8g5ZMhlY6R887z_aWHi3kH-JzWfe-efvrBC1yUAeo2k7gXNZIAb5vQP-VBmrKbIKFFFvB4ci3AA_RqIthstbziGNU4frkGfJy-LgiQs3we8MS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_4ecb_aa02_e166_b068" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4dPrafaHoY-9fVAnD6z3IIN6omMcymF4lmU_qdzHfrYB5YIDQiJBCjI0W12gse5d1xHlP5_08BcMtLje9JRWAmJYLlAMmtDQovYwz5mJ_kCwNt_wYgvJ8Z1E-hVzoSgZZf-b/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_31a9_52b6_6c32_bbb1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MJxTPaeyTWA8grO5F-T_QNWMJxgMWq_CZcoIl_tbLyQDVjMS90v4u3suEfwLvBqrkzVtYHu1EvwOoTvtutkWvw030QDqtgsViY1F2wlnQWnLtWHVv96xFnVrkBy0G6J3c0CY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An &nbsp;<font color="#ff1744">I am</font>sterdam&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">photoshoot plunges us into the chaos that’s at the heart of Museumplein.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_e562_9978_8984_8c0f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXgbPLWdK8wcoFqScsXg1XzGo6C4S_iVpH1IitqNcDWX_4RA_ZV2j5s8JZLDya3_g_bv_YcmVr3NKoDLdNMQzKtbFxQYTxPzba67LnGTJekwHLsXjGGoofPrOPYsyGxsgzgtLo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_fb07_10b1_8835_a8ed" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDrWCBxQJrmZQvDOlkyV1wFHrP00n25xHKeNnpi7aVxMMViOK_r18HcpFVWyN1A9bzGZUP-tsOSwhXuzC5pTVTrxZumo04G83Wi8YubAYUapa6H8FVPFixsqbE-zUSPQMMxWDT/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A quick check on the queue situation in Rijksmuseum steers us into the relative calm of the museum cafe. They’re not ready to serve high tea, so we opt instead for&nbsp;Dutch hotdogs in&nbsp;Vondelpark.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">As it is Sunday, we decide to attend mass in one of the city’s famously hidden Catholic churches.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Cutting across lovely Ooster Park just behind our hotel, we mingle among the Sunday family picnics liberally sprinkled throughout the peaceful, sun-dappled lawns of the park.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_5382_f99a_cd48_62db" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_4t7_NCXeTzf-YoZCh2us58z6vz-75YIzQJns_bADLsLzd86e9yBDKDc3j_nXnsa9gOQm-y43nByH_CnOXYqVpYUac-U-NjC_JqhrKXroNwPEz8zUFo_VStwZx411UWAVGLr/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And just off a small quiet square beside the park, we find the very plain, hi</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">dden-in-plain-sight Anna Bonifatius Church.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4751_8ae4_f9b_79d6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfAnLEJcDsQwofsC1uDglL6UiMX-0h3HEUxxC41P-1Brac-THfhOTRa7RFKLfLaKw6T8fauyancWX5Qd8K70r-8oozQB0ULiHcqsJgfn2YUT5gAtzp-rDy5i827F3H4Bh7dpj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f62f_c6ec_e922_4d6f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5DGeAg33QYUmczuqeu6pfnIrNJSm3tNUrauYk6LdNgF3dVJyU98GqdX3fwVNfeVB7yRNgngEkm8KGyaiqKNFBZOTjK1irL-3oV5qCC4q9946-B8nBTT8_JPGhV4ySr-JW1Hu6/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8346_c62a_7af4_a0b1" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK936rXFTZBILYqP71JXgFiERF_1l8Mu3Xwewax0yv6AyE5P6CNk_TrCeO9MwC0YIuS61gjQRdaTpS9zOFYz5uWbOUSx0sRf6llxPAjdrJEeJShOqogP0qiPqY-rVGjZ57v9yi/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><u><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Monday</font></span></u></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At Westerstraat Market&nbsp;in Joordan, we buy souvenirs and trinkets.&nbsp;Favorite purchases are a leather bag, a silver chain, and an Afghan carved bone necklace.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m thrilled to find&nbsp;</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">d&amp;a, </i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a cafe Stuart and I “discovered” last year. We have a healthy, hipster-ish lunch of shakshuka and lamb with aromatic breads and home-made dips.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Going home, we of course take the wrong tram.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We double back from Ooster Park.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re entertained - and shocked- on board by a squabble among a group of passengers,&nbsp;uncharacteristic for the normally quiet and proper residents of this city. Two young girls are duking it out, very loudly, with an elderly couple who seem to be the guilty party in this fracas. One passenger, a well-mannered, well-meaning young man fails miserably at his attempts to calm down the increasingly belligerent squabblers. He finally gives up and gets off the tram, thrusting a &nbsp;fist up, and shouting a strangely triumphant YES! I don’t think there are any winners here.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Finally back in the hotel, feasting on pecan pie and fruit, we decide to stay put for the rest of the day. But the bright afternoon sun beckons and we change our minds.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We go out again and this time attempt to go to&nbsp;Centraal on the tram, which of course takes us somewhere else. It doesn’t really matter because we have no definite plans anyway...</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We walk around the Jewish area by a picturesque canal and find ourselves in the Eastern Docklands. Very unfamiliar territory for me.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2e74_dbeb_6af0_745" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPqWuCWVFIvkNclZStt5Vrzfwgku61CWI59xBHakNPiJ8l5oVOOh3pdIc443cA2MvFKboBwn4auyIsDGkctkOP4yYcjH0Y3quT_KLOuQYparZZUJv2hGiDop0g-NJhpErosRCC/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are however, gorgeous views of &nbsp;Renzo Piano’s NEMO Building.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_83eb_d14_17f3_8c00" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAap6igQxpyZlppkOsegmIvDUAuwBcwZPOV658iAGvGaaPGjFUIpCxaAlAeM5eMJbCX4ajQcsmO9SvQmtLYDDsCKgmK_Qdh1r4Z0AQDrMbSi4cZlVtzQdvZVAtvE0nrBsZc6Ff/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_3746_d4d8_54f_126b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BLOcE8y1Qx8XxMS6rZmJmqAwxaXbLd4nBG9YnIkIc4u2bLWK0bvu81fsLo7TR_I9seD7KLaYnttzWx2Viy3rPLB-xoB62cqSIWXkIk0f85HMAY3ZRtnRN5Qana8fI3hXpKZp/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I also find an interesting art installation on a quiet street corner. I wonder if it could be&nbsp;one of the so-called A</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">nonymous S</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">culptures that so intrigued me last year?</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_b304_6471_d637_af72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikA1GL40lGNIJmI1P0FJjhYePuqZwjAkNH2vkPAhiEWCBF6DjSFL-CmBdvwvnDMkLlgWF6AcZhxBL3MvIzkoZ8fUgI0Huk70874YPGcMV8hqa4Y_ANDry_V-qhx8eXweDMOm5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We finally find the #10 tram that takes us to Gravesand, our home ground. We must’ve asked a dozen people, strangers, for directions.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It takes a village to get us home. Happily, this village is full of charming, hospitable, incredibly helpful people.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, over red wine and local cheeses,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">two sisters chat into the night about life, love, and family</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. It’s been a glorious day.</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><u>Tuesday</u>&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our final outing has to be Keukenhof Garden for Annette’s tulips.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c60c_7ac9_a71e_5df7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhomyefejLNEog9SLgU1PJMZHCZN3zi2zAkpMbOpoQBXgk7pUq-D2KL0dtIO5qDWxYdtP079J5uE2kSueIeaGUBkeVuGkwfPCbuqUHs-vsp9ABks_dNBVXwzOSbaWqgHWumBqjG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_811b_630a_eb30_aac9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH9Zzice9svTP_xjvaerR3Er04bRsHKbuxkPLlold_ffMKARaHlRyehlovP6vf3WpVx9dPsAY0dVcYkSICEWDkCeid8VcjELpF_CLmQjgReGyz8E7C6OPGqW2AZQo00d9T15k9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_8789_ab56_2960_245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfXaYN505kGyo3akxeA9qTSnEzzc9wsKrAxLUd-_P_koTxQvL5IHnN-HvslPSnKaZhyphenhyphengWoktb3BIYGyeZfeOXgmbiRGNr8U4WdjCpMvJWKnVGq18KuEHQgFI-57FIp5WyIoaw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_91f9_9b6d_1cb_791c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDpcKt-7_GXsceP7aRBtow5eCeWK46rfEzlJbX6P5JuzJbZhUYLcUMxq1Exl6xVDpgPeL2z-af3oajSy_tH94HSQuYG37UfDkeWlPUp4i8Ybr2PQGpP2i8qPDnNyh7e3w0OFf/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">You don’t find vast stretches of&nbsp;endless tulip&nbsp;fields&nbsp;in this garden; certainly not like those seen in magical&nbsp;advertising&nbsp;photographs.&nbsp;&nbsp;But Keukenhof Garden&nbsp;is so much more than the “kitchen garden” its name implies. This is almost 80 acres of expertly landscaped plantings and dreamy vistas.&nbsp;</font></span></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_49b8_aa93_2425_20b2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCDJGQ3_Eo0O_yoSxXYGtmjNh-BKC-2c0q4F6HeuU7njDQnMC8shptWKmvKtYDFLXkmtcW2uPKlVVJZrOqbXuerNgDwKD3k8rkg6Y0XTd0kdpzoBpqbEK6YZ_Nqiagbzft5MNo/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_5a92_4022_1de8_95b3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLd7J3xcfVK1BBT_ee7Q8hnnz0cITQorxFBbldGfHldqebF8LrvQyqFgNNVYK9PLb3rPw9yzMaemceIgRM1gbT5jalXrAz_gXycuLQvKtDFAucrIUtPAeKMqdG7G5d_guYLchK/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_dda6_5661_2fc4_7e00" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisMsc1B7XGhPsdaxX6NLFQ2MWSRDSycAlhRY1QrHrdmv71im6WPAC2ka2FGjKrCbzdnu_-kE57NDK11Fg1P9S9-2yD4zMi8OLp9F-aNXSOtkWaSjmFe69mX1Cn-cYZdhwDIFiq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s not all tulips either.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">lilies</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, daffodils, hyacinths,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">irises</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, and many other blooms.&nbsp;</span>Plus of course, <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a windmill too.</span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><img id="id_5483_700e_438d_29f4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2SLdPI4wkdBJfzyLH0jHt6QPVbfv8O4N9yC5w3jbWrpQN-E_Ov75rr3z3_wX9dQngReXn0TAhgD2e2IbV04FLdf4FdxWMUPjhaJ5zoGL4sVBWwHp1VyXALsVrOkN2mXyskV9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><br></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8974415238805282385'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8974415238805282385'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html' title='Getting Lost in Amsterdam with Annette'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOo_kCc7BJBPuz6VXGFfQ1wfgPi_kIqHC5bJHZW6NLRQXWhxu2BCWgq2WwsXlE_ZExR1wp-mKTQg_AdDAPlmEM4s03KkNVEEd9-ky2RFOZMbl4agAnqUpUDVC4dtskU-aqUrfG/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4546742645838550519</id><published>2018-04-16T12:57:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T10:16:32.050+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Art in the Park'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mendokoro'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Creperie.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Salcedo Park'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>At the fair</title><content type='html'><font face="Verdana" size="4">It was sweltering. It was crowded. Lots of people means success and the&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">huge bank of cashiers must’ve been ringing up the success of this well planned, hugely popular annual affair at <b>Salcedo Park</b>, my park.</span><br>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The heat though made us late for the real action. The before lunch crowd would have been sparser and more conducive to strolling and browsing.&nbsp;</span><br>
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<b>Chati Coronel</b> of <b>Silverlens</b> had sold out by the time we got there. 38 paintings at 30,000 each.</font></div>
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I didn’t know about the mystery artist. T<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hey didn’t have that last time I came to the fair.&nbsp;</span>I only read about it the next day. Some fortunate buyer lucked out and picked up an unsigned <b>BenCab</b> for a song. I wonder if they’d ever inveigle an authenticating signature from the master though.&nbsp;</font></div>
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We came with neighbors Bubut and Nacho but they soon went back home, beaten down by the heat. Stuart and I bought popsicles and decided to go to dinner.</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Mendokoro</b> had a crowd waiting outside for seats. A service staff came out the door and called number 45 in. Wow, were there more than 45 actually waiting to get in?</font></div>
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Next door at <b>La Crepêrie</b>, we were led to a small table near the cake stand. It was also one table removed from the toilet, but no matter. We were happy to be in the cool and looked forward to a nice French meal.</font></div>
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I love this place! It has a nice relaxed vibe and the food is simple and delicious. Stuart had a wholewheat Super Mer, I had a buckwhear Galette Provençale, and we shared a lovely Crêpe Suzette to finish. All washed down with half a bottle of Gossips Shiraz; the unfinished half we walked home with.</font></div>
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Shame about the art fair. We didn’t see much of it but we had a lovely evening anyway.</font></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4546742645838550519'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4546742645838550519'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/04/at-fair.html' title='At the fair'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeAXve8HWFwU6QbpynEBUpi8Rgu2-Uc17i7TLBbCOQoVGeDJS_jlSyXIU19oDjHhvBPohJe3DJzHFqQBl6pLxoFqKAlatJ1MhvDU8bo5FQ83fb0ptGBwOGI1A04Z6-pOhy9XaH/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8742748814244159102</id><published>2018-03-18T19:02:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T10:13:36.216+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Regret'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Milford Sound'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Murrell House'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Canterbury College'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Manapouri'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Queenstown'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sam Mahon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Christchurch'/><title type='text'>New Zealand: South Island</title><content type='html'> <div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">CHRISTCHURCH&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Two things I love in Christchurch: one is a building; the other, a fountain.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The Great Hall: a restored part of the original neo-gothic college building, built in the 1870s and damaged in the earthquakes of &nbsp;2011 and 2012.&nbsp;Old Canterbury College, now The Arts Centre.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7052_effc_3d05_300a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypG5GgGkZw6nZIgMe1wDwvSm-jmYt96fRTpOMKqLpIK9wTQ-MTxwHtwdyh7Eo5aBbTrJ1ZeJKv6RhDCUlYk6tZVicgBfyIrYJsEyAbTCK7R1kwQJ87y1PMmdyAvJGjLC-VTa_/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e6c8_7ad0_8e11_ca9d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-qOvqg307cqRF5VGrfSxxuUpQoVZw36yk7VtWt1hq6B4zh0fJTDJLnS4FO7SgUjAWdTiBRJMLw6d9IUbtnTVCjY5j7wc5e-r35E67oR_5N0pvysfXFWKvejUgHUJHMdQyO41/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Rising ten meters from the waters of a pond in the Archery Lawn of the Botanic Gardens is local artist Sam Mahon’s&nbsp;magnificent, hauntingly&nbsp;mysterious sculpture “<i>Regret</i>”.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A&nbsp;hand-cranked mechanical fountain masterfully crafted from spidery steel rods, it has exquisite moving parts that variously rise and fall, rotate, and revolve. It is spectacular in scale and delicate in execution, like some gorgeous piece of jewelry for a water goddess.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_1446_73fb_80d5_913b" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1DqJ8S8LbE1onBJLaQAfdCt66U0ClYHYGHx6dJb5n1Wa968Rb9cvQOUgQXIdLAXWMe-NSd8D3lUkvTIAI9ojPjD-V3yK-lFbu7BTKMwOtNd7xaaMcOvrVAvtm9EsFsKAWdSO/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_643_4cba_165f_df91" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8OyGYCd-_pQOlzeYgfSxAmAsvTaFuLZaoQeQjW3pKvB_ANvLSX2sECu7sEVt1XwA-HMvjVaKsYmDHuhiqntPv5lbdZUbfJqmzH7Bn1inlVHN2_5JHwum_OQ95PuH6tmJHGZD/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_fb98_4b0c_be8f_c083" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNHD0GytlomGmMtn4nT3FRnDfNF7xhIdwka33df_spTrn8855JyQWNdSYB5p31ZSz4MPXtMiY_yFKlIX5z9iQij2Ln8nu0gJFWjayBPINfDm8WzS-ToRHF7ul5ZSHa2HNAlBVT/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_e40a_ba5c_202a_5997" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZYPYXO6euG6176DlrRLfXRRI9mWSKZeG4ZIT0EU_h023RujFzE6wsFxfBgZ3MIfFRtZ3YDeW8DgiEqXSV1qW6hyphenhyphenLfbwupn5Xppd_BxMtPOUc2EJt_ANxy58rj3106TisrsX4/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_9b2a_53ee_24ef_5e68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK9jebwTkLZLHOPfyNb7Ie5acyHJUXhZmcnJ86YRz46Vgbq0oRK2Ri97vA6i0MMmayrvqJnlh_DRiGi0h0hWTUTEpiq1j65fyWMb7ZY3M2l2b-zqaHvgcAWqtwRFq9kFFvtR98/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/263330071?title=0&amp;amp;byline=0&amp;amp;portrait=0&amp;amp;badge=0" width="500" height="281" id="v_id_3c75_49d1_52d3_be2a" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">QUEENSTOWN&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">From Christchurch, we flew to Queenstown as a staging point for Milford Sound and the trip back home.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The&nbsp;Queenstown&nbsp;Hilton is located at the edge of Lake Wakatipu. The location couldn’t be more beautiful!</font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_a784_2596_2418_1106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi56EytOe11RFUL2y6TyCuKDhPIpkdW-Wt19G3Kw_Lgy28n0ekLXHcAuS6UKbZoWeXfSvPyU_jnhhFzHgevrndFpUJp81cDjiG2Rzqq4ZjT6G2VlR031yXJz5wDCJ_SoIF_AxqE/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_9670_89f6_2a03_21dc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIBE0x9yqJnMc_WFunNG0ud2G7fQXsjKRWQ1Tjed-fYdiwlM1ZNMuV97fT93tDn_0_8M2A62r2gJUeNgYA2Aj1R25AjHQXr9drqsggz-l54wfAH7tvKyEpc-tKhRPq0FTM6rn/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_2f43_df_8816_e90c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaKKQLbDhvuSRZDSh5wd0jutpfa4clDCPurfzSvaen1J8hwHhNDKfUOSUsp5xP9l22lhluJr4D1NPtRUuIBjp_-1jSGpRw1chwHm1TZUnQ8Zwg6nmc4Tyk3jVRiqploJOOvs2n/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have memorized the position of&nbsp;virtually&nbsp;every star in the nightsky as seen from our bedroom window where we kept the curtains&nbsp;open all day and all night.<br><br><img id="id_548_a0e4_cec7_e342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYC8COnlRo2euW81BvN2p3fcXBcwADVGf8_T8FZ0qtnJPDjfe5ODO0rJTDXCLYtGctQ9KtFkMeGkEygkGT9lW7-7Or3wWU0NJ6S7O88TJhtTOYkIfzkWTPoGW4x17IJEf2-Zr-/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">MILFORD SOUND&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">To break the long drive from Queenstown to Milford Sound, we&nbsp;stayed in Manapouri, at the edge of the Fiordland National Park.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Murrell House was&nbsp;built&nbsp;in 1889&nbsp;by the present owner’s great grandfather. It has a privileged position at the edge of Lake Manapouri, where Philippa Murrell says they often get double rainbows perfectly framed by the garden in the back.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ccd5_fa8e_c372_199c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLBtSJZKGKQOYBBjeYozXS8pRNfNFMH7wBNDZpYAw52ibLvhk2YTYwxPA3NAzU51F6mzA2YifpiWNxzh3YXfY398KyZNbGs67Q8boEsFY3dWkzX2h8kbsBfrrD_8zPVPqw9om/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The weather didn’t look promising but Philippa assured us that Milford Sound is even nicer when it rains. She was right of course, because the rain multiplied the number of waterfalls to be seen on the way and in the sound itself.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4b1b_660f_b39_759e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEpp_aWszueLy2sl4Tz-puUY2WQcrI8HrYjS_JNhwRLP2bHPwtDkiH5Tm9t3rlY4EZGVmv_YnUcMpqPjQo2_rRd4rkkThLWgw6dVLvJb8MRgzuAMSasr4FnJCzvZjdN1z2_3VS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_c216_6ed5_3bd9_8e97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSvxpawtAKSh2E7uEBjCvti9pFyutq7x0BGslBMfl-fnch2yA87Wqiuu-IpYBW__9CpbHwa0NDN0aDtUJFXHCoOX71DK4bma9gbZfEgdHzaECmlHBzV8HoCsL0qfqVoiP4Bgua/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/263345294?title=0&amp;amp;byline=0&amp;amp;portrait=0&amp;amp;badge=0" width="500" height="281" id="v_id_aace_5473_1b85_d93" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img id="id_49f8_e198_9aa1_4430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZob3PN8A-nHaeLDP076S2GH3IVugkH7eSXHhROXU2VRfLsHYQ94bdMDe1B2MvCka9wE9gm3FPd88A9nK2XKeac4vRm4BkauRUHZeVvjDZQj_7VBOGVnKWBAOSbEGagKHUbSKG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/263502197?title=0&amp;amp;byline=0&amp;amp;portrait=0&amp;amp;badge=0" width="500" height="281" id="v_id_644f_7a03_6ed1_9c1c" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span></font><img id="id_c1b_8e0f_74dc_da69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiom-yNdRE2S8qyFxySM5c7tYMk1iuKONKprz3mjxXGx-UZhxpksx5M8oc_lzqB-EfDjth31kDl7LkbB7wYTzcHN1gmZnZia037NszuP1xBAnEU2YxnIvNKeN1Rm1btHrrPZ_3F/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br><br>In the&nbsp;morning, as promised,&nbsp;a double rainbow did appear outside our bedroom window.<br><br><img id="id_7a55_a2bc_5994_307e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQHzp6biJnok2HVUvuAK-kdrwBR0jghdO_4cFdqZ3T3OzoBvV0kpFgN2l_P8b2HX8sJe-JqFSvMMlVj_dSsqgBGv9u38CAjr9bFjYh31XxDq0GLNSlu5Okwh004dEKWNM3YE1/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back in Queenstown, we took it easy on our last day in New Zealand.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6d99_6cd3_6134_f979" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIASx9x6AbXW9RPdtxNvKOuRlsmUWgiIEpzcABQtlyeZvBfD366ORYPGV560RI-7GySwG8fRv6zrlNDO6YqNlEc27lE8N1JXBn9rA4EVmOx92Iv5gsck8-sT53Q72sQcg_cDuF/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6b40_a42_b94_bdd6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj56w6OTQ0HrWj1bdWvl7SA_epiaT3UpuIPXo-mcwvEB5lROPR70SdENWO5R6R0rhqt9_PuTTCJi3OWxAaNdq5uydOEoZpVO6YXRM6qSHdnBwNiCH8GZQYSa9CLP2hy85dSBj6G/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_23a2_5a89_8a75_bdce" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64Vru6fry2cZkb4Jbws3dELJjVgOwv5Os5msRES0MWmWnLy5xTpuhzUTXDLpgzueEq7BkHDLlN4d6OPN35fgwtI7DXgl5b6KplY2s4IVdtIK93zN8-897hFGyTn4TX7XK7cDg/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_437f_c2ac_966c_506c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Qc8ygKu85UOB-Zzew-VuNobxsZ7sNFnwJWqFBEh05JAYAZTpxsrRL59ljmAOEZT0HX2WSG9THG1OoqF9rFLhZJiTrLFRSfmsvQBHxnp_ps50MvltCTd8-GASW6aDR5v9Uvee/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_a906_540c_c3e4_e37c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPYJhLbx3GjFaNe92DXtiHFv7tUXxEkk32xNkWzNAvDKnG9L7F_sY_e8XRKlJ25feiQJpMr5mlgniYzq8RPep7rn9qNlyNM7anVkpMYxNKui36lFJnE-76ApWg2k9uN3FUzS5k/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/263494291?title=0&amp;amp;byline=0&amp;amp;portrait=0&amp;amp;badge=0" width="500" height="281" id="v_id_bef8_7fab_aadf_496a" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br><br>I watched the dawn break the next morning. It was 8 degrees when we left the hotel&nbsp;for our flight home.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ab16_c6c5_80a2_828a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizCUeCXioZvSBlyI1poCXJ9RxWRgDkjrK9830Z85iTguf9sWScYu8harFgAjeoTEwaV3vDQpMqjtnJoM0EGvwNx9mnJIZi0mfvOsLP0anSa4NMIGos62iSfBOoYEY4Ie1shTq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br>We arrived in Sydney to a roaring 38 degrees.</font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8742748814244159102'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8742748814244159102'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/milford-sound.html' title='New Zealand: South Island'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypG5GgGkZw6nZIgMe1wDwvSm-jmYt96fRTpOMKqLpIK9wTQ-MTxwHtwdyh7Eo5aBbTrJ1ZeJKv6RhDCUlYk6tZVicgBfyIrYJsEyAbTCK7R1kwQJ87y1PMmdyAvJGjLC-VTa_/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-880433499454338840</id><published>2018-03-11T11:27:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T09:57:11.114+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tekapo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='University of Canterbury Mt John Observatory'/><title type='text'>New Zealand: In search of the Milky Way</title><content type='html'><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I have just splurged on a pair of very expensive merino wool snow tights for tomorrow’s trip to&nbsp;<b>Canterbury College&nbsp;Mount John Observatory</b>.&nbsp;This could very well be a major highlight of our holiday. That is, if we’re lucky with the weather.</font></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">This&nbsp;stock photo, achieved through the incredible magic of&nbsp;astrophotography,&nbsp;is one of many that have inspired tomorrow’s quest:</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f84e_5ea7_cb8c_3e97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSH7-Q4V2kEwLQiD5IjbeuTdftMa7nYOmsOmpBOMcd2BKhWMHzFO2LsMe5lZxkTK7d3ZS_1b6flsM_iOK2QgF9oziRlxIyP6cQSuT-LtjE8UBG9-rzRZKVBTV8PAuO3lTjBC9/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br>____</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The drive from Queenstown is beautiful. It meanders through vineyards, wineries, cheeseries, and bungy jumps. Okay, the last one only makes the list because this area,&nbsp;Gibbeston, is said to be the birthplace of the sport.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the way, Lake Pukaki’s&nbsp;water is a brilliant shock of&nbsp;aquamarine.</font></span></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_aff8_787d_33e7_c416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwx04IaDAvSpq9YVuos9trTgKwdekHHboLKMyb8OPFkyOvAKZ-trFwJuDFx3EE7dyMEuLd1KiTwwQVxZ-iPzZz2EqOyjVBqV9V48uvs5YFDsWWH_eczLt9DjJqYRh2o2yDUgdq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lake Tekapo village. This is where the promise of the southern skies awaits. Even the parking lot of the village supermarket has quite a view, so expectations run high.</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7d6a_facd_a41d_2f25" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKBEmOcFbqh6hEo8mM74NGlpLT8LjYD1JzMGkIf99pzufkj9oyX7BNLEdF0UvHoN3hM3raH_539NTDnv5henchyphenhyphencUQturnrP-hCbNc0BxFEfWr-mEEPL13E-n5DDDW-xGjTG8W/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We’re early, so we drive up to the observatory’s Astro Cafè but the access road is closed. We meet some friendly locals along the way:</span></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/263336412?title=0&amp;amp;byline=0&amp;amp;portrait=0&amp;amp;badge=0" width="500" height="281" id="v_id_7606_dcb1_d682_c92c" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/263336637?title=0&amp;amp;byline=0&amp;amp;portrait=0&amp;amp;badge=0" width="500" height="281" id="v_id_a928_f3e8_247e_ef8" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">An hour before the scheduled tour, the all-important weather forecast. Sadly, Stuart and I decide to cancel our twilight stargazing tour as thick dark clouds look determined to stay and ruin our evening.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_2d55_5e03_fcb7_f5df" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2tH6SI-VhlbgSxE8u9sRS15wVtrOZHtbIHCi8jSyjetEXuIBdPlMaWTthwIxHIOk5k6Y6p6G8AKtu1cHuRFXEN5QsQpa2HVV6QyJeth5rr0PLu4VeSY-sEoAJy6UV-kqmuWd/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There is of course a chance that the outlook could change but,&nbsp;with the evening’s prospects not looking too good,&nbsp;we don’t relish the thought of the 3-1/2 hour drive back in the middle of the night&nbsp;through unfamiliar roads. We’re disappointed but we’re glad to be starting back early.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Well into the drive back to Queenstown, we weave through winding country roads, swinging left and right. It’s a job for me to figure out whether I’m looking at the north sky or the south.&nbsp;Reason enough to learn to navigate by the stars...</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Having left&nbsp;the<i>&nbsp;Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve,&nbsp;</i>we also manage to leave the clouds behind. And as we round a bend, there it is: a totally cloudless,&nbsp;spectacularly star-strewn&nbsp;sky with the Milky Way snaking&nbsp;up the middle, starting just where the Southern Cross lies on its side.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I have my window open, my head hanging out and twisted up to the sky. I feel sorry&nbsp;that Stuart is missing out because he can’t find anywhere to safely stop on the road.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">He&nbsp;promises we’ll be back next year though, when we can plan to stay in Tekapo and do the midnight observatory tour without worrying about the long drive back.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I can’t wait!</font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/880433499454338840'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/880433499454338840'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/new-zealand.html' title='New Zealand: In search of the Milky Way'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSH7-Q4V2kEwLQiD5IjbeuTdftMa7nYOmsOmpBOMcd2BKhWMHzFO2LsMe5lZxkTK7d3ZS_1b6flsM_iOK2QgF9oziRlxIyP6cQSuT-LtjE8UBG9-rzRZKVBTV8PAuO3lTjBC9/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4668797572319488527</id><published>2018-03-08T09:27:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T10:02:58.018+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tasmania'/><title type='text'>Sky, sea, and picnic lunches</title><content type='html'><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Our picnic lunches have afforded us the best opportunity to find scenic spots.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Bridport outside Launceston.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch with Jonathan Livingston Seagull and mates.<br><img id="id_433b_b41c_dcc2_2e1f" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkyRsO9sDQGHBlRVgcnNzlgY8OKAc_q2bW1Hs6L_WPjokIXyTJjjB1UPXDX0FyzpJI4sUZ8JONyld6ld-uzveVDgsJUowVaa8dV1YCWdzk0_vHS1oJNuJPtE3acZurJCJYuCv/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><img id="id_2248_4f75_18f5_be2c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMX1BQyJ7oTs-YY8VC8l8iAAa5xErx9V-49ZZ83ybh_c6pRtXhstc2qt63M-I3LKCLNe5LBXHuP2sXp2JxbZZTJtsiz4Hm0KnlC00IPOZv6DTdEJ9QQUlmbfnrtoIw-GM5CTbW/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><img id="id_3e34_36b_5907_2626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3kHf9BTN3WufkvdMWI6aFAOi-mX2Ut5SdF0hO8TPAqpRpSFUzCwWnSwe1oPh-INkHhmk4Jc6CBpZaR6_zxfHB-faIQAMN3Ygcgg1Wd0919f6njfRL-tn48yn3EUppoese2ksq/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_540b_846c_6d37_1fe4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih718qe0dv2tlo7ilkkTNI40dQtsfx9oFMYht57kfkry5i2bOoh4QkS0SH4Ep9ivmuTWCvpqqJo5XYbD9kJGfsf7uIoGo1wuKMtrdPWsSmnt4RM_4o06g9Bae0bMvCExtc3crG/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/263342023?title=0&amp;amp;byline=0&amp;amp;portrait=0&amp;amp;badge=0" width="500" height="281" id="v_id_a098_6f9d_8b6d_a39a" frameborder="0" style="height: 281px; width: 746px;"></iframe><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>Low Head.&nbsp;<br>The lighthouse, the windswept seascape, the steep grassy and rocky slopes, the pervasive feeling of aloneness, of loneliness made me think of “<i>The Light Between Oceans</i>”.<br><img id="id_575e_ada5_fa1e_e60c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeBPL3KHjcElXkphfZcaGNYENVN26AluVp8DNzF8pghlBvk9xrTqRgTJ4Y0gebeATIfreKqc9TxdwxSTym8DbKl3puGrCiiZ8YCErimn_xdV9815DONcEZ5aIaZ58Ybf6F7lAk/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><img id="id_ed68_bf35_d8cd_da6d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uZWhsV7xRsiSFdjxP41YLrxfCmPpfa_9BdyOJNbvovKnLSGxDQEhEe4tDXbLwk5ryeosalJJ-VdZAoWumX17TH1r1LtDHI1r1bF5MIBLYKP5Ly7WzmlI6JoGDLkKlSP2QHD0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><img id="id_2cf6_4a67_6810_48ed" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsnB9AKfBm9FtuVca-CGHJUaV_LLXfoitWdBf1LSXGG2nW0E-sshZZJzRQEImIBqZyi3U1hhx0LhyXOy9zJ8WHfoGOEpM_nz7mzsPSQq7UzxxiaowPszZc4Gd5c4bQcEzAUP7B/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br>Stanley’s Marine Port.<br><img id="id_9e6a_fe95_df46_8830" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaUm4OxEW1N53LBiqVuXpHG4580d6UwuSGkOhrQjTgFM9EfQO84sBlWUN1ah2Z_Ut_SxgCMYgNuE-R0ZPF9mMrPchbfObnBQ-VQon5OkRoyhsf_xVgfHC0IsZoiTOfEJPj0Mp/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></span><img id="id_d515_c19f_a417_3501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyfaNAkTu_JYpjxSqfDsiVvTpHKHjbW6B6-AAD1IE91dePUTIoOLE4bXOdLBM1b9Mhez1SM7bPXGAxZCEnoPO84kAVRaC_p8OZnVlLuo5m0s-NjK5Cm_OGiB2bPgPuKQzT1_s/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br>Cape Grim.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Despite its grim history, today not grim at all, quite lovely in fact.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_f8df_5e0e_d3db_43ac" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7SRcOIr6hyH2-gfB8aG4gcV-JCBztV3Tr7HuFGUmK5SYRDX-5kYx78T57516Q0Avu8neahOhgOPw99pruJtWUiKVZKqJ-Le54mf-EqIDo3rZnDEhrv_4mCEAf-_SmDbDTjr68/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Cape Grim cattle are exclusively grass-fed. They are&nbsp;famously&nbsp;raised and fed on pastures made lush and pure by clean water and unpolluted fresh air from Antarctica.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_e04e_7ab7_ae3b_afd2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeGrLOkmRyL-Pxrg97xaAP66cR2WidZPHBuakrVr4k0ULle6TJtoYmEDxk0CLj9EBffkh1WknR08ciLf3PwK9wN3forMsoOWgB4LeYgW00lDY-QBVayg1VKHYlY9bGlRJ8kLl/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">High wind at 180 meters above the sea on&nbsp;Table Cape</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart says, “ Hang on to your hat!”</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><img id="id_53d7_533b_5007_15e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALZJBJ-0gLLu-gDpmc5AxBjjUEcpdD6xqBvRp-Q6CQzkSnJdu4G3V_f4Ui19m52yqV_hUuu1U8TehOKO_5UtZ4W9hR_xdGCsBbvmxXxDayzvG-Dcmr-2Zet1nn0DX72UPiRTS/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></span><br><br></span><img id="id_be6f_f19_8bd0_4ad9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_K6ckz0ny5WJUWfRWQjEYNYWByu4IGL7HerVnjjA8dr9fsNMgW33SvRTc-zc3vvxqf2MiPdufRWkwHOISa0J02qUsoZbKbkWVhVVpWtUsbcUJYQy7nJ4OHbjwi55jxuLEBBtc/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><br></font><br></p> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4668797572319488527'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4668797572319488527'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/sky-sea-and-picnic-lunches.html' title='Sky, sea, and picnic lunches'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhkyRsO9sDQGHBlRVgcnNzlgY8OKAc_q2bW1Hs6L_WPjokIXyTJjjB1UPXDX0FyzpJI4sUZ8JONyld6ld-uzveVDgsJUowVaa8dV1YCWdzk0_vHS1oJNuJPtE3acZurJCJYuCv/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1083943419621036843</id><published>2018-03-06T07:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T09:54:29.506+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Jupiter'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hawley Beach'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='night sky'/><title type='text'>Hawley House </title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We have returned to Hawley House where we stayed before going off to Stanley.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_6d86_e9f7_ecfd_ca7c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqr_lGPG7QkNgiKXNO7hLz265G-hJODEH74JF5OHIVoqxbL4iH9mPlTJ379QGFQy2XtK3-mGhANq_yAAiaT8IQ1J3JqjA_8MmuCEHjBqNdfag0D72TQ5cq8Ez86iaCI2nW8ES/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">They’ve given us an upstairs room this time. With two balconies.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d32d_f623_f50a_63b6" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBnfaR8JK2tg_lb-nJh0Z8ZbcPEkc4h_53s-sCViyvcNxfjt0BSeAP6pAx0BhtCb135XUkI4i2zM6Dh5S19nrT31OtAHhDPiBeFExvYevI_pegy8YR7s0iZyrlZr3eDgWTkEfL/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’ve booked for dinner, placed our orders with sisters Chloë and Sophie, and we’re now sitting in this gloriously restful, pretty olde-worlde room. It’s all done up in sky blue.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’ve turned the armchairs around to face the vine-clad front balcony. It looks over the lake, onto the sea, and into the mountains. All three French windows are open to the soft breezes and birdsong.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I feel right at home here. This is what my country house would feel like if I had one.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_9cbc_df86_5cfd_6a41" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA1iZGJ41QSg_2FrTWwbH71TXaNEgWVUClAEUZ-LLMJSn-gxwKTeginWp4H9c1Df7egpvnNmRqgk4MZb4VdtxEDhkfrGsQcbe0S51BjaNdN-0-a-8my7AXxcC_B4xkbfQshF73/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Later, I watch the moon climb up a cloud-streaked late night sky. I’m completely overwhelmed by the sight of Jupiter shining through the dark clouds that have completely obliterated the stars that had earlier blazed so bright. I wish I had a telescope! And I want to have a record of what I’m seeing. I wish I could at least take a picture!</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Before I drift off to sleep, I hear creatures scampering on the balcony at the back; there is tapping on the windows, weird sounding calls, honking. It’s almost like being on safari!</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the morning,&nbsp;on the rear balcony, the moon is still up. There’s birdsong all around. And my gallant knight has brought me breakfast.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c9f_2ecc_325c_f681" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXwHz6d8uynG1Mk6ATkVRUvo_bAZq3SjfUPORN1J7h2Lc2FYljFRdwxQ0hrG6L46YpOnaJNSOM_lJrkQErWpbOUdQKnvTP0UmAXmWgxzqMZY5JHDHatVPUx9H59hHNJzEwEpC/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>Life is beautiful.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></p></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1083943419621036843'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1083943419621036843'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/hawley-beach.html' title='Hawley House '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQqr_lGPG7QkNgiKXNO7hLz265G-hJODEH74JF5OHIVoqxbL4iH9mPlTJ379QGFQy2XtK3-mGhANq_yAAiaT8IQ1J3JqjA_8MmuCEHjBqNdfag0D72TQ5cq8Ez86iaCI2nW8ES/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2962758411008809753</id><published>2018-03-06T06:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T09:52:39.753+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tasmania'/><title type='text'>Tasmania’s spectacular night sky</title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The biggest surprise of this trip has been the spectacular night sky over Tasmania. I have never seen stars so bright, so big, and so many!</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’d have come here earlier had I known&nbsp;that its clean air, combined with the low ambient light, makes this one of the best places in the world to marvel at the night sky.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I have yet to really study the skies against my star maps but it’s a cinch to spot Orion’s belt, Betelgeuse, and the Southern Cross, all of which I saw&nbsp;on our first evening in Hawley&nbsp;as we walked home from dinner.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I’m eager to see the aboriginal constellation, <i>“The Emu in the Sky”.</i>&nbsp;&nbsp;And I have yet to see the Milky Way which must make quite a splash across these amazing skies.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In the meantime, I’m completely entranced by the first Blue Moon of March. It caught me unawares, arriving unannounced while we were at dinner.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_d641_cc8_8ac3_3ab2" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9jDU-0-UPI4vsERcKYdqetteF2myR_HWs3WgjQQiz4xujfrrk2k6F69_GwITBu0RFXfcjJpICPwWAxw6k4EqydHR65CcnkNYtFeSUwPUPJPZ4HAJj1jYhOcl6esUX6FQL5-l/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_3f6d_d286_ca47_a961" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIbqZofNYDsGhRsKSno5MfA0MQ1LQ3bOA6qiDTIKOadBPbCJ8kul5yCUExtLrXcm3np3CtMgIZUcwQbtP-b06ek75Jpa2dAupQu8UeIufEPDhh9xAhd9XiYnhsFU1pCokOV3X/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">And later in the week, on our return from Stanley:&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_767c_dc90_68e4_ead3" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNtG820pPWxVgiUJCKgR_HTSesyGe2lGT9PBz571nuEO_MC-e2X5Sli0rw1t5mVk2JBqze2xZMyavKt-Gx-poocds3gvXL55VGtS_43Vc1jesSWGywfmJ4Q_CJ2QKhDCrotsQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I know, Krissy was absolutely right. It’s no use trying to photograph the moon except with specialized equipment, not to mention expertise. However I just had to try. The urge to keep a record of something I may never see again couldn’t be denied.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This glorious waning gibbous moon is an enormous orange egg blazing bright in the east, climbing sideways up a star-strewn sky. And traveling alongside it is the glowing planet Jupiter. It’s impossible to miss as it outshines everything in the heavens, save the moon itself. It looks like a circle of distinct light points and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">doesn’t appear to twinkle, its light steady unlike that of the more distant stars.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; min-height: 27.4px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">To completely mangle my Shakespeare:&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There are more dreamy things in heaven, Horatio, than on earth in sleepy Hawley.</font></span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></p></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2962758411008809753'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2962758411008809753'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/tasmanias-sky-and-sea-and-picnic-lunches.html' title='Tasmania’s spectacular night sky'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe9jDU-0-UPI4vsERcKYdqetteF2myR_HWs3WgjQQiz4xujfrrk2k6F69_GwITBu0RFXfcjJpICPwWAxw6k4EqydHR65CcnkNYtFeSUwPUPJPZ4HAJj1jYhOcl6esUX6FQL5-l/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3021114498638272170</id><published>2018-03-05T15:01:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T10:06:13.959+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Light Between Oceans'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Stanley'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hawley House'/><title type='text'>Tasmania’s Stanley and The Light Between Oceans</title><content type='html'> <div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It feels like the edge of the world. It’s breathtakingly beautiful.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c4d0_c6b3_1e2d_3c2e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0eU4chWZZ_H0KOKh8tHMqrnWS7soexvPuz4Mc_xGCusejnsls9MBOUsmUbgDqb6gwEMvOL9vOs51mbTaRCVXdY2XP5qL_I6Gxen9o0LeCLK_b_aU0eTg3Vlwu1vxKJ-FNAcm/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The spectacular windswept expanses, along with the neat chocolate-box houses, reminds me of the movie, <i>“The Light Between Oceans”</i>.&nbsp;</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">No wonder. We’re staying in&nbsp;<b>The Ark,</b> a sweet little hotel nestled at the base of the great monolith they call <i>The Nut.</i>&nbsp;It has&nbsp;commanding views of the sea and happens to be&nbsp;where the film’s producer also stayed.&nbsp;</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_4dff_8b58_a1d2_47ea" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwr75Ommi8f20aXhLwB6gV-6BoqDZhyJjsYlH3b3Il_rPaO3x1B9rORVk8ZItB0GRcRMLhsWh3oghgDJHYQ51GQBdTR2OwdBtb8qap6HobTO7y-Axv89AYqxfamBPUqtN1AsPj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We’re standing in the driveway looking out across the street into the sea. Chris, the hotel owner, points to a spot on the beach.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“That’s where Michael Fassbender’s character walks up from the boat.”</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_389a_9cbe_808a_c046" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuInqDED4B-WsrajbrTx-BeKcq0VCOjmzG_jFn4dqOPJfwngAJsnQyi7jejX_yXt6n_MlNF-Zg0wHkQjMVAr0t0X2Twtv_WlfS35aQpu_GaxknGAIbaEuAkBv1Gj77kWufXy7y/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_5405_c878_a65c_dbcc" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjO5fsxDOlVJg_gB0PQZe1ABeGaPdyNrZf1rHyreRT4AeYTzbQGBXqnWH95f0KTV6ZCS_lIQW-RznY4CA-3goYr69HW2QoCSfxvG3m69i19w4WkKEZoLWk79LSH-49NwgJTLj/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And whereas the movie’s lighthouse is actually located in New Zealand,&nbsp;several scenes were filmed here, as demonstrated by billboards posted at strategic areas in the town centre.</span></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><img id="id_5a5f_32a2_6fb6_d6ba" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2IwlVf48b5por1TRgEmgru1vIgYE9kKpCSqPo7wZbH6d544Rrw_Rcrt4sxzft9lEQu7Y7WpPw-cRIs1NvAq4QBQu0hd1ijaoPWmq2cer5Sop5kW6QvnMq485hEhRrP7UJqFp0/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_be6a_e006_6a83_c1ef" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg49NKkUTEJrc9njx_xcgOf-6aJBthfBCxNUhtGk-ewi5nJOVy9wrRiBDurfeci11cnQtmXR7IRfz8raZrQ2MdpzW2kt8pL9FesvmSzwUc8V9kD6J9sSAhSSACL15dc0cYfHa-L/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Last night, we spent the better part of two hours hunkered down on a bluff overlooking Bass Strait. Even in my hooded bubble jacket, I was freezing. I was also feeling a little scared sitting on the hard ground beside Stuart, fearing we may find ourselves skittering down from our steep perch into the rocks below.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We were on penguin watch.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_612c_2938_d6bd_e6fd" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPe28uYJYZHWNrB1Ld0YOfHaHTkw7Cpw5G_xK5503deoOLIqSUi1RiwI2uFui4wFsRj_5K-HcDpkdS3treELrGmlrVAC1c3XLV8QQ6vOjIH9Fd9EZIU15iOlyX7Xzq48gQBc69/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The penguins didn’t show up. I did manage to see a baby one deep in its burrow waiting to get fed by its absentee mother. Apart from that, and coming across a wallaby that was too willing to be photographed I wondered if it was injured- it wasn’t, judging by the way it soon bounded out of the way- the outing was a failure.</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><img id="id_95de_b1b7_624_23c9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi13Irxg1QWcM7gp4eEo7VrUzvcpmlhNPHQ2MtI16HJpvvfi7IGd60f8k9mv2vIJx3QSci3YiZ0puGsAtVksykkpGPsu-owh_y6ijrV54_9pvG8Ayr1AmF15oFVn20Rre9TsY0R/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The views however were nothing short of cinematic.</span><br><br><img id="id_bf6d_1797_6373_a501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFyXc4FxqrdIdZMGfB4k8_hb8J8qc0wIjBbhWPvkP3q504oIuvrH5mvpXyJdlpgWdBEHr4xUo55jrnW1giuJbhDnNYZEhRJPxWhFm-k-S_QC6cHtrZHsB70ODn6U4_8SfdflGk/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br><img id="id_a2fc_1d68_2928_f978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgVeK3tHO4ry6sGkj7ksP-51iSrHvZ9ICHcMB9EGcJl9y7hgdwHJu_btErPxThEgrai5Rf6V-AIYz-qwvnkLymQj4aOZbkJPJsL8IvQ-OcONCJejOQ7WcLC4FxabuKOtiGhjX/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></p><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></p><div><p style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></p></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3021114498638272170'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3021114498638272170'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/tasmania-stanley.html' title='Tasmania’s Stanley and The Light Between Oceans'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN0eU4chWZZ_H0KOKh8tHMqrnWS7soexvPuz4Mc_xGCusejnsls9MBOUsmUbgDqb6gwEMvOL9vOs51mbTaRCVXdY2XP5qL_I6Gxen9o0LeCLK_b_aU0eTg3Vlwu1vxKJ-FNAcm/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5856833106006572936</id><published>2018-02-24T08:48:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T10:19:38.360+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='architecture'/><title type='text'>Melbourne</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">My first time in Melbourne. Not Stuart’s, so he has a unique perspective. Here,&nbsp;taking in the sights:</font></span><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_e8dc_9812_56df_e91e" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgbdjivBMGEnM0ce4eZeN85HdXpQm2ORRwjhQpuWBi7lnlzYfhkg2ZhZ0QGHdAuyijtdGNrTlI37XTth43mAj5FVdyd-tsQus4mZiUmPva50A479yFhU6oCDSIW-6WTqmX5_A/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Other perspectives:</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_16d1_cf93_a07e_d608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1pk2fOJ_V4j_T7pn0_GLTutTX-GnSyf_lfex5PXOE4SJEL8BvBOmfBtl7jFWuZPDHoB8xwg0aVosqoVqk8WtdP_y2v-cSWe3ItXYdauxmSrLw1vzvgHoLr1yzeqoo0eyR1Ate/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_bbf_74c2_dfb4_4f71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0PGTL6Jl2HrIur1NxlvwFkbzqg284OLseHfwqlK3CRiNV2YOsbRC7sLGw4vl4uRUCnVG_owYtE11sffjzpUmCNalHCFj9ZjtBbkNSVm7cFnDoxmZsG0KcXiYjX1EiZ_Dcv2vy/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_fbf5_652a_5181_c94a" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWhg46V8ba7QLABwSs-jYVFUz4GhWpHsCNmEmgrH-gVz8SoonKEIUB4l3QRUzG2k6aWdZ76FXgcPhcIR7PDpmFgGcsftp0_iqUkovFMaiF3KGR61HUS-hoOfgT9MD5_i7TZNRD/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_7408_fc18_9d01_a4a7" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDUzOpBqcMrHs7XSO6aN5wEZkQ6KKDHkBh6TuNnldemrTuTvtZZNt3DnAXYONizz6ywHaaPQJt52SrXFyPKViPViiXGbFOFYs5rxjU7Rktr7ViLqUsc6jPJI57P8x8jlGe5fbY/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the food trail:</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>MoVida</b>, 1 Hosier Lane<b>.&nbsp;</b>The entrance is almost obscured by a wall of graffiti.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On Beth’s restaurant list. Lively place, efficient, friendly service, good food.&nbsp;Spanish pintxos and more.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_83ef_b588_e063_2a68" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNYv_sE30Rv4enRURxqrbkWQdqVqDmP-IcTq3RvNElhyoBiQE_YQIcS_4mXELJAGjnizNxPLQ-v3yszYSu9VTOi8p5SR_1SSAgXYcPQD72Bm0hO9HnCkzlXBF5pCF_Y3c4ZZQ/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>Il Solito Posto</b>, on Collins Street, around the corner from&nbsp;<b>Grand Hyatt</b>.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Cozy, homey, simple, traditional Italian.&nbsp;</font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Back on Beth’s list,&nbsp;<b>Gazi</b>, on<b>&nbsp;</b>Exhibition Street.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Greek. Lively space, noisy actually; friendly service; good food.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Love the potted ceiling! And the spit-roasted chicken dressed in capsicum and walnut sauce.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_1d9_eaa5_48fb_d1f4" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_-rwBmObCumGCJw0B1WbCpoe1ibSzI7ldDHxObLFZa7BsL5g11WcaS94XjS3qS_cDecgGKmpeggTRC18qfPF5IjarG2KpB1FAeYseY9GGbhfj_8jCGlKN7toisKFyiEhMK99/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><b><br></b></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_c40f_b1b6_5ddf_7c" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzb2c7rL0477hRLhMNtkQbSFblN3Ox-gGNrQ2W3SAoJ9f9CJiWVcxcwOwXeIeAk6RtTeZaQ-wrgBLoTHacUuKzcf9VSaLIuJiOKUdZqlsGew1LVafqipaMG4r_8T__3Rbeo7u/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><b><br></b></font></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Lucy Liu.</font></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">I liked this best. Uber-stylish Asian.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Fashion forward design space, cool reinventions of &nbsp;cross border Asian food. Try the yellow fin tataki on sesame cracker.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Enter through a red neon-lit night-clubby narrow passage on cobbled Oliver Lane, off Flinders Street and exit only on Russell Street near Federation Square. Feng shui stuff, the brightly smiling greeter informed us.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We asked our waiter if the restaurant had anything to do with star&nbsp;Lucy Liu of&nbsp; “Charlie’s Angels” and “Elementary”. No relation, it’s a common name, he proclaimed airily.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_90d9_ac21_db0_5ccb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhueA2jc3smYIO79x7OYcOp5FMLooF3rIHodRSe1TBlGF5s8RWZ7QoZ8lD5dccaWEHKBdynfoTu1J96iuXr6Nnc6-ZqnBM_8f77IEVF1lyUImbVVBS2YmFmjFo2umnVpQRYlJ5/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><b><br></b></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_ce6b_3463_1f44_ad5d" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhgjXacpv1CkZyalDul-dWxEeSwIRwuQwNqvHYBDaYpF9Kzp_X6xdeRikYaVPFw_hRu7u268VeCYnEoVl4z351-I4XZfocOF6tAmuFOcK-RNA_RD3ZiMIi4Wc9iUvPwFd6F57/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><b><br></b></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img id="id_be4f_5cae_2637_3feb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga5lg23IYA4_YoMxfOiepoJYfikWS4go4ETqMBGRGJahfvkr4UTdTtqbwHEJtSwMlshfMng0OBy2V2KllBaYPJ8NovwafQhnU25DI2SZHbb8tgvLUr23DXUpkXCgZwNtpqgWIp/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><b><br></b></font></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It has taken me a while to realise what this city&nbsp;is about. Melbourne, short on natural features, has successfully fashioned a non-stop, day and night, high-octane, happening urban centre. It combines an easy-going fun vibe with a general&nbsp;atmosphere of well-being and security without an in-your-face police presence.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">(Except of course on that one day when a corner of Collins Street was crawling with uniforms, directing traffic and escorting pedestrians across the street. We never did find out why.)</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">If you’re totally into eating, drinking, and clubbing, this surely is the place.&nbsp;As we mostly&nbsp;only&nbsp;do lunch, we really need to stay much longer to make a dent on our long list of friends’ recommended dining possibilities.&nbsp;It’s hard for us to get motivated to go out for dinner though as&nbsp;<b>Grand Club</b>&nbsp;puts on an exceptionally good spread most evenings, for free.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">The arts and culture&nbsp;scene, which I’m told is also a big draw, we may have to come back for another time.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5856833106006572936'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5856833106006572936'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/02/melbourne.html' title='Melbourne'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXgbdjivBMGEnM0ce4eZeN85HdXpQm2ORRwjhQpuWBi7lnlzYfhkg2ZhZ0QGHdAuyijtdGNrTlI37XTth43mAj5FVdyd-tsQus4mZiUmPva50A479yFhU6oCDSIW-6WTqmX5_A/s72-c/%255BUNSET%255D' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4192516065888363453</id><published>2017-09-13T23:41:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T09:47:43.879+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='riverboat'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='recipe'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='rivers'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='canals'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Europe'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ferry'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wines'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Perfect Holiday'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='lakes'/><title type='text'>Recipe for the Perfect Holiday</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">1. Basic ingredient:&nbsp;the&nbsp;PERFECT TRAVEL PARTNER.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCA50KkwJL0XnGdNZvn5SAmBjGrEGtqV8yGdSRkoRmgTWP08gJfEvFvidzgGe7kzLJ4_9gwXoKWFAbteoYwUQnBhyGNQGNvwknfPTXhyphenhyphenCyNPGbWMEUx58iLLuvOCReZvCCMofl/s640/blogger-image-1087282237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCA50KkwJL0XnGdNZvn5SAmBjGrEGtqV8yGdSRkoRmgTWP08gJfEvFvidzgGe7kzLJ4_9gwXoKWFAbteoYwUQnBhyGNQGNvwknfPTXhyphenhyphenCyNPGbWMEUx58iLLuvOCReZvCCMofl/s640/blogger-image-1087282237.jpg" id="id_817b_1f2f_bf3f_1a8e" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">2. Just add WATER.</font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">-RIVERS-</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Cruise along the&nbsp;Danube, the Main, and the Rhine, aboard the riverboat&nbsp;<i>IMPRESSION.</i>&nbsp;</font></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpnmRT2evgYOJLXTIDN13mB3IwaNQz1Fhc9GU8CZYldCdqeVfjPl4-BIgQ-LV18XZXXaP5fB8eS5LYblGgu0hb3YWxP0kvziggJduR2BugLEpLrfZ43H2706XJ9UduQslMZ1C/s640/blogger-image--826165918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDpnmRT2evgYOJLXTIDN13mB3IwaNQz1Fhc9GU8CZYldCdqeVfjPl4-BIgQ-LV18XZXXaP5fB8eS5LYblGgu0hb3YWxP0kvziggJduR2BugLEpLrfZ43H2706XJ9UduQslMZ1C/s640/blogger-image--826165918.jpg" id="id_6055_388b_cc06_62ba" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">- CANALS-</font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZg1UJzxa0x1U8LpEG1KFfUIaHsYeV3Le-IyYFOdk9HLJQB-Z8hL1wDR1DkmtyLhBLguibYznwco1sy7YcAxpNb7z_iMwIRkTmA4Cpk6JXxjS6UN_yT6ot7LnT-QN2ycKvNAJ/s640/blogger-image-1431720773.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZg1UJzxa0x1U8LpEG1KFfUIaHsYeV3Le-IyYFOdk9HLJQB-Z8hL1wDR1DkmtyLhBLguibYznwco1sy7YcAxpNb7z_iMwIRkTmA4Cpk6JXxjS6UN_yT6ot7LnT-QN2ycKvNAJ/s640/blogger-image-1431720773.jpg" id="id_486_7162_874_41c8" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stay canalside in Amsterdam.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ9wQhOba7Ozq0AVnS2CuEZOcsP0SVrHkaFPcMO7391jIYDBC02UDwr-ABMMNr8NyM_kIxRJZHGBMoekWSC9xBazJhGeUxbHkVdJ_-Z-qiNXk5f2RFSFmFiQ05NNArefJfFTF/s640/blogger-image--399215045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJ9wQhOba7Ozq0AVnS2CuEZOcsP0SVrHkaFPcMO7391jIYDBC02UDwr-ABMMNr8NyM_kIxRJZHGBMoekWSC9xBazJhGeUxbHkVdJ_-Z-qiNXk5f2RFSFmFiQ05NNArefJfFTF/s640/blogger-image--399215045.jpg" id="id_bbba_2c5_846_e6d" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Get on board a canal boat. &nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">-LAKES-</font></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bQktSgjW1J7C2xn2mkmHXsbCBi-m2qw2dqGIRpj-Dj_Xo5_2GM5T7N0P8nslY_bS4TPAGSu_Gt2wR_7ufsJIZhvT3yQ6_auJTh5pSFNCfv2XZv4i8YMHHpONUOrfUOTciBT8/s640/blogger-image-1826245067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4bQktSgjW1J7C2xn2mkmHXsbCBi-m2qw2dqGIRpj-Dj_Xo5_2GM5T7N0P8nslY_bS4TPAGSu_Gt2wR_7ufsJIZhvT3yQ6_auJTh5pSFNCfv2XZv4i8YMHHpONUOrfUOTciBT8/s640/blogger-image-1826245067.jpg" id="id_b97c_ce34_609c_1221" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stay lakeside in Konstanz in the German part of Lake Constance. &nbsp;<br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLqjOUQi28BTzu3uh14dPDUmun6Vv2vPx4Lrx6U1bp4BPppnuCPVHi27c3QaojuUW35gOIBKvkIRMGYO3kaWgB77J6R3p8ufHg7Pc37V_8G4sTaPqaIiE9xxfCzLMS-yG63kM/s640/blogger-image-2004930371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOLqjOUQi28BTzu3uh14dPDUmun6Vv2vPx4Lrx6U1bp4BPppnuCPVHi27c3QaojuUW35gOIBKvkIRMGYO3kaWgB77J6R3p8ufHg7Pc37V_8G4sTaPqaIiE9xxfCzLMS-yG63kM/s640/blogger-image-2004930371.jpg" id="id_27f2_5760_f8b8_3b23" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stay lakeside in Lausanne on Lake Geneva.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxrQ2atBIURno74jvvnWinET4cOFo-ZRZHSTKkB5jpYhyphenhypheni8P18Dy7BF4fojwiF2DT9fz9rl6XFgV4tx0LS2KakBveJSHfePau486urP0FwDukJZIcm9V33XKGHhoCOcC5V8MN/s640/blogger-image--1821074278.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" id="id_3178_3a87_3c48_d527" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxrQ2atBIURno74jvvnWinET4cOFo-ZRZHSTKkB5jpYhyphenhypheni8P18Dy7BF4fojwiF2DT9fz9rl6XFgV4tx0LS2KakBveJSHfePau486urP0FwDukJZIcm9V33XKGHhoCOcC5V8MN/s640/blogger-image--1821074278.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 746px; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Get on board ferry boat LEMAN, shuttling between Lausanne and Évian.<br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTH54ix2AGJTsyKJvbdFQPcawKc21vAYRT-Dila1filj-VC-E1yad00uTS_F2icY7u5qcEDHFHN1agIlvP8qjvfR4z49o9KdxREMcsAkzCvdjEPK1gR_spic1yEdI7kCwlpKm/s640/blogger-image-261464425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvTH54ix2AGJTsyKJvbdFQPcawKc21vAYRT-Dila1filj-VC-E1yad00uTS_F2icY7u5qcEDHFHN1agIlvP8qjvfR4z49o9KdxREMcsAkzCvdjEPK1gR_spic1yEdI7kCwlpKm/s640/blogger-image-261464425.jpg" id="id_51e0_f99e_56dd_a385" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stay lakeside in Évian-les-Bains on the French side of Lake Geneva&nbsp;(Lac Léman).</font></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">-&nbsp;MINERAL WATER-</font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMiMymKi1gEgw5xg-IVG7jB70S49X-VoT4WZw7OGWDuj2VUDWnEOPo19N8Olj15SvcWUmJ8c6f5gpRvdelizHvGZa3hPL5O9LrgNnTCIDQGwKHzde0ThseKW744sg0_6hugv5/s640/blogger-image--1284590052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipMiMymKi1gEgw5xg-IVG7jB70S49X-VoT4WZw7OGWDuj2VUDWnEOPo19N8Olj15SvcWUmJ8c6f5gpRvdelizHvGZa3hPL5O9LrgNnTCIDQGwKHzde0ThseKW744sg0_6hugv5/s640/blogger-image--1284590052.jpg" id="id_40e4_1d3_8e64_846c" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Get it at the source:&nbsp;<i>Source Cachat</i>&nbsp;in Évian-les-Bains.<br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">-&nbsp;COLORED WATER-</font></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuD6BVWcgYa6FtEJiJ6zfCttyy-3IfyUM2LzAUBK61V8jC-pkAzozBPPglHbGMjAdTpdxVoTFhqCnNtemtPtzOgt1aYGVGwLhGVkp-fgIC-G734EP-Y8wSP_fJej1xlVVZ1is/s640/blogger-image--1625060941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEuD6BVWcgYa6FtEJiJ6zfCttyy-3IfyUM2LzAUBK61V8jC-pkAzozBPPglHbGMjAdTpdxVoTFhqCnNtemtPtzOgt1aYGVGwLhGVkp-fgIC-G734EP-Y8wSP_fJej1xlVVZ1is/s640/blogger-image--1625060941.jpg" id="id_f349_7521_a33d_5164" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Drink&nbsp;only&nbsp;local wines.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">_______</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMeIG6_Nz1QjMkVZBvhVP4bOHZwtsbe_ePwKQFGV5POjJE46bvoDcNQZwA9TFPYDcEje0iDBR58o3AA-cmdd_acE7ssihveLJhvDx_FGHf-kBBQDyTrJ_lRUvZ_c1yNu3pLwt/s640/blogger-image-1135896329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvMeIG6_Nz1QjMkVZBvhVP4bOHZwtsbe_ePwKQFGV5POjJE46bvoDcNQZwA9TFPYDcEje0iDBR58o3AA-cmdd_acE7ssihveLJhvDx_FGHf-kBBQDyTrJ_lRUvZ_c1yNu3pLwt/s640/blogger-image-1135896329.jpg" id="id_9ca8_af9e_9fdd_e824" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4192516065888363453'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4192516065888363453'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/recipe-for-perfect-holiday.html' title='Recipe for the Perfect Holiday'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCA50KkwJL0XnGdNZvn5SAmBjGrEGtqV8yGdSRkoRmgTWP08gJfEvFvidzgGe7kzLJ4_9gwXoKWFAbteoYwUQnBhyGNQGNvwknfPTXhyphenhyphenCyNPGbWMEUx58iLLuvOCReZvCCMofl/s72-c/blogger-image-1087282237.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5715603739567875850</id><published>2017-09-08T12:30:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-10T09:50:43.182+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Source Cachat'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Ermitage'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Évian'/><title type='text'>Évian-les-Bains</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart and I sit on a park bench looking out on the lake, eating our lunch of hard-boiled eggs,&nbsp;bread,&nbsp;cheese, and ham. We're waiting for our clothes to finish washing in a laundromat in town.</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOt01MKXYPUTvwFx1aofY_qWbpY2Nq8Osvq_Oynq6ZDDbRQXWGS_exQrKRgBzv7jmrduLOMsPLCVPG0dysIfdAbzgvMJwhHr3DTfTEx0pA9TL04AyaeLAlSi57J4qXZMS8KaK/s640/blogger-image-224241177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOt01MKXYPUTvwFx1aofY_qWbpY2Nq8Osvq_Oynq6ZDDbRQXWGS_exQrKRgBzv7jmrduLOMsPLCVPG0dysIfdAbzgvMJwhHr3DTfTEx0pA9TL04AyaeLAlSi57J4qXZMS8KaK/s640/blogger-image-224241177.jpg" id="id_bfc4_ae1_a3ae_387c" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It's just around the corner from&nbsp;<b>Source Cachat</b>, the spring where&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(112, 113, 115);"><b>evian®</b></span><b>&nbsp;</b>water originally came from.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic8vDC5zpcSgQPrS60t3FEXjcqMbWbOnqIkKU4RdqnsWCtMm22Xwc37STzbPBJUsrqyM-F8GtymwZLknGtRsGeL3WhTnMAJRREweswAmVREieWmLjQEu-aeg09aPByTmLZ-HN/s640/blogger-image--1784679812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgic8vDC5zpcSgQPrS60t3FEXjcqMbWbOnqIkKU4RdqnsWCtMm22Xwc37STzbPBJUsrqyM-F8GtymwZLknGtRsGeL3WhTnMAJRREweswAmVREieWmLjQEu-aeg09aPByTmLZ-HN/s640/blogger-image--1784679812.jpg" id="id_2126_ea5f_72b5_1482" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>The&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(112, 113, 115);">Évian</span>&nbsp;saga goes like this:</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">In 1789, the&nbsp;<b>Marquis de Lessert</b>, while walking in the Évian countryside, drank from the&nbsp;<i>Sainte Catherin</i>e spring on the land owned by his friend, M. Cachat. &nbsp;The nobleman subsequently discovered he was cured from the kidney and liver diseases he had been suffering from.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Soon, imperial scientists and physicians were ascribing curative qualities to the spring water from the tiny rural town. M. Cachat fenced off the spring, renamed it&nbsp;<i>Source Cachat</i>,&nbsp;and&nbsp;proceeded to bottle its water.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACFKyicNEXROtz1Yf44mKiuBYAUN4mYI7OspiXnhuu9AKc2XEInoXAm_Pk7NW61qvXlbq79tnuIdm6louTnl531rVg53Nj-adU2WTlfSd3acssffW8WKrRYIXhfkPM_-zqcv0/s640/blogger-image--1072506355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACFKyicNEXROtz1Yf44mKiuBYAUN4mYI7OspiXnhuu9AKc2XEInoXAm_Pk7NW61qvXlbq79tnuIdm6louTnl531rVg53Nj-adU2WTlfSd3acssffW8WKrRYIXhfkPM_-zqcv0/s640/blogger-image--1072506355.jpg" id="id_f398_6be3_4e64_2964" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><i>Photo from&nbsp;</i><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(112, 113, 115);">evian®</span><i>&nbsp;website.</i></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Thus was born the magic that is Évian today.&nbsp;Our laundry is&nbsp;rinsing&nbsp;at this very moment in the world's most perfect water! 😊</font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">*****</font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Later, we&nbsp;take the funicular and walk around the fragrant wooded hill at the top. &nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">&nbsp;<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-mpxKEr8btl5TeEHnBDXzijT2uzoWJZptm1NpZeIp64HCucZl084M1PscL3NbrsoiVBYEZeeNfJNzG8eOtODFvoCwojdhl6TcS0fc5P7Xp70CLs5HfBi3Mre_lDQ4uqY3fte/s640/blogger-image-703271816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-mpxKEr8btl5TeEHnBDXzijT2uzoWJZptm1NpZeIp64HCucZl084M1PscL3NbrsoiVBYEZeeNfJNzG8eOtODFvoCwojdhl6TcS0fc5P7Xp70CLs5HfBi3Mre_lDQ4uqY3fte/s640/blogger-image-703271816.jpg" id="id_612c_8d53_9af4_e3e2" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></a></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b></b></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHFEOQw2j6dWzOSWfUa7m9TqVDfj7k-yCZYWiCQF0AynK9xjyNikKJR1Y7JoXVmbuFYQYfFXkdUTitDf_msg_H1PBEjp1rmOWfSWwEjRSuql3J6QEtEoOnJBSkrDFgu4iPyu4/s640/blogger-image-1241094152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzHFEOQw2j6dWzOSWfUa7m9TqVDfj7k-yCZYWiCQF0AynK9xjyNikKJR1Y7JoXVmbuFYQYfFXkdUTitDf_msg_H1PBEjp1rmOWfSWwEjRSuql3J6QEtEoOnJBSkrDFgu4iPyu4/s640/blogger-image-1241094152.jpg" id="id_9fc3_dd0_1bdd_916a" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicREHbdItgwBlnD80Bapd91vQUnpH8R4nWzDSSSzFrMCUYvSLC14RFoa0LFsk4dbH-cnMoEyUPDjiPj8UCq0cIPQ8Hw0ndkDm59QslCy3PSVeKakRLak2nEDGGz7P4kfMPz59N/s640/blogger-image-579717261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicREHbdItgwBlnD80Bapd91vQUnpH8R4nWzDSSSzFrMCUYvSLC14RFoa0LFsk4dbH-cnMoEyUPDjiPj8UCq0cIPQ8Hw0ndkDm59QslCy3PSVeKakRLak2nEDGGz7P4kfMPz59N/s640/blogger-image-579717261.jpg" id="id_3162_b718_25ea_184e" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b></b><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Hotel&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Ermitage&nbsp;</b>is up there. I</span><span style="font-weight: normal;">t's gorgeous...I want to stay there, I say wistfully.&nbsp;</span></font></b></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfaCN2hyphenhyphenHjjobWZfq08pohuWSDc9QU55YbywxFalDRdF46CtAC4cD_bqvVo79buJqFR_EPu3CwBSu46ACxsutDVEMGV0Hx_On8_kPuWXboRqRFvlejvSo09DAGt4gs3eHP7RB/s640/blogger-image--696904912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPfaCN2hyphenhyphenHjjobWZfq08pohuWSDc9QU55YbywxFalDRdF46CtAC4cD_bqvVo79buJqFR_EPu3CwBSu46ACxsutDVEMGV0Hx_On8_kPuWXboRqRFvlejvSo09DAGt4gs3eHP7RB/s640/blogger-image--696904912.jpg" id="id_273b_c89a_c5d6_ab6a" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">So we're staying for two nights until we go back to Zürich for my birthday and then our flight home...</font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">It's perfect! We can watch tonight's full moon rise from behind the mountains across the lake.&nbsp;</font></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi894Du3u_ADBHAO9HSj8nwqlrQ95n54xKl5FX-dFu3wkX-4aaRxipFC9puDid82T_NwKWlAhkO9lGCCKBjoNhRpVqmD0VWvwEPU7Y5_roVG7NvIKRnD-g9tNu-OvwHidhvZ0pT/s640/blogger-image-980545507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi894Du3u_ADBHAO9HSj8nwqlrQ95n54xKl5FX-dFu3wkX-4aaRxipFC9puDid82T_NwKWlAhkO9lGCCKBjoNhRpVqmD0VWvwEPU7Y5_roVG7NvIKRnD-g9tNu-OvwHidhvZ0pT/s640/blogger-image-980545507.jpg" id="id_b5eb_d705_f31a_7080" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>*****</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">We never did get to see the full moon. Too&nbsp;many clouds. But the sunsets were spectacular!</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcFYXaJSVG3j8FyK7n5Mj6c_8PCwKYxVRfzX4I2dRjjvnLfvetcT06PAda9sTxqPCrLoNmTPbe8m589vjQ0JInX_t_PyM2EXQCvuempC7AICV3aQP0f6AtsMEHqF-dbiVH8qE/s640/blogger-image-1805569720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidcFYXaJSVG3j8FyK7n5Mj6c_8PCwKYxVRfzX4I2dRjjvnLfvetcT06PAda9sTxqPCrLoNmTPbe8m589vjQ0JInX_t_PyM2EXQCvuempC7AICV3aQP0f6AtsMEHqF-dbiVH8qE/s640/blogger-image-1805569720.jpg" id="id_3fd9_c284_6c87_a5d2" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">*****</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">On the ferry.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9Tpox7vJMIc6i1Vt_VuhrDJwLUJZm0GLzmPKAp3T1rklwWCdg62E1Bg9buqGPO2iK7kya8T5vjsLoXkVsmUhIDNyBlbK5q5Kyx11EFduAM7wL2oUsa_iXQPL45fEqB0ojGS5/s640/blogger-image-208341138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000" face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9Tpox7vJMIc6i1Vt_VuhrDJwLUJZm0GLzmPKAp3T1rklwWCdg62E1Bg9buqGPO2iK7kya8T5vjsLoXkVsmUhIDNyBlbK5q5Kyx11EFduAM7wL2oUsa_iXQPL45fEqB0ojGS5/s640/blogger-image-208341138.jpg" id="id_c402_7ecb_a26a_9507" style="width: 746px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Leaving Évian, France crossing over&nbsp;to Lausanne, Switzerland. Across a lake, a 30-minute crossing, and it's a different world...</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Whereas our train from Lausanne to Zürich left at 14:20 bang on time, the church bell in Évian&nbsp;always&nbsp;rang the hours five minutes late...</font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5715603739567875850'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5715603739567875850'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/evian-les-bains.html' title='Évian-les-Bains'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOOt01MKXYPUTvwFx1aofY_qWbpY2Nq8Osvq_Oynq6ZDDbRQXWGS_exQrKRgBzv7jmrduLOMsPLCVPG0dysIfdAbzgvMJwhHr3DTfTEx0pA9TL04AyaeLAlSi57J4qXZMS8KaK/s72-c/blogger-image-224241177.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>74500 Évian-les-Bains, France</georss:featurename><georss:point>46.401488 6.590949000000023</georss:point><georss:box>46.379584 6.550608500000023 46.423392 6.631289500000023</georss:box></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-320959198579655658</id><published>2017-09-07T18:06:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2017-09-08T18:31:54.523+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ouchy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Beau Rivage'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lausanne'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rica'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ferry to Évian'/><title type='text'>From Lausanne to Évian</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Dinners at <b>Beau Rivage</b> are always special. The Café exudes sophisticated good taste, in food as well as decor. Service is gracious and proficient. And the dinner guests are mostly beautifully turned out except for Stuart and me who always turn up in our touring clothes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">We had dinner Saturday with Rica and David at their lovely home in the beautiful old town of&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Chaxbres</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">. Nestled in the hills among the vineyards, looking out on the lake and all the way across to France</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday, our last day in Lausanne, turned out gloriously sunny. Rica came to lunch and we spent the afternoon together walking and chatting in&nbsp;<b>Parc Olympique</b>.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Together we walked to the quay at&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ouchy&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">where Stuart and I boarded the ferry to&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Évian-les-Bains</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">We arrived&nbsp;at&nbsp;<b>Évian Hilton&nbsp;</b></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">in time for rosé and a hushed sunset.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/320959198579655658'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/320959198579655658'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/lausanne-to-evian.html' title='From Lausanne to Évian'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqdbf8JZUgm-3_VXbBHiuzZpWFISNJm1fUpZ83kzs9UPijz7XkCV9y93SyH1zup3qhcJe1V4W4hK_1VWjxCXQsmmCtGYJzPnjn-FxUmeAZv6Twi26Vgc4vj3IdY9DWEsG_424O/s72-c/blogger-image-1486401401.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>74500 Évian-les-Bains, France</georss:featurename><georss:point>46.401488 6.590949000000023</georss:point><georss:box>46.379584 6.550608500000023 46.423392 6.631289500000023</georss:box></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5217043477855448034</id><published>2017-09-06T15:57:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T19:15:26.954+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Althos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bührle Collection'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='L'HERMITAGE'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='RUMINE'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='fake Rembrandt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Michael Golz'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Jean Dubuffet'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='fake Van Gogh'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Monet's Poppies'/><title type='text'>Art brut, fake art, and stuffed wild animals in Lausanne</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3 Museums in Lausanne&nbsp;</b></div><div><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></b></div><div>
<b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1. &nbsp;FONDATION de l'HERMITAGE</b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A lazy Friday afternoon in a graceful 19th century house set in a wooded park by the lake, with views looking out towards Notre Dame Cathedral and Lake Geneva. A perfect day for enjoying great art.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The current exhibition,&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Bührle Collection</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;is a prestigious collection of 19th and 20th century art featuring Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masters.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Monet</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">'s "</span><em style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); box-sizing: border-box; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Poppies near Vétheuil"&nbsp;</em><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">reminded me of Mommy. She once asked me, Alice, what do poppies look like?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She was working on one of her "counterfeit" Monets and wanted to make sure she was painting the poppies correctly. So I brought her a poppy I had picked from a field in France and dried between the pages of a book. She liked that. I miss her.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Above photo shows Swiss&nbsp;industrialist&nbsp;<b>Emil Georg Bührle</b>&nbsp;seated among his favorite pieces in his collection.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Also shown in the exhibition are two "masterworks" that initially managed to find their way into this masterful collection, and were subsequently&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">discovered to be fakes.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Proof</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;positive that even art experts and brilliant collectors are not foolproof.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2. &nbsp;PALAIS de RUMINE</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We went in to get out of the rain.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a lavish neo-Renaissance building housing&nbsp;a University library&nbsp;and&nbsp;museums of fine arts, history, geology, archeology, and zoology on several floors accessed by grand stone staircases. It also has installations demonstrating theories of evolution.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The&nbsp;zoology museum's&nbsp;stuffed animals, taxidermy mounts of wild animals and birds, made me somehow sad, so we left.</span></div>
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">3. &nbsp;COLLECTION de l'ART</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">BRUT</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is a unique museum</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, one dedicated to "outsider art</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">," a range of art forms outside the co</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">nventional dictates of the art world.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Art that is spontaneous,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">free, unbiased, anti-intellectual, and raw.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">In 1945, artist&nbsp;<b>Jean Dubuffet&nbsp;</b></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">started collecting various art forms created by self-taught artists, mainly social outcasts. He found them everywhere- in folk art, in the streets,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;in prisons,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">in psychiatric clinics.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In 1971,&nbsp;he donated&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">his vast collection, which he called <b><i>A</i></b></span><i style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><b>rt Brut</b>,&nbsp;</i><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">to the city of Lausanne. It forms the core of this extraordinary museum, now seen as a focus for "artistic communication with another world."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Among the numerous creators of this art form are recognized artists. Several are unknown; some are anonymous.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">I was particularly intrigued by the strange world of <b>Michael Golz</b>. Since their childhood in the 60s, Michael and his brother Wulf have been creating non-stop, and still continue to elaborate on, a fantastical land they've named "Althosland," an imaginary country of lush hills, mountains, rivers, and all manner of infrastructures for a utopian community.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">They have accumulated a vast archive of pictures, topographical maps, intricate grids, even a made-up language, for this land inhabited by only long-haired people who enjoy absolute freedom to do whatever they wish. Legal tender includes jacket buttons, blades of grass, and tree leaves.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5217043477855448034'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5217043477855448034'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/3-museums-in-lausanne.html' title='Art brut, fake art, and stuffed wild animals in Lausanne'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpS60FjaKsSwpvqSzN5L3iO-YjBAww0NA68ocMtHsh3F2-hqjIZ4qv9pHtwkhJCfhqcF1OQPgnM33hmP3oxyIGmPkwwBQaevkcRu-v24TbBM55V3LNXiBFab6H0MhcMbO31pNI/s72-c/blogger-image--1041526266.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7945640779449695061</id><published>2017-09-01T04:11:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T19:44:38.757+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Beau Rivage Hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='lakwatcha weather'/><title type='text'>From Konstanz to Lausanne</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We're winding down a long holiday. I guess you might say we're just coasting along now, not attempting anything too demanding or too energetic.<br></span><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The sunny skies of Konstanz have turned grey, so we throw our meager wardrobe into our two wheelies and head down to the train station, bound for Lausanne. We aim to endure the foul weather cosseted in&nbsp;the Art Deco decadence of the&nbsp;<b>Beau Rivage Hotel&nbsp;</b>on Lake Geneva.</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's&nbsp;a light shower when we arrive, so we have drinks on the terrace.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4E57DX9KFafF4UL94P1sbXmyNGNSq7__XjD2DEU9dYrEPRv3EhJ6jhE0rRgS26wSNGNsf6fvahlaFhcO6c_RTVuegCnHyyEA3Cd83cK_JNfBMDgYI90DkCYjf1E1iaUDzaPJ/s640/blogger-image-1013615296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4E57DX9KFafF4UL94P1sbXmyNGNSq7__XjD2DEU9dYrEPRv3EhJ6jhE0rRgS26wSNGNsf6fvahlaFhcO6c_RTVuegCnHyyEA3Cd83cK_JNfBMDgYI90DkCYjf1E1iaUDzaPJ/s640/blogger-image-1013615296.jpg" id="id_e30f_7513_4fb6_9cce" style="width: 328px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It clears up later and we walk out to the lake.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqDSCaTPj5-wglpqv3stHt-_atz0hsN7y1cmVVU9tllflhS8qae6AF_DB-ox4fgpPfjrQFRXATtsxcDnLM5-Q3AW41BSCz1lHNJ9GJTj2AyQpgeSR50jIs8r7f6EqF0hJ-idp/s640/blogger-image--2049139710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqDSCaTPj5-wglpqv3stHt-_atz0hsN7y1cmVVU9tllflhS8qae6AF_DB-ox4fgpPfjrQFRXATtsxcDnLM5-Q3AW41BSCz1lHNJ9GJTj2AyQpgeSR50jIs8r7f6EqF0hJ-idp/s640/blogger-image--2049139710.jpg" id="id_f96d_9683_30f1_fb4f" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHwQar68eaYMh-R9T4Wb0bwG2Vo7cy2aVcWiV1-xzMV4zXNsnXz0KimaG8fjHTYWMQFz29PkUCxWoNSo9qIKQoyX0sBVr3LGEHD1r2C5MApgOWiRbXCAfuaugGIfTYAWWw8os/s640/blogger-image-775972205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPHwQar68eaYMh-R9T4Wb0bwG2Vo7cy2aVcWiV1-xzMV4zXNsnXz0KimaG8fjHTYWMQFz29PkUCxWoNSo9qIKQoyX0sBVr3LGEHD1r2C5MApgOWiRbXCAfuaugGIfTYAWWw8os/s640/blogger-image-775972205.jpg" id="id_78ce_ddcf_9a69_8442" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe8tHMx0G_qb0oWMAKWhxvdhqvsxdk3P27vHDsaSppXq-lq2hP9lanzeZlDFldq6Gik5eLALUHC1S-kztT19w01HIRvm934qlp-nK-DZLPnTLOaoSCn1I7FlPNpCDv_DBr3N0/s640/blogger-image--1673938808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNe8tHMx0G_qb0oWMAKWhxvdhqvsxdk3P27vHDsaSppXq-lq2hP9lanzeZlDFldq6Gik5eLALUHC1S-kztT19w01HIRvm934qlp-nK-DZLPnTLOaoSCn1I7FlPNpCDv_DBr3N0/s640/blogger-image--1673938808.jpg" id="id_13a7_ca3b_a452_a9e4" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next day is&nbsp;perfect&nbsp;<i>lakwatcha</i>&nbsp;weather, so we&nbsp;kit up for a wet walking tour.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLikcB_vUxjFxGfYMRI33-EVmCiNXCWGyDGGQpnZeOT64TX9PJ5rhIoO21229kJZ3NVstBg6wxbCrP6OQblKQWdF9so4cJzsUsW_SFpWikGzTZlQzr_YyEtRdc5-bVZZfH1UvU/s640/blogger-image--1505811937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLikcB_vUxjFxGfYMRI33-EVmCiNXCWGyDGGQpnZeOT64TX9PJ5rhIoO21229kJZ3NVstBg6wxbCrP6OQblKQWdF9so4cJzsUsW_SFpWikGzTZlQzr_YyEtRdc5-bVZZfH1UvU/s640/blogger-image--1505811937.jpg" id="id_62d8_c04d_f40b_f0b4" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8M7_SvpZH_nDNzbCyBEzIGOEBosOdhsLidSQy6b8rYlJgtBNDekytLmAk1pvg_WupEQXm4KXNjL_TYU8J_Iy4pFkfYTIZN8blXyfJGhEwjNONYCDjkNyvs8ydZc4Lyamt87G/s640/blogger-image--2105994808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8M7_SvpZH_nDNzbCyBEzIGOEBosOdhsLidSQy6b8rYlJgtBNDekytLmAk1pvg_WupEQXm4KXNjL_TYU8J_Iy4pFkfYTIZN8blXyfJGhEwjNONYCDjkNyvs8ydZc4Lyamt87G/s640/blogger-image--2105994808.jpg" id="id_f7bf_12a3_f344_4f68" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-LLBItLR_PD2Q213GwVbLCLd2N4qfMvrd7whkCul9HzTUSHM417oQf8DoMXilG5DnQVUJS1yjTIo5k3NSxJqTjFSiXZaXsMCSkp9bviZaJov41ldVJ16ZtDtx-bVgK3quHI0/s640/blogger-image--1453503060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7945640779449695061'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7945640779449695061'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/from-konstanz-to-lausanne.html' title='From Konstanz to Lausanne'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO4E57DX9KFafF4UL94P1sbXmyNGNSq7__XjD2DEU9dYrEPRv3EhJ6jhE0rRgS26wSNGNsf6fvahlaFhcO6c_RTVuegCnHyyEA3Cd83cK_JNfBMDgYI90DkCYjf1E1iaUDzaPJ/s72-c/blogger-image-1013615296.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2565365025005939864</id><published>2017-08-31T18:19:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T19:45:44.629+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Zeughauskeller'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Marc Chagall'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kronenhalle'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Adlisberg Farm'/><title type='text'>From Zürich to Konstanz</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div><br></div><div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">THREE ZÜRICH DINNERS</b></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1. &nbsp;In a medieval armory-&nbsp;</b><b>Zeughauskeller</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Touristy but a necessary stop for&nbsp;Stuart whose avowed mission is to verify the authenticity of&nbsp;<b>Palms Country Club</b>'s version of&nbsp;<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">Zürich geschnetzeltes</em>. This was the first&nbsp;of several samplings&nbsp;in the city. My roast pork shank was traditional hearty fare, lots of it, and quite delicious.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>2. &nbsp;With Marc Chagall &amp; friends- K</b><b>ronenhalle</b></span></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Traditional Swiss<i>,&nbsp;</i>punctilious service, olde worlde charm.&nbsp;</span>We had liver dumplings and more g<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">eschnetzeltes.&nbsp;</em></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgb8PCKNk4MfIy4RrG6S1ZdrrZNcKYyCW6rrFe7divHBhGQgSR718pryamI14zhCMn3zBVQxbscfUvy6IpnkgCuWn6UWuNgkOPiVULvGYdae9l2t1rxXUL8kxJBC1EkpNAv3P/s640/blogger-image-912711648.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQqpUiD6g4uz6_Qug5hYCsAQuXnsM1o7k6XKZkRD6sXSqmOtAWyzB8KKoVP06TlQPzENJFr5PR3jofOXFDAw8OHqzOQnfoQkPgGB6J6JTRktilwJn7DDPsB_erylshUodCHf-/s640/blogger-image-575368729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQqpUiD6g4uz6_Qug5hYCsAQuXnsM1o7k6XKZkRD6sXSqmOtAWyzB8KKoVP06TlQPzENJFr5PR3jofOXFDAw8OHqzOQnfoQkPgGB6J6JTRktilwJn7DDPsB_erylshUodCHf-/s640/blogger-image-575368729.jpg" id="id_100a_ba59_5524_8e1f" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let's face it, we were there for the art. Our hotel concierge instructed us to ask for the&nbsp;<b>Chagall</b>&nbsp;<b>Room</b>&nbsp;but the whole restaurant is chock full of art from the owner's collection:&nbsp;<b>Picasso,&nbsp;Klee, Kandinsky, Rauschenberg,&nbsp;Giacometti,&nbsp;Miró, Chagall,&nbsp;</b>to name a few droppable names.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A lady we met sometime later told us that the current collection is, sadly, much reduced from ten, twenty years ago.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Upstairs, a more intimate space. There's a bar, a clubby smoking room, more art pieces, lamps by the&nbsp;<b>Giacometti brothers,</b>&nbsp;carpet and wallpaper by&nbsp;<b>Yves Saint Laurent</b>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b></b><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGkqiWUW0A3bMqf5FUVhTlkn4kpDQy83BARDPpIIHcHTyRtTVF37nMHQkq1CvWfqU4oTSrhE0qf2f2Xwo5awzcJbecB6RNZUF7Ct4heqhQCOrwRZMXtvXjB9k43fvgREaN2wR/s640/blogger-image--1158121972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGkqiWUW0A3bMqf5FUVhTlkn4kpDQy83BARDPpIIHcHTyRtTVF37nMHQkq1CvWfqU4oTSrhE0qf2f2Xwo5awzcJbecB6RNZUF7Ct4heqhQCOrwRZMXtvXjB9k43fvgREaN2wR/s640/blogger-image--1158121972.jpg" id="id_d169_3a3a_5631_42c4" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></b></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGvd2j6O-lXMUJf-EgEzUsvTpiNxXHCWTMDsIBueg84fgfsSvQfvqk8bcZJpRsGAgh2W1llieG36VZ9c86V2lMo5i0-A5Kut6ojAZBNy8-T6nNHRj3PVThQz3xN_4DVeOciMH/s640/blogger-image-1733269669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGvd2j6O-lXMUJf-EgEzUsvTpiNxXHCWTMDsIBueg84fgfsSvQfvqk8bcZJpRsGAgh2W1llieG36VZ9c86V2lMo5i0-A5Kut6ojAZBNy8-T6nNHRj3PVThQz3xN_4DVeOciMH/s640/blogger-image-1733269669.jpg" id="id_a29a_549a_638a_9558" style="width: 361px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>3. &nbsp;At a Farmhouse-&nbsp;</b><b>Adlisberg Farm</b></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A&nbsp;small chicken cooked in hay...</span></div><div><font style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6j2Lb9GFzWwuelA8mmxOgTil4vYqpHpzUsaCf-HJ6FSsv8yUsvjl3R5BejJmw5-WliVIU-IKKskRi_wbCE-ywKFSEfXTbT_z4vHF4BSIz_50nqNdOxDyPT21sa04jGZMIYgu/s640/blogger-image-449802370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja6j2Lb9GFzWwuelA8mmxOgTil4vYqpHpzUsaCf-HJ6FSsv8yUsvjl3R5BejJmw5-WliVIU-IKKskRi_wbCE-ywKFSEfXTbT_z4vHF4BSIz_50nqNdOxDyPT21sa04jGZMIYgu/s640/blogger-image-449802370.jpg" id="id_4f52_1c1a_1a41_ace4" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></font></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...a field of frisky horses...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sEKYM5yFTYggmphSW7FH3pWmWrK2nHYuSUMI3qPpH5gVPFk5insnpuKq-qdhmc84Q8-UFWJVInSoiSX9n7XOIcAxwhCDCmV79rU3M0r4VIOfQQJopj6EuhBUTCU5HfJz9_hK/s640/blogger-image-430475390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sEKYM5yFTYggmphSW7FH3pWmWrK2nHYuSUMI3qPpH5gVPFk5insnpuKq-qdhmc84Q8-UFWJVInSoiSX9n7XOIcAxwhCDCmV79rU3M0r4VIOfQQJopj6EuhBUTCU5HfJz9_hK/s640/blogger-image-430475390.jpg" id="id_84ad_a0e1_58b4_c6ca" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...a water-color sunset...</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxptukNvXVlF1v5CPIAGBUOuB6g1Tikpccq-FB2vQL5Lbfc4adrU_IU7blHqocD5mr_aEEBncHOdfTWyaUeARsVfAA8E9yRC2uceNymw6ar2kgIHPyBa2Qyw_3ASkdvb-MysIg/s640/blogger-image--316799421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxptukNvXVlF1v5CPIAGBUOuB6g1Tikpccq-FB2vQL5Lbfc4adrU_IU7blHqocD5mr_aEEBncHOdfTWyaUeARsVfAA8E9yRC2uceNymw6ar2kgIHPyBa2Qyw_3ASkdvb-MysIg/s640/blogger-image--316799421.jpg" id="id_776c_c58b_ed7e_f727" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...and a shy crescent moon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaprphGUV631rIHcOabO3kfe9cNTJCk3h-BwnvwugNQHoftcdL5FLGfc3GgPuYjOD_DtY532M90QK-8f2xBXBYyRAXQXxSIV92dxAopCz9Gw5-TIiLJRN8MKnfYcuqcyd1CUc/s640/blogger-image--1981460985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFaprphGUV631rIHcOabO3kfe9cNTJCk3h-BwnvwugNQHoftcdL5FLGfc3GgPuYjOD_DtY532M90QK-8f2xBXBYyRAXQXxSIV92dxAopCz9Gw5-TIiLJRN8MKnfYcuqcyd1CUc/s640/blogger-image--1981460985.jpg" id="id_620_e34f_5676_12f2" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">_____</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">TO LAKE CONSTANCE BY TRAIN.</b></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Having packed everything into two small wheelies, we took&nbsp;the Dolderbahn from the hotel, then hopped onto Tram #3 for the train station. &nbsp;We had booked two nights at a hotel on Lake Constance, and have no further plans for the next two weeks.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdT22LxpjfUJLNy9yN181_zwBdkQaaxtfFUGvmY4POxHwl92Tbrp_RiV318KbVJRlQ04zKozTh1ifKt2yT_13K-oySEfEyeMUL3g5nC07Nmjq0EKsRCtUVwISDtWhqqYdwXTwF/s640/blogger-image-1104427230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdT22LxpjfUJLNy9yN181_zwBdkQaaxtfFUGvmY4POxHwl92Tbrp_RiV318KbVJRlQ04zKozTh1ifKt2yT_13K-oySEfEyeMUL3g5nC07Nmjq0EKsRCtUVwISDtWhqqYdwXTwF/s640/blogger-image-1104427230.jpg" id="id_b631_894_9198_4b05" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Street art outside&nbsp;Konstanz main station.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw55mj5KDvyymWKoacF2n5NHbhuQ2uOULOh9nvSRGkRDqr3VqUt9oPNwoo_AOiOQcvX1aCmvp8Yj5aZUOr_q0a83VWH0KObPU66H668Wy6WVouCQMC_Z9Y_Kdwuf8wJscF0gR8/s640/blogger-image-575805905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw55mj5KDvyymWKoacF2n5NHbhuQ2uOULOh9nvSRGkRDqr3VqUt9oPNwoo_AOiOQcvX1aCmvp8Yj5aZUOr_q0a83VWH0KObPU66H668Wy6WVouCQMC_Z9Y_Kdwuf8wJscF0gR8/s640/blogger-image-575805905.jpg" id="id_c299_e8a2_4a0b_2bad" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxu9ZmoURpdYpQjTpk6EtSaCcyydmkW2v0Cctmj4uiu672rI6uxZeRtbfH2vSRwPwMdrEdgA6vvM0mCVhkk54SGGZM04vRlM6klq24jsz6SLsTP2RrNuPcOo4XGU6K9FqCWAd/s640/blogger-image--30843074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxu9ZmoURpdYpQjTpk6EtSaCcyydmkW2v0Cctmj4uiu672rI6uxZeRtbfH2vSRwPwMdrEdgA6vvM0mCVhkk54SGGZM04vRlM6klq24jsz6SLsTP2RrNuPcOo4XGU6K9FqCWAd/s640/blogger-image--30843074.jpg" id="id_32fb_12c2_bd31_9a69" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A Dominican monastery in a former life, the&nbsp;<b>Steigenberger Inselhotel&nbsp;</b>sits magisterially on a private island at the edge of Lake Constance.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DbGdIZk50PUyzT7JYxf4yipCRz89CqM42dlsZKaeHkW3wIR6aqKPWvrg94oS8xg_6pan-0rEHOENAuZCd8K-TgE0Z1UCwOYDD20RVVbdMggvMKDBASAlpALTDCwkm0AojSn0/s640/blogger-image-1313262200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DbGdIZk50PUyzT7JYxf4yipCRz89CqM42dlsZKaeHkW3wIR6aqKPWvrg94oS8xg_6pan-0rEHOENAuZCd8K-TgE0Z1UCwOYDD20RVVbdMggvMKDBASAlpALTDCwkm0AojSn0/s640/blogger-image-1313262200.jpg" id="id_1ed5_bcb9_3b1f_d97" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAEZ3ab5QV_pFS1Rmlj8locimE3BQ-Q1fAO6_GEXfELo4LckrcRY8knf9Co2D3uyN2fPwsIs3bCOrcbLBZbJNHM73oq-yXiraVe6tJqK-az-th_hp_m1DeuJqlq8Po8QZkDvv/s640/blogger-image-776518044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirAEZ3ab5QV_pFS1Rmlj8locimE3BQ-Q1fAO6_GEXfELo4LckrcRY8knf9Co2D3uyN2fPwsIs3bCOrcbLBZbJNHM73oq-yXiraVe6tJqK-az-th_hp_m1DeuJqlq8Po8QZkDvv/s640/blogger-image-776518044.jpg" id="id_93ae_29f_552b_60e3" style="width: 361px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Befitting its monastic heritage,&nbsp;our room has beautifully crafted furniture and built in cabinets of wood and leather but no art on the walls, save&nbsp;an exhortation:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdlUzavyfARiIct9lXFBPZiIFBdqXfzRezGD6uZHzcLylQVTCm9r5usqjEq14NqqXZq7nY0q9_JMrGjuHwXT3uIkb89kLt4KA4ObwK1MZfEBA-CXo2QYjh9iUzF1HotB_cRJq/s640/blogger-image--877719741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjdlUzavyfARiIct9lXFBPZiIFBdqXfzRezGD6uZHzcLylQVTCm9r5usqjEq14NqqXZq7nY0q9_JMrGjuHwXT3uIkb89kLt4KA4ObwK1MZfEBA-CXo2QYjh9iUzF1HotB_cRJq/s640/blogger-image--877719741.jpg" id="id_aa34_5d67_7640_bcb5" style="width: 401px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whatever you do, do it gladly; do the right thing and do it right.</i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Out on the town, picturesque houses...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrGY1MatIf3zdsE1f5LGVYRdcQpet3lUWAuUtDmqsOT1SjEFjGvmrnWR-KLTxFqa8o7yB0hYwfxQrWRR5Cnj7TQNxkIGFBY5Do-o4EG75BOyRuxr2fucQExehwI7eenQD1bP_/s640/blogger-image-864837920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrrGY1MatIf3zdsE1f5LGVYRdcQpet3lUWAuUtDmqsOT1SjEFjGvmrnWR-KLTxFqa8o7yB0hYwfxQrWRR5Cnj7TQNxkIGFBY5Do-o4EG75BOyRuxr2fucQExehwI7eenQD1bP_/s640/blogger-image-864837920.jpg" id="id_8a45_da11_3cc3_a589" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocWbnpcG9MYSxPEJHo0Vev4x0plKo6ByQt6rp-INqrj9sgCvpKXKcINXvhP2rl8I4DIoRP4TtiZH_KlpbQvFF_7miRLaGHCNpZUHY0wXLejaLQDw_5yTE7yPiO4pmC00vCdDT/s640/blogger-image--1285650470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocWbnpcG9MYSxPEJHo0Vev4x0plKo6ByQt6rp-INqrj9sgCvpKXKcINXvhP2rl8I4DIoRP4TtiZH_KlpbQvFF_7miRLaGHCNpZUHY0wXLejaLQDw_5yTE7yPiO4pmC00vCdDT/s640/blogger-image--1285650470.jpg" id="id_5075_b12d_d7fd_a6c5" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...and street art, the officially sanctioned kind...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDCw1EK7LK6YLu-8wRtsSiax6Q_XE1HtUlgS0KK20mJ9TN5gpWpVH1VsawUzd-Vzizvyvhp_E2cBxM24hmYObkbU5q5g8AKuSQeQBoKoUJaabTnzQE7pEOxRygEvmmsCjAhvO/s640/blogger-image--1943535317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue Light&quot;, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2565365025005939864'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2565365025005939864'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/from-zurich-to-konstanz.html' title='From Zürich to Konstanz'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQqpUiD6g4uz6_Qug5hYCsAQuXnsM1o7k6XKZkRD6sXSqmOtAWyzB8KKoVP06TlQPzENJFr5PR3jofOXFDAw8OHqzOQnfoQkPgGB6J6JTRktilwJn7DDPsB_erylshUodCHf-/s72-c/blogger-image-575368729.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5769174842450621430</id><published>2017-08-29T00:54:00.002+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T19:13:38.148+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dolder Grand'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Zürich'/><title type='text'>ZÜRICH- a tale of two hotels</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrH8Us31l3BB1vGhz1jZI5ML0uXVx2vNNhvJtWtaJLHoCwiHNLUn-gcIrHIKxhXO2WRr9GJd4-VIIlGTKv8J95-R_e8GaIDr2FqZWQj0iJH-XtP49zzILVz4tRQGgrkmB2Zs6y/s640/blogger-image--1280408319.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></font></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The Zürich leg of our holiday didn't start well. Taxis at the train station wouldn't take us. One said our luggage was too big for his car; another claimed&nbsp;<b>Park Hyatt</b>&nbsp;was too near, actually&nbsp;</span>suggesting we could walk there. Not true! Th<span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">e nice lady in the tourist office tried to help, called a taxi by phone. Nada.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The infuriating thing was, upon being informed of our predicament, Park Hyatt, our all-time favorite hotel,<b>&nbsp;</b>was no help at all, charging €130 to send a car for us.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had originally booked three nights there but decided to check out the very next day to move to another hotel, the<b>&nbsp;Dolder Grand&nbsp;</b>who had&nbsp;graciously sent a hotel limo to move us from Park Hyatt in great style.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now, about the Dolder:</b></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Toni Hinterstoisser, GM of&nbsp;<b>Hyatt Regency</b>&nbsp;where we stayed very happily for a week in Amsterdam, mentioned the Dolder in connection with his recommendations for nice places to have dinner in Zürich, our next stop. We'd never heard of it before and we promised to check it out.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Staying at the Dolder is like living inside an art gallery. The public areas are filled with art. The entire building is art, both the original 1899 Gothic part where we chose to stay, and the two new contemporary-styled wings by&nbsp;<b>Norman Foster</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWkcJLDVuHfPti1GYQIOjZ9oGA8QIU13edMFlXmm_1Sc-lfFT6uuDeAry3__I7CCED2kMbMOlCZttDb2SrrhfgTOE0BA0esSwRLgIG8wFbPpHN9bMLIDO4N8V0u5oZ3TF2ktP/s640/blogger-image--1244000063.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWkcJLDVuHfPti1GYQIOjZ9oGA8QIU13edMFlXmm_1Sc-lfFT6uuDeAry3__I7CCED2kMbMOlCZttDb2SrrhfgTOE0BA0esSwRLgIG8wFbPpHN9bMLIDO4N8V0u5oZ3TF2ktP/s640/blogger-image--1244000063.jpg" id="id_d169_f1cf_f4ce_127b" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19IeDhOTJhw_ETr63m_G-0dBo8wuE1BIe3QjWCTXwV_gPqkGESYwb8XC2y6Le5VUuAVeWLh1dqSowHI9iIep6yseCqXionE07Sru-88pzCB565s0Cs0t7Ki-HMZP7epawXUwb/s640/blogger-image-832556626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19IeDhOTJhw_ETr63m_G-0dBo8wuE1BIe3QjWCTXwV_gPqkGESYwb8XC2y6Le5VUuAVeWLh1dqSowHI9iIep6yseCqXionE07Sru-88pzCB565s0Cs0t7Ki-HMZP7epawXUwb/s640/blogger-image-832556626.jpg" id="id_d7ca_77a1_d7d4_2b3b" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Light pours in from everywhere. A fabulous metal grill, laser cut to a design like a pixilated forest, wraps around the property.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd22gghC21ihWHoO0LB8QQVWp3cbQ2gRjc12XMzKo0TklT_isJsdE7dUD8QbD81ivxtDIR5CX48FY_th-gN2Cmx-0k0Mms63e973jRlAy_Ma9UwTd-xSuAXUzsk9DTp-zVeyN/s640/blogger-image-1766072249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwd22gghC21ihWHoO0LB8QQVWp3cbQ2gRjc12XMzKo0TklT_isJsdE7dUD8QbD81ivxtDIR5CX48FY_th-gN2Cmx-0k0Mms63e973jRlAy_Ma9UwTd-xSuAXUzsk9DTp-zVeyN/s640/blogger-image-1766072249.jpg" id="id_d605_2c96_d8f6_ea75" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lift lobbies leading from the garage and the back entrance near the Dolderbahn stop are littered with sculptures and art installations.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNrdj6fOZuYVHqV6BGIJePPVxXG0mzucCbOrkiK5-ax2G3NwYALBcMmA-28RQJ0cNEGRgoTwLLyofKtY1ZZ1QQBaC_0CuKR8L65m0vqF_0_VWOK3yd2TxIQO5vDxEEQEyxSvV/s640/blogger-image-1811848984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVNrdj6fOZuYVHqV6BGIJePPVxXG0mzucCbOrkiK5-ax2G3NwYALBcMmA-28RQJ0cNEGRgoTwLLyofKtY1ZZ1QQBaC_0CuKR8L65m0vqF_0_VWOK3yd2TxIQO5vDxEEQEyxSvV/s640/blogger-image-1811848984.jpg" id="id_44a1_199_85b6_d99e" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I see an&nbsp;<b>Anish Kapoor</b>&nbsp;disc on a lift lobby wall.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPYPYuTlf3L6GolH_z-oskmEUnVFfuw9vrGYFDb6weyn0JCJ7qaWMZD5BqZtzdrRwFjqY0vPM_YP4-goLYj0EsbFSNwvqBznIE0GAy9rMXPXD42-mlI9KoMTTkzsFoft4TUi6/s640/blogger-image-608182861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLPYPYuTlf3L6GolH_z-oskmEUnVFfuw9vrGYFDb6weyn0JCJ7qaWMZD5BqZtzdrRwFjqY0vPM_YP4-goLYj0EsbFSNwvqBznIE0GAy9rMXPXD42-mlI9KoMTTkzsFoft4TUi6/s640/blogger-image-608182861.jpg" id="id_aa44_aaa3_6349_107b" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A giant&nbsp;<b>Jean Dubuffet</b>&nbsp;sculpture can be glimpsed standing outside in an open carpark.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4xXVlFuvD_x6LncagplIMeClqk3uMoUM7BpApDSeiPIkTwQtqJxVIjIkaNv_JJ2yie56dXrlDql08iOPD-ua6yK80bITG3HUhByLEiNH7xa3GifUX7SNhq6CVjzMELxr-pCn/s640/blogger-image-58187895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP4xXVlFuvD_x6LncagplIMeClqk3uMoUM7BpApDSeiPIkTwQtqJxVIjIkaNv_JJ2yie56dXrlDql08iOPD-ua6yK80bITG3HUhByLEiNH7xa3GifUX7SNhq6CVjzMELxr-pCn/s640/blogger-image-58187895.jpg" id="id_f238_fd96_dd6b_2c86" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A huge&nbsp;<b>Andy Warhol</b>&nbsp;Retrospective runs the length of the wall above the Reception Desk.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PDJXvipSMgpDNYh-z6Bjm0SxvdTsYllOCETglV1PAX5TfqiFODaJ9PEluxeNOUKkFRB4M-x4PLDJUUWRslFful71A4AnR3jYwtBeH1AxHZAf5HICuvf6IADM6XFnKJiggMGz/s640/blogger-image-399717810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PDJXvipSMgpDNYh-z6Bjm0SxvdTsYllOCETglV1PAX5TfqiFODaJ9PEluxeNOUKkFRB4M-x4PLDJUUWRslFful71A4AnR3jYwtBeH1AxHZAf5HICuvf6IADM6XFnKJiggMGz/s640/blogger-image-399717810.jpg" id="id_82c9_f421_7f78_4f82" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Rene Magritte</b>'s&nbsp;<i>Curtains&nbsp;</i>stands beside the back door to the main lobby.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHa29noDNgA0WUC6oK6ENBgRMYB1qHq_pWdANtJiKW6igae00tKJCbTFAWRNL0Hb4bFY3df4cG-IuA46clmt2oG0ZPjQN-HEM3ATRrmwqSaVtj_Z41h-AtRHSQuGdmAew9OdS/s640/blogger-image-120660956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfHa29noDNgA0WUC6oK6ENBgRMYB1qHq_pWdANtJiKW6igae00tKJCbTFAWRNL0Hb4bFY3df4cG-IuA46clmt2oG0ZPjQN-HEM3ATRrmwqSaVtj_Z41h-AtRHSQuGdmAew9OdS/s640/blogger-image-120660956.jpg" id="id_7b52_81aa_7cdf_ba0c" style="width: 383px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's&nbsp;<b>Fernando Botero,&nbsp;Joan Miró, Salvador Dali,&nbsp;Henry Moore, Zaha Hadid, Takashi Murakami,&nbsp;</b><b>Sylvester Stallone</b>...wait, did I say Sylvester Stallone? Moving right along...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At lunch on the terrace overlooking Lake Geneva and the distant Alps, I realize for the first time that this hotel is both famous and infamous. Maximillian in Reception has just brought me an iPad with a complete list of pieces in the art collection.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At some point, I lose my place in the hotel website and, trying to find my way back in, I chance on several internet articles about the hotel's owner,&nbsp;<span class="gmail_msg" title="Über 120 Kunstwerke soll der Milliardär und Devisenhändler Urs." style="box-sizing: border-box;">billionaire Swiss financier&nbsp;<b>Urs&nbsp;</b></span><span class="gmail_msg" title="E. Schwarzenbach illegal in die Schweiz eingeführt haben, darunter Werke von Picasso und Matisse – geschätzter Wert mehr als 130 Millionen Franken." style="box-sizing: border-box;"><b>Schwarzenbach&nbsp;</b>whom I'd never heard of before.</span>&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Immensely wealthy. Plays polo with Prince Charles, owns polo team with 600 horses, some kept in&nbsp;Australia, some in his 650-acre Culham Court base in Henley-on-Thames in England. He also owns&nbsp;an entire village in Buckinghamshire, a shooting estate in Scotland,&nbsp;a 19th century palace in Marrakech, holiday homes in St Moritz and the south of France...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In early April,&nbsp;Swiss tax authorities raided the Dolder, seizing several paintings from the Reception area in the presence of hotel guests. The resulting vacant wall spaces are now hung with framed funny rubbish pieces presumably made by friends of the hotel.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChFrQFxBtyhhJ3nvqy_DXSK9o5CdYq-9vXhJ3ltb4ClM5feA70dxYk3TvuqMajkKmQXiawoN0zkIkpzGzMd1ZgBzjKalyOfmtn-ImVKq4E5ZQ7Hri1YW3JC9-3JAbQTvGCuSy/s640/blogger-image--1860647497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgChFrQFxBtyhhJ3nvqy_DXSK9o5CdYq-9vXhJ3ltb4ClM5feA70dxYk3TvuqMajkKmQXiawoN0zkIkpzGzMd1ZgBzjKalyOfmtn-ImVKq4E5ZQ7Hri1YW3JC9-3JAbQTvGCuSy/s640/blogger-image--1860647497.jpg" id="id_111f_6e4a_caa_8300" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Big tax dispute with Swiss authorities ongoing...this has been widely reported in media...and I was totally unaware I'd be staying in such an intriguing property...how very exciting!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJRlMW6GTStXqtm6acVtIlf9Tog93cq95p8slCAtgansRsoyWt5sG-E5y_BEtkkYh02ybsfYtGr2ckOpX3j6D5BqKQ87u9I7RBB-4ppzRiNZAAQ6SceTWEo00-syizAtyv2_k1/s640/blogger-image-1495434027.jpg" id="id_fae1_f78e_3949_8f7a" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdf8Zl8ETduQPR3Ty9P_b9QKQfJEriQCCC3uYRBJ86dJSHxSoMcX4e6jtZlZIlAmEb2DbdDecQAZpyFitbA-GhalWKXoV-Psy5mWKhj2zsya29_S9bMcC5XB-ZoRob-aftg0X/s640/blogger-image--1883616865.jpg" id="id_f914_7461_dfc5_bc2e" style="width: 344px; height: auto;"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIOnCP6SEAJF2V4I0Yp34pHFpVlkPCGUAK0ItW1DjPoJpimuhbx1XrWtEZgZTbkPr_6JEsdaWdLHGdsDumleIwvVamrubM4uAempCWS2K9eW7tZNqR9cnRx9mW-Cr04lL6l8h/s640/blogger-image--1492115335.jpg" id="id_1311_76a2_f4db_a80c" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjtUU4UyG_kDbFv-S67nbC33y3renEbQTxS4bYs3s5rc7nDM2DmoxPbGssESf9M9kc8_g0w_nnzj2CsPfw0ezI_vDA8v_kXiW3KlJLnSvPSzdLC6svo9i0xDx0qP8VGLRd7ar/s640/blogger-image--373979471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicjtUU4UyG_kDbFv-S67nbC33y3renEbQTxS4bYs3s5rc7nDM2DmoxPbGssESf9M9kc8_g0w_nnzj2CsPfw0ezI_vDA8v_kXiW3KlJLnSvPSzdLC6svo9i0xDx0qP8VGLRd7ar/s640/blogger-image--373979471.jpg" id="id_8ae5_52af_1a8b_bc9c" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5769174842450621430'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5769174842450621430'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/zurich-tale-of-two-hotels.html' title='ZÜRICH- a tale of two hotels'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnWkcJLDVuHfPti1GYQIOjZ9oGA8QIU13edMFlXmm_1Sc-lfFT6uuDeAry3__I7CCED2kMbMOlCZttDb2SrrhfgTOE0BA0esSwRLgIG8wFbPpHN9bMLIDO4N8V0u5oZ3TF2ktP/s72-c/blogger-image--1244000063.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2663137118669219955</id><published>2017-08-26T22:04:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T20:01:28.956+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Amsterdam'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Concertgebouw'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Moooi'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hidden gardens'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='anonymous sculptures'/><title type='text'>My Amsterdam Memories</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In addition to the obligatory canal tour and several must see landmarks of this intriguing city, my own personal tour of Amsterdam would have to include the following:</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>1. &nbsp;</b><b>Secret Gardens</b><b>&nbsp;</b></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Originally built for widows who preferred the security of communal living, "<i>hofjes"&nbsp;</i>were groups of small houses organized around shared garden squares.</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKKuUnHWiAJi8KdACNxcrugUfcIySKMAZZP6x5xvjNwHmS2ufHhLZuZQkyfc3t28oV4gxpLNYrODKTwo7FU2w7UQtANiRqVEPx-epznXCTqy13pzUGKvhzoYi36WLFH1ZzFwv/s640/blogger-image-701346657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKKuUnHWiAJi8KdACNxcrugUfcIySKMAZZP6x5xvjNwHmS2ufHhLZuZQkyfc3t28oV4gxpLNYrODKTwo7FU2w7UQtANiRqVEPx-epznXCTqy13pzUGKvhzoYi36WLFH1ZzFwv/s640/blogger-image-701346657.jpg" id="id_2407_73e0_990a_8ed8" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJQtYksE25hkQRYWIlpldtG13tro9oPIk76FvKWxN7b-33ms8gyL-RpVaN8FjyXyvADOUoEv4kOEasmJcOqAvSnruxHGZQohtQMsGCi90_rSR9U-foaS8mOhRtdYcQi3a3Pt4/s640/blogger-image--251215170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_v40VM3_nkuXtxstWM1jeK0yR44hT6fxc6ktKHyX045o3ZcIMowktrYagnwa8wamg9QXuDIdBSXd1fiuaL0xXmrBJPYuTZnXA99crOv62xSHlae1GWyio2VagPOVSb_ldYCS/s640/blogger-image-248623621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd_v40VM3_nkuXtxstWM1jeK0yR44hT6fxc6ktKHyX045o3ZcIMowktrYagnwa8wamg9QXuDIdBSXd1fiuaL0xXmrBJPYuTZnXA99crOv62xSHlae1GWyio2VagPOVSb_ldYCS/s640/blogger-image-248623621.jpg" id="id_e4d6_31e2_1f46_f63b" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGIdJPRSaNRBJd1VmNAVfw7waGpMP_dltKo-qHiRl5bT2UYZL4s3JPpqRAlxG-Z9EiRopR0bu9hV_7w4lteAvED0TmPs4ifaWeAzGe5ayUPvMYcP9J-pqdrPzNUdh6o3DM-iq/s640/blogger-image--1810533464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPGIdJPRSaNRBJd1VmNAVfw7waGpMP_dltKo-qHiRl5bT2UYZL4s3JPpqRAlxG-Z9EiRopR0bu9hV_7w4lteAvED0TmPs4ifaWeAzGe5ayUPvMYcP9J-pqdrPzNUdh6o3DM-iq/s640/blogger-image--1810533464.jpg" id="id_14ce_b3a0_2d15_f9d2" style="width: 436px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>2. &nbsp;</b><b>Anonymous Sculptures</b></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sculptures have mysteriously cropped up in several spots in the city. No one knows when they came or how they came to be where they are. At least no one has claimed any such knowledge officially. The artist or artists are willfully anonymous.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fiddler at the Town Hall</span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIqMGDCglbQaFg691R5rJmG-y6mfXoU59M7pe3YMSkmiwEV75ZlUU_SC7MZC8FLAyRGUouEFGw6OHyJ49IAg9ISgxSPAwbRRHe-txD7bf3kQaKqZ41rygqwZfPx2EgkbsYCOv/s640/blogger-image--1477498580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMIqMGDCglbQaFg691R5rJmG-y6mfXoU59M7pe3YMSkmiwEV75ZlUU_SC7MZC8FLAyRGUouEFGw6OHyJ49IAg9ISgxSPAwbRRHe-txD7bf3kQaKqZ41rygqwZfPx2EgkbsYCOv/s640/blogger-image--1477498580.jpg" id="id_d422_acf0_e965_641a" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Accordionist</span></div></div></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7KN9OC1K35CRESlRdLWzxtxrZPFlSQ_mtFHOiZ23t6ftHmU9UnZtQXMtqrPMgNVlzNf6z4L7G8NfVNaM6iRjZGVYHN_v_DDj2q28k-dkAN9T_5jT1_9q1kXJY78WvqGnewLj/s640/blogger-image-1904014070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7KN9OC1K35CRESlRdLWzxtxrZPFlSQ_mtFHOiZ23t6ftHmU9UnZtQXMtqrPMgNVlzNf6z4L7G8NfVNaM6iRjZGVYHN_v_DDj2q28k-dkAN9T_5jT1_9q1kXJY78WvqGnewLj/s640/blogger-image-1904014070.jpg" id="id_4be_c57c_bb62_e38f" style="width: 402px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There have been rumors that the artist may be&nbsp;<b>Queen Beatrix</b>&nbsp;herself because of the logistics involved in surreptitiously installing those pieces in public places. Furthermore, the face of the "fiddler" is &nbsp;said to resemble the queen's husband, Claus.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3. &nbsp;The Royal Concertgebouw</b></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFjfOjFB-iGUANr4MHow9_1qxqFAbXbHrcg8uJ3m1TCReSFDGxGTMwAWQvvZN1sFJ-YxvTjwrwWaBE7srJUlvorDC0KiDk3rGxdGE4f10katguM3RnGMzHw1sQBlWNqvW_G1q/s640/blogger-image-520688018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFjfOjFB-iGUANr4MHow9_1qxqFAbXbHrcg8uJ3m1TCReSFDGxGTMwAWQvvZN1sFJ-YxvTjwrwWaBE7srJUlvorDC0KiDk3rGxdGE4f10katguM3RnGMzHw1sQBlWNqvW_G1q/s640/blogger-image-520688018.jpg" id="id_2e92_d327_9fd0_80cd" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></b></div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-weight: normal;">At</span><span style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">&nbsp;the box office, I couldn't decide whether to take the left side seating or the right. The ticket clerk, trying not to sound dismissive, said "It really doesn't matter."</span></b></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Considered one of the world's best concert halls, Royal Concertgebouw's Main Hall has phenomenal acoustics.</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><a href="https://www.concertgebouw.nl/en/famous-acoustics" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">read about famous acoustics</font></a></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBcnfCgA2tcXIeGIUXnzAyg04PVVms31raIRflWzj1dYMyOVXKk1egR5OUXx2CrmxSp14H7RWc0Do24E8ZQao3qhBnzoOZD4NakUBb9gk5y8ZbaTb2U1-BIUe1m9uWtwMSwD2/s640/blogger-image--1281169911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrBcnfCgA2tcXIeGIUXnzAyg04PVVms31raIRflWzj1dYMyOVXKk1egR5OUXx2CrmxSp14H7RWc0Do24E8ZQao3qhBnzoOZD4NakUBb9gk5y8ZbaTb2U1-BIUe1m9uWtwMSwD2/s640/blogger-image--1281169911.jpg" id="id_3119_b159_ae29_d226" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></span></div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart and me at cocktails during intermission when complimentary drinks were served.&nbsp;Note the shameful state of inappropriate dressing at&nbsp;our otherwise elegant evening.&nbsp;</span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra's First Violin&nbsp;</span><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Tjeerd Top</b><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">&nbsp;delivered&nbsp;an intense, vigorous&nbsp;</span><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Vivaldi</b><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">,&nbsp;the evening's much anticipated&nbsp;</span><i style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Four Seasons</i><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">, a performance that&nbsp;brought the audience to their feet.&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">He then came back to rock a mean&nbsp;</span><b>Led Zeppelin&nbsp;</b><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">turn,&nbsp;</span><i>Stairway to Heaven</i><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">, which generated another standing ovation. And as I quietly intoned "</span><i>Hmmm...makes me wonder,</i><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">" our inappropriate attire felt a little less inappropriate.</span></span></div><h2 style="line-height: 1.5rem; margin: 1.5rem 0px 0px;"><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font size="3"><br></font></b></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font size="3"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>4. &nbsp;L</b><b>airesse Apotheek</b></span></font></div></h2><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1wY3Yrwz9u3Wgel1LvzTWYD2_arEZcxy8H6GGml9IpRhR1ym-3r4QrvGUTqx5Bqf8KB5QOi4NasVFIyUDedxpnp6MVC4yVhUMa4Z33x2QfdsJhKisUVkPR6c2A0wXfln0tjm/s640/blogger-image--2026038943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ1wY3Yrwz9u3Wgel1LvzTWYD2_arEZcxy8H6GGml9IpRhR1ym-3r4QrvGUTqx5Bqf8KB5QOi4NasVFIyUDedxpnp6MVC4yVhUMa4Z33x2QfdsJhKisUVkPR6c2A0wXfln0tjm/s640/blogger-image--2026038943.jpg" id="id_9bfb_4355_6af0_1a65" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A drugstore? On a list of places to see?This drugstore is not like&nbsp;any drugstore I've ever seen or even heard of. It's as&nbsp;courageous in&nbsp;its embrace of both alternative and&nbsp;traditional&nbsp;medicines as it is in its approach to shop design.</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lots of cabinets and shelves being the&nbsp;main requirement, this store is fitted out like a giant chest of drawers. A stout tree trunk stands in the middle, surrounded by a curved wall of little cabinets with doors of green-tinted plexiglass. What could be more intriguing than that?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEFvV1iwzHnY1AvR2qv3k4PfLura0ShvJMogcmjwYb09Tc1D6jJw-KI_H8MVFaTp7UJUcn_p0ZbFRyYnjbgrQLpztrWDBeg4M3Sd9T3eYBbze21brNunW1dlz8nuQBXJmNXEd/s640/blogger-image-1698812059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEFvV1iwzHnY1AvR2qv3k4PfLura0ShvJMogcmjwYb09Tc1D6jJw-KI_H8MVFaTp7UJUcn_p0ZbFRyYnjbgrQLpztrWDBeg4M3Sd9T3eYBbze21brNunW1dlz8nuQBXJmNXEd/s640/blogger-image-1698812059.jpg" id="id_4633_355a_f330_503a" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh yes, an entire&nbsp;wall at the entrance is&nbsp;a floor to ceiling Periodic Table of Elements just like the one we remember from chemistry class in the school lab. Outside walls at curbside also feature similar tables.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFxm1PfiuX5J7Oi2bPo8QuzBQ5B25guphCCif0WM6LYcaKzTOb5m1ZG0zTlQ26ZqmsNkdox5mKE9w3XyiCBtXvIn4T4UrzEgyLhzRPmJiK0mco8EnWWaEfBUUfiB7lGMVJKL3/s640/blogger-image--559224588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFxm1PfiuX5J7Oi2bPo8QuzBQ5B25guphCCif0WM6LYcaKzTOb5m1ZG0zTlQ26ZqmsNkdox5mKE9w3XyiCBtXvIn4T4UrzEgyLhzRPmJiK0mco8EnWWaEfBUUfiB7lGMVJKL3/s640/blogger-image--559224588.jpg" id="id_b38b_a61c_3963_4981" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>5. &nbsp;MOOOI&nbsp;</b><b>Showroom &amp; Brand Store</b></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HD-Vm9q9F_WxC07cUAWYBOLgArHzv43re62XrQsaM5AkuDNGnNwWfTwJTLGwcVFvBURPPTOZHf1x1cxJPuzeel3tXrQXUgqiAxlr_9FU_ZOwTCitdPsymrKL0XLu13_htM9J/s640/blogger-image--760714134.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HD-Vm9q9F_WxC07cUAWYBOLgArHzv43re62XrQsaM5AkuDNGnNwWfTwJTLGwcVFvBURPPTOZHf1x1cxJPuzeel3tXrQXUgqiAxlr_9FU_ZOwTCitdPsymrKL0XLu13_htM9J/s640/blogger-image--760714134.jpg" id="id_db26_c6bd_df67_fb08" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br>Dreamy space in&nbsp;the colorful "De Jordaan"&nbsp;district known for pretty&nbsp;boutiques, stylish stores, florists, trendy restaurants, and art galleries.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Genius designs. Lamps, chairs, upholstery fabrics, rugs, lifestyle. All beautifully displayed.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e8uB60CmGCuHlYaGHdR_UYs1jW5XI_jGeAPS1LXs1uIyacGqRK0Je5DA0VCHgs9Bhq_LUWN10jfXOMjnwqwugtrT3qF4uS2Mp8UtcoYLVlXy2aUFXUpoGZYRFW_BzhVMqsSg/s640/blogger-image-818317150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0e8uB60CmGCuHlYaGHdR_UYs1jW5XI_jGeAPS1LXs1uIyacGqRK0Je5DA0VCHgs9Bhq_LUWN10jfXOMjnwqwugtrT3qF4uS2Mp8UtcoYLVlXy2aUFXUpoGZYRFW_BzhVMqsSg/s640/blogger-image-818317150.jpg" id="id_485c_3c59_3d2e_f3e6" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h3pBwUq0oE4BzNv2l2TcVSFrixA6QTrX5x8qgQeCWoc-gfvLiaMBIuYshrpRz3xiIAGE8bB-n6P_zhqLews9X5xTx0mpFtArPwgJWetKh7RsEZDjaMgpAvD9AY-khSi3GPB_/s640/blogger-image--178599206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-h3pBwUq0oE4BzNv2l2TcVSFrixA6QTrX5x8qgQeCWoc-gfvLiaMBIuYshrpRz3xiIAGE8bB-n6P_zhqLews9X5xTx0mpFtArPwgJWetKh7RsEZDjaMgpAvD9AY-khSi3GPB_/s640/blogger-image--178599206.jpg" id="id_f2e4_8d46_921f_3741" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6wclO44NNu38KW1ba24kYD0ghRLAV9ylnismiLidAvow-eVmgLLQVkIkgKHq7CbsUUzTzi1HZYiTkCDM0xNu8wjwjTBBM8297N_OdDCw6bVjdKmMH3TwRbzxZLu9HQk1zA0s/s640/blogger-image--1601391608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit6wclO44NNu38KW1ba24kYD0ghRLAV9ylnismiLidAvow-eVmgLLQVkIkgKHq7CbsUUzTzi1HZYiTkCDM0xNu8wjwjTBBM8297N_OdDCw6bVjdKmMH3TwRbzxZLu9HQk1zA0s/s640/blogger-image--1601391608.jpg" id="id_34d2_a376_70ff_d356" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</b></div></div></div></div></div></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2663137118669219955'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2663137118669219955'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/my-amsterdam-memories.html' title='My Amsterdam Memories'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKKKuUnHWiAJi8KdACNxcrugUfcIySKMAZZP6x5xvjNwHmS2ufHhLZuZQkyfc3t28oV4gxpLNYrODKTwo7FU2w7UQtANiRqVEPx-epznXCTqy13pzUGKvhzoYi36WLFH1ZzFwv/s72-c/blogger-image-701346657.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8961205161029170388</id><published>2017-08-23T04:07:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T20:24:40.484+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dutch National Opera and Ballet'/><title type='text'>Amsterdam: The City as Art Gallery</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The surprising thing is that not everyone here has become an artist.<br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0fluNcZf-B14w42VVLb5dBlxttRjT3kmOw_sj9mW-MyHeUU9Q2nPLR8Q73_ub1F-dG7PTqal8hCJAPwQqVHkuVPY3oNFp2_ByOulXTH28c16QiL-MgQu_G0GZ-03u6GCPg8B/s640/blogger-image--864860326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0fluNcZf-B14w42VVLb5dBlxttRjT3kmOw_sj9mW-MyHeUU9Q2nPLR8Q73_ub1F-dG7PTqal8hCJAPwQqVHkuVPY3oNFp2_ByOulXTH28c16QiL-MgQu_G0GZ-03u6GCPg8B/s640/blogger-image--864860326.jpg" id="id_a1c8_e36d_f68d_6ec2" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a><br></span></font><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here, street art is exactly that: art in the street, everywhere. I don't mean graffiti or the kind that's&nbsp;illicit, illegal, or done on the fly, furtively, stealthily, although there must be a fair amount of that too. I refer to art that is placed in the centre of every citizen's life, regardless of social background.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8__lwsbEhyTTt9756wH6j8rK6PZHolujmoD0NFFrEYsooJv8TxbP1v4fBjnHqqYyHBy7Tas4aFQhFy4MZBh9z8OBUSYW68u8HcWOZ1A3w6UZ38Isnr_72ijMTXEnKv6HD4Wo/s640/blogger-image-1181168185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8__lwsbEhyTTt9756wH6j8rK6PZHolujmoD0NFFrEYsooJv8TxbP1v4fBjnHqqYyHBy7Tas4aFQhFy4MZBh9z8OBUSYW68u8HcWOZ1A3w6UZ38Isnr_72ijMTXEnKv6HD4Wo/s640/blogger-image-1181168185.jpg" id="id_8eb1_8ee4_84ec_581a" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Even in bad weather, it is photogenic, painterly. And not&nbsp;even the ugliest opera house I've ever seen can ruin the city for me.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUL0PuBwmlBngghJENAEjTgPGRYulgoRR5-zFilLesDn6I2oWjH5MGbHToK68rFeni2Ntqx0yBOX43esYW89nSheq6HgskiVVJqzYOpsdkZDWnDGhJkx0JbcUf1bDoQh2eS_c/s640/blogger-image-27886178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmUL0PuBwmlBngghJENAEjTgPGRYulgoRR5-zFilLesDn6I2oWjH5MGbHToK68rFeni2Ntqx0yBOX43esYW89nSheq6HgskiVVJqzYOpsdkZDWnDGhJkx0JbcUf1bDoQh2eS_c/s640/blogger-image-27886178.jpg" id="id_ed7e_ea0a_c3d0_8288" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYvaN5epu4Cjw36yW1J5_JdQlYTRyesqDJSah89h6tcaOxY-wAiomLmfROquqHk3qIzMDy4g9kcfXNObeEi3m4M0zqRGC_Z_UCGBNdeeZHc7E4a9A_At93td8C5ReHEQauvNz/s640/blogger-image--257197062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYvaN5epu4Cjw36yW1J5_JdQlYTRyesqDJSah89h6tcaOxY-wAiomLmfROquqHk3qIzMDy4g9kcfXNObeEi3m4M0zqRGC_Z_UCGBNdeeZHc7E4a9A_At93td8C5ReHEQauvNz/s640/blogger-image--257197062.jpg" id="id_c823_61e0_102e_32cc" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The&nbsp;<b>Dutch National Opera &amp; Ballet</b>. It may be functional, sharing space with the town hall, and accessible, standing right on the tram line, so maybe it fulfills the town elders' main requirements for a public-use building. It is however&nbsp;meant to house great art, opera and ballet. Yet it is butt-ugly.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If anyone were to come up with a plan for a new city and the planned city were to be like Amsterdam, look like it, work like it, it's doubtful the project would ever see the light of day.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyE9w29lZfL8QWMzEhMH4lTAiDv8Vk-TWNFvPTxo6rg6PvwGIQR8bOmvQa7UVk_055u2E37KXFRitnIt_xV2xWPvSRr0jLOFxUFhWNJulLrl8kDgDryzcfzZ5FqDYQ3LPj5cp/s640/blogger-image-129240263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyE9w29lZfL8QWMzEhMH4lTAiDv8Vk-TWNFvPTxo6rg6PvwGIQR8bOmvQa7UVk_055u2E37KXFRitnIt_xV2xWPvSRr0jLOFxUFhWNJulLrl8kDgDryzcfzZ5FqDYQ3LPj5cp/s640/blogger-image-129240263.jpg" id="id_84f8_fac5_5fc1_5a28" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Amsterdam is an anomaly. It's not supposed to exist&nbsp;even, or to survive as long as it has, much less to succeed as well as it has. It's an impossibility. Not viable. Yet, here it is. Glorious and eminently livable.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-MkkfXT-kodDIE_J0ecyeTQWCpbB6jX2x_6A57i742Vklg2sY2m37ahhMU31DsvsIVDQuZD7IBbOli1oh7WpPEVsc8eCI4p-reTQx73ck8Vj417QfEsiZzeChiA3fAm7AoD1/s640/blogger-image--1549784320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH-MkkfXT-kodDIE_J0ecyeTQWCpbB6jX2x_6A57i742Vklg2sY2m37ahhMU31DsvsIVDQuZD7IBbOli1oh7WpPEVsc8eCI4p-reTQx73ck8Vj417QfEsiZzeChiA3fAm7AoD1/s640/blogger-image--1549784320.jpg" id="id_fc85_2a8f_919e_96cc" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5Nyupcjtdhs5KXi28frm1mTU42kIe5Beyq9stwUogXph_f_lVLEyGutGU8uxZv1WeiCXshbgsBPAYmFUNfSO2QmjeO6bbUYeDcYnXjnTHZ4YAZQSv7BtPVNFVrsPxqQMNRXo/s640/blogger-image--2081388860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn5Nyupcjtdhs5KXi28frm1mTU42kIe5Beyq9stwUogXph_f_lVLEyGutGU8uxZv1WeiCXshbgsBPAYmFUNfSO2QmjeO6bbUYeDcYnXjnTHZ4YAZQSv7BtPVNFVrsPxqQMNRXo/s640/blogger-image--2081388860.jpg" id="id_35a4_d7fd_4622_d1ed" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNn8-FAOHP0cE4wwAgriM7yUgLl4PodqfBLmJNoZ38IXvBZ6rWvRsK5nXTEmGEDpKcPWOi52o5_zNQ6VI_mssqQcu0HPGAxVD6eEpW2fKV3vDYm687Ps_bn8bgPaWsXCsN11t/s640/blogger-image-1808227837.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNn8-FAOHP0cE4wwAgriM7yUgLl4PodqfBLmJNoZ38IXvBZ6rWvRsK5nXTEmGEDpKcPWOi52o5_zNQ6VI_mssqQcu0HPGAxVD6eEpW2fKV3vDYm687Ps_bn8bgPaWsXCsN11t/s640/blogger-image-1808227837.jpg" id="id_158c_cf4e_e1b1_86e3" style="width: 420px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8961205161029170388'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8961205161029170388'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/amsterdam-city-as-art-gallery.html' title='Amsterdam: The City as Art Gallery'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0fluNcZf-B14w42VVLb5dBlxttRjT3kmOw_sj9mW-MyHeUU9Q2nPLR8Q73_ub1F-dG7PTqal8hCJAPwQqVHkuVPY3oNFp2_ByOulXTH28c16QiL-MgQu_G0GZ-03u6GCPg8B/s72-c/blogger-image--864860326.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8098334159968439650</id><published>2017-08-18T13:21:00.003+08:00</published><updated>2023-07-04T04:18:23.748+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='half-timber houses'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Siegfried's Mechanica Music Cabinet Museum'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Franconia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mitleburg'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Germany'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lorelei'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='rococo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Würzburg Residence'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bavaria'/><title type='text'>Lorelei, musical toys, and not just another bloody church</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Nuremberg</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm fascinated with the doors of the&nbsp;<b>Church of&nbsp;St Sebald</b>. I have yet to figure out what the sculptures mean though.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJVLY2NoLdc6pFziAi5JBN934VULdh5kURy0eIk8wzzJJCLTfo_hiHG6w1wXO9t69vc9bbK17duWhn_FAZXFnjsBv8M_2qGqqtC8Lb08ers-ndg6Gl8Myzk_dMgyEXp1zdyd-/s640/blogger-image--808227010.jpg" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" id="id_8b9a_39a5_1759_10be" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJVLY2NoLdc6pFziAi5JBN934VULdh5kURy0eIk8wzzJJCLTfo_hiHG6w1wXO9t69vc9bbK17duWhn_FAZXFnjsBv8M_2qGqqtC8Lb08ers-ndg6Gl8Myzk_dMgyEXp1zdyd-/s640/blogger-image--808227010.jpg" style="height: auto; width: 360px;" /></span></a></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Würzburg</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've opted out of most of the cruise's morning tours, with notable exceptions. And&nbsp;Würzburg's tour was one of these exceptions. No matter that it started at the ungodly time of 8:30 a.m. <b>Cruise Director Andrej </b>had all but implored me not to miss it, particularly for Tieopolo's frescoes. I always take Andrej's advice.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b>Würzburg Residence</b>&nbsp;was commissioned in 1720 by&nbsp;</span>Prince Bishop Johann Philipp Franz Schönborn<span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">. Built to his&nbsp;</span>megalomaniacal specifications as his residence in town, i<span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">t&nbsp;</span>has over 400 rooms for him&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">and</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">&nbsp;his 300 staff.&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Between&nbsp;Giambattista&nbsp;<b>Tiepolo</b>, the greatest fresco painter&nbsp;of the 18th century and "ornamentation genius"&nbsp;Antonio&nbsp;<b>Bossi</b>, along with&nbsp;Architect Balthasar&nbsp;<b>Neumann</b>&nbsp;and his assembled team of &nbsp;Europe's&nbsp;greatest artists and artisans of the day, they produced what would be called<b>&nbsp;<i>"Würzburg rococo"</i></b>.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This exuberant German variation of the rococo style is gloriously demonstrated in&nbsp;the palace's grandiose staircase and&nbsp;vestibule with Tiepolo's over-populated ceiling frescoes, the White Hall featuring&nbsp;Bossi's exquisite stucco work (those brocade swags!), and the stupefyingly ornate Mirror&nbsp;Cabinet.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sadly, no photography of any kind was allowed inside. The guide said no pictures, flash or no flash, camera, phone, etc...you get the picture. No pictures!</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Miltenburg</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Delightful old town of incredibly well-preserved medieval half-timber and early stone houses.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Rüdesheim</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I looked forward to this more than anything else they told us we would see on our tours.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Siegfried's Mechanical Music Cabinet Museum</b>&nbsp;is a dreamy collection of antique mechanical musical instruments, mostly restored to working order by the collector himself. A mockup of his workshop is part of the collection housed in a medieval knight's residence containing frescoes dating back to 1542.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was a magical feeling, to be surrounded by this&nbsp;fantastical collection of imaginatively dreamed-up and&nbsp;masterfully&nbsp;created objects of absolute beauty and wonder. Exquisite little snuff boxes, ornately decorated little music boxes you wind up to have the tiny little birds inside sing and flap their wings, miniature merry-go-rounds with painted figures in them, pianolas, calliopes, crank-up Victrolas, a giant orchestrion with 27 automated dolls each playing a different instrument...</span></div>
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<span face="&quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was a child in a toy shop. Only better. This was a magical toy shop for grownup me.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Lorelei Gorge of the Rhine</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stunning views of steep cliffs dotted with lofty castles. On a sharp bend of the Rhine, a sculpture&nbsp;perches on a rock face.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span face="&quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This statue depicts&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue Light&quot;, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Lorelei</b><span face="&quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, the beautiful but vengeful maiden of Germanic lore who, having been jilted by her lover, wages war on all men. She lures unsuspecting fishermen to their death, seducing them with her beautiful singing voice, and causing them to crash their boats upon the rocks.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Cathedral of Cologne</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By this stage of our fourteen-day cruise along the Danube through to the Rhine, from Budapest to Amsterdam, some of us were "churched out" or as one guide described it, we were tiring of the ABC part of our tour. Another Bloody Church!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But this church, I had to see. I must admit though that I found the exterior more fascinating than the interior.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Outside the church, various parts of the venerable old structure lie on the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Portions of the building, some of which date back to 1248, are much too fragile, the ancient sandstone too soft, to withstand deep cleaning. The only option is replacement. An onsite workshop performs the continuing process of replacement and reinforcement.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A priceless fragment of medieval architecture sadly defaced, here used as an ashtray.&nbsp;</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8098334159968439650'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8098334159968439650'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/a-woman-scorned-musical-toys-and-not_18.html' title='Lorelei, musical toys, and not just another bloody church'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJVLY2NoLdc6pFziAi5JBN934VULdh5kURy0eIk8wzzJJCLTfo_hiHG6w1wXO9t69vc9bbK17duWhn_FAZXFnjsBv8M_2qGqqtC8Lb08ers-ndg6Gl8Myzk_dMgyEXp1zdyd-/s72-c/blogger-image--808227010.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2182651798674563312</id><published>2017-08-10T03:28:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2017-08-12T17:45:07.419+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grinzing Church'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Vienna Supreme Orchestra'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='August Moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Albertina'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='new wine'/><title type='text'>Vienna Woods, Viennese Waltz, and the August Moon</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In thrice-restored medieval <b>Grinzing Church</b> on the edge of the Vienna woods, local&nbsp;guide Siggy sings a song from the Middle Ages. She explains that the acoustics of early medieval churches differs from that of late G</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">othic ones. Music and songs of certain historical periods sound best in the</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;architecture they were designed for.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">At a country vintner's tavern, folksy music as we sample the local new wine. A bunch of pine twigs hangs at the entrance of the&nbsp;<i>heuriger. </i>This&nbsp;means the tavern is open and serves the new wine.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the opulent <b>Albertina Museum </b>that&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">evening, the <b>Vienna Supreme Orchestra&nbsp;</b>takes us to the magical world of Viennese music: grand and memorable, unapologetically happy and optimistic. Operatic arias, balletic waltzes, and a delightful <i>ländler</i></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;from the <i>Sound of Music</i>.</span></div>
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Plainsong in a medieval church, folk music and&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">new wine </span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">in the Vienna woods, the&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Strauss</b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;family,&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Mozart</b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">, </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Schubert</b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">, and&nbsp;more in a gilded ballroom...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Plus a glorious full August Moon.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">At</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">&nbsp;the dock with&nbsp;<b>Donau</b></span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">stadt Church</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-align: left;">&nbsp;in the distance</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Silvery moon river on the inky black Danube as we sail off past midnight</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">And finally, as we prepare to cross into Lower Bavaria</span></td></tr>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2182651798674563312'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2182651798674563312'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/strauss-mozart-vienna-woods-and-august.html' title='Vienna Woods, Viennese Waltz, and the August Moon'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXfBHpWsK6nOvAqZS2p4-cAnLSrlr5cgCKnDNMQigYYhRwTbmZgqfpXVtw438IOEbuRUprLNueP1ajfeRW-usccfJ31EG_SassIsQr1hlLEqNytvGaPx9O05CrGICdkhhXs5KH/s72-c/blogger-image--310142691.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3985685375213192309</id><published>2017-08-06T17:21:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T20:27:41.190+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='riverboat cruise'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Europe'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Holiday'/><title type='text'>Rolling on the river</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If, like me, you don't consider cruising your first choice for getting away, you may, like me, find a river cruise quite a revelation.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">On a scale way below that of&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">the</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">monster floating cities littering the waters of the world,&nbsp;</span>the&nbsp;<i>Avalon Impression</i>,&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">with all of 86 passengers onboard has turned out to be just what I wanted.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></div><div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Setting&nbsp;off from&nbsp;Budapest to Amsterdam&nbsp;under a full August Moon was pure magic.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIRBqkMPnmmRlocajChQWSqVh-VI_IfHBy-p01A-ccfx5HS0HAWH7B_Abc-9VEj0oBUcpgiF-Kj8mxU9D19BNj76JnJ-Hmhlax2GdGzvNxCd3w5MiZjQTao9Jr4Igr7f0X37n/s640/blogger-image--1783788425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIRBqkMPnmmRlocajChQWSqVh-VI_IfHBy-p01A-ccfx5HS0HAWH7B_Abc-9VEj0oBUcpgiF-Kj8mxU9D19BNj76JnJ-Hmhlax2GdGzvNxCd3w5MiZjQTao9Jr4Igr7f0X37n/s640/blogger-image--1783788425.jpg" id="id_3494_112f_fe0d_7b84" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></div></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div><div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Obviously, river cruises are not for everyone. Should you take the plunge?</span></div><div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Go if you think holidays are for resting your body and reviving your soul.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Go if you don't consider it a waste of time to sit on the foredeck, a drink close at hand, reading or&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">daydreaming&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">until you're called to another fabulous meal by the ship's very able Chef Heryanto.</span></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Go if you like non-working holidays. By which I mean no pressure to hike that path, to climb that mountain, to ford that stream, or indeed to tick off that bucket list item.</span></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"></div></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Finally, go if you're not holidaying with kids. You won't like it if they stay glued to their iPhones between meals. Or during.&nbsp;That is of course, if they haven't jumped ship before you even reach the first lock.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Otherwise, go. It's the perfect way to get away.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyUH1PzmTo6SnssYtYH0S134LIGpmfsPAIGPFYsdwd5RcBd_2Bimz4-28KlhNrHdUbKZHXzH3mMwka0zryPWKamEbgrRA9AdjqGsRPRpeByd4pVHR3eQkiN9Y4nXRhi9dVlm1/s640/blogger-image-1705052849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieyUH1PzmTo6SnssYtYH0S134LIGpmfsPAIGPFYsdwd5RcBd_2Bimz4-28KlhNrHdUbKZHXzH3mMwka0zryPWKamEbgrRA9AdjqGsRPRpeByd4pVHR3eQkiN9Y4nXRhi9dVlm1/s640/blogger-image-1705052849.jpg" id="id_b823_a86f_cf2d_fc06" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3985685375213192309'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3985685375213192309'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/rolling-on-river.html' title='Rolling on the river'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIRBqkMPnmmRlocajChQWSqVh-VI_IfHBy-p01A-ccfx5HS0HAWH7B_Abc-9VEj0oBUcpgiF-Kj8mxU9D19BNj76JnJ-Hmhlax2GdGzvNxCd3w5MiZjQTao9Jr4Igr7f0X37n/s72-c/blogger-image--1783788425.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4283001626994794914</id><published>2017-08-02T22:19:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T20:28:25.377+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Budapest Hilton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Corinthia Hotel'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><title type='text'>Photogenic Budapest</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It would be hard to find a better vantage point than right here...at our bedroom window.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We're in the heart of the&nbsp;<b>Castle District,</b>&nbsp;a UNESCO World Heritage Site, flanked by&nbsp;<b>Buda</b>'s twin architectural treasures,&nbsp;<b>Fisherman's Bastion&nbsp;</b>and&nbsp;<b>Matthias Church</b>.&nbsp;&nbsp;I'm sure local purists object to&nbsp;a hotel chain&nbsp;taking over&nbsp;this venerable spot but I'm certainly not complaining.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_Z_dmJun_dQUZFx8fsICyrQQeSFCEKa4ZHL2k-Ou8v2O-VUPEZybOSMTiwxcP46JI_cEYGuvrLq-8HGhNl7FcAC6NV8tBcykmhFQG835lWdXrtfdTICAg5tfNiQU3AEtvO-m/s640/blogger-image-759766729.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_Z_dmJun_dQUZFx8fsICyrQQeSFCEKa4ZHL2k-Ou8v2O-VUPEZybOSMTiwxcP46JI_cEYGuvrLq-8HGhNl7FcAC6NV8tBcykmhFQG835lWdXrtfdTICAg5tfNiQU3AEtvO-m/s640/blogger-image-759766729.jpg" id="id_5c66_31fc_fa27_5a6a" style="width: 409px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A glowing half moon prepares to set behind the fairytale roof and bell tower of Matthias Church.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2igZR1jwPd1o6WuLC5R43ftMNF3kG7vmYdrrk0HjDAlw2nEYk3b2LXp4nP3WZj9XZrByFIifmtSDGxaiY7cuLsGZoQRFFsZ4gsMhtgPIqDTp2c4D-Fa7N7kTWhhIDubShYoX/s640/blogger-image-735425473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo2igZR1jwPd1o6WuLC5R43ftMNF3kG7vmYdrrk0HjDAlw2nEYk3b2LXp4nP3WZj9XZrByFIifmtSDGxaiY7cuLsGZoQRFFsZ4gsMhtgPIqDTp2c4D-Fa7N7kTWhhIDubShYoX/s640/blogger-image-735425473.jpg" id="id_c7b_93e7_84b3_7764" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Early next morning ...I just had to see what dawn would be like...quickly went back to bed after taking a picture...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbw6HvIFUue5DsxpmTUjondvrIHgcuERjVSDNxUXWZVnXjX0UChKQsMJgANR40F8zFI3SoH1AYXnf42uWwR0vBuXpvd2tEsbLqfAi0MJ7kSs-ugpNHmFt3dpQJonYzzaHb16X/s640/blogger-image-1402400646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimbw6HvIFUue5DsxpmTUjondvrIHgcuERjVSDNxUXWZVnXjX0UChKQsMJgANR40F8zFI3SoH1AYXnf42uWwR0vBuXpvd2tEsbLqfAi0MJ7kSs-ugpNHmFt3dpQJonYzzaHb16X/s640/blogger-image-1402400646.jpg" id="id_6813_a4f4_75fa_ca47" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A flock of white balloons float in the shimmering evening air above a wedding party in Fisherman's Bastion.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikEhtiTjbTks7tLpY8GDFrqbCsNUZOO0yoXRputImFLHfM-ngJEVL5HEK-P-yHGrm95CGZg8mgMwRjojBd_aSeeJsUrI6yemDG8WPwev9Q3JNANn4Gz88PI-AKmchZDvcP_Fp/s640/blogger-image-1567317765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikEhtiTjbTks7tLpY8GDFrqbCsNUZOO0yoXRputImFLHfM-ngJEVL5HEK-P-yHGrm95CGZg8mgMwRjojBd_aSeeJsUrI6yemDG8WPwev9Q3JNANn4Gz88PI-AKmchZDvcP_Fp/s640/blogger-image-1567317765.jpg" id="id_35b4_b74c_4a01_c77a" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We tried two nearby places for lunch:&nbsp;<b>Maison&nbsp;</b>and&nbsp;<b>St George</b>. Nice enough but not really memorable.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've moved across the river to&nbsp;<b>Pest</b>. Wilting under the relentless dry heat of the late Hungarian summer, today made nearly unbearable by the heatwave now sweeping across Europe, I had to give up my exploration of the Jewish quarter. It's early evening and still 36 degrees.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've also abandoned our more adventurous dinner plans and booked a second dinner at the delightful&nbsp;<b>Bock Bistro</b>&nbsp;downstairs of our hotel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4283001626994794914'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4283001626994794914'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/photogenic-budapest.html' title='Photogenic Budapest'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD_Z_dmJun_dQUZFx8fsICyrQQeSFCEKa4ZHL2k-Ou8v2O-VUPEZybOSMTiwxcP46JI_cEYGuvrLq-8HGhNl7FcAC6NV8tBcykmhFQG835lWdXrtfdTICAg5tfNiQU3AEtvO-m/s72-c/blogger-image-759766729.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2855145892257404477</id><published>2017-07-26T22:36:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T20:28:56.203+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sick'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='IOLANTA'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ararat Park Hyatt Moscow'/><title type='text'>In three days, we leave this lovely city</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In three days, we leave this lovely city for&nbsp;<b>Budapest</b>. My cough should be gone by then. It better be. We go on a river cruise the following week.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I&nbsp;hate to say this but I'm sick again. Once again, I'm on holiday in a fabulous place, and I've got a god awful cough.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've had to cancel&nbsp;our week in&nbsp;<b>St Petersburg&nbsp;</b>where our hotel room stands empty; they keep emailing us anxiously awaiting our arrival and being "distressed over (my) illness."&nbsp;</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've offered Sergei&nbsp;and his wife our hotel room and tickets to Sunday's &nbsp;<i><b>IOLANTA</b></i>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<b>Mariinsky</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sergei Akopov&nbsp;<a href="http://www.akopovsergei.com/#Top">akopovsergei.com</a>&nbsp;was our private guide, our brilliant guide two years ago at the&nbsp;<b>Hermitage</b>, solely responsible for our desire to immediately come back and see more of his beautiful country.&nbsp;&nbsp;I wonder if they can use the plane tickets to Moscow too?</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">It's a beautiful sunny day and I have to content myself with looking out from a wnidow. I've made myself a window seat with&nbsp;</span>cushions from an armchair...lovely soft cushy leather...I think people on the street can see me...they keep looking...yesterday I sat here until evening...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZTuXxOe9IsYci8tyXgV_vtMlvCPYK7vGlOUbamhrm2RNB57ce-sXG53Wofm-lHkFE4Yx3K3ZVjW5Y0NpLU6dzou8t-_YU4mqntYDtjqHUaUc2zUPf6-KeWpFjXrr6Phr3Lq3/s640/blogger-image--378253314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZTuXxOe9IsYci8tyXgV_vtMlvCPYK7vGlOUbamhrm2RNB57ce-sXG53Wofm-lHkFE4Yx3K3ZVjW5Y0NpLU6dzou8t-_YU4mqntYDtjqHUaUc2zUPf6-KeWpFjXrr6Phr3Lq3/s640/blogger-image--378253314.jpg" id="id_4426_9a99_670b_546e" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Elina at the Front Office has sent me a&nbsp;sweet get well note along with a&nbsp;huge bowl of fruits and a big plate of fresh berries with lovely fresh cream and icing sugar.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What am I to do with all this food? I still have to deal with my huge breakfast on the trolley...</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDvVkbRR7ls4ZMPU96b8cxEfAwn-wu3-fNSoRfSgZ9epiRRQQgGJmGo3R55mYzJJFoBbRyovRIUsQ9gCvAwbBPnAcxU1m8Mape22GZm8AGQsUrNjsgogkwHgrK_jAVGi7vWS1/s640/blogger-image-645469009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimDvVkbRR7ls4ZMPU96b8cxEfAwn-wu3-fNSoRfSgZ9epiRRQQgGJmGo3R55mYzJJFoBbRyovRIUsQ9gCvAwbBPnAcxU1m8Mape22GZm8AGQsUrNjsgogkwHgrK_jAVGi7vWS1/s640/blogger-image-645469009.jpg" id="id_259f_42e2_f146_2dd" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I seem to get sick a lot while traveling lately. I really must try and get healthier as this cannot keep happening to me!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One thing's certain: if I must be sick on holiday, there's no better place to be than at the gorgeous&nbsp;<b>Ararat&nbsp;Park Hyatt</b>, where everyone wishes me well and takes excellent care of me. From GM<b>&nbsp;</b>Stephen<b>&nbsp;</b>Ansell, to Concierge, to Front Office, to Housekeeping, and to my phone pal&nbsp;Anastasia in Room Service who knows what I want without having to ask.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div></div></div></div></div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2855145892257404477'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2855145892257404477'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/07/in-three-days-we-leave-this-lovely-city.html' title='In three days, we leave this lovely city'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZTuXxOe9IsYci8tyXgV_vtMlvCPYK7vGlOUbamhrm2RNB57ce-sXG53Wofm-lHkFE4Yx3K3ZVjW5Y0NpLU6dzou8t-_YU4mqntYDtjqHUaUc2zUPf6-KeWpFjXrr6Phr3Lq3/s72-c/blogger-image--378253314.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2773164041155063032</id><published>2017-07-21T19:33:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-07T20:30:31.017+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ballet'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wine'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>Moscow Diary</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>From Russia with Love ❤️</b><br></span><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHWh8BOtTjHT96CQQlFWwyVzTD6CbBeb12572FAD7dFg7BWjfF3YMONitzGozlC1HFnl43iRc0rKMjnHdW6yi8jGfdYzteEbzlYft4OCdJRJboLI3h6CLZ14iFcCn1GpkHNME/s640/blogger-image-1050090675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHWh8BOtTjHT96CQQlFWwyVzTD6CbBeb12572FAD7dFg7BWjfF3YMONitzGozlC1HFnl43iRc0rKMjnHdW6yi8jGfdYzteEbzlYft4OCdJRJboLI3h6CLZ14iFcCn1GpkHNME/s640/blogger-image-1050090675.jpg" id="id_4012_a56e_67ab_9c8c" style="width: 456px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Love at first sight:&nbsp;<b>City Center.</b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT46so2o9plQ7Ib0BdRj8D3qlwnHTg7bh15UB5EF3VmR2JZ9lgQWNLtfJN_lLWo8tegwfsGc6Z9neMAI4gWAA7Zzsh5m334NvlLvo1cT8L6pBvwbJJY0dhipF5P4mTcv42PLFG/s640/blogger-image--1049765473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT46so2o9plQ7Ib0BdRj8D3qlwnHTg7bh15UB5EF3VmR2JZ9lgQWNLtfJN_lLWo8tegwfsGc6Z9neMAI4gWAA7Zzsh5m334NvlLvo1cT8L6pBvwbJJY0dhipF5P4mTcv42PLFG/s640/blogger-image--1049765473.jpg" id="id_a4a2_b213_8332_914f" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOOYoKUOL2_DFVaRPqn-NSfHUZy9SdIrLxaRhwoH0w6_ltN-TmyhsFNljunL4NQNBZ4Kj9koIu7kiHP2hWxl9wZbk_669FUpPy4Kwf8eCTBmVSkFaK4Mn-Rdp1-m-pESm_FO_/s640/blogger-image-903081118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMOOYoKUOL2_DFVaRPqn-NSfHUZy9SdIrLxaRhwoH0w6_ltN-TmyhsFNljunL4NQNBZ4Kj9koIu7kiHP2hWxl9wZbk_669FUpPy4Kwf8eCTBmVSkFaK4Mn-Rdp1-m-pESm_FO_/s640/blogger-image-903081118.jpg" id="id_c77f_fcc9_c0af_23af" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pushkin, Dostoevsky, Tchaikovsky, Nabokov, Pasternak, Tolstoy, Solzhenitsyn, Khrushchev, Gorbachev, Putin.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's all the Russian I know. Also,&nbsp;<i>das vedanya&nbsp;</i>(which I've since learned should be&nbsp;<i>d</i><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>o svidaniya</i>&nbsp;anyway)</span><em style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">&nbsp;</em>and&nbsp;<i>cpacibo</i><i>.&nbsp;</i>So, everything here is new and exciting!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the&nbsp;<b>Kremlin</b>, honor guard shoe inspection.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrpyU1Ix-YK5JnTwqsPw2DPCk-hDfrhWwknXNTkpYwGWSoP4BkBNowM-b-QVez1-YqMlSvUAH32C-uU6rssJ7bLvTsLqHADr6rb4xhmX2RGRO2A08uKn228TEar80rpUPu7TM/s640/blogger-image--106616662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrpyU1Ix-YK5JnTwqsPw2DPCk-hDfrhWwknXNTkpYwGWSoP4BkBNowM-b-QVez1-YqMlSvUAH32C-uU6rssJ7bLvTsLqHADr6rb4xhmX2RGRO2A08uKn228TEar80rpUPu7TM/s640/blogger-image--106616662.jpg" id="id_f8f2_348b_81bc_4163" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Reaching out to someone on high, the&nbsp;<b>Cathedral of St Basil</b>&nbsp;is certain&nbsp;to catch somebody's attention.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof_a2iEnJr9wZGsLfjumxgIcbeZ-0Rm6defwvsFi6u89FGP7JB8wqhJDhzV-EpuDVnjCDvH_qq84me1r5qOQ60Fdsj6qvYVSyt7fl25xnkm0oMY7KHbJM7fBCwUeA_LE_A-TJ/s640/blogger-image-1862437444.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof_a2iEnJr9wZGsLfjumxgIcbeZ-0Rm6defwvsFi6u89FGP7JB8wqhJDhzV-EpuDVnjCDvH_qq84me1r5qOQ60Fdsj6qvYVSyt7fl25xnkm0oMY7KHbJM7fBCwUeA_LE_A-TJ/s640/blogger-image-1862437444.jpg" id="id_b567_efac_3527_c545" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Kitsch and patriots, blinis and caviar at&nbsp;<b>Doctor Zhivago Café.&nbsp;</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJp9ncCPPI1x4pLYcxoiGTUM25jAwuqL0z_UDmrxA4ci9-wKKEZFdpWdqcwHplmeg635LlWPSh4ESOIOTvYaZWaAdM-tc_cK31z-QmjzyBRnGgGq0MDtTvRzipoZgyPn1JclJo/s640/blogger-image-165194670.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJp9ncCPPI1x4pLYcxoiGTUM25jAwuqL0z_UDmrxA4ci9-wKKEZFdpWdqcwHplmeg635LlWPSh4ESOIOTvYaZWaAdM-tc_cK31z-QmjzyBRnGgGq0MDtTvRzipoZgyPn1JclJo/s640/blogger-image-165194670.jpg" id="id_af83_35be_3bf6_ca8f" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Camp Russian socialist decor in grand white on white space with bright red accents. Perfect venue for our first outing in Moscow, great introduction to genuine local fare.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9UEAKQHSKMlZe0CejsIb37Mjc_TN-vSK_8daWXKTvvlOKqrkdiq_M1UojMeQ9RVqz84C_izw3BqdMxSYseMxfyCgXLKD5dcsQ_fOZlgtZOSBYfFGkUL7zQEEP_7K2e_khhsd/s640/blogger-image--1167874461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW9UEAKQHSKMlZe0CejsIb37Mjc_TN-vSK_8daWXKTvvlOKqrkdiq_M1UojMeQ9RVqz84C_izw3BqdMxSYseMxfyCgXLKD5dcsQ_fOZlgtZOSBYfFGkUL7zQEEP_7K2e_khhsd/s640/blogger-image--1167874461.jpg" id="id_4bad_f4ba_fa6e_780d" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>Bolshoi's</b>&nbsp;<b>Le Nozze di&nbsp;Figaro</b>. Brilliant!&nbsp;Most enjoyable opera ever!</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlrH93yMWmm4IFZgmZ602xsG19aCmzP9ksLAzlrWwyT_muXfqdi6XZI_nTuAoBt5_hZFhFilf6926eAABInz6jBLOvl6Huya1oCGJT5jiT50C2wZaDS4QVIy0T1gkw6-27xxR/s640/blogger-image-1736060908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQlrH93yMWmm4IFZgmZ602xsG19aCmzP9ksLAzlrWwyT_muXfqdi6XZI_nTuAoBt5_hZFhFilf6926eAABInz6jBLOvl6Huya1oCGJT5jiT50C2wZaDS4QVIy0T1gkw6-27xxR/s640/blogger-image-1736060908.jpg" id="id_ff5d_137a_d329_2334" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVvq_OsXj7P1beFSXlrFUF_g9MvLELrYNNsVCICwNg1ZAKuN1PEOHs6cOS9jS5J02VEavYrCWEAIB4fuUBabv541rKb9gpz29uvZN2EgbKgq-maJCGV_26gxBhuXGwZJ9NN3t/s640/blogger-image-426961722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVvq_OsXj7P1beFSXlrFUF_g9MvLELrYNNsVCICwNg1ZAKuN1PEOHs6cOS9jS5J02VEavYrCWEAIB4fuUBabv541rKb9gpz29uvZN2EgbKgq-maJCGV_26gxBhuXGwZJ9NN3t/s640/blogger-image-426961722.jpg" id="id_c054_9fbf_be5_f0ae" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUexGvLqDDWAsY2HuCNJ99AWD0747pspxy77RYGCOwHeHbEF-YXt0Q5ZnXenPAc7rSheFktASPwQiNfJUiQM0poRPFVThfOhccJ0rzxDHme6leVyGVcBPNVhRYXjC_Az1cqA9x/s640/blogger-image-973858574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUexGvLqDDWAsY2HuCNJ99AWD0747pspxy77RYGCOwHeHbEF-YXt0Q5ZnXenPAc7rSheFktASPwQiNfJUiQM0poRPFVThfOhccJ0rzxDHme6leVyGVcBPNVhRYXjC_Az1cqA9x/s640/blogger-image-973858574.jpg" id="id_b645_432c_f28b_15b4" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Bolshoi's New Stage.</b></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">LavkaLavka Farmer's Market Restaurant.</b></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOOueBYcYJTQ4w8JStS69EA4SooJotFthF_xQ-KclfF_2Hmuv2a7c1wC0TFE4q4XhesJAsJBfEuQKTdY5CEEKd6g6Ri329d-GpLIX2OVdZcSfPliJolX-xmshgOUKMERAnadI/s640/blogger-image-741440585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjOOueBYcYJTQ4w8JStS69EA4SooJotFthF_xQ-KclfF_2Hmuv2a7c1wC0TFE4q4XhesJAsJBfEuQKTdY5CEEKd6g6Ri329d-GpLIX2OVdZcSfPliJolX-xmshgOUKMERAnadI/s640/blogger-image-741440585.jpg" id="id_9ad9_a012_6ae6_fd18" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A foodie mecca - love it!&nbsp;Attractive, cozy space, looks like a barn conversion, consistent with avowed farm-to-table ethos.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Food is tasty, simple, unpretentious,&nbsp;inventive, and&nbsp;fiercely local. Service is friendly, attentive, informed.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The menu names the farm where the particular food was sourced. Lots of game, big and small: lamb, mutton, deer, chicken, duck, goose, and fish like wild halibut, cod, and pike perch. I have yet to discover exactly what "of careful preparation" actually means. This description occurs every so often in some menus.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wines are Russian or regional. We tried the&nbsp;Crimean wines. Our waiter Sergei brought me a shot of&nbsp;<i>polugar&nbsp;</i>to taste. This is<i>&nbsp;</i>a kind of<i>&nbsp;</i>bread wine-&nbsp;distilled&nbsp;to 38.5%&nbsp;from grains- which he proudly declared to be&nbsp;the elegant "real vodka of Russia," not the rough vodkas most people are familiar with.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Gorky Park</b>.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQlsnCz5AAyw02bP22n1PZSBIhTIwCHypdbSzcD_Tib3XQO95COioAvHE41QOiZ8tEqVCDvGXVh6oNnJgnx1DFKDS40GyOHpK40ogVWHkP8OhSaeaXsi3rP_oYhbv88664AkP/s640/blogger-image--690353372.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQlsnCz5AAyw02bP22n1PZSBIhTIwCHypdbSzcD_Tib3XQO95COioAvHE41QOiZ8tEqVCDvGXVh6oNnJgnx1DFKDS40GyOHpK40ogVWHkP8OhSaeaXsi3rP_oYhbv88664AkP/s640/blogger-image--690353372.jpg" id="id_d200_a6f3_d7ef_bd0b" style="width: 327px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU69yB2RsvdN3M63vtcLNbuJ_X2xtDv2p5ny998Z5rfdsmfUZes3UiLMcnypUvcPzzMGoo2UNk3FwtQpbkxUEfUAhbNviPydl7sETwh8njrEDfXcEF810kaQjhlwXgRkK00Av7/s640/blogger-image--1861161204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU69yB2RsvdN3M63vtcLNbuJ_X2xtDv2p5ny998Z5rfdsmfUZes3UiLMcnypUvcPzzMGoo2UNk3FwtQpbkxUEfUAhbNviPydl7sETwh8njrEDfXcEF810kaQjhlwXgRkK00Av7/s640/blogger-image--1861161204.jpg" id="id_d429_ffdb_f8b2_a60c" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuSHjZfbnh1ZyeKSvwhiqN-QTHkdstwUdD2RPzE5Ng4GqY2ifZzPBkdKrhnpD3dHm5gB4KzuWTp3e-wlMs9eqfy6HfvRYEw_7v8c501HqlLaVbpVjdW9WE1S2t4TjSJ6M3JjZ/s640/blogger-image--1374144748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuSHjZfbnh1ZyeKSvwhiqN-QTHkdstwUdD2RPzE5Ng4GqY2ifZzPBkdKrhnpD3dHm5gB4KzuWTp3e-wlMs9eqfy6HfvRYEw_7v8c501HqlLaVbpVjdW9WE1S2t4TjSJ6M3JjZ/s640/blogger-image--1374144748.jpg" id="id_112d_8edf_ca80_dec8" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A real people's park:&nbsp;not grand,&nbsp;human in scale,&nbsp;planned for humans not commerce,&nbsp;usable, enjoyable. Lawns for idling under shade trees,&nbsp;a popular walk-in splash fountain, gardens, paintings, sculptures, and even&nbsp;club music for dancing in the daylight surrounded by friendly graffiti.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just off the park is a beautiful<b>&nbsp;</b>Russian Orthodox<b>&nbsp;</b>Church set in a garden, an oasis of calm and serenity. My hotel concierge tells me it's the&nbsp;<b>Church of St Nicolas.</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7SYi_Y1VMc85r7mjki5W7r_mnWv7lTSCEiraSWgcb-Wdlv4CZSpJU_5Emao1hE6Sid7mh6izPSkPnJQwYeCiLMQK9pB6seeulkaQ-sCGWdTBZlxUSuax49FI3F_58C53y1BW/s640/blogger-image--69484981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL7SYi_Y1VMc85r7mjki5W7r_mnWv7lTSCEiraSWgcb-Wdlv4CZSpJU_5Emao1hE6Sid7mh6izPSkPnJQwYeCiLMQK9pB6seeulkaQ-sCGWdTBZlxUSuax49FI3F_58C53y1BW/s640/blogger-image--69484981.jpg" id="id_c1ef_3a5e_40bb_474d" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A group of ladies, heads covered with scarves, tidied up a lovely flower garden as they hurried to the church door. I followed them in and caught part of a religious service. There were hardly more than a dozen in attendance, a priest and a deacon and two ladies at the organ, intoning responses in soft high-pitched voices. There were curious glances but they didn't seem to mind Stuart and me being there.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmA6ATmidt43eplyOhZKTqjfsaPdIbyWKToCeF8_Y2Q_7sFsUPtxvmZ_KxLmG_JfqXBMfdLVQ9KVI94wwOs3f4J4V3_bfIzS92Dond2xG8u79VcHoyBH0t2lEbQtE1Qh659pt/s640/blogger-image--1308048521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqmA6ATmidt43eplyOhZKTqjfsaPdIbyWKToCeF8_Y2Q_7sFsUPtxvmZ_KxLmG_JfqXBMfdLVQ9KVI94wwOs3f4J4V3_bfIzS92Dond2xG8u79VcHoyBH0t2lEbQtE1Qh659pt/s640/blogger-image--1308048521.jpg" id="id_dbb_a8e8_18fd_c83" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pRPtkcv54-ZCZ2ZdT2S7iqwGPTVzwezYMKnMlOTcTvbBlbmoGImRrbpRgyR70IFEeifoNMc11vcgbD3jaF7gknLWcjnTMxErjP8OVuOegL8WGixPIitsRTEFavDBClDBvS2f/s640/blogger-image--1382816605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pRPtkcv54-ZCZ2ZdT2S7iqwGPTVzwezYMKnMlOTcTvbBlbmoGImRrbpRgyR70IFEeifoNMc11vcgbD3jaF7gknLWcjnTMxErjP8OVuOegL8WGixPIitsRTEFavDBClDBvS2f/s640/blogger-image--1382816605.jpg" id="id_2eaa_6a0f_4760_9496" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Tehnikum Gastropub</b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPK9Amk_3GfE-OYCIorfKfnYfQtgv-ZJVuF0M7poNwe7CHTX1gPQnNl54x0HCaezkJKx6bfECVSA7o-0nbQ4fclRtNK2u3nrn9u6Yq0qIOHXEFSCWYbwXkZ9Yu-3ZZTZx-iA3/s640/blogger-image-1547816270.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhPK9Amk_3GfE-OYCIorfKfnYfQtgv-ZJVuF0M7poNwe7CHTX1gPQnNl54x0HCaezkJKx6bfECVSA7o-0nbQ4fclRtNK2u3nrn9u6Yq0qIOHXEFSCWYbwXkZ9Yu-3ZZTZx-iA3/s640/blogger-image-1547816270.jpg" id="id_c6a3_89af_dc3a_61e0" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We can't keep away; we even do take-out! Seriously good everyday food, friendly staff, chic young crowd.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's an extraordinary cutout mural by a local street artist. Downstairs is a secret bar behind a door with a STAFF ONLY sign.<br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the fabulous&nbsp;<b>Moscow Metro.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tqKjSpDqeZteLBqxqp4CA5roYmow69TyZ253xvyK-gQjeQ53GEFGGNdMtusK7TVJrGhVz9DIoQULp_qCZJm89NQgvz_efUAeBx0KuBjc1magv2LqGCPuZbdtq4pqApRBQA1k/s640/blogger-image-1714552551.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1tqKjSpDqeZteLBqxqp4CA5roYmow69TyZ253xvyK-gQjeQ53GEFGGNdMtusK7TVJrGhVz9DIoQULp_qCZJm89NQgvz_efUAeBx0KuBjc1magv2LqGCPuZbdtq4pqApRBQA1k/s640/blogger-image-1714552551.jpg" id="id_9e82_8cd5_b50f_d0c2" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My&nbsp;<b>TROIKA&nbsp;</b>card, key to Moscow's underground palaces for the people.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii6eEnjyHJQMwdBAky4N_Q45e17iP2a59lraMo-hnLJz3bsVsj-QZQPtADYM5RY1VpcSTkesceFCObvWJhTnYmFeA9mWn_LxjFRpbzipZiDkoJ41iyA8hXT6E3Pt5pxvaF9kh/s640/blogger-image-1683369000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiii6eEnjyHJQMwdBAky4N_Q45e17iP2a59lraMo-hnLJz3bsVsj-QZQPtADYM5RY1VpcSTkesceFCObvWJhTnYmFeA9mWn_LxjFRpbzipZiDkoJ41iyA8hXT6E3Pt5pxvaF9kh/s640/blogger-image-1683369000.jpg" id="id_b218_187f_3d22_85e3" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenA1TGpZctVg4VTgzwaApQl_Qyi4ukZ1vF46JrIWBb72bR5q6hRleWLUayK7d3Ayi3h6RMTGg40uhwNl66qgxowmJjqu8kCnzR6rZKXS6U7Dd5YZs-TfLpth5Rmpv5uaIQv2I/s640/blogger-image-2568240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghyphenhyphenA1TGpZctVg4VTgzwaApQl_Qyi4ukZ1vF46JrIWBb72bR5q6hRleWLUayK7d3Ayi3h6RMTGg40uhwNl66qgxowmJjqu8kCnzR6rZKXS6U7Dd5YZs-TfLpth5Rmpv5uaIQv2I/s640/blogger-image-2568240.jpg" id="id_c9f9_3964_15b8_4eb6" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></b></span></div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Komsomolskaya</b>&nbsp;<b>station</b>.</span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh_GM1r9ISTwLan1onpSELmB3L1a5LJNk4MhhUrlAi2H4Ce88OOgmx0zK06yDqeRPPlQ8eG1EWlmaPPIC59-_N9ZBdvj3LX-DrQnThOPpB8uUluOfIyZmmlK9UpLzJIgCAcvY/s640/blogger-image-1281844181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh_GM1r9ISTwLan1onpSELmB3L1a5LJNk4MhhUrlAi2H4Ce88OOgmx0zK06yDqeRPPlQ8eG1EWlmaPPIC59-_N9ZBdvj3LX-DrQnThOPpB8uUluOfIyZmmlK9UpLzJIgCAcvY/s640/blogger-image-1281844181.jpg" id="id_e1ce_20b3_fe64_7421" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mayakovskaya station.&nbsp;</b></div><div><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"></b><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwJOZWIuKJjwYgh_4vYbskHavHDDHpTPTW2JxyFew-tVU3A9zqRVKMqsElaUav0CVOevXh7JkPbbsFpcg3LAG0GdSMveaoLxtW1CtEvC532WdS_YnHoWw1nUI2bOYupeb5RG7/s640/blogger-image--368148874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkwJOZWIuKJjwYgh_4vYbskHavHDDHpTPTW2JxyFew-tVU3A9zqRVKMqsElaUav0CVOevXh7JkPbbsFpcg3LAG0GdSMveaoLxtW1CtEvC532WdS_YnHoWw1nUI2bOYupeb5RG7/s640/blogger-image--368148874.jpg" id="id_d97c_d59d_eb04_e292" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></b></div></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y0-yrA234Pd5eMku35CxYdHdKVSPqfYn90WzoRTkl74ch21fqWdXtFO4DEZsk-QblWAm7XG1hDoEB1TVTtxNoVkO7Lc1M-l3gTNMiSzscMqYzp_39JpLwjyAqLMBKFoQu3Fb/s640/blogger-image-1197868371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3y0-yrA234Pd5eMku35CxYdHdKVSPqfYn90WzoRTkl74ch21fqWdXtFO4DEZsk-QblWAm7XG1hDoEB1TVTtxNoVkO7Lc1M-l3gTNMiSzscMqYzp_39JpLwjyAqLMBKFoQu3Fb/s640/blogger-image-1197868371.jpg" id="id_fee7_c91_7b5d_f6be" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></div>Belorusskaya station.</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"></span><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZpHYLzv5fSDNXuQHqKfUpx6N5u5H6E05-rE-6m-0j_nMP4H6reh_kvGgTqWKw33R_jaZwYIiU4aukrcZiPEsbRsArMoPKNBDtLyra5qpfYvnFNTZWbOrFjB5AcYwOZtO26NL/s640/blogger-image-320429607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZpHYLzv5fSDNXuQHqKfUpx6N5u5H6E05-rE-6m-0j_nMP4H6reh_kvGgTqWKw33R_jaZwYIiU4aukrcZiPEsbRsArMoPKNBDtLyra5qpfYvnFNTZWbOrFjB5AcYwOZtO26NL/s640/blogger-image-320429607.jpg" id="id_c1af_73dc_f167_e2b7" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbWMjzUR93D5vCNubD-ve3nkJped29bBgMQPbX1VDBBTFEuknMa3oK5XuOa3bLAM6nw2AKJhK8JmDQyyjrzLMz-JYyZL1A8o42uq8x-qeXchYwcLi8YB20KEqA4wa6WAaM_Uc/s640/blogger-image--763082367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbWMjzUR93D5vCNubD-ve3nkJped29bBgMQPbX1VDBBTFEuknMa3oK5XuOa3bLAM6nw2AKJhK8JmDQyyjrzLMz-JYyZL1A8o42uq8x-qeXchYwcLi8YB20KEqA4wa6WAaM_Uc/s640/blogger-image--763082367.jpg" id="id_6d42_bc9a_a9a_e14d" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></b></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Prospect Mira Station.</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2udS2MuMbKQ9UgpYeksasLB3tVRX2Sksjibsj1c7-jBJu2m614refkskxNBXJsxBaKhCQxgWKw3Ve_2ojw4YdlEkVqhLTF8q-PeCJ34qCRt_kw0UXXdKwx4GabWLX0o8KI68/s640/blogger-image--710259255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2udS2MuMbKQ9UgpYeksasLB3tVRX2Sksjibsj1c7-jBJu2m614refkskxNBXJsxBaKhCQxgWKw3Ve_2ojw4YdlEkVqhLTF8q-PeCJ34qCRt_kw0UXXdKwx4GabWLX0o8KI68/s640/blogger-image--710259255.jpg" id="id_e7c8_d35a_edc6_db6a" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Escalators are so long and steep with the deepest station going down almost 280 feet underground.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0p_R8OBf5cmosmJpvux38Pf76ACQuyu64jw3U03JPtHYoVn97vQESLbwMYqBXlLSwNrpZ35zML4E8Cqe9VnYO1uPS7RbI_zHl_5hN-9ljNKU-vDfRKHl7YIWkLEhPc38-fHy/s640/blogger-image-2114398595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0p_R8OBf5cmosmJpvux38Pf76ACQuyu64jw3U03JPtHYoVn97vQESLbwMYqBXlLSwNrpZ35zML4E8Cqe9VnYO1uPS7RbI_zHl_5hN-9ljNKU-vDfRKHl7YIWkLEhPc38-fHy/s640/blogger-image-2114398595.jpg" id="id_627d_69c1_6fef_28f0" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_cR5jr54WdxbAKQVJgEDE1ukjrRRYBoQQ-xKh3UZxMCB-tP64nK_LjRdd-5I0-EDbVqlh69ZE60E21B4Cd3yIGvVtGvnGVA2VD9yQytGrPvbFrrgGbHmp6U2sm1XjUTRCGL7/s640/blogger-image--2006340232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_cR5jr54WdxbAKQVJgEDE1ukjrRRYBoQQ-xKh3UZxMCB-tP64nK_LjRdd-5I0-EDbVqlh69ZE60E21B4Cd3yIGvVtGvnGVA2VD9yQytGrPvbFrrgGbHmp6U2sm1XjUTRCGL7/s640/blogger-image--2006340232.jpg" id="id_7bda_b1cf_f00a_a8e5" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></b></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b>Novoslobodskaya&nbsp;</b></span><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">station.</b><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Moscow Metro is not just beautiful to look at. Trains are 99.99% on time and go every two minutes at peak times.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So why don't we ask our hardworking Philippine Congress to donate their pay and pork and spend it all on a Manila Metro?</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Bolshoi Restaurant</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZTE4s7JbPGkJTaGcDfkZv-2hyphenhyphenEg0AtldD_4NZ5K4lMH6dM9ayRLwVSPTee2OM1KmtEchJ9wxYPnwItWkEGQc6SIYfNkADLfSaz2f9OkVp2EPEl94UgI_6Xhic4EP0qonA0x5/s640/blogger-image--2050230869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9ZTE4s7JbPGkJTaGcDfkZv-2hyphenhyphenEg0AtldD_4NZ5K4lMH6dM9ayRLwVSPTee2OM1KmtEchJ9wxYPnwItWkEGQc6SIYfNkADLfSaz2f9OkVp2EPEl94UgI_6Xhic4EP0qonA0x5/s640/blogger-image--2050230869.jpg" id="id_dadc_9fa3_d8b1_d527" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Beautiful space, grownup decor:&nbsp;&nbsp;chandeliers, high ceilings, Corinthian columns,&nbsp;classic black and white hung with contemporary art,&nbsp;impeccably dressed service staff. A cinema-worthy pastry table stands front and center, glorious and decadent, in the main hall.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Delicious food, staunchly European, good efficient service, live jazzy piano music.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Surprisingly casual crowd for the lavish interior- there were shorts and jeans, mine included, among the evening dresses. Same-day&nbsp;Bolshoi Theatre tickets&nbsp;entitle you to a 5% discount.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>White Rabbit Restaurant</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8f_9JgOvJpcIWPUcaYFzgsjesFSZRdcDbPqOMtn3diSc5VEkxYT41KwyG-HE2nnOcfKMGkdzX3l5e1dnhcPic_KFU4DEr9g3EdmhW0_Tw81GuauwDZ9CXuJ8iLxTTyi9gGrl/s640/blogger-image--2132715399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH8f_9JgOvJpcIWPUcaYFzgsjesFSZRdcDbPqOMtn3diSc5VEkxYT41KwyG-HE2nnOcfKMGkdzX3l5e1dnhcPic_KFU4DEr9g3EdmhW0_Tw81GuauwDZ9CXuJ8iLxTTyi9gGrl/s640/blogger-image--2132715399.jpg" id="id_70c8_c9a0_34ca_a8ea" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A total waste of time. Don't even bother. Save your 400 ruble taxi fare.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The first review I saw on the internet said: "One word: terrible."&nbsp;But the second one said nice things: "...excellent food, good service, etc, etc..." &nbsp;So, we went.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I&nbsp;should've listened to the first one.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Food quality ranged from forgettable to no good.&nbsp;My salad had too much dressing; my main course had too much sauce.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Service was poor.&nbsp;We had to ask for proper dinner napkins. We felt we deserved at least that. A stack of paper serviettes in a tin holder was a bit mean, we thought.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This restaurant is rated 23rd on a list of 50 best restaurants of the world in 2017.&nbsp;Go figure!</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the&nbsp;<b>Bolshoi's Main Hall.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiN2a7IAE_2du-R0F__p8AMtY3y1B2OyYEqXFqYgRycbFgojtPfEaByFTj03khUSoz1lDZKeuO0V7Z14j7arhsnc9bpngLKVF892fO5JG3FAL6SW6A4sZfpVeeWmQJ7yLKCJV/s640/blogger-image-1383975666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiiN2a7IAE_2du-R0F__p8AMtY3y1B2OyYEqXFqYgRycbFgojtPfEaByFTj03khUSoz1lDZKeuO0V7Z14j7arhsnc9bpngLKVF892fO5JG3FAL6SW6A4sZfpVeeWmQJ7yLKCJV/s640/blogger-image-1383975666.jpg" id="id_bde4_5b5a_e2f1_f6a4" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></b></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun6LRqoQNDIVz40O8sWAWN_XHt9c07kJ81FxFrbPMFjRCriJ8d3Zs1Izl0lXI2mQP9KPaAu_DCR5hBxMXE5Sd4yMaq7mG11vMMEfKzFUJUG_votn1yPb7XyrmvHfyMH_cnb1I/s640/blogger-image-1872839624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiun6LRqoQNDIVz40O8sWAWN_XHt9c07kJ81FxFrbPMFjRCriJ8d3Zs1Izl0lXI2mQP9KPaAu_DCR5hBxMXE5Sd4yMaq7mG11vMMEfKzFUJUG_votn1yPb7XyrmvHfyMH_cnb1I/s640/blogger-image-1872839624.jpg" id="id_78aa_4746_338d_4d46" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></b></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alas, not the&nbsp;<b>Bolshoi Ballet</b>!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sigh...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwIi4XS3D2JhgtBcPjLszfrrT9biSuI5pcn9_ALuzjU4Ng6IigXgwlhJnkFNxqPDqYtNCSwDiCDOhVkgdnhglPs0LvjkLGakMt8WQZproQciBZBAWmhNsLf77GSaG1bgWaPqL/s640/blogger-image--890910657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpwIi4XS3D2JhgtBcPjLszfrrT9biSuI5pcn9_ALuzjU4Ng6IigXgwlhJnkFNxqPDqYtNCSwDiCDOhVkgdnhglPs0LvjkLGakMt8WQZproQciBZBAWmhNsLf77GSaG1bgWaPqL/s640/blogger-image--890910657.jpg" id="id_6a51_f9ad_a6d5_bb28" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><br></div></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2773164041155063032'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2773164041155063032'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/07/moscow-diary.html' title='Moscow Diary'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpHWh8BOtTjHT96CQQlFWwyVzTD6CbBeb12572FAD7dFg7BWjfF3YMONitzGozlC1HFnl43iRc0rKMjnHdW6yi8jGfdYzteEbzlYft4OCdJRJboLI3h6CLZ14iFcCn1GpkHNME/s72-c/blogger-image-1050090675.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-729449694515270183</id><published>2017-07-20T04:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-08T21:55:57.211+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Eifman Ballet'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bolshoi Theatre'/><title type='text'>Eifman Ballet&#39;s Onegin at The Bolshoi</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let me explain. The evening's ballet was a mistake. Mine.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In my rush to see&nbsp;the&nbsp;<b>Bolshoi Ballet</b>&nbsp;perform,&nbsp;in my&nbsp;eagerness&nbsp;to see inside of&nbsp;the Bolshoi's Main Theatre,&nbsp;and in my excitement to finally see a performance of Eugene Onegin even if the opera- not the ballet- would've been my first choice, I neglected to do my homework on this one.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx46UM9QKujd_rk4Aku2bPmXGesoJsSK1824P_UaegVeJKrxRAAIF2XRyRaR5NyOYymazW7tdv-iKwVFPDs06EfzwFrw5CsEBztc5dpQoLSKsHub7GGNIcP8yVbAxZAZeR8DR7/s640/blogger-image--1352561362.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx46UM9QKujd_rk4Aku2bPmXGesoJsSK1824P_UaegVeJKrxRAAIF2XRyRaR5NyOYymazW7tdv-iKwVFPDs06EfzwFrw5CsEBztc5dpQoLSKsHub7GGNIcP8yVbAxZAZeR8DR7/s640/blogger-image--1352561362.jpg" id="id_dcc1_587d_fd84_d05c" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The blurbs just trumpeted that&nbsp;<i>Onegin</i>&nbsp;was returning to the Bolshoi for the first time in seven years! To be sure, there were more dramatic happenings to talk about, particularly last week's shock cancellation, three days before the scheduled world&nbsp;premiere, of the&nbsp; much-anticipated new ballet&nbsp;<i>Nureyev</i>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I didn't know that the Bolshoi Ballet company was leaving on tour the very next day- spoiler alert! I&nbsp;didn't know&nbsp;that I was not going to a Bolshoi &nbsp;Ballet performance.&nbsp;I didn't know of&nbsp;<b>Boris Eifman</b>&nbsp;or his&nbsp;<b>Eifman Ballet</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wonder what Pushkin would make of this retelling of his beloved tale. His soaring tale of&nbsp;unrequited young love, ennui, tragedy, regret, and honour among Russia's privileged landowning set.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This was more shocking than I expected, even after reading of the anguish that&nbsp;<b>Pushkin</b>&nbsp;devotees felt about&nbsp;<b>John Cranko</b>'s&nbsp;alleged trivialization&nbsp;of&nbsp;<i>Eugene</i>&nbsp;<i>Onegin</i>&nbsp;by turning it into a ballet.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Eifman Ballet&nbsp;really went to town on this one!</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Eifman plays fast and loose with Pushkin's, or for that matter, Cranko's&nbsp;Onegin. The character, here redrawn as an inelegant (maybe sexually ambivalent) first-class brat, loses his way somewhere between the opening number and the "duel scene," where he gets embedded&nbsp;with the "West Side Story" chorus line. &nbsp;It's all downhill from there.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Storyline aside, what did I think of the dancing? Well, skillful the dance moves might be, and they looked torturous, but I expect my ballet to exhilarate, to inspire,&nbsp;to delight,&nbsp;to break my heart, or to be divinely beautiful. This ballet did none of these.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I won't even go into the &nbsp;big production "Thriller"-esque number.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well, we did see inside the Main Theatre. &nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0g_783pkx3yLAYkgpU98BRWjmbHTyXfDf5e8HenkoSPPCTFiSyvwXNk1I925YIEjj9FxshYxjRCNUa45QujRgVixfU-0l2xdAqqR7GlYCnEIwXjiiF3hsCRxGav5lAdAIJLL/s640/blogger-image--930979928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE0g_783pkx3yLAYkgpU98BRWjmbHTyXfDf5e8HenkoSPPCTFiSyvwXNk1I925YIEjj9FxshYxjRCNUa45QujRgVixfU-0l2xdAqqR7GlYCnEIwXjiiF3hsCRxGav5lAdAIJLL/s640/blogger-image--930979928.jpg" id="id_aeb4_b884_958c_60dd" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVrcw30W2uUyOJUg4N3Sh82_lJVF6Q3IYmnlhfKIb5aTT7WV4YNJK6DqLWqVxkodaezuA6cXffUXi2kRpRZwRe_x77zatBGFG1th_szlEHluS-Ooyl7RTSXyDQvathHjm5YJj/s640/blogger-image-1969921435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVrcw30W2uUyOJUg4N3Sh82_lJVF6Q3IYmnlhfKIb5aTT7WV4YNJK6DqLWqVxkodaezuA6cXffUXi2kRpRZwRe_x77zatBGFG1th_szlEHluS-Ooyl7RTSXyDQvathHjm5YJj/s640/blogger-image-1969921435.jpg" id="id_ba58_2c4_d242_c11a" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLurOx-l6RDzMYXBWzhv85ThyIUzNWX4LugvRrUorvyleX7ygpjZgH-a0MIECcrhV1-D9WoVurVPoFKL7_yseEEFJnW4f3RFenuVaB6XC-xb80QQLc_vrWBmnhBA6KasgkxW-8/s640/blogger-image--328813231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLurOx-l6RDzMYXBWzhv85ThyIUzNWX4LugvRrUorvyleX7ygpjZgH-a0MIECcrhV1-D9WoVurVPoFKL7_yseEEFJnW4f3RFenuVaB6XC-xb80QQLc_vrWBmnhBA6KasgkxW-8/s640/blogger-image--328813231.jpg" id="id_f266_1726_9578_35dd" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Imperial Russia. No sign of the hammer and sickle here. And I do like the chairs!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWe-dRcWnUnoYEDT8kyHcaYOjKvvz-CDZDQdQ81ScCfNFkxy9XhC_UyOrd5rNqMQLFUQYNODIUbU5uf8USo8S-ck4R7K4PkPcwTVtcBc-6k8leFybbUtpMLKrQZvskLIsoUHJ/s640/blogger-image--1822908288.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWe-dRcWnUnoYEDT8kyHcaYOjKvvz-CDZDQdQ81ScCfNFkxy9XhC_UyOrd5rNqMQLFUQYNODIUbU5uf8USo8S-ck4R7K4PkPcwTVtcBc-6k8leFybbUtpMLKrQZvskLIsoUHJ/s640/blogger-image--1822908288.jpg" id="id_65f_d9a8_a708_6dd3" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><br></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/729449694515270183'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/729449694515270183'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/07/eifman-ballet-onegin-at-bolshoi.html' title='Eifman Ballet&#39;s Onegin at The Bolshoi'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx46UM9QKujd_rk4Aku2bPmXGesoJsSK1824P_UaegVeJKrxRAAIF2XRyRaR5NyOYymazW7tdv-iKwVFPDs06EfzwFrw5CsEBztc5dpQoLSKsHub7GGNIcP8yVbAxZAZeR8DR7/s72-c/blogger-image--1352561362.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3165114567690619440</id><published>2017-07-15T07:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-08T21:54:39.228+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bolshoi'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mozart'/><title type='text'>Le Nozze di Figaro at The Bolshoi New Stage </title><content type='html'><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Setting aside the glorious extravagant music for a while, this production&nbsp;for me&nbsp;is a major visual treat.&nbsp;The entire stage is totally watchable: there's action even on the sidelines. Nobody just stands there waiting to sing.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Opera stars these days can act as well as sing and even look the part. Even the trouser role of&nbsp;<i>Cherubino</i>, traditionally played by a female singer dressed intentionally unconvincingly as a man, is played almost straight here. The result is a charming sendup of a libidinous rock-and-rolling teenage boy.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This evening's&nbsp;<i>Figaro</i>&nbsp;too has great dance moves; he's&nbsp;graceful and lithe. That's not to say that his tenor is not of the most superb kind; I'm just more inclined towards the theatrics rather than the operatics of opera. Which is also why&nbsp;I can't drop names as none of the cast names here mean much to me.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This&nbsp;<i>Nozze di Figaro&nbsp;</i>has more in common with Broadway than 18th century opera. Act III's big production number looks like a scene from&nbsp;<i>Grease</i>.&nbsp;(And I mean that in the best possible way.)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not since the Met's 2013&nbsp;<i>Rigoletto</i><b>,&nbsp;</b>dressed in a white tuxedo,&nbsp;grabbed a mic onstage in a casino to sing&nbsp;the aria "<i>Questa o quella"&nbsp;</i>has opera looked so accessible to lay folk like me.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The set design is sheer delight. Scene stages are cleverly&nbsp;stacked&nbsp;in&nbsp;color-blocked&nbsp;boxes like a giant&nbsp;<b>Mondrian</b>.&nbsp;Sets are straight out of a 1950s Hollywood backlot, sunshiny and bright with&nbsp;interiors all citrusy in limes and oranges, and bursts of pumpkin colors in&nbsp;mid-century touches like&nbsp;oversized lampshades, sofa beds, and a retro dial-up telephone with miles of cording.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0B-aJVLf8S9lKKFvss6ezOD5-zyZirlCZONzYikWSgvgaKOsQ23q61Pdp0YYIyssNeox5OF36dRusDCwwd0tKzmPbH5io-J4MI-8rQBAsoiN4dFerpf7zB0FEt5dasPsTsOt/s640/blogger-image-75011167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0B-aJVLf8S9lKKFvss6ezOD5-zyZirlCZONzYikWSgvgaKOsQ23q61Pdp0YYIyssNeox5OF36dRusDCwwd0tKzmPbH5io-J4MI-8rQBAsoiN4dFerpf7zB0FEt5dasPsTsOt/s640/blogger-image-75011167.jpg" id="id_f361_416f_81b8_9499" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And the costumes! Alright, I'll come right out about my fixation on over-the-top operatic productions. I like period sets, period costumes. So I was a bit letdown when I saw the posters showing no bouncy wedding-cake ball gowns, towering powdered wigs, or pink-cheeked whiteout faces with heart-shaped beauty marks.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Forget about it! The women's costumes here are such delicious confections: there are frothy Sandra Dee frocks in sherbet colors, razor-sharp pencil-cuts in a deadly serious shade of brilliant blue, and drop-dead Dioresque couture in svelte satin and&nbsp;silks.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzEBX2KyHmUTzDrGuONHQBM1ru9uBbpAL4yTLtnadhRPSp5_SZ3j463gi7tNG3CZfvpPfR685FXWtW9raf12it1r2bq8DhVfXizZbwQnOQucWITJz0ZxWbok5xMNpVAPBD1xS/s640/blogger-image-1468831838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBzEBX2KyHmUTzDrGuONHQBM1ru9uBbpAL4yTLtnadhRPSp5_SZ3j463gi7tNG3CZfvpPfR685FXWtW9raf12it1r2bq8DhVfXizZbwQnOQucWITJz0ZxWbok5xMNpVAPBD1xS/s640/blogger-image-1468831838.jpg" id="id_7722_fb04_47ee_e443" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2dXkP1ilP-EY9b7Kx9FPE6qMvptH_YQOIpnT-k7FaS85Cx2FBoGp1nuzvrItNVi-sWKzjGdFVuMcLw9Ai-iBGCpwFIbegIE4K6X0tDQxSE0tm0KJ7wHwjHi7jBGRP3UXryMU/s640/blogger-image-46453002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw2dXkP1ilP-EY9b7Kx9FPE6qMvptH_YQOIpnT-k7FaS85Cx2FBoGp1nuzvrItNVi-sWKzjGdFVuMcLw9Ai-iBGCpwFIbegIE4K6X0tDQxSE0tm0KJ7wHwjHi7jBGRP3UXryMU/s640/blogger-image-46453002.jpg" id="id_c8e9_8668_954f_fc9f" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An army of eye-candylicious runway-types move stage furniture around, looking like they've stepped out of an Anna Wintour&nbsp;issue&nbsp;mockup.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And the men? Not much to work on here, but they do look stunning in jodhpurs and slicked back hair. Mostly though, they wear various iterations of the Mondrian theme.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But what about the music? You may well ask but you really have to ask someone else. For me, Mozart is Mozart. I am sorely lacking in the chops to pick out the various ways British conductor&nbsp;<b>William Lacey</b>&nbsp;shines in this production.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ensemble singing in opera buffa&nbsp;may be skillful and exciting but I much prefer bel canto<i>&nbsp;</i>where it's easier for me to understand the beauty of the melody and the voice.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Speaking of understanding, I wish the surtitles were in a language I can understand. Translating Italian to Russian doesn't help me at all.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Music, however, needs no translation. And Mozart is universal.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I come away from <b>The</b> <b>Bolshoi New Stage</b>&nbsp;my head swimming in bright and beautiful scenes, my heart brimming with joyful notes.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfHFGvCSDNg5g-s7BuD7BCVy1gaPnEvfjELYjPjriPhuyUki1zBbgXn0vIlb-ACVK4qd2RbbZu_uO4BG9ZRRJoYUYS03B-UTJMH4R0tgUIaftoAsLQ1JT8Gdownttf2voS2Vc/s640/blogger-image-98455691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfHFGvCSDNg5g-s7BuD7BCVy1gaPnEvfjELYjPjriPhuyUki1zBbgXn0vIlb-ACVK4qd2RbbZu_uO4BG9ZRRJoYUYS03B-UTJMH4R0tgUIaftoAsLQ1JT8Gdownttf2voS2Vc/s640/blogger-image-98455691.jpg" id="id_84f4_82ce_b0d9_2c7" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3165114567690619440'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3165114567690619440'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/07/at-bolshoi-theatre.html' title='Le Nozze di Figaro at The Bolshoi New Stage '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0B-aJVLf8S9lKKFvss6ezOD5-zyZirlCZONzYikWSgvgaKOsQ23q61Pdp0YYIyssNeox5OF36dRusDCwwd0tKzmPbH5io-J4MI-8rQBAsoiN4dFerpf7zB0FEt5dasPsTsOt/s72-c/blogger-image-75011167.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1163367857274997089</id><published>2017-07-14T02:27:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-08T21:57:33.228+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kremlin'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Red Square'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Moscow busker'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dr Zhivago Cafe'/><title type='text'>Moscow</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The thrill of a new destination...early evening arrival on&nbsp;</span><b>Aeroflot</b><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">&nbsp;(a first for me!) flight from Milan...the city reveals itself through light rain...</span></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UWLtV9T27wMksaUyum317zWGmFFjrZ9NdOPXJPrFDWq7p4wsXf275D1MVRXMBsP9uf2Nzf7yI4B1u2AtKVrE9eP3KozdN_hbBW6eGnaDBCi75WMvCjYsCrkW-BpsXronwBfa/s640/blogger-image--1359197929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3T0IuSLqPp26Y8aK_NZ5k7azUAYhL6PvJTJm_Fm82tjiIKwqyyxYXHHvYLrfW8WbRdDMhudpk0g_bCNes5jmlS93aFQo0V9OlAo-5U9VyzlRctgPT18TbShjbrM6rIoRDlYSI/s640/blogger-image--1947399463.jpg" id="id_460a_ae5a_d2ed_9aa2" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the morning, a model battalion unexpectedly marches into my Kremlin shoot...</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/BPAy4hJKwfg/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BPAy4hJKwfg?feature=player_embedded" width="320" id="id_dc_e6dd_909b_9df"></iframe></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtVdGryAO-fBbRvYlJGdDzY3P1TQeKNTYcgTwOgnt-pwI3tk3PZkhvNWs8_eVZaSvQ13MT9Cevq7Ps5-jvETleGHBlCPS_Tda-2B2_lw7hcRtCuxnBynM_KZsHF8oK02w1eL3/s640/blogger-image-313690558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtVdGryAO-fBbRvYlJGdDzY3P1TQeKNTYcgTwOgnt-pwI3tk3PZkhvNWs8_eVZaSvQ13MT9Cevq7Ps5-jvETleGHBlCPS_Tda-2B2_lw7hcRtCuxnBynM_KZsHF8oK02w1eL3/s640/blogger-image-313690558.jpg" id="id_10b0_566f_a4fa_3f56" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Blinis and caviar at&nbsp;Grand Café&nbsp;Doctor Zhivago off Red Square...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi6mDsgi4b8_fcVzGbWOVibPms2hgzR5oSgrqr8QXykgyYUHeC-6fqERSXEihdOiPlijf1-bWCsXPlLwZ6V3eIWH9soJuYN8ymkwFDHSnGDlBOC48aoNi-U61x8wTmuNXnAKrZ/s640/blogger-image-487960681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Underground concert in Moscow underpass...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aRrsp_z2nio/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/aRrsp_z2nio?feature=player_embedded" width="320" id="id_1bcc_7b20_e80_fb52"></iframe></span></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And finally, at day's end, city skyscape through a glass of&nbsp;<i>Moscow Mule</i>...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFRHT-p_IXZFZjSdC7EPpCTJmNnn05uNZW84TcE5pyQNo9btqatX00PVH_iE-X4Z2petJL8Kbol3c9-5-cqRKXzG9XJGhd5pLPPZrWxtlNLfJ2nuTBgcfP_6zTHBbxklpya_7/s640/blogger-image--2011811076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFRHT-p_IXZFZjSdC7EPpCTJmNnn05uNZW84TcE5pyQNo9btqatX00PVH_iE-X4Z2petJL8Kbol3c9-5-cqRKXzG9XJGhd5pLPPZrWxtlNLfJ2nuTBgcfP_6zTHBbxklpya_7/s640/blogger-image--2011811076.jpg" id="id_3a65_2a25_88b_692d" style="width: 399px; 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><br></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1163367857274997089'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1163367857274997089'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/07/moscow.html' title='Moscow'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2UWLtV9T27wMksaUyum317zWGmFFjrZ9NdOPXJPrFDWq7p4wsXf275D1MVRXMBsP9uf2Nzf7yI4B1u2AtKVrE9eP3KozdN_hbBW6eGnaDBCi75WMvCjYsCrkW-BpsXronwBfa/s72-c/blogger-image--1359197929.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2553658094717951544</id><published>2017-07-10T20:40:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-12T21:46:41.247+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lecco'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Il Cantinone'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Street art'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grom'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Milan</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div class="separator" style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-decoration: none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>Park Hyatt,</b>&nbsp;coming on the heels of more notable installations at this favorite venue,&nbsp;<b>La Cupola</b>'s new artwork by Milanese artist&nbsp;&nbsp;<b>Velasco&nbsp;</b><b>Vitali&nbsp;</b>looks pretty lame.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrYSL_dA0hiyo5iPrKfUcFP5JqaBDp3WQAtTMI76hlnP4a7NVvhbCTq-fu2_OFFBaQab5YKJiwsCvPmEbiom2IkdRG-Y15QH3jNrRU_aqBQ4yfMWLm3Z9UQXaOkP7cPA-d-pn/s640/blogger-image--230453472.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrYSL_dA0hiyo5iPrKfUcFP5JqaBDp3WQAtTMI76hlnP4a7NVvhbCTq-fu2_OFFBaQab5YKJiwsCvPmEbiom2IkdRG-Y15QH3jNrRU_aqBQ4yfMWLm3Z9UQXaOkP7cPA-d-pn/s640/blogger-image--230453472.jpg" id="id_306e_7c14_77b3_5ebc" style="width: 379px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>&nbsp;</b>Past and present:</span><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApQxxKc5TBsd5MIKfayA3K807gfcATu0TWwBN8yu9G-ypgqusPHnH0jFHCz0T_OXlBGT_-GbfdeER4SBqUm6cl6uzzQrkqyW6anUb3JS-jug0gPpw8yPo4xaL3kTmWkaWVNjb/s640/blogger-image-411770247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApQxxKc5TBsd5MIKfayA3K807gfcATu0TWwBN8yu9G-ypgqusPHnH0jFHCz0T_OXlBGT_-GbfdeER4SBqUm6cl6uzzQrkqyW6anUb3JS-jug0gPpw8yPo4xaL3kTmWkaWVNjb/s640/blogger-image-411770247.jpg" id="id_3f20_99b_8f63_dc41" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="text-align: justify;">Lucio Fontana'</b><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">s</span><b style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</b><i style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">Testa di Medusa, &nbsp;</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="text-align: justify;">Anish Kapoor</b><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify;">'s Untitled 2013.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By the same artist are the more intriguing metal patchwork sculptured dogs at the door.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; text-align: start; clear: both;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; text-align: start; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTgik8jvQc0hyl2gmVzUM5IKzz6mw2Bb96E_TfEKnxeukWcmPPrnsnXEgPQNlp2uSqw-AKOsrStzm7EkeuAcbd1f8iHsaBYtPapXRzU5UXH-9_OgYuC8wxk1Zqj-sQ2klTR6G/s640/blogger-image-1325377840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTgik8jvQc0hyl2gmVzUM5IKzz6mw2Bb96E_TfEKnxeukWcmPPrnsnXEgPQNlp2uSqw-AKOsrStzm7EkeuAcbd1f8iHsaBYtPapXRzU5UXH-9_OgYuC8wxk1Zqj-sQ2klTR6G/s640/blogger-image-1325377840.jpg" id="id_4a9d_a2c3_6bea_9896" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a></div><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-align: start; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; clear: both;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: justify; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div><div style="text-decoration: none;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1st day of holiday.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Il Cantinone</b>&nbsp;is closed, so we settle for a nearby pizzeria that offers more than just pizza. Pasta with swordfish &amp; eggplant in tomato &amp; chili-laced olive oil sees the temporary undoing of my low-carb effort.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Day 2. &nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>Central Station&nbsp;</b>for our train to&nbsp;lakeside&nbsp;<b>Lecco.</b></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: none;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As&nbsp;<b>Magnum Classic</b>&nbsp;is our latest Cost of Living Indicator, (<i>viz</i>, Manila- $1, Milan- $3) Stuart makes a beeline for the Magnum kiosk in the middle of the main gallery where they have a&nbsp;new product called&nbsp;<i>Made to Break</i>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have&nbsp;Bar Centrale's&nbsp;Panini C instead and engage in scholarly analysis of travelers.</span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Student: scruffy shorts, T-shirt&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">English lady: longish skirt, T-shirt, scarf</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">English elderly gent: beige chinos, check shirt</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hiker, sportsman: long tall carryall</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Refugee: handphone.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A short train ride takes us to the lovely quiet town of Lecco with its chic shops and nice cafes. However a wrong turning from the station takes us away from our target restaurant and stretch of lakeside. I soon succumb to intense heat and humidity.&nbsp;</span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>GROM&nbsp;</b>provides emergency aid with air conditioning, a comfortable chair,<b>&nbsp;</b>and an ice cold water bottle as cold compress for overheated face and neck. Plus, most importantly, a double dose of lemon&nbsp;<i>Ghiaccoli,</i>&nbsp;Grom's superb&nbsp;popsicles.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Street art at Lecco train station.</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieflgRGzSbWyaMte5r5eoLHtjaJea9FnOhP9_rdh7y6nMKdG9X9VOhUHAQ5Gxri9xQ0M5_akIbq2f7gQMJSg8YoduJJosxszOUHeQT-UQ45AHbmjKf-v9642F1WtasiB4qGz8H/s640/blogger-image-1195452543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieflgRGzSbWyaMte5r5eoLHtjaJea9FnOhP9_rdh7y6nMKdG9X9VOhUHAQ5Gxri9xQ0M5_akIbq2f7gQMJSg8YoduJJosxszOUHeQT-UQ45AHbmjKf-v9642F1WtasiB4qGz8H/s640/blogger-image-1195452543.jpg" id="id_14da_6588_558b_a5a5" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqXqQ_v0FLXGW5oqfbEFv_f0X2s6If6hnKgaSTwy2slwKaoUZYVUdNvSHq3TI-adFDEU9XQgYl6ZgTQXkkxBmxZ3b6P04FxGa52mXlWaQhCOdfWkGqyD5lG2axKBpluw9XnrB/s640/blogger-image--1332773608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIqXqQ_v0FLXGW5oqfbEFv_f0X2s6If6hnKgaSTwy2slwKaoUZYVUdNvSHq3TI-adFDEU9XQgYl6ZgTQXkkxBmxZ3b6P04FxGa52mXlWaQhCOdfWkGqyD5lG2axKBpluw9XnrB/s640/blogger-image--1332773608.jpg" id="id_2efc_1f52_1c98_13b2" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><br></div></div></div></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2553658094717951544'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2553658094717951544'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/07/milan.html' title='Milan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimrYSL_dA0hiyo5iPrKfUcFP5JqaBDp3WQAtTMI76hlnP4a7NVvhbCTq-fu2_OFFBaQab5YKJiwsCvPmEbiom2IkdRG-Y15QH3jNrRU_aqBQ4yfMWLm3Z9UQXaOkP7cPA-d-pn/s72-c/blogger-image--230453472.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1151583797391760791</id><published>2017-06-23T12:47:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-07-19T16:33:28.787+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thai massage'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Oriental'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Thai massage</title><content type='html'>One of the magnificent marvels of natural science. Thailand' gift to mankind.<div>&nbsp;<div>At healthy heaven's door.</div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqnY8jolwm2ZFf_W2gzxsA_u3g6UekF1vJdkOHIs8u0vNQHn_KR-6KqVGFvBhGzL4p4Yqumbgn3tEFa3jCybJwQNbOzXyhVBlKSbgfnRzVH5vxvmAxHRv5w1jDkfl7XdksOiy/s640/blogger-image-1698350207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqnY8jolwm2ZFf_W2gzxsA_u3g6UekF1vJdkOHIs8u0vNQHn_KR-6KqVGFvBhGzL4p4Yqumbgn3tEFa3jCybJwQNbOzXyhVBlKSbgfnRzVH5vxvmAxHRv5w1jDkfl7XdksOiy/s640/blogger-image-1698350207.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>An oasis of calm and wellbeing.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoH_kWflmvef8mmmqbv04Md1SB4emr3mVAH7C6WvonXiztMzjGeC7DlP13sfbytmo-WpZxavlT-NAQfN2m5HRB-d7DbWEHjxxOwxITyMk-agsMSuFie6GZHbKyfTU53wDt-hi/s640/blogger-image--1813352621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghoH_kWflmvef8mmmqbv04Md1SB4emr3mVAH7C6WvonXiztMzjGeC7DlP13sfbytmo-WpZxavlT-NAQfN2m5HRB-d7DbWEHjxxOwxITyMk-agsMSuFie6GZHbKyfTU53wDt-hi/s640/blogger-image--1813352621.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This is Urt, a messenger from the benevolent deities of nature's highs.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghs-7Kjk0sYof0151qn8_g26_9gRTFeKCgFpUDmrxY-V2eEmI8bARLeLUb_x8aaVJhyphenhyphenZlxwAbm2iUBx9lZmIA-gweOKwKv7Enf7FOR_UlppqEDoweVNshF0Fuvooy3ubgnOtsA/s640/blogger-image-1652262070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghs-7Kjk0sYof0151qn8_g26_9gRTFeKCgFpUDmrxY-V2eEmI8bARLeLUb_x8aaVJhyphenhyphenZlxwAbm2iUBx9lZmIA-gweOKwKv7Enf7FOR_UlppqEDoweVNshF0Fuvooy3ubgnOtsA/s640/blogger-image-1652262070.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>After three massages in six days, I am now reinvigorated restored rehabilitated replenished happy&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">healthy.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>While I've found good Thai food outside Thailand, I have yet to find a massage to rival the healing experience of the massage rooms of the Oriental and the Grand Hyatt. Is it because the experience of coolness and calm needs the contrasting heat and rush outside?</div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1151583797391760791'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1151583797391760791'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/06/thai-massage.html' title='Thai massage'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidqnY8jolwm2ZFf_W2gzxsA_u3g6UekF1vJdkOHIs8u0vNQHn_KR-6KqVGFvBhGzL4p4Yqumbgn3tEFa3jCybJwQNbOzXyhVBlKSbgfnRzVH5vxvmAxHRv5w1jDkfl7XdksOiy/s72-c/blogger-image-1698350207.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7364090149754931978</id><published>2017-05-15T16:20:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2017-05-16T13:59:24.604+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Louis Vuitton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Jeff Koons'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='LV'/><title type='text'>Jeff Koons (or is it Jeff Cons?) for LV</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Grabbing a quick lunch at </span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Plat du Jour</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"> in Hong Kong's&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Pacific Place</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">, I don't know why I'm so angry. &nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Maybe it's because I'm hungry. It's</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">almost 3pm, and my light breakfast of fruits and coffee is proving to be not enough for a growing girl. Yup, I may have grown two dress sizes in the past two months or so.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anyway, in front of me, in the center of the vast lower ground floor of this retail temple, is a glass altar dedicated to handbags. The glass walls are peppered with shiny metallic <b>LV</b> logos.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A raised platform, accessed by staircases manned by serious looking men in dark suits, displays images of time-honored ouvres by <b>d</b></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); text-align: justify;"><b>a Vinci</b>,<b> Titian</b>, <b>Rubens</b>,<b> Fragonard</b>, and<b> Van Gogh</b>. These&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">art heavyweights</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">&nbsp;share floor space with handbags bearing&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">iconic</span><span style="text-align: justify;">&nbsp;</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">names like <b>Speedy</b>, <b>Keepall</b>, and <b>Neverfull</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the floor are bright young things in the regulation black suits. Claudia, until recently a financial accounting student at the <b>London School of Economics</b>, now helps to sell handbags for <b>Louis Vuitton</b>. She says <b>Jeff Koons</b>, in this collaboration with the handbag heavy,&nbsp;may have chosen the five Old Masters either because they are his personal favorites or because, as some experts have opined, he merely&nbsp;wants to be as ridiculous as he can be.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I myself believe this&nbsp;infuriatingly successful con artist&nbsp;has achieved the latter aim with ease.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One can only assume, paraphrasing the song of Fraulein Maria, right before she became Mrs Von Trapp, that</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;somewhere in his youth, he must've done something good.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7364090149754931978'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7364090149754931978'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/05/jeff-koons-or-is-it-jeff-cons-for-lv.html' title='Jeff Koons (or is it Jeff Cons?) for LV'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7lQ7FQxROx2gpIGGbvtowj8d7BlnsuwZHQWMqOd69RnEuzUQTaIqD1larWM4xrvs7uPUzRKaYUBKidFosEv8Wwim2wi-jZ2gzf6KepnXuN973gM0aaQ8QBZJFlIaRnI8ZhMs/s72-c/blogger-image--1142450519.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1366071019953050173</id><published>2017-02-04T04:22:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-08T22:05:56.993+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hilton'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Alvear Palace'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anselmo'/><title type='text'>Three Hotels in Buenos Aires</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monday, January 23</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This&nbsp;is our balcony at&nbsp;the&nbsp;<b>Hotel Anselmo&nbsp;</b>in&nbsp;San Telmo.&nbsp;It's overgrown with jasmine bushes and overlooks the atrium.</span></div></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHhZDZoRmEthKFxVBg4GqTEp6by4mWZH7Y-PbX7Z83NNFlipz_BrNIKjCp4Cf7SSH7Wf5Nvmlz1lJ1W4_XEO84OmRYi7whmhGoTl6kzLhDFPuiiDZr359ZdqmNqTkPoAnQT3v/s640/blogger-image-344886800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHhZDZoRmEthKFxVBg4GqTEp6by4mWZH7Y-PbX7Z83NNFlipz_BrNIKjCp4Cf7SSH7Wf5Nvmlz1lJ1W4_XEO84OmRYi7whmhGoTl6kzLhDFPuiiDZr359ZdqmNqTkPoAnQT3v/s640/blogger-image-344886800.jpg" id="id_d5c2_77ee_4099_50e2" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakyA3Nki0Zbuqib-m6A2UNMvFeFTA93CywisLEwJrIrZiyKqypQwOR955RiT2sIPb0TiKfWLgVCCfSVfqwyB7rvMfvdXKacqxsaBvezixzEy8tLVxKbUg7NvduP94GJwDHGNd/s640/blogger-image--2075057218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjakyA3Nki0Zbuqib-m6A2UNMvFeFTA93CywisLEwJrIrZiyKqypQwOR955RiT2sIPb0TiKfWLgVCCfSVfqwyB7rvMfvdXKacqxsaBvezixzEy8tLVxKbUg7NvduP94GJwDHGNd/s640/blogger-image--2075057218.jpg" id="id_bc3_c0af_86fb_41fb" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is&nbsp;the third room we've had here in two weeks. A previous one we liked had a balcony overlooking&nbsp;<b>Plaza Dorrego</b><b>&nbsp;</b>but we really needed more space.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VyNsRRD5k2a-uyGlD98-cGdIHyJlh0r7eNlowbIq0gFwtFWNDW_2wKBPTGS36vsKMzHLsbqzby6Tx6rO7T4yPzxcIviV3XOW5r7trvhIwtdl4lK6fdURFcEQozymsKj9gne3/s640/blogger-image--2035537789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VyNsRRD5k2a-uyGlD98-cGdIHyJlh0r7eNlowbIq0gFwtFWNDW_2wKBPTGS36vsKMzHLsbqzby6Tx6rO7T4yPzxcIviV3XOW5r7trvhIwtdl4lK6fdURFcEQozymsKj9gne3/s640/blogger-image--2035537789.jpg" id="id_19c8_6c3d_2476_61" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We now have lots of space, a huge balcony, and more privacy and quiet. I miss&nbsp;having the world outside my&nbsp;window though.&nbsp;I miss the music.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Anselmo&nbsp;is not the best run little hotel we've ever stayed in but&nbsp;we like being here&nbsp;despite its many little failings. The staff make the difference: Giselle, Juan, Jose, Francisco, Diana. They take good care of us.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">* * * * *</b></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Saturday, January 28</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've just moved to the<b>&nbsp;Alvear Palace&nbsp;</b>in Recoleta,<b>&nbsp;</b>reputedly the number one hotel in Buenos Aires. Very olde worlde, it&nbsp;reminds me of the&nbsp;<b>Maria Cristina&nbsp;</b>in San Sebastián.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfl-BKgvjfPI_jzTZVsDxlwe-fhiE7RyZ0KuPfNjgi_9XlPDnP-lmrVi62oMvjuuc4y3BO0ZSUgRSVG8CiMQeJ29Uw2JiS2AaPEihNT7wS5fxz-RCEKUQ7kBp39v0dTYXDwZO/s640/blogger-image--2062016178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfl-BKgvjfPI_jzTZVsDxlwe-fhiE7RyZ0KuPfNjgi_9XlPDnP-lmrVi62oMvjuuc4y3BO0ZSUgRSVG8CiMQeJ29Uw2JiS2AaPEihNT7wS5fxz-RCEKUQ7kBp39v0dTYXDwZO/s640/blogger-image--2062016178.jpg" id="id_d71_b37e_8048_4f6f" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's beautiful. The street it's on is smart and lined with tony shops. It doesn't have Plaza Dorrego at its doorstep though.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzWDvCe9P2dQqo4JDwBPhnr7ZPCUMS1ItcH7xEswlE75Mh_6_bADlYENcRT5CpZToRlJGpf3t8prWAJqC6rdQ7hqrroRnrE2LgThWdyn5kt6_8hyphenhyphenX8xhlK83C4J68jiWWWQBF/s640/blogger-image-138783965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrzWDvCe9P2dQqo4JDwBPhnr7ZPCUMS1ItcH7xEswlE75Mh_6_bADlYENcRT5CpZToRlJGpf3t8prWAJqC6rdQ7hqrroRnrE2LgThWdyn5kt6_8hyphenhyphenX8xhlK83C4J68jiWWWQBF/s640/blogger-image-138783965.jpg" id="id_fd6f_5c89_e129_1dc5" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AiQrj1_HIhJZcHiXbjX_bYuP3jXhLD2LJmv0-84Wy-u9-gAjNvIvFzQn9hbW38ppo_73bCaFxHQvCrGqxmc1P-AyjsWRRcprozM3ZElf5Vsgw1slgjhdIox20pxQOyjNoY7i/s640/blogger-image-2006621359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2AiQrj1_HIhJZcHiXbjX_bYuP3jXhLD2LJmv0-84Wy-u9-gAjNvIvFzQn9hbW38ppo_73bCaFxHQvCrGqxmc1P-AyjsWRRcprozM3ZElf5Vsgw1slgjhdIox20pxQOyjNoY7i/s640/blogger-image-2006621359.jpg" id="id_a3e2_6e05_1e22_554" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThOb3DbwJ0F1NpRX1ij1l-AblIy0NiJIbJ5heKjMQmjeYadtJhdOJm36MLGuxFeXQbaTioXioAlVkj57ZL4rhIRS7BCUfRDbz2JD7-oHIdqV52PTDAf5i2PDARPUYH3lUxjjq/s640/blogger-image--609531662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiThOb3DbwJ0F1NpRX1ij1l-AblIy0NiJIbJ5heKjMQmjeYadtJhdOJm36MLGuxFeXQbaTioXioAlVkj57ZL4rhIRS7BCUfRDbz2JD7-oHIdqV52PTDAf5i2PDARPUYH3lUxjjq/s640/blogger-image--609531662.jpg" id="id_7182_45e7_3735_433e" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Well, the butler's just been, asking if we need any clothes pressed. I think I'm gonna like it here. 😉</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">* * * * *</b></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Friday, February 3</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We're ending our Buenos Aires experience in&nbsp;<b>Puerto Madero</b>, as far removed from a Buenos Aires experience as Buenos Aires can get.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The&nbsp;<b>Hilton&nbsp;</b>sits on the riverbank across from miles and miles of identical red brick warehouse conversions with more bars and restaurants than we care to check out or even hear about before we fly back to Santiago on Monday.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It has an executive lounge and is only thirty minutes from the airport.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I yearn to be back in the luxurious embrace of the Alvear Palace and the gritty excitement of San Telmo but sadly,&nbsp;at&nbsp;the end of a long adventure, convenience tends to be a more urgent consideration than luxury and local color.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></div></div>
</div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1366071019953050173'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1366071019953050173'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/02/three-hotels-in-buenos-aires.html' title='Three Hotels in Buenos Aires'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLHhZDZoRmEthKFxVBg4GqTEp6by4mWZH7Y-PbX7Z83NNFlipz_BrNIKjCp4Cf7SSH7Wf5Nvmlz1lJ1W4_XEO84OmRYi7whmhGoTl6kzLhDFPuiiDZr359ZdqmNqTkPoAnQT3v/s72-c/blogger-image-344886800.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4387788945664231354</id><published>2017-02-01T02:35:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-09T15:07:48.651+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Recoleta'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ilocos Empanada'/><title type='text'>The Food Report III</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div><div><div><br></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When it's four o'clock in the afternoon and you're still not ready for lunch, there's&nbsp;<b>La Panera Rosa</b>, a&nbsp;pretty bakeshop on the square, across from&nbsp;<b>Nuestra Señora Del Pilar</b>, very old fashioned, very pink, straight out of a poster of a&nbsp;1950s&nbsp;small town&nbsp;USA&nbsp;ice cream parlor. Open all day until late. Best salad I've&nbsp;had in Buenos Aires.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbOhLwvx1vy2YH1ZLhOL7ABApyEoRfmX8RHZzgVlSrOjPcnTMxufaMNtEY7VJgIrg5Baq-GZ9qVMH9lbRwLKU2qWFQ1tCeuFcxBAkgVP99cUfX4cBakQP2GVeWQ8c2seHUnab/s640/blogger-image--1415314716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbOhLwvx1vy2YH1ZLhOL7ABApyEoRfmX8RHZzgVlSrOjPcnTMxufaMNtEY7VJgIrg5Baq-GZ9qVMH9lbRwLKU2qWFQ1tCeuFcxBAkgVP99cUfX4cBakQP2GVeWQ8c2seHUnab/s640/blogger-image--1415314716.jpg" id="id_1b46_cbed_25cb_c53" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Or&nbsp;<b>Zaccaria Snack Bar</b>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At Ayacucho 2052, around the corner from Alvear Palace Hotel.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a friendly bar where you meet some of the gentle people of Recoleta, very understated, hospitable, and full of old world charm.&nbsp;</span></div><div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Sottovoce</b>&nbsp;in Recoleta</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jr85YoIKP2nniHPbZeOfIlLUIpLExXi3CfwnDokqkZSsSF5eQS_uHRrI6af2do0ZkwU3_WbJFeX6eeD9S64dfhHbhBgOik4uwKBcZdJYQ0YcJxYnG1HYyzVExIRFjsLqUiVv/s640/blogger-image-25426942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jr85YoIKP2nniHPbZeOfIlLUIpLExXi3CfwnDokqkZSsSF5eQS_uHRrI6af2do0ZkwU3_WbJFeX6eeD9S64dfhHbhBgOik4uwKBcZdJYQ0YcJxYnG1HYyzVExIRFjsLqUiVv/s640/blogger-image-25426942.jpg" id="id_7dab_9756_be11_199a" style="width: 342px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As in Puerto Madero, the welcome drink set the tone.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ksqNBqMIKS992mWpPi34bG6XqWmm9LGJRujUXrsNgntpez2ysB5McXRvbmdC-OzSVmjk5C3W1LVzJDOCOIBThOXBkI8oM3IcKr_oIJPj2PLn_k3dLTJ9N_aXUQMk9T5aHbeQ/s640/blogger-image--1793682338.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ksqNBqMIKS992mWpPi34bG6XqWmm9LGJRujUXrsNgntpez2ysB5McXRvbmdC-OzSVmjk5C3W1LVzJDOCOIBThOXBkI8oM3IcKr_oIJPj2PLn_k3dLTJ9N_aXUQMk9T5aHbeQ/s640/blogger-image--1793682338.jpg" id="id_282b_1545_fad5_4d60" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wonderful restaurant. Great food, great service. There's food on your table within minutes of being seated. &nbsp;Smiles all around and they keep pouring drinks your way.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2HbHKd0814XTq_IP7BkGs2nw3vRfbgqEWixkVsR9Zuajp6KR-WpuTaL_APhqOT2u-iB1LxHnf0KVvVMuDZiJdrB0DVnlGZSl-kojVmnoeKUEFYYfOmWxCthwb8z_AtCPYIlv/s640/blogger-image-1641828370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2HbHKd0814XTq_IP7BkGs2nw3vRfbgqEWixkVsR9Zuajp6KR-WpuTaL_APhqOT2u-iB1LxHnf0KVvVMuDZiJdrB0DVnlGZSl-kojVmnoeKUEFYYfOmWxCthwb8z_AtCPYIlv/s640/blogger-image-1641828370.jpg" id="id_1f62_6519_8b06_f5f0" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After tango lessons last night, our tired legs led us to&nbsp;<b>El Sanjuanino</b>&nbsp;just around the block from our hotel. We couldn't have walked any further, and the still untried&nbsp;<b>Fervor</b>&nbsp;next door was full.&nbsp;</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1FGN7UamOcT4xM1djLnuCYgfvg1VfhyphenhyphenuxcZwysv33FL0HEXXWdCgHUJ6GwZY3LE4eEbEuBImqEIGsrp01fxKsZYyarhwfrkKv5AXARemBQTLzyyVgviGmmGfXn5Sv8cb26ap/s640/blogger-image--1962588787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1FGN7UamOcT4xM1djLnuCYgfvg1VfhyphenhyphenuxcZwysv33FL0HEXXWdCgHUJ6GwZY3LE4eEbEuBImqEIGsrp01fxKsZYyarhwfrkKv5AXARemBQTLzyyVgviGmmGfXn5Sv8cb26ap/s640/blogger-image--1962588787.jpg" id="id_5c41_ad74_119b_7287" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeming like a temple to empanadas, this is as local as it gets, right down to the&nbsp;<em style="box-sizing: border-box;">pingü</em><em style="box-sizing: border-box;">ino</em><i>&nbsp;</i>wine jug. The place was full; probably mostly tourists, all those people occupying every table and streaming in and out until very late in the night.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5frUfwbZroxnow7Z2dJRBtjuRrn0WKZrfIFWvc9kfYekxR7DsJzie-byzoUaK3cMbDmLSNSqx2GZl-FmGWl3_gJR3-zqMmSZgpislLU7cTg-cgosQafzOvWvgkL_XNCWZH3NA/s640/blogger-image--751849752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5frUfwbZroxnow7Z2dJRBtjuRrn0WKZrfIFWvc9kfYekxR7DsJzie-byzoUaK3cMbDmLSNSqx2GZl-FmGWl3_gJR3-zqMmSZgpislLU7cTg-cgosQafzOvWvgkL_XNCWZH3NA/s640/blogger-image--751849752.jpg" id="id_d91f_cf74_c2a0_bcbf" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></font></a></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We didn't try the empanadas, which we soon discovered the restaurant is known for, meriting a mention in a 2000&nbsp;<b>New York Times</b>&nbsp;article on the subject.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We opted for the tried and tested&nbsp;<i>milanesa</i>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<i>lomito de cerdo</i>&nbsp;and were not disappointed. Good, home-style cooking, just like your grandmother's, if you had an Argentine grandmother that is.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">About those empanadas...</b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">South America, a hotbed of empanada aficionados, where comparisons ignite debate and national or regional pride.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have my own opinion of course.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whether&nbsp;baked or fried,&nbsp;<i>suave</i>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<i>picante</i>, the empanadas I've tasted in this part of the world can't hold a candle to our very own&nbsp;<b>Filipino</b>&nbsp;variety: the&nbsp;<b>Ilocos Empanada</b>, a version of which I had only recently discovered. It's neon bright, bursting with flavor, and filled with pretty little quail eggs!</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47Eu4X7WNK4UvqXkldIZUbKB9NKuFD8pVHyO8y10t0AjW2TRWMe6vcQOgZg9oTGU7xfxzrDq7hVIKZdmFzc26ufU1sv_ijtYwZis0YxhdmVbSrTLxNIm2jyPG0AJVOv-SXrE7/s640/blogger-image--1193027972.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj47Eu4X7WNK4UvqXkldIZUbKB9NKuFD8pVHyO8y10t0AjW2TRWMe6vcQOgZg9oTGU7xfxzrDq7hVIKZdmFzc26ufU1sv_ijtYwZis0YxhdmVbSrTLxNIm2jyPG0AJVOv-SXrE7/s640/blogger-image--1193027972.jpg" id="id_8a9e_4ed1_e88e_e031" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've also been feeling&nbsp;nostalgic for the empanadas of my youth: the forty-centavo&nbsp;ones&nbsp;(Bretton Woods era prices, before the invention of inflation) served in the old Grade School canteen at&nbsp;<b>St Theresa's</b>. Tasty and moist, stuffed with sautéed ground beef and raisins. Perfect for those mid-morning snacks at Recess time!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4387788945664231354'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4387788945664231354'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/02/the-food-report-iii.html' title='The Food Report III'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnbOhLwvx1vy2YH1ZLhOL7ABApyEoRfmX8RHZzgVlSrOjPcnTMxufaMNtEY7VJgIrg5Baq-GZ9qVMH9lbRwLKU2qWFQ1tCeuFcxBAkgVP99cUfX4cBakQP2GVeWQ8c2seHUnab/s72-c/blogger-image--1415314716.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6436553333082474346</id><published>2017-01-27T04:04:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-10-18T14:47:43.621+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Buenos Aires'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wine'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>The Food Report II</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I guess we've just about given up chasing down authentic local cuisine.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our recent successes don't qualify as local finds.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>La Pecora Nera</b>, in Recoleta,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I had a Capri salad, an&nbsp;osso buco&nbsp;risotto, a chocolate ice cream with candied orange peel, and a glass of Malbec.&nbsp;The three- course set lunch at $260 including&nbsp;wine is good value for leafy&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Recoleta</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">a welcome change I must admit, from gritty San Telmo.&nbsp;</span></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRGEY6_svf6LVW3Km8ro2M4WWS_NO7AxrSo5FhlKST4n3gJoun8It-ruBDBSZGpXT-hFgbubpK2pPzXLzj6LVslfrMSZAFr4qqbWeiOIM2Z581EL1HoxkhHyKZnXt3w0m_D62/s640/blogger-image--1116920072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRGEY6_svf6LVW3Km8ro2M4WWS_NO7AxrSo5FhlKST4n3gJoun8It-ruBDBSZGpXT-hFgbubpK2pPzXLzj6LVslfrMSZAFr4qqbWeiOIM2Z581EL1HoxkhHyKZnXt3w0m_D62/s640/blogger-image--1116920072.jpg" id="id_f2fe_266_1acb_e182" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lFZhVKdKaF0I5vt-2RAfauWoedmWRJiNcHamApfP0V_QcHiDWfzbnonmGXfsFizE6ba9puhyK4tI7S11eWLZWQJnrL0HSdM5ZU0_1doFNOkAFHKVPR9bwNU2dqdlQ_ahZ-d9/s640/blogger-image-561274757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5lFZhVKdKaF0I5vt-2RAfauWoedmWRJiNcHamApfP0V_QcHiDWfzbnonmGXfsFizE6ba9puhyK4tI7S11eWLZWQJnrL0HSdM5ZU0_1doFNOkAFHKVPR9bwNU2dqdlQ_ahZ-d9/s640/blogger-image-561274757.jpg" id="id_a8d5_1d22_e9f2_d689" style="width: 345px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sottovoce</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Puerto Madero,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the only Argentine item on the menu was the wine, which came free with the $389 three-course menu.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There was a cool breeze blowing from the river and a cloudless blue sky. Plus a welcome glass of champagne. All on the house! It was a perfect Italian lunch in beautiful Argentina.</span></div></div></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaoHvD0BkmFB4COdiDZ-ayFpPFkU8rPXM3v5QDOgcbIPxg9Pb1gCPRMFAt9CPsK1VPvhOG1Vm1nDPhjhAo1lCdUnUY6ljpQSJXawigYrzEoS6K1yxu_xQM7wwycg4BSF7rrix/s640/blogger-image--497044564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpaoHvD0BkmFB4COdiDZ-ayFpPFkU8rPXM3v5QDOgcbIPxg9Pb1gCPRMFAt9CPsK1VPvhOG1Vm1nDPhjhAo1lCdUnUY6ljpQSJXawigYrzEoS6K1yxu_xQM7wwycg4BSF7rrix/s640/blogger-image--497044564.jpg" id="id_3f14_d63e_31a0_d8bb" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy5OBjKGRkGpFoSQUkZJonxNLzyDWpyMLn4T30nJpmMJaY6SJAI2mlWGt4ZBgEGAOPC4ruLyVD4f1D2-Eebm38bCzfP2yO-jFJpVeVKlAL-XhHR2Je-rH79NEuyxK0WM2hPUF/s640/blogger-image--312929743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNy5OBjKGRkGpFoSQUkZJonxNLzyDWpyMLn4T30nJpmMJaY6SJAI2mlWGt4ZBgEGAOPC4ruLyVD4f1D2-Eebm38bCzfP2yO-jFJpVeVKlAL-XhHR2Je-rH79NEuyxK0WM2hPUF/s640/blogger-image--312929743.jpg" id="id_7266_6301_259_2006" style="width: 306px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We stumbled onto a cafeteria style place in Recoleta that served delicious, ridiculously cheap food yesterday when everywhere else had closed for lunch. Checking out the name of the place for future reference, we discovered as we walked out that it was called <b>Restaurant Beijing</b>.&nbsp;Most un-Argentine!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SshZNRk-1jnLj10yEkhxHvfugHDBAoNROv5vIgi6kXQoBoCKGVazxV7STm2ckbIQfIZY5m-6fwRdQp6_z3iLrbRm20DF3p6pxk9kmp3WHNaK6HISy23smjTfIRuVyqXVpCbu/s640/blogger-image--1400595686.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SshZNRk-1jnLj10yEkhxHvfugHDBAoNROv5vIgi6kXQoBoCKGVazxV7STm2ckbIQfIZY5m-6fwRdQp6_z3iLrbRm20DF3p6pxk9kmp3WHNaK6HISy23smjTfIRuVyqXVpCbu/s640/blogger-image--1400595686.jpg" id="id_e2a2_f57f_6ecf_f89e" style="width: 441px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>La Biela</b>, the landmark <i>salon de te&nbsp;</i>on the square in front of the church of <b>Nuestra Señora del Pilar</b>, the staff cheer and applaud whenever one of the senior waiters drops something. Go there for the Sunday afternoon vibe in the shade of the mythical 18th century gum tree. You can skip the lunch.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikBgJr-DDQzNxwAqJV1N_RyTU-n-Z36XwNT1V9YGqWUWBYZ8l5EAdrZqUrZcH81SNMzz8QL2ru9Xc3OMtsu8_AGFGcJL2Xa7aAk3r3OZqZbTbmhjWxS1Md9A5gyEYVXYb_CHS/s640/blogger-image--710806077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikBgJr-DDQzNxwAqJV1N_RyTU-n-Z36XwNT1V9YGqWUWBYZ8l5EAdrZqUrZcH81SNMzz8QL2ru9Xc3OMtsu8_AGFGcJL2Xa7aAk3r3OZqZbTbmhjWxS1Md9A5gyEYVXYb_CHS/s640/blogger-image--710806077.jpg" id="id_b9b6_2eea_e609_25af" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A note about wine...</b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the hard-core</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;one-glass-with-meals kind of wine-lover that I am, South America is happy wine heaven.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Choosing wine has never been easier. In</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Chile, I go for Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay. In Argentina,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Malbec. Simple!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6436553333082474346'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6436553333082474346'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/the-food-report-ii.html' title='The Food Report II'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRGEY6_svf6LVW3Km8ro2M4WWS_NO7AxrSo5FhlKST4n3gJoun8It-ruBDBSZGpXT-hFgbubpK2pPzXLzj6LVslfrMSZAFr4qqbWeiOIM2Z581EL1HoxkhHyKZnXt3w0m_D62/s72-c/blogger-image--1116920072.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5195463773143216497</id><published>2017-01-25T06:49:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-25T12:22:13.431+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Buenos Aires'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cuisine'/><title type='text'>The Food Report</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If&nbsp;Argentine&nbsp;tango&nbsp;be food for the soul, what food for the travel-weary body then? We're looking to taste something new, truly delectable, and local.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aye, but there's the rub! For those of us who don't worship at the altar of Steak &amp; Potatoes, there's not much joy to be had.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In&nbsp;<b>San Telmo</b>&nbsp;we have yet to find something about local cuisine&nbsp;to get excited about. Still&nbsp;exploring the world beyond empanadas and&nbsp;<i>milanesas</i>, our mission has been hijacked by&nbsp;the local&nbsp;<b>Freddo&nbsp;</b>ice cream&nbsp;outlet<b>&nbsp;</b>where a&nbsp;scoop of&nbsp;mascarpone over&nbsp;dulce de leche&nbsp;<i>granizado</i>&nbsp;is addictive.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our restaurant list is very much still a work in progress.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Cafe Anselmo</b>.&nbsp;The hotel has a&nbsp;small curbside&nbsp;setup, only three tables, which is perfect for watching plaza goings on with a glass of wine. However, it's not the ideal place for a quick meal. Yesterday,&nbsp;it&nbsp;took an hour for&nbsp;our set lunch to arrive at our table. We didn't mind though. The filet mignon was perfect, the afternoon glorious: blue skies, a soft breeze, and dreamy tango in the park.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYyU2oe2z8X81cAPdLKshz1iZzTutPvlQWlcEEcu3mg3WhJp-F9b9OTHJE3gOIR9vkgc5kvGBwO7_c3EYu0iRcyv53jzqho4iQd7ZNuLhIpbDS0JS3jxY_eJlrHM7ZopLdbYA/s640/blogger-image-783836921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYyU2oe2z8X81cAPdLKshz1iZzTutPvlQWlcEEcu3mg3WhJp-F9b9OTHJE3gOIR9vkgc5kvGBwO7_c3EYu0iRcyv53jzqho4iQd7ZNuLhIpbDS0JS3jxY_eJlrHM7ZopLdbYA/s640/blogger-image-783836921.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Cafe San Juan</b>, a godsend,&nbsp;less than a ten-minute walk from our hotel. Superb food, efficient friendly service. They have a blackboard menu (they have two actually- one for desserts) which is usually a good sign.&nbsp;The place is tiny, and popular,&nbsp;so reservations are necessary especially at dinner.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQBHvZv7qN_5otLMKRBhYFzoNsXaWm4S4qFL7BNerW-gTjacsEdyxa-NbB9MQFqUVrxGrYJTjmFxKJR4pTYXrR0JVBS4OMgOsqU7iVeK1m2_P6e6Vqv-UmqfQQbtXZLMhuw5u/s640/blogger-image-1215846292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDQBHvZv7qN_5otLMKRBhYFzoNsXaWm4S4qFL7BNerW-gTjacsEdyxa-NbB9MQFqUVrxGrYJTjmFxKJR4pTYXrR0JVBS4OMgOsqU7iVeK1m2_P6e6Vqv-UmqfQQbtXZLMhuw5u/s640/blogger-image-1215846292.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Desnivel</b>. Wildly popular, always packed, extremely noisy, a permanent long queue waiting for tables or for takeouts.&nbsp;Good meat dishes, low low prices.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyFJ0_4kapAsjkdOm3nZkfgfQ5VaD2l2H3bULdftKZBKSUq2JZk-GfZqrTB9XVsIJ5-HVtvVW_X0YxNdS00X1FSSvrp-WiG_suOquf1EV6hltXe6iWEDpsKkMUKb2H6tocevH/s640/blogger-image-367937210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSyFJ0_4kapAsjkdOm3nZkfgfQ5VaD2l2H3bULdftKZBKSUq2JZk-GfZqrTB9XVsIJ5-HVtvVW_X0YxNdS00X1FSSvrp-WiG_suOquf1EV6hltXe6iWEDpsKkMUKb2H6tocevH/s640/blogger-image-367937210.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5195463773143216497'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5195463773143216497'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/food_25.html' title='The Food Report'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxYyU2oe2z8X81cAPdLKshz1iZzTutPvlQWlcEEcu3mg3WhJp-F9b9OTHJE3gOIR9vkgc5kvGBwO7_c3EYu0iRcyv53jzqho4iQd7ZNuLhIpbDS0JS3jxY_eJlrHM7ZopLdbYA/s72-c/blogger-image-783836921.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9115361394063988727</id><published>2017-01-22T05:04:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-23T06:37:45.876+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Argentina'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Iguazú'/><title type='text'>Iguazú Falls</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We walked into the hotel lobby and there it was, like artwork behind the check in counter.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ranoYUUvAzk_N3RNhqqPaxdJOgDUHBUtXinilwhsXuAcjUeV9hwPHXFvKIeMQiTe-Tmeo23c3YU9mRB95Mu5v35fK0KO3TheE4-VJXK_M7VvoBE-xjDRE03VoYTAqkwewK2/s640/blogger-image--2128331817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ranoYUUvAzk_N3RNhqqPaxdJOgDUHBUtXinilwhsXuAcjUeV9hwPHXFvKIeMQiTe-Tmeo23c3YU9mRB95Mu5v35fK0KO3TheE4-VJXK_M7VvoBE-xjDRE03VoYTAqkwewK2/s640/blogger-image--2128331817.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It looks like a painting! I said.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The front office lady smiled.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Is it real? I asked, smiling too.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nodding slowly and emphatically, she replied: Yes, it is real.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Iguazú Falls</b> really does look like a painting. Or a movie shoot. Like a scene from <b>Avatar</b> or <b>Maleficent</b>, complete with soaring eagles and sparkling rainbows.</span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5IoaZRf6dpcD4TfXYUor-41t83gIAaND4WEdZh6_UqbWZt851v7mOkqJqZQFdevkH_cCXA-hJWncNyTF-Ka3KFlbXGydxgEcxQ54QM2UX0eVRSnezlb26M5zPNciY9um1I43/s640/blogger-image-800791324.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5IoaZRf6dpcD4TfXYUor-41t83gIAaND4WEdZh6_UqbWZt851v7mOkqJqZQFdevkH_cCXA-hJWncNyTF-Ka3KFlbXGydxgEcxQ54QM2UX0eVRSnezlb26M5zPNciY9um1I43/s640/blogger-image-800791324.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuDZTInUud55yFlHPYaCjv_lZEKXf5W3j3GhKpiv5LIVLNcZVCET-H30JkOdJdyW-iBNUMWx-rd5cmaXGek6JvDpDvHbLmlGIXSTz4Jy_ev1qXnRHSPgdNnIWc1_BBcnlKiRD/s640/blogger-image-1916736766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuDZTInUud55yFlHPYaCjv_lZEKXf5W3j3GhKpiv5LIVLNcZVCET-H30JkOdJdyW-iBNUMWx-rd5cmaXGek6JvDpDvHbLmlGIXSTz4Jy_ev1qXnRHSPgdNnIWc1_BBcnlKiRD/s640/blogger-image-1916736766.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Brazil's <b>Iguazú River</b> joins the <b>Paraná</b> at a point where Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay meet. It then barrels out into the Iguazú Falls where part of the Argentina-Brazil border runs through&nbsp;its reversed <b>J&nbsp;</b>formation. Eighty percent of this, the largest waterfall system in the world,&nbsp;is on the Argentine side, counting anywhere from 275 to 300 separate falls at various times of the year.</span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdngx8FDm_dXPNVe5TfZn6IU2YETdl-RK0_eN9u0307oEghk_wqIL0ex1tYP96b2TImqig0T26q4PJQTphos7XziMN3LXOd8ySyPw1b5axJ49FqX6jwYOrbQYMHotvvziPH9p/s640/blogger-image-1236597747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdngx8FDm_dXPNVe5TfZn6IU2YETdl-RK0_eN9u0307oEghk_wqIL0ex1tYP96b2TImqig0T26q4PJQTphos7XziMN3LXOd8ySyPw1b5axJ49FqX6jwYOrbQYMHotvvziPH9p/s640/blogger-image-1236597747.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">South Americ</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a is most emphatically </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;continent of superlatives. In the three weeks we've been here, we've driven through the </span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Andes</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the world's longest continental mountain range, and had a peek at&nbsp;</span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Aconcagua</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,&nbsp;the highest peak in the Southern and Western Hemispheres.&nbsp;We've&nbsp;seen some of the finest street art ever, come up close and personal with the most beautiful rainforest flora, and also met the strangest looking fauna.</span></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oSxvZRk3EqqglxLcymxJFqM27BNqAJCTRo6bgoddsH-JnizDN8m4qYnYSfBYMeAkcDymfwie8VKnQlVzZEDpFYESRtkA2NBggbdhP205sZYQtPK6PG1MDR8uSgmyZS6hg5VI/s640/blogger-image--1107557901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6oSxvZRk3EqqglxLcymxJFqM27BNqAJCTRo6bgoddsH-JnizDN8m4qYnYSfBYMeAkcDymfwie8VKnQlVzZEDpFYESRtkA2NBggbdhP205sZYQtPK6PG1MDR8uSgmyZS6hg5VI/s640/blogger-image--1107557901.jpg"></a></div></div></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And think of it: we were actually at the spot where <b>Indiana Jones</b>&nbsp;had hurtled down the deadliest, most cinematically spectacular waterfalls ever!</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9115361394063988727'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9115361394063988727'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/iguazu-falls.html' title='Iguazú Falls'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi75ranoYUUvAzk_N3RNhqqPaxdJOgDUHBUtXinilwhsXuAcjUeV9hwPHXFvKIeMQiTe-Tmeo23c3YU9mRB95Mu5v35fK0KO3TheE4-VJXK_M7VvoBE-xjDRE03VoYTAqkwewK2/s72-c/blogger-image--2128331817.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4222550161566878145</id><published>2017-01-15T05:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-05-28T13:54:18.201+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Buenos Aires'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anselmo Hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Plaza Dorrego'/><title type='text'>A modern hotel in old San Telmo</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Anselmo Buenos Aires&nbsp;</b><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">sits unobtrusively at the edge of&nbsp;</span><b style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Plaza Dorrego</b><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">. Its location in the heart of t</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">he historic town of <b>San Telmo</b>&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">couldn't be more desirable for a first time visitor like myself. It's drenched in atmosphere and local color and crammed with shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants.&nbsp;</span></div>
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That's our room above the ground floor. The balcony looks out onto the plaza.</div>
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It's a spiffily designed space- lots of curios, artwork, and the inevitable portrait of an&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">icon:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqt_BW0llew1Em1ofFJtoMexAddkKOnS2xWK5sIx3yDydEWm2FtCKQ31N7VOMwZCEiEWFRj7hyphenhyphen0KC8yYP1j6ZqfSo6XhR5GTEGL30_n0ljebIeDE961sF4ixQyD4D7Ax74dmQ/s640/blogger-image-985024919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqt_BW0llew1Em1ofFJtoMexAddkKOnS2xWK5sIx3yDydEWm2FtCKQ31N7VOMwZCEiEWFRj7hyphenhyphen0KC8yYP1j6ZqfSo6XhR5GTEGL30_n0ljebIeDE961sF4ixQyD4D7Ax74dmQ/s640/blogger-image-985024919.jpg"></a></span></div>
</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Early afternoon on Plaza Dorrego, the view from our balcony:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IV-OwPCOVWo/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IV-OwPCOVWo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
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<div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Although there is&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">almost nonstop&nbsp;</span>partying in the park- Argentina after all is touted as a place that never sleeps- things tend not to get rowdy. The music drifting in from the plaza, sometimes live, sometimes recorded, is always lovely. For me anyway. I realize tango music and jazz are not everyone's cup of&nbsp;<i style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">cortado&nbsp;</i>but happily, they're mine.&nbsp;</span></div><div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Sunday's weather has turned bad, raining on Plaza Dorrego's fabulous antiques market and causing the evening's <i>Milonga</i> to be canceled after a few false starts.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">There's no music in the park tonight. And everyone has gone home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tTDkdr7B2H33YJFkfnxNtkoeubZ2k3aTFjJfVEHXipabSsPqNGK7jfnKyH2gJRy3HZdK-UsMjG7u8jZ7fKd5QOZF4_ykn2KFELHoeCxTABZqSa6fOxXzHUXPTDsvxLglTH8T/s640/blogger-image--439105968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tTDkdr7B2H33YJFkfnxNtkoeubZ2k3aTFjJfVEHXipabSsPqNGK7jfnKyH2gJRy3HZdK-UsMjG7u8jZ7fKd5QOZF4_ykn2KFELHoeCxTABZqSa6fOxXzHUXPTDsvxLglTH8T/s640/blogger-image--439105968.jpg"></a></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4222550161566878145'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4222550161566878145'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/a-modern-hotel-on-old-plaza-dorrego.html' title='A modern hotel in old San Telmo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrGgx47-D51F7SEl7oKxEUxNr4FdVmfNu_Zs5rgvLYo7kZGYFJ4Bj9F8ePDXrOVFj-8CtRBHjT8fXbs7HyahyZdv7JnCq1zl-j9o2xhdLnDSPkTJehsmjQxwMB167D4PMt8vhX/s72-c/blogger-image-1405562670.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8743810886645772660</id><published>2017-01-14T03:42:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-02-16T09:17:35.910+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Buenos Aires'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='graffiti'/><title type='text'>Buenos Aires Graffiti</title><content type='html'><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">get the impression there's more street cred in the graffiti of Buenos Aires than in those of Valparaíso which I felt tend more towards the artistic or decorative. Generally.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm out on a limb here as this tentative conclusion is based on a single afternoon's exploration of the grittier precincts of Palermo and Colegiales.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzSOiIrqKFPjGXQ0TuXcst_KbOWo4THQKo1sTcmjzF4iEd9gm-PGAF9r0GjatCHrktnhuAPQaPOmaPOIRvnyhGzpmbTohFKd3s-eXu-7zIH6U-0A1wWZMCGiNuTdx-mtITfmF/s640/blogger-image--1713330799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzSOiIrqKFPjGXQ0TuXcst_KbOWo4THQKo1sTcmjzF4iEd9gm-PGAF9r0GjatCHrktnhuAPQaPOmaPOIRvnyhGzpmbTohFKd3s-eXu-7zIH6U-0A1wWZMCGiNuTdx-mtITfmF/s640/blogger-image--1713330799.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV2ZKH9fC7PF9U1BIOqH0G4oHv1fH779cNtWmY88Qlig3xAKoMAmDpaRPCqV3RChwBYyzpN0Wm9V4OV1lPN3N2IRXfrbd2MVebiIXKW7xzGAzDgUj6O51SaW59jU_Z0_DZ5fk/s640/blogger-image-1986765666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV2ZKH9fC7PF9U1BIOqH0G4oHv1fH779cNtWmY88Qlig3xAKoMAmDpaRPCqV3RChwBYyzpN0Wm9V4OV1lPN3N2IRXfrbd2MVebiIXKW7xzGAzDgUj6O51SaW59jU_Z0_DZ5fk/s640/blogger-image-1986765666.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimO-ywrmU8eTj5qsOo6TK7fEhfk96xlAdUus2dq9jwWvz3Z43U6qoZ1bGjRSG_hduaX-BtPQWp3LJijvRu0YiYBakn4piFSDDT4zmOIpVWYqjNqu390QEVe6KnWTLvQAh1Ap-w/s640/blogger-image--159439921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimO-ywrmU8eTj5qsOo6TK7fEhfk96xlAdUus2dq9jwWvz3Z43U6qoZ1bGjRSG_hduaX-BtPQWp3LJijvRu0YiYBakn4piFSDDT4zmOIpVWYqjNqu390QEVe6KnWTLvQAh1Ap-w/s640/blogger-image--159439921.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The city is plastered with graffiti. It would take the better part of a year to sort through the various genres of this in-your-face art form.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHclZB86ILWwxNiiRK8IyWdXIFIrkOoThayw-BgFqxCahWp5Iy2QTa5vDT2FtWtev20VTe9ibBzCIHCP8oG8H7Q31VxTDzQijOcEA3H1r_XdKliqQ8lTIE2L3dHaAdt6keVFWo/s640/blogger-image--977202710.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHclZB86ILWwxNiiRK8IyWdXIFIrkOoThayw-BgFqxCahWp5Iy2QTa5vDT2FtWtev20VTe9ibBzCIHCP8oG8H7Q31VxTDzQijOcEA3H1r_XdKliqQ8lTIE2L3dHaAdt6keVFWo/s640/blogger-image--977202710.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwNktmG_Sahbu3H2d9wyOcJdVDmOwTI1kWQTYs89MEpMUU29ss52wVSZvApHSlD_RNAuQx63m784hyHmTFE7QAZT6UB-lR6W2OFagnjyqwcKLdd117jVEW_-eOFMrdB3vnhUe/s640/blogger-image-652666587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNwNktmG_Sahbu3H2d9wyOcJdVDmOwTI1kWQTYs89MEpMUU29ss52wVSZvApHSlD_RNAuQx63m784hyHmTFE7QAZT6UB-lR6W2OFagnjyqwcKLdd117jVEW_-eOFMrdB3vnhUe/s640/blogger-image-652666587.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC2bN3LFYdSHtjfKH6VNkmnc5rosq6X_5lbd7q9pvpQ1XHEMcWKnsiGPa4UOhYfYKk29hT3S4Ec7qA74EVbP8mHhFwhVR_KFcBGLBR85Zy35Gzg5ZNWj0D4bv4I6Y3qn6bMXy/s640/blogger-image-1392879184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDC2bN3LFYdSHtjfKH6VNkmnc5rosq6X_5lbd7q9pvpQ1XHEMcWKnsiGPa4UOhYfYKk29hT3S4Ec7qA74EVbP8mHhFwhVR_KFcBGLBR85Zy35Gzg5ZNWj0D4bv4I6Y3qn6bMXy/s640/blogger-image-1392879184.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And to attempt to ascribe any philosophical, political, or artistic merit. Or to dismiss the lot as mere vandalism.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPsRWFNT3XImYBpBUbTq4rdT-6AD4PtMAmRu7a7kSBaJebtjdW5ri30_RS-tIMMoJbnVhOwQ2hQl2bpAKq_AcuNFLe9WhgvmufxzTV8xhU99IgvOWKp8E088JOC9p8_BZwH5E/s640/blogger-image--1595696132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPsRWFNT3XImYBpBUbTq4rdT-6AD4PtMAmRu7a7kSBaJebtjdW5ri30_RS-tIMMoJbnVhOwQ2hQl2bpAKq_AcuNFLe9WhgvmufxzTV8xhU99IgvOWKp8E088JOC9p8_BZwH5E/s640/blogger-image--1595696132.jpg"></a></div></span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEelvAEdD3NAKDf1mgRZLNnVl-TRETbZ2ltIXTe6ioDhqQ6lKNq3ZKLZSjd5GASHSGzMr3jSs855HGHXisC6hJ7XtJLv2fV6hcmC54JUn0M8N8UBEiqdgBgGdLQ1UmX1sQj4JS/s640/blogger-image--1061119489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEelvAEdD3NAKDf1mgRZLNnVl-TRETbZ2ltIXTe6ioDhqQ6lKNq3ZKLZSjd5GASHSGzMr3jSs855HGHXisC6hJ7XtJLv2fV6hcmC54JUn0M8N8UBEiqdgBgGdLQ1UmX1sQj4JS/s640/blogger-image--1061119489.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqTp6YeUNo8hRmqB5GOIN177UPmj03H-kB9KeKiE4r65KLEYwyjutnEJkjuJpyqtwXTT21x_QZXpfOqRopx4vtEXMzvO-rd-Pjd6U2NnDqd6A3MJPVNmSE_bpATFHlexJVFT6/s640/blogger-image--2061697768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEqTp6YeUNo8hRmqB5GOIN177UPmj03H-kB9KeKiE4r65KLEYwyjutnEJkjuJpyqtwXTT21x_QZXpfOqRopx4vtEXMzvO-rd-Pjd6U2NnDqd6A3MJPVNmSE_bpATFHlexJVFT6/s640/blogger-image--2061697768.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My favorite of course is this:&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvaMTjuxN3iveFhvmgJ_GsnvTQztH1kubHEh0n_gKBjZ_XP6aGzikIKe-at2uXhPDS198_NOm0gc1JU4PY_XbE3BnDgpUWAV39uzXGM6BYnC2k06MprOFbWRBUBAi8f6Gkz1s/s640/blogger-image-1822143598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvaMTjuxN3iveFhvmgJ_GsnvTQztH1kubHEh0n_gKBjZ_XP6aGzikIKe-at2uXhPDS198_NOm0gc1JU4PY_XbE3BnDgpUWAV39uzXGM6BYnC2k06MprOFbWRBUBAi8f6Gkz1s/s640/blogger-image-1822143598.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alice hurtling down the rabbit hole. It most probably has no political or philosophical significance but it's masterfully drawn and deliciously colored. Plus it illustrates the feeling I sometimes get when traveling to strange and wondrous places.</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8743810886645772660'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8743810886645772660'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/buenos-aires-graffiti.html' title='Buenos Aires Graffiti'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzSOiIrqKFPjGXQ0TuXcst_KbOWo4THQKo1sTcmjzF4iEd9gm-PGAF9r0GjatCHrktnhuAPQaPOmaPOIRvnyhGzpmbTohFKd3s-eXu-7zIH6U-0A1wWZMCGiNuTdx-mtITfmF/s72-c/blogger-image--1713330799.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6662064412222897427</id><published>2017-01-13T07:38:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-09T15:09:10.747+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Argentina'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tango'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Plaza Dorrego'/><title type='text'>Tango in the park</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Plaza Dorrego for a late lunch. And some tango.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: start;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WdAuhVT5Lyo/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WdAuhVT5Lyo?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" id="id_dad0_a648_66e1_4f1d"></iframe></span></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3sqn7iV21dj7flVLySeKcJBJhrG6iVZP08t9CD-7OwPnZlzd-erTh8odZxclKF1b4GWlBMeByzoS-OgyFgAON82M3JOzt6jUUSD7sskuS4wFFu4LEr221U-Nne9kbBoYTswi/s640/blogger-image--531970640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP3sqn7iV21dj7flVLySeKcJBJhrG6iVZP08t9CD-7OwPnZlzd-erTh8odZxclKF1b4GWlBMeByzoS-OgyFgAON82M3JOzt6jUUSD7sskuS4wFFu4LEr221U-Nne9kbBoYTswi/s640/blogger-image--531970640.jpg" id="id_b6d9_7a06_f260_157a" style="width: 480px; height: auto;"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6662064412222897427'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6662064412222897427'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/tango-in-park.html' title='Tango in the park'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://i.ytimg.com/vi/WdAuhVT5Lyo/0.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4981834079424992168</id><published>2017-01-12T21:56:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-14T22:15:38.727+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Buenos Aires'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anselmo Hotel'/><title type='text'>Full moon over Rio de la Plata</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wednesday, 7:40 evening.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Buenos Aires welcomes us with a wondrous moon over the Rio de la Plata.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu657xrpOL056VzclarEA6SMbIfjKBgvhiB0G3KNoPNWdwOu5Q3eR3AvtEDAxT8blxyZVFqaOnn-iwtvsQd073lGqetPAu31SlPyTpdX9DPcqKvadyVXmYo2lVu0q17yJ1XMl/s640/blogger-image--264635186.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu657xrpOL056VzclarEA6SMbIfjKBgvhiB0G3KNoPNWdwOu5Q3eR3AvtEDAxT8blxyZVFqaOnn-iwtvsQd073lGqetPAu31SlPyTpdX9DPcqKvadyVXmYo2lVu0q17yJ1XMl/s640/blogger-image--264635186.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's something special about this place. I can't wait to get into the life of this city. Beautiful buildings...grand boulevards...tree lined cobbled streets...lots of parks, trees everywhere.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And in front of our hotel on&nbsp;<b>Plaza Dorrego&nbsp;</b>in the heart of San Telmo, there's a party in progress.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFUJULcWSQGcJMxRMbhEErzADSLbnTZ_c80M2cJu6kKwGIDQugCpZrGGR8BG8WrSNIM-H0JWVPzZgIId_tslBNRZrlvEtYh-B1wZJPVgmsVABXQyrNbYA3C1vHXoMy9szu3ET/s640/blogger-image--2093765937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioFUJULcWSQGcJMxRMbhEErzADSLbnTZ_c80M2cJu6kKwGIDQugCpZrGGR8BG8WrSNIM-H0JWVPzZgIId_tslBNRZrlvEtYh-B1wZJPVgmsVABXQyrNbYA3C1vHXoMy9szu3ET/s640/blogger-image--2093765937.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">I'm going to like it here. 😊</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4981834079424992168'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4981834079424992168'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/full-moon-over-rio-de-la-plata.html' title='Full moon over Rio de la Plata'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVu657xrpOL056VzclarEA6SMbIfjKBgvhiB0G3KNoPNWdwOu5Q3eR3AvtEDAxT8blxyZVFqaOnn-iwtvsQd073lGqetPAu31SlPyTpdX9DPcqKvadyVXmYo2lVu0q17yJ1XMl/s72-c/blogger-image--264635186.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5375914163955925692</id><published>2017-01-11T09:49:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-12T10:09:45.077+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Argentina'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Aconcagua'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Restaurant La Lucia'/><title type='text'>Mendoza, Argentina</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Exciting drive through the <b>Andes</b> in search of a sighting of&nbsp;<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Aconcagua</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the highest peak of the world's longest mountain range</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;No such luck though, the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">notoriously shy summit remained shrouded in cloud.</span><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjyakfMQl09vMpsvCz6f2PvAx15HCEA-bGZ72pL1hjYcDuwcU7uCC6EWvUDYxXqOzikQz0i6I6RhTferaqID8YagLhFPIBDUMETARapIXgHOwm2Nt45FkBRYAVZzCLAs4eokx/s640/blogger-image--276564356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjyakfMQl09vMpsvCz6f2PvAx15HCEA-bGZ72pL1hjYcDuwcU7uCC6EWvUDYxXqOzikQz0i6I6RhTferaqID8YagLhFPIBDUMETARapIXgHOwm2Nt45FkBRYAVZzCLAs4eokx/s640/blogger-image--276564356.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1PovauZ9CLhdti9xXw5gf_5qDovUzBLSHhnELNk0DUu_zsm-lxF8QsRV3ahyphenhyphenpl078fCI0MeTNoPhTwK9amIKTEHcUsEyqXN-KE67WT2YEsZlX991cJYNO9V4H9cyHIbknBNA/s640/blogger-image-2091646368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf1PovauZ9CLhdti9xXw5gf_5qDovUzBLSHhnELNk0DUu_zsm-lxF8QsRV3ahyphenhyphenpl078fCI0MeTNoPhTwK9amIKTEHcUsEyqXN-KE67WT2YEsZlX991cJYNO9V4H9cyHIbknBNA/s640/blogger-image-2091646368.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO-onTj-y7DGPl9Q7E_RE4aVpIza9e9VKX591d1wWSm48ZCE3uoPEdeOzzvDJZGhZaewsKycDg5GQpuxkf8wtu_Kzey-jS2exyV4Cf6EWBT1TLDlTqStUAmUAVpMdkpKFGnAJ/s640/blogger-image--806986069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPO-onTj-y7DGPl9Q7E_RE4aVpIza9e9VKX591d1wWSm48ZCE3uoPEdeOzzvDJZGhZaewsKycDg5GQpuxkf8wtu_Kzey-jS2exyV4Cf6EWBT1TLDlTqStUAmUAVpMdkpKFGnAJ/s640/blogger-image--806986069.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnYDdYnav9pGoC8rpX3X3UIQuUya-p2t7IuQdZ56LpFWl491YUc4a9LoeGUURv7Yf36AMTwM37Rk40n1EQNvoe709CChW4kBm_n8ke4M7TMTk9DunR5IrY3tAZUKkj8QwTpH-/s640/blogger-image--1524226466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgnYDdYnav9pGoC8rpX3X3UIQuUya-p2t7IuQdZ56LpFWl491YUc4a9LoeGUURv7Yf36AMTwM37Rk40n1EQNvoe709CChW4kBm_n8ke4M7TMTk9DunR5IrY3tAZUKkj8QwTpH-/s640/blogger-image--1524226466.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The next day, a short drive took us to wine country. At forbiddingly named&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Casa El Enemigo</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, an e</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">xquisite wine appreciation lunch in a lovely setting.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1_0wfhSLlZuyT9927D8VDQ1QFWitYtZ45MBTEdYOvTAfnmuP4Y10nlAxjL6q4HidhdH184a8njdOAnEEgWU-7zmFdYgk-zZ2e0dl1WPsO3I44-9-1ej3zCjiKybIz10oMtaK/s640/blogger-image--242552937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik1_0wfhSLlZuyT9927D8VDQ1QFWitYtZ45MBTEdYOvTAfnmuP4Y10nlAxjL6q4HidhdH184a8njdOAnEEgWU-7zmFdYgk-zZ2e0dl1WPsO3I44-9-1ej3zCjiKybIz10oMtaK/s640/blogger-image--242552937.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhooVb_7Jah3awVAUgAoI2ieBSnVkows0a1fHU6mbot10aMqMdJAMxsbUrNvg9GVDmZJv4NzESI9gosSRrlC5qkd-ZUSFwUcBqZv5yVmhotJ1dmlP2yoz189kl6HeNDxVF0_mS/s640/blogger-image--1599706780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhooVb_7Jah3awVAUgAoI2ieBSnVkows0a1fHU6mbot10aMqMdJAMxsbUrNvg9GVDmZJv4NzESI9gosSRrlC5qkd-ZUSFwUcBqZv5yVmhotJ1dmlP2yoz189kl6HeNDxVF0_mS/s640/blogger-image--1599706780.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Back in town, a sour note on our last day.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Restaurant</b>&nbsp;<b>La Lucia </b>on Sarmiento Street was an unfortunate lunch recommendation of the <b>Park Hyatt&nbsp;</b>concierge</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My tenderloin steak was mostly gristle; the steak knife was no match for it. Neither was the hake they replaced it with any good. The lemon ice cream was the best thing about the Executive Lunch, but even it could not take away the stale fish taste in my mouth.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5375914163955925692'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5375914163955925692'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/mendoza-argentina-aconcagua.html' title='Mendoza, Argentina'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjyakfMQl09vMpsvCz6f2PvAx15HCEA-bGZ72pL1hjYcDuwcU7uCC6EWvUDYxXqOzikQz0i6I6RhTferaqID8YagLhFPIBDUMETARapIXgHOwm2Nt45FkBRYAVZzCLAs4eokx/s72-c/blogger-image--276564356.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4396460060951491106</id><published>2017-01-08T14:06:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2017-05-04T18:11:34.949+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Valparaíso- 2 restos and a shop</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Sabor Color</b>&nbsp;</span><br>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The dining room walls are painted a sickly green. My lamb is paired with dark chocolate- an intriguing concept but the execution doesn't quite make the grade. And a really nice dessert is unattractively presented- it looks wan and underdressed. The best part of the meal is the mini bread rolls served with garlic mayonnaise.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Is it any wonder we are the only diners here?&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Cafe Algeria</b></span><br>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A charming little cafe teetering on the edge of a precipice. Seems to be&nbsp;run by a couple of college kids with a laptop and some rickety furniture. It has seriously good food.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Must have ceviche of course and the cheesecake with berries.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next door is a tiny craft shop where I bought a copper and lapis lazuli necklace and a silver brooch.</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;They had lovely sweaters, jackets, shags, and stoles of beautifully distressed pelt, in colors ranging from folkloric brights to impressionist washes.</span><br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4396460060951491106'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4396460060951491106'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/valparaiso-2-restos-and-shop.html' title='Valparaíso- 2 restos and a shop'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6182566504471980066</id><published>2017-01-07T22:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-05-28T14:11:57.738+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Valparaiso'/><title type='text'>On the Streets of Valparaíso</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Colorful they may be and fascinating to look at but climbing up and down these steep streets is something else altogether.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We much prefer taking the 140 year-old&nbsp;<i>ascensors</i>. Lucky for us, the city chose to close down our one, <i>Ascensor Del Peral,</i>&nbsp;for much needed rehabilitation only on our last day there.</span></div>
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The signs showing official tsunami escape routes make me nervous but Stuart quips that judging by the presence of hills all around, escaping tsunamis here wouldn't be too difficult. We hope not to test that theory anytime soon.&nbsp;</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A vast army of dogs has taken up permanent residence all across the city: in the streets, pavements, parks, plazas. They are everywhere. So why isn't the city piled high with their mess, I wonder?&nbsp;There must be very dedicated street cleaners here on the job 24/7. Or dogs that clean up after themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Most of the women here have sad faces. I don't think they're sad, they just have that look. Like sad madonnas.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maybe it's the collective sad experiences that are etched on their faces: devastating earthquakes, tsunamis, the bloody coup that launched the repressive Pinochet regime, and the economic hardships that followed.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's probably why they brighten up their lives with&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">aggressive paintwork all around. On walls, doors, benches, stone steps.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">These may have served also to galvanize their strong community spirit.&nbsp;They feed the stray dogs; they set out water bowls for them; I'm told they even clothe them in the winter.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They readily chip in as hats are passed around by street performers. And there are performers everywhere:</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">An</span> itinerant singer at dinner...</span><br>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qd0dqj-eyY8/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qd0dqj-eyY8?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...a drum band in a plaza...&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/T3oXexc1_qE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T3oXexc1_qE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...a&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">belly dancer at a curbside cafe.</span></div><div><br>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the train to <b>Viña del Mar</b>, the old lady on the seat facing me&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">drops a few coins into the hat of the ukelele playing singer who had just finished his gig.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Smiling impishly, she now dances in her seat to the beatbox music of the next busker.&nbsp;</span></div></div></div></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6182566504471980066'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6182566504471980066'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html' title='On the Streets of Valparaíso'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0M-1BgF5ASc60Mijz-cZe38eM4SSOSBuJLCIGdpdTWP47-awlHrEXsotukXtFIVrfYl0HZgh0ZT9PwFrHH6h90UlK9uhc93O4Bcyo2mzrWRFq-6C3EMHjjgBfRldZ3hkRYNN/s72-c/blogger-image--644840277.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8907525067336527582</id><published>2017-01-06T21:42:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-03-30T08:18:39.831+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sebastiana'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Chascona'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Neruda'/><title type='text'>The writing life: Neruda&#39;s houses</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">La Sebastiana </b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">was <b>Pablo Neruda</b>'s house in&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Valparaíso. The entire structure suggests how the writer/poet/</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">diplomat/politician/</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">dissident/national treasure reportedly lived.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's&nbsp;s metal chaise longue in the garden that suggests the lifestyle.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For Neruda, writing was his job. He worked on it according to a set routine.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the morning,&nbsp;after breakfast, he read&nbsp;and did his correspondence. At lunchtime, friends came to join him for a meal. He hated to eat alone. After lunch, he went to his study and wrote for two hours. Afterwards, he went to his bedroom and slept for several hours. In the evening, friends came to join him for cocktails, which he loved to mix himself, and then dinner.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He enjoyed looking out to the ocean, from many vantage points in the multilevel house, but most especially sitting on&nbsp;"The Cloud," his nickname for his&nbsp;favorite leather chair.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Neruda: "The Pacific Ocean overflowed the map. There was no place to put it. It was so big, unruly and blue that it fitted nowhere. That's why they left it in front of my window."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a lifestyle I wouldn't find hard to get accustomed to myself.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">La Chascona&nbsp;</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in Santiago</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">, the second of three of the poet's houses,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">was built for his then secret lover and future third wife, Matilde. Its recurring design motif is a woman's head with wild flowing hair. <i>Chascona</i> means disheveled or ruffled.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Matilde's wild mane of long curly red hair was said to have prompted Neruda to sometimes call her Medusa.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Like it's name suggests, this home is quirky,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">disorganized, and unmanageable. It's suggestive of&nbsp;carefree abandon and utter disregard for rules governing both interior design and social behavior. It was a love nest, a hideaway; private and personal.&nbsp;</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8907525067336527582'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8907525067336527582'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/the-writing-life.html' title='The writing life: Neruda&#39;s houses'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8W_di5xX4SVsGL7D8DLSUuWhSHhgh1hCha1N2xrcAd8kfriM9VyuEtQ57ntWA6XBjRPwM_A22OcIk3JhG4ZvLFlTYIR-JbAQd0-K3YlwoEQ-RPmaCLacWmA9cJWTjzESbCo9j/s72-c/blogger-image--1267435475.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6173935466353788391</id><published>2017-01-05T18:05:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2018-04-10T17:28:39.902+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ode to Valparaiso'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Street art'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Pablo Neruda'/><title type='text'>Valparaiso</title><content type='html'><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqogBLySFheKDr1IbIMjIv2u2UhzAU5nGGgBELYG1_CIj_uXW_tEKyeRkOCwdxd9cIDH_pfPu_iVOoDDvvG206R1HrqKMm9hMetyClfsZxuaadxCWNEIkTtvrFiBdhPVHymtW/s640/blogger-image-2012725072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggqogBLySFheKDr1IbIMjIv2u2UhzAU5nGGgBELYG1_CIj_uXW_tEKyeRkOCwdxd9cIDH_pfPu_iVOoDDvvG206R1HrqKMm9hMetyClfsZxuaadxCWNEIkTtvrFiBdhPVHymtW/s640/blogger-image-2012725072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO1amLSdf7E_1KS4bVQOc4ZD0TW3hoao4EeWH5VDxMgTBGw5X19eqXr2t9LHKxUqEkYm43ewMegf29hR001eNC_-oQuL19ei56Ugi3tjH5zP-brcKdueipJ9dFoFhFOznaW2C/s640/blogger-image-1112109256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO1amLSdf7E_1KS4bVQOc4ZD0TW3hoao4EeWH5VDxMgTBGw5X19eqXr2t9LHKxUqEkYm43ewMegf29hR001eNC_-oQuL19ei56Ugi3tjH5zP-brcKdueipJ9dFoFhFOznaW2C/s640/blogger-image-1112109256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoBCyz3qkI5KvMA8t_XLumZse_f0yuexTd6Z68gcQfkOACgZDBYpsGP2IGwWc2YSCeMGhrYH7rO8UITrlR8xQyGrg4Amydb6DshLkcAt4592VkzXrN4o7WhUgNdqjEDI92Dw-/s640/blogger-image--2100537999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoBCyz3qkI5KvMA8t_XLumZse_f0yuexTd6Z68gcQfkOACgZDBYpsGP2IGwWc2YSCeMGhrYH7rO8UITrlR8xQyGrg4Amydb6DshLkcAt4592VkzXrN4o7WhUgNdqjEDI92Dw-/s640/blogger-image--2100537999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ChIdnN2xtO0k3_OZgcfCm5OMsTc5xrpw2wb5mVpfWrak1FR4m7NOWUKsMcmxF5pPBaPGjugx5gxbbD0EsloiubWtVeswITcA9IP8NCsHcGYy-X5zs_r-5gXs5uPFYR-BTeMW/s640/blogger-image-1642970791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8ChIdnN2xtO0k3_OZgcfCm5OMsTc5xrpw2wb5mVpfWrak1FR4m7NOWUKsMcmxF5pPBaPGjugx5gxbbD0EsloiubWtVeswITcA9IP8NCsHcGYy-X5zs_r-5gXs5uPFYR-BTeMW/s640/blogger-image-1642970791.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTYoD11CHxT57q4cBJ71C0alPqkCBN9ed1zH522Vg0HU_h_guznZOztbhc_2OYkpKbJlogOFEBdIp0j3zlXxwVHDWAkf0X9kDf445niZcDwVDftvOjJuEYe4mQy54BgERKPvU/s640/blogger-image--1942621824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the bus, a nice comfortable one, I bite expectantly into my fresh out of the oven cheese empanada. Stuart had to queue a long time for it. The pastry is good but it's disappointingly hollow inside.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We drive through barren, dry hills. Lots of burnt trees, remnants of recent forest fires.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After about two hours, we arrive in&nbsp;Valparaíso.<br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>You have got to be kidding! This is it? &nbsp;</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nothing here but ramshackle shacks, very much like the ones on the road to Baguio, or Libis, or C-5. Only uglier.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the taxi to our hotel, I gaze forlornly at vast stretches of graffiti. Ugly ones, not street art quality.&nbsp;Valparaíso&nbsp;is slowly revealing itself to me as <i>Val</i></span><span class="exB" style="text-decoration: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>infierno</i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;and I'm now seriously dreading what the hotel might be like.&nbsp;</span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>Boutique Hotel Nómade</b> on Papudo Street in <b>Cerro Concepcion</b>, things begin to look up.&nbsp;Josefina welcomes us at the door with a cheerful Hola! and a wide smile.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGUmEEpc03ERaA1Lt4Ga9J-44mRpk7RXQ84EXfPUgHTUbPUxQ__Zs5M_TbQE4c5yH1X_jg_qPeNXVnN9uN9XumgT7oE7vaCxzwJrB3cOV8u4Fl670MHYittlteTmj0Qz4-4Mz/s640/blogger-image-440426185.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGUmEEpc03ERaA1Lt4Ga9J-44mRpk7RXQ84EXfPUgHTUbPUxQ__Zs5M_TbQE4c5yH1X_jg_qPeNXVnN9uN9XumgT7oE7vaCxzwJrB3cOV8u4Fl670MHYittlteTmj0Qz4-4Mz/s640/blogger-image-440426185.jpg" id="id_9e18_6d2b_fcbc_b9b" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Spying that I can navigate through the no-translation registration form, she says brightly:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh so we can speak in Spanish!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No no no,&nbsp;I say nervously, we <i>cannot</i> speak in Spanish. Haha.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maybe if I speak slowly, she says optimistically as she takes us up to our room.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A whiff of lavender. Nice room. Crisp white linen. Nice bathroom.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But no aircon? Come on! This is impossible!</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart immediately goes hunting for a hotel with air conditioning.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Meanwhile, I look out the window, dejected...I open it to let in some air...</span></div></div></div><div><br></div></div><div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rdv8u0np4hQkjxlcBfn8UJyrKGCSSE7JkFBpLHky9Xey7zEUqsa-ZNSPHBeGc35Wp7DHdY8pErmqDQlSmVfEvYUQflCronqK2TDOgCp0baC8mzNlyvYbAo7aoIXm3bQ1muCh/s640/blogger-image-875337405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6rdv8u0np4hQkjxlcBfn8UJyrKGCSSE7JkFBpLHky9Xey7zEUqsa-ZNSPHBeGc35Wp7DHdY8pErmqDQlSmVfEvYUQflCronqK2TDOgCp0baC8mzNlyvYbAo7aoIXm3bQ1muCh/s640/blogger-image-875337405.jpg" id="id_5d31_7e38_7066_7a09" style="width: 270px; height: auto;"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The view is amazing. This is a beautiful corner where we are, right next to a stone staircase leading onto a square. There's somebody playing a guitar and singing. People sit on the steps watching.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is certifiably genuine street art right below me!&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPPD_dfm4V3c5HC7nwIb0FgwOmv1pjX5Wv6LxAa4VIe_50fDmhyhEBgRuHTutol3CYlC2mUiSLDofWbLEQ4MlNIz85DaTqDjjsbETKIjJCfWRcI0kGm3jImgyx9F8Le5a8WPs/s640/blogger-image--1297900534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPPD_dfm4V3c5HC7nwIb0FgwOmv1pjX5Wv6LxAa4VIe_50fDmhyhEBgRuHTutol3CYlC2mUiSLDofWbLEQ4MlNIz85DaTqDjjsbETKIjJCfWRcI0kGm3jImgyx9F8Le5a8WPs/s640/blogger-image--1297900534.jpg" id="id_2a47_ef41_d01c_be9f" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I go up to the rooftop terrace.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeO1amLSdf7E_1KS4bVQOc4ZD0TW3hoao4EeWH5VDxMgTBGw5X19eqXr2t9LHKxUqEkYm43ewMegf29hR001eNC_-oQuL19ei56Ugi3tjH5zP-brcKdueipJ9dFoFhFOznaW2C/s640/blogger-image-1112109256.jpg" id="id_1d8b_2a55_e52b_bfc5" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The view is amazing. I'm repeating myself...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's a family of seagulls living in the gutter. They have a baby seagull.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJyKie9UwGmqDExeqWdC8qaCM34Y-WBHuMIfa6qUX8VQCBYwp3XwYR6GwsTgbKFU2XLTfVf9uz9UelvEvACmrF28ISHaB8-GRhvRq9XVxY1RvYt2KMNiF9yPIAsv_00XFfo1q/s640/blogger-image-910857482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqJyKie9UwGmqDExeqWdC8qaCM34Y-WBHuMIfa6qUX8VQCBYwp3XwYR6GwsTgbKFU2XLTfVf9uz9UelvEvACmrF28ISHaB8-GRhvRq9XVxY1RvYt2KMNiF9yPIAsv_00XFfo1q/s640/blogger-image-910857482.jpg" id="id_6e2f_ab7a_3a57_6b23" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Out on the street, the colors take on a life of their own. Vibrant, pulsating. The light is pure.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7d0SepLADcdztHrVpnoK86UO87QdWE2PSHVpmwS8tdMgw6ufp0kTLr-8lo1iXkwcuN8J1uHXpPKov-vZ03cVhXltp2YR0Ot5wsnqPI_q7qHGB-yhxRLyrAzgMGTXPvkhO8rI/s640/blogger-image-255597363.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb7d0SepLADcdztHrVpnoK86UO87QdWE2PSHVpmwS8tdMgw6ufp0kTLr-8lo1iXkwcuN8J1uHXpPKov-vZ03cVhXltp2YR0Ot5wsnqPI_q7qHGB-yhxRLyrAzgMGTXPvkhO8rI/s640/blogger-image-255597363.jpg" id="id_9162_aa7_a299_1c7d" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSW9SwPLjlbwQFv5VroL4bzlCdEPkn5x6IhKRO2r2p4MpFCWcUp0oRlsaJrCCh922EtxUnaQpqGtI4_yC76zRO1c_ZXAC_IoiKtd12LN7j32p88qC5wwFSuipzbuRULJND1cZ/s640/blogger-image--1529248500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisSW9SwPLjlbwQFv5VroL4bzlCdEPkn5x6IhKRO2r2p4MpFCWcUp0oRlsaJrCCh922EtxUnaQpqGtI4_yC76zRO1c_ZXAC_IoiKtd12LN7j32p88qC5wwFSuipzbuRULJND1cZ/s640/blogger-image--1529248500.jpg" id="id_b15f_9646_d000_97ef" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRTYoD11CHxT57q4cBJ71C0alPqkCBN9ed1zH522Vg0HU_h_guznZOztbhc_2OYkpKbJlogOFEBdIp0j3zlXxwVHDWAkf0X9kDf445niZcDwVDftvOjJuEYe4mQy54BgERKPvU/s640/blogger-image--1942621824.jpg" id="id_de16_3fa9_c131_6c31" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've decided to stay put. I'm beginning to see the heart of this peculiar, singular place: insane, disheveled, nostalgic. It's at once cheerful and sad, hectic and pensive, hard partying and hard working, welcoming and introspective.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Once again,&nbsp;<b>Neruda</b>&nbsp;has the right words;&nbsp;words that only begin to make sense after you've been here.&nbsp;</span></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Valparaíso,&nbsp;how absurd&nbsp;</i><i>you are,&nbsp;what a lunatic,&nbsp;crazy port...you haven't combed your hair...you never&nbsp;have time&nbsp;to get dressed,&nbsp;life has&nbsp;always&nbsp;surprised you,&nbsp;death has awoken you&nbsp;in your nightshirt<span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">...</span></i>&nbsp;</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">-<b>Pablo Neruda</b>, from&nbsp;<i>Ode to Valparaíso.</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><br></i></span></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></span></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6173935466353788391'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6173935466353788391'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/valparaiso.html' title='Valparaiso'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGUmEEpc03ERaA1Lt4Ga9J-44mRpk7RXQ84EXfPUgHTUbPUxQ__Zs5M_TbQE4c5yH1X_jg_qPeNXVnN9uN9XumgT7oE7vaCxzwJrB3cOV8u4Fl670MHYittlteTmj0Qz4-4Mz/s72-c/blogger-image-440426185.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3559076303430246371</id><published>2017-01-02T23:02:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-05-27T15:15:18.647+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New Year's Eve'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt Santiago'/><title type='text'>A Chilean New Year&#39;s Eve</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I guess it's time to update my diary, now that I've caught up on my sleep. I slept through most of the first day of the year. Nothing much happening&nbsp;anyway as&nbsp;most places were closed.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So, how was my New Year's Eve in Chile?</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the <b>Grand Hyatt Santiago</b>, the party began at eight, at dinner.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div>
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<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Much like at other NYEs I've known, in Manila, in Singapore, and in Sydney, everybody was ready to party. Bright young things preened. Parents too, preened. Grandparents beamed. Children danced and gloried in everyone's attention.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The similarity ends there though. Because this party felt like a grownup party. People here were enjoying and carousing but not in the wild, near hysterical, ready to brawl, or waiting to pass out manner of most NYE parties I'm more familiar with. People here behaved like grownups. Except the kids of course who behaved much like kids: they danced, raced about, and cried a lot. Much like some grownups at many NYEs I've seen.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Anyway...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After the countdown...after the cheers...and the kissing...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All quiet. A single spotlight. A trumpet player in the circle of light, far back and high above the crowd. Trumpeting the old year out and triumphantly ushering in the new.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I thought it was spectacular! Great theatre.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Somebody quipped that it sounded like a funeral. Well, maybe it was: for a year happily gone.&nbsp;</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Only then did the fireworks begin.&nbsp;</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3559076303430246371'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3559076303430246371'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/a-chilean-new-year-eve.html' title='A Chilean New Year&#39;s Eve'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NAdoU35i5iI/0.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6682380103361302069</id><published>2017-01-02T17:58:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-09T08:47:58.613+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='dawn'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Santiago'/><title type='text'>Day breaks in Santiago</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYXI99WAbaw75ZSMWz2W1s3Y2pUzPzhyphenhyphenzZD9LGUsTbaI2gvA-zOYgljW4sL7hj9XPK26d92vxBA4Tvd9I7nsklVdX8ZA9DVfswGQTbMweiyJalSB66jwYD7lffYUvV05MiC_t/s640/blogger-image-331088072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYXI99WAbaw75ZSMWz2W1s3Y2pUzPzhyphenhyphenzZD9LGUsTbaI2gvA-zOYgljW4sL7hj9XPK26d92vxBA4Tvd9I7nsklVdX8ZA9DVfswGQTbMweiyJalSB66jwYD7lffYUvV05MiC_t/s640/blogger-image-331088072.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;"></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Day 2 of the new year.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span></font><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For the first time since we arrived in Chile, the snow capped mountains make an appearance in the distance.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy3BoJ_DFaHF7lu7EunNqiChWnhDsBQsPDfeAP4RM-EVC8ldoKGNEseSGyA11Qkf95C5XnNCRJEXocwJloB6OoaEr04oe5dMoIA8bq3d6Qig4LvwaWBEaHHSeEq_-07bQdJ6B/s640/blogger-image--1756969516.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZy3BoJ_DFaHF7lu7EunNqiChWnhDsBQsPDfeAP4RM-EVC8ldoKGNEseSGyA11Qkf95C5XnNCRJEXocwJloB6OoaEr04oe5dMoIA8bq3d6Qig4LvwaWBEaHHSeEq_-07bQdJ6B/s640/blogger-image--1756969516.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div><br></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Murky skies of the previous days have given way to a clear cloudless day.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This must surely be a sign of good times to come in this new year.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>"You can cut all the flowers but you cannot keep spring from coming."&nbsp;</i></span></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">-<b>Pablo Neruda</b></span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6682380103361302069'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6682380103361302069'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/day-breaks-in-santiago.html' title='Day breaks in Santiago'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxYXI99WAbaw75ZSMWz2W1s3Y2pUzPzhyphenhyphenzZD9LGUsTbaI2gvA-zOYgljW4sL7hj9XPK26d92vxBA4Tvd9I7nsklVdX8ZA9DVfswGQTbMweiyJalSB66jwYD7lffYUvV05MiC_t/s72-c/blogger-image-331088072.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2150448494441262722</id><published>2016-10-16T17:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-10-18T11:40:31.202+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NAIA free wifi'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Is the sun setting on my Hong Kong?</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Even as the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau bridge&nbsp;gets underway across the South China Sea,&nbsp;Hong Kong is becoming more and more just a suburb of China. With hardly any foreign looking faces around much anymore, most signs are now in Chinese. With English translations in small print.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP4iXUJ-YG06R6ZJDredN76kXFGBbwdTJLt3L4V7JdIql1m_mRAwLWUFZvNcOZ-sTU2Zb4w0bkVcCYfuTosMn-1djv0YE3l0PgDs79UWZNsECi7OWlcxpjgqeYtyUuIHkWQ2f/s640/blogger-image-1950987175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP4iXUJ-YG06R6ZJDredN76kXFGBbwdTJLt3L4V7JdIql1m_mRAwLWUFZvNcOZ-sTU2Zb4w0bkVcCYfuTosMn-1djv0YE3l0PgDs79UWZNsECi7OWlcxpjgqeYtyUuIHkWQ2f/s640/blogger-image-1950987175.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was there in January but I didn't feel it then. This time though, the change is palpable.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The harbour is quiet. The shops are quiet. There is no buzz, no kinetic frenzy, no busy busy busy vibe. The place looks tired; defeated, almost.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9S3mfRxRoarxzhVo1LPBzSanesSgRsRZO4NyocpDeROaupiGxox9_MEMc35_07pODNdBVSWsvk5Ak0TYJBpshL5m1UxGJP1sOewPbjiiJWNdY4WHIzIycf7W5b18QSWjucOQ2/s640/blogger-image--97449742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9S3mfRxRoarxzhVo1LPBzSanesSgRsRZO4NyocpDeROaupiGxox9_MEMc35_07pODNdBVSWsvk5Ak0TYJBpshL5m1UxGJP1sOewPbjiiJWNdY4WHIzIycf7W5b18QSWjucOQ2/s640/blogger-image--97449742.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maybe it's just me. Maybe it's because all our favorite places are gone.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Agnes b's <b>La Loggia</b> cafe in IFC of course is gone; it left last year I think. Dunhill's <b>Alfie's</b>&nbsp;in Landmark, gone.&nbsp;The designer furniture place on Star Street across from <b>Chez Patrick Deli</b>, gone. Chez Patrick Deli itself, though still there, is not really Chez Patrick anymore, hasn't been for a while now.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Grappa's</b> in Pacific Place, gone. The big <b>Agnes b</b>&nbsp;on the ground floor had earlier migrated to a small shop on the third.&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Vilebrequin</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> left before I even learned to pronounce it. In its place, an eclair shop.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-myUf96tRFH6zDa44G0ykMZDweYiPNLoGyjOtMcbiQoS142Ib9iTZEcHg5xEsNXADY6shDtqsefXfjLG-evApP4IosrWe1LdpU6mFeGv4wmVZr0thD9Kx7GE6cFxJdnY3421/s640/blogger-image-801773341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-myUf96tRFH6zDa44G0ykMZDweYiPNLoGyjOtMcbiQoS142Ib9iTZEcHg5xEsNXADY6shDtqsefXfjLG-evApP4IosrWe1LdpU6mFeGv4wmVZr0thD9Kx7GE6cFxJdnY3421/s640/blogger-image-801773341.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Dan Ryan's</b>, gone. Not that I mind, I didn't really like it, but it was so much part of the Pacific Place landscape!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkhkLG7Kc-4TNWSX9rH6KXe_ddl9znVBy765ld0upe9XLFH9k90-tUg1H9WduW-Q_j9hMZLz7nvD8ILEtF2P5vJsK7DlP_MHnXIX2tNx6o1ptHqPppfMEsjpiydvoth_50p0K/s640/blogger-image--1069531477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkhkLG7Kc-4TNWSX9rH6KXe_ddl9znVBy765ld0upe9XLFH9k90-tUg1H9WduW-Q_j9hMZLz7nvD8ILEtF2P5vJsK7DlP_MHnXIX2tNx6o1ptHqPppfMEsjpiydvoth_50p0K/s640/blogger-image--1069531477.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In its place, <b>Operetta</b>. Any good? Too early to tell. But I have to admit, when we got out of the cinema late Friday night, and I simply had to have spaghetti, (I was dreaming of it through most of the&nbsp;<i>Snowden</i>&nbsp;movie) they quite happily changed their vongole to suit my bolognese craving. Good start.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Serge et le Phoque</b>&nbsp;in Wan Chai market was closed for&nbsp;lunch&nbsp;Friday and Saturday. Is it going too?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Back in Manila Saturday evening, a pleasant surprise:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNAKviBB2qorewo-Ag8Ss2wmdIxtLhQ8zv-ySwmbKI5WHyVmJRdSCBO9CGIHTG1EecW0rzI5O-ntyBP1YNz4cZlEE6Upsoy9C02sftNPyFkXCNJ3Y4Ee84xNz66w3L5Ss977X/s640/blogger-image--1768516503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtNAKviBB2qorewo-Ag8Ss2wmdIxtLhQ8zv-ySwmbKI5WHyVmJRdSCBO9CGIHTG1EecW0rzI5O-ntyBP1YNz4cZlEE6Upsoy9C02sftNPyFkXCNJ3Y4Ee84xNz66w3L5Ss977X/s640/blogger-image--1768516503.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div></div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2150448494441262722'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2150448494441262722'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/10/is-sun-setting-on-hong-kong.html' title='Is the sun setting on my Hong Kong?'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOP4iXUJ-YG06R6ZJDredN76kXFGBbwdTJLt3L4V7JdIql1m_mRAwLWUFZvNcOZ-sTU2Zb4w0bkVcCYfuTosMn-1djv0YE3l0PgDs79UWZNsECi7OWlcxpjgqeYtyUuIHkWQ2f/s72-c/blogger-image-1950987175.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4575351615293190219</id><published>2016-09-27T05:49:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2016-09-28T18:23:52.076+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>London Street Art</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJEZ0ci9aBkSCOW5FCVHchk4uw74bD5G0QzSp_OGo72T8grCHzCLYZssY-I46asFIX-Y-orhawIUxrA8uJGt-9vWjL2KY9G3_5pBTSBSllb3YNHVpK-tlLszRasldb77xYBL3/s640/blogger-image--1631370180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJEZ0ci9aBkSCOW5FCVHchk4uw74bD5G0QzSp_OGo72T8grCHzCLYZssY-I46asFIX-Y-orhawIUxrA8uJGt-9vWjL2KY9G3_5pBTSBSllb3YNHVpK-tlLszRasldb77xYBL3/s640/blogger-image--1631370180.jpg"></a></div>Roa</span></div><div><br></div><div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">At the start of the Impressionist movement, artists began to paint outside the studio, <i>en plein air</i>. &nbsp;They painted fast; they had to, in order not to lose the light. They employed a totally new painting vocabulary:&nbsp;quick strokes, stubby brushes, incorporating movement and changing light.&nbsp;They were rebels, outside the traditional art world, outliers.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In today's art world, graffiti artists are the outliers. They too are rebels. They work fast, under cover of darkness, in order not to get caught by the police. They work in the open air, out in the streets, but surreptitiously. They have invented an entirely new painting or writing vocabulary, one that is totally alien to most people outside their shadowy, illicit,&nbsp;subversive,&nbsp;hazardous world.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZY9Jhzylansov52oBejRtTf7neLorEhQ2_4LtnpCv2egjzkACdEf9USdAKeYEvQLSxFpswjRzRaAR3AA_tOZUZNrOC-gDXmiuSIpwnXpupSiNdFfS98P6ilcDIUDki3Gc01_/s640/blogger-image--1781321579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZY9Jhzylansov52oBejRtTf7neLorEhQ2_4LtnpCv2egjzkACdEf9USdAKeYEvQLSxFpswjRzRaAR3AA_tOZUZNrOC-gDXmiuSIpwnXpupSiNdFfS98P6ilcDIUDki3Gc01_/s640/blogger-image--1781321579.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Goar</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKH9AtnnPsWJvsdq0vVfNEAYhiFfR5WHvBWN6RLpR24OPj8zxbTdtLh4pqJuvALsGMtpgC76boofg6a90R27OTXpj7wTH_z6-5Eq6QV96_-QLUirn2AwP6aTSxtXqBJ8hNEtU/s640/blogger-image-1835065292.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKH9AtnnPsWJvsdq0vVfNEAYhiFfR5WHvBWN6RLpR24OPj8zxbTdtLh4pqJuvALsGMtpgC76boofg6a90R27OTXpj7wTH_z6-5Eq6QV96_-QLUirn2AwP6aTSxtXqBJ8hNEtU/s640/blogger-image-1835065292.jpg"></font></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stik&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But the big difference is, whereas most Impressionist artists struggled to make a living out of their art,&nbsp;graffiti artists don't do it for money. Their art is free. It's meant for public consumption, to&nbsp;be seen by as many people as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the beginning, at least.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj5EyO78AWtvx7ZERgy96nMcxHSRdaZU0ZE1tCxhIVDIeHwUwreIziSjVcs44UvI1A4Ckhq_mX90VymD8BOBqNxhjOVz7dCTr9aRoLMDSMmvEoywfvwUcW7K88dttOMffLbjq/s640/blogger-image--889952708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnj5EyO78AWtvx7ZERgy96nMcxHSRdaZU0ZE1tCxhIVDIeHwUwreIziSjVcs44UvI1A4Ckhq_mX90VymD8BOBqNxhjOVz7dCTr9aRoLMDSMmvEoywfvwUcW7K88dttOMffLbjq/s640/blogger-image--889952708.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">End Less</div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>
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Mr Cenz</div>
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Otto Schade&nbsp;</div>
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Roa&nbsp;</div>
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<br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As in most movements, the genre has evolved into a wide range of methods, characters, degree of success, as well as ways of viewing success.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>
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Zabou&nbsp;</div>
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Jimmy C</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKqOsI7L2aFe2l8ovtAzRyq7q31CuPx3lp8nwJRT7VcJIg67H2bHf5jVbFBE-P_gMovq9fZpZaRGJQ0-fdCe8ARB5snoUPizE02k6ME6QGQ9ktgIsVotHhy-UWOTLGKm4WdFS/s640/blogger-image--1832595945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKqOsI7L2aFe2l8ovtAzRyq7q31CuPx3lp8nwJRT7VcJIg67H2bHf5jVbFBE-P_gMovq9fZpZaRGJQ0-fdCe8ARB5snoUPizE02k6ME6QGQ9ktgIsVotHhy-UWOTLGKm4WdFS/s640/blogger-image--1832595945.jpg"></a></div>Jimmy C</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJahKNmSegOgOtcUeUm-dsLJeGbu5gGut82yThQYZXuiknwCyG1GTO06SQ-wKksGJz1uk8vSjFN_MRctZCcNf2Won9Nb_UG8ENU9TlnyaLiDVYpwWmi9AmCPZu2gNnVE3ghx4t/s640/blogger-image--1736605976.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJahKNmSegOgOtcUeUm-dsLJeGbu5gGut82yThQYZXuiknwCyG1GTO06SQ-wKksGJz1uk8vSjFN_MRctZCcNf2Won9Nb_UG8ENU9TlnyaLiDVYpwWmi9AmCPZu2gNnVE3ghx4t/s640/blogger-image--1736605976.jpg"></a></div>Jasper Goodall</div><div><br></div><div><div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A host of practitioners has moved into the mainstream. We now speak almost reverentially of street art. A new philosophy has been ascribed to what was once mere vandalism.</span></div><div><br></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjG7GfPZ6xQy2rnPZKuw_HrYYwnbDLNvTTzrA6wEwrrJ2Wkt00Gt4QCctppm2TmqngYB0J3PgcIR3vf5jFkOibhScFpRXbipN6VxNWQnqC2hn-BSD4Za5nSJiNXIfTNr9GYy3/s640/blogger-image--219672467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjG7GfPZ6xQy2rnPZKuw_HrYYwnbDLNvTTzrA6wEwrrJ2Wkt00Gt4QCctppm2TmqngYB0J3PgcIR3vf5jFkOibhScFpRXbipN6VxNWQnqC2hn-BSD4Za5nSJiNXIfTNr9GYy3/s640/blogger-image--219672467.jpg"></a></div>Invader</div><div><br></div><div><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzMAWMF3-L3MFb05AG1_zg3UXFkV8nVFw7cNfSgFzwlA-hi2eSQsjBCGaisvK1RE9_1JggDQpFz-hOS5Skxb3Oftd928nLLGGIha4E13Wc3CiMOq3ccBgHIcbKttm8519Cbja/s640/blogger-image-1344818618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzMAWMF3-L3MFb05AG1_zg3UXFkV8nVFw7cNfSgFzwlA-hi2eSQsjBCGaisvK1RE9_1JggDQpFz-hOS5Skxb3Oftd928nLLGGIha4E13Wc3CiMOq3ccBgHIcbKttm8519Cbja/s640/blogger-image-1344818618.jpg"></a></font></div><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ronzo</font></div><div><br><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a8pZEWUqaLugolI_8qjnQ0RImwcpxnEbQAkP9LCT-xIvxwGljpmVsAEmeBuQ6xcIb3UxMgadeV7caB1Hf2xqW5OvLPhmsQtBBPlAPkGSiuOqfDXAqIIuwg4f8JoATxfeq9wd/s640/blogger-image-1067451827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-a8pZEWUqaLugolI_8qjnQ0RImwcpxnEbQAkP9LCT-xIvxwGljpmVsAEmeBuQ6xcIb3UxMgadeV7caB1Hf2xqW5OvLPhmsQtBBPlAPkGSiuOqfDXAqIIuwg4f8JoATxfeq9wd/s640/blogger-image-1067451827.jpg"></a></font></div><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Defect</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></span></p><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While some are vilified, even hounded into oblivion, a few are glorified.&nbsp;Assiduously researched and much hyped, a whole new constellation of superstar graffiti artists has emerged. To be interviewed, chased by fans and paparazzi, feted by art galleries, and most importantly to be made a commercial success.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Which is, according to&nbsp;a strict code of conduct,&nbsp;to sell out.</span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SPaS-Li3emh9QxMg-vWS4Gs3ycSLQtMwYgHjUGntpyUSrl5-bHGpEYnEKiX0vCnjdFX59231VQeSdpl5NyEZmMBgK030P0TDKC7YsoH1JXtQQIynenf_Y5__hfYMZk8gjTHc/s640/blogger-image-61084033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4SPaS-Li3emh9QxMg-vWS4Gs3ycSLQtMwYgHjUGntpyUSrl5-bHGpEYnEKiX0vCnjdFX59231VQeSdpl5NyEZmMBgK030P0TDKC7YsoH1JXtQQIynenf_Y5__hfYMZk8gjTHc/s640/blogger-image-61084033.jpg"></a></div><div>Goar</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldyhQl1KrmZOJvcMgyEzUj4p44GVK47VZk7I8mROSHlYTZb__solo-0312mJKm0AZtiq1TGKg_XSObCiQpbmIj0ACWn34OrEFkF5QQJrdqGShSHs8T-ZJLwqRElJnYMchPrq3/s640/blogger-image-1536284875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgldyhQl1KrmZOJvcMgyEzUj4p44GVK47VZk7I8mROSHlYTZb__solo-0312mJKm0AZtiq1TGKg_XSObCiQpbmIj0ACWn34OrEFkF5QQJrdqGShSHs8T-ZJLwqRElJnYMchPrq3/s640/blogger-image-1536284875.jpg"></font></a></div><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Goar</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT-7Q0dp4hXGUI3ctTkCN16uDEF6xdAxGb-5N9kL5YdMWCxfGHsrLq3L8ukvlVrk7bRTJps4vmOr1tA4sc3od4TlF5KLJFRoCpiMnwrMcbD3Zs53yJNwqp6xcuMY-YCMJA1fQ/s640/blogger-image--1469086739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAT-7Q0dp4hXGUI3ctTkCN16uDEF6xdAxGb-5N9kL5YdMWCxfGHsrLq3L8ukvlVrk7bRTJps4vmOr1tA4sc3od4TlF5KLJFRoCpiMnwrMcbD3Zs53yJNwqp6xcuMY-YCMJA1fQ/s640/blogger-image--1469086739.jpg"></a></div></div><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Banksy</font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">In London, a good way to get introduced to the world of street art is through Strawberry Tours'</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">&nbsp;Street Art and Graffiti Tour. It's a daily tour, it's free, and if you're lucky, you'll get the very personable&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ben Alderton as guide. He knows his stuff, a genuine enthusiast, and he speaks from the heart.&nbsp;</span><br></span></p><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div style="direction: inherit;"><a href="https://strawberrytours.com/london/tours/free-street-art-graffiti-tour" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">https://strawberrytours.com/london/tours/free-street-art-graffiti-tour</font></a></div></div><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></span></p><p style="margin: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></font></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5hmXFeB7oy6pJWZz4GN7F5Lo-cXa3XxJc1njcVNrvatJBeEHxePjsuzYWUe24HWSjjBPWF2-44aKVOHaukGEqFUWrrxb53_nKZIfZvsDpFSRg6sR83O3GmheVyQi4gD19aLH/s640/blogger-image-1172164518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj5hmXFeB7oy6pJWZz4GN7F5Lo-cXa3XxJc1njcVNrvatJBeEHxePjsuzYWUe24HWSjjBPWF2-44aKVOHaukGEqFUWrrxb53_nKZIfZvsDpFSRg6sR83O3GmheVyQi4gD19aLH/s640/blogger-image-1172164518.jpg"></a></font></div><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tour guide Ben Alderton&nbsp;</font><p></p></div><div><font data-blogger-escaped-style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></font></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4575351615293190219'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4575351615293190219'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/going-gaga-over-graffiti.html' title='London Street Art'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJEZ0ci9aBkSCOW5FCVHchk4uw74bD5G0QzSp_OGo72T8grCHzCLYZssY-I46asFIX-Y-orhawIUxrA8uJGt-9vWjL2KY9G3_5pBTSBSllb3YNHVpK-tlLszRasldb77xYBL3/s72-c/blogger-image--1631370180.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-67131836321465096</id><published>2016-09-21T21:59:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-10-08T18:21:55.568+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Street art'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='graffiti'/><title type='text'>Graffiti or Street Art?</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lisbon, Portugal&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I took the three photos above in Lisbon, on Av Fontes Pereira de Melo, after I had learned about the <b>Crono</b> project&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">undertaken by street artists&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">headed by <b>Pedro Soares Neves,&nbsp;</b></span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b>Angelo Milano,</b> and <b>Vhils (Alexandre Farto)</b></span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;in collaboration with the city government.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">These large-scale murals include works by&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Os Gemeos, Blu, Lucy Maclauchlan, Sam3,&nbsp;</span><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><b>Vhils, </b>and<b>&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">M Chat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The following are those I took on various other trips. I have no idea who did them or if they were done with permission either from building owners or local authorities. The issue of legality here mainly centers on permission.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ljubljana, Slovenia&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mostar, Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aveiro, Portugal&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlzccA-FELBR9BxFIfaePrKZMT3fWpQySaweT1BsU2k1LVkHDKwfiYn7zxdSX_v4D3R5ottQs7gKSN5dKQAYdYS8Qd48BeAP0Qa4iUdBAp4hWiicpKLajjIs9Nte9q_fr3aRp/s640/blogger-image-2008142499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwlzccA-FELBR9BxFIfaePrKZMT3fWpQySaweT1BsU2k1LVkHDKwfiYn7zxdSX_v4D3R5ottQs7gKSN5dKQAYdYS8Qd48BeAP0Qa4iUdBAp4hWiicpKLajjIs9Nte9q_fr3aRp/s640/blogger-image-2008142499.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aveiro, Portugal&nbsp;</span><br />
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Here's a good article:</div>
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<a href="http://www.museumofthecity.org/project/graffiti-art-or-vandalism/">Graffiti: Art or Vandalism? </a></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/67131836321465096'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/67131836321465096'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/graffiti-food-porn-and-horses.html' title='Graffiti or Street Art?'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-9vr8fH3LtvRGr0egTZ_PlsziY4dhY0v8mo1eDfVRvheYBWfT_-FVRJQXGD6XjSFzucFDyPAgG55-4n3z-AqSxzLihXrileOWUNZvvkMExaSi2SbVAtzj7WpPZLoykv8i2DC/s72-c/blogger-image-64465658.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8018114655817804334</id><published>2016-09-21T01:35:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2020-07-28T07:52:36.456+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Street art'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Portugal'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='horses'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>Foodtrips, graffiti, and horses</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Portugal</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, a carnival of arts: food art, street art, equestrian art.</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
</span></div><div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Food, glorious food!</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In the languid town of&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Aveiro</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the dainty&nbsp;</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ovos moles</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;seduce the sugar-deprived.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_AXinjDMm-KUp8NDYRYOtxj3lYlh6buWw6_xx-3V8sXkpZzZmWpUjCsjtcSyEK15q8QKL4HkGS91Tk8XhDWIFJpGUxgp3SDwniCzPlYX7XeTtRZ0q29NBLPzOus8Sg0a8iCd/s640/blogger-image-1993051734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_AXinjDMm-KUp8NDYRYOtxj3lYlh6buWw6_xx-3V8sXkpZzZmWpUjCsjtcSyEK15q8QKL4HkGS91Tk8XhDWIFJpGUxgp3SDwniCzPlYX7XeTtRZ0q29NBLPzOus8Sg0a8iCd/s640/blogger-image-1993051734.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><div><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tantalizing clouds of smoke hover over the&nbsp;streets of&nbsp;<b>Matosinhos</b>&nbsp;in Porto; the air is thick with the hypnotic smell of grilled seafood.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
</span></div><div><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvTZ3Jz0uQE1SkxzkJz5oM6UhYFJjQd8FiTf-CxXCBh2e6uRGtknB9wA5A5c5THoOOak8JQQMDopHxo-QJ3si9rI34fWi1C4vzk5-JBo2eynfwrktjF4F20EQ_UlQgA3hMQzL/s640/blogger-image-1681231868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQvTZ3Jz0uQE1SkxzkJz5oM6UhYFJjQd8FiTf-CxXCBh2e6uRGtknB9wA5A5c5THoOOak8JQQMDopHxo-QJ3si9rI34fWi1C4vzk5-JBo2eynfwrktjF4F20EQ_UlQgA3hMQzL/s640/blogger-image-1681231868.jpg"></a></font></div><div><br />
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</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hazardous mashup of&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Croque Madame,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;Big Mac, and Sunday Fry-up</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;doused in beer sauce, nestled in a bed of fries under a blanket of melted cheese, and topped with a fried egg.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
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</span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the former&nbsp;<b>Mercado da Ribeira</b>, haute cuisine goes slumming. Celebrated chefs present a sneak peek of upmarket fare at food court prices in Lisbon's&nbsp;<b>Time Out Market</b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The city as art gallery</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Considered a criminal offense&nbsp;by most countries, graffiti&nbsp;is generally practiced surreptitiously by members of street gangs or by shadowy characters with secret identities.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A more evolved version of graffiti has gone mainstream as street art. In&nbsp;<b>Lisbon</b>, as in more and more cities today, some of&nbsp;the leading lights of this subversive art have&nbsp;collaborated with City Hall to turn derelict buildings into giant canvases for what has emerged as a powerful new movement in the contemporary art scene.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
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</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Horsing around Baroque-style</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (EPAE)</b>&nbsp;is recognized as one of the four top riding academies in the world along with the Royal Andalusian School of Jerez, the Spanish Riding School in Vienna, and the French Cadre Noir in Saumur.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Headquartered in Queluz Palace, the school now holds public displays in&nbsp;<b>Picadeiro Henriqe Calado&nbsp;</b>in&nbsp;<b>Belém</b>, where visitors can watch riding masters&nbsp;<span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">put the magnificent&nbsp;<b>Lusitano</b>&nbsp;horses through their paces.</span></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />
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</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8018114655817804334'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8018114655817804334'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/on-food-porn-graffiti-and-horses.html' title='Foodtrips, graffiti, and horses'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji_AXinjDMm-KUp8NDYRYOtxj3lYlh6buWw6_xx-3V8sXkpZzZmWpUjCsjtcSyEK15q8QKL4HkGS91Tk8XhDWIFJpGUxgp3SDwniCzPlYX7XeTtRZ0q29NBLPzOus8Sg0a8iCd/s72-c/blogger-image-1993051734.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2110664729204295322</id><published>2016-09-18T23:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-10-08T18:28:33.993+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lisbon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Time Out Market'/><title type='text'>Time Out Market</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The taxi driver wasn't pleased when we said we were going to the <b>Time Out Market</b>. He didn't say a word but he made a face.</div>
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I can understand why. This behemoth will wipe out small restaurants in the area, if it hasn't already done so, after opening in 2014 and quickly becoming Lisbon's top tourist destination. Not good for the local economy already struggling to stay afloat.</div>
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Good news for tourists like us though. The food is extraordinarily good. And the price is even better. The cost of today's lunch for 2 was €25. Main course of veal - there was so much of it I had to leave half of mine on the plate, dessert of lovely mille feuille&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">with brûléed custard filling&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">for me and cottage cheesecake for Stuart, plus a glass of wine each.</span></div>
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More info on:<br />
<a href="http://lisboacool.com/en/eat/mercado-ribeira-time-out-market-that-is-totally-in">MERCADO DA RIBEIRA TIME OUT</a><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2110664729204295322'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2110664729204295322'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/time-out-market.html' title='Time Out Market'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeIAtkhaTQkXQ8_B1FH8be3tKqhWjgA5E3E6r0I_ZIDFXpHZYGr2UblS7MbkaOO4gDAWY2pc8APO55K-TOldB90seKl_M3A6Xq8YdMkvRLzlHZcdG20iWz7kdrMdrzkxSo3xl/s72-c/blogger-image--1278551520.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7336059729873377303</id><published>2016-09-18T21:42:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-10-08T18:37:31.696+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lisbon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Street art'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='graffiti'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Crono project'/><title type='text'>Street Art: a new passion!</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I see this everyday in front of my bus stop on Av Fontes Pereira de Melo</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">. I stare at it while waiting for Bus no. 736 to Praça Figueras. &nbsp;I&nbsp;wish somebody would tell me what it all means! Some features I can guess at but the rest is too obscure for me...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today's 29 degree heat rules out&nbsp;a graffiti/ street art tour, which is a walking tour. 😞</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have since Googled street art in Lisbon and have now realized that several of these masterworks are within walking distance from my hotel. We leave early tomorrow afternoon but we intend to get up early so we can chase them all down before we leave.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm thrilled that the first one I discovered, purely by accident, happens to be a major art work by two of the foremost practitioners of this amazing art form: the famous twins from São Paulo&nbsp;<b>Os Gemeos</b>&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;Italian&nbsp;<b>Blu</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was the first of three derelict structures that have been painted for the&nbsp;<b><i>Crono</i></b>&nbsp;project, a collaboration between City Hall and some well-known street artists to turn buildings awaiting reconstruction into pieces of street art in the meantime.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Roboto, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">BLU and OSGEMEOS in LISBOA</span></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7336059729873377303'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7336059729873377303'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/street-art-new-passion.html' title='Street Art: a new passion!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmwRgabGcz56W26R4j6LVyWTZqyNJOuA-Pb9RF18rJOolXObnt3H4-Jf9nahB4EaP5EqbxOGKJYtFmDifMXfSOSNPToA22FRwih1Tq-SDkKwn3ecXf7AFwTL1DtJnGsvhikf0_/s72-c/blogger-image--1658252301.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7963838224648580587</id><published>2016-09-14T08:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-09-16T05:55:45.590+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ovos moles'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Aveiro'/><title type='text'>Aveiro</title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The quiet university&nbsp;coastal&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">town of&nbsp;Aveiro</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;has been nicknamed the <i>Venice&nbsp;</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>of Portugal</i>: it has a lagoon and canals and gondola-like&nbsp;<i>barcos moliceiros</i>, originally used for harvesting seaweed.</span></div><div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggV7DflkMUy29aRaEtSfD-F-SVlfqOY_dzs3S905MPO4L8dy23je5Ue3zCWMgJnqUzQuD6EvpOTuB-QXERUWjX5UdpfqnGVg1v7p8zU8iqVNswU8sqxXWBUjdvGTN5Y6Ln8cgQ/s640/blogger-image--198121863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggV7DflkMUy29aRaEtSfD-F-SVlfqOY_dzs3S905MPO4L8dy23je5Ue3zCWMgJnqUzQuD6EvpOTuB-QXERUWjX5UdpfqnGVg1v7p8zU8iqVNswU8sqxXWBUjdvGTN5Y6Ln8cgQ/s640/blogger-image--198121863.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEabaey6-em9j3ZT4qmr3GWXOTltfhshq8Uqw-zdGIzpUh_yQuFZbvqUOt5JiUkF4N0ruRW9sNHJOxCbccSP2UpKS6b8pXkXrY8TOGW-buhN1-6oZhhcegc-aRi_3m4S-b_dD/s640/blogger-image-579769511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEabaey6-em9j3ZT4qmr3GWXOTltfhshq8Uqw-zdGIzpUh_yQuFZbvqUOt5JiUkF4N0ruRW9sNHJOxCbccSP2UpKS6b8pXkXrY8TOGW-buhN1-6oZhhcegc-aRi_3m4S-b_dD/s640/blogger-image-579769511.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aveiro is more famous though for o<i>vos mole</i><i>s</i>,&nbsp;the fabled sweet pastry that is&nbsp;listed by the European Union as&nbsp;<i>PGI (Protected Geographical Indication),&nbsp;</i>a distinction similar to&nbsp;wine and cheese&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">appellations like</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">DOC&nbsp;</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">or</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">AOC.</i></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></i></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHgGwX7Ayv6K-NQCovfx34tEkJPh79sBDzV_T4wLx3Bz9LvEnuGhvAHZD0qJjb8Bq4cgrgOer6ebjeZerEFaiH8wvPH7B7MDx7lPgyb796QRjGASW74DHUVYbdOeYnrndYLXB/s640/blogger-image--1723649093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHgGwX7Ayv6K-NQCovfx34tEkJPh79sBDzV_T4wLx3Bz9LvEnuGhvAHZD0qJjb8Bq4cgrgOer6ebjeZerEFaiH8wvPH7B7MDx7lPgyb796QRjGASW74DHUVYbdOeYnrndYLXB/s640/blogger-image--1723649093.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="font-style: italic; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">These traditional sweets are said to have been created by 19th century nuns of the Convent of Jesus. Made with egg yolks slowly cooked in sugar syrup then wrapped in wafers so thin to be almost translucent, much like the hosts used for holy communion. The sweets are molded into shapes familiar to the daily lives of the Aveiro folk: fish, clams, shells, &nbsp;barrels, etc.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo9LqeJsxvmnXx4ZbqOv16PaUof0UiVLmJ8fe0tx8XCcOmiR3oUn1UAc3d6hQmbLv_2qHCf-4T-FfdNeeHlTDWfzCkuXl3_3_rp7IQumFcUUT3P_c5AF6tU_Y6jFM6yjwM6kL/s640/blogger-image-1007579642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-style: italic; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgo9LqeJsxvmnXx4ZbqOv16PaUof0UiVLmJ8fe0tx8XCcOmiR3oUn1UAc3d6hQmbLv_2qHCf-4T-FfdNeeHlTDWfzCkuXl3_3_rp7IQumFcUUT3P_c5AF6tU_Y6jFM6yjwM6kL/s640/blogger-image-1007579642.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Also,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">there's the seafood of course</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Daniel Gomes&nbsp;of&nbsp;<b>Restaurante Marisqueria&nbsp;</b><b>Maré Cheia&nbsp;</b>says&nbsp;the&nbsp;photos&nbsp;on the </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">restaurant w</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">alls are of&nbsp;famous people&nbsp;including football stars and a Prime Minister. We've surely found the perfect place for lunch!</span></div></div><div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JamVD9wJequteQ5wYNRvsulnfv3I4okuZ_MhhhMsyW6VoZsp4wB49b8I5TN5C4mjnBYrgX4t4kogNifGfj41WAlWHbMFxU7CbKYCb9rdul26jV4QBAdjMGveXPYu6RbgfLX3/s640/blogger-image-61568747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JamVD9wJequteQ5wYNRvsulnfv3I4okuZ_MhhhMsyW6VoZsp4wB49b8I5TN5C4mjnBYrgX4t4kogNifGfj41WAlWHbMFxU7CbKYCb9rdul26jV4QBAdjMGveXPYu6RbgfLX3/s640/blogger-image-61568747.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Seems to me that, for the first time on this trip, we feel totally relaxed and unhurried.&nbsp;We don't feel compelled to explore; it's such a small place after all with not much going on.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We're happy sitting in a sidewalk café, idly watching people walk by. O</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">r just scrutinizing&nbsp;the cobble stones</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;decorated with pretty marine motifs.</span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaifikLAc8DjGKJCq48LoIFeFvs-WY0VuwwWBIxEiXJA2q0daZo8PC_P4jZjM3y3Z6DjVWsfKWGNTcUIyTdEpzyuKvI-Obuwr9q5gagEl4sJAKIP9zCOnOiSZ7Uda-iYiufi3Z/s640/blogger-image-324359275.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaifikLAc8DjGKJCq48LoIFeFvs-WY0VuwwWBIxEiXJA2q0daZo8PC_P4jZjM3y3Z6DjVWsfKWGNTcUIyTdEpzyuKvI-Obuwr9q5gagEl4sJAKIP9zCOnOiSZ7Uda-iYiufi3Z/s640/blogger-image-324359275.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WvPEDnowxLLwBGMSYsx_bFHZKoeeYi2Yum0V601_dsaXrmnog9fMRR0EkhTpII2UzZroyEbFVEUWwm6I-5CxpndMITlFN8nP8Wv_XTzI8npG6falV_HwEIU10bL8_SGwEcOA/s640/blogger-image-1331420703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WvPEDnowxLLwBGMSYsx_bFHZKoeeYi2Yum0V601_dsaXrmnog9fMRR0EkhTpII2UzZroyEbFVEUWwm6I-5CxpndMITlFN8nP8Wv_XTzI8npG6falV_HwEIU10bL8_SGwEcOA/s640/blogger-image-1331420703.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P-RP0aPVnWaz9q8E7XQ96qlemQ0N2Zk2yiBcpT7lFTYshPm0dO2a3o9-2uScDhXMBIK8bEpN4tLdPlRLy76NwjKQYiR0ndbMOl52RL1lV0kWDONs8o7LMn1D__Z8N837UMSB/s640/blogger-image-1936618635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P-RP0aPVnWaz9q8E7XQ96qlemQ0N2Zk2yiBcpT7lFTYshPm0dO2a3o9-2uScDhXMBIK8bEpN4tLdPlRLy76NwjKQYiR0ndbMOl52RL1lV0kWDONs8o7LMn1D__Z8N837UMSB/s640/blogger-image-1936618635.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmvLSqPnCDw6xj8Apgqu_fpjVL9nTFVO-ntVxd7jcqDNs0bFT43HOFSRgAx2v7gWMuEM4_0SugUTYaNh6GwTE0_nea4mdVdtMD7q8P3AoxTFUNBMJwYNHUuxDM_BZAN_cYlD7/s640/blogger-image--1382631161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgmvLSqPnCDw6xj8Apgqu_fpjVL9nTFVO-ntVxd7jcqDNs0bFT43HOFSRgAx2v7gWMuEM4_0SugUTYaNh6GwTE0_nea4mdVdtMD7q8P3AoxTFUNBMJwYNHUuxDM_BZAN_cYlD7/s640/blogger-image--1382631161.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7963838224648580587'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7963838224648580587'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/aveiro.html' title='Aveiro'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggV7DflkMUy29aRaEtSfD-F-SVlfqOY_dzs3S905MPO4L8dy23je5Ue3zCWMgJnqUzQuD6EvpOTuB-QXERUWjX5UdpfqnGVg1v7p8zU8iqVNswU8sqxXWBUjdvGTN5Y6Ln8cgQ/s72-c/blogger-image--198121863.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3250728713273097828</id><published>2016-09-13T19:01:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-09-15T20:47:28.456+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Porto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Portugal'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Aveiro'/><title type='text'>PORTUGAL</title><content type='html'><div>In Aveiro, Portuguese cappuccino is a blend of coffee and chocolate. It's tasty, not in-your-face buzzed up, and always nice to have, morning and night. Much like the Portuguese people: gentle, unobtrusive, always proper.</div><div><br></div><div>On the train from Porto,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">having had only an apple and yogurt for breakfast,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I was missing lunch too.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had a pear in my bag but&nbsp;I hesitated to take it out as nobody on the train was eating. No sandwiches, no fruits, not even chips. They weren't even talking. The train was so quiet, very civilized.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Beautiful bridges...</span></div><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzoB4gi8D3kGzdW0QP95ir2-hs0U4Q3_wz60KqtJd2yJW2jFVuTsU94xoArNxs9luRcH-jLqEALzPJ79V9TKCDELcLLGI37tnQd2Dzk1HKncW9Xp6sdCX6Lb0j2ke0MmmdVyL/s640/blogger-image-977963694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzoB4gi8D3kGzdW0QP95ir2-hs0U4Q3_wz60KqtJd2yJW2jFVuTsU94xoArNxs9luRcH-jLqEALzPJ79V9TKCDELcLLGI37tnQd2Dzk1HKncW9Xp6sdCX6Lb0j2ke0MmmdVyL/s640/blogger-image-977963694.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...great food and cheap wine.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatM9qu0Z3eo4zUcTlCFM3H1OSLOUe6QQLUhyphenhyphenf1B7tdV3FwUXLTzV2H3i2o-aLYvoXuoQRO907lJn1PQumFtEt57Kg-EyzmTPHFdNzhr5xju58z2sCCsiRGZMY2aOPnrimYQ-u/s640/blogger-image-1114336069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatM9qu0Z3eo4zUcTlCFM3H1OSLOUe6QQLUhyphenhyphenf1B7tdV3FwUXLTzV2H3i2o-aLYvoXuoQRO907lJn1PQumFtEt57Kg-EyzmTPHFdNzhr5xju58z2sCCsiRGZMY2aOPnrimYQ-u/s640/blogger-image-1114336069.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">These are a few of my favorite things. 😊</span></div></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3250728713273097828'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3250728713273097828'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/portugal.html' title='PORTUGAL'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzoB4gi8D3kGzdW0QP95ir2-hs0U4Q3_wz60KqtJd2yJW2jFVuTsU94xoArNxs9luRcH-jLqEALzPJ79V9TKCDELcLLGI37tnQd2Dzk1HKncW9Xp6sdCX6Lb0j2ke0MmmdVyL/s72-c/blogger-image-977963694.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6153175250736685570</id><published>2016-09-12T07:39:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-09-20T00:56:32.199+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Porto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Birthday'/><title type='text'>Birthday in Porto</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Birthday lunch was at </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">La Ricotta </b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">downtown Porto</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. The restaurant is small and cozy, beautifully designed. Everything was nice, but to be completely honest, the real standout was the exquisite olive oil.</span></div>
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<div>At dinner in our hotel, at the <b>Sheraton's Porto Novo</b>, we were waited on by&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">t</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">he delightful Ana. Charming, vivacious, and brimming with confidence, she was a font of information about Porto cuisine. The bread, the rice, the <i>francesinha</i>, the tripe, the restaurants. She didn't think much of our choice for lunch. ("It's okay but nothing special.")&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lp65Mh4CbDxyqHRkrjRI_AOF0tS_QmnZE49x9bf1_djseX1FQVABZnF06K3sMVJh4IbO0ZqrpsRY9iPymhFd57jvbSsQHlkkywBi2KeHkGwJ-p2QTkjIF8l9jGxKfXmnNEtv/s640/blogger-image-715105471.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lp65Mh4CbDxyqHRkrjRI_AOF0tS_QmnZE49x9bf1_djseX1FQVABZnF06K3sMVJh4IbO0ZqrpsRY9iPymhFd57jvbSsQHlkkywBi2KeHkGwJ-p2QTkjIF8l9jGxKfXmnNEtv/s640/blogger-image-715105471.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">At some point in the evening, she decided we needed a break from too much food and champagne, so she spread out a city map on our table and proceeded to show us where to go for good authentic Porto cuisine.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><br></span></div>
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<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, Ana led the entire waitstaff in singing&nbsp;<i>Happy Birthday </i>in both English and&nbsp;Portuguese.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r2UihJZrDzYzZaEC7WKzzNn9Rog8uwTiZyAnUjZwBU851W49fowuwG7llWIddIvadtYEHt-FRUSOPrCI0dFEuZhvWjhWnCU423SYUIcmb6ye_qTyrzV2sz7fdPD4gnOWosuA/s640/blogger-image--2131081341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r2UihJZrDzYzZaEC7WKzzNn9Rog8uwTiZyAnUjZwBU851W49fowuwG7llWIddIvadtYEHt-FRUSOPrCI0dFEuZhvWjhWnCU423SYUIcmb6ye_qTyrzV2sz7fdPD4gnOWosuA/s640/blogger-image--2131081341.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>
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The next day, it was fish soup and grilled sardines at <b>Tito II</b>, one of a long row of restaurants with street-front grill stands on&nbsp;famed Rua Heróis de França in&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Matosinhos</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, as instructed by Ana. She was right: the food here was special. And at less than €25, including wine, it was the best deal in town.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6153175250736685570'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6153175250736685570'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/birthday-in-porto.html' title='Birthday in Porto'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI0baI6fer-otZ9sFmDgcMyrUXoNy-gyTRX_XKvTSZwVlzun7CkjsADLFwvavS18G0p5HBrI3DV3uCMWf9mqpf013AfoDuN2tjxdGNQTrvNP9pX5nGR_PW7vxSatgMWmpqCMU/s72-c/blogger-image--1693054998.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1257230657697168416</id><published>2016-09-07T05:42:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-10-03T18:51:55.982+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mallaig'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='shooting'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Gleneagles'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Scotland'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='JacobiteTrain'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Highlands'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Turf House'/><title type='text'>The Scottish Highlands</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>Gleneagles Hotel&nbsp;</b>in the tiny town of&nbsp;<b>Auchterarder</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the&nbsp;<b>Shooting School</b>,&nbsp;Roger was an excellent teacher, a fantastic encourager. I&nbsp;especially appreciated his spiel introducing the last shoot, the Haggis shoot, as being the most difficult.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"As it's an Olympic type event, don't be discouraged if you don't get a single one..."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course Stuart and I did well!&nbsp;Stuart shot four out of four!</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A scenic train ride</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aboard&nbsp;the<b>&nbsp;Jacobite Train</b>, also known as&nbsp;<b>Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express</b>...</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...and&nbsp;feasting on rope-grown mussels&nbsp;in the lovely town of&nbsp;<b>Mallaig</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A prosperous commercial fishing port famous for herring and smoked kippers, the village is postcard-pretty with a clean, freshly scrubbed look about it.</span></div>
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<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A quirky house on the moors</b></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We spent most of the day driving around vast stretches of sullen moors under mournful dark clouds, looking for the point of the much ballyhooed&nbsp;<b>Isle of Skye</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This area, as well as others in the Scottish Highlands, has some of the most&nbsp;spectacular and&nbsp;significant landscapes available for&nbsp;geological, archeological, or paleontological studies. A veritable treasure trove of scientific evidence for scientific&nbsp;minds so inclined.&nbsp;I am not one of those.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was convinced the place was clearly not of much interest to me, a fervent non-walker. And then, Stuart drove into a narrow gravel path leading to a café in the middle of nowhere.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And there it was,&nbsp;the point of what was until this moment, a long lugubrious drive. We know this house! It's the <b>Turf House </b>we watched being built on TV in <b>Kevin McCloud</b>'s <i>Grand Designs.</i></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Amidst staunchly traditional white-painted stone houses with black slate roofs,&nbsp;this lozenge-shaped house is&nbsp;clad in silvery larch and its&nbsp;roof is planted with grass. It&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">sits low, hugging the ground, on a promontory looking straight out onto the sea, its aerodynamic profile allowing it to weather the harsh conditions that come with these incredible views.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Following its roofline, a smaller version of the building houses the cozy café behind it.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>So many rainbows...</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That's all it took.&nbsp;Suddenly, the&nbsp;skies of Skye opened up and the&nbsp;day took on a brighter hue.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course the pea &amp; onion soup followed by hot chocolate with muscovado sugar and Hebridean sea salt also helped.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1257230657697168416'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1257230657697168416'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/the-scottish-highlands.html' title='The Scottish Highlands'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDmafUwk9GlYP1aIGFn2QBDzAczfevWE3xWeSTIAFVLnfgl2uX41LEM9vw-SRnrRNDOWjx-QM91Z1bs4lgpRxRXle-QatdgTK7SAZgIW9PnA_SFiG-3HBwNoFIjr6X6_l38RZd/s72-c/blogger-image-124895442.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5445103484238584019</id><published>2016-09-05T23:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-09-09T08:28:51.970+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bridges'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Firth of Forth'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Scotland'/><title type='text'>The Bridges of the Firth of Forth</title><content type='html'><div><div><br></div><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On a brilliant blue-sky day, our first day ever in Scotland, we went on a boat cruise on the Firth of Forth.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnb4JVbEvDgEwlnZsMyvyAGb8tFQCl-pDNx_k6uqF0_YHRl4UIPb70AIzTeKHYa4hTe4Gi-W_56u59pzOr6wmV6AhdJyuy-11BV06uYfnP5quRcYmoU3pLTG8AXoMWtZ2K3YUZ/s640/blogger-image-814980030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnb4JVbEvDgEwlnZsMyvyAGb8tFQCl-pDNx_k6uqF0_YHRl4UIPb70AIzTeKHYa4hTe4Gi-W_56u59pzOr6wmV6AhdJyuy-11BV06uYfnP5quRcYmoU3pLTG8AXoMWtZ2K3YUZ/s640/blogger-image-814980030.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The three bridges spanning the&nbsp;<b>Firth of Forth</b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr2AgIYv6864tov0HB-NMBbRxnagrmIJmX22J6kncSXIWoTaZ110nvH3sfVbu1ZFbpD8CSYdzHEE9dFi47lxmVjguko0eR7zlBqP886ctUKC70ES8wZrdVIfH1-lZT-j7tQ1_/s640/blogger-image--1515185429.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivr2AgIYv6864tov0HB-NMBbRxnagrmIJmX22J6kncSXIWoTaZ110nvH3sfVbu1ZFbpD8CSYdzHEE9dFi47lxmVjguko0eR7zlBqP886ctUKC70ES8wZrdVIfH1-lZT-j7tQ1_/s640/blogger-image--1515185429.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Forth Bridge&nbsp;</b>(in foreground), a&nbsp;suspension bridge,&nbsp;is a&nbsp;railway crossing.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Standing tall and painted a spunky bright red is the elegant&nbsp;cantilever&nbsp;<b>Forth Road Bridge</b>.<b>&nbsp;</b>Built in 1964 for vehicular and pedestrian traffic,&nbsp;it's not nearly as fit as it looks. Overworked and plagued by problems, it's due to be retired when the new bridge comes into service.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDaFpyLNCx2GaO82pkgouQZkVo2QmeETGbGBW-mAOF21_onIG7Kr4zoxZ5Nod3r3h-OP8C-udDbTD1ROOX02-K5Nxh_rzfNwQAb_YTULsKr6F6zI2p7IoaBrWqQqHOhiBzDfU/s640/blogger-image-1604502296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijDaFpyLNCx2GaO82pkgouQZkVo2QmeETGbGBW-mAOF21_onIG7Kr4zoxZ5Nod3r3h-OP8C-udDbTD1ROOX02-K5Nxh_rzfNwQAb_YTULsKr6F6zI2p7IoaBrWqQqHOhiBzDfU/s640/blogger-image-1604502296.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The new&nbsp;<b>Queensferry Crossing</b>&nbsp;will be&nbsp;the longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world with 23,000 miles of cabling, nearly enough to wrap around the Earth. Originally due to open December 2016, it is now scheduled for completion in May 2017.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5445103484238584019'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5445103484238584019'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/scotland.html' title='The Bridges of the Firth of Forth'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnb4JVbEvDgEwlnZsMyvyAGb8tFQCl-pDNx_k6uqF0_YHRl4UIPb70AIzTeKHYa4hTe4Gi-W_56u59pzOr6wmV6AhdJyuy-11BV06uYfnP5quRcYmoU3pLTG8AXoMWtZ2K3YUZ/s72-c/blogger-image-814980030.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2060724692461259419</id><published>2016-08-29T18:23:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-08-31T02:31:23.048+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Irina Kolesnikova'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ballet'/><title type='text'>At the London Coliseum for Irina Kolesnikova&#39;s &quot;Her Name Was Carmen&quot;</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the ballet once again, twice in as many weeks! This time in London, with great pal and soon to be ex-Londoner Lorna Vainus.<b><i><br></i></b></span><br>
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We're&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>&nbsp;</b>at the&nbsp;<b style="font-style: italic;">London Coliseum </b>for&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">"</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Her Name Was Carmen" </i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">with</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;the</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> </i><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic;">St Petersburg Ballet Theatre </b><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">and the </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ENO Orchestra.</b></div><div><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></b></div><div><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J2N3N9srUp-GF8osjaSjqwT3yf5q9S1utrB3TOetE0iE8IBDVSnMJxGwd1kGuARHNk196JCn968Tp8lGyAVUABGhGnRHtOQbzTIsqP8iiPDRgDiNAqjT1LZUg_Ty0ZPpRTCY/s640/blogger-image--1747217664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J2N3N9srUp-GF8osjaSjqwT3yf5q9S1utrB3TOetE0iE8IBDVSnMJxGwd1kGuARHNk196JCn968Tp8lGyAVUABGhGnRHtOQbzTIsqP8iiPDRgDiNAqjT1LZUg_Ty0ZPpRTCY/s640/blogger-image--1747217664.jpg"></a></div></b></div><div><div><br></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Principal dancer&nbsp;<b>Irina&nbsp;</b><b>Kolesnikova</b>, whose visit with refugee camps inspired this new ballet,&nbsp;is breathtaking as Carmen. She probably is breathtaking in any role.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Her legs and arms, her feet and hands mesmerize. Her eloquent body stretches credulity as it morphs from towering Amazon to slithering seductress to the tormented victim twisted like a giant pretzel, totally inert on the floor.</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: normal;">In this ballet, male dancers are not mere catchers and lifters shadowing their female partners to provide dependable support. The two principal male dancers, handsome of face and body, strut up front and centre. They shine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: normal;">I have to confess, we were totally disoriented about this Carmen's story, expecting it to be, at the very least, loosely based on the&nbsp;</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Carmen we're&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">more familiar with.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: normal;">We could've saved ourselves this confusion if we had done our research. That is, if we hadn't just decided at the last minute to see this particular show! Or if we had arrived early enough to read the program. Or if we had arrived on time!&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: normal;">As it was, we arrived after the curtain had gone up, so we were hustled off to temporary lodgings upstairs where we spent the first half pining for our stall seats!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-weight: normal;">Never mind. Our lateness actually added to our excitement and it was, after all, an exquisite evening!&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have belatedly realized that I had witnessed this magic before. I saw Kolesnikova last year in&nbsp;<b>La Bayadère</b>&nbsp;on the urging of a ballet enthusiast I had met at the hotel lounge.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wrote about it last year:</span><br>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/la-bayadere-at-london-coliseum.html?m=1">La Bayadere at the London Coliseum</a></span><br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2060724692461259419'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2060724692461259419'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/08/at-london-coliseum-for-irina.html' title='At the London Coliseum for Irina Kolesnikova&#39;s &quot;Her Name Was Carmen&quot;'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6J2N3N9srUp-GF8osjaSjqwT3yf5q9S1utrB3TOetE0iE8IBDVSnMJxGwd1kGuARHNk196JCn968Tp8lGyAVUABGhGnRHtOQbzTIsqP8iiPDRgDiNAqjT1LZUg_Ty0ZPpRTCY/s72-c/blogger-image--1747217664.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2038821754444552081</id><published>2016-08-27T15:45:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-09-01T03:42:30.555+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lucian Freud'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='National Portrait Gallery'/><title type='text'>At the National Portrait Gallery</title><content type='html'>We arrived at the <b>Garrick</b>&nbsp;early, so we crossed over to the <b>National Portrait Gallery</b> for a quick look at the&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">sketchbooks of&nbsp;</span><b>Lucian Freud</b>.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oD3Dlco48T36tnmLw2V3k0WuMzuu_HVlxth3oEry_wonnEVyjEzM17_xafcOG-lbn3l-NF8dkr_VDt7dkxFbC534-CdWjO6FI41Wo3OD3Nu7bB9w3zuwdtAvO4poVheUrbhJ/s640/blogger-image--200950751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oD3Dlco48T36tnmLw2V3k0WuMzuu_HVlxth3oEry_wonnEVyjEzM17_xafcOG-lbn3l-NF8dkr_VDt7dkxFbC534-CdWjO6FI41Wo3OD3Nu7bB9w3zuwdtAvO4poVheUrbhJ/s640/blogger-image--200950751.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKz9notNb_-KxOR9HlnIaobhaGTgj0q8mmJRXgShLwMnR5bBRzEjx6Bwr-uowY47KhbNw0AVqTVWnHIZokYuub0DB17ohWg6Pd7R2btv7-vpml7Zwnq32n-9H98VIhxaEqive/s640/blogger-image--416169596.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJKz9notNb_-KxOR9HlnIaobhaGTgj0q8mmJRXgShLwMnR5bBRzEjx6Bwr-uowY47KhbNw0AVqTVWnHIZokYuub0DB17ohWg6Pd7R2btv7-vpml7Zwnq32n-9H98VIhxaEqive/s640/blogger-image--416169596.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div>The half hour viewing gave me a precious gift: the realization<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;that my own body of work, (haha I love the sound of that!) is not too bad.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I do have to learn to do it properly though. I&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">guess&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">when I started drawing,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">it didn't occur to me that there was a method to be learned. I merely thought it was a good idea to draw faces. I drew portraits of several of my grade school classmates. Too bad I gave them away. Those I made of my brothers and sisters and a cousin, I still have. I should do something with them...</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEpwcUyLCXcRv0EN44zIYohf9HUZkGGeZ-qPcYj3mk-kaGHMQ8J2ghM6EKHHWHetJ6Tr1LDHhWhp9ntNw2_hFqZI4lkC4CDh2mn_Cd0jY4YGBwDqvCfJ2a_KOOpfnR0vmcvPo/s640/blogger-image-1601698415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEpwcUyLCXcRv0EN44zIYohf9HUZkGGeZ-qPcYj3mk-kaGHMQ8J2ghM6EKHHWHetJ6Tr1LDHhWhp9ntNw2_hFqZI4lkC4CDh2mn_Cd0jY4YGBwDqvCfJ2a_KOOpfnR0vmcvPo/s640/blogger-image-1601698415.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2038821754444552081'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2038821754444552081'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/08/at-national-portrait-gallery.html' title='At the National Portrait Gallery'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8oD3Dlco48T36tnmLw2V3k0WuMzuu_HVlxth3oEry_wonnEVyjEzM17_xafcOG-lbn3l-NF8dkr_VDt7dkxFbC534-CdWjO6FI41Wo3OD3Nu7bB9w3zuwdtAvO4poVheUrbhJ/s72-c/blogger-image--200950751.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8753125328874176581</id><published>2016-08-27T15:04:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-11-09T17:04:50.738+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kenneth Branagh'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Garrick Theatre'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Entertainer'/><title type='text'>At the Garrick Theatre for Kenneth Branagh&#39;s The Entertainer</title><content type='html'><i>The Entertainer </i>is&nbsp;<b>Kenneth Branagh Theatre Company</b>'s<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;final production in the <i>Plays at the Garrick </i>season.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After my initial shock at seeing a blowsy, frumpy&nbsp;<b>Greta Scacchi</b>-&nbsp;this&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">happens every time I see her now, unable to shake off&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>femme fatale</i>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">images of her </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Presumed Innocent </i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> Country Lif</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">e days- I quickly realized what a truly gifted actress she is, heartbreakingly real as the hurting and equally hurtful&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Phoebe Rice</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font><div>I'm not sure if <b>John Hurt</b>'s Billy Rice<b>&nbsp;</b>would've been better but last night's Billy was pretty damn good.</div><div><br></div><div>The storyline, set in post- WW II England, is dated. This, despite the production's protestations of it being just as relevant today, with parallels to present post- Brexit England. The dialogue, liberally peppered with p<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">re-PC references to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"pansies," "negroes,"</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;and (immigrant) "Poles," dates it even more.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Kenneth Branagh</b> onstage can't be anything but great. However,&nbsp;personally,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;I didn't like seeing him in this role, that of a &nbsp;struggling middle-aged relic of the lost age of vaudeville. I guess a few others in last night's full house didn't either. The guy seated beside me practically cringed every time Branagh did his pathetic music hall hoofer bit.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Of course he had to do <b>John Osborne</b>'s&nbsp;<i>The Entertainer</i>. The play was written for <b>Laurence Olivier</b>, reportedly at the great actor's own behest. And Branagh is the acknowledged reincarnation of Olivier. We all know that.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eQEu6DWItBGAtP4z3bOOTpjz4sWVcWoJ3HHuGLtvqH3fPhQ4Vjn7Rjp8vdYKbklRq0FLvjt0vWktYSSkn2CqngPrm_Vg6xvxDiyWyIMYipbBJNm7RLflK7fjZiMu_wAngn7H/s640/blogger-image-491151819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eQEu6DWItBGAtP4z3bOOTpjz4sWVcWoJ3HHuGLtvqH3fPhQ4Vjn7Rjp8vdYKbklRq0FLvjt0vWktYSSkn2CqngPrm_Vg6xvxDiyWyIMYipbBJNm7RLflK7fjZiMu_wAngn7H/s640/blogger-image-491151819.jpg" id="id_598e_313b_4d83_3bbe" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>Okay, he can really, really dance! I get that! He of course has<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;to show off in the fabulous opening scene. The segue to present reality is pure perfection.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>He's the total package. I get that too.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Only Branagh can do dialogue onstage with his back to the audience. Incredible!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The final scene is flamboyantly silent, channeling Chaplin's&nbsp;<i>The Tramp</i>. Kenneth Branagh knows his way around that stage alright.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8753125328874176581'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8753125328874176581'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/08/at-garrick-theatre-for-kenneth-branagh.html' title='At the Garrick Theatre for Kenneth Branagh&#39;s The Entertainer'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_eQEu6DWItBGAtP4z3bOOTpjz4sWVcWoJ3HHuGLtvqH3fPhQ4Vjn7Rjp8vdYKbklRq0FLvjt0vWktYSSkn2CqngPrm_Vg6xvxDiyWyIMYipbBJNm7RLflK7fjZiMu_wAngn7H/s72-c/blogger-image-491151819.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2106986505476483242</id><published>2016-08-14T01:24:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-08-14T10:49:15.999+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bangkok'/><title type='text'>Bangkok</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My sister Laura was taking her daughters Eunice and Krissy away on holiday and I suggested Bangkok. My other sister Annette and I joined them. Although I've been there countless times before, I was a bit apprehensive to take on the task of tour guide. Laura has only been once before. In the end, Stuart took pity on us and decided to join the party and take us in hand.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOciw-_dPSe1tTey3Y4Ym9WObIoAMYcNzvTBf7lY_5_V5pfLbIT8s8iN3HeVsUUgblYTY4Hw0b3oc_FMEgd115_MCusbADV-smzmPPa9RbEutx_PlghWu6CvvRg5M8gtBqXXl4/s640/blogger-image-148669742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOciw-_dPSe1tTey3Y4Ym9WObIoAMYcNzvTBf7lY_5_V5pfLbIT8s8iN3HeVsUUgblYTY4Hw0b3oc_FMEgd115_MCusbADV-smzmPPa9RbEutx_PlghWu6CvvRg5M8gtBqXXl4/s640/blogger-image-148669742.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>In four days, we managed to &nbsp;do most everything to be done in the city. Temples, palaces, boats, trains, massages, shopping, eating. At least they did, Stuart and the girls. I held out for the massages and eating mostly.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Eunice and Krissy were disappointed that we had no time to go to any of the beach resorts though.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We left Bangkok August 9. The bombs started August 10. In the beach resort towns of Phuket and Hua Hin. Unbelievable!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The country is on high alert following a total of 13 bombing incidents that killed four people and injured 35 others in five southern provinces between Wednesday and Friday morning.&nbsp;</i><a href="http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/1059748?refer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.ph%2F" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://m.bangkokpost.com/news/1059748?refer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com.ph%2F</a></div><div><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></i></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2106986505476483242'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2106986505476483242'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/08/bangkok.html' title='Bangkok'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOciw-_dPSe1tTey3Y4Ym9WObIoAMYcNzvTBf7lY_5_V5pfLbIT8s8iN3HeVsUUgblYTY4Hw0b3oc_FMEgd115_MCusbADV-smzmPPa9RbEutx_PlghWu6CvvRg5M8gtBqXXl4/s72-c/blogger-image-148669742.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2464967100699270436</id><published>2016-07-04T04:24:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-13T14:21:08.703+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rome'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trevi'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='St Peter's'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Frecciarossa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Pantheon'/><title type='text'>Rome- last leg</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ON THE FRECCIAROSSA.</b></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The travel experience on&nbsp;<i>Trenitalia's</i>&nbsp;<b>Frecciarossa</b>&nbsp;varies greatly from one trip to the next.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDURLvDWLERkvOK-6oIUyV02PUhqh4Kog3DuKhN7GZ9T8CR2J5kRtJDHg767UfIv4DcwAIRjTxD7Twwk_5agWkEQC9YrgkPVJ0ToFBGHIpRCTw6rl67bs0QtgfMzC2IHq0wOR/s640/blogger-image--818933555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDURLvDWLERkvOK-6oIUyV02PUhqh4Kog3DuKhN7GZ9T8CR2J5kRtJDHg767UfIv4DcwAIRjTxD7Twwk_5agWkEQC9YrgkPVJ0ToFBGHIpRCTw6rl67bs0QtgfMzC2IHq0wOR/s640/blogger-image--818933555.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The first time we tried it was three years ago. It was wonderful! The ride was smooth, quiet, and fast. But far more interesting for me was the fact that we hadn't expected the carriage to be so plush and to have food service on board. Seeing a steward walk into our carriage carrying a tray of champagne glasses was such a pleasant surprise.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The second time didn't seem so grand, but it was still okay. This time around though, on the Venice to Florence, we were greatly disappointed. The stewardess was&nbsp;frumpy and&nbsp;grumpy. And the party of four in the carriage with us talked nonstop.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Florence to Rome was better, almost as good as the first time, service wise, but the quality of the food was not. Except for the mozzarella- it was the best I've ever had.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgODybUCfHWy2Cl9xBVI_X0gc6UNoOAfrZZaRqcjKBs5S5sA-J_fNJI0nwqvkO8H844UgFe1FfgZnPQQXOMwsoAhcB_rmwFxNQ-yo9o6h6JbkY0HvhP_bHbsY0iJ65Upd4yWFa/s640/blogger-image-489042988.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgODybUCfHWy2Cl9xBVI_X0gc6UNoOAfrZZaRqcjKBs5S5sA-J_fNJI0nwqvkO8H844UgFe1FfgZnPQQXOMwsoAhcB_rmwFxNQ-yo9o6h6JbkY0HvhP_bHbsY0iJ65Upd4yWFa/s640/blogger-image-489042988.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUErekWy7aBDJSsFiaXUSvbl65OsTVFR_gPPV3PKQvod9dlhKsDPhz0fLOPcHzVPKj9tpG_Oq_VmJpg9roRe8-ZT-ZOvrYRBsS_VEvwpfTXBWFdNjuECNYlus43540wf4gL7uH/s640/blogger-image-12506623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUErekWy7aBDJSsFiaXUSvbl65OsTVFR_gPPV3PKQvod9dlhKsDPhz0fLOPcHzVPKj9tpG_Oq_VmJpg9roRe8-ZT-ZOvrYRBsS_VEvwpfTXBWFdNjuECNYlus43540wf4gL7uH/s640/blogger-image-12506623.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><br></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A HAPPY REUNION.</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIZ8J_XH-as4gi378570R1Zu1IxBlQxr5e1o84dHeWpf6mhy7L-KxBE00V0XD4ule20p7jVSsiN6LoYaSeKoEH5_ESM69EzersUJ9uyoGZgShjlAwAPsUiH4OAaTXWc5_yPen/s640/blogger-image--1284744847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbIZ8J_XH-as4gi378570R1Zu1IxBlQxr5e1o84dHeWpf6mhy7L-KxBE00V0XD4ule20p7jVSsiN6LoYaSeKoEH5_ESM69EzersUJ9uyoGZgShjlAwAPsUiH4OAaTXWc5_yPen/s640/blogger-image--1284744847.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div></div></div></div></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>IN ROME WITH MAURIZIO</b>, there were just three sights we wanted to do on this trip:&nbsp;<b>St Peter's</b>,&nbsp;the newly reopened&nbsp;<b>Trevi Fountain</b>, freshly cleaned courtesy of the&nbsp;<b>Fendi</b>&nbsp;sisters,&nbsp;&nbsp;and the&nbsp;<b>Pantheon</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had three days, so we went to see one each day.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><br></div><div></div></div><div></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>AT ST PETER'S.</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWorS3YnkXJYpFLPCN9h6CIkgzQNHGpd0BzRyLVxdPqGmksEVVC1IXGUsSHEZCop4-2fQYS7XNiuIBptxgngJrqlXSojRH4I5uVskMCCDYhYMuYXfDWPi3DmJIbTpmBdMi-lu1/s640/blogger-image-232214666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWorS3YnkXJYpFLPCN9h6CIkgzQNHGpd0BzRyLVxdPqGmksEVVC1IXGUsSHEZCop4-2fQYS7XNiuIBptxgngJrqlXSojRH4I5uVskMCCDYhYMuYXfDWPi3DmJIbTpmBdMi-lu1/s640/blogger-image-232214666.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ABr_Oym1P-KgIcUF3hfejEIFlRdHJ_4PBa1X56B-X32KgbP0lKYS6kxWm-ZUosEfE83b3TJfDOm3upQSzXWpJ6iTSGzu_RoBGTSyb_XXWoHeko-NCIRGsJUtc4o753tOS-oC/s640/blogger-image--643754284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ABr_Oym1P-KgIcUF3hfejEIFlRdHJ_4PBa1X56B-X32KgbP0lKYS6kxWm-ZUosEfE83b3TJfDOm3upQSzXWpJ6iTSGzu_RoBGTSyb_XXWoHeko-NCIRGsJUtc4o753tOS-oC/s640/blogger-image--643754284.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPIUQqL2aGc5jXQf9USpVfAxPJ8-AvOfk6MntNIZwJFWiWZZExmL8NxyezaE9dbM2x3XTAQHzXgBQYnF6_531aQhfnTcdJ7H8P5Qr5eaVFb1TYSRD222Ofx2XpcQipGxMm5Ax/s640/blogger-image-1771144743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVPIUQqL2aGc5jXQf9USpVfAxPJ8-AvOfk6MntNIZwJFWiWZZExmL8NxyezaE9dbM2x3XTAQHzXgBQYnF6_531aQhfnTcdJ7H8P5Qr5eaVFb1TYSRD222Ofx2XpcQipGxMm5Ax/s640/blogger-image-1771144743.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I thought maybe <b>Bernini's </b><i>baldacchino </i>could do with a bit of metal polish.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While Maurizio and I sat on a bench in the shade and chatted,&nbsp;Stuart went up the cupola</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. He came back forty five minutes later looking victorious and&nbsp;glistening with self-important sweat.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He had impressive aerial photos of the city.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxEfJr6T0nMKui-ZiaoeCnD7r2-eo6tilVINA389Zk8JXjMWmLrGyxB7wh5aczakE3mPvpV-Y41U4qc0iOawNE6BQU9dYHH5pNTxpOiFzIwhGL7vSJZN82pGsX10-85lb2COU/s640/blogger-image-824926144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGxEfJr6T0nMKui-ZiaoeCnD7r2-eo6tilVINA389Zk8JXjMWmLrGyxB7wh5aczakE3mPvpV-Y41U4qc0iOawNE6BQU9dYHH5pNTxpOiFzIwhGL7vSJZN82pGsX10-85lb2COU/s640/blogger-image-824926144.jpg"></a></div></div><br></span></div><div><div><br></div></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, we went to Maurizio's house to see how many boxes he has unpacked so far. He has done well. Margarita would be pleased.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He then took us to dinner at his "Roman food place" (<b>Hostaria Menenio Agrippa</b>)&nbsp;where we had a truly memorable meal of grilled lamb rib chops and&nbsp;saltimbocca</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. And p</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">asta of course, as Maurizio can't live without it.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">AT THE TREVI FOUNTAIN.</b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart lugged his seriously big and heavy camera and played paparazzo at the Trevi Fountain.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd3RAUxxQVO5TjZRXdUsX4e2QRTZIDtVZVlpIFlKFEfj7BD_pM8u1HfxSly0lJQEXhNEXv-zW5xzo2bpqwT6GGs9cMaR3U6icpcyj3DoT_mZ80qc2IEez_13H20FxcOe782_l/s640/blogger-image-325036853.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrd3RAUxxQVO5TjZRXdUsX4e2QRTZIDtVZVlpIFlKFEfj7BD_pM8u1HfxSly0lJQEXhNEXv-zW5xzo2bpqwT6GGs9cMaR3U6icpcyj3DoT_mZ80qc2IEez_13H20FxcOe782_l/s640/blogger-image-325036853.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, we walked up and down&nbsp;<b>Via dei Condotti&nbsp;</b>but came away having bought only two items: a small bottle of water and a paper cone's worth of roasted chestnuts.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3zdmSXnOszEr8ni5E1lEJsX_CcQdZh6eUFDCPzvUyzxYNjkaux_GaqbFbtNh5teruHeteVNet6gFYC946qqD5U_4aV5NIWpRT6zO58t12ksR0K9zfplvPo1aRoqmulWYjHAe/s640/blogger-image--1355243423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3zdmSXnOszEr8ni5E1lEJsX_CcQdZh6eUFDCPzvUyzxYNjkaux_GaqbFbtNh5teruHeteVNet6gFYC946qqD5U_4aV5NIWpRT6zO58t12ksR0K9zfplvPo1aRoqmulWYjHAe/s640/blogger-image--1355243423.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><b>AT THE PANTHEON.</b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm191ml4xOWV0h5ZPbcnbD2TyKpYBIOC1R973i6VGwlDa1NpE32C0PjPwR38JFQHoJkezlWgxNqhbSPmUykJfYK4VwayrY3mMvjXsc_lv4r3rz3zCJTQQfhIvW2tiW6ZJBI5Vi/s640/blogger-image--1719001781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm191ml4xOWV0h5ZPbcnbD2TyKpYBIOC1R973i6VGwlDa1NpE32C0PjPwR38JFQHoJkezlWgxNqhbSPmUykJfYK4VwayrY3mMvjXsc_lv4r3rz3zCJTQQfhIvW2tiW6ZJBI5Vi/s640/blogger-image--1719001781.jpg"></a></div><br></b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On our last day in Rome, we went to the Pantheon. I wished then that we had someone who could talk to us about the significant architectural and engineering achievements embodied in this ancient Roman structure. It</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;must have been a&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">glorious sight to see</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;before it was turned into something else it wasn't meant for.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">St. Peter's was designed and built as a church; and it's a magnificent church. The Pantheon, as a church, is not.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">AT THE ROME CAVALIERI.</b></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometime in the night, I&nbsp;woke up to see the waning crescent moon&nbsp;setting over the city. I got up and took a picture.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzN94j-Uwdv12y3TFeMkpLaOK2nDV6JmlGFb3uZEJC2_NBdFAIxScEGNYFNnRFjFtgjNLEL1H9TDM33-nrOcetQTPyxaeppmf86VuibWK-mr5XLkCrsvmPVR4NVM0cCZp2DYy/s640/blogger-image-1171587977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzN94j-Uwdv12y3TFeMkpLaOK2nDV6JmlGFb3uZEJC2_NBdFAIxScEGNYFNnRFjFtgjNLEL1H9TDM33-nrOcetQTPyxaeppmf86VuibWK-mr5XLkCrsvmPVR4NVM0cCZp2DYy/s640/blogger-image-1171587977.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Israeli Prime Minister&nbsp;<b>Benjamin Netanyahu&nbsp;</b>walked into the Executive Lounge<b>&nbsp;</b>smoking a cigar, surrounded by about ten security people. He looked more like a gangster mob boss than a head of state.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2ywB7A2mT3e7xjEaeru_JT1zahJPNAWaYImO_uXJmbNJZ4oZ6OgwKuGHI5Vy7yCKgMpSjVpiok7GpnZxBeJZnrp0cozdpT_Y67vycTsG8qcMWEXtWjmpmcd9z2jSOntk_7iY/s640/blogger-image-1480579975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu2ywB7A2mT3e7xjEaeru_JT1zahJPNAWaYImO_uXJmbNJZ4oZ6OgwKuGHI5Vy7yCKgMpSjVpiok7GpnZxBeJZnrp0cozdpT_Y67vycTsG8qcMWEXtWjmpmcd9z2jSOntk_7iY/s640/blogger-image-1480579975.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><b>THE PERFECT SPAGHETTI.</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Al Vecchio Pegno Osteria</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last meal on holiday.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Rabbit stew and pasta.</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2viOEpd4ngJx7I1zBMAHWgBR2DJELunabk7oAuas9MsavZdu7qIATvCI0jnKmDvHJbrTMSmc8Usr0CkjZCZ2-Ll2Xi8-cNiXApE2rxI4p6JVirhTubf4BItkgAX8a2FYtfNbF/s640/blogger-image--1218534876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2viOEpd4ngJx7I1zBMAHWgBR2DJELunabk7oAuas9MsavZdu7qIATvCI0jnKmDvHJbrTMSmc8Usr0CkjZCZ2-Ll2Xi8-cNiXApE2rxI4p6JVirhTubf4BItkgAX8a2FYtfNbF/s640/blogger-image--1218534876.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoiTrkjHRkxvfgw9jba5GSk1fTANCqqdX3dtM7gfVvbQIaQBNljQSiH9Xr2G9o4IlRnPAPo0PBQOsJvTPJj2AQPr62i7s7-vy-KuFS3HImZ5F8CmMzVwGCgASyKoft3OJBV-L/s640/blogger-image-570881059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoiTrkjHRkxvfgw9jba5GSk1fTANCqqdX3dtM7gfVvbQIaQBNljQSiH9Xr2G9o4IlRnPAPo0PBQOsJvTPJj2AQPr62i7s7-vy-KuFS3HImZ5F8CmMzVwGCgASyKoft3OJBV-L/s640/blogger-image-570881059.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The pasta was the closest I've come to my unholy Grail: the perfect spaghetti.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2464967100699270436'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2464967100699270436'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/07/rome-last-leg.html' title='Rome- last leg'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSDURLvDWLERkvOK-6oIUyV02PUhqh4Kog3DuKhN7GZ9T8CR2J5kRtJDHg767UfIv4DcwAIRjTxD7Twwk_5agWkEQC9YrgkPVJ0ToFBGHIpRCTw6rl67bs0QtgfMzC2IHq0wOR/s72-c/blogger-image--818933555.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6551513076102295458</id><published>2016-07-02T11:58:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-27T14:02:45.814+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rosso Rubino'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Montepulciano'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Vino Nobile di Montepulciano'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Osteria del Conte'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Palazzo Carletti'/><title type='text'>Montepulciano</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The <b>Palazzo Carletti</b>&nbsp;is a small hotel with only five rooms. Its&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">welcoming, casual, and homey feel belies its imposing structure and luxurious fittings</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stephanie, sitting in for the usual receptionist who was on leave, gave us a key and said,"The palazzo is yours."&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Also, "Everything in the mini bar is free; if you want more, just ask."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">The staircases are monumental and ancient. P</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">aintings and </span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">frescoes decorate tall&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">walls and high ceilings</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">; the frescoes are&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">17th century,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">original, but recently restored.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had a big parlour and two huge modern bathrooms with private sauna and spa bath. One even had a glass ceiling for viewing the frescoes while lying in the bath!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We also had&nbsp;a balcony with incredible views that invited us to&nbsp;just&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">gaze out and never leave our rooms.</span></div>
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Dinner at <b>Osteria</b>&nbsp;<b>del Conte </b>was very good: black sea bass and pork with lard. Wine was the esteemed <i>Vino Nobile di Montepulciano</i>, unrelated to the less eminent <i>Montepulciano d'Abruzzo</i>, and happily always available around these parts as house wine.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The next day, we lingered over a late lunch picnic on our inviting balcony where we would have stayed&nbsp;happily&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">until dinner had Stuart not found a street party instead.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That evening, we followed the sound of jazz music down a steep lane that opened up into a courtyard where a neighborhood party had just started.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A two-man band, a sax and a keyboard, played beautiful jazz into the night.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moments like this are what we enjoy most when we travel. It's like peeping into, and sometimes entering, vignettes of other people's way of life.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Before leaving town, we had lunch at&nbsp;<b>Trattoria</b>&nbsp;<b>Rosso Rubino</b>, just down the road from our hotel. It was a lucky find. &nbsp;The charming lady owner apologized for her limited English as she explained the menu.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The food was simple, unadorned, and exceptionally delicious.&nbsp;We had a classic dish of fried eggs with black truffle, followed by a wild boar&nbsp;stew.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">We ordered one dessert, cantucci with vin santo, to share but she gave us two,&nbsp;waving away our protests.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"No problem," she said.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">People in this lovely town are friendly, helpful, and welcoming.&nbsp;Even the man in the shop outside which we waited for the bus waved to us fondly, calling out Ciao, arriverderci, like saying goodbye to friends, instead of just a couple of &nbsp;tourists who had earlier admired his daughter's paintings.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hospitality is always good for business but it's especially effective when it doesn't seem forced. The formulaic "Enjoy, have a nice day" from most establishments rarely rings true and has very limited value.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6551513076102295458'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6551513076102295458'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/07/montepulciano.html' title='Montepulciano'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_QeGt6cI0MeBEG18jn2yTWCuMUX6CXgNm6mMwYXSX0NyuRjXUTU0PqgfVNsUky1_lOrY_QXMxuRyOGa7cQUneCvymUrQlvTLRaUGLlO-xEPBosw8vJzxZRpE9YTRAmAA9BSw/s72-c/blogger-image-635041705.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8733895615321541030</id><published>2016-06-24T19:30:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-24T19:30:34.102+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Venice'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Architecture Biennale'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Senator Loren Legarda'/><title type='text'>The Philippine Pavilion</title><content type='html'>Went out early to go to the <b>Philippine Pavilion </b>before leaving Venice.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was well-sign posted at the entrance to&nbsp;<b>Palazzo Mora</b></span>&nbsp;but the exhibit was closed yesterday.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOkvu1cM2EOIuOzZ7ygwsIiMBPqTJtSFIMTPW37cPSqD_F1UfjW4tsb0UMhPTG8NAS7HjeHdYn4i2GL5Stloo1s67vfchSc-SQlhFMzkusf4qlpILNU4OSQX7hTvONnSPBNLt/s640/blogger-image--326788792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOkvu1cM2EOIuOzZ7ygwsIiMBPqTJtSFIMTPW37cPSqD_F1UfjW4tsb0UMhPTG8NAS7HjeHdYn4i2GL5Stloo1s67vfchSc-SQlhFMzkusf4qlpILNU4OSQX7hTvONnSPBNLt/s640/blogger-image--326788792.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3IR9uQHOD36NkOx69Nq5YZ3RegKUWy68tlDwbS-5VgZvHgZZXQHjgRbgROskn8j3f7SCI0h1676WyuzjXEcKl7wlewaBRc-9r0Em6qk-ai3A5hGYThERa98lp1AhjA4xlqsc/s640/blogger-image--1529813408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3IR9uQHOD36NkOx69Nq5YZ3RegKUWy68tlDwbS-5VgZvHgZZXQHjgRbgROskn8j3f7SCI0h1676WyuzjXEcKl7wlewaBRc-9r0Em6qk-ai3A5hGYThERa98lp1AhjA4xlqsc/s640/blogger-image--1529813408.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sadly, there wasn't much inside about the Philippines worth seeing. There wasn't much about the Philippines at all.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsRBXAD2a9D09Jo0fP7tXKtErTVdArI4KM5gucieRmp5rAWjzUrmkcVJR4zOf1obQmD7jrjdZgQCk7afChKoUHu1t_IEe4vX8xpgiUXCUO8zPvUzzOAmpF0WSeQAjd0qQLzE3/s640/blogger-image--719906515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitsRBXAD2a9D09Jo0fP7tXKtErTVdArI4KM5gucieRmp5rAWjzUrmkcVJR4zOf1obQmD7jrjdZgQCk7afChKoUHu1t_IEe4vX8xpgiUXCUO8zPvUzzOAmpF0WSeQAjd0qQLzE3/s640/blogger-image--719906515.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWq8qWtQtL8L-cEThNeFrAR_n-3o7-R_bMpmknF0lpI55JlKaQgbaxW7wq-1HXkopvHic0AJRVRtJqiZxNkztM4SzfvNoSL3EtoNzciuGi_m94489PoItyYljenylPqFz-h4aZ/s640/blogger-image--1521710355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWq8qWtQtL8L-cEThNeFrAR_n-3o7-R_bMpmknF0lpI55JlKaQgbaxW7wq-1HXkopvHic0AJRVRtJqiZxNkztM4SzfvNoSL3EtoNzciuGi_m94489PoItyYljenylPqFz-h4aZ/s640/blogger-image--1521710355.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxiH534R0UB1Pkso-TLmfLwYEOFuaJnYCh8ZUvoWw-yOPNpzlhV7aoe0YWdfNFeTgTHKUPhNr9K0bpe18joE5XtHepQ4Tt3nxxUfkxY2vGPHEbc36TgpbrsYCkorCpW04tZ5c/s640/blogger-image-1744863162.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyxiH534R0UB1Pkso-TLmfLwYEOFuaJnYCh8ZUvoWw-yOPNpzlhV7aoe0YWdfNFeTgTHKUPhNr9K0bpe18joE5XtHepQ4Tt3nxxUfkxY2vGPHEbc36TgpbrsYCkorCpW04tZ5c/s640/blogger-image-1744863162.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If I were <b>Senator Loren Legarda</b>, I'd take my name off that wall. And hang my head in shame.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8733895615321541030'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8733895615321541030'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html' title='The Philippine Pavilion'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOkvu1cM2EOIuOzZ7ygwsIiMBPqTJtSFIMTPW37cPSqD_F1UfjW4tsb0UMhPTG8NAS7HjeHdYn4i2GL5Stloo1s67vfchSc-SQlhFMzkusf4qlpILNU4OSQX7hTvONnSPBNLt/s72-c/blogger-image--326788792.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1627601915407741549</id><published>2016-06-22T23:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-06T13:33:33.708+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Jan Fabre'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Sta Maria Novella'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Florence'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Stendhal Syndrome'/><title type='text'>Florence</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The <b>Frecciarossa</b> from Venice was wonderful. It would've been perfect had the people in our car- a party of four very excited people- not talked nonstop throughout the two hour trip. It was a wonderful ride nonetheless.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>It was&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">nearly 5 p.m.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">when we arrived in Florence but it felt like the noon day&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">sun beating down on us as we wheeled our luggage to our hotel.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stepping into the cool</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;shade of the&nbsp;<b>Hotel Santa Maria Novella</b>&nbsp;sitting room &nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">was divine. And the hotel room too was divine, looking directly out on the <b>Basilica</b> <b>of Santa Maria Novella</b> and the square.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sXWgQcd5N48GPntQmbe0boMMDtSpvzQ0B-Bf0BAH4J2I5b80PV73HKUNHgTs-2vVrvQOXpTfA36KxHIz5NmMNqvN33Qky-RfM_4924rsNnwb156U6p46l1Qt3-QZnkQZdus9/s640/blogger-image-562998131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sXWgQcd5N48GPntQmbe0boMMDtSpvzQ0B-Bf0BAH4J2I5b80PV73HKUNHgTs-2vVrvQOXpTfA36KxHIz5NmMNqvN33Qky-RfM_4924rsNnwb156U6p46l1Qt3-QZnkQZdus9/s640/blogger-image-562998131.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Up on the roof deck is a magnificent view of the city and the surrounding hills.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O3AN5mN2rl96OPa5iTN2skK9zoSGput30bcC-XzcU_VmoUsumlLavZ6ws4B7hB6fw03MaQvkbVbCdVCb1Xw1VvcAo6dPJVpoho7m5IsNU-z_g6FCOx-u_PUxIBFCwQKrqye1/s640/blogger-image--49985266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7O3AN5mN2rl96OPa5iTN2skK9zoSGput30bcC-XzcU_VmoUsumlLavZ6ws4B7hB6fw03MaQvkbVbCdVCb1Xw1VvcAo6dPJVpoho7m5IsNU-z_g6FCOx-u_PUxIBFCwQKrqye1/s640/blogger-image--49985266.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We walked a little, gazed at the <b>Duomo</b> a little, then went to dinner. <b>Trattoria al Trebbio </b>is just around the corner from our hotel and it serves good food, simply cooked. We have acquired a new vice: <i>cantucci </i>and<i> vin santo</i>.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hat evening, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">here was a mini concert in the square; just a couple of buskers singing feel good songs. A man waved giant soap bubbles in the air, c</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">hildren chased softballs and launched pretty lighted missiles into the sky with slingshots.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh9XYCLI8SFxrAZ62WIr6mEnNwRshwIz-xieV-hKt7yqDjWY8xaNY_B_AgzNyWRcYNFzRl2Ad6dS-aqVdimyzatmJFpEj8lyqhJ986j-DqoBP_G0N_O1EqsdTFAjODzHKQOv4/s640/blogger-image-1507666129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBh9XYCLI8SFxrAZ62WIr6mEnNwRshwIz-xieV-hKt7yqDjWY8xaNY_B_AgzNyWRcYNFzRl2Ad6dS-aqVdimyzatmJFpEj8lyqhJ986j-DqoBP_G0N_O1EqsdTFAjODzHKQOv4/s640/blogger-image-1507666129.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSMEpYXQl6-y0X-OxqEsmYUkyG6c1XXe0KeMFwDWUlt3lhG5eqKx8a7c_fFiA_4H42PQFVUFbE_irQ0lwi3TFa7RXdvaGhaGX8hexNLtWfRYhYL1ZRoiNbuez87Cx14zJUYbc/s640/blogger-image-727308459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSMEpYXQl6-y0X-OxqEsmYUkyG6c1XXe0KeMFwDWUlt3lhG5eqKx8a7c_fFiA_4H42PQFVUFbE_irQ0lwi3TFa7RXdvaGhaGX8hexNLtWfRYhYL1ZRoiNbuez87Cx14zJUYbc/s640/blogger-image-727308459.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, up on the roof, we waited for the &nbsp;moon to rise. Jupiter and Mars shone brightly in the clear night sky. But we were tired and the moon was taking a long time climbing over the Tuscan hills, so we gave up and went to bed.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The next day was stifling hot. Rather than brave the sweaty crowds in the&nbsp;<b>Piazza della Signoria</b>, we went to lunch.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What price to pay for this view?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Answer: €6 and a potential heatstroke.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAba-1nsl0v8J3YXf01naNUw459zqzOICyBaOITXHq-bGwWesskk71-Gj0ALBjjHqeYGBnxSJqdyp1vY-xaoNUiXePeEoJGN6Rt9cFeG7J0D1VV8qlitBjhqTl6pOukvVdaB8/s640/blogger-image-2105283461.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimAba-1nsl0v8J3YXf01naNUw459zqzOICyBaOITXHq-bGwWesskk71-Gj0ALBjjHqeYGBnxSJqdyp1vY-xaoNUiXePeEoJGN6Rt9cFeG7J0D1VV8qlitBjhqTl6pOukvVdaB8/s640/blogger-image-2105283461.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>A great way to see the Duomo in Milan is to have a meal&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">at one of the nice restaurants on the&nbsp;rooftop</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;of the&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Rinascente</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;building. So we figured we'd avoid a long hot search for a lunch place and go to&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the rooftop of the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Rinascente</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;building here.</span></div><div><br></div><div>There was just the one open air restaurant and the sun was beating down mercilessly on it. We sat under an umbrella, took some pictures, and proceeded to order lunch.</div><div><br></div><div>It took us another minute to decide we couldn't bear the oppressive heat and opted for the cafe downstairs serving the same menu. A&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">half-liter of <i>Pinot Grigio</i> on the roof was €14; downstairs it was €8. We had a nice meal in the cool and saved ourselves €6 on the wine.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></div>Suitably cooled down and reenergized, on to the Piazza!&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>You've heard of fainting spells induced by heady first time encounters with the floridly beauteous sights of Florence, right? I<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none;">t's called&nbsp;</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stendhal</span><span style="font-style: italic; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none;">&nbsp;Syndrome or&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-style: italic;">Florence&nbsp;</span><span style="font-style: italic; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none;">Syndrome.</span></span></div><div><br></div><div>Well, my day at the&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Piazza della Signoria</span>&nbsp;had nothing to do with that phenomenon<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I've been to Florence before. I've been&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in the&nbsp;<b>Duomo </b>and&nbsp;in the&nbsp;<b>Uffizi</b>.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;I've seen the glory of the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Renaissance&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">arrayed spectacularly, even at times casually, in various parts of the city.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">What I was unprepared for was the sight of this monstrosity occupying center stage in this great art capital:</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3aXCdVb1l4Mka0Mt8rqu38aXITF-Ff_iBsZS1LpruGZSubwinqDtkqyzAk_ooE95cP0NaULHietDDB3tm0vcOWkE3rz9ZjTwayZL5VYhbH7JgqS89NPeEhUylBZq2-SEKaV9/s640/blogger-image--760813487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA3aXCdVb1l4Mka0Mt8rqu38aXITF-Ff_iBsZS1LpruGZSubwinqDtkqyzAk_ooE95cP0NaULHietDDB3tm0vcOWkE3rz9ZjTwayZL5VYhbH7JgqS89NPeEhUylBZq2-SEKaV9/s640/blogger-image--760813487.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>(S</i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>earching for Utopia</i>,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">bronze sculpture by</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">&nbsp;</font><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Jan Fabre</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, 2003.)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">The world has gone mad. First came&nbsp;<b>Duterte</b>...then <b>Brexit</b>...cue in <b>President</b> <b>Trump</b>. And now a giant bronze turtle in Florence's Piazza della Signoria!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Also, armored trucks and heavy artillery in <b>Piazzale degli Uffizi</b>.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGoOk74p4Ocm_NEGkKHCTCb2UyUUos8tmEyhQ40lNJOTJv5kQL0E2OxTJ3SUFszrnhpe-JlskF60fAUVVQzolHJx-SYzlbWml9-EixYzhA9fqh7bv8uYGEw2RXIrSReUL1Rw5/s640/blogger-image-1855043369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmGoOk74p4Ocm_NEGkKHCTCb2UyUUos8tmEyhQ40lNJOTJv5kQL0E2OxTJ3SUFszrnhpe-JlskF60fAUVVQzolHJx-SYzlbWml9-EixYzhA9fqh7bv8uYGEw2RXIrSReUL1Rw5/s640/blogger-image-1855043369.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTclbXT7RUlUwr6r3eEDNHd7HnR3BWVbG9VpjPVH3J-zedm1N-VqpqK2wz-2dzzesIyR9ltLfM7hugB1cXMSkpfto-cbEJG2DDOHx9bImAwU0EzNGWo2ymLqALuyBUaXTJZrkg/s640/blogger-image-1125125220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTclbXT7RUlUwr6r3eEDNHd7HnR3BWVbG9VpjPVH3J-zedm1N-VqpqK2wz-2dzzesIyR9ltLfM7hugB1cXMSkpfto-cbEJG2DDOHx9bImAwU0EzNGWo2ymLqALuyBUaXTJZrkg/s640/blogger-image-1125125220.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Stendhal or no </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stendhal</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">, I felt I had to get away.&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The next day, we left for </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Montepulciano</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1627601915407741549'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1627601915407741549'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/florence.html' title='Florence'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1sXWgQcd5N48GPntQmbe0boMMDtSpvzQ0B-Bf0BAH4J2I5b80PV73HKUNHgTs-2vVrvQOXpTfA36KxHIz5NmMNqvN33Qky-RfM_4924rsNnwb156U6p46l1Qt3-QZnkQZdus9/s72-c/blogger-image-562998131.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6311991465031768066</id><published>2016-06-21T04:46:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-08T00:53:35.165+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Venice'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Osteria Due Mori'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Magnum'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Biennale'/><title type='text'>Venice after the flood</title><content type='html'><div>We&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">just</span>&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">had to come&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">back to Venice after the flood.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And this is what we came back for: the light here is pure magic.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bbhRm-LjxqHlCVEmBNEU5HGuHos8r0aO46J890V7FxTPiJvdOljU1sZmRxR9b34-2YSWZCPhK7pYRt58L5XaeEao7kMFjcrvhcINmUeG7w6LrSyjLKAyF2X8bAvOQI3_yndk/s640/blogger-image--956778110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bbhRm-LjxqHlCVEmBNEU5HGuHos8r0aO46J890V7FxTPiJvdOljU1sZmRxR9b34-2YSWZCPhK7pYRt58L5XaeEao7kMFjcrvhcINmUeG7w6LrSyjLKAyF2X8bAvOQI3_yndk/s640/blogger-image--956778110.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29q1klGILOXp8lVsez-jFvytseC3uiMRGJjyuuLYm4RAxch2_C-eBEHMIBJFEX4p7rMDl6_LhIK4Y2CsKdxZ0qyYLhyJePB-GIoZlwhD_P_OZvUABeCVuy2YSUTufjGX35xGX/s640/blogger-image--1044216008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29q1klGILOXp8lVsez-jFvytseC3uiMRGJjyuuLYm4RAxch2_C-eBEHMIBJFEX4p7rMDl6_LhIK4Y2CsKdxZ0qyYLhyJePB-GIoZlwhD_P_OZvUABeCVuy2YSUTufjGX35xGX/s640/blogger-image--1044216008.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>Monday dinner was at&nbsp;</font><b>Osteria Due Mori&nbsp;</b><font>on Piazza Mori. They used sweet cherry tomatoes and avocado sauce in their&nbsp;</font>caprese salad; it&nbsp;<font>was delicious. The lamb chops were perfectly seared and juicy; they were excellent. The dessert of chocolate mousse and Kentish cherries was superb.&nbsp;</font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font><br></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>We were &nbsp;convinced this is where we want to be tomorrow for dinner. Sadly, they're closed Tuesdays.</font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font><br></font></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8eypCuH0s-Ck75VkqgnoZhuceFKZG1plyOJZZiBQVvhXtaZXV0Yiddw5NeU_NzQmpdcws-3nliV-KAq2DHK2z1E3be4d4LrqEeUBUKHTFJ5po55qC3TZ2AEf5qwWdNPJgg2R/s640/blogger-image--1652685952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh8eypCuH0s-Ck75VkqgnoZhuceFKZG1plyOJZZiBQVvhXtaZXV0Yiddw5NeU_NzQmpdcws-3nliV-KAq2DHK2z1E3be4d4LrqEeUBUKHTFJ5po55qC3TZ2AEf5qwWdNPJgg2R/s640/blogger-image--1652685952.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div>At the&nbsp;<b>Zaha Hadid </b>Retrospective which opened at this year's<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;<b>Architecture&nbsp;Biennale</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-o5Yz3bN4UikB7CPU18IOPJ-qw1oyu6GVgJMKcHzsz43QqKz_wV0n_zsulPXVUxeLTjKrBUcWNHgAmsDXYzKSs7W3LKjDtGjsPfbEPDT_x0nK_lnZaWaY7kLjHVhm9ZtUL7J/s640/blogger-image-151812194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK-o5Yz3bN4UikB7CPU18IOPJ-qw1oyu6GVgJMKcHzsz43QqKz_wV0n_zsulPXVUxeLTjKrBUcWNHgAmsDXYzKSs7W3LKjDtGjsPfbEPDT_x0nK_lnZaWaY7kLjHVhm9ZtUL7J/s640/blogger-image-151812194.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Venue is the&nbsp;<b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Palazzo Franchetti</b>, itself an architectural gem. The&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">16th century</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Venetian Gothic palace is lavishly decorated like an exquisite piece of jewelry.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRWpPFdWXWFI0OgoF6Knfe59GxyX5JjyrYQjNnKpHuHyos30n9oaSieihMz2fThMOOYzdVaPX0V4ra4x4K3rQtkx_l_zztMS8vEf7xkcOXnBLHP7aIWJ8QrgSZ5-Ud-DFo_sY/s640/blogger-image-1116431505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLRWpPFdWXWFI0OgoF6Knfe59GxyX5JjyrYQjNnKpHuHyos30n9oaSieihMz2fThMOOYzdVaPX0V4ra4x4K3rQtkx_l_zztMS8vEf7xkcOXnBLHP7aIWJ8QrgSZ5-Ud-DFo_sY/s640/blogger-image-1116431505.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div>First stop, lunch at the cafe.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpXfwrigDBMDwRt7zrmjLcLwndFnc9iIQzV0n1t_xvJORD3WK3vYdp-XO4jVPZE-zrc9TxhDwkOgkMAQMTK-gUj_9AiHhnqsfetF5dAXJk1974ZVrRo9vmDqRbEn6AevVYZUs/s640/blogger-image-814112595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNpXfwrigDBMDwRt7zrmjLcLwndFnc9iIQzV0n1t_xvJORD3WK3vYdp-XO4jVPZE-zrc9TxhDwkOgkMAQMTK-gUj_9AiHhnqsfetF5dAXJk1974ZVrRo9vmDqRbEn6AevVYZUs/s640/blogger-image-814112595.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Along with the intriguing&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3-dimensional computer generated models produced by Hadid's architecture firm, the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">retrospective features her own&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">painstakingly constructed 2-dimensional card models&nbsp;as well as her&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">early&nbsp;paintings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On my wish list this year, a 3-D printed Zaha Hadid chair.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1Iaz9WiwEZwI5nqt8izzzNJn13HuRQnL5M_KIt8cAlFe3Q64NWZ-igEelm8K6DoOM5V7MuOWkNAX_yUDR42CSqZy5odx1FjtWM54VHkwWGy2dYaBmLpvJ7cZluCuYIJ75uLz/s640/blogger-image--396397326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG1Iaz9WiwEZwI5nqt8izzzNJn13HuRQnL5M_KIt8cAlFe3Q64NWZ-igEelm8K6DoOM5V7MuOWkNAX_yUDR42CSqZy5odx1FjtWM54VHkwWGy2dYaBmLpvJ7cZluCuYIJ75uLz/s640/blogger-image--396397326.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Also in the city this year is the <b>Dance Biennale</b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoMBSiFv7tx9G1lGteEpAIQY5xrIYBcVbZ6xRUQGMN_JcfoqQA8nTQBzHYzU1XVnov_JT8x888PVBakObQ__Pb9QapQmnMPINoEB-hFPizXPPfP5X_F-gU1j_l1yqIYBTdiyq/s640/blogger-image-1029833158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSoMBSiFv7tx9G1lGteEpAIQY5xrIYBcVbZ6xRUQGMN_JcfoqQA8nTQBzHYzU1XVnov_JT8x888PVBakObQ__Pb9QapQmnMPINoEB-hFPizXPPfP5X_F-gU1j_l1yqIYBTdiyq/s640/blogger-image-1029833158.jpg"></a></div><br></div>This was no gliding twirling kind of dance. They leaped and tumbled and hurled themselves on the ground, then executed graceful&nbsp;athletic&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">moves in extremely demanding slow motion.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2IIwwjIPe46bMvmdIP_X8ne3chl49rLj5SPjMmQAvrKUZ2qpvxyjJAYTW8LLQTkuqsDlQqzXkzKXftNG2RuhapEIFIhRHNI9kYnr6VIhzGSf_xPd1HSwLtnHKIECLtUPd8ys/s640/blogger-image-28787817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd2IIwwjIPe46bMvmdIP_X8ne3chl49rLj5SPjMmQAvrKUZ2qpvxyjJAYTW8LLQTkuqsDlQqzXkzKXftNG2RuhapEIFIhRHNI9kYnr6VIhzGSf_xPd1HSwLtnHKIECLtUPd8ys/s640/blogger-image-28787817.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One injured dancer barely managed the curtain call.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUYSfDOARQqlAfHdLVSQvAd6gvjA4QoTrkj0VF45isH3Fz1dCqV8rMbha2kg04-NhANBtF_ODhwfp2zd_2FUgpMmopXnGS3zhfQSv_93uosTpOgcEuS3X-_POfuCmpK4Sn_Re/s640/blogger-image-470852431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUYSfDOARQqlAfHdLVSQvAd6gvjA4QoTrkj0VF45isH3Fz1dCqV8rMbha2kg04-NhANBtF_ODhwfp2zd_2FUgpMmopXnGS3zhfQSv_93uosTpOgcEuS3X-_POfuCmpK4Sn_Re/s640/blogger-image-470852431.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo1FLQvdoqqdX9ycZFDU7qjhIDCh1Kjl3f-S1czMv3eS0jwiSwHrDwaHKAuz7GR9rRNanPo7MSihRjIAgUau4aWhjmboh9-KDnWTpGFMo6ivf9UTo_lNITXP2aunKCezk1VP_/s640/blogger-image--66458316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwo1FLQvdoqqdX9ycZFDU7qjhIDCh1Kjl3f-S1czMv3eS0jwiSwHrDwaHKAuz7GR9rRNanPo7MSihRjIAgUau4aWhjmboh9-KDnWTpGFMo6ivf9UTo_lNITXP2aunKCezk1VP_/s640/blogger-image--66458316.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Back in the <b>Cannaregio</b> quarter, we found a friendly neighborhood bar for a well-deserved sit down, wine, and tapas.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKRkMgy7B3jWTeUVHX4S2n35ed_VfsBKp7dJKH1WIapsYOIKarFkLOOX3yK_e85t8TZ8bPdvs71vY6YPIQggsO2qIViwtsALvB9_M1pLzQ4A5MN0PfR1GvPVk1tQFQj9N6a2k/s640/blogger-image-1419981650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyKRkMgy7B3jWTeUVHX4S2n35ed_VfsBKp7dJKH1WIapsYOIKarFkLOOX3yK_e85t8TZ8bPdvs71vY6YPIQggsO2qIViwtsALvB9_M1pLzQ4A5MN0PfR1GvPVk1tQFQj9N6a2k/s640/blogger-image-1419981650.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXEmM0RRlJBFwFjLzrQNs9p-1_e1fbCdxbe-XyH_UAJkAb5_i65RqguqVndTIELHfQ-pYG094xPwCukdoJNs2HioelL1JZXW2Rp9cBIbMDkUwWHmI4Hp7T3H6ewRlVVXL7YeU/s640/blogger-image-2008445839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitXEmM0RRlJBFwFjLzrQNs9p-1_e1fbCdxbe-XyH_UAJkAb5_i65RqguqVndTIELHfQ-pYG094xPwCukdoJNs2HioelL1JZXW2Rp9cBIbMDkUwWHmI4Hp7T3H6ewRlVVXL7YeU/s640/blogger-image-2008445839.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, on our way back to our hotel, the sound of</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">&nbsp;choir singing led us to a church&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">concert.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7HYF-HnGM0tlI5f26VFzUWYTsJ0FJaQ-TA8rZrVWYzY239J6-LHawljGO-M0hBPxNVvhzmOu3A8bhhCMPl6DGPowQar4LC1w-UzEhM08xxFNHt5F5bdtYr3hPcZV8DA71_tt/s640/blogger-image-1614817309.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC7HYF-HnGM0tlI5f26VFzUWYTsJ0FJaQ-TA8rZrVWYzY239J6-LHawljGO-M0hBPxNVvhzmOu3A8bhhCMPl6DGPowQar4LC1w-UzEhM08xxFNHt5F5bdtYr3hPcZV8DA71_tt/s640/blogger-image-1614817309.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyDJ91cZjecXeHt72f6fubyG4BWfqPYQFI_AzQVixxMiW084LxQcsclnr7dZ5GmkRIzh7eGFbuPsk1n3eq4kaOUw-vxDOJGliHHKA3iG_D8tivs-sQj9Fgu3hD0x4QrPlYanT/s640/blogger-image--1660787973.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyDJ91cZjecXeHt72f6fubyG4BWfqPYQFI_AzQVixxMiW084LxQcsclnr7dZ5GmkRIzh7eGFbuPsk1n3eq4kaOUw-vxDOJGliHHKA3iG_D8tivs-sQj9Fgu3hD0x4QrPlYanT/s640/blogger-image--1660787973.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hate to say it but "<i>Agnus dei...miserere nobi</i>s..." sung to a piano arrangement by <b>Carly Simon</b> just won't do. It wasn't Carly of course, but the intro reminded me too much of "<i>You're So Vain</i>!"</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To wrap up the evening, we went in search of our favorite dessert.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWqBPoOxAIpIaDGbrDzl0JJLpwTUi9MwLoa3T4J6o_qY5PM5dxIzi9cpkU5jT9AqvAB3vwqxFab4kQ1RJl44CAAileYIcCQpvs02VT3z_DZTH6G94eNh4ssoc8Zf41n7IlPYh/s640/blogger-image--1855148311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqWqBPoOxAIpIaDGbrDzl0JJLpwTUi9MwLoa3T4J6o_qY5PM5dxIzi9cpkU5jT9AqvAB3vwqxFab4kQ1RJl44CAAileYIcCQpvs02VT3z_DZTH6G94eNh4ssoc8Zf41n7IlPYh/s640/blogger-image--1855148311.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We'd walk a mile for a&nbsp;<b>Magnum</b>!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6311991465031768066'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6311991465031768066'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/venice-after-flood.html' title='Venice after the flood'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-bbhRm-LjxqHlCVEmBNEU5HGuHos8r0aO46J890V7FxTPiJvdOljU1sZmRxR9b34-2YSWZCPhK7pYRt58L5XaeEao7kMFjcrvhcINmUeG7w6LrSyjLKAyF2X8bAvOQI3_yndk/s72-c/blogger-image--956778110.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8930455441180657772</id><published>2016-06-18T22:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-21T06:40:01.142+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Freya Stark'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Eleonora Duse'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Asolo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fathers Day'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Villa Contarini Belvedere'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Villa Cipriani'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Church of Sta Anna'/><title type='text'>In Asolo</title><content type='html'><div>At <b>Hotel&nbsp;Villa Cipriani</b>, Room 101 has been spruced up, brightened up, chairs reupholstered, deck chairs recushioned.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Downstairs, the&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">lounge</span>&nbsp;chairs have also been reupholstered and the garden chairs are new. The garden is slightly overgrown but still pretty and sweetly perfumed. &nbsp;</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyviCj8Xs1uf-bUUVBRyjJ2dhWPwPPOD6pXQ9pWIiP6pbE_LcviIvi4qBbuecmro-AVRWXHSmwtfDaNNP3QmwQK2v6dQx9vJ-iy8H24fWDYJiP_chGgE_8AAU-eV62CUnyJReH/s640/blogger-image-77467600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyviCj8Xs1uf-bUUVBRyjJ2dhWPwPPOD6pXQ9pWIiP6pbE_LcviIvi4qBbuecmro-AVRWXHSmwtfDaNNP3QmwQK2v6dQx9vJ-iy8H24fWDYJiP_chGgE_8AAU-eV62CUnyJReH/s640/blogger-image-77467600.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJydZh_Ip_qNTQ1nI3nznyRQjyXzD61QuZR1s9esHTqV9L9ttfLSl-m4C42-iYEIbAdGQKofdNiIibvcXOysMftecx8JXm7C-GA0xjPUEFHNtIMnM0_fBHPH1rCr66tzrzz_t/s640/blogger-image-673992044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJydZh_Ip_qNTQ1nI3nznyRQjyXzD61QuZR1s9esHTqV9L9ttfLSl-m4C42-iYEIbAdGQKofdNiIibvcXOysMftecx8JXm7C-GA0xjPUEFHNtIMnM0_fBHPH1rCr66tzrzz_t/s640/blogger-image-673992044.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's a bar below the ground floor garden now, above the pool.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTW4-uESLFLLRya2xpkcGLacySUB6RwbErAF76URGrb_QR-eHpYn-fhELYfahiVZ16afy_xuIIzOTlg_CLbBcxlr6IHXSa0WYhHALVBNIUm_X-8diLf2kH_8M2jaESHGRHmBE/s640/blogger-image--882023608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoTW4-uESLFLLRya2xpkcGLacySUB6RwbErAF76URGrb_QR-eHpYn-fhELYfahiVZ16afy_xuIIzOTlg_CLbBcxlr6IHXSa0WYhHALVBNIUm_X-8diLf2kH_8M2jaESHGRHmBE/s640/blogger-image--882023608.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1Nft9Dfi4CBItggVhyphenhyphenF8HR3mzVS5JOolo2t97cIsrEL-k0okW_vZ0_6_JDn7be-slj_L-5fhGchHwhStGg2Vql8b85D-XXHyvISTDb_WIYtu0jbdNBrnMaB9FQP1X6WCgORw/s640/blogger-image--15890433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju1Nft9Dfi4CBItggVhyphenhyphenF8HR3mzVS5JOolo2t97cIsrEL-k0okW_vZ0_6_JDn7be-slj_L-5fhGchHwhStGg2Vql8b85D-XXHyvISTDb_WIYtu0jbdNBrnMaB9FQP1X6WCgORw/s640/blogger-image--15890433.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><br></div>Moon shots.</div><div>Day 1:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzqYys5IsbmCQ5nmEHpmu4dkva9Z1ZOGvjDGur4jScPiR4iJh444iLnDEJgYgzAlrdMBwxO85YIARQPElKSlkEZL3jfLaHENAsclMiySneFgmK3UMWCywb4e2u-xEnhP7iRa5/s640/blogger-image-535568685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzqYys5IsbmCQ5nmEHpmu4dkva9Z1ZOGvjDGur4jScPiR4iJh444iLnDEJgYgzAlrdMBwxO85YIARQPElKSlkEZL3jfLaHENAsclMiySneFgmK3UMWCywb4e2u-xEnhP7iRa5/s640/blogger-image-535568685.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day 2:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z6WC9Vhobh-fpsxkhW2JRDYVymXvBK_DQZLzoduuxrklHFJr_qulATyqQ_5AQ3tesiKMH3Z-XYp2hK8e6sBOL2Sq3ucZCvS7L-SBXMft12K0UXlUTqlkTik3Mr7Z6ymKhh16/s640/blogger-image-369034579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Z6WC9Vhobh-fpsxkhW2JRDYVymXvBK_DQZLzoduuxrklHFJr_qulATyqQ_5AQ3tesiKMH3Z-XYp2hK8e6sBOL2Sq3ucZCvS7L-SBXMft12K0UXlUTqlkTik3Mr7Z6ymKhh16/s640/blogger-image-369034579.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>Day 3:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G5N3fnZaubEAFG4u2lwNvcySvOFKXvFp-f9TSyKD-_WOggAZQRkJM-_2ockRzVr1KI7VM42JM2Jb3cnogu0Wc-gktVmQJAgSblAskPx9oVX8f58zMAPeJ5AOtb6mnC2Lllf8/s640/blogger-image--209993220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6G5N3fnZaubEAFG4u2lwNvcySvOFKXvFp-f9TSyKD-_WOggAZQRkJM-_2ockRzVr1KI7VM42JM2Jb3cnogu0Wc-gktVmQJAgSblAskPx9oVX8f58zMAPeJ5AOtb6mnC2Lllf8/s640/blogger-image--209993220.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Saturday lunch at</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Porchetta e Manetta d' Asolo</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;in the square.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SiuOj_sELrkiicwG8-fwsau5qssC9JEHQbk8wFeVFtPo05p1tFWFU6Km_OjKhavVDGmhvvdui4T7waMptxf3aDt3xcdoyuex6K0guJhnL52oSq-kwGx2c7Wui9UnWjKTTHpE/s640/blogger-image--379959304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SiuOj_sELrkiicwG8-fwsau5qssC9JEHQbk8wFeVFtPo05p1tFWFU6Km_OjKhavVDGmhvvdui4T7waMptxf3aDt3xcdoyuex6K0guJhnL52oSq-kwGx2c7Wui9UnWjKTTHpE/s640/blogger-image--379959304.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7WefAL75gq_qPA54liGVb7Ai2kMRmrnXqrqGahOMvgUeSonpBznr8SaLy_6n2O-PzHltbwqEIdtE3iCfPWbDh70mup-06z_Wy3GNAPJn-0kPOxZHbxiBIebgZSiRSSFkt-qS/s640/blogger-image-1492921350.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl7WefAL75gq_qPA54liGVb7Ai2kMRmrnXqrqGahOMvgUeSonpBznr8SaLy_6n2O-PzHltbwqEIdtE3iCfPWbDh70mup-06z_Wy3GNAPJn-0kPOxZHbxiBIebgZSiRSSFkt-qS/s640/blogger-image-1492921350.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div><div>Lighting candles for Daddy Paeng and Dad Trefor on&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fathers Day&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Chiesa dell'Assunta</b>:</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRM6IXc1AEgGvpaX8UtPoEADZhvaDkuSiX1lmvJfQfo-DAzl_NuQwwhlm0XIrcxIEUpsT8AoMTpQeAg3WmGNlyIEP9lZTymb9bKumfgrjY6SCYThnHXv5tE29vOS-0y_viIx0/s640/blogger-image-661523860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRM6IXc1AEgGvpaX8UtPoEADZhvaDkuSiX1lmvJfQfo-DAzl_NuQwwhlm0XIrcxIEUpsT8AoMTpQeAg3WmGNlyIEP9lZTymb9bKumfgrjY6SCYThnHXv5tE29vOS-0y_viIx0/s640/blogger-image-661523860.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today at <b>Osteria Al Bacaro</b>.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zM8YI0Kji_9heSSxUN8adoI5wR5anvOt9c_Ee9zJvNQ-HSro9JXAfZ8BY2bJ549_z8Xc2aCZYaxCjCkx1C59bLHn2S7al8erCZ-sMNEbMGpqJAWwMmsnvjCK2aHI7PQmpG5G/s640/blogger-image-1308070666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_zM8YI0Kji_9heSSxUN8adoI5wR5anvOt9c_Ee9zJvNQ-HSro9JXAfZ8BY2bJ549_z8Xc2aCZYaxCjCkx1C59bLHn2S7al8erCZ-sMNEbMGpqJAWwMmsnvjCK2aHI7PQmpG5G/s640/blogger-image-1308070666.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>I had to ask the waitress what this ceramic cup was for. For the wine, as suspected :</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrldpGgE-oybTQ1qt5In-LLfxk6XfI6BTJTVzwcsB01SuDBmK5rDsxgvUrxmAZK9lv3OQ66CvSH9fc_xC0oOT5Pr6GpGXa-pI7wYyBl0RVX2CWDF1EoAW2cBzzfkTEwdcsL9L/s640/blogger-image--961779533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrldpGgE-oybTQ1qt5In-LLfxk6XfI6BTJTVzwcsB01SuDBmK5rDsxgvUrxmAZK9lv3OQ66CvSH9fc_xC0oOT5Pr6GpGXa-pI7wYyBl0RVX2CWDF1EoAW2cBzzfkTEwdcsL9L/s640/blogger-image--961779533.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>O<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">minous black clouds hijacked our plan to walk off our lunch...</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tJnS9P5h0CpDwKWF_jxSAVXgdA6mUfEtV0TOs7QdwfF5K0JAE856CrD329UZR8MMnGFHyF9ArNXPITJ-KmemTf_xof7n1UA3fMY_8HCpeKmb3YWf3PGteGWt_7G1o_MYrrEj/s640/blogger-image--365289284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6tJnS9P5h0CpDwKWF_jxSAVXgdA6mUfEtV0TOs7QdwfF5K0JAE856CrD329UZR8MMnGFHyF9ArNXPITJ-KmemTf_xof7n1UA3fMY_8HCpeKmb3YWf3PGteGWt_7G1o_MYrrEj/s640/blogger-image--365289284.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>...until the sun began to creep in...</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJcQtVhnlCLPdOjYgI07g7kxmC6W-wsbpd5C0r_P7jL27d0hFEWpUxjQBZwPnEJKR8e-P6nDgIkVkTxEz7CAA9QliDKvvBisLf1jVOMNrdlLyc4yVthoY4JR9sT1OyryEn2g5/s640/blogger-image-1284018562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifJcQtVhnlCLPdOjYgI07g7kxmC6W-wsbpd5C0r_P7jL27d0hFEWpUxjQBZwPnEJKR8e-P6nDgIkVkTxEz7CAA9QliDKvvBisLf1jVOMNrdlLyc4yVthoY4JR9sT1OyryEn2g5/s640/blogger-image-1284018562.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...a long walk, down the hill to the <b>Chiesa di Santa Caterina</b>, then up again to&nbsp;the gates of the&nbsp;<b>Villa Contarini</b>...</div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTu7ZqqercyTPRDGwc8llJKO_wtQ_XGK9odnatISzEDgnojHYUtuqr5Y29Fmm1JFUwSy1LGKc6_R3sKfAbMJw3kHUo7jUEWiggfEkEyAtGRAVSIYdC7fD2O48YG6iWT3etxux/s640/blogger-image--851718831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTu7ZqqercyTPRDGwc8llJKO_wtQ_XGK9odnatISzEDgnojHYUtuqr5Y29Fmm1JFUwSy1LGKc6_R3sKfAbMJw3kHUo7jUEWiggfEkEyAtGRAVSIYdC7fD2O48YG6iWT3etxux/s640/blogger-image--851718831.jpg"></a></div>&nbsp;</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiHx8Xg4AURSb9e99QbAvPoqHDmMj0ff4tJqRFLAFo2kHPVPWH4-fmbM8ch1y2xsockFtJ_4gFMwwtujlKVeU-skb7B2b1tSp-p21mWvJGZihJ8quP-j9OQwDMk8mhQ9fhvMH/s640/blogger-image--341205263.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKiHx8Xg4AURSb9e99QbAvPoqHDmMj0ff4tJqRFLAFo2kHPVPWH4-fmbM8ch1y2xsockFtJ_4gFMwwtujlKVeU-skb7B2b1tSp-p21mWvJGZihJ8quP-j9OQwDMk8mhQ9fhvMH/s640/blogger-image--341205263.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>...to the&nbsp;<b>Chiesa di Sant' Anna&nbsp;</b>and its lovely churchyard&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">overlooking the hills of&nbsp;<b>Monte Grappa. </b>This is<b>&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">where</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the celebrated</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Italian actress&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Eleonora Duse</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;and the scholarly British travel writer and explorer <b>Freya Stark</b>&nbsp;are buried, both having retired in and loved this enchanting medieval town.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPLGTwsVxn6edZdMiA5TwseUDlmvK18R0zRjseGj1TyUaPvlXbyuKVPaD5BPKCqWzJbJPRz1O0Hq-Doo-SXaJMwSo6a08S2itxmblJmTz00FVrbYgKwPu0UAQrAfkPZyX99hk/s640/blogger-image--353895189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVPLGTwsVxn6edZdMiA5TwseUDlmvK18R0zRjseGj1TyUaPvlXbyuKVPaD5BPKCqWzJbJPRz1O0Hq-Doo-SXaJMwSo6a08S2itxmblJmTz00FVrbYgKwPu0UAQrAfkPZyX99hk/s640/blogger-image--353895189.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">This is Asolo...too beautiful for words...you really have to be here to understand why </font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">it's been called the city of a hundred horizons...</span></div></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8930455441180657772'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8930455441180657772'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/in-asolo.html' title='In Asolo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyviCj8Xs1uf-bUUVBRyjJ2dhWPwPPOD6pXQ9pWIiP6pbE_LcviIvi4qBbuecmro-AVRWXHSmwtfDaNNP3QmwQK2v6dQx9vJ-iy8H24fWDYJiP_chGgE_8AAU-eV62CUnyJReH/s72-c/blogger-image-77467600.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6696799116572744651</id><published>2016-06-17T03:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-23T05:28:12.740+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Venice'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='acqua Alta'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='flood'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anice Stellato'/><title type='text'>Venice under water!</title><content type='html'><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3:25 pm: &nbsp;we arrive in&nbsp;<b>Sta Lucia</b>&nbsp;from <b>Trieste</b> on the regional train. <b>Trenitalia</b>, €20.05 each.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div>7:30 pm: &nbsp;we wade through Venice's yucky&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">but&nbsp;photogenic&nbsp;</span>water to get to our restaurant for dinner.</div><div><br></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfqIVykusiBreh7HisDvqmUfSa0U_Dht30eGq3xie_iI3VgB17xtYBaR754GcvY4oGKP4ufQiryXf7lXKsByvt0hnOl-cev1J_T1p6YoEBYHBXDfVeV0yRme-OIh5ZGUoia92/s640/blogger-image-94775614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfqIVykusiBreh7HisDvqmUfSa0U_Dht30eGq3xie_iI3VgB17xtYBaR754GcvY4oGKP4ufQiryXf7lXKsByvt0hnOl-cev1J_T1p6YoEBYHBXDfVeV0yRme-OIh5ZGUoia92/s640/blogger-image-94775614.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Acqua alta</i>&nbsp;on the move! This is when the tide,&nbsp;<i>acqua marea</i>,<i>&nbsp;</i>becomes exaggeratedly high, overflowing the lagoons.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5-z5MxaIEkEIdzGcJNcsrhcr79PVuUEQQyLyyBAIJgOMSatuuUEc8D7ubEvgE7Efkud9nrq7nT8t6DczEg1Bztzk1a3qTqrR7ZeeBAa1mBQRBw4vsc-npslSpQS0VyKZF10B/s640/blogger-image-1919008688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT5-z5MxaIEkEIdzGcJNcsrhcr79PVuUEQQyLyyBAIJgOMSatuuUEc8D7ubEvgE7Efkud9nrq7nT8t6DczEg1Bztzk1a3qTqrR7ZeeBAa1mBQRBw4vsc-npslSpQS0VyKZF10B/s640/blogger-image-1919008688.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div></div><div><br></div><div>The restaurant<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, a favorite from previous visits,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Anice Stellato:</b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWt6wqS8_sgs6mWI4Jnn3J0ILDLx2n3wh5kl8WZdAUDkIz85OpxHC2fYcEq8RwQx7QWCJjutiX9wuqHIMhO5mfGSw1X60vpgdBLVZ8cW-i540g4Gt6PCDo_foxUrLIGlCLra5/s640/blogger-image-685254423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWt6wqS8_sgs6mWI4Jnn3J0ILDLx2n3wh5kl8WZdAUDkIz85OpxHC2fYcEq8RwQx7QWCJjutiX9wuqHIMhO5mfGSw1X60vpgdBLVZ8cW-i540g4Gt6PCDo_foxUrLIGlCLra5/s640/blogger-image-685254423.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">8:30 pm: &nbsp;the water has breached the door step.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-1kRRhL2-9wmb4t8K2Ph2QSk6Kyz4iYNOSG43xQ0aBdiuRuJXNQWAFi1aWh95wyZraEvBGctmjUQzdZ0FFcjaTreLOL58wkJxXCTDpWAeDlgDyNvCtOjl7jAlJe66h-FLtzN/s640/blogger-image-1408750051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV-1kRRhL2-9wmb4t8K2Ph2QSk6Kyz4iYNOSG43xQ0aBdiuRuJXNQWAFi1aWh95wyZraEvBGctmjUQzdZ0FFcjaTreLOL58wkJxXCTDpWAeDlgDyNvCtOjl7jAlJe66h-FLtzN/s640/blogger-image-1408750051.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>9 pm: &nbsp;arrivals are wearing&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"grossly over-priced"&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">disposable boots.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4envshWKUAOxC0AAh3jo2bVVPFZ_nyOfRlAvdpUkjWevld4JQuWHZ9BFS3C3bxC-m_SYkgkhHYEjCC_YQYWKuM5NjnI8oRznWvsk466itomWAgTSYIvrjq-zzY9_I4HsAn90/s640/blogger-image--1802062342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk4envshWKUAOxC0AAh3jo2bVVPFZ_nyOfRlAvdpUkjWevld4JQuWHZ9BFS3C3bxC-m_SYkgkhHYEjCC_YQYWKuM5NjnI8oRznWvsk466itomWAgTSYIvrjq-zzY9_I4HsAn90/s640/blogger-image--1802062342.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>9:30 pm: &nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">with the water still rising, we decide to make a run for our hotel. The restaurant graciously provides us with flood gear.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>"Do they come in red?" I ask.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"You look very chic," the gentleman at the next table assures me.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yUp0N8Nlq6hPf6hnqT4JTY3_U_Fi1_qBwpqknx5neOj8o-vS0HI5igfLQt_-FiPxByJzOtk59WNVN411vo0WYeu0rgL40t8h9au28nAMGjfQfjM2hMla4Qpk_jSdlyvS3Nr-/s640/blogger-image-1056801589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8yUp0N8Nlq6hPf6hnqT4JTY3_U_Fi1_qBwpqknx5neOj8o-vS0HI5igfLQt_-FiPxByJzOtk59WNVN411vo0WYeu0rgL40t8h9au28nAMGjfQfjM2hMla4Qpk_jSdlyvS3Nr-/s640/blogger-image-1056801589.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Oj5CqF0_USBPE0M813GL0OpFB9XZx_UoCRrU1u6YcJIprNutyyBWwYnRMfWgwbg7TxZ2ySipa90tamEOJrB6FGYfCyKcvxAdUa1TOSMYl2Qex1Sy9PTGUBRAysvLRLBVfmZ5/s640/blogger-image--1472725649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Oj5CqF0_USBPE0M813GL0OpFB9XZx_UoCRrU1u6YcJIprNutyyBWwYnRMfWgwbg7TxZ2ySipa90tamEOJrB6FGYfCyKcvxAdUa1TOSMYl2Qex1Sy9PTGUBRAysvLRLBVfmZ5/s640/blogger-image--1472725649.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>If our mothers could see us now! Mucking about in the flood!&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Great fun! 😊</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6696799116572744651'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6696799116572744651'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/venice-is-flooding.html' title='Venice under water!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfqIVykusiBreh7HisDvqmUfSa0U_Dht30eGq3xie_iI3VgB17xtYBaR754GcvY4oGKP4ufQiryXf7lXKsByvt0hnOl-cev1J_T1p6YoEBYHBXDfVeV0yRme-OIh5ZGUoia92/s72-c/blogger-image-94775614.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3125504566907054344</id><published>2016-06-15T17:20:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-18T17:57:01.829+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Die Fledermaus'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ljubljana'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trieste'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi'/><title type='text'>To Italy via Slovenia</title><content type='html'><b>LJUBLJANA</b><div><br></div><div><div>That's our hotel at the end of the street. <b>Hotel Adora</b>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusMTSqtz6UNXZSMolSVgNEhh7eoGDTw21P_S3S6wiq3jzAKpV1riqrK6yKmLF8nQ0rMxUGcDvL4-oF_mB3uUk3vAh7VnzlJrqKfSml_9vHu2UIe1_d1HYY0ylV3x3VMpo4Dy5/s640/blogger-image--1816249354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusMTSqtz6UNXZSMolSVgNEhh7eoGDTw21P_S3S6wiq3jzAKpV1riqrK6yKmLF8nQ0rMxUGcDvL4-oF_mB3uUk3vAh7VnzlJrqKfSml_9vHu2UIe1_d1HYY0ylV3x3VMpo4Dy5/s640/blogger-image--1816249354.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>This is <b>St James Church</b> in front of our hotel:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnOL62CJAOxLddeLIIJbWOtiaD-QTgsEDA_AVX3GmsagJH8fEEB_sKhNH9hU-puUgyzeFun2Ncq15HmGlftJeIA9jG5VyGlbYw0DpXaotTmU5XwCjgOv0NBcyLbHnv81BtuK7/s640/blogger-image--1673922573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPnOL62CJAOxLddeLIIJbWOtiaD-QTgsEDA_AVX3GmsagJH8fEEB_sKhNH9hU-puUgyzeFun2Ncq15HmGlftJeIA9jG5VyGlbYw0DpXaotTmU5XwCjgOv0NBcyLbHnv81BtuK7/s640/blogger-image--1673922573.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div>This is our bed in our attic room:</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBt1drDOAiwEDiuKH89wqHmmA4slqKcd4r07Iun4njltkVDtfeIme6QSeQ4rFvUTNgUdnkLJzoBQdRVFTLtKAMw-HVebNTDMoNU9kOv_RFo9xJKrywPvaM0KgCZEU-SGio3dIH/s640/blogger-image-709843649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBt1drDOAiwEDiuKH89wqHmmA4slqKcd4r07Iun4njltkVDtfeIme6QSeQ4rFvUTNgUdnkLJzoBQdRVFTLtKAMw-HVebNTDMoNU9kOv_RFo9xJKrywPvaM0KgCZEU-SGio3dIH/s640/blogger-image-709843649.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div>And this is the view from our bed. The bells of St James, a virtual alarm clock, tried- unsuccessfully- to get us up at 7 o'clock this morning.<br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUruxpt-WneynTDiaMGvkCqEwQWNcWqFgydXdWAu4ySbDN9ZN7Xe-aHZx58rvbmpD61mIDsE2nM134rfA6522dabzsXmlGhGcvGKPtEd2K4836eA0HmGWty_RPvtCzNiNIS6y7/s640/blogger-image--831466742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUruxpt-WneynTDiaMGvkCqEwQWNcWqFgydXdWAu4ySbDN9ZN7Xe-aHZx58rvbmpD61mIDsE2nM134rfA6522dabzsXmlGhGcvGKPtEd2K4836eA0HmGWty_RPvtCzNiNIS6y7/s640/blogger-image--831466742.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A pretty, gentle, civilized town. Snatches of music everywhere- piano at ballet practice, opera singer at rehearsal, jazz in restaurants and bars. In</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;outdoor cafes, young student-types congregate in animated groups.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At a table beside a river, a broody girl sits alone, head to toe&nbsp;in the regulation black uniform of the young. Black boots, black beret. She's smoking one of those&nbsp;self-rolled thin cigarettes. Very 1950s, her cell phone an anachronism.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EE4bRTc6dnNOI29GMxgNMG6JlbQpYZmvcYHgx-ALmf1sggOZ8JE-GuLj_gM3xq_Vgs8VcuKrQRYJGDm747TtpGlRrhCND9bGIKOtYyHeV55112IAVYZ9s6DSaeng0qwBCUYO/s640/blogger-image-376879554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3EE4bRTc6dnNOI29GMxgNMG6JlbQpYZmvcYHgx-ALmf1sggOZ8JE-GuLj_gM3xq_Vgs8VcuKrQRYJGDm747TtpGlRrhCND9bGIKOtYyHeV55112IAVYZ9s6DSaeng0qwBCUYO/s640/blogger-image-376879554.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjyl5U5Bh52BpUejUsgMCPHKwx_rGKcMj6Yoq7ELT6vcbAtjbbGGKBPHLUIXs6fKM_sEZQMNB49mlMJue-cDxkdGJC9IANq-IMvsIEcW2cmm1-1ND1GQV6ZDwaoxpOdgcv3wv/s640/blogger-image--1332125872.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjyl5U5Bh52BpUejUsgMCPHKwx_rGKcMj6Yoq7ELT6vcbAtjbbGGKBPHLUIXs6fKM_sEZQMNB49mlMJue-cDxkdGJC9IANq-IMvsIEcW2cmm1-1ND1GQV6ZDwaoxpOdgcv3wv/s640/blogger-image--1332125872.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>TRIESTE</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div>Our old-style grand hotel, the <b>Savoia Excelsior Palace</b>,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">dates back to the Austro- Hungarian Empire:</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlqLFBEotkuZgAc4i6C7-DTYnGTVh7_gCkQghPGxVvBCFCExdl_Zyc9ulew9sEgKHzmFo7B9Kn0JNAWPknAGyaWcl8iQoLmWeWOyWCRBb7ndpN7C6WHMN6XLi-dHhmxrGsNmZ/s640/blogger-image--1879865948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUlqLFBEotkuZgAc4i6C7-DTYnGTVh7_gCkQghPGxVvBCFCExdl_Zyc9ulew9sEgKHzmFo7B9Kn0JNAWPknAGyaWcl8iQoLmWeWOyWCRBb7ndpN7C6WHMN6XLi-dHhmxrGsNmZ/s640/blogger-image--1879865948.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A huge b</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">alcony looks out onto the Gulf of Trieste.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Yeb7Y0o8TkA-uXA5GbwHftPkGHtW1f-ENvGDwN_i9e-2KgEzI-VfRpZ1KFas-ONuvsvUDpXpeuSKUVQBus4Auz1ybPBEzg4k_qHNGb6LDeBCyzb2VBENFGTFNec6BPwY6NFb/s640/blogger-image--1061864911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Yeb7Y0o8TkA-uXA5GbwHftPkGHtW1f-ENvGDwN_i9e-2KgEzI-VfRpZ1KFas-ONuvsvUDpXpeuSKUVQBus4Auz1ybPBEzg4k_qHNGb6LDeBCyzb2VBENFGTFNec6BPwY6NFb/s640/blogger-image--1061864911.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNty5LgKS_11vgFYnDwLGyN9Ohxj_3jPCqXiiQKiwDq0P1gBpobowHY6d0EqojfeqQf6xNplpjhwcl8xtaTsOupghXYDU5HufinSZGBuGUHwrwek5OW2F50w45m1H6fs0p5NW/s640/blogger-image-1236960571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMNty5LgKS_11vgFYnDwLGyN9Ohxj_3jPCqXiiQKiwDq0P1gBpobowHY6d0EqojfeqQf6xNplpjhwcl8xtaTsOupghXYDU5HufinSZGBuGUHwrwek5OW2F50w45m1H6fs0p5NW/s640/blogger-image-1236960571.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div>The lady at the Opera House box office recommended&nbsp;<b>Siora Rosa</b> for lunch. Comfort food, lots of it, from a daily menu.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDVBGmHJH1fE8UmttTPDjgHLCxurSGE1aoez7RIUlQeSSmzvXXvEDVsDmeKbsEpdQlIHh-n10mx_uD1UeEmAeazMSnLDibKk5-RSJWarpE4f2XSr8s3ooiGFJw9O4BSf650J1/s640/blogger-image-2087987630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDDVBGmHJH1fE8UmttTPDjgHLCxurSGE1aoez7RIUlQeSSmzvXXvEDVsDmeKbsEpdQlIHh-n10mx_uD1UeEmAeazMSnLDibKk5-RSJWarpE4f2XSr8s3ooiGFJw9O4BSf650J1/s640/blogger-image-2087987630.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>At the opera.<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>&nbsp;Teatro Lirico Giuseppe Verdi</b>:</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-Lh6PILO499R3DjKK3JZuAWxstP-GP5ZulKtlwSjATVsSEU49ARhEg-yd2DC8aNfO_o1C6xPAh7B5y_GSRidk7LF5bJEeBzdIY0T1vvpizpRSya-pv-cjxiCgQWdxayX3Mjk/s640/blogger-image--1671385405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU-Lh6PILO499R3DjKK3JZuAWxstP-GP5ZulKtlwSjATVsSEU49ARhEg-yd2DC8aNfO_o1C6xPAh7B5y_GSRidk7LF5bJEeBzdIY0T1vvpizpRSya-pv-cjxiCgQWdxayX3Mjk/s640/blogger-image--1671385405.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O-ivtaY9p7VM_u3NTOWIXYG-xp2fR1fkYxdVWaAGgpfzby_NG6wbC-5nHBJAqb3tunXUnYHlds0D86ZJkMUljN1jTckdzaWXr0_fnP4qoqlQ_igIWUhVsy5k4BHcR12wbmZB/s640/blogger-image--2033892721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O-ivtaY9p7VM_u3NTOWIXYG-xp2fR1fkYxdVWaAGgpfzby_NG6wbC-5nHBJAqb3tunXUnYHlds0D86ZJkMUljN1jTckdzaWXr0_fnP4qoqlQ_igIWUhVsy5k4BHcR12wbmZB/s640/blogger-image--2033892721.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div>Operetta, actually:&nbsp;<i>Die Fledermaus</i>.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahD-O67GynPCtC2mVn2ffQAGtEe3UB38ASGnTaKajV3YVVKV_yBksRV8VFWlBC344sPF-3ig5X41rxLB-qBT6jA6StZd45vzCD8WOIhS8mosINJiPCCDClgJRFmuRFGHOKeWQ/s640/blogger-image--2007608065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhahD-O67GynPCtC2mVn2ffQAGtEe3UB38ASGnTaKajV3YVVKV_yBksRV8VFWlBC344sPF-3ig5X41rxLB-qBT6jA6StZd45vzCD8WOIhS8mosINJiPCCDClgJRFmuRFGHOKeWQ/s640/blogger-image--2007608065.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div>We took a long scenic ride to <b>Villa Opicina</b> in a hybrid sort of tram. At the approach to the hill, the car gets linked to cables and becomes a cable car. Paired with an opposing car, it actually works like a funicular. At the top, it unhitches from the cables and is turned into a tram again.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdEBiyXSYmFcTPT13jTlBkHUFygldMfs8M6Xst-agsZSgxLlC6-yaZEhffMy9_4UsSKTAtNzl57t5vjvEdCcGMc-T0RAdru0PCrPURvz7rP58xaZVuQ3N0SFTYVx0ypCgGHzU/s640/blogger-image--1725535966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdEBiyXSYmFcTPT13jTlBkHUFygldMfs8M6Xst-agsZSgxLlC6-yaZEhffMy9_4UsSKTAtNzl57t5vjvEdCcGMc-T0RAdru0PCrPURvz7rP58xaZVuQ3N0SFTYVx0ypCgGHzU/s640/blogger-image--1725535966.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>On the way back down, we met<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;a couple staying in the same hotel and traveling the same route as we were: Ljubljana, Trieste, Venice. I now wish I'd gotten their email address so I can warn them about the unseasonal floods in Venice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I got myself the sweetest necklace in a shop in town.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvabNHaqXsgz4zRz1_Anpgl2FiX0RSMPVMpDHnogsQeMwL3CCvc8fUjC9s7p0SK1QIXVX-eC4TIJE-ry4ByxLhuMwGDxwUyyrb5vCdsUUeQtZ7rrSVHlyCnOjsk0xcrNytJ9B/s640/blogger-image--1584204333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBvabNHaqXsgz4zRz1_Anpgl2FiX0RSMPVMpDHnogsQeMwL3CCvc8fUjC9s7p0SK1QIXVX-eC4TIJE-ry4ByxLhuMwGDxwUyyrb5vCdsUUeQtZ7rrSVHlyCnOjsk0xcrNytJ9B/s640/blogger-image--1584204333.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>A supposed light snack for a late lunch extended itself into an early dinner at bar bistro&nbsp;<b>Puro</b>. Artfully laid out <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">on a wood plank&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">were huge m</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ounds of prosciutto, salami, mortadella, three kinds of cheese,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">a small pot of honey. Plus a jar of&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">green olives,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">tuna salad on toast, and tiny dishes of vegetable salad with a quinoa- like cereal. And local white wine.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Trieste proved to be a surprisingly lovely place to visit. Not quite Italian, a bit Austrian and&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">still slightly&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Yugoslavian. A cosmopolitan port city, it has everything: hills and mountains,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the Adriatic,&nbsp;a busy&nbsp;marina,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">beautifully maintained old buildings,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">smart shops, chic restaurants and bars, theater and opera.</span></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3125504566907054344'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3125504566907054344'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/to-italy-via-slovenia.html' title='To Italy via Slovenia'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgusMTSqtz6UNXZSMolSVgNEhh7eoGDTw21P_S3S6wiq3jzAKpV1riqrK6yKmLF8nQ0rMxUGcDvL4-oF_mB3uUk3vAh7VnzlJrqKfSml_9vHu2UIe1_d1HYY0ylV3x3VMpo4Dy5/s72-c/blogger-image--1816249354.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4959842913090563378</id><published>2016-06-11T02:44:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-11T07:00:00.115+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sarajevo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Biblioteca'/><title type='text'>Sarajevo</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It rained most of yesterday so we didn't get to see much of the place until today. We went to the old town. It was busy. Not many tourists, mostly locals. It was noon time and a lot of people were at prayer in the mosques. Soon people were streaming out on the streets. School children chasing pigeons in the square, eating ice cream and teasing each other at the great fountain in the center. Funny, we said, there's no water in the fountain.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We walked through the bazaar.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Then it was time to find somewhere for lunch. Lots of coffee places, but nowhere for lunch.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Stuart said, "Don't they eat?"</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>When we did finally settle down to a meal, I felt ill at ease. It didn't seem the done thing, having lunch.</div><div><br></div><div>Back in the hotel while googling for places to eat, I realized it was Ramadan. Hello, fasting from dawn to dusk!</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We went up to the hotel's Sky Bar for drinks at sunset.&nbsp;There was no sunset though, just darkness descending.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The place makes me uncomfortable most times. Not just at lunch.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;After the enthusiasm of <b>Croatia</b>, this place seems</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;joyless. Not just unhappy, but&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">lacking in spirit, like they've given up</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Buildings here remain damaged, row upon row of bullet-scarred apartment blocks are left unrepaired. Twenty years after the war, i</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">t's like they don't really want to erase the memory of war.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The trial of the leader of the Bosnian Serbs,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Radovan Karadžić,</b>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">is over. The verdict is clear: guilty of war crimes including genocide and crimes against humanity. But there is no closure. It is estimated that 100,000 died, and thousands more are still missing.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why did we come here?&nbsp;Words like "ethnic cleansing" and "crimes against humanity" ring in my ears when I hear the names <b>Mostar</b>,<b> Sarajevo</b>,&nbsp;<b>Dobrijna</b>.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The word&nbsp;<b>Srebenica</b> fills me with terror and it's only 76 kilometers to the northeast of where we are.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One place felt peaceful.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The <b>Biblioteca. The Gazi Husrev Beg Library</b>.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTzFfS1kdIwIXOqoYOxbPCMzJwtrjlyZjCDmEQxX-dwyBI_e0-HfcDPV2zI081qzzf-gQvrbPS6uAU0PlksxLKbmIirCNekNa_ytOTn_3nbOtAV3PupCBQWx5fOsx_5M4QRPe/s640/blogger-image-193405239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTzFfS1kdIwIXOqoYOxbPCMzJwtrjlyZjCDmEQxX-dwyBI_e0-HfcDPV2zI081qzzf-gQvrbPS6uAU0PlksxLKbmIirCNekNa_ytOTn_3nbOtAV3PupCBQWx5fOsx_5M4QRPe/s640/blogger-image-193405239.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyU-8ZO0sZwOww2VV57HGG0OC2idKjhHaWHA-_U86rF4O9f8tDcpPPqRmqN9n_y7ai3-u3-Tvo6M77sB2Qz7hc31_ryPzSUk7NdesZV-uB6_LSl6q5XFyTrXUForTr-7QifCpQ/s640/blogger-image--179513805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyU-8ZO0sZwOww2VV57HGG0OC2idKjhHaWHA-_U86rF4O9f8tDcpPPqRmqN9n_y7ai3-u3-Tvo6M77sB2Qz7hc31_ryPzSUk7NdesZV-uB6_LSl6q5XFyTrXUForTr-7QifCpQ/s640/blogger-image--179513805.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugIu0FutldtQiOrSIC3P2vEUfdQmWtqgJ5uU2h9zEeMOXOpT-CnSf03GmqrLVrcRC-la-2GzuSAO0zvd7ejR8gpgMdumF1FsVVjfYDgvq3m1mQ7DKhMzWo9CJ08rZPwYDQHOS/s640/blogger-image-1376591709.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugIu0FutldtQiOrSIC3P2vEUfdQmWtqgJ5uU2h9zEeMOXOpT-CnSf03GmqrLVrcRC-la-2GzuSAO0zvd7ejR8gpgMdumF1FsVVjfYDgvq3m1mQ7DKhMzWo9CJ08rZPwYDQHOS/s640/blogger-image-1376591709.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXttBJJ7mdKyroOOmUPuhIcYArMy54kJoi7CIa8D6N7ynbaqLsLsygvAb60DBegYZuNI7mqxLBi7qcsaVnD7fuAGFTgYy9vKod3wD2UfgWYkGLt6vfSHyM-vP_ttfNCawgvwd/s640/blogger-image--707320426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXttBJJ7mdKyroOOmUPuhIcYArMy54kJoi7CIa8D6N7ynbaqLsLsygvAb60DBegYZuNI7mqxLBi7qcsaVnD7fuAGFTgYy9vKod3wD2UfgWYkGLt6vfSHyM-vP_ttfNCawgvwd/s640/blogger-image--707320426.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The building complex speaks to a history of culture and literacy. Of humanity. A world away from war.</div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4959842913090563378'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4959842913090563378'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/sarajevo.html' title='Sarajevo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibTzFfS1kdIwIXOqoYOxbPCMzJwtrjlyZjCDmEQxX-dwyBI_e0-HfcDPV2zI081qzzf-gQvrbPS6uAU0PlksxLKbmIirCNekNa_ytOTn_3nbOtAV3PupCBQWx5fOsx_5M4QRPe/s72-c/blogger-image-193405239.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6899313851526318397</id><published>2016-06-09T17:13:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-10T01:33:55.628+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bosnia'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sarajevo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mostar'/><title type='text'>Into Bosnia</title><content type='html'>The concierge in Dubrovnic showed us a quick way to drive to <b>Bosnia</b>,&nbsp;avoiding long queues at the border. I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">t was a scenic route through the countryside.&nbsp;</span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The landscape soon changed.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrXcY5NIf4RYSmnKyunQaZKIkgh92fJdLbzfuJ7Vkaqs74y5kwXYN8v7zemyS1D_jU_awp-ROXbwYV6jNDgMIjxNw7y5iu5v0zm5voayZHwjgWAwuP1EjOaglpGzCnM0GfbpS/s640/blogger-image--200089691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrXcY5NIf4RYSmnKyunQaZKIkgh92fJdLbzfuJ7Vkaqs74y5kwXYN8v7zemyS1D_jU_awp-ROXbwYV6jNDgMIjxNw7y5iu5v0zm5voayZHwjgWAwuP1EjOaglpGzCnM0GfbpS/s640/blogger-image--200089691.jpg"></a></div><br></font><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font><div><div>At the border, I readied our passports for inspection. A guard casually waved us through. But a few feet on, the barrier was down, so Stuart told me to get out and raise it so he can drive the car through.</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Are you sure? I said, dubious.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Yes! Stuart insisted.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Just then,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">another more official looking person appeared and did the border control thing. Passports please, where were we going, for how long, and did we have anything to declare? He even&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">took our passports away and</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;told us to wait in the car.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He soon&nbsp;returned with them, raised the barrier, and said, Have a nice day!</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whew!&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That was a close shave!&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>I said to&nbsp;</font>Stuart.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You almost had me shot at the Bosnian border!</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Mostar</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's morning in Mostar and I'm still trying to figure out why we came.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0-h5XPdVw1syj1_zPrtEvJRSZGIY9DQbdrKkpfk2wFPwfVqCn4rXYY_Kg4bdxoXtNrm6zTOmXV-ob67dkjx-D837JhQAgPAXj19P7az8PStMWE7v8gE60X2qrVN4b2yh2rI2/s640/blogger-image-1700713807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY0-h5XPdVw1syj1_zPrtEvJRSZGIY9DQbdrKkpfk2wFPwfVqCn4rXYY_Kg4bdxoXtNrm6zTOmXV-ob67dkjx-D837JhQAgPAXj19P7az8PStMWE7v8gE60X2qrVN4b2yh2rI2/s640/blogger-image-1700713807.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv09S7jFxD8cBUxWdqs8fq5wC4k5T7z__YW4Iyx65SYxQs434ChqUULB7knzYOKCMi_Q-7Yx53-6XmFgEY1NBBLiURaGksnR3ArODclxyBSylpt9ad8zrHMQqd4o20-Tfa_G7d/s640/blogger-image--636812483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv09S7jFxD8cBUxWdqs8fq5wC4k5T7z__YW4Iyx65SYxQs434ChqUULB7knzYOKCMi_Q-7Yx53-6XmFgEY1NBBLiURaGksnR3ArODclxyBSylpt9ad8zrHMQqd4o20-Tfa_G7d/s640/blogger-image--636812483.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Okay, there's the bridge. The old bridge was destroyed in the war but since rebuilt with the help of <b>UNESCO</b>.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH45-2e6E9DuBU52r-k4YQARXH1A1JzW9qqdQCmV40eBOw6esVH0ztpS4Vf6DUYwJgtUDunMl5tbprXDBrjXZFJ9x5-HSoHOknl1d8hlkD9_7Eff3APMeZt1W2P3zxpK3QxWN/s640/blogger-image--180510836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxH45-2e6E9DuBU52r-k4YQARXH1A1JzW9qqdQCmV40eBOw6esVH0ztpS4Vf6DUYwJgtUDunMl5tbprXDBrjXZFJ9x5-HSoHOknl1d8hlkD9_7Eff3APMeZt1W2P3zxpK3QxWN/s640/blogger-image--180510836.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b1idOK2VdiIPfMS8saLB3W455tMPJj2GcZ3SFFUaez-EfiT01YupINPtqazC9oCOmMdMQt3hf70EkIP0lt2ekRGquUa7LKNdKW2wXcUH1SJJd1WFVt5YQZXKIx7P9xxGYD2Y/s640/blogger-image-281254696.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6b1idOK2VdiIPfMS8saLB3W455tMPJj2GcZ3SFFUaez-EfiT01YupINPtqazC9oCOmMdMQt3hf70EkIP0lt2ekRGquUa7LKNdKW2wXcUH1SJJd1WFVt5YQZXKIx7P9xxGYD2Y/s640/blogger-image-281254696.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And now, to <b>Sarajevo</b>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not our hotel, I hope?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_OfnwpEMrHhfYJ52uEejQiDnAALqL0kBc79T6_HCwUqe-b5t15aQWl_8L-8RhPq6-TM1V7vFn4n_wgXyyMdIP2EQ1A7LcsC2jE0rW6c_wBno5XephsMW0Qfl4QzsxUPVL4e1/s640/blogger-image-179289146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_OfnwpEMrHhfYJ52uEejQiDnAALqL0kBc79T6_HCwUqe-b5t15aQWl_8L-8RhPq6-TM1V7vFn4n_wgXyyMdIP2EQ1A7LcsC2jE0rW6c_wBno5XephsMW0Qfl4QzsxUPVL4e1/s640/blogger-image-179289146.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKAuXj38YcVR3ZbVBTsSzbysAP0WAFBHZ6N623PxMqtTCtuoGI3ZR8vMH8SBAVNsWUCJ5Uy-UfD3l25tlfnRY0o7LeNy63TVdyRiIX9PyPgCXyNrQZfKdIC42NxkqtdfAwo2L/s640/blogger-image--874016233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKAuXj38YcVR3ZbVBTsSzbysAP0WAFBHZ6N623PxMqtTCtuoGI3ZR8vMH8SBAVNsWUCJ5Uy-UfD3l25tlfnRY0o7LeNy63TVdyRiIX9PyPgCXyNrQZfKdIC42NxkqtdfAwo2L/s640/blogger-image--874016233.jpg"></a></div><br></div>More images of war. All those people at home calling for a revolution? They should come here and see what revolutions do.</span></div></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6899313851526318397'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6899313851526318397'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/into-bosnia.html' title='Into Bosnia'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrXcY5NIf4RYSmnKyunQaZKIkgh92fJdLbzfuJ7Vkaqs74y5kwXYN8v7zemyS1D_jU_awp-ROXbwYV6jNDgMIjxNw7y5iu5v0zm5voayZHwjgWAwuP1EjOaglpGzCnM0GfbpS/s72-c/blogger-image--200089691.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4233146450211804010</id><published>2016-06-07T23:52:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-09T03:26:07.625+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rector's Palace'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dubrovnic Symphony Orchestra'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dubrovnic'/><title type='text'>Dubrovnik diary</title><content type='html'><br><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday</span><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Arrived in <b>Dubrovnik</b> in time for afternoon tea. Later, cocktails and a pretty&nbsp;pastel portrait of a&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">sunset on the lounge balcony. One picture just won't do. The light changes constantly.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn59zUn8utJnHSD1HviUTGGtxlwCQPf_wsNLSCxtG-dhafUEdB5a5jerEW4mjz6DSXl_5ceNQffQQddeR_X873rdsJsw1MlKzzXrnSSA2v_0EPfGyChdXMtcRj7QPOBDK3oAzQ/s640/blogger-image-43710622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn59zUn8utJnHSD1HviUTGGtxlwCQPf_wsNLSCxtG-dhafUEdB5a5jerEW4mjz6DSXl_5ceNQffQQddeR_X873rdsJsw1MlKzzXrnSSA2v_0EPfGyChdXMtcRj7QPOBDK3oAzQ/s640/blogger-image-43710622.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monday</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We took bus #10 to <b>Cavtat</b>. Lovely harbor. Two very big yachts at anchor.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch in&nbsp;<b>Bugenvila Restaurant</b>- best meal I've had in Croatia. One of the best anywhere! Three set meals: Red, Blue, and Green. I had the Green.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A starter of goat cheese, olives, and tapenade on toast. A bright neon-green&nbsp;broccoli&nbsp;soup garnished with bits of goat cheese and peas. Then a caprese salad. I love that pumpkin seed oil!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJitPjIdyspB2BKy1_2FwRRAUVai-LfNSULBPLeHLNN57kak2ox-4COXyvhXhpvrfw4899yD91OM1_iu2OrCCIL5mtj0Ik4IK3wDjjbtUwYdvUxO-m72cmtVxaJCZmQvlddsr/s640/blogger-image-2123862708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEJitPjIdyspB2BKy1_2FwRRAUVai-LfNSULBPLeHLNN57kak2ox-4COXyvhXhpvrfw4899yD91OM1_iu2OrCCIL5mtj0Ik4IK3wDjjbtUwYdvUxO-m72cmtVxaJCZmQvlddsr/s640/blogger-image-2123862708.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT70rbkehWaSEzEFB1SUtTubHYYkZR8JjzE57IvIAkStQzVhDJykRJTJdTm02Ms9OGwF_ktq-H28g9f1jyrDm2p1ecepuYYDlwnfqS6ZIUhJFoyY1hBmYClDaYIbJEbWTLcJ-s/s640/blogger-image--1470284260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT70rbkehWaSEzEFB1SUtTubHYYkZR8JjzE57IvIAkStQzVhDJykRJTJdTm02Ms9OGwF_ktq-H28g9f1jyrDm2p1ecepuYYDlwnfqS6ZIUhJFoyY1hBmYClDaYIbJEbWTLcJ-s/s640/blogger-image--1470284260.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Dilwyn and Marian joined us for drinks at the hotel before dinner in the old town. Lovely guitar music from the church steps. We walked along the <b>Stradun</b>, eating gelatos while scrutinizing the old stone walls, looking for mortar shelling scars of the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1991&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Siege of Dubrovnik. Most of the damage has been skillfully repaired with help from UNESCO's world heritage program.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; line-height: 1; background-image: none;"></sup></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00mHgTej6T9jVwBX5xfChFV6nYx9FXG5C5YbFe-AeAlgIppBCFbOwRaK85lahc4Kah0DqfMUiSUaqtfRkzt9cNrQu2y47QJKoGgOVCxmmvE2ZBjsx78h3AmBuKQfykup3FGA5/s640/blogger-image--1191885367.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00mHgTej6T9jVwBX5xfChFV6nYx9FXG5C5YbFe-AeAlgIppBCFbOwRaK85lahc4Kah0DqfMUiSUaqtfRkzt9cNrQu2y47QJKoGgOVCxmmvE2ZBjsx78h3AmBuKQfykup3FGA5/s640/blogger-image--1191885367.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tuesday</span></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">People are walking atop the walls and up and down the stone steps. Also kayaking in the sea!&nbsp;Are they mad?&nbsp;&nbsp;t's 27degrees in the shade! Temperatures here can reach 40degrees in the summer, I'm told. And no use trying to cool down in the sea either: the water would be 30degrees.</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We opted to stay in and have massages. Foot reflexology for me on the balcony and&nbsp;Swedish for&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Stuart in the room.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44xi7XCAPNeprAslvJYjJz3nypJV3XJ-a-yH0TGNJdWUefum23Gc9BTnQ7VXhXzo9hZrdRAvTBzXQUCnVnMKMrBIXlox5lZirSSMh1YgEmszzoTdaNw80VBFziHg700JAgWR2/s640/blogger-image-571137390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj44xi7XCAPNeprAslvJYjJz3nypJV3XJ-a-yH0TGNJdWUefum23Gc9BTnQ7VXhXzo9hZrdRAvTBzXQUCnVnMKMrBIXlox5lZirSSMh1YgEmszzoTdaNw80VBFziHg700JAgWR2/s640/blogger-image-571137390.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>Later in the lounge, Marija insisted on taking our picture. Otherwise, she said, people won't believe you were here together!&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmjIBAYd5U0UQGyjwsZrofh7LoFiEYGNEocQDi5zC4lszEUAQR6zxEvw9et5wsywjfsuiwaz0tSA1PQ8io9eFKk1wJ75rEIO2LkkwF-3nL-5uheAJiZPKhoRIfxfc7Au8vJHb/s640/blogger-image--336511895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmjIBAYd5U0UQGyjwsZrofh7LoFiEYGNEocQDi5zC4lszEUAQR6zxEvw9et5wsywjfsuiwaz0tSA1PQ8io9eFKk1wJ75rEIO2LkkwF-3nL-5uheAJiZPKhoRIfxfc7Au8vJHb/s640/blogger-image--336511895.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd1Ax5ROEcELuTh5C_dS_Lp5ecPmM4QWbzpVyK9AVYvuiHwHL5IBrecsNjNeUmkDWEskzWOezQARsg5NmyWM2ROHE0sDVCCwDZEfj8iKMJ-y2CvNKnD1DcPevaG9aO1IhShVH/s640/blogger-image--416586443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimd1Ax5ROEcELuTh5C_dS_Lp5ecPmM4QWbzpVyK9AVYvuiHwHL5IBrecsNjNeUmkDWEskzWOezQARsg5NmyWM2ROHE0sDVCCwDZEfj8iKMJ-y2CvNKnD1DcPevaG9aO1IhShVH/s640/blogger-image--416586443.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">And much later...</div><div><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The <b>Dubrovnic Symphony Orchestra </b>in concert at the 15th century Gothic- Renaissance&nbsp;<b>Rector's Palace</b>.</span><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLISiFxAHyE63spyNcHvsTq3hVwk2-v-90hPwQ449P4c_alJF0ECPTT32bONEHYiFHH91yxj7TzWYyu0Tbu7ojeyICTgGq7gTGcsw3BO_yW46P46vh1upiV8bHi-qPzpm2ESto/s640/blogger-image--1786395695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLISiFxAHyE63spyNcHvsTq3hVwk2-v-90hPwQ449P4c_alJF0ECPTT32bONEHYiFHH91yxj7TzWYyu0Tbu7ojeyICTgGq7gTGcsw3BO_yW46P46vh1upiV8bHi-qPzpm2ESto/s640/blogger-image--1786395695.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The ornate stone staircase of the palace atrium and the cobalt blue Adriatic evening sky, a visual symphony to match the concert's exquisite music.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy7LocpPxRQVp_O7actYAnDqNRi3tShZAsyQWMuOhUMhcOjFTF58tYjznxyKzEY4a21gua7Bq2K0YahvVENBMCWhgr_DRsbepMCbBJz9_KjQ-eJ0y8gRakGtQ-J59i3QfpKXK/s640/blogger-image-1414973517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRy7LocpPxRQVp_O7actYAnDqNRi3tShZAsyQWMuOhUMhcOjFTF58tYjznxyKzEY4a21gua7Bq2K0YahvVENBMCWhgr_DRsbepMCbBJz9_KjQ-eJ0y8gRakGtQ-J59i3QfpKXK/s640/blogger-image-1414973517.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pure entertainment! From <b>Arcangelo Corelli</b> baroque to <b>Henry Mancini </b>at the movies. And <b>Carlos Santana </b>too!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ05MEdYoNguLcQY3mXdm7oI_hOS4xIu0QQPUC-R0U772NDDqAqIATvqwb0S-s8W0nQFTfY74aUvpazzoFCfLXiPoIXwTXhKSwJ07cdnDsv9aERbqSD3HBG4lb4M6svwCALFsl/s640/blogger-image--1448992950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ05MEdYoNguLcQY3mXdm7oI_hOS4xIu0QQPUC-R0U772NDDqAqIATvqwb0S-s8W0nQFTfY74aUvpazzoFCfLXiPoIXwTXhKSwJ07cdnDsv9aERbqSD3HBG4lb4M6svwCALFsl/s640/blogger-image--1448992950.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4233146450211804010'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4233146450211804010'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/dubrovnik-diary.html' title='Dubrovnik diary'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn59zUn8utJnHSD1HviUTGGtxlwCQPf_wsNLSCxtG-dhafUEdB5a5jerEW4mjz6DSXl_5ceNQffQQddeR_X873rdsJsw1MlKzzXrnSSA2v_0EPfGyChdXMtcRj7QPOBDK3oAzQ/s72-c/blogger-image-43710622.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-84984592635840504</id><published>2016-06-05T22:00:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-21T16:42:40.015+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Orebić'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tučepi'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Adriatic'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dubrovnic'/><title type='text'>Driving along the Adriatic Coast</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">TUČEPI</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Pretty, lively village between the mountains and the sea. Perfect feng shui?</span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VBCxHb6hRpQv7GGuJdeECXs-BtQR11kYeDGcQsYmOm7uwVXOXmOouMPocTUG8VADsNfXJTQNyGlb8tYkvqQbQ_8AnJpJieUqtc-83GbNKJ83DICyGEygOj86LVtv3JCT6twD/s640/blogger-image-578399320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VBCxHb6hRpQv7GGuJdeECXs-BtQR11kYeDGcQsYmOm7uwVXOXmOouMPocTUG8VADsNfXJTQNyGlb8tYkvqQbQ_8AnJpJieUqtc-83GbNKJ83DICyGEygOj86LVtv3JCT6twD/s640/blogger-image-578399320.jpg"></a></div></span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ballroom dancing on the waterfront.</span></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcqM6XkDIB2SK6X4j1W6RZWk7w27-41IlDmt0XWkttwLgMTAI8nJUFo1j6I-Hc_ou0QhPn_xrYRW_TaBSJeSWmaCTlQQY36UropOasQO8x64yLJhWuGfZ2maqFkHEWf0xoLPm/s640/blogger-image-1886252694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtcqM6XkDIB2SK6X4j1W6RZWk7w27-41IlDmt0XWkttwLgMTAI8nJUFo1j6I-Hc_ou0QhPn_xrYRW_TaBSJeSWmaCTlQQY36UropOasQO8x64yLJhWuGfZ2maqFkHEWf0xoLPm/s640/blogger-image-1886252694.jpg"></a></div><br></span></font></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the Hotel Villa Andrea.</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98PSjL5em0THb_NHN9I-byb_B8by-wH2zbgJV3G8HPwXalrRv7bsqXmTHe4LsFcCQnl7u71vxusFVgycG_cVprRKOE8lpMgD-ntapZ-zq-BwJbd5QikKJ4_NJ6z6mffElFRHw/s640/blogger-image-349370745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98PSjL5em0THb_NHN9I-byb_B8by-wH2zbgJV3G8HPwXalrRv7bsqXmTHe4LsFcCQnl7u71vxusFVgycG_cVprRKOE8lpMgD-ntapZ-zq-BwJbd5QikKJ4_NJ6z6mffElFRHw/s640/blogger-image-349370745.jpg"></font></a></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">PLOČE.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Umm...can't wait to leave this town. We did try to find the nice part of Ploče. It wasn't there.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the ferry to the PELJEŠAC PENINSULA.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDbMue9GGgvYkhmrZ-ewPTJjObYAH7P24Th053cWO33OSxO3T_leo7OD95b43zwddcjvBRdqvIjxENpiDv1g4fcWMnGIt2jtvsTFY6GEsR_C2UizUFi6_4djva9fvnf0gjC0J/s640/blogger-image--637591935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDbMue9GGgvYkhmrZ-ewPTJjObYAH7P24Th053cWO33OSxO3T_leo7OD95b43zwddcjvBRdqvIjxENpiDv1g4fcWMnGIt2jtvsTFY6GEsR_C2UizUFi6_4djva9fvnf0gjC0J/s640/blogger-image--637591935.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilNtPl4fiVBWN2SSMH8b5jEJW3dvfUjGMHRSIIFw5-j5_nolp-WiqGVlaDHpWTu0LIpPFg52C9IG8Nma0v0x5mvhVAjWUY3Hx7N4QK9LvsHpRMRDEk54_IYK9u1kWD-iTw34w/s640/blogger-image--1082878995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiilNtPl4fiVBWN2SSMH8b5jEJW3dvfUjGMHRSIIFw5-j5_nolp-WiqGVlaDHpWTu0LIpPFg52C9IG8Nma0v0x5mvhVAjWUY3Hx7N4QK9LvsHpRMRDEk54_IYK9u1kWD-iTw34w/s640/blogger-image--1082878995.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">OREBIĆ.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Beautiful, tony, serene.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the adults only Boutique Hotel Adriatic.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the days before the sea wall was built, the waters went right up to the&nbsp;15th century structure which used to be a church, later a home for "the socially damaged."</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIJfSbUe-6k1q7rJSe4toC0xd0iH_0bfiwO_44PW1FeJoHm46BJKqBHu-pMHrLqHFVJgi7WIjKAk_kdaL_9ip30laUkRcF6zRgkW7lUrf6Rv1BIpQPmg__KhwCOat3vk1Tx-e/s640/blogger-image--1338862020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbIJfSbUe-6k1q7rJSe4toC0xd0iH_0bfiwO_44PW1FeJoHm46BJKqBHu-pMHrLqHFVJgi7WIjKAk_kdaL_9ip30laUkRcF6zRgkW7lUrf6Rv1BIpQPmg__KhwCOat3vk1Tx-e/s640/blogger-image--1338862020.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This spot on the beach is reserved for us, the occupants of &nbsp;the Isac Room. That's our balcony above.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfhZIeYWaDtc9ubXOEVBpgdPdyjqfYhocZg-RA0JTzDZKZ3JNN56446-hVkINP9exY_3no9OZJ32h5JpDxBWUgfd9V7HTehExOT-r9thPKASyIRKVSUG6Isbwo_cZJs2fuwlc/s640/blogger-image-1146064744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfhZIeYWaDtc9ubXOEVBpgdPdyjqfYhocZg-RA0JTzDZKZ3JNN56446-hVkINP9exY_3no9OZJ32h5JpDxBWUgfd9V7HTehExOT-r9thPKASyIRKVSUG6Isbwo_cZJs2fuwlc/s640/blogger-image-1146064744.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Is this dinner for two?</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD5_hBuyKQqb_zGkKPKYpjHiLaXniITKNz2OKSvY0l2UMc-gibbtWAMJpAFUUJFeuiwomZf-lO5ZDIGUGmU992bz7B_P8H0m1DDOn1DuG7ET4cGBmp2rRcowFHpB7Ozprdn37/s640/blogger-image-1593081635.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYD5_hBuyKQqb_zGkKPKYpjHiLaXniITKNz2OKSvY0l2UMc-gibbtWAMJpAFUUJFeuiwomZf-lO5ZDIGUGmU992bz7B_P8H0m1DDOn1DuG7ET4cGBmp2rRcowFHpB7Ozprdn37/s640/blogger-image-1593081635.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For dessert&nbsp;we bought&nbsp;Magnums at&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tommy Supermarket up the road and ate them walking back to the hotel. Happiness!</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bit of trivia: Marco Polo was born on the island of Korčula, behind the island&nbsp;across the water,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">looking out of our bedroom window.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the drive to Dubrovnik, w</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">e took a detour through a tunnel to see hillside vineyards as instructed by a man from Ston we met on the ferry.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmuQDmJ0-iVUFi1SaU9g0mnDc6QbwPNsni8CG0wxyPCX5V-aC0LG9YvBG0a-iwdj1oScK59iCRSnB05hQNs8sJOWqIGHgWY1jARH-cuuM02CSxS4p53-jDviHTvsrSD0S1Kto/s640/blogger-image-821558265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmuQDmJ0-iVUFi1SaU9g0mnDc6QbwPNsni8CG0wxyPCX5V-aC0LG9YvBG0a-iwdj1oScK59iCRSnB05hQNs8sJOWqIGHgWY1jARH-cuuM02CSxS4p53-jDviHTvsrSD0S1Kto/s640/blogger-image-821558265.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xJpyS4WCf5VC6xAwAip-m2TFT6kWOC4lMycb48KKPrEF8EBWOuo6ux6LdhG-H-H-o3pwFcrhN-Wb9XLbTwqhN36AeD4-5e9tDcQvypFS8gO7oGALwjY2AJ4qdtORQo634ccd/s640/blogger-image--2052869448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0xJpyS4WCf5VC6xAwAip-m2TFT6kWOC4lMycb48KKPrEF8EBWOuo6ux6LdhG-H-H-o3pwFcrhN-Wb9XLbTwqhN36AeD4-5e9tDcQvypFS8gO7oGALwjY2AJ4qdtORQo634ccd/s640/blogger-image--2052869448.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Roadside bee culture. Beehives amidst a pile of rubble.</span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-DMcyT11krKXCMJPFFFlx2KWXibwce1YB3aBVMh7u121umo9PvG3CUwInca5gQgb9dRMns0bp_7GZ1CO3G8Po2gXjPrGqHySeTsRSs6mbT991DcQn7oUnop5K6th3dpmSv-v/s640/blogger-image-1455158234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-DMcyT11krKXCMJPFFFlx2KWXibwce1YB3aBVMh7u121umo9PvG3CUwInca5gQgb9dRMns0bp_7GZ1CO3G8Po2gXjPrGqHySeTsRSs6mbT991DcQn7oUnop5K6th3dpmSv-v/s640/blogger-image-1455158234.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">STON.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The long stone wall of Ston rivals the Great Wall of China. Locals of course declare Ston's is the greater one.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWKh6wqDG9QkvJu_veuo1aIv6ML-hWyytib7PRNSMCeadhX3WI0_4v-kOsNjQQsMVqLEKtfSpsKG1R3bPmrekqsigt6nXrSCcT3BuZacIERbfZyh66wTza_ErElg8mALt5B53/s640/blogger-image-252420273.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglWKh6wqDG9QkvJu_veuo1aIv6ML-hWyytib7PRNSMCeadhX3WI0_4v-kOsNjQQsMVqLEKtfSpsKG1R3bPmrekqsigt6nXrSCcT3BuZacIERbfZyh66wTza_ErElg8mALt5B53/s640/blogger-image-252420273.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE7lP0tvkE3_jzZ2gN8bz3ZAKlctNBmkyVCdslRPl3OpCJiz-0O3o7oqG3OUb4krPNwoJ8TyeJ_UT9mda8LqhnldYIjDXnkx4JXMAIb3mXFVAUofMYIhjz6n39CTC0hEroJGx/s640/blogger-image--1387188337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXE7lP0tvkE3_jzZ2gN8bz3ZAKlctNBmkyVCdslRPl3OpCJiz-0O3o7oqG3OUb4krPNwoJ8TyeJ_UT9mda8LqhnldYIjDXnkx4JXMAIb3mXFVAUofMYIhjz6n39CTC0hEroJGx/s640/blogger-image--1387188337.jpg"></font></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEBZRp71yBofKvOp4wurcxXOj8dAj_AdavOevlsyjf5XP_uxiJ0xKuIYFaxHu_lRf0BgGFY25fFtp0pa-4qPS7Ra6mzI1o4c3B2Qmmuqvc4pgSQIvEAnHI0DvsbL60sM4d8I8/s640/blogger-image-2070984908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcEBZRp71yBofKvOp4wurcxXOj8dAj_AdavOevlsyjf5XP_uxiJ0xKuIYFaxHu_lRf0BgGFY25fFtp0pa-4qPS7Ra6mzI1o4c3B2Qmmuqvc4pgSQIvEAnHI0DvsbL60sM4d8I8/s640/blogger-image-2070984908.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;">DUBROVNIK.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the balcony of the Executive Lounge of the Hilton Imperial Hotel.&nbsp;Best view in town.</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlKEQEf-rltWysGFsWguFDkBTWN-1FfniH6IXebiI-s_TePg9P59zigCHVO5UyUWZUQ4cXnOWPBKL-SBRhZlRuAMHDNwgBgP990BcPQzy7q3nPfBbz3B6vGCoyU4YVUjBCUyG/s640/blogger-image--1862703865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlKEQEf-rltWysGFsWguFDkBTWN-1FfniH6IXebiI-s_TePg9P59zigCHVO5UyUWZUQ4cXnOWPBKL-SBRhZlRuAMHDNwgBgP990BcPQzy7q3nPfBbz3B6vGCoyU4YVUjBCUyG/s640/blogger-image--1862703865.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At sunset, a very happy hour.</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjozuTMxxBcqfAdIpQe5Q3qI37UVLRpBLPCo9w2AaXZnQ2bIVrTZ-aW70qn33AIRBVxn7q3PxIdr5CaNuKk7AScyBBQe7ppFEjKnnIV3LtG2MRwTj1Dymw5JRkQRHTiJWL0eg4/s640/blogger-image--298682261.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjozuTMxxBcqfAdIpQe5Q3qI37UVLRpBLPCo9w2AaXZnQ2bIVrTZ-aW70qn33AIRBVxn7q3PxIdr5CaNuKk7AScyBBQe7ppFEjKnnIV3LtG2MRwTj1Dymw5JRkQRHTiJWL0eg4/s640/blogger-image--298682261.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/84984592635840504'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/84984592635840504'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-adriatic.html' title='Driving along the Adriatic Coast'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6VBCxHb6hRpQv7GGuJdeECXs-BtQR11kYeDGcQsYmOm7uwVXOXmOouMPocTUG8VADsNfXJTQNyGlb8tYkvqQbQ_8AnJpJieUqtc-83GbNKJ83DICyGEygOj86LVtv3JCT6twD/s72-c/blogger-image-578399320.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3975961736233345333</id><published>2016-06-03T19:51:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2023-08-20T20:00:04.010+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Angharad &amp; Alister</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div class="article-content entry-content" itemprop="articleBody" style="margin: 10px auto 5px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 1.4; text-align: justify;"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue Light&quot;, HelveticaNeue-Light, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O6WdL5AFwPSVi_jkY-QOdluRcnQ81nScwb4MutwiVo_o7TnbXZWtU8Na-ztKOE3u8TGQs4mEFMy-Nqh9KSDuLY0tDWDtv7nUQhZ69P1zKitHahavstkb0Dcb9WVY3cX_9e-r/s640/blogger-image--1137710412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; display: inline; margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O6WdL5AFwPSVi_jkY-QOdluRcnQ81nScwb4MutwiVo_o7TnbXZWtU8Na-ztKOE3u8TGQs4mEFMy-Nqh9KSDuLY0tDWDtv7nUQhZ69P1zKitHahavstkb0Dcb9WVY3cX_9e-r/s640/blogger-image--1137710412.jpg" style="border-width: 9px; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; -webkit-border-image: url(&quot;data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAUCAMAAAC6V+0/AAAAOVBMVEUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD///+8yHYvAAAAEnRSTlMAAgEDBAUJBwYzCw0UChARDghnBteEAAAAhElEQVR4XnWRSxJDIQgEEx1Axd/L/Q8bKCuuyOzsohHxdZLS25LSOV2ULQdflgEiIDu9KqiIFILXXpeEx2ChXwdnKNxUGxc4dZbNfXjPufkp5H0Nwtymq/dltUIweNy9qmXt08EgydDZ6+dT+9Qh9AeGenhROFI0fPjMaCHx6uIlh9/xBSJuB3l0A/6JAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC&quot;) 9 fill / 9px; position: relative; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px;"></span></a></div><div style="font-size: 14px; font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue Light&quot;, HelveticaNeue-Light, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Dark clouds scudded in from the sea; the wedding party people were worried. And it did rain, torrential rain.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">But no matter, that was yesterday.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Today, the sky is blue, the sea is calm. And in the sun drenched courtyard of Villa Dalmacija,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Marshal Tito's former summer residence, three&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">flags are flapping vigorously in the fresh clean air. The flags of the UK, representing the British bride and groom; of Croatia, site of the celebration, to honor the groom's heritage; and of Wales to honor the bride's.</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2v87OJrpaQNGYaVag0-kyEvnslJQkYpnzwTia1LjQamYGW2AmjAaXxre5v47cGsU7TaQVJqn5O0lZOF2wUghOENRrwEn97rkdR7o0Oz4FLCYQfBIZAyPBQPT6dBWLa0Ny4UW/s640/blogger-image-1325657060.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; display: inline; margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important;"><span style="color: black;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq2v87OJrpaQNGYaVag0-kyEvnslJQkYpnzwTia1LjQamYGW2AmjAaXxre5v47cGsU7TaQVJqn5O0lZOF2wUghOENRrwEn97rkdR7o0Oz4FLCYQfBIZAyPBQPT6dBWLa0Ny4UW/s640/blogger-image-1325657060.jpg" style="border-width: 9px; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; -webkit-border-image: url(&quot;data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAUCAMAAAC6V+0/AAAAOVBMVEUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD///+8yHYvAAAAEnRSTlMAAgEDBAUJBwYzCw0UChARDghnBteEAAAAhElEQVR4XnWRSxJDIQgEEx1Axd/L/Q8bKCuuyOzsohHxdZLS25LSOV2ULQdflgEiIDu9KqiIFILXXpeEx2ChXwdnKNxUGxc4dZbNfXjPufkp5H0Nwtymq/dltUIweNy9qmXt08EgydDZ6+dT+9Qh9AeGenhROFI0fPjMaCHx6uIlh9/xBSJuB3l0A/6JAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC&quot;) 9 fill / 9px; position: relative; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px;"></font></span></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Angharad's sister Gwenthlian and their choir friends serenade the bride and groom with Stevie Wonder's&nbsp;<i>"Knocks Me Off My Feet."</i></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br></font><div class="separator" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWPvjWEMLiWk9EqEUvPIRW3jYhD6m9MUHqHb5TRwSrzPZH84pfP2RM55MngrnDbs41FOkBENSoH7j6Q2nYX6M-47gnXcCQoi1QJT6aETC8EtzBym_hedL5j07UaK84a317IZl/s640/blogger-image-1162224057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; display: inline; margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWPvjWEMLiWk9EqEUvPIRW3jYhD6m9MUHqHb5TRwSrzPZH84pfP2RM55MngrnDbs41FOkBENSoH7j6Q2nYX6M-47gnXcCQoi1QJT6aETC8EtzBym_hedL5j07UaK84a317IZl/s640/blogger-image-1162224057.jpg" class="" style="border-width: 9px; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; -webkit-border-image: url(&quot;data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAUCAMAAAC6V+0/AAAAOVBMVEUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD///+8yHYvAAAAEnRSTlMAAgEDBAUJBwYzCw0UChARDghnBteEAAAAhElEQVR4XnWRSxJDIQgEEx1Axd/L/Q8bKCuuyOzsohHxdZLS25LSOV2ULQdflgEiIDu9KqiIFILXXpeEx2ChXwdnKNxUGxc4dZbNfXjPufkp5H0Nwtymq/dltUIweNy9qmXt08EgydDZ6+dT+9Qh9AeGenhROFI0fPjMaCHx6uIlh9/xBSJuB3l0A/6JAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC&quot;) 9 fill / 9px; position: relative; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px; opacity: 1;"></font></a></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span><div class="separator" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both; text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lRet6AbYnCg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lRet6AbYnCg?feature=player_embedded&amp;wmode=opaque" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="max-width: 100%; display: inline-block;"></iframe></font></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Family and friends mingle over cocktails, children cavort in the gardens while Angharad and Alister escape for an extended photo shoot in the surrounding hills and in the old town.</font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Returning to the party on a speedboat, they are greeted boisterously with cheers and confetti</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;by wedding guests lined up along the jetty.</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, after dinner of&nbsp;roast lamb and grilled octopus</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, the speeches and toasts.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Father of the bride Richard speaks first in Croatian, then in English, and finally, in verse.</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><br></font><div class="separator" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPbqGbPNxwpQckSSmlkM_M2uz_-eVZQJoPh5zvhJr-_s9uTqf5lUkYDhaNeXPGqHum4WD9wz2QBwv1x-cdr3VhQvuVi1riNBckI1UATooFD4F1JdH9rZsbaZcwvp4Tw2DThrl/s640/blogger-image-1171884994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; display: inline; margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtPbqGbPNxwpQckSSmlkM_M2uz_-eVZQJoPh5zvhJr-_s9uTqf5lUkYDhaNeXPGqHum4WD9wz2QBwv1x-cdr3VhQvuVi1riNBckI1UATooFD4F1JdH9rZsbaZcwvp4Tw2DThrl/s640/blogger-image-1171884994.jpg" class="" style="border-width: 9px; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; -webkit-border-image: url(&quot;data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAUCAMAAAC6V+0/AAAAOVBMVEUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD///+8yHYvAAAAEnRSTlMAAgEDBAUJBwYzCw0UChARDghnBteEAAAAhElEQVR4XnWRSxJDIQgEEx1Axd/L/Q8bKCuuyOzsohHxdZLS25LSOV2ULQdflgEiIDu9KqiIFILXXpeEx2ChXwdnKNxUGxc4dZbNfXjPufkp5H0Nwtymq/dltUIweNy9qmXt08EgydDZ6+dT+9Qh9AeGenhROFI0fPjMaCHx6uIlh9/xBSJuB3l0A/6JAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC&quot;) 9 fill / 9px; position: relative; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px; opacity: 1;"></font></a></span></div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Stuart, Dilwyn, and Richard Gwyn sporting Croatian ties.</font></span></div></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7jcjgHRBDuGDXS02fFrYH96BLqyvg4ANqla6Fp8OcI2AG9WryEVqCPmtSDJDY6qvB5ukJbWrldxqoC5SVT5iRhQBx0GKc2e1kmrkMQfQio12EkGpi0Uqw460L6NlN-Nk4kQ5/s640/blogger-image--1040925588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; display: inline; margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important;"><span style="color: black;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7jcjgHRBDuGDXS02fFrYH96BLqyvg4ANqla6Fp8OcI2AG9WryEVqCPmtSDJDY6qvB5ukJbWrldxqoC5SVT5iRhQBx0GKc2e1kmrkMQfQio12EkGpi0Uqw460L6NlN-Nk4kQ5/s640/blogger-image--1040925588.jpg" class="" style="border-width: 9px; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; -webkit-border-image: url(&quot;data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAUCAMAAAC6V+0/AAAAOVBMVEUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD///+8yHYvAAAAEnRSTlMAAgEDBAUJBwYzCw0UChARDghnBteEAAAAhElEQVR4XnWRSxJDIQgEEx1Axd/L/Q8bKCuuyOzsohHxdZLS25LSOV2ULQdflgEiIDu9KqiIFILXXpeEx2ChXwdnKNxUGxc4dZbNfXjPufkp5H0Nwtymq/dltUIweNy9qmXt08EgydDZ6+dT+9Qh9AeGenhROFI0fPjMaCHx6uIlh9/xBSJuB3l0A/6JAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC&quot;) 9 fill / 9px; position: relative; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px; opacity: 1;"></font></span></a></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">My dinner partner, the lovely Ffion.</font></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguszcUmcDtdY1O8N6p_rPuPY9pLCUFJsyfFI5AvBiCRCRVLDPyX972jy4uOZQ3O1z41ZJ-jR6SLNTpzfel5HNZE-PqK2ZP2HiDoKZxEK-4bOaXx-NkMkBD9EpKEa7pfKiq2NEl/s640/blogger-image--198406207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; display: inline; margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguszcUmcDtdY1O8N6p_rPuPY9pLCUFJsyfFI5AvBiCRCRVLDPyX972jy4uOZQ3O1z41ZJ-jR6SLNTpzfel5HNZE-PqK2ZP2HiDoKZxEK-4bOaXx-NkMkBD9EpKEa7pfKiq2NEl/s640/blogger-image--198406207.jpg" class="" style="border-width: 9px; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; -webkit-border-image: url(&quot;data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAUCAMAAAC6V+0/AAAAOVBMVEUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD///+8yHYvAAAAEnRSTlMAAgEDBAUJBwYzCw0UChARDghnBteEAAAAhElEQVR4XnWRSxJDIQgEEx1Axd/L/Q8bKCuuyOzsohHxdZLS25LSOV2ULQdflgEiIDu9KqiIFILXXpeEx2ChXwdnKNxUGxc4dZbNfXjPufkp5H0Nwtymq/dltUIweNy9qmXt08EgydDZ6+dT+9Qh9AeGenhROFI0fPjMaCHx6uIlh9/xBSJuB3l0A/6JAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC&quot;) 9 fill / 9px; position: relative; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px; opacity: 1;"></font></a></span></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is dancing under the stars, reportedly until three in the morning, but we leave for the coast early the next day, so we quietly slip away. This has been</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;one of the most enjoyable weddings I've ever been to; certainly the liveliest and most dramatic.</span><br><br></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCiBvhwDAbtMtDWYPZFlMuodbiaNWRNjeGiAFV6HwGx6yiLTV_K2SK2wwPjgljYnBhLdaire0zIBekkvOzZ36mqJj5t8Z_kSYwr-pR4MRc28UvJzp-TuN89Q624t7ARTPusUY/s640/blogger-image--2130529180.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; display: inline; margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px !important; 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outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWGGwkHZ5BNWOnOy6sRmfTTRejjXkT065Mu3QZeqcUkei-u08psHnDzfclXjqEQ1UnavFC3YbaI3g1z-hLeSDTKxP6nnaqdW9wLu-sUqlQbbY4K9sd5MIWPn26uiAVc0o3NkD/s640/blogger-image--340355419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s; display: inline; margin-right: 1em; margin-left: 1em; margin-top: 0px !important; margin-bottom: 0px !important;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWGGwkHZ5BNWOnOy6sRmfTTRejjXkT065Mu3QZeqcUkei-u08psHnDzfclXjqEQ1UnavFC3YbaI3g1z-hLeSDTKxP6nnaqdW9wLu-sUqlQbbY4K9sd5MIWPn26uiAVc0o3NkD/s640/blogger-image--340355419.jpg" class="" style="border-width: 9px; border-style: none; border-color: currentcolor; -webkit-border-image: url(&quot;data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAUCAMAAAC6V+0/AAAAOVBMVEUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD///+8yHYvAAAAEnRSTlMAAgEDBAUJBwYzCw0UChARDghnBteEAAAAhElEQVR4XnWRSxJDIQgEEx1Axd/L/Q8bKCuuyOzsohHxdZLS25LSOV2ULQdflgEiIDu9KqiIFILXXpeEx2ChXwdnKNxUGxc4dZbNfXjPufkp5H0Nwtymq/dltUIweNy9qmXt08EgydDZ6+dT+9Qh9AeGenhROFI0fPjMaCHx6uIlh9/xBSJuB3l0A/6JAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC&quot;) 9 fill / 9px; position: relative; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block; height: auto; margin: 10px auto; max-width: 100%; padding: 8px; opacity: 1;"></font></a></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br><br></font></div><div style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div></div></div></div><div class="article-footer" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="publish-info" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 5px 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Posted&nbsp;<abbr class="time published" title="2016-06-03T09:04:00Z" itemprop="datePublished" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 0px; border: medium;">3rd June 2016</abbr>&nbsp;by&nbsp;<a class="url fn" href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128" rel="author" itemprop="author" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;">Alice Dimalanta Jones</a></font></div><div class="labels" itemprop="keywords" style="margin: 0px; outline: currentcolor; padding: 5px 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Labels:&nbsp;<a class="label" href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/search/label/Croatia" target="_self" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;">Croatia</a>&nbsp;<a class="label" href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/search/label/Split" target="_self" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;">Split</a>&nbsp;<a class="label" href="https://www.travelswithalice.com/search/label/wedding" target="_self" style="color: rgb(0, 158, 184); outline: currentcolor; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.3s;">wedding</a></font></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3975961736233345333'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3975961736233345333'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2023/08/angharad-alister.html' title='Angharad &amp; Alister'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8O6WdL5AFwPSVi_jkY-QOdluRcnQ81nScwb4MutwiVo_o7TnbXZWtU8Na-ztKOE3u8TGQs4mEFMy-Nqh9KSDuLY0tDWDtv7nUQhZ69P1zKitHahavstkb0Dcb9WVY3cX_9e-r/s72-c/blogger-image--1137710412.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9137479608944529942</id><published>2016-05-28T19:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2021-06-14T12:01:10.508+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='El Fandi'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Simon Lopez'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='David Mora'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='bullfight'/><title type='text'>At the Bullfight</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">When I was about six or seven, Daddy took the family to see a bullfight in Manila. Before the start of the fight, the emcee instructed the&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">audience&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">:</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">&nbsp;When there is a kill, shout Olé! I couldn’t understand why. I thought he meant the matador getting killed. You see, my&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">mind was focused on the matador</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. The focus should have been and should always be on the bull.</span></font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Yesterday at the <b>Plaza de&nbsp;</b></span><b><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Toros</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">&nbsp;de&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">las</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">Ventas</span></b><span class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">&nbsp;in Madrid</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;was</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;the 21st fight in this year's <b>San Isidro Festival</b> series.&nbsp;</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">According to <i>Wikipedia</i>, <b>David Fandila </b>aka<b> El Fand</b>i is statistically one of the most successful bullfighters in the world. He is currently Spain's number one matador.&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This didn't matter to his bull&nbsp;though</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;on this Friday's first encounter. W</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">hen a misstep felled El Fandi, the bull ran him over like a runaway truck. A half-ton truck.&nbsp;</span></font></div><div class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><br></span></font></div><div class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><img id="id_a469_e099_f1f_fbb7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XgrdBAfr_Y6D6-0R40yWubSZtGAsb0BzKScnfltCgtomvQSP6a_qquJ-Q9gfAokrTZY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 643px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"><br><br></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A collective gasp rose from the crowd. The man seated to my right stood up briefly, sat back down, put his hands to his face and said Oh no, oh no, oh no!</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Members of&nbsp;the star bullfighter's entourage rushed to deflect the bull's trajectory as</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;he was helped back on his feet. Checking for injuries, an assistant dusted down the back of his gilded trousers.</span></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is great theater. A&nbsp;vast arena heaving with over-excited fans,&nbsp;spectacular animals, exquisite costumes, live&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">music with bugles and trumpets.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">This is&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">high drama.</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">But this is no mere show. This is, quite literally, a matter of life and death. It has made me giddy with excitement, made my heart pound with terror, and made me sick with horror. But it has also filled me with awe and admiration for its grandeur, its wildness, its passion.&nbsp;</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I didn't expect to come away a fan, but that I did. Bullfighting is violent and primitive&nbsp;and&nbsp;cruel. But I find myself drawn to it.&nbsp;</span><br>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This from somebody who has</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;always been a bit of a cowardly mouse. Somebody who has studiously avoided any kind of encounter with death. Somebody who averts her eyes from roadkill.</span><br>
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<span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Yesterday, at the Plaza de Toros, I saw death up close. And killing too.</font></span></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">The first kill was the worst.&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">As I watched transfixed</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">, this noble beast, this awesome behemoth stopped charging. Stunned, his face distorted. There was blood everywhere, slicked on his h</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">eaving back, streaming from his gaping mouth, staining the beige sand a dark crimson</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">. H</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">is entire frame began to shudder and seize. It seemed an eternity of this horror before his&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">kness finally&nbsp;</span><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">buckled and he sank into the sand.</span></font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span class="s2" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; line-height: 21.600000381469727px;">I felt ill. I</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;wanted to go home. The crowd was suitably unimpressed. This was a mess. Could the great Fandi have been unnerved by his spill early on in his encounter with this bull?&nbsp;</span></font></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">He recovered I think on his second act. I had just realized that he was the only one of the three matadors who was sinking his own <i>banderillas</i>. He was graceful, if that's an appropriate term to use on this occasion. He stood so erect, his body curved back in a reverse C. And when the moment of truth came, it came swiftly. He sank the killing sword into the bull with surgical precision felling the animal decisively and cleanly.</font></span></div>
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<div class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Only, by then, I had already tuned out.</font></span></div><div class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></span></div><div class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Is the two-hour long&nbsp;<i>corrida</i>&nbsp;designed to numb the senses? Is this&nbsp;orgiastic spectacle stretched through six&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">bloody&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">encounters, each consisting of three acts,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;featuring six bulls, two for each of three matadors;&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">is all this designed to deaden the emotions, the sensibilities? Does repeated exposure to violent behavior ultimately increase one's tolerance to it?</span></font></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNSUu-tfo5KGiX3MmPSrFl7IxfCssDfbzxRvBtsQ-p6JVXppaxSuy5uzwwW5N6qKj7fjoPFWglFzEwdleWlsxb3X6nBzULuVkBWX0Fp9S0zZQWwK9mqgUG_HNHk4qoq5TmcY5/s640/blogger-image--344579296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxNSUu-tfo5KGiX3MmPSrFl7IxfCssDfbzxRvBtsQ-p6JVXppaxSuy5uzwwW5N6qKj7fjoPFWglFzEwdleWlsxb3X6nBzULuVkBWX0Fp9S0zZQWwK9mqgUG_HNHk4qoq5TmcY5/s640/blogger-image--344579296.jpg" id="id_4c72_e536_73bc_f225" style="width: 386px; height: auto;"></font></span></a></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dPY48olCjfg/0.jpg" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dPY48olCjfg?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" id="id_ad40_f59_c0be_ce29"></iframe></font></div>
<i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><sub><div style="font-family: Verdana;"><i style="font-family: Verdana; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><sub><br></sub></i></div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>This video has been taken down by YouTube for violating rules on violent or graphic content. I have appealed this action:</b></font></sub></i></div><div><p class="p3" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><i><sub><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></sub></i></span></p><p class="p3" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><i><sub><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>The Community Guidelines’ strike against my channel is a mistake.</b></font></sub></i></span></p><p class="p3" style="margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="s2"><i><sub><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>The bullfight is a cultural and artistic icon. Viewing it as condoning or glorifying violence is wrong. Banning its representation in art and culture belittles and insults the cultural traditions of nations and their peoples.</b></font></sub></i></span></p></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%" align="left" style="border-collapse: collapse; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Roboto, &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 23px;" id="id_fb10_3f50_f73c_8c2b"><tbody><tr style="border-collapse: collapse;"><td id="salutationContainer" align="left" valign="top" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px; color: rgb(40, 40, 40); padding: 0px 0px 20px;"><br></td></tr><tr style="border-collapse: collapse;"><td id="intro1Container" align="left" valign="top" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Roboto, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 27px; color: rgb(40, 40, 40); padding: 0px;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div><div class="s2" style="line-height: 21.600000381469727px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9137479608944529942'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9137479608944529942'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/05/at-bullfight.html' title='At the Bullfight'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv7k-OE2MOARs1Db4xSeXVL5RS9V_rFnSvv2C19kRHesf9pTaL2gPBHEeNgPs6kXVlKuwiJ2FL4ZUEJIJfNz4QvN5ZAhZkyUzYIaixT2SWWbTt98PZlOLCFMnCow_JzT_5V-iJ/s72-c/blogger-image-384885870.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6828409796672896844</id><published>2016-05-06T17:08:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-05-06T18:05:29.845+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kabukiza'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tokyo'/><title type='text'>Kabukiza</title><content type='html'>I can't find anything about theater in my posts about Japan and I don't understand why.<div><br><div>How could I have failed to write about Kabuki or Bunraku or Noh?</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_CSR-djhdfd5gQ27K6veOwKB7O_wIu7xB7dRtfgK1EGEAq2McYmA-wuG16Mvm3nERCepvm04d81SPI8cZjKh6DhZSnyi-XXs6PsL-ZQG2MvqfoFvssMHTmqw9erqRzT91L9j/s640/blogger-image--1295217344.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_CSR-djhdfd5gQ27K6veOwKB7O_wIu7xB7dRtfgK1EGEAq2McYmA-wuG16Mvm3nERCepvm04d81SPI8cZjKh6DhZSnyi-XXs6PsL-ZQG2MvqfoFvssMHTmqw9erqRzT91L9j/s640/blogger-image--1295217344.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div>I've just come from Kabukiza. The latest renovation sadly has erased all the charm and uniqueness of experience that the theater used to have. I'm being impractical I know. Just seeing it as a remnant of the past as opposed to the living part of life that it surely represents for the residents of Tokyo or of the whole of Japan for that matter.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vXOjk1ysKkR2MMwVU4_pAbEpO9MNu_56SeKCweU0e_nHGXac8wlDXqNrbn1xkqj-I8bVHDYwwwKXqrgdMq6WvRCTyKxipmlFZv5lA0HHScoGpJfSUT87-4oZ7w1Kv0Zbfzd5/s640/blogger-image-408873738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vXOjk1ysKkR2MMwVU4_pAbEpO9MNu_56SeKCweU0e_nHGXac8wlDXqNrbn1xkqj-I8bVHDYwwwKXqrgdMq6WvRCTyKxipmlFZv5lA0HHScoGpJfSUT87-4oZ7w1Kv0Zbfzd5/s640/blogger-image-408873738.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSeFl4dIW1XgbSunPyROCo2jP_cecFvYMQ4suvyQKOxjkbsG5uF7yTrbm66fvPejsg6AGmymWhMxUlRkAA2LophRWQL4mQFlAvF7mfBI_5BFJUn758_RJZkZjd2_mW9I1ztsT/s640/blogger-image--293669603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFSeFl4dIW1XgbSunPyROCo2jP_cecFvYMQ4suvyQKOxjkbsG5uF7yTrbm66fvPejsg6AGmymWhMxUlRkAA2LophRWQL4mQFlAvF7mfBI_5BFJUn758_RJZkZjd2_mW9I1ztsT/s640/blogger-image--293669603.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>But the wondrous experience of going up those rickety old wooden stairs! The wooden benches! All gone now.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGtF3XuNSWA24ef3rE5vOI1Nt2g6iVl0CjejrFCkNqm2Yx0dQDwmCE0bAqpcSvZX2_IHjut8RA3hfjFF32B1KgusdXsYxLZNw0nmgzGj_Keq6yf_oVXdlHLH73cazcLhR_cdT/s640/blogger-image--566265451.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqGtF3XuNSWA24ef3rE5vOI1Nt2g6iVl0CjejrFCkNqm2Yx0dQDwmCE0bAqpcSvZX2_IHjut8RA3hfjFF32B1KgusdXsYxLZNw0nmgzGj_Keq6yf_oVXdlHLH73cazcLhR_cdT/s640/blogger-image--566265451.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The sacred silence belonged only to the revered ancientness of medieval Japan. It doesn't sit well with this sterile hall.</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsLNrF7Xb-DiHNyPcun83Gmg-qVjnmh2beb_5Zxg_nXUZaEn7twpFBn0VAxt4l90WbbT2j3L47zpNqmYh68spm9-3E3BcJjRa6tP8uHm-E2BeDEMPmpZ-3PIcZYczEBFVA7RD/s640/blogger-image-2094792333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUsLNrF7Xb-DiHNyPcun83Gmg-qVjnmh2beb_5Zxg_nXUZaEn7twpFBn0VAxt4l90WbbT2j3L47zpNqmYh68spm9-3E3BcJjRa6tP8uHm-E2BeDEMPmpZ-3PIcZYczEBFVA7RD/s640/blogger-image-2094792333.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9aNrZM049w-wPZuRsgnxRqGg7QkUNsdvDj3nrCPjwqOiCPDM005QFSizR5WQ8u7vvETX-74QjjYgRA4LUzeu1rzPbW3-Bo1v0MMtW3sXNdbD4K1xNjuoodfQukIhPrfD5j2Z/s640/blogger-image-1733747129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq9aNrZM049w-wPZuRsgnxRqGg7QkUNsdvDj3nrCPjwqOiCPDM005QFSizR5WQ8u7vvETX-74QjjYgRA4LUzeu1rzPbW3-Bo1v0MMtW3sXNdbD4K1xNjuoodfQukIhPrfD5j2Z/s640/blogger-image-1733747129.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div>It's just a theater now. Not even a beautiful one.</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy60wCu4HatYaN1GbVfUji1RuwDjFn5YhA2HjBH6g5ARFRnhf3v84_1zSPIiMpibA_IJP02MJ-XAk_BiQlKl-usa28EcVjGpe5_uG26PH88gop1-HZip_v01dnOJtUIswUzXh1/s640/blogger-image-964345065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy60wCu4HatYaN1GbVfUji1RuwDjFn5YhA2HjBH6g5ARFRnhf3v84_1zSPIiMpibA_IJP02MJ-XAk_BiQlKl-usa28EcVjGpe5_uG26PH88gop1-HZip_v01dnOJtUIswUzXh1/s640/blogger-image-964345065.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6828409796672896844'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6828409796672896844'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/05/kabukiza.html' title='Kabukiza'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_CSR-djhdfd5gQ27K6veOwKB7O_wIu7xB7dRtfgK1EGEAq2McYmA-wuG16Mvm3nERCepvm04d81SPI8cZjKh6DhZSnyi-XXs6PsL-ZQG2MvqfoFvssMHTmqw9erqRzT91L9j/s72-c/blogger-image--1295217344.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7509113011111007685</id><published>2016-04-28T23:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-05-06T07:38:36.009+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Omaha'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Warren Buffett'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Berkshire Hathaway'/><title type='text'>Omaha diary</title><content type='html'><div><b>Shareholder Weekend in Omaha</b></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Thursday.</b></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We're in Lincoln, Nebraska ...storm over Omaha, airport closed... flight diverted, have to refuel.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now waiting for word from Omaha where thunderstorm is hovering over the airport. Three other flights await.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS1YyN9xPYOIlgSVy3cHzJUARgnlP3VT7qG9Eo4uChI9KUP0wMkedeonE86bHrcbhG-wMfhjAXMoe6eMIA7KGs4pJWLmQNG02Fb2lhGYYThjsDXqOdS6kRxq5-7SrePIOKfkO/s640/blogger-image-18097013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS1YyN9xPYOIlgSVy3cHzJUARgnlP3VT7qG9Eo4uChI9KUP0wMkedeonE86bHrcbhG-wMfhjAXMoe6eMIA7KGs4pJWLmQNG02Fb2lhGYYThjsDXqOdS6kRxq5-7SrePIOKfkO/s640/blogger-image-18097013.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRhuRrDex7O67M5EyPvAHixaJmP0J24P5dLhl9Xi0MZhKuI7FA51Pd84h2ij5JHosdP1sspLhyphenhyphen8BHS3mFw2ONzvA2oeaEwFO5g5o2vNzH3_SXWd-p-VwudAx6gO6XcYxjVYT5/s640/blogger-image-1352169343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmRhuRrDex7O67M5EyPvAHixaJmP0J24P5dLhl9Xi0MZhKuI7FA51Pd84h2ij5JHosdP1sspLhyphenhyphen8BHS3mFw2ONzvA2oeaEwFO5g5o2vNzH3_SXWd-p-VwudAx6gO6XcYxjVYT5/s640/blogger-image-1352169343.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cleared for Omaha after an hour.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b>Friday.</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At the Fair. The Exhibition Hall.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Shopping day at <b>Berkshire Hathaway </b>stores all brought together under one roof. Cowboy boots, bed linen (bamboo sheets!), carpets, kitchen stuff, small planes, mobile homes,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ice cream,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">diamonds. 30% off retail prices for shareholders.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBB5IicQQVrJVZvM0wwEzmvJMzZXuTDC321w6UAZvph7SX4oi5P5wULCPZMxZrg3fVp9vkmj0ZqBVIrOe741vXufYGWiAyufFuKk8ahBrsWavha_1L7knXKXLzRu7rckgvKrC/s640/blogger-image-490456478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBB5IicQQVrJVZvM0wwEzmvJMzZXuTDC321w6UAZvph7SX4oi5P5wULCPZMxZrg3fVp9vkmj0ZqBVIrOe741vXufYGWiAyufFuKk8ahBrsWavha_1L7knXKXLzRu7rckgvKrC/s640/blogger-image-490456478.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFKw4fIT-Gavx6v0TFV3H7ZmaUUWx0jDEaTjInvNYpbCAzBrBP9bBK-IJ_f5HlTDBowKajCbR5VWmkzCTxRjUbT5qf-Vs4eTT_LIblObaN8qh_6HDBpx-vWBxJ4oOz60dvhAh/s640/blogger-image-13693506.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFKw4fIT-Gavx6v0TFV3H7ZmaUUWx0jDEaTjInvNYpbCAzBrBP9bBK-IJ_f5HlTDBowKajCbR5VWmkzCTxRjUbT5qf-Vs4eTT_LIblObaN8qh_6HDBpx-vWBxJ4oOz60dvhAh/s640/blogger-image-13693506.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Saturday.</b></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> At the <b>Century Link Center</b>. The Warren and Charlie Show.</span></div><div><br></div><div>It's cold and wet, the sky a dreary gunmetal grey, but&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Stuart's up at 6:30 to secure seats at the convention hall outside which p</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">eople had started queuing this morning at 4.</span></div><div><br></div><div>The show starts with a film at 8:30 and I find myself in the wrong place. I'm in one of the overflow rooms and a text from Stuart tells me I'm miles away from where I should be.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The nice man at the door leaves his post to escort me to where&nbsp;Stuart sits, waving to me, in one of the precious sought-after seats in the main auditorium. We're way up in the gods but we consider ourselves lucky to be there.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPCn-NBv4i791599DiLcEopRx9RmC9_jP7XK0aky5q1n9TzImKCB3OorVwDPG54dHzhhgInGYoos07pD3v-qVBHHvaXzZnTTeWS2Gge62ckaAXwq-65kW83hhGWUWYsaxmfpQ/s640/blogger-image-748054989.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimPCn-NBv4i791599DiLcEopRx9RmC9_jP7XK0aky5q1n9TzImKCB3OorVwDPG54dHzhhgInGYoos07pD3v-qVBHHvaXzZnTTeWS2Gge62ckaAXwq-65kW83hhGWUWYsaxmfpQ/s640/blogger-image-748054989.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>Sunday.</b></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Epilogue.</span></div><div>Okay. It was fun, exciting, and entertaining. Stuart got to chat with money man&nbsp;<b>Mario Gabelli</b> who thought Stuart was some big shot from Sydney. I got to be in the same elevator as <b>CNBC</b>'s <b>Becky Quick</b>. She didn't ask to interview me though. I would it were <b>Andrew Ross Sorkin</b> instead- I'd have asked to interview him! And I saw <b>Billy Jean King</b> in the hotel lobby.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Oh alright, there <i>was</i> an exciting buzz in the lobby all the time and I did get to breathe the same air as some heavy hitting masters of the capitalist universe.&nbsp;</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">However I probably won't bother to come again.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Did I learn much? I'm not even sure I was meant to learn anything. It was purely entertainment. The cult of personality. The Warren and Charlie Show. Preaching to the faithful.</span></div><div><br></div><div>In the end, I couldn't help feeling a bit let down. At times those two old geezers behaved like a couple of rich spoiled brats.</div><div><br></div><div>A young man asked an earnest question about the future prospects of his family's cattle ranch.&nbsp;</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Charlie, who usually waits until Warren finishes answering the question and turns to him with a "Do you have anything to add, Charlie?'&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">was quick at the draw.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"I can't think of a worse business!" &nbsp;He scoffed.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It was mean spirited and unnecessary.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Warren attempted to be more kind but didn't try hard enough. He said, "I know people in the cattle business who did well... but they also owned banks and such."</span></div><div><br></div><div>On <b>Coca Cola</b>. Q<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">uestions to do with the well known and highly contentious issue of investing in a product with an obscenely high content of sugar, arguably the single seriously major contributing factor in obesity and related diseases.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>Warren said it's his choice to get his daily 700 calories from Coke (his choice is the sickly sweet Cherry variety) and it's other people's choice if they want to consume excessive amounts of sugar by drinking unreasonable amounts of Coke.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He says he's 95 and he's healthy and happy. H</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">e could drink water and eat broccoli but then he wouldn't be happy.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Munger said he considered such questions "immature and stupid."</div><div><br></div><div>I thought a serious issue like that needed a less cavalier treatment from the <b>Sage of Omaha</b>.</div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">From the start of his address, he was defensive about BH's not too stellar performance. So I&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">came away asking myself why we, the shareholders, should continue paying for foolhardy investments in businesses that are unprofitable and have no clear path to profitability.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><b>BNSF</b>. Its main cargo, coal, is down and bound to go lower.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The railway is a c</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">apital guzzler. WB said more expenses are in the offing as railways are expensive to maintain.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>Then why stay in it? Good money after bad.</div><div><br></div><div><b>GEICO</b>. The insurance business has become too competitive. The float is no longer advantageous in today's low (soon to be zero) interest rate scenario.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><b>Amazon</b>/ <b>Jeff Bezos</b> was mentioned at least five times. BH used to like consumer-oriented retail businesses but now Buffett says he can't and won't even try to compete with Amazon.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Why <b>IBM</b> when he used to say he wouldn't go into IT because he didn't understand it?</div><div><br></div><div>And if BH is so great, why the low bond rating? Munger's answer: "They're wrong."</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>At times, I&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">found Warren's folksy stance a tad overplayed.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He doesn't like committees, meetings, or market research. Oh, he probably has a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">PowerPoint somewhere but he&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">wouldn't &nbsp;know how to use it anyway. And r</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">epeatedly insulting hedge fund managers and investment advisers? Tacky.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Quo vadis?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm still processing all this. I'm still a fan...</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">By the way, this is his house. Taxis are under strict orders not to stop in front of it.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOD42C2c2q2k7sMe470nCsuROU310TOo8v5NbOK3pmJSvnX8Q50JAIWpicKUZ2evivAyiVyyn159NO-QHG75LaYYyPZjHRUsv4cdzxsGsrxto9i_YLpeT32cpgffeldjUTerd/s640/blogger-image--129590772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggOD42C2c2q2k7sMe470nCsuROU310TOo8v5NbOK3pmJSvnX8Q50JAIWpicKUZ2evivAyiVyyn159NO-QHG75LaYYyPZjHRUsv4cdzxsGsrxto9i_YLpeT32cpgffeldjUTerd/s640/blogger-image--129590772.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAPEPyUmDtjZteufz9nZXR3aD7957UHf-s2il4OcxrIg7jF8dTuXYLm4R8aD8nOLULOExaQVKQOwgDwmrzUAk0xoqlkr-B2rH5tyKejYxlNpuRluvr3LoSb5_qqRgON7h12Sk/s640/blogger-image--1375240922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAPEPyUmDtjZteufz9nZXR3aD7957UHf-s2il4OcxrIg7jF8dTuXYLm4R8aD8nOLULOExaQVKQOwgDwmrzUAk0xoqlkr-B2rH5tyKejYxlNpuRluvr3LoSb5_qqRgON7h12Sk/s640/blogger-image--1375240922.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><b>Monday.&nbsp;</b></div><div>Leaving Omaha.</div><div>At the airport, an overwhelming presence:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup-TsDuAcGZsb4sd805vBKYru_jpguGc4olJ6avXdDEYVeAT_NQJabqfoGVEiHTxLk-v2Upi5LvmGdafpy19pWJGhR-yxN67TgjnPd_HhfdHzXM44TPCE_dcdKtn1E6yU3E2k/s640/blogger-image--1430601136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgup-TsDuAcGZsb4sd805vBKYru_jpguGc4olJ6avXdDEYVeAT_NQJabqfoGVEiHTxLk-v2Upi5LvmGdafpy19pWJGhR-yxN67TgjnPd_HhfdHzXM44TPCE_dcdKtn1E6yU3E2k/s640/blogger-image--1430601136.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVojOou2mXkk4UTIVv9B44QP2vuPOEwxCUBjfMnYyAvQg1iA2bmbjFgHYouwENlCTw__WHuKvt1nWse6uGwp0gj5X6-sm4NNv6RNuxL4eCxI6YHY7kkT4SyHyEkUddzlD6gEZ2/s640/blogger-image--1558858069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVojOou2mXkk4UTIVv9B44QP2vuPOEwxCUBjfMnYyAvQg1iA2bmbjFgHYouwENlCTw__WHuKvt1nWse6uGwp0gj5X6-sm4NNv6RNuxL4eCxI6YHY7kkT4SyHyEkUddzlD6gEZ2/s640/blogger-image--1558858069.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Buffett was at our hotel this morning. We knew this because they were setting up in the lobby yesterday for an interview by</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Becky Quick on <b>Squawk Box</b>. A once in a lifetime chance to be in the same room as the reigning superstar of investing, the very person we travelled to Omaha to see!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We didn't feel like getting out of bed at 6 o'clock for this.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I guess we're suffering from Buffett fatigue.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7509113011111007685'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7509113011111007685'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/omaha-diary.html' title='Omaha diary'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfS1YyN9xPYOIlgSVy3cHzJUARgnlP3VT7qG9Eo4uChI9KUP0wMkedeonE86bHrcbhG-wMfhjAXMoe6eMIA7KGs4pJWLmQNG02Fb2lhGYYThjsDXqOdS6kRxq5-7SrePIOKfkO/s72-c/blogger-image-18097013.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3224194508277030319</id><published>2016-04-26T00:55:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-14T23:44:00.976+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Havana'/><title type='text'>Why Havana?</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We wanted to see it again. We were fascinated when we first came six years ago.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Havana makes me feel like a character in a storybook. The names I associate with this place come from somewhere in my books from long ago. Graham Greene. Ernest Hemingway. Castro, Cuba, and Communism.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why have we come? Certainly not for the cuisine. For that, we'd go to Spain or France.&nbsp;To be pampered? No. For that we'd stay in Manila.&nbsp;Sun and sea?&nbsp;Scenery? Architecture? Art? Culture?&nbsp;See above.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJmCnZYqYIoZUWLOH7SORv4C2I6qD2Ec-XAgP5GHhmKFYxEgbd1T2hP6p_PA9LudBtYA0OU9vBt4FDfSTngDVBgsw9jcWyv7cpDHaCCiuZYXMbp7j14VIS5DwzKYQXjsSiIWM/s640/blogger-image--985490075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJmCnZYqYIoZUWLOH7SORv4C2I6qD2Ec-XAgP5GHhmKFYxEgbd1T2hP6p_PA9LudBtYA0OU9vBt4FDfSTngDVBgsw9jcWyv7cpDHaCCiuZYXMbp7j14VIS5DwzKYQXjsSiIWM/s640/blogger-image--985490075.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtGV48M5ld8W9jVkZ9TRla6zKEzK2H6nbNUz5ZXq2zsieKnpW0GKKOYBsmOp1U_DEx_uzUTWQDzCRc9I_WS37UFzTNZTuTKtvnbWJG5fIV5l09LMpDHcdDnkHGIa3xDhPze7o/s640/blogger-image-438008966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtGV48M5ld8W9jVkZ9TRla6zKEzK2H6nbNUz5ZXq2zsieKnpW0GKKOYBsmOp1U_DEx_uzUTWQDzCRc9I_WS37UFzTNZTuTKtvnbWJG5fIV5l09LMpDHcdDnkHGIa3xDhPze7o/s640/blogger-image-438008966.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've come for the buzz, the conceit, the exalted feeling that we were here before everything changed.&nbsp;We've come again because this is history being made.&nbsp;It's such a thrill to be part of it. To be inside it. To see and feel how a country and its people are redefining themselves.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRIFPjiXU7g1xmPAKcwlVra4cikwaabsmWITN0FjLKxEtL9lCN1cX7A5mQKnyo7UFLQElyED6v66Hm5tfHiTH_T91E2hAZjWL9XvCyoUg7T15wDQNLpwlEZ0aomb9mtxyW_cJ/s640/blogger-image-910918913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRIFPjiXU7g1xmPAKcwlVra4cikwaabsmWITN0FjLKxEtL9lCN1cX7A5mQKnyo7UFLQElyED6v66Hm5tfHiTH_T91E2hAZjWL9XvCyoUg7T15wDQNLpwlEZ0aomb9mtxyW_cJ/s640/blogger-image-910918913.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Quiet square in Old Havana.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBg3A6B3bsajQbaOj6P06AwnW48AdbRmGsK-VskOdLwCKFEiO8wN0ocoEP5mHZfOfM5lTj4stuIcaDt4-eXnWFRmNuFkpPxZSDOjHpeKcqfFbWDEEB4zVmHP1uqHS3vt3xUjH/s640/blogger-image--769648930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBg3A6B3bsajQbaOj6P06AwnW48AdbRmGsK-VskOdLwCKFEiO8wN0ocoEP5mHZfOfM5lTj4stuIcaDt4-eXnWFRmNuFkpPxZSDOjHpeKcqfFbWDEEB4zVmHP1uqHS3vt3xUjH/s640/blogger-image--769648930.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>At the ballet. Great seats for about 30 euros.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-lVb3xwUxfgbsLq3Avekrk0md1dtZUooueoyEmla4MILunlbJSbhVmi4u5v3R2LXyf2IaQNeu9yp8_aijvady4PnO-j1oGj_94StVJ3EXPeF4ekOIENRQ-Q1oD9yuPzIMmlF/s640/blogger-image--123530646.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd-lVb3xwUxfgbsLq3Avekrk0md1dtZUooueoyEmla4MILunlbJSbhVmi4u5v3R2LXyf2IaQNeu9yp8_aijvady4PnO-j1oGj_94StVJ3EXPeF4ekOIENRQ-Q1oD9yuPzIMmlF/s640/blogger-image--123530646.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Street food.</i></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div>Is the revolution dead?</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's a sleek black helicopter that now and then swings over the streets of Old Havana. The unmistakable whir drives the little boys playing in the street wild. They chase around following its route. They point excitedly and call out, "Fidel! Fidel!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Think about it: will American kids be as affectionate with The Donald?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What about Filipino kids with Duterte?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I don't think so.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3224194508277030319'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3224194508277030319'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/why-havana.html' title='Why Havana?'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsJmCnZYqYIoZUWLOH7SORv4C2I6qD2Ec-XAgP5GHhmKFYxEgbd1T2hP6p_PA9LudBtYA0OU9vBt4FDfSTngDVBgsw9jcWyv7cpDHaCCiuZYXMbp7j14VIS5DwzKYQXjsSiIWM/s72-c/blogger-image--985490075.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Havana Havana</georss:featurename><georss:point>23.140054 -82.348951</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8841119035072457851</id><published>2016-04-26T00:54:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-05-02T23:42:46.196+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Santa Isabel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Havana'/><title type='text'>Breakfast at Havana&#39;s Hotel Santa Isabel</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNZ_WWuYvhAXHdEZVubqs-TRG4HHMOMjFW_3iwkcoc4kuFWON54eiZ1HjzIGyNfnGIRT6vGajUy-7FMXeB4bgRI6FLbXtl_haHo8h59Dicn4AZqOC7fH_UgA8e-KKJtGuL-lt/s640/blogger-image--1199056786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNZ_WWuYvhAXHdEZVubqs-TRG4HHMOMjFW_3iwkcoc4kuFWON54eiZ1HjzIGyNfnGIRT6vGajUy-7FMXeB4bgRI6FLbXtl_haHo8h59Dicn4AZqOC7fH_UgA8e-KKJtGuL-lt/s640/blogger-image--1199056786.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This is a world away from&nbsp;<b>Obispo Street&nbsp;</b>and its environs.&nbsp;Books line the street and go all around&nbsp;the pretty garden square.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLaOrXJyaiAbnP8HOleZpGF4_DSukKWla3CDEwuJzBR7_L3jRCvkmbJUY1cZNRJzCEzw7INJ1usB6RAHnPCALgvJRJ18u1S0AQhGmzD7pfvbI-fDivzjHmkgan7RaIPTWwGCy/s640/blogger-image--2126406103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLaOrXJyaiAbnP8HOleZpGF4_DSukKWla3CDEwuJzBR7_L3jRCvkmbJUY1cZNRJzCEzw7INJ1usB6RAHnPCALgvJRJ18u1S0AQhGmzD7pfvbI-fDivzjHmkgan7RaIPTWwGCy/s640/blogger-image--2126406103.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnazMsyY0_pkbffgJFZ8mU_3clALRFurvGncD0ZzlDJcl0783D2SlwU-vxJAKLIYRRn_YpIVNNikD67LTf4l9Jx5qe8ADqvuCOBbIAKrKQmp1Z7n2bNS2JQnZkVnh7E5XwZtk/s640/blogger-image-1294322097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDnazMsyY0_pkbffgJFZ8mU_3clALRFurvGncD0ZzlDJcl0783D2SlwU-vxJAKLIYRRn_YpIVNNikD67LTf4l9Jx5qe8ADqvuCOBbIAKrKQmp1Z7n2bNS2JQnZkVnh7E5XwZtk/s640/blogger-image-1294322097.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's lovely music from a violin and guitar duo, a young girl and her grandfather, I imagine.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvNZp3KkVGxRGd9FPD-QAfd4PPX_N-1I2qP2UMfI6CB1e1bizMNNiS1jpRL4mR1PKLGS9AmJNZBoLL3cGLJ1ETLbK7by1X3aSGnT4ovcHnG6jl56Fo_scVlortaFGI9QNzLbK/s640/blogger-image-708214532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvNZp3KkVGxRGd9FPD-QAfd4PPX_N-1I2qP2UMfI6CB1e1bizMNNiS1jpRL4mR1PKLGS9AmJNZBoLL3cGLJ1ETLbK7by1X3aSGnT4ovcHnG6jl56Fo_scVlortaFGI9QNzLbK/s640/blogger-image-708214532.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Voices are low and muted. A distant sound of drums.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">My omelette is perfect.&nbsp;</span>The yogurt is homemade.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijSStIbouPWErkiktNIOk6ymuj3IQe1QTcEWNCgJRPgFLBF-N93YIuALChJ7h5Cg9H4yP64ON9_eo93btH-nyNjzYaidXaxROHtuuixselNAlNZrfLqk-et07PVgN0czukHcg/s640/blogger-image--1548787824.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijSStIbouPWErkiktNIOk6ymuj3IQe1QTcEWNCgJRPgFLBF-N93YIuALChJ7h5Cg9H4yP64ON9_eo93btH-nyNjzYaidXaxROHtuuixselNAlNZrfLqk-et07PVgN0czukHcg/s640/blogger-image--1548787824.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8841119035072457851'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8841119035072457851'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/breakfast-at-santa-isabel.html' title='Breakfast at Havana&#39;s Hotel Santa Isabel'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNZ_WWuYvhAXHdEZVubqs-TRG4HHMOMjFW_3iwkcoc4kuFWON54eiZ1HjzIGyNfnGIRT6vGajUy-7FMXeB4bgRI6FLbXtl_haHo8h59Dicn4AZqOC7fH_UgA8e-KKJtGuL-lt/s72-c/blogger-image--1199056786.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Havana Havana</georss:featurename><georss:point>23.140089 -82.349069</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5345965020872425244</id><published>2016-04-25T02:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-04-29T01:36:27.788+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ballet Nacional de Cuba'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Los Nardos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Swan Lake'/><title type='text'>Swan Lake at Ballet Nacional de Cuba</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Ballet Nacional de Cuba.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9445cDzc9iqFlyrydIQyjr-sK4_jSwqQYtUqQ6VxvhYp-Em8_48lLZ38xzUdumf3afWfQginjSTmrScdnVdJRxi4jKvkDAhyphenhyphenCpspom2-WUQcGW5jAx1Kce9yIuZZgkNylLkJ/s640/blogger-image--471109984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9445cDzc9iqFlyrydIQyjr-sK4_jSwqQYtUqQ6VxvhYp-Em8_48lLZ38xzUdumf3afWfQginjSTmrScdnVdJRxi4jKvkDAhyphenhyphenCpspom2-WUQcGW5jAx1Kce9yIuZZgkNylLkJ/s640/blogger-image--471109984.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-weight: normal;">A ballet staple from the 19th century,&nbsp;</span><b style="font-weight: bold;">Swan Lake </b>perfectly showcases this legendary company</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">'s strictly classical style: a style that many ballet enthusiasts consider old fashioned.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Under the direction of indefatigable Prima Ballerina Assoluta&nbsp;<b>Alicia Alonso</b>,&nbsp;now 94 and nearly totally blind</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, t</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he company maintains a reputation for</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">preternatural excellence and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">rigorous&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">discipline</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The fact that this performance was superb is no great surprise; m<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">uch is now known and expected of this ballet company. The surprise was in the flamboyance of the costumes. I remember a more austere production in 2010 when</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;the adored Alonso sat in what would normally be the royal box, graciously acknowledging the wild cheers of her public.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqcP12gKpussJjf9_JlEHbRLpKK9xxcIf85pHo95etLnxG9GSK-BfzlQ6ryD_ghFWn4QiOyUWa3gsqUJit9HqWn7kgGqGMaUWDgA6Td8uT98dw2t1-e488Nyhr5omLLssolXw/s640/blogger-image--822146333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMqcP12gKpussJjf9_JlEHbRLpKK9xxcIf85pHo95etLnxG9GSK-BfzlQ6ryD_ghFWn4QiOyUWa3gsqUJit9HqWn7kgGqGMaUWDgA6Td8uT98dw2t1-e488Nyhr5omLLssolXw/s640/blogger-image--822146333.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I loved being there, fortunate to have seen this renowned company twice. And in their home theater too!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpZJ2E4AjTbwLCEvXJvWOemG4X02b8S_8eeGH3_j_F3J7GWydI15GcyDstvmvL7PDyXNffdRO4tbuODFlV2IoTd5Y-IojujwBDS4Zh3Y3hJC-bTyTeDPw_JVzbZm4eVvbTjfc/s640/blogger-image--1006417539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOpZJ2E4AjTbwLCEvXJvWOemG4X02b8S_8eeGH3_j_F3J7GWydI15GcyDstvmvL7PDyXNffdRO4tbuODFlV2IoTd5Y-IojujwBDS4Zh3Y3hJC-bTyTeDPw_JVzbZm4eVvbTjfc/s640/blogger-image--1006417539.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Sadaise Arencibia</b>, the company's star principal dancer danced up a storm. I was transfixed as I scrutinized her every &nbsp;unbelievably precise leg, arm, and neck movement, her face&nbsp;intensely expressive&nbsp;and&nbsp;glistening with sweat. She was a&nbsp;heartbreakingly beautiful&nbsp;<b>Odette&nbsp;</b>and<b>&nbsp;</b>a&nbsp;hateful and&nbsp;technically brilliant&nbsp;<b>Odile</b>.</span></div><div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We were seated across the aisle from two lone front seats on the right, where sat the principal male dancer's parents. I'm guessing, but only a proud father would have unashamedly bellowed "Bravo Raúl!" (for&nbsp;<b>Raúl Abreu</b>)&nbsp;at the dancer's&nbsp;every appearance, unmindful of the amused stares of everyone around him.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fh6f6xRJDPatqwA5OYWk4K78suwGyonkwH-pzGWw_URA_sMnRt_wzeQdYr_2NfoECCdEP6u9lb4NXVcFxmNnXFVLMyubzhACH8oZnrl0-d0vKkHGFvNef61QSx-ag6X_I6Lw/s640/blogger-image-1227115199.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Fh6f6xRJDPatqwA5OYWk4K78suwGyonkwH-pzGWw_URA_sMnRt_wzeQdYr_2NfoECCdEP6u9lb4NXVcFxmNnXFVLMyubzhACH8oZnrl0-d0vKkHGFvNef61QSx-ag6X_I6Lw/s640/blogger-image-1227115199.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div>Brava, Sadaise! Bravo, Raúl! Bravissimo, Cuban ballet!</div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5345965020872425244'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5345965020872425244'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/swan-lake-at-ballet-nacional-de-cuba.html' title='Swan Lake at Ballet Nacional de Cuba'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij9445cDzc9iqFlyrydIQyjr-sK4_jSwqQYtUqQ6VxvhYp-Em8_48lLZ38xzUdumf3afWfQginjSTmrScdnVdJRxi4jKvkDAhyphenhyphenCpspom2-WUQcGW5jAx1Kce9yIuZZgkNylLkJ/s72-c/blogger-image--471109984.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2840330511512268185</id><published>2016-04-24T00:16:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-04-26T22:35:50.377+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Havana'/><title type='text'>Havana streets</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hg5emY9JjJJZdeKtp2yKGwpWpMEuMRcvBSHqJfoYYLCR_iG9NhIPBX4TEqO7gUrrQmKWeSXlM7nylTqeKBusA0Livdqr01WQYsc-Cfo5OwRE6Zphe3KacNJSSHMtpd5LA9OX/s640/blogger-image-142592736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hg5emY9JjJJZdeKtp2yKGwpWpMEuMRcvBSHqJfoYYLCR_iG9NhIPBX4TEqO7gUrrQmKWeSXlM7nylTqeKBusA0Livdqr01WQYsc-Cfo5OwRE6Zphe3KacNJSSHMtpd5LA9OX/s640/blogger-image-142592736.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our room in&nbsp;<b>Hotel Santa Isabel</b>&nbsp;looks out onto a big square. I ask the concierge if noise would be a problem. He assures us that although&nbsp;daytime&nbsp;Havana is chaotic and loud, at night&nbsp;all is quiet.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2fBIgKFy3133Rqhy1VmEsXnXhrw3uij0nE3SfRvBYis2jFjHZDIruRvERrkWNAixPydVVjPfsRg1Oqc6ZFh9OqyYUFbtol7P9deglqpdC3DHjmzhrzXhNz3jFikZOarotDmb/s640/blogger-image-519093073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl2fBIgKFy3133Rqhy1VmEsXnXhrw3uij0nE3SfRvBYis2jFjHZDIruRvERrkWNAixPydVVjPfsRg1Oqc6ZFh9OqyYUFbtol7P9deglqpdC3DHjmzhrzXhNz3jFikZOarotDmb/s640/blogger-image-519093073.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i><b>Plaza de Armas</b>.</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic36RMuRC9l7ABBNtCRlWMddptfu5JNTCalVl_GXWcNOVPIfNCCLI8PUK0IULuUbiyRnbScDijvhY9AQM9xbjMlK7Hte6kLb3V6lJRfIYsQVv5P58vap_OjP2XfxQH3hAc36y8/s640/blogger-image--1395463889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic36RMuRC9l7ABBNtCRlWMddptfu5JNTCalVl_GXWcNOVPIfNCCLI8PUK0IULuUbiyRnbScDijvhY9AQM9xbjMlK7Hte6kLb3V6lJRfIYsQVv5P58vap_OjP2XfxQH3hAc36y8/s640/blogger-image--1395463889.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Daily secondhand book market.</i></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Walking the streets, even at night, is safe.There are no vagrants or homeless people.&nbsp;I don't see loiterers, drunks, or evidence of drug use.&nbsp;People do call out and try to sell things, offer taxis or pedicabs, or ask for tips for having their photos taken, but never aggressively or intimidatingly.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is no overt police presence in the streets.&nbsp;Bars close and party noise ends before midnight.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagbxNr3FTcLvhGqVEpTLCH4CA4pFyVqX0oZ3Z_WKGnjjj79VAU6UpTh8cjW3_9FD9MbJ8mOB0clgl1QcOffksCAYRpWjeOkrYGR1N7My3pSGX7Hath4r9j5bZg1Fd9Imup8PM/s640/blogger-image--168023032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagbxNr3FTcLvhGqVEpTLCH4CA4pFyVqX0oZ3Z_WKGnjjj79VAU6UpTh8cjW3_9FD9MbJ8mOB0clgl1QcOffksCAYRpWjeOkrYGR1N7My3pSGX7Hath4r9j5bZg1Fd9Imup8PM/s640/blogger-image--168023032.jpg"></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Moon over <b>Plaza Vieja.</b></i></span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8gsL-Vf62MNfY9ZpRF82Z9zZlS5-WswLOlchx1Tw1UA-KtU3d6F8-jixb1nsrhT1v6UM9EIoh6Tm3UcNtB9y1DTKV8jHPPwKMb9rrxZWAEY6U70NOXENC9nW-UXNKSz3NTgs/s640/blogger-image-1137908749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf8gsL-Vf62MNfY9ZpRF82Z9zZlS5-WswLOlchx1Tw1UA-KtU3d6F8-jixb1nsrhT1v6UM9EIoh6Tm3UcNtB9y1DTKV8jHPPwKMb9rrxZWAEY6U70NOXENC9nW-UXNKSz3NTgs/s640/blogger-image-1137908749.jpg"></a></div><i>After midnight on <b>Obispo Street</b>.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EZwnlueUx_w2KladFVSE5oYy036oAekn-myX9tiM2CM3hMtZe3giMcacYiyhARjJtUuyA7mcon2Qz3xgvt6CYaf4h23-5Gu2TkZ8SitrGZBDHURP_FkxsJPxAHfcQ8hTIVdf/s640/blogger-image--1446092564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EZwnlueUx_w2KladFVSE5oYy036oAekn-myX9tiM2CM3hMtZe3giMcacYiyhARjJtUuyA7mcon2Qz3xgvt6CYaf4h23-5Gu2TkZ8SitrGZBDHURP_FkxsJPxAHfcQ8hTIVdf/s640/blogger-image--1446092564.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Wifi village&nbsp;outside&nbsp;<b>Hotel Ambos Mundos</b>. Hotels are good places to catch elusive wifi signal.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Young people here look happy. They don't look bored or troubled&nbsp;or troublesome.&nbsp;I have yet to see obnoxious behavior even in children.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMDt4Pbge8Juq00U66xR93VUdxALWO0B9l2pLDuJDDOT2cSaVfe3NNG94vtStdzW8vbpAtwFvDujuUFbvznWYLnVbSRBb5UJy8oYqa-MZfVqqrzK8dAd89eUMojvIbtPUhVh7/s640/blogger-image--382995078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCMDt4Pbge8Juq00U66xR93VUdxALWO0B9l2pLDuJDDOT2cSaVfe3NNG94vtStdzW8vbpAtwFvDujuUFbvznWYLnVbSRBb5UJy8oYqa-MZfVqqrzK8dAd89eUMojvIbtPUhVh7/s640/blogger-image--382995078.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kOPTRwYb8BzYrYCQKxx7vlS4T8Cx6r5Icw7yhYF57k0tlPMaG5409AgbSrIZ_p8JMSSiuHKJeKWTFEQhDVu_c57ii-KugYLK4-1jEDcQRZELyztAf3GZp3nmDi0QkwVKwkS2/s640/blogger-image--194161109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_kOPTRwYb8BzYrYCQKxx7vlS4T8Cx6r5Icw7yhYF57k0tlPMaG5409AgbSrIZ_p8JMSSiuHKJeKWTFEQhDVu_c57ii-KugYLK4-1jEDcQRZELyztAf3GZp3nmDi0QkwVKwkS2/s640/blogger-image--194161109.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>At the puppet show.</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So many things about this city make it more than just another old, decaying, poor outpost of communism. Havana is indeed a very special place.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's also a city on the move. Change is coming and there are huge challenges. Buildings are way past crumbling and are huddled close together.&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Streets are potholed, dug-up, and dirty.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">are open sewers.</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One would&nbsp;expect to see rats and cockroaches. I have not seen any. There are no mosquitoes and very few flies.&nbsp;</span></div></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The reason for this became evident to me today. Fumigation.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This worries me. The acrid fumes linger in the air even into the night. I taste it on my tongue the morning after. I&nbsp;guess there's a trade off. In the short term, the city gets protected from bugs and pests and the diseases they bring. I&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">dread to think what the long term damage is though.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2840330511512268185'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2840330511512268185'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-streets.html' title='Havana streets'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5hg5emY9JjJJZdeKtp2yKGwpWpMEuMRcvBSHqJfoYYLCR_iG9NhIPBX4TEqO7gUrrQmKWeSXlM7nylTqeKBusA0Livdqr01WQYsc-Cfo5OwRE6Zphe3KacNJSSHMtpd5LA9OX/s72-c/blogger-image-142592736.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Havana Havana</georss:featurename><georss:point>23.140198 -82.34896</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6113568814227490837</id><published>2016-04-23T02:01:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-04-30T06:17:06.708+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Havana'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Paladar'/><title type='text'>Amarilis at home</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A great way to have an authentic local experience is to eat a meal in someone's home. We do just that at <b>Paladar la Mulata del Sabor</b>, just off <b>Plaza Vieja</b>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5uPg-H6X0Tcf5KZUbeX72n60iOUaQFu4qpV8eD0WdtXCdOellWKHDc6pL-bJXTJ0BY-h3-2NnEeuS41XLj8Pi4yrs0akZaFVomyC7kqLYox8Sz3Kll9qZyrOStn6BNhWoNvM/s640/blogger-image--1557939848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5uPg-H6X0Tcf5KZUbeX72n60iOUaQFu4qpV8eD0WdtXCdOellWKHDc6pL-bJXTJ0BY-h3-2NnEeuS41XLj8Pi4yrs0akZaFVomyC7kqLYox8Sz3Kll9qZyrOStn6BNhWoNvM/s640/blogger-image--1557939848.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our host, seventeen-year-old Amarilis, is eager to start college in September. She goes to <b>ISA</b>, she says proudly. <b>Instituto Superior del Arte</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pretty, vivacious, and gracious, she chatters away in an&nbsp;eloquent&nbsp;blend of fractured English and body language as we wait for our meal.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a long wait. Thankfully, the tiny front room where we are is kept cool by&nbsp;three windows, an open front door, and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">two electric fans.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Every inch of space in this room is taken up by photos and myriad decorations. There are wall hangings, welcome signs, fairy lights</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, swags of gold musical notes, artificial flowers, Chinese vases, a Cuba license plate, a goldfish tank. In one corner is a raised stone table, almost like an altar, where a group of framed portraits are watched over by a Christmas angel. On the wall above is an elaborate script that presumably&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">says GOD BLESS OUR HOME.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVjcprDgugujBG0IFaBh24-44h9sp15YwkBoDp406T2cx9oH3lGR76h8ONSKpyww5jrRKIw6eZUDCCm2RqSBcqi28-regiP8LYf4wwVV9Lx4Fcx9bg_qWZa70RgiFUwHhMM7l/s640/blogger-image--1049255620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVjcprDgugujBG0IFaBh24-44h9sp15YwkBoDp406T2cx9oH3lGR76h8ONSKpyww5jrRKIw6eZUDCCm2RqSBcqi28-regiP8LYf4wwVV9Lx4Fcx9bg_qWZa70RgiFUwHhMM7l/s640/blogger-image--1049255620.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmL1x_TgPtRz8OxLhuxUThwNWKdZFdjbWhcZET4npGTPn5Gkwl7AKDYOgTPGrVRsCJxiWkI-HVYKlnvgvG6XA36MueFnj2VyvIWkdi68Ioc3zEIiPPiSTj_oNRgGyhFZ83j5e/s640/blogger-image-615730027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmL1x_TgPtRz8OxLhuxUThwNWKdZFdjbWhcZET4npGTPn5Gkwl7AKDYOgTPGrVRsCJxiWkI-HVYKlnvgvG6XA36MueFnj2VyvIWkdi68Ioc3zEIiPPiSTj_oNRgGyhFZ83j5e/s640/blogger-image-615730027.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhjUM0mbNGSCSfrX9NrpLfgSzBnsWrKBTyAI5x-YCy1DLfEiA4VZ5YaEtKU91JQKH5I_gWCYlVFtSl4MkV-roI7xaTcbFDKb2GNyhoAwUXplk61gJHfsP7Lj5IHQ-BfFDuQ78/s640/blogger-image-107616554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhjUM0mbNGSCSfrX9NrpLfgSzBnsWrKBTyAI5x-YCy1DLfEiA4VZ5YaEtKU91JQKH5I_gWCYlVFtSl4MkV-roI7xaTcbFDKb2GNyhoAwUXplk61gJHfsP7Lj5IHQ-BfFDuQ78/s640/blogger-image-107616554.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We check out the family photos lining the wall beside us and try to pick out&nbsp;Amarilis&nbsp;from among them.&nbsp;She tells us they are mostly of her grandmother and her older sister. There isn't a single one of her; s</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he doesn't care to be photographed. She points to an empty picture frame and says, "That's me."</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr2dJhbdsxlNN8egTGyqZxg9XJ-Gs3qIU8DeTSIfw_RVDMWU6gAeSVOHLhrKM6hf2DIxS3_CCS2wmEtB6w03wS_CVS9Sc-aS2sVth2ePz4IJkTozODJ0-UOoIYNzy3fICNcW8/s640/blogger-image--602654588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPr2dJhbdsxlNN8egTGyqZxg9XJ-Gs3qIU8DeTSIfw_RVDMWU6gAeSVOHLhrKM6hf2DIxS3_CCS2wmEtB6w03wS_CVS9Sc-aS2sVth2ePz4IJkTozODJ0-UOoIYNzy3fICNcW8/s640/blogger-image--602654588.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxEH5OTZAcSsB3heniXbMkv_sXsjb3uHg6F0b96PP3lJVykIQLX0B4OET2ZEeLvSyNQG8r_xMzeyIF6L8ARmloZJns_KiuC5aooMaWa2w6Dk2glwdKSUXr7DXNaHrUoRsSv2H/s640/blogger-image--997734403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxEH5OTZAcSsB3heniXbMkv_sXsjb3uHg6F0b96PP3lJVykIQLX0B4OET2ZEeLvSyNQG8r_xMzeyIF6L8ARmloZJns_KiuC5aooMaWa2w6Dk2glwdKSUXr7DXNaHrUoRsSv2H/s640/blogger-image--997734403.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's none of her mother either. She died of cancer at 47. It was the fifth&nbsp;anniversary of her&nbsp;death thirteen days ago.&nbsp;Amarilis&nbsp;doesn't like seeing photos that remind her that her mother is gone.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"She was my life," she declares. "My &nbsp;love, my friend, my boyfriend, my everything!"</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What of her father?&nbsp;"No good! Party, party, party! No money!"&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"I love you," she whines theatrically, ridiculing what is probably an oft heard refrain.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The body language takes over.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">She scowls and pushes out her arm, an upright &nbsp;palm </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">wordlessly</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;defiant.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A pretty teenager who doesn't care to have her photo taken is a rare thing. This one doesn't mind talking about herself though. "I like music. I like all music except rap. I don't like hip hop. I love dancing. And pizza!"</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The meal finally arrives. From her perch at the bar, only a few feet away from the tiny front room which would seat maybe ten people on a busy day, she watches apprehensively as I take my first bite of the house specialty. Chicken with rice and fried bananas. &nbsp;It tastes very much like our Filipino <i>humba</i>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I flash her a thumbs-up and she breaks into a smile, mouthing a breathless thank you.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, I ask her if she cooks. No, it's her grandmother's boyfriend who does the cooking. &nbsp;She herself makes "the best mojito in Havana," she says.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMCNtjuPvNPOj9b2mps1w2SSdcKYTAb0qTGdnBQmu92C_THQkrGID4enL58034zlBHxo6sjLGoedMUVrgUTNPGb7JCgiOrrbXz_7Y-hGr8OCOHntXY1Ax1XigL5HJFTWx5aGe/s640/blogger-image--1763528069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrMCNtjuPvNPOj9b2mps1w2SSdcKYTAb0qTGdnBQmu92C_THQkrGID4enL58034zlBHxo6sjLGoedMUVrgUTNPGb7JCgiOrrbXz_7Y-hGr8OCOHntXY1Ax1XigL5HJFTWx5aGe/s640/blogger-image--1763528069.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Her grandmother stops at our table on her way out. She says hello and asks if we're enjoying our lunch. We sure are.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sometime during our meal, a young man comes in, plants a quick kiss on&nbsp;Amarilis&nbsp;s cheek, and rushes on into the kitchen.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"My brother," she says. "And his friend," she adds, smiling brightly, as she moves to the window to chat with her brother's friend.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's salsa music playing and she starts to dance. "Is that salsa?" Stuart asks.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Disco," she says with a shy smile.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We ask if we can take her picture. She says yes. She quickly checks the result on Stuart's camera.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"No, not good! Take another one!"</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart takes another and another. She strikes a pose. And another. Then a picture with me. And another. She's a teenager after all, preening for the camera.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As we're about to leave, she says, "Maybe if you come back later tonight, we can dance salsa."</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"You mean there's dancing here in the evening?" I ask.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Only me," she smiles. "I'm crazy!"</span></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUZh58ZLURgE7W-3GaP38D_AOdZMIfuhfNA2ztk32Pxh0vq5oZeYgRTLpuFLzU2qJNUW_xG9NykWCPVFi1dhmtaLSXR3My008ZvCB34ony3GJwUu7-G0eTv-FJE3A2sb_xm_e/s640/blogger-image-763393706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdUZh58ZLURgE7W-3GaP38D_AOdZMIfuhfNA2ztk32Pxh0vq5oZeYgRTLpuFLzU2qJNUW_xG9NykWCPVFi1dhmtaLSXR3My008ZvCB34ony3GJwUu7-G0eTv-FJE3A2sb_xm_e/s640/blogger-image-763393706.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6113568814227490837'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6113568814227490837'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/paladar-la-mulata-del-sabor.html' title='Amarilis at home'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5uPg-H6X0Tcf5KZUbeX72n60iOUaQFu4qpV8eD0WdtXCdOellWKHDc6pL-bJXTJ0BY-h3-2NnEeuS41XLj8Pi4yrs0akZaFVomyC7kqLYox8Sz3Kll9qZyrOStn6BNhWoNvM/s72-c/blogger-image--1557939848.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Havana Havana</georss:featurename><georss:point>23.139502 -82.350583</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2914776396256461124</id><published>2016-04-21T07:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-04-26T22:36:03.508+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Havana'/><title type='text'>Havana hasn&#39;t changed</title><content type='html'><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Havana hasn't changed in the six years since I last saw it. At least not dramatically so.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7pi3rel4ltE1JNvPx08DIirXRRlgYnPJ6WIZJLhyphenhyphena3pcihFVhOK5rvU-HiHuvGagGNOtRTapgALXusMo33g52eGAuggNx6BAbjSfwapbhWY4zMwSZsEjCMo8v1wbdnZT8I3F/s640/blogger-image--1910364214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7pi3rel4ltE1JNvPx08DIirXRRlgYnPJ6WIZJLhyphenhyphena3pcihFVhOK5rvU-HiHuvGagGNOtRTapgALXusMo33g52eGAuggNx6BAbjSfwapbhWY4zMwSZsEjCMo8v1wbdnZT8I3F/s640/blogger-image--1910364214.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFzirrGH76SzFOOcPHhNcwHnYHNEkgQ1iqrQKl9LpjZrwkpuKpdxPfgeiWjRFzHRUmiAFPrOWIye7kWVYraLhASZuEDD7V4KNNN4Oyc2Njqm2IZaXz5pDIAlLljfx9IeQFclD/s640/blogger-image-1737328926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfFzirrGH76SzFOOcPHhNcwHnYHNEkgQ1iqrQKl9LpjZrwkpuKpdxPfgeiWjRFzHRUmiAFPrOWIye7kWVYraLhASZuEDD7V4KNNN4Oyc2Njqm2IZaXz5pDIAlLljfx9IeQFclD/s640/blogger-image-1737328926.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc09ULRTGb5H6PuUrySl2I5Y9HzGk-Brz1yXlhOBx7RO9TrMc0A2tusDGyBrnqjUGqThzwb68uR5b8erjMGcRW_35nuvdHmqZ0FMQI9V8Z28dxMGlGR02ZR6Bc0P7mlSZaVOLo/s640/blogger-image--1593721284.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc09ULRTGb5H6PuUrySl2I5Y9HzGk-Brz1yXlhOBx7RO9TrMc0A2tusDGyBrnqjUGqThzwb68uR5b8erjMGcRW_35nuvdHmqZ0FMQI9V8Z28dxMGlGR02ZR6Bc0P7mlSZaVOLo/s640/blogger-image--1593721284.jpg"></a></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6reEAWTPBMYXe_WYH4HiBLep1L67Q9An8STPOEF__QOVV3dhOCtpfvxDAYq_7RDnxz7HJU_UqVi6k38eO0nRIfhW2PrUYRouQInHOPTCUlMKrSDcHLmCbnF4AK3mBecpSZG1U/s640/blogger-image--2070445056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6reEAWTPBMYXe_WYH4HiBLep1L67Q9An8STPOEF__QOVV3dhOCtpfvxDAYq_7RDnxz7HJU_UqVi6k38eO0nRIfhW2PrUYRouQInHOPTCUlMKrSDcHLmCbnF4AK3mBecpSZG1U/s640/blogger-image--2070445056.jpg"></a></div><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is of course the presence of American tourists. With the US embargo all but lifted, they are now permitted to travel to Cuba, albeit only in official tour groups. At the airport, a huge crowd waits an excessively long time for their luggage. We wait an hour and a half for ours.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In town though, I have yet to see the anticipated flood of arrivals that &nbsp;prompted Stuart and me to put Cuba at the very top of this year's holiday list.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Out and about.</b></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dancing in the street.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPAEq5K05dRZr8PZGOk8vSrq3gu_4IiAwhB9nJd54BpMeKRA5QYnMkKbAgfre5CYywVjJXhfoggPFUZDLbCJb1ETibgcaM3qRCBXKV5nPMJE4L4oKas60OTbZ26OPaRpWFQxp/s640/blogger-image-1446109314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdPAEq5K05dRZr8PZGOk8vSrq3gu_4IiAwhB9nJd54BpMeKRA5QYnMkKbAgfre5CYywVjJXhfoggPFUZDLbCJb1ETibgcaM3qRCBXKV5nPMJE4L4oKas60OTbZ26OPaRpWFQxp/s640/blogger-image-1446109314.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Not quite the street but out in the park. I sit on a stone bench with the locals while Stuart goes off to get tickets to Saturday's ballet. Music blares out into the park from loudspeakers. The dancing is at times frenzied and spontaneous, at times tepid and not too exciting.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The streets seem dirtier. And in some cases, smellier. Increased construction work may be a contributor but the&nbsp;trash&nbsp;is more along the lines of the odd shoe and discarded food variety than&nbsp;general&nbsp;construction rubble.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the food and beverage front, there</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;is a marked shift in the level of sophistication. There are more eating options. I've already had, in the last three days, two exceptionally good meals.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Most telling is a newish (two years old) cheese and wine bar&nbsp;across the street from <b>Hotel Raquel</b>. It's called&nbsp;<b>Casa del Queso- El Marriage</b>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Indira brings me a cheese platter and a plate of jamon Serrano for Stuart.&nbsp;I ask her if locals come for cheese and wine. She says it's the&nbsp;young professionals and university students who come.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The cheese platter includes bread and a glass of Chilean wine, all for CUC$7.50.&nbsp;There's Blanco, Azul, Caribe, Atlantico, and Mozzarellal.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The cheeses are all made in Cuba except the Parmesan which, like the jamon, is from Spain.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The jamon costs CUC$8 and a glass of wine is CUC$1.50.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Locals generally use the moneda nacional, the Cuban Peso. But where most tourists go, only the Convertible Cuban Currency or CUC is acceptable. One CUC is roughly equivalent to a Euro.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Next door is a bar, still in the process of being fitted out, <b>La Reliquia</b>. It doesn't look or sound like all the other bars here. The crowd is young, well-dressed. The music smoother, if that's the right word to describe it.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The hotel is a hive of activity.</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'd love to be part of this reconstruction, this rebirth. There are workers and scaffolding everywhere. I can imagine the challenges faced by the GM of this hotel. So many little things to do- the restaurant staff to be trained, unimaginable problems uncovered while buttressing up crumbling walls, archways, staircases, the lift.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A camera crew is setting up in the lobby. A video man walks through the restaurant, filming us at breakfast.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Soon, a crowd of tourists wielding cameras and cell phones troop in, clicking away at the beautiful stained glass roof, the marble columns, the steel-cage lift.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart and I smile and offer our best angle to the cameras as we work the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">temperamental lift. On our third day in town, we're now part of the local landscape. &nbsp;Even the workers know us. Holas and smiles all around as we head to our room.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>I'm redecorating.</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I move furniture around in our room. I can't help it. I do it all the time. Housekeeping will have a shock!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wpFckQpO9ibbdQ1HgQkAYDN0UOvPQXfAX7j-Y3stf6sOtaufGERa9EYXxvA3xPfq5Wy1SxGl3a5CpMNTQ_X1NmVyAsZyQLCyQmEo3bvPFOrNgiGtkYS3E7a2B06DHY1ZzsRx/s640/blogger-image--2017478809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wpFckQpO9ibbdQ1HgQkAYDN0UOvPQXfAX7j-Y3stf6sOtaufGERa9EYXxvA3xPfq5Wy1SxGl3a5CpMNTQ_X1NmVyAsZyQLCyQmEo3bvPFOrNgiGtkYS3E7a2B06DHY1ZzsRx/s640/blogger-image--2017478809.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVqh4kgKfyxOTC5BQ4eowrW9WfYh0_UDOD6IJcrNOUvjRNTz9-8BrYLhh4yJ5yMyu0R-aFETaFKTQfoo3CwGZ3H2LTKsP4R27-4Jnc-bgnD3zX02dYSIKZeE6H8WDcBQYMFHa/s640/blogger-image--1485749260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGVqh4kgKfyxOTC5BQ4eowrW9WfYh0_UDOD6IJcrNOUvjRNTz9-8BrYLhh4yJ5yMyu0R-aFETaFKTQfoo3CwGZ3H2LTKsP4R27-4Jnc-bgnD3zX02dYSIKZeE6H8WDcBQYMFHa/s640/blogger-image--1485749260.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart and I are not very adventurous when it comes to hotels. We had initially booked four different hotels for the nine days we'd be in Havana. But having found a hotel with a good bed, fluffy white towels, and a bathroom that works- hot water, &nbsp;a shower floor that drains, a toilet that flushes- we immediately chicken out of two other hotels and decide to stay where &nbsp;we are.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The bars: Floridita and Monserrate.</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">One of our most awaited moments is the bar scene. No shortage of musical talent here. The band in Floridita is fun, cheerful, has three pretty blond girls. But the band at Monserrate is the one I can't wait to see and hear again. <b>Santiago y Habana</b>. Six years ago, we walked to the bar nightly to party with this band. They were brilliant. I imagined that these days, they'd be famous.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">They're not. They seem tired and slightly beaten down. Their music is still good but their enthusiasm seems to have waned. They're very late starting- except for the guy who plays the trumpet who was there early and kept worriedly looking out for the rest of the band to turn up.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The break after a brief first set seems to go on forever. The band leader keeps replenishing drinks for the band- again except for the trumpeter- from a gin bottle secreted behind the drums. We leave, feeling let down.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The sound of Havana.</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the morning, I'm once again awakened by high-pitched children's voices from the school across the street. Uno dos, tres cuatro, cinco seis..!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivRcQL2iwpmOKjZMjZyvd9q6xUZMNS0svwoIkEv06feivdz0rNlbFJJLHTfquaMiUkKv340Xko8OGV0LjK-Fyn77uMhr5k8TRzLGWHqsIxb1oWu3bfzTnLjAEpqUzRilpzEnW/s640/blogger-image--1199701748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgivRcQL2iwpmOKjZMjZyvd9q6xUZMNS0svwoIkEv06feivdz0rNlbFJJLHTfquaMiUkKv340Xko8OGV0LjK-Fyn77uMhr5k8TRzLGWHqsIxb1oWu3bfzTnLjAEpqUzRilpzEnW/s640/blogger-image--1199701748.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Morning exercises out on the roof deck. It sounds like fun. After a restful night's sleep, I'm thinking maybe I'll join them. After breakfast.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFj_pHI_-5wnB3BNLP_IE4oCbseh6wgxnrIrEBTAphYVQplC2jfvVyASRS6o-QXBgg0tommqglUSnIrrIt-bcUDCoPZYf3mtx4Zs36_P5d9ecMnHfXJjDBh_mKmCwECkC99rgJ/s640/blogger-image--1533267244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFj_pHI_-5wnB3BNLP_IE4oCbseh6wgxnrIrEBTAphYVQplC2jfvVyASRS6o-QXBgg0tommqglUSnIrrIt-bcUDCoPZYf3mtx4Zs36_P5d9ecMnHfXJjDBh_mKmCwECkC99rgJ/s640/blogger-image--1533267244.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There is a uniqueness to the street noise here. More than the music, the drum beat, there is the sound of people's voices. They talk to each other in the street. They hug and kiss. They shout and play and call out to each other, to the children, to their dogs.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHuupNqb0Lj_FCfoZ4hKtwbZ4csZZIjGqdKZtkX4-rTbr_txn_CWog_iWqOBd90_VwprJkWxKUq1retiF9tvqqCVnEeRsc3fZESa8-4Lt_3eqlFle-hsaIH0C1geUu2Dzcy-r/s640/blogger-image--908477810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHuupNqb0Lj_FCfoZ4hKtwbZ4csZZIjGqdKZtkX4-rTbr_txn_CWog_iWqOBd90_VwprJkWxKUq1retiF9tvqqCVnEeRsc3fZESa8-4Lt_3eqlFle-hsaIH0C1geUu2Dzcy-r/s640/blogger-image--908477810.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_c0wJt7x2W-8gEQ8BJE55i7_-e6kag1bugGtOyUVafqj-coXrpimXGcuWX_l3tRzVy1NE7X1IxtcXuPqoGx_5JKputAdu3PQ0EQIn3H7xKpXgk0a0PJ-rs5jp3Tkbc9LobNx/s640/blogger-image--2068858541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf_c0wJt7x2W-8gEQ8BJE55i7_-e6kag1bugGtOyUVafqj-coXrpimXGcuWX_l3tRzVy1NE7X1IxtcXuPqoGx_5JKputAdu3PQ0EQIn3H7xKpXgk0a0PJ-rs5jp3Tkbc9LobNx/s640/blogger-image--2068858541.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The citizenry has recently been allowed cell phones. Will Havana streets soon go quiet? Will children stop playing street games? Will people stop looking to see if their friends are around? It's bound to happen.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But maybe Havana is different. None of Cuba's invaders has&nbsp;managed to rub out its uniqueness.&nbsp;Not the Spanish, not the British, not the Americans.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Let's see what the <b>iPhone</b> does.</span></div><div><br></div></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2914776396256461124'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2914776396256461124'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-hasn-changed.html' title='Havana hasn&#39;t changed'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE7pi3rel4ltE1JNvPx08DIirXRRlgYnPJ6WIZJLhyphenhyphena3pcihFVhOK5rvU-HiHuvGagGNOtRTapgALXusMo33g52eGAuggNx6BAbjSfwapbhWY4zMwSZsEjCMo8v1wbdnZT8I3F/s72-c/blogger-image--1910364214.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Havana Havana</georss:featurename><georss:point>23.137531 -82.348735</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7328778658581240555</id><published>2016-04-19T04:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-11-14T13:44:36.146+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>San Francisco</title><content type='html'><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wed Apr13</span><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dep Mnl, arr SFO am same day</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch w Celia Stel Willy at Italian seafood in Ferry Terminal Bldg</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Band sings That's Amore!</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We sing &amp; dance in street</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">4pm&nbsp;back in GH for Baby &amp; Bob. Baby looking great. Bob says it's because she's happy.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cocktails, light eats for dinner.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thurs</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Cocktails at GH. Happy to stay, we don't go out for dinner.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Fri&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch at B&amp; B's hotel JWMarriott. Shared dessert of organic ice cream sundae.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7328778658581240555'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7328778658581240555'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/san-francisco.html' title='San Francisco'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2582573564948023242</id><published>2016-04-19T03:31:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-04-19T06:57:24.936+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Havana'/><title type='text'>Havana revisited</title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Saturday.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In San Francisco, Baby is sick. So we take earlier flight out to Miami. We have less than an hour to catch the 12:30&nbsp;flight. We take the hotel car and arrive in plenty of time.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Overnight in </span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Miami Hilton</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">To Havana via Grand Cayman on <b>Cayman Air</b>&nbsp;at noon.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7BVGkXpUocKz6XPvVl4O2VQU7xXO4brwSDMSOF1T68Unjtapf1N85Ep8Gyc6eEUQQfn4fFegUXnNqxEVYGnuHIoVm0WeJe0CizLdxI61QyhnaDYhVyqU_t5VnrS5ey770hgs/s640/blogger-image--1345265858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7BVGkXpUocKz6XPvVl4O2VQU7xXO4brwSDMSOF1T68Unjtapf1N85Ep8Gyc6eEUQQfn4fFegUXnNqxEVYGnuHIoVm0WeJe0CizLdxI61QyhnaDYhVyqU_t5VnrS5ey770hgs/s640/blogger-image--1345265858.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Havana</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Welcome smiles everywhere.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGsayrMFkQEdtlb6QaPzcIaoy_rektGw-yATCA3b0mxisXnpjIc2J2bq2PjglK9-W8TeBQqyt04ssKt2N8cfL5LRHqqLP0T8nb5birkXgzOn5oPXiyenPUgJN62NnDkgE-Qpd/s640/blogger-image--2135503493.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGsayrMFkQEdtlb6QaPzcIaoy_rektGw-yATCA3b0mxisXnpjIc2J2bq2PjglK9-W8TeBQqyt04ssKt2N8cfL5LRHqqLP0T8nb5birkXgzOn5oPXiyenPUgJN62NnDkgE-Qpd/s640/blogger-image--2135503493.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div><div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A 1-1/2 hour wait for our luggage. I chat with two American tourists who waited 2-1/2 hours for theirs. One warns me not to brush my teeth with tap water and to expect no toilet paper in the countryside.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The US embargo is still in place but US citizens are now able to come, albeit only in tour groups.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As we leave the airport, Stuart negotiates &nbsp;for a P25 nice, clean, aircon taxi.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Hotel Raquel</b></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's a beautiful old building with lovely Art Nouveau flourishes. Jewish, biblical pictures on the walls. Rooms have&nbsp;Old Testament&nbsp;names like Rebecca, Salomon, Sara, Lea. Ours is Ruth.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksQ995n-cchCKuN3CrZROKPnSBROdzYwLXH1cRDe6j-OhvNaztJ6YVYbq4iPnRumniNC5Esh4Xu29NmnYjRz7yqCOhgEycrb7WIOPR5F9rxjxf9-HdI_uQp8TywerB0Xcu-LR/s640/blogger-image--1298211953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiksQ995n-cchCKuN3CrZROKPnSBROdzYwLXH1cRDe6j-OhvNaztJ6YVYbq4iPnRumniNC5Esh4Xu29NmnYjRz7yqCOhgEycrb7WIOPR5F9rxjxf9-HdI_uQp8TywerB0Xcu-LR/s640/blogger-image--1298211953.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBJl7kV-WfjbOv0D9JcxLo619ZJJk3SABh29BCbsL5XQSKvOpEPdTDQrDt4s5iRINFvO7qGhCovaohFExhHtG3A67F1v2AkPd7QFtZxbQUqIlHAHZA9TeaJv1LzJIKyzNf8YN/s640/blogger-image-825764148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBJl7kV-WfjbOv0D9JcxLo619ZJJk3SABh29BCbsL5XQSKvOpEPdTDQrDt4s5iRINFvO7qGhCovaohFExhHtG3A67F1v2AkPd7QFtZxbQUqIlHAHZA9TeaJv1LzJIKyzNf8YN/s640/blogger-image-825764148.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">A sudden heavy downpour has cleared the air and we have the restaurant all to ourselves.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzDEZTOz56RjPkJ_fcRqvc-pBtW3zc2Xbi1VPbOrks2PMrxTJ4G05lv1C0qRuAb1s2LVlXV6E35hUTL633tuChGJfkH3kbj9GyBHP64etE5KkX0FtikUz_wUAzdoGsLVzb5FP/s640/blogger-image-802779591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzDEZTOz56RjPkJ_fcRqvc-pBtW3zc2Xbi1VPbOrks2PMrxTJ4G05lv1C0qRuAb1s2LVlXV6E35hUTL633tuChGJfkH3kbj9GyBHP64etE5KkX0FtikUz_wUAzdoGsLVzb5FP/s640/blogger-image-802779591.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We have a lovely dinner of grilled red snapper garnished with glazed pear and figs, a salad of shredded fresh vegetables, and brown rice with black beans.</span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The waiter closes the windows against a cold wind and light rain.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJijBEpUuSUhfMHavFe63GyvuozeboUYIbHgfm5O95F3hf5QdmFfYWXqLjXRZiDoI3Q5ql9gQXyM-RaTz2Y-uCsBB_2-9bg1VltFyJrgO9YozCWaPfAD8WDq-INHeoLlLa-sBq/s640/blogger-image-1734102222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJijBEpUuSUhfMHavFe63GyvuozeboUYIbHgfm5O95F3hf5QdmFfYWXqLjXRZiDoI3Q5ql9gQXyM-RaTz2Y-uCsBB_2-9bg1VltFyJrgO9YozCWaPfAD8WDq-INHeoLlLa-sBq/s640/blogger-image-1734102222.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our room is nice,&nbsp;very old-Havana. It's airy and well lit by two tall windows.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The aircon is very cold, the hot water very hot.&nbsp;We have an early night, crashing right after dinner.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We sleep from 7:30 to 7:30.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7uA5V1cSRCU03sta7TjqAYmzbjNQIlvtxzwtVjjo01zK8O2lfSUYwdDF39wIsh-4HTOJoKhcxUriNN7ShnpfRdx-Nsr_aHjuaLcNstH8qW-o6WMN5OUdN4a8sUTxB_GMkoSP/s640/blogger-image--1317379817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl7uA5V1cSRCU03sta7TjqAYmzbjNQIlvtxzwtVjjo01zK8O2lfSUYwdDF39wIsh-4HTOJoKhcxUriNN7ShnpfRdx-Nsr_aHjuaLcNstH8qW-o6WMN5OUdN4a8sUTxB_GMkoSP/s640/blogger-image--1317379817.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iYGT2nj0voUeD0FFHN319m5Wxe8OpzcMnCd0U_qqWfcxz9wV2AJxsD_jcH3wAlMMrCG2M_ew5zZzCyatmhvUkGm38CU6s-wN3RozNSmjyPfXeenaOfq7CwJYvdMoQq7txRx0/s640/blogger-image-199297464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_iYGT2nj0voUeD0FFHN319m5Wxe8OpzcMnCd0U_qqWfcxz9wV2AJxsD_jcH3wAlMMrCG2M_ew5zZzCyatmhvUkGm38CU6s-wN3RozNSmjyPfXeenaOfq7CwJYvdMoQq7txRx0/s640/blogger-image-199297464.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjL_NSZIbKxquuYCwVQ2u3voYEyMA6wezM3_OvkTEVYwqLJu0-AWAbblatvEel8qzVDPml5uqTZ07TVFpTSs67VhutGq_nZDc2LFCgNkvBUIm3soUngzOT4eb2D3NPhxhgzO3/s640/blogger-image--1942988626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFjL_NSZIbKxquuYCwVQ2u3voYEyMA6wezM3_OvkTEVYwqLJu0-AWAbblatvEel8qzVDPml5uqTZ07TVFpTSs67VhutGq_nZDc2LFCgNkvBUIm3soUngzOT4eb2D3NPhxhgzO3/s640/blogger-image--1942988626.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monday.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A bright sunny day. We have a cooked breakfast with fresh fruits, yogurt, and good coffee.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kc27HH5lFjfpKSSpGVIf4ZIbkgdQzCgF9JUF0NPbyHir_LxwiuDRGODc6sX0UDX1nUlyMZR541JzPr12O66h4B2nygIAIJnH60jHR-u4Pst-EcLVN2W6LBTcbte-163_tuBM/s640/blogger-image--1487453983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Kc27HH5lFjfpKSSpGVIf4ZIbkgdQzCgF9JUF0NPbyHir_LxwiuDRGODc6sX0UDX1nUlyMZR541JzPr12O66h4B2nygIAIJnH60jHR-u4Pst-EcLVN2W6LBTcbte-163_tuBM/s640/blogger-image--1487453983.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thrilled that we have chosen a good hotel, we book an additional two nights to avoid an unknown fate in the two other hotels where we have reservations.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2582573564948023242'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2582573564948023242'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-revisited.html' title='Havana revisited'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk7BVGkXpUocKz6XPvVl4O2VQU7xXO4brwSDMSOF1T68Unjtapf1N85Ep8Gyc6eEUQQfn4fFegUXnNqxEVYGnuHIoVm0WeJe0CizLdxI61QyhnaDYhVyqU_t5VnrS5ey770hgs/s72-c/blogger-image--1345265858.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Havana Havana</georss:featurename><georss:point>23.138967 -82.35233</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-802672722041298959</id><published>2016-03-21T13:10:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-03-21T13:15:38.014+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cuba'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Havana'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='repost'/><title type='text'>Reposting my blog on Havana, first published May 21, 2010.</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When
it comes to Cuba, everybody has an opinion. Depending on what school of
thought one has bought into and how much of it he has packed into his
travel bag, Cuba is either an outpost of romantic revolutionary zeal or
just a failed socialist experiment. The tourist is irresistibly drawn to
add his own flourishes to whatever picture he has gleaned from history
books and tourist pamphlets.<br />
<br />
There are several
constants in any Cuban holiday story: Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene,
old cars, art deco buildings, and salsa.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNpWO4hcP_9mwpDhID9osEGYqViy3uXP9VcO8JjqUDOiwPqhh1uGWBZV2Bdf6b9uozX_Apr7lN-ck_-d5EBWajbNtMGKOxlq07hyphenhyphenrwKtvDMqLR3iSCvAUL7gNrEfM_MZnqyuH/s320/HAV_0115.jpg" />&nbsp;</div>
<br />
I
went in search of cuba libres- as in cocktail- and arroz ala cubana, a
childhood favorite. What I found was that cuba libres have been made
irrelevant by mojitos; and arroz ala cubana by the ubiquitous Cuban
sandwich.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJJXB1SWVoNr0AWiQY3hXTq7DOPSr3w1sSEqfawImSOxHbEYSrHEncnEhm_2BA0N3fczS_KekpdlkbjmiqgFX1AXzuZ8c2JINBb_ge-qpcaFV4Dqdvm-j3BrdZ7l1SkDkqIg2/s320/Moved+from+USB+to+Seagate+551.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
&nbsp;<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhma0tm-4dM49WiYk2OlehreVo2ffwBlsyH5AK3Ir5kkVEBRSwk1tYODmCCyzV3uoWU9R4fYURD8c2vvjiECKJdvtXpjdDf7bkPQZFh0xOlyElhWQqPwA-XihrPVYYt2d7Poaqs/s200/Moved+from+USB+to+Seagate+580.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
I
also went in search of a story about a country devastated by
revolution. A story of how the US embargo is isolating and bringing to
its knees a country intent on sticking to the tenets of an unfashionable
ideology. And the big story behind all this, of course, is the story of
a clutch of scraggly photogenic intellectual rebels taking over an
entire country by throwing out an unpopular, corrupt government. Fifty
two years on, they're still running the country.<br />
<br />
The
Cuba I found is nowhere near down on its knees. Virtually 100% literate,
Cuba offers free education at all levels to all its citizens. It even
offers free university education to deserving citizens of other
countries. There are presently about 10,000 foreign students studying in
Cuban universities. There is one teacher for every 37 Cubans. They have
a labour force of at least a million technicians, technologists, and
university graduates.<br />
<br />
Rumoured to have some of the best
doctors in the world, they have one doctor available for every 300
Cubans.They have an enviable health care system. Free. And made
accessible to all citizens through various poly technical centers,
hospitals, and medical centers. There are benefits covering sickness,
maternity, and work-related injury. As well as old age, disability, and
survivors pensions.<br />
<br />
Cuba has culture- art, opera,
ballet, theatre, popular music and dance, cinema. Available to all. In
some cases, free. There are Cuban writers, poets, painters, and
musicians renowned throughout the world.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDCUB46AkXktBj8oTAH26fb1I89VMH5qOnL75hqnDgjPVMZtAanG_8kquBjQtLYmIY857S2swg-AqprpdAPKNq4MSb9uoG14jtR0a4Ajv71jsmYKb-Hv3x-nOwavT1GPWcUny/s320/HAV_0233.jpg" /> </div>
<br />
So
how is this a failed experiment in anything? I wonder what it's like to
have no bills to worry about? No school fees, no hospital bills, no
doctor's fees even! To have dancing in the streets, at stadium-like
dance halls, at bars on every street corner. Music seems to be the
people's lifeblood; drumbeat their pulse. In Havana, I heard drums start
to beat every morning soon after I woke up.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskzL6CZC23aq21lKWWJjpTg_Nh6kC7yz3xbLlvpr2ztQNN67l7lvlOLtFPceJRq7c-1Cnv8RWdVFb1PGQ9bwOw8bk6RiqV6YV2daWAJHKqmZfBMEM4qmM9N34jmWOtlCpF7R7/s320/HAV_0079.jpg" /> </div>
<br />
Does
all this make the citizenry uninvolved and frivolous? From where I
stand- and that’s way back as a tourist- they look far too relaxed. It's
like not much is expected of them by the government. Or even by
themselves. Bread and circuses come to mind.<br />
<br />
What?
Wouldn't they rather march angrily up and down streets carrying protest
placards? Have labor strikes maybe? Watch politicians hurl accusations
at each other on TV?<br />
<br />
<br />
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</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/R5vgGp7TH8U/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R5vgGp7TH8U?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<br />
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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We've been doing Airbnb in two of our Makati apartments.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's only been a month since we opened and already we need a break!&nbsp;</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We're in Bangkok for a few days of R&amp;R.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByH2SyIg00ZaqB0cqS6oj2ygPmpGPRIXDlbnK_4fwaEZlkmQuyn0gqBvfJNfuby_PICvt4p7e_sgynfG099VGsHhfJJvlqoiQgyZsRb1LVfJ2BJxV0W9_h4q1p4XhGQutl_qR/s640/blogger-image--481324379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); 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margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBjMFi1K5JBEnR6HLGyUBlezOsqp7Ou-N5HHDldtqFnRqeV_mUaKTOv7Hk_OgnnzWDpYBjxC0I8HUPpYQ6X4zYo3ggnVKcKLa9lSCYUK2dj7-Wyq4o1Fv3hC9J6JMpRRsi_rox/s640/blogger-image--465231705.jpg"></font></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5163564495655318528'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5163564495655318528'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/03/bangkok-break.html' title='Bangkok break'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhByH2SyIg00ZaqB0cqS6oj2ygPmpGPRIXDlbnK_4fwaEZlkmQuyn0gqBvfJNfuby_PICvt4p7e_sgynfG099VGsHhfJJvlqoiQgyZsRb1LVfJ2BJxV0W9_h4q1p4XhGQutl_qR/s72-c/blogger-image--481324379.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Yan Nawa Yan Nawa</georss:featurename><georss:point>13.719471 100.512754</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3240239220063604690</id><published>2015-10-03T15:21:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-10-03T15:59:40.093+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Haze'/><title type='text'>Singapore is disappearing!</title><content type='html'><div>I woke up to this view:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb4aBLzBsLiggp1-AT0G8nijxn9Q48NZCSgIaSW0qdmBW91mHIPE2qhqeLmKua7VbJiCgwPz3Oih1ZGJWbNmRyhsIjBUh72TBbgxgRLapoZLdt8hZCScocNNGbNrGnX-s2xQA/s640/blogger-image--853899639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb4aBLzBsLiggp1-AT0G8nijxn9Q48NZCSgIaSW0qdmBW91mHIPE2qhqeLmKua7VbJiCgwPz3Oih1ZGJWbNmRyhsIjBUh72TBbgxgRLapoZLdt8hZCScocNNGbNrGnX-s2xQA/s640/blogger-image--853899639.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>This afternoon at 4:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdiqgSfK9linH48-xeLP8aGuW9QpHRMhW15nCNQshRtsekawrhi5Dl4_W6FANgGqPWr_SFDvL91DS_rshyWmz6Lgs9AnuhqbjrImwgGaxYJuMrc0qZ3CyciGK3W1MjR3pjdXv/s640/blogger-image-935836570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdiqgSfK9linH48-xeLP8aGuW9QpHRMhW15nCNQshRtsekawrhi5Dl4_W6FANgGqPWr_SFDvL91DS_rshyWmz6Lgs9AnuhqbjrImwgGaxYJuMrc0qZ3CyciGK3W1MjR3pjdXv/s640/blogger-image-935836570.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3240239220063604690'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3240239220063604690'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/10/singapore-is-disappearing.html' title='Singapore is disappearing!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpb4aBLzBsLiggp1-AT0G8nijxn9Q48NZCSgIaSW0qdmBW91mHIPE2qhqeLmKua7VbJiCgwPz3Oih1ZGJWbNmRyhsIjBUh72TBbgxgRLapoZLdt8hZCScocNNGbNrGnX-s2xQA/s72-c/blogger-image--853899639.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Downtown Core Singapore</georss:featurename><georss:point>1.293067 103.858943</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6257196644596332352</id><published>2015-10-02T01:49:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-10-09T00:49:07.790+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Saturday Night Fever'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Altitude'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Haze'/><title type='text'>Singapore: the haze</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Last night we&nbsp;went to see <i>Saturday Night Fever</i> at the Marina Bay Sands.&nbsp;<b>Brandon Rubendal</b>l&nbsp;as "</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tony Manero" carried the&nbsp;entire show on his sexy shoulders, all by his fabulous self.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he girls came for&nbsp;drinks at the Conrad before the show and then afterwards</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;we went to <b>Altitude</b> at the top of <b>One Raffles Place</b>.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Two successive lifts took us up to the 62nd floor, up a flight of stairs, and right onto the open air rooftop where the view should've been fantastic,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">normally</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Alas, there was no view; thanks to this dreaded recurrent plague from the burning fields of Indonesia: the haze.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Still, there was a tightly packed crowd of determined late-nighters who seemed strangely oblivious to the&nbsp;sinister semi-solid air&nbsp;that engulfed them. All around, strategically placed giant fans&nbsp;struggled to make a dent in it but to no avail. Above us, the recently full Blood Moon flickered ineffectually.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We didn't stay. Frustrated, we elected to call it a day.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Singapore's bright lights have been dimmed.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I stayed indoors all day today. But even now, inside the hotel, I can taste this sick&nbsp;smelly&nbsp;air on my tongue. There's something niggling the back of my throat, my eyes are tearing, and my nose is runny.&nbsp;For some reason&nbsp;I feel like I'm inside a drum...and a tuning fork &nbsp;keeps pinging in my ear...&nbsp;</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6257196644596332352'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6257196644596332352'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/10/singapore-haze.html' title='Singapore: the haze'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDilKw6D2XaCuXUn-tQWTM9bsN4NUqoxucatp5bJ5RSMLoGJBRjmXX-zufd4qbJ8OZdbJLeSWF6eQofwvbf0XNuP_RHsicc9KRzjF6BfKXME3aRg4ui3Z1vqV5fH5iRzWHabrl/s72-c/blogger-image-973580375.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Downtown Core Singapore</georss:featurename><georss:point>1.293174 103.858755</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5915533757071741147</id><published>2015-09-23T20:27:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-24T06:23:42.179+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Holiday'/><title type='text'>The long journey home</title><content type='html'>We've been away five weeks. Time to go home.<div><br></div><div>We went from this...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi3A8bKk_RDW0XRQyOfd0Sgv6SkzRsVwL0JJKlc5MTV6avct_rc69g9AwGmevQlqwbIkajRavcGxWe6IHQCRHKPU9fdN1HtkqlWUun0Xh07whT_6bXOtCMrA5HIhAxXVB-YEe/s640/blogger-image--2094243615.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi3A8bKk_RDW0XRQyOfd0Sgv6SkzRsVwL0JJKlc5MTV6avct_rc69g9AwGmevQlqwbIkajRavcGxWe6IHQCRHKPU9fdN1HtkqlWUun0Xh07whT_6bXOtCMrA5HIhAxXVB-YEe/s640/blogger-image--2094243615.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>...to this in one afternoon<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFMVCnzQfYndQRoPxdjPTiFIjG37ht3rQdB1iRNfKuIVsCMJHpS6ZbLvora5QE4CP-Yfj_bz5yWIAcmtnwGbxR65dQobBKdlJEClNpbezlU90JOvIkI1h2FoKU1pJbuUE24Sb/s640/blogger-image-1135752409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFMVCnzQfYndQRoPxdjPTiFIjG37ht3rQdB1iRNfKuIVsCMJHpS6ZbLvora5QE4CP-Yfj_bz5yWIAcmtnwGbxR65dQobBKdlJEClNpbezlU90JOvIkI1h2FoKU1pJbuUE24Sb/s640/blogger-image-1135752409.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We decided to go straight back to Manila&nbsp;without the planned stops in London and Hong Kong. We left Madrid Monday afternoon, picked up our left luggage at the Conrad in London, stayed the night at a Heathrow Hilton, and flew to Hong Kong the next day with an immediate connection to Manila.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>The Hong Kong layover was just long enough to have lunch and download the new software for the Apple Watch.</div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5915533757071741147'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5915533757071741147'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/the-long-way-home.html' title='The long journey home'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi3A8bKk_RDW0XRQyOfd0Sgv6SkzRsVwL0JJKlc5MTV6avct_rc69g9AwGmevQlqwbIkajRavcGxWe6IHQCRHKPU9fdN1HtkqlWUun0Xh07whT_6bXOtCMrA5HIhAxXVB-YEe/s72-c/blogger-image--2094243615.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Bel-Air Makati</georss:featurename><georss:point>14.56101 121.021714</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1252547074702321660</id><published>2015-09-21T02:38:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-24T07:24:45.880+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='museum'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sculpture'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='open air sculpture museum'/><title type='text'>Madrid&#39;s Outdoor Sculpture Museum</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; 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margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWmOPGoDXUxnGQ6DguexMs0aZZPajozFWM4m2JoQuekiAhj8ugFkHZZa3Vsz7_5gX-EHEj1f0IVlxlBD55DlcPcvDuEWDY35S5er5l-sBn7pNoET5PL4cV-cgv2W3E2whj8ln/s640/blogger-image--1847650638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo10GJfAdCp-7rMAQTES_0lLEiWx_bC576yVWFaTHMNsq_Pj5J0RxYZ2y_PCFd4ua2TrDUxQZCgngz9z_Xp91DsGGxNHo-svGWigN_0IwaKWYRMJupcEuyPceoEHuhgQ2uJoc/s640/blogger-image-489368948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo10GJfAdCp-7rMAQTES_0lLEiWx_bC576yVWFaTHMNsq_Pj5J0RxYZ2y_PCFd4ua2TrDUxQZCgngz9z_Xp91DsGGxNHo-svGWigN_0IwaKWYRMJupcEuyPceoEHuhgQ2uJoc/s640/blogger-image-489368948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Kz_qofAgwbmanW8umEWz2Ym9FQkeFomOQNVWA5Q9LGRazZyrC5Gq6_Na0kHiAhgSiRxKLxmfjcVX0CVje-IDLF_iiRB1zFgtZgrJKefY6GYb7iFsWWIlP5ZsvSihxweyu1T6/s640/blogger-image-62153505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Under the flyover linking the streets of Juan Bravo and Eduardo Dato, a group of skateboarders are practicing their routines, the thump and clatter of their boards punctuating the buzz of traffic on Paseo de la Castellana. They nonchalantly weave in and out of monumental works of art scattered across the space</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">.&nbsp;</span></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This is the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Museo Arte Publico</strong><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">,</span><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">&nbsp;a</span>&nbsp;free outdoor&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">museum that is&nbsp;</span></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">home to a superb collection of Spanish abstract sculpture. Represented here are works of major artists like <b>Joán Miro</b>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<b>Eduardo Chillida</b>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It is one of the cleverest, most beautiful uses of available urban space I have ever seen.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7NqAWTmQYr6_gUGgjtL6cUSpTRerOvppwIUNcQKkPpudyls7nETjCEqYiJBZ6WKb3n_d8inWq8x-pQfiW9cG_UrdvlGGAfJxwfO8D7m5qaIUlvXEM7G0RkeO4kPEM9NezzjZ/s640/blogger-image-777587941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIiBDQXkQHAX2UqhM4YL7hzCpfqJzyDUWfXhIGFGy0mSuZlKrOng8vBbN6gqh13dWcXZkS2AO6vQUPPF1PYh7F0LR8Nx6B663G08HZrm119hyphenhyphen44VjYF7pMWrIWzwU1TmD-EUmJ/s640/blogger-image-1625402999.jpg"></span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydAgFqoL_0voH5rsTisYAhRo6iishu042HF4NjsK_ZBWwigsmPJXDKsEEIH_1tP78lD45-r0oWRzSiw3_EUPmb2EMoISr0dB2arBGFADuKAvMiTAWd0i_PEaqxe48JrkzljuO/s640/blogger-image-2055295649.jpg"></span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWmOPGoDXUxnGQ6DguexMs0aZZPajozFWM4m2JoQuekiAhj8ugFkHZZa3Vsz7_5gX-EHEj1f0IVlxlBD55DlcPcvDuEWDY35S5er5l-sBn7pNoET5PL4cV-cgv2W3E2whj8ln/s640/blogger-image--1847650638.jpg"></span></div><br></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1252547074702321660'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1252547074702321660'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/madrid-outdoor-sculpture-museum.html' title='Madrid&#39;s Outdoor Sculpture Museum'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7NqAWTmQYr6_gUGgjtL6cUSpTRerOvppwIUNcQKkPpudyls7nETjCEqYiJBZ6WKb3n_d8inWq8x-pQfiW9cG_UrdvlGGAfJxwfO8D7m5qaIUlvXEM7G0RkeO4kPEM9NezzjZ/s72-c/blogger-image-777587941.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Recoletos Salamanca</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.425393 -3.684415</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3944022405898344771</id><published>2015-09-19T22:22:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-24T06:17:49.488+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><title type='text'>More Madrid Restaurants</title><content type='html'><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In Salamanca, on Calle Claudio Coello,&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Oter Restaurant</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. It has a tapas bar and a dining room. Good fish, seafood.</span><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GvWc46fBosHafZmYdwB_AJh0UkVxJv59oRnc3ZIeE2fZ1gY2oMLupfnxaH6JuFe1_DfhywDSJICSsW02X3RRn-La6qGFuGNPQgPOEzzV8G6x1Rssg1rUC3GnDEa6_TqNAA2I/s640/blogger-image--681989204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GvWc46fBosHafZmYdwB_AJh0UkVxJv59oRnc3ZIeE2fZ1gY2oMLupfnxaH6JuFe1_DfhywDSJICSsW02X3RRn-La6qGFuGNPQgPOEzzV8G6x1Rssg1rUC3GnDEa6_TqNAA2I/s640/blogger-image--681989204.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Off Plaza Mayor, on Calle de la Bolsa, &nbsp;<b>La Imprenta</b>. For a light meal, an afternoon drink. Nice to sit at curbside,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">quiet street.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmNZE7jRFDXlEToJ1x3p94V_ihN9vNRTG2bd7ZbimGJXuUGY9cjq5zmUiZgFGL97UqikxR-PuBYD7QSp2QrNyRimygPxYLSDw4X7RyxdaO352VnqbUiv8QTP_bbt29eb_a57A/s640/blogger-image-1645104213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKmNZE7jRFDXlEToJ1x3p94V_ihN9vNRTG2bd7ZbimGJXuUGY9cjq5zmUiZgFGL97UqikxR-PuBYD7QSp2QrNyRimygPxYLSDw4X7RyxdaO352VnqbUiv8QTP_bbt29eb_a57A/s640/blogger-image-1645104213.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Again in Salamanca, on Calle Goya,&nbsp;<b>Nimú</b>,&nbsp;downstairs at the Adler Hotel. We chose this for our last evening in Madrid. Intimate, chic. Great food. The service here is what one rightly expects at a good restaurant but is sadly absent in too many establishments purporting to be good. &nbsp;(To describe professional, knowledgeable, &nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">well-mannered&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">restaurant service, can one say waiterly, as in painterly?) The fried chocolate dessert is addictive.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A great way to end a holiday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBKpcm-MnVxayyPW-w0Whr1dWvdFE5TmuLhyphenhyphenU5ismX3OogmGTnyur_4taEI4sySTLqpOd-r1TDtx4UTeTt1z6RG6kbklw1KwAg_nF-uBBpHEtjc0d_fKTY1cYGiZOCNyvammJ/s640/blogger-image--1740317750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBKpcm-MnVxayyPW-w0Whr1dWvdFE5TmuLhyphenhyphenU5ismX3OogmGTnyur_4taEI4sySTLqpOd-r1TDtx4UTeTt1z6RG6kbklw1KwAg_nF-uBBpHEtjc0d_fKTY1cYGiZOCNyvammJ/s640/blogger-image--1740317750.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3944022405898344771'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3944022405898344771'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/more-places-to-eat.html' title='More Madrid Restaurants'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GvWc46fBosHafZmYdwB_AJh0UkVxJv59oRnc3ZIeE2fZ1gY2oMLupfnxaH6JuFe1_DfhywDSJICSsW02X3RRn-La6qGFuGNPQgPOEzzV8G6x1Rssg1rUC3GnDEa6_TqNAA2I/s72-c/blogger-image--681989204.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Recoletos Salamanca</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.425494 -3.684345</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3415087036470706224</id><published>2015-09-17T22:18:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-17T23:01:34.236+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cape'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Capas Seseńa'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='shopping'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><title type='text'>Capas Seseña of Madrid</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Capas Seseña</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Calle de la Cruz consists of a long line of&nbsp;bars,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">small restaurants,&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">shops selling Iberico ham, and souvenir shops selling Spanish</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">mementos made in China. Most of the bars are shuttered during the day and&nbsp;come alive&nbsp;only in the evenings, to stay open all night and into the wee hours.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's an unattractive street littered with cigarette butts, its grimy walls scrawled over with unenthusiastic graffiti.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the midst of all this is a gem of a shop that sells only capes. All made&nbsp;from excellent Spanish wool&nbsp;onsite in an upstairs atelier.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Designer&nbsp;and cutter Carmen helped me try on several models. I tried everything: from the sinister- looking full-length black ones lined in red to the one&nbsp;I eventually settled on,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;a more contemporary shorter camel-colored one with a broad collar. This, after much agonizing and pining over the more dramatic braided ones which of course I would never find occasion to wear.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Carmen poses for me at her cutting table brandishing her formidable maestra's scissors:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx91_z8BuJer4rr2WbhELI8yJm2hGojUuy8kB70RLC3EWp1ZyIzuCjZt6KgfGvhOAAId3Sf80_Arei7x3pMhlCSxhyphenhyphenRyce-Elh0Nx2JB6sUmBGq947RdljTC0iatZNSnpwIS3/s640/blogger-image--115672997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx91_z8BuJer4rr2WbhELI8yJm2hGojUuy8kB70RLC3EWp1ZyIzuCjZt6KgfGvhOAAId3Sf80_Arei7x3pMhlCSxhyphenhyphenRyce-Elh0Nx2JB6sUmBGq947RdljTC0iatZNSnpwIS3/s640/blogger-image--115672997.jpg"></font></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3415087036470706224'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3415087036470706224'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/capas-sesena-of-madrid.html' title='Capas Seseña of Madrid'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtx91_z8BuJer4rr2WbhELI8yJm2hGojUuy8kB70RLC3EWp1ZyIzuCjZt6KgfGvhOAAId3Sf80_Arei7x3pMhlCSxhyphenhyphenRyce-Elh0Nx2JB6sUmBGq947RdljTC0iatZNSnpwIS3/s72-c/blogger-image--115672997.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Recoletos Salamanca</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.425488 -3.684293</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2362862462703101679</id><published>2015-09-16T18:29:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2016-05-26T17:48:06.298+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Huertas'/><title type='text'>Eating In and around Huertas</title><content type='html'><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Good food and good wine are not hard to find in Madrid. Servings are generous and prices are mostly low to very low.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Fatigas del Querer&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A lively, atmospheric bar decorated with beautiful azulejo tiles and artistically distressed walls designed to coyly suggest a colorful past. Most intriguing is its&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">poetic-sounding name. Our waiter told us it means "Dying for Love."&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's a popular neighborhood meeting place. Customers are warmly welcomed by the cheerful staff and most of them seem to know one another. Food is good, simply prepared. It comes piled high in huge platters. Good local wines.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Z323zqxKTvzIh4vkd68oU1ipyg6YUYuRcfvvgPGqgP3ZtHgTzlbMYDoUd16qoU6CnZGYDlpASnL6FeREAIQW_0cvxYzLBgWxUAgQfoV7nkpyxUMPhm6XSRK9Y3H6qJQalaa/s640/blogger-image-326682863.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Z323zqxKTvzIh4vkd68oU1ipyg6YUYuRcfvvgPGqgP3ZtHgTzlbMYDoUd16qoU6CnZGYDlpASnL6FeREAIQW_0cvxYzLBgWxUAgQfoV7nkpyxUMPhm6XSRK9Y3H6qJQalaa/s640/blogger-image-326682863.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTcUQusDBWceTOCSE4NhRSi6vn6pCk47S_liP7CjDVGWbFc-6X-aC5We26PjjHjrDiycjml-gNjqCZQP1KTkzp8g5jdKguLMzhZ6csPBx3NmzpkLcryz7MNNlchMKEtES1Ah_/s640/blogger-image-167909320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTcUQusDBWceTOCSE4NhRSi6vn6pCk47S_liP7CjDVGWbFc-6X-aC5We26PjjHjrDiycjml-gNjqCZQP1KTkzp8g5jdKguLMzhZ6csPBx3NmzpkLcryz7MNNlchMKEtES1Ah_/s640/blogger-image-167909320.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><b>La Finca de Susana</b></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This popular restaurant has recently moved to its present location on Calle Principe &nbsp;where &nbsp;it stands out with its&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">immaculate</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;freshly painted facade and brightly lit, smart contemporary styled interior.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWW05t141mAdfObgwG1KZfDOAVXu54EsNQ9WG8ZzlaLIH4vjAhEDYe-4kx7N6Sik02UbEiGJXUwcLFAQNRp2YkKMHgDjYz0inni2lkcqABZM59lmUZi2rYMfxf9z8Bf6lO95g/s640/blogger-image--491626614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQWW05t141mAdfObgwG1KZfDOAVXu54EsNQ9WG8ZzlaLIH4vjAhEDYe-4kx7N6Sik02UbEiGJXUwcLFAQNRp2YkKMHgDjYz0inni2lkcqABZM59lmUZi2rYMfxf9z8Bf6lO95g/s640/blogger-image--491626614.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A boorish waiter was in charge of the waiting list when we were there-&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">diners</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;waiting to be seated were shooed away to stand outside the restaurant llike street urchins come to oggle the patrons eating.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Otherwise this is an attractive place serving good food at very reasonable prices. Service at table is enthusiastic and swift, if a trifle disorganized.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide-EJ8uCfFj23tWe5IaBt8uX9DLJJHbjI-HEtafqOitFBv4lcXVn3VOmeWf5I3CnBTcRo1jkTqYE4wxPlCLTRkniGnx3K5alTtYh-qO2ZlhwPI7B-mUZ0vVOKcyzRBXu_YiQ9/s640/blogger-image-1400257616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEide-EJ8uCfFj23tWe5IaBt8uX9DLJJHbjI-HEtafqOitFBv4lcXVn3VOmeWf5I3CnBTcRo1jkTqYE4wxPlCLTRkniGnx3K5alTtYh-qO2ZlhwPI7B-mUZ0vVOKcyzRBXu_YiQ9/s640/blogger-image-1400257616.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>La Tia Cebolla</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We got caught out in the rain and found shelter in this friendly&nbsp;<i>taberna</i>. Perfect for people watching. Glass of house <i>tinto </i>at €2 comes with tapas of ham and cheese.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlv383HFs0Oxuu5GlozoyTV248po3tTZnDlkqX51vuJ2i2YEAcVEUjBuCcgg4iyaU_TbDsX6woU6fWtm7WlklSLyS27RnROgcICAZrOZdizMNm8Uma1M0LiOWO_-2cVf70qXl/s640/blogger-image--1492873880.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRlv383HFs0Oxuu5GlozoyTV248po3tTZnDlkqX51vuJ2i2YEAcVEUjBuCcgg4iyaU_TbDsX6woU6fWtm7WlklSLyS27RnROgcICAZrOZdizMNm8Uma1M0LiOWO_-2cVf70qXl/s640/blogger-image--1492873880.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhDx8b-lHqqsRui9dhV2Rj4atDmKskDA1YuOuxNgOqTmlGfctjqB-QyvgUbWcg5tavi_fl4CwHhbsC6wnsJqo9Ne6XigRIJTJz1lcDyUn-b0ily4g364hSj95abF488zXvr_1/s640/blogger-image-1908892866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhDx8b-lHqqsRui9dhV2Rj4atDmKskDA1YuOuxNgOqTmlGfctjqB-QyvgUbWcg5tavi_fl4CwHhbsC6wnsJqo9Ne6XigRIJTJz1lcDyUn-b0ily4g364hSj95abF488zXvr_1/s640/blogger-image-1908892866.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2362862462703101679'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2362862462703101679'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/huertas.html' title='Eating In and around Huertas'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA1Z323zqxKTvzIh4vkd68oU1ipyg6YUYuRcfvvgPGqgP3ZtHgTzlbMYDoUd16qoU6CnZGYDlpASnL6FeREAIQW_0cvxYzLBgWxUAgQfoV7nkpyxUMPhm6XSRK9Y3H6qJQalaa/s72-c/blogger-image-326682863.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Cortes Centro</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.415758 -3.696936</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6312942220645058653</id><published>2015-09-16T04:22:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-16T04:33:34.924+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Villareal'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Small Luxury Hotels of the World'/><title type='text'>The Hotel Villa Real Madrid</title><content type='html'>One of the first things hoteliers must learn to do is how to say no graciously. Because that is the first and maybe the only thing a guest will remember about the hotel.<div><br></div><div>When I asked the front desk at our hotel if it was possible to have a milder coffee for the machine inside our room, it was the way the man at the desk said no that immediately made me decide that the <b>Hotel Villa Real</b>&nbsp;in Madrid is not a hotel I'd be coming back to.</div><div><br></div><div>Never mind that the room is a bi-level suite with a private terrace and a nice view of the old city.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhQ4lsJaQSDqyTTaA4UrMts67HR5Spt-ANHq9yxjCucge7mn6UbaEeRUhxntg9YtidxGB2Cl10NXPl2hP_J4HmhyphenhyphenwiVTmhga_V3HCvSw2XZsvZf4dpQsSTn60lHDTr1F3Tmir/s640/blogger-image-934168111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhQ4lsJaQSDqyTTaA4UrMts67HR5Spt-ANHq9yxjCucge7mn6UbaEeRUhxntg9YtidxGB2Cl10NXPl2hP_J4HmhyphenhyphenwiVTmhga_V3HCvSw2XZsvZf4dpQsSTn60lHDTr1F3Tmir/s640/blogger-image-934168111.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>In the end, it's the people running the place that make the difference between a luxury hotel and just an ordinary tourist accommodation.</div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6312942220645058653'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6312942220645058653'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/the-hotel-villareal-madrid.html' title='The Hotel Villa Real Madrid'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYhQ4lsJaQSDqyTTaA4UrMts67HR5Spt-ANHq9yxjCucge7mn6UbaEeRUhxntg9YtidxGB2Cl10NXPl2hP_J4HmhyphenhyphenwiVTmhga_V3HCvSw2XZsvZf4dpQsSTn60lHDTr1F3Tmir/s72-c/blogger-image-934168111.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Cortes Centro</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.415618 -3.696884</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2143119487129049521</id><published>2015-09-13T20:46:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-15T22:23:45.250+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Holiday'/><title type='text'>Markets, musicals, cabarets, and circus acts</title><content type='html'><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Spontaneity and a thirst for adventure are great companions on any trip; and Stuart and I are great ones for unplanned holidays. But the total absence of any direction for this particular holiday amazes even me.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I guess you can say&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">we're chasing the sun. Or maybe just escaping the cold. Also, we're just going where our fancy takes us. By the seat of our pants kind of thing.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm into markets these days. And cabarets, and circus acts.&nbsp;I keep missing out on museums, art galleries, lectures, and other cultural endeavors. With a few exceptions.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The story so far:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">MILAN.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Milan is our usual entry point to Europe.</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We shopped a little, ate a lot, had a bit of wine- no, a lot...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi180u62gG-LVQQlnRkKp7j8FhFNXIZkMiXgJJMhxrE0x4z7p1wUr7SK5RHvEM3UkzmKUmc9IPz6PMp26rQYM3VmqvN5xKbbJSakXglUoND7s8uLeQL6BMOO_AgHMOmawUole/s640/blogger-image-1993120545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi180u62gG-LVQQlnRkKp7j8FhFNXIZkMiXgJJMhxrE0x4z7p1wUr7SK5RHvEM3UkzmKUmc9IPz6PMp26rQYM3VmqvN5xKbbJSakXglUoND7s8uLeQL6BMOO_AgHMOmawUole/s640/blogger-image-1993120545.jpg"></a></div><br></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">LONDON.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We did manage to see&nbsp;<i>La Bayadere</i> at the <b>Coliseum</b> and <i>Hamlet</i> at the <b>Barbican</b>, two of the hottest tickets in London this summer. Admittedly, Hamlet was more about <b>Benedict Cumberbatch</b> and the shocking retooling of the play than about Shakespeare.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After years of avoiding musicals- the last one I enjoyed was <i>Into the Woods</i>&nbsp;which I saw here while it was still in previews- we went to see two relatively new ones:&nbsp;<i>Memphis </i>and&nbsp;<i>Beautiful</i>. I was not thrilled with the first one; loved the second. Stuart enjoyed both.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There were meals in pubs and bistros, the fabulous&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Borough Market</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and a tentative stab at the famously rowdy&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Notting Hill Carnival</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. There were no gourmet tastings in celebrated restaurants.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No art galleries or museums. Only the&nbsp;<b>Tate Modern</b>, briefly. In fact, we couldn't get away quick enough. Not our kind of art.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And no lectures. One notable exception: Stuart's lecture. He gave a keynote speech at<b>&nbsp;University of&nbsp;</b></span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Essex</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">on </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Big Data Applications for Anti Money Laundering.</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> He of course got rave reviews but none from me as I only got to hear it in previews.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTUEyEV38RMm3lwvg7XzTATfv2FRhrueW8rsFM8Mx1yj5rvNA6x2VIFPq8f3TUuuGyR5c8NMkcuNUAzUSWvKQA8Vv21LBrP_gKTbNUQQjaGBR1W5iF70Fcc0jOSArHWCB3ArZ/s640/blogger-image--1204664799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTUEyEV38RMm3lwvg7XzTATfv2FRhrueW8rsFM8Mx1yj5rvNA6x2VIFPq8f3TUuuGyR5c8NMkcuNUAzUSWvKQA8Vv21LBrP_gKTbNUQQjaGBR1W5iF70Fcc0jOSArHWCB3ArZ/s640/blogger-image--1204664799.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Family thing: Flowers to Mum, <b>All Saints </b>in&nbsp;Theydon Garnon.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuWhTWV1r4nIIbiSAct2L7guY7DdN1DdI9NKmUz01KPlOwjE0rxZnslYuuEyT2BPtS_-3Ny7b43ptvwn_TJoUKgDdhPDjWK8FsPj62MzjNe6FrTV1mQV3RuXBnyyuThphNknx/s640/blogger-image--268046417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieuWhTWV1r4nIIbiSAct2L7guY7DdN1DdI9NKmUz01KPlOwjE0rxZnslYuuEyT2BPtS_-3Ny7b43ptvwn_TJoUKgDdhPDjWK8FsPj62MzjNe6FrTV1mQV3RuXBnyyuThphNknx/s640/blogger-image--268046417.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">MADRID.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">No Prado, no Thyssen.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lots of markets though:-&nbsp;<b>San Miguel,&nbsp;San Anton,&nbsp;La Paz,&nbsp;Platea.&nbsp;</b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><br></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kF-fPnsBuwt7wBD6TQ_Qcv3A6Y3oeO54S4-RGrtvB0TA3ZdKSKkxD7nJ4yhrlPPEhIkMjZ2NeFnVTXRh9iAMaO5FzXRiUAr2KiYszTKWMa3ZBDTXbMDUWcCyIcJyEpMj5Zjy/s640/blogger-image--2138981681.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kF-fPnsBuwt7wBD6TQ_Qcv3A6Y3oeO54S4-RGrtvB0TA3ZdKSKkxD7nJ4yhrlPPEhIkMjZ2NeFnVTXRh9iAMaO5FzXRiUAr2KiYszTKWMa3ZBDTXbMDUWcCyIcJyEpMj5Zjy/s640/blogger-image--2138981681.jpg"></a></div></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Two noteworthy restaurants-&nbsp;<b>Goya </b>(superb)&nbsp;and <b>El Paraguas </b>(not).</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Shopping and partying in the elegant Salamanca district.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfR1dlVxKd6N5fVnn6FCvRo_Mtxc0YCH_OjRyIQhYixrA7YdlrArn7gge-fzgs1qoFIFITOkCeX6mZ6oJniBNIAVYQRIZF7S4gK2dwsu2dGYZLQEaMN_AEDWHgmmHAnt9Kps9/s640/blogger-image-1465958117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfR1dlVxKd6N5fVnn6FCvRo_Mtxc0YCH_OjRyIQhYixrA7YdlrArn7gge-fzgs1qoFIFITOkCeX6mZ6oJniBNIAVYQRIZF7S4gK2dwsu2dGYZLQEaMN_AEDWHgmmHAnt9Kps9/s640/blogger-image-1465958117.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yGeyFQyZbylaR4XRubbfJ1lWPv6p34DESSusZrGBtQOjQCkoTSMQqnZDanaj8cZ97kxcjPavgKVABDvi3w99GrHHhmG8CVFpQDF-M8up7qOvQeC5-N8aCWzXPy1VtnzGHtKk/s640/blogger-image-122641073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yGeyFQyZbylaR4XRubbfJ1lWPv6p34DESSusZrGBtQOjQCkoTSMQqnZDanaj8cZ97kxcjPavgKVABDvi3w99GrHHhmG8CVFpQDF-M8up7qOvQeC5-N8aCWzXPy1VtnzGHtKk/s640/blogger-image-122641073.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">News flash: "Refugees Welcome " banner at the&nbsp;<b>Ayuntamiento.</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb00c2QV5lhj2dv59eFW_NwF0NS2MiW_39XJ5hPCJrZDU5CwnmsW_zRTaD1xn4ihxipM-uxCyJ_zdqWRWGWVo7rLRTsEZuBlwE_3_2uHEBqS9ooKoH3bVE5OC-XxrOIZr16wHO/s640/blogger-image-1525500669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb00c2QV5lhj2dv59eFW_NwF0NS2MiW_39XJ5hPCJrZDU5CwnmsW_zRTaD1xn4ihxipM-uxCyJ_zdqWRWGWVo7rLRTsEZuBlwE_3_2uHEBqS9ooKoH3bVE5OC-XxrOIZr16wHO/s640/blogger-image-1525500669.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">BACK TO LONDON.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A birthday treat from Lorna &amp; Tom:&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">dinner at&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">RSJ Bistro</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp; and superbly entertaining, deliciously low </span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Black Cat Cabaret</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;at </span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Southbank Centre.</b></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Family thing: Tea with Uncle John and Auntie Pat, Buckhurst Hill. This is Bertie, their baby.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RVqjO4KQP7eSl9d8HjJCMgnZ8Wd_2vWaRUfk7WhNAOtp4isG3lBfeodM3C1DXETaQX_8OLy5xQ_4EzfcShhJb1ZxQG6YG1Wxbq_U32Rq23s0QtbYAyzpg9DdEBM6MTjTDkdp/s640/blogger-image-936465943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RVqjO4KQP7eSl9d8HjJCMgnZ8Wd_2vWaRUfk7WhNAOtp4isG3lBfeodM3C1DXETaQX_8OLy5xQ_4EzfcShhJb1ZxQG6YG1Wxbq_U32Rq23s0QtbYAyzpg9DdEBM6MTjTDkdp/s640/blogger-image-936465943.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">News flash: <b>Jeremy Corbyn</b> wins as leader of the opposition; celebrates&nbsp;at <b>Sanctuary House</b>, the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">pub&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">next door to our hotel. View from our bedroom window:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH_D21244zSbY6HmLE1aS1MLqmBbqtbFHr9okPcx8507S8deQQOY0R72rUz7a0ylgSWYm9T8mcQRJiniiRhjousWlAwlLUwp2kz_QdZm_OYqrEocAMI5O5ZMpVdA0BCRDe4qw/s640/blogger-image--2116316591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpH_D21244zSbY6HmLE1aS1MLqmBbqtbFHr9okPcx8507S8deQQOY0R72rUz7a0ylgSWYm9T8mcQRJiniiRhjousWlAwlLUwp2kz_QdZm_OYqrEocAMI5O5ZMpVdA0BCRDe4qw/s640/blogger-image--2116316591.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWtkSsC70M0iF7NHDMA82RE8BTNGhHi-hskWYo-RebXp_HTdrXOBxIhot-eA_xhUS1FvdUL_QLeQsOU4JUEd5XeFMVeDZwzmtYIcoc-1pZuhQb-t8Mjzwv4ZsEQE5pV8bIs2M/s640/blogger-image--1743477840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmWtkSsC70M0iF7NHDMA82RE8BTNGhHi-hskWYo-RebXp_HTdrXOBxIhot-eA_xhUS1FvdUL_QLeQsOU4JUEd5XeFMVeDZwzmtYIcoc-1pZuhQb-t8Mjzwv4ZsEQE5pV8bIs2M/s640/blogger-image--1743477840.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And tomorrow, BACK TO MADRID.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At least to get those boots at <b>Meermin</b>&nbsp;and an all weather jacket. Sounds like a plan, right?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2143119487129049521'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2143119487129049521'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/markets-musicals-cabarets-and-circus.html' title='Markets, musicals, cabarets, and circus acts'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOi180u62gG-LVQQlnRkKp7j8FhFNXIZkMiXgJJMhxrE0x4z7p1wUr7SK5RHvEM3UkzmKUmc9IPz6PMp26rQYM3VmqvN5xKbbJSakXglUoND7s8uLeQL6BMOO_AgHMOmawUole/s72-c/blogger-image-1993120545.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Westminster London</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.499366 -0.132875</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4423466622019923110</id><published>2015-09-10T05:24:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-20T18:38:18.511+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Adler'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Salamanca district'/><title type='text'>At Adler Hotel</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The day after my birthday, we m</span>oved to a n<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ew hotel, a new neighborhood, a new vibe. For the first day of the rest of my life.&nbsp;</span></div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Adler&nbsp;</b><b>Hotel </b>is located&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in tony Barrio Salamanca,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;at the junction of Calle de Goya and Calle de Velásquez, amidst quiet shops, cafes, and restaurants. No malls in sight.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9m1C95-5kk4ukkXaaZsbUkuNL91R8UGTzG9p3d0bBZ5qcEbEr2FJXWWoAytqk98hzXu3eCUvCN6TqTAMdbTcCPIoAaA6hYTAR8CzfpAnvvZBC7Qmf4MXe-b0ZtKUyI8T0Jfh/s640/blogger-image--1508335348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9m1C95-5kk4ukkXaaZsbUkuNL91R8UGTzG9p3d0bBZ5qcEbEr2FJXWWoAytqk98hzXu3eCUvCN6TqTAMdbTcCPIoAaA6hYTAR8CzfpAnvvZBC7Qmf4MXe-b0ZtKUyI8T0Jfh/s640/blogger-image--1508335348.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xVJlbh19OXRKg6KbAN-VBENmErTdl8aV6RhehtmZUZfNM5wj9NmfI5knMpcDRwOfpwapVWvIqK0l_xPY-p-1wbQL0oAeQ8HYk399bMZH8ByQEszXIj8inWEDXLQWaqAJNFda/s640/blogger-image-652890155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xVJlbh19OXRKg6KbAN-VBENmErTdl8aV6RhehtmZUZfNM5wj9NmfI5knMpcDRwOfpwapVWvIqK0l_xPY-p-1wbQL0oAeQ8HYk399bMZH8ByQEszXIj8inWEDXLQWaqAJNFda/s640/blogger-image-652890155.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF8dzPzBaQAsPtVwB4eaBYZoPtf7L6MzFBts8DeCLT3ydJRzXew1VYLMeGXdksZd8Rqb0YOOPp3bRMe7AQQs3W0ENHA-ud2JRO0CLASCjnx5YPDUbjtzlh0wfnSjAN7fwMPzF/s640/blogger-image-760697255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinF8dzPzBaQAsPtVwB4eaBYZoPtf7L6MzFBts8DeCLT3ydJRzXew1VYLMeGXdksZd8Rqb0YOOPp3bRMe7AQQs3W0ENHA-ud2JRO0CLASCjnx5YPDUbjtzlh0wfnSjAN7fwMPzF/s640/blogger-image-760697255.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Shopping in Salamanca.</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Elegant shops.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Clothes at&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Trucco</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Spagnolo.</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Shoes at&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Meermin. </b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Jackets at </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Hakei</b>.</span></div></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></b></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM49eLyyG4G8ymHaSstySZQz84xA77mhqbexhu4dJ-fJZOjiujVSPl4SH3oX8UgR3ULNm8QxrXX9PXERMbfb0yxw7b0DqLFiMSseiibxiY_qSRBEnIMFO1vognNME4fEHBlSoM/s640/blogger-image-194391126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM49eLyyG4G8ymHaSstySZQz84xA77mhqbexhu4dJ-fJZOjiujVSPl4SH3oX8UgR3ULNm8QxrXX9PXERMbfb0yxw7b0DqLFiMSseiibxiY_qSRBEnIMFO1vognNME4fEHBlSoM/s640/blogger-image-194391126.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y8_QGJBqoEzMix-E06VAgDjWHVGjYpP-bTApODrgaDHLfXu7QL82bMy1b4OiOrWlnKgrJzXffJOlpWPeeitgU-lrIo6CWqyzuJmvgqZKX2zx6IOzy7B99Cs8GhhbJQqT75AI/s640/blogger-image--1205439120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Y8_QGJBqoEzMix-E06VAgDjWHVGjYpP-bTApODrgaDHLfXu7QL82bMy1b4OiOrWlnKgrJzXffJOlpWPeeitgU-lrIo6CWqyzuJmvgqZKX2zx6IOzy7B99Cs8GhhbJQqT75AI/s640/blogger-image--1205439120.jpg"></font></a></div></b></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The fitting rooms at&nbsp;<b>Spagnolo</b>.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe3L-KyEEA7G1Yl0eX8oKHfdQr9J_1Mxn75vmb-EMaxGgBtvNixpc6Yz5uW8091UFXyNRt7vdYIzRIF6aB4m9BFHb9klpfPjWJDGdKUXiCigzTOLRdocIsv6k_WT8Mk90bOVY/s640/blogger-image--917704216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDe3L-KyEEA7G1Yl0eX8oKHfdQr9J_1Mxn75vmb-EMaxGgBtvNixpc6Yz5uW8091UFXyNRt7vdYIzRIF6aB4m9BFHb9klpfPjWJDGdKUXiCigzTOLRdocIsv6k_WT8Mk90bOVY/s640/blogger-image--917704216.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Restaurants.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>El Paraguas.&nbsp;</b></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Interesting but not my favorite. A little too pleased with themselves I think. I was unimpressed by the service- it was disorganized and lacking in charm. I wasn't terribly excited about the food either. We had fabada, seabass, and trotters with morels and black truffles. Frankly, </span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Terry's</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;(</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">our neighborhood Spanish bistro in Makati) serves better food.</span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Platea</b>&nbsp;on the Plaza de Colón is a food hall in what was once a cinema. The hotel concierge recommended it, saying it's like Mercado de San Miguel but the tapas&nbsp;here</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;is gourmet. Food, drinks, and theatre. We love it and keep coming back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-weight: bold; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcaxyPkVIqj6WVfix_jJTY8C8aDXDBZi5Uu6SGYo9Jw8h6Lnb9-li2SR28tUbja64yD02XCDi4sVjiHo8GaG24xkrHKIub9_O-uRYkHQewoWrcZe3JBvXE5b9sb6bJlGRPLNi/s640/blogger-image--472517206.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBcaxyPkVIqj6WVfix_jJTY8C8aDXDBZi5Uu6SGYo9Jw8h6Lnb9-li2SR28tUbja64yD02XCDi4sVjiHo8GaG24xkrHKIub9_O-uRYkHQewoWrcZe3JBvXE5b9sb6bJlGRPLNi/s640/blogger-image--472517206.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">We usually end the day with&nbsp;</font></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">fried chocolates&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>a</font>t the hotel's&nbsp;<b>Nimú&nbsp;</b>bar</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Last night, the</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>maitre d'</i></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;said the chocolates would go wonderfully with alcohol. So he poured a shot</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;of Superstition&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">whisky</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;for me and a glass of Pedro Ximenez for Stuart. Just a drop, he insisted. He was right- the combination was good.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-zb-zO3FP0v6TQEmGum0L_-nHBPkRH2ofqMsC2jrxQ1Aqolkl79h0Jzj4f16D6iUo0DHgoE7UbTWELmlEvayxW-9zwQtJ0mpUnT5lRDOcO1jeivfirH24vKcLK5vUZb0Tn5u/s640/blogger-image-953436838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-zb-zO3FP0v6TQEmGum0L_-nHBPkRH2ofqMsC2jrxQ1Aqolkl79h0Jzj4f16D6iUo0DHgoE7UbTWELmlEvayxW-9zwQtJ0mpUnT5lRDOcO1jeivfirH24vKcLK5vUZb0Tn5u/s640/blogger-image-953436838.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4423466622019923110'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4423466622019923110'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/at-hotel-adler.html' title='At Adler Hotel'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9m1C95-5kk4ukkXaaZsbUkuNL91R8UGTzG9p3d0bBZ5qcEbEr2FJXWWoAytqk98hzXu3eCUvCN6TqTAMdbTcCPIoAaA6hYTAR8CzfpAnvvZBC7Qmf4MXe-b0ZtKUyI8T0Jfh/s72-c/blogger-image--1508335348.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Recoletos Salamanca</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.425261 -3.684625</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1010194052509546529</id><published>2015-09-07T19:16:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-19T04:09:30.063+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ritz'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madrid'/><title type='text'>Madrid</title><content type='html'><b><br></b><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart and I like grand old hotels. We like seeing them before they get modernized and homogenized.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DBs7XJA-9Z1W_FaXFAP3uFvgY82iFHyxnvDlbTSNQDon4bCOfBlrMaxwuHa6dslxUBEiA5wyX3Cksq2WX1gAcEZcxohyUGcNxRogphuVZIbqj67KhqoENb5o0Okp64ZGqHJs/s640/blogger-image--796987377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DBs7XJA-9Z1W_FaXFAP3uFvgY82iFHyxnvDlbTSNQDon4bCOfBlrMaxwuHa6dslxUBEiA5wyX3Cksq2WX1gAcEZcxohyUGcNxRogphuVZIbqj67KhqoENb5o0Okp64ZGqHJs/s640/blogger-image--796987377.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hotel Ritz Madrid&nbsp;</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">is certainly old</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, and in some ways still grand. However it's not The Ritz anymore. The property was acquired by the <b>Mandarin Oriental</b>&nbsp;last May and is due to be retrofitted next year.</span></div><div><br></div><div>This means now is the best time to be here, before the renovators and designers swoop in.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyjq2Gg0qnRMNcG_XaO0VcPw-ziavUfI9rJqehgtsixFdXyQB-dm0nqjqcDwbv2atwylOhcOeesr6oHeHlIQLCQIxN0fsvjISy_Umwmgl5P-rlDY76hPhQSGCBiFcKtctTgml/s640/blogger-image-48251820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyjq2Gg0qnRMNcG_XaO0VcPw-ziavUfI9rJqehgtsixFdXyQB-dm0nqjqcDwbv2atwylOhcOeesr6oHeHlIQLCQIxN0fsvjISy_Umwmgl5P-rlDY76hPhQSGCBiFcKtctTgml/s640/blogger-image-48251820.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtoECbQfqQ02Ju5s-qAfRv-1zw42Xtuv-os5HGj007jPG-6uH9_Vsfm-FVNZm7_z7RUyaNfEnAuwbW3czdy6yWvC_Dfo9rsdvgGQQtKr3NDI5zAojqMwKF1948ISXxQG_uPdY/s640/blogger-image-2032313424.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtoECbQfqQ02Ju5s-qAfRv-1zw42Xtuv-os5HGj007jPG-6uH9_Vsfm-FVNZm7_z7RUyaNfEnAuwbW3czdy6yWvC_Dfo9rsdvgGQQtKr3NDI5zAojqMwKF1948ISXxQG_uPdY/s640/blogger-image-2032313424.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sgYVdtVgsoJ5HkQ-04gl4LqnEjUf749NU3MoGSukwVDcYp2J-c-oPesLfPidO9_PNqRUV4YPq4sdVDDIw5Vfd1SnrENw4fcsjSVYfY1pC9dxzjjNLGF2WyB5fpenajRkzTL1/s640/blogger-image--2028646020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sgYVdtVgsoJ5HkQ-04gl4LqnEjUf749NU3MoGSukwVDcYp2J-c-oPesLfPidO9_PNqRUV4YPq4sdVDDIw5Vfd1SnrENw4fcsjSVYfY1pC9dxzjjNLGF2WyB5fpenajRkzTL1/s640/blogger-image--2028646020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrd8ov1mgLSJXOysK2RUUGBs8OudIfIbFgO9Yap-wRUhRAZmSWw3aUMmm8AaaYjwOzPboDu_GszFb7ifL9dHDINaiP1E9ohy8Uxn6aqsSzrUoQl4W8EzTkl-GIOEaOpTf162-/s640/blogger-image--1729316222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKrd8ov1mgLSJXOysK2RUUGBs8OudIfIbFgO9Yap-wRUhRAZmSWw3aUMmm8AaaYjwOzPboDu_GszFb7ifL9dHDINaiP1E9ohy8Uxn6aqsSzrUoQl4W8EzTkl-GIOEaOpTf162-/s640/blogger-image--1729316222.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Beautiful bed linen, blankets and bed covers; no quick-change duvets here. Enormous thick bath towels big as bedsheets to get lost in. Embroidered shower curtains...oops, shower curtains? Really? Oh well, the bathroom has to go...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXkzkuPVCaRlUCXqElHjFcXMOycvDabJrBBHIciwVh6XxHwPtoJTutHw92RT6S-WxrCRMMS6wzBCl4cAtoUmyxvmpB0bzQDz87D7oRPRJwR1-bjvxNZQOn6qAGRgeoVs7gje5/s640/blogger-image--177170581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPXkzkuPVCaRlUCXqElHjFcXMOycvDabJrBBHIciwVh6XxHwPtoJTutHw92RT6S-WxrCRMMS6wzBCl4cAtoUmyxvmpB0bzQDz87D7oRPRJwR1-bjvxNZQOn6qAGRgeoVs7gje5/s640/blogger-image--177170581.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWoMdt9bZbrceCWnujFb3RdmvBbOX5_4UU0EqlLiubd0mwBA2y-AnmjKSpYb1NMgDDzCwmc00hm_6_5-qt5lj1J8XG3Jmg00G_efP_Hewawq73fmD-V5ctV-0TDMexo-vO7QO/s640/blogger-image--1735986622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcWoMdt9bZbrceCWnujFb3RdmvBbOX5_4UU0EqlLiubd0mwBA2y-AnmjKSpYb1NMgDDzCwmc00hm_6_5-qt5lj1J8XG3Jmg00G_efP_Hewawq73fmD-V5ctV-0TDMexo-vO7QO/s640/blogger-image--1735986622.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN_I5DyLOPrIBO6G9P_9EmhB0ERie9Np8fLSoMp00u8T0PbhqlXvhxRpR_AKNJOPUv4CbciH3YSp8ZkZdf7wOVRYi5W7v8jird5QOm1DeD9ohMvBc3CCWQR65zhlJVMWr3fLB/s640/blogger-image--202853169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKN_I5DyLOPrIBO6G9P_9EmhB0ERie9Np8fLSoMp00u8T0PbhqlXvhxRpR_AKNJOPUv4CbciH3YSp8ZkZdf7wOVRYi5W7v8jird5QOm1DeD9ohMvBc3CCWQR65zhlJVMWr3fLB/s640/blogger-image--202853169.jpg"></a></div><br></div>But please don't touch the <b>Krug Bar</b>! Except maybe to replace some of the really old and faded framed photos that line the walls. We've offered ours:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIoi9jRHb4tMfuDMM8PKQw3meGF-9R0x9jR3ucl8O3Rg8LyG6B4V6aK-YFz1Fqw1qIRadtnHlR8V6MLfxOOfVAFagbTGinNptnCYWFfsBMVf1lyfwhOrXSFqHhscROqugMhCK/s640/blogger-image-1124712953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRIoi9jRHb4tMfuDMM8PKQw3meGF-9R0x9jR3ucl8O3Rg8LyG6B4V6aK-YFz1Fqw1qIRadtnHlR8V6MLfxOOfVAFagbTGinNptnCYWFfsBMVf1lyfwhOrXSFqHhscROqugMhCK/s640/blogger-image-1124712953.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And <i>maître d'</i>&nbsp;Juan Jose must stay at <b>Goya</b>&nbsp;to ensure a dinner service that's&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">quietly&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">elegant, knowledgeable, and unobtrusively solicitous.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mfVwrMrAS80DWIdObnJkUbLHyUcUV1kGZkAT6D5G5ywXbTtYwVqPtjWdxDvGj8PiSeQnyONXrZGBg7WKbUkgT4Y9EOnC4KNprE8n-aQY0VUsFVBWHBaHfPb8JTt1oKN2TIKn/s640/blogger-image--1218184884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mfVwrMrAS80DWIdObnJkUbLHyUcUV1kGZkAT6D5G5ywXbTtYwVqPtjWdxDvGj8PiSeQnyONXrZGBg7WKbUkgT4Y9EOnC4KNprE8n-aQY0VUsFVBWHBaHfPb8JTt1oKN2TIKn/s640/blogger-image--1218184884.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbojW8zu2Jlh6yPcriKygHz4FivU0tAQHsKZ-rJmmkjDBsTPejXq7fFeqzF3Sj33OVQ2QKvmNjVZUmP862QZEfdKp_Wo0DKbAVY-RmIum5eHaivcOYiO8zaXjXdvrQg3ihzV_X/s640/blogger-image--984208301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbojW8zu2Jlh6yPcriKygHz4FivU0tAQHsKZ-rJmmkjDBsTPejXq7fFeqzF3Sj33OVQ2QKvmNjVZUmP862QZEfdKp_Wo0DKbAVY-RmIum5eHaivcOYiO8zaXjXdvrQg3ihzV_X/s640/blogger-image--984208301.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Okay,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">now</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;you can renovate the hotel.</span></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0vK5_UWLdRD1UihlcOK9cLbHAD4WtANLb4bvXsrxMsf3phhti1rlWIexrpm5emLY7A_Rp_njKUxvybpLC-PLG1Sku_g7uzO44i8Pk_qULDZC-JRMr4Ea8RcNSms-Epn2m-nO/s640/blogger-image--749240306.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0vK5_UWLdRD1UihlcOK9cLbHAD4WtANLb4bvXsrxMsf3phhti1rlWIexrpm5emLY7A_Rp_njKUxvybpLC-PLG1Sku_g7uzO44i8Pk_qULDZC-JRMr4Ea8RcNSms-Epn2m-nO/s640/blogger-image--749240306.jpg"></font></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1010194052509546529'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1010194052509546529'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/madrid.html' title='Madrid'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-DBs7XJA-9Z1W_FaXFAP3uFvgY82iFHyxnvDlbTSNQDon4bCOfBlrMaxwuHa6dslxUBEiA5wyX3Cksq2WX1gAcEZcxohyUGcNxRogphuVZIbqj67KhqoENb5o0Okp64ZGqHJs/s72-c/blogger-image--796987377.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Retiro Retiro</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.412214 -3.692097</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8860728572010606523</id><published>2015-09-04T21:09:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-06T01:19:48.628+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Benedict Cumberbatch'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='All Saints Theydon Garnon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='carnival'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Strutton Ground Market'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='theatrehamlet'/><title type='text'>London Diary</title><content type='html'><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The week so far.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This grey day at the&nbsp;<b>Notting Hill Carnival</b>&nbsp;has been a rare rain-free day in&nbsp;London Town.&nbsp;I like the nice brisk air though, no coats required.</span><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6kgbFizAmLxqaQICzflNvlrhcPdIwSayk2-Djbkomy-0swNbX0GOkaaJ_qdVucw8TMyILw-uC-as1hAAO2sG3wKnbu_2Mv-oWFLO4oeHfGIpwz4r5ykWI9XkAFYEfX7to5yb/s640/blogger-image-1244135354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6kgbFizAmLxqaQICzflNvlrhcPdIwSayk2-Djbkomy-0swNbX0GOkaaJ_qdVucw8TMyILw-uC-as1hAAO2sG3wKnbu_2Mv-oWFLO4oeHfGIpwz4r5ykWI9XkAFYEfX7to5yb/s640/blogger-image-1244135354.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRnNOMgt1qzt_Hw6BtsN5CeJTC91iAtXzIT1pi_a-tzI5MdHLuiw6i7hyphenhypheniCz8MOiz_o4kfvnUmIXhMaTc4jXNmqWaESwHdWkgRyx8F3njGxdD9FUV7_PiuDF2IebSLNLNPj0G/s640/blogger-image--2045087142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNRnNOMgt1qzt_Hw6BtsN5CeJTC91iAtXzIT1pi_a-tzI5MdHLuiw6i7hyphenhypheniCz8MOiz_o4kfvnUmIXhMaTc4jXNmqWaESwHdWkgRyx8F3njGxdD9FUV7_PiuDF2IebSLNLNPj0G/s640/blogger-image--2045087142.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dyrzUSCvAOMxfiOgDScc6p8SxamD3qvj6rx10Ijr6CI2OC9TOpTVQRESUXW4rdsThC-AjKCRJG_2qprIglpEWXvEoqnCNeiM4K6NWU9j3XFxJ2mP4-h6gSDxnaLRNOTolGLL/s640/blogger-image--1579126946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2dyrzUSCvAOMxfiOgDScc6p8SxamD3qvj6rx10Ijr6CI2OC9TOpTVQRESUXW4rdsThC-AjKCRJG_2qprIglpEWXvEoqnCNeiM4K6NWU9j3XFxJ2mP4-h6gSDxnaLRNOTolGLL/s640/blogger-image--1579126946.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Monday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At-home&nbsp;gourmet&nbsp;dinner at Tom &amp; Lorna's posh Hampstead home. I insisted on sitting at the coffee table rather than at the grown-up dining table and Tom agreed. We were cosy, chatty, and over-fed.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tuesday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>All Saints, Theydon Garnon</b>.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sun's out! Finally got to bring Lorna's flowers to Mum.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkQRVf4ZhgufNoaPVHVQdWTV8mU3uoUqYMPG5OxU6f0quSEn8XJXQku0yvP25XCIMZ5nAl5wHvfnBkz2sV3Ds0ESgaeI7Ft0rpSB8pSrgXDVAI7NeyTRpbiZRqK8IbDANHtbt/s640/blogger-image--1365221482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxkQRVf4ZhgufNoaPVHVQdWTV8mU3uoUqYMPG5OxU6f0quSEn8XJXQku0yvP25XCIMZ5nAl5wHvfnBkz2sV3Ds0ESgaeI7Ft0rpSB8pSrgXDVAI7NeyTRpbiZRqK8IbDANHtbt/s640/blogger-image--1365221482.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV7-ippqJs-AaHJfS9CW6qWtvzj3_EbzXqJds2TKwmQXHOdIW4GiRaq4c_WIeRLhXxRSXlarikTDraEKy1Cv1wSETx75Eqiq1mxqnT8i7VcfvYi3iv1T3MVZyO2pgiBRgsCN6/s640/blogger-image-1197059066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV7-ippqJs-AaHJfS9CW6qWtvzj3_EbzXqJds2TKwmQXHOdIW4GiRaq4c_WIeRLhXxRSXlarikTDraEKy1Cv1wSETx75Eqiq1mxqnT8i7VcfvYi3iv1T3MVZyO2pgiBRgsCN6/s640/blogger-image-1197059066.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUuIhUE_gM6qyuBWTRkFRUG100yPUZNGQtSdQwLtBOcaz1mi34EowzpuU8Wi1ie-VUuEVKfkqxvHxHvWCFmpKmEjaIB7yqR0hKmCeq4aEomf5AnfYESlnllskO9WU8HfqgDDQ/s640/blogger-image--1376443352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcUuIhUE_gM6qyuBWTRkFRUG100yPUZNGQtSdQwLtBOcaz1mi34EowzpuU8Wi1ie-VUuEVKfkqxvHxHvWCFmpKmEjaIB7yqR0hKmCeq4aEomf5AnfYESlnllskO9WU8HfqgDDQ/s640/blogger-image--1376443352.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wednesday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>Memphis&nbsp;</i>at the&nbsp;<b>Shaftesbury</b><i>.&nbsp;</i>The talented cast did try but the music was uninteresting, the choreography clichéd, and the storytelling weak. Despite all this, the house rose to its feet for a rousing standing ovation. Very puzzling. We were the first to leave.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Even more puzzling, this show garnered Broadway's<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Award_for_Best_Musical" title="Tony Award for Best Musical" style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; text-decoration: none;">Tony Award for Best Musical</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;2010&nbsp;and London's<span style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit;">&nbsp;</span><a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whatsonstage.com_Awards" title="Whatsonstage.com Awards" style="font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; text-decoration: none;">WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical</a>&nbsp;in&nbsp;2015. Go figure!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thursday.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At&nbsp;<b>Strutton Ground Market</b>. Lunch at&nbsp;<b>Blanche</b>. Lovely cherry tart for dessert.</span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGBDA-yMQ0w-RxjuRPu83UBUQdLAoquzhjbPuqS_myEQLL0okHNCoVLN0BboXM937Y2BjWGICHH_juKEgzgVpNih0_n7dJzhdQ9C1vsjrXFF1J6TLzKjgGXAX5S28vfvECmkE/s640/blogger-image--1351367389.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGBDA-yMQ0w-RxjuRPu83UBUQdLAoquzhjbPuqS_myEQLL0okHNCoVLN0BboXM937Y2BjWGICHH_juKEgzgVpNih0_n7dJzhdQ9C1vsjrXFF1J6TLzKjgGXAX5S28vfvECmkE/s640/blogger-image--1351367389.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"></div></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the magnificent&nbsp;<b>Westminster Cathedral.</b>&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme0ydK16x0Ys3_OZxDcInXKy9IEvCAHs7nIr9lkrx72WZsYrh3lRtcryXYth-qW_WB7kalFrnhDTyG1OzCrGQzGZ-VXL3PrLl_M_ZeZemohn15EUjArTli8xNCQqN7SqCWDs2/s640/blogger-image-1271859916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjme0ydK16x0Ys3_OZxDcInXKy9IEvCAHs7nIr9lkrx72WZsYrh3lRtcryXYth-qW_WB7kalFrnhDTyG1OzCrGQzGZ-VXL3PrLl_M_ZeZemohn15EUjArTli8xNCQqN7SqCWDs2/s640/blogger-image-1271859916.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxdN9AatO6QpqqFGdURB7M6_psVSzB-vaKyaeFHQLmYJ1W5LYerRgNkuATHyiDpRhjTlcyoMH6RrzrM41-FlkLrIYr_PYI7VwXt_Ikfjmcz9X_Cr-kKnxeAyeLxV2FuxFEiGD/s640/blogger-image-877374737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxdN9AatO6QpqqFGdURB7M6_psVSzB-vaKyaeFHQLmYJ1W5LYerRgNkuATHyiDpRhjTlcyoMH6RrzrM41-FlkLrIYr_PYI7VwXt_Ikfjmcz9X_Cr-kKnxeAyeLxV2FuxFEiGD/s640/blogger-image-877374737.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The glorious mosaic ceilings.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LIGfxJ1cU6NlremQ0d8DwViup71Jk5FXLOlbHCjCM264OgZygHC3KRlSSKvdzpcr0JDQphYx_6usB3-PgXbon-OQ1yExvnPdNAzIFc9_qyYyh48OvB53ap2Nlo5WC8aLSJQC/s640/blogger-image-1376527409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LIGfxJ1cU6NlremQ0d8DwViup71Jk5FXLOlbHCjCM264OgZygHC3KRlSSKvdzpcr0JDQphYx_6usB3-PgXbon-OQ1yExvnPdNAzIFc9_qyYyh48OvB53ap2Nlo5WC8aLSJQC/s640/blogger-image-1376527409.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuBRuO4As1qCkiNir9HoNgpoStqr5j-KBvkXPRPe59Jj_PFTZrZyaw1Ti_aSIw0JnRIBAJKP4A-il5hOLs4tMJ-q5tZqdEx_mGwBSk39U205dQK5s0D-3hah_kmXeqGK-mXlM/s640/blogger-image--30734302.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuBRuO4As1qCkiNir9HoNgpoStqr5j-KBvkXPRPe59Jj_PFTZrZyaw1Ti_aSIw0JnRIBAJKP4A-il5hOLs4tMJ-q5tZqdEx_mGwBSk39U205dQK5s0D-3hah_kmXeqGK-mXlM/s640/blogger-image--30734302.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A little shopping for my&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">birthday present! 💝</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then evening at&nbsp;<i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Beautiful, the Carole King Musical</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;at the&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Aldwych</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Most enjoyable! I was dancing at curtain call.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9aYLeDyGKkZx9rLNSq0S0JQyhv50Q0keI1_6q-Yfu-sIIv_HxD_F64ELFz7Sa9NW20illMgGNKPAuJjZxDMfakNsX6DChBFELsZ63pZt7ahe00Ldjm1frQPPiwHvhpGTjqmX/s640/blogger-image--1213367481.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9aYLeDyGKkZx9rLNSq0S0JQyhv50Q0keI1_6q-Yfu-sIIv_HxD_F64ELFz7Sa9NW20illMgGNKPAuJjZxDMfakNsX6DChBFELsZ63pZt7ahe00Ldjm1frQPPiwHvhpGTjqmX/s640/blogger-image--1213367481.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Friday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Cold and grey. Stayed indoors with a take out lunch from the market.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Saturday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pub lunch next door at <b>Feathers.&nbsp;</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tonight is the night! <i>Hamlet</i>! I hope Cumbers (as in&nbsp;<b>Benedict Cumberbatch)&nbsp;</b>doesn't let me down!<b>&nbsp;</b>Will report on it next blog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8860728572010606523'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8860728572010606523'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/london-diary.html' title='London Diary'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6kgbFizAmLxqaQICzflNvlrhcPdIwSayk2-Djbkomy-0swNbX0GOkaaJ_qdVucw8TMyILw-uC-as1hAAO2sG3wKnbu_2Mv-oWFLO4oeHfGIpwz4r5ykWI9XkAFYEfX7to5yb/s72-c/blogger-image-1244135354.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Westminster London</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.499365 -0.132826</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-794477366118929473</id><published>2015-09-02T00:33:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-02T01:21:50.558+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='All Saints'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Theydon Garnon'/><title type='text'>At All Saints</title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div>At&nbsp;<b>All Saints </b>in&nbsp;<b>Theydon Garnon</b> to bring Lorna's flowers to Mum.&nbsp;<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gzEWnEoVhRVe93KnalRC8X2c9KjhWDuCCXwnnGDiKVEU9TyJ-6jc_szC9OrtC0koYmxM8Iz7fmWo4pqU9Ki-x7ExTO_zSnynDrbCNQSSdRlBM_bVP_YBqK38SZORhyphenhyphenTKGqtm/s640/blogger-image--1881036974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gzEWnEoVhRVe93KnalRC8X2c9KjhWDuCCXwnnGDiKVEU9TyJ-6jc_szC9OrtC0koYmxM8Iz7fmWo4pqU9Ki-x7ExTO_zSnynDrbCNQSSdRlBM_bVP_YBqK38SZORhyphenhyphenTKGqtm/s640/blogger-image--1881036974.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIoUPbLb3CGT6vT3jF3p-T0CLtmuGDB71SX8uBnPGGIlaFF1W_WdGkI1we1R7G7G8Z70DOwNnD4sj8PLOY3O31-302hcePVvbmbPhGNYcXy35y4vv0vimzzB_jUOTvTWfase_/s640/blogger-image-702384021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIoUPbLb3CGT6vT3jF3p-T0CLtmuGDB71SX8uBnPGGIlaFF1W_WdGkI1we1R7G7G8Z70DOwNnD4sj8PLOY3O31-302hcePVvbmbPhGNYcXy35y4vv0vimzzB_jUOTvTWfase_/s640/blogger-image-702384021.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP1zb-c6uigK08x_q68bjJN4JDCDWj4_MF4igAwpavwQcilkLsT25g-QaxLbJiv56Nd3d3lJYz166MyM20nIP11cu3s1NRqHY9TYV1WZqY2QUEfvKXNbgG74wbCiC-PXlfMgn/s640/blogger-image-786067748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJP1zb-c6uigK08x_q68bjJN4JDCDWj4_MF4igAwpavwQcilkLsT25g-QaxLbJiv56Nd3d3lJYz166MyM20nIP11cu3s1NRqHY9TYV1WZqY2QUEfvKXNbgG74wbCiC-PXlfMgn/s640/blogger-image-786067748.jpg"></font></a></div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Afterwards, late lunch on&nbsp;Epping High Street</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1Fwqr3qweI8u867cs5Hbudc5AkvJbsbU2pm9vmiRkFVbh8wH-Z3KTGssSGItPDullfHNB1e3dT4FqegorzV8_DRADkACzt3lb9BbFHHreXa0_Rlzq2875HHppEc5kNN3ZtcE/s640/blogger-image--1449219513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu1Fwqr3qweI8u867cs5Hbudc5AkvJbsbU2pm9vmiRkFVbh8wH-Z3KTGssSGItPDullfHNB1e3dT4FqegorzV8_DRADkACzt3lb9BbFHHreXa0_Rlzq2875HHppEc5kNN3ZtcE/s640/blogger-image--1449219513.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/794477366118929473'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/794477366118929473'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/at-all-saints.html' title='At All Saints'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gzEWnEoVhRVe93KnalRC8X2c9KjhWDuCCXwnnGDiKVEU9TyJ-6jc_szC9OrtC0koYmxM8Iz7fmWo4pqU9Ki-x7ExTO_zSnynDrbCNQSSdRlBM_bVP_YBqK38SZORhyphenhyphenTKGqtm/s72-c/blogger-image--1881036974.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3911871147734618684</id><published>2015-08-29T21:29:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-01T19:23:33.686+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Notting Hill Carnival'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='St Mary's Lindo Wing'/><title type='text'>Still a quintessentially cool city</title><content type='html'>Over drinks last night, Lorna and I planned our long bank holiday weekend. And beyond.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's the <i>Notting Hill Carnival</i> on Sunday, dinner at Tom and Lorna's Hampstead home on Monday, and a cabaret show on Friday, our last evening in London.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The city offers far too many possibilities and we are spoilt for choice for things to do.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There are however two variables: the famously fickle weather and the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">availability of show tickets</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">An English summer can turn from this</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFFlEyfUOgHNWzzadaZxIl-GjcN5kei1bVBdpQcv2nGdsuAjCauS47Rs2UNJi51trMb77Iveh0tj81kvuhyphenhyphen3c1dl2FWJMVWtZxP0fNJfct9v-7JtJ2a8SiGrqlsZ65C5ETlcv/s640/blogger-image-1398641029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFFlEyfUOgHNWzzadaZxIl-GjcN5kei1bVBdpQcv2nGdsuAjCauS47Rs2UNJi51trMb77Iveh0tj81kvuhyphenhyphen3c1dl2FWJMVWtZxP0fNJfct9v-7JtJ2a8SiGrqlsZ65C5ETlcv/s640/blogger-image-1398641029.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">...to this in no time at all...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeisx8P-UXmaTtCMPjVJmkFK-yNo1CnCjJz3JVxWBSsHJpMB-UXFVcdUKxbmbMNaKZ-fm8Oaj5K0US2F0qzr-Uppz92QhiAnioNnHXcZFOTxXOy_TJCV36-esr6Gw4GcWByCNr/s640/blogger-image-1079060066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeisx8P-UXmaTtCMPjVJmkFK-yNo1CnCjJz3JVxWBSsHJpMB-UXFVcdUKxbmbMNaKZ-fm8Oaj5K0US2F0qzr-Uppz92QhiAnioNnHXcZFOTxXOy_TJCV36-esr6Gw4GcWByCNr/s640/blogger-image-1079060066.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...which throws our carnival plans somewhat in the dark. I was also hoping to catch a boat race at the&nbsp;<i>Totally Thames</i>&nbsp;festival<i>.</i>&nbsp;And maybe visit a few buildings participating in&nbsp;<i>Open House London</i>. I'm not keen enough to go trudging about in raincoats and wellies though.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tickets to <i>Black Cat Cabaret</i>&nbsp;are proving scarce.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And Stuart is still hard at work trying to get me my birthday present: tickets to&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Benedict Cumberbatch</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">'s </span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hamlet</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, the cheapest presently being royally scalped at £700 apiece</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Our front row seats at last week's&nbsp;</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">La Bayadère</i><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;at the Coliseum only cost £50!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Other possibilities include&nbsp;<i>Dr Sketchy's Anti Art Class</i>, a one-act <i>Macbeth</i>, <i>Dear Lupin</i>&nbsp;with <b>James Fox,</b> and <b>Yo Yo Ma</b> at the <i>BBC Proms</i>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's a third variable too. Stuart may not be up to doing much of anything as he had minor surgery only the other day. A non-event really as far as the patient is concerned and the only remarkable thing being that the venue turned out to be the hospital where&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">both&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Princess Diana </b>and<b> Kate Middleton</b> gave birth to their royal babies. I sent this photo to family and friends:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSUzOtZOy7upt3LCSZJgOt8j-psBbkhHxd1Dd7GfHx7ZnpMjD7_NIta3lktPFKXp0aEPygNDbmsp527ZdE8QhrLAWrG3KJZL2x-2CKRAmfwkiK7VTVQjiPvlOS7zn_4pxFZ6Z/s640/blogger-image-682120138.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBSUzOtZOy7upt3LCSZJgOt8j-psBbkhHxd1Dd7GfHx7ZnpMjD7_NIta3lktPFKXp0aEPygNDbmsp527ZdE8QhrLAWrG3KJZL2x-2CKRAmfwkiK7VTVQjiPvlOS7zn_4pxFZ6Z/s640/blogger-image-682120138.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">(Stuart was actually just hailing a taxi.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3911871147734618684'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3911871147734618684'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/still-quintessentially-cool-city.html' title='Still a quintessentially cool city'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFFlEyfUOgHNWzzadaZxIl-GjcN5kei1bVBdpQcv2nGdsuAjCauS47Rs2UNJi51trMb77Iveh0tj81kvuhyphenhyphen3c1dl2FWJMVWtZxP0fNJfct9v-7JtJ2a8SiGrqlsZ65C5ETlcv/s72-c/blogger-image-1398641029.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5636702983880008615</id><published>2015-08-29T20:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-09-02T00:55:38.590+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blue Boar'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Conrad St Janes'/><title type='text'>At the Blue Boar</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the&nbsp;<b>Conrad</b>'s&nbsp;<b>Blue Boar</b>, there is&nbsp;a&nbsp;<b>Division Bell</b>, a special accommodation for members of Parliament who happen to be outside the confines of the&nbsp;<b>Houses of Parliament</b>&nbsp;during moments of parliamentary deliberations.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8OGJ0PtgVOZqG012fO0I3GiFZtm6jARIeJIJuilP1Wmsv5HxCm0W68zxXSJjPZ2enZ2ytAEoIFMV7ZNSjfIjsiyR6YYGaMXd_8fLRleuviIbSFXIO8b92AzKa4nciDYsCmVx/s640/blogger-image-1921464129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8OGJ0PtgVOZqG012fO0I3GiFZtm6jARIeJIJuilP1Wmsv5HxCm0W68zxXSJjPZ2enZ2ytAEoIFMV7ZNSjfIjsiyR6YYGaMXd_8fLRleuviIbSFXIO8b92AzKa4nciDYsCmVx/s640/blogger-image-1921464129.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQcGRlvSSSK3J5aza-jS5fJXp7B-xCI83WhsXn1EscjgXYwU96i-IynDCOg1NUO6_I_M28wN_v8qN2YfE103PrNqIkdejh1ZS7g9O8rNsvoCmAZr8xBWp7cKfiOC0_3V6WdU4/s640/blogger-image--1876444002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNQcGRlvSSSK3J5aza-jS5fJXp7B-xCI83WhsXn1EscjgXYwU96i-IynDCOg1NUO6_I_M28wN_v8qN2YfE103PrNqIkdejh1ZS7g9O8rNsvoCmAZr8xBWp7cKfiOC0_3V6WdU4/s640/blogger-image--1876444002.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wikipedia explains:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"The bell is used in the immediate neighbourhood of&nbsp;<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Westminster" title="Palace of Westminster" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; text-decoration: none;">Palace of Westminster</a>&nbsp;(which houses&nbsp;<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom" title="Parliament of the United Kingdom" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; text-decoration: none;">Parliament</a>) to signal that a division is occurring and that&nbsp;<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Member_of_Parliament" title="Member of Parliament" class="mw-redirect" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; text-decoration: none;">members of the House of Commons</a>&nbsp;or of the&nbsp;<a href="https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_of_Lords" title="House of Lords" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-variant: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: none; text-decoration: none;">House of Lords</a>&nbsp;have eight minutes to get to their chosen Division Lobby to vote for or against the resolution. There are approximately five hundred bells in and around the Palace of Westminster."</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The bar has a very British kind of buzz: from the deep- buttoned leather sofas and tweed-covered armchairs to the bottles of malt vinegar stationed at every table.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiWvaIuJDQN0RNhRfYsl9FuvM498IxjwtbwnjhABLq66eXaMe8vdbYcCc13bJaVe3XdLAsS-u-Da2oLtw1jvjaXndtNYBqjeS4lnkBhb8Tm7UKxAO7_ovtQUWILC1Y37cAM1d/s640/blogger-image-1302079099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiWvaIuJDQN0RNhRfYsl9FuvM498IxjwtbwnjhABLq66eXaMe8vdbYcCc13bJaVe3XdLAsS-u-Da2oLtw1jvjaXndtNYBqjeS4lnkBhb8Tm7UKxAO7_ovtQUWILC1Y37cAM1d/s640/blogger-image-1302079099.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When Stuart started hiccuping in the middle of lunch, I directed him to take half a spoonful of the malt vinegar, neat, which he did, dubiously. Well, it worked: hiccups disappeared instantly. How's that for a life hack?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5636702983880008615'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5636702983880008615'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/at-blue-boar.html' title='At the Blue Boar'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8OGJ0PtgVOZqG012fO0I3GiFZtm6jARIeJIJuilP1Wmsv5HxCm0W68zxXSJjPZ2enZ2ytAEoIFMV7ZNSjfIjsiyR6YYGaMXd_8fLRleuviIbSFXIO8b92AzKa4nciDYsCmVx/s72-c/blogger-image-1921464129.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Westminster London</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.499786 -0.132679</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3264149147017413187</id><published>2015-08-28T23:40:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-08-29T00:19:12.569+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Wivenhoe House'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Essex'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='big data'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='English countryside'/><title type='text'>The English countryside</title><content type='html'><div>At <b>University of Essex</b> for Stuart's keynote speech at a summer course on big data.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8VIPd7zVyg_ejnN2Y7CY8LFUTVSnHkpte4Gy0AFb6_Jc9Gxv8_pklJkgYm3BkC4cKTtr9wJ6GcPfFMxiFJp4BO7bzfnb7a1izhtxqboxPtjVi-g5Aoxhjf0BA9tej_CiS3xg/s640/blogger-image-579596127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8VIPd7zVyg_ejnN2Y7CY8LFUTVSnHkpte4Gy0AFb6_Jc9Gxv8_pklJkgYm3BkC4cKTtr9wJ6GcPfFMxiFJp4BO7bzfnb7a1izhtxqboxPtjVi-g5Aoxhjf0BA9tej_CiS3xg/s640/blogger-image-579596127.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxJPs2Xe_pf4f7gRuFJtkjH-HcJkS9r1D7m05yAywlapM42wJL4tT9-nhGIyF0MG8MsmNdWD_bZiGcMIeHyOV079R2B8itiVGTFDmKe0UW77CZzXUVPl6XfG0V-HSvDzkfaL8/s640/blogger-image-957934513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxJPs2Xe_pf4f7gRuFJtkjH-HcJkS9r1D7m05yAywlapM42wJL4tT9-nhGIyF0MG8MsmNdWD_bZiGcMIeHyOV079R2B8itiVGTFDmKe0UW77CZzXUVPl6XfG0V-HSvDzkfaL8/s640/blogger-image-957934513.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_fSmdUj5RI2_q4Ff83Hv8TrHClW4G6SyO0EJE85KiqEErjk8YHmf9Cu9_In6YJXvxLKGDpyhyXT8h7gUX65zIEe1RmAmai8uRB8MN4qN0ep6Udph2ZIvxO-DazLCZ-VmHPJf/s640/blogger-image-1850877571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_fSmdUj5RI2_q4Ff83Hv8TrHClW4G6SyO0EJE85KiqEErjk8YHmf9Cu9_In6YJXvxLKGDpyhyXT8h7gUX65zIEe1RmAmai8uRB8MN4qN0ep6Udph2ZIvxO-DazLCZ-VmHPJf/s640/blogger-image-1850877571.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Except for the addition of a garden wing,&nbsp;<b>Wivenhoe House</b>&nbsp;doesn't look much changed from the<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1816</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">John Constable&nbsp;</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;portrait that now hangs in&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Washington DC's</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">National Gallery of Art </b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgKn55OnYOlIt1rSQR8qQf0qCwpGFo0J8h5MWisrVrvqiEKg0psX0F0lZN5Lq7qhqrHdRSAYlwSiwlSW3JTENig1g6oJV8b8vuyC1yzchZIpKA0CnIDi7FMJBxlHqZOR4gstf/s640/blogger-image--2074011504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgKn55OnYOlIt1rSQR8qQf0qCwpGFo0J8h5MWisrVrvqiEKg0psX0F0lZN5Lq7qhqrHdRSAYlwSiwlSW3JTENig1g6oJV8b8vuyC1yzchZIpKA0CnIDi7FMJBxlHqZOR4gstf/s640/blogger-image--2074011504.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3264149147017413187'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3264149147017413187'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/the-english-countryside.html' title='The English countryside'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8VIPd7zVyg_ejnN2Y7CY8LFUTVSnHkpte4Gy0AFb6_Jc9Gxv8_pklJkgYm3BkC4cKTtr9wJ6GcPfFMxiFJp4BO7bzfnb7a1izhtxqboxPtjVi-g5Aoxhjf0BA9tej_CiS3xg/s72-c/blogger-image-579596127.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4834646322566120423</id><published>2015-08-23T06:19:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-03-14T13:32:49.708+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Coliseum'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Bayadère'/><title type='text'>La Bayadère at the London Coliseum</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>La Bayadère</i></b><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">&nbsp;at the </span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">English National Opera</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">'s&nbsp;</span><b style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">London Coliseum.</b></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Led by principal dancer&nbsp;<strong>Irina Kolesnikova</strong><strong>, </strong>this touring production by the <b>St Petersburg Ballet Theatre</b> combines the&nbsp;stars of the&nbsp;<strong>Mariinsky Theatre,&nbsp;</strong></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">the&nbsp;</span><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Bolshoi Theatre&nbsp;</strong><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">and the&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">St Petersburg Ballet Orchestra</b><strong style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</strong></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Having had the good fortune to secure</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;what were probably the last two seats in the house, it&nbsp;would be churlish of me to find fault in the evening's performance. That said, it was disconcerting to see a leg fall out of formation in back of the <i>corps de ballet</i> during a particularly line-sensitive drill.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Oh but principal dancer Kolesnikova was way beyond faultless! It was for me an incredibly awesome experience to witness such exquisite dancing, especially&nbsp;from where I sat at the very edge of the stage. I imagined that</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;I could feel and hear every footfall, every swish of &nbsp;fabric, every movement of air.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I don't have access to the vocabulary of ballet so I struggle to describe</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;the deftness of Kolesnikova's every step, every gesture. T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">he&nbsp;way her foot stroked the floor, as in a caress, when she began to move. T</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">he way her toes fixed on the board like they were glued to it right before they lifted weightlessly to whip about and point commandingly at unerringly precise angles. The beautiful long arcs her body traced. The languid grace with which her leaps and turns defied time and gravity.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As my eyes were riveted on the two principal female dancers in the roles of Nikiya and the Rajah's daughter Gamzatti, here danced exquisitely by Ukrainian&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); text-align: justify;"><b>Natalia Matsak</b>,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;I fear I hardly noticed the other dancers, including the main male role of Solor played by&nbsp;the Bolshoi's <b>Denis&nbsp;Rodkin</b></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The lady who sat beside me in the theatre knows her way around the world of ballet; her mother was a dancer. She&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">spoke disparagingly of Rodkin.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">She said he will never be anything like Nureyev.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">A</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">t one point, when he was&nbsp;directly in front of us,&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">out of the main action,&nbsp;almost offstage but still dramatically in character,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">she said</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">, "Look at him, we're probably the only ones who can actually see him...how very Bolshoi of him!" &nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">I defer to her informed appraisal of the evening's performance of the role that served to deify the legendary <b>Rudolf Nureyev</b>.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4834646322566120423'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4834646322566120423'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/la-bayadere-at-london-coliseum.html' title='La Bayadère at the London Coliseum'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV4fwR-tLMAL8tr_fow6R-VBRuOpy9TMixV9cO25a4xENQI4mqIrUrWhRjvZAl8ul9ceC0Pr4sybcj4wPbzl22YiDirdW1WuqUB3lIPzDLUyiShH89aGIR-Bf4dtVbozLnk2sO/s72-c/blogger-image-75931210.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Elmstead Elmstead</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.880403 0.958888</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-622449540465821235</id><published>2015-08-23T00:42:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-08-25T01:29:45.923+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sunday'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tate Modern'/><title type='text'>A Sunny Sunday in London Town</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At <b>Borough Market</b>, a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">lunch of salad and</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;pasta with shrimps, mussels, clams, and grilled zucchini. Crisp chilled white wine. Panna cotta with wild cherries.</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At <b>Tate Modern</b>, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">oo crazy for a brilliant day like this.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The <b>Members Room</b>.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The only thing that made perfect sense. The art is outside.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSVl8OkCxcQSxjILfO7jgpou5PJEJNBhcUJ94g0BK8XqlCHSVlRjVErbUbhnm9gKQGmvdHgM8jgkAjUcm3jtyRxAhE-8MtpFiUgTujwhXAAZrU__Nss5Qe9-cCKOosHb2gkUb/s640/blogger-image--565631208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSVl8OkCxcQSxjILfO7jgpou5PJEJNBhcUJ94g0BK8XqlCHSVlRjVErbUbhnm9gKQGmvdHgM8jgkAjUcm3jtyRxAhE-8MtpFiUgTujwhXAAZrU__Nss5Qe9-cCKOosHb2gkUb/s640/blogger-image--565631208.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><br></span></div><div>Photogenic London.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh-pqqUvFRSewuv3ugBhzMsaSn9JrxUWxmWu4aJ_pEZ598HDFkAmOcXzhfRqAcKtsOOfQmxf5CTsZlxE919XoH8t0l1KdvU6heVipkvVjgXMaiNdxDtORh6fEbgC5XO1nm3Uu/s640/blogger-image--398956057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoh-pqqUvFRSewuv3ugBhzMsaSn9JrxUWxmWu4aJ_pEZ598HDFkAmOcXzhfRqAcKtsOOfQmxf5CTsZlxE919XoH8t0l1KdvU6heVipkvVjgXMaiNdxDtORh6fEbgC5XO1nm3Uu/s640/blogger-image--398956057.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/622449540465821235'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/622449540465821235'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/a-sunny-sunday-in-london-town.html' title='A Sunny Sunday in London Town'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitSVl8OkCxcQSxjILfO7jgpou5PJEJNBhcUJ94g0BK8XqlCHSVlRjVErbUbhnm9gKQGmvdHgM8jgkAjUcm3jtyRxAhE-8MtpFiUgTujwhXAAZrU__Nss5Qe9-cCKOosHb2gkUb/s72-c/blogger-image--565631208.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Westminster London</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.499514 -0.132545</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6126467091847662311</id><published>2015-08-19T23:02:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-08-21T01:30:16.505+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Aperol'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Il Mercato'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Happy hour(s)</title><content type='html'>At Park Hyatt's&nbsp;<b>Mio</b>, Marco offers two&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">non-mixed-drinks-drinkers two of his best mixed drinks: <i>Anna Magnani</i>&nbsp;</span>and&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>Milano Cupcake.</i> Hmmm...back to&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pinot Grigio.</span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3z0g-qVfrmmvrw-R44FTlqullyZa62rq1rC0C3bsx4tq6C94mUMcZ6NVXzUtxT18Io4umAnJd3PznVzQGIU37-IjSmy4xvjnRrkMeEaWX1VXgjkBMB_ZfeXn0MgBjRu-GSXn/s640/blogger-image--1585339708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3z0g-qVfrmmvrw-R44FTlqullyZa62rq1rC0C3bsx4tq6C94mUMcZ6NVXzUtxT18Io4umAnJd3PznVzQGIU37-IjSmy4xvjnRrkMeEaWX1VXgjkBMB_ZfeXn0MgBjRu-GSXn/s640/blogger-image--1585339708.jpg"></a></div><br></font><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At<b>&nbsp;Terrazza&nbsp;</b></span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Aperol</b><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, a spritz and a Bellini.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV9DQ26ppy65_eNoyPYndK4Jd3gyxohlzddVFGKOF-k7tr9if1agFuKvU6YPODWhLh3t4hOPx6r-pXm-kFhg1yvzG2F-Mv20FlzWgtgFJZmKgVJnmOfiZowyI97KrN-k1YbpA/s640/blogger-image--1610076809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcV9DQ26ppy65_eNoyPYndK4Jd3gyxohlzddVFGKOF-k7tr9if1agFuKvU6YPODWhLh3t4hOPx6r-pXm-kFhg1yvzG2F-Mv20FlzWgtgFJZmKgVJnmOfiZowyI97KrN-k1YbpA/s640/blogger-image--1610076809.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In Lugano, Pinot Grigio.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In Lecco, the local white.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHYJW1sXMs4_qtQnHOQ3sAdxiUX33MCy8CYnYMuWJM8Hoj-RhV9I2S4lNndR6FaV8H-zYkTEGko09GLwKtKuZkUA20Svf9R1cjhru4rroUHBc9ydqDXxnWMp0AbbLxDaDuBpx/s640/blogger-image-1887058409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHYJW1sXMs4_qtQnHOQ3sAdxiUX33MCy8CYnYMuWJM8Hoj-RhV9I2S4lNndR6FaV8H-zYkTEGko09GLwKtKuZkUA20Svf9R1cjhru4rroUHBc9ydqDXxnWMp0AbbLxDaDuBpx/s640/blogger-image-1887058409.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In our room, take-out dinner and a bottle of Brunello.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vXi36P6KvvjRdmURkx9LM_t5BgYwRSglt2iVRNK46Hg9DHBhTCkAze4DFcwgX5cBocdJYpssySPf7OJJsSvHgQ-R2X90VjXqXZZ1y6fjjMFEbkIiUxFZzE4p3s-kjhpAfQru/s640/blogger-image--1653545120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-vXi36P6KvvjRdmURkx9LM_t5BgYwRSglt2iVRNK46Hg9DHBhTCkAze4DFcwgX5cBocdJYpssySPf7OJJsSvHgQ-R2X90VjXqXZZ1y6fjjMFEbkIiUxFZzE4p3s-kjhpAfQru/s640/blogger-image--1653545120.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClz6vAK5bc7BYIm_2L3nfGGlrgCemonOQKGyVZBs-FWKfu0qRLPhmPsdNeKeu4XjkgjL80EyfS4kpJm3dkUEEzM9Jd_EJbw7NmSM8VprOKFa-XMe8XpkgOKFQiQ6PP8fbu4Bb/s640/blogger-image-1625743247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjClz6vAK5bc7BYIm_2L3nfGGlrgCemonOQKGyVZBs-FWKfu0qRLPhmPsdNeKeu4XjkgjL80EyfS4kpJm3dkUEEzM9Jd_EJbw7NmSM8VprOKFa-XMe8XpkgOKFQiQ6PP8fbu4Bb/s640/blogger-image-1625743247.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6126467091847662311'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6126467091847662311'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/happy-hours.html' title='Happy hour(s)'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3z0g-qVfrmmvrw-R44FTlqullyZa62rq1rC0C3bsx4tq6C94mUMcZ6NVXzUtxT18Io4umAnJd3PznVzQGIU37-IjSmy4xvjnRrkMeEaWX1VXgjkBMB_ZfeXn0MgBjRu-GSXn/s72-c/blogger-image--1585339708.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Scala Milano</georss:featurename><georss:point>45.46555 9.189237</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8566439215079783371</id><published>2015-08-17T18:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-11-14T13:45:43.723+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>On the train</title><content type='html'><div>A few yards from b<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ehind the Park Hyatt,&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;there are two elevators. Take the left one for the Metro.</div><div><br></div>Duomo To Milano Centrale FS<div>Yellow Line to Comasina</div><div><br></div><div>From Centrale FS to Duomo</div><div>To Sn Donato</div><div>Exit not Via G Mazzini</div><div>Duomo, La Scala</div><div><br></div><div>To lift</div><div>Thru Farmacia</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8566439215079783371'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8566439215079783371'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/on-train.html' title='On the train'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3684100581070810698</id><published>2015-08-17T01:57:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-08-24T15:42:30.848+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Marco Fatta'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Cupola bar'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt'/><title type='text'>At the Park Hyatt, a changing of the guard</title><content type='html'><div><font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The departure of&nbsp;</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Lucio Fontana'</b>s<b>&nbsp;</b><i>Testa di Medusa</i>&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">from the <b>Park Hyatt</b>'s <b>La Cupola</b> lobby</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, to be succeeded by&nbsp;<b>Anish Kapoor</b>'s big shiny dish,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;signaled a change of sorts in the hotel's character.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are no more&nbsp;<b>La Cupola</b>&nbsp;champagne evenings. They have been replaced by afternoon teas.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Breakfast has been moved to the bar. &nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The terrace which used to open onto the entrance to <b>Vittorio&nbsp;</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><b>Emanuele</b> is now enclosed in a gated wall. The men-in-black who used to patrol the length of the terrace are gone. As are the complimentary tapas served at cocktail time.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>And the saddest change of all: no more <b>Marco</b>.&nbsp;</div><div><b><br></b></div><div><b>Marco</b>&nbsp;has left the building.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bar &amp; Lounge&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Manager&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Marco Fatta</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> has left the </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Milan&nbsp;Park Hyatt</b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">! 😡</span></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3684100581070810698'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3684100581070810698'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/at-park-hyatt-changing-of-guards.html' title='At the Park Hyatt, a changing of the guard'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><georss:featurename>Ponna Superiore Ponna Superiore</georss:featurename><georss:point>45.988708 9.095837</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8761872143845277975</id><published>2015-08-16T19:14:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2015-08-24T15:44:22.208+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Al Cantinone'/><title type='text'>Milan</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">On arrival at the hotel Friday morning, I ate a second breakfast- the first was on the plane- then slept through the afternoon and reemerged only in time for dinner.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><br></div><div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the <b>FT Weekend</b> issue is an article entitled &nbsp;<i>I travel, therefore I am. </i>To do with making one's travels mean something special to oneself; not homogenized by the tyranny of museums and old churches- I'm paraphrasing here.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've been to the Duomo a few times before, the opera at La Scala, seen the Last Supper, (wouldn't mind seeing it again and the church and the cloister but too difficult, have to join a tour,) hung around the Brera, been to Vittorio Emanuele (we're right next door,) Via Napoleone, the Rinascente and its annex, etc. In short, done the tourist bits.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Today, I had five kinds of cheeses, done several different ways including parmigiana fried into soft hollow pillows, ricotta piped and drizzled with honey, grana padano roughly chopped into crumbly bite size bits, and cloud-like piles of&nbsp;raspadura finely shaved into silky folds.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had soft unsalted white butter on sticks of toast topped with Spanish anchovies.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our first night in Milan called for a change from our usual red wine. Marco, the bar manager introduced us to special Park Hyatt cocktails&nbsp;<b style="font-style: italic;">Anna Magnani&nbsp;</b>and<i> </i><b><i>Milan Cupcake</i></b>. Tart, lively, delicious and deadly.<br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At <b>Al Cantinone </b>we had the house specialty antipasti, the house specialty salad, and the house specialty veal cutlet with risotto. And half a bottle of Pinot Grigio. We needed two tables to fit everything in. Everyone stared as the huge plates arrived. Even the waiter was impressed. Stuart and I were mortified.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then we sat and read newspapers beneath the beautiful glass dome of the hotel l</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">obby.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqpf_9la074ZflUJdiW6woo4pHAxX6_uQprFCOca6y5MuiKEsDszqwI_Y1stCSBLuM3W7W3N9bUvyse8vC3IxJ21JTy-2VnKk0WJfYXCRdmWJKnhgaBsFuTKuQlJdio10B1mM/s640/blogger-image--727061381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqpf_9la074ZflUJdiW6woo4pHAxX6_uQprFCOca6y5MuiKEsDszqwI_Y1stCSBLuM3W7W3N9bUvyse8vC3IxJ21JTy-2VnKk0WJfYXCRdmWJKnhgaBsFuTKuQlJdio10B1mM/s640/blogger-image--727061381.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We walked a little, shopped a little, and</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;rode a bike.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbvQpHIsB5k-dfpxko97JsE1j4XS0ZHuM5OTELzJOIsLR4pGZkJDUYQHIkaHFU7xqiWSJ1ImYQMhp3ugJfJoMAlYEGEW0pVQ3sKiMhL1iQ_Odldqlm_4okfPWTF2CMAhy60pl/s640/blogger-image-582608213.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbvQpHIsB5k-dfpxko97JsE1j4XS0ZHuM5OTELzJOIsLR4pGZkJDUYQHIkaHFU7xqiWSJ1ImYQMhp3ugJfJoMAlYEGEW0pVQ3sKiMhL1iQ_Odldqlm_4okfPWTF2CMAhy60pl/s640/blogger-image-582608213.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8761872143845277975'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8761872143845277975'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/milan.html' title='Milan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFqpf_9la074ZflUJdiW6woo4pHAxX6_uQprFCOca6y5MuiKEsDszqwI_Y1stCSBLuM3W7W3N9bUvyse8vC3IxJ21JTy-2VnKk0WJfYXCRdmWJKnhgaBsFuTKuQlJdio10B1mM/s72-c/blogger-image--727061381.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Scala Milano</georss:featurename><georss:point>45.465479 9.189001</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8787504025861256837</id><published>2015-08-04T14:30:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-08-08T22:22:49.398+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong airport'/><title type='text'>Into the bowels of Hong Kong airport</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When Hong Kong's Grand Hyatt decided to renovate&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the Grand Club, I asked to buy two of my favorite chairs to take home with me to Manila. They stored the chairs for me while Stuart figured out how to get them sent home.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That was at least six months ago. Now they're flying home with us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How to get a car big enough to take two&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">29"x29"x52"&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">boxes</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, two suitcases, 2 wheelies, and two mid-size passengers? Über van to the rescue.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Such a thrill as o</span></font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ur driver leads us round the back and through the airport's cargo loading dock:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWfbQ6BOMbmL9Vaxx2H30X8GeGcfi4rWtBbv24UMtKzijDSnrcDB21sXDupg46g0svTex7bXtzNWO14y0uyB9Vx3T2G6bLAmm5wC1GVvAz9PZUFhzgmUAIjEKa_sEHxpLP7RA/s640/blogger-image--1279363529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWfbQ6BOMbmL9Vaxx2H30X8GeGcfi4rWtBbv24UMtKzijDSnrcDB21sXDupg46g0svTex7bXtzNWO14y0uyB9Vx3T2G6bLAmm5wC1GVvAz9PZUFhzgmUAIjEKa_sEHxpLP7RA/s640/blogger-image--1279363529.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Turning over my precious cargo to the bemused handlers at the check-in counter:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pu4dn_VT5raeoVhIdv_JAUH13HBQpRmsy8RpMe-4uNrIZeT5WHvYBh9aR2hb6R9R40OvhUGpOiFrVtmp507-Lhvz9VIOncrt3of_fdjF0XBsqVi8ZoCfkreC5rSIO7AXykFQ/s640/blogger-image-1029579871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5pu4dn_VT5raeoVhIdv_JAUH13HBQpRmsy8RpMe-4uNrIZeT5WHvYBh9aR2hb6R9R40OvhUGpOiFrVtmp507-Lhvz9VIOncrt3of_fdjF0XBsqVi8ZoCfkreC5rSIO7AXykFQ/s640/blogger-image-1029579871.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8787504025861256837'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8787504025861256837'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/08/into-bowels-of-hongkong-airport.html' title='Into the bowels of Hong Kong airport'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMWfbQ6BOMbmL9Vaxx2H30X8GeGcfi4rWtBbv24UMtKzijDSnrcDB21sXDupg46g0svTex7bXtzNWO14y0uyB9Vx3T2G6bLAmm5wC1GVvAz9PZUFhzgmUAIjEKa_sEHxpLP7RA/s72-c/blogger-image--1279363529.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Hong Kong International Airport (null)</georss:featurename><georss:point>22.314228 113.925035</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2105382549867612216</id><published>2015-07-03T19:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-08-03T23:32:46.350+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blue Moon'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sky watch'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Star of Betlehem'/><title type='text'>Above us, the same sky...</title><content type='html'><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My sisters and I, all moon children (in this case, meaning moon watchers), compare notes as we look up to our sheltering sky from vantage points in Manila, in Singapore, and in Las Vegas.&nbsp;</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The sky report from Singapore:</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNraPzNPu5gjHnh4Cp26QSWYrka6rfZ1jMS4uOAM441p4s3XJSpQ7VjILRbvt16dlxh_v0l_cbuDZrnOghqxsd34X6yx_gnR8LtnjjChtfe0JzlUkzjklFF53lFNXO9nS49pd4/s640/blogger-image--1607399682.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNraPzNPu5gjHnh4Cp26QSWYrka6rfZ1jMS4uOAM441p4s3XJSpQ7VjILRbvt16dlxh_v0l_cbuDZrnOghqxsd34X6yx_gnR8LtnjjChtfe0JzlUkzjklFF53lFNXO9nS49pd4/s640/blogger-image--1607399682.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A&nbsp;curiously blotchy sunset. Venus and Jupiter decoupling a day after convergence as the Star of Bethlehem. And the first full moon of July struggling to find a place in the&nbsp;city's</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;noisy skyline.</span></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><font><em><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"...we get to think of life as an inexhaustible well. Yet everything happens only a certain number of&nbsp;<span class="st">times</span>, and a very small number, really.&nbsp;<span class="st">How</span>&nbsp;<span class="st">many</span>&nbsp;more&nbsp;<span class="st">times</span>&nbsp;will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, some afternoon that's so deeply a part of your being that you can't even conceive of your life without it? Perhaps four or five&nbsp;<span class="st">times</span>&nbsp;more. perhaps not even that.&nbsp;<span class="st">How</span>&nbsp;<span class="st">many</span>&nbsp;more&nbsp;<span class="st">times</span>&nbsp;will you watch the&nbsp;<span class="st">full</span>&nbsp;<span class="st">moon</span>&nbsp;rise? Perhaps twenty. And yet it all seems limitless."</font></em></font></blockquote><blockquote dir="ltr" style="margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Paul Bowles, </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><i>The Sheltering Sky</i></span></blockquote></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2105382549867612216'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2105382549867612216'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/07/above-us-same-sky.html' title='Above us, the same sky...'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNraPzNPu5gjHnh4Cp26QSWYrka6rfZ1jMS4uOAM441p4s3XJSpQ7VjILRbvt16dlxh_v0l_cbuDZrnOghqxsd34X6yx_gnR8LtnjjChtfe0JzlUkzjklFF53lFNXO9nS49pd4/s72-c/blogger-image--1607399682.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Kuala Lumpur Kuala Lumpur</georss:featurename><georss:point>3.154681 101.712047</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3754103159115568077</id><published>2015-05-19T00:45:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-28T15:47:45.115+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Stockholm design'/><title type='text'>Stockholm</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">According to <i>The&nbsp;Guardian</i>,&nbsp;ten percent of Europeans were conceived on an <b>IKEA</b> bed. As this was the most significant information I had on my next destination, I naturally expected that 1) I'd have no trouble finding a good bed to sleep on; and 2) this is the place for design, the &nbsp;overarching theme for this trip.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">As it turned out, neither bed nor design were easy to find.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At the <b>Stockholm Hilton</b> in Slussen, our bed was lumpy and sloping at the edges. Citing Sweden's reputation for having the best beds in the world, we asked for a better one. We were given the option to be moved, downgraded actually, to the back end of the building where they have kept their Swedish beds, away from the prying eyes of&nbsp;Hilton&nbsp;hotel inspectors who enforce a mandate to use&nbsp;only</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Hilton beds. So we traded down to the back end, to a bigger room, a balcony, a superb view, and a deliciously comfortable bed.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We walked all around Sergels Torg, the city's main square, in search of the ever elusive design places. Finally, at <b>Kulturhuset</b>, the <b>Nationalmuseum Design</b> was closed. Oh no, it wasn't closed after all, according to the gallery attendant who came running after us, all flustered, apologetic, and embarrassed. But in the end, there wasn't any design exhibit to see as the museum's collections await the renovation of the Nationalmuseum building scheduled for completion in 2017.</span></div>
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At the <b>Moderna Museet</b>&nbsp;the architecture and design exhibits were not available. <b>Louise Bourgeois's</b>&nbsp;monstrous insects don't appeal to us; there's a permanent installation at the Mori Square in Tokyo's Roppongi district that we always manage to avoid. We opted for the <i>Constructing Worlds&nbsp;</i>photography exhibit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mD_5k2vmhy5HrGFnOxK7y4v7QP7G78qzGiTieXMAKH5CgoDDHf-CVxqsX12ChRCETqvT6iLmlhtnyBCWqDZCVzm4G934gYltZoGCJEANxdKKsHciVceDqeN09ZKmdiP4-25l/s640/blogger-image-72798084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mD_5k2vmhy5HrGFnOxK7y4v7QP7G78qzGiTieXMAKH5CgoDDHf-CVxqsX12ChRCETqvT6iLmlhtnyBCWqDZCVzm4G934gYltZoGCJEANxdKKsHciVceDqeN09ZKmdiP4-25l/s640/blogger-image-72798084.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>
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I knew I was tired when I smashed a glass plate in the photography gallery.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As usual, it's the casual art in public areas of museums and art galleries, as well as street art,&nbsp;that catch my attention.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8qGI5lP9brgTZGJTIXFT06ZPjoY-rdspbV278KYUiIQEP_krhAaDJn7DtVX_Z98hBNnveDEOZQcWl8Tb3-rcsn8cFBWHhOC2TVYhxU7nya0MH_4x2sSwmCAkNaJfNiLGN9X6/s640/blogger-image--1059470463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8qGI5lP9brgTZGJTIXFT06ZPjoY-rdspbV278KYUiIQEP_krhAaDJn7DtVX_Z98hBNnveDEOZQcWl8Tb3-rcsn8cFBWHhOC2TVYhxU7nya0MH_4x2sSwmCAkNaJfNiLGN9X6/s640/blogger-image--1059470463.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Metal sculpture at an apartment complex going up in<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;Norrmalm district, a.k.a. City, where most people work and shop.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At <b>Ardberg Embassy</b>, a bar&nbsp;in the Old Town, whisky is serious business and tme marches backward. The fish soup took a long time to prepare but it was well worth the wait.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A surprise find on our last day: an&nbsp;</span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">American Apparel </b><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">store where&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I eagerly stocked up on cotton underwear which unexplainably had disappeared from AA outlets elsewhere.</span></div>
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We asked the sales girl where she would go for a meal, a substantial meal, not a herring or salmon sandwich. She steered us directly to <b>Urban Deli</b>.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The deli/bistro is&nbsp;across the street from a children's school&nbsp;at the far end of a pretty avenue&nbsp;where&nbsp;Saturday market stalls were packing up for the day. Several bars and restaurants on either side of the street were serving late lunches and early cocktails on the curb. &nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our place was packed but it didn't take long for us to be seated. The receptionist checked the handwritten list on a giant paper roll mounted on the wall, crossed out a listing with a marking pen, and quickly&nbsp;led us to a table where she&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">handed us menus with a bright smile. No fuss, no checking on a computer, no "One moment please while I check."</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seating is communal. It's a friendly neighborhood deli; we seemed the only foreigners. I had a delicious steaming hot fish pot.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wanted to have a picture taken among the apple blossoms but Stuart wasn't willing to go all that way as it was so cold. The locals however considered it lying-on-the-grass weather.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We scurried back to the hotel where the lounge has a clubby corner by the fire.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A note about the Swedish monarchs: t</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">he unimposing stance of these royals, as suggested by ceremonial seating so close to the ground, may go some way in explaining the absence of revolutionary ferment among the&nbsp;seemingly&nbsp;content general populace.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3754103159115568077'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3754103159115568077'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/sweden.html' title='Stockholm'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3mD_5k2vmhy5HrGFnOxK7y4v7QP7G78qzGiTieXMAKH5CgoDDHf-CVxqsX12ChRCETqvT6iLmlhtnyBCWqDZCVzm4G934gYltZoGCJEANxdKKsHciVceDqeN09ZKmdiP4-25l/s72-c/blogger-image-72798084.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Downtown Core Singapore</georss:featurename><georss:point>1.292751 103.858698</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6869365977293105272</id><published>2015-05-17T06:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-17T19:46:39.439+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Stockholm'/><title type='text'>Stockholm skies</title><content type='html'><div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The light here is clear, crisp, pure. I keep thinking how Mommy would have loved to paint this scenery. The skies are dramatic and painterly; the buildings look intelligent and clean. How does a building look intelligent, you ask? By not looking prettified or histrionically over-designed.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJOtZVzZoxSysTKgQbniGEAoov1q-L-UL4u3_qYN0FuCKM3CIsePmlf66vzlEdzFpJNz9h6_s80S3Wktr5pCXucbqS8WTRvsgfvbV2zHubwNojA5Kb-Y_gKRMshZp8oiZblY_/s640/blogger-image--2000839183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJOtZVzZoxSysTKgQbniGEAoov1q-L-UL4u3_qYN0FuCKM3CIsePmlf66vzlEdzFpJNz9h6_s80S3Wktr5pCXucbqS8WTRvsgfvbV2zHubwNojA5Kb-Y_gKRMshZp8oiZblY_/s640/blogger-image--2000839183.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I keep nipping out to the balcony to take photos and Stuart keeps calling out for me to get back in. It's cold out there!&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It's supposed to be spring and people here seem to think this weather is suitable for strolling in the park, sitting on the grass, and lunching al fresco. Somebody ought to tell them 7 degrees is not warm yet.&nbsp;</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At sunset, the Stockholm skies put on a show.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMtJHWoTkSRSYO5g0wU3pLRcvxPEv3TdXFBmBE8rWfQ0GcHv3e8aSkpsnIgEeWGds1ZzMxG_Og7qm8BMHKtUR1ZRpQlDLO07vEgzT1DxGyj7la8M5lIM6eh35UCCRik5AOQpZ/s640/blogger-image-576762269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMtJHWoTkSRSYO5g0wU3pLRcvxPEv3TdXFBmBE8rWfQ0GcHv3e8aSkpsnIgEeWGds1ZzMxG_Og7qm8BMHKtUR1ZRpQlDLO07vEgzT1DxGyj7la8M5lIM6eh35UCCRik5AOQpZ/s640/blogger-image-576762269.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNIKXgk5w6SJA9PLuAH6mzpzpFzOc8E5QgPfXWSSF1yfIzZ_9gU5T0e8GMsXQOjGxb532lpYURzBk29ClaL07zOVkIwq5_tbb0ViOXk4Ujjr3VF2tCEZhk9dPsfuL2U2zjDFn/s640/blogger-image-1838724187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNIKXgk5w6SJA9PLuAH6mzpzpFzOc8E5QgPfXWSSF1yfIzZ_9gU5T0e8GMsXQOjGxb532lpYURzBk29ClaL07zOVkIwq5_tbb0ViOXk4Ujjr3VF2tCEZhk9dPsfuL2U2zjDFn/s640/blogger-image-1838724187.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The light is constantly changing.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-yZyVrB-KCN-U26_TyyHPVfliTXjLU66hp_gZhAT9cVLWZsEuhAbnzKmwxejIzUY1Bx1nkJJdrTsTEaUwHU8MlM82eXGDu0-4zzwPsIyLKsD08zc2Fep54wBrj_HkRT51iF1/s640/blogger-image--192643365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-yZyVrB-KCN-U26_TyyHPVfliTXjLU66hp_gZhAT9cVLWZsEuhAbnzKmwxejIzUY1Bx1nkJJdrTsTEaUwHU8MlM82eXGDu0-4zzwPsIyLKsD08zc2Fep54wBrj_HkRT51iF1/s640/blogger-image--192643365.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Then at dusk, Jupiter and Venus rising.</span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCbrUGhaaxET5BQO7pxKJHdUlOeqsYGCe4LeEKErqnYecSy_41-pM-IpC_Dea3e-BwqISyGQY-7hxdIh8-8HGKWM2HZp-4KaA-Bup4x2W-hm_7O82huOk8Mb8MJxj3_ul4WmS/s640/blogger-image--1469031593.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFCbrUGhaaxET5BQO7pxKJHdUlOeqsYGCe4LeEKErqnYecSy_41-pM-IpC_Dea3e-BwqISyGQY-7hxdIh8-8HGKWM2HZp-4KaA-Bup4x2W-hm_7O82huOk8Mb8MJxj3_ul4WmS/s640/blogger-image--1469031593.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The following day, a reality check.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The skies put on a different kind of drama.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fJeDQc3gDq4GH8eMOkeXsTVJ_EWplDE0k3678oXeQRA9bztbYnD_0fTDMea6S1BvvgduyBP2_MNeFFE1TA82BtBNbNewr03kMQQUsc-OAEZwh2_90e_0EJHUptN7rup-TZxd/s640/blogger-image-1049402155.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9fJeDQc3gDq4GH8eMOkeXsTVJ_EWplDE0k3678oXeQRA9bztbYnD_0fTDMea6S1BvvgduyBP2_MNeFFE1TA82BtBNbNewr03kMQQUsc-OAEZwh2_90e_0EJHUptN7rup-TZxd/s640/blogger-image-1049402155.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFIxBYr98jwQjiSjvh6Th7aHp6qUlVVWdvy-2FiiUnIYKcPsKY7OymsW8rmoUVAbx8zFFOb5kWeoKu0-1uI-hDNGv-TFdyy-JW0o17k6svyPVyOMlGwjdh_75wQB5bU6Mo5wi/s640/blogger-image--54921096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRFIxBYr98jwQjiSjvh6Th7aHp6qUlVVWdvy-2FiiUnIYKcPsKY7OymsW8rmoUVAbx8zFFOb5kWeoKu0-1uI-hDNGv-TFdyy-JW0o17k6svyPVyOMlGwjdh_75wQB5bU6Mo5wi/s640/blogger-image--54921096.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">It's a good time to leave.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6869365977293105272'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6869365977293105272'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/stockholm-skies.html' title='Stockholm skies'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJOtZVzZoxSysTKgQbniGEAoov1q-L-UL4u3_qYN0FuCKM3CIsePmlf66vzlEdzFpJNz9h6_s80S3Wktr5pCXucbqS8WTRvsgfvbV2zHubwNojA5Kb-Y_gKRMshZp8oiZblY_/s72-c/blogger-image--2000839183.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6072217401363441285</id><published>2015-05-16T03:31:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-16T06:50:08.864+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tepló'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Idiot Cafe'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ferry'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='St Petersburg'/><title type='text'>To St Petersburg without a visa!</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Because&nbsp;we were going to be in Warsaw anyway, we felt we just had to go to St Petersburg too. It was practically next door! But as&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">this trip was unplanned, we didn't have time to secure Russian visas.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart found a way though: a ferry cros</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">sing from Helsinki for a 72-hour stay without a visa.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Brilliant!</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Day1 was Victory Day, a state holiday. Palace Square, usually quiet and peaceful, was busy with parades, WW II vintage military equipment on show, war movies on a big screen, sentimental war-era music blaring.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKNbSTirJRbF640hAB6LWFut3vc2V11MITchotleXA1bQegZqlT6FHdvyjCzLvVB6eS7hexTukOgaye2vhBNnb-HpsKdiT9DhSENFzN1ISxspuV48Xdd8I9FzSWTVpiPg3z7o/s640/blogger-image-1002708170.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKNbSTirJRbF640hAB6LWFut3vc2V11MITchotleXA1bQegZqlT6FHdvyjCzLvVB6eS7hexTukOgaye2vhBNnb-HpsKdiT9DhSENFzN1ISxspuV48Xdd8I9FzSWTVpiPg3z7o/s640/blogger-image-1002708170.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUwD3i9Akf6uOPl3e9Km8ylApLRtRxAUAmqX4j-V6X8qPGe-DFc2t-xELvhc1d7IE75XGnX5NUdGUFWVNmTUXrhETSh-Cir9QGGX3DuMfE9pxpf5W8DsPXiylfLLrotLeKGH6/s640/blogger-image--769196007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBUwD3i9Akf6uOPl3e9Km8ylApLRtRxAUAmqX4j-V6X8qPGe-DFc2t-xELvhc1d7IE75XGnX5NUdGUFWVNmTUXrhETSh-Cir9QGGX3DuMfE9pxpf5W8DsPXiylfLLrotLeKGH6/s640/blogger-image--769196007.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxV_PzQSBGvFNlO0rGZwCeQ1YJWA0NMJOcJEqnkzSnnF2lijCVF-Kb4HPeeDi3Wf6sREyiB_aM3IXk6S9dVjYlR-1pq1ALbYLjRKezMe-PHOgDQLjF5Mm0zHaq8tM_FhykHVm/s640/blogger-image--1931545132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwxV_PzQSBGvFNlO0rGZwCeQ1YJWA0NMJOcJEqnkzSnnF2lijCVF-Kb4HPeeDi3Wf6sREyiB_aM3IXk6S9dVjYlR-1pq1ALbYLjRKezMe-PHOgDQLjF5Mm0zHaq8tM_FhykHVm/s640/blogger-image--1931545132.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Day2 was a washout. The Hermitage was closed (as are most museums on Mondays.)</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">We had booked a tour of&nbsp;<b>The Fabergé Museum&nbsp;</b>but turned out we had booked the German tour. So Stuart went earlier to have our booking changed to the already sold-out English tour. That done, we were no-shows</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">anyway because I wasn't feeling well.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Prescription: chicken soup at&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tepló&nbsp;</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and an afternoon nap. Recovered in time to go out to dinner at&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Idiot Cafe</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Great name (after Dostoevsky's book), good atmosphere, food not so good.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJrav0LOsq8XaOw8aeNIAgRoh7tRZ7VEJCSjSqZUhCr-kBSuWLULZqdLXtfk5kgrDqQ8w3MSGYQGUpifpaIc2BeqorDFQvdvMI-4LtjHtsElkHwrW-EtelqhoiBDEoEmEnmzi/s640/blogger-image-1828082184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJrav0LOsq8XaOw8aeNIAgRoh7tRZ7VEJCSjSqZUhCr-kBSuWLULZqdLXtfk5kgrDqQ8w3MSGYQGUpifpaIc2BeqorDFQvdvMI-4LtjHtsElkHwrW-EtelqhoiBDEoEmEnmzi/s640/blogger-image-1828082184.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-aKncTEOPlR7Yf5Fj8JqB32VqwpHoDD3_PiiPyqIBPLeDsUdcDIA8NYFRiX0NDtq2SCeVIIC1cFDALQQVt29pRPq7ZxAg8ztqRVGyrH7MHUcFf93eGS4xFdnqvaweNCnRMu0/s640/blogger-image-996933007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-aKncTEOPlR7Yf5Fj8JqB32VqwpHoDD3_PiiPyqIBPLeDsUdcDIA8NYFRiX0NDtq2SCeVIIC1cFDALQQVt29pRPq7ZxAg8ztqRVGyrH7MHUcFf93eGS4xFdnqvaweNCnRMu0/s640/blogger-image-996933007.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></span></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6072217401363441285'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6072217401363441285'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/to-st-petersburg-without-visa.html' title='To St Petersburg without a visa!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKNbSTirJRbF640hAB6LWFut3vc2V11MITchotleXA1bQegZqlT6FHdvyjCzLvVB6eS7hexTukOgaye2vhBNnb-HpsKdiT9DhSENFzN1ISxspuV48Xdd8I9FzSWTVpiPg3z7o/s72-c/blogger-image-1002708170.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1836581374729983832</id><published>2015-05-15T06:33:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-28T18:01:28.621+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Opera Baren'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Maria Stuarda'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Royal Swedish Opera'/><title type='text'>Stockholm: at the opera</title><content type='html'><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Stuart surprisingly came up with box seats for&nbsp;</span><i style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Maria Stuarda&nbsp;</i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">at the&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Royal Swedish Opera</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwN2UU1MLqGzPTwfqrs_ctvVFNDlJ0OPu_O3GEEPA2IxsWO-j4qk382EBRHmDUP7tC-1vJXJb0I0-K6IQUb8DpmZk3gEuaOKuwK6z-XF08wolXD8f0bC5CHYIbure_tqvvJU8n/s640/blogger-image--213225508.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwN2UU1MLqGzPTwfqrs_ctvVFNDlJ0OPu_O3GEEPA2IxsWO-j4qk382EBRHmDUP7tC-1vJXJb0I0-K6IQUb8DpmZk3gEuaOKuwK6z-XF08wolXD8f0bC5CHYIbure_tqvvJU8n/s640/blogger-image--213225508.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlNZMM37p99v2pv0R-rMtPyz1crSe-K2Dg9OrlGNFBlNBtXkgb7u-ydjiibP6k3PuUbZvEdDmHI-lO35q9eUyjq1W1k1ikLQTFuHhyTp3UimrJef9FG0mnj78W1feM_w5UnOB/s640/blogger-image--1085946430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjlNZMM37p99v2pv0R-rMtPyz1crSe-K2Dg9OrlGNFBlNBtXkgb7u-ydjiibP6k3PuUbZvEdDmHI-lO35q9eUyjq1W1k1ikLQTFuHhyTp3UimrJef9FG0mnj78W1feM_w5UnOB/s640/blogger-image--1085946430.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">The theater is small and intimate and looks like a perfect wedding cake. What seemed to me a p</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">redominantly local crowd&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">was an&nbsp;appreciative&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">audience; and so were we.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq3M6C9va4kw7_-pvPD2i9FAsc0HwUhq_Qn6-R1eaELvP9sL-ATh5Xd4Dthn0zs7UDiOs-BTdwUVchAuPLvQ_-tsizokdsmLtkxcesXevjEiwfKVQsT71xF2VzvrsaG2pkiZu/s640/blogger-image-664129264.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMq3M6C9va4kw7_-pvPD2i9FAsc0HwUhq_Qn6-R1eaELvP9sL-ATh5Xd4Dthn0zs7UDiOs-BTdwUVchAuPLvQ_-tsizokdsmLtkxcesXevjEiwfKVQsT71xF2VzvrsaG2pkiZu/s640/blogger-image-664129264.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We had champagne at Intermission and posed for pictures&nbsp;with members of the cast.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qCyIvpRnwFho6FY8QOm0yBjyMBWGvYywvJ_sRufbQdeIN1d-hsS7guS0sq5iB2zm7TD_EI5piyEHyexVxxtGnwUdLoN6nrgONKEmOl4e6Bz82yf7ed3c-fyp7TIBVRJwjq9y/s640/blogger-image--1474655220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6qCyIvpRnwFho6FY8QOm0yBjyMBWGvYywvJ_sRufbQdeIN1d-hsS7guS0sq5iB2zm7TD_EI5piyEHyexVxxtGnwUdLoN6nrgONKEmOl4e6Bz82yf7ed3c-fyp7TIBVRJwjq9y/s640/blogger-image--1474655220.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbft1GJoEBu3Xn2bXj236KHFGM8lvDvjvRTWEmE3oTKnDWmdP7cEObzQ_6NZ_8en7fVxQKiq4ildwXf3jp5TKlNSlH0q68eCWwpEekkfeetWfpK2crfEuh2ZkbR5i4Tw5CDEnw/s640/blogger-image-238502576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbft1GJoEBu3Xn2bXj236KHFGM8lvDvjvRTWEmE3oTKnDWmdP7cEObzQ_6NZ_8en7fVxQKiq4ildwXf3jp5TKlNSlH0q68eCWwpEekkfeetWfpK2crfEuh2ZkbR5i4Tw5CDEnw/s640/blogger-image-238502576.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyU2tJQCbkf_CGiy260pcpMnEownaKbM5EkbkTzDxzHv4XqMpa3a_9IlLmjc4d71kIRAtbFGiCispp4P0_vO-1tIvMnOJeUAkmrWO9iRe2WYCkur3EdetFpiGdP3DauCMKn5k/s640/blogger-image-1518385862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyU2tJQCbkf_CGiy260pcpMnEownaKbM5EkbkTzDxzHv4XqMpa3a_9IlLmjc4d71kIRAtbFGiCispp4P0_vO-1tIvMnOJeUAkmrWO9iRe2WYCkur3EdetFpiGdP3DauCMKn5k/s640/blogger-image-1518385862.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dinner was next door</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;at&nbsp;<b>Operabaren</b>, a lovely Art Nouveau&nbsp;setting,&nbsp;perfect</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;from the stained-glass ceiling, to the wood-paneled walls, down to the curvy seats.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvxjAn9yIn1IWoLXR9yWq-7Loce9DEO8_ZMejfTtX-gNjefNIdJQD_2mt5vpOHFrCZeGKANhU1Ty0sFDrIvRFBD_YblPrvP1XYbC3Fy_GffyMii4Bcf4qeyDv4tCy8grBhgq-/s640/blogger-image-646554891.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkvxjAn9yIn1IWoLXR9yWq-7Loce9DEO8_ZMejfTtX-gNjefNIdJQD_2mt5vpOHFrCZeGKANhU1Ty0sFDrIvRFBD_YblPrvP1XYbC3Fy_GffyMii4Bcf4qeyDv4tCy8grBhgq-/s640/blogger-image-646554891.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The restaurant is known for good classic Swedish food. Dinner was simple, unfussy, and delicious.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;But my oysters came from Brittany and the lightly salted salmon was&nbsp;Finnish. T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he potatoes in dill cream were Swedish.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFL2qT4mYZo70dj-wK9H0MueOmOfpdPW4g3MwtLu1Gx5G2VCjCWRuZ-1sx0hzd5yRaZJBMeKHMjm_l8jSKMAuE2HHvW3TIyuV0zq1CCzKNQuUwP15AQflq5D62Wf2YgFvZylqc/s640/blogger-image-451275701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFL2qT4mYZo70dj-wK9H0MueOmOfpdPW4g3MwtLu1Gx5G2VCjCWRuZ-1sx0hzd5yRaZJBMeKHMjm_l8jSKMAuE2HHvW3TIyuV0zq1CCzKNQuUwP15AQflq5D62Wf2YgFvZylqc/s640/blogger-image-451275701.jpg"></a></div></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1836581374729983832'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1836581374729983832'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/stockholm.html' title='Stockholm: at the opera'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwN2UU1MLqGzPTwfqrs_ctvVFNDlJ0OPu_O3GEEPA2IxsWO-j4qk382EBRHmDUP7tC-1vJXJb0I0-K6IQUb8DpmZk3gEuaOKuwK6z-XF08wolXD8f0bC5CHYIbure_tqvvJU8n/s72-c/blogger-image--213225508.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Maria Maria</georss:featurename><georss:point>59.320683 18.069243</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7265156080781208604</id><published>2015-05-13T19:08:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-16T15:44:01.205+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hidden Collection'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='General Staff Building'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hernitage'/><title type='text'>At the Hermitage, Part 2</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Day3 was Day2 at the Hermitage.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div>One quick review of the important pictures at the Hermitage, then across the square for t<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he <b>Hidden Collection</b> at the&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">General Staff Building</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;before heading back to the dock for the ferry back to Helsinki.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Hidden Collection includes an entire collection of modern art pieces that had been&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">mothballed during Stalin's time&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">because he</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;disliked modern art. He considered it immoral and debased.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It also includes properties left behind by wealthy Russians who fled the revolution. These properties were subsequently nationalized by the revolutionary government.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjpNpSdxnaMLHN8Q27HjOSvtoM_eo3SEFHtJjSlumojII9sN_0Pp0HVSvdwBl-EXp-pJSM9XjyXZ-7bWI2UElhb5zKxZWbt3MkAcKHutJSkckn0F4MvaEk5uIPmVoxbmiCcs_/s640/blogger-image-310493995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjpNpSdxnaMLHN8Q27HjOSvtoM_eo3SEFHtJjSlumojII9sN_0Pp0HVSvdwBl-EXp-pJSM9XjyXZ-7bWI2UElhb5zKxZWbt3MkAcKHutJSkckn0F4MvaEk5uIPmVoxbmiCcs_/s640/blogger-image-310493995.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLB2mYhhf8aam-DDhUWOeTyZzMgfKH63ZUm1qeIX0ETP2WWArJTEcQnG1eBemNXtxRRHueodgh9PuOvZWLgvk-2dPGdsjX7_dG8op5SPn-JemuRV6KmrHwZPZzYuJqVmVaXJn/s640/blogger-image-977011265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLB2mYhhf8aam-DDhUWOeTyZzMgfKH63ZUm1qeIX0ETP2WWArJTEcQnG1eBemNXtxRRHueodgh9PuOvZWLgvk-2dPGdsjX7_dG8op5SPn-JemuRV6KmrHwZPZzYuJqVmVaXJn/s640/blogger-image-977011265.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFWhiDgBmXVTIC-FHPuLKGUYklw6n63jBsGzaHbPPEN16QlgfonNWXBVjaNzHl_f6wxuTHA11Ny3TDlcmzPFWbwh-SVgYZomp-6a_pzBI-46K3ypUey8QlEl69epuiAgCZMEU/s640/blogger-image--1003997966.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFWhiDgBmXVTIC-FHPuLKGUYklw6n63jBsGzaHbPPEN16QlgfonNWXBVjaNzHl_f6wxuTHA11Ny3TDlcmzPFWbwh-SVgYZomp-6a_pzBI-46K3ypUey8QlEl69epuiAgCZMEU/s640/blogger-image--1003997966.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghznMJc9T_vCFM5zihKhnGTS91VBp9b_-Ywuupaxf32vNpezOu1jU0W5lnXAsxvAml2HtIamBeQlH6TJYfD6IC46iPQVXUVpUu8tEl-vI5etmwDHiCQWoFaUk7XJk0fK96-oDG/s640/blogger-image-373896125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghznMJc9T_vCFM5zihKhnGTS91VBp9b_-Ywuupaxf32vNpezOu1jU0W5lnXAsxvAml2HtIamBeQlH6TJYfD6IC46iPQVXUVpUu8tEl-vI5etmwDHiCQWoFaUk7XJk0fK96-oDG/s640/blogger-image-373896125.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihofYAkeSH3hRfO2C2zuyCTkieqaE1Il_jAEDp6Mpvx9l_B4YJMgf-V6FU2b4Pk1hJXZv9GB0A8jDHIZ9AOeyC9VM-i2pGeOYjGaJQ0_QefXjiDTn-tuhpvF3R6yrRsVcmX8Lu/s640/blogger-image-1557889939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihofYAkeSH3hRfO2C2zuyCTkieqaE1Il_jAEDp6Mpvx9l_B4YJMgf-V6FU2b4Pk1hJXZv9GB0A8jDHIZ9AOeyC9VM-i2pGeOYjGaJQ0_QefXjiDTn-tuhpvF3R6yrRsVcmX8Lu/s640/blogger-image-1557889939.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And then there are the&nbsp;controversial spoils of war. At the end of the war, the victorious Allied forces decided it would be right to&nbsp;get back from Germany whatever had been appropriated by Hitler's marauding forces. Russia then reclaimed art pieces that they felt were rightly theirs: those that had been</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;stolen from them. And then some, as reparation.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7265156080781208604'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7265156080781208604'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/at-hermitage-part-2.html' title='At the Hermitage, Part 2'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjpNpSdxnaMLHN8Q27HjOSvtoM_eo3SEFHtJjSlumojII9sN_0Pp0HVSvdwBl-EXp-pJSM9XjyXZ-7bWI2UElhb5zKxZWbt3MkAcKHutJSkckn0F4MvaEk5uIPmVoxbmiCcs_/s72-c/blogger-image-310493995.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9173097723112028480</id><published>2015-05-11T15:54:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-10-15T14:57:24.203+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Hermitage'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Russia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='St Petersburg'/><title type='text'>At the Hermitage, Part 1</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sergei walked us in a wide circle through the museum complex, talking us through events relating to the rooms and the objects in them, the characters populating the stories behind them, the protagonists of&nbsp;Tzarist Russia, their triumphs, their scandals, their secret loves. He showed us where historic moments were memorialized, where dramatic events happened.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The clock on the mantel is permanently stopped at 2:10, marking the moment when Bolsheviks broke into this room and rounded up the entire membership of the Provisional Government who had been meeting that fateful day of October 26, 1917.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJFVljo_HRAa6sjYzKSqBUJGxcpZaNhUxMM1caAUOcdbg7qHaHTWZNVih3ENvH0zcvRftrCVfAdXwx1nRFwNR5kL2qeE6i61np7WAv2DSQAg_sDBYwhJVKVhHFlYmXTZIZQUm/s640/blogger-image-126121439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJFVljo_HRAa6sjYzKSqBUJGxcpZaNhUxMM1caAUOcdbg7qHaHTWZNVih3ENvH0zcvRftrCVfAdXwx1nRFwNR5kL2qeE6i61np7WAv2DSQAg_sDBYwhJVKVhHFlYmXTZIZQUm/s640/blogger-image-126121439.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SY5ZJeUEEX9gv8xD5Hp_wXY_xlMjfaXo66ct-zA7_VfTW1QmqQb9LBHlu1cGpx_oa1Zab2I8smwpTGpGOrsXk23xMLuB7yXHxobDinAjFG3SEqBIVTNoVyHqlwMGloWkfSc3/s640/blogger-image--154742504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6SY5ZJeUEEX9gv8xD5Hp_wXY_xlMjfaXo66ct-zA7_VfTW1QmqQb9LBHlu1cGpx_oa1Zab2I8smwpTGpGOrsXk23xMLuB7yXHxobDinAjFG3SEqBIVTNoVyHqlwMGloWkfSc3/s640/blogger-image--154742504.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The various&nbsp;rooms,&nbsp;doorways, staircases, corridors... they all have stories to tell.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUcaoN5wtXTpBIwgSpQ070H6DSq1rUa65y5LXugXzEs6hJ3Lzj72RYyLcCubQigmxJvP5sG_4A7iFllpJuT7AvaK6RYmh_UHdB9kGtUOGbxYy1JdItUG91OcOP460u4F_Tung/s640/blogger-image-590799723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZUcaoN5wtXTpBIwgSpQ070H6DSq1rUa65y5LXugXzEs6hJ3Lzj72RYyLcCubQigmxJvP5sG_4A7iFllpJuT7AvaK6RYmh_UHdB9kGtUOGbxYy1JdItUG91OcOP460u4F_Tung/s640/blogger-image-590799723.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQPu6lykq7_pZeIcYfB0VEEUKwFQYWZV4yWGuQxf8UUqqW3-IQyZXT3rpzSEc8iH9OYeUU-PAPgpDTgeTErVFxi6FdCwRseB-Z9tA7-n1ikfkETMDkMlyci2VrmKkjf5MtcxE/s640/blogger-image--654628807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQPu6lykq7_pZeIcYfB0VEEUKwFQYWZV4yWGuQxf8UUqqW3-IQyZXT3rpzSEc8iH9OYeUU-PAPgpDTgeTErVFxi6FdCwRseB-Z9tA7-n1ikfkETMDkMlyci2VrmKkjf5MtcxE/s640/blogger-image--654628807.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are two things that set this museum experience apart: the manner in which the art is presented and the venue itself. The accessibility, the&nbsp;immediacy of the art, the way it is presented almost casually, intimately; this&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to me is unprecedented. I couldn't have stood closer to a Leonardo, studying his brushwork, trying to find a trace of eyebrows on the Madonna's face, if I had the painting hanging in my own living room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgmk4KW9fJVLWnPgX5ATbDIf9b99dRa-ae9Cv8Pmvb2abiY_O4BVaRA1b-KxHXwn4UoZQLoCBhJ3B8sOgggc3CG-JcljdVbUey7VnjCWhDMb5MfvbudeZk4OSB4X8IA0TdBrw/s640/blogger-image-1762132977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgmk4KW9fJVLWnPgX5ATbDIf9b99dRa-ae9Cv8Pmvb2abiY_O4BVaRA1b-KxHXwn4UoZQLoCBhJ3B8sOgggc3CG-JcljdVbUey7VnjCWhDMb5MfvbudeZk4OSB4X8IA0TdBrw/s640/blogger-image-1762132977.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The very rooms that house the art are themselves extraordinary.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;I wandered from room to room as in a daze, barely glancing at the ridiculous wealth of art objects on display, spending an inordinate amount of time&nbsp;inspecting ceilings, doors, floors. The hi-octane gilding of Russian Baroque, the mosaic work in glass, stone, and&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">malachite</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, the opulent parquetry underfoot...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7JvcNqfVIAG73aVgCDHkEAJBMzKqY20HAFHyrIcu2UZMm3NeQzSiL5TcYE8_hDJ6Y0URcm4h1RqsGmE1ZMyVtVKpPos9OZowCSOjsO-W396_defkC10CCiZ9F1-BSMshnxWn/s640/blogger-image-1453417982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7JvcNqfVIAG73aVgCDHkEAJBMzKqY20HAFHyrIcu2UZMm3NeQzSiL5TcYE8_hDJ6Y0URcm4h1RqsGmE1ZMyVtVKpPos9OZowCSOjsO-W396_defkC10CCiZ9F1-BSMshnxWn/s640/blogger-image-1453417982.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0MbGiRYYq8SA3rSCS81FOGTG5QpHtRGUnxTluHPO7EeViP46F3itX6t1ITJJenxBv3isT4AOgta6GoVcr5smRs_Rn45xy7RM4-sX-BpwQNDu33gHLxZ8ojsaTPCFuVLlZDTu/s640/blogger-image-1566400969.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0MbGiRYYq8SA3rSCS81FOGTG5QpHtRGUnxTluHPO7EeViP46F3itX6t1ITJJenxBv3isT4AOgta6GoVcr5smRs_Rn45xy7RM4-sX-BpwQNDu33gHLxZ8ojsaTPCFuVLlZDTu/s640/blogger-image-1566400969.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I also kept looking out at views of this lovely city framed by the&nbsp;museum&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">windows</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcq8RWC-rAc0eLoKzvwoS_w8MYVlS-4u9YNnSdPin6fZ31iKtZvywzkZyjsO5JrEJCs8LzvI-KxW0JT7QbIdZpRJcfZpvLayfEeiB164q0p3b1qc3KS5NLK4EuxupcN3GIvEy/s640/blogger-image-839712452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilcq8RWC-rAc0eLoKzvwoS_w8MYVlS-4u9YNnSdPin6fZ31iKtZvywzkZyjsO5JrEJCs8LzvI-KxW0JT7QbIdZpRJcfZpvLayfEeiB164q0p3b1qc3KS5NLK4EuxupcN3GIvEy/s640/blogger-image-839712452.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxo9Iem5W4-Fa-v0Eh8H1Bmb1YJ3sCPOqNYgsAsb0Sr5h7NCHWHm1UVYHbT42dGTph0B2MQQrPLmcHcNWgLcagCKQLOt6fKlmnmo6qvAO8Du2rKmvxaGp2do87zBlC5Dl3aUc/s640/blogger-image--822293024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxo9Iem5W4-Fa-v0Eh8H1Bmb1YJ3sCPOqNYgsAsb0Sr5h7NCHWHm1UVYHbT42dGTph0B2MQQrPLmcHcNWgLcagCKQLOt6fKlmnmo6qvAO8Du2rKmvxaGp2do87zBlC5Dl3aUc/s640/blogger-image--822293024.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At the start of our tour I asked </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sergei w</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">hy it's called Hermitage. He said he preferred to answer me later. T</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">owards the end, having completely circled the much-extended building, he pointed to a small garden now being restored, just off the Pavilion Hall, the one that houses the fabulous clockwork peacock.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA44iIcvnKeEUu6xUutwAh7xL3ARpsWI3iparkLXFoMAsTJ9h-51Ptjhy08K1B5nfg0ylVQZKkQlccs1ostaeRGl2xnv1VauK9fFqrKGlm3Yi3kmov4xYQ2hnMcYexe7pf-p6s/s640/blogger-image-207099179.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA44iIcvnKeEUu6xUutwAh7xL3ARpsWI3iparkLXFoMAsTJ9h-51Ptjhy08K1B5nfg0ylVQZKkQlccs1ostaeRGl2xnv1VauK9fFqrKGlm3Yi3kmov4xYQ2hnMcYexe7pf-p6s/s640/blogger-image-207099179.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGj4l8kugat7BEJhWZHGI0iy9GX-q4Tikq6EwDybRaniv2UajawhyCuuQPyXDR6t2p36xg6Fk-yFRWTRupfgTTQXBgLrnj57uCUHI0l0yUx9gqZrDz5dmq9M4um0CmeBI-NGn/s640/blogger-image-1540301184.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVGj4l8kugat7BEJhWZHGI0iy9GX-q4Tikq6EwDybRaniv2UajawhyCuuQPyXDR6t2p36xg6Fk-yFRWTRupfgTTQXBgLrnj57uCUHI0l0yUx9gqZrDz5dmq9M4um0CmeBI-NGn/s640/blogger-image-1540301184.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was Catherine the Great's private garden, her sanctuary, her hermitage.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9173097723112028480'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9173097723112028480'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/at-hermitage.html' title='At the Hermitage, Part 1'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJFVljo_HRAa6sjYzKSqBUJGxcpZaNhUxMM1caAUOcdbg7qHaHTWZNVih3ENvH0zcvRftrCVfAdXwx1nRFwNR5kL2qeE6i61np7WAv2DSQAg_sDBYwhJVKVhHFlYmXTZIZQUm/s72-c/blogger-image-126121439.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Maria Maria</georss:featurename><georss:point>59.320638 18.069548</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8642545199460123403</id><published>2015-05-10T16:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2019-06-17T14:42:53.927+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Russia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='St Petersburg'/><title type='text'>St Petersburg</title><content type='html'><div>
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You just have to love this place.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Having been served champagne on checking in at the <b>Marriott’s</b>&nbsp;<b>Renaissance</b>, we headed off to our room, glass in hand, porter in tow. Way to start the day!&nbsp;</span><br />
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We arrived just after breakfast<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, dropped off our bags at the hotel, then straight on to the <b>Hernitage Museum</b> for a private tour with&nbsp;Sergei Akopov, Ph.D., political science&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">associate professor of the&nbsp;National Research University "Higher School of Economics".&nbsp;</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.akopovsergei.com/" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">http://www.akopovsergei.com/</a></div>
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The long anticipated museum visit (next post) was followed by a cozy dinner at <b>Tepló</b>&nbsp;on the recommendation of our professor-guide who not only gave us a brilliant introduction to the treasure that is the Hermitage but also directed us to a wonderful place for dinner. With some prodding from me, he even told us what to order as well.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The atmosphere is casual and cheery, the crowd smartly-dressed urban family types, the service staff even younger, welcoming and enthusiastic. The food is good, particularly the desserts. Their apple layer cake is from a recipe by the owner's mother.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The restaurant is decorated like a lovely child-friendly home with whimsical touches in unexpected places. There are dressed-</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">up mouse dolls hanging with the wine glasses above the green-painted bar.</span></div>
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And t<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">he bill arrived in an envelope decorated by children partying in the playroom at the far end of the restaurant.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8642545199460123403'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8642545199460123403'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/st-petersburg.html' title='St Petersburg'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKk4pb00GsTINwsXTERYus-1P2oWr_Rle1rVEGxx3BpiFBEP9rO06xyVOdnYYo7hGwBxIFvaBBZdmnwpkwb6MGFGiP0-gBoJS-d2VfsIPPfJAWrS4ED7ffCHkvMGgvESa3x3gW/s72-c/blogger-image--804549398.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Admiralteysky District Admiralteysky District</georss:featurename><georss:point>59.932811 30.304804</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7455260790351828840</id><published>2015-05-10T16:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-14T03:15:43.477+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ferry to Russia'/><title type='text'>On board the Princess Maria to St Petersburg</title><content type='html'>An unseen band is playing "Hound Dog," I'm having a Mojito in the Funny Rabbit Beer Bar. The parade of seniors headed for the disco next door does not exactly put me in a party mood.<div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My Mojito though is delicious. The three fat rabbits are not looking so bad now.</span><br><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmzWxwQh_Q-ZRQZVTGuOlssM7vydYH3d_mn27QvwmCf9UqsfcnMEIZMBhEfld2HDHkD7XzVK0LZCBksPFDy7z_GDqCmbBT-RsYVSNmIGA7G4cqEF_HTCuRuFICLGUt1BicDn3/s640/blogger-image--1695192080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmzWxwQh_Q-ZRQZVTGuOlssM7vydYH3d_mn27QvwmCf9UqsfcnMEIZMBhEfld2HDHkD7XzVK0LZCBksPFDy7z_GDqCmbBT-RsYVSNmIGA7G4cqEF_HTCuRuFICLGUt1BicDn3/s640/blogger-image--1695192080.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>We move to the main bar where a saxophonist has quickly changed the mood.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAulpWbG9SUOfnujAcZhgmGWydc_D1PFB2z_D3IDKqN0KdACM1i15DnYh5LgxPKLPvvHvMXo5yKrPJvIhg3au0miofbb0TfpdqLJEndbfpkto7j4bl2qNvkboO8Z_Bhi_DEPZ/s640/blogger-image--2042757677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAulpWbG9SUOfnujAcZhgmGWydc_D1PFB2z_D3IDKqN0KdACM1i15DnYh5LgxPKLPvvHvMXo5yKrPJvIhg3au0miofbb0TfpdqLJEndbfpkto7j4bl2qNvkboO8Z_Bhi_DEPZ/s640/blogger-image--2042757677.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He's good. No, he is brilliant!</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bEzwC6SE1wqzRyMdFxS_3IJYc1LSb7DQLrxhcnXk9-QFxfpy7fURUyRHLPjdxfHBQapfIPOg0YeWyCp9c8wZPmcMHBFrupjdDNiZo8iUdfj5tl1VCcVpgOXyYhNoMJpfQUT7/s640/blogger-image-1752060419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3bEzwC6SE1wqzRyMdFxS_3IJYc1LSb7DQLrxhcnXk9-QFxfpy7fURUyRHLPjdxfHBQapfIPOg0YeWyCp9c8wZPmcMHBFrupjdDNiZo8iUdfj5tl1VCcVpgOXyYhNoMJpfQUT7/s640/blogger-image-1752060419.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>***</div><div><br></div><div>After a buffet dinner, we were back in the bar for the evening's show.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>All supremely Russian, patriotic. Highlight of the evening was the two-for-the-price-of-one Margaritas at intermission.</div><div><br></div><div>Should have ensured me a good night's sleep, these powerful cocktails, but:</div><div><br></div><div>I saw the sunset...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDtiNJfQTCjAWNdlaZUn1UL8IIIFAXWHtTSGell2Ady7SiJQG2_0sOJUaPJfS7QWjzfF-xFMRKJv0jU2yk4CJ_6DROsULZRFX7Hz3WUySBT08f4lOkTwULvI9I2Sm4GbQX4nE/s640/blogger-image-1043244701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzDtiNJfQTCjAWNdlaZUn1UL8IIIFAXWHtTSGell2Ady7SiJQG2_0sOJUaPJfS7QWjzfF-xFMRKJv0jU2yk4CJ_6DROsULZRFX7Hz3WUySBT08f4lOkTwULvI9I2Sm4GbQX4nE/s640/blogger-image-1043244701.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>I saw the moon set...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiW-XNlGkYF0CM2BaOn0YcKAs8jdz6EoOfxSDqZ-4bWI5VWB2nGFppajwzi_6f0DY1S1CBq_Jqfcq_CVWinUx50HAS71vibHqMMkKTZ-ZsaOUabwmUssMOtx4CjTzBPZS_sIA/s640/blogger-image-642283117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiW-XNlGkYF0CM2BaOn0YcKAs8jdz6EoOfxSDqZ-4bWI5VWB2nGFppajwzi_6f0DY1S1CBq_Jqfcq_CVWinUx50HAS71vibHqMMkKTZ-ZsaOUabwmUssMOtx4CjTzBPZS_sIA/s640/blogger-image-642283117.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>I saw the sunrise...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ_Fs6GOZnNgjOjCJr-qw-WmblPAqa2euXf87pbE9yPV1H2-yKMb-aLsfGAebGgIw0KukhpqQLBOmoW_M_cBd-gjrVK6UEs5UvGJtOeSpPS3UtwVcrxjviXkQiCIjHprtMqGq/s640/blogger-image--1940641557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ_Fs6GOZnNgjOjCJr-qw-WmblPAqa2euXf87pbE9yPV1H2-yKMb-aLsfGAebGgIw0KukhpqQLBOmoW_M_cBd-gjrVK6UEs5UvGJtOeSpPS3UtwVcrxjviXkQiCIjHprtMqGq/s640/blogger-image--1940641557.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And I have yet to sleep...</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7455260790351828840'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7455260790351828840'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/on-board-princess-maria-to-st-petersburg.html' title='On board the Princess Maria to St Petersburg'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmzWxwQh_Q-ZRQZVTGuOlssM7vydYH3d_mn27QvwmCf9UqsfcnMEIZMBhEfld2HDHkD7XzVK0LZCBksPFDy7z_GDqCmbBT-RsYVSNmIGA7G4cqEF_HTCuRuFICLGUt1BicDn3/s72-c/blogger-image--1695192080.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Admiralteysky District Admiralteysky District</georss:featurename><georss:point>59.932745 30.304781</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6303977446564792590</id><published>2015-05-09T04:39:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-10T15:51:35.791+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Helsinki'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ragú Restaurant'/><title type='text'>Dinner at RAGÚ</title><content type='html'><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We had no booking, so we sat in the bar area adjoining the dining room.</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTPnX29S3DAMClvM02PBf1BX2f6ew7qFHE65e0mQY_f9rGoq7gZOAsgiWH6C40yo90rN6YszO-jNmej14j_79QKHEaK-Zr6MEZ5aTIAZcBvIuGzv4DfZLCdF4HRTltI1Yo3Ht/s640/blogger-image-2089079045.jpg"></font></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7vkrDpjfhMwLPJnzF6tRxTTHGaqURKtNyCdgW7VYAnP2tWdDPZfaJhe6Fb-KzNVBg94ur9HUtUthAFNHGnm9WfsLtUa-arIOLiKlhk8hu1sTJS4EKaKpNgMv48yEVWOv02YbJ/s640/blogger-image--1170469814.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I had &nbsp;the&nbsp;3-course&nbsp;Surprise Menu.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Breads</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Malt, parmesan, sour dough</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Butter, rhubarb, chickpeas, goat cheese</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Starter</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Trout x2</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Baby carrots</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Salmon roe</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tarragon mayonnaise&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Mini potato pancakes<br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Main course</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Whitefish, seared</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lobster<br></span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Potato terrine&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Asparagus</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Baby carrots</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Pre-dessert sweet in a jam jar</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lime mousse with ground peanuts</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dessert</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Peach and ginger ice cream</span></div></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: none; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div></span><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunset photos at 9:30.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SroDPJ1RLl_L8AmDzFNNjipYy3lg1F7vTP-kbUr7G_hf5-rv2s_HVQTOatWEwcCwhu9JbyXBuX_yvwyfAuB2AUYBRtNZH3kkSTP99b8e2q4sa4ICMbwyeOhzq2KcEz9m1-vB/s640/blogger-image--14300028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SroDPJ1RLl_L8AmDzFNNjipYy3lg1F7vTP-kbUr7G_hf5-rv2s_HVQTOatWEwcCwhu9JbyXBuX_yvwyfAuB2AUYBRtNZH3kkSTP99b8e2q4sa4ICMbwyeOhzq2KcEz9m1-vB/s640/blogger-image--14300028.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0SroDPJ1RLl_L8AmDzFNNjipYy3lg1F7vTP-kbUr7G_hf5-rv2s_HVQTOatWEwcCwhu9JbyXBuX_yvwyfAuB2AUYBRtNZH3kkSTP99b8e2q4sa4ICMbwyeOhzq2KcEz9m1-vB/s640/blogger-image--14300028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKICdXaAE7o4Rmnt787reL334Jzgw1vFZGnR0NDya9CQkN4ynyM-B2vHEwRQt3BuoPqdS3YJmC8YNRVNj_lMU3FxP3nN9XKfeH4QnBaVHKruLsUfth4MAcfshzxQKzvxKFGLu/s640/blogger-image--1800070470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmKICdXaAE7o4Rmnt787reL334Jzgw1vFZGnR0NDya9CQkN4ynyM-B2vHEwRQt3BuoPqdS3YJmC8YNRVNj_lMU3FxP3nN9XKfeH4QnBaVHKruLsUfth4MAcfshzxQKzvxKFGLu/s640/blogger-image--1800070470.jpg"></a></span></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6303977446564792590'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6303977446564792590'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/dinner-at-ragu.html' title='Dinner at RAGÚ'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTPnX29S3DAMClvM02PBf1BX2f6ew7qFHE65e0mQY_f9rGoq7gZOAsgiWH6C40yo90rN6YszO-jNmej14j_79QKHEaK-Zr6MEZ5aTIAZcBvIuGzv4DfZLCdF4HRTltI1Yo3Ht/s72-c/blogger-image-2089079045.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Kruununhaka (null)</georss:featurename><georss:point>60.176466 24.950829</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8395264091830818987</id><published>2015-05-09T03:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-14T03:17:12.635+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Kamp'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Helsinki'/><title type='text'>Helsinki</title><content type='html'><span style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7019607843137254)" face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="font-size: 23px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTPnX29S3DAMClvM02PBf1BX2f6ew7qFHE65e0mQY_f9rGoq7gZOAsgiWH6C40yo90rN6YszO-jNmej14j_79QKHEaK-Zr6MEZ5aTIAZcBvIuGzv4DfZLCdF4HRTltI1Yo3Ht/s640/blogger-image-2089079045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7019607843137254)" face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="font-size: 23px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTPnX29S3DAMClvM02PBf1BX2f6ew7qFHE65e0mQY_f9rGoq7gZOAsgiWH6C40yo90rN6YszO-jNmej14j_79QKHEaK-Zr6MEZ5aTIAZcBvIuGzv4DfZLCdF4HRTltI1Yo3Ht/s640/blogger-image-2089079045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgh-MVFTd2ckYN5DAVx_SmzklpL17HhVaNbKW-hsxasrpqBjreZDvdJX5V5HPaKuevtvCwBzwPMIXnd6DPhExArEMk8DoiyoMEAzrufjKAhnvG7kAyVSbxT_bpbz8lfKnQS6q/s640/blogger-image-483568815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgh-MVFTd2ckYN5DAVx_SmzklpL17HhVaNbKW-hsxasrpqBjreZDvdJX5V5HPaKuevtvCwBzwPMIXnd6DPhExArEMk8DoiyoMEAzrufjKAhnvG7kAyVSbxT_bpbz8lfKnQS6q/s640/blogger-image-483568815.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Coming in from the cold.&nbsp;We're in the bar of Hotel Kamp and m</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">y glass of Amarone has warmed me up; a much needed warm up.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">T</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he sun is beating down at seven in the evening but it's eight degrees and a bitter cold wind has snatched my visor from my head.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This is spring in Finland.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm still waiting to be overwhelmed by the reputed brilliance of Finnish design. Tomorrow we go to the design shops.</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></span><div style="text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 23px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8395264091830818987'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8395264091830818987'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/helsinki_9.html' title='Helsinki'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzgh-MVFTd2ckYN5DAVx_SmzklpL17HhVaNbKW-hsxasrpqBjreZDvdJX5V5HPaKuevtvCwBzwPMIXnd6DPhExArEMk8DoiyoMEAzrufjKAhnvG7kAyVSbxT_bpbz8lfKnQS6q/s72-c/blogger-image-483568815.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Southern Finland (null)</georss:featurename><georss:point>60.178755 24.950135</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1483559865993985657</id><published>2015-05-07T20:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-07T22:17:59.098+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Warsaw'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Copernicus Science Centre'/><title type='text'>At the Copernicus Science Centre</title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just beyond the entrance hall, a two-storey high Foucault pendulum swings in the atrium designed to house it. It's an awesome thing: simple, eloquent, engaging. It requires no engine, no fuel, no operators. (None apparent anyway; although real scientists know that even pendulums need a push every now and then.) It demonstrates a basic principle that rules our universe, embarrassing past generations of so-called learned men. And I challenge anybody to just walk past it without stopping to see what happens.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was at the centre yesterday, mainly for the Planetarium. So were vast armies of school kids.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was easy to enjoy the planetarium as nothing else was expected of me save to recline in my chair and marvel at the Heavens of Copernicus.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT3rsUOxOaLBuyQ9Ghl0Kpvv2VbKXsVOp2BySZhuq69CFALwhLJjvRq_DMEunbJSCt3ldfdj6qdRqEXUVfYPaLsgRvvdsV-c9ZYlS9QuSKkuBj4OkuU2pTgNtsdG5n0bfQdLv/s640/blogger-image--999854911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT3rsUOxOaLBuyQ9Ghl0Kpvv2VbKXsVOp2BySZhuq69CFALwhLJjvRq_DMEunbJSCt3ldfdj6qdRqEXUVfYPaLsgRvvdsV-c9ZYlS9QuSKkuBj4OkuU2pTgNtsdG5n0bfQdLv/s640/blogger-image--999854911.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The exhibits were a different thing altogether. I felt slightly&nbsp;overwhelmed by them all and decidedly&nbsp;intimidated by the swarm of kids around me. They rushed about, horsed around, fiddled with switches, pressed buttons, pulled ropes, pushed levers, pumped pumps...&nbsp;The little people seemed to&nbsp;know exactly what to do with what.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">And there I was, towering above them, gawking.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I came away with two conclusions. I accept demonstrable facts as fact. And there are things I don't like doing alone.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT63Q6dyuIDkZO5Jdn7NZGQbMtY14dWxZowsehh8-gE38THSAaAZi6aKBv0xgct_v-YhEqsYvnTAkRtFN-r-IlHWzQSjM8Wl_0495fjZr1w4imYEh3WaS3E5PQJhWsqm9Rk8o/s640/blogger-image--1566761094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXT63Q6dyuIDkZO5Jdn7NZGQbMtY14dWxZowsehh8-gE38THSAaAZi6aKBv0xgct_v-YhEqsYvnTAkRtFN-r-IlHWzQSjM8Wl_0495fjZr1w4imYEh3WaS3E5PQJhWsqm9Rk8o/s640/blogger-image--1566761094.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1483559865993985657'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1483559865993985657'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/at-copernicus-science-centre.html' title='At the Copernicus Science Centre'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimT3rsUOxOaLBuyQ9Ghl0Kpvv2VbKXsVOp2BySZhuq69CFALwhLJjvRq_DMEunbJSCt3ldfdj6qdRqEXUVfYPaLsgRvvdsV-c9ZYlS9QuSKkuBj4OkuU2pTgNtsdG5n0bfQdLv/s72-c/blogger-image--999854911.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Śródmieście Północne Śródmieście</georss:featurename><georss:point>52.227657 21.005784</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1026727958240847383</id><published>2015-05-06T04:01:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-08T00:01:34.228+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='University of Warsaw Library'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='roof garden'/><title type='text'>The fabulous roof garden of the University of Warsaw Library</title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There are creepers, vines, climbers, dwarf trees, grasses. The low plantings call&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">to mind prairies, hills, meadows.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I don't know the plants' proper names or&nbsp;the nomenclature for garden features so I'm handicapped in my attempt to describe the charm of this garden.</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Even &nbsp;necessary&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">tech stuff like&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ventilation chimneys and solar panels&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">look interesting among the metal bridges, glass domes, and wire pergolas. Beautiful r</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">ound windows peep up from grassy outcrops.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp; &nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Compositions are&nbsp;connected by paths, bridges,&nbsp;ponds,&nbsp;and hidden benches.&nbsp;Sections are&nbsp;delineated by colour and character of plantings.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">O</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">n the Library roof, the garden is divided into four parts, each highlighted by a defined colour: gold, silver, green, and purple.</span></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmZ8EMNdB9Qfb8KO6xrI1lySiO7kxN_NKWhqYoqLgpNdAzkwm_yWRjDk06_ZHWrnkeK96bIhd_hTk_jbJf2JeUNNG0SwRhNVBB9cL89VusF4Vkd1iVSI2Jj4Wd2LoJcBBC3RS/s640/blogger-image--41474202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmZ8EMNdB9Qfb8KO6xrI1lySiO7kxN_NKWhqYoqLgpNdAzkwm_yWRjDk06_ZHWrnkeK96bIhd_hTk_jbJf2JeUNNG0SwRhNVBB9cL89VusF4Vkd1iVSI2Jj4Wd2LoJcBBC3RS/s640/blogger-image--41474202.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMh9PgNtrkyX_A8DWra3u-mtDgapk6pYxm8zvqsNSnQH2TAEg9OaLOUqahjykUb-M99xkFh_jg5jlDwiKQ3BPxmOdgnHXOsJUR1CDoBQiwb42V6zjfm-7hAGTQsn_DdCp1i_A/s640/blogger-image-2066759231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimMh9PgNtrkyX_A8DWra3u-mtDgapk6pYxm8zvqsNSnQH2TAEg9OaLOUqahjykUb-M99xkFh_jg5jlDwiKQ3BPxmOdgnHXOsJUR1CDoBQiwb42V6zjfm-7hAGTQsn_DdCp1i_A/s640/blogger-image-2066759231.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXInTxrP7cklP7ZTIY8iTfiAFBN2D5rmEL6qQaxVVn8_3OTdgUxuMDiuen5qEtNJx3QWGon0gEE6N6owOYQjYs8hE7AHNkdo15ifq1jlcjVE8dc2tXtZh0VQRRardXcWIITze3/s640/blogger-image-1582563548.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXInTxrP7cklP7ZTIY8iTfiAFBN2D5rmEL6qQaxVVn8_3OTdgUxuMDiuen5qEtNJx3QWGon0gEE6N6owOYQjYs8hE7AHNkdo15ifq1jlcjVE8dc2tXtZh0VQRRardXcWIITze3/s640/blogger-image-1582563548.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESZymJ-X5f4KTgWCmmH_96XW6BxMkef5XO_vFG1c3iFPHctwiDNeXQSyYlQUDWQ7jgUkWR1kp18NlJytG9iCDw47caiMQUFI9t4GEnLPNGfQMwnlNjxzd4sWSGd4E1W4CX1EM/s640/blogger-image--1014269623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgESZymJ-X5f4KTgWCmmH_96XW6BxMkef5XO_vFG1c3iFPHctwiDNeXQSyYlQUDWQ7jgUkWR1kp18NlJytG9iCDw47caiMQUFI9t4GEnLPNGfQMwnlNjxzd4sWSGd4E1W4CX1EM/s640/blogger-image--1014269623.jpg"></font></a></div></div></div></div></div><div><br></div><div>The facade of the library itself is clad in ivy and vine and blackberries.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy_KP-kE2pQ0maa9xnW0c-lb82nGdRm01a8yBjmZD0T5TJyQGZehYb4PnC2RiAAUnbSjfsrOQrEl0rynOByeVvP_XnlNVdGhNdF4yAUbSKyqijOwtANf1Xj8ytFXvmLnDjEWI/s640/blogger-image--1671383995.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTy_KP-kE2pQ0maa9xnW0c-lb82nGdRm01a8yBjmZD0T5TJyQGZehYb4PnC2RiAAUnbSjfsrOQrEl0rynOByeVvP_XnlNVdGhNdF4yAUbSKyqijOwtANf1Xj8ytFXvmLnDjEWI/s640/blogger-image--1671383995.jpg"></a></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1026727958240847383'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1026727958240847383'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/the-fabulous-roof-garden-of-university.html' title='The fabulous roof garden of the University of Warsaw Library'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJmZ8EMNdB9Qfb8KO6xrI1lySiO7kxN_NKWhqYoqLgpNdAzkwm_yWRjDk06_ZHWrnkeK96bIhd_hTk_jbJf2JeUNNG0SwRhNVBB9cL89VusF4Vkd1iVSI2Jj4Wd2LoJcBBC3RS/s72-c/blogger-image--41474202.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Śródmieście Północne Śródmieście</georss:featurename><georss:point>52.227899 21.005293</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3677356129021007478</id><published>2015-05-02T14:08:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-02T21:34:13.974+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Parts unknown'/><title type='text'>Parts unknown, second leg: Helsinki</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Raising my window shade just enough to take a picture of the sunrise; but this is all I get:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsL_-M_42-P1hAF8qDtqI5fiPJRYDZ7aStN5R6pbmfEUsXmSyH5Aoe4SpJ2DJbLuY74C28JQenVjq5-y6ecdkA4d1j1mTlSwqy4wCmx3-tP4D6EwcNzr-sR8C3yPIGNUSGlTL/s640/blogger-image--1616999326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsL_-M_42-P1hAF8qDtqI5fiPJRYDZ7aStN5R6pbmfEUsXmSyH5Aoe4SpJ2DJbLuY74C28JQenVjq5-y6ecdkA4d1j1mTlSwqy4wCmx3-tP4D6EwcNzr-sR8C3yPIGNUSGlTL/s640/blogger-image--1616999326.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We're almost at the end of the earth," Stuart says.&nbsp;</span>"Can you see Father Christmas?" That's Santa Claus to you and me.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">***</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Okay, a picture of the sunrise, as Baby ordered:<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0VpQ5R5AWxH0gsoBxRCWKZmSOB1qe4znmI4erY3K4Sg24FMrleX_503tzInoNDBnn6HajrJPBFlroQDmO_IIyOPiqJvNuVdk8x83wd7Hc_oDk9DaMpXVwnb3_8MBwMgNRjDH/s640/blogger-image--753610901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho0VpQ5R5AWxH0gsoBxRCWKZmSOB1qe4znmI4erY3K4Sg24FMrleX_503tzInoNDBnn6HajrJPBFlroQDmO_IIyOPiqJvNuVdk8x83wd7Hc_oDk9DaMpXVwnb3_8MBwMgNRjDH/s640/blogger-image--753610901.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We're in Helsinki, en route to Warsaw. My phone's wifi page reads:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9SRxF_Q-BdOfPERPhfxHoaABZGVJIyEYMmQvYhEqZCV2ou9B5hYHcL8OSOZW5qDndgJ9Uu8HIuSfEN8CKmFBGShyphenhyphenmJSiaS_032qSyzyBjXWO1vzQmIu1gafajBXxLwnRfKen/s640/blogger-image--1786258059.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB9SRxF_Q-BdOfPERPhfxHoaABZGVJIyEYMmQvYhEqZCV2ou9B5hYHcL8OSOZW5qDndgJ9Uu8HIuSfEN8CKmFBGShyphenhyphenmJSiaS_032qSyzyBjXWO1vzQmIu1gafajBXxLwnRfKen/s640/blogger-image--1786258059.jpg"></font></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>I love this northern style: sleek, chic, monochromatic.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuyAqXg1LsxjSNULRYLU1e1Z6K6g9uz1GAmvCE9IwHd2SA5qTHcPopsK82CQ4ebSil_IrzXG0wT1LQ_gY5AZknwaJwA25XfXyqqvmnY87yYsl00L9cIG7xR4jm3_j5nxSyiKH/s640/blogger-image--1054622776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuyAqXg1LsxjSNULRYLU1e1Z6K6g9uz1GAmvCE9IwHd2SA5qTHcPopsK82CQ4ebSil_IrzXG0wT1LQ_gY5AZknwaJwA25XfXyqqvmnY87yYsl00L9cIG7xR4jm3_j5nxSyiKH/s640/blogger-image--1054622776.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We're off to Warsaw for a week, then back to Helsinki where my Parts Unknown adventure begins.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3677356129021007478'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3677356129021007478'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/parts-unknown-second-leg-helsinki.html' title='Parts unknown, second leg: Helsinki'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibsL_-M_42-P1hAF8qDtqI5fiPJRYDZ7aStN5R6pbmfEUsXmSyH5Aoe4SpJ2DJbLuY74C28JQenVjq5-y6ecdkA4d1j1mTlSwqy4wCmx3-tP4D6EwcNzr-sR8C3yPIGNUSGlTL/s72-c/blogger-image--1616999326.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Śródmieście Śródmieście</georss:featurename><georss:point>52.228836 21.002609</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7298302178719651185</id><published>2015-05-01T22:45:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-05-01T23:23:28.374+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New places'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><title type='text'>En route to parts unknown</title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div>Singapore sunset on first leg.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsfqGlqOpQj5lVpNY5fn5iAdmD5O74oyFuNAeOx3LCwhslXCemmKvgUV4tKgSDjzh9xhszz4SoaGvzOELjSPhDtfLMxgpaUXlZ5WGyw49KP97hpoD0OfLBdnGBjqCRQtuC0Vs/s640/blogger-image-1375480285.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsfqGlqOpQj5lVpNY5fn5iAdmD5O74oyFuNAeOx3LCwhslXCemmKvgUV4tKgSDjzh9xhszz4SoaGvzOELjSPhDtfLMxgpaUXlZ5WGyw49KP97hpoD0OfLBdnGBjqCRQtuC0Vs/s640/blogger-image-1375480285.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I haven't been this excited about a trip in a while. There's a sweetness in going back to memorable places; and there's a coming home coziness in returning to all time favorite haunts. But the thrill in going somewhere for the first time is priceless.</div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7298302178719651185'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7298302178719651185'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/05/en-route-to-parts-unknown.html' title='En route to parts unknown'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxsfqGlqOpQj5lVpNY5fn5iAdmD5O74oyFuNAeOx3LCwhslXCemmKvgUV4tKgSDjzh9xhszz4SoaGvzOELjSPhDtfLMxgpaUXlZ5WGyw49KP97hpoD0OfLBdnGBjqCRQtuC0Vs/s72-c/blogger-image-1375480285.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3790829777707328021</id><published>2015-04-22T15:10:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-04-24T17:17:03.079+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><title type='text'>Singapore</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Lunch. Shopping. Cocktails. Party party party!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I recently wrote a friend:</span></div>
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<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Still in Singapore until weekend. The view from my hotel window is nothing short of magnificent. Laid out before me is everything this over-achieving country is so proud of.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkrmldPqL0TwOhmZLP3QQ0ZtfA4PypFHXqk_OGz-_9UjTgdw8d6NRVYMNCCxu8QDIfz-5fKF1CB8caiAn8QQ2mHmNcpiebIcVvyFmFQYiIB9-BFfBbrZls8CUmCV0qhW3S1Oy/s640/blogger-image-1333246743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMkrmldPqL0TwOhmZLP3QQ0ZtfA4PypFHXqk_OGz-_9UjTgdw8d6NRVYMNCCxu8QDIfz-5fKF1CB8caiAn8QQ2mHmNcpiebIcVvyFmFQYiIB9-BFfBbrZls8CUmCV0qhW3S1Oy/s640/blogger-image-1333246743.jpg"></a></div></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thing is, it doesn't do anything for me. I find it hard to get excited about a place whose people are reportedly anti-Filipino. It may not even be true; and even if true the sentiment is limited to a small minority. But this minority is a vociferously intimidating, belligerent minority.</span>&nbsp;In social media, that is. It's said that this unfortunate xenophobic turn is merely a swipe at an increasingly unpopular ruling party- Lee Kwan Yew's party. Seems silly to even talk of any other party in this dynastic quasi-monarchy but the formerly docile Singaporean is trying out a newly emerging voice. Mr Lee has left the building though and it would be interesting to see what happens next.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Looking forward to a dinner party this evening. Mostly expat Filipinos and their multiracial families."</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">•••<br></span>
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Needless to say, the evening was an unqualified success, as evenings at Tom and Lorna's always are.</div><div><br></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Is it more fun in the Philippines? Truth of the matter is: Filipinas have more fun. Wherever they are.</span></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0wVyjCewkda0ZGPbjgya6_mIP40EO13EoBOi7-GXqZadcJEfYLEeURN_FV7LSMwVJVm8mR9Z9y2JNjQ8mklI2BNPvnfmsUwE4zVCNqjpqpjptbOclpof0peWblr31jnwyHiB/s640/blogger-image-1206850011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0wVyjCewkda0ZGPbjgya6_mIP40EO13EoBOi7-GXqZadcJEfYLEeURN_FV7LSMwVJVm8mR9Z9y2JNjQ8mklI2BNPvnfmsUwE4zVCNqjpqpjptbOclpof0peWblr31jnwyHiB/s640/blogger-image-1206850011.jpg"></a></div><br></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3790829777707328021'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3790829777707328021'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/04/singapore.html' title='Singapore'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBv9xPENPP40C-S6nnmcAsT1j5Pf0wOEWF8ucj7lCVQ3ugLu5YewhvgAmnbMslolnIku0qm4J4F6kH6LQpMpL5CvxUHx51T9kennP2CQTGSfiLF4ncYmi97LCENtKd4USvEwSu/s72-c/blogger-image-1107763782.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Conrad Centennial Singapore, Singapore</georss:featurename><georss:point>1.293611 103.858611</georss:point><georss:box>1.292619 103.8573505 1.2946030000000002 103.8598715</georss:box></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8751374641996400971</id><published>2015-04-16T15:54:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2015-04-23T15:52:41.712+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blind Pig'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='G7 girls day and night out'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>Makati</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At Blind Pig, t<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he girls were disappointed.</span>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sorry, they can't make&nbsp;</span>Annette a f<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">rozen margarita. And s</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">orry, they only use the classic cocktail glasses; not the&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">modern flared martini glasses</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;that Avin and Laura came here for.&nbsp;</span><br><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">They've never had martinis before and only wanted them as props for a photo shoot. Shoot!&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Never mind, we had fun anyway. And the bartender taught us how to make martinis. Plus, he was cute.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Laura's martini:&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2 oz Tanqueray</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">1 oz Sweet Vermouth</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3 olives, lemon twist (as per request)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Avin's martini:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dry Vermouth</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3 olives, lemon twist&nbsp;(as per request)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alice's vodka martini:</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">2.5 oz 42 Below</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">0.5 oz Dry Vermouth</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3 olives, lemon twist&nbsp;(as per request)</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Annette's margarita:</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Classic, made with&nbsp;1800 Tequila.&nbsp;</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8751374641996400971'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8751374641996400971'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/04/makati.html' title='Makati'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitDvxDc6eDPDSlTm6cbbwHEdecrxxzvdZAuxD7qbVLw5c791XCryLn8VSZtVQP83KaYsW6sdD1qjEW7u7udfUptCDwIKODY-MYVKUFXnD2WJOvHcp_H-7u8UMglLQ1xQyRpbf_/s72-c/blogger-image--1184449418.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines</georss:featurename><georss:point>14.554729 121.02444519999995</georss:point><georss:box>14.4932525 120.94376419999995 14.6162055 121.10512619999994</georss:box></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4632803009030911204</id><published>2015-03-30T12:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-04-16T15:07:41.788+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Thai massage'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bangkok'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Bangkok</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Grand Club Bangkok.&nbsp;</span></div>
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It's a lovely lounge, simple, elegant, quiet. Random thoughts on recent massage:</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Following therapist through&nbsp;poolside&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">garden to treatment room thinking that's not a good word, treatment. What's wrong with calling it a massage room anyway?&nbsp;Stone steps flat smooth pebbles.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Foot bath in shiny metal bowl. Maybe stone better? But shiny equals clean so ok. Green tea cream lovely on tired feet.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Soft Thai music birdsong then thunder, rain: great combination for relaxing body and mind, muscles and brain.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Is the Oriental Spa still a cut above?</span></div>
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The following day's massage makes it official: no pressing need to cross over to the Oriental Spa. &nbsp;My therapist, Ta, gave me the best Thai massage I've ever had.&nbsp;</div>
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Yet another massage: a foot massage in the mall next door. The woman at the door didn't look interested; sitting on a bench, hand dipping into a plastic bag of dried something that she&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">chewed on continuously. Turned out to be the masseuse.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Not the gentlest creature, my therapist. Is she even called that? She tossed two towels on a recliner covered with a permanent looking hard wearing corduroy then propped up a pillow sheathed in a dark velour type cover. My foot got in the way as she pushed aside a stool. Not a good omen I said as Stuart and I exchanged worried smiles.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">To be fair, massage turned out alright, not great but alright. It was of course far removed from the previous day's&nbsp;experience</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. I may have been unjustly suspicious of the sheets, the towels, the foot tub, even the water. And the hand that I had watched dipping into her plastic bag of dried goodies maybe?</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4632803009030911204'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4632803009030911204'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/03/bangkok.html' title='Bangkok'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS39LZ6e0jvQ0P_vRpXP8cTjZVZfC3UMB3s15S6g42yYawK1-JprAmUbPT-XP4A7Brj7QxdYYP5duI1yMW5PD3eOL5ykurpr5m_7uJ8TK_Qq1Y57bvfa_bqdj0AR6QqFG-pHSi/s72-c/blogger-image-1922187524.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5267326489746058281</id><published>2015-03-08T12:45:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2023-03-09T07:35:46.901+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Villa Champuhan'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Nyepi festival'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bali'/><title type='text'>The Real Housewives of Singapore in Villa Champuhan</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWmBjEIA73tUOnhjqdA3xbuXdvoBn4pIzUk1g4BdSIMUEnqV9Zf9gQycZuzBcy0uGg0VlDgTz9otAWaaiIdiS8yHt9B60twEUIeR9rT1jhgjE_kWDvDrlBhuefzU0qoeJfe7L9cFDpPtcnvCzghoUzUdIvDGkWXn4f2gggx4ehAAmQ9iThQ/s640/E8C73494-CAA5-4E59-BADF-BAC642288E5B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWmBjEIA73tUOnhjqdA3xbuXdvoBn4pIzUk1g4BdSIMUEnqV9Zf9gQycZuzBcy0uGg0VlDgTz9otAWaaiIdiS8yHt9B60twEUIeR9rT1jhgjE_kWDvDrlBhuefzU0qoeJfe7L9cFDpPtcnvCzghoUzUdIvDGkWXn4f2gggx4ehAAmQ9iThQ/s320/E8C73494-CAA5-4E59-BADF-BAC642288E5B.jpeg" width="320" id="id_42c8_b6dd_1017_d78" style="width: 320px; height: auto;"></a></div><br><font size="4" face="Verdana">A river runs through it. Actually, two rivers join at a point above it. So the town elders called this curve in the waterline "Champuhan," the place where three rivers meet.&nbsp;<span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"></span><br>
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And it is at this dreamy spot on the banks of the Yeh Penet, that ten friends have come together to celebrate friendship, life, and all things beautiful.<br>
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Located on the west coast of Bali, 45 minutes from Denpasar airport and 25 minutes from the shopping and dining district of Seminyak, <b><a href="http://villachampuhan.com/">Villa Champuhan</a></b> is the enchanting Bali home of Singapore friend Dolly and her husband Dean. My iPhone pictures don't do justice to this place, so I've appropriated some official photos from Villa Champuhan's website: (http://villachampuhan.com)<br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lorna's moving to London soon. This warrants a party. So, party we did.&nbsp;</span>Over four days in March, this nature reserve, this contemplative retreat, this haven of peace became a virtual pleasure palace for us girlfriends.<br>
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This marked the start of four days of feasting on fabulous food and drink that could seriously rival &nbsp;Anthony Bourdain's food travelogues. <b>Métis...</b>&nbsp;<b>Ku De Ta...</b>&nbsp;<b>Mama san...&nbsp;</b><b>Sardine...</b></font></div>
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But ultimately and most especially, at Villa Champuhan. Breakfasts on the river <i>bale</i>, dinners in Dolly's dining room. Elegantly and deliciously served by Comang, Gungun, and Kadet.</font></div>
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There were massages, scrubs, milk baths, hair spas. Outdoor and indoor. In house and out.</font></div>
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&nbsp;...and martinis and mojitos by the sea.</font></div>
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There was mahjong.</font></div>
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There were endless photo shoots.</font></div>
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&nbsp;<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBCfCnNw92UrKItGFE_w-yJRvYG3t96l0iMgtVbZbC9rNnauEAi-E6X8veY3i4IsO5hG2lz2leb7xRneVEP_lqesvUHJ6AtHjKbIJeib-fbD3JAYJpOsA6UWIU35_SVM02Bv-X/s200/blogger-image--1883561024.jpg" width="150" id="id_816e_d3b7_c75_c05f" style="width: 150px; height: auto;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_0IZ9KbMjEinQw2O14fOSc87OkzUbnIRTIX5onX1F7BgBs3NABOlYVr5y3PiRTP76k9TEBblQ4slcQ5LdYs2cg_K9gQ9Nk1hDPcq6_-WVM3HA9p92AULSvExnHwXYMpqNxK7/s640/blogger-image-109206412.jpg" style="clear: left; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_0IZ9KbMjEinQw2O14fOSc87OkzUbnIRTIX5onX1F7BgBs3NABOlYVr5y3PiRTP76k9TEBblQ4slcQ5LdYs2cg_K9gQ9Nk1hDPcq6_-WVM3HA9p92AULSvExnHwXYMpqNxK7/s200/blogger-image-109206412.jpg" width="150" id="id_a06d_9cbd_99f7_58d7" style="width: 150px; height: auto;"></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Q6lWbvyavlD-uX13xtyjIE4ivWQdO-YGNDwN1_E2F3WaqeveOpUij4fcw9qmUixHObS96RIlzpyHLt3jLDIsoJGRL9pQXmniMIMLjjVD-wBITccKWcvTTSkbNr-CfqcautS8/s320/blogger-image-1005166723.jpg" width="240" id="id_5cc7_3f2c_b206_13e2" style="width: 240px; height: auto;">&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1WUM3M4Dd0DCs6LXohDbQ2JwvDs6W4jBc9fBgfj0mqDips_SzYXgGfsyIgomESd9q-n0aQ6uiu49YLNf-cbYDVMFY9ZwXOnr0eCuDGXoCrFhlJnKqIt2eS1xkSAxCzt14O8E/s640/blogger-image--1772987668.jpg" style="clear: right; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7); margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1WUM3M4Dd0DCs6LXohDbQ2JwvDs6W4jBc9fBgfj0mqDips_SzYXgGfsyIgomESd9q-n0aQ6uiu49YLNf-cbYDVMFY9ZwXOnr0eCuDGXoCrFhlJnKqIt2eS1xkSAxCzt14O8E/s320/blogger-image--1772987668.jpg" width="280" id="id_6c3_8827_8834_d31f" style="width: 280px; height: auto;"></a></font></div>
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And then there was the shopping. A virtual orgy of acquisition. Clothes, trinkets, home decor, bracelets, beads, necklaces, tassels. Bags, snake and non-snake, but mostly snake. At boutique shops and market stalls.</font></div>
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Our final evening in Bali was reserved for chilling at the villa.&nbsp;<span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The full moon was the&nbsp;Mini-Moon of 2015 when t</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">he moon was at the farthest point from earth. And as it was pool night, us girls were as far away&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">as we could get&nbsp;</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">from clients, meetings, groceries, deadlines, and all things profitable, useful, and boring.</span></font></div>
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Time to leave. On the drive to the airport, we stopped briefly as grotesque monster heads blocking our way obligingly moved to the roadside. These are the&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><i>ogoh-ogoh</i>&nbsp;for</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">&nbsp;the Nyepi festival. It's at least two weeks before the new moon appears but the town folk are already getting ready.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Nyepi is the Hindu new year,&nbsp;</span>the island's most lavish annual celebration. It coincides with the new moon of March or April. This year it occurs on March 21.&nbsp;</font></div>
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<font face="Verdana" size="4"><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Putu, our driver and default local guide, ably aided by translator Nellie, explained that it has all to do with the Hindu belief that the world is ruled by the opposing forces of good and evil. Good magic and bad magic, good spirit and bad, black and white.&nbsp;</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The third day of the six-day religious festival is&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">reserved for prayer, fasting, meditation, introspection, and rebirth.</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Under the watchful eyes of the <i>pecalang </i>who patrol the streets in day and night shifts, all in Bali abide by a set of local rules centered on the doctrine of The Four Prohibitions:&nbsp;</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">no fire, no travel, no activity, no entertainment</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">. And&nbsp;</span><span face="'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in party-central Bali, a day of profound silence and absolute abstinence, meaning no lights, no music, and no road traffic has to be ushered in and out by every manner of noise-making. Gongs, bells, firecrackers, whistles, bashing of pots and pans, and&nbsp;</span>parades of vanquished evil spirits. Hence, the monster heads.</font></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5267326489746058281'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5267326489746058281'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/03/the-real-housewives-of-singapore-in.html' title='The Real Housewives of Singapore in Villa Champuhan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxWmBjEIA73tUOnhjqdA3xbuXdvoBn4pIzUk1g4BdSIMUEnqV9Zf9gQycZuzBcy0uGg0VlDgTz9otAWaaiIdiS8yHt9B60twEUIeR9rT1jhgjE_kWDvDrlBhuefzU0qoeJfe7L9cFDpPtcnvCzghoUzUdIvDGkWXn4f2gggx4ehAAmQ9iThQ/s72-c/E8C73494-CAA5-4E59-BADF-BAC642288E5B.jpeg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Bali, Indonesia</georss:featurename><georss:point>-8.4095178 115.18891600000006</georss:point><georss:box>-9.4146568 113.89802250000007 -7.4043788 116.47980950000006</georss:box></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3594567989424068578</id><published>2015-01-25T12:38:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-01-29T12:05:55.365+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='marathon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='bauhinia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Alfie's'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Club'/><title type='text'>Hong Kong timeline- signs of the times</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At lunch with good friend and local guide Patrick, something about the table setting seems odd... two sets of chopsticks. Our host explains: white for personal use, black to pickup food from communal plates. A legacy of</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;SARS and Avian Flu, the practice has been trending for sometime now</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">, he says</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSZTdBWWQdp7aQBSRR8OfV-jpfHrM5QBs3M-i1PVLfWfSpvHy95JITfBPBMqk9EoIxwTrMMfvXayeks853b1pbyjFZ8XwcWGP0K5K9Za8YmLwR8l2bddI_TCdnhEg1uvA5P4u/s640/blogger-image-1727639325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSZTdBWWQdp7aQBSRR8OfV-jpfHrM5QBs3M-i1PVLfWfSpvHy95JITfBPBMqk9EoIxwTrMMfvXayeks853b1pbyjFZ8XwcWGP0K5K9Za8YmLwR8l2bddI_TCdnhEg1uvA5P4u/s640/blogger-image-1727639325.jpg"></a></div><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hong Kong. The skies are murkier.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font color="#000000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6Y4vh7uRe5-FhUKBbA-vSpAgSeKiS6pV7XBcWt_JEaWelZ1gvP3txS8Y-OYHUnzdZCdDmxPZZ_FrIHJ-yh7wz2yvqXLvhw0LrEj1DM1IPnpZ_0G8iNa9on8i1QaaHq6hZn_S/s640/blogger-image--554040151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD6Y4vh7uRe5-FhUKBbA-vSpAgSeKiS6pV7XBcWt_JEaWelZ1gvP3txS8Y-OYHUnzdZCdDmxPZZ_FrIHJ-yh7wz2yvqXLvhw0LrEj1DM1IPnpZ_0G8iNa9on8i1QaaHq6hZn_S/s640/blogger-image--554040151.jpg"></a></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And the harbour is narrower.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyYcz-oY7QQUOQEc5rGElsw5FeYK6xG3ESoC2r4P322FkGJEGizwnLBqYDyNgwYTb5ZO3WRYirXQJ7OG0gDWhkjAxUWU5sVBci_WLLISBBnTxwCCumbEHzNLqiuIswg7VmN6d/s640/blogger-image--911508253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvyYcz-oY7QQUOQEc5rGElsw5FeYK6xG3ESoC2r4P322FkGJEGizwnLBqYDyNgwYTb5ZO3WRYirXQJ7OG0gDWhkjAxUWU5sVBci_WLLISBBnTxwCCumbEHzNLqiuIswg7VmN6d/s640/blogger-image--911508253.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>Still, Hong Kong remains the place to celebrate the good things in life.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Like marathons. This year's enrollment: 73,000.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EHM_xPfaYysOegcBQ35HmusPUMlIiWOUT4_E56HUfkmHGVvOdN2sGb_8UWbh58-Q1nmDdzikEP-xBKXwJAn30_uSaFK4DUMLLFt5dIpc5Z7V10y7ME-g6zdEWaDxTrG2qmNz/s640/blogger-image-1490445770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5EHM_xPfaYysOegcBQ35HmusPUMlIiWOUT4_E56HUfkmHGVvOdN2sGb_8UWbh58-Q1nmDdzikEP-xBKXwJAn30_uSaFK4DUMLLFt5dIpc5Z7V10y7ME-g6zdEWaDxTrG2qmNz/s640/blogger-image-1490445770.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEOrqILV0ltTFjKMGbhfTKUg7YYIDupdPo3RILgGd7RoWsRZJaq3Y93pafu68XmZLR3VCuX-LWvuUMrAqNQjL-ZNmcSA4-bl2qDKkRzkNAjHVYf-wlq5HkxNdnGSv41ild24O/s640/blogger-image--1884029912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifEOrqILV0ltTFjKMGbhfTKUg7YYIDupdPo3RILgGd7RoWsRZJaq3Y93pafu68XmZLR3VCuX-LWvuUMrAqNQjL-ZNmcSA4-bl2qDKkRzkNAjHVYf-wlq5HkxNdnGSv41ild24O/s640/blogger-image--1884029912.jpg"></a></div></div></div><br></div>And brunch at <b>Alfie's</b>, supremely low-key, &nbsp;but glossy and mirrored, and kitted out in leather and tweed.&nbsp;</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XftiQxNskI-YsCayz32r1wgsCNT556G9H_ESGgXzvOb9ZDK91b3TfNAR4dOqvEBltHaklb6JnhDieSnIrhfa6FO8P8svZiKW1WdmKs1cGGlFct_nJ2ojtEnoANdARWAifsRz/s640/blogger-image-897832218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-XftiQxNskI-YsCayz32r1wgsCNT556G9H_ESGgXzvOb9ZDK91b3TfNAR4dOqvEBltHaklb6JnhDieSnIrhfa6FO8P8svZiKW1WdmKs1cGGlFct_nJ2ojtEnoANdARWAifsRz/s640/blogger-image-897832218.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div>And champagne at the <b>Grand Club</b>, happily still in place on the <b>Grand Hyatt</b>'s&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">30th floor</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;until it closes for a grand refit.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeuWkT3w811bvIPLjmZ6yOGcAghfATBnKvXpzDlnQO_EjbD1_8i4pm5vcZJH9VDgXLVozmJYyDfVTsBdxlr502INzY4myZN5deMpG2zTjTXSBV16VhgE1mutNqrk0bEG2_rVO/s640/blogger-image-1613278520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeuWkT3w811bvIPLjmZ6yOGcAghfATBnKvXpzDlnQO_EjbD1_8i4pm5vcZJH9VDgXLVozmJYyDfVTsBdxlr502INzY4myZN5deMpG2zTjTXSBV16VhgE1mutNqrk0bEG2_rVO/s640/blogger-image-1613278520.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And all around, the pretty <b>bauhinia</b>, the Orchid Tree of Hong Kong, in full splendor.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtBSo82EUB5L2qK80j81DRTB5_XZUkGfgxMY0DyUoRQKFLcdzqQ47JoRJlFI0ig8KZizqHUoyr3WEs_n3FEejnKOjCVOainLJCjZVBzSO2omVULTFWFiUMkjtN55p3MFKp4Ob/s640/blogger-image--1846726112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRtBSo82EUB5L2qK80j81DRTB5_XZUkGfgxMY0DyUoRQKFLcdzqQ47JoRJlFI0ig8KZizqHUoyr3WEs_n3FEejnKOjCVOainLJCjZVBzSO2omVULTFWFiUMkjtN55p3MFKp4Ob/s640/blogger-image--1846726112.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3594567989424068578'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3594567989424068578'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/01/hong-kong-timeline-signs-of-times.html' title='Hong Kong timeline- signs of the times'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSZTdBWWQdp7aQBSRR8OfV-jpfHrM5QBs3M-i1PVLfWfSpvHy95JITfBPBMqk9EoIxwTrMMfvXayeks853b1pbyjFZ8XwcWGP0K5K9Za8YmLwR8l2bddI_TCdnhEg1uvA5P4u/s72-c/blogger-image-1727639325.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Wan Chai (null)</georss:featurename><georss:point>22.281798 114.172031</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3588801844267373478</id><published>2015-01-05T13:47:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-01-06T08:52:45.441+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>Twice relapsed, twice shy</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMIbIygcx87jXi-W-O2WmhujNbb1mAEbAKGh4QGORLSf3moJex_4bRtpaCiqSiIBoot6LBwBcszqS5WIdMKJPABoNw5OxLNO1vPCqArVL5Ag0mTB7ffu2BYRIbbqkF-HDdaQSW/s640/blogger-image-68861785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">After two relapses, I'm staying put. Completely immobile. And I'm eating what I like. Carbs. Rice bread pasta everything!&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And TimTams. And M&amp;Ms.</span></div></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was sent this by the hotel so maybe it's better for me?&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsASem26gkmcjrDPaatc_V543LfyoEwzoBGwQVEQ90yxHHBIqRioC1EUH9frJOgf64RNWpqAD3IISTerYCvuKMz5840i6kgqa1bWJYRU1-aLih2_Kt4JljEZ1jk7LCjexoXH9E/s640/blogger-image-1241361809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsASem26gkmcjrDPaatc_V543LfyoEwzoBGwQVEQ90yxHHBIqRioC1EUH9frJOgf64RNWpqAD3IISTerYCvuKMz5840i6kgqa1bWJYRU1-aLih2_Kt4JljEZ1jk7LCjexoXH9E/s640/blogger-image-1241361809.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I think not. Back to my own prescription...</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3NOG7Fnc05hTQqwwYey4IV-G2slzce5s3dCypC_CqVpISwGqAjmxP1enOws-wuH-uD41uKLaFM2RdRqjCWgzQPscqX3aWSTnOy2g8YNg30RKZLmGdFVtxtD1gLsGk2oEm9rE/s640/blogger-image--1980910855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3NOG7Fnc05hTQqwwYey4IV-G2slzce5s3dCypC_CqVpISwGqAjmxP1enOws-wuH-uD41uKLaFM2RdRqjCWgzQPscqX3aWSTnOy2g8YNg30RKZLmGdFVtxtD1gLsGk2oEm9rE/s640/blogger-image--1980910855.jpg"></a></div></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There's a full moon tonight... I'm staying out here until the moon comes up behind the opera house.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx2axyQay4pHNHIFc5g9obrtZk2nNJlidlpWEF2J9JW0kBpFxCeBqSUBEw2LRe3Q3wlN5W74kA6Y7cMKewz_N3-rv8lNUjPZTHpRM1KaggNozaiRit23DAhcZwxEIkOs4x5I-/s640/blogger-image--1172775650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzx2axyQay4pHNHIFc5g9obrtZk2nNJlidlpWEF2J9JW0kBpFxCeBqSUBEw2LRe3Q3wlN5W74kA6Y7cMKewz_N3-rv8lNUjPZTHpRM1KaggNozaiRit23DAhcZwxEIkOs4x5I-/s640/blogger-image--1172775650.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3588801844267373478'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3588801844267373478'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/01/twice-relapsed-twice-shy.html' title='Twice relapsed, twice shy'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsASem26gkmcjrDPaatc_V543LfyoEwzoBGwQVEQ90yxHHBIqRioC1EUH9frJOgf64RNWpqAD3IISTerYCvuKMz5840i6kgqa1bWJYRU1-aLih2_Kt4JljEZ1jk7LCjexoXH9E/s72-c/blogger-image-1241361809.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Dawes Point Park The Rocks</georss:featurename><georss:point>-33.856106 151.20983</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6028746377357003609</id><published>2014-12-17T11:45:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-03-09T08:34:53.673+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='St Marylebone'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Libertys'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blue Boar'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Conrad London St James'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tate Britain'/><title type='text'>London week</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I have a new favorite in London: the Conrad London St James. It's the right location- literally across the street from the tube station, and practically next door to the Queen. It's the right size- only six floors, small lobby, one restaurant, one bar, no shops. Service is excellent, friendly and accommodating. Proof of this came the one day I was unwell and room service had the chef prepare a delicious healing meal for me. Only drawback is the afternoon tea and the evening canapés are too good, causing havoc in my diet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFaexygKp_vw8tcNpsvwSmVuwoLsH_wKazjQAT7qf-jI6NTdFxREQ4wEIKSCQ7j5nnaleAlmR1S_YnNIpg-uwuY4YRqFALHcz7oCGrnUffsMvgr5OESaMCHqdaOjZ_GkTYnnX/s640/blogger-image--1701119757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFaexygKp_vw8tcNpsvwSmVuwoLsH_wKazjQAT7qf-jI6NTdFxREQ4wEIKSCQ7j5nnaleAlmR1S_YnNIpg-uwuY4YRqFALHcz7oCGrnUffsMvgr5OESaMCHqdaOjZ_GkTYnnX/s640/blogger-image--1701119757.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Whenever possible, first dinner date&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">in London</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;is with Cristina. Through the years, the group has gotten bigger. Now includes Floyd, Francesca, and Federica. Stuart, away in Florida for a conference, is missing this time though.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiberBmiKVw9Uarb4tVVTlGllhYy4aUYb9hLAKzCR96KRLFnjH8mXFgaQRxzN_j5KO6JbPqZK_lq7c4mpQV7yXgaP3q1eT4Xf2PWbak57_px6yYdldyYD0RQLKOrGN8LvuBm55Y/s640/blogger-image--1557162511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiberBmiKVw9Uarb4tVVTlGllhYy4aUYb9hLAKzCR96KRLFnjH8mXFgaQRxzN_j5KO6JbPqZK_lq7c4mpQV7yXgaP3q1eT4Xf2PWbak57_px6yYdldyYD0RQLKOrGN8LvuBm55Y/s640/blogger-image--1557162511.jpg"></font></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sleepover with Stel, celebrating being all grown up and ready to travel on the underground unaccompanied by a responsible adult! 😀&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cHmWx2f-6wYnawleRwi_x-nSmEIbH5LUsTenuSuzPDb_E0nNv2GrS-tgrpSS-6UqjnnyRuyiFA2Fv90bTd1kvTB4PiPoCji-X9FNq6gFZnswoTliASjV0m4VD4LGOeZp48OU/s640/blogger-image-446272946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2cHmWx2f-6wYnawleRwi_x-nSmEIbH5LUsTenuSuzPDb_E0nNv2GrS-tgrpSS-6UqjnnyRuyiFA2Fv90bTd1kvTB4PiPoCji-X9FNq6gFZnswoTliASjV0m4VD4LGOeZp48OU/s640/blogger-image-446272946.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Carols at St Marylebone with Richard, Gill, Mari, Huw, Angharad, and Gwen.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Pxv6XMDnld-E7fBxv72e0ko5cY9-cnPWTO1_DoWbaKBqVuUu9tYQzKXVO8jJF2J3SXoCdzhaQ81vyjcH7AktBE0uoC4FGsNFRDJy3f9T4UZMlDTwAlpWm3RPc7I4GwwJmFk0/s640/blogger-image--1016476482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Pxv6XMDnld-E7fBxv72e0ko5cY9-cnPWTO1_DoWbaKBqVuUu9tYQzKXVO8jJF2J3SXoCdzhaQ81vyjcH7AktBE0uoC4FGsNFRDJy3f9T4UZMlDTwAlpWm3RPc7I4GwwJmFk0/s640/blogger-image--1016476482.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Late Turner at Tate Britain.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqY067db28LGiOgWYqlcLXrmZk4QHXDaG02BoDcZxX-dDDFkLzkShS8wk59dwEsjX2dBws59pMMvFWRrM44istqFwQuYGWTPTMMeHL4Bx6gFxxl_VwIDwWjP76N-fKzXs1OfJ/s640/blogger-image--1325013262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaqY067db28LGiOgWYqlcLXrmZk4QHXDaG02BoDcZxX-dDDFkLzkShS8wk59dwEsjX2dBws59pMMvFWRrM44istqFwQuYGWTPTMMeHL4Bx6gFxxl_VwIDwWjP76N-fKzXs1OfJ/s640/blogger-image--1325013262.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6028746377357003609'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6028746377357003609'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/12/london-week.html' title='London week'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFaexygKp_vw8tcNpsvwSmVuwoLsH_wKazjQAT7qf-jI6NTdFxREQ4wEIKSCQ7j5nnaleAlmR1S_YnNIpg-uwuY4YRqFALHcz7oCGrnUffsMvgr5OESaMCHqdaOjZ_GkTYnnX/s72-c/blogger-image--1701119757.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1108525282080722980</id><published>2014-12-10T16:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-12-11T18:13:16.318+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='weather'/><title type='text'>Let&#39;s talk about the weather</title><content type='html'><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This country is chronically&nbsp;preoccupied with the weather.&nbsp;</span>Hail, sleet, snow. Weather bomb. Did she say cyclogenesis? Wow, that sounds really bad!<div><br></div><div>Back home in Manila that's simply called&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">a low pressure area.&nbsp;</span>&nbsp;Even driver Bobby refers to that commonplace weather phenomenon by its familiar nickname LPA.</div><div><br></div><div>Okay, it <b><i>is</i></b> cold. But isn't that what winter is all about? So enough already!</div><div><br></div><div>Snow is forecasted for tomorrow. Well, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1108525282080722980'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1108525282080722980'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/12/let-talk-about-weather.html' title='Let&#39;s talk about the weather'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><georss:featurename>Westminster London</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.499062 -0.132395</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8336983687675048676</id><published>2014-12-09T19:36:00.002+08:00</published><updated>2014-12-10T07:37:53.890+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Westminster'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Conrad London St James'/><title type='text'>London skyline</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I always ask for a room with a view. Sometimes that's all it takes, just to ask. When I checked in last Sunday, the smart aleck at the Conrad desk said, "Sorry, ma'am, I can't offer you an ocean view." I had to smile because he obviously relished delivering a well-practiced line.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Actually, I have a lovely view! Peeking over the neighboring rooftops, are the spires of Westminster Abbey and&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">the beautiful tower of the Methodist Hall</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Blue skies and brilliant sunshine belie the freezing temperatures on this wintry afternoon.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzHCeKxJqmPzMZ7wCcokD5Q_UoydEoPv3QS8UkW1I2LKL5qyUM4GFHDjL7_y55k2E4vbWpVEACL38xPwNRhlYSIj3qXXI9Vl6hm9BmoDIifErQEXmtvbtrP_57e2bHjvuh2Af/s640/blogger-image--823523298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzHCeKxJqmPzMZ7wCcokD5Q_UoydEoPv3QS8UkW1I2LKL5qyUM4GFHDjL7_y55k2E4vbWpVEACL38xPwNRhlYSIj3qXXI9Vl6hm9BmoDIifErQEXmtvbtrP_57e2bHjvuh2Af/s640/blogger-image--823523298.jpg"></a></div><br></div>
And in the evening, magic in the moonlight!<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0oZFD_RsqCmIsHCMfQUjeGr1xg5gxkaGU6jdTK_Q6ltCtAIdCj9T90Ge9Zy4MZxICCTUyRxA8SnC2swzktSSnLaECL6phSVRlOVccPBMu-jYGrR_2mzVQGtOYl1GYwOWPftk/s640/blogger-image-727678760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq0oZFD_RsqCmIsHCMfQUjeGr1xg5gxkaGU6jdTK_Q6ltCtAIdCj9T90Ge9Zy4MZxICCTUyRxA8SnC2swzktSSnLaECL6phSVRlOVccPBMu-jYGrR_2mzVQGtOYl1GYwOWPftk/s640/blogger-image-727678760.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8336983687675048676'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8336983687675048676'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/12/la-luna.html' title='London skyline'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfzHCeKxJqmPzMZ7wCcokD5Q_UoydEoPv3QS8UkW1I2LKL5qyUM4GFHDjL7_y55k2E4vbWpVEACL38xPwNRhlYSIj3qXXI9Vl6hm9BmoDIifErQEXmtvbtrP_57e2bHjvuh2Af/s72-c/blogger-image--823523298.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8751558175732173749</id><published>2014-12-07T19:47:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-12-07T19:56:21.718+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fast Lane'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='British Airways'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Conrad London St James'/><title type='text'>London, on the not so Fast Lane</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I'm in place, now installed at the Conrad in St. James (lovely hotel, first time here, I think I'm going to love it) having a very nice breakfast. Unfortunately, my luggage didn't make it! British Airways has left my suitcase in Singapore. 😒</span></div>
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First time on BA to London. The flight was very nice, service and aircraft very good, no unnecessary frills but very efficient. I thought the cabin was intelligently designed for the passenger's comfort, unlike other airlines, Cathay for instance, that seem to design everything around the staff and crew's convenience.<br>
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Okay, all that said, the arrival hasn't been so good. Don't bother with the Fast Lane. BA pays for only one counter so the lane was excruciatingly slow. About the time people started to abandon this ridiculously misnamed fast lane for the slow lane, which in this case proved to be much faster, I managed to remember that we could actually go on the UK and EU queue because Stuart has a UK passport.<br>
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So we marched off to the EU lane, triumphantly breezed through border control, and came to a screeching halt at baggage retrieval. My luggage of course has gone missing.</div>
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Oh well, I think I'll have another coffee. Conrad-1, BA-0.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWjN7VldO8NdHE4s4Sk4gwge7msbsp8XorSrM4-8XLj93JRYvNCkmv9eCUl1abLH3j5DxN_NN9jBgYWkG-TZXhu9MknVCdNQm4Q3vJVnxyeKQDyTwe9et3D_k8mAM_Yy8BD1L/s640/blogger-image--399376901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWjN7VldO8NdHE4s4Sk4gwge7msbsp8XorSrM4-8XLj93JRYvNCkmv9eCUl1abLH3j5DxN_NN9jBgYWkG-TZXhu9MknVCdNQm4Q3vJVnxyeKQDyTwe9et3D_k8mAM_Yy8BD1L/s640/blogger-image--399376901.jpg"></a></div><br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8751558175732173749'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8751558175732173749'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/12/london-on-not-so-fast-lane.html' title='London, on the not so Fast Lane'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWjN7VldO8NdHE4s4Sk4gwge7msbsp8XorSrM4-8XLj93JRYvNCkmv9eCUl1abLH3j5DxN_NN9jBgYWkG-TZXhu9MknVCdNQm4Q3vJVnxyeKQDyTwe9et3D_k8mAM_Yy8BD1L/s72-c/blogger-image--399376901.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Westminster London</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.499366 -0.132784</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-486109982910985609</id><published>2014-11-09T17:55:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-11-14T11:53:52.193+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Wan Chai'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Occupy Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Club'/><title type='text'>Wan Chai</title><content type='html'>Jeff drove us to Wan Chai market for lunch.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Still no protesters in sight but judging by Jeff's annoyance at the traffic problems they're causing, the Occupy Hong Kong &nbsp;movement has gotten very unpopular as patience runs thin among the locals.</span><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>Serge &amp; le Phoque</b>&nbsp;was closed so we decided to walk around. I finally got Annette her long awaited Japanese lunch boxes at a dry goods shop that was packed with loads of interesting stuff. Walked to Star Street to see if <b>Chez Patrick</b>&nbsp;had recovered from its funk. Sadly, it hadn't. So walked some more and settled on a tiny health food type Mediterranean style hole in the wall for a frightfully healthy lunch. My carrot, apple, and ginger juice was redolent with beneficial guilt-free spa smells:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqZHeLquhHJQeN56ecCUhnIdW570TNSitbXhD8VEiTvCg8nD1YH9GLaEjc1FRw50_guaWCll5fHwdMga1OxQninrg3Uoi59Oqk6_yBTYGOFFpy_EJaALONQCptRe9u0xAVpRZ/s640/blogger-image-62321377.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqZHeLquhHJQeN56ecCUhnIdW570TNSitbXhD8VEiTvCg8nD1YH9GLaEjc1FRw50_guaWCll5fHwdMga1OxQninrg3Uoi59Oqk6_yBTYGOFFpy_EJaALONQCptRe9u0xAVpRZ/s640/blogger-image-62321377.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Of course all this was thoroughly negated much later by the obligatory cocktail hour at the Grand Club. Stuart and I and all the good people manning that happy place on the 31st floor commiserated with each other at the thought of its impending closure. In January, the Grand Club will close for a complete redo. Sad.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZjaQoFKWszZHrIdxyAoGVUaUlKQ1bz2stjXxyeCyCJM5M2YsAvQABORa52TiR24fMRnKaXSPSLVnNDvnado1iDKrgbTBUdyIN4QnQKPUWWjG0da9Zm5gEIYvvBEHGHUkW3qZ/s640/blogger-image-1029492812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNZjaQoFKWszZHrIdxyAoGVUaUlKQ1bz2stjXxyeCyCJM5M2YsAvQABORa52TiR24fMRnKaXSPSLVnNDvnado1iDKrgbTBUdyIN4QnQKPUWWjG0da9Zm5gEIYvvBEHGHUkW3qZ/s640/blogger-image-1029492812.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1gQkKB_wsfhKHcx_rOXiZ6kJodFckUScvGeo4KPsNt29839dzOPedyZJ12O5GWn1LoKiQqU734IBNU-PvYoPX__N_TLzHjJLH1B7rYgO8_0P4UVq8EtJIXCQ6zcxo-q5XAqW/s640/blogger-image--1624864484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1gQkKB_wsfhKHcx_rOXiZ6kJodFckUScvGeo4KPsNt29839dzOPedyZJ12O5GWn1LoKiQqU734IBNU-PvYoPX__N_TLzHjJLH1B7rYgO8_0P4UVq8EtJIXCQ6zcxo-q5XAqW/s640/blogger-image--1624864484.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZYtA-wKDqgujCJaCSw8nZ5w3wP3AWNjM08kSEuOf5WlkSvrRRWZSQ62-HHsfiTIH4AgSevxT_dtWpnnR1-jOJMgoNBRaw2Xi1-1IeknkteXzDTeuQBbUsctcG8faD6b25QTQ/s640/blogger-image-639541561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZYtA-wKDqgujCJaCSw8nZ5w3wP3AWNjM08kSEuOf5WlkSvrRRWZSQ62-HHsfiTIH4AgSevxT_dtWpnnR1-jOJMgoNBRaw2Xi1-1IeknkteXzDTeuQBbUsctcG8faD6b25QTQ/s640/blogger-image-639541561.jpg"></a></div></div></div></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Goodbye, we'll miss this beautiful sanctuary.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirg2w6B3zzn27yQdmtZYxhvcazl8MFSlShKkxgcSoRX9BZdg-IJeN4WKC8rxPB82X-Z2GapRXrJ1JNHDb5-dd2f-0jqqynEjb_1kH8w2X2kbS6z2j8EqLi1IWnb0pzbHRjzk_k/s640/blogger-image-432211163.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirg2w6B3zzn27yQdmtZYxhvcazl8MFSlShKkxgcSoRX9BZdg-IJeN4WKC8rxPB82X-Z2GapRXrJ1JNHDb5-dd2f-0jqqynEjb_1kH8w2X2kbS6z2j8EqLi1IWnb0pzbHRjzk_k/s640/blogger-image-432211163.jpg"></a></div><br></font></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Winnie did promise to let me buy my favorite chair though. 😍</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysxX3XugFXCmjzfkEXTAGKSNml1Wy-eErYCtfrYToVo_ez8qWbuqbf-hx8QzsUaK1AOCGvRH8pzLW-kETvlvq2D374o9PvRAPuVLJ9BpNVJ77WiSN1uKOYNhlL524dyx8RxWe/s640/blogger-image-572716158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjysxX3XugFXCmjzfkEXTAGKSNml1Wy-eErYCtfrYToVo_ez8qWbuqbf-hx8QzsUaK1AOCGvRH8pzLW-kETvlvq2D374o9PvRAPuVLJ9BpNVJ77WiSN1uKOYNhlL524dyx8RxWe/s640/blogger-image-572716158.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div></div></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/486109982910985609'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/486109982910985609'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/11/wan-chai.html' title='Wan Chai'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqZHeLquhHJQeN56ecCUhnIdW570TNSitbXhD8VEiTvCg8nD1YH9GLaEjc1FRw50_guaWCll5fHwdMga1OxQninrg3Uoi59Oqk6_yBTYGOFFpy_EJaALONQCptRe9u0xAVpRZ/s72-c/blogger-image-62321377.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-146444875803131493</id><published>2014-11-09T11:04:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-01-17T22:04:20.662+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Occupy Central'/><title type='text'>Hong Kong</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At the hotel, a warm welcome and a belated birthday greeting. Only two months late. 😀</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPo3zXNLSwFuW2OK9l2gzJNYRhBScaa6uhzHkOvybtNjPelIktIrKQ2uR8iVhSChf1zYW-k66wxwk2bJCVRhf8bd-Wk4Yv2rlggEp2sAH1Wm5OREjezOib29nstD9EUmzUyP9/s640/blogger-image--234965733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPo3zXNLSwFuW2OK9l2gzJNYRhBScaa6uhzHkOvybtNjPelIktIrKQ2uR8iVhSChf1zYW-k66wxwk2bJCVRhf8bd-Wk4Yv2rlggEp2sAH1Wm5OREjezOib29nstD9EUmzUyP9/s640/blogger-image--234965733.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It still feels like coming home despite the changing landscape.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">From my hotel window:<br></span><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCkv9Aop1DmHk9y9P9Ss1IIFh10jP3FKQaxdM0zRmO2g37MBa2hZEm0KM1LKhqfWUcJFdvz2QyDLg0mjafqdMteOg7SsYHq47Rj4Sf7MtjjJuKIy5WPGG8lz3O7OJob8QKGSo/s640/blogger-image-584835947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCkv9Aop1DmHk9y9P9Ss1IIFh10jP3FKQaxdM0zRmO2g37MBa2hZEm0KM1LKhqfWUcJFdvz2QyDLg0mjafqdMteOg7SsYHq47Rj4Sf7MtjjJuKIy5WPGG8lz3O7OJob8QKGSo/s640/blogger-image-584835947.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The drive from the airport took me on a roundabout swing around alternative routes redrawn by the Occupy Central protesters. I was hoping to snap pictures of the protesters but it was raining and I didn't see anything worth snapping. The drive was a little disorienting, but the protest now seems to be a nonevent in this pragmatic city.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Except for the traffic. These days, traffic is the biggest concern in and around Central.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Yesterday the hotel car took me to Prince's Building to meet up with Stuart and ex-Citi friend Patrick for lunch at <b>Alfie's</b>. I managed to get some pictures as we went round the houses.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">From my car window:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeRrHc2ZTsyDFFbj3oJjjMOn9YqukwDF729BzoFW0Arp7p2AenA-vEZ3vHJ-xkbSIgC0LiisoybJOgfAaxhgqiSR2iR87ZvoMf6ZjLvOVGVXC78c-h_NkUEpcQY2mOGfZEbSD/s640/blogger-image-731843781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBeRrHc2ZTsyDFFbj3oJjjMOn9YqukwDF729BzoFW0Arp7p2AenA-vEZ3vHJ-xkbSIgC0LiisoybJOgfAaxhgqiSR2iR87ZvoMf6ZjLvOVGVXC78c-h_NkUEpcQY2mOGfZEbSD/s640/blogger-image-731843781.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNpOGpgvQHCyYFsDLFruoki5eUM0UhcZ_9xOQwRmqOLeU2HFkyBNE6KVKR6OTowe5QzzjGpcLdJXPB0oDWnX_L36ESvpkQWpH3BAgJuopKIYV4fRcD6ZrQBbhgAEJDv2pGCl_/s640/blogger-image--622340687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNpOGpgvQHCyYFsDLFruoki5eUM0UhcZ_9xOQwRmqOLeU2HFkyBNE6KVKR6OTowe5QzzjGpcLdJXPB0oDWnX_L36ESvpkQWpH3BAgJuopKIYV4fRcD6ZrQBbhgAEJDv2pGCl_/s640/blogger-image--622340687.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Later, the car &nbsp;got stuck in traffic soon after it set out to pick us up from Landmark.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We took the MTR. I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;had never seen such crowds, even in typically crowded Hong Kong. At the Wan Chai exit, Stuart led me through the rush to the escalator and I held on to his belt as the crowd swept us along. It certainly wasn't the normal rush hour crowd.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even with their much depleted ranks, the protesters are successfully targeting important thoroughfares in and out of the city. Consequently, &nbsp;public transport is becoming an unwelcome experience for a lot of car-crazy Central denizens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Today, we'll attempt to get to <b>Serge &amp; le &nbsp;Phoque </b>in Wan Chai market. Failing that, we'll at least take pictures of the occupiers up close.&nbsp;</div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/146444875803131493'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/146444875803131493'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/11/hong-kong.html' title='Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPo3zXNLSwFuW2OK9l2gzJNYRhBScaa6uhzHkOvybtNjPelIktIrKQ2uR8iVhSChf1zYW-k66wxwk2bJCVRhf8bd-Wk4Yv2rlggEp2sAH1Wm5OREjezOib29nstD9EUmzUyP9/s72-c/blogger-image--234965733.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Wan Chai (null)</georss:featurename><georss:point>22.276461 114.168303</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9052943490055279067</id><published>2014-09-27T16:22:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-09-28T14:22:28.496+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Birthday'/><title type='text'>It&#39;s a celebration!</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tuesday, September 9, with Stuart</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvQI_AxceLN25l2grp6bv0VaIOo2BO8RN5zLUPf_OCaixeSCS_p3nW_B6EeQrkcghLgTd25J1lywNGluGeLCl9pDVEKvZQtejHDnnFhf4FUOXo0gl1_GGqEtMHlnWYy3pSf8M/s640/blogger-image--145729119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvQI_AxceLN25l2grp6bv0VaIOo2BO8RN5zLUPf_OCaixeSCS_p3nW_B6EeQrkcghLgTd25J1lywNGluGeLCl9pDVEKvZQtejHDnnFhf4FUOXo0gl1_GGqEtMHlnWYy3pSf8M/s640/blogger-image--145729119.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Sunday, September 14 with Uncle John &amp; Auntie Pat</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqcBgEgzw7O8TGl23wwhO9Rie9TuoGLNy5H4nG5eusYmqQbdhcbSAFthk2d5JyRwhdTZ-UgCgnqR16wGkcJ_OcKzuTi3iBb33R3kMSD9zpqDFqh_Hs2aQxH4ESQOSJBG7G1FZ/s640/blogger-image--2041280784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitqcBgEgzw7O8TGl23wwhO9Rie9TuoGLNy5H4nG5eusYmqQbdhcbSAFthk2d5JyRwhdTZ-UgCgnqR16wGkcJ_OcKzuTi3iBb33R3kMSD9zpqDFqh_Hs2aQxH4ESQOSJBG7G1FZ/s640/blogger-image--2041280784.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tuesday, September 23, with Citibank friends</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpGARukS_fB1NeKVxYIZTPXMhJnWUm9SR0IDRg6iP6eaqst-AFDNcBLNWavJU8UP6V9_LihtUHfwez1esgYiGdfXaR8wOfOEv6V0nkbKiXSlFf-8AGGSBjnMSirNJky0VVFxw/s640/blogger-image-1430438868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTpGARukS_fB1NeKVxYIZTPXMhJnWUm9SR0IDRg6iP6eaqst-AFDNcBLNWavJU8UP6V9_LihtUHfwez1esgYiGdfXaR8wOfOEv6V0nkbKiXSlFf-8AGGSBjnMSirNJky0VVFxw/s640/blogger-image-1430438868.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thursday, September 25 with STC classmates</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5YWTW2mmkX-W9k3Ge71yTmDHZ7E7peNeBG1Dh3l65hlyvFJXr8C9r-ASF6dOF6L7VvBlooigGx1GsWdCbgX_WbSFuE6x4dN6k2BXS2PiGPHbEIWlqHSITJFr5jaUzLxkrtTx/s640/blogger-image--46161890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs5YWTW2mmkX-W9k3Ge71yTmDHZ7E7peNeBG1Dh3l65hlyvFJXr8C9r-ASF6dOF6L7VvBlooigGx1GsWdCbgX_WbSFuE6x4dN6k2BXS2PiGPHbEIWlqHSITJFr5jaUzLxkrtTx/s640/blogger-image--46161890.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Friday, September 26 with Sydney group</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zLpzhN68EcSLEhBmE2rGg8d0693pRS9Qbbsg4aT4VzkU1RK91SDiKzJbrM6BFCqXz1rbjoUkk3DTxPFfYF-kAgi4lGD0QD_-bKHfyRHBimm1yykql8NyXhTYg7X3m_VfPGu6/s640/blogger-image--172836020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zLpzhN68EcSLEhBmE2rGg8d0693pRS9Qbbsg4aT4VzkU1RK91SDiKzJbrM6BFCqXz1rbjoUkk3DTxPFfYF-kAgi4lGD0QD_-bKHfyRHBimm1yykql8NyXhTYg7X3m_VfPGu6/s640/blogger-image--172836020.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">No such thing as over-celebrating!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Celebrate good times, come on! ❤️</div></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9052943490055279067'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9052943490055279067'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/it-celebration.html' title='It&#39;s a celebration!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvQI_AxceLN25l2grp6bv0VaIOo2BO8RN5zLUPf_OCaixeSCS_p3nW_B6EeQrkcghLgTd25J1lywNGluGeLCl9pDVEKvZQtejHDnnFhf4FUOXo0gl1_GGqEtMHlnWYy3pSf8M/s72-c/blogger-image--145729119.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9151087379665886156</id><published>2014-09-20T13:37:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-09-24T13:47:49.074+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='University of Essex'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='homecoming'/><title type='text'>London Diary (Part 3)</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Saturday, September 13, Stuart's Homecoming,&nbsp;<b>University of Essex</b>.</span><br>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sunday, September 14, at&nbsp;<b>Ting</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch with Uncle John &amp; Auntie Pat before heading off to the airport.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9151087379665886156'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9151087379665886156'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/london-diary-part-3.html' title='London Diary (Part 3)'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8KP2neUuZoygVjQbdhCWdGM5At_8YhEnnYewBxxk2xE50CrznAfO8o17hLd-oRh6BbprmPeAm4OCAGe1xlgfa0CX0qUxg8xrpxGVtXAxdvKF8Hl4JGwpZqpgV-I7vJgARjBf/s72-c/blogger-image--339646283.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1686960971972798877</id><published>2014-09-19T13:18:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-09-24T13:41:10.321+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Borough Market'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Shard'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fleet Street'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Temple Church'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Clerkenwell'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Birthday'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Southwark'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Polpetto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='theatre'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='War Horse'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Shangrila'/><title type='text'>London Diary (Part 2)</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Monday, September 8,&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<b>ShangriLa</b>&nbsp;<b>at</b>&nbsp;<b>The</b>&nbsp;<b>Shard</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On the south bank of the Thames, the grittier part of town.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>The Shard</b>&nbsp;soars incongruously,&nbsp;a full 87 storeys and over 300 meters above London. &nbsp;Reviled as a "shard of glass" piercing through the city's historic skyline, the&nbsp;<b>Renzo Piano</b>&nbsp;design has similarly pierced through the sensibilities of London's outraged heritage groups and environmental planners. No doubt, they are not well pleased with another aspect of the controversial development: The Shard and its surrounds known as the&nbsp;<b>London Bridge Quarter</b>&nbsp;are now owned, at least in part, by the State of Qatar.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Interestingly, "shard of glass" was coined by its detractors as an insult but the contentious building has triumphantly taken it as its official name.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-size: 17px;"><b>The Shard</b>&nbsp;throws a spiky shadow over&nbsp;<b>HMS Belfast</b>, permanently moored on the south bank of the River Thames,&nbsp;opposite the venerable&nbsp;<b>Tower of London</b>.&nbsp;a short distance from&nbsp;the iconic&nbsp;<b>Tower Bridge</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch at&nbsp;<b>Ting</b>.<b>&nbsp;</b>Venue is fabulous, furnished to a very high standard, as is to be expected from a&nbsp;<b>ShangriLa Hotel</b>.&nbsp;&nbsp;Food and waiter service are also very good. However, the restaurant's reception area, a vital part of the whole deal, needs a certain amount of polish. &nbsp;For at least some of the greeters, a smile&nbsp;and&nbsp;a comb&nbsp;would be welcome fixes.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I feast on English&nbsp;artisanal&nbsp;cheeses:&nbsp;Golden Cross Goat Cheese, Montgomery, Applewood&nbsp;Smoked Cheddar,&nbsp;Cornish&nbsp;Yarg,&nbsp;Mature Cheddar.&nbsp;And finally,&nbsp;Waterloo Brie Style and&nbsp;Stilton.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The last two are an added bonus, compliments of the very charming&nbsp;<b>Chief&nbsp;Sommelier&nbsp;Ann</b>&nbsp;who guides me through the parade of unfamiliar cheeses, which in the end serves to completely undo me and my limited cheese tolerance.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Drinks at&nbsp;<b>Gong Bar</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The lovely and gracious&nbsp;<b>Inge&nbsp;</b>finds us&nbsp;a table perfect for super-moon watching.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGGa1M-Ux0tvoeeaRS3SUpq4zZ_NB-v4tZK0L9LMBJQlJHK3JAu_N5ae-dS0kFqQza9Y19h43Apaiq5Sxajg_L6uTVn4wdowVvu5_y7nd5F5LzoBQ6pGN5NnyWod0sA_qdHZR/s400/blogger-image-935955067.jpg" style="text-align: center;" width="300" /></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tuesday, September 9, my birthday!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The&nbsp;<b>ShangriLa's</b>&nbsp;special celebration dinner is served in our room, complete with champagne, flowers, and our very own waiter, the excellent&nbsp;<b>Maloj</b>. Having been given a room key for the occasion, he sets up the dining table while Stuart and I are away at the bar. And when we sit down to dinner, Maloj just comes and goes with each course, unobtrusively, serving us impeccably in our very own private dining room. Very elegant and indulgent. I'm a happy birthday girl!</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wednesday, September 10, afternoon at&nbsp;<b>Shakespeare's Globe</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dinner at&nbsp;<b>Ting</b>.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Terrific noise from a shockingly unruly table next to ours. The restaurant tries to make amends by plying us with champagne and birthday sweeties. It works! We leave happy.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Thursday,&nbsp;September 11,&nbsp;at the Southwark&nbsp;<b>Borough Market</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch at&nbsp;<b>Applebee's&nbsp;</b>Fish Restaurant.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stuart's fish soup is a deep, rich brown colour. My grilled Dover sole is laced with a delicate lemon cream sauce. The aftermath:<br />&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Afternoon<b>&nbsp;</b>on Fleet Street again; then a bit of shopping.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Dinner at&nbsp;<b>Polpetto</b>&nbsp;in Soho.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Welcoming, friendly, cheerful staff.&nbsp;Good food.&nbsp;Roast duck in pink sauce of bilberries with pickled walnuts. Pork belly with crackling, greengage and pepperwort leaf. Welsh lamb on lightly creamed pappardelle.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Creative, surprising, fresh-tasting.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Friday, September 12, In Clerkenwell.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch at&nbsp;<b>The Modern Pantry</b>.&nbsp;Memorable dessert of sour cherry brownie with creme fraiche.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><b>"War Horse"</b>&nbsp;at the&nbsp;<b>New London Theatre</b>.</span></div>
<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;It takes me five and a half years to catch up with the rest of the theatre-going world but I finally get to see it.&nbsp;Fantastic. Energetic. Enthusiastic. Spirited. Creative. Courageous. Mold breaking. &nbsp;Minimal and extravagant all at once.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmar3aV6SWpN-6o8NE6nI_WaLsI4jHNZWQSnLtC46izwbc42nTAKjLG4RW_YVvfUUozElissFles-pKCvzBS0XOO3yYdvNpYjpbqXoHM3DURmbf6g5I2u1rt6Pck4N2otxy1J/s640/blogger-image-856319074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnmar3aV6SWpN-6o8NE6nI_WaLsI4jHNZWQSnLtC46izwbc42nTAKjLG4RW_YVvfUUozElissFles-pKCvzBS0XOO3yYdvNpYjpbqXoHM3DURmbf6g5I2u1rt6Pck4N2otxy1J/s640/blogger-image-856319074.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br />Dinner at&nbsp;<b>Polpetto</b>&nbsp;again. Two nights in a row. "You like it that much?" one waiter asks. We do, actually.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1686960971972798877'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1686960971972798877'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/london-diary-part-2.html' title='London Diary (Part 2)'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9iW5hmsK_3o1tYMq2F8hQQUQ66bc0YjM84kvYKQV8N1O_VpHg_CYOr7KBE5ND0EG3apQp7ImpviAfdrcUxN7FC7K37ToY6O8qIe-mLBw4g9O7fmqfGnkrrIqpWvRsZa7TUis-/s72-c/blogger-image-984250387.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-381675360384148630</id><published>2014-09-18T13:29:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-09-24T13:47:09.117+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grosvenor House'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Matisse'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tate Modern'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fleet Street'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency's Churchill'/><title type='text'>London Diary (Part 1)</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Monday, September 1, at&nbsp;<b>Gaucho</b>.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our first dinner in London is </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">with Cristina and Floyd and pretty daughters, Francesca and Frederica. This continues the tradition of dinners with Cristina in the days when Stuart and I regularly came to England to visit Mum and Dad in Devon. That's going back almost ten years now.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tuesday, September 2, at&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Grosvenor House</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Singapore friend Emilie joins me for tea. Tea&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">stretches straight through to the cocktail hour as we catch up on several months' worth of stories over several glasses of champagne.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Later, Stuart and I are joined by Mari, the Jones family connection in London. We talk family, career, art, and property.&nbsp;</span></div>
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Wednesday, we leave for Warsaw.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Friday, September 5, back in London, at </span><b style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Churchill </b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on Portman Square.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Saturday, September 6, on Fleet Street.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this part of the city.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The High Court, the Old Bailey, Temple, Inns of Court,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">chambers. Beautiful buildings and gardens. A complicated hierarchical structure for the practice of law.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pub lunch at&nbsp;<b>Ye Olde Cock Tavern</b>&nbsp;on Fleet Street,&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">with the ghosts of former habitués&nbsp;Samuel Pepys, Doctor Johnson,&nbsp;Charles Dickens, and&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Alfred, Lord Tennyson.</span></span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cocktails at the <b>Churchill&nbsp;Bar</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watching ladies of the night at work and at play.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sunday, at <b>The Tate Modern.</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Matisse, The Cutouts.&nbsp;</b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just made it on the last day of the exhibit. Finally making sense of Matisse's</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;<b>Chapel of the Rosary</b> in Vence.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is not the best way to see art though. Too many people (this has been the Tate's most visited exhibit), too many children much too young (infants even) to benefit from the experience.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We escape to the&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Members Room</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;for drinks and the g</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reat view.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dinner at the Chuchill's<b>&nbsp;</b>restaurant,&nbsp;</span><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Montagu</b><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A bit too open and too noisy, plus an unwelcome singer at the piano.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Food is good though. But had to ask waiter to chill the champagne glasses. Nobody here seems to do that; maybe it's only important in the tropics?</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/381675360384148630'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/381675360384148630'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/london-diary.html' title='London Diary (Part 1)'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb5UCocT5_qYytUDu7ag3TL1WPs5jZVLpgJ-6-Jyj1DStYqFLaCrhfch2U-H-NOrKtJ1RtAsAyTiIWSk3Ok-o1WCpSd5gWlvGz4zB3XJvpOvP0LnNgT_E3JH9kdw46bFoBihNb/s72-c/blogger-image-1193330717.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-699999835121943221</id><published>2014-09-11T17:45:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-09-11T19:09:56.856+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='weather'/><title type='text'>London, Thursday</title><content type='html'>The city has reverted into character.<div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r_nFA2U1XxLFwNCfcORZUEBRVb-8FdiNq0a8B2NkGfVCg6OwQODVIeTRi7bPgvnLZpmCX-iXV6AMtXv8uRCnbBY5z9kbiVtL0EQuBnzlZZfNZ8drn_E8fvmVrbKeyPa5PQ-B/s640/blogger-image--1783588469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r_nFA2U1XxLFwNCfcORZUEBRVb-8FdiNq0a8B2NkGfVCg6OwQODVIeTRi7bPgvnLZpmCX-iXV6AMtXv8uRCnbBY5z9kbiVtL0EQuBnzlZZfNZ8drn_E8fvmVrbKeyPa5PQ-B/s640/blogger-image--1783588469.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div></div><div>A dishwater sky and a weak-tea river. This picture bears very little resemblance to the glorious- though admittedly surprising- London<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;of previous days.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIWAINBPhEeiH08WwUn8An1Ive5PoayZd2EDcCkp1g4hV-PWgrktlK3j-omXWndxUjW1zdIozEcOCwQOgXkXiRVRZwZMb4mf86IGdhRalBHDJbUXPgEpzW_UkdpE_kdSQoadE/s640/blogger-image-770660748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSIWAINBPhEeiH08WwUn8An1Ive5PoayZd2EDcCkp1g4hV-PWgrktlK3j-omXWndxUjW1zdIozEcOCwQOgXkXiRVRZwZMb4mf86IGdhRalBHDJbUXPgEpzW_UkdpE_kdSQoadE/s640/blogger-image-770660748.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/699999835121943221'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/699999835121943221'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/london-thursday.html' title='London, Thursday'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_r_nFA2U1XxLFwNCfcORZUEBRVb-8FdiNq0a8B2NkGfVCg6OwQODVIeTRi7bPgvnLZpmCX-iXV6AMtXv8uRCnbBY5z9kbiVtL0EQuBnzlZZfNZ8drn_E8fvmVrbKeyPa5PQ-B/s72-c/blogger-image--1783588469.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4746188474884481759</id><published>2014-09-09T20:09:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-10-08T15:36:06.616+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='bar'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Warsaw'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurant'/><title type='text'>An evening in Warsaw</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Dinner at&nbsp;</span><b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Rozana&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Restaurant</span></b><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;was a delight. Shrubs and climbers and beautiful roses immediately put me in a garden mood as I walked through the path and up a few short steps onto a small&nbsp;porch and into a foyer filled with&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">beautiful piano music and&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">masses of fresh flowers in tall vases.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">n the dining room, I</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">&nbsp;felt like a dinner guest</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;at somebody's quietly elegant family home. The room is furnished in</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;p</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">retty chintzes, linens, lace and lovely old&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">furniture</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">When the waiter brought in a basket of fresh cèpes and set it down at our table so that we could make our selection, I knew dinner would be good. I&nbsp;was right. The&nbsp;food was excellent- unfussy, unpretentious, and delicious.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Ewa, the lone local in our party, told us of joyful moments spent with</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;family picking&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">mushrooms in the forest. They dried freshly picked mushrooms in low oven heat and stored them in cloth bags where they stayed good for years.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After dinner, Ewa took us for drinks at wonderfully trendy&nbsp;<b>Bar Na Lato</b></span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. The crowd was young, cheerful, and too well-behaved for a bar.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Blankets were thoughtfully provided for guests, so I sipped my&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Vodka Sour, which my host insisted I have, thank goodness for that, snuggled happily under a blanket</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">. Some people lounged on deck chairs on the lawn,&nbsp;savouring the unseasonably warm September evening. Well, it&nbsp;wasn't really that warm. Note the blankets. Even the locals were using them. (Interesting note: the bar's name, "Na Lato," &nbsp;means "for the summer.")</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4746188474884481759'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4746188474884481759'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/an-evening-in-warsaw.html' title='An evening in Warsaw'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM8OLpPIeIzHcaSkG7jrn75j0CQ3IcQClrWz7lIkt0VtKXCW8Fg6zMHNlGxpKCoNO2D9xXHC9dXVjmkZo8o2RZnzO6QdmabO4VNR2ZchuFepZ7zC92kIFBQDv8D9iagnQ0jaLh/s72-c/blogger-image--20336862.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-491222865150091648</id><published>2014-09-06T21:41:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2015-10-22T12:31:32.383+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Warsaw'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>&quot;F*ck history, let&#39;s have a beer!&quot;</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When the new owners of the former Forum Hotel, now Novotel, asked the locals why they disliked the building which after all has the distinction of being only the second high-rise in Warsaw to surpass the 100-meter mark, they were told in no uncertain terms that it looked like a big block of shit. The new owners promptly repainted over the hated yellow-brown colour before putting up the new NOVOTEL signage.</div></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Anya tells me that her people have a dark sense of humour. She&nbsp;gleefully describes a welcome sign at the 2012 EuroCup saying "Welcome to Warsaw! F*ck history! Let's have a beer!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Anya is my tour guide. She and driver Daniel were a bit uncertain at the start of the tour because my list of places to see were not on their usual route. Anya hit her stride</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;though</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;soon after our first stop at the Polytechnic University.</span><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There are several original pre-war buildings near the university, some of them still bearing bullet hole marks from the war. Anya lives in a renovated one and she takes me inside for a look.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are also several residential buildings providing cheap accommodation for&nbsp;students for&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">as low as 500 zloty (about 120 euros) per month for a bed.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">At the other end of the scale is a Daniel Libeeskind-designed apartment building, the tallest in Europe, that is struggling to find buyers for its very expensive units. Anya says two years' salary would probably net her just one square foot.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Old photographs and <i>camera obscura</i>-aided highly detailed paintings by Canaletto (a nephew of the more renowned Venetian namesake) enabled faithful reconstruction of the Old Town, proof of the city's determination to prevent the total annihilation of a people, their culture, and their history.<br></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6G3Jyxp-TMjU5qeEE8DJKDRbLGTL2SG4rUyq6NCb8EJHQ7qiT5hoP7aFRE0daeg-Tf9eJ8GqMoffZgpG5-dHleX-FRCNMpQRuLqLOGNWfZ96zSJa9DBZelGQUGW6xZH7SmWa/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6G3Jyxp-TMjU5qeEE8DJKDRbLGTL2SG4rUyq6NCb8EJHQ7qiT5hoP7aFRE0daeg-Tf9eJ8GqMoffZgpG5-dHleX-FRCNMpQRuLqLOGNWfZ96zSJa9DBZelGQUGW6xZH7SmWa/s1600/IMG_0953.JPG"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There are &nbsp;several memorials to the departed citizenry, heroes of the uprising.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCJg1Z9kkXGjoN8N-jsMN3VuXRaMPyXP2Bei9kIcJPSZaYQpJ4ySahcZKS0dGUi76PynczMe_gXqK6n002sfGHtKqGZVjq203-3-_tRRm2tlap9TubNcNlJmujpmbweWQB-O-/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxCJg1Z9kkXGjoN8N-jsMN3VuXRaMPyXP2Bei9kIcJPSZaYQpJ4ySahcZKS0dGUi76PynczMe_gXqK6n002sfGHtKqGZVjq203-3-_tRRm2tlap9TubNcNlJmujpmbweWQB-O-/s1600/IMG_0958.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The main cathedral is presently undergoing renovations to repair damage to its foundation sustained when the bridge beside it was built. Already a veteran of numerous other renovations, the building is now Gothic in back, neo-classical in front, and sports a total of five different architectural styles throughout.<br></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNz3NNBIepwD3Ks-fbmi_c2vkZ9g1Y7ANR2MtKR6qwnEqcjBEIcd1tUA2QuCopnPhbFs1G7kc-8ZPY8YBeXSrliVdpkjq9QHCLu04b5Y1XdIx0ori6LSVUcAojpEDf1gK6W3sV/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNz3NNBIepwD3Ks-fbmi_c2vkZ9g1Y7ANR2MtKR6qwnEqcjBEIcd1tUA2QuCopnPhbFs1G7kc-8ZPY8YBeXSrliVdpkjq9QHCLu04b5Y1XdIx0ori6LSVUcAojpEDf1gK6W3sV/s1600/IMG_0959.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">There seems to be a church every 100 yards or so in the Old Town, so I ask my guide why there are no Orthodox churches in this city which has a long association with Russian influence. Apparently, most&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">of the city's Catholic churches that had been converted into Orthodox by the occupying Russians have subsequently been turned back into Catholic churches.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Warsaw's church builders had turned to Gothic architecture specifically because these structures did not lend easily to conversion into Russian Orthodox.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And why only one synagogue? In a city where Jews constituted a third of the pre-war population, there are now only 600 registered Jews.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div><div><font face="Times, Times New Roman, serif">We head to Wedel's for their famous chocolate.</font></div><div><font face="Times, Times New Roman, serif"><br></font></div><div><div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eOwLXaUpc3UHAJC_NkBB6uBSnjEzwLEENw3mEJqbCQGOq16YPp4XN-sdRjLmeEubB2_TQY1HKRp7-w2TCBtouWN96NoK1uSWbVmH3IKJi62jG1499hRgbCeCuT0uBkcg0d5r/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eOwLXaUpc3UHAJC_NkBB6uBSnjEzwLEENw3mEJqbCQGOq16YPp4XN-sdRjLmeEubB2_TQY1HKRp7-w2TCBtouWN96NoK1uSWbVmH3IKJi62jG1499hRgbCeCuT0uBkcg0d5r/s1600/IMG_0969.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWHzEF2OO_0jKG2vsFsAbdVPRVTzZPueUc_IphYcR3uMAgsVAgkHfnDn9TXxr8gkVVtFO0aBu8TZ03RbUlltMERIl-pWpE3kNvlWUnFbPczw-qZ_rrkG84vT_yYv1mtRMsdZy/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoWHzEF2OO_0jKG2vsFsAbdVPRVTzZPueUc_IphYcR3uMAgsVAgkHfnDn9TXxr8gkVVtFO0aBu8TZ03RbUlltMERIl-pWpE3kNvlWUnFbPczw-qZ_rrkG84vT_yYv1mtRMsdZy/s1600/IMG_0971.JPG" height="240" width="320"></a></div></div></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I have a cup of hot chocolate- thick, rich, and creamy, of which I could only manage three slow sips.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Anya has a tall glass of chocolate with raspberry ice cream. She says she only has hot chocolate in the winter.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I suppose a beautiful sunny day like this is so far removed from any thoughts of hot drinks. Warsaw has long and deeply oppressive winters.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The 2012 winter lasted six months, with three months of bitter cold, averaging minus 20 degrees, and over six feet of snow in most parts.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></div></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Which is probably why,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">on days like this,</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;they party. This weekend, pianos are to be rolled out into the streets of the Old Town for a celebration of the music of Frederyk Chopin,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">beloved home boy</span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">&nbsp;of Warsaw</span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">. Sadly, I&nbsp;won't be here for it.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/491222865150091648'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/491222865150091648'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/history-let-have-beer.html' title='&quot;F*ck history, let&#39;s have a beer!&quot;'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqiy8Lzq4qXSoRFO4ZJI5Z-OmPrROvPelE0B_ViljpM5vuXrL7tQqiDqi9LNtXQdPXRY0eMyxEY_1V5BkytBQ7GdAssYP8Wqicbccj-GxqgHcpg2yu-MlBecLrsmVjOZsh0Y8T/s72-c/IMG_0897.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1636272207893087924</id><published>2014-09-04T15:12:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-09-04T17:28:55.727+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Warsaw'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Warsaw</title><content type='html'>This view from my hotel room window tells me a lot about the city I'm about to explore, its people, its history.&nbsp;<div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Stalin's Palace of Culture and Science stands discordantly above a resurgent city determined to rebuild from the ravages of war.</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn2IPh4ZweGHnDNf3_ssJFWbfEv7GJGbqO-AVD3Ir7nDomalaflEFNzw98WPy6KaAW90BV7WKHbkhTQlw2Vd6bmaiFFcPVXP7xI4X7vwYibOt0rM-_QA0QDNnkuD5AE1fJyE3/s640/blogger-image-1855395237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn2IPh4ZweGHnDNf3_ssJFWbfEv7GJGbqO-AVD3Ir7nDomalaflEFNzw98WPy6KaAW90BV7WKHbkhTQlw2Vd6bmaiFFcPVXP7xI4X7vwYibOt0rM-_QA0QDNnkuD5AE1fJyE3/s640/blogger-image-1855395237.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm off on a private tour of the city. I have a long list of things I'd like to see. I'm very excited, but also apprehensive. The places on my list are not on the official tour schedule.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6y_WbRDjoX9g7At1nSzc3x6tak2iFZhKxbarHvjqlE0q1CVS1b79BgZoVj9anLlABzd0T1O8CPWiEpNl_WWq28cTIae9NSZZJZDmJ0yYk8bh3dLIgg4Ygb8jFUtfT_kugz1Z/s640/blogger-image--1612430054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6y_WbRDjoX9g7At1nSzc3x6tak2iFZhKxbarHvjqlE0q1CVS1b79BgZoVj9anLlABzd0T1O8CPWiEpNl_WWq28cTIae9NSZZJZDmJ0yYk8bh3dLIgg4Ygb8jFUtfT_kugz1Z/s640/blogger-image--1612430054.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I may have read too much into the available literature on modern Warsaw.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The Old Town I fear might turn out to be the Baltic equivalent of Epcot Center. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Boho Praga might be just a slum.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1636272207893087924'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1636272207893087924'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/warsaw.html' title='Warsaw'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRn2IPh4ZweGHnDNf3_ssJFWbfEv7GJGbqO-AVD3Ir7nDomalaflEFNzw98WPy6KaAW90BV7WKHbkhTQlw2Vd6bmaiFFcPVXP7xI4X7vwYibOt0rM-_QA0QDNnkuD5AE1fJyE3/s72-c/blogger-image-1855395237.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4441524923896898965</id><published>2014-09-01T15:55:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-09-01T16:15:36.394+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sunrise'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sunset'/><title type='text'>Following the sun</title><content type='html'>On the way to NAIA. Manila at sunset, Sunday.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgCepInZzMkB4EIcs3Cn5RishgbVW0N0Jn8-L3dKtbR1_XhvNfR5kvoCmahC1c91J62hUEeW-2zyNzpwvInh7jSK8BLSYQAQ1Ne6qN_VCierjyCk2PCcGnYrDR6GqLAMRzogc/s640/blogger-image-925239351.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgCepInZzMkB4EIcs3Cn5RishgbVW0N0Jn8-L3dKtbR1_XhvNfR5kvoCmahC1c91J62hUEeW-2zyNzpwvInh7jSK8BLSYQAQ1Ne6qN_VCierjyCk2PCcGnYrDR6GqLAMRzogc/s640/blogger-image-925239351.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just landed at Heathrow. London at sunrise, Monday.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUYj86_w0H2ZnuxdEcjHySE1ohbsRUGAhyphenhyphenZKS-vOIJBxzEsmHcQ5mY8bjpkL_EVz6hSxAA6geGG0SiE0QJ_gohymAW8-ALA746cW3kimBciM7U-PpALKsga_a-jEipiub4LIU/s640/blogger-image-2102985369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUYj86_w0H2ZnuxdEcjHySE1ohbsRUGAhyphenhyphenZKS-vOIJBxzEsmHcQ5mY8bjpkL_EVz6hSxAA6geGG0SiE0QJ_gohymAW8-ALA746cW3kimBciM7U-PpALKsga_a-jEipiub4LIU/s640/blogger-image-2102985369.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4441524923896898965'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4441524923896898965'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/09/following-sun.html' title='Following the sun'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgCepInZzMkB4EIcs3Cn5RishgbVW0N0Jn8-L3dKtbR1_XhvNfR5kvoCmahC1c91J62hUEeW-2zyNzpwvInh7jSK8BLSYQAQ1Ne6qN_VCierjyCk2PCcGnYrDR6GqLAMRzogc/s72-c/blogger-image-925239351.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1296990993726189452</id><published>2014-08-21T13:04:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-21T13:08:37.890+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trains'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><title type='text'>Holiday diary</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">MILAN</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">It's Sunday and the shops are closed. Actually, it's August and most shops would be closed anyway. But I'm here and I'm taking everything the city has to offer. I peer into shop windows, I take pictures of buildings, shops, restaurants, anything!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtGHLC95NrCvbNU-RDheFPE32Ew9yuO49ovuyCMfnrg3lXE6FVuVHKH6n2ZzPEl74QUvzURJvO1Ld5_GuZmUWuhxmUI7-p04dyUMsyadC37cuQvJveEdItZsHACjEMJLQFm6r/s640/blogger-image-464087909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrtGHLC95NrCvbNU-RDheFPE32Ew9yuO49ovuyCMfnrg3lXE6FVuVHKH6n2ZzPEl74QUvzURJvO1Ld5_GuZmUWuhxmUI7-p04dyUMsyadC37cuQvJveEdItZsHACjEMJLQFm6r/s400/blogger-image-464087909.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ASOLO</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The bedroom.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvgUGM7vma70bV3QntOCbjkyWfDNQ-EaRaQMYGEVKy14QzHPXUyJ0piXXr7g9JU-1FThb_mYpeKFnn4kraPNrC1WEi7Fe30fYJFdYHcEhFL5kLYiQ5kFKmSPqFsh6-q8QpTKC/s640/blogger-image--219417465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvgUGM7vma70bV3QntOCbjkyWfDNQ-EaRaQMYGEVKy14QzHPXUyJ0piXXr7g9JU-1FThb_mYpeKFnn4kraPNrC1WEi7Fe30fYJFdYHcEhFL5kLYiQ5kFKmSPqFsh6-q8QpTKC/s400/blogger-image--219417465.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The balcony.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzDbRJetMg1V0AaIDN8jU9vkoT0pSyAP6b_G1G3kIJyxJ9NvwdhOrSLn89ArL5w-ntz0Nd_lSC-Kt7N84_EXzl7GisKg6zYzziYw0KNGDXXX90LhL7OU8kuTuuUPwCkpFFNq6/s640/blogger-image--1642303642.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzDbRJetMg1V0AaIDN8jU9vkoT0pSyAP6b_G1G3kIJyxJ9NvwdhOrSLn89ArL5w-ntz0Nd_lSC-Kt7N84_EXzl7GisKg6zYzziYw0KNGDXXX90LhL7OU8kuTuuUPwCkpFFNq6/s400/blogger-image--1642303642.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The garden.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGxVbdI_rw0m860Bh-E4J_693zrHK9_Y1ZH1JBgF8cUo47yyL59xYPGjmA9KIEe0odMMCZc_4jmvOJ07xcFuSn4bcBjgOzM41ix3N4oqbF75WhK8hpzpqBRMZdJsj9K_Ti2TA/s640/blogger-image--1264029405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihGxVbdI_rw0m860Bh-E4J_693zrHK9_Y1ZH1JBgF8cUo47yyL59xYPGjmA9KIEe0odMMCZc_4jmvOJ07xcFuSn4bcBjgOzM41ix3N4oqbF75WhK8hpzpqBRMZdJsj9K_Ti2TA/s400/blogger-image--1264029405.jpg" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The sitting room.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DI316TSxVY5Kr1aFQv7UYgPphV1GAOoXzfKDH-ymf5Ls5ibtaV6b7o9G-ATLy0rENUiprNgrf6BLkaHELcGQMWtCkSHJdd88GhT3woH8ApYXW4tCOlshEEC6JD2N1GkPXXDE/s640/blogger-image-1401916695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1DI316TSxVY5Kr1aFQv7UYgPphV1GAOoXzfKDH-ymf5Ls5ibtaV6b7o9G-ATLy0rENUiprNgrf6BLkaHELcGQMWtCkSHJdd88GhT3woH8ApYXW4tCOlshEEC6JD2N1GkPXXDE/s400/blogger-image-1401916695.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The dining room.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BckrkMBdCxSE5tCGKKoizoy9YZvDA56dBEroLpA97R0Iys_oUE9O5qCKYp7N5kh1Wd9vhFeL4n-KldMFN7PQwZTdgO5KDPkyxDwkEnJv5pMs0kIyyls6A_B5TN3_MJTiwC_P/s640/blogger-image-317768905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2BckrkMBdCxSE5tCGKKoizoy9YZvDA56dBEroLpA97R0Iys_oUE9O5qCKYp7N5kh1Wd9vhFeL4n-KldMFN7PQwZTdgO5KDPkyxDwkEnJv5pMs0kIyyls6A_B5TN3_MJTiwC_P/s400/blogger-image-317768905.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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THE LONG ROAD TO ROME<br />
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The same car that picked us up when we arrived at the train station in Castelfranco - the very posh BMW driven by the very good looking Stefano- also delivered us back to the station for the train to Venice. This train actually went on to Rome but we preferred to change in Mestre to go to Bologna just so we could be on the Frecciarossa to Rome. Not a very efficient way to travel- as Stuart repeatedly pointed out- but the Frecciarossa is more fun. <br />
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The Executive car served a full meal. With wine. And it had a lot of leg room. Miles of it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdBLYyQf4QEYR5loUpSlUNuQUdB_jklK7tpC7NJIJIi8lj_0rp9C4g33fTzq5IQUUdVjC3HUNVMukivu0Ulpa3nPv0c9Lw42sAV7b9j1T2CVyRzcrUKvLoUx2Ml99b-M4YIBn/s640/blogger-image--393337305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdBLYyQf4QEYR5loUpSlUNuQUdB_jklK7tpC7NJIJIi8lj_0rp9C4g33fTzq5IQUUdVjC3HUNVMukivu0Ulpa3nPv0c9Lw42sAV7b9j1T2CVyRzcrUKvLoUx2Ml99b-M4YIBn/s640/blogger-image--393337305.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<br />So we really needn't have bothered with lunch at Mestre. But that was nice too. Plus the cafe is a useful discovery: at Venezia Mestre station, exit via the lift, and cross the street to Datura Cafe for excellent sandwiches, hot meals, and 5-star restrooms.<br /><br /><div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">ROME</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">On the balcony, at night.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1296990993726189452'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1296990993726189452'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/08/holiday-diary.html' title='Holiday diary'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibJ-5holdwCOhKLK8kP9qygoq24Fw62fN268JI9Q-vbD0QV9li8hHiYDJ0_iADERApqUVu3SBTfgkTN_XHDFjWt5cMwBHaLA0dVYKjvbZP01X67b-l-THmTWleHeY0L0zq0MQS/s72-c/blogger-image--2101721847.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5993573607207475780</id><published>2014-08-17T06:44:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-21T12:24:09.268+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotel car'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='secrets of Rome'/><title type='text'>Superguide Massimo and the secrets of Rome</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Feeling orphaned and abandoned in Rome by dear friends and usual hosts Margarita and Maurizio who were away when we came, we turned to our hotel concierge for help.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Massimo to the rescue.&nbsp;This marvel of a driver, teacher, guide, and occasional evangelist&nbsp;led Stuart and me through an exciting and thorough exploration of the city. Its streets, squares, buildings, and gardens, ancient and modern. Letting us in on what he called the secrets of Rome, he happily chatted about her history, art, politics, myths, legends, and gossip.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div><br></div><div>We went up and down- frequently back and forth too- on streets off limits to most other vehicles. This made it possible for us to drive up with ease to hard to get at places or where parking is difficult. &nbsp;St Peter's square, Castel Santangelo, Villa Borghese, and Garibaldi square. &nbsp;The basilica of St Paul Outside the Wall, the church of S Bernardo with the beautiful honeycomb ceiling, and the church of Sta Maria della Vittoria for Bernini's Ecstacy of Sta Teresa.</div><div><br></div><div>We drove all around the posh Trastevere quarter, to Eataly way out in the burbs, and then to Mussolini's greatest folly, the failed EUR.</div><div><br></div></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">In between running commentaries on the importance of Sts Peter and Paul, Massimo pointed out Rome's best <i>gelato</i> shop, best <i>granite</i> cart, a</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;mysterious building housing old opera costumes, and</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">&nbsp;the best hospitals- the one for children (</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Bambino Gesu,)&nbsp;</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">the one that fixed football superstar Totti's broken bones (</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Villa Stuart Clinic</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,) and the one that cared for Pope John Paul after he was shot (Gemelli.)</span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">He encouraged us</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to walk through a romantic gate to crowded Piazza Navone. He got us&nbsp;</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">to queue for a&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">keyhole view of St. Peter’s in dark and quiet Piazza Cavalieri.&nbsp;</span><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">And he insisted we walk up St Helena's steps. But even he could not get us to scale the steps on our knees, despite his protestations about the value of total dispensation for our sins.</font></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We covered so much ground in two short days. Stuart and I could never have managed it on our own, even assuming we knew where to go or what to look for. We wanted the more unexplored parts of Rome, away from most of the obligatory spots we've already explored before.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Massimo and his secrets of Rome were the city's gifts to us. The perfect way to end a perfect holiday.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfuFVG1K5NCuT8rhmR0nWVFVGah7spe7h92dZhpeOxd1eWq1sSoz_xFKsaIfMw4ZdKIjrTWVZtEZ2rxZeXSywdk6F7rLhB7JUUWkRv7wTbBR_lu9wA3jtdB_UMN1NaWmjpKlz/s640/blogger-image-175939035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfuFVG1K5NCuT8rhmR0nWVFVGah7spe7h92dZhpeOxd1eWq1sSoz_xFKsaIfMw4ZdKIjrTWVZtEZ2rxZeXSywdk6F7rLhB7JUUWkRv7wTbBR_lu9wA3jtdB_UMN1NaWmjpKlz/s640/blogger-image-175939035.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5993573607207475780'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5993573607207475780'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/08/superguide-massimo-and-secrets-of-rome.html' title='Superguide Massimo and the secrets of Rome'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfuFVG1K5NCuT8rhmR0nWVFVGah7spe7h92dZhpeOxd1eWq1sSoz_xFKsaIfMw4ZdKIjrTWVZtEZ2rxZeXSywdk6F7rLhB7JUUWkRv7wTbBR_lu9wA3jtdB_UMN1NaWmjpKlz/s72-c/blogger-image-175939035.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2399817284161038249</id><published>2014-08-15T18:05:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-21T12:37:25.566+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rome'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cavalieri Hilton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Waldorf Astoria'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='pines'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Imperial Club'/><title type='text'>Rome</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Beautiful as Rome is, there is something to be said for the sophistication and elegance of most points north of the eternal city.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">The Cavalieri is not the Villa Cipriani. Nor is it the Park Hyatt of Milan. Nowhere near.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Still, there are trade offs.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Away from "the children's asylum-" Stuart's words, not mine- that is the hotel's Imperial Club,&nbsp;the glorious relics of the Roman Empire wait to be explored, marveled at, and admired.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">All this and the magnificent&nbsp;umbrella pines of Rome!</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMFdO4nMAkp_8MOmts9saRO4PSDAj3_U149pFlsXstPV_pBPfUyzZ8BtzL7fBOYC99__rzPoETCUFJZh5Fyhe_ShdPPtfneJUlwRtR9FkULr9s8r1FmbJN_XcwIqMskRmIpww/s640/blogger-image-1350814205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMFdO4nMAkp_8MOmts9saRO4PSDAj3_U149pFlsXstPV_pBPfUyzZ8BtzL7fBOYC99__rzPoETCUFJZh5Fyhe_ShdPPtfneJUlwRtR9FkULr9s8r1FmbJN_XcwIqMskRmIpww/s640/blogger-image-1350814205.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2399817284161038249'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2399817284161038249'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/08/rome.html' title='Rome'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEMFdO4nMAkp_8MOmts9saRO4PSDAj3_U149pFlsXstPV_pBPfUyzZ8BtzL7fBOYC99__rzPoETCUFJZh5Fyhe_ShdPPtfneJUlwRtR9FkULr9s8r1FmbJN_XcwIqMskRmIpww/s72-c/blogger-image-1350814205.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5144938760676445537</id><published>2014-08-13T19:43:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-13T21:01:24.963+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Asolo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Villa Cipriani'/><title type='text'>The pool at Villa Cipriani</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Two years ago, when they told me they were constructing a pool on the grounds, I thought, Oh dear, there goes the neighbourhood!</span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Or in this case, the beautiful gardens of the Villa Cipriani. So now, it has taken me three days before I even ventured to go down and have a look.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuxa_HohERzPBZGaWWDcSsTh3CLcpZ6j7qmzFLkHssySZM4FE3VdKAwNliU4W6ZxEHXsMHJen5B16ucz4ipPt8_WoV3jfd1eBwguMO_IAluvP_jkdKie90F1OQ0ufcNCYbyvy/s640/blogger-image-195739685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuxa_HohERzPBZGaWWDcSsTh3CLcpZ6j7qmzFLkHssySZM4FE3VdKAwNliU4W6ZxEHXsMHJen5B16ucz4ipPt8_WoV3jfd1eBwguMO_IAluvP_jkdKie90F1OQ0ufcNCYbyvy/s640/blogger-image-195739685.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> was wrong. Located beside&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">an olive grove&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">at the bottom of the garden,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the pool deck</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;noses</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;right up to the ridge bordering the property and looks out onto the distant flat plains of the Veneto. Flanking it on both sides are woods with tall conifers that shelter it from buffeting winds. This is a beautiful spot.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS86A4eD-3u_3A2WcDDN39jQ2Cuh5_tyknWHgQcAFZH1aC2GGFiiTFC1RqAHPTRwzChflL90wsa1X1plcKNAUh04uDg8073shca7WxJ0KwFcbcBsZXK7DyrMKilIXoKAtnXTmJ/s640/blogger-image-1657054094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS86A4eD-3u_3A2WcDDN39jQ2Cuh5_tyknWHgQcAFZH1aC2GGFiiTFC1RqAHPTRwzChflL90wsa1X1plcKNAUh04uDg8073shca7WxJ0KwFcbcBsZXK7DyrMKilIXoKAtnXTmJ/s640/blogger-image-1657054094.jpg"></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br>
It's raining now and I refuse to budge. It's lovely here. I may never leave.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GVy5_JUDRKSozFxSITzb7umx8YgmtAPfsQmOIMONf1LenT-fMOzUj5rCE-_DRPIMvyX6WOjJWm-W6VO_3sSH5IcNw7lI42ob8R9IlIwvrX9tQdLfV0VZRQlBJVJoFSsW5lf0/s640/blogger-image-1199544402.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1GVy5_JUDRKSozFxSITzb7umx8YgmtAPfsQmOIMONf1LenT-fMOzUj5rCE-_DRPIMvyX6WOjJWm-W6VO_3sSH5IcNw7lI42ob8R9IlIwvrX9tQdLfV0VZRQlBJVJoFSsW5lf0/s640/blogger-image-1199544402.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5144938760676445537'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5144938760676445537'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/08/villa-cipriani.html' title='The pool at Villa Cipriani'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheuxa_HohERzPBZGaWWDcSsTh3CLcpZ6j7qmzFLkHssySZM4FE3VdKAwNliU4W6ZxEHXsMHJen5B16ucz4ipPt8_WoV3jfd1eBwguMO_IAluvP_jkdKie90F1OQ0ufcNCYbyvy/s72-c/blogger-image-195739685.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2274931513035966870</id><published>2014-08-12T23:57:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-12T23:57:50.086+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Asolo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Il Pranzo di Babette'/><title type='text'>A perfect menu</title><content type='html'><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I &nbsp;am heartbroken. I haven't managed to get a booking for tonight's Il Pranzo di Babette. 70 seats and they can't squeeze in just two more? We've come all this way, I pleaded, and the nice lady on the phone said maybe if you call again at 3:30 ...</div><div><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">My destiny will turn on a meal ticket.</span><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Meanwhile, it's too hot on the balcony. I take refuge in the bedroom. Stuart is much too comfortable to budge.</span><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ffKvWOVomw-PYsyPz4ywfQWF7wmL8ebjXLlBhC-djszhBgam0_WTiFIeNglp2dJ7xWVo6-F_raSdo0ltmRBBVF1lERi2atYyz3ZKKL3hrLRy6FfK8IzprBtz9LxuKOQ2Oxsa/s640/blogger-image--1946532811.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ffKvWOVomw-PYsyPz4ywfQWF7wmL8ebjXLlBhC-djszhBgam0_WTiFIeNglp2dJ7xWVo6-F_raSdo0ltmRBBVF1lERi2atYyz3ZKKL3hrLRy6FfK8IzprBtz9LxuKOQ2Oxsa/s640/blogger-image--1946532811.jpg"></a></div><br style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2274931513035966870'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2274931513035966870'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/08/a-perfect-menu.html' title='A perfect menu'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_ffKvWOVomw-PYsyPz4ywfQWF7wmL8ebjXLlBhC-djszhBgam0_WTiFIeNglp2dJ7xWVo6-F_raSdo0ltmRBBVF1lERi2atYyz3ZKKL3hrLRy6FfK8IzprBtz9LxuKOQ2Oxsa/s72-c/blogger-image--1946532811.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6772264199548722575</id><published>2014-08-12T06:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-12T16:44:37.323+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Super moon'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Asolo'/><title type='text'>Super moon and the Perseids</title><content type='html'><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I creep onto the balcony next door in my bathrobe to take pictures of the glorious moon. Its bright white light picks out errant clouds smudging a dirty blackboard sky.&nbsp;</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynJmZe_2lVr4PmkFGLTcUMHNSLrckMUlXloRqg8yyorTlCJjHashn-zAKKz3bs_px1u_Qrm5jjLPaxxxiACojaIfRj3wwpleREbz53GUOmUe9_nshvlpiJ-sudhx02VYfjnSB/s640/blogger-image--1913230978.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynJmZe_2lVr4PmkFGLTcUMHNSLrckMUlXloRqg8yyorTlCJjHashn-zAKKz3bs_px1u_Qrm5jjLPaxxxiACojaIfRj3wwpleREbz53GUOmUe9_nshvlpiJ-sudhx02VYfjnSB/s640/blogger-image--1913230978.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHC64SIj9bb77EDIf-r5xUGrjAt_UYB6UufissN2zKWaIvNXZ7vmTMXtLDMllkp-a8CqeBe4pWM_HOsTunmbEy6bjEVVRoEupSUYFGIMH64YJpZfLjDAvppHxF102Pxgyc9Jq/s640/blogger-image-1292252920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihHC64SIj9bb77EDIf-r5xUGrjAt_UYB6UufissN2zKWaIvNXZ7vmTMXtLDMllkp-a8CqeBe4pWM_HOsTunmbEy6bjEVVRoEupSUYFGIMH64YJpZfLjDAvppHxF102Pxgyc9Jq/s640/blogger-image-1292252920.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVZB8C40_efzBhDgyvLivWMu-i2NbXQFlhKJGwEi-VJI9-PuSA8Hovt-pfOHQoN7rgldFFCq3HKXKDQcGkg13UAij9ZC2IVLrkXbSnXznfiDpZQoNZaG0I6WpQodG0ZIUxeBX/s640/blogger-image-1583254645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBVZB8C40_efzBhDgyvLivWMu-i2NbXQFlhKJGwEi-VJI9-PuSA8Hovt-pfOHQoN7rgldFFCq3HKXKDQcGkg13UAij9ZC2IVLrkXbSnXznfiDpZQoNZaG0I6WpQodG0ZIUxeBX/s640/blogger-image-1583254645.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77NqP6yrbOLWzibxc2KlZB8-JJTRsnXHx-WSjMxnHZHOxeEtDC-6HFfi9ArapJiysQmLqb9mC2xEtFJxW5gE6sEkmMeTymqva-I5gOivBg0MPYnexSCr-eRTsEjS2-JkQguPN/s640/blogger-image-1375038499.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77NqP6yrbOLWzibxc2KlZB8-JJTRsnXHx-WSjMxnHZHOxeEtDC-6HFfi9ArapJiysQmLqb9mC2xEtFJxW5gE6sEkmMeTymqva-I5gOivBg0MPYnexSCr-eRTsEjS2-JkQguPN/s640/blogger-image-1375038499.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">No chance of shooting stars tonight. Super moon yes, meteors no.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We arrived a day late for Calici di Stelle, a week-long festival in the wine-growing regions of Italy to celebrate the year's vintage. Street parties celebrating the region's food and wine under the glorious skies of August- can a holiday maker ask for more?</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I wonder how it fared this year though. With an August this wet and a moon this bright, shooting stars don't stand a chance.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6772264199548722575'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6772264199548722575'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/08/super-moon-and-perseids.html' title='Super moon and the Perseids'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynJmZe_2lVr4PmkFGLTcUMHNSLrckMUlXloRqg8yyorTlCJjHashn-zAKKz3bs_px1u_Qrm5jjLPaxxxiACojaIfRj3wwpleREbz53GUOmUe9_nshvlpiJ-sudhx02VYfjnSB/s72-c/blogger-image--1913230978.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2913802825447005953</id><published>2014-08-11T23:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-13T21:46:04.388+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Asolo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Villa Cipriani'/><title type='text'>Asolo</title><content type='html'>It was pouring of rain when we arrived at Villa Cipriani but the sun is out now and I'm looking forward to tonight's super moon.<div><br></div><div>Maybe we'll get lucky with the Perseids meteor shower too. I'm so happy to be back in this magical place.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGty8ZNmaa21fD4p2thRTTjW2MV4dedemm7Sp9CsJCF1AXYI44WhvGMAtCZoYwTEfOh1d7BccYfSj27r6hiSKpV8iXnolwjqlJwRyUUZjHEDyywMAQPN9l8TSZ4RwmiTHAzk8/s640/blogger-image--1513105690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGty8ZNmaa21fD4p2thRTTjW2MV4dedemm7Sp9CsJCF1AXYI44WhvGMAtCZoYwTEfOh1d7BccYfSj27r6hiSKpV8iXnolwjqlJwRyUUZjHEDyywMAQPN9l8TSZ4RwmiTHAzk8/s640/blogger-image--1513105690.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the moment, we're having drinks in the garden. It may be too early in the day for happy hour- the sun is still riding high in the beautiful Veneto sky- but for me, anytime in Asolo is a happy time. Cheers!&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcsfbN51OkTBSgmxMDmncG8K0WMmsyjhol0y6E51iIwedXHq_7IZUNHNEIg6DBi7BOC7LlYnYuZiu-t9XYWKWKXYm13iMjfQY1LnFbFkeL8-_8Av2z3UyygDtpubx4n_vyDx2/s640/blogger-image--1951535666.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDcsfbN51OkTBSgmxMDmncG8K0WMmsyjhol0y6E51iIwedXHq_7IZUNHNEIg6DBi7BOC7LlYnYuZiu-t9XYWKWKXYm13iMjfQY1LnFbFkeL8-_8Av2z3UyygDtpubx4n_vyDx2/s640/blogger-image--1951535666.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2913802825447005953'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2913802825447005953'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/08/asolo.html' title='Asolo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGty8ZNmaa21fD4p2thRTTjW2MV4dedemm7Sp9CsJCF1AXYI44WhvGMAtCZoYwTEfOh1d7BccYfSj27r6hiSKpV8iXnolwjqlJwRyUUZjHEDyywMAQPN9l8TSZ4RwmiTHAzk8/s72-c/blogger-image--1513105690.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8590827021352474793</id><published>2014-08-10T15:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-24T16:20:49.476+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Testa di Medusa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anish Kapoor'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lucio Fontana'/><title type='text'>Milan</title><content type='html'>My inspiration week has hit a snag.<div><br><div>The Park Hyatt bar closed two days ago for a whole month's renovation. Inspiration for my two new renovation projects in jeopardy.</div><div><br></div><div>Solution:&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">tomorrow</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;we go to Asolo.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile, at the Park Hyatt, there have been other changes. Two new installations: a new GM and a new artwork at the&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">lobby lounge</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div><br></div><div>The menacing mask-like sculpture that used to preside over the&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Cupola Lobby Lounge</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;is gone. La Testa di Medusa by Lucio Fontana has been purchased by a guest, an avid collector of Medusa heads.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxtsF23I5Uzn7TLHU2Img2cYFzkAMpq3eR39Cjlmjr2pHLka60poMFYsRKhTmlJcwCH6WloaJbGXcPtOYrqDYSv0caywhl8q5moXR4Jt5V_EKIuvxVdkvayJ2d8LAix5v7U9_/s640/blogger-image-1029199498.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxtsF23I5Uzn7TLHU2Img2cYFzkAMpq3eR39Cjlmjr2pHLka60poMFYsRKhTmlJcwCH6WloaJbGXcPtOYrqDYSv0caywhl8q5moXR4Jt5V_EKIuvxVdkvayJ2d8LAix5v7U9_/s640/blogger-image-1029199498.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Shocked, I crassly ask&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Marco, the manager of the lobby lounge,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;how much? &nbsp;He promptly announced the sale price: a cool Four Million euros. Amazing.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2cECM4t7_56EGHf8IBYe3E_w0E0d2QGFs97JNprXVNbL4xF2pliGazIkeIxn8eGG251tcbKtQ7PVzAujn6nZdV2mgiTePE9XgT6o4zf8V88spvlmTNoTDT7bykCPrerDe1Sq/s640/blogger-image-284926879.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2cECM4t7_56EGHf8IBYe3E_w0E0d2QGFs97JNprXVNbL4xF2pliGazIkeIxn8eGG251tcbKtQ7PVzAujn6nZdV2mgiTePE9XgT6o4zf8V88spvlmTNoTDT7bykCPrerDe1Sq/s640/blogger-image-284926879.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I detested that testa; I thought it cheapened the elegant atrium. So much for m</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">y future in modern art curatorship.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">In Medusa's place is a bright,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">shiny</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;dish, a huge circle of faceted stainless steel by equally celebrated Anish Kapoor.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQo2tR69AMeg5JiAHAma07z_erMkwyesuI67smam_io7No1Ccoeqj68ZCKICjDxI_gEmTAAct2K_zAHE4FE2Z7bVQG79WpEmjiZFr2IL6VUXTM_0OOQEcsmpK74Xfp-FMFlEbk/s640/blogger-image-154666702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQo2tR69AMeg5JiAHAma07z_erMkwyesuI67smam_io7No1Ccoeqj68ZCKICjDxI_gEmTAAct2K_zAHE4FE2Z7bVQG79WpEmjiZFr2IL6VUXTM_0OOQEcsmpK74Xfp-FMFlEbk/s640/blogger-image-154666702.jpg"></a></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">So is it an improvement on &nbsp;the departed head? After my ill-conceived and obviously ill-informed assessment of the former, I've decided to have no opinion on the matter.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnYnDnHofMZpOndFPgSdLUhgm-MrrcsnndtnWIN4Vvv981UwkVULXGwuss59LCJ_sdRgB80A2oGcb2BDetG4SCQ7g2MNPgAGEwsutsjiDujm9nNTMplojVO4lgQrPnQ4mrd6N/s640/blogger-image-430761054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnYnDnHofMZpOndFPgSdLUhgm-MrrcsnndtnWIN4Vvv981UwkVULXGwuss59LCJ_sdRgB80A2oGcb2BDetG4SCQ7g2MNPgAGEwsutsjiDujm9nNTMplojVO4lgQrPnQ4mrd6N/s640/blogger-image-430761054.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8590827021352474793'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8590827021352474793'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/08/milan.html' title='Milan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsxtsF23I5Uzn7TLHU2Img2cYFzkAMpq3eR39Cjlmjr2pHLka60poMFYsRKhTmlJcwCH6WloaJbGXcPtOYrqDYSv0caywhl8q5moXR4Jt5V_EKIuvxVdkvayJ2d8LAix5v7U9_/s72-c/blogger-image-1029199498.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Park Hyatt Milan Via Tommaso Grossi, 1, Milan</georss:featurename><georss:point>45.466436 9.189769</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2824837039481155674</id><published>2014-06-28T18:24:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-29T13:29:00.895+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='reclamation works'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Victoria Harbour'/><title type='text'>Victoria Harbour</title><content type='html'>My second favourite harbour.<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ224n_x-I1rPTGIecWtiM1d1YxA5U4zYIVEDDEiDPahisPLUEzoJIfYbgNoaGFCoo6V_1sqxo64h-rAfZPBGZqWIFUPjevLFikhbHsFIAFzl1omD-S1MSE3MD_p2Psm46ysM/s640/blogger-image-81103923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ224n_x-I1rPTGIecWtiM1d1YxA5U4zYIVEDDEiDPahisPLUEzoJIfYbgNoaGFCoo6V_1sqxo64h-rAfZPBGZqWIFUPjevLFikhbHsFIAFzl1omD-S1MSE3MD_p2Psm46ysM/s640/blogger-image-81103923.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXDfWV-U6N7NgncB57_pPzpudAkUVbVMrQYARea_ZeILV3Wjv-SoIYg_L4_ZXwE3CeMJGbCbNmk3W8xj7av8AC5UBH9rcfQpufeUCBEyv5LsFsHrDyk_yC7IAfITIWbkH7_QZ/s640/blogger-image--515282840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXDfWV-U6N7NgncB57_pPzpudAkUVbVMrQYARea_ZeILV3Wjv-SoIYg_L4_ZXwE3CeMJGbCbNmk3W8xj7av8AC5UBH9rcfQpufeUCBEyv5LsFsHrDyk_yC7IAfITIWbkH7_QZ/s640/blogger-image--515282840.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4cryc4sdb86Ew0oQTQKlG6nYb1BKECbGRujF3hmKp4diskOV1hyphenhyphenpaSZfiIY-tKZ3dVNeqClQ_SaF3ZdMYCAG8X0RHB2qi1KM87o3S1PsAAfStxyZcTnc-kKaSX689jCjvHbJ/s640/blogger-image-1839707570.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib4cryc4sdb86Ew0oQTQKlG6nYb1BKECbGRujF3hmKp4diskOV1hyphenhyphenpaSZfiIY-tKZ3dVNeqClQ_SaF3ZdMYCAG8X0RHB2qi1KM87o3S1PsAAfStxyZcTnc-kKaSX689jCjvHbJ/s640/blogger-image-1839707570.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Please please please don't ruin it!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkkN_pC85l-Gt6p9wh9Y7vdcslamsN_TdTOfLJfFyJpwwAxEQuFrCra5O4c5tTgLU9tSt2Ucl9f3_f1mnFfg-SmIp3RzpwWwB_hECeOeCoISfnJZmdNR5ugQbi8-kNBRSHDBb/s640/blogger-image-1208406076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzkkN_pC85l-Gt6p9wh9Y7vdcslamsN_TdTOfLJfFyJpwwAxEQuFrCra5O4c5tTgLU9tSt2Ucl9f3_f1mnFfg-SmIp3RzpwWwB_hECeOeCoISfnJZmdNR5ugQbi8-kNBRSHDBb/s640/blogger-image-1208406076.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK12JwNM_-BDQ-Xq-w63gfoS1YwaOWV4FwIg5e7WV9WutV2DUVnucadGk3c5ZFoiXZRnNSad4iavRxB4UtQhdACJBgPabu7DHEIA-Nr47R5TOPxP6jnBeKuTLIQUet1n-CDS2l/s640/blogger-image--323224885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I feel there hasn't been enough reportage on</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;our holiday; even though I tried to do real time reporting when I could. It wasn'</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">t&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">always possible of course, or even desirable. Here then are some late postings from that holiday.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3ZWRE2MS5gYL60U2pfIddDQFESar1kyQSc7DF6hyphenhyphenD-XBeFtjK1nGMsBg_VOs32TyUVZtbbepTbK5Y9668Lx2twGvXRUJ_jxRV1x60SpRWwq1xxJbmbXRHnoE_RvyTMiB_rmy/s640/blogger-image--518255664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<u>In London with Lorna</u><br>
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I met up with Lorna, who with husband Tom, seems to be on the same travel circuit as Stuart and me. So we've been able to meet up in Singapore, Manila, New York, and now London.</div>
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I had read somewhere that&nbsp;<b>Dinings</b>&nbsp;is&nbsp;Monocle&nbsp;editor Tyler Brulé's favorite restaurant in London, so I just had to try it.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lorna and I a</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">re perfectly matched for this Japanese tapas experience. We're both not keen on meat or rice but both keen to try everything else on offer.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We looked at what everybody else was having. Easy to do in the tiny restaurant where tables are packed close in a poky basement room with little decoration and just the one window.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">"What is that?" Lorna asked our server, pointing to a dish at the next table. So we had whatever it was with the pretty pink block of Himalayan salt as well.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">That, on top of everything else we had already polished off, savoring every&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">delicious,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">beautiful, stylish morsel.</span></div>
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Afterwards, we<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;tried to walk off the meal, ambling aimlessly around the newly gentrified and trendified Marylebone district, trying on dresses, wandering in and out of shoe shops (one sold only shoes for people with very small feet</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;; another sold only outsize shoes, big as boats) and trying to find the perfect coffee shop with the perfect pastries. Then we got lost walking in Hyde Park, and finally ended up at the Hilton, too late for coffee and scones but right on time for cocktails.</span></div>
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<u>Clerkenwell Design Week, &nbsp;St. John Street</u><br>
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<u>Photogenic London</u></div>
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<u>San Sebastián</u><br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This must be the place! The landscape, the parks, the sea, the beach, the air, and oh the food!&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This feels like such a gentle place. People are so nice, quick to smile. They strike up conversations with ease. Stuart and I make friends everywhere.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Children are happy and well-behaved. Maybe that's because people here take their kids with them everywhere, at all hours it seems. I've just seen an infant, not even a month old, in a bar. &nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br></span>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is the wine too, of course. My current favorite is Txakoli, the local white wine. It's&nbsp;</span>very dry, acidic, lightly sparkling, and cheerfully&nbsp;<span style="font-family: inherit;">p</span>oured from a height into a tall glass.<br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><u>At the hotel bar</u>&nbsp;</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Hotel bars are not</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;usually our scene but something about <b>Martinis Bar</b> at the Maria Cristina seemed almost irresistibly retro. In movies, the hotel bar is where people meet interesting characters. We did here too.&nbsp;</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The couple from Vancouver who drove across from France, got lost somewhere in Bordeaux,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">and finally got to the Maria Cristina at midnight. By the time the bar closed at way past bedtime for&nbsp;</span>Stuart and me, we knew all about the first and second marriages for each of them, their respective children, his and hers, his business, their homes, her London hairdresser (she has to find all kinds of excuses to travel to London so she can have her hair done), and how he had thrown his GPS out the car window earlier that night after they got lost and almost checked into the&nbsp;wrong hotel in the wrong country.<br>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">There's the portly gentleman from Lebanon, &nbsp;more recently residing in London, who sailed in mightily, like a warship, at a few minutes to closing time. We compared hotel preferences for holidays and for business. Most of his choices were not in the same league as ours. In London, he prefers, and resides in, <b>Claridges</b>. He was to drive- actually to be driven in a long black limo- in the morning to Bilbao just to see the Guggenheim.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I r</span>eally&nbsp;shouldn't&nbsp;have told him<span style="font-family: inherit;">, poor man, but he r</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">eally&nbsp;</span>shouldn't<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;have asked me, what I &nbsp;thought of it. I saw him again in the lobby the next day as we were checking out and he was setting off for Bilbao. We hoped to see each other again some time. Maybe in London, we said.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In Singapore for two weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">It feels good to be back. Back in the city where Stuart and I have so far spent most of our married life. Back where I began and ended my working life as an ex-banker, after Citibank, after Rothschild</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Back to hotel living and&nbsp;</span>all-day breakfasts, lounging in the lounge and beautiful chocolate truffles, the BBC Entertainment channel&nbsp;and&nbsp;super fast wifi<span style="font-family: inherit;">.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Most fun of all, back to sharing life stories</span>&nbsp;and&nbsp;endless foodie adventures&nbsp;<span style="font-family: inherit;">with Singapore friends.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I loved being back at the Tanglin Club for my all-time favorite M</span>ulligatawny soup and grilled Ikan Kurau at the Tavern. Being there with old friends made it a celebration despite the sobering discussion of a recent death in our ranks. There were drinks and more stories after lunch as we killed time before various errands and responsibilities claimed the more responsible members of the group.<br />
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At various times, various friends join me for get togethers at the Grand Club, usually while I wait for Stuart in the evenings. Some of my girlfriends come and we all wait for our husbands to come back from work. &nbsp;There are new restaurants to try, cafes, shops.<br />
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Life in Singapore has not changed much. Or has it?<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">n the midst of this blissful, joyful coming&nbsp;</span>home, a stink bomb: a hate blog! And then I'm suddenly made aware of<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;a</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">ll this talk about the unwelcome, unwanted, hated Filipinos in Singapore. There are reportedly several sites and blogs devoted to this. Makes one think</span>…<span style="font-family: inherit;">.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just realized that although I have lots of friends in Singapore, I don't really have Singaporean friends. I have met, worked with, and socialized with Singaporeans, but none of them have become friends. Yeah, makes one think</span>…<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Having friends is essential when one is living and working in a country other than one's own. One doesn't expect to be friends with everybody, surely. However, one doesn't expect to be hated by those who are not one's friends, does one?&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I don't. This creeps me out. Big time. :(&nbsp;</span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6139592625065480853'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6139592625065480853'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/06/singapore.html' title='Singapore'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8136657592560304316</id><published>2014-05-25T12:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-17T15:32:45.020+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Galvin at Windows'/><title type='text'>Keeping up- to date- with the Joneses</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">At Galvin at Windows. Dinner was excellent but the evening was really not about the food.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Marian, Elan, Gill, Alice</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">The Jones Boys</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">Dilwyn, Stuart, Richard, Angharad, Alister, Mari, Sali</span></td></tr>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8136657592560304316'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8136657592560304316'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/keeping-up-to-date-with-joneses.html' title='Keeping up- to date- with the Joneses'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8eZ_PAYMODBAU2BmAgC6iQKqJXe0BuSRIyseYvJRCaa1QvYMCRnbRM3ACAgWkfWkSeQMliQvHG3YrxZMPlrLzvZTjyIrFOXm8XcIOVtghzTvTHi7TPsKY7VleFXr1xu8rtYU/s72-c/blogger-image-1705541300.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3957135599536395174</id><published>2014-05-24T00:25:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-18T13:19:43.951+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Royal Academy of Arts'/><title type='text'>Last day in London</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Smoked duck salad, fish pie, and white wine at the restaurant of the Royal Academy. We just went for lunch, didn't even look at the art. Philistines!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess we're into food these days. No thought for anything else. At this very moment, I'm feeling deeply remorseful, regretting the scones I just had.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tomorrow I start a month-long fast. Should really be two months I think.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3957135599536395174'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3957135599536395174'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/last-day-in-london.html' title='Last day in London'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxwRENqOQgKPC3hDmP-xKDMORp6XfJIxovSlYfPWkKlvl9i-WTajH0z8qM23MKam6vAgmzu1Pi-QMZH2ZC0cUlEI8EJU8TmbeioagX_Ur6NeBQe94xe4baV9gkbN5_rfsMIzHH/s72-c/blogger-image-905829697.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Mayfair London</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.505544 -0.150729</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6750735242262083265</id><published>2014-05-23T23:23:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-17T14:32:53.691+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Theydon Garnon'/><title type='text'>The English countryside</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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An afternoon in the country. Lunch with Uncle John, Auntie Pat, and cousin Lindsey in Theydon Bois.<br />
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Then we took flowers&nbsp;to Mum at the Church of All Saints in Theydon Garnon.<br />
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A pretty bouquet of lilies, daisies, roses, statice, shamrock, and thistle. &nbsp;</div>
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We got lost going and our taxi stalled coming back!</div>
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&nbsp;But what a beautiful place to do all that on a lovely summer's day!<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6750735242262083265'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6750735242262083265'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/the-english-countryside.html' title='The English countryside'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7hZRdJfv3C-kt3O_nGow93GqNj0c0EFFNQW9Kh_oxW-TIbP0vC9oCtCK55ruEjJhEBm5a_KWxhrcEHtw2TRygjgmp8cWQ2ZclVLqgqQS8NU6jOSp-S3IYLbJv6URIapldCMK/s72-c/IMG_0969.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-614031520201881217</id><published>2014-05-22T01:04:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-08-27T17:40:10.496+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='nose- to-tail eating'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London. St. John's Restaurant'/><title type='text'>St. John Restaurant</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Back in London, and lunch is at <b>St. John Restaurant</b>. Stuart said it&nbsp;wasn't as frightening as he thought it might be. Frightening in what way, I ask. Oh, like maybe seeing pig's heads and things!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The restaurant is London foodie guru <b>Fergus Henderson</b>'s all white and stainless steel temple to <i>nose-to-tail eating</i>. Today's veal's head broth and roast suckling kid are natural follow-ons to last week's pintxos of pig's ears, pig's feet, cow's cheeks, and other such weird and wonderful delights.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Those were my choices of course. Stuart's were more tame, if not exactly traditional. Nothing exciting about grilled mackerel but at least his starter of gull's egg was more noteworthy. These eggs are collected only between April 1 and May 15, by specially licensed collectors who are fast becoming a dying breed (the collectors, not the eggs) as less and less licenses are now made available.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The verdict:&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The soup was delicious, homey, wholesome, tasty.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The roasted kid was very good but had to be enjoyed quickly because the meat tended to dry up quickly as it got cold. (I'm a very slow eater.)</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The gull's egg was just an egg. Its most interesting feature was its delicate, blue and cream spotted shell.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">The mackerel was okay. (Stuart's word, not mine.) Significantly, (Stuart observed) it didn't come with its head or tail.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Coffee was delicious; so was the Pavlova.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/614031520201881217'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/614031520201881217'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/st-john-restaurant.html' title='St. John Restaurant'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v284l1PnU7ppWRAUJuOZ9j8hcSFfwfhCxOegDR22A1-pGUP3X3n1-YwBqEg_ar_xIkScgabsuVL4T3HSXAmHGnr25sJJohE1T3YYQA7o0rYOtHlAJqv7G5n5xv7ERxs-ld5o/s72-c/IMG_0951.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5449887748130203671</id><published>2014-05-18T05:58:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-19T00:50:44.097+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='molecular gastronomy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Guggenheim'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Sebastián'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bilbao'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Pintxos'/><title type='text'>The modern Spanish conquistadores</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Tsikiteo is the Basque term for the pintxos bar-hop. Pintxos is the Basque variant of the generic tapas. Tapas is the culinary tradition that has done for Spain what Philip II's armada failed to do: conquer the world.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Small plates are taking over the dining tables of the world. That for me is a really good thing.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There are however, some forks in this great gastronomic march that I find myself taking with some trepidation.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">I have to take issue with mindless dedication to newness. </font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Okay, gazpacho served in a glass tumbler. This</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;sort of m</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">akes sense since gazpacho is mostly liquid. And it's cold.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Nevertheless, it&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">brings to mind the not so cheerful picture of old people slurping soup from a cup.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But it was, after all, at the Café of "</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">El Goog"&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">a.k.a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Bilbao's</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;Guggenheim Museum</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">, so okay, I'll take that as chic.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPh0Rz32SgdZDseofjxxuk-ZimHa286syLB5EWqjZEAyK00_KLORlFOg8gzTenW4lHNZon6P6hqvUq-OBAUJNdIeP12WU8bQLmh3hYsmgazFlcl7W1zF3jMq1iNThNNwm-j5bb/s640/blogger-image-840162639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPh0Rz32SgdZDseofjxxuk-ZimHa286syLB5EWqjZEAyK00_KLORlFOg8gzTenW4lHNZon6P6hqvUq-OBAUJNdIeP12WU8bQLmh3hYsmgazFlcl7W1zF3jMq1iNThNNwm-j5bb/s640/blogger-image-840162639.jpg"></a></div><div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">However, when even at a pintxos bar&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in San Sebastián, one is required&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to sip salad through a straw, that for me i</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">s a bridge too far. One which I'd really rather cross when I get there.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This is m</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">olecular gastronomy gone wild. And Ferran Adria and his El Bulli crowd have a lot to answer for.&nbsp;</span></div></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Me, I prefer food I can bite into and chew on, thank you very much. As in, ... well I don't rightly know what they're called. (The x's and the k's in their names have got my tongue all in a twist.)</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">But therein lies the genius of these pintxos bars: I don't have to say anything. I just look and point. And enjoy!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqa4G6Sh7qMeSc6wWCpLzTNYu6WO6n5LKhEc-FrAPv29WP6aQrcMJWBtco9XImlzjNqaqyu0SETZDEpIrFItKHB4xBi5FDZB3hL-QwecK_X3ALwRupuiJbZgDvYpWSf6Jt1kI/s640/blogger-image-1141853569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqa4G6Sh7qMeSc6wWCpLzTNYu6WO6n5LKhEc-FrAPv29WP6aQrcMJWBtco9XImlzjNqaqyu0SETZDEpIrFItKHB4xBi5FDZB3hL-QwecK_X3ALwRupuiJbZgDvYpWSf6Jt1kI/s640/blogger-image-1141853569.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5449887748130203671'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5449887748130203671'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/spanish-food-rules.html' title='The modern Spanish conquistadores'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPh0Rz32SgdZDseofjxxuk-ZimHa286syLB5EWqjZEAyK00_KLORlFOg8gzTenW4lHNZon6P6hqvUq-OBAUJNdIeP12WU8bQLmh3hYsmgazFlcl7W1zF3jMq1iNThNNwm-j5bb/s72-c/blogger-image-840162639.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3020860882030990932</id><published>2014-05-17T22:23:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-17T15:59:28.539+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Sebastián'/><title type='text'>Siesta</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I think we may have gone down a slippery slope here. Pintxos, wine, and martinis at lunch!&nbsp;</span></div>
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Our drinking buddies. They gave me their martinis to try so Stuart bought them a round.</div>
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Well, nothing that a good cup of hot chocolate, a walk on the beach front, and a siesta can't fix!</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3020860882030990932'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3020860882030990932'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/siesta.html' title='Siesta'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBgwcR52UCUAn_Li8WUR5KUT6QwYr5m-n5hLfto7ukWyNP6FSh-wovjn1KyqX8L2_KXAmz6ml6FCNPtKkRYZfaRZDFTZDacLu-tqwHhcfKFPqA9_mvSZUl5sNBx2PsFuXi58e-/s72-c/blogger-image-1198314792.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7651454564687291741</id><published>2014-05-17T06:14:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-28T16:40:47.298+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Sebastián'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spain'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Pintxos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cider'/><title type='text'>Pintxos</title><content type='html'><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Back from our first pintxos bar hop. We tried only two places:</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The first was a trendy one. A huge crowd filled the glossy interior and spilled out onto the street.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQ3sMsi_E_Cq3koJzrK7RzvOl3_ORWQdJ90IpYLgB3rfDpKRqEnhdf51-10zo4R2B8XHx-jcwmlN8y34L_Aq3HhHYvxE_xMcK_k8jZ2F3qiYquvAF8eFTXg2ovg52A5n2_KC9/s640/blogger-image--1375144159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQ3sMsi_E_Cq3koJzrK7RzvOl3_ORWQdJ90IpYLgB3rfDpKRqEnhdf51-10zo4R2B8XHx-jcwmlN8y34L_Aq3HhHYvxE_xMcK_k8jZ2F3qiYquvAF8eFTXg2ovg52A5n2_KC9/s640/blogger-image--1375144159.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57y3wN3iUCUPvt110SF9cn_gGc3o-QItB684AHDhHyPK1ZFgJhoGLCIvVpeqyTt4ZBRwS0dlxa_WsFScC8cmmF1C78akunE0FRmr9ypBut4b_AA61sU1CixWsv6LbZ8Z85_Ed/s640/blogger-image-1640928412.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi57y3wN3iUCUPvt110SF9cn_gGc3o-QItB684AHDhHyPK1ZFgJhoGLCIvVpeqyTt4ZBRwS0dlxa_WsFScC8cmmF1C78akunE0FRmr9ypBut4b_AA61sU1CixWsv6LbZ8Z85_Ed/s640/blogger-image-1640928412.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The other one was practically empty when we got there. Only one server behind the bar, only one other customer. Then people started trickling in. Families, with children, went straight through to the dining room in back. Soon the place was crowded too but with a different kind of clientele. These were obviously locals. They knew each other&nbsp;and chatted boisterously. &nbsp;Stuart and I seemed to be the only ones drinking wine. The locals drank cider.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAduY2JpaSINTC04t45UK6WuIXKm_mgeGaqo4y37k9Iew3D8ptzfDyoi6izpMwUF5M07y6aNQ4tmwWTDGHWGDddx06bgXfIimw-dxhWCSbqxTpb0tnAbvOB_HL7UOQE7OKcPmE/s640/blogger-image--2122737812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAduY2JpaSINTC04t45UK6WuIXKm_mgeGaqo4y37k9Iew3D8ptzfDyoi6izpMwUF5M07y6aNQ4tmwWTDGHWGDddx06bgXfIimw-dxhWCSbqxTpb0tnAbvOB_HL7UOQE7OKcPmE/s640/blogger-image--2122737812.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXliTQY1niLP4YIQW7SgXGiaqeeUzTVfuHX5T7gp5Na5AW25KJC_gpn4je67AsbJbH4BekWtqtxsq_98ZsY8LK12HMfugQKdGItyiquxuE3K4ah2NlMQvrfp9oERsJ8g1G6bm/s640/blogger-image--334421181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmXliTQY1niLP4YIQW7SgXGiaqeeUzTVfuHX5T7gp5Na5AW25KJC_gpn4je67AsbJbH4BekWtqtxsq_98ZsY8LK12HMfugQKdGItyiquxuE3K4ah2NlMQvrfp9oERsJ8g1G6bm/s640/blogger-image--334421181.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This looked like the genuine article. Here, we felt the excitement of being guests in a newly discovered land, privileged to observe and take part in another country's traditions.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Tomorrow we'll seek out the local bars. And we'll drink cider.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7651454564687291741'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7651454564687291741'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/pintxos.html' title='Pintxos'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQ3sMsi_E_Cq3koJzrK7RzvOl3_ORWQdJ90IpYLgB3rfDpKRqEnhdf51-10zo4R2B8XHx-jcwmlN8y34L_Aq3HhHYvxE_xMcK_k8jZ2F3qiYquvAF8eFTXg2ovg52A5n2_KC9/s72-c/blogger-image--1375144159.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>San Sebastián San Sebastián</georss:featurename><georss:point>43.321798 -1.97985</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8899041810877240778</id><published>2014-05-17T01:54:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-17T16:04:38.457+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Maria Cristina'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Sebastián'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spain'/><title type='text'>San Sebastián</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Goodness me! OMG! And oh my oh my oh my! This must be the most beautiful place in the world! And this hotel! It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen! Not to mention ever having stayed in!<br />
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I hate to gush but I have to! You know how they say they think they've died and gone to heaven? I really do hope I haven't had to do that to get here!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">More later. Have to go for pintxos now!&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Be still,&nbsp;my beating heart!</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8899041810877240778'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8899041810877240778'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/san-sebastian.html' title='San Sebastián'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOvUIyzEFpbT-jWziLrY1QtQSz8hrn6z599FzMMWW0B0l9PYuRHB8zLoL9vYbzNMAGDZgacXAQ-R1JJjMO8rDbLZO0UqDC68ZxXmCIes-8RBjTqW1P8XKT3-istWOIMFEnrBaM/s72-c/blogger-image--910330511.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8618785432635881783</id><published>2014-05-16T01:14:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-19T20:00:58.266+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Guggenheim Museum'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bilbao'/><title type='text'>The Guggenheim Museum</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I wish I could say "El Goog" was at least as interesting as the market.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This building failed to communicate to me any of the vibrancy, the flavor of the region it was meant to celebrate.&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When it spoke, all I heard was "Look at me, I'm Frank Gehry!"&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The narrative of the design is all about the backstory of how Gehry had allowed his pen to freely create it, &nbsp;allowing the uninterrupted line to find its own way. Like automatic writing.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A building should be designed &nbsp;with people in mind. Those who would build it and those who would use it.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This building was excruciatingly difficult to build and it doesn't work. It doesn't flow naturally, moving around in it is not particularly intuitive.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It seems to be coming apart at the seams. It doesn't drain properly; the floors have unexpected &nbsp;pools of water inside and outside. Even the&nbsp;Ladies' Room&nbsp;is awkward and difficult.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">As to the already much maligned contents, the very art works the building was designed to house, I find them to be not terribly fascinating. They are mostly just big. As in oversized, not spectacular, not engaging.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Surprisingly, (as I am not a fan), Yoko Ono may have provided the only humanizing experience for me in the entire meretricious extravaganza that is "El Goog".&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Wish Tree.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wistful, whimsical, fanciful, and fun.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8618785432635881783'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8618785432635881783'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/the-guggenheim-museum.html' title='The Guggenheim Museum'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDTA1QrPqkNBY5WSiMtrTpcennZy9y0AyHNJsp0FTKIRKdAN1Aj0FSnHlfjspSnjQ7Dv2p_oygMPjC04nkW1laZRR2_Yw8VsxD4CWh6Gb9RfsUtEk5Qpnjmj7TPE9wILGMJBol/s72-c/blogger-image--1960578101.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4867103820633115921</id><published>2014-05-15T23:27:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-19T20:00:27.556+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Ribera Market'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Carlton Hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bilbao'/><title type='text'>Bilbao</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The Hotel</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">The Hotel Carlton Bilbao is sleepy in the way that some European hotels manage to be without looking seedy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Our newly renovated room&nbsp;has a welcoming clean spacious comfortable feel but</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;I think I could've done a better renovating job,</span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;g</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">iven the high ceiling and enormous window</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: inherit;">.</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="font-family: inherit;">White walls, white leather sofa, white low round table. The o</span>nly<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;</span>colors<span style="font-family: inherit;">&nbsp;come from shards of rainbows strewn about by a pair of crystal hanging lamps hung very low in a corner. A 70's vibe. Or is it 60's?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The bathroom is open, as in, it has no door.&nbsp;A level of privacy is suggested playfully by a &nbsp;frosted glass wall with etched scribblings</span>, like&nbsp;words scrawled&nbsp;by a fat finger on a misted win<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">dow</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the lobby, a lone mannequin&nbsp;gives me a peek into the week's design event.</span></div>
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The Market</div>
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La Ribera market, accessed by a lift and illuminated by stained glass windows, gives us a hint of the Basque Region's fabled culinary traditions.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4867103820633115921'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4867103820633115921'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/bilbao.html' title='Bilbao'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGgvixVmmyvnic56GkWLRAMmuB1lNdR95fepISWIv1bxatXpJsIb-knJtkh9QckgzK-z0AqDzth8J4vqhGnnol-P-DCozwuuUmdBT-fKpG8_voWaND5r3NtAXXDZRGLKwdR42/s72-c/blogger-image-335996910.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2778171917835037970</id><published>2014-05-14T06:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-14T16:59:51.122+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><title type='text'>Moonstruck in London</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeftCb6xPiw2mGRsP9Kfk7MoH5MaebfNY4C_lrTUXYAI0fDXfmaIhyb_FJ11tMBw39b6h9zRrT-l5CwrdMNVVumyEBVWbCFbvQh3FJ1rmr-8kRtRdqScnObqzDchW00tjvRdy5/s640/blogger-image--1412107317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Moonlight vs city lights. And so to bed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqLo8sCezhPZcBklS5X69l2nUKWL_8S6XjwWtoYJr8D_BJGmtgkqwz1kSTEu46gW50l6Da14a-yNhM4PLiiX0W2sl-HwPh0StXuinnb50JiiSUyfvfjH7TERuPtEU1bqv9W7N/s640/blogger-image-1822716983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqLo8sCezhPZcBklS5X69l2nUKWL_8S6XjwWtoYJr8D_BJGmtgkqwz1kSTEu46gW50l6Da14a-yNhM4PLiiX0W2sl-HwPh0StXuinnb50JiiSUyfvfjH7TERuPtEU1bqv9W7N/s640/blogger-image-1822716983.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Later...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It slithered up the smooth night sky, threw a beam at me,&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and woke me up, begging to have a picture taken. So I got up and obliged.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAikzFidc9I9m9XVNsUNiAyMdN3-bSj1A6p5S8GHYWtZklqZ4YLpHtJ2g0WxiYGA-2rWd1mflZ9oSZG7qoR659wASd7AIjuCUkbjNkii5ffGmQtmiwfBuNKP6H1GS5Z4WOFg1/s640/blogger-image--589417025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAikzFidc9I9m9XVNsUNiAyMdN3-bSj1A6p5S8GHYWtZklqZ4YLpHtJ2g0WxiYGA-2rWd1mflZ9oSZG7qoR659wASd7AIjuCUkbjNkii5ffGmQtmiwfBuNKP6H1GS5Z4WOFg1/s640/blogger-image--589417025.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2778171917835037970'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2778171917835037970'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/moonstruck-in-london.html' title='Moonstruck in London'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzqLo8sCezhPZcBklS5X69l2nUKWL_8S6XjwWtoYJr8D_BJGmtgkqwz1kSTEu46gW50l6Da14a-yNhM4PLiiX0W2sl-HwPh0StXuinnb50JiiSUyfvfjH7TERuPtEU1bqv9W7N/s72-c/blogger-image-1822716983.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Mayfair London</georss:featurename><georss:point>51.50515 -0.150551</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4217949275520399487</id><published>2014-05-13T20:39:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-06-18T13:18:09.865+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>London</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the car from the airport.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Crowds in clouds of pink converge on central London. A uniformly bright, look-at-me pink in hats, pants, jackets, scarves. &nbsp;What's going on? The driver doesn't know.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the hotel, as I unpack.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Just outside my window, armies of Englishman-types magnificently accoutred in bowler hats,&nbsp;black suits,&nbsp;and black umbrellas are everywhere, crossing streets, spilling out of the underground station, getting in and out of cars.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">These events merit an investigation. Nothing on TV, maybe in tomorrow's papers then.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Fickle London skies change as soon as I look away.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span id="goog_1706320180"></span>And in the morning, a golden city rises with the sun.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4217949275520399487'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4217949275520399487'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/london.html' title='London'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR4DtxxOn_Geyhsfhfl8CjFkPTlO_JgbNJtC5xCOreTLZ1GwbEbO-NGCiX51V5DaDlHUHd9lYuJGNB50pFXR1QdgaOSLyGJg1XPingRaG38gT9r-ho-4oBQVyrN0nETbPXknOV/s72-c/blogger-image--64422120.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1344878919333001789</id><published>2014-05-11T19:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-11T23:44:38.217+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='airport lounge'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='long flights'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cathay'/><title type='text'>A very long flight</title><content type='html'>This trip started at 5 o'clock Saturday morning<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span>&nbsp;Well not really. I got up at that ungodly hour to catch my 8:35am Cathay flight to Hong Kong where Stuart and I were to meet<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;to fly together to London. My 8:35 was of course delayed, not due this time to the usual reasons of "aircraft rotation" or "late incoming flight". This time, it was due to "crew rest". Haven't heard that one before. Apparently, the crew on this flight decided to stay on in town. Well, good for the country's tourism industry, maybe? At any rate, CX912 originally scheduled for 8:35am wasn't to leave until 2:25pm.&nbsp;</span><div><div><br></div><div>I got tired waiting for this much delayed flight, trying to catch up on my sleep curled up like a pretzel in an armchair in the lounge. So I bullied, or was it charmed, I forget which, my way onto an earlier scheduled flight (overbooked of course but never mind, they always manage) that got me into Hong Kong at 2:30 or thereabouts.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Stuart was waiting for me at the luggage carousel, having himself arrived an hour or so earlier from Singapore.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We had opted not to check our bags through to London, fearful that they might go walkabout or fly-about while we get ourselves on another flight, having already missed our original connection.</span></div><div><br></div><div>So having reached Hong Kong after 9-1/2 hours from the start of my day, we then proceeded to continue the journey, checking in at 3pm for a midnight flight. We could've gone to town, waited at a hotel, or just decided to leave the next day but we were already at the airport, bags in hand, so we stayed and waited.</div><div><br></div><div>Besides, we'd already gone through so much hassle to get this far, which is to say, not really far at all.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Stuart</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;too has had to be creative about getting to Hong Kong as his originally booked flight was to be a good 12 hours delayed. But that's another story.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Just what IS the matter with Cathay these days, I don't think I'd like to know.&nbsp;London never used to be this difficult to get to. Possibly not since the days of travel by steamer.</div></div><div><br></div><div>But, a<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">nd there is always a but, if there ever was a right way to wait 9 hours at the airport, the only place to do it is at the Cathay lounge in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hong Kong.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">At midnight, we're finally on our way to London, having had a fabulous dinner (remember, this lounge is run by The Peninsula!), several rounds of Moët, and a 5-hour nap in one of the most civilized amenities available to the traveler of the post-steamer era: the airport lounge cabana.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I guess Cathay is not all that bad. 😄</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1344878919333001789'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1344878919333001789'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/a-very-long-flight.html' title='A very long flight'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5065941537713145758</id><published>2014-05-08T17:42:00.003+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-08T17:46:29.657+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mothers Day'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='white flowers'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='anthuriums'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>Mothers Day 2014, Makati</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">When she was a little girl, Mommy didn't like Mothers Day. She dreaded going to school where she'd be required to pin a flower on her dress in honor of her mother. The kids who wore forget-me-nots had mothers. Those, including her, wearing white flowers had no mothers. Hers had died soon after Mommy herself was born. How she envied those children and their blue flowers!<br><br> Now, I too must content myself with white flowers on Mothers Day.<br><br> When I was planting my garden in what was then my new home in Makati, Mommy was very happy with the plants I had chosen. It's a small strip of garden in the middle of the CBD, so my brief was simple. It had to be low maintenance, mostly green, with only a few white flowers. A dwarf Ylang-ylang tree, heavy with slim off-white blooms occupied the prime spot in the center and perfumed the air extravagantly. <br><br> There was also a thick leafy anthurium bush in the corner that was a last minute substitution for a blue fir that didn't thrive in my sun-challenged galley of a garden. It wasn't my choice, really, the garden center had brought it. But Mommy liked it.<br><br> Although the plant was blooming beautifully when it was planted, the flowers gradually got fewer and fewer until they disappeared altogether. I was very disappointed with it and planned a replacement but Mommy said, It'll be alright; it will bloom again. I said, Promise, Mommy? And she said, Yes.<br><br> It hasn't flowered in two years. But in the last two weeks or so, in the midst of this oppressive heat and humidity, it has been shooting up beautiful thick, waxy, fiercely white blooms.<br><br> And just today, I realized it was blooming in time for Mothers Day.<br><br> Happy Mothers Day, Mommy! <br><br> I wish I had forget-me-nots instead.<br><br><br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOYKGBnyqFVu-bAhWm_DRPrfv-DXaa7GqihLX2OaV4JRt4vGmp_wReU4vRs8genPhjgDdFYw319bfX697_SbAC90j4-Y2d2J_6EX6n4zrNOLj9zEOAc0rbd2qOoZ8jHTIyXNJ/s640/blogger-image--1892595415.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOYKGBnyqFVu-bAhWm_DRPrfv-DXaa7GqihLX2OaV4JRt4vGmp_wReU4vRs8genPhjgDdFYw319bfX697_SbAC90j4-Y2d2J_6EX6n4zrNOLj9zEOAc0rbd2qOoZ8jHTIyXNJ/s320/blogger-image--1892595415.jpg"></a><br><br><br><br><br></div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5065941537713145758'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5065941537713145758'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/copy.html' title='Mothers Day 2014, Makati'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgOYKGBnyqFVu-bAhWm_DRPrfv-DXaa7GqihLX2OaV4JRt4vGmp_wReU4vRs8genPhjgDdFYw319bfX697_SbAC90j4-Y2d2J_6EX6n4zrNOLj9zEOAc0rbd2qOoZ8jHTIyXNJ/s72-c/blogger-image--1892595415.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3438161390715577131</id><published>2014-05-02T01:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2017-08-03T22:09:58.456+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='bar'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Stockton Place'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blind Pig'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='speakeasy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>A Restaurant, a Bar, Makati Discoveries</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Just got back home from a deliciously interesting evening. Stuart got in from Singapore midweek, so I booked at a&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">restaurant I've been meaning to try for a very long time but have not gotten round to because the pair of us are dangerously close to being sticks in the mud, stuck in a very comfortable routine of Saturdays and Sundays in our favorite restaurants where we almost never have to order because they already know what we're having even before we do.</span><br />
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I booked for the second seating at 8:30, giving us a good hour or so to investigate the bar next door. Stuart had read a mention of it on the internet that went something like "through the dark and into the Blind Pig…"&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;Well, what could be more enticing than that?</span></div>
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We turned up early and informed the restaurant that we'll be next door.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">We asked the guard where the deliciously named bar is and he pointed us in the direction of the entrance to the building's parking.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">But where? He then led us to a small dark door in a corner of the driveway. It had an ominous-looking signal light overhead, the kind enclosed in a steel cage.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">He knocked softly on the door. Nothing. He knocked again and sort of waved his hand around some pilot lights above the door. &nbsp;We wondered if the place was closed. "No," h</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">e said, "when the light is on (meaning the steel-caged light) the bar is open." As it turns out, "The Blind Pig" is open every day of the week</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">The door then opened to an&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">incredibly dark room. Apart from t</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">he very charming and well spoken staff (who explained that weekends are when the place comes alive) we were the only ones there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Nice jazz music, not the serious stuff, just the easy, accessible kind. As we came in, it was ragtime, apropos of the place's self designation as a speakeasy.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;loved it!&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">The secret hideaway feel of it,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">the clubby toned down air.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">I looked around, straining to see in the low light of a dimly lit chandelier.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">It's a well appointed room. Black l</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">eather banquettes, trendy stainless steel topped tables, metallic wall tiles, interesting light fixtures.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;thought of the dark unmarked entrance we'd just come through and belatedly realized that&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">the nameplate outside is actually in Braille! Fantastic!</span></div>
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Our table at the next door restaurant was ready when we came but we stayed for a drink anyway.<br />
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"Stockton Place" is literally down the road from us, five minutes tops. It's a very attractive white-washed, clean fronted, tables on the curb littered with nice-looking people quiet kind of place that suggests seriously good food.</div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">Inside, it's one small room, rather cramped but&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">refreshingly&nbsp;uncluttered, undecorated, and quietly handsome with immaculately white walls and smart</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">&nbsp;op-art&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">black-and-white floor tiles. The ratio of staff to patrons is impressively high.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">The food was excellent. That is to say, my chicken was. Unfortunately,&nbsp;Stuart's sole was cold. He of course, in typically English fashion, preferred not to make a fuss. He insisted that it was okay and in fact had already started eating it when I, in my typically wifely fashion, insisted on informing the server.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: &quot;helvetica neue light&quot; , , &quot;helvetica&quot; , &quot;arial&quot; , sans-serif;">The offending half-eaten dish was immediately whisked away and redeemed by an all-new replacement. &nbsp;And so, by the time we polished off our shared ineffably delicious apple tart dessert, Stuart's diet had happily flown out the tiny restaurant's charming white-washed window.</span></div>
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Dinner did not disappoint; the restaurant is very good. It was however, expected to be just that, at the very least. It was the bar next door that proved to be an unexpected delight!</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3438161390715577131'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3438161390715577131'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/a-restaurant-bar-makati-discoveries.html' title='A Restaurant, a Bar, Makati Discoveries'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZNQkZLm_s-tIN5VCobppE9h5eBPPQ40ONAQC2vkUnuS5lEnz8KTbTqu9oNJtJqiA-zze14ru3x3dmqaPBpBEC1eBWIs_LbdDDkzYE-g4LbDaW2-jLfLcpQSytUrgq2fnq499z/s72-c/blogger-image-2004789542.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7647909539832735629</id><published>2014-04-24T23:55:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-04-27T17:25:49.031+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ilocos'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Vigan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Holiday'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='summer'/><title type='text'>Picture perfect holiday in Vigan</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I arrived in Manila from Hong Kong Monday evening. Tuesday morning we were on the road to Vigan.&nbsp;</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The 10-hour drive (including several pit stops) took us from 10am at home in Makati to 9pm at our hotel in Vigan.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj5OcIxMoWps9HkWPjKw66mrpmOZh2Fsr5XcznlF2I8IP29FupnM4ZGuU3Phu9RLug2asYkhoY5Rx1oBH9D-qv5bQf__yjAayShTK28qArKIhUZBKA0dBYG9vdo2JG6mQPfWP/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj5OcIxMoWps9HkWPjKw66mrpmOZh2Fsr5XcznlF2I8IP29FupnM4ZGuU3Phu9RLug2asYkhoY5Rx1oBH9D-qv5bQf__yjAayShTK28qArKIhUZBKA0dBYG9vdo2JG6mQPfWP/s1600/IMG_0491.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlypDvMIJXwvb2jhm1nYsGKLrtS3EdbH0w5grMnZWtTlPo0bhSnKV0jIzuu_dxeWkTTtBUFsiXvCoScCMxbIu7n9p7O8k-X87Gg-tyNEta4eh_WNn_U7B-1dsGzCNpWx7BreX/s1600/IMG_3911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVlypDvMIJXwvb2jhm1nYsGKLrtS3EdbH0w5grMnZWtTlPo0bhSnKV0jIzuu_dxeWkTTtBUFsiXvCoScCMxbIu7n9p7O8k-X87Gg-tyNEta4eh_WNn_U7B-1dsGzCNpWx7BreX/s1600/IMG_3911.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX7V7aXwpuVTQVL4FANKs5H4PFtTdH-oUc33Xk515q4nrwgmXJDjt3-aA6yfbdcCaBN6cN_Lr7qGtyrM_CP1ZRActndY4loHoIk-JcWsL9h3BkoauwJLiP1F07lNc2_Yzxufw/s1600/IMG_0492+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikX7V7aXwpuVTQVL4FANKs5H4PFtTdH-oUc33Xk515q4nrwgmXJDjt3-aA6yfbdcCaBN6cN_Lr7qGtyrM_CP1ZRActndY4loHoIk-JcWsL9h3BkoauwJLiP1F07lNc2_Yzxufw/s1600/IMG_0492+2.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best buddies, cousins Leana &amp; Alexa.</td></tr>
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Annette&nbsp;</div>
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Avin</div>
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Alice</div>
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My first time ever to see in operation the latest in cutting-edge professional photography equipment: Selfie Queen Leana's selfie monopod/extender.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmXtay-JHh3VgVBewqUrF2fBCCaGBjAlNG6ETiyhAltIrArlwwqNCd0Eo5MmOvVWhPv3n5BoC3ZsUzJ3DEvzVFqvio0GVRLg7GmP_rgaTRGbmuvP9qJkX1GzQf9q5zQ0Kfrf9/s640/blogger-image-435445860.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQmXtay-JHh3VgVBewqUrF2fBCCaGBjAlNG6ETiyhAltIrArlwwqNCd0Eo5MmOvVWhPv3n5BoC3ZsUzJ3DEvzVFqvio0GVRLg7GmP_rgaTRGbmuvP9qJkX1GzQf9q5zQ0Kfrf9/s320/blogger-image-435445860.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leana, Annette, Alexa</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the road again, to Batac, Ilocos Norte.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group hug at sunset.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving for dinner at Cafe Leona.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't want to go!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8L10NCvIrn3FqQ5PoQ7phtgdGFHB0dyQT20ZdYOSk-dafwfD8DhAlltStxgoIcLPiGvX5oqGc5WP6v1tNQHSle6z7__zWdmpTU7DtC8KaP32tkpwwJgR3FLr6iBeN43Jv4PHi/s1600/IMG_4145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8L10NCvIrn3FqQ5PoQ7phtgdGFHB0dyQT20ZdYOSk-dafwfD8DhAlltStxgoIcLPiGvX5oqGc5WP6v1tNQHSle6z7__zWdmpTU7DtC8KaP32tkpwwJgR3FLr6iBeN43Jv4PHi/s1600/IMG_4145.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in Manila, dinner at Chateau, end of a beautiful holiday.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm15_Qls-_Dt_MnLWSwMKcQVBiRcGwjS11JqK9ttyZU6ZaSi51DY62fVpndWY9kLxcYLSxX66nSiOByfc-89K3er_H1XPQB3XZWJEIX-iPj4vBgIC4QmYxdmX7CPjUv8PWqGZ/s1600/IMG_4014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTm15_Qls-_Dt_MnLWSwMKcQVBiRcGwjS11JqK9ttyZU6ZaSi51DY62fVpndWY9kLxcYLSxX66nSiOByfc-89K3er_H1XPQB3XZWJEIX-iPj4vBgIC4QmYxdmX7CPjUv8PWqGZ/s1600/IMG_4014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
Always chasing sunsets.<br />
❤️❤️❤️<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7647909539832735629'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7647909539832735629'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/04/vigan.html' title='Picture perfect holiday in Vigan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3KY_dMXdqrK8xf6h99tTtxvn3AB67GyqCLhdMw6K3nrrsclcUGDbt6We6F8LjRKZggK2ijGAFne6zhkMThB70FfzMa6f5eyipNiCmzXlxvy_8yILTTFYL5bdphLLw4eihJ-2q/s72-c/IMG_3879.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7591174991694933366</id><published>2014-04-19T08:14:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-04-19T08:14:42.215+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>Sabado de Gloria</title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj19YbLU2xNkJfWSWp2LwaNkV7j4J43x_2nr6FS4zZKPBL37qWCKJg57146VfNnsXc0nbWCrzlHUdafD9bigarzsNq3yQECsDWSEyMt9NnwPneoY0AYDYsI-G7SP1-k0v62aZ/s640/blogger-image--619883768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj19YbLU2xNkJfWSWp2LwaNkV7j4J43x_2nr6FS4zZKPBL37qWCKJg57146VfNnsXc0nbWCrzlHUdafD9bigarzsNq3yQECsDWSEyMt9NnwPneoY0AYDYsI-G7SP1-k0v62aZ/s640/blogger-image--619883768.jpg"></a></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7591174991694933366'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7591174991694933366'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqj19YbLU2xNkJfWSWp2LwaNkV7j4J43x_2nr6FS4zZKPBL37qWCKJg57146VfNnsXc0nbWCrzlHUdafD9bigarzsNq3yQECsDWSEyMt9NnwPneoY0AYDYsI-G7SP1-k0v62aZ/s72-c/blogger-image--619883768.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6516307760178204707</id><published>2014-04-17T11:35:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-04-17T11:35:56.557+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>Work plans</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Hmmm...sorry?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd8n8CuE_v6zrFj1YzKDCoIdwL3jfi4m8F0mNIDZylZyRXC0TxlJ2C5XkpWm4rS1RkViOXJghSjcWYyIX1JCGa0SW7xZ0iDaAUK_ovqgny0b2C6Wbgc9q47QS2QRUKfJksrzC/s640/blogger-image-989576272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd8n8CuE_v6zrFj1YzKDCoIdwL3jfi4m8F0mNIDZylZyRXC0TxlJ2C5XkpWm4rS1RkViOXJghSjcWYyIX1JCGa0SW7xZ0iDaAUK_ovqgny0b2C6Wbgc9q47QS2QRUKfJksrzC/s640/blogger-image-989576272.jpg"></a></div><br></font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VIFOE2f2NhopcKuky6Xfc6_1ZZedvB-BxBQ4dZvFtDobKjEDPVqXWODLbZ_SdYuTgLXa5rzP0qbRFRBTaz1oUFQtG_AC4Epfy4I0l7y4BhOTej3lY1FGOKfnoy7htNv7S0sc/s640/blogger-image--905715616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VIFOE2f2NhopcKuky6Xfc6_1ZZedvB-BxBQ4dZvFtDobKjEDPVqXWODLbZ_SdYuTgLXa5rzP0qbRFRBTaz1oUFQtG_AC4Epfy4I0l7y4BhOTej3lY1FGOKfnoy7htNv7S0sc/s640/blogger-image--905715616.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div>Okay, I challenge you to do anything useful on a day like this.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0sMvupRHefcDv7ckVnrAkj2JkXDu_H7VWK-VDhfgsSxqNeVpwX2kbJ5xRDQGtD9v_XwuxUP9a59FLmheKkUxm8dMYid1ThXXk4Y__ptdSBcVRrAF9pH4uencdy9YW5vpmTq3/s640/blogger-image--972600950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0sMvupRHefcDv7ckVnrAkj2JkXDu_H7VWK-VDhfgsSxqNeVpwX2kbJ5xRDQGtD9v_XwuxUP9a59FLmheKkUxm8dMYid1ThXXk4Y__ptdSBcVRrAF9pH4uencdy9YW5vpmTq3/s640/blogger-image--972600950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpjRfuEPZn23HsimfNR54EZK_-4XldsS0Vjv5RDeGEEsjQuL0t1TidZnYAu3CzjAq72cJcK4mm3C7_mMoKqxqsOg2U2D2YZXruV5GScmSY4uNnDrsEVGPN5jfInyhPcHg7ahO/s640/blogger-image--1813569632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpjRfuEPZn23HsimfNR54EZK_-4XldsS0Vjv5RDeGEEsjQuL0t1TidZnYAu3CzjAq72cJcK4mm3C7_mMoKqxqsOg2U2D2YZXruV5GScmSY4uNnDrsEVGPN5jfInyhPcHg7ahO/s640/blogger-image--1813569632.jpg"></a></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6516307760178204707'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6516307760178204707'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghd8n8CuE_v6zrFj1YzKDCoIdwL3jfi4m8F0mNIDZylZyRXC0TxlJ2C5XkpWm4rS1RkViOXJghSjcWYyIX1JCGa0SW7xZ0iDaAUK_ovqgny0b2C6Wbgc9q47QS2QRUKfJksrzC/s72-c/blogger-image-989576272.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2521868457226786982</id><published>2014-03-23T22:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-03-25T09:11:28.000+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Art in the Park'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ral Arrogante'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Salcedo Park'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='#MakeItMakati'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>Art in the Park</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1uu8-eujWUw-dpsLnK8UhunZoFpiAdaLSLmNvjhiO_26yCi3Qo_pWYmjGBbtP84P6kqsBZN9N-W9RX6__H4s_Js15fC1-srwTA9Ywhkwc9T98r342Plqk_9v8QHnWa2Zzokx/s640/blogger-image-819909645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We dropped in on the Art Fair in Salcedo Park on our way to lunch at Apartment 1B.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RAAt85lLZW7zBVqvmn_gQpTXXFxpCviY0gFF1gS8QlwccBMMIR6rlgTDDmocf2GaS1IMewrZCPRcPUmP9QLaSE5vW3JTli_3nun5o3B81bj2ToLiJ4sdjD1Zqn8jEG1W-6v0/s640/blogger-image-1392364307.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RAAt85lLZW7zBVqvmn_gQpTXXFxpCviY0gFF1gS8QlwccBMMIR6rlgTDDmocf2GaS1IMewrZCPRcPUmP9QLaSE5vW3JTli_3nun5o3B81bj2ToLiJ4sdjD1Zqn8jEG1W-6v0/s640/blogger-image-1392364307.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bsRQwHsrnzdyzYcL5ZeEaEgfYcK63hewgJSf2QEZokzsd_sjMZeyOvnYq1RyN5pJ5IbR2dNkIaIMTOwznpT_O7UwOBwRKJ5Mhy6DN0hW60e3tpLyBLeWZdzBaHEKveHixmMz/s640/blogger-image-141730014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3bsRQwHsrnzdyzYcL5ZeEaEgfYcK63hewgJSf2QEZokzsd_sjMZeyOvnYq1RyN5pJ5IbR2dNkIaIMTOwznpT_O7UwOBwRKJ5Mhy6DN0hW60e3tpLyBLeWZdzBaHEKveHixmMz/s640/blogger-image-141730014.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV5_O46iXOM5q-x-MG4aKo2fMo7ICZxHhBx9pwpCMHBlcO9q2KF0PBdkgXGsBCHRXTvkAR5zXQIYLLmx-CkdP98J0leMhXjQMMPcZDHqiDtRhWTySypvTPUJgT9bMDvyyj4GV/s640/blogger-image--1507456403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiV5_O46iXOM5q-x-MG4aKo2fMo7ICZxHhBx9pwpCMHBlcO9q2KF0PBdkgXGsBCHRXTvkAR5zXQIYLLmx-CkdP98J0leMhXjQMMPcZDHqiDtRhWTySypvTPUJgT9bMDvyyj4GV/s640/blogger-image--1507456403.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was much too hot to stay for more than a few short minutes but I got a general idea of the things on offer and knew to go directly to Ral Arrogante's wire sculptures when we went back later.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFs0WRnDFALqykwg_dDtZn6AWpqChOtp6Tq12hUpFLDQH3up39g2HLd3C3__-X_C9qINVmje_3RbZAJJvG48W6QIGzHaESpJXyydkQcTL3QI933VSCM0HP6tbOnvM2gPf_NEd/s640/blogger-image--1758133762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDFs0WRnDFALqykwg_dDtZn6AWpqChOtp6Tq12hUpFLDQH3up39g2HLd3C3__-X_C9qINVmje_3RbZAJJvG48W6QIGzHaESpJXyydkQcTL3QI933VSCM0HP6tbOnvM2gPf_NEd/s640/blogger-image--1758133762.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1uu8-eujWUw-dpsLnK8UhunZoFpiAdaLSLmNvjhiO_26yCi3Qo_pWYmjGBbtP84P6kqsBZN9N-W9RX6__H4s_Js15fC1-srwTA9Ywhkwc9T98r342Plqk_9v8QHnWa2Zzokx/s640/blogger-image-819909645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUuy21s0qFOaWpDM6H03DKnMSKs1NPMa6ezkJD_eYE3C2i-13lBivmmbNCBWiDFuB56kDGL2Vxgz9wYyvJJ2IOIZhmAnnMi1gsxE7R-cMJUnXVxkGXgJ6Tcrf819byIAlAVnW/s640/blogger-image--378517808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUuy21s0qFOaWpDM6H03DKnMSKs1NPMa6ezkJD_eYE3C2i-13lBivmmbNCBWiDFuB56kDGL2Vxgz9wYyvJJ2IOIZhmAnnMi1gsxE7R-cMJUnXVxkGXgJ6Tcrf819byIAlAVnW/s640/blogger-image--378517808.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO1uu8-eujWUw-dpsLnK8UhunZoFpiAdaLSLmNvjhiO_26yCi3Qo_pWYmjGBbtP84P6kqsBZN9N-W9RX6__H4s_Js15fC1-srwTA9Ywhkwc9T98r342Plqk_9v8QHnWa2Zzokx/s640/blogger-image-819909645.jpg"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJA8d0G-IC08IqeYXDGyeFYxlIad_VRHwhTUqHoMkSy8ogANvyZVUKem6xUSRKe3-zErIY-3XR9HY1emqxofHT57E2GR8r7wwmPoV3hNWk-jy2hn3HXTsPd9ppzA-cQHsyQJX/s640/blogger-image-1547512400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHJA8d0G-IC08IqeYXDGyeFYxlIad_VRHwhTUqHoMkSy8ogANvyZVUKem6xUSRKe3-zErIY-3XR9HY1emqxofHT57E2GR8r7wwmPoV3hNWk-jy2hn3HXTsPd9ppzA-cQHsyQJX/s640/blogger-image-1547512400.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The park really livened up in the evening. It had cooled down a bit, and it was time to sample the wine.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpYe6EQXrFB43z8FiX9JoohN_9cKvTHhnrwtVE7jeOs0N5YuGaYwfq6tohBWnmWrcrOx9wwZ9GeAJ3je2n3Mg8RoolL_4LnceTn3SgoeNTNJAvGoETrRw_MFUUJTYJQK8VqV1/s640/blogger-image-1275016769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMpYe6EQXrFB43z8FiX9JoohN_9cKvTHhnrwtVE7jeOs0N5YuGaYwfq6tohBWnmWrcrOx9wwZ9GeAJ3je2n3Mg8RoolL_4LnceTn3SgoeNTNJAvGoETrRw_MFUUJTYJQK8VqV1/s640/blogger-image-1275016769.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We shared a cocktail table with a lively group of bright young things who chatted up a storm with us for most of the evening. We covered weddings (two of them are to be married next week), careers, children. They scoffed at opera and extolled&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the health benefits of soup #5.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;DH Lawrence's farm in Mexico and would I write a financial column for a magazine owned by one of them?&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There were three empty wine bottles on the table when Stuart and I left for a late supper.</span></div><div><div><br></div><div>C', the new Italian place at the far corner of the park served up a good tomato soup and a nice panizza to share.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div></div><div>So did we buy anything? No, but I think I may have commissioned a life-size wire sculpture of Don Giovanni. Or maybe it was a bi-plane&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">mobile&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">for Stuart. We'll find out when it's finished.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Once again, Salcedo Park made for a really great weekend outing. Easy, lazy, friendly, arty. Very nice.</div></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2521868457226786982'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2521868457226786982'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/03/art-in-park.html' title='Art in the Park'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RAAt85lLZW7zBVqvmn_gQpTXXFxpCviY0gFF1gS8QlwccBMMIR6rlgTDDmocf2GaS1IMewrZCPRcPUmP9QLaSE5vW3JTli_3nun5o3B81bj2ToLiJ4sdjD1Zqn8jEG1W-6v0/s72-c/blogger-image-1392364307.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1364353620400886956</id><published>2014-03-19T15:14:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-03-19T15:14:47.474+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Lunch at Wan Chai Market</title><content type='html'><div>Lunch</div><div>Foie gras cooked in egg, eau de cacao (Stuart says Vegemite)</div><div>Asparagus w fish roe, tiny yellow flower petals, caramelized nut, yuzu (little bit by little bit)</div><div>Egg poached, w slivers of dried beef, chopped bakchoy, yellow petals&nbsp;</div><div>Mackerel w daikon ?, thin sheet of turnip?, cilantro, black sesame seeds</div><div>W harissa (Arabic) sauce- hot</div><div>Beef seared ( not good, lots of gristle)</div><div>Anchovy, Brussels sprouts, harishi mustard (Japanese, slightly sweet)</div><div>Lemon cream w capsicum sauce</div><div>Dacquoise- macaroon w ice cream centre</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1364353620400886956'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1364353620400886956'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3768858188955429502</id><published>2014-03-19T15:00:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-03-19T15:01:16.263+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Hong Kong</title><content type='html'><div>It'<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">s incredibly noisy in my hotel room so I escape to the lounge.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>I look out at the ever beautiful, but shrinking Victoria Harbour. It's messy with never-ending reclamation projects. It's hazy with mainland pollution. Still, to me, it's beautiful, exciting, always busy, always changing.</div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The hotel</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;is undergoing a radical</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;refit. My room is uninhabitable from ten to five on weekdays.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I miss the old unfussy interiors.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;I miss the quirky hanging boxes and the angled desk. But change must happen and I must keep looking forward.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Besides, I'm finding new things to like in the renovated rooms. The bigger closet space means my clothes don't have to fight for territory. The well lit luggage rack means I can see the tiny numbers in my suitcase combination lock without my glasses. The single basin in the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">bathroom (I've always found the his and hers style an unnecessary conceit) means</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;there's room on the &nbsp;vanity for all my stuff. And I do love that invisible TV in the bath!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This is still one of my favorite places to be. And the Grand Hyatt i</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">s still and always will be my Hong Kong home.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fi4BKTqH3Is3DQMuClmrvmHKsifm9QBG2ECtFu_7gnuYu3GV4IP_9uIGNGwklZ8OuhxmusQKrkxDbHQXVFjPHWM3GQ5LR12okn3SJbNXm2yn6q2eCQY4DNCWMFgsUxHYvKii/s640/blogger-image-367065423.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fi4BKTqH3Is3DQMuClmrvmHKsifm9QBG2ECtFu_7gnuYu3GV4IP_9uIGNGwklZ8OuhxmusQKrkxDbHQXVFjPHWM3GQ5LR12okn3SJbNXm2yn6q2eCQY4DNCWMFgsUxHYvKii/s640/blogger-image-367065423.jpg"></a></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3768858188955429502'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3768858188955429502'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/03/hong-kong-incredible-shrinking-harbour.html' title='Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Fi4BKTqH3Is3DQMuClmrvmHKsifm9QBG2ECtFu_7gnuYu3GV4IP_9uIGNGwklZ8OuhxmusQKrkxDbHQXVFjPHWM3GQ5LR12okn3SJbNXm2yn6q2eCQY4DNCWMFgsUxHYvKii/s72-c/blogger-image-367065423.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2955443730019582741</id><published>2014-03-08T22:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2014-03-09T17:43:09.741+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Salcedo Nights'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Salcedo Park'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='#Make It Makati'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='concert'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in concert at Salcedo Park</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Stuart and I have just come back from a beautiful dinner concert. The fabulous Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, at a concert brought right to our doorstep, at Salcedo Park.<br />
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This is a welcome return of 'Salcedo Nights,' one of the many things I love about my neighborhood, Salcedo Village, and my city, Makati.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PPO goes POPs!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young concert goer climbs a tree for a better view</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vehicles are parked at table side</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New-found friends share a table</td></tr>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2955443730019582741'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2955443730019582741'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/03/philippine-philharmonic-orchestra-in.html' title='Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in concert at Salcedo Park'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGc1mts1ZVhLx6FOk2OaajliFpK_ykmMuJPYP0xEQn-c3cwGrll6I7oYB0ZYadRYq8BUxoFF-f3RYaLF8W8WaMKJ7s-LbJORHpXUVZYLxIhneVXMGxkw4uADGsWowUwZjQDAc/s72-c/IMG_3193.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2861929351890412366</id><published>2014-02-07T18:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-02-09T00:34:02.765+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Wan Chai'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Serge et Le Phoque'/><title type='text'>Hong Kong- a new restaurant</title><content type='html'>We've found a replacement for ex-favorite Chez Patrick Deli.<div><br></div><div>Serge et Le Phoque, positioned quirkily amidst the butchers and fishmongers of&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Wan Chai Market</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VsHo0Hca3nXItjXWM3_Bc-Iu7dc6-BzKu2IEX6cmNzW40cF5WrKIAmgz5HtARlFqdJE9zJnbvuAftAO3Q1M0O4x0wumNKULrIthGtV6rgYIHO_GV6hSPx2xTpfNo-DQ1av8T/s640/blogger-image--51447027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VsHo0Hca3nXItjXWM3_Bc-Iu7dc6-BzKu2IEX6cmNzW40cF5WrKIAmgz5HtARlFqdJE9zJnbvuAftAO3Q1M0O4x0wumNKULrIthGtV6rgYIHO_GV6hSPx2xTpfNo-DQ1av8T/s640/blogger-image--51447027.jpg"></a></div><br></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZimWTl7MS_c_rtviGAKI4ghUhn_u_NqhAZsQpbTCOHwgFIqi60Db_43vIvEEEtwucizeVSdaQ6XzPdwjlKYpIGiITk0qaIHyf93F9fSPcLjZuqoXxsr_j8RoTVBRpd7TD-OEp/s640/blogger-image-160128950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZimWTl7MS_c_rtviGAKI4ghUhn_u_NqhAZsQpbTCOHwgFIqi60Db_43vIvEEEtwucizeVSdaQ6XzPdwjlKYpIGiITk0qaIHyf93F9fSPcLjZuqoXxsr_j8RoTVBRpd7TD-OEp/s640/blogger-image-160128950.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I had to break my rule about taking photos of my food. This was just too pretty!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj5XAaoRoRuc8x5gLHUONbtSjQZanPcSIWy4kXEgTAci8g4AgwhMmHhX_YKfk4V0RGVLepYWy3kihp-4rZbfm2WpdoSlshJupq8TMAZGYP68XqJyg7KKePKhYREzIthldLtWu/s640/blogger-image--2092925819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj5XAaoRoRuc8x5gLHUONbtSjQZanPcSIWy4kXEgTAci8g4AgwhMmHhX_YKfk4V0RGVLepYWy3kihp-4rZbfm2WpdoSlshJupq8TMAZGYP68XqJyg7KKePKhYREzIthldLtWu/s640/blogger-image--2092925819.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A starter of hen egg cooked at a precise 60 degrees, in a broth made with bellota ham in lieu of the&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">squid ink which I'm allergic to.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;The very charming Charles, partner and designer, had quickly arranged for this substitution. Perched on the plate rim were five slender whitebait tempura and a mound of charred corn kernels.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRL1cwI3P_WNOT8nJSrepRlGG6FI2TZfoGZ0wXz-qT9wuo7C-z0n-MlMZhYjoGP8ZqgXD0pt_Zf9wpFw9o-YE_U3L2eOAF1ISIbOOj8_uaeZleHIGSG2olNmac-AhNcM6lSHaH/s640/blogger-image-1083151798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRL1cwI3P_WNOT8nJSrepRlGG6FI2TZfoGZ0wXz-qT9wuo7C-z0n-MlMZhYjoGP8ZqgXD0pt_Zf9wpFw9o-YE_U3L2eOAF1ISIbOOj8_uaeZleHIGSG2olNmac-AhNcM6lSHaH/s640/blogger-image-1083151798.jpg"></a></div>My main course of slow-cooked pork belly was perfectly turned out- the flesh tender and full of flavor, the skin crispy above the precious layer of fat. All good, but for me, a little overwhelming as I'm not used to eating pure, in-your-face fat. The essential balance was provided by an artful arrangement of a sliver of herring, a spoonful of onion marmalade, and a dollop of some kind of chili paste, which jolted me out of my impending fat-induced brain fog.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Verdict: superior! I will be back tomorrow but I'm going for the fish ceviche this time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2861929351890412366'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2861929351890412366'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/02/hong-kong-new-restaurant.html' title='Hong Kong- a new restaurant'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VsHo0Hca3nXItjXWM3_Bc-Iu7dc6-BzKu2IEX6cmNzW40cF5WrKIAmgz5HtARlFqdJE9zJnbvuAftAO3Q1M0O4x0wumNKULrIthGtV6rgYIHO_GV6hSPx2xTpfNo-DQ1av8T/s72-c/blogger-image--51447027.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4929417764611022989</id><published>2014-02-07T10:13:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-02-13T01:01:38.179+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tokyo Midtown'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='21-21 Design Museum'/><title type='text'>Tokyo- 21-21 Sight Design Museum</title><content type='html'><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BX8LTz5rzycPp5QXSSfS5YyeYWspytkAJDd4wRIYvXdayOxxlPCDb-tykdH7n1cgpFDBVyI5UTYg7eJkI7es4YABz7Gg4qXawnayK2JYuynYRUFFCCFOdAu_fzDpOe30-vEC/s640/blogger-image--284736342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BX8LTz5rzycPp5QXSSfS5YyeYWspytkAJDd4wRIYvXdayOxxlPCDb-tykdH7n1cgpFDBVyI5UTYg7eJkI7es4YABz7Gg4qXawnayK2JYuynYRUFFCCFOdAu_fzDpOe30-vEC/s640/blogger-image--284736342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggca87t3dIqTSai-FLZwQYGLI6V-KX1K5gXaVx2nSKadS2TSRijqFznHfj0Op_o5cqRO8Btz0AtNC9czx-ze67NUXlPfZH9us0EufyofYgDwFluAf9gdr2wMxjyNvZ2D5WX1iF/s640/blogger-image--2052791228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggca87t3dIqTSai-FLZwQYGLI6V-KX1K5gXaVx2nSKadS2TSRijqFznHfj0Op_o5cqRO8Btz0AtNC9czx-ze67NUXlPfZH9us0EufyofYgDwFluAf9gdr2wMxjyNvZ2D5WX1iF/s640/blogger-image--2052791228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's beautiful, crystal clear, sunny and very cold. I pick my way carefully on the icy concrete steps of the bridge across from Tokyo Midtown. &nbsp;We're at the 21-21 Sight Design Museum.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This is easily my favorite place in all of Tokyo. In all of Japan even.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Starting with the building. Design by Tadao Ando. Sits low on the ground, blending seamlessly with the sleek, strictly curated landscape of slender trees and grass.&nbsp;</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTMKJSX1OzvEP8Bm0GgZQKNNWWt5HfsiFJ7BCV5Jhs43lqPDIMdbA6KK18HKTzbSD2AD3aQPs4Lu22DP1hAU5ctSLcSklDH1fi6edqAABNyzCzYzlHj3xpoM603xPubCLohGL/s640/blogger-image--1938138694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTMKJSX1OzvEP8Bm0GgZQKNNWWt5HfsiFJ7BCV5Jhs43lqPDIMdbA6KK18HKTzbSD2AD3aQPs4Lu22DP1hAU5ctSLcSklDH1fi6edqAABNyzCzYzlHj3xpoM603xPubCLohGL/s640/blogger-image--1938138694.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I like what it stands for. The genius of design.&nbsp;</span><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAesSYARxeVXPcVqHWSOeYRvmZRcwnF4dgRnazwQqpQd5_8QTucfiAmtErkbPaZo9qMLqwcFVDxGFl96aooIFJxGPkzcA0kqrG8lOBGg49pcspuJ-mlpkRb5U9zJJVj83qxL4/s640/blogger-image--735874544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAesSYARxeVXPcVqHWSOeYRvmZRcwnF4dgRnazwQqpQd5_8QTucfiAmtErkbPaZo9qMLqwcFVDxGFl96aooIFJxGPkzcA0kqrG8lOBGg49pcspuJ-mlpkRb5U9zJJVj83qxL4/s640/blogger-image--735874544.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyarLhzqEwDOaKZ6x0IF7y3DmBLYgCFCe2ohlkAO2DNP845YhVqM6TnfOTsZI150u2OM8unS9lUw0B6ybDv2s-qxZ0GjnWm7S0rAqUnEd6jzD4tY4_X9cwfRruUs1ICjhIWQqN/s640/blogger-image-1272772827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyarLhzqEwDOaKZ6x0IF7y3DmBLYgCFCe2ohlkAO2DNP845YhVqM6TnfOTsZI150u2OM8unS9lUw0B6ybDv2s-qxZ0GjnWm7S0rAqUnEd6jzD4tY4_X9cwfRruUs1ICjhIWQqN/s640/blogger-image-1272772827.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love being here. I feel as though nothing bad can happen here. I feel protected and secure in a world where beautiful things are created.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The interior is a study in light and shadow. A video of design master Ettore Sotsass is on a continuous loop, in which he says light is a language, with nouns and verbs and such. This structure totally gets it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6O1nCngZhu-Y8vrH5G5SRnuk9fGnEYYu2DEfZY6XscjZ6DNSWAcCZ_jg9yAraMBU0FLdg9S7Bhdc48Qjcf2gOctedVhb55YR8Yv4VR8oGt8uSxkwUMbhvDoVN5cDgblVsvGW/s640/blogger-image-2125198862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl6O1nCngZhu-Y8vrH5G5SRnuk9fGnEYYu2DEfZY6XscjZ6DNSWAcCZ_jg9yAraMBU0FLdg9S7Bhdc48Qjcf2gOctedVhb55YR8Yv4VR8oGt8uSxkwUMbhvDoVN5cDgblVsvGW/s640/blogger-image-2125198862.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat_rk0xgJOMxhWSKnpdDJd6qa0e3NwnGxa1Ut0gdMQ_Zx8EI9qmYi8DlGsE9AQm4Uc4SsBolfqrDHGBugtgtgNqoRkuJ6YRyQGKNC6ynLFdy3rU9Ko2hlGInVX_54J6AKuJWR/s640/blogger-image-1779644949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgat_rk0xgJOMxhWSKnpdDJd6qa0e3NwnGxa1Ut0gdMQ_Zx8EI9qmYi8DlGsE9AQm4Uc4SsBolfqrDHGBugtgtgNqoRkuJ6YRyQGKNC6ynLFdy3rU9Ko2hlGInVX_54J6AKuJWR/s640/blogger-image-1779644949.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvU450xfeuW-c3DgqIde-4-S6hA7e87c7om4GwEdBCOs0KFFO6WXWHT89S_tgW5Vcoz3b2dY1Xf0wYtSeBhIn3Co_qvFEBfjK4dGh0REzpDQESCktnZ1Gu59Ay9edRuYw9FQC/s640/blogger-image-1174043393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvU450xfeuW-c3DgqIde-4-S6hA7e87c7om4GwEdBCOs0KFFO6WXWHT89S_tgW5Vcoz3b2dY1Xf0wYtSeBhIn3Co_qvFEBfjK4dGh0REzpDQESCktnZ1Gu59Ay9edRuYw9FQC/s640/blogger-image-1174043393.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Design. Different. Crafting. Uniquely.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A plasticine chair, flowers in jello.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVYacJtwzUOjll6o9o5pSwvwopuAx_whyfmBQ-H9XVEPUzuPtMYUiD84CVspqk8kJaqrQmcok82x8B_8Qn-7MIRP4pPIUY-vlNJiaBfpbfn-BSRVdVzXGJcigBTC8ybP_pPXm/s640/blogger-image--2110801062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVYacJtwzUOjll6o9o5pSwvwopuAx_whyfmBQ-H9XVEPUzuPtMYUiD84CVspqk8kJaqrQmcok82x8B_8Qn-7MIRP4pPIUY-vlNJiaBfpbfn-BSRVdVzXGJcigBTC8ybP_pPXm/s640/blogger-image--2110801062.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Centuries-old craft for a centuries-old ritual. A paper garment worn by monks.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOT4QZveAOp_WpvSlwTHPMn2DfmkLmiBPrDDi2o1jA5-zn6qs94OYelMne191Z3kB-yT7uHxOXaDzvh6RmFfbW9FGLTeQcs29I_VXd_G2BqagthwQm2sBBMy7vpbpc3JOHFZ6/s640/blogger-image-70995961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOT4QZveAOp_WpvSlwTHPMn2DfmkLmiBPrDDi2o1jA5-zn6qs94OYelMne191Z3kB-yT7uHxOXaDzvh6RmFfbW9FGLTeQcs29I_VXd_G2BqagthwQm2sBBMy7vpbpc3JOHFZ6/s640/blogger-image-70995961.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There's an evocative image of a monk running with a fiery torch. The garment on show beside the video is slightly burned, discoloured, its edges curled and singed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A chair. Pure crystal.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-90ZSMkVd2SV0wKmyM6RTHeIs7YAvMvRVfYdl3PaIJKYPWKYs90HhCMv_7f92PiCtvBV5us1YXS_XUJspqmcfcRp4ybKFYxf4mLghIATl5l1fcsQKFWpIlImrjg67IfLyY5o/s640/blogger-image-337456439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-90ZSMkVd2SV0wKmyM6RTHeIs7YAvMvRVfYdl3PaIJKYPWKYs90HhCMv_7f92PiCtvBV5us1YXS_XUJspqmcfcRp4ybKFYxf4mLghIATl5l1fcsQKFWpIlImrjg67IfLyY5o/s640/blogger-image-337456439.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The ultimate in flat-packing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30_miEtyRs-iUplNZZZzUSIXsQBtZuvrlDvhMCUinjAfuprV3xbtBZlwPGz9pDEbqQmBULaUMkXQ1XOlALZbY5OuGL1kVeA3Jw6dyQSGl17saQ-JofqSiS2lCsyhzYwUzvbHy/s640/blogger-image-1733698565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30_miEtyRs-iUplNZZZzUSIXsQBtZuvrlDvhMCUinjAfuprV3xbtBZlwPGz9pDEbqQmBULaUMkXQ1XOlALZbY5OuGL1kVeA3Jw6dyQSGl17saQ-JofqSiS2lCsyhzYwUzvbHy/s640/blogger-image-1733698565.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnxUBNe5E0_1N0TBAg8YJy9VmyqdBL7ttacbtgZXsHgENyr4RK7Hg7cinj4l-c2YiZ82X23QwiA-xoCOKOhxy5sY6WXiYjpS_IKrCCFsI_6jvb0vWMJi1MG7PL9P65bwPVxp6/s640/blogger-image--22939435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnxUBNe5E0_1N0TBAg8YJy9VmyqdBL7ttacbtgZXsHgENyr4RK7Hg7cinj4l-c2YiZ82X23QwiA-xoCOKOhxy5sY6WXiYjpS_IKrCCFsI_6jvb0vWMJi1MG7PL9P65bwPVxp6/s640/blogger-image--22939435.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Brilliant.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4929417764611022989'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4929417764611022989'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/02/tokyo-21-21-design-museum.html' title='Tokyo- 21-21 Sight Design Museum'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOTMKJSX1OzvEP8Bm0GgZQKNNWWt5HfsiFJ7BCV5Jhs43lqPDIMdbA6KK18HKTzbSD2AD3aQPs4Lu22DP1hAU5ctSLcSklDH1fi6edqAABNyzCzYzlHj3xpoM603xPubCLohGL/s72-c/blogger-image--1938138694.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7322258737624393510</id><published>2014-02-06T23:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-02-06T23:37:48.137+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Tokyo- design, fruits, sweets, 21-21</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6cOvw6iqhk6tVCN0QqzdybXdh0LLWUMlxgcjaYDOz41INuLhdY_SY-lkOy2Y8q-2GsMboEtK8Ou5BjLVqkLn_NjJLouu4fpqutBGnz5OK8hrnSxp2hDjFJbd-zTho0zwDvbD3/s640/blogger-image--175884122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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shadow, interiors</div><div>Plasticine chair w flowers suspended in jello</div><div>Japanese ethos- hanging clothes in shop</div><div>Handicraft- paper garment, beautiful image of monks w fiery torches</div><div>Ettore Sotsass- design philosophy, the language of light- it has nouns, verbs</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b0U8a-_cVV8DvlHFi9hUjAu7m9kFMjf01RP38khlWq8fJyrL2-IjXaB5s5HYnEHsJj5DpWQE092E6RMSh0rXrL0difxbwNWzUTAPkhafKSb5FFrLECNLQ-itwlDtZtaKFpbt/s640/blogger-image--1497071782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-b0U8a-_cVV8DvlHFi9hUjAu7m9kFMjf01RP38khlWq8fJyrL2-IjXaB5s5HYnEHsJj5DpWQE092E6RMSh0rXrL0difxbwNWzUTAPkhafKSb5FFrLECNLQ-itwlDtZtaKFpbt/s640/blogger-image--1497071782.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7322258737624393510'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7322258737624393510'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuQ2OBROGUwmRSBWW9vR4Su_dQrdCzZAiy4IlQpK6qrfTFxparwvvZuSPODYcKa2AADfgUfah6yaywGNBmi1__6SVQ0k5NHrnotJqolwOO7RofimJv6rpzaYPNWvd7GkithtCx/s72-c/blogger-image-346382608.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6652850638520787474</id><published>2014-02-04T23:39:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-02-15T15:37:15.973+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Roppongi'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Vegetable Restaurant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tokyo'/><title type='text'>Tokyo- Vegetable Restaurant</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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There's a place we go to for sushi in Roppongi Hills- we don't even know the name; we just know how to get there. It's small and plain and rather dark, so we like to sit at the counter where we can watch the action. A good part of the joy of sushi is watching it being made.</div>
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Today, there's no room at the counter, so we left sushi for another time and went in search of somewhere else for lunch.&nbsp;</div>
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We settled on a restaurant called simply Vegetable Restaurant.&nbsp;</div>
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It's not a vegetarian restaurant but it obviously takes its vegetables very seriously. Carrots are the featured vegetable of the season. It's a very special winter variety that is reportedly extra flavorful and sweet.&nbsp;</div>
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I prefer my vegetables green so I opted out of the all-carrot menu.</div>
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I chose a fish set menu because it looked good in the picture. Well, it looked even better in person. &nbsp;And it was delicious!&nbsp;</div>
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The fish was cooked in a rich vegetable broth and served with black and purple rice topped with small cuts of fried fish, lotus root, fish roe, and omelette strips.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6652850638520787474'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6652850638520787474'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/02/tokyo-winter-is-not-over-yet.html' title='Tokyo- Vegetable Restaurant'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2g2ahNoC55S0X28KAJZYWlx-mELBOy_ivRyF3RF2k-unE9L5QtMz6_7dLuTBA8dWI0ZSLohkUYEmQERtKTCZaLFQmmoYdzq65_du14PToCSgPKn7lVRtXdCzYqDNquXlhFeyQ/s72-c/blogger-image--149341940.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2789192937429762549</id><published>2014-02-04T23:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-02-05T16:20:04.083+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Setsubun'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='End of Winter Festival'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tokyo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Azabu-juban'/><title type='text'>Tokyo- end of winter?</title><content type='html'>Monday was sunny and mild, a perfect day for walking around the streets of the Azabu-juban district&nbsp;with its quirky shops, health food stores, ice cream and candy stores, and an amazing number of pet grooming parlours.<div><div><br></div><div>A big crowd was assembled for the&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Setsubun festival signaling the end of winter.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2LgJWXAKf8N1LBNpDhJgvPiVMfuhuUxaRxQlF5evtsekr_P-BLe8cRWF_s5oa8A3oYUFsoCvSiMw0B_HSElr8pIcVlOyfIyuAko1Kdf-HCd2C5yqujpI7Gyt3XFQrEMLyjDt/s640/blogger-image--219954441.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2LgJWXAKf8N1LBNpDhJgvPiVMfuhuUxaRxQlF5evtsekr_P-BLe8cRWF_s5oa8A3oYUFsoCvSiMw0B_HSElr8pIcVlOyfIyuAko1Kdf-HCd2C5yqujpI7Gyt3XFQrEMLyjDt/s640/blogger-image--219954441.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At first, the shopping bags held aloft puzzled me. Was I supposed to bring my shopping to be blessed?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdjmC7GjiE1kEjsHd6xLNZ1oDvF_K3yGYi7WmIZbaBSkNHHuk8q2WyipdXkn7Zpf46f8vrkmsOaehUpYUcRlSxN1xUTOZF58JFDQCWpK-7JG9-7jJfCtaAS-60pLKdDZIkWo1/s640/blogger-image-1573925040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfdjmC7GjiE1kEjsHd6xLNZ1oDvF_K3yGYi7WmIZbaBSkNHHuk8q2WyipdXkn7Zpf46f8vrkmsOaehUpYUcRlSxN1xUTOZF58JFDQCWpK-7JG9-7jJfCtaAS-60pLKdDZIkWo1/s640/blogger-image-1573925040.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the stroke of the hour, beans and candy started flying out from the tiny kiosk where ladies in traditional Japanese dress ministered to the faithful clamoring for a share of the beans being scattered to drive away evil on the last day of winter.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq73uvzblGhfcsXKs9dbbwZ1BkR2mPTByXFuyMOxT7R2dH_NrPFIKSNmLrfZP-2L6SoM3w3ffgGc-Jm2mXKrtNlV5_ehAeDgV-OV7z-xJxxAc58p48gxf4WZ_KMXfQh9ulsrds/s640/blogger-image--642353358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq73uvzblGhfcsXKs9dbbwZ1BkR2mPTByXFuyMOxT7R2dH_NrPFIKSNmLrfZP-2L6SoM3w3ffgGc-Jm2mXKrtNlV5_ehAeDgV-OV7z-xJxxAc58p48gxf4WZ_KMXfQh9ulsrds/s640/blogger-image--642353358.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This little girl tearfully nursed a bloody finger hurt in the fray.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsl3ccPuAo4eDwjRRcnn5onJHRtwcbOZOLd_Mp2ts8V2OfZFobxSsVrwo3uTtNjc8E87vAtVZh0qdIGi97ty9qpgL9YhbgsfooGYfyPFESACtWvsHJY16ZK74z4jXSOIDLR64/s640/blogger-image--929605573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmsl3ccPuAo4eDwjRRcnn5onJHRtwcbOZOLd_Mp2ts8V2OfZFobxSsVrwo3uTtNjc8E87vAtVZh0qdIGi97ty9qpgL9YhbgsfooGYfyPFESACtWvsHJY16ZK74z4jXSOIDLR64/s640/blogger-image--929605573.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>And this little girl gleefully posed for a picture. 😄</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoovY0ZQ0lOUd8mKc54kTU50IcN7kV8CKmNlkb_t6pXaVjZxHuB7YWGG6bRS_GEaSVNNmVwnZsS8Z6i1OO3nFcChAXJXpgJn-Papczlz2amFjBYGPXqURdWKVuZr-7x1froBT4/s640/blogger-image-1919194142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoovY0ZQ0lOUd8mKc54kTU50IcN7kV8CKmNlkb_t6pXaVjZxHuB7YWGG6bRS_GEaSVNNmVwnZsS8Z6i1OO3nFcChAXJXpgJn-Papczlz2amFjBYGPXqURdWKVuZr-7x1froBT4/s640/blogger-image-1919194142.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The neighborhood dispatched a cleaning crew&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">between the hourly sessions</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">. Even little children helped in the cleanup, carefully sweeping up beans in the pagoda kiosk with tiny brooms.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTA_n3PvTIWzmzOrjMs4XmQnOwNLpwxA-K9ZZftmnh7oAWzqTQ5nHWwfM_n_FU0Ssic43x6x07qY_N5-3h1ru3iNrI0_gaCB4gz_9XPADtvV2SACDgoAbnGsZI1DGzB5HcBqC/s640/blogger-image-41810119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXTA_n3PvTIWzmzOrjMs4XmQnOwNLpwxA-K9ZZftmnh7oAWzqTQ5nHWwfM_n_FU0Ssic43x6x07qY_N5-3h1ru3iNrI0_gaCB4gz_9XPADtvV2SACDgoAbnGsZI1DGzB5HcBqC/s640/blogger-image-41810119.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Local police closed off the street to car traffic. Prams were dutifully parked on the curb.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhuNvslTCf9JrqXMGfWDI9MXX3OAwnCqnkfDh9MhlgganuqJPw9YQcn1Az_jknmQihm_bApMH0WyM2aEE3G_5hq_1nLkUK0sr3zi69LFMNzE1RxpyCNrGg693r9hgIexGUdQM/s640/blogger-image--2065200929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinhuNvslTCf9JrqXMGfWDI9MXX3OAwnCqnkfDh9MhlgganuqJPw9YQcn1Az_jknmQihm_bApMH0WyM2aEE3G_5hq_1nLkUK0sr3zi69LFMNzE1RxpyCNrGg693r9hgIexGUdQM/s640/blogger-image--2065200929.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I think maybe this&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">End of Winter Festival</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;might have been&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">a bit premature. It wasn't that warm yet!</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2789192937429762549'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2789192937429762549'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/02/tokyo-end-of-winter.html' title='Tokyo- end of winter?'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2LgJWXAKf8N1LBNpDhJgvPiVMfuhuUxaRxQlF5evtsekr_P-BLe8cRWF_s5oa8A3oYUFsoCvSiMw0B_HSElr8pIcVlOyfIyuAko1Kdf-HCd2C5yqujpI7Gyt3XFQrEMLyjDt/s72-c/blogger-image--219954441.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6010012083884350456</id><published>2014-02-04T11:22:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-02-04T12:48:35.686+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tokyo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='KeyakizakaTeppanyaki'/><title type='text'>Tokyo- A Beautiful Lunch</title><content type='html'><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Keyakizaka Teppanyaki, Roppongi Hills</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The restaurant is a cross between Japanese and Mediterranean.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwBlD-DRXUihwZHLKBEqYQNfZYD1nP9MWyVf4EkE4Xl9tk0OBVRsRPSfxxjOVlXbaT9TbL33g_qkTd_-WhJFF3U_Z0Xl2u2eWzyJTSuVnOVNc6lZsFB1Cucpq0xlsSzJrjh0I/s640/blogger-image-138575360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwBlD-DRXUihwZHLKBEqYQNfZYD1nP9MWyVf4EkE4Xl9tk0OBVRsRPSfxxjOVlXbaT9TbL33g_qkTd_-WhJFF3U_Z0Xl2u2eWzyJTSuVnOVNc6lZsFB1Cucpq0xlsSzJrjh0I/s640/blogger-image-138575360.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Fresh produce is on tap.&nbsp;</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuET1CPeEqZ-FpbmVSjHlTeFs6D2sQKNU8_vq8ShwJQ2M8aF2uRAmRLIoCMAkVN5Khf7yVJR3ro6rxIBFiQs4m3MZk4wRbaktdlxV0KNFzvRHkvZZkQAhU39ErmCaMiXq5aSn6/s640/blogger-image-676975585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuET1CPeEqZ-FpbmVSjHlTeFs6D2sQKNU8_vq8ShwJQ2M8aF2uRAmRLIoCMAkVN5Khf7yVJR3ro6rxIBFiQs4m3MZk4wRbaktdlxV0KNFzvRHkvZZkQAhU39ErmCaMiXq5aSn6/s640/blogger-image-676975585.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Teppanyaki. It's a style of cooking that I find simple and elegant, balletic and edgy all at the same time.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQYamwLCTP-fueNddUfUdyUR3K1m4ATy1lZ00G_M0qLYk2gZMsjfiqle3Z2f-TF_GzrPCTUNMWyz-fLiADm4j0CrWnDrFOwULOfTEJrR3-zYBIuJyQ7YhiioT2rHL3zk4dB7U/s640/blogger-image--1920146024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQYamwLCTP-fueNddUfUdyUR3K1m4ATy1lZ00G_M0qLYk2gZMsjfiqle3Z2f-TF_GzrPCTUNMWyz-fLiADm4j0CrWnDrFOwULOfTEJrR3-zYBIuJyQ7YhiioT2rHL3zk4dB7U/s640/blogger-image--1920146024.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There is something uniquely personal about having your meal cooked at your table. Or is it eating your meal at&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the stove? The cook looks at you, converses with you, gets an immediate reaction from you.</span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zWNM6NOlqmvjs6E3WeAFg2s0EPh0Cy3uGbUjfkp9Qy3A8Bbyv80uiC7Ic-Y184VSh2VXqrCY7Cd7q8c1dhUUWGv2xwQRe3DIYMzoklPXNTtb9dXywr9utAIji4XtwuGVJyHv/s640/blogger-image--1163206513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zWNM6NOlqmvjs6E3WeAFg2s0EPh0Cy3uGbUjfkp9Qy3A8Bbyv80uiC7Ic-Y184VSh2VXqrCY7Cd7q8c1dhUUWGv2xwQRe3DIYMzoklPXNTtb9dXywr9utAIji4XtwuGVJyHv/s640/blogger-image--1163206513.jpg"></a></div><div>I'm watching my dessert cooking, totally fascinated.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The berry clafoutis is prepared teppan style-&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">under a copper dome.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Suddenly, the lady manager is picking up my bag, my scarf, all my stuff. We are to have dessert on the patio.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Verdict on the food: D<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">elicious, refined, surprisingly light.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There are meals, usually when I'm traveling, where I feel a need to mix things up a bit by having wine or a sweet or coffee. Not this time. This meal is</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">totally eclectic: &nbsp;Royal soup with medicinal herbs- I recognized the white fungus. M</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">inestrone. Angler</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in truffle broth</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;en papillote. Rock fish (more on this later) with a dip made with dried tomatoes, capers, and anchovies. Clafoutis.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>Brilliant!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6010012083884350456'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6010012083884350456'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/02/tokyo-beautiful-lunch.html' title='Tokyo- A Beautiful Lunch'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXwBlD-DRXUihwZHLKBEqYQNfZYD1nP9MWyVf4EkE4Xl9tk0OBVRsRPSfxxjOVlXbaT9TbL33g_qkTd_-WhJFF3U_Z0Xl2u2eWzyJTSuVnOVNc6lZsFB1Cucpq0xlsSzJrjh0I/s72-c/blogger-image-138575360.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5626117283096285231</id><published>2014-01-26T19:04:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-02-01T01:19:43.519+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='It's More Fun in the Philippines'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>Party Central Makati</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I've been home in Makati almost all of January. What doing?&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Here's a weekly report of my activities todate:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>Week 1: Nght out with G7 for Annette's birthday.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSGl66SNj7Au4-DFVe5gZyD9mO7KIawjgpgKB1W23CShyphenhyphen__ljrNaConYrqIe61egpkHpCxxZE1ukt4TMLed0VSYmRgAM8_Fn1Ls2NAa_9mypzPZOrTVGn3zJMQDYSK85qOEbk/s640/blogger-image--702996858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSGl66SNj7Au4-DFVe5gZyD9mO7KIawjgpgKB1W23CShyphenhyphen__ljrNaConYrqIe61egpkHpCxxZE1ukt4TMLed0VSYmRgAM8_Fn1Ls2NAa_9mypzPZOrTVGn3zJMQDYSK85qOEbk/s640/blogger-image--702996858.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Chateau 1771 in Greenbelt 5, Makati</div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uHg0M67ikKxExKSLB4ypy2bd5LqvUO3zJ-AsxWyWQQhMLxXpnSAZ82hQcwvliXI_yyxVJ6_GUlwiHDSm_HSwE07epQOtK9_P0NaNG9hYh8O6QIWCfHK5DHHm2iULWpbyocQh/s640/blogger-image--1187459905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-uHg0M67ikKxExKSLB4ypy2bd5LqvUO3zJ-AsxWyWQQhMLxXpnSAZ82hQcwvliXI_yyxVJ6_GUlwiHDSm_HSwE07epQOtK9_P0NaNG9hYh8O6QIWCfHK5DHHm2iULWpbyocQh/s640/blogger-image--1187459905.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Vue Bar at Bellevue Hotel in Alabang</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-THCmMx507-CLk1CQsvoff-vxh9Oc0N5zmMowMRkfG7SFEwVi1pAFFnSVLkMVXcZ9E8BWOuUpWC2O7skbPfUk-0CZuUw5_BQ-v-1mRTHf2GB8nG0P8BealF_IjHL5JPxlW6g/s640/blogger-image-716528018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha-THCmMx507-CLk1CQsvoff-vxh9Oc0N5zmMowMRkfG7SFEwVi1pAFFnSVLkMVXcZ9E8BWOuUpWC2O7skbPfUk-0CZuUw5_BQ-v-1mRTHf2GB8nG0P8BealF_IjHL5JPxlW6g/s640/blogger-image-716528018.jpg"></a></div>Last Dance for birthday celebrant Annette</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Week 2: Dinner party at home with Sydney Group.</div><div>It was a chance for a trial run for Chef Michael. And judging by the evening's dinner fare, Regency now has a new party chef. Yippee!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcV6SwCvHDUHWb8_PcmO9tKsQb9FQu2xpF_6yE9JvNpxd-u8qWGgjTKJyTVQQM53xqLEX-4P-Cx0JHHH_VRtu-dFsdiyuXdkmenVVNY02nnZfGPyQrq8HfgiCFoaVh8cyl5Za/s640/blogger-image--1866908483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcV6SwCvHDUHWb8_PcmO9tKsQb9FQu2xpF_6yE9JvNpxd-u8qWGgjTKJyTVQQM53xqLEX-4P-Cx0JHHH_VRtu-dFsdiyuXdkmenVVNY02nnZfGPyQrq8HfgiCFoaVh8cyl5Za/s640/blogger-image--1866908483.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BZz1gkhdrdzNc4roxXu8W0c8S1snadCuTqWjRZl5h0CfPKme67L3WnCKRN-cIM1rptL1taGGSHB7FL_UloDMA-QLK1Qp4L6q68NLzzxv5omoM3twyRaSzalCwqoDplIQoUsy/s640/blogger-image-150777814.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BZz1gkhdrdzNc4roxXu8W0c8S1snadCuTqWjRZl5h0CfPKme67L3WnCKRN-cIM1rptL1taGGSHB7FL_UloDMA-QLK1Qp4L6q68NLzzxv5omoM3twyRaSzalCwqoDplIQoUsy/s640/blogger-image-150777814.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Week 3: Dinner party at home with RR66 (STC classmates) for Mr&amp;Mrs D (favorite teacher).</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMs9I_48PEbACQGEQatCtF7aROwbKdu-5kp4U5rooZmEw28pUAC7TBzaYohTr6_mRYIeINJroQBIPb-3pUkazt-lqYdLyn2srnMxeFScgD6fl3ZUmq8fxR9Sn3ctADI-h1703/s640/blogger-image-1395836556.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMs9I_48PEbACQGEQatCtF7aROwbKdu-5kp4U5rooZmEw28pUAC7TBzaYohTr6_mRYIeINJroQBIPb-3pUkazt-lqYdLyn2srnMxeFScgD6fl3ZUmq8fxR9Sn3ctADI-h1703/s640/blogger-image-1395836556.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQWMDu5raz7HY2b5WV0ScX1xsBDPumB3Q7E7brr9y0DSsOKYEYMH2zDHohFxy4HP-JlT_4fEZOd1VS7iKn_LhsnzGquiy6tTY4HG9FKhGc-1HnE12VmdOrKKJeBKEXaua53FH/s640/blogger-image-1619647581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWQWMDu5raz7HY2b5WV0ScX1xsBDPumB3Q7E7brr9y0DSsOKYEYMH2zDHohFxy4HP-JlT_4fEZOd1VS7iKn_LhsnzGquiy6tTY4HG9FKhGc-1HnE12VmdOrKKJeBKEXaua53FH/s640/blogger-image-1619647581.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0p4IypA-QPMBbjQ4MbqZ0xvo92TDEAZnStYwzp8kQrDpofbgi5anhiYuxRX7Qi5zhJaVZEgUuKTn0dY9uPES1ZgYk46KSr5yw_XpehgcoH82SHt5HvdnFbRRw6gOawj2y2ujT/s640/blogger-image-1686377203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0p4IypA-QPMBbjQ4MbqZ0xvo92TDEAZnStYwzp8kQrDpofbgi5anhiYuxRX7Qi5zhJaVZEgUuKTn0dY9uPES1ZgYk46KSr5yw_XpehgcoH82SHt5HvdnFbRRw6gOawj2y2ujT/s640/blogger-image-1686377203.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7WRVxfgLneALjCpoDc-gUCmiFxxuNqAcloSHb-Z7pnvdgC_EV5fm_a3oTiZiFrwQ0kGKvRU9Wv-KFJ30v8nFnjcR-zk8Gpk3ZliyrPebQduQOUUs1uqyzS4X0ikdJL79cvSi/s640/blogger-image-44930982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU7WRVxfgLneALjCpoDc-gUCmiFxxuNqAcloSHb-Z7pnvdgC_EV5fm_a3oTiZiFrwQ0kGKvRU9Wv-KFJ30v8nFnjcR-zk8Gpk3ZliyrPebQduQOUUs1uqyzS4X0ikdJL79cvSi/s640/blogger-image-44930982.jpg"></a></div></div><br></div>It was potluck but as we only had a day to plan, it would have been either too little, too much, or all noodles. I played it safe and prepared dinner<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;f</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">or an unknown number of pax. The evening was pronounced an unqualified success.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Week 4: Chinese New Year dinner party at home with Singapore group.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvfcXK6zBOzYij7LZ_7vLDemBl6mRixGmdmRias1fIhtlrgmC5v1bc3lXsqR0KR2dMeVKJ7Aj4xfkbSJdhf72shNVeZVfi6NP8PXTQoXHXQ2mw98daaAm7Bej3a1zEhwB9hs2/s640/blogger-image--644819256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvfcXK6zBOzYij7LZ_7vLDemBl6mRixGmdmRias1fIhtlrgmC5v1bc3lXsqR0KR2dMeVKJ7Aj4xfkbSJdhf72shNVeZVfi6NP8PXTQoXHXQ2mw98daaAm7Bej3a1zEhwB9hs2/s640/blogger-image--644819256.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8pv68FNYhIZE2lb5xycygxm3HpqN92SlS1knc46smhRa_55g16z7EpC6Ye0eJiJU1EPOtDoxKHldWUXpUYfqRLx8NuaEl4eqzV_iH25St1dqAqLwWnMQPu_vRniXs3oA0-2F/s640/blogger-image-1708043097.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp8pv68FNYhIZE2lb5xycygxm3HpqN92SlS1knc46smhRa_55g16z7EpC6Ye0eJiJU1EPOtDoxKHldWUXpUYfqRLx8NuaEl4eqzV_iH25St1dqAqLwWnMQPu_vRniXs3oA0-2F/s640/blogger-image-1708043097.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Is there any doubt that IT'S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES? 😍</span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5626117283096285231'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5626117283096285231'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/01/party-central-makati.html' title='Party Central Makati'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGSGl66SNj7Au4-DFVe5gZyD9mO7KIawjgpgKB1W23CShyphenhyphen__ljrNaConYrqIe61egpkHpCxxZE1ukt4TMLed0VSYmRgAM8_Fn1Ls2NAa_9mypzPZOrTVGn3zJMQDYSK85qOEbk/s72-c/blogger-image--702996858.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6604779975639957558</id><published>2014-01-12T17:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-01-14T00:23:18.376+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Brasserie Bohème'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Salcedo Park'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>Sunday in the park</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We're home in Makati this week. We've just had a wonderful leisurely late lunch at Brasserie Bohème, a five minute walk from our apartment.&nbsp;</span></div>
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The newly installed chef, Michael Figdor sat with us to discuss the menu for a small dinner party we're having at home next week. He's young, bright, and infectiously enthusiastic.</div>
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He asked if he could use our kitchen for the dinner party and Stuart worried if it would even work. Admittedly, since we moved into the<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;apartment</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;three years ago, our kitchen has really only functioned mainly as an architectural feature.</span></div>
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Stuart has now gone to his barbers' and I walk home through the park.</div>
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On&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Saturdays,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Salcedo Park gets very busy. A popular weekend market draws in crowds for fresh produce, plants, flowers, herbs, health food, international gourmet food, Filipino delicacies, and grills and barbecues cooked on site.</span></div>
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But on Sundays, the park is<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;quiet, save for the odd yelp or squeal from &nbsp;the children's playground.</span></div>
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They haven't taken down the Christmas tree and a nativity scene set up near it seems oddly out of place.</div>
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S<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">omebody is trying to engage a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">little boy</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;in ball practice but the&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">child prefers to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">sit it out on a plastic stool. A cat is asleep on a park bench.</span></div>
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It's a beautiful Sunday, cool and lazy. It's a beautiful park. It's right across the street from our apartment building and I'm wondering why I haven't done this in a very long while.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6604779975639957558'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6604779975639957558'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/01/sunday-in-park_12.html' title='Sunday in the park'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhnClreZUGV1WGfC-0OcLm8Cw_oNePv6JBZ1XbH_glxwv7SsIK-6CIyAwbELDlBRTWHX_OIUEuZhT-8skqQHvDleWB9X4mOjdZx57IC4gm5E_Itv48XV4_tsu6kCvI2vSP3Hn/s72-c/blogger-image-131071749.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2355514247690880745</id><published>2013-12-30T17:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-30T17:53:25.730+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Living in Hotels</title><content type='html'>I like hotels that<div>Have perfect beds with perfect mattresses<br><div>Have bed slippers in 2 sizes</div><div>Have light-weight bathrobes</div><div>Have top sheets under duvets</div><div>Have proper lighting and mirrors for makeup application</div><div>Don't have those difficult no work/ hard to see panels for<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">light switches</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Have easily accessed master light switches in bit sides if the bed</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Don't have phones taking up space on bedside tables</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Have useful reading lights&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Have air con vents that don't blow into the bed</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Have useful chairs for working at the desk and for lounging</span></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2355514247690880745'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2355514247690880745'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6136469245515559170</id><published>2013-12-22T12:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-26T17:19:08.016+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mosman ferry'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cremorne Point'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Bohème'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney Opera House'/><title type='text'>Mosman and Cremorne</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Day two starts with breakfast<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;at the hotel</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;with Josie and Steve.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Leisurely walk to the Opera House to get tickets to La Bohème. Sandwiches&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">for lunch, sitting outside</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;the Opera Cafe.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ferry to Mosman. Coffee and chocolate cake a<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">t Mosman Rowers.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2JsZ0Q1SDlE3aitoylIz9GB-40u_fGDNlCDZx52X-kj2pb80i25cIccDn_cIZhMxM3yQHaVXLEPYNh4ko4UF0P9doUo4okrp6scNH7Jf3stQWjXcRoB6nxx8N3pb0Sa_oStq/s640/blogger-image-1190438901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2JsZ0Q1SDlE3aitoylIz9GB-40u_fGDNlCDZx52X-kj2pb80i25cIccDn_cIZhMxM3yQHaVXLEPYNh4ko4UF0P9doUo4okrp6scNH7Jf3stQWjXcRoB6nxx8N3pb0Sa_oStq/s640/blogger-image-1190438901.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A walk through the reserve, past Old Cremorne, all the way to Cremorne Wharf.&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The light keeps changing.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_1knmbE64k1n1aQD9majAPAcNhNcCI0D0oUbZa-oUQ0LHDMZZMcr_9GJz7iDR3h6YyqqmW3YTC1TI2R-35M-R_5bvBb7OXcYQnkDYbEj_Cq9Vd7HbmvB69uZ2QowpE8TxsSD/s640/blogger-image-2104127042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_1knmbE64k1n1aQD9majAPAcNhNcCI0D0oUbZa-oUQ0LHDMZZMcr_9GJz7iDR3h6YyqqmW3YTC1TI2R-35M-R_5bvBb7OXcYQnkDYbEj_Cq9Vd7HbmvB69uZ2QowpE8TxsSD/s640/blogger-image-2104127042.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKoyXZhp5Oi8wZMw1oriGjJ96ERlplt0RDWus4HCw2vItNAXlz8uUiA94cXrTYMrdSH1XbQhsBMGj1RT-cwtnx3PhPxr7TKt_G-ZISxl70dnOmIxeaGt226dTkrG_BBWZVf6N/s640/blogger-image-126621024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDKoyXZhp5Oi8wZMw1oriGjJ96ERlplt0RDWus4HCw2vItNAXlz8uUiA94cXrTYMrdSH1XbQhsBMGj1RT-cwtnx3PhPxr7TKt_G-ZISxl70dnOmIxeaGt226dTkrG_BBWZVf6N/s640/blogger-image-126621024.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDDyVHgPsun51Ef3uaf5YE2y06XgbWw6Eo2qzRXrTU1skLRfqKjKnf-ByuxeGBW6JhKG5lpbZ9fSjvdy1uXYr5iern8R3OQssWGEMXwGM4vgaVI2iYhcDtyksevpt9KURgvYk/s640/blogger-image-84391465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfDDyVHgPsun51Ef3uaf5YE2y06XgbWw6Eo2qzRXrTU1skLRfqKjKnf-ByuxeGBW6JhKG5lpbZ9fSjvdy1uXYr5iern8R3OQssWGEMXwGM4vgaVI2iYhcDtyksevpt9KURgvYk/s640/blogger-image-84391465.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our apartment building above Cremorne Reserve.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYUBZCgmQ2r_gC0D_sMdohpwfGtPp8KrdBqzG84RQUDQ7tbHYg-1dJdOKVS_UYNatA8D0G_H-0JYtcG0VWVeMjY2pm62Y7tb6drJLI7seq_BiZyZ1-UQ8Gcht0hScS9B7rUbu/s640/blogger-image--1003428366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYUBZCgmQ2r_gC0D_sMdohpwfGtPp8KrdBqzG84RQUDQ7tbHYg-1dJdOKVS_UYNatA8D0G_H-0JYtcG0VWVeMjY2pm62Y7tb6drJLI7seq_BiZyZ1-UQ8Gcht0hScS9B7rUbu/s640/blogger-image--1003428366.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the tip of the peninsula is&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Cremorne Point</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrkh1xNxRWKmtNHf6s4Hoq2S3LnePv3svedv7DSCkIzQoxnmY7n2SNZxQ9zKhSyDJtx7w82MbVyfLKXPibIh_GW0fTIvEMHppkYp1Un45xSo4anlyBAsNaPB3wsHIwApr3Iox/s640/blogger-image-1647003431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrkh1xNxRWKmtNHf6s4Hoq2S3LnePv3svedv7DSCkIzQoxnmY7n2SNZxQ9zKhSyDJtx7w82MbVyfLKXPibIh_GW0fTIvEMHppkYp1Un45xSo4anlyBAsNaPB3wsHIwApr3Iox/s640/blogger-image-1647003431.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Contraband b<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">outonnière.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_uugqy8FGaMZltZhkDzi2-HuJTF4UZkhUaY3nB1txxwWh_K2xG0noW0V5Ypk0YZNzKuPUgjChwHJ2_tZf4DItHe7kkzeN0gf2iOOpqvUwrfAMJWj1IzQQirsSbAfBrGQbLEf/s640/blogger-image-713358192.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW_uugqy8FGaMZltZhkDzi2-HuJTF4UZkhUaY3nB1txxwWh_K2xG0noW0V5Ypk0YZNzKuPUgjChwHJ2_tZf4DItHe7kkzeN0gf2iOOpqvUwrfAMJWj1IzQQirsSbAfBrGQbLEf/s640/blogger-image-713358192.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">O<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">n the ferry back to Circular Quay, t</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">he upper deck is almost empty.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB89HGLAKTKFVoEIU9vRPmNVd_h8RoT1B1MjSDPk9UPrVJXjsCZQ4YKBoG1lYHPt8fIkw1aEqohjDTr9Sw2PoPdtUIM8qu85JYcmzDDiK4H3t36WiGj4XjOYv0dLVwGgOpMHos/s640/blogger-image--1365184301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB89HGLAKTKFVoEIU9vRPmNVd_h8RoT1B1MjSDPk9UPrVJXjsCZQ4YKBoG1lYHPt8fIkw1aEqohjDTr9Sw2PoPdtUIM8qu85JYcmzDDiK4H3t36WiGj4XjOYv0dLVwGgOpMHos/s640/blogger-image--1365184301.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dinner on the balcony. Takeaway grilled perch from the Italian restaurant and wine from the bottle shop around the back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnhy4dfuUy1nhyrGINXq50bKo3pVDGAXf8dbPvrkZz5fBWSl8d1Z8m28N6MQtdOi1NDPkCvveeXtT9SL3BBTox6xGnDDHNMOwUvanwUkSk7dBcQ9JzMDg2mm8cEcg2ms6-Mb0/s640/blogger-image-1220048541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnhy4dfuUy1nhyrGINXq50bKo3pVDGAXf8dbPvrkZz5fBWSl8d1Z8m28N6MQtdOi1NDPkCvveeXtT9SL3BBTox6xGnDDHNMOwUvanwUkSk7dBcQ9JzMDg2mm8cEcg2ms6-Mb0/s640/blogger-image-1220048541.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Life here sure is beautiful! 😍</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6136469245515559170'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6136469245515559170'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/12/mosman.html' title='Mosman and Cremorne'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy2JsZ0Q1SDlE3aitoylIz9GB-40u_fGDNlCDZx52X-kj2pb80i25cIccDn_cIZhMxM3yQHaVXLEPYNh4ko4UF0P9doUo4okrp6scNH7Jf3stQWjXcRoB6nxx8N3pb0Sa_oStq/s72-c/blogger-image-1190438901.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6885287628539982407</id><published>2013-12-21T15:30:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-21T15:30:05.038+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'></title><content type='html'><a href="/var/mobile/Applications/8B83F8B0-F127-425E-BA42-858E65C2FA27/Documents/Blogger/blogger-image-1967772712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="/var/mobile/Applications/8B83F8B0-F127-425E-BA42-858E65C2FA27/Documents/Blogger/blogger-image-1967772712.jpg"></a></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6885287628539982407'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6885287628539982407'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6587574142093356263</id><published>2013-12-21T15:29:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-22T15:31:15.943+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='the change'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>The change</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOHjPsO2NFdzCwCckjVkzYd4Ygmab6kIFEH_hkNQnc4Z4yg1pOnryDz05ZwbGjmXz2zV-AHvBz6VqkkNOmPZaVfy3m4y8PeZVtv7Mh7bVJyMea9eZGo8VD4KMi42lNVUhpKm8/s640/blogger-image--591662322.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivD-9oZK5-uDochmjdBr2lE6JpJHLzOs1v8r3d37tgfjkoJBN_ya97OAps3JKnw_fYiESydUwfGRJO4iQUMpy6ORvyADrLaVIVGPNTsFw5e8hDiCF9w9zdwoiv1fLw9x5usDh/s640/blogger-image-269535629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivD-9oZK5-uDochmjdBr2lE6JpJHLzOs1v8r3d37tgfjkoJBN_ya97OAps3JKnw_fYiESydUwfGRJO4iQUMpy6ORvyADrLaVIVGPNTsFw5e8hDiCF9w9zdwoiv1fLw9x5usDh/s640/blogger-image-269535629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfhika0uXk0h5PEdlm8NCaP2doKCFIxgqoRW1dif61_zUfYPFWMypj-DqmJrptfpKOcJTxct5AKKIN8jyx8T7QvipqrKCYWy2JKjZNfZV_Ll_ug_rBU6lf5yJEuFPr9FQ7rbA/s640/blogger-image-1132492901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfhika0uXk0h5PEdlm8NCaP2doKCFIxgqoRW1dif61_zUfYPFWMypj-DqmJrptfpKOcJTxct5AKKIN8jyx8T7QvipqrKCYWy2JKjZNfZV_Ll_ug_rBU6lf5yJEuFPr9FQ7rbA/s640/blogger-image-1132492901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96fB-4UT2-BHYmqZqoIPnCH-s5gv1tXCAhZlfg2taoIoHqVPfPKmMM8KdQbnzviYwJPeQ6yKjgk7VZvamSNUKjwSya0Br86Vgg8716OvUK_CPJlkQJjMQutP61LrEf_9EKF_w/s640/blogger-image--590422932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96fB-4UT2-BHYmqZqoIPnCH-s5gv1tXCAhZlfg2taoIoHqVPfPKmMM8KdQbnzviYwJPeQ6yKjgk7VZvamSNUKjwSya0Br86Vgg8716OvUK_CPJlkQJjMQutP61LrEf_9EKF_w/s640/blogger-image--590422932.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5b32S_JOta10tDlNhR0ylouCd7YIsvU_kWDUX3kLLIp_2HmJUbkCoQat06pdojcHgN7YmbpRPD3xlPbbPuB5Thxx4fPFqI_n1gj7mZds2F2fzZNlDctd6vK6ER5Mt7nVJ0jx/s640/blogger-image--1740411923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I've forgotten how dramatically the weather here can change. In&nbsp;minutes. Must remember to dress for all four seasons in a day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNibk3waaC-w7SCWB0s2LdP40GilbiIR5rlYhP1opeBa-NvDCMs5alH8a6LLeUpQI0co6ryXEL7caEneEwERUBFU8b4tdNxxrtlOcxsP5Pi6_IdRd_EpekCCbop5kpYp25bLU/s640/blogger-image--371725823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNibk3waaC-w7SCWB0s2LdP40GilbiIR5rlYhP1opeBa-NvDCMs5alH8a6LLeUpQI0co6ryXEL7caEneEwERUBFU8b4tdNxxrtlOcxsP5Pi6_IdRd_EpekCCbop5kpYp25bLU/s640/blogger-image--371725823.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOHjPsO2NFdzCwCckjVkzYd4Ygmab6kIFEH_hkNQnc4Z4yg1pOnryDz05ZwbGjmXz2zV-AHvBz6VqkkNOmPZaVfy3m4y8PeZVtv7Mh7bVJyMea9eZGo8VD4KMi42lNVUhpKm8/s640/blogger-image--591662322.jpg"></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJC0E3H0viCaitFlq6dhelM41YSRQD_kODO14W7MOqVhp5LJG6W8LXgRAf_XpbWnlNhygfe1MpHoMw6OyyTkAdY0f0NPeEWDvKGw98wD0RgyEhhRapbc5VCEaF8linV6Itjxf/s640/blogger-image-1202595621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJC0E3H0viCaitFlq6dhelM41YSRQD_kODO14W7MOqVhp5LJG6W8LXgRAf_XpbWnlNhygfe1MpHoMw6OyyTkAdY0f0NPeEWDvKGw98wD0RgyEhhRapbc5VCEaF8linV6Itjxf/s640/blogger-image-1202595621.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6587574142093356263'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6587574142093356263'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/12/the-change.html' title='The change'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeNibk3waaC-w7SCWB0s2LdP40GilbiIR5rlYhP1opeBa-NvDCMs5alH8a6LLeUpQI0co6ryXEL7caEneEwERUBFU8b4tdNxxrtlOcxsP5Pi6_IdRd_EpekCCbop5kpYp25bLU/s72-c/blogger-image--371725823.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6131822883261037082</id><published>2013-12-15T21:14:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2022-11-14T13:41:47.912+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='HKG Airport'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cathay Pacific'/><title type='text'>HKG Airport for flight to Manila</title><content type='html'><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">1:40 pm. Check in at Cathay.</span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">2:00 pm. &nbsp;A</font><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;chair is brought in for me for the long wait. A mixup with my booking.</span></div><div>3:09 pm. &nbsp;I am informed that boarding passes will be printed soon. Fuming.</div><div>3:21pm. &nbsp;In lounge, seated for lunch. &nbsp;Still annoyed.</div><div>4:25 pm On board, seated in Suite 4D. Feeling mollified.</div><div>4:30 pm. Sipping glass of Amour de Deutz&nbsp;champagne. Cheering up.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7PU6RZkG8xhWJDGtvw9nuYSO3HtpKsOBfwy5yizxjrT_BM8ESZ7hkMOmWNbPIzxzy3Qvu0onN-ENuJCueTrk5iY9Pq8RWo5X0UytxTbALymwDlfH1J499fAUoN-8VxOxWdUR/s640/blogger-image-551404751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7PU6RZkG8xhWJDGtvw9nuYSO3HtpKsOBfwy5yizxjrT_BM8ESZ7hkMOmWNbPIzxzy3Qvu0onN-ENuJCueTrk5iY9Pq8RWo5X0UytxTbALymwDlfH1J499fAUoN-8VxOxWdUR/s640/blogger-image-551404751.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">4:37 pm. Back to normal. BAU.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPXbJyEsR9QgycOQGcYTExcH-VxcIgxW4tymUA8s29Wt45zN1xDNHzGIplAJ-lRnjjJmZGv757dVLHKUSqQ562acTWmRXI1T6D2RtrXqswHFV5f5DtSODzTe7vhIva5vMGtsn/s640/blogger-image-1325425172.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtPXbJyEsR9QgycOQGcYTExcH-VxcIgxW4tymUA8s29Wt45zN1xDNHzGIplAJ-lRnjjJmZGv757dVLHKUSqQ562acTWmRXI1T6D2RtrXqswHFV5f5DtSODzTe7vhIva5vMGtsn/s640/blogger-image-1325425172.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6131822883261037082'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6131822883261037082'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/12/hkg-airport-for-flight-to-manila.html' title='HKG Airport for flight to Manila'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ7PU6RZkG8xhWJDGtvw9nuYSO3HtpKsOBfwy5yizxjrT_BM8ESZ7hkMOmWNbPIzxzy3Qvu0onN-ENuJCueTrk5iY9Pq8RWo5X0UytxTbALymwDlfH1J499fAUoN-8VxOxWdUR/s72-c/blogger-image-551404751.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3394449324033890912</id><published>2013-12-13T11:19:00.003+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-13T13:40:01.126+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='people'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kyoto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='festivals'/><title type='text'>Love letter to Kyoto</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We've just missed the festivals marking autumn and the year end illumination of temples starts just as we leave. So we try to catch the remains of autumn in Arashiyama.<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;On the Sagano train through hill tunnels, following the twists and turns of a river, passing rapids and bridges.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJjfeMjZeW0qOp_MTMQ3UiCBsCf0rSeL3UWCFKdChJROO7eFG6njOlKkGq6abn5N7_dRxROsaUBQV8bOKHdK4LXP8G5pklhAwnBzEU_FOZMRiY-WwMzwjUEWh71wu8pLiTaIk/s640/blogger-image--393608658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJjfeMjZeW0qOp_MTMQ3UiCBsCf0rSeL3UWCFKdChJROO7eFG6njOlKkGq6abn5N7_dRxROsaUBQV8bOKHdK4LXP8G5pklhAwnBzEU_FOZMRiY-WwMzwjUEWh71wu8pLiTaIk/s640/blogger-image--393608658.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTpYC0iO4tS70-0pHnz3Ptck0uIMs-rQYw7z0wxc8wUSmrs5nuGficnh_ApCMpV3HtFfgUNylf_k7JvdF9bAq-bqcAhkXZhgX137Kr-gjlsePy7VsxGbysA4wJq0mhZYduA2n/s640/blogger-image--842807899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUTpYC0iO4tS70-0pHnz3Ptck0uIMs-rQYw7z0wxc8wUSmrs5nuGficnh_ApCMpV3HtFfgUNylf_k7JvdF9bAq-bqcAhkXZhgX137Kr-gjlsePy7VsxGbysA4wJq0mhZYduA2n/s640/blogger-image--842807899.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF7Nj3agfFvgKQtTswar2JSElRhZNNaX5S0BJXMye2E9OOJlzTxdy9gdG_c1WbrklHV5drE6OU5X7kdez_kOhS6w5NuGKP5Xun7_k4DgRJ4SSBP-5yhfgGDM2FaQTWB-xjeBL/s640/blogger-image-189622904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZF7Nj3agfFvgKQtTswar2JSElRhZNNaX5S0BJXMye2E9OOJlzTxdy9gdG_c1WbrklHV5drE6OU5X7kdez_kOhS6w5NuGKP5Xun7_k4DgRJ4SSBP-5yhfgGDM2FaQTWB-xjeBL/s640/blogger-image-189622904.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Back at the hotel, GM Ken Yokoyama met us at the lobby, offered more good wishes for last week's anniversary. Later at dinner, the half bottle left over from last night was augmented by additional pours with his compliments.<br>
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I'm still marveling at how nice this city and its people are. There is an ethos of understatement. An absence of ostentation in manner, in dress, in conversation, in design. An avoidance of bling, a shying away from the shiny and brand new. Witness the use of old wood, reclaimed pieces from old houses, old fabric from treasured kimonos.<br>
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Is this the essence of "wabi sabi"? And how does this relate to the Japanese stereotype of the brand-obsessed consumer? The cult of Louis Vuitton? Is the old imperial capital Kyoto immune from this blight?</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3394449324033890912'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3394449324033890912'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/12/love-letter-to-kyoto.html' title='Love letter to Kyoto'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdJjfeMjZeW0qOp_MTMQ3UiCBsCf0rSeL3UWCFKdChJROO7eFG6njOlKkGq6abn5N7_dRxROsaUBQV8bOKHdK4LXP8G5pklhAwnBzEU_FOZMRiY-WwMzwjUEWh71wu8pLiTaIk/s72-c/blogger-image--393608658.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6942796879479843062</id><published>2013-12-11T23:12:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-22T16:01:27.610+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='soba'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='HONKE OWARIYA'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cafe Independants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cafe'/><title type='text'>Soba and Coffee Culture</title><content type='html'>Si<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">nce 1465,&nbsp;</span>HONKE OWARIYA has been serving the venerable noodle at this quaint little restaurant a few minutes' walk from the Imperial Palace<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">.</span><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA6GsJg92zSnSu_uJjwQYXrrH4MFp2v9oJaRmrSsjHUW3Ggcei9FbsREVufr6ieaFHdeZfPQm7mrt4n0KjOs7v3oNUg2ZMYI2w46XMJZpmYOrIZ6WY7dDlc_0Zeo2ianPmCEJ/s640/blogger-image--795006547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA6GsJg92zSnSu_uJjwQYXrrH4MFp2v9oJaRmrSsjHUW3Ggcei9FbsREVufr6ieaFHdeZfPQm7mrt4n0KjOs7v3oNUg2ZMYI2w46XMJZpmYOrIZ6WY7dDlc_0Zeo2ianPmCEJ/s640/blogger-image--795006547.jpg"></a></div></div></font><div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Lunch was as much an experience in time travel as it was a delightful meal. The first thing that struck me when I entered the place was how small everything was. Tiny garden, tiny foyer, tiny staircase, tiny doors. It felt like all those films about geishas and warlords I've ever seen. No wonder people here do so much bowing. And whispering. It's what you want to do, instinctively.</font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">The soba was good, the soup was comforting, the tempura was satisfying. And the step back in time was nothing short of delicious!</font></div></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><br></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZ9GYd4rTGC1Mis8lqYZyjb4JP2aGDvVb70icwaq9fF9wEvw8rVsAGPZ0Vhx5F5FZc6k5jFODR_pPrJSrCXMt4sKfPhLj1Mbnf7ppC99xek_Lj-GwuM24GViSQmAgVc1fFWl8/s640/blogger-image-225635439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZ9GYd4rTGC1Mis8lqYZyjb4JP2aGDvVb70icwaq9fF9wEvw8rVsAGPZ0Vhx5F5FZc6k5jFODR_pPrJSrCXMt4sKfPhLj1Mbnf7ppC99xek_Lj-GwuM24GViSQmAgVc1fFWl8/s640/blogger-image-225635439.jpg"></a></div></font></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_cQQBMSgEHJToIBVsSygrIBd6ZFw_KNoN68p_brahFWoQmaZG66-0Me0cpItLSAZHWwoYyaVItlbkul5YmkMf4lX8E2VciNZ-BnlOu9WQCyVEG6xA22FD-E0vy0w0CB51_BS/s640/blogger-image-1875949089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_cQQBMSgEHJToIBVsSygrIBd6ZFw_KNoN68p_brahFWoQmaZG66-0Me0cpItLSAZHWwoYyaVItlbkul5YmkMf4lX8E2VciNZ-BnlOu9WQCyVEG6xA22FD-E0vy0w0CB51_BS/s640/blogger-image-1875949089.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></font></div><div><div>Afterwards, coffee had to be in a place&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">just&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">as original, just as unique. We walked a long way in search of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">an only-in-Kyoto vibe.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">CAFE INDEPENDANTS is located </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">in a 1928 Art Deco building.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH-81EGN-SmSe_bPnmsvYt19AvjIiXK_EVawa5Pxq9r_RLyAmVYBku62ee6VxEyHBL8iFN48Cud7ZyNWhWBpHqHqTEjpAaRMAgBmPa-jKF7IjqiUmpb1sTYXRI5aW9Je6-UUe/s640/blogger-image--953854761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWH-81EGN-SmSe_bPnmsvYt19AvjIiXK_EVawa5Pxq9r_RLyAmVYBku62ee6VxEyHBL8iFN48Cud7ZyNWhWBpHqHqTEjpAaRMAgBmPa-jKF7IjqiUmpb1sTYXRI5aW9Je6-UUe/s640/blogger-image--953854761.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The sign on the pavement is a delicate Art Nouveau style wrought iron confection.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSt4_wWGttB6ci7lWWFs-RFLah8XaffZJRCmz0OTGA5N5KN5J0GDxVL98C3m7_b97KMtPsuAQKp4QOr7TLE2fGlhhDJ71NWS69Ulmw2JB6HG4D8pw1Pn_ZG-X_SyDr8DZjM8Gp/s640/blogger-image-1657363956.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSt4_wWGttB6ci7lWWFs-RFLah8XaffZJRCmz0OTGA5N5KN5J0GDxVL98C3m7_b97KMtPsuAQKp4QOr7TLE2fGlhhDJ71NWS69Ulmw2JB6HG4D8pw1Pn_ZG-X_SyDr8DZjM8Gp/s640/blogger-image-1657363956.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div></div><div>The building used to house a newspaper office. The café is downstairs in an ostentatiously<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;shabby basement with flamboyant mosaic floors.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It's so rundown, it's almost chic.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhq0BBeuhUYFYFzAyKKRPDwzuUM-PgzKT2CkX4qSdsHEZIZAUyg-o4UBsJUYAFs28zhjq02cXAR44R-FwDX_BpHlGTtSd2lURahCw5RFA6ad9TsL1_SBvNQ6l5vWO1T5jAUKA/s640/blogger-image-769099671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhq0BBeuhUYFYFzAyKKRPDwzuUM-PgzKT2CkX4qSdsHEZIZAUyg-o4UBsJUYAFs28zhjq02cXAR44R-FwDX_BpHlGTtSd2lURahCw5RFA6ad9TsL1_SBvNQ6l5vWO1T5jAUKA/s640/blogger-image-769099671.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_5nw2apND2C8zH28ZZFRQUCRzUQpVBLEw4e2-YwqiwRX7pwmtLW7SmeomNSXYhR4Gu9HHKnXYczPsDlTw2LgECP4_V320-vXKb3RfIX6lSVdYqRpyIZnoju21obXdYUDzsYY/s640/blogger-image-1049589655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_5nw2apND2C8zH28ZZFRQUCRzUQpVBLEw4e2-YwqiwRX7pwmtLW7SmeomNSXYhR4Gu9HHKnXYczPsDlTw2LgECP4_V320-vXKb3RfIX6lSVdYqRpyIZnoju21obXdYUDzsYY/s640/blogger-image-1049589655.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimc6AST1nswbPH3Fs_3yc3i9OZOiDKxkcCiBeSz4wC_1v7TBe1-lF52VQlgmn-gkXtJTAW9WIpLVgWbdWXQDNIyX4bFchKIVgYplBDsi6UVRI30Ai1L2pNPiOqAXgLtkjrFcNH/s640/blogger-image-312007875.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimc6AST1nswbPH3Fs_3yc3i9OZOiDKxkcCiBeSz4wC_1v7TBe1-lF52VQlgmn-gkXtJTAW9WIpLVgWbdWXQDNIyX4bFchKIVgYplBDsi6UVRI30Ai1L2pNPiOqAXgLtkjrFcNH/s640/blogger-image-312007875.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The staff is exclusively millennial. There are flyers and cards stacked up on a table by the door. Adverts for a Metro Countdown to 2014, a bar, a live concert, an art exhibit.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Stuart and I shared a chocolate parfait piled high with ice cream, brownies, berries,&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">thick cream,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">and crunchy cereal, all drenched in&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">chocolate and strawberry syrup.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielq0WQmjRltdj89BvUbpOG3FkMea1XREQpNumHTgAXz8NeOtLYKNPGWRPrQLtNzt7lEuzxPaWmn-uvUacCMenFmUWrBsDUOWdMRyya-WobjDcqPl_hX3dwgn_YoOh1myw_jtP/s640/blogger-image--178767528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEielq0WQmjRltdj89BvUbpOG3FkMea1XREQpNumHTgAXz8NeOtLYKNPGWRPrQLtNzt7lEuzxPaWmn-uvUacCMenFmUWrBsDUOWdMRyya-WobjDcqPl_hX3dwgn_YoOh1myw_jtP/s640/blogger-image--178767528.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div>It's all very retro, achingly nostalgic. But this is nostalgia for a past that didn't really exist here. Like jazz, this subversive youth vibe is an import. There is no history to support it.</div></div></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6942796879479843062'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6942796879479843062'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/12/soba-and-coffee-culture.html' title='Soba and Coffee Culture'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLA6GsJg92zSnSu_uJjwQYXrrH4MFp2v9oJaRmrSsjHUW3Ggcei9FbsREVufr6ieaFHdeZfPQm7mrt4n0KjOs7v3oNUg2ZMYI2w46XMJZpmYOrIZ6WY7dDlc_0Zeo2ianPmCEJ/s72-c/blogger-image--795006547.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7842313246839228137</id><published>2013-12-10T15:45:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-22T16:34:06.401+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='shiatsu'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trattoria Sette'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kyoto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Riraku'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='acupuncture'/><title type='text'>KYOTO</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the Japan Railways Haruka train no. 46 to beautiful &nbsp;Kyoto.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopTl4IsRDZMCvAjrjGL2g6D23ue6xCsWJMcraihfYIfbJRmcRkg4_a00ibNUYmi4jDcjMy1JHK8Y0Vywo4mLR1rYHO2L4PIpazXZSDLE1klJXtZxcxL7aWtSYcHTWQ2xM3Z9X/s640/blogger-image--1890497495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopTl4IsRDZMCvAjrjGL2g6D23ue6xCsWJMcraihfYIfbJRmcRkg4_a00ibNUYmi4jDcjMy1JHK8Y0Vywo4mLR1rYHO2L4PIpazXZSDLE1klJXtZxcxL7aWtSYcHTWQ2xM3Z9X/s640/blogger-image--1890497495.jpg"></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div><div>Exit at Central Gate, walk right across to t<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">axi rank, and it's&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">5 minutes to the Hyatt Regency, next door to&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">SANJUSANGENDO TEMPLE.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>Morning breaks into a bright sunny winter's day. A brisk bracing wind feels good on my face, like a lifting facial treatment.&nbsp;</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>We take a<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> taxi to GINKAKUJI TEMPLE</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">crossing</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;over to the far side of the river into a lovely tr</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">ee-lined street. A</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;light drizzle begins to mist the car window. Then a rainbow, bright as a coloring book cutout, arcs across the hills before us.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3E0DZAgv_TUFg4I_hSGhluXgIHcfmj7ScGNjJf_YckXLHgYnG8UYXeVR1_zIdwTID0dOaGM9f2bqrE0IOoRL3RcVcRe9J_uivtadmbOSLWTf4kypc9uJWHSZMQ_9NCdztCc6/s640/blogger-image--618092245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3E0DZAgv_TUFg4I_hSGhluXgIHcfmj7ScGNjJf_YckXLHgYnG8UYXeVR1_zIdwTID0dOaGM9f2bqrE0IOoRL3RcVcRe9J_uivtadmbOSLWTf4kypc9uJWHSZMQ_9NCdztCc6/s640/blogger-image--618092245.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A slow, meditative stroll along picture pretty PHILOSOPHERS' WALK soon obliterates all memory of the hectic week prior.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85OEUEe_FsqKf37EWDeZHLNXI_Wy5JzBX9-a_WtRv4L5KenxcVtzfjg_JrZaHwQIXq4C3o1xMtLXfeyIixERdn84kZDTXIV0RwZOjiUjMeHtyzer9zyLFNsam2HFn9VMP7VhE/s640/blogger-image--2106690456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg85OEUEe_FsqKf37EWDeZHLNXI_Wy5JzBX9-a_WtRv4L5KenxcVtzfjg_JrZaHwQIXq4C3o1xMtLXfeyIixERdn84kZDTXIV0RwZOjiUjMeHtyzer9zyLFNsam2HFn9VMP7VhE/s640/blogger-image--2106690456.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div><div>I pause by a shrine of stone markers, memorials to the dead. There's a tiny doll nestled in amongst the watery bits and bobs, offerings to lost loved ones.&nbsp;</div></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvnzS3-9BXENDAbFAkQxuARNNUCLhkwLnbZCTpwd8_zEZkrO-2Ntb4F0ySycC6JjueoXU4gTtjugUXDa5oWAftce4fzUuHP8MxpXY37ypvZBDf7VH5VvKQNbXveNQNCv_5M87/s640/blogger-image-367959181.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvnzS3-9BXENDAbFAkQxuARNNUCLhkwLnbZCTpwd8_zEZkrO-2Ntb4F0ySycC6JjueoXU4gTtjugUXDa5oWAftce4fzUuHP8MxpXY37ypvZBDf7VH5VvKQNbXveNQNCv_5M87/s640/blogger-image-367959181.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div>The air suddenly turns sharply cold and w<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">e declare it a&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Noodle Day. We head for RESTAURANT OMEN just off&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Philosophers' Walk.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPqnoyoYOSwxGrSv3TWyQJbv8BJPQtKpwhVmjw_AdaorMLFMU_JVx68-yiN8gxD0Fubu7-BAPo2dEtHVGRSM7-N-_x3GU08fDhQ0-CdJFWR4_Gld-SV46sBN0Hy_4WclFBHYm/s640/blogger-image--1369894279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZPqnoyoYOSwxGrSv3TWyQJbv8BJPQtKpwhVmjw_AdaorMLFMU_JVx68-yiN8gxD0Fubu7-BAPo2dEtHVGRSM7-N-_x3GU08fDhQ0-CdJFWR4_Gld-SV46sBN0Hy_4WclFBHYm/s640/blogger-image--1369894279.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8MGRTeb_wUE7cCYMXDF4y4lXZbnLZBeYdKt18a7XHhOMUb29aDR3ol2s2ZMGFqOR9Z6u4wofKc1lNCh622GAo41KWYtCGJwmAuLYJGfUeVn8wjCuek5Evrhn9C4wZjNLglW_/s640/blogger-image-1533649684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL8MGRTeb_wUE7cCYMXDF4y4lXZbnLZBeYdKt18a7XHhOMUb29aDR3ol2s2ZMGFqOR9Z6u4wofKc1lNCh622GAo41KWYtCGJwmAuLYJGfUeVn8wjCuek5Evrhn9C4wZjNLglW_/s640/blogger-image-1533649684.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jWCJs_-zSmu4SO-S7P_FERTxYoFmJwnjMfdScAZ3DpAvMEBR8_kMkiDLxtHTOHKyEwQFp4FcDASd5Q0xBEWth36HV0FXWUjwIywECxgw_Ch9LjvdCcx0SxRdKxxPR76E-WHW/s640/blogger-image-1890014590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0jWCJs_-zSmu4SO-S7P_FERTxYoFmJwnjMfdScAZ3DpAvMEBR8_kMkiDLxtHTOHKyEwQFp4FcDASd5Q0xBEWth36HV0FXWUjwIywECxgw_Ch9LjvdCcx0SxRdKxxPR76E-WHW/s640/blogger-image-1890014590.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></span>Back at the hotel, at cozy <span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">TRATTORIA SETTE,</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;for coffee and macaroons.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">We'll be back for dinner.</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C-tKQq8gt45xFamn2wr6MjkFpKp1a-Nw6ARd7IMFKFcU89ddd8J4dUw3qbNPNWEUzBO9WJL00g51IqRcbLNrLKyB1k4Ghxd0fTY73UvQ1skLxSwuZxItxcGQPAoPOpJmyrMx/s640/blogger-image-586962982.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2C-tKQq8gt45xFamn2wr6MjkFpKp1a-Nw6ARd7IMFKFcU89ddd8J4dUw3qbNPNWEUzBO9WJL00g51IqRcbLNrLKyB1k4Ghxd0fTY73UvQ1skLxSwuZxItxcGQPAoPOpJmyrMx/s640/blogger-image-586962982.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_KCiEzba6H7kIZs0-LBnGNmbkV0AxihH8ffrGfYe5pKluafrdedf2i5m1XDlX1N3-DfD0gbzS5R0tPcq3Fm_bcoxHMEU_aUVkyKa-4Aeq7o4uLwUt_NT84vxq5PSPG6XmuLb/s640/blogger-image-789456394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_KCiEzba6H7kIZs0-LBnGNmbkV0AxihH8ffrGfYe5pKluafrdedf2i5m1XDlX1N3-DfD0gbzS5R0tPcq3Fm_bcoxHMEU_aUVkyKa-4Aeq7o4uLwUt_NT84vxq5PSPG6XmuLb/s640/blogger-image-789456394.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>There's a bottle of champagne in our room,&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">courtesy of GM Ken Yokoyama, I presume. Nice.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Now to the spa</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">RIRAKU. What better way to ready ourselves for dinner than an hour of s</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">hiatsu for me and acupuncture for Stuart?&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I could get used to this. 😍</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7842313246839228137'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7842313246839228137'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/12/kyoto.html' title='KYOTO'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiopTl4IsRDZMCvAjrjGL2g6D23ue6xCsWJMcraihfYIfbJRmcRkg4_a00ibNUYmi4jDcjMy1JHK8Y0Vywo4mLR1rYHO2L4PIpazXZSDLE1klJXtZxcxL7aWtSYcHTWQ2xM3Z9X/s72-c/blogger-image--1890497495.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6455372917689338679</id><published>2013-11-21T11:58:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-13T13:28:43.425+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><title type='text'>I never really knew Hong Kong</title><content type='html'><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm not much of a traveler really. I'm not even a good visitor.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm supposed to have&nbsp;lived in Hong Kong for 9 years. I don't have much to show for it though.&nbsp;I have just come to the sad realization that&nbsp;I'm not much of a delver into local life and culture. Except for a few excursions on the tram, a few bus rides, and the occasional trip across the bridge to Wan Chai market, mostly undertaken only when playing host to visiting friends or family members,&nbsp;Hong Kong for me has been mainly the Grand Hyatt, Pacific Place, &nbsp;Landmark, and Star Street.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I lived in Singapore for 17 years before Hong Kong. I'm now back. I'm supposed to have been back two years. I'm as much a stranger here than ever.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Which is why &nbsp;today, in Singapore, &nbsp;I'm going to be a tourist.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6455372917689338679'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6455372917689338679'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/11/i-ever-really-knew-hong-kong.html' title='I never really knew Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8647965364840662346</id><published>2013-11-21T11:55:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-11-21T11:56:42.247+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blog'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Wan Chai'/><title type='text'>In search of Korean food in Wan Chai</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><font style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Parts of my country lie devastated by the monster typhoon. It didn't seem right to think of anything else these past two weeks.&nbsp;</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We try to do what we can to help but we know our measly efforts don't amount to much. Except to make us feel better about ourselves.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I haven't written anything in a long time. My blog lies in ruins too.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I've been in Singapore since November 1. Haiyan reared its monster head soon after.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I'm done watching CNN. There's a world out there...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font>This is going back a month or so ago, I</font>&nbsp;was joining Stuart in Hong Kong for the&nbsp;weekend- I flew in from Manila, he from Singapore. I got there several hours before he did,&nbsp;so I joined friends Jim and Tokmin for dinner.<br>Jim said, follow me! We did, and proceeded to circumnavigate Wan Chai.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_oR-bXtPOGc2uPg7_QcBwIzq5rkDXJERNv-AQTk191__c-pssDcClkPcQZov9L3emZm1AE46fQSPhXssdOAak_1hwb58aBadpN6qkHCZxwUCV2RcP3UoADmCC_-8id8T6h5J/s640/blogger-image--1058440649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_oR-bXtPOGc2uPg7_QcBwIzq5rkDXJERNv-AQTk191__c-pssDcClkPcQZov9L3emZm1AE46fQSPhXssdOAak_1hwb58aBadpN6qkHCZxwUCV2RcP3UoADmCC_-8id8T6h5J/s640/blogger-image--1058440649.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSX959edzvVJ7sn2YtHKkd-oy8KvE_I70wHGF5nxdoDRcw_678wRe5pzL6uUb1rWwYi4zr1fWGuoOcZh_dGDfauXeG26V8J85J3Txm02iRn5S7vFOnI7ZGWGLSq4yEkHBJgZ6/s640/blogger-image--1677465855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSX959edzvVJ7sn2YtHKkd-oy8KvE_I70wHGF5nxdoDRcw_678wRe5pzL6uUb1rWwYi4zr1fWGuoOcZh_dGDfauXeG26V8J85J3Txm02iRn5S7vFOnI7ZGWGLSq4yEkHBJgZ6/s640/blogger-image--1677465855.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jim, an old Asia hand, has lived and worked in Hong Kong for a very long time. For some reason, he found it very difficult to find his way around this time. I was not much help of course due to a congenital sense of direction deficiency.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">After what seemed an unreasonably long time, we found the place. It turned out to be just a few blocks from our hotel. &nbsp;</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Apart from being one of the best places for authentic Korean food outside of Korea,&nbsp;Arirang Korean Restaurant has a historical significance. It was the very first Korean restaurant in Hong Kong.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jim got us there but Tokmin navigated the menu. Dinner was great.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzRtbdLeL5jz2LtwsfCED4c5KKBrL7coCfIZaQMyugEQmG1YQTaUBeHx9twrLDORC7mllnZoFtPDC7NzRxRVAUFA2j7fSswqkS2uS1kmrskUS9yiej9g_1nkDpCmfFfxJbl6U/s640/blogger-image-61001942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzRtbdLeL5jz2LtwsfCED4c5KKBrL7coCfIZaQMyugEQmG1YQTaUBeHx9twrLDORC7mllnZoFtPDC7NzRxRVAUFA2j7fSswqkS2uS1kmrskUS9yiej9g_1nkDpCmfFfxJbl6U/s640/blogger-image-61001942.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLW4tsXZk4rhZoCox8NAlWuhTmulEFycydbaC5BoJ64vfSQg7zIcqyzXflTG1Cdzx7XosdKdaSXtTgL5xp_ckD4WaUrMiGQCsw7IkqwuGBiuAcE3ACpDwWPQs9sjUgseNl8G2/s640/blogger-image--1024959644.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcLW4tsXZk4rhZoCox8NAlWuhTmulEFycydbaC5BoJ64vfSQg7zIcqyzXflTG1Cdzx7XosdKdaSXtTgL5xp_ckD4WaUrMiGQCsw7IkqwuGBiuAcE3ACpDwWPQs9sjUgseNl8G2/s640/blogger-image--1024959644.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And this was our reward for the long walk. It was far different from my usual dinner drink. Delicious but deadly.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tRZk6C6iVwLSr9KEz6PNctWJjBIim4pS7zhGKNcvnBzK84Dj1MA_sQRiBB_NGEaTOZPifo6ynu_zfpZnb0TGnYayoGCpVz4F5O6KOuqlmtiRE0eQNszoDh3tXiTcfZc0Cw_j/s640/blogger-image-67907779.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tRZk6C6iVwLSr9KEz6PNctWJjBIim4pS7zhGKNcvnBzK84Dj1MA_sQRiBB_NGEaTOZPifo6ynu_zfpZnb0TGnYayoGCpVz4F5O6KOuqlmtiRE0eQNszoDh3tXiTcfZc0Cw_j/s640/blogger-image-67907779.jpg"></font></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-weight: bold; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Arirang Korean Restaurant</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">3F, W Square</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">314-324 Hennessy Road</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Wanchai, Hong Kong</span></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8647965364840662346'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8647965364840662346'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/11/in-search-of-korean-food-in-wan-chai.html' title='In search of Korean food in Wan Chai'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9_oR-bXtPOGc2uPg7_QcBwIzq5rkDXJERNv-AQTk191__c-pssDcClkPcQZov9L3emZm1AE46fQSPhXssdOAak_1hwb58aBadpN6qkHCZxwUCV2RcP3UoADmCC_-8id8T6h5J/s72-c/blogger-image--1058440649.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3309358900764756370</id><published>2013-11-21T11:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-13T13:52:24.093+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Haiyan'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Frustrated and furious</title><content type='html'><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><div>80% of Tacloban has been destroyed by the biggest storm ever recorded. My country's president is in total denial-mode.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>The Red Cross chief, an almost laughably unsuccessful candidate for the president's job is decidedly more presidential. He leads, he acts, he does incredibly intelligent, well thought-out, well executed stuff.</div><div><br></div><div>I've just begged for food aid from my hotel's GM. I've also promised to help pack 50 cent meals for a Singapore charity group. Yet I'm convinced none of these well meaning activities would help those devastated by the typhoon. They might even add to the problem. Am I doing all this for me? To make me feel I'm doing something? To alleviate this feeling of frustration? Irrelevance? Uselessness?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;">Stuart and I turned up at the food packing do but there were crowds already there and nothing left for us to do but donate money.</div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; clear: both;"><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3309358900764756370'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3309358900764756370'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/11/frustrated-and-furious.html' title='Frustrated and furious'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6237484338593219467</id><published>2013-11-13T19:49:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-11-21T11:51:02.785+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Family troubles'/><title type='text'>Has the world gone mad, or have I!?</title><content type='html'>My little brother thinks he's an investigative journalist. The truth is, he's &nbsp;in jail. In NBI custody. A disgruntled tenant facing eviction for non-payment of rent had an NBI operative friend revive an abandoned<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;case manufactured by another extortionist from 20 years ago. My brother had stubbornly&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">refused to settle then.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;A matter of standing for one's principles. Sometimes principles are a luxury only the very rich can afford.</span><div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6237484338593219467'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6237484338593219467'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1079368522803626871</id><published>2013-11-04T10:24:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-11-12T10:34:16.262+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Chez Patrick Deli'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><title type='text'>Hong Kong, end of a love affair</title><content type='html'><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">There's a storm brewing over Victoria Harbour.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXu4oINFPs51ivQkkVtNC_HELEl-snfDLx6voULuwoX56U7MsUjuJ9GJIeLmwJEX6kGNmVzXlD0EcStYbk-iu2yYbwWQDDcYpUj5h_bKVU2M6eWYuO8w31qdJEk-jv2sW6i9F/s640/blogger-image--434023753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXu4oINFPs51ivQkkVtNC_HELEl-snfDLx6voULuwoX56U7MsUjuJ9GJIeLmwJEX6kGNmVzXlD0EcStYbk-iu2yYbwWQDDcYpUj5h_bKVU2M6eWYuO8w31qdJEk-jv2sW6i9F/s640/blogger-image--434023753.jpg"></a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">My home is gone.&nbsp;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I'm being melodramatic. It's only a hotel. They merely renovated. But of course everything's changed.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I miss everything that used to be.&nbsp;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">The cutting edge uniqueness, the minimalist reduction to simple lines punctuated by whimsical touches.&nbsp;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I miss the beautifully crafted secret wooden boxes, the little birds, the acorns.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I miss the feel of wood, the spare, clean lines, the elegant desk, the ergonomic chair.</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I guess all this felt a little too Japanese and just had to go.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Second-guessing the experts is one of my secret guilty pleasures. I know that a design is good when it surprises me with originality and when I can't even begin to understand its source. &nbsp;When it gives me something I didn't even know I wanted. Or when I can't dare to even think I can do better.&nbsp;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I expect good design to be original and beautiful. I like a style to be simple and functional, as well as beautiful. (Wait a minute, that sounds like the iPhone!)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">I'll miss ending the day with this view...</span></div><div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E7lZsDrb8E6cfpcEXHy9JQSrrkUCJGgnpNZjYmdVNtEUD5qqWeG3La_91xgOD-ArvmG6YZDs28w3ew4TP7RB57fFsIROGIpCN9BPycESDHbPu-kZqruOgCGJOqzq0sY1zdYx/s640/blogger-image--1622310718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E7lZsDrb8E6cfpcEXHy9JQSrrkUCJGgnpNZjYmdVNtEUD5qqWeG3La_91xgOD-ArvmG6YZDs28w3ew4TP7RB57fFsIROGIpCN9BPycESDHbPu-kZqruOgCGJOqzq0sY1zdYx/s640/blogger-image--1622310718.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>...and waking up to this one...</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTptxLIYhqFmHSZbjXxATluwMhQuZfJVOcLgEFT5F7eJesbI6dXfp0qTKl7Xf6vu8H4IqxnGHCAig2FodKn5t_KAJfvAsuLE0a39RYHlmHSKv6rDAmSQOA5cid5qKgpEMO8_1H/s640/blogger-image--1120498425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTptxLIYhqFmHSZbjXxATluwMhQuZfJVOcLgEFT5F7eJesbI6dXfp0qTKl7Xf6vu8H4IqxnGHCAig2FodKn5t_KAJfvAsuLE0a39RYHlmHSKv6rDAmSQOA5cid5qKgpEMO8_1H/s640/blogger-image--1120498425.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div>My home is gone but the harbour is forever. Or is it? The reclamation project is not ending anytime soon.</div><div><br></div><div>P.s.</div><div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.235294);"><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What has happened to Chez Patrick Deli on Star Street?</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.235294);"><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Where have all the French chefs gone? Why are the shelves in that big pillar not spilling over with goodies?&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">And why was my meal so uninspired?</span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.235294);"><span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.235294);"><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">Sadly, my favorite Sunday lunch in Hong Kong has lost that food-glorious-food feeling.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 20px; line-height: 25px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div><br></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1079368522803626871'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1079368522803626871'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/11/hong-kong-end-of-love-affair.html' title='Hong Kong, end of a love affair'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVXu4oINFPs51ivQkkVtNC_HELEl-snfDLx6voULuwoX56U7MsUjuJ9GJIeLmwJEX6kGNmVzXlD0EcStYbk-iu2yYbwWQDDcYpUj5h_bKVU2M6eWYuO8w31qdJEk-jv2sW6i9F/s72-c/blogger-image--434023753.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7454803076905575984</id><published>2013-10-06T19:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-10-07T12:31:15.393+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Oriental'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bangkok'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='spa'/><title type='text'>Weekend in Bangkok, at The Oriental</title><content type='html'><div>It's the Mandarin Oriental now but in my mind, I want it&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">still&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">to be simply The Oriental. Of Graham Greene and Somerset Maugham. Of Tennessee Williams and James Michener.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Having recently discovered the throwback glamour of this hotel, we have put it on our list of absolute self-indulgent weekend getaways.&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4O4NACIVhc_hanv59CQlRiKRIAaApedyIgg0rC4cvxtKYPgH1gcJgyHvyTwe7rHop0IuRDl8gTq3BUd7boGlAJWLXS0Yy4dTO4fJcrNXPGLlPDPC2iRaohszJARp7mAtizgk/s640/blogger-image--1110023801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4O4NACIVhc_hanv59CQlRiKRIAaApedyIgg0rC4cvxtKYPgH1gcJgyHvyTwe7rHop0IuRDl8gTq3BUd7boGlAJWLXS0Yy4dTO4fJcrNXPGLlPDPC2iRaohszJARp7mAtizgk/s640/blogger-image--1110023801.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div>The Oriental Spa is located across the river, necessitating crossing over in a boat. And this short trip in the picture-pretty Thai-styled wooden boat gets the spa experience started long before the massage begins.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshH-j5QM2uO1bdIx1dCrgg0jwf2Ag7siA6WDddmJGdxWx73zS5ZYw24OjqxokEuryz5xDZ0z4TUUmqLWHJ5lmeC36QXVA5oBoqzaVREx3Lrvb8vhliERDmBCZ1A1Xyk1UDvc2/s640/blogger-image--1312976649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhshH-j5QM2uO1bdIx1dCrgg0jwf2Ag7siA6WDddmJGdxWx73zS5ZYw24OjqxokEuryz5xDZ0z4TUUmqLWHJ5lmeC36QXVA5oBoqzaVREx3Lrvb8vhliERDmBCZ1A1Xyk1UDvc2/s640/blogger-image--1312976649.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">It also means that wonderful spa feeling lingers long after too. We're</span>&nbsp;now back in the hotel after our massage. We decide to suspend our diet (this season's diet involves fasting days!) and sit down to tea and scones. And cakes and things.</div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2Wt9zum10w9VuE0oF1DZ5ZULDXVO9dwrgTnD-PGwlLsJNQlrdANkFE-txxYE1aPiuLa6u71y5jzRMYwefPpCe1Ksci4oIfGqK1sVwcxQfiTq2wbh5M9BQg5MTkeLEbhghhMC/s640/blogger-image-576276867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2Wt9zum10w9VuE0oF1DZ5ZULDXVO9dwrgTnD-PGwlLsJNQlrdANkFE-txxYE1aPiuLa6u71y5jzRMYwefPpCe1Ksci4oIfGqK1sVwcxQfiTq2wbh5M9BQg5MTkeLEbhghhMC/s640/blogger-image-576276867.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The storm just missed us; there's thunder and lightning now.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">The gods of the low-carb diet must be furious, judging from the racket the rain is making on the glass roof of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">the Authors' Lounge.</span><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7454803076905575984'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7454803076905575984'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/10/weekend-in-bangkok-at-oriental.html' title='Weekend in Bangkok, at The Oriental'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB4O4NACIVhc_hanv59CQlRiKRIAaApedyIgg0rC4cvxtKYPgH1gcJgyHvyTwe7rHop0IuRDl8gTq3BUd7boGlAJWLXS0Yy4dTO4fJcrNXPGLlPDPC2iRaohszJARp7mAtizgk/s72-c/blogger-image--1110023801.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1096554458317810097</id><published>2013-09-15T19:55:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-10-05T23:13:57.250+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Birthday. Dorchester'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Manila'/><title type='text'>Still Birthday Week</title><content type='html'>I had my birthday candle blowing moment i<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">n London, four days late</span>.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Daniel at t</span>he Dorchester's Promenade Bar insisted it wasn't too late for a&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">birthday cake.</span><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq6Z8bZU-kapeqvYEnPc7bT4vvSbPKJO1ZOVAO-_IxVQa3nheTlSL6OosySI1mv4yJS9JP2pnsOh4xnCxtgIVBhlCliG3ULvLmAuC62_FWzcOCxdtrCcF7CacJBnyN1XlBPl5/s640/blogger-image-1985713625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq6Z8bZU-kapeqvYEnPc7bT4vvSbPKJO1ZOVAO-_IxVQa3nheTlSL6OosySI1mv4yJS9JP2pnsOh4xnCxtgIVBhlCliG3ULvLmAuC62_FWzcOCxdtrCcF7CacJBnyN1XlBPl5/s640/blogger-image-1985713625.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div><div><br></div><div><div>And two more days later, back home in Manila, birthday flowers!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekj3sN8lHoD-vRxdUAOukfT6Ls_IfKNLj2jLlryvhOmFl47fCYyctXAHIiOI1wPkp1zUxcgBtOxRq_QcAOMtjinG22LxVgZZDEhOTFWHzz_LdVK-CC58cDnk5obq5mSirW9HL/s640/blogger-image-481892776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekj3sN8lHoD-vRxdUAOukfT6Ls_IfKNLj2jLlryvhOmFl47fCYyctXAHIiOI1wPkp1zUxcgBtOxRq_QcAOMtjinG22LxVgZZDEhOTFWHzz_LdVK-CC58cDnk5obq5mSirW9HL/s640/blogger-image-481892776.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div><div>Still another birthday moment the week after- at a joint celebration&nbsp;<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">at home</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;for five September-born family members!&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0fLEtfrorO_2owthtWBFGLpvXelS7k37E0B7sRrGfYZ5Sls3FYwBs3OFXkAJKcQa4uJgeoyVuRtDBGTkllN7JG2waRZdWG7T1zqiddbiOKKFWcdP_okh7a4xWia_5P5ZbAMs/s640/blogger-image--520828722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz0fLEtfrorO_2owthtWBFGLpvXelS7k37E0B7sRrGfYZ5Sls3FYwBs3OFXkAJKcQa4uJgeoyVuRtDBGTkllN7JG2waRZdWG7T1zqiddbiOKKFWcdP_okh7a4xWia_5P5ZbAMs/s640/blogger-image--520828722.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Turns out that wasn't the last. Another joint celebration, this one with Teena, at a party with high school classmates!&nbsp;</div></div></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZcFwnMgzTBkyIvv-G6WdUfPQjIpR7QKfTBgkllut8pZFeDKVHR2E_QePfgC3I4E_nAgjAfHg2mtaWo16aWzTK8tvDxxQ7ectavVf9papYKFzAQZsWs_3s0jG2Eq6AiB_6cDf/s640/blogger-image-1989408057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeZcFwnMgzTBkyIvv-G6WdUfPQjIpR7QKfTBgkllut8pZFeDKVHR2E_QePfgC3I4E_nAgjAfHg2mtaWo16aWzTK8tvDxxQ7ectavVf9papYKFzAQZsWs_3s0jG2Eq6AiB_6cDf/s640/blogger-image-1989408057.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">This birthday girl is one very happy old girl!</div><div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">&nbsp;</div><div><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1096554458317810097'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1096554458317810097'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/still-birthday-week.html' title='Still Birthday Week'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOq6Z8bZU-kapeqvYEnPc7bT4vvSbPKJO1ZOVAO-_IxVQa3nheTlSL6OosySI1mv4yJS9JP2pnsOh4xnCxtgIVBhlCliG3ULvLmAuC62_FWzcOCxdtrCcF7CacJBnyN1XlBPl5/s72-c/blogger-image-1985713625.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5382339639356775731</id><published>2013-09-14T03:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2014-02-15T15:44:29.198+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Turandot'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Covent Garden'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Dorchester'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='PJ's'/><title type='text'>Turandot at Covent Garden</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
After our beautiful late summer in Milan,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">London seemed</span>&nbsp;particularly dreary. It was rainy and chilly when we arrived&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">and our hotel room wasn't ready.</span><br />
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">We were given a temporary room- it smelled and had a light bulb missing- just so&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">we could change for the evening to go to the opera.</span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Things got a lot better later. The room we got back to that night was a beautiful one overlooking Hyde Park.</span></div>
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<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The opera was brilliant. We had seen Lise Lindstrom as&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Turandot &nbsp;once before at La Scala where she was very cooly received by the famously unappreciative Milan audience. But here, at this performance, she was enthusiastically applauded by a full house.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">She sang with brassy authority, owning the role without hesitation. It was easy to believe she was that shrill-voiced, cold-hearted bitch, later turning into the petulant, uncertain&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">spoiled brat, still stubbornly unwilling to concede defeat.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">I fear that any Calaf's <i>Nessun Dorma </i>will be compared,&nbsp;</span>for a very long time,&nbsp;to that of the late Pavarotti. I'm sure this one was excellent but I barely noticed it.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The slave girl Liu was sung beautifully and to much applause.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The staging</span>,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">obsessed with images of death and blood and decapitation,</span>&nbsp;was to me most memorable when dark and moodily lit by lanterns or by shafts of smoky light. This threw into focus the starkly simple costumes&nbsp;for the prickly princess, consisting mainly of red or white flowing&nbsp;silk&nbsp;kimonos, accessorized by&nbsp;a cold, white face mask and&nbsp;a fall of long, straight, black hair that whipped behind her like a fierce tail.</div>
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<div>
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As it was our first time in London's Royal Opera House, we hammed it up at intermission, at the bar.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-habDFz3WPSp5OURJMXK4Z6JXRTi5_I53c0yJa5fT96cujthgsYozkbDR6NgffasTOkCKT5ktlpFi0kbQbsvN8NeltRhgTh1PgSTv-gDuNIr5cFfKopmIdqqTJtvMshyE2q-E/s640/blogger-image--1527240855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-habDFz3WPSp5OURJMXK4Z6JXRTi5_I53c0yJa5fT96cujthgsYozkbDR6NgffasTOkCKT5ktlpFi0kbQbsvN8NeltRhgTh1PgSTv-gDuNIr5cFfKopmIdqqTJtvMshyE2q-E/s640/blogger-image--1527240855.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">It was cold and damp when we got out, and there were precious few taxis to be had, so we checked out the nearby pubs, settling on PJ's, a cheerful bar full of convivial late nighters.</span><br />
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5382339639356775731'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5382339639356775731'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/turandot-at-covent-garden.html' title='Turandot at Covent Garden'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-habDFz3WPSp5OURJMXK4Z6JXRTi5_I53c0yJa5fT96cujthgsYozkbDR6NgffasTOkCKT5ktlpFi0kbQbsvN8NeltRhgTh1PgSTv-gDuNIr5cFfKopmIdqqTJtvMshyE2q-E/s72-c/blogger-image--1527240855.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-747882526351717379</id><published>2013-09-10T18:10:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-11T06:00:45.592+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Venice'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Birthday'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='fashion'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grom'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Birthday week</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">My birthday feast:</div><div><br></div><div>Breakfast in Venice</div><div>Takeout lunch on the train</div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Prosecco</span>&nbsp;at 4pm, then tapas &amp; wine at Dehors in Milan</div><div>Ice cream on the street- c<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">rema di Grom</span></div><div><br></div><div>And that was the day that was. Beautiful!</div><div><br></div><div>The next day we went briefly to my fun shop of the year, Desigual. Late lunch at Il Cantinone, then a much needed lie in until newly launched Champagne Moment at La Cupola, then front row, compliments of <span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Concierge Mario,&nbsp;</span>at Woolmark fashion show (with patron HRH Prince Charles greeting all on video- goodness, doesn't he look old?) next door at Vittorio Emanuele.</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmJDRPQDUKS9a9UE_tGiMh6gAxKuWvnpNrnem0cEq6KMhHX_0pGWNzgBbmGGNljy2xPympqyoLMH-aCAOW5zEQYttdyKiTOgpQq84ah_oU7KsvVmMfT_ENuzQn8Sf_Zut9xnw/s640/blogger-image--527562890.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmJDRPQDUKS9a9UE_tGiMh6gAxKuWvnpNrnem0cEq6KMhHX_0pGWNzgBbmGGNljy2xPympqyoLMH-aCAOW5zEQYttdyKiTOgpQq84ah_oU7KsvVmMfT_ENuzQn8Sf_Zut9xnw/s640/blogger-image--527562890.jpg"></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiBy07deIjXDcfbq9iQpHuPaDptuWnlMepcEz92CLWsKtadCuUehemNvS-leK5Fmf0rEROz9WAvUl8GRa3avmxxFRzvtpGOlFeG7xKAWkaNN_xzhZAKmlmmZ7vz8WpduBA0bZ/s640/blogger-image-883825136.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmiBy07deIjXDcfbq9iQpHuPaDptuWnlMepcEz92CLWsKtadCuUehemNvS-leK5Fmf0rEROz9WAvUl8GRa3avmxxFRzvtpGOlFeG7xKAWkaNN_xzhZAKmlmmZ7vz8WpduBA0bZ/s640/blogger-image-883825136.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Late supper at The Bar.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/747882526351717379'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/747882526351717379'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/back-in-milan.html' title='Birthday week'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmJDRPQDUKS9a9UE_tGiMh6gAxKuWvnpNrnem0cEq6KMhHX_0pGWNzgBbmGGNljy2xPympqyoLMH-aCAOW5zEQYttdyKiTOgpQq84ah_oU7KsvVmMfT_ENuzQn8Sf_Zut9xnw/s72-c/blogger-image--527562890.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4622765506845357920</id><published>2013-09-08T21:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-02-28T13:49:17.151+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Venice'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><title type='text'>The food &amp; restaurant report</title><content type='html'><div><br></div><div><br></div><div>In Venice, we stuck to the out of the way &nbsp;restaurants in&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sestiere Cannaregio, close to our hotel.</span></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></div><div>40 LADRONI</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">First night out was a disappointment. &nbsp;Although not exactly as badass as its name suggests, 40 Thieves, the food was nothing special. The garden setting was nice though.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">OSTERIA L'ORTO DEI MORI</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQrLEJbfOh8mh58vAG9ytQJ0V6JIZEd-Hvm6LZ3ZZFTL8JlSEgT09Ryo01nSbQU960YpM6syFQyS6rMlETXhtNtRRsImrdo_fESilUTQk-v5j35LYFMKI-xYgjyejAdPiN6Wh/s640/blogger-image-979760062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQrLEJbfOh8mh58vAG9ytQJ0V6JIZEd-Hvm6LZ3ZZFTL8JlSEgT09Ryo01nSbQU960YpM6syFQyS6rMlETXhtNtRRsImrdo_fESilUTQk-v5j35LYFMKI-xYgjyejAdPiN6Wh/s640/blogger-image-979760062.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rolled sardines in <i>saor, </i>sea bass, and a wonderful rich cake with folds of chocolate and cherries. Read more in Venice, Day 2 post.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">AL TIMON&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Steakhouse &amp; Tapas Bar,&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br></span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(102, 102, 102); font-family: HelveticaNeue, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgOubACyvCFCIRAeVtQ8yPxpc6JTH_FZKo1yieoF_d1Uaiuww5LB6ZJwFCAoXAd1uYnRECE8dRFVHuJfg8kxtreZexcvx-_mNSW7yEr4Dj9VbBl-goLpZ7LVIpTEo4n9b0t5F/s640/blogger-image--931193203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgOubACyvCFCIRAeVtQ8yPxpc6JTH_FZKo1yieoF_d1Uaiuww5LB6ZJwFCAoXAd1uYnRECE8dRFVHuJfg8kxtreZexcvx-_mNSW7yEr4Dj9VbBl-goLpZ7LVIpTEo4n9b0t5F/s640/blogger-image--931193203.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Practically jumping with a lively Saturday night crowd.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All meat. Emphatically no, they don't serve fish. &nbsp;I had grilled lamb chops with potato wedge chips.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But the highlight of the evening was the 2-person band. They were good. Some boomer songs- I Heard It Through The Grapevine,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Norwegian Wood, P</span>roud Mary, but also Amy Winehouse.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We sat by the canal, where a floating barge served as a bandstand as well as a lounging area where people lay on the floor, rolled joints, and looked up at the stars.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">ANICE STELLATO</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlE1dK7LaFEvbuWOt7jixOg4CYphNfIKBG8ZvE88tSEm2FjoyK5M8Y0O5AI0fWrMoEssZOy6wAqOqRhcF-iGtzFzVA337nFkBXKI5n2lOLREKSjBtvVBqQU2SqopyDlfGouqD/s640/blogger-image--1387305150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYlE1dK7LaFEvbuWOt7jixOg4CYphNfIKBG8ZvE88tSEm2FjoyK5M8Y0O5AI0fWrMoEssZOy6wAqOqRhcF-iGtzFzVA337nFkBXKI5n2lOLREKSjBtvVBqQU2SqopyDlfGouqD/s640/blogger-image--1387305150.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiqMmPICJsTi0TPsErWJjB9d3NszLY6hm1MTDplyASlO1oLl4JdYmSRLrY_C_QhtcX2gIpunyYilsC5mtKVwTjYSebWSdpFWechrVCz7SvPoPbRxlw6fd_ZVorX8Pixb0qyDH/s640/blogger-image--1279234361.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiqMmPICJsTi0TPsErWJjB9d3NszLY6hm1MTDplyASlO1oLl4JdYmSRLrY_C_QhtcX2gIpunyYilsC5mtKVwTjYSebWSdpFWechrVCz7SvPoPbRxlw6fd_ZVorX8Pixb0qyDH/s640/blogger-image--1279234361.jpg"></a></div><br></div>I was lucky to be seated directly opposite the wildly busy kitchen. I watched a fascinatingly well choreographed frantic to and froing, punctuated by short bursts of rapid verbal exchanges.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When my order finally came, it was fabulous. First was seared tuna cubes encased in a nutty crust, with a tart cabbage salad. Next, a&nbsp;bright green vegetable, I forgot what it's called but it looks very much like wilted kale, in creamy burrata cheese.&nbsp;Followed by&nbsp;veal liver cooked the Venetian way, sliced thinly, with onion compote.</div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">But always,&nbsp;before and after all the other places to explore, we return to one of the nicest places on earth:</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">DEHORS AT THE PARK BAR</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">PARK HYATT</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">Via Silvio Pellico, Milan</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwCWhFkEvnPT6fVmWCvBaoJrZPgyb_pF2Wr9cRcYMqfDMuidvdTsb2zM0sCSTYIyQaHHLKi-Bv8MCKhsgVAx4enUDCC9K9aQrcUADSGmMpFevuiz1S0yj4X8UZZ5_nGw6TN5B/s640/blogger-image--600820348.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtwCWhFkEvnPT6fVmWCvBaoJrZPgyb_pF2Wr9cRcYMqfDMuidvdTsb2zM0sCSTYIyQaHHLKi-Bv8MCKhsgVAx4enUDCC9K9aQrcUADSGmMpFevuiz1S0yj4X8UZZ5_nGw6TN5B/s640/blogger-image--600820348.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrFQYAvhi1aOmE1TKs_lfUXIi74ag5IilCiksyVaq3lwrJY_egVlsQfNQ6dm_pQE6bRMyU82h7yHnso7uGkkX2HoPWHTTBQZTN3v-JLJvPSrrGbhD582hkRSAO8FkJAPQ1vGS/s640/blogger-image--1900232753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrFQYAvhi1aOmE1TKs_lfUXIi74ag5IilCiksyVaq3lwrJY_egVlsQfNQ6dm_pQE6bRMyU82h7yHnso7uGkkX2HoPWHTTBQZTN3v-JLJvPSrrGbhD582hkRSAO8FkJAPQ1vGS/s640/blogger-image--1900232753.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4622765506845357920'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4622765506845357920'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/the-food-restaurant-report.html' title='The food &amp; restaurant report'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxQrLEJbfOh8mh58vAG9ytQJ0V6JIZEd-Hvm6LZ3ZZFTL8JlSEgT09Ryo01nSbQU960YpM6syFQyS6rMlETXhtNtRRsImrdo_fESilUTQk-v5j35LYFMKI-xYgjyejAdPiN6Wh/s72-c/blogger-image-979760062.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8082124567773649458</id><published>2013-09-07T21:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-08T16:04:20.365+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Finland'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Giardini'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Biennale'/><title type='text'>Biennale Day 2, at the Giardini</title><content type='html'>Day 2 at the Biennale started out to be more to our taste. Lunch was In a carpeted outdoor area&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">u</span>nder the trees. The exhibits here are by country, each in its own separate building.<div><br></div><div>One exhibit made my day. Finland's brilliant installation was about trees in particular. And nature in general.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I so enjoyed talking to the trees. Actually I sang to one:<div><div><br></div><div>I talk to the trees but they don't listen to me ...</div><div><br></div><div>This tree listened though; it even talked back! (It made chirpy noises.)</div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mLpMJz8_T6EpP8ZVBAlQ2qXPfro2HRurEEGa83_03aFbVttEjy36tLG2IYqQ85ugEFo67MqdDfk1zIN-vZYJReQQv5v-KbraOXmiNY7msM2CVvy0b1LBifJLUIVgkuLiUgq1/s640/blogger-image--1020150525.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mLpMJz8_T6EpP8ZVBAlQ2qXPfro2HRurEEGa83_03aFbVttEjy36tLG2IYqQ85ugEFo67MqdDfk1zIN-vZYJReQQv5v-KbraOXmiNY7msM2CVvy0b1LBifJLUIVgkuLiUgq1/s640/blogger-image--1020150525.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRgPwV4E5_gE9fg7MlOAHe0pJX8o1eflwqs2m1gSmLYrAhx4ZNpSkT6aou5u3NicqeGVHQ7aHn4ZeXS2HjOy5ezdmhWdqzPHJUzIzqkbtbAhZGbRB3kn9Zvo_RN2QXCGT04by/s640/blogger-image-1546033758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeRgPwV4E5_gE9fg7MlOAHe0pJX8o1eflwqs2m1gSmLYrAhx4ZNpSkT6aou5u3NicqeGVHQ7aHn4ZeXS2HjOy5ezdmhWdqzPHJUzIzqkbtbAhZGbRB3kn9Zvo_RN2QXCGT04by/s640/blogger-image-1546033758.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was the sort of thing I hoped to find at the Biennale. Something intelligently conceived, brilliantly executed. A unique concept, a relevant subject, a sci fi edge.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8082124567773649458'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8082124567773649458'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/biennale-day-2-at-giardini.html' title='Biennale Day 2, at the Giardini'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9mLpMJz8_T6EpP8ZVBAlQ2qXPfro2HRurEEGa83_03aFbVttEjy36tLG2IYqQ85ugEFo67MqdDfk1zIN-vZYJReQQv5v-KbraOXmiNY7msM2CVvy0b1LBifJLUIVgkuLiUgq1/s72-c/blogger-image--1020150525.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4496443082443298594</id><published>2013-09-06T21:13:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-15T22:53:57.937+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Venice Art Biennale'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Palazzo Enciclopedico'/><title type='text'>Venice Art Biennale</title><content type='html'><div>On our way to the Arsenale, we took refuge from the sun at Palazzo Mora. I wouldn't have chosen to view this particular exhibit myself but I'm glad I did.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K10yjvDMc9PLlwtdZHDAoq598t4UUEtfV3aorAZahtqhbet_GZPAuCi4tZpnIor5zn9it5S9LIUduAtStD7baKFbLZ-6YA5Myljwr7CUWhyphenhyphen9FOsrmpNdKjIdv0JMEoPuRtna/s640/blogger-image--1941500785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K10yjvDMc9PLlwtdZHDAoq598t4UUEtfV3aorAZahtqhbet_GZPAuCi4tZpnIor5zn9it5S9LIUduAtStD7baKFbLZ-6YA5Myljwr7CUWhyphenhyphen9FOsrmpNdKjIdv0JMEoPuRtna/s640/blogger-image--1941500785.jpg"></a></div>&nbsp;</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJnxmpieMKFtjOqw752G6cxxuwVpxyqGUR9ezZNbsVYqkmm_8Tm-gXzI_88KTUjXdNANCf_oasv7YW-L9VywdPZBWyO0KxWCY6N8_9WOr6vVHByQR78kaxCPsuhqYQG0qSXVM/s640/blogger-image--438804403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEJnxmpieMKFtjOqw752G6cxxuwVpxyqGUR9ezZNbsVYqkmm_8Tm-gXzI_88KTUjXdNANCf_oasv7YW-L9VywdPZBWyO0KxWCY6N8_9WOr6vVHByQR78kaxCPsuhqYQG0qSXVM/s640/blogger-image--438804403.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The exhibit, entitled CULTURE. MIND. BECOMING, dedicated to a group of &nbsp;contemporary&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Chinese&nbsp;</span>artists, occupies the entire palazzo. It highlights the globalization of Chinese culture.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We happened on another exhibit on the waterfront. EMERGENCY PAVILION: REBUILDING UTOPIA. The SOLIDARIDAD banner outside is brashly subversive. It's a protest against fascism- political, artistic, or any other form of repression in today's world. It's a multilingual multimedia installation. Dramatically staged, sparse, and to the point.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfDfSRlCekATMPGBu-HP-R2F7YKzn5SfQKqzU8xVWvUSsOb1JsR8DG5UG08qgMrXi9u1-fDmbjhEjTEigO87m6BDiIsSnTxYyJjZUK0hzTTAhtzjrjLWBsU-Rm-dPYKCUBjpL/s640/blogger-image--1427874766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfDfSRlCekATMPGBu-HP-R2F7YKzn5SfQKqzU8xVWvUSsOb1JsR8DG5UG08qgMrXi9u1-fDmbjhEjTEigO87m6BDiIsSnTxYyJjZUK0hzTTAhtzjrjLWBsU-Rm-dPYKCUBjpL/s640/blogger-image--1427874766.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeD9fJ2P5t0EP0R8P4QvxBeWZwLGYxde76B9RXjb3c0aUEEwoPnAQU3vihOaBhUCemn1iw3AbosNqiRkxFyHqdUqZjoSk1YD_IlCh4darjAREmAhKAyzt3oLXQDNsxDk-HVNt/s640/blogger-image-1616118994.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBeD9fJ2P5t0EP0R8P4QvxBeWZwLGYxde76B9RXjb3c0aUEEwoPnAQU3vihOaBhUCemn1iw3AbosNqiRkxFyHqdUqZjoSk1YD_IlCh4darjAREmAhKAyzt3oLXQDNsxDk-HVNt/s640/blogger-image-1616118994.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IL39slXOx82Mg4ml2XWCvAuYprkQ8Zh1nFbMdBuv8gaT53LLl8m8OTATjJK5Ob3g9jRehXyhQwljhAA_tNbFYpn5OsSey8WzteeRX-JsLlPKCvF9JWgUIhwH8yLlFMG226U0/s640/blogger-image-746078947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IL39slXOx82Mg4ml2XWCvAuYprkQ8Zh1nFbMdBuv8gaT53LLl8m8OTATjJK5Ob3g9jRehXyhQwljhAA_tNbFYpn5OsSey8WzteeRX-JsLlPKCvF9JWgUIhwH8yLlFMG226U0/s640/blogger-image-746078947.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The exhibit I was eager to see was at the Arsenale. THE ENCYCLOPEDIC PALACE, the centerpiece project of this Biennale. As a viewer who expected to be awed, &nbsp;I was intrigued, entertained, at times repulsed, but never over-the-moon engaged. Nothing there really spoke to my soul or made my spirit soar.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At one point, Stuart said in exasperation, I don't get it, please explain.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To which I replied:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The mere fact that you know you haven't got it means you're well on your way to getting it. Got it?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We both laughed and hurried out, fearing for our sanity. I felt it failed in communicating what should've been an overload of information and experiences. As it was, it was merely a lot of not much.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Outside, on the concourse, &nbsp;a red carpet was being laid for the evening's Film Festival do.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4496443082443298594'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4496443082443298594'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/venice-art-biennale.html' title='Venice Art Biennale'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5K10yjvDMc9PLlwtdZHDAoq598t4UUEtfV3aorAZahtqhbet_GZPAuCi4tZpnIor5zn9it5S9LIUduAtStD7baKFbLZ-6YA5Myljwr7CUWhyphenhyphen9FOsrmpNdKjIdv0JMEoPuRtna/s72-c/blogger-image--1941500785.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4844071059972544738</id><published>2013-09-06T20:09:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-07T03:59:51.575+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Orto Da Mori'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Venice, Day 2</title><content type='html'><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Lunch today was at Osteria L'Orto Dei Mori,</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">&nbsp;on Mori Square where Tintoretto reportedly had</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">&nbsp;&nbsp;his home and workshop. We took a table&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">inside, away from the intense noonday sun,</span></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3746RzxuphZAFleiwa4ZwvN8vE08l_k-NcdPlG8OdEqegL5Q0dxxnZvNx4mH-Qovgp4tKLGrzUe9-Fzm3rUJblwOVxjUmN7kn7AaV65eDpC4OM-MGJRGV50WASHsccDK0evu/s640/blogger-image--2034451151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3746RzxuphZAFleiwa4ZwvN8vE08l_k-NcdPlG8OdEqegL5Q0dxxnZvNx4mH-Qovgp4tKLGrzUe9-Fzm3rUJblwOVxjUmN7kn7AaV65eDpC4OM-MGJRGV50WASHsccDK0evu/s640/blogger-image--2034451151.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;in a pretty room decorated with white wire mobiles&nbsp;of boats and fish and floaty jellyfish,&nbsp;fine and delicate,&nbsp;like jewelry.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzxYYRPHRKw-HVTQO_0bkMDK6xo2ydZLaNe2xl2IMZVE1qpu0C3jQJ4-x8Gn2AmTVv0ZLdRgiJCNWIXBW6kHLx7_Lr1_UeKAchlo91V7LrIqFP60rjvthriMWMoi0qonvPT1e/s640/blogger-image--93440404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzxYYRPHRKw-HVTQO_0bkMDK6xo2ydZLaNe2xl2IMZVE1qpu0C3jQJ4-x8Gn2AmTVv0ZLdRgiJCNWIXBW6kHLx7_Lr1_UeKAchlo91V7LrIqFP60rjvthriMWMoi0qonvPT1e/s640/blogger-image--93440404.jpg"></font></a></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L2URyXumuC5NwKFMKNKtjHXVNlH5NE30tZgVqB6VMWs8WEnRQTIyTiwJjqFjUc1J8ilDI3KFyURZUiHwiq9o8V6zGhfc4i8J81n2hamc-moYMQUwi6PDIAoCN7upMo81xf0R/s640/blogger-image-1974353265.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5L2URyXumuC5NwKFMKNKtjHXVNlH5NE30tZgVqB6VMWs8WEnRQTIyTiwJjqFjUc1J8ilDI3KFyURZUiHwiq9o8V6zGhfc4i8J81n2hamc-moYMQUwi6PDIAoCN7upMo81xf0R/s640/blogger-image-1974353265.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeOwlUvRVASnj5skelaIpVcmOGj75ni6ncQ0UvPCiHLndflC2cGmeuKlX3AiyGp-ZurpSfs8kWrO0THFHR-32HqZjOlTVht5ffUiE8sBoSqkobEeuyvB4w6dzDRFvrA0zcrCE/s640/blogger-image--926858661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeOwlUvRVASnj5skelaIpVcmOGj75ni6ncQ0UvPCiHLndflC2cGmeuKlX3AiyGp-ZurpSfs8kWrO0THFHR-32HqZjOlTVht5ffUiE8sBoSqkobEeuyvB4w6dzDRFvrA0zcrCE/s640/blogger-image--926858661.jpg"></font></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Lunch was delicious and just as pretty. We'll be back for dinner tonight.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Now, if we can just spirit ourselves over to Peggy Guggenheim's without having to brave this heat like mad dogs and my Englishman ...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4844071059972544738'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4844071059972544738'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-2-venice.html' title='Venice, Day 2'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD3746RzxuphZAFleiwa4ZwvN8vE08l_k-NcdPlG8OdEqegL5Q0dxxnZvNx4mH-Qovgp4tKLGrzUe9-Fzm3rUJblwOVxjUmN7kn7AaV65eDpC4OM-MGJRGV50WASHsccDK0evu/s72-c/blogger-image--2034451151.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2355596327429727008</id><published>2013-09-06T17:21:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-16T12:45:00.733+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Venice'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Arcadia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='40 Ladroni'/><title type='text'>Venice, Day 1</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This being Film Festival Week of the Biennale, we had to scramble to book a hotel on the Internet. We lucked out. The&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Hotel Arcadia is lovely. Right on the busy Rio Tera San Leonardo,</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">&nbsp;in&nbsp;Sestiere Cannaregio</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">, it's a short 15 minute walk from the train station. Y</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">ou'd miss it if you're not carefully watching the tiny alleyways and entrances.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKMbu2B7u8MgP4lew6oIwua0JqsVIyKaDflfZQyizMrmVA4aYfDXADZvOQcXUkhpFgLszRISWl2LfjG3rkjdQFwteCR5PppkNhaR9LLkuB910IJfUiHDTL-0f45ygY8LvefzF/s640/blogger-image--1152963524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKMbu2B7u8MgP4lew6oIwua0JqsVIyKaDflfZQyizMrmVA4aYfDXADZvOQcXUkhpFgLszRISWl2LfjG3rkjdQFwteCR5PppkNhaR9LLkuB910IJfUiHDTL-0f45ygY8LvefzF/s640/blogger-image--1152963524.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Prosecco tasted exceptionally good in this beautiful moody setting. And as Luigi kept pouring, the mood turned mellower still.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeosTfIbGaepSKkfw_KRbp9pQn45QazzxDBZs-KjHlTYgplmfGTLfiyrjI0AwFnYyfXy9hFoLAoy8fRmRGI04PhgsnbbpmLObDsS56eK3AR1sRe3A9TsGfpkFusFpHEqTaM3J/s640/blogger-image--8412178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeosTfIbGaepSKkfw_KRbp9pQn45QazzxDBZs-KjHlTYgplmfGTLfiyrjI0AwFnYyfXy9hFoLAoy8fRmRGI04PhgsnbbpmLObDsS56eK3AR1sRe3A9TsGfpkFusFpHEqTaM3J/s640/blogger-image--8412178.jpg"></a></div></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Dinner was good, the hotel's recommendation, Osteria I 40 Ladroni. Making sure to avoid shellfish to which I'm famously allergic, we chose a simple fish risotto to share. Of course it had everything in it but fish. Never mind, it was good, and I have a year's supply of Itrax.</span></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2355596327429727008'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2355596327429727008'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/venice.html' title='Venice, Day 1'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQKMbu2B7u8MgP4lew6oIwua0JqsVIyKaDflfZQyizMrmVA4aYfDXADZvOQcXUkhpFgLszRISWl2LfjG3rkjdQFwteCR5PppkNhaR9LLkuB910IJfUiHDTL-0f45ygY8LvefzF/s72-c/blogger-image--1152963524.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2034420210553505839</id><published>2013-09-05T21:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-06T04:06:16.108+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bologna'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Baglioni'/><title type='text'>Bologna</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In Bologna we headed straight for the Baglioni Hotel just to see if it's still as nice as we remember from when we stayed there seven years ago. It's now run by a hotel chain but still retains its quiet elegance.</div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We had a salad at the coffee bar. It was prepared at our table with utmost seriousness verging on reverence. "Salt," the waiter intoned. After which he announced each ingredient that went into the making of the simple vinaigrette.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Near the restrooms are original Roman stone foundations.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTOwhIifnI06EDuAMm9CYKPO01o7ynDcZ6Aws1saOpc3SKonEnsCcNe-K1aL2-xvyy2DMqCMsAp8Fhu9evwPdZDFYBuSyY1BAUyt7f1ltxGN6Cj5wpJm9MUNUULAChiMF7Of3/s640/blogger-image--1592463965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizTOwhIifnI06EDuAMm9CYKPO01o7ynDcZ6Aws1saOpc3SKonEnsCcNe-K1aL2-xvyy2DMqCMsAp8Fhu9evwPdZDFYBuSyY1BAUyt7f1ltxGN6Cj5wpJm9MUNUULAChiMF7Of3/s640/blogger-image--1592463965.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">The city has the calm dignity of age as well as the vibrancy of its student population.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfN78azjeU6YTHs10sV__sWKUV9tn31IjlsyMa_22UcdIDK-WOeqikOgRKU8w0xqYie9p-Ft6IXlqDXF_lD8WvBBxF6h8ZJdAENjSBT5v3JwzeGehWYxvq4zPh5OeKwu1P_2sW/s640/blogger-image--571392765.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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We've now got the hang of getting around by train. It took us a while to&nbsp;</div>
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find the right machine that would accept cash though.<br />
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It's the one that has the cash icon on top and the extra receptacle on the bottom for cash payments.</div>
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I have always loved long train rides. It's the getting away. But it's also the arriving.</div>
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I like being introduced unhurriedly to my destination.&nbsp;</div>
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I love watching the landscape changing, the light shifting.&nbsp;</div>
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Brescia</div>
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Verona</div>
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Vicenza</div>
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<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Even at the <i>rapidissimo</i>'s<i>&nbsp;</i>speed, there's still the luxury of time, the opportunity to be alone with one's thoughts... or newspaper... or phone! The train sounds serve to muffle the intrusion.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/975693284791249560'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/975693284791249560'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/on-train-to-everywhere.html' title='On the train to everywhere'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1QHmqJ_MQynlU4CXe-ntsVdbtNzevE0Bh5hkAK0u1YWeKOzsxSpPY6tyq_YowvZVBW_U8aZfu_MKM6d07dHf-9OiGIv7mWXaM3bDl7_j33r-D31qYUSw4huzdn4_S5zVgyvjz/s72-c/blogger-image-1765547728.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5329566059066955140</id><published>2013-09-05T00:44:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-10-29T17:08:06.061+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trenitalia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bologna'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Reggio Emilia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Frecciarossa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Executive'/><title type='text'>The train from Bologna.</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"></span><br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span></div>
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">I'm hot and tired and looking forward to an hour and a half on the train back to Milan. So happy to discover a waiting room at the train station. And what a waiting room! </span>&nbsp;Verrry posh!<br />
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On the train.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Smartest looking train I've ever been on. It's even got a meeting room!</span></div>
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I've just taken a picture of the stewardess (as I had the steward before) but she asked me not to publish it on the net. I wonder who she's running away from.&nbsp;</div>
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I hope the sunset won't be as camera shy.</div>
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Reggio Emilia has a spanking new station. Fabulous!</div>
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What a difference in attitude and language from Milan's Central Station! Reggio Emilia's is light and airy, while Milan's is massive and monumental. Different times, different message.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5329566059066955140'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5329566059066955140'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/the-train-from-bologna.html' title='The train from Bologna.'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzwtO0szddZLoE4P_7XPFOSDxzu6EhvA9lEqDDWO-BVBo5VLnLp6EuodL0xrgnuQdZhTIwtaXT1QHU_uQKgnT82gGzb3zjf9hiimrEEDEu8kQK_i1wKIXnjhMjG4Tp6IMMf5a/s72-c/blogger-image-568430583.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3943771182454748043</id><published>2013-09-04T19:54:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-06T17:00:19.563+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bologna'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Al Cantinone'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Train'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Milan restaurant'/><title type='text'>Day 4, on the train to Bologna</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Sometime ago in a&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">restaurant</span>&nbsp;in Milan &nbsp;I had a wonderful meal,&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">a meat dish with radicchio. The place was</span>&nbsp; delightfully old fashioned, dark and shadowy, wood paneled, with windows covered in embroidered linen.<div><br></div><div>I had forgotten its name and location and I've since been looking for it every time I get back to Milan.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>Happily, we finally found it yesterday!</div><div><br></div><div>Wait a minute, this is fantastic! They're serving champagne on the train! How wonderful!</div><div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoBM75zVTZE-skp17ht5w2ife1aKQm78Lc1E6VVPrhNSLu0r3JcMPT81WABTq1HU38s5uK2GMWjS3_gIAIu-FZAU0At5N_HasJvZV2oLdzJPo2yBGvT1ZyVCXbKuEvHXzcu7M/s640/blogger-image-1218087198.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoBM75zVTZE-skp17ht5w2ife1aKQm78Lc1E6VVPrhNSLu0r3JcMPT81WABTq1HU38s5uK2GMWjS3_gIAIu-FZAU0At5N_HasJvZV2oLdzJPo2yBGvT1ZyVCXbKuEvHXzcu7M/s640/blogger-image-1218087198.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">What a wonderful surprise! Salute! 🍷</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">To go back to the long lost restaurant, it's called Al Cantinone, on Via Agnello. I don't know how we kept missing it; it's so close to the hotel.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIhiicmpIEpXb-rwSNETfXvQp9V782xtSfQloCnCJ99haJqXzWbkwfqT2BV8JefZEF6sEGef3A_8C84SGXAGwS7VgxO9NcoWIcVmG8Pb5lULm87VKKARw5Zrl6N1OT3FZALN4/s640/blogger-image--1347554922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIhiicmpIEpXb-rwSNETfXvQp9V782xtSfQloCnCJ99haJqXzWbkwfqT2BV8JefZEF6sEGef3A_8C84SGXAGwS7VgxO9NcoWIcVmG8Pb5lULm87VKKARw5Zrl6N1OT3FZALN4/s640/blogger-image--1347554922.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxVJmqS8ppKPfUJi1NWfNDL1u84srKft8w9MamjKedvFfUhxOfTs0cDhqBHFJU_1AxGZDtrEOK16Ys7NA2obWn5RuUCxAeNdU4q2gHj2PJhpHnqOzLQ_8PCYNuQ4a7GK28F-K/s640/blogger-image--1603707168.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxVJmqS8ppKPfUJi1NWfNDL1u84srKft8w9MamjKedvFfUhxOfTs0cDhqBHFJU_1AxGZDtrEOK16Ys7NA2obWn5RuUCxAeNdU4q2gHj2PJhpHnqOzLQ_8PCYNuQ4a7GK28F-K/s640/blogger-image--1603707168.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); "><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); ">Now they're serving</span>&nbsp;lunch too! 😍😍😍</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kklxizYbbpYQvf7JpS7jbK9xGAGofU2BC04dGEQfgLdITAohwV8bA2DLKlbQW8n-vUW4NAGfXFODIyEGpcssIAWBNls326J2dWaro-LQ1EuYbTfQby-_AVUiMLUmvPD75qEp/s640/blogger-image--909473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4kklxizYbbpYQvf7JpS7jbK9xGAGofU2BC04dGEQfgLdITAohwV8bA2DLKlbQW8n-vUW4NAGfXFODIyEGpcssIAWBNls326J2dWaro-LQ1EuYbTfQby-_AVUiMLUmvPD75qEp/s640/blogger-image--909473.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50jZ8qkR9xUUwH42lUjLBk1jQ0eYj7BdXzj9BPltXwgHMvzW3bwRRueyAvrLHNZyIm0iCoYbn1nlvm5OJJn7MbwIyHFHgK0-6Razzx2E8oXVM1pSNpXH8SsyvS-uLJ9L6wbef/s640/blogger-image--1844389785.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh50jZ8qkR9xUUwH42lUjLBk1jQ0eYj7BdXzj9BPltXwgHMvzW3bwRRueyAvrLHNZyIm0iCoYbn1nlvm5OJJn7MbwIyHFHgK0-6Razzx2E8oXVM1pSNpXH8SsyvS-uLJ9L6wbef/s640/blogger-image--1844389785.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWKbEeYaYV5t6X5RG6hNLvnoLPScGr6MfNWofrd0YEhObSGWgeLsukAnFoOCGdG8o5HqlzX9RV9qYF2EETUl0bzqTGBoHm4D2159lUvEs2kFoZ_oD9NJ10jDXwzYbxXCkr8FE/s640/blogger-image-815528005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsWKbEeYaYV5t6X5RG6hNLvnoLPScGr6MfNWofrd0YEhObSGWgeLsukAnFoOCGdG8o5HqlzX9RV9qYF2EETUl0bzqTGBoHm4D2159lUvEs2kFoZ_oD9NJ10jDXwzYbxXCkr8FE/s640/blogger-image-815528005.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">Amazing! I love this country! 😍😍😍</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3943771182454748043'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3943771182454748043'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-4-on-train-to-bologna.html' title='Day 4, on the train to Bologna'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyoBM75zVTZE-skp17ht5w2ife1aKQm78Lc1E6VVPrhNSLu0r3JcMPT81WABTq1HU38s5uK2GMWjS3_gIAIu-FZAU0At5N_HasJvZV2oLdzJPo2yBGvT1ZyVCXbKuEvHXzcu7M/s72-c/blogger-image-1218087198.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6424247869411210265</id><published>2013-09-04T00:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-04T22:43:41.042+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Como'/><title type='text'>Como</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV_W-4S0H9pu5p1jSdyF-nDQvejBkpv_9-rSDunFyDTpA5eB1iPVKwVIka-0TlFqz9aez7a6OMw7oxHxnnqC6OzBXZtTleDGr5E6dk4TZHPCBnVwtw25i71ta44pA__UfkftD/s640/blogger-image-599973997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV_W-4S0H9pu5p1jSdyF-nDQvejBkpv_9-rSDunFyDTpA5eB1iPVKwVIka-0TlFqz9aez7a6OMw7oxHxnnqC6OzBXZtTleDGr5E6dk4TZHPCBnVwtw25i71ta44pA__UfkftD/s640/blogger-image-599973997.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having a Magnum at a caffè that claims to have been here since 1887. Music provided by a busker. Waiting for George Clooney to turn up.</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6424247869411210265'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6424247869411210265'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/como.html' title='Como'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxV_W-4S0H9pu5p1jSdyF-nDQvejBkpv_9-rSDunFyDTpA5eB1iPVKwVIka-0TlFqz9aez7a6OMw7oxHxnnqC6OzBXZtTleDGr5E6dk4TZHPCBnVwtw25i71ta44pA__UfkftD/s72-c/blogger-image-599973997.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2416423252080226124</id><published>2013-09-03T23:17:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-16T12:47:57.401+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Milan Duomo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Como'/><title type='text'>Day 3, On the train to Como</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Stuart says, Let's go to Como.&nbsp;</div>
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Okay, let's, I say.&nbsp;</div>
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And off we go to the train station. This is great! No plans, no fuss.</div>
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There was a 30 minute wait for our train. 70% off signs looked too good to ignore .<br>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">On the train, catching up on my blog.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A3Wv_gSF592_eJ1xbY5zyDp_m0g2JBGXgU_ilyiAfUl5nvrrkOjia1yOmWoG0eE1DLoC2NNy_zZwPf06yo1iCFd26ifgVZFn9p_Xd5oV1KNHQnhJ1llo8LNbffFSt0-LrNqp/s640/blogger-image--1288041993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7A3Wv_gSF592_eJ1xbY5zyDp_m0g2JBGXgU_ilyiAfUl5nvrrkOjia1yOmWoG0eE1DLoC2NNy_zZwPf06yo1iCFd26ifgVZFn9p_Xd5oV1KNHQnhJ1llo8LNbffFSt0-LrNqp/s640/blogger-image--1288041993.jpg"></a></div>
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Yesterday we took a tram to the end of Line 1, transferred to another coming back to the center and onto Sempione. Very nice. Very cheap tour!<br>
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Lunch buffet back at the hotel. I had two servings of dessert of berries in foamy yogurt sauce.<br>
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We walked around the rest of the afternoon.&nbsp;The design shop I was looking for has closed down. So have a lot of smaller shops. <br>
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The Duomo keeps going down in my estimation. Too bad. The facade is now plastered with billboards! Tsk tsk tacky! While inside this soaring pean to the Divine, they've found a new way to make money: two euros for a wrist band that permits you to take pictures. Really now!<br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2416423252080226124'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2416423252080226124'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-3-on-train-to-como.html' title='Day 3, On the train to Como'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNgPtLqY4upNjAAGklFhSPqPMtG1dBwD8xdxrnzMuUtZF8w58iI-ZCnJlBlli8M6BpynTOwaOHcXZMXLn-C5aNDFvd7C3eaquHB0AzJ2NnpUYftLG-zuShM2oK4ntiIl1j_0i/s72-c/blogger-image-255783785.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9064940984250532962</id><published>2013-09-02T15:11:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-06T04:51:18.695+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><title type='text'>Day 2, Milan</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Yesterday was a great day for wandering around town, peeping into windows of closed shops, looking in on the few open ones. (Of course the chain stores are always open but they're not what one comes here for.)&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWbfNpaoY0jfrIUOEhEDcUaYHY9Xb1MxBl3u7BX-zndy_6F0FGXpKSuaRZQ2wCltzO9s8GqSePxicvywpb_O0AV1LG2FDlf8MKx-aXkwwjwZ-bKOpXpIiLtwv-Gadsn7Vqpca/s640/blogger-image--2075185410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWbfNpaoY0jfrIUOEhEDcUaYHY9Xb1MxBl3u7BX-zndy_6F0FGXpKSuaRZQ2wCltzO9s8GqSePxicvywpb_O0AV1LG2FDlf8MKx-aXkwwjwZ-bKOpXpIiLtwv-Gadsn7Vqpca/s640/blogger-image--2075185410.jpg"></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbzUE4bidntTott9Vte4DSTkmng3biy2dWyIiJ_zIijy6WYSht3i-buFSKE6YJAOJpozOY2YKgbQFWJOQPtWI9JgTqDVbEgKQDi5kWaCh-EuVkxvcPOhp7aqgDSxJykBNQ1A0/s640/blogger-image--218046241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbzUE4bidntTott9Vte4DSTkmng3biy2dWyIiJ_zIijy6WYSht3i-buFSKE6YJAOJpozOY2YKgbQFWJOQPtWI9JgTqDVbEgKQDi5kWaCh-EuVkxvcPOhp7aqgDSxJykBNQ1A0/s640/blogger-image--218046241.jpg"></a></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><br></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">On the high street, a Hare Krishna troupe gaily snaked through a bemused crowd of Sunday shoppers, strollers, and ice cream eaters</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXKo0ftnreO5qbvSGds5z_YG0efAhpWNd9E772i18_o08BPpnLyqvDvxqwIim0n8vK50gQoEI98dU_8U5xg7z8v7KTxu88ip7ivaSHxPqoZN2_LbA4wifbi5OUit0PMQ4pkFr/s640/blogger-image--1038381738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKXKo0ftnreO5qbvSGds5z_YG0efAhpWNd9E772i18_o08BPpnLyqvDvxqwIim0n8vK50gQoEI98dU_8U5xg7z8v7KTxu88ip7ivaSHxPqoZN2_LbA4wifbi5OUit0PMQ4pkFr/s640/blogger-image--1038381738.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We rode on trams, getting off when the outskirts began to look too grubby, getting back into the center to regain the feeling of well being that had quickly dissipated where graffiti had taken over the suburban landscape.</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Back in the glossy precincts patrolled by Armani-clad policemen and color coordinated street sweepers- even their brooms are neon green- a jazz band played "All The Things You Are".</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAUvFjXFLOIeesweLs51R-vwY6x_B1AehYFVPqOTxlrGgh4C8pV9Hz6XzFkGDg336O8GFRx5JuSt6OWUCK0CoxWyYgN_ZY3gOOGnYW7IQa68WAjgbkDr34AywY8lWH4jFzf3z/s640/blogger-image--223844807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAUvFjXFLOIeesweLs51R-vwY6x_B1AehYFVPqOTxlrGgh4C8pV9Hz6XzFkGDg336O8GFRx5JuSt6OWUCK0CoxWyYgN_ZY3gOOGnYW7IQa68WAjgbkDr34AywY8lWH4jFzf3z/s640/blogger-image--223844807.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUILix-bx_wJsil2GAXxByJ2XJnqpAUlUnOhoztqmZ-7O0WrEUKgET-XRJJSwuEikODwq2NPDl-2vK8MrUWEYwBgS17w66xPCOcvChLETtI69K3iQ05OyOu1DBFLHAnTXkXuyx/s640/blogger-image-1308371430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUILix-bx_wJsil2GAXxByJ2XJnqpAUlUnOhoztqmZ-7O0WrEUKgET-XRJJSwuEikODwq2NPDl-2vK8MrUWEYwBgS17w66xPCOcvChLETtI69K3iQ05OyOu1DBFLHAnTXkXuyx/s640/blogger-image-1308371430.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Today, we're trying to decide what to do, where to go next.</span></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br>I'm hoping it's somewhere we can watch the night sky. I've brought my safari binoculars; they'd be great for star gazing.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br>On the flight here I looked out at the crescent moon surrounded by bright stars- such a clear sky. I wondered which of them were &nbsp;planets.<br><br>Saturn, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter. These are the September planets. My skywatch site tells me that "the planet Jupiter shines in front of the constellation Gemini and the planet Mars glimmers in front of the constellation Cancer." I have to see this for myself.</div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div></div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9064940984250532962'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9064940984250532962'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-2-milan.html' title='Day 2, Milan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDWbfNpaoY0jfrIUOEhEDcUaYHY9Xb1MxBl3u7BX-zndy_6F0FGXpKSuaRZQ2wCltzO9s8GqSePxicvywpb_O0AV1LG2FDlf8MKx-aXkwwjwZ-bKOpXpIiLtwv-Gadsn7Vqpca/s72-c/blogger-image--2075185410.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2887374855068299518</id><published>2013-09-01T17:21:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-01T17:21:53.153+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><title type='text'>Day 1, Milan</title><content type='html'>Vittorio Emanuele beckons from my window... I love this place... this elegant city!<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oeQGUl5ifO0pp1nIkhohecZVP5mcyhlIeJ6pFo7VZLMcrVbbH-7LXruVgH_7XAarB9yjEaqtBA_XJwnvM9aKaGwCGcbMRBpiGH_GL5MNw9rie62RzTFjvYmQNdyIOED14J_I/s640/blogger-image--2110534028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oeQGUl5ifO0pp1nIkhohecZVP5mcyhlIeJ6pFo7VZLMcrVbbH-7LXruVgH_7XAarB9yjEaqtBA_XJwnvM9aKaGwCGcbMRBpiGH_GL5MNw9rie62RzTFjvYmQNdyIOED14J_I/s640/blogger-image--2110534028.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>Ok, stepping out now. It's a sun splashed Sunday morning and we have no plans for the day. Or the week, come to think of it. 😍</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2887374855068299518'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2887374855068299518'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-1-milan.html' title='Day 1, Milan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3oeQGUl5ifO0pp1nIkhohecZVP5mcyhlIeJ6pFo7VZLMcrVbbH-7LXruVgH_7XAarB9yjEaqtBA_XJwnvM9aKaGwCGcbMRBpiGH_GL5MNw9rie62RzTFjvYmQNdyIOED14J_I/s72-c/blogger-image--2110534028.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2073019678438251489</id><published>2013-08-08T16:21:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-08T17:48:42.169+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='happy hour'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tearoom'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hakone'/><title type='text'>Happy Hour in Hakone</title><content type='html'><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">To round out our all-carbohydrate day, afternoon tea at Paseo Florist &amp; Tea Room 50 meters or so from the hotel.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ywg3es8WUVSVqDl7ik337sKfoN5HheH1GySkdQCS9wCUtaRCdH7mRmTMakbo7KMQqx5lQqQCAdQPtHjwjwS5XQ88VYCEuWFp4bwtzldVfUDnljXPR03qCLUawRXaVh7ITiEl/s640/blogger-image-34668262.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ywg3es8WUVSVqDl7ik337sKfoN5HheH1GySkdQCS9wCUtaRCdH7mRmTMakbo7KMQqx5lQqQCAdQPtHjwjwS5XQ88VYCEuWFp4bwtzldVfUDnljXPR03qCLUawRXaVh7ITiEl/s640/blogger-image-34668262.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The walk to and from the tearoom constitutes today's workout. Now back at the hotel for happy hour which starts at a very civilized (or not?) 4 o'clock in the afternoon! The people of Hakone must be a very happy lot.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We have a 7:30 pm appointment at the Spa so we'd better get started being happy soon!</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Cheers! 🍷</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4XMKOhqUg8ReTq7u3PZv4G5YtMZ7SqVX7d4P0LtlzFvgYmCoDiSTovPxVywv6wZMBJxBsC9HYQZ6BxTYodDNTDcmeBHB7kTkzbx7jFhXMBH1SNz3ck9kqMA5fL5y0E0e-xiS/s640/blogger-image--1280528467.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs4XMKOhqUg8ReTq7u3PZv4G5YtMZ7SqVX7d4P0LtlzFvgYmCoDiSTovPxVywv6wZMBJxBsC9HYQZ6BxTYodDNTDcmeBHB7kTkzbx7jFhXMBH1SNz3ck9kqMA5fL5y0E0e-xiS/s640/blogger-image--1280528467.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2073019678438251489'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2073019678438251489'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/08/happy-hour-in-hakone.html' title='Happy Hour in Hakone'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ywg3es8WUVSVqDl7ik337sKfoN5HheH1GySkdQCS9wCUtaRCdH7mRmTMakbo7KMQqx5lQqQCAdQPtHjwjwS5XQ88VYCEuWFp4bwtzldVfUDnljXPR03qCLUawRXaVh7ITiEl/s72-c/blogger-image-34668262.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5323591820451653670</id><published>2013-08-08T13:58:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-13T10:46:21.696+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kirakusou Soba Restaurant'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Gora'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wasabi'/><title type='text'>Out on the town</title><content type='html'><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We just made it to lunch; last customers for the day. At Kirakusou Restaurant, the soba noodles are hand made daily. They only make enough for the day. Business hours: 11:30 to 14:00.</div></div><div><br></div><div>My first encounter with the venerable wasabi root.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLILFnPUf_px2cpPAyX1YcNFEyuB6YO5BxN1mGy0bR54kZHAjM2tVE_PwLI9dGIDY7nze7Ek6SICJ8IxSHM8Y6WF3ufkWZob_6sBPNuKuJ2ta58FWewtU7yb6vlsoIKCalna1N/s640/blogger-image-404868536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLILFnPUf_px2cpPAyX1YcNFEyuB6YO5BxN1mGy0bR54kZHAjM2tVE_PwLI9dGIDY7nze7Ek6SICJ8IxSHM8Y6WF3ufkWZob_6sBPNuKuJ2ta58FWewtU7yb6vlsoIKCalna1N/s640/blogger-image-404868536.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf94mObb4YwzAOOtAlWPiKpxIO8gd4bmUghLrzUolDVeQtchjKk8Jt2rhMIYDE8a3Fw_wxL2FZrqX6NXUiH6X4vtG1LPgMQoWntws7vqJ1F8EhjskeN-pjzFwNpZeeNK7AtnS6/s640/blogger-image--1749433279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf94mObb4YwzAOOtAlWPiKpxIO8gd4bmUghLrzUolDVeQtchjKk8Jt2rhMIYDE8a3Fw_wxL2FZrqX6NXUiH6X4vtG1LPgMQoWntws7vqJ1F8EhjskeN-pjzFwNpZeeNK7AtnS6/s640/blogger-image--1749433279.jpg"></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5323591820451653670'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5323591820451653670'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/08/out-on-town.html' title='Out on the town'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLILFnPUf_px2cpPAyX1YcNFEyuB6YO5BxN1mGy0bR54kZHAjM2tVE_PwLI9dGIDY7nze7Ek6SICJ8IxSHM8Y6WF3ufkWZob_6sBPNuKuJ2ta58FWewtU7yb6vlsoIKCalna1N/s72-c/blogger-image-404868536.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1020567950122259001</id><published>2013-08-08T13:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-08T13:50:42.163+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Dining Room'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hakone'/><title type='text'>In the wine room</title><content type='html'>We've got the room all to ourselves. Nice.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>Being surrounded by all these bottles is making me tipsy!&nbsp;<div><br><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CqwkyRf3XzM71IIRhjDz7aOg30BnhTs85PPC92rrIBSMfS6BvWw31mPDd02lIvpDmm9ORPLQcTuQa72bKEa20hpvKCTzQrL8-r_PYA_yaBfX6VIOk5mC8qK8Y68AQ3SoI41G/s640/blogger-image-42142626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CqwkyRf3XzM71IIRhjDz7aOg30BnhTs85PPC92rrIBSMfS6BvWw31mPDd02lIvpDmm9ORPLQcTuQa72bKEa20hpvKCTzQrL8-r_PYA_yaBfX6VIOk5mC8qK8Y68AQ3SoI41G/s640/blogger-image-42142626.jpg"></a></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div>Stuart chooses the wine.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gzjr8TMKxgZuOQsrqdxXUliQZaEvuKc_4c6Va2Hv8aPMRE-WdPrjLPYnJLpKxPiTc3Gr3rBlNyRJeeBVJupNL-tTIOqpYZRAgEF0NfbLRD_qMqKfWB1qIGp4nbfJlYU6vRmo/s640/blogger-image--1836490650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gzjr8TMKxgZuOQsrqdxXUliQZaEvuKc_4c6Va2Hv8aPMRE-WdPrjLPYnJLpKxPiTc3Gr3rBlNyRJeeBVJupNL-tTIOqpYZRAgEF0NfbLRD_qMqKfWB1qIGp4nbfJlYU6vRmo/s640/blogger-image--1836490650.jpg"></a></div></div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Quite a meal to get through... I'm especially curious about dessert... parsley sauce on peaches? Hmmm...</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQt-SeOoP-PEW4lmkMZKL1SuhoDdTUN1AhImveHN2rZgS3uD96yQGrtlKBFMe7jFpuTisSaRJYrSVwMOLcTmCwWipy68xULf46yZD7VxWrKTWW9yhkc4umG7AdUv5yUm6WSmFt/s640/blogger-image--1152335157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQt-SeOoP-PEW4lmkMZKL1SuhoDdTUN1AhImveHN2rZgS3uD96yQGrtlKBFMe7jFpuTisSaRJYrSVwMOLcTmCwWipy68xULf46yZD7VxWrKTWW9yhkc4umG7AdUv5yUm6WSmFt/s640/blogger-image--1152335157.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div></div><div><br></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1020567950122259001'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1020567950122259001'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/08/in-wine-room.html' title='In the wine room'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-CqwkyRf3XzM71IIRhjDz7aOg30BnhTs85PPC92rrIBSMfS6BvWw31mPDd02lIvpDmm9ORPLQcTuQa72bKEa20hpvKCTzQrL8-r_PYA_yaBfX6VIOk5mC8qK8Y68AQ3SoI41G/s72-c/blogger-image-42142626.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6231110550003709775</id><published>2013-08-07T15:38:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-07T15:38:14.879+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='onsen'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='spa'/><title type='text'>At the Spa &amp; Onsen</title><content type='html'>I really feel I should try the onsen, the hot mineral spring bath this place is known for. I didn't the last time and the hotel's GM Hiroko-sama couldn't believe I never tried it. So once again, I check it out.&nbsp;<div><br></div><div>I've never seen so many naked women all in one place. The two seated at the dressing table chatting in the changing room have towels artfully draped on their laps. The one stepping out of the water in the all together looks a bit dismayed to see me looking in. She stares at me like a deer caught in a car's headlights. I guess it's a little unnerving to see someone fully clothed in the premises.</div><div><br></div><div>Somehow, bathing naked in a communal but segregated (by sex) pool does not appeal to me. Maybe if it was out in the woods somewhere, open to the trees and the sky... Not in a sterile looking room... Maybe if it wasn't segregated? Hahaha just joking!</div><div><br></div><div>I'm having a massage instead.</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6231110550003709775'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6231110550003709775'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/08/at-spa-onsen.html' title='At the Spa &amp; Onsen'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-420570083666719116</id><published>2013-08-06T16:38:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-13T18:57:58.263+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hakone'/><title type='text'>At the Hyatt Regency</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">Stuart changes for dinner.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeUlRZaWlZIjkJ9o3CJ015GExRISI_37ynVgyamO-4GUCeYKxYjLum6XMIniWEK7HhELi5qP7uO9M5q4aHa2GV7ba1c4BQEsEzE5SjoyHxsQUCWg_uhOQIHLGdH0w_J4iujP_/s640/blogger-image-686989380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeUlRZaWlZIjkJ9o3CJ015GExRISI_37ynVgyamO-4GUCeYKxYjLum6XMIniWEK7HhELi5qP7uO9M5q4aHa2GV7ba1c4BQEsEzE5SjoyHxsQUCWg_uhOQIHLGdH0w_J4iujP_/s640/blogger-image-686989380.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">At the private bar, there's only us. It's a confusing evening. None of our reservations seem to work. At the bar, at the dining room. Never mind.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QgzCyqNI9hMacGPu18oL4uGFWFFWq2Tb25jCw3vBDTbS_mHxnpr2HE880xUUfKgT2vKFkT5GKlKwPpWeRcY5jf_kinaaeYWhX7_WWKpaQT7KPItRo6a9j9C-IklZV751BfQo/s640/blogger-image--719873465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6QgzCyqNI9hMacGPu18oL4uGFWFFWq2Tb25jCw3vBDTbS_mHxnpr2HE880xUUfKgT2vKFkT5GKlKwPpWeRcY5jf_kinaaeYWhX7_WWKpaQT7KPItRo6a9j9C-IklZV751BfQo/s640/blogger-image--719873465.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">We move to the Lobby Bar. Lots of people are dressed like Stuart. Kids too.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0HxnAhQDfcgrh36FjnjJQpMDC0pjRMyJGHM9lWz54VxQTHgbayt5UToY3Glwtj0wOHJ59HDFyQNQPQNerNBBCjoZV3SuSBG3malzhMx0CLBezckHjBUy-CrnT4CIWf1VTCGd/s640/blogger-image--1381750775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq0HxnAhQDfcgrh36FjnjJQpMDC0pjRMyJGHM9lWz54VxQTHgbayt5UToY3Glwtj0wOHJ59HDFyQNQPQNerNBBCjoZV3SuSBG3malzhMx0CLBezckHjBUy-CrnT4CIWf1VTCGd/s640/blogger-image--1381750775.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">In the dining room.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">What do they say about too many cooks in the kitchen?</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">They tell us the chef has a Michelin star. I'm eager to see what dinner would be like.</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRxeCKbk-9Y5ET1hCZX3-Zy76l-bu-Lbugig1-zdBHebWzh3JV_NCUKRbMw9RDr1DnO28m4DpyM8THox6h0nbpj37I00GWmstapPPu-MdIsz6cxEM0ymz6el_yOBgUGtQvsfj/s640/blogger-image-1836306225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRxeCKbk-9Y5ET1hCZX3-Zy76l-bu-Lbugig1-zdBHebWzh3JV_NCUKRbMw9RDr1DnO28m4DpyM8THox6h0nbpj37I00GWmstapPPu-MdIsz6cxEM0ymz6el_yOBgUGtQvsfj/s640/blogger-image-1836306225.jpg"></a></div><br></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/420570083666719116'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/420570083666719116'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/08/at-hyatt-regency.html' title='At the Hyatt Regency'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWeUlRZaWlZIjkJ9o3CJ015GExRISI_37ynVgyamO-4GUCeYKxYjLum6XMIniWEK7HhELi5qP7uO9M5q4aHa2GV7ba1c4BQEsEzE5SjoyHxsQUCWg_uhOQIHLGdH0w_J4iujP_/s72-c/blogger-image-686989380.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-287118662800731894</id><published>2013-08-06T16:34:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-19T21:49:39.144+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hakone'/><title type='text'>To Hakone</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">1:30pm</span><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">On the Romance Car to Hakone.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Nothing romantic about this train though; it's just a train.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We have sandwiches from the shop to eat on the way.&nbsp;</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">It's the 1:40 train, and in typical Japanese fashion, it leaves exactly at 1:40.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">3:10</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">In Gora, we transfer to the Hakone train on the Tokan Line. This is the back &amp; forth mountain&nbsp;train.&nbsp;</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">The tracks stop at a dead end, the train stops, the&nbsp;driver gets out, walks to the other end, and&nbsp;restarts the train on the track going the opposite way. This happens four or five times, higher and higher up the mountain.&nbsp;I find the procedure so amusing, I lose count!</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJgM9TpaZ256KyGca9GmnZtl3WLLOyIvbzk0Ss7lxBYcqVCP4IqGjk-RhYIEczPCPqFVkCX1JZEa0-CwuwWO90PgIdO4WK08tBT3vgyH-b5DCJVicEabCQWldJcpkMakI9ZrG/s640/blogger-image-272448582.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJgM9TpaZ256KyGca9GmnZtl3WLLOyIvbzk0Ss7lxBYcqVCP4IqGjk-RhYIEczPCPqFVkCX1JZEa0-CwuwWO90PgIdO4WK08tBT3vgyH-b5DCJVicEabCQWldJcpkMakI9ZrG/s640/blogger-image-272448582.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">This particular train is not air conditioned, and people all around are vigorously fanning themselves. I'm fine with the mountain air blowing through the open windows.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); ">Blue hydrangeas line the way on either side of the tracks.&nbsp;At various stops, there are posters advertising museums and art galleries. Several pictures of Impressionist paintings.</div><div><br></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwP0u628Elb2N6Nyd_sAATjji5hz0J05pZD5OLorMZYp7nnVLXwm0PEzXvWK8U7DF976tJpKqIl979gOYJ78VXul8PPGxqPLHjJHXO40GPLf8z-DHfDIq2DR-JAMhTLzvwLdyk/s640/blogger-image-1191745637.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwP0u628Elb2N6Nyd_sAATjji5hz0J05pZD5OLorMZYp7nnVLXwm0PEzXvWK8U7DF976tJpKqIl979gOYJ78VXul8PPGxqPLHjJHXO40GPLf8z-DHfDIq2DR-JAMhTLzvwLdyk/s640/blogger-image-1191745637.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">Somewhere near the top, it has been raining.</div></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawrKcm2vgm5GwdatWNem3U9HItgs_a0K29oqC69MMlkyCMxqKvx-_jyquq5WMXnzV2zx2GeKbPjZj4J7_O_xvrtDJ6cKyW52oyOfhoskyNHHrRZXbc4EqAnaHiSdlUkI-XK0n/s640/blogger-image-1624403456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjawrKcm2vgm5GwdatWNem3U9HItgs_a0K29oqC69MMlkyCMxqKvx-_jyquq5WMXnzV2zx2GeKbPjZj4J7_O_xvrtDJ6cKyW52oyOfhoskyNHHrRZXbc4EqAnaHiSdlUkI-XK0n/s640/blogger-image-1624403456.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGsM7ovbtf-U96OeT9rwlJnc9xEMPbYM3FfsYdpqD295kZnFmWI6o06ZuqXtPCKzNy748-dStegisHk5yq-2IcJLij4IxZWetrngWLzD2xXaOsfRIYAZ3L7w6jAYmcLpmK0Hd/s640/blogger-image--1226856600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGsM7ovbtf-U96OeT9rwlJnc9xEMPbYM3FfsYdpqD295kZnFmWI6o06ZuqXtPCKzNy748-dStegisHk5yq-2IcJLij4IxZWetrngWLzD2xXaOsfRIYAZ3L7w6jAYmcLpmK0Hd/s640/blogger-image--1226856600.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the station, a little girl is crying. She must've lost her mother in the crowd. There's a poster of St. Exupery's "The Little Prince" on a wall.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The hotel shuttle arrives as we walk out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is going to be a nice holiday.</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/287118662800731894'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/287118662800731894'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/08/to-hakone.html' title='To Hakone'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJgM9TpaZ256KyGca9GmnZtl3WLLOyIvbzk0Ss7lxBYcqVCP4IqGjk-RhYIEczPCPqFVkCX1JZEa0-CwuwWO90PgIdO4WK08tBT3vgyH-b5DCJVicEabCQWldJcpkMakI9ZrG/s72-c/blogger-image-272448582.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Hakone Hakone</georss:featurename><georss:point>35.277149 139.04494</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7674820029945956492</id><published>2013-08-05T17:25:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-05T17:25:23.689+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'></title><content type='html'><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Tyler Brulé is o</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">ur man in Japan. There isn't much about this town worth knowing that the man hasn't talked about.&nbsp;</span></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7674820029945956492'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7674820029945956492'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2600869781488624319</id><published>2013-08-05T14:03:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-05T19:44:40.249+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Roppongi Hills'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Yayoi Kusama'/><title type='text'>Polka Dots in Roppongi Hills</title><content type='html'><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">This is a shopping mall. But it's really more like a park.&nbsp;Trees, flowers, birdsong,&nbsp;vast expanses to walk on, smooth stone benches to sit on, cooling mist sprays, polka dots...</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; ">What, again? Yayoi Kusama's polka dots seem to follow me everywhere!</div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><br></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); clear: both; "><div class="separator" style="clear: both; "><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEyB08Oh0tWMJKvvLX168dCjlP1K4t1RQVcE6lKVD9c25LPy-3mewnMmL9TdT3glELoXtGrvz2lAvFkiSRs6EpCPhSTLBo19L8mVBSEcKAb7qoabybPz7voWOzCYZAVtrJtzL/s640/blogger-image-1812083943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; "><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEyB08Oh0tWMJKvvLX168dCjlP1K4t1RQVcE6lKVD9c25LPy-3mewnMmL9TdT3glELoXtGrvz2lAvFkiSRs6EpCPhSTLBo19L8mVBSEcKAb7qoabybPz7voWOzCYZAVtrJtzL/s640/blogger-image-1812083943.jpg"></a></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89x92bHHJf9g_lEZc_i16A1jZ0Zwm2w9bvpsL1KbV1CxrJTQ2mkHgh4u6hQJ2_ZXR7t29Zc-toEDvzxVUreKLHl8dxU5iHnNlkq-IgyotCq-0PUAPW5yUtyCbMoV1ZE0MqJCU/s640/blogger-image--2108970501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89x92bHHJf9g_lEZc_i16A1jZ0Zwm2w9bvpsL1KbV1CxrJTQ2mkHgh4u6hQJ2_ZXR7t29Zc-toEDvzxVUreKLHl8dxU5iHnNlkq-IgyotCq-0PUAPW5yUtyCbMoV1ZE0MqJCU/s640/blogger-image--2108970501.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Why should she be allowed to appropriate as her own a universal, egalitarian motif such as the polka dot?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2600869781488624319'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2600869781488624319'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/08/polka-dots-in-roppongi-hills.html' title='Polka Dots in Roppongi Hills'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUEyB08Oh0tWMJKvvLX168dCjlP1K4t1RQVcE6lKVD9c25LPy-3mewnMmL9TdT3glELoXtGrvz2lAvFkiSRs6EpCPhSTLBo19L8mVBSEcKAb7qoabybPz7voWOzCYZAVtrJtzL/s72-c/blogger-image-1812083943.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1364700448190506580</id><published>2013-08-05T11:05:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-05T12:57:27.818+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='CX'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Delayed flight'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Haneda'/><title type='text'>Hong Kong to Tokyo: delayed</title><content type='html'><div>CX542/4 Aug from HKG departing 4:15 pm for Tokyo</div><div><br></div><div>1:30pm</div><div>There is no gate assigned yet when we check in for our connection from Manila. Then all the way to Gate 524! (are we to walk to Haneda?) where no flight info is shown. Passengers arrive looking lost and start to pool in uneasy groups near exit doors, awaiting buses. We're to be bused to our plane! 😡</div><div><br></div><div>3:55 pm</div><div>When staff at the gate says they will have info in 15 minutes, Stuart says we'll wait back in the lounge.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>4:33 pm</div><div>New departure time 18:00 (1h 45m late).&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>No matter, we're sitting comfortably and quite happily. After a &nbsp;glass of champagne, a bowl of nuts, a bowl of olives, 3 chocolate truffles, a Danish, and one exhaustively read Herald Tribune, I'm fidgeting. A quick glance at Sunday' s crossword puzzle (are they kidding? I haven't got a chance!) convinces me to put away my pen.</div><div><br></div><div>5:50 pm</div><div>Still no boarding announcement.</div><div><br></div><div>6:00 pm</div><div>Now boarding at Gate 2 (great! no bus!) and a very welcome upgrade. Fortunately, this is one of Cathay's now few short flights with First Class.&nbsp;</div><div>All's well that ends well! 😊</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1364700448190506580'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1364700448190506580'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/08/hong-kong-to-tokyo-delayed.html' title='Hong Kong to Tokyo: delayed'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3008893403912224956</id><published>2013-07-21T16:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-07-22T18:43:53.238+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurant rankings'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotel rankings'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travelswithstuart'/><title type='text'>RANDOM TRAVEL NOTES</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Forget 3-star or 5-star rankings. There are more reliable ways to rate hotels, restaurants, and retail outlets.</div>
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 24px; line-height: 32px;">The hotel's "Caring for the Environment" bedlinen card.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">
<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 24px; line-height: 32px;">If it defaults to daily change, it's a good hotel.</span></div>
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The restaurant greeter.&nbsp;</div>
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Nice restaurants have more welcoming openers than "Do you have a reservation?"</div>
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The escalator speed.&nbsp;</div>
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The slower the escalator, the more prestigious the shops it serves.</div>
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Escalators feeding onto mass transportation (like MRTs and such) are the trickiest to get on and off of.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Other random thoughts:</div>
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<br /></div>
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travelswithstuart</div>
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Stuart says:</div>
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<br /></div>
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If there is serious air turbulence while you're out of your airplane seat, sit on the floor and hold onto a seat, a door, or anything else bolted to the floor. (Biggest danger is getting thrown up onto the ceiling.)</div>
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<br /></div>
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During emergency evacuation, forget what anybody else says or does, just follow me.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3008893403912224956'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3008893403912224956'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/07/random-travel-notes.html' title='RANDOM TRAVEL NOTES'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5240850173011788016</id><published>2013-07-20T00:15:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-08-22T17:53:19.525+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Mandarin Oriental'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bangkok'/><title type='text'>In Bangkok, arrive in style, by boat</title><content type='html'>It took two hours, three trains, and a boat, but what a magnificent way to arrive!<div><br></div><div>No driving, no car hire, no taxi, no traffic. Here's how:</div><div><br></div><div>Upon arrival at Bangkok's Suvanabhumi Airport, (after clearing immigrations and collecting luggage, of course) head off to B Level to buy a ticket for the Express Line to Phaya Thai Station. The train goes every hour, on the half hour, and costs 90 baht. (The return train from the city goes every hour, on the hour.)</div><div><br></div><div>At Phaya Thai Station, take the Sky Train to Bearing.&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Ticket costs 42 baht. Get off</span>&nbsp;at Siam Station, cross over to the opposite side of the concourse, and take the train to Talat Phlu. Get off at Saphin Taksin.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>At Saphin Taksin, head off to the Hotel Shuttle Boat Pier where hotel personnel will welcome you and whisk you off to the hotel by boat.&nbsp;</div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7vCNaaOhaLk-Wg4qGCyUlO9MI3X8BjUppyOBgkITEtYu3qzLVn0jcxAb1X5QbzQbTe8vcK2HUGNFJdgjuNhiR8Pc94tqRDGkUx8aAfVeikxRCQkRA6aqUzm7T2yU2b30M6sq/s640/blogger-image--1752371311.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7vCNaaOhaLk-Wg4qGCyUlO9MI3X8BjUppyOBgkITEtYu3qzLVn0jcxAb1X5QbzQbTe8vcK2HUGNFJdgjuNhiR8Pc94tqRDGkUx8aAfVeikxRCQkRA6aqUzm7T2yU2b30M6sq/s640/blogger-image--1752371311.jpg"></a></div><div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Your holiday starts on the beautiful Chao Praya River, not in a traffic jam. 😍</div></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR01dnZZj_CWZfWhP4Nbek_OU-SOx0IMB5m3VRlqwYlCJSoFOT9CGrzbL9lA7xjY1UeofffLFSmkhko5l3_i44eQVDa9sbIHNzaVO7X-qR09zg-mDOes6JebEhBW15pwMjcn4/s640/blogger-image--2049463664.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicR01dnZZj_CWZfWhP4Nbek_OU-SOx0IMB5m3VRlqwYlCJSoFOT9CGrzbL9lA7xjY1UeofffLFSmkhko5l3_i44eQVDa9sbIHNzaVO7X-qR09zg-mDOes6JebEhBW15pwMjcn4/s640/blogger-image--2049463664.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">CAVEAT: To be attempted only with bags you can carry up and down the station stairs, and only during the cooler months.</span></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5240850173011788016'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5240850173011788016'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/07/in-bangkok-arrive-in-style-by-boat.html' title='In Bangkok, arrive in style, by boat'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7vCNaaOhaLk-Wg4qGCyUlO9MI3X8BjUppyOBgkITEtYu3qzLVn0jcxAb1X5QbzQbTe8vcK2HUGNFJdgjuNhiR8Pc94tqRDGkUx8aAfVeikxRCQkRA6aqUzm7T2yU2b30M6sq/s72-c/blogger-image--1752371311.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3605052535028875449</id><published>2013-06-28T13:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-06-29T16:18:37.438+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Alabang'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mandarin Oriental Wines and Tapas'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Makati'/><title type='text'>A Week at Home in Makati</title><content type='html'>Seems to me like I've done nothing but eat. My week in review:<div><br></div><div>Monday.&nbsp;</div><div>Late lunch at MAKATI SPORTS CLUB (LP Leviste St, Salcedo Village.)</div><div>Stuart's favorite pinakbet- authentic, steaming, fragrant. For me, steamed baby lapu lapu, Szechuan style.</div><div><br><div>Tuesday.&nbsp;</div><div>Birthday lunch<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">for Venus</span>&nbsp;with Cecile and Mila<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">&nbsp;</span>at ROMULO'S (Jupiter St)</div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Creative takes on traditional Filipino favorites. A loving homage to a father/grandfather, who was a senior statesman in a bygone era of elegance and diplomacy.&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Fabulous decor by the Almario sisters,&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Wednesday.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Lunch at APARTMENT 1B (Sedeno St, Salcedo Village)</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">A hop and a skip from home. Self proclaimed home of gourmet comfort food. My virtual kitchen. Favorite takeout: grilled marlin served with grilled vegetables and spaghetti with pesto sauce.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Laura's birthday di</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">nner with family at SEA DRAGON RESTAURANT (Daang Hari, Alabang)</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);">Great seafood. Bonus: fabulous sunset and a crazy bastardized game of Charades with the kids.</span></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3EuAhtrNijyEO2iTgkth9k4sWPIMJ76A82DMo0ow9OjvTprAG36IXPL_up_JCmMwaBZx__36Phg8V6l63Cy0fCFAC9ilvhOX-zP6npgheYLJ3y3XXDYiJQppU0dBXpmHw98b/s640/blogger-image--1557017786.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3EuAhtrNijyEO2iTgkth9k4sWPIMJ76A82DMo0ow9OjvTprAG36IXPL_up_JCmMwaBZx__36Phg8V6l63Cy0fCFAC9ilvhOX-zP6npgheYLJ3y3XXDYiJQppU0dBXpmHw98b/s640/blogger-image--1557017786.jpg"></a></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pt4h5yv8JChRbdP1gKHfW6Iyx5xQmtrQ15ux4YDUlZ45bYGeTZP3mJBzCV34NhLc4BIHim3JB3M86xa_XWBPDodPXQD-Qj5TZmEROIjZnuo7wAh2DMgTdIMqYGWqINjw5j3y/s640/blogger-image-1657253011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pt4h5yv8JChRbdP1gKHfW6Iyx5xQmtrQ15ux4YDUlZ45bYGeTZP3mJBzCV34NhLc4BIHim3JB3M86xa_XWBPDodPXQD-Qj5TZmEROIjZnuo7wAh2DMgTdIMqYGWqINjw5j3y/s640/blogger-image-1657253011.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Thursday.&nbsp;</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Lunch at SALA BISTRO (Greenbelt 3)</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Longstanding favorite, Chic and lively. They have a prix fixe business lunch, unfailingly excellent. Good wine selection with a 2 for 1 deal throughout a long happy hour. Personal favorites: salmon fish cakes with green pea sauce, rhubarb crumble, and Sunday breakfast fry up.&nbsp;</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">(Mommy loved the place, specially &nbsp;the garden. If you talk nicely to nearby VIA MARE OYSTER BAR, they'd &nbsp;deliver to your table at SALA. Mommy once asked a fresh-faced waiter "How come all of the waiters here are handsome?" Henceforth she was treated like a queen, the garden her kingdom.)</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Dinner at CHATEAU 1771 (Greenbelt 5)</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Our weekend favorite. Our order hardly veers from grilled fish of the day with Neapolitan sauce and sautéed broccoli and string beans, followed by a towering lemon meringue tart. On this visit though the chicken rollatini was a welcome change. Wine chief Cecile attended solicitously to our wine choice, a rather sweet gesture for a very banal order of a carafe of house red.&nbsp;</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Drinks and a vigorous workout aka dancing at CHEF &amp; BREWER (Ortigas Center)</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Fun with old friends Family Birth Control Band. After all these years, they still sound great! They can still do a mean&nbsp;Boogie Wonderland,&nbsp;Stuarts's dance anthem.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Friday.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Late late lunch at BRASSERIE BOHEME (LP Leviste St, Salcedo Village).&nbsp;</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">We used to call it our dining room; we lived a block away. It was our default party venue, caterer, and order-in place. After a long absence, we found the place really nice and the food very good. The pavlova dessert was delicious.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Wines &amp; Tapas Evening at the MANDARIN ORIENTAL DELI (Makati Ave)</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">A monthly event, every last Friday of the month. Our first time.</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Friend Alu, the Mandarin's Sales Director breezed in&nbsp;looking bright and cheerful, carrying a huge bunch of flowers for me! What an unexpected delight!&nbsp;</div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></div><div style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Enjoyed the French wines and the small bites. Will definitely be back for the next one.</div></div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IOV6bZpT60nQ_QLnuc1inVol3YZqkq2_zKIoKu2AvsL5LpPQO8ad3mwGskGEPZj1lV8Y8bZ8D9Ab6X_An7Mm8qbbxNEfBNFkhRKi9gnLxIhOHNrZSDqjLSrjpJTfcYGdOapP/s640/blogger-image-1143217886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1IOV6bZpT60nQ_QLnuc1inVol3YZqkq2_zKIoKu2AvsL5LpPQO8ad3mwGskGEPZj1lV8Y8bZ8D9Ab6X_An7Mm8qbbxNEfBNFkhRKi9gnLxIhOHNrZSDqjLSrjpJTfcYGdOapP/s640/blogger-image-1143217886.jpg"></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3605052535028875449'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3605052535028875449'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/06/a-week-at-home-in-makati.html' title='A Week at Home in Makati'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3EuAhtrNijyEO2iTgkth9k4sWPIMJ76A82DMo0ow9OjvTprAG36IXPL_up_JCmMwaBZx__36Phg8V6l63Cy0fCFAC9ilvhOX-zP6npgheYLJ3y3XXDYiJQppU0dBXpmHw98b/s72-c/blogger-image--1557017786.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8926428963487977562</id><published>2013-06-22T16:22:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-06-22T16:22:41.180+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Dragon Boat Race'/><title type='text'>Hong Kong</title><content type='html'>Storm has come and gone, the typhoon signal is down. The sun is making a tentative appearance and there are bright patches of blue in the sky. There are still too many heavy clouds though, enough to keep the Dragon Boat Race people nervous.<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsao1A1PnQ2d55WVQRY9R9hkH3c_Ff4cYwR-zIF-Gy7Bzar3JSMQTCKHKmEFFYIx7q_3RZyiOFm8OiU8bPlyQfeITvkQerP8SVkayJz9wcbq25Vn0XI87hawmappKH9wxv19I/s640/blogger-image-136299173.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsao1A1PnQ2d55WVQRY9R9hkH3c_Ff4cYwR-zIF-Gy7Bzar3JSMQTCKHKmEFFYIx7q_3RZyiOFm8OiU8bPlyQfeITvkQerP8SVkayJz9wcbq25Vn0XI87hawmappKH9wxv19I/s640/blogger-image-136299173.jpg"></a></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8926428963487977562'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8926428963487977562'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/06/hong-kong.html' title='Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvsao1A1PnQ2d55WVQRY9R9hkH3c_Ff4cYwR-zIF-Gy7Bzar3JSMQTCKHKmEFFYIx7q_3RZyiOFm8OiU8bPlyQfeITvkQerP8SVkayJz9wcbq25Vn0XI87hawmappKH9wxv19I/s72-c/blogger-image-136299173.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4602482128488476740</id><published>2013-06-21T16:31:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-06-23T15:44:47.509+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='KL'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Haze'/><title type='text'>The Haze</title><content type='html'>I've been keeping myself to myself lately, staying indoors&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">for&nbsp;most of the</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">&nbsp;month. In and out of hotels and airports, but staying mostly indoors.</span><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">S</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">o it was a bit of a shock when I stepped out of the car and smelled&nbsp;</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">wood</span><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">&nbsp;burning. Then I noticed the smoke. I'm in Kuala Lumpur, at the airport, leaving after a week's stay (the second time this month). Until today, I've had no sense of this haze that everyone is talking about around these parts.&nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); "><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">Meanwhile, according to the Office of Air Pollution, (or something to that effect, I forget the actual official name of the government department involved) the country is on high alert. At least 200 schools have been closed, several major sports events have been cancelled, and hospitals and clinics have reported record admittances of cases of flu, colds, and coughs.</span></div><div><div><div><br></div><div>I was in Singapore the week before but left just in time to miss the thick haze that has enveloped the city all week, triggering an official top level complaint that in turn prompted a not very diplomatic response. Indonesia told Singapore to stop being childish, quit complaining, and just breathe in the acrid smelling, throat scalding, lung clogging air like everybody else.</div></div></div><div><br></div><div>I'm now headed for Hong Kong, hoping the air there is more friendly.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I've decided it's time for me to rejoin the land of the living and the healthy, so I'm stepping out of the haze, as it were, that I've been living in during my self-imposed exile. Chicken pox is now long gone, save the memory. I'm now officially erasing the memory. 😊</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4602482128488476740'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4602482128488476740'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/06/the-haze.html' title='The Haze'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4676469900726397681</id><published>2013-05-24T00:17:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-10-16T17:50:18.641+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='video'/><title type='text'>New York postscript</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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New York is always a thrill. There are always more things to do than anywhere else I know. Galleries, museums, restaurants, bars, theater, opera, shopping... <br />
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And every time I'm there, I discover something new. Something new for me at least.&nbsp; And now, there's Burlesque too!&nbsp;</div>
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Erle asked me why I wanted to go see a Burlesque show. I said one of the glories of being older (than when I was younger of course) is that I can do exactly what I want without fear of disapproval or rejection. Or even Hell. I've already decided that it's impossible for me to go there because I'm allergic to sulphur.</div>
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Anyway, that was that. A lot of fun but would I go again?<br />
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I met up with friends, did some shopping, walked a lot.</div>
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I didn't do galleries or museums this time. I went to the opera though. And it was a delight! &nbsp;I didn't know Julius Caesar had it in him. He was fun. And Cleopatra of course was stunning, riveting, seductive, and funny. Who knew Handel could do the soundtrack for Charleston as well as Bollywood?</div>
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We did do restaurants. Lots of them. Mostly excellent, all original, all very New York. Which is not really saying much I guess. These days most places tend to all look New York-ish.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4676469900726397681'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4676469900726397681'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/new-york-postscript.html' title='New York postscript'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/q_d68BA_fRI/0.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8333000649133284085</id><published>2013-05-23T21:09:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-25T13:59:35.190+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='friends'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='family'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='video'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='favorite things'/><title type='text'>Reconnecting in London</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
London was for reconnecting.<br />
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Reconnecting with friends and family... with Cristina and her new family, with Uncle John and Auntie Pat, with cousins Lindsey and Keith and their families, with some of the Jones girls Gill, Mari, Gwen, and Angharad, with Mum and Dad's old friends Derek and Barbara...<br />
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Reconnecting with eating in&nbsp;pubs, strolling in parks, riding in buses, shopping on the high street,&nbsp;walking in the rain,&nbsp;scones and cakes...<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8333000649133284085'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8333000649133284085'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/reconnecting-in-london.html' title='Reconnecting in London'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2nnjLMen5ySqKyy3ZHvZDUt361YnIhmI-HM3Ak4qz5roNv48HRbXTCUv7_-17ivd_-T26OLkAFsLKBdHHY6khLl-DkyJW6AAgSFmYlob8YEeKbovov85HJXlsQGHzvVjnhNi/s72-c/POSTCARD.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5464046349890328700</id><published>2013-05-22T12:46:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-28T20:10:27.846+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Oxford'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='pubs'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='John Thaw'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Morse'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='video'/><title type='text'>On the Trail of Chief Inspector Morse</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Oxford trip was a groupie trip.</div>
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The beautiful campuses, the squares, the lawns, the arcaded corridors, the ancient spires and parapets, the gothic ceilings, the sights and sounds of learning.&nbsp;</div>
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The college choirs, the Gregorian concerts, ancient music, the Ashmolean Museum, the Bodleian Library, the chapels, the churches, the pubs.&nbsp;</div>
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All this was part of the plan of course but it all placed a distant second, in terms of our enthusiasm and dogged curiosity, to the real draw of this lovely city. Morse.</div>
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Stuart and I are fans of the late great Chief Inspector Morse. Stuart's relationship with actor John Thaw dates back to "Sweeney" days.</div>
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Therefore some of the most fun we had in Oxford were to do with tracking down the TV detective's favorite pubs.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5464046349890328700'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5464046349890328700'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/on-trail-of-chief-inspector-morse.html' title='On the Trail of Chief Inspector Morse'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Rau0fsqG7zyjE_PUDYZTZkG7YR4Biow4noyRG8XfAazRNDObgVz1OSDYBjUf6otUddfMO5L7KdhTP0kdhkID0a5hgej2zyqz-OTOPYUdvsGlaP_bju5jgstDtO_GVd9ExIQ-/s72-c/IMG_0106.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4357909792634469242</id><published>2013-05-21T17:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-21T17:06:41.323+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='nurse'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sick'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Stuart'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='caregiver'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='doctor'/><title type='text'>Random thoughts in the sickroom </title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
1. &nbsp;Stuart, Super Nurse.<br />
Working from home, he alternates between his day job at Citi and his main job as care giver. Providing round the clock room service featuring gourmet meals sourced from far and wide, pitchers of soothing&nbsp;cold&nbsp;water (with lemon slices!),&nbsp;junk food, and endless cups of tea and coffee.<br />
<br />
Infinitely more precious is the sense of security, the sense of being cared for. The cheerful talk, the pep talk, the you're-doing-very-well talk. Plus a steady stream of movies to watch. Downloaded&nbsp;movies. Pirated?<br />
<br />
(Act i, Scene i.&nbsp;A courtroom.<br />
Your honor, it was for love of me that my dear husband got started on his life of crime... it was motivated by the purest love!)<br />
<br />
<br />
2. &nbsp;I have a bone to pick with the sweet little lady doctor that Stuart brought to my bedside. The diagnosis was a foregone conclusion but Cristy,&nbsp;my Colorum Doctor, very wisely&nbsp;refused to tell me what Tita Rusting usually prescribes for chicken pox. At least not without eyeballing the case. &nbsp;I tried to send her pictures of the spots but they failed to reach her by MMS, Viber, or email. Hence, the doctor.<br />
<br />
My usual conversation with any medical practitioner I happen to have the misfortune of being forced to consult with always goes like this:<br />
"You know, Doctor/Nurse/Lab Technician/ Pharmacist/ etc, &nbsp;I have to be extremely careful with whatever medication I take because of a history of anaphylactic shock. I've been rushed to the ER three times, and each time I've been told I'm lucky to be alive... blah blah blah, blah blah blah..."<br />
<br />
Then, I said the only doctor who fully understands my predicament is the pediatrician who took care of me, hoping she will agree to confer with her.<br />
<br />
Swiftly came what may have been the cruelest blow; her quick response:<br />
<b>"Buhay pa ba, ma'am?"&nbsp;</b>&nbsp;(Is she still alive, ma'am?)<br />
<br />
I'm considering a malpractice suit.<br />
<br />
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3. &nbsp;This is the Southern Cross constellation:<br />
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<br />
There is a faithful rendering of it on my left side. It absurdly points rather accurately to the South Pole of this particular celestial body (sic or sick?) in question.<br />
<br />
Should I send a picture of my one to scientific/ astronomical societies' publications maybe?<br />
<br />
<br />
4. &nbsp;I'm getting used to this now, this constant checking on the progress of my spots. It's like a science project. Except I'm the one under the microscope.<br />
<br />
Not on a&nbsp;slab of marble at least. That's a comfort.<br />
<br />
<br />
5. &nbsp;I suppose I can&nbsp;use Krissy's word for this strange disease. Fugly. It's funny and ugly. Oops, sorry! That's not what it means, is it? &nbsp;I remember now, it means something else. Well, it means that too, thank you very much. In fact I can't think of a better word to describe it. Fucking ugly.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4357909792634469242'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4357909792634469242'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/random-thoughts-in-sickroom.html' title='Random thoughts in the sickroom '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-GSqW8krZaGdG2Adg5lHAxnbfzs6_qU7_bQF_cR84UQp2LjHEstdiUq9uWBn7bgMhIJee7JQfY1ERyTG3EayiGhPpyz-6j5OyAbkmioyfelHOXZa3XNAV00Qmei4XEk30MiTp/s72-c/Deep_Crux_wide_field_with_fog.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1920700220977187570</id><published>2013-05-20T12:56:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-20T12:56:20.623+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sick'/><title type='text'>Being sick</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's hardly worth fussing about, is it? Just a galaxy of fallen stars landed on me. Is that why I keep singing "...stars fell on Alabama last night...?"<br />
<br />
Why fuss when there really isn't much you can do. You're taking the antiviral tablet Valtrex&nbsp;and laying on the antiviral cream Zovirax&nbsp;to limit the damage. You're dealing with the fever and aches and pain with Biogesic, the itch with the antihistamine Iterax. Nothing more to do but sit and wait for the final resolution.<br />
<br />
There are too many things to remember not to do. Not to scratch, not to touch, not to pick, not to prick. Frankly, once the evil spot empire settles down to colonize, any amount of ingratiating good behavior hardly matters. It's too late. Just let it go.<br />
<br />
I'm babbling? You think this is babbling? You should hear me in the shower when I'm carefully soaping and rinsing through this minefield. (Wow, this is quickly turning into quite a metaphor cocktail!)<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1920700220977187570'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1920700220977187570'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/being-sick.html' title='Being sick'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1548287749276251958</id><published>2013-05-17T15:49:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-17T20:16:47.038+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='chicken pox'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sick'/><title type='text'>A totally freaking bad trip</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Well, the holiday has finally come to a stop. With a bump. Or two... <br />
<br />
I've just begun a completely different kind of trip. A very personal one, isolating, irritating, a totally freaking bad trip. I've got chicken pox! Where from? Who knows? I've been traveling for four weeks. How long does this virus incubate? And how many people did I infect?<br />
<br />
My niece Krissy blogged about her bout with the pox when she was twelve. Foremost among her warnings and friendly advice is how to deal with boredom. Really? If that's the biggest problem I'll be facing, then bring it on! I'm much too worried and uncomfortable to be bored yet. :(<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1548287749276251958'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1548287749276251958'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/a-totally-freaking-bad-trip.html' title='A totally freaking bad trip'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-782634761289548234</id><published>2013-05-12T13:01:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-19T22:54:02.518+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Marina Bay Sands'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tanglin Club'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Baby'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Café High Society'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Churchill Room'/><title type='text'>Still on holiday</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I guess I haven't had a chance to get out of holiday mode since New York. There was London and Oxford and then Hong Kong and now Singapore.<br />
<br />
Singapore was to have been a week of winding down before returning to normalcy in Manila. <br />
<br />
There's the new planter I have to populate with herbs. There's a dental appointment I can finally confirm. There's the waterproofing job that needs to be faced in the studio apartment I've virtually abandoned. Speaking of abandonment, what to do with Mum's apartment still full of her stuff two years after we brought her ashes back to England? Also, a much-delayed get together with The Group to celebrate Margie's life.<br />
<br />
For now though, still very much on holiday mode. Baby is visiting with us in Singapore for two weeks which may extend to two more if we decide to join Stuart in KL.<br />
<br />
So far, thanks to Tess and Victoria, we've done Din Tai Fung dumplings, Marina Bay Sands shops, sky garden, and Ku Dé Ta.<br />
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Later, Baby and I discovered a gem of a café that serves good food and wine with opera music. Café High Society is in the basement, in a room incongruously dressed in red velvet, crystal chandeliers and a giant portrait of Maria Callas, one floor below the Asian showrooms of New York food high priests Mario Batali and Daniel Boulud.<br />
<br />
With Stuart, we revisited old haunts like the Tanglin Club where we indulged in nostalgia-flavored meals featuring nasi goreng, chicken tikka, biryani rice, sago gula melaka... you get the picture.<br />
<br />
We renewed ties with my longtime hairdresser Sonny, met a few old club friends, and dined and danced at the Churchill Room.<br />
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</div><br />
As yet, we have no plans for the weekend.<br />
Except maybe to stay indoors, in the cool. It's a beautiful sunny day but very very hot. <br />
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</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/782634761289548234'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/782634761289548234'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/still-on-holiday.html' title='Still on holiday'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9Y9GzfLf5Ebotf6Y0DzSPAQ1FhZvgJPgBLz86IXeyzWwrsi71GgXSumLGaYvW-bKo7tS49dJZqgR08_JVVdLv1ZopjGVhB8e4tiG2l_5QkhD8_PYPz4y0_T6Krdbwi-5Mnby/s72-c/IMG_0360.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7171195973231742242</id><published>2013-05-06T11:33:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-06T11:33:13.986+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><title type='text'>Singapore</title><content type='html'>I've had a full night's sleep, back on Asia time, and Baby arrives tomorrow. Yehey!<br />
<br />
We can both do the tourist thing in brand new Singapore. I feel quite the stranger here; nothing is as I remember it ten years ago. It's not so much how the place looks. It feels different.<br />
<br />
Maybe this will do the trick.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7171195973231742242'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7171195973231742242'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/singapore.html' title='Singapore'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4088827106236589798</id><published>2013-05-03T03:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-23T22:11:04.701+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tea and scones'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='UK'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='park'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='spring'/><title type='text'>Last day in London</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
A bit more shopping, a bus ride around Knightsbridge and Kensington, a quick walk through a tiny corner of Hyde Park,&nbsp;then it was time for tea and scones.<br />
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Couldn't really allow myself to leave without indulging in what may well be Britain's greatest gift to the world.<br />
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Later, joined Stuart and old work buddy Dennis for drinks. Opted out of dinner; best leave the reminiscing to the boys. <br />
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With the afternoon's scones still weighing heavily on my conscience, not to mention my tummy, I settled for soup and cheese for dinner. <br />
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It's been a glorious spring day. We leave tomorrow morning for Hong Kong. <br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4088827106236589798'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4088827106236589798'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/last-day-in-london.html' title='Last day in London'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqkCySfX1vNQK0c1IDeG58gvssa9Q0SUVlYcWzw6tPt5YnbP1fskcTiirCdpuQvvLS0o-3Rs5COsDiIYGuHWfsyrB_za7VeCw5G4Nga6pXkplacB8EfVD-nqTphU_4jaJ1_kH/s72-c/IMG_1948.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4832120134004583232</id><published>2013-05-02T17:42:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-02T17:42:44.993+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Oxford'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Margie'/><title type='text'>A candle for Margie</title><content type='html'>Lit a candle for Margie today at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IkyCaOKPvvWHtwSyFAjYcUIpWO95Rp_MEt-oWPxEpFAcGVhYuXRiHjT34kxfoXFtMNubHAeN66jSZ5jgKfj_rfC7HkWAPzKUuq6Zn0Jw6JLqjKfFyveeSS7_AiZqvUwqs4-O/s640/blogger-image--596128009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IkyCaOKPvvWHtwSyFAjYcUIpWO95Rp_MEt-oWPxEpFAcGVhYuXRiHjT34kxfoXFtMNubHAeN66jSZ5jgKfj_rfC7HkWAPzKUuq6Zn0Jw6JLqjKfFyveeSS7_AiZqvUwqs4-O/s640/blogger-image--596128009.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4832120134004583232'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4832120134004583232'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/a-candle-for-margie.html' title='A candle for Margie'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7IkyCaOKPvvWHtwSyFAjYcUIpWO95Rp_MEt-oWPxEpFAcGVhYuXRiHjT34kxfoXFtMNubHAeN66jSZ5jgKfj_rfC7HkWAPzKUuq6Zn0Jw6JLqjKfFyveeSS7_AiZqvUwqs4-O/s72-c/blogger-image--596128009.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1960559285029364836</id><published>2013-05-01T18:00:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-02T05:38:15.535+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Oxford'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The MacDonald Randolph Hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='UK'/><title type='text'>Experiencing The MacDonald Randolph Hotel in Oxford</title><content type='html'>When a hotel can't provide a guest a comfortable place to sleep, it's not a good hotel.<br />
<br />
When a hotel guest asks for assistance because the guest room is hot and stuffy, the last thing the hotel guest needs is a discussion of the hotel's management policy.<br />
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When a hotel guest asks to have something done to make the guest room more comfortable, the only answer required is yes. <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLOKSMWcSyNwIn9cVD1WOuMpbkBTVJID5g3GDkVutpXoL3Cw1TodkPKcsjI1NTFmcU86P8OhL5olYO8rt0i2ZGt5q9D2sHd8ogiQLVaFQhj8ooE6ldEFey8hyphenhyphenAvbp09TI1ELI/s640/blogger-image-1210736159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLOKSMWcSyNwIn9cVD1WOuMpbkBTVJID5g3GDkVutpXoL3Cw1TodkPKcsjI1NTFmcU86P8OhL5olYO8rt0i2ZGt5q9D2sHd8ogiQLVaFQhj8ooE6ldEFey8hyphenhyphenAvbp09TI1ELI/s640/blogger-image-1210736159.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1960559285029364836'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1960559285029364836'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/experiencing-randolph-hotel-in-oxford.html' title='Experiencing The MacDonald Randolph Hotel in Oxford'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSLOKSMWcSyNwIn9cVD1WOuMpbkBTVJID5g3GDkVutpXoL3Cw1TodkPKcsjI1NTFmcU86P8OhL5olYO8rt0i2ZGt5q9D2sHd8ogiQLVaFQhj8ooE6ldEFey8hyphenhyphenAvbp09TI1ELI/s72-c/blogger-image-1210736159.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7568494388773546263</id><published>2013-05-01T02:09:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-06-04T19:18:16.037+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Oxford'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Magdalen Bridge'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='May Day'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='May Morning'/><title type='text'>May Day in Oxford</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">They're getting ready for May Morning. <br />
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In a centuries-old tradition, the city celebrates the coming of spring with the Magdalen College choir singing in the May dawn with a medieval hymn from atop the college tower. There are all-night parties and pubs stay open from midnight on May Day eve.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROkxSUGK6Kx6jzWKUJai0Y5VLpdSW620fbbuCdYhyphenhyphenmnr9LnDdHeMoNetxlKbHHOtcFV6pN4HmYLwmk2wqUzg1WF5s8j-r2okrMBcmPq1bkh9tRExiGWogIpcMtjL8oMjHA4RE/s640/blogger-image--1315796042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROkxSUGK6Kx6jzWKUJai0Y5VLpdSW620fbbuCdYhyphenhyphenmnr9LnDdHeMoNetxlKbHHOtcFV6pN4HmYLwmk2wqUzg1WF5s8j-r2okrMBcmPq1bkh9tRExiGWogIpcMtjL8oMjHA4RE/s640/blogger-image--1315796042.jpg" /></a></div><br />
In recent years though, preparations for these celebrations have included efforts by city authorities to prevent revelers from engaging in another tradition, a more recent one dating from the '80s. This practice involves people climbing onto the parapets of the ancient Magdalen Bridge and hurling themselves into the shallow waters of the River Cherwell below. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTb5XXEPS_GnDO4vYabDIW_iDvPR85y7bL6kpYN9NsHYm3jwWzYWS9HPBA4w9znJGG_GWyrMO7FthKyB1JHUAlwkvsR-AMPdnWvc6uLlchUwHBveGJpfsuDmz1z0g1f-YqlO1M/s640/blogger-image-1573256232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTb5XXEPS_GnDO4vYabDIW_iDvPR85y7bL6kpYN9NsHYm3jwWzYWS9HPBA4w9znJGG_GWyrMO7FthKyB1JHUAlwkvsR-AMPdnWvc6uLlchUwHBveGJpfsuDmz1z0g1f-YqlO1M/s640/blogger-image-1573256232.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Now, I ask you: if jumping off the bridge and maybe offing themselves in the process is what some people really want to do, why ever should the city have to go to all kinds of trouble to stop them doing it? Shouldn't the authorities just stop being kill joys and let everybody just get on with it? <br />
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(By the way, when in Oxford, say "maudlin" for Magdalen and "charwell" for Cherwell and don't ask me why.)<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7568494388773546263'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7568494388773546263'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/05/may-day.html' title='May Day in Oxford'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjROkxSUGK6Kx6jzWKUJai0Y5VLpdSW620fbbuCdYhyphenhyphenmnr9LnDdHeMoNetxlKbHHOtcFV6pN4HmYLwmk2wqUzg1WF5s8j-r2okrMBcmPq1bkh9tRExiGWogIpcMtjL8oMjHA4RE/s72-c/blogger-image--1315796042.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2748193107802152343</id><published>2013-04-30T22:26:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-25T14:00:17.867+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Oxford'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='video'/><title type='text'>Oxford</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I swear if my school had looked like this, I wouldn't have been absent even for a day. Ever. <br />
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<b>video</b></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2748193107802152343'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2748193107802152343'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/oxford.html' title='Oxford'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ49VUi3M3Dx45jSl8_EcsL58YZ25u66qEtkgaL-LDrxc9VoS3x0V1g5F_6DNH5RxdruKtszRvCvBiNfyYN6G-zGx3bUeeI9_UHBPe91soVKI8T_zE9GtT_W4ADSTvVKt0x4Sq/s72-c/blogger-image-50468753.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1579711075401988293</id><published>2013-04-27T23:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-28T10:51:51.829+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Afternoon tea'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Shepherd market'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='pub'/><title type='text'>Springtime in London</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Friday lunch in&nbsp;Shepherd Market. Pub decor is self-consciously and deliciously tasteless but the&nbsp;salmon fishcakes and shepherd's pie are exactly what we wanted.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOVwQyyyc3qqw_fqyWrUDWLEvcti-KCbFHsFyvskppIlajQ7oIZqRrk9fWe6vEZWy8-_0id1zjPTAFiYDZA-4Ojb7hPNZyKfaY-7vcid_gANjAVxBJrnT8q_5LZi9avmU5Zkq/s1600/Shepherds+market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOVwQyyyc3qqw_fqyWrUDWLEvcti-KCbFHsFyvskppIlajQ7oIZqRrk9fWe6vEZWy8-_0id1zjPTAFiYDZA-4Ojb7hPNZyKfaY-7vcid_gANjAVxBJrnT8q_5LZi9avmU5Zkq/s320/Shepherds+market.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Bit of shopping in the afternoon. Glorious spring day!<br />
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Saturday lunch at NOBU next door. As always, it's dessert that makes the meal unforgettable. Suntory whiskey-infused milk froth atop some kind of crunchy coffee and chocolate crumble. Fabulous.<br />
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Super lazy Saturday afternoon. I had planned to maybe take a peek at the construction of the new Serpentine gallery in Kensington gardens. But much too cold for a walk in the park. <br />
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Also considered going for a spin on the bus to anywhere but a lack of ready coins for the bus ticket and the biting wintry wind get the better of us. What happened to springtime in London?<br />
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We duck back into the hotel lounge for a quick warm-up. Big mistake! The lure of afternoon tea is stronger than our joint will power can withstand! <br />
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</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1579711075401988293'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1579711075401988293'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/springtime-in-london.html' title='Springtime in London'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDOVwQyyyc3qqw_fqyWrUDWLEvcti-KCbFHsFyvskppIlajQ7oIZqRrk9fWe6vEZWy8-_0id1zjPTAFiYDZA-4Ojb7hPNZyKfaY-7vcid_gANjAVxBJrnT8q_5LZi9avmU5Zkq/s72-c/Shepherds+market.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7475314100038308421</id><published>2013-04-25T22:52:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-26T16:50:21.830+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Lane Hilton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Full Pink Moon'/><title type='text'>The 2 Hiltons and a full pink moon</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">In the end, Stuart decided we should move to the Park Lane Hilton.<br />
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Never mind charming small hotels then. Sometimes, bigger is better.<br />
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So, having landed at 8 this morning, we're only now settled, showered, and ready to holiday at 4 in the afternoon!<br />
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The view makes it all worthwhile though. And what a view it is!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabWE2ZCxVEHj3D9r6M9akWqKsLAFi1tbd5IM41gzmxsGdaUKG2cItb31FjIDh5VyBYhDUkjybXvNbM9-g1j_v4FSc9BXJ9c-nj57_wTEqm2jKp0vtWw1dPiBVSOu4kEomk__7/s640/blogger-image--2101935089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabWE2ZCxVEHj3D9r6M9akWqKsLAFi1tbd5IM41gzmxsGdaUKG2cItb31FjIDh5VyBYhDUkjybXvNbM9-g1j_v4FSc9BXJ9c-nj57_wTEqm2jKp0vtWw1dPiBVSOu4kEomk__7/s640/blogger-image--2101935089.jpg" /></a><br />
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And later, front row seats for the late-rising Full Pink Moon:<br />
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</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7475314100038308421'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7475314100038308421'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/in-end-stuart-decided-we-should-move-to.html' title='The 2 Hiltons and a full pink moon'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabWE2ZCxVEHj3D9r6M9akWqKsLAFi1tbd5IM41gzmxsGdaUKG2cItb31FjIDh5VyBYhDUkjybXvNbM9-g1j_v4FSc9BXJ9c-nj57_wTEqm2jKp0vtWw1dPiBVSOu4kEomk__7/s72-c/blogger-image--2101935089.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-159899763127659843</id><published>2013-04-25T20:12:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-10-23T12:56:47.890+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='spring'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Waldorf Aldwych'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Boulud'/><title type='text'>NYC to London</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Elsie and I meet in the lobby of my hotel. We head off to the bar for a late lunch. it's 3:30. The lunch menu doesn't appeal. So what about cheese and cold cuts? Yes. And champagne? Well... we figure it must be happy hour somewhere. <br>
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We talk men, family, divorce, parents, careers, nice guys, assholes... what else?...actually, there isn't much we didn't talk about!<br>
<br>
We're still there when Stuart gets back. Another round of drinks before we brave the cold to walk the few blocks to DB Bistro on 44th Street to join Mario for dinner. DB is yet another outpost of the vast Boulud food empire. <br>
<br>
We all marvel at Mario's $34 burger and sample his fries, which everyone declares superior to that of McDonalds. Elsie's escargots are not as successful. Stuart and I have safe and satisfying fish. Perfect finish is chocolate clafoutis for four. <br>
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It has turned cold again when we walk back to the Intercon so we warm up with a nightcap. Lovely evening to cap a lovely day.<br>
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Spring makes a comeback as we leave NYC. Almost a shame to go now... but London awaits.<br>
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And wonder of wonders! London has put on a show to rival springtime in New York. The sky is so blue, there must be a mistake. Are we in the right country? <br>
<br>
The Waldorf Hilton in Aldwych is a really charming hotel. Small, understated, quiet, 1930's chic. The bowler-hatted doorman has just walked straight out of a Magritte canvas.<br>
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Unfortunately, they're in the middle of refurbishment and our pretty little refurbished room stinks of wet cement. We go back to the lounge to await a nicer-smelling room. 😞<br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/159899763127659843'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/159899763127659843'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/last-day-in-nyc.html' title='NYC to London'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDc4dWyufP1c5YpXvI5uZkdYaoQcCecli7w3lx09mHcavwPjnH7MCehNUPF1-Hu8C_kqNC-9d6JsduEKvEJgOva500xixkWjcTQ3FuhvJf24V7blm0kEW7_Rgfe0iSuRnhSbBX/s72-c/blogger-image-520745502.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7630172193444911117</id><published>2013-04-23T22:11:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-25T02:14:09.730+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Margie'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Life'/><title type='text'>Grounded. In more ways than one.</title><content type='html'>Grounded myself Monday. Winter has decided to make a comeback.<br />
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Ordered in and in bed by 9. Can never get over the quality of room service food, or more to the point, the lack of it, that some hotels get away with. The In Room Dining menu here deserves an award for fiction writing!<br />
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* * *<br />
<br />
Just got two texts about someone dying. One, a cousin's beloved old aunt. The other, a college classmate. A friend.<br />
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So stop sweating the small stuff, I tell myself. Just live. The way you've always wanted to live. Keep both feet on the ground but let your spirit soar.<br />
<br />
To Margie! She lived well.<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HnIUXxkoz4wNE7AoMZI7SkKSirxS9u5_dSOxBJoRNnqiSdHdJSL1GBA8OHX5pvRyOL19evcaZvnE2EDb4FOvPy91hvehYawTK2unyCVPhTg8-xpqc5eQZ-LikOg_ZVtQi9j8/s640/blogger-image-386601771.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HnIUXxkoz4wNE7AoMZI7SkKSirxS9u5_dSOxBJoRNnqiSdHdJSL1GBA8OHX5pvRyOL19evcaZvnE2EDb4FOvPy91hvehYawTK2unyCVPhTg8-xpqc5eQZ-LikOg_ZVtQi9j8/s640/blogger-image-386601771.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7630172193444911117'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7630172193444911117'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/grounded-in-so-many-ways.html' title='Grounded. In more ways than one.'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1HnIUXxkoz4wNE7AoMZI7SkKSirxS9u5_dSOxBJoRNnqiSdHdJSL1GBA8OHX5pvRyOL19evcaZvnE2EDb4FOvPy91hvehYawTK2unyCVPhTg8-xpqc5eQZ-LikOg_ZVtQi9j8/s72-c/blogger-image-386601771.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2345931073011171112</id><published>2013-04-22T21:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-23T23:17:05.044+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Modern'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Intercontinental Barclay'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='shopping'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='burlesque'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='breakfast at Waldorf'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='bars'/><title type='text'>Big breakfasts, burly bouncers, bars, and Burlesque!</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Back at all-time favorite The Modern for lunch with Stuart. Followed by quick trip to nearby UNIQLO for loungey T-shirt maxi dresses, super cheap jeans, and pretty panties. <br />
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Drinks with Erle at Peacock Alley Bar at the Waldorf. On the house, to make up for previous night's mishandling of my late-arriving suitcase causing near-panic at about twenty minutes to curtain time at the Met.<br />
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Highpoint of the evening, maybe even the week, is Burlesque at R Bar on Bowery St. This is so not a strip club! This according to best buddy of the evening, Seth- my gorgeous guide into this newfound fascinating world of Burlesque. <br />
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Later, much much later, after about two hours of whoops, woot-woos, sequins, feather fans, and whirling nipple tassels... <br />
<br />
At Beauty &amp; Essex- the pawnshop-fronted bar and restaurant on Rivington Street, burly bouncers are busy turning away people crowding the entrance. Soon we are being waved in through the door. Now, how did Erle swing that?<br />
<br />
Through the small pawnshop in front and into another world. The bar is lined wall-to-wall with a slow moving crowd in hyper party-mode presided over by an enormous chandelier hung atop a sweeping staircase. In back is a huge dining room&nbsp;aggressively&nbsp;décor-ed in Art Deco Bordello Revival. Above, a glass dome affords a leafy peek at the upstairs bar.<br />
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This is all gloriously exciting but there's no available table to be found (despite Erle's discreetly passed legal tender of unknown denomination.) <br />
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Late dinner at Salt Bar on Clinton Street. Friendly, trendy, woody, vintage rock &amp; roll music, inventive menu. Give the Tempranillo a miss though.<br />
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Sunday breakfast by the clock- the Waldorf clock- with Stuart, Erle, and Bing.<br />
After an indulgent champagne brunch, Bing and I talk a mean streak until closing time.<br />
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Meanwhile, Stuart packs for our move next door to the Intercon, generously leaving Bing &amp; me to catchup on two years' worth of stories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhfOtUpv9lOVlLVQiKya4LSB4HXgYpjXs2uzJjHQcSrxLaLw3E0ZOO1OXixnW2iQYvzRa1iXInm1VY6e6JderP6K3IxU9RLhDo3BeBpgJHKqxdHCGrHRpNHIT-etNiCqrQjRT/s1600/IMG_1913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGhfOtUpv9lOVlLVQiKya4LSB4HXgYpjXs2uzJjHQcSrxLaLw3E0ZOO1OXixnW2iQYvzRa1iXInm1VY6e6JderP6K3IxU9RLhDo3BeBpgJHKqxdHCGrHRpNHIT-etNiCqrQjRT/s320/IMG_1913.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We cart our luggage across the street to our new company-approved lodgings for the official part of Stuart's NY trip.<br />
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Then Bing and I, dressed optimistically for a mild Spring day, walk the length of near-freezing wind-whipped Fifth Avenue to Bergdorf's where I splurge on a dreamy pair of evening slippers. They'd give Cleopatra's Met wardrobe serious competition!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYP57nezpG32Nwn1FBZyi5sYWuaOGCssqaJaT6TGbVk8nb-rIAsdRwrC_AhauBe5booUPWjJHrtP-oSNPF5sOSURRSHtwxQ7es0Qc9YA8RErmZneKI-vEFDMadILh_Ku1_ZJU/s640/blogger-image--387484051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRYP57nezpG32Nwn1FBZyi5sYWuaOGCssqaJaT6TGbVk8nb-rIAsdRwrC_AhauBe5booUPWjJHrtP-oSNPF5sOSURRSHtwxQ7es0Qc9YA8RErmZneKI-vEFDMadILh_Ku1_ZJU/s400/blogger-image--387484051.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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Dinner&nbsp;at The Modern. Again. Stuart opts out but I join him later&nbsp;for drinks and a late supper at Organic Bar at the Intercon lobby.<br />
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At end of day, my Nike Fuel band is happy. Pretty lights announce the great job I did walking. Very impressive!<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2345931073011171112'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2345931073011171112'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/big-breakfasts-burly-bouncers-bars-and.html' title='Big breakfasts, burly bouncers, bars, and Burlesque!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZFgraUuFyQ5-Ci_S6ImjFfIxQtngRUJwxvxKcSNwsFWim6ZE4w5-CmFn4BbNoO4AyCBBzGRhRX6s16VW3IWxK_kPdpbfv7BDqhZPXsn3asYUl1d9QRfT2uZMkL9ss04pMFxEz/s72-c/IMG_1895.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8045217522783194145</id><published>2013-04-20T22:12:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-25T14:01:31.193+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='castrati'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Met opera'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Nike Fuel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='spring'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Giulio Cesare'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='video'/><title type='text'>On Nike Fuel bands, Bollywood, and castrati</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Another glorious spring day. The little garden in the churchyard next door is alive with white and red and orange tulips. Crowds of blue and violet blooms (I wish I knew their names!) push brashly against each other.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA0W4UYzc94pA0ZDaNEXht4s24Xv2k3EQAookd3hSeyHDeT9ZXKF_RJ8-ukreO_7BSQ6N5M94Ig5QEpBXF0vhT6zBZq0cYnCvtaJM2oGqvZw9NEhmpONr0Qavo63UKQr0DMC_/s640/blogger-image-2008265977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA0W4UYzc94pA0ZDaNEXht4s24Xv2k3EQAookd3hSeyHDeT9ZXKF_RJ8-ukreO_7BSQ6N5M94Ig5QEpBXF0vhT6zBZq0cYnCvtaJM2oGqvZw9NEhmpONr0Qavo63UKQr0DMC_/s320/blogger-image-2008265977.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBU0OQmtMxz42a3vDL7TZkejhKxyAFnj75qCw9CPdpdTbMopys-fZW0FEms2qAD6TrzsDnp9b61gZi824gM3eES7J1_9aq4V6V0QuQNvcYVCVPgkbZu_lLjdqr49zKZxslfCB/s640/blogger-image-1649804484.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBU0OQmtMxz42a3vDL7TZkejhKxyAFnj75qCw9CPdpdTbMopys-fZW0FEms2qAD6TrzsDnp9b61gZi824gM3eES7J1_9aq4V6V0QuQNvcYVCVPgkbZu_lLjdqr49zKZxslfCB/s320/blogger-image-1649804484.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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It's amazing what a day like this can do to one's feeling of well being. Optimism gets the better of you and you find yourself doing things you don't normally do. Like walking for example. I surprised myself so much I even let Stuart talk me into buying a Nike Fuel band. (Surely you've heard of them? They're shackled to your wrist to tell you exactly how much walking you're not doing?) Shocking!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UL2HFsLyDn27IpWSwSLacfq_0xGeP3p00mo2J5fkt31LWtihieJpDUj4GTy3DCzA9q0XBhPrxPluBsRPghpujjAUFQG1_gJeNPNTZ8wD1gYNoWJVPGXQs7kUQnd2orWIf6xW/s640/blogger-image-1216536957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UL2HFsLyDn27IpWSwSLacfq_0xGeP3p00mo2J5fkt31LWtihieJpDUj4GTy3DCzA9q0XBhPrxPluBsRPghpujjAUFQG1_gJeNPNTZ8wD1gYNoWJVPGXQs7kUQnd2orWIf6xW/s320/blogger-image-1216536957.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Last night was the best time ever at the Met. Stuart didn't fall asleep and he looked at his watch only once during the entire four and a half hours.<br />
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It was a highly energized production that demanded more from opera than opera stars are normally willing to give. Dance moves that ranged from Bollywood style to Jazz Age soft-shoe. There was quite a bit of acrobatics too. And period costumes that leap-frogged across continents and time warps, As well as male leads singing in the mind-boggling style of the <i>castrati</i>! "Giulio Cesare" was a riot! <br />
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And the house loved every bit of it!<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8045217522783194145'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8045217522783194145'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/nike-fuel-bands-and-castrati-style-opera.html' title='On Nike Fuel bands, Bollywood, and castrati'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA0W4UYzc94pA0ZDaNEXht4s24Xv2k3EQAookd3hSeyHDeT9ZXKF_RJ8-ukreO_7BSQ6N5M94Ig5QEpBXF0vhT6zBZq0cYnCvtaJM2oGqvZw9NEhmpONr0Qavo63UKQr0DMC_/s72-c/blogger-image-2008265977.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Midtown Manhattan</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.754687 -73.975037</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-470598909799391275</id><published>2013-04-19T23:29:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-20T00:41:36.510+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cathay'/><title type='text'>NY Redux</title><content type='html'>I'm back in New York. The sky is clear, a nice soft blue with passing light fleecy clouds. Spring has sprung: sun is shining, cool breeze blowing. Very nice. No sign of the malevolent weather I encountered here barely two months ago. No snow, no sleet, no rain, no gale force wind.<br />
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Unfortunately, no luggage either!<br />
The airline claims it was checked in late so it missed our flight. So how come Stuart's suitcase made it?<br />
We've got tickets to the opera tonight and I'm wondering what to wear: the dress I traveled in for almost 24 hours previous or this gorgeous hotel bathrobe I'm sporting at the moment?<br />
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<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvOpyj-slz32C4vE5hyL-1yrTh-EYBbJVARsd62rBaIx-QBrFCifby_VwnWS92DpjKU_0AZ7GCkkvdrtWt1F7S9bnJz9DqDRtypEzGth4_kagvyTbe1oSZJb3kTi-G-LMi9Vf/s640/blogger-image-1135019608.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvOpyj-slz32C4vE5hyL-1yrTh-EYBbJVARsd62rBaIx-QBrFCifby_VwnWS92DpjKU_0AZ7GCkkvdrtWt1F7S9bnJz9DqDRtypEzGth4_kagvyTbe1oSZJb3kTi-G-LMi9Vf/s640/blogger-image-1135019608.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/470598909799391275'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/470598909799391275'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/ny-redux.html' title='NY Redux'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvOpyj-slz32C4vE5hyL-1yrTh-EYBbJVARsd62rBaIx-QBrFCifby_VwnWS92DpjKU_0AZ7GCkkvdrtWt1F7S9bnJz9DqDRtypEzGth4_kagvyTbe1oSZJb3kTi-G-LMi9Vf/s72-c/blogger-image-1135019608.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4067364233178937072</id><published>2013-04-16T12:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-16T20:48:47.491+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='"Giulio Cesare"'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Holiday'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY Met Opera'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY'/><title type='text'>On the road (and skies) again</title><content type='html'>Okay, I'm off again! Launching off from Singapore where I arrived late last night. Wednesday I leave for New York. I know, again? So soon after my latest bout of crash & burn jetlag?<br />
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The draw this time is the Spring. And "Giulio Cesare" at the NY Met.<br />
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After which we're off on holiday to parts yet unknown. As usual, we haven't yet finalized our travel arrangements. We know as far as a week ahead but no further.<br />
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We have a rough plan. London maybe then Scotland where we've never been or maybe the South of France where food & wine beckon.<br />
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And now this: The Boston bombings. What to do, what to do?<br />
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Staying put in ever-safe & secure Singapore is probably what a sane person would do. <br />
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But what have they done to the garden paradise I found here last year? The garden floor of my favorite hotel is being dug up!<br />
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I hope they're not paving this paradise and putting up a parking lot! (With apologies to Joni Mitchell.)<div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvYX73tq9H8yWb3Zb3-ZH_weyk_X_mZb4hKx2Sg2u4kxlT17_8cr_KpmwUrMsRSiAhHSK6RF6mnvLXzSLlN9X6yjjmplC81roK_L8h5s3qE8dIGTEmg4RWmExIDAxQnegbNmK/s640/blogger-image-1928467878.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvYX73tq9H8yWb3Zb3-ZH_weyk_X_mZb4hKx2Sg2u4kxlT17_8cr_KpmwUrMsRSiAhHSK6RF6mnvLXzSLlN9X6yjjmplC81roK_L8h5s3qE8dIGTEmg4RWmExIDAxQnegbNmK/s640/blogger-image-1928467878.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4067364233178937072'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4067364233178937072'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/on-road-and-skies-again.html' title='On the road (and skies) again'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidvYX73tq9H8yWb3Zb3-ZH_weyk_X_mZb4hKx2Sg2u4kxlT17_8cr_KpmwUrMsRSiAhHSK6RF6mnvLXzSLlN9X6yjjmplC81roK_L8h5s3qE8dIGTEmg4RWmExIDAxQnegbNmK/s72-c/blogger-image-1928467878.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2874611520098300006</id><published>2013-03-22T21:24:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-03-23T10:32:26.150+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Sunset on Victoria Harbour</title><content type='html'>I keep coming back to this sunset scene. It's my addiction. <div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGkIdORUKTRNX9Xq2JaZicfwRAkNhkroHjh98Jcdew8wl4TerTNdtBfAm9k2nycHl7_Sg4vAB6-lF6qckWDj8Guh_F2pHsA_WAJW7bX-eX9zk-oiBF5i-WcLN9G77byN8LlqG/s640/blogger-image-1241815505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGkIdORUKTRNX9Xq2JaZicfwRAkNhkroHjh98Jcdew8wl4TerTNdtBfAm9k2nycHl7_Sg4vAB6-lF6qckWDj8Guh_F2pHsA_WAJW7bX-eX9zk-oiBF5i-WcLN9G77byN8LlqG/s640/blogger-image-1241815505.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2874611520098300006'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2874611520098300006'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/03/sunset-on-victoria-harbour.html' title='Sunset on Victoria Harbour'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGkIdORUKTRNX9Xq2JaZicfwRAkNhkroHjh98Jcdew8wl4TerTNdtBfAm9k2nycHl7_Sg4vAB6-lF6qckWDj8Guh_F2pHsA_WAJW7bX-eX9zk-oiBF5i-WcLN9G77byN8LlqG/s72-c/blogger-image-1241815505.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4270193602938050071</id><published>2013-03-02T11:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2015-10-23T12:52:38.297+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Jetlag'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><title type='text'>Was New York a bad trip?</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm afraid I may have brought home with me stormy weather from New York. No snow or ice though, and hopefully just rain.<br>
<br>
I've always liked New York. Always eager to go even if Stuart says he wants to leave as soon as he lands at JFK. I must admit visiting is a far different experience from going there to work.<br>
<br>
<br>
Next day...<br>
<br>
I have 2 reviews owing.<br>
<br>
<br>
Yet another day...<br>
<br>
I have felt lousy since I got back from New York. Jetlag- at least this kind of persistent, all-pervasive weariness- is new to me. If this is creeping old age, sorry, there must be a mistake. I didn't sign up for this.<br>
<br>
I'm in the middle of a very important transaction and I need all my faculties firing, please.<br>
<br>
Sleep deprivation can cause all this? Angry red rashes all over my body. Almost overnight I'm arthritic, rheumatic. My fingers are thick and tingly. There are strange looking bumps on my knees. The sockets of my eyes hurt. My brain is sleepy.<br>
<br>
I realize I'm rambling. Is that even the right word? <br>
<br>
This is a very strange affair. This can't all be attributed to what is still anachronistically, inadequately described as jetlag. This is more like post-travel supersonic wastage of body and mind. A sudden onset of old age. An anatomical wasteland.<br>
<br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4270193602938050071'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4270193602938050071'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/03/was-new-york-bad-trip.html' title='Was New York a bad trip?'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5684595622477135071</id><published>2013-02-14T22:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-15T15:29:52.817+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Valentines'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grissini'/><title type='text'>Valentines at Grissini</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Halfway through the second course, there was a loud burst of applause from all around us and we wondered what had happened. As the couple a few tables away kissed, we realized it must've been a proposal. A very public proposal, the kind you see in the movies! And we missed it! <br />
<br />
I wondered if they- or I suppose he- would do it again for our benefit but Paolo, the restaurant's manager thought not. He promised to give us a heads up next time.<br />
<br />
We were at Grissini, at the Grand Hyatt in Hong Kong for dinner on Valentines Day. A PR girl took a photo of us and presented us a copy. Stuart stood it on our table wedged behind the dinner table candle. Not very romantic I thought. It looked like a Chinese Buddhist altar: photo of departed elders, incense, food offerings... I took the photo away.<br />
<br />
We amused ourselves guessing the futures of the couples around us, based on their body language. <br />
<br />
The girl had been texting between courses. I said hmmm no future there. Then they held hands. Stuart said they'll be alright. <br />
<br />
The couple at the next table had left. Stuart said they were in deep trouble.<br />
<br />
Another couple had risen to go. The man sped away ahead of the middle aged woman. She looked a little lost, embarrassed.<br />
<br />
There was a bunch of flowers on the table by the window. The young couple excitedly took pictures in between courses. <br />
<br />
Stuart and I planned our next holiday. We wondered if there was anywhere else we'd rather be that night. We thought not. And we thanked our lucky stars. In between sticky-beaking at other tables.<br />
<br />
I wonder what the other couples thought of us?<br />
<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5684595622477135071'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5684595622477135071'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/valentines-at-grissini.html' title='Valentines at Grissini'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hD3J6bYZVX_fKHnaTIUNqbFE2jWseN1m_SIfjK-2EhYdRv8MbP2Bef0PrJhbPJApshfAz3q_Vo5gN8OplWmdYchprFVUR8b0FU0ekwIkvboMLksTqj4frAnSlBPTZarFLCfL/s72-c/IMG_1815.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2579598183227992360</id><published>2013-02-12T22:59:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-16T18:06:08.598+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sunrise'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY'/><title type='text'>It&#39;s a beautiful NY morning and we&#39;re leaving :(</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At dinner with friends last night, Stuart said just as we were getting used to NY, we're leaving. <br />
<br />
It's a beautiful winter's day. A golden sunrise woke me and beckoned to have a picture taken. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0HQHg3VmfKY8i1FkJQRyC1Uek4wTMnX6jFLgrbou_iVoH0djKhIbpCQ4dQ49z8kiRR54z4JAkzR74PdiD1j-_IsJAWk3w8oMZ_Q91o5xHIb0XXNQcGbH1MpufU1GyujV7KCk/s640/blogger-image-1946917109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0HQHg3VmfKY8i1FkJQRyC1Uek4wTMnX6jFLgrbou_iVoH0djKhIbpCQ4dQ49z8kiRR54z4JAkzR74PdiD1j-_IsJAWk3w8oMZ_Q91o5xHIb0XXNQcGbH1MpufU1GyujV7KCk/s320/blogger-image-1946917109.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
It's been an interesting week!<br />
<br />
We talked about the weather so much you'd think there was nothing else going on here. Well, there was a lot going on and I'll try and talk about it all when I get back home. It would take more than a blizzard to get this city down. Manhattan, in particular, didn't even blink. <br />
<br />
For now, here are some photo highlights.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2579598183227992360'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2579598183227992360'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/it-beautiful-ny-morning-and-we-leaving.html' title='It&#39;s a beautiful NY morning and we&#39;re leaving :('/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0HQHg3VmfKY8i1FkJQRyC1Uek4wTMnX6jFLgrbou_iVoH0djKhIbpCQ4dQ49z8kiRR54z4JAkzR74PdiD1j-_IsJAWk3w8oMZ_Q91o5xHIb0XXNQcGbH1MpufU1GyujV7KCk/s72-c/blogger-image-1946917109.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4549221572925511171</id><published>2013-02-12T01:10:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-15T16:25:42.063+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='L'ELISIR D'AMORE'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anna Netrebko'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='E'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY'/><title type='text'>Now, about Anna (Netrebko) ...</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Maybe it's because she's Russian. Or because she's so successful. Or because she seems to have it all: career, husband/partner/lover, baby. Or just because this is New York where taking celebrities down a peg is a popular sport.<br />
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But why in heaven's name deny the fact that she's so damn good at what she does? Some reviews have been scathing! <br />
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Is it her fault that when she's on stage, you really can't look at anybody else? Or that the magnificent sound she produces seems to come so naturally, so effortlessly? Or that she just looks like she's enjoying what she's doing?<br />
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Saturday's <b>L'Elisir d'Amore</b> was a joy to watch. Never mind that <b>Netrebko</b> out-classed, out-sang, out-danced everybody else on stage. This, of course she managed to do even if she was obviously trying to cede the stage to partner <b>Erwin Schrott</b> who also performed very well as the opera buffo's buffoon. I must admit his acting was more memorable than his singing. Not that there was anything wrong with the voice, it just didn't register- to me, at least- as well as the comedy. Or the look of him. He looks good!<br />
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Admittedly, Netrebko could have done no wrong as far as I was concerned. I had dreamt of seeing her perform for the longest time. Long before the maturing of the voice and the thickening of the divaesque figure. Mommy, my sister Baby, and I used to trawl for her performances on <b>YouTube</b>. <br />
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As always, I loved being at the opera! Just being there always gives me a thrill. Being in Box 25, looking down almost dead centerstage heightened the buzz.<br />
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And Netrebko didn't disappoint. <br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4549221572925511171'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4549221572925511171'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/now-about-anna-netrebko.html' title='Now, about Anna (Netrebko) ...'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI13M5gCk0TxjOCeZsCLwSHBdVFSXAEQy7V_rLFdYT9m4GLe4JXskyM1cU9WTwWFQ1a6S1N_LQLq_ztt_rqmQVXsycyaRI-cQZ1Ana9RYrgZGnT7U42YHsDaXOA8TlSUJS1H3b/s72-c/IMG_1769.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2716409682101634308</id><published>2013-02-10T22:43:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-14T15:24:02.283+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rigoletto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY storm'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Met'/><title type='text'>RIGOLETTO at the Met a triumph!</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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What an adventure!<br />
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It was "shall we stay or shall we go?" (Mayor Bloomberg had repeatedly exhorted the people of New York to stay home) right up to the moment I nervously stepped out of the taxi onto the mess of a pavement outside Lincoln Center. I hung on for dear life to my two escorts, Stuart and Erle, who half dragged, half carried me across the snowy, icy, slushy courtyard into the safety of&nbsp;<b>Arpeggio Bar</b>&nbsp;in&nbsp;<b>Avery Fisher Hall</b>.<br />
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A bottle of wine quickly doused any danger of hypothermia. It had to be<b> Rodney Strong </b>Cabernet<b> </b>Sauvignon on the recommendation of Pavel, star waiter and sworn friend to Russian diva Netrebko. He had&nbsp;vehemently and theatrically rejected&nbsp;Stuart's initial choice. Gagged and sputtered, almost fainted! What a character!<br />
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<b>RIGOLETTO</b> was well worth the battle. It was magnificently sung and brilliantly staged.<br />
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It would be difficult of course to screw up any production that had access to top-drawer performers like soprano <b>Diana Damrau</b> and tenor&nbsp;<b>Piotr&nbsp;Beczala</b>. But there was a moment of uncertainty about the whole Las Vegas thing when the tenor launched into <i>"Questa o Quella,"</i> the first major aria of the evening.<br />
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A bevy of masked showgirls wearing blue tights, colorful feathered tails, and not much else waved quivering yellow and orange ostrich feather fans all around him.&nbsp;It felt a bit too much like an all-gay musical revue and there was nervous laughter from the audience.<br />
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It must have been about halfway through Act I when the awkwardness started to dissipate and everyone began to buy into the idea of a Rat Pack Rigoletto. The Italian libretto was translated into&nbsp;American slang, thus completing the&nbsp;morphing of the opera from&nbsp;16th century Mantua to 1960's Sin City.<br />
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The real triumph of the daring re-imagining of the opera classic came at the very end. Stuffing the body of the dying Gilda into the trunk of a gleaming <b>Cadillac</b> was the genius touch. It was a powerfully indelible image of tragedy in the debauched world in which Rigoletto was a mere fringe-player.<br />
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The subway was the preferred mode of transportation for most of the freezing mob that poured out of the <b>Met</b> shortly before midnight. For Stuart and me, the cold was the least of our problems; we were sufficiently bundled up and insulated against the severe weather.<br />
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We&nbsp;determinedly&nbsp;brushed away the rain and snow from our face and eyes as we trudged along the one block from the station to our hotel. The real challenge was making sure we didn't slip on the icy ground. It was sweet victory when we finally sat, wine in hand, and watched the wintry street scene in the safety of the hotel bar.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2716409682101634308'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2716409682101634308'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/rigoletto-at-met-triumph.html' title='RIGOLETTO at the Met a triumph!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ZHsxj1ZubXJpAmD73hvI8irtKV9L3pB_2D8XP3HbhdKf4RktP-p-dScuwfn4nbWuDCJWLPELOVmCPO_3NsIk4LDE9yRSCYXRaD3A0kBSkNd1xNL3Ti3jIwvhOIbP0ce3Zs5I/s72-c/IMG_1658.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4998617287277147733</id><published>2013-02-09T03:40:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-09T03:40:38.911+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>I&#39;m no New Yorker so I&#39;m not taking this in stride!</title><content type='html'>Listen, I'm through making light of this. Right now, the snow flurries are getting bigger. And they're flying in all directions. Left to right and up and down, with most of the flurries disconcertingly spiraling up than down. And the windows have begun to shudder. <br />
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JetBlue has cancelled all flights until Saturday noon. All school activities are cancelled. But the Met is still saying all performances will go on as scheduled. <br />
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That is so totally crazy! I won't miss tonight's RIGOLETTO (if it goes on as advertised, crazy as that is) for anything of course! But how do I even go up all those steps at Lincoln Center through a 50mph wind, granting I get there at all? Can I even keep myself upright? Not to mention not slipping on the snow, sleet, and ice-covered ground!<br />
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Is this absolute frivolity or what? But our friend Erle, the consummate unflappable New Yorker is unconcerned. There would be a smaller audience, he admits, but it'll be okay.<br />
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Oh help! May the gods of opera keep me safe in this tempest! </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4998617287277147733'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4998617287277147733'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/i-no-new-yorker-so-i-not-taking-this-in.html' title='I&#39;m no New Yorker so I&#39;m not taking this in stride!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8672674410562450657</id><published>2013-02-08T23:19:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-09T02:44:36.377+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY storm'/><title type='text'>The calm before the storm</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It's 9 in the morning. It's -2C and the mix of rain and snow is vigorously blowing horizontally and spiralling upwards.&nbsp;I don't see any snow on the ground.<br />
<br />
There are very complex weather systems involved here, so forecasts of actual amounts of snow accumulations are sometimes a little conflicted. Latest word is, about&nbsp;5-8 inches of snow are expected in the city by tomorrow morning.&nbsp;Right now, an icy mix of rain, sleet with strong wind (expected to reach up to at&nbsp;50mph later.) &nbsp;As temperatures drop into the night,&nbsp;it will turn into pure snow which will start to stick and accumulate.<br />
<br />
The overriding effect of all this on me is immense admiration for the city. The government appears to have everything under control. No lack of information; there are continuous bulletins on the progression of super storm conditions. Mayor Bloomberg gave a press conference yesterday explaining the state of readiness. Salt spreaders with 50,000 tons of salt for de-icing. &nbsp;Snow ploughs at the ready. Don't expect him to personally drive the ploughs (you wouldn't want me to drive, he joked.) He warned of the danger of hypothermia, describing its symptoms and telling people to be aware and to call 911 immediately if suffering from shivering, dizziness, or disorientation. He is so out there, so involved, so accessible. He is amazing!<br />
<br />
Ordinary New Yorkers seem unflustered by all this. The housekeeping lady yesterday shrugged her shoulders and said worrying doesn't change anything or make things better.&nbsp;She went on to tell me about the last one, Sandy, when her house&nbsp;in New Jersey didn't have electricity for 12 days and she had to stay in the hotel.<br />
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Life goes on in Manhattan. THE MODERN was packed last night; nobody looked worried or cold as they laughed, smiled, chatted, wined, and dined.<br />
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Today, at the stock exchange, it's business as usual, with the Dow up 40 points so far. New York Fashion Week hasn't missed a beat. Or a stitch.<br />
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</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8672674410562450657'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8672674410562450657'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/the-calm-before-storm.html' title='The calm before the storm'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-175993744156203372</id><published>2013-02-07T20:19:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-12T03:18:56.889+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='storm'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='the MET'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rigoletto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='L'ELISIR D'AMORE'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='blizzard'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anna Netrebko'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY'/><title type='text'>My day breaks at 7; it&#39;s -6C.</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
My day breaks at 7; it's -6C.<br />
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It's clear and dry though, not too bad. Weather man says it's the calm before the storm. A historic major winter storm, a blizzard actually, featuring rain, high winds, sleet, ice, blinding snow, as well as possible power outages, and coastal flooding.<br />
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And it arrives on the evening of <b>RIGOLETTO</b> and continues into the afternoon of my date with <b>Anna Netrebko </b>in<b> L'ELISIR</b>. Great! <br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/175993744156203372'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/175993744156203372'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/my-day-breaks-at-7-it-6c.html' title='My day breaks at 7; it&#39;s -6C.'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh121GipebSyyt3tXU2Ej6TFQSQ9fdSdazoUZc9BFQZECUnqXgLmU5kmyFwdubooKvoPEmhrhntuGZli2x25I9uEjirqMafplNDkUNSW6aYc4n5y2KEH8OEftkzOp78LH1E7snU/s72-c/blogger-image-1806438227.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8947439386747728826</id><published>2013-02-06T11:23:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-06T11:38:43.087+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='MoMA'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='REMI'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='snow'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tao'/><title type='text'>Oh but it&#39;s cold outside!</title><content type='html'>When our friend Erle asked me at dinner what I did today, I was embarrassed to admit that all I managed to do was go to lunch. REMI is right next door to the hotel so it hardly even counts as going out.<br />
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Maybe tomorrow would be better. I'll probably go to MoMA for lunch then wander about the exhibits and catch a lecture or a film.<br />
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I'm hoping to go to TAO for dinner. Erle had suggested it for tonight but the taxi queue was at least an hour long so we ended up going to REMI for dinner too. <br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7pcd2GZUXAEzeTmSPIHkDYJS8YFiBwtkHClMI2K1MzKLthD40_DXdd7cBqaLQ5G9u3qMQYHfg2Bj8JVrcBEo9wFUpQHTSuq4u_xk-aeZ4bTUMLipPjh93LXgdcuUKfpYr6_j/s640/blogger-image-1703488801.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7pcd2GZUXAEzeTmSPIHkDYJS8YFiBwtkHClMI2K1MzKLthD40_DXdd7cBqaLQ5G9u3qMQYHfg2Bj8JVrcBEo9wFUpQHTSuq4u_xk-aeZ4bTUMLipPjh93LXgdcuUKfpYr6_j/s640/blogger-image-1703488801.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8947439386747728826'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8947439386747728826'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/oh-but-it-cold-outside.html' title='Oh but it&#39;s cold outside!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj7pcd2GZUXAEzeTmSPIHkDYJS8YFiBwtkHClMI2K1MzKLthD40_DXdd7cBqaLQ5G9u3qMQYHfg2Bj8JVrcBEo9wFUpQHTSuq4u_xk-aeZ4bTUMLipPjh93LXgdcuUKfpYr6_j/s72-c/blogger-image-1703488801.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2678708100414025663</id><published>2013-02-04T21:38:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-05T01:50:32.206+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY Hilton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='midtown'/><title type='text'>Sleepless in New York</title><content type='html'>After a sleepless 16-hour flight and a late night arrival, I'm still wide awake at 7:30 in the morning. Not a wink. The bedside alarm buzzes and starts speaking in Spanish. Stuart can't turn it off. I can't turn it off. I call guest services to take it away before Stuart throws it out the window.<br />
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It's a beautiful morning in New York nonetheless. A clear blue sky. And a lovely crescent moon has stayed up all night with me.<br />
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I had planned to go to the funeral services for former three-time Mayor Ed Koch hoping to catch Mayor Bloomberg and Bill Clinton's eulogies. I have to rethink this now. Maybe a late lunch and a lecture at MoMA.<br />
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There are always a hundred things I want to do in this city. So many things going on. But for now, sleep is at the top of my agenda.<br />
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And failing that, I have an arsenal of junk food to get me through another 24 sleepless hours.<br />
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<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSP8tIfBWvk_0RKU3WjPDqscn2h3PQHGRgcu__gkA06u5tkeFhJ_epqiTxFBz5NIlobvrzNSso906LPQjuL1zF4HEk0sNcVznvbp8n-ioDxJOwTTMRF6tv-GEd2Wc3MW2-sqf/s640/blogger-image-125919585.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSP8tIfBWvk_0RKU3WjPDqscn2h3PQHGRgcu__gkA06u5tkeFhJ_epqiTxFBz5NIlobvrzNSso906LPQjuL1zF4HEk0sNcVznvbp8n-ioDxJOwTTMRF6tv-GEd2Wc3MW2-sqf/s640/blogger-image-125919585.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2678708100414025663'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2678708100414025663'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/sleepless-in-new-york.html' title='Sleepless in New York'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsSP8tIfBWvk_0RKU3WjPDqscn2h3PQHGRgcu__gkA06u5tkeFhJ_epqiTxFBz5NIlobvrzNSso906LPQjuL1zF4HEk0sNcVznvbp8n-ioDxJOwTTMRF6tv-GEd2Wc3MW2-sqf/s72-c/blogger-image-125919585.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Midtown Manhattan</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.763565 -73.979801</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8979838457804730711</id><published>2013-02-02T11:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-02-02T11:28:36.955+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Victoria Harbour'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='air quality'/><title type='text'>It's a blue-sky morning in Hong Kong</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<br />
Victoria Harbour is back! All misgivings about this trip have vanished with the smog. I'm a happy traveller.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8979838457804730711'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8979838457804730711'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/02/its-blue-sky-morning-in-hong-kong.html' title='It's a blue-sky morning in Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4exgrAoG8hMLWoH_GfTGCWX2ajwGWSfIoGZnWZbKbIsVlf7vJ4bRLg1_rNFduuLNXdvKr66t0e82tMNZzyEvisG1FF05UZKiKUIfD2ASxayBYRgDgb6eCqouNgwAVbbxrS6k/s72-c/IMG_1581.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-916820953228561961</id><published>2013-01-31T11:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-31T13:10:40.877+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='air pollution'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Rigoletto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='airpocalypse'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Metropolitan Opera'/><title type='text'>Questionable travel plans?</title><content type='html'>Have I really thought this through? <br />
<br />
Hong Kong is still swimming in semi solid air as pollution indices reach off-the-chart "airpocalyptic" levels. Yet that's where I'm headed tomorrow.<br />
<br />
New York is currently in deep freeze mode with the added attraction of a flu epidemic. And, you guessed it, that's where I'm headed next.<br />
<br />
And why am I doing this?<br />
<br />
Well, there's an anticipated long-delayed gabfest with great friend Bing in New York who hopefully, by the weekend, would have hurdled her friendly tussles in behalf of PNB with the Federal Reserve.<br />
<br />
And of course, there's RIGOLETTO at the Met! Set in '60's Las Vegas! What could be more deliciously delirious than a Rat Pack floorshow with music by Guiseppe Verdi?<br />
<br />
The circumstances surrounding this basically uncomplicated travel plan give this particular trip the not unwelcome aura of an expedition. Now, I'm excited! Guess I talked myself into it.<br />
<br />
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/916820953228561961'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/916820953228561961'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/questionable-travel-plans.html' title='Questionable travel plans?'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3387539737859486333</id><published>2013-01-13T17:14:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-13T20:02:34.773+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='pollution'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='smog'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='air quality'/><title type='text'>Smog smothers Hong Kong</title><content type='html'>The air hangs low and heavy, a murky dish-water brown. I can actually taste it, this sinister looking air. It coats my tongue and catches in my throat.<br />
<br />
Although shopping is arguably an indoor activity, I don't relish the thought of being out of the hotel on a day when the public is enjoined to stay home. I quickly get back to the relative safety of hotel air conditioning and watch the brown air descend on the harbour.<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL_ChyphenhyphenaIer1C8t_wL42GPaEBACromZHgUfopMiI8TgWzYQ9gGj0NrdjW7FWEpgJUwIPSKJP0RLrp5TXtgwif30byhz0tlpCp8v964yMtJ4TFceAiuouwzWPOewh7j7TN-GvVz/s640/blogger-image--1566980545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL_ChyphenhyphenaIer1C8t_wL42GPaEBACromZHgUfopMiI8TgWzYQ9gGj0NrdjW7FWEpgJUwIPSKJP0RLrp5TXtgwif30byhz0tlpCp8v964yMtJ4TFceAiuouwzWPOewh7j7TN-GvVz/s640/blogger-image--1566980545.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILARa1WMBDt_9Fq0nLmgJkDIrukyzek2oB6ibObdj4GtWZyYG6KAxKeClAU0XUY0gEpruC8dg2oF-pWVShiRQe2AGiH4zNOpxQtO5OXqPm6sLJEQQvVyF1-ClRSG0vh-9Migw/s640/blogger-image-1475661339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILARa1WMBDt_9Fq0nLmgJkDIrukyzek2oB6ibObdj4GtWZyYG6KAxKeClAU0XUY0gEpruC8dg2oF-pWVShiRQe2AGiH4zNOpxQtO5OXqPm6sLJEQQvVyF1-ClRSG0vh-9Migw/s640/blogger-image-1475661339.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3387539737859486333'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3387539737859486333'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/smog-in-hong-kong.html' title='Smog smothers Hong Kong'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXL_ChyphenhyphenaIer1C8t_wL42GPaEBACromZHgUfopMiI8TgWzYQ9gGj0NrdjW7FWEpgJUwIPSKJP0RLrp5TXtgwif30byhz0tlpCp8v964yMtJ4TFceAiuouwzWPOewh7j7TN-GvVz/s72-c/blogger-image--1566980545.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8277740384703842730</id><published>2013-01-11T18:39:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-11T19:01:40.240+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Home'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><title type='text'>At home at the Grand Hyatt</title><content type='html'>Well, that back-to-homebase episode didn't last long. <br />
<br />
Now in Hong Kong, at the Grand Hyatt, my home for the past 8 or 9 years, on and off, but lately more off than on. <br />
<br />
So technically I'm not really away.<br />
<br />
I must admit this is not too bad. Not bad at all.😄<br />
<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZpueJFlBy30wfbnWIJHIL0sso-hGt6RrhHLXjJ0fg9Oz4IQ6Kb7yD6CCg8-_Dfd1_XAI8VNNFL2fUcc8LDDATdLVEHJuxOE3JRMeBTM2lbwgqSuhmDKQY5sNfrLD2W9EIJdd/s640/blogger-image--43945618.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZpueJFlBy30wfbnWIJHIL0sso-hGt6RrhHLXjJ0fg9Oz4IQ6Kb7yD6CCg8-_Dfd1_XAI8VNNFL2fUcc8LDDATdLVEHJuxOE3JRMeBTM2lbwgqSuhmDKQY5sNfrLD2W9EIJdd/s640/blogger-image--43945618.jpg" /></a></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8277740384703842730'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8277740384703842730'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/at-home-at-grand-hyatt.html' title='At home at the Grand Hyatt'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJZpueJFlBy30wfbnWIJHIL0sso-hGt6RrhHLXjJ0fg9Oz4IQ6Kb7yD6CCg8-_Dfd1_XAI8VNNFL2fUcc8LDDATdLVEHJuxOE3JRMeBTM2lbwgqSuhmDKQY5sNfrLD2W9EIJdd/s72-c/blogger-image--43945618.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3515383720408982864</id><published>2013-01-08T14:32:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-10T00:49:20.780+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='holidays'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Home'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Manila'/><title type='text'>Back at home base</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Holidays are nice because they come with a well-defined time frame.<br />
<br />
At the start of a holiday, you look forward to yet unknown pleasures. As the holiday progresses, you find your rhythm; you now know which places, events, food, drink, etc. interest you and you have an idea of how to get there. At the end of the holiday, your hunger for the unknown and the untried is sated. And you're ready to go home.<br />
<br />
I'm back in Manila, our home base. And being here is an exquisite pleasure to be savoured on my own time, at my own pace. I know exactly what everything is, and everything is exactly where, how, and when I want it to be.<br />
<br />
If that makes me a bit of a stick in the mud, so be it. I'm home and I'm loving it!<br />
<br />
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3515383720408982864'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3515383720408982864'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/back-at-home-base.html' title='Back at home base'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2332423781529362029</id><published>2013-01-05T05:31:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-06T17:17:59.412+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Airbus'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Qantas'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='A380'/><title type='text'>The end of a holiday, the beginning of a new year</title><content type='html'>At Sydney Airport, three A380s all in a row.<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdqrmTX2vXFbJblXqatAoLpw37-xcHQdVEClL8cGZD8peZwUOtwpFByHv0DgDj4dYp9StzgJvji_6Ep5bOGapmxR6h6iGkAay9Y7cg7MBWr_wWJTuaHuCSn294SNcV1mMxyw2/s640/blogger-image--1201722009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdqrmTX2vXFbJblXqatAoLpw37-xcHQdVEClL8cGZD8peZwUOtwpFByHv0DgDj4dYp9StzgJvji_6Ep5bOGapmxR6h6iGkAay9Y7cg7MBWr_wWJTuaHuCSn294SNcV1mMxyw2/s640/blogger-image--1201722009.jpg" /></a></div></div><br />
<br />
Our flight is delayed; we linger over breakfast.<br />
<br />
The end of a holiday, the beginning of a new year.<br />
<br />
I heard somebody say, because the Milky Way is the galaxy where we live, it's hard for us to see what it's really like. Like if you were a pepperoni in a pizza, you wouldn't get a full picture of the pizza. <br />
<br />
It's sort of like what the holiday was for me while I was in the midst of the idling, the exploring, the eating and drinking, the being with old friends, the being alone together, as well as just being alone. Oh, and the shopping.<br />
<br />
It'll all have to wait a while to steep. Like good tea.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2332423781529362029'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2332423781529362029'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/three-a380s-all-in-row.html' title='The end of a holiday, the beginning of a new year'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdqrmTX2vXFbJblXqatAoLpw37-xcHQdVEClL8cGZD8peZwUOtwpFByHv0DgDj4dYp9StzgJvji_6Ep5bOGapmxR6h6iGkAay9Y7cg7MBWr_wWJTuaHuCSn294SNcV1mMxyw2/s72-c/blogger-image--1201722009.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7216239193297228414</id><published>2013-01-01T19:12:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-03T07:41:43.748+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New Year's Eve'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney Opera House'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>Scenes from New Year&#39;s Eve</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sydney sure knows how to throw a party!&nbsp;</div>
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New Year's Eve celebrations were obsessively micro-managed, to the minutest detail. They rehearsed everything a day before. There were strict rules in parks and other vantage points for watching the fireworks on the harbour: no alcohol, no bottles, no glass. They checked bags.&nbsp;There were ushers, monitors, ticket checkers, traffic wardens, all uniformed, all efficiently&nbsp;discharging their duties.&nbsp;There were police on the ground, in cars, and on horseback.&nbsp;</div>
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Stuart and I attended the New Year's Eve Opera Gala and the rooftop party at the Opera House, which of course had an enviable view of the entire proceedings: the fireworks and light displays on the harbour and on the bridge, and the illuminated flotilla of tall ships, ferries, and yachts&nbsp;that followed the show.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX_ftvsPaKFH4QwShCN0Kta95mSYbADUAC_97LVJT81AfxQOzMdVzpG6k13dxT7bTcu34Ikb_ZXdcWkGr6qAqDzzZLZ37CcdticqZpQhCnOm0NJ4teGmpsH2-_2o8EaWEXBPp/s1600/IMG_6280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEX_ftvsPaKFH4QwShCN0Kta95mSYbADUAC_97LVJT81AfxQOzMdVzpG6k13dxT7bTcu34Ikb_ZXdcWkGr6qAqDzzZLZ37CcdticqZpQhCnOm0NJ4teGmpsH2-_2o8EaWEXBPp/s400/IMG_6280.JPG" width="392" /></a></div>
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Getting there was a bit tricky. On this evening, the Opera House was accessible only on foot.<br />
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfA59fAK3xhDQoDYJMqr1PQxqQh9y3VIsiVIZBXN3iAUkhxBWwmvGFVMk-0b1ErbRPrYcl2pxuE4KXd-ds2ZcF9umENtBXZBgGHd8ii3c4olbsRyHPoJTm_P-027ApPfFaWsoN/s400/IMG_6342.JPG" width="400" /></div>
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This called for some compromises in the wardrobe department, particularly for the ladies. Some went barefoot or wore flip flops, carrying their evening shoes in their hands.<br />
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All glammed up and ready to party though, most of the ladies chose not to compromise their style standards, preferring to soldier on in party-pretty shoes.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9TQZUznTt1vd4leppjMYC8z7-LeAEJNN1OWXuTyT4W0ByoYK1KfC1f62EGVfSRX6RxgB_HEZAGUdCQ48a3j_ObY-lcm6P0jRdI5gs5edbrBMdoQy_QC5E1MbpYMf-QbEPwFlL/s400/IMG_6273.JPG" /></div>
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I wore totally inappropriate sandals and Stuart gamely carried my shoe bag for me.<br />
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In the end, I&nbsp;didn't even bother wearing my evening shoes at all because having hurdled the long trek&nbsp;from our hotel&nbsp;to the Opera House, I still had all those stairs to negotiate to and from our concert seats!</div>
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At the rooftop party, the champagne flowed and we danced&nbsp;to live big-band music into the wee hours.<br />
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We walked back home happy, if a little worn out from too much dancing, too much walking, and too much champagne, which in the course of the evening, I'd managed to spill on my dress, legs, and sandals.<br />
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Congratulations to the city bosses for how organized the party was, how free of party junk the streets were, and how safe we felt walking the city streets in the dark!<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7216239193297228414'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7216239193297228414'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/scenes-from-new-years-eve.html' title='Scenes from New Year&#39;s Eve'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMH35xT7i1Qao6hlNSb1WkYKrTgVni3oGnkZDbrsnXvLB0nwV8HFjcpsc9Y70r-5YB-slvgB5im7um0L7o7vnGLiIhBobRj1-5XpQEuD5ew_g_jh-IB9IlzyvW6AjX_R2Nr1iZ/s72-c/IMG_6282.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5307913991526578344</id><published>2012-12-30T21:35:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-02T09:17:04.444+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Rocks'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>A Very Australian Affair</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At the door of the Vintage Café stands a barefoot Santa in dark glasses hugging a surfboard, fur-trimmed cap in hand, trouser legs rolled up, red suit open to the waist to reveal his famous belly. It's Santa gone native!<br />
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Everything about this Christmas holiday has a uniquely Australian flavor.<br />
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As this is a kind of Back to the Future nostalgia trip, we've booked ourselves for the Sydney Opera House New Year's Eve Gala. Thirty years ago, this affair meant black tie and evening gown. It also meant sitting on the stairs eating picnic suppers of chicken and champagne.&nbsp;</div>
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This year we're dressing down. There will be no picnic suppers provided either and we've opted out of the pre-show sit-down dinner. It seems a shame not to have the picnic-flavored, red carpet feel of the old gala nights but I intend to enjoy whatever the evening brings.</div>
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Today's Sydney Morning Herald says 9 o'clock is the new midnight. People are being encouraged to start the countdown early- there will be early fireworks at 9- so they can be home, teeth brushed, and safely in bed by midnight. Seems oxymoronic, this pre-midnight midnight. Also wet-blankety if you ask me.&nbsp;</div>
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However, I may look more kindly on this concept of early countdown to midnight later tonight. Much much later, as in early morning, past midnight. As I struggle to get home, wading through throngs of sweaty, alcohol-fueled revelers, I might even thank the wet-blanket kill-joys for arranging to thin out the drunk and disorderly pedestrian traffic.<br />
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Happy New Year! <br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5307913991526578344'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5307913991526578344'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/a-very-australian-affair.html' title='A Very Australian Affair'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTAhtCDYAEWhBufXqYcW2S47kIO9WVqnzFyD6NjupHDVahbNGnPaoIcb2BwRcOjYQitC2tPLjo_wyMcMg_C_ALrX76HIgkeiWIlaepfQa26KTYZBgmJ248oaUWOiZi59ynk50y/s72-c/blogger-image--2076461526.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6773438875693753611</id><published>2012-12-29T16:56:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-30T13:01:58.991+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney Harbour Bridge'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt Hotel'/><title type='text'>The harbour, a bottle of wine, and takeaway pizza</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I watch Stuart walking his brisk walk, sprinting almost, on his way to Zia Pina- or maybe Vintage Cafe- for our takeaway dinner. We decided there's no better place for tonight's dinner than on our balcony, watching the sun go down behind Sydney Harbour Bridge.<br />
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If took the <i>Southern Swan</i> two attempts to tie up to Campbell's Cove. Her wind- and sun-soaked passengers gave a little cheer and applauded.<br />
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Pushed along by a rubber dinghy, the other boat easily slides into position on the far side of the cove. <br />
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Stuart texts a change in menu. It's fish &amp; chips, not pizza. Just as well. Pizza doesn't quite go with the setting.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6773438875693753611'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6773438875693753611'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/the-harbour-bottle-of-wine-and-takeaway.html' title='The harbour, a bottle of wine, and takeaway pizza'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjEKwHpGteghZTsbx8JbX6XZnteWvnWB-SHLgaDZgrLC1JxxfPuHYa8F7gVhrznO8fOm0Vgz-eSOb0oYnQKTIxOhmPWc7U1VbGaWkKcPRI3ehdt_qu7IcTW3EXFK1QWJI77hth/s72-c/blogger-image--1663812074.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-761771582988462571</id><published>2012-12-25T15:30:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-30T13:04:02.076+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Circular Quay'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt Hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>A perfect Christmas lunch: fish &amp; chips at the quay!</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We're booked for Christmas dinner at The Dining Room at eight tonight. I've got my Christmas dress ready. But for lunch, we've got something really special planned. Fish &amp; chips at the quay!<br />
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Of course Christmas dinner was nice too! Terrific in fact, but how can it not be? Just look at this place!<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/761771582988462571'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/761771582988462571'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/a-perfect-christmas-lunch-fish-chips-at.html' title='A perfect Christmas lunch: fish &amp; chips at the quay!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht08dyg81fE35ySQgEWiOkIfGyKtyKLhxCTAOVNy3JQw-exBKaKkKPgNW9RbNZN8sORxqx54RzW3pw8dH_LJRRSEkF4UhmvXmNl47nEUDCMvCP1wnZe2nIId2pTeZxwLlaD4Sz/s72-c/SYD_7734.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4867150275577365850</id><published>2012-12-24T16:00:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-30T13:21:26.971+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Circular Quay'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt Hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>All aboard! The monster cruise ship leaves Sydney Harbour</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The&nbsp;<i>Celebrity Solstice</i> sets sail and gives us back our view of Circular Quay. With her 13 decks (we counted), 1,041 feet (we were told), and reportedly over two and a half thousand passengers, the monster ship spanned the entire length of the walkway from the quay all the way to the Sydney Opera House.<br />
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Tomorrow, another ship takes her place. But in the meantime, I'm enjoying the spectacular view. The sky has turned grey and there's a bit of a shower, but the water remains beautiful.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4867150275577365850'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4867150275577365850'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/all-aboard-monster-cruise-ship-leaves.html' title='All aboard! The monster cruise ship leaves Sydney Harbour'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVQ8OQ261AojXtPwmlhGpUhCpPCtdsfhzVHApxXWtppkK7ChkasBijS6eBUHJn08yTdGgZRzADntTpQcrhpN_i1F9pp0o5pfrAy30yyOdI3wnJcQsVNfc3JVpoi_qzSaDLNDWH/s72-c/blogger-image-126575417.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Sydney Sydney</georss:featurename><georss:point>-33.857161 151.212546</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7813652349400738995</id><published>2012-12-24T07:39:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-24T12:56:10.056+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Rocks'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='christmas'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cafes'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='bars'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>Old Sydney haunts</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
But I'm getting ahead of myself. We finally did get ourselves organized enough to go out and take the ferry to our old neighborhood in Cremorne Point.<br />
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At Circular Quay, buskers provided the soundtrack to the sun-splashed afternoon.<br />
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</div><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOG_video_class" id="BLOG_video-392ee7baf85f9116" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/get_player"><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF"><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"><param name="flashvars" value="flvurl=http://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D392ee7baf85f9116%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dblogger%26app%3Dblogger%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1358472319%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D15D42CFAB3AC43CBAE46BA9483B23A9B85796541.4F5FC20219E83ABF96441C17B59E5C10CE245DC6%26key%3Dck1&amp;iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D392ee7baf85f9116%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DR8ocog7Yq4Scb0AFCMrrjOHIObc&amp;autoplay=0&amp;ps=blogger"><embed src="//www.youtube.com/get_player" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"width="320" height="266" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"flashvars="flvurl=http://redirector.googlevideo.com/videoplayback?id%3D392ee7baf85f9116%26itag%3D5%26source%3Dblogger%26app%3Dblogger%26cmo%3Dsensitive_content%253Dyes%26ip%3D0.0.0.0%26ipbits%3D0%26expire%3D1358472319%26sparams%3Did,itag,source,ip,ipbits,expire%26signature%3D15D42CFAB3AC43CBAE46BA9483B23A9B85796541.4F5FC20219E83ABF96441C17B59E5C10CE245DC6%26key%3Dck1&iurl=http://video.google.com/ThumbnailServer2?app%3Dblogger%26contentid%3D392ee7baf85f9116%26offsetms%3D5000%26itag%3Dw160%26sigh%3DR8ocog7Yq4Scb0AFCMrrjOHIObc&autoplay=0&ps=blogger"allowFullScreen="true" /></object><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Walking up the path from Old Cremorne Wharf to our old apartment building was definitely not as my poor legs remembered it to be when I happily sprinted up and down it to catch the ferry on my daily commute to the city&nbsp;a mere 25 years ago.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Good friend and neighbor,&nbsp;John gave us a rundown of the latest goings on in the building's body corporate, news and rumors to do with an unpopular proposed airport helicopter service to run to and from the harbour, as well as tea and&nbsp;a ride to Cremorne Point Wharf for the ferry back.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Dinner time took us back to The Rocks where we eagerly sought out The Gumnut, a quirky (at the time) café, an old favorite from my time as groupie art student to painting master John Ogburn.&nbsp;They served up&nbsp;healthy, home-cooked comfort food and Frank Sinatra on tape.&nbsp;What a letdown to find the place shut down, a victim of leaner times and stiffer competition.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It didn't take us long to find another venue though. We just followed the music. The Vintage Café is a cozy, friendly cafe/ bar that serves Portuguese tapas, pizzas, and live&nbsp;jazz and bossa nova, soulfully sung and beautifully played on acoustic guitar by Richard, friend to café owner Roy, and pied piper to the house. By evening's end, everybody was jamming with him.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht8L1t36ZXQLXUxGF67ljuhFLcBzLlq9l6H6YtS2QhjtsBjQ1ke3gP5F-SD10pulILBZMn_7VlI7HoArIZtXLnoi_uVqUxNoZ2axgb3NaAaYv_Q7HcCMe6Tpd0cCKF5iN4jTP5/s320/IMG_1437.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7813652349400738995'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7813652349400738995'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/old-sydney-haunts.html' title='Old Sydney haunts'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ZziqHml0ruIAd2DZBM4Xx5NLaFeHxiA9D9z_cCEihKp7scFTNqti4nZO7WLujGEYbEH3zl4YiNWY1fdFxedddWcMfkpN0Z88klx8ACUnEtglJRnTr-dKp0W8pj8NDveA9eWC/s72-c/IMG_1425.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1920339600494340091</id><published>2012-12-23T12:50:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-28T11:48:09.361+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Rocks'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sydney'/><title type='text'>Christmas in Sydney</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Stuart and I are to spend the Christmas holidays in Sydney. We have just arrived and I can't be bothered to freshen up from the 9-hour flight from Hong Kong or even unpack my bags. The view from our hotel room has not allowed me to do anything but stare and sigh and stare. This is just too beautiful.<br />
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Of course, it's really just as beautiful at night.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1920339600494340091'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1920339600494340091'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/christmas-in-sydney.html' title='Christmas in Sydney'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjHB7n8T7wkl2TLleKoic3HFjDF21CazSon1NK8afn9rGpdepZIYffKCsm8VIW65UNfFehSDgcjaS7qP6dWHDYy_-pr7sDZEzjzKaOTRaNodGH9jFg0S18piAkp9Ut7Xpvzoqc/s72-c/IMG_1410.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3519187646414271407</id><published>2012-12-13T12:34:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-15T19:42:42.406+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='christmas'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='party'/><title type='text'>A Filipino Christmas party in Singapore</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on">As I walk into the fantastical, magical Christmassy house of über party princess Nini Mitchell, I am immediately chastised for not wearing red.<br />
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I'm wearing a wine red dress hastily bought yesterday from an unmentionably uncool chain store, having just arrived from Kyoto with a suitcase full of winter clothes. So after several loud back and forth protestations of But it's red! No, it's black! I am eventually forgiven.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapRxochBNM0u_kEiFlo9ktmTnN6Wg_J2E0uDtQQNJcY74GXMEhJ6wZ6KYxXl_LQErgssghvo3m6Y2UnLqLbckscWH0pF12WRxD3Sojs8EwrKUA7-OmYlvMiN57b0YyF7CTEzZ/s400/blogger-image--891721928.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Christmas smiles at me from every corner of the house. It winks, it sings, and it ho-ho-hoes. All around are lovely ladies in red. No husbands tonight. And it promises to be a raucous evening.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the dinner table, there's no turkey in sight. Pride of place belongs to one of the specialties of the house, kare-kare with bagoong. Dinner proceeds in a festive blur of the very best in Filipino comfort food, wine, and high-decibel chatter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And then, the high point of the evening: the exchange of Christmas gifts. Give-and-grab style.&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is where events turn seriously raunchy. Suffice it to say that two items, designated most grabable by popular outcry, are eliciting&nbsp;the screechiest screams and most unladylike behavior this side of holiday party heaven.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div></div>Photos will be posted as they become available. Cheers!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDu58b7ZI907shTh6BWLTKiWWSX-vU2TtCqx1XfG2-R7oVlhmHG_ENsqZTF0pk2xyWGJf-rIAkCjMYz3Os7uNze_WVAfdCaZAFRtKCqsj078l_iCbr0e33TLQFNqyzwl8ofjk/s640/blogger-image-1668835975.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3519187646414271407'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3519187646414271407'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/a-filipino-christmas-party-in-singapore.html' title='A Filipino Christmas party in Singapore'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapRxochBNM0u_kEiFlo9ktmTnN6Wg_J2E0uDtQQNJcY74GXMEhJ6wZ6KYxXl_LQErgssghvo3m6Y2UnLqLbckscWH0pF12WRxD3Sojs8EwrKUA7-OmYlvMiN57b0YyF7CTEzZ/s72-c/blogger-image--891721928.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2671575783916025012</id><published>2012-12-07T18:34:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-08T16:37:02.508+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Itoh'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Nobu'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Grill'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Trattoria Sette'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kyoto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Omen'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Owariya'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='dining'/><title type='text'>The fine art of dining in Kyoto</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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Whether it's the indulgent breakfasts in bed, <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the designer bento box lunch at&nbsp;<b>Itoh Dining by Nobu</b>,&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjd1-WVcbDMRyf-MYySdyTr03BlbQk-RPcWTXwP2wkEaYJZ0E9UUTnEs5_-4F_qQx5wwozFL9oHLKfuvcnwXs_bV2jPVDmznR1g4Q4iwp-zHeOQXfmGaaIRvARnpdu-C0tegK/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFj1T8WSSK5Icz2elQfo8Ia3HOh7Pa03wDROIjWYUFzOFeTA6pOhfG4CWEM-kWbYhT_5EMSO6vkM46EpMY4HBzHr59yYs7g-MA9zSe_rC2eJ1zIBu4Fl4d5EqDaeZCzPiJS4Dn/s1600/IMG_1241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFj1T8WSSK5Icz2elQfo8Ia3HOh7Pa03wDROIjWYUFzOFeTA6pOhfG4CWEM-kWbYhT_5EMSO6vkM46EpMY4HBzHr59yYs7g-MA9zSe_rC2eJ1zIBu4Fl4d5EqDaeZCzPiJS4Dn/s320/IMG_1241.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjd1-WVcbDMRyf-MYySdyTr03BlbQk-RPcWTXwP2wkEaYJZ0E9UUTnEs5_-4F_qQx5wwozFL9oHLKfuvcnwXs_bV2jPVDmznR1g4Q4iwp-zHeOQXfmGaaIRvARnpdu-C0tegK/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjd1-WVcbDMRyf-MYySdyTr03BlbQk-RPcWTXwP2wkEaYJZ0E9UUTnEs5_-4F_qQx5wwozFL9oHLKfuvcnwXs_bV2jPVDmznR1g4Q4iwp-zHeOQXfmGaaIRvARnpdu-C0tegK/s1600/IMG_1244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQjd1-WVcbDMRyf-MYySdyTr03BlbQk-RPcWTXwP2wkEaYJZ0E9UUTnEs5_-4F_qQx5wwozFL9oHLKfuvcnwXs_bV2jPVDmznR1g4Q4iwp-zHeOQXfmGaaIRvARnpdu-C0tegK/s320/IMG_1244.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the definitive&nbsp;Udon noodles at&nbsp;<b>Restaurant Omen</b>,&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S3dbBmuJaVkkkoD4InyIRJAwWJLed0VW3Ni_gaNlZsqcQmXXE9uD_YXws4DAJqxkg75jlZKaprL5ZD4E0vWQT8oduYAS9tH8PUEgwME2-Q0h9Z-LfwNNxIusBh3DNx6OcxVu/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S3dbBmuJaVkkkoD4InyIRJAwWJLed0VW3Ni_gaNlZsqcQmXXE9uD_YXws4DAJqxkg75jlZKaprL5ZD4E0vWQT8oduYAS9tH8PUEgwME2-Q0h9Z-LfwNNxIusBh3DNx6OcxVu/s320/IMG_1292.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4S3dbBmuJaVkkkoD4InyIRJAwWJLed0VW3Ni_gaNlZsqcQmXXE9uD_YXws4DAJqxkg75jlZKaprL5ZD4E0vWQT8oduYAS9tH8PUEgwME2-Q0h9Z-LfwNNxIusBh3DNx6OcxVu/s1600/IMG_1292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroPOAdDNfqHZgxE3cJDsvs_if0_IvMp40vbRQ58BzeqMp4qHQJflP6oNGabFy6KZf2yh-FpTZUmo0JFvLd9z2vVlLAzeXZ7w0ErXNkm4wdeLYBaRfNiD7IzWL6-lJY1wI0nk6/s1600/IMG_1287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhroPOAdDNfqHZgxE3cJDsvs_if0_IvMp40vbRQ58BzeqMp4qHQJflP6oNGabFy6KZf2yh-FpTZUmo0JFvLd9z2vVlLAzeXZ7w0ErXNkm4wdeLYBaRfNiD7IzWL6-lJY1wI0nk6/s320/IMG_1287.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">the venerable&nbsp;Soba noodles at&nbsp;<b>Owariya</b>&nbsp;(the Japanese noodle restaurant catering to the Imperial household since 1465),&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKmSa2_s-mfAoPhIcanTVIu3kzHpJRF7HrUoOJLlv-pLvyFlU4-vMiSPNHJrEpjIOp8lC-xKSOK5-6RFBT6zJWjCCr7IlS3OYVwDhMTmEXxtcE2auegfD1u5iR_Jp3tR5Q1_-/s1600/IMG_1321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKmSa2_s-mfAoPhIcanTVIu3kzHpJRF7HrUoOJLlv-pLvyFlU4-vMiSPNHJrEpjIOp8lC-xKSOK5-6RFBT6zJWjCCr7IlS3OYVwDhMTmEXxtcE2auegfD1u5iR_Jp3tR5Q1_-/s400/IMG_1321.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">&nbsp;the arty French lunches at&nbsp;<b>The Grill</b>,&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDxb3ZxFji5gUy2AusbxnyIdi1DRy-KgM9dvQJvtSqZr8_86B0ILUyVb6qJKg1fDrZLDRgE8Rjw5P4KYU2SNWqavVo96jaeQ4RW6gsVQV71nSOGGc4T90pC1ee8EO86XNKt5Z/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEDxb3ZxFji5gUy2AusbxnyIdi1DRy-KgM9dvQJvtSqZr8_86B0ILUyVb6qJKg1fDrZLDRgE8Rjw5P4KYU2SNWqavVo96jaeQ4RW6gsVQV71nSOGGc4T90pC1ee8EO86XNKt5Z/s320/IMG_1118.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHjziUAL0RdYcO07osYtD44QS3B7u3BNWZvBp3Hbehakpr58ypdqXfHS_itEkF5zVUg4COy1jMvwdFYQH2tI2p229USewu_qJVoDbuAsV1OfQruIN9VSG1d1OB-uOKBQ2WZ-C/s1600/IMG_1112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHjziUAL0RdYcO07osYtD44QS3B7u3BNWZvBp3Hbehakpr58ypdqXfHS_itEkF5zVUg4COy1jMvwdFYQH2tI2p229USewu_qJVoDbuAsV1OfQruIN9VSG1d1OB-uOKBQ2WZ-C/s320/IMG_1112.jpg" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">or the cozy Italian dinners&nbsp;at&nbsp;<b>Trattoria Sette</b>,&nbsp;</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrXDiZXguIO4Bbm15O4VZrLcKlkCeVU9unkdGqBzFxSjZimvyJON1W93z589MGJ09o-EY02Gn5KE_OfXY9_-2mceM9gzCxxFi4DfKYNZDNolwKB-fQYIOSy86Oomd2yRXkiJQ/s1600/IMG_1150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrXDiZXguIO4Bbm15O4VZrLcKlkCeVU9unkdGqBzFxSjZimvyJON1W93z589MGJ09o-EY02Gn5KE_OfXY9_-2mceM9gzCxxFi4DfKYNZDNolwKB-fQYIOSy86Oomd2yRXkiJQ/s400/IMG_1150.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">nothing can match the delight and anticipation with which we approach the&nbsp;<b>Hyatt Regency</b>'s inimitable macaroons,&nbsp;our daily afternoon treat after a day of roaming about in the freezing cold.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBWXMYH2DtWRc2-s10F0HWWBvwyO98mwZcrqsbDqDfMUsrlMeAWh2xxMW8Hw8P0peaZebNsoQ0yNcfYSb6KbplzeDpdbv5ug3EkbRzUZamI2Sa6QPRapXXAn6aVgjVrfQrgAb/s400/IMG_1247.jpg" width="300" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div></div>Friday is our last day in Kyoto; it's the 7th of the month, so <b>Chef Chihiro Togo</b>&nbsp;is making us <b>Trattoria Sette'</b>s signature Neapolitan pizza on the house. The hotel has given us a nice bottle of <b>Canvas</b> Cabernet Sauvignon too. So with our hotel guest's standard 3,000 yen discount, this fabulous dinner would cost us almost nothing. <i>Domo arigato!</i><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG0Ajvh6ZA5gcIfZKVvSiZQM4JwLSKpfBNyVzcTjeTvM6IkNYDKUmDsC5eqOklsVsuVT2fuCUACENsVbzZeLYJWk_uyp7Th-9Xx1WZYoQLcc9sRvGA10LOCZ5qXqhJMD00tIdw/s400/IMG_1338.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIa7HcSyGj1k94EgdjXuBbNIuPmP0N5S5SwK5reMdPBBa1lrL_11CFe53YfzXeQlW53XI1PdIWg35gj80h5TxIZmnWo1KS9hM4xakwo5vfnCDdKFHMwEPi1E8VhOEd3_Jyw6w/s640/blogger-image-1055726589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIa7HcSyGj1k94EgdjXuBbNIuPmP0N5S5SwK5reMdPBBa1lrL_11CFe53YfzXeQlW53XI1PdIWg35gj80h5TxIZmnWo1KS9hM4xakwo5vfnCDdKFHMwEPi1E8VhOEd3_Jyw6w/s200/blogger-image-1055726589.jpg" width="150" /></a><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPBOBZ-M7bm8IJAUxe4JEA2Nf-eFpGfzE9prUn16mA2YJucUHGWsny7k7u7-iEsTmAlZ8t7s8h_XNfwgFrxrpk0iX-9OS-1YNOHKiCfenA4cmD1_sBBlk0ylYwvo7RARVmP4J/s200/blogger-image-1151019807.jpg" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAPBOBZ-M7bm8IJAUxe4JEA2Nf-eFpGfzE9prUn16mA2YJucUHGWsny7k7u7-iEsTmAlZ8t7s8h_XNfwgFrxrpk0iX-9OS-1YNOHKiCfenA4cmD1_sBBlk0ylYwvo7RARVmP4J/s640/blogger-image-1151019807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2671575783916025012'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2671575783916025012'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/the-fine-art-of-dining-in-kyoto.html' title='The fine art of dining in Kyoto'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq2MjQzAWpSwDcItXiO1BRt1ifJ_K1_QLidPc3BeUClVv_pSm3x89EEPGQk2oyYpYCxkYXkfEzz3eNv2pQQpqZIZyHfdANTVJrYhCTCtoA9lU-UO7qQhhJQU_El7DQvahNUWH3/s72-c/IMG_1097.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2366618707939309428</id><published>2012-12-06T00:02:00.003+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-02T19:36:42.171+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Japanese cuisine'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kyoto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fujita'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='fugu'/><title type='text'>Fugu Night: Exquisite dinner with Itamae Tanaka at Fujita</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">It took us at least half an hour and two runs up and down Pontocho before settling on a place to have our authentic Japanese dinner. We saw a</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">n elderly couple come out of the restaurant smiling the smile of the satisfied customer. That's the place we want, I said.</span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nqAT4ohbHpqbtT63-OCuJ_1VLXMy11MKIjEOLUo1Cx1CtkuW-cTP1f-DPYgZUXLv8cBT1zXbogP8ddRWAnEs07f8OzQSeEdklwgo1xIbqQy4MNwEamb-LBZVaCGrpwsZDbQK/s1600/IMG_1251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nqAT4ohbHpqbtT63-OCuJ_1VLXMy11MKIjEOLUo1Cx1CtkuW-cTP1f-DPYgZUXLv8cBT1zXbogP8ddRWAnEs07f8OzQSeEdklwgo1xIbqQy4MNwEamb-LBZVaCGrpwsZDbQK/s200/IMG_1251.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Yumi, the resident English speaker,&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">came out to vet us. Very kindly, we were asked if we had reservations; then if we had an idea of the kind of fo</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">od they served; and finally, if we had an idea of the prices they charged.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">That's when we decided this must be the place!</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">There was only the one long counter, ten seats, cushions really. You sit on the floor, but there's that very welcome and very forgiving recess under the table.</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">We drank beer as we waited for dinner to be served. We had neglected to ask how many courses there would be.&nbsp;</span><br />
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</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUyLye3uOCDcF8WJGVDRGgdMJU6dLlPshXCRwKkkIcNAYlaAPy7D3NohP_hikOB9iIeEXEDJUVnUOgfcXnx8qJ29LQfRUlzbEx3HJXwWqrZdrTVuW0bqnO6sWzMO-e-eokRWC/s1600/IMG_0726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfUyLye3uOCDcF8WJGVDRGgdMJU6dLlPshXCRwKkkIcNAYlaAPy7D3NohP_hikOB9iIeEXEDJUVnUOgfcXnx8qJ29LQfRUlzbEx3HJXwWqrZdrTVuW0bqnO6sWzMO-e-eokRWC/s200/IMG_0726.JPG" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">First came an appetizer dish nestled in a bamboo cage decorated with tiny autumn leaves. Steamed chicken with raisins, half a chestnut with crisped skin, a small disk of cream cheese topped with smoked salmon, and a sardine sashimi.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">By this time, we had an inkling that dinner was going to be special.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Next came sashimi. There were Spanish mackerel, turbot, and squid. Oops, we can't have that. Seafood allergy. He quickly retrieved the dish to remove the potentially offending seafood.</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">In a small bowl was a kind of salad. Chef Tanaka said, "Fugu. Do you know Fugu?"</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Oh dear. Blowfish. That infamous delicacy favored by diners with a death wish.</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Is he licensed to serve that?&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Stuart asked to see his license. Really? Yes, really. O</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">ff h</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">e went to get it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Now that we've got that &nbsp;cleared, we can proceed to the rest of this really exquisite meal.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">There was Flatfish on a bed of braised eggplant, topped with Japanese green pepper, in a brown broth. Grilled Spanish mackerel marinated in soy sauce, lime, and sake. Local vegetables served in broth thickened with</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">tofu skin and&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">kelp</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">.&nbsp;</span><br />
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</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFp4j9446VpbzRBBq4BklqoEPtq-FVSFmqPHtWRzO7I-rbsS2JNhQs2J8CT996_ADe3o70tm9_MdgBT0hq8EJwdWkMy4O6ye-SWxYAer3eUyVUiCVBFYZ_rdLRGPFHOLvBCIbv/s200/IMG_1263.jpg" width="150" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiikM6D0EpGq6W3pYPb5IsHGTCsr3XAb_p1eCPsIVo7D-fjHgb0QvloopJ30s0qtt4t09vcD4_Am_00hjY43F_j8EJbPvT27XumIUEZbouh9MlGBg0psyizxYQd87HFfyet8g-D/s200/IMG_1252.jpg" width="150" /><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCr2hFNPqEvoqgWquLfIUfAEvXAm5c5YPzuWRjpMQpHySjVL5_56cRKcZsT3_y4GfYL2sd83BVAjMJo4OxjVnPufWMMvuD4kw_FdAqJ81jtX__fspA6Uz4igUDTendJg1xnGi/s200/IMG_1267.jpg" width="150" /></div><div><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And finally, rice.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">But this was rice as I've never eaten rice before. It came submerged in rich fish broth, topped with </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">sea bream, spiked with wasabi, and sprinkled with sesame seeds and strips of nori. All to be stirred and eaten with a pretty blue and white spoon.</span><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">By this time, Stuart and I doubted we could eat another morsel.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px; font-family: Helvetica;">Then came dessert. Akadama sweet</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">&nbsp;wine jelly with pear, grapefruit, and fig.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaYKF70XM2V4pS8NaX9AtLjx8_Cvq6KyHa4CO5SVaEa-DuHDeVcEfPyiQrtLksMaG20iTmfgDiPlXgs4nFEl8OJHayCTFaw0dx27jQvuln7_uDqRVrRUABlGTf-XPj0U0l-9p/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaYKF70XM2V4pS8NaX9AtLjx8_Cvq6KyHa4CO5SVaEa-DuHDeVcEfPyiQrtLksMaG20iTmfgDiPlXgs4nFEl8OJHayCTFaw0dx27jQvuln7_uDqRVrRUABlGTf-XPj0U0l-9p/s200/IMG_0776.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikALCLXBEzmtRBDMEfCrwGGtf8laRSpPLEGmFS9Vk7x2-ZrWxUgK0ws044Dqth5WD4fEPF3C2cfY-wOLoT-5PXE5QdDKnuwKsf3-9UBmtbvDN7i1nIELhwkFLqyhynvYK2MMQ1/s1600/IMG_0777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikALCLXBEzmtRBDMEfCrwGGtf8laRSpPLEGmFS9Vk7x2-ZrWxUgK0ws044Dqth5WD4fEPF3C2cfY-wOLoT-5PXE5QdDKnuwKsf3-9UBmtbvDN7i1nIELhwkFLqyhynvYK2MMQ1/s200/IMG_0777.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuaYKF70XM2V4pS8NaX9AtLjx8_Cvq6KyHa4CO5SVaEa-DuHDeVcEfPyiQrtLksMaG20iTmfgDiPlXgs4nFEl8OJHayCTFaw0dx27jQvuln7_uDqRVrRUABlGTf-XPj0U0l-9p/s1600/IMG_0776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">The restaurant:&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://www.pontocho-fujita.jp/">FUJITA</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">The chef: Fugu Itamae Tanaka</div><div style="text-align: left;">The verdict: Exquisite<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcNb9xM7UkzCo0Q1-xffQ5DDsgohlwB5ISg7CxwQNFpqq_N_1C7_eVthpPJH3GbkH6d01o16rLBvdc714g1fpnWYGrI20N9Zbl0Wm5_q1nvsvMeKzMg44UyubGmQWiTqASobF/s200/IMG_1264.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AZ5cBIrLo2pE1ELn8PapO2s_iwerqWD-0Xx_dT905F9UqGHLXksH9fgSxFxqEiGeZNiZWcOUTpsZT9nRbMTK_xcUopUHx9yuZg0Wtqrlkwtw94-Blt4Id_YNnYvg3H0dnWXn/s1600/IMG_0780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7AZ5cBIrLo2pE1ELn8PapO2s_iwerqWD-0Xx_dT905F9UqGHLXksH9fgSxFxqEiGeZNiZWcOUTpsZT9nRbMTK_xcUopUHx9yuZg0Wtqrlkwtw94-Blt4Id_YNnYvg3H0dnWXn/s320/IMG_0780.JPG" width="131" /></a>&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwt7ejE4GhnH5iZbJFYKtEMCfqMh8J_vTFI8oyhMREJTyRL93JvD3uh_glcsv3gtWFuaUE5nXnXg0yNotnSOmvUfaZ-fMo-gyHz41q4J-snKDMvuwXQTPNzKS2adcHh_j_Ssci/s200/IMG_0766.JPG" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDg7Mz0w9DlA5WDW_GRs1my4ySGv5voe82YpMsMjbpbEig1l0JT-oMW4kP4R2oMR4LGyOW3pHyi67pI9DpU9ancF3HaUH9DRhf7Knle-YarOQ4dSKJwFwJ-hPAox_Y2ehnfDD/s1600/IMG_0749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCDg7Mz0w9DlA5WDW_GRs1my4ySGv5voe82YpMsMjbpbEig1l0JT-oMW4kP4R2oMR4LGyOW3pHyi67pI9DpU9ancF3HaUH9DRhf7Knle-YarOQ4dSKJwFwJ-hPAox_Y2ehnfDD/s200/IMG_0749.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div><br />
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</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2366618707939309428'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2366618707939309428'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/exquisite-dinner-with-itamae-tanaka-at.html' title='Fugu Night: Exquisite dinner with Itamae Tanaka at Fujita'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nqAT4ohbHpqbtT63-OCuJ_1VLXMy11MKIjEOLUo1Cx1CtkuW-cTP1f-DPYgZUXLv8cBT1zXbogP8ddRWAnEs07f8OzQSeEdklwgo1xIbqQy4MNwEamb-LBZVaCGrpwsZDbQK/s72-c/IMG_1251.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5849339695051164950</id><published>2012-12-05T15:29:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-08T10:28:48.289+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>A thousand and one buddhas</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">I like looking at things fresh, through my own eyes, not through some guidebook writer's. Sometimes this means I miss out on things I should've paid more attention to. But most times, the experience is clearer, &nbsp;nicer.<br />
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Seeing all those ancient buddhas lined up shoulder to shoulder. as far as I could see, down the length of the long, low wooden building was an unexpected delight. I had no idea what I was walking into, just that it was an ancient buddhist temple, a national treasure. I loved the look of the building. It's really just a room, a very long room in ancient dark wood, hushed except for the shuffling of bare feet and the low murmur of the guides and teachers shepherding tourist groups, mostly old, mostly Japanese, and students in school uniforms.<br />
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Pity, taking photos was strictly forbidden, as numerous cautionary signs reminded the faithful every three feet or so. No photos to be taken of the sacred Buddha, cameras are to be inspected, photographic equipment will be confiscated, and so on.<br />
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A thousand Buddhas, nearly identical in face and body, shone in gold, bright rays radiating from their heads. Standing guard before them was a row of lesser deities, bodies and faces animated in ferocious poses, blackened with soot and dirt.<br />
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In the center of this hallowed assembly was a giant seated Buddha, hands and fingers held in the classic stance of quiet and blessing. I lit four candles for Mommy and Daddy, and Mum and Dad Jones. Hedging my bets?<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5849339695051164950'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5849339695051164950'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/the-1001-buddhas.html' title='A thousand and one buddhas'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisaB-p4xg_dCoCIXeiP0Ev09evohW5zlkAxUktnKNcxhKLA4yq77IYsWAThlsqHyTVynBD1LUxf2te7sgYn23J-rEjqf-TBFq63WaIGHlbRxQhiFD4vqZwnVxyLjNtjjk5sTNj/s72-c/IMG_1218.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8481548797546914238</id><published>2012-12-04T10:51:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-04T10:51:55.019+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>A huge bunch of roses was waiting for me</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A&nbsp;huge bunch of roses was waiting for me at our table for dinner at the hotel's Italian restaurant.</div>
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Dinner was simple: soup, spaghetti,&nbsp;risotto, and wine.<br />
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The restaurant presented us with a festive dessert platter lit by three tiny candles.<br />
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And my roses were once again waiting for me in the room after dinner. It's been a beautiful day. And a beautiful 30 years.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8481548797546914238'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8481548797546914238'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/a-huge-bunch-of-roses-was-waiting-for-me.html' title='A huge bunch of roses was waiting for me'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxBTFPycfAqS0Qiffw1HghJ3_jFeQVL-BPTnIZ81ZReE0mHQshQouPrRFGDtKg_zIEBqXmTDE2Tr2WK4tnB2p3wg64ZIJT6y-8zIAjOfnRAUJGfa_aPb_0bqx6lj8HGKHSlo5s/s72-c/IMG_1135.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6002278136202783767</id><published>2012-12-03T17:43:00.003+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-13T12:09:03.855+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kyoto'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='anniversary'/><title type='text'>December 3, it&#39;s our 30th anniversary</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Sunlight streams into the room. The sky is a brilliant blue, the air is crystal. And outside the window, the promised garden in daylight.<br />
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This lunch is too fancy for lunch in a hotel lobby&nbsp;cafe. I guess fancy is the way they normally do things here. Can you imagine the humble turnip turning up in an appetizer looking like this?<br />
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I've decided there must be a direct relationship between food presentation and the Japanese garden.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"></div>As I cut through the crunchy skin of my pan fried sea bream, all the pretty broccoli florets and diced Japanese turnips tumble from where they've been artfully piled on top, scattering among the olives and fennel, onto a ground of soup de poisson sauce. I swear the vegetables of this dish must have been delicately pruned and colored to match the garden below me.<br />
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Now, bread is not usually something I go all poetic about. But this crusty round loaf could not be more perfect. Thick, hard, crunchy cover, lightly toasted brown, meltingly moist and fluffy inside. That doesn't sound much&nbsp;like&nbsp;a gourmet endorsement, does it? Well, you just had to be there.<br />
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It looked too glorious a day not to go out.&nbsp;By the time we got kitted out to go for a walk though, the sun had quickly set and the cold got the better of us.<br />
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So two blocks was as far as we got before quickly doubling back to the hotel to get back in the warm.<br />
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In the lobby were flowers that looked familiar and yet strangely not. Oh, but of course, they're lilies- red lilies. As I took a picture I thought, have they dyed them red for Christmas? I've just never seen lilies this color-saturated before.<br />
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</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6002278136202783767'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6002278136202783767'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/december-3-its-our-30th-anniversary.html' title='December 3, it&#39;s our 30th anniversary'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pdWH3cNJZ1z3nzPtmckvLp33sohOXH8l3Az5PA4hLReDomYp7lMjjcU4YHxzpmd3NsrTWRTk7II16DcO-enICYVqD_WPWjFa94aXmi4BUwKCOBRSyfp9OPZLaVw8hAVSv_Aq/s72-c/IMG_1183.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5851807322971756651</id><published>2012-12-02T16:28:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-03T15:10:58.723+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hyatt Regency'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Japan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kyoto'/><title type='text'>Such a pretty town, Kyoto</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It has taken us two hours to get from the Hyatt Regency in Osaka to the one in Kyoto. Mostly it was just running around trying to get to the right train and the right exit and the taxi.&nbsp;Stuart running around that is, me waiting with the luggage. Sitting on the luggage.<br />
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The taxi driver wears a smart black and silver uniform, peaked cap and all. We drive through the quiet streets, pretty shops and temples on curbside,&nbsp;old ladies on bikes, slender trees shedding faded leaves. I realize my body has already begun to relax. There's a gentleness about this place, a simplicity, that calms.<br />
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It had started to rain when we left the train station. And now, as we reach the hotel, the rain has stopped. There's a fire burning in the open stove of the lobby cafe. We decide to have a little snack of soup and sandwiches and turn in early.<br />
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There's only the one small room available until Wednesday and I'm a little disappointed not to have the room we had the last time, four years ago now- the one with the huge bathroom with a great wooden bath. This temporary room is really too small but everything in it is pretty.<br />
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In the uniquely Japanese way of doing pretty. Pieces of old silk kimonos cover the headboard.<br />
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A sprig of holly has been tucked into an old timber carving on the bedroom wall. Outside, on the lift lobby walls, more holly tied with little red velvet ribbons.</div>
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Below our window,&nbsp;a&nbsp;beautifully lit&nbsp;garden. I can't wait to see it again in the daytime.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5851807322971756651'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5851807322971756651'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/such-pretty-town-kyoto.html' title='Such a pretty town, Kyoto'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJXk-qaZsHSmRfkwVrFspvAP6E3HVg7OEte9nxPS5keknN1e1eOGqRYnHx49i0GgGQoA0r47cmw3KtqOPilfLfoJtFzGTkW7_H5Lb3iNJq6ndGj-viMqUgfBvxLTmi3h7jmNSm/s72-c/IMG_1063.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6467295311231286485</id><published>2012-12-02T10:48:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-02T11:32:22.153+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>Flying the (un)friendly skies</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Having been ungenerously bounced from the SQ airport lounge in KL for having managed only one business class fare between the two of us- the flight was full- we are presently squatting in the CX lounge. These people are nicer.<br />
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This has put a sharper focus on a decision we have to make regarding future travel plans. Whether to give up our exalted status in CX and transfer our loyalty to SQ- now that we have moved our base from Hong Kong to Singapore- or stay with the airline that treats us nicely.<br />
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Now en route to Singapore, our present travel plan would have us in four cities in as many days. And given the choice, we wouldn't be traveling at the back of the bus either.<br />
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So what will it be? Right now, I kinda like it where I'm sitting. Singapore Girl, you're not such a great way to fly. At least not today.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">That was yesterday. Now in the CX lounge in Hong Kong, for our flight to Osaka. Feels like home.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh dear, did I really say that? Have I become one of those serial commuters who find themselves in airports so often they actually don't mind being there anymore?&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I do like to travel. I like going away on holiday. I don't much like the process of getting there though. They say getting there is half the fun but they must have been talking about the days when flying was glamorous and pleasurable. Those days are gone.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Airlines just can't afford the glamour anymore. They do try. Most airport lounges are quite nice, they serve really good food and the wines are excellent. The flat beds onboard the planes are great. Some even come with designer pajamas and silky duvets. And you can watch all the movies you can't bother to go to cinemas for. <br />
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All that doesn't make up for the bother of getting to the airport and all the waiting involved. And did I mention traveling economy? Forget it! They couldn't squeeze in more people if they tried. Cut them up and stack them maybe? <br />
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Sorry to be such a grouch. All this flying can't be good for my health and my usual good nature.<br />
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Maybe I ought to go out to sea. Cruising never really appealed but I may yet be proven wrong. <br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6467295311231286485'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6467295311231286485'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/flying-friendly-skies.html' title='Flying the (un)friendly skies'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbbPW_dHHjSQcYJX2CQc-vI0a-ZZYOLmJrbUdYMpSr-jwq45yCbc3rGSQmw8BSqHmDhn8nfLpUhkH7MpOqhcY3pF_jP0le_F02_fwTQyJW7F7g8NAeHQjQLINZD0Z4k6lqeDG/s72-c/Image.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6649942820383080345</id><published>2012-11-27T18:32:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-15T00:25:53.782+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='p.d. james'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='monocle'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='magazines'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='reading list'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='books'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='christopher hitchens'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ian McEwan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wallpaper'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ian rankin'/><title type='text'>Getting back to books</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><br />
I'm now into my second week in KL and I have to wonder what indeed I'm doing here. Apart from furthering my reading experience, that is. I'm already on my fourth book since I got here. This is a surprising feat in these, the twilight years of my literacy.<br />
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It was a slow start but I think I've got my stride back. My reading list:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC_-VK-BHM8A9O3Xv0iocJxlcGk3FLaEMx5vc3oEcs5pStdcaX3WQ7bf5Y46TmO4peZhoKuHqPXd16bV6bigoF9csy9M6n8NWmMrHd0PfhTJWREI8ir_L3nHI31j_caNz0myz/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC_-VK-BHM8A9O3Xv0iocJxlcGk3FLaEMx5vc3oEcs5pStdcaX3WQ7bf5Y46TmO4peZhoKuHqPXd16bV6bigoF9csy9M6n8NWmMrHd0PfhTJWREI8ir_L3nHI31j_caNz0myz/s1600/IMG_1030.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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</b><b>P.D. James</b>.<i>&nbsp;</i><i>Death Comes to Pemberley</i>, a ho-hum&nbsp;murder-mystery&nbsp;<b>Jane Austen</b>&nbsp;conversion.<br />
<b><br />
</b><b>Ian Rankin</b>.&nbsp;<i>Standing in Another Man's Grave,&nbsp;</i>an improvement on&nbsp;<i>The&nbsp;Complaints</i>&nbsp;achieved through the&nbsp;recall of Rebus,&nbsp;but still too slow and stretched far too thin.<br />
<b><br />
</b><b>Christopher Hitchens</b>.&nbsp;<i>Mortality</i>, a collection of his final<i>&nbsp;</i>writings, including various incomplete notes, detailing in&nbsp;painful, unvarnished, and brilliant storytelling how he himself was dying. Preternaturally articulate,&nbsp;very human,&nbsp;unrestrained, sad, funny, combative, unwaveringly irreverent and confidently irreligious.<br />
<b><br />
</b><b>Ian McEwan</b>.&nbsp;<i>Sweet Tooth</i>. Reading in progress.<br />
<br />
<br />
In between magazine interludes of course. The usual suspects:<br />
<b><br />
</b><b>Monocle.</b>&nbsp; Pleasurable browsing, engrossing reading&nbsp;(in spite of editing slip-ups- what, no spellcheck, Mr Brulé?),&nbsp;insanely informative, often irritatingly conceited,&nbsp;great photos, printed on lovely paper.<br />
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<b>Wallpaper.</b>&nbsp;Quality varies from one issue to the next. Sometimes eminently more readable than Monocle. Current issue however is, so far, not terribly interesting.<br />
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</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6649942820383080345'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6649942820383080345'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/getting-back-to-books.html' title='Getting back to books'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC_-VK-BHM8A9O3Xv0iocJxlcGk3FLaEMx5vc3oEcs5pStdcaX3WQ7bf5Y46TmO4peZhoKuHqPXd16bV6bigoF9csy9M6n8NWmMrHd0PfhTJWREI8ir_L3nHI31j_caNz0myz/s72-c/IMG_1030.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4751401017479828626</id><published>2012-11-19T13:19:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-27T18:59:53.494+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kuala Lumpur'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Malaysia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wild monkeys'/><title type='text'>Another lunch, another city</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It had started to rain as we left Sunday afternoon for KL.<br />
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At lunch the next day, again at poolside, but this time in different weather, in a different hotel, in a different city.<br />
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My efforts at getting back to the world of make-believe, of other people's worlds, other people's lives have not been successful todate. </div>
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It used to be so easy. Losing myself in reading. Reading fiction. Reading for the sake of it. <br />
<br />
Not for the sake of learning about the current state of the world. Like why the demise of Twinkies should be considered an economic indicator. Or what new stuff I can do with my iPhone. Or what Hillary thinks she can whisper in Bibi's ear to make him stop killing innocent people. Or just what Tyler Brulé has pronounced to be this year's thing for his cultural elite. Etc, etc.<br />
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Crime seemed to be the perfect segue from Stuart's torrent downloads back to books. P.D. James I thought should do it. But she has retreated so far into old fashioned writing, reading her updated Jane Austen thriller has become a chore.&nbsp;</div>
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Should I now turn again to Ian Rankin? Judging by his last one, this new book might yet set a new record in low-speed reading.</div>
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Maybe I should just give up and do the tourist bit. From my window I can see a beautiful building I might explore.<br />
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The weekend was nice, Saturday evening in particular. We were at dinner with friends Aimee and Werner in their home in the hills.<br />
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Although their place is just off the city center, with an impressive view of the city skyline and the Twin Towers, it most definitely seems to our hosts like they're living in the jungle. We were warned to keep away from the balcony where wild monkeys are bound to snatch anything from your very hands. Handbags and stuff. Especially cellphones- they love cellphones! <br />
<br />
Stuart thought it would be useful to try and discover where they are storing their hoard. Werner said this wouldn't post too much of a concern as long as the monkeys don't make overseas calls. <br />
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Monkeys are the least of their problems in the wild. There are roosters and birds that wake them up too early in the morning. There are squirrels and rats too that frighten their 13-year-old dog, Brixie. <br />
<br />
And to make matters worse, there are no taxis! <br />
<br />
Taxis are a particular problem in this city. So that for those without a car, getting around can be pretty challenging. Taxis are not readily available and also not generally reliable. Taking you around the houses seems to be a common unpleasantness. As is taking you somewhere you don't really want to go, insisting it a better place for shopping. (Did you even say you wanted to go shopping?)<br />
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* * *</div>
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Sunday had beautiful sunny weather to begin with but it turned progressively grey and wet, then stormy in the end.<br />
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Perfect for chocolate cake and another one of Stuart's downloads!<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4751401017479828626'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4751401017479828626'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/another-lunch-another-city.html' title='Another lunch, another city'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_l5EBDAsAcPqkOhyphenhyphenkwxDcfjPlbwEL5RwEs8ecFaA4ABgkQNMmKmpctyY-CfVINwNvCGp5qOxMInBV-0drDBkMvPZyLukBVIej91dp1zkk4Uz-7gUgTFi4nq9_M_WPHNDurie/s72-c/blogger-image-2038553285.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8094273469091833121</id><published>2012-11-18T13:49:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-19T18:13:46.244+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='pool'/><title type='text'>Sunday lunch @ poolside</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The garden is usually a peaceful patch as far removed from Orchard Road as one cares to be. Last week was an exception though. At least I hope that was what it was, as in, a departure from the usual quiet. It was the Deepavali holiday week so the kids on my floor were exuberantly celebrating their liberty from school by barreling up and down the already battered garden paths with bikes, scooters, and whatever else on wheels they could make noise with.<br />
<br />
That was last week. Today, things are back to normal. It's nice and peaceful again on the garden floor.<br />
<br />
The racket has now been relegated back to the usual venue: the swimming pool.&nbsp;Here, children's screams, yelps, and howls of laughter reign supreme. The warm air, heavy with the reassuring scent of industrial-strength sunblock, throbs with the constant rush of invisible waterfalls and the predictable sounds made by kids in water. <br />
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These are all essential ingredients for a beautiful sun-splashed Sunday brunch.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8094273469091833121'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8094273469091833121'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/sunday-lunch-poolside.html' title='Sunday lunch @ poolside'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw2YBjTuEIPOV27YMxnosZZg5DRAW854sxxtloObRDDnH_KAtC-HsT_E4hKhA8pPv9jKsBM1zjC7VAQJpwUlLPxKX67OybtLl6O5ctuVO_39cu5B-mWUSfrMoHUcHhp3hJL-_P/s72-c/blogger-image--1508711625.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1262531746526322340</id><published>2012-11-15T16:26:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-19T17:35:37.029+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='garden'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><title type='text'>On the patio</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Takeaway tea and brownie cake courtesy of the lounge.<br />
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What could be sweeter?<br />
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A deck chair draped in fluffy snow-white towels. A stack of magazines to savor the highlights of the US elections with the nauseating bits edited out. Tea and cake and cookies. What could shatter this low profile, low maintenance, undemanding peace?<br />
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Bird shit! That's what!<br />
<br />
Two missiles just missed my tea and the sandals on the floor beside me. Peace shattered.<br />
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I opted for a walk around the garden instead. As luck would have it, my reconnaissance led me to the enemies' nest. <br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1262531746526322340'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1262531746526322340'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/on-patio.html' title='On the patio'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvUiMFPB_4VouW1Ru-AVTqaJVCWdGQT-5RFBf0CCDIXbrIeXl3UsFQ6rpC4O1vX4peFHZWv4i73nQwcvIgs38-d1w241jCy0pCIizedK7G23l941-ey60IOlI3Vju13qKDAkps/s72-c/blogger-image--1677144826.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8595541213555744310</id><published>2012-11-14T10:10:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-19T17:41:20.868+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='garden'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Back in Singapore</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm beginning to really feel at home here. <br />
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Some advantages over my real home in Manila:<br />
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1. A garden (which somebody else takes care of)<br />
2. A full service room service breakfast (could be top of the list actually)<br />
3. A much earlier start to the day than my usual (the reason for this remains unclear to me)<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8595541213555744310'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8595541213555744310'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/back-in-singapore.html' title='Back in Singapore'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-cSwFvyCADEq2DIFA7LEQurDMTa6h1UgTKwtp-TPWFxHIOyYBhACmnermVU1OVuevStHRjwCMI0o2XvI8IrfmUDQyovIcCRKmm_Y4noKkgUfoUmqZl8piV1yniRUmGjJDLC1O/s72-c/blogger-image-1211668166.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5442019284965239076</id><published>2012-11-02T17:38:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-19T17:56:25.767+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='All Saints Day'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tradition'/><title type='text'>All Saints Day, an all-Filipino feastday</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
All Saints Day. We were all there. Everybody to whom Mommy and Daddy mattered. All of us their children, their grandchildren and great grandchildren. (There were a few exceptions of course, but there always are.)<br />
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It still feels oddly strange that Mommy was not with us to visit Daddy's crypt, as she was last year and every year before. That she herself was there to be visited hasn't even sunk in yet.<br />
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The point is, the family gathered together to pay homage to our dearly departed. It's a family thing.<br />
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It's also a Filipino thing. In cemeteries, memorial parks, and church crypts all over the country, masses of people come to bring flowers, to light candles, and to pray in memory of their dead. <br />
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Families gather in tight conclaves, going through their own time-honored rituals. Loving attention and respect are accorded family elders who had marshalled their strength to attend this all-important annual pilgrimage to family burial sites.<br />
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Some families have religious services held at their stations. Some pray together, while others keep to themselves in quiet contemplation.<br />
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As all-night vigils are commonly held, some put up tents or marquees, under which they serve simple refreshments. Others opt for more elaborate feasts and while away the time by playing mahjongg. <br />
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It really all depends on attitudes, temperaments, family traditions, or simply the size of the real estate involved: anywhere from grand mausoleums to tiny niches on walls.<br />
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For the younger people, there is also a bit of socializing involved. They walk around, as in a party, sometimes in packs, eagerly searching the crowds for familiar faces. <br />
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All Saints Day after all is a feast. The manner in which it is observed may vary, but it remains one of those traditions that truly define and unify a people.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5442019284965239076'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5442019284965239076'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/all-saints-day-all-filipino-feastday.html' title='All Saints Day, an all-Filipino feastday'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4327988464642476484</id><published>2012-10-29T20:52:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-19T17:43:17.678+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tagaytay'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Highlands'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Manila'/><title type='text'>KTV at Zsa Zsa&#39;s with the kids</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I was again in Highlands, a second week running, this time with the young ones.&nbsp;</div>
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First, we horsed around at Regency while waiting for the rest of the party to arrive.&nbsp;We snacked and got comfortable and took photos and almost decided not to bother to go anywhere.<br />
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Then we all piled into Laura's van and were off!&nbsp;</div>
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On the road, the van throbbed to Krissy's iPad music. From my perch on the front seat, I marveled at how all these kids could sing along to all those strange songs. I especially enjoyed how every few miles or so, someone somewhere came up with an explanation of <b><i>why we weren't there yet</i></b>&nbsp;or <b><i>why it's taking so long</i></b> or <b><i>are we really going to that mountain over there?</i></b><br />
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After an unenthusiastic lunch, particularly since the road trip was peppered with a wide range of junk food, the kids decided to get energetic in the sports club where they proceeded to expend their youthful energy on what else? Wait for it, &nbsp;. . . video games. Really! Did we have to leave home for that?<br />
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Cap Allan at the country club opened Zsa Zsa's especially for us. Then, as he always does when my family goes there to party, he cued in our G7 theme song, "All for One, One for All." So sweet of him! There were only three members of G7 present though, and the kids had never heard of the song, so the anthem was left unsung.<br />
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It was Xave's birthday party, so we had champagne.<br />
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Having sung their tender young hearts out, (why do these kids love sad songs?) we ended the evening with Mommy's sign off song, "I Do, I Do, I Do."<br />
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It was not easy, being there for the first time since Mommy died, singing that silly ABBA song without her, but we decided to sing it just this once more, before we move on. After all, the evening was all about the newest generation.<br />
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The full moon watched over us as we drove back to the lodge late into the night. <span style="text-align: right;">We had an interesting and very satisfactory rooming arrangement. The oldest people safely and quietly ensconced in one room, the mid-sized people continuing to party in a second room, and the smallest people, sound asleep&nbsp;with their mother,&nbsp;in a third.</span></div>
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Day 2 was more successful in both the lunch and sports arenas. Bowling and basketball, followed by a hefty lunch, then swimming.<br />
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All passion spent, the homeward trip was calmer. I even had to remind them to put on their music.<br />
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We stopped on the way to buy mangosteen for Annette and All Saints Day flowers for Mommy and Daddy.<br />
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All in all, a very successful outing.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4327988464642476484'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4327988464642476484'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/ktv-at-zsa-zsa-with-kids.html' title='KTV at Zsa Zsa&#39;s with the kids'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfAFktbvFCfmiqXkjvO4TVu6YHIWsghWXlMHZR0vocraa2Elu3fTyA1juJddoOu3yB1KtIev9oNfHImpfBy4ePxWKUXS_8bB52Z48xq9itPK3vaiooIZhU7EIPhMwFyD2tMgXZ/s72-c/blogger-image--887807943.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3609756979355727239</id><published>2012-10-26T22:14:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-31T01:32:23.052+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>The fog has lifted, we&#39;re off to CARMEN</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Highlands fog has lifted. This means we won't have to miss tonight's CARMEN!<br />
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I'm looking forward to the ballet and trying hard not to feel let down that there won't be live music. I hope the dancing and the staging make up for it.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3609756979355727239'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3609756979355727239'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/the-fog-has-lifted-off-to-carmen.html' title='The fog has lifted, we&#39;re off to CARMEN'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7xDxaQ3N_ZvX8iAbQW4e042gWbSrAD-9ns8aJWNJ69OC_a93RJvlxGSkZj_cZ3MZ1jOqWi1QRgTEl91M_xNjc-i6VQDB2c0LqItVZBqcHJdD0J9mI_NcPLeQb6yQ_fqq7_KL/s72-c/blogger-image--1060646312.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4395143949867496428</id><published>2012-10-25T10:29:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-12T19:45:50.772+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tagaytay'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='fogbound'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Highlands'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Manila'/><title type='text'>Fogbound in Tagaytay</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have a rating system for places of interest. 1- no go. 2- ok if nowhere else to go. 3- nice place. 4- on list of favorite places, recommended. 5- magnificent even in rotten weather.<br />
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Gargnano on Lake Garda is a 5. So is Highlands in Tagaytay.<br />
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We are in Highlands- the Gang of Three (Baby, Annette, &amp; I)- for a 3-day dose of mountain air. <br />
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We have no itinerary planned. We don't even know where we're going for lunch. After an indulgent room service breakfast, we are now weighing our chances against the thick fog that has settled on our mountain retreat all morning.<br />
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Not that we're anxious to&nbsp;make a move. The very idea of being fogbound, forced to stay indoors, in the cozy comfort of the spa lodge, embraced by the delicious perfume of cedar and pine, is irresistible.<br />
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The gentle rain has leveled up to a full blown thunderstorm. What to do about dinner?</div>
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We had just cancelled our dinner booking and the girl at reception has just informed us that they don't do room service from the steakhouse.</div>
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Super waiter Jorgie to the rescue!</div>
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He has somehow managed to organize our steakhouse dinner to be delivered to our room after himself taking our orders from the menu he knows by heart. He even has the wine list memorized!</div>
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqL8QBajytF4agUYCt0ZGHkUIYoxP_Tc5Y2wmehWlLkSOqy8AHLbbsn_PlLAtQytflYS_raHkgwYWycqS1bHTE1Ru8OXKDQQOYtdjg2nlmOmUW9SEGeQVVniaOdvUBRdtKjP7o/s320/blogger-image-1336006101.jpg" width="240" /></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4395143949867496428'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4395143949867496428'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/fogbound-in-tagaytay.html' title='Fogbound in Tagaytay'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXSw9cg87OKQqfXsL24zzyQGwzl5fuWC1JF3p83xSLo522Q_DwaedBIZNpFm4xclLECoteBpo1yqXXMrfp-Xap1DOwMEo7q-55TbEfUXfdFKjsyQUjof-Lr6TZz2Bi5JffD9vt/s72-c/blogger-image-385726208.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8333898385799488587</id><published>2012-10-22T12:42:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-23T01:49:37.980+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='diet'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lisa Macuja'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ballet'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Giselle'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Manila'/><title type='text'>Of Diets and Ballet</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Manila is slowly becoming just another stop these days. &nbsp;So it now takes pride of place in my travel blog.<br />
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I've been back a mere two days and already my fledgling healthy diet has crashed.<br />
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Saturday's meals started off well enough with veggie soups, salads, and whole wheat pasta with even more veggies. We claimed entitlement to a dollop of cream in our soup. We've been good after all. <br />
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Then came the killer. Dessert. Is there anyway to justify sticky toffee pudding? Or a stack of lemon meringue in a pool of caramel sauce?<br />
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Never mind. All is forgiven. We'll start afresh.<br />
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We started over Sunday. Very commendable breakfast of oatmeal, fruits, coffee with soy milk. An A+ for lunch of tomato soup and pasta for Stuart, fish for me. No dessert.<br />
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In the afternoon, Stuart left for Singapore. Baby, Annette, and I dropped him off at the airport on our way to <b>Lisa Macuja</b>'s final performance of <b>Giselle</b>.<br />
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We had an hour to kill. We thought it best to have a little snack before the ballet which was starting at the inconvenient time of 5:30. Right. Has to be quick and not too far. The offerings at the <b>Star City&nbsp;</b>complex didn't appeal. <br />
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We drove on. <b>Starbucks</b>? Not really. <b>Pancake House</b>? Yes! Really? Yes, really!<br />
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And that's how we found ourselves happily smacking our lips, snacking on pancakes and French toast. Baby didn't mind what we were having as long as it came with maple syrup.<br />
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And so ends this sad short tale of woe. <br />
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But the night was young and the evening's main event was yet to come.<br />
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Diet failures forgotten, we excitedly took our seats in the newly renovated <b>Aliw Theater </b>with its spanking new orchestra pit. We were excited and proud because the star we came to celebrate is, like all three of us, a Theresian and a Filipina.<br />
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And what a star she is! This&nbsp;<b>Giselle</b>&nbsp;is an unqualified triumph! We wore out our hands clapping and my tender throat, recently recovered from a bad cough, was sorely tested with every call of "<b>BRAVA, LISA!</b>"<br />
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<b>Lisa Macuja</b>&nbsp;was magnificent. In fine form. Still the perfect wraith, the quintessential wisp of a girl, soft and tremulous as a whisper. In character as the tragically besotted innocent, she was visibly heartbroken and heartbreakingly passionate in this her final performance of the role that has brought her acclaim.<br />
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And so was she last night in real life, as Lisa the prima ballerina, not quite willing to give up this part of her dancing life.&nbsp;&nbsp;She&nbsp;was in tears, at times shaking her head and covering her face with her hands, as she took her final bows to wild applause and mighty cheers from a nearly full house.<br />
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(She wasn't the only one in tears. Seated beside me, Annette had started to cry half way through the programme.)<br />
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I am not a dancer so I'm not qualified as a critic. But I declare that the <b>Giselle</b> I saw last night was polished, precise, controlled, and very beautiful.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8333898385799488587'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8333898385799488587'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/of-diets-and-ballet.html' title='Of Diets and Ballet'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6126294043848429885</id><published>2012-10-18T13:55:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-02T10:27:31.830+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='poolside'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='executive lounge'/><title type='text'>Living in the slow lane</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">The garden looks nice even in the rain. Lunch on a wet balcony however is not an attractive proposition.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83O5CNRcF-4T4Nd6CmU9fZn_FCDzFpiPLsyLNCFCA6v2qaCqVcb-I796Mu2h9zYr4k0URVw0aY3Js8NVbRrIrk8e870reyJHAgJWS1mnn3hepqx7F8belLlEBySM74-doZXWt/s320/blogger-image-1239281385.jpg" width="240" /></div><br />
Weather like this calls for a big bowl of steaming wanton noodle soup. <br />
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The poolside restaurant starts to fill up as I quickly finish off my noodles. <br />
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I pick my way carefully under the awning, mindful of several friends who are presently suffering from falls and such. My friend Marilou says this only means we're all getting older.<br />
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The toll seems to keep rising though. Just the other evening Stuart's scheduled conference call was called off because somebody had slipped and hurt themselves. Even as we left KL last week, somebody at his office had to cancel a trip because she also had slipped and broken something. <br />
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Has everyone gotten old all of a sudden? Maybe the world just needs to slow down.<br />
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Speaking for myself though, if I slowed down any further, I'd be moving backward.<br />
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Time for tea and cake. There's a second, less busy executive lounge on the terrace side. That's where I'm headed. Very slowly.<br />
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</div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6126294043848429885'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6126294043848429885'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/living-on-slow-lane.html' title='Living in the slow lane'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi83O5CNRcF-4T4Nd6CmU9fZn_FCDzFpiPLsyLNCFCA6v2qaCqVcb-I796Mu2h9zYr4k0URVw0aY3Js8NVbRrIrk8e870reyJHAgJWS1mnn3hepqx7F8belLlEBySM74-doZXWt/s72-c/blogger-image-1239281385.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1060220984739178966</id><published>2012-10-16T15:20:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-31T01:44:50.882+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><title type='text'>Paradise found</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We may have found the perfect spot! We've just changed rooms and are now happily resident on the garden floor of the <b>Grand Hyatt</b>. This is the&nbsp;deck outside our <i><b>cabana</b></i>.<br />
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I'm feeling very quiet and peaceful and absolutely healthy! And I can finally finish my book.<br />
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* * *</div>
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Never mind the book. With less than a hundred pages to go, I am no wiser as to whodunit to whom and why. I'm convinced though that <b>Rankin</b> is to blame for the slowness of my reading. This book is really boring. Too many characters and too much atmospherics. <br />
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The sun has begun to set and it's even more quiet here now. I've been walking around the garden for an hour. There is dense tropical planting in raised beds. Walkways of pebble-wash squares in a diagonal pattern. <br />
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The garden lights are on. So are the room lights in the guestrooms around and above me. Time to go in. Just another day in paradise.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1060220984739178966'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1060220984739178966'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/paradise-found.html' title='Paradise found'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFRj3EVe2OxPyoPdwjApeuvg6bS9fn8jIU1Vg0xxMMOV3V76CFNieDB4oASxv3Ovy1_sUopBrdzIdgyVGh6DZrI6Gh71I3Ri9KmvKz-zG-UNdCHPa6KLZhS7t00d7zNOc965NW/s72-c/garden.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8892973720173946002</id><published>2012-10-14T15:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-31T01:44:30.991+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='poolside'/><title type='text'>Back to Ian Rankin</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It's probably not a good thing to say about I<b>an Rankin</b>. But his latest book has taken me three months to get to page 97. Chapter12, about a fifth of the way in. Is it him or me? One of us is dead slow.<br />
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I have commandeered a tented pavilion tucked into a corner of the garden, far enough away from poolside to really enjoy digging into my book. I'm feeling a little guilty for ungenerously turning away a lady who had asked very nicely to sit with us so she can smoke.<br />
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Health reasons seemed a good enough justification so she left. This is Singapore after all. The city nation is not smoker-friendly.<br />
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But fate has other plans for me and my book. There's an impressive thunderstorm in progress and it has driven me away from my reading post.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8892973720173946002'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8892973720173946002'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/back-to-ian-rankin.html' title='Back to Ian Rankin'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3Gip7ipVGEJ2ObQnryNye-XBM3nGNcDeXwR2xCvZphuAOlZqV66PgUFvWz2pMUgcf42CHCcFertD1ivTzevbRI3p8G5MC14RHSwbevWjwe9FbGIX3IwLse0K4GVfzRmUFLh5/s72-c/blogger-image--876593207.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3399524494717512685</id><published>2012-10-13T10:37:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T17:47:26.701+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sick'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='doctors clinic'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><title type='text'>Being sick abroad</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Being sick abroad is a reality of life that has a sickening tendency to gain prominence as one gets to a certain age. <br />
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Meaning, we get sick a lot when we get old. We get sick even when we're having fun. We get sick even when we're on holiday. And the worst part of it is we can even be sick on a weekend.<br />
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I accuse that POSB teller of infecting me with this virus. That was over two weeks ago. And now, on a Saturday, a beautiful bright sunny Saturday in Singapore, I'm finally taking myself in to a doctor's clinic for a diagnosis.<br />
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We first came to &nbsp;Singapore in 1987. We then lived here, off and on, &nbsp;until we moved to Hong Kong at the end of &nbsp;2003. I am happy to report that &nbsp;throughout that period, except for&nbsp;<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">annual executive check ups and </span>&nbsp;a few run-ins with colds, the only doctors' appointments I ever had to make were for visiting parents or for our nephew Ralph who came to stay with us for a year. <br />
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We went to the Horne &amp; Chin Clinic on Scott's Road. There were occasions when they came to us. &nbsp;Once, Dr Sie came to attend to my father when his blood pressure shot up in the middle of the night. A very young Dr Lu came to look in on Ralph who had just had his appendix out.<br />
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It's the closest thing to having one of those characters that loomed large in your childhood. They're all gone now of course. They went with our parents' generation. The much loved, all-knowing family doctor. They made house calls.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Dr. Chin retired a long time ago but Dr. Sie is still there. Dr Lu is now managing partner.&nbsp;It's reassuring to have somewhere to go to see a doctor. Without having to ask around.</span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3399524494717512685'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3399524494717512685'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/being-sick-abroad.html' title='Being sick abroad'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3446326016876850143</id><published>2012-10-08T15:45:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-31T01:44:00.992+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='poolside'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='KL'/><title type='text'>Rejoining the land of the living</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Sick of the sickroom. <br />
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Armed with a bottle of water, iPhone, and Monocle magazine, I'm shooting for a holistic approach to healing. No more lozenges, now trying a bit of lounging in the open air.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3446326016876850143'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3446326016876850143'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/rejoining-land-of-living.html' title='Rejoining the land of the living'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGMzedFSDlMVMW1pBoZfYKVeCW7LJjfWIE5ZXTRr8QmUnLGJuvHTSAKldDTcNZ7CIJXIFIk9E7J7iPC82cNJoHPEpp8x3SVjn8KGj9PyDhci5OBGneGrdxMVVtmhgZr-yQG1bg/s72-c/blogger-image--1352855975.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8013093800056432514</id><published>2012-10-06T16:34:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-27T09:36:24.882+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Double Tree'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kuala Lumpur'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hilton'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Malaysia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='executive lounge'/><title type='text'>Weekend in KL</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Remember that afternoon spent opening a bank account at POSB in Singapore? Well, all that time at the counter netted me not just a Nets account but a raging virus as well!<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=14542219" name="more"></a><br />
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So I've been holed up in my hotel all week, feeling not great. Happily, the hotel room is very nice. I've missed out on lunch with Aimee though and I'm not happy about that at all.<br />
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I didn't fancy going on a flight with this incessant coughing, not to mention the long drive to the airport. So the weekend in Hong Kong has been scrapped and we're staying put in KL.<br />
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On my first outing since Wednesday, we went to <b>Porto Romano </b>for lunch. Okay, it's not really an outing, as it's still in the same building as the hotel, but it's a step removed from room service. And the restaurant is a great find! Food was wonderful- freshly prepared at the open kitchen.<br />
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The lounge at Doubletree is spacious, light filled, and cheerful. There are lots of young people. No children. A different demographic to the Grand Hyatts. <br />
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I make this observation to Stuart who very quickly responds. It's because it's not 5-star. Therefore more affordable.<br />
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And I think to myself, hmmm... no dour-faced old people and no screaming children. Nice that.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8013093800056432514'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8013093800056432514'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/weekend-in-kl.html' title='Weekend in KL'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDPskHFLtALh4H_DYbgFLIYvur2N6r4fpDma1vryrqhVowa_7gjD-Gu943YoxSlaHCL10yk0DLdrytq1t0KoBNsCKERiy-bXmik8SuBSADS9wHhJinW_FaWIQlcbTImfiENFJB/s72-c/IMG_0835.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6847348746593574307</id><published>2012-10-01T22:48:00.002+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T15:31:35.459+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hilton'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='vegan diet'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Harvest moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='KL'/><title type='text'>On moon watch</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm on moon watch. It's 8 o'clock. The harvest moon is late tonight! It's set to rise at 7:54.<br />
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How long does it need to climb over those hills?<br />
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Well, it's after dinner now. The moon is not worth photographing. It's hardly showing behind a bank of thick cloud. Bummer.<br />
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Dinner was Italian again. Soup and pasta. All very nice but this diet is beginning to fray around the edges. Stuart had cream in his soup and prawns in his pasta. There just aren't enough menu choices to maneuver in this vegan arena.<br />
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The wine was good though. &nbsp;But is cabernet shiraz really vegan? <br />
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The jury is still out on that one.<br />
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Day 3 on moon watch.<br />
Finally, the moon!<br />
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Somewhere between 97.5% and 99.5% illumination. Let's call it 98% shall we?<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6847348746593574307'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6847348746593574307'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/on-moonrise-watch.html' title='On moon watch'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJ7xF4ox56px4hy7slDF5AemlX-qBDAIaDnDXprVLWHuL8pekL1a6mlbdWHQyTG13Me2nstVORzGtOKDwx216QHjob96QGFCBGlDkS3eSpF19QZGD6nQuz_1b_zJ_EhKx54vm/s72-c/IMG_0827.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6022593792504973550</id><published>2012-10-01T00:25:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T15:32:05.533+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hilton'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='KL'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='immigrations'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='airport'/><title type='text'>KL airport is a beacon of modernity</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At the KL airport, going through Immigrations is a breeze. No forms to fill out.<br />
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Lately, I've begun to wonder if airports and banks would ever end their addiction to forms. Same for most other institutions of course, but these two just annoy me most. Some European borders, notably Italian ones, go the other extreme, hardly even looking at passports. But there's always a more balanced common sense middle ground, don't you think? So hurray and woot woot for Malaysian Immigrations!<br />
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My first time at the Double Tree Hilton, Stuart's favored stop in KL for its proximity to his office. That advantage has since been mooted by an office move but he likes it here now. So do I.&nbsp;We have nice corner rooms with wraparound views of the city and into surrounding hills.<br />
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Dinner last night was Italian. Cheerful and casual, not quite poolside but close. Penne all' Arrabbiata with the chili toned down and further modified to include broccoli and such other healthy stuff.&nbsp;</div>
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Am I turning vegetarian too?</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6022593792504973550'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6022593792504973550'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/kl-airport-is-beacon-of-modernity.html' title='KL airport is a beacon of modernity'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfi3KqT1GL4vB5Yq7wr5GYRPqbal2EUXFMqNK-mhhrO7XRvaoZSjDpP58tk-65xlLvb-1i7z3p9emGMziaG24aBp6nAveub1TR-PZtwMl3XDIy54_BB8MsqE-GRqJnoQij9AdW/s72-c/IMG_6191.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8525614088814865711</id><published>2012-09-30T16:06:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-31T01:45:34.939+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Changi airport'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='taxi'/><title type='text'>To the airport in a pretty taxi</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Driving to Changi airport in the prettiest taxi ever! <br />
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His name is&nbsp;Joseph. His taxi is a Mercedes Benz. And this is what it's like inside.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8525614088814865711'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8525614088814865711'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/blog-post.html' title='To the airport in a pretty taxi'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_WPMGF2O2jeU26Hv8XzGvLzbneklbJNZtWmaRL-g1c7eupNXaY3o2ne0y5VCrDWssjWRugIr9C4viAgCOsjbXrBTnM49ArlLSTy_TQK8E7Bss-ZY7FBWPLMnO_K82HiQGJBgd/s72-c/IMG_0813.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5745646270555930404</id><published>2012-09-30T11:48:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T15:32:42.139+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><title type='text'>The harvest moon followed me to Singapore</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
In New York last month, i sneaked photo shots of the second full moon of August, the dreamily named Blue Moon, while watching an opera screening at Lincoln Center. My friend Margarita said I must be moonstruck. <br />
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Last night, at Beth &amp; Robert's, I was again accused of being moonstruck as I gazed dreamily at the full moon, this time, the Harvest Moon, peeking through their dining room window. <br />
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I guess I must be. Moonstruck. Margarita said the full moon follows me around. I guess it does. And I love it for that.<br />
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If I didn't know better, I'd ascribe the evening's fabulous dinner to its magical powers. But everybody knows it's all Beth's doing! 🌝</div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5745646270555930404'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5745646270555930404'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/the-harvest-moon-followed-me-to.html' title='The harvest moon followed me to Singapore'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4441961693091427689</id><published>2012-09-29T16:18:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T00:19:43.920+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='lifestyle'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='queue'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><title type='text'>Queuing is a way of life</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 24px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Back to queuing as a way of life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">At a POSB branch to open an account. It will get me an ATM and NETS card which will enable me to</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">pay for shopping, taxis, parking, e- road entries, etc.&nbsp;</span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The procedure has taken 40 minutes so far. And counting...&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="line-height: normal;">About fifty pieces of paper, an approximate equal number of ink stamps, and an amazing number of signatures later, we are still standing at the counter.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 24px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="line-height: normal; text-align: left;">The young girl opening our account is still busy whizzing around, cutting open fresh batches of digital paper, removing plastic covers and blister packs. She now assures us the whole thing will be over in 7 minutes.</span></div>
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We've done it! We've opened the account. Now queuing for a taxi.</div>
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And then she calls. She needs us to sign another document. We dutifully walk back to the bank. We sign another document. We go back to our taxi queue.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOdUXXEeYWh0AcNcsOOkfBYON1kXGvtECEBfMmVsLV5dV6S8qO-tD0_R5Aw2S3iY7ispvz_JtL7G7wzmkg46jBjbi4hyphenhyphenrxHC7N9cDjRumu7g31O-09QIOApK6OF2Vi_5ZzDNB/s640/blogger-image--1048360502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixOdUXXEeYWh0AcNcsOOkfBYON1kXGvtECEBfMmVsLV5dV6S8qO-tD0_R5Aw2S3iY7ispvz_JtL7G7wzmkg46jBjbi4hyphenhyphenrxHC7N9cDjRumu7g31O-09QIOApK6OF2Vi_5ZzDNB/s320/blogger-image--1048360502.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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She calls again. Another document to sign. This time we stay put and she trots over to the taxi rank with her documents for another set of signatures.&nbsp;Really!</div>
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This is a true story.</div>
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</a></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4441961693091427689'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4441961693091427689'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/queuing-is-way-of-life.html' title='Queuing is a way of life'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjD-GjUdepcOR6U3Atzt59bnBUiv9bQdM-7wvp7LPPkce5ziYO2oKCDV1ec8xTHiw1ESKuL8j1a0ZKPQP2VWBgKP7VDf_zuN0C2oWiSiOCVinYsHT1_qqkvB4moxx7rg-nIa5Q/s72-c/blogger-image--1375920510.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5816005784612414567</id><published>2012-09-28T16:01:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-31T01:49:23.141+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tanglin Club'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><title type='text'>At the Tanglin Club</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
"Yes, I know," Kumar at reception said when I introduced myself.<br />
<br />
Soon he was asking Zaini if he knew me too. Zaini is now F&amp;B Manager. He was happy to see me. <br />
<br />
"Kumar, why do you allow Mrs. Jones to stay at the Grand Hyatt?" Kumar, embarrassed, just shrugged. <br />
<br />
They
showed me the newly renovated guest room. Very nice. I said I'm trying
to decide where to go for lunch. Zaini said, "The Tavern is always the
best."<br />
<br />
For the first time since I've been back in Singapore, I felt I was really back.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6NNb4altHxXU2MigRDGfEZkMJRIZDsHat4C6UIn_kt0McNfH1UisJ6HWybved8oZWgZ4elAz9PkfZ65RdVCs17VNE7_ddRLDwhQcndyVqaAPq1coKyHUKuUdKdI1ZlHMO8MI/s640/blogger-image-1741682082.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6NNb4altHxXU2MigRDGfEZkMJRIZDsHat4C6UIn_kt0McNfH1UisJ6HWybved8oZWgZ4elAz9PkfZ65RdVCs17VNE7_ddRLDwhQcndyVqaAPq1coKyHUKuUdKdI1ZlHMO8MI/s320/blogger-image-1741682082.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5816005784612414567'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5816005784612414567'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/at-tanglin-club.html' title='At the Tanglin Club'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6NNb4altHxXU2MigRDGfEZkMJRIZDsHat4C6UIn_kt0McNfH1UisJ6HWybved8oZWgZ4elAz9PkfZ65RdVCs17VNE7_ddRLDwhQcndyVqaAPq1coKyHUKuUdKdI1ZlHMO8MI/s72-c/blogger-image-1741682082.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>5 Stevens Rd, Singapore 257871</georss:featurename><georss:point>1.3161689 103.8270233</georss:point><georss:box>1.3151769 103.8257893 1.3171609000000002 103.82825729999999</georss:box></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-239261586293437539</id><published>2012-09-26T10:25:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-31T01:48:42.559+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='executive lounge'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><title type='text'>Another city, another home</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br /></div>
Back in Singapore, our new post, at the<b> Grand Hyatt</b>, our new home.<br />
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<img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3w5A1RzLDPP2F0gDQ5zdvy86Z4quwGAGAcU1VzV_gPnNuf1hi7Tvvld-X_pnehHwBPFs7fMbCMDa10fqPMCEzKdkD9YvPaerf1oU3sUxGWZU6qU2Rv_fM8kxX9J3tEM_dUz1/s320/blogger-image-1438318152.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<br />
Hotel comparisons are mostly unfair, if not at times pointless. Still, comparisons are inevitable.<br />
<br />
Do we talk about the view or the welcome? The executive lounge or the guest room? Life on the street or society on site?<br />
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Snuggle score of the bed? Thread count of the bed linen? Do the bathrobes weigh you down? Is breakfast served- gratis et amore- in room?<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyQb6-jWxMG4BP6e-HVsnNyJ42XggygYdUYoYytpi4tgvMHlIdiB92Hn93lUq4mI-UwXwgI0TrepKqA88JQ7PX6m477UzEcrl_Rz1fSsFnNKcaQEhjsojwNZDfoJAQsShGWrdA/s320/blogger-image-1944000496.jpg" width="239" /></div>
<br />
Never mind the bathrooms-they've already been lavished with industry-wide attention. Ease of access to power outlets maybe? <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVXfxuPcBDfn5OoQejDncqtBsgKJR4Lsvv6vW83n3609ldyjwLhxj0Xb3p3-jc-sDSdkUXsPSkJTbFEik78fANf0KFkvu14PrZFve7UV4RB0Ha7pdzzGj4XsMltJ3vxRhWJ7i/s320/blogger-image-932356658.jpg" width="239" /></div>
<br />
Do the lounge staff welcome you by name? Like, on day 2?<br />
<br />
Let's get started.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVXfxuPcBDfn5OoQejDncqtBsgKJR4Lsvv6vW83n3609ldyjwLhxj0Xb3p3-jc-sDSdkUXsPSkJTbFEik78fANf0KFkvu14PrZFve7UV4RB0Ha7pdzzGj4XsMltJ3vxRhWJ7i/s640/blogger-image-932356658.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></a>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/239261586293437539'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/239261586293437539'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/another-city-another-home.html' title='Another city, another home'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3w5A1RzLDPP2F0gDQ5zdvy86Z4quwGAGAcU1VzV_gPnNuf1hi7Tvvld-X_pnehHwBPFs7fMbCMDa10fqPMCEzKdkD9YvPaerf1oU3sUxGWZU6qU2Rv_fM8kxX9J3tEM_dUz1/s72-c/blogger-image-1438318152.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6567800364751410703</id><published>2012-09-05T10:32:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T15:38:15.115+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Victoria Harbour'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='executive lounge'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Hyatt'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grand Club'/><title type='text'>Revisiting the Grand Hyatt HK</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We arrive at the <b>Grand Hyatt</b>&nbsp;in Hong Kong late in the evening, just off a16-hour flight from New York.<br />
<b><br /></b>
First order of business,&nbsp;Moët at the <b>Grand Club</b>. It's great to be back after a week at the <b>NY Hilton</b> where the lounge is like a diner at breakfast and a sad sad place at night.<br />
<br />
In the morning, I wake up,&nbsp;unaccustomed&nbsp;to a beautiful break of day. Jet lag has its benefits.<br />
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Lunch with Stuart at the <b>Grand Cafe</b>. For me, fish fillets and rice noodles&nbsp;with coriander and ginger, in a bowl of steaming fragrant flavorful broth. For Stuart, wholewheat spaghetti with eggplant sauce, which he wolfs down with utter delight before rushing off to see Kitty at <b>Kow Hoo</b>&nbsp;to order a new pair of shoes.<br />
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At the<b> Grand Club</b> again, waiting to go to the airport for my flight to Manila.<br />
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The lounge is luxuriously quiet. I watch the various watercraft plying <b>Victoria Harbour</b>: a Star ferry to Kowloon, another ferry leaving the Wan Chai jetty,&nbsp;lots of small boats,&nbsp;tugs, barges, floating cranes.&nbsp;I'm glad I'm here now while the harbor is still wide enough to accommodate all this traffic.<br />
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I avert my eyes from the ugly reclamation sites and try not to think of a future when&nbsp;this&nbsp;beautiful waterway would have been reclaimed and redeveloped out of existence, shrunken into a river and of no use to anybody.<br />
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Scott brings me a macchiato and stops to chat. He's thinking of bringing his family for a holiday in New York but his friends tell him his son would probably enjoy California more.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Scott runs the lounge with near-military precision.</td></tr>
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Hotels are mostly only places to stay on one's travels. There are hotels though that manage to be more than that- they become home. For the past eight years, the <b>Grand Hyatt</b>&nbsp;has been our home in Hong Kong. And the <b>Grand Club</b>&nbsp;has been my living room. It's where I read, wrote, chatted on the phone, entertained friends, and most especially, just lazed. Under the benevolent, warm, friendly care of the good people of the lounge, especially and for the longest continuous period, throughout all those eight years, Scott and Maggie.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">Maggie- smart, witty, giggly, unflappable.</td></tr>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6567800364751410703'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6567800364751410703'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/revisiting-grand-hyatt-hk.html' title='Revisiting the Grand Hyatt HK'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpbJrMauahuGAIaVVUjgbvV4az2NBDNPl8FMqQ2CJO0-aFxcdWHMtqtSn8aB7LIUpDlZIhQgL0qB8UVohLLhmgHCVKQjOkrwdrwda2-klFc8zVHRW2PfixbOVGvOhiLSSrNBi/s72-c/blogger-image--975856435.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8370715907590545603</id><published>2012-09-05T08:08:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T15:39:43.385+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='shops'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY restaurants'/><title type='text'>Last Day in NY</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<u><b>LUNCH</b></u><br />
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Lunch is supposed to be at the pretty tea room at&nbsp;<b>Bergdorf</b>'s overlooking Central Park&nbsp;but we detour to&nbsp;<b>Organic Avenue&nbsp;</b>next door.</div>
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The place looks more like a pharmacy than somewhere to have lunch. But it's staffed by bright young things, all cheerful and exuding health. Easy listening music.&nbsp;</div>
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We're hungry, so we have several sample drinks which include a really nice one- a "coffee and banana milk" drink (this of course has no coffee or milk in it). &nbsp;Lunch: A salad of veggies with fruits and nuts. A veggie wrap. (The wrapper is a big flat leaf- it's like eating a house plant.) There's pretend cheese too. We have a fruit bar and a pretend cake for dessert.&nbsp;</div>
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I must admit everything's delicious and filling. But we're soon hungry again.</div>
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<u><b>SHOPPING</b></u><br />
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Shopping is limited to basics at <b>Gap</b>&nbsp;and <b>Uniqlo</b>, where <b>Djokovic</b> has just launched his new sports wear. Have to get that for Edwin's birthday!<br />
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And speaking of birthdays, mine happens to be just a few days away, so shopping quickly revs up to a more exciting venue.<br />
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<b>Cartier</b>!<br />
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The excuse of course, is an urgent errand to have an old ring resized. So we sweep in through the door, and immediately in the elevator, up to the service area on the second floor. I pick up&nbsp;a chic tiny bottle of mineral water from the table. And&nbsp;a sweet from the bowl, a logo-wrapped candy. We sit on a leather sofa, awaiting our turn at the repair counter.&nbsp;So far, so good.<br />
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Errand accomplished, Stuart suggests we look around. Okay! We're off!<br />
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Everything's a blur now but some highlights remain. The pretty little wood-panelled salesroom with the ornate gilded desk. Can she bring us a drink? Champagne perhaps? No? She shuffles in and out, red leather tray in hand. I try on rings, earrings, bracelets. Stuart plays backgammon on his iPhone. Must be nerves.<br />
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We settle on a ring. The most beautiful ring in the world. From the Black&amp; White collection.<br />
The box goes in the bag with a box of cleaning items. The bag is enormous. It also contains a bottle of champagne. We walk out the door; I'm wearing my new ring. I'm walking on sunshine.<br />
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<b><u>DINNER</u></b><br />
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Later, we have dinner at<b>&nbsp;Eataly</b>, an Italian gourmet-food market complex with several restaurants and a bar, located in the Flatiron district. &nbsp;Yet another offering by&nbsp;<b>Mario Batali</b>, this new concept in dining, originated in Turin by one of his partners,&nbsp;is celebrating its second year in&nbsp;New York&nbsp;this week. It is spectacularly successful, as evidenced by long queues at "Seating Points" for each of the specialty restaurants for meat, fish, vegetables, and pizza &amp; pasta.<br />
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<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi240GkcRW8f84IrdWIljbPywijreqal42pSA85fXZepbeBDSDzLYiUMergU1HDL_6d2SGsRGttfXN87Qr8OgLdhLiqO5ZS0uH63HoZmqVzjMvRTuNMmCCoQSfkY6eG91mza9/s320/IMG_0579.jpg" width="239" /></div>
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<b>Birreria</b>,&nbsp;the rooftop restaurant and brewery is packed. It's also incredibly noisy, so back down to the ground floor where we wait half an hour or so for a table at <b>Il Verdure</b>. The food is excellent, well worth the wait.&nbsp;We have: minestrone, a huge salad of warm vegetables, gnocchi (as the waitress said, not your usual gnocchi- three huge pieces, the shape and size of hamburger patties) with a rich mushroom ragu, creamy cannelloni, and a&nbsp;bottle of <i>Brunello di Montalcino</i>.<br />
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It's a good finish to a good week.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8370715907590545603'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8370715907590545603'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/last-day-in-ny.html' title='Last Day in NY'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBi240GkcRW8f84IrdWIljbPywijreqal42pSA85fXZepbeBDSDzLYiUMergU1HDL_6d2SGsRGttfXN87Qr8OgLdhLiqO5ZS0uH63HoZmqVzjMvRTuNMmCCoQSfkY6eG91mza9/s72-c/IMG_0579.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8759536043322198369</id><published>2012-09-02T00:33:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T15:56:18.652+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blue Moon'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Met on HD'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lincoln Center'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY'/><title type='text'>Faust on HD</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for&nbsp;<i style="font-weight: bold;">Faust</i>&nbsp;at the Met on HD</td></tr>
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<b>Faust</b>&nbsp;on HD cinema in the&nbsp;courtyard of the <b>Lincoln Center</b>&nbsp;on a beautiful end-of-summer evening, with an elegant picnic dinner from&nbsp;<b>Epicerie Boulud</b>.<br />
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The opera of course was brilliantly performed. It was after all designed to be filmed on HD and streamed&nbsp;live onto cinemas across 60 countries worldwide.<br />
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However, it seemed to me too long, too&nbsp;sad, and much too&nbsp;dark. I had to struggle to keep awake towards the end. Maybe it's because when watching a film, your focus is limited to the screen. You don't look up or down &nbsp;or side to side as you would watching a performance on stage.<br />
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Or maybe it's the feeling of not really being there, not seeing the orchestra, or not having an opera crowd to watch.<br />
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The Blue Moon was an added attraction. &nbsp;There were moments though when it seemed to be the main event as I sneaked discreet shots of it over my shoulder. &nbsp;The moon never disappoints.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Moon over Lincoln Center</td></tr>
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Afterwards, a late supper at <b>Bar Boulud</b>, on the recommendation of the evening's lovely picnic dinner from the next door deli.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bar Boulud</td></tr>
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Skate wing with zucchini balls and chanterelle mushrooms. Dessert was&nbsp;Bernadine: a floating meringue &nbsp; in a lime sauce and fresh fruit cubes served in a tall glass. With 3 spoons.<br />
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The thing is, I don't even remember what Erle and Stuart had. And my skate wing was too oily.<br />
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The wine cellar route to the restroom is the real draw.<br /><br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine cellar route to the restrooms</td></tr>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8759536043322198369'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8759536043322198369'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/faust-on-hd.html' title='Faust on HD'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqW0C6tXYhSgBnrOwigehBhEKdqbv58v0dZzeY7NRMbT3poddNIj3d-S9y5UcduoXSXX1na84XbTYvr4Z9P5muwlDndaQa6KOZm72dz5UOyi6UmnaBKs2uHwFIdCWGG4vHB-uB/s72-c/blogger-image--1709986713.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5379731799193365143</id><published>2012-09-02T00:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T16:16:07.513+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Princeton Club'/><title type='text'>At the Princeton Club</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Erle took us to dinner at his club. Hushed, very civilized.<br />
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A funny exchange with the waiter:<br />
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After a discussion about seating, conducted in French, Erle asked the waiter about the wine.&nbsp;</div>
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Waiter: &nbsp;Do you really think I would say it's not good?</div>
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Alice: &nbsp; &nbsp;You look like an honest man.&nbsp;</div>
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Waiter: &nbsp;Thank you, you're so kind. (Barely suppressed laughter.) That's the nicest thing anyone's said to me in a very long time!</div>
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Boisterous laughter all around.</div>
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The wine <i>was</i> good though. And the dinner was excellent. Erle had a hefty steak, I had Chicken Parmigiana, and Stuart, still faithful to his vegan diet, had a salad.</div>
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It was a lovely evening but the full moon was a no-show.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5379731799193365143'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5379731799193365143'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/at-princeton-club.html' title='At the Princeton Club'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtd4yLKY2jMb6enXcAf7tuJktcWKBpQdcP6PiZCkMMtWR2WwuyGnpseW6LTaHTIcCIxHIn4tp5gcAgtqecUio2RtPURQSohjNYGNzWuDNlqHBmJaf0XdDt24XrNhRzAK_vUCn/s72-c/blogger-image-1118932848.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6270041154405445924</id><published>2012-08-31T04:07:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-06T17:27:36.978+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sculpture garden'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='MoMA'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Monet water lilies'/><title type='text'>At the Sculpture Garden. Again.</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm having iced coffee and an oatmeal cookie at the Sculpture Garden. I guess something is about to happen. They're setting up drinks tables and testing the microphones somewhere. I'm too lazy to get up and find out. And no, that's not me sprawled at the edge of the pond.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2z4bTkwLj65dHmwO0nNAeXvGvMsDr4bsN9RcGzkLnWkuMHGuh6NHztNc2Zd84jzvjrH_VdNgtcOxjY3gfETUGIwpzwHhvcGShz9l6RLGWOnk88w6VbpxuxOYyM1_r9nRQ-0V/s320/blogger-image--972927251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elie Nadelman, <i>Man in he Open Air</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="187" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLMxCMgOSMwDyvN6yHZpYVZcYBCwMqG_F2GuQTrZC1OKejb5iXt-q40mlsHR-uepSQQ9PaIsH26RSaK_sVL5tgV_pgo6XQWxcgfbeST7zHtngc64W0KIfVctJpEikrpB2tUtyd/s320/Image.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aristide Maillol, <i>The River</i></td></tr>
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I had lunch with Stuart at the <b>MoMA</b> cafe then wandered through the museum for the second time this week. <br />
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I watched a silent movie from the museum's collection...<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpe6XuV-DH0O2eYShTaESdvqACN2eaY5aNfcJYq3YEQR34zOOneWsu4ORahNIO_1JHUpLPGeJet5W5LEh5HCzpnDMbfxjnzEXRWWGPj0_bkLBP3IIKD4DvnSqL-EDQyzHuZZ9N/s320/blogger-image-74293808.jpg" /></div>
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... lingered over favorites... &nbsp;<b>Picasso</b>'s Absinthe...&nbsp;<b>Matisse</b>'s Dancers...&nbsp;<b>Modigliani</b>'s portrait of a woman...&nbsp;<b>Cezanne</b>'s everything on show...&nbsp;.<br />
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I tend to keep going to the same exhibits all the time...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picasso, <i>Glass of&nbsp;Absinthe</i></td></tr>
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... and as usual, I end up at <b>Monet</b>'s water lilies.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7QCcDR9XNInFpLKERTnWsw8_r02sp244LZq0IXEsNQ3X69Ijf87Ftb5iJ0MurQNaCIFfwrZgSUsM1mTxQaOICFjAJhwgT38SPvv_rKl03YLtMFhSFqHHOLUhjihwfl2gN1jh4/s640/Image+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Section of Monet's Water Lilies</td></tr>
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Okay, I now know what's up. There's a free concert afoot.&nbsp;But am I willing to wait an hour for the<b>&nbsp;Bubu Gang</b>?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs4KGE-AkpxnNEkROurRlTzPcKKnDB7_GuQasofKXhzy7cjwKWlwbyfSsdvAjEV5oAnDsEHCNgybbP_Mt0vZd0qnyIiXfvuA_lKaa7nd_YGllM2VrCwW-mz-taYS0NtmO5blH/s1600/Image+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTs4KGE-AkpxnNEkROurRlTzPcKKnDB7_GuQasofKXhzy7cjwKWlwbyfSsdvAjEV5oAnDsEHCNgybbP_Mt0vZd0qnyIiXfvuA_lKaa7nd_YGllM2VrCwW-mz-taYS0NtmO5blH/s320/Image+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Setting up for The Bubu Gang</td></tr>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6270041154405445924'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6270041154405445924'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/at-sculpture-garden-again.html' title='At the Sculpture Garden. Again.'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2z4bTkwLj65dHmwO0nNAeXvGvMsDr4bsN9RcGzkLnWkuMHGuh6NHztNc2Zd84jzvjrH_VdNgtcOxjY3gfETUGIwpzwHhvcGShz9l6RLGWOnk88w6VbpxuxOYyM1_r9nRQ-0V/s72-c/blogger-image--972927251.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Museum of Modern Art 11 West 53rd Street, New York</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.761427 -73.977308</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1172295940369659139</id><published>2012-08-30T21:30:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T16:14:49.766+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='The Modern'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='MoMA'/><title type='text'>Two More Restaurants, Still in Midtown</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Lunch for me was at another personal NY favorite&nbsp;<b>The Modern</b>. This one keeps its place in my Things To Do in NY.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">The waiter was doubtful if my Long Island flounder would be adequate on its own. No salad? Servings here are small by NY standards but it was plenty enough as I was soon deciding on the main part of the meal. Dessert. Because Stuart wasn't on hand to split the chocolate tart with me, I had to struggle a bit but valiantly got through the whole thing. Crisp chocolate top on a beautiful chocolate mousse and a scoop of chocolate ice cream. Very nice.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Another restaurant goodie! &nbsp;</span><b>Maze&nbsp;</b>by&nbsp;<b>Gordon Ramsay.&nbsp;</b>Don't worry, just because it's one of those celebrity name places, it doesn't mean it's all show. At least this one is not. I had a terrific meal- braised halibut with olives and capers and all those wonderful mediterranean flavors. I should've paid more attention to the description on the menu but I didn't.&nbsp;</div>
<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Stuart was happy with his butter lettuce salad with mushroom toppings, no dressing. I thought it a shame to not try what his favorite TV personality is capable of but hey, I'm not going to put a damper on his enthusiasm for this latest version of The Diet of the Year!&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">No dessert this time- the memory of the dessert-heavy lunch was still fresh in my mind, maybe even in my tummy? But the chocolate truffles were on the house so how could I resist? Stuart did resist. So there were still two gorgeous pieces left.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">I told the waiter I wanted to take them with me so he brought me a nice little box of three fresh ones. Such a nice man. Such a nice place. I now love Gordon Ramsay. Even if he's such a ummm... not-nice-man on TV.</span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1172295940369659139'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1172295940369659139'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/two-more-restaurants-still-in-midtown.html' title='Two More Restaurants, Still in Midtown'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB5u6DP0_Y3CrIWGr3ZuSed1o6Eb_9dOvnRkwWgpayeNTKZO38fVPo_725Dli7jGTK_liq9Lxl8id2IdqwZqfIsxkzb5QwvD3ya3JuKFfQs4PlIEkmxPhts16PuBzqiB-p4M8L/s72-c/blogger-image--1115258327.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Gordon Ramsay at The London NYC 151 West 54th Street, New York</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.7629 -73.979367</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2577825572958099735</id><published>2012-08-29T10:48:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-06T19:30:52.536+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='lecture on sculpture'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='MoMA'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY'/><title type='text'>Postscript to MoMA lecture on Sculpture</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The lecture on Sculpture covered a lot of ground (as well as a lot of museum floors): from an early&nbsp;<b>Picasso</b>&nbsp;bronze head to a recent MoMA acquisition, <b>Richard</b>&nbsp;<b>Serra</b>'s steel floor and ceiling.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVpDwRExgN3mv8n0Y8Vx5TiguRLnjWDryuDvlMt6WOujzng3EhSHlosS-5DC8FXUGZthOTB5XJBx__MuiJ4v7Oxf0XcP-dFIDzzEZTQA1IXLQW9-tgaowYY2zfeJ5XVjs0adA/s1600/IMG_1244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVpDwRExgN3mv8n0Y8Vx5TiguRLnjWDryuDvlMt6WOujzng3EhSHlosS-5DC8FXUGZthOTB5XJBx__MuiJ4v7Oxf0XcP-dFIDzzEZTQA1IXLQW9-tgaowYY2zfeJ5XVjs0adA/s320/IMG_1244.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matisse,&nbsp;<i>The Serpentine</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Brancusi,&nbsp;<i>The Cock</i><br />
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I love the twisted, awkward female figure by&nbsp;<b>Matisse</b>, &nbsp;the primitive, sophisticated, clean lines of&nbsp;<b>Brancusi</b>,&nbsp;<b>Giacometti</b>'s surreal stage-set-model interpretation of a dream, and <b>Aleksandr Rodchenko</b>'s plywood and wire mobile (surely predating <b>Alexander Calder</b>'s "invention" of the art form.) &nbsp;<b>Serra</b>'s&nbsp;floor and ceiling, in hot rolled steel, not so much. Even if the museum very solicitously invites the viewer to "<i>please feel free to step on the floor component of this work</i>."<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giacometti, &nbsp;<i>The Palace at 4 a.m.</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aleksandr Rodchenko,&nbsp;<i>Spatial Construction No. 12</i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfesHCJPObaoyBuPMEgLdExnKMbEk2sMJShMJLD2rYfRmIZDvXX4e-Moz4YMs21G4Rg8oVk01DwumEHiE_95ZEWs-K4CGPmOaBLb6aOj9qzRBt-3-5CG60sKYl-HoiFXN4mQKU/s320/Image.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Richard Serra, <i>Delineator</i>&nbsp;</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">I find&nbsp;</span><b>Meret&nbsp;Oppenheim</b>'s<span class="Apple-style-span">&nbsp;fur-covered cup, saucer, and spoon set quite repulsive. But it's also provocative, courageous, and original.&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span">&nbsp;Our</span>&nbsp;lecturer,&nbsp;<b>Joan Pachner</b>, herself a sculptor,&nbsp;declared it her favorite. I think it could be mine too.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">Like most really smart people, Ms.Pachner&nbsp;</span>knows how to talk to not-too-smart people. She picked out the most representative subjects, as well as most memorable I guess, to represent the various periods covered. &nbsp;From an early cubist <b>Picasso</b> to the steel floor-and-ceiling present of <b>Serra</b>.<br />
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She may have bristled at my question (<i>"Did she think the artist intended to do all she said the art piece evoked?"</i>), probably finding it smart-alecky. But she'd have been wrong if she thought I lacked respect or appreciation for all these giant icons of art.<br />
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</span>I don't subscribe to my late father's oft- expressed disdain of all things modern and abstract in art. (His outburst of&nbsp;<i>"Do these people really think we're all idiots?"</i> is the stuff of family lore but it really does sound better and funnier in Tagalog!)<br />
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But neither do I fully subscribe to a lot of the esoteric meanings and significances ascribed to a lot of unimaginative and uninspiring products of mere hype and myth-making in today's art world.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2577825572958099735'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2577825572958099735'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/moma-postscript.html' title='Postscript to MoMA lecture on Sculpture'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVpDwRExgN3mv8n0Y8Vx5TiguRLnjWDryuDvlMt6WOujzng3EhSHlosS-5DC8FXUGZthOTB5XJBx__MuiJ4v7Oxf0XcP-dFIDzzEZTQA1IXLQW9-tgaowYY2zfeJ5XVjs0adA/s72-c/IMG_1244.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5862764553432785943</id><published>2012-08-29T03:32:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-06T20:16:49.587+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sculpture garden'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='lecture on sculpture'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='MoMA'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY'/><title type='text'>At the MoMA</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm in the <b>Sculpture Garden</b> resting my feet and trying to digest the contents of both my hurried lunch and the lecture I came here for. Lunch was very good so I was unhappy about rushing through it. I barely made it to the 1:30 lecture- I was the last to be admitted to the limited group of 25. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Giacometti,&nbsp;<i>Tall Figure Sculpture III</i></td></tr>
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First, the lunch. Cold soup of tomato and grilled vegetables, I think, and two bruschettas, one with buffalo mozzarella and one with marinated cherry tomatoes. Plus oatmeal cookies which I had to pack away in a napkin for later as it was time for the lecture.<br />
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The lecture. <b>Sculpture from Picasso to Today</b>. It was fascinating. I am always amazed at how much one can say about any work of art. How much artistic, cultural, or revolutionary value one can assign to an art object and its creator. I don't think the lecturer appreciated my question after an expansive discussion on the significance of <b>Duchamp</b>'s bicycle wheel fastened onto a stool (I forget the title):<br />
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Do you think he intended to do all that?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duchamp's bicycle wheel</td></tr>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5862764553432785943'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5862764553432785943'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/at-moma_29.html' title='At the MoMA'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAiupskEYDIGJaSo6DRgrFIBx6CyHgj7WJU2QVpso9AkaU-ldd5LRv8AqRYnL8WWirGTRO0ZhvGFfbQkRMBbyG7rZEVpl7qaGpxHOhlxL3UXG435HOoO8G0qIUV812NqasO6Xf/s72-c/IMG_1211.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Midtown Manhattan</georss:featurename><georss:point>40.759745 -73.975459</georss:point></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4683505854373656841</id><published>2012-08-28T23:53:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:12:35.185+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='midtown'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><title type='text'>Two Restaurants in Midtown Manhattan</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Bistro Milano</b></div>
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55th and 6th.<br />
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I couldn't wait to go back to this restaurant as I've had some very enjoyable meals there in the past. This time though, everything was a let down. The food was unremarkable, bordering on bad; the welcome and the service unsmiling, disinterested, disgruntled. The worst part: the profiteroles were stale and the Grand Marnier sabayon that was supposed to accompany them was missing. The waiter said no, there should only be the chocolate sauce, and actually went off to get the menu to prove it! Oh, you mean this, he murmured, as he pointed to the very words on the menu. He then volunteered to check with the chef and came back to inform us that no, the chef didn't make the sabayon today. <br />
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Was Basil Fawlty in charge in the kitchen? Had he rushed off to buy the profiteroles from the supermarket and prayed we wouldn't notice the sauce was missing?<br />
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However, we had chosen to sit outside and that at least was a good choice. The sun was shining, the air was cool, our table was happy. Never mind the restaurant.<br />
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The beautiful blue skies of Sunday suddenly turned nasty Monday morning. So did my tummy. All of which put paid on my plans for the day. Lunch at <b>MoMA</b> and museum browsing all afternoon.<br />
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Begged off dinner with Erle, who had gallantly stepped up to minder-duty while Stuart was away for two days. Dinner would have to be a snack at the hotel lounge.</div>
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That plan didn't pan out either as the hotel's meager offerings proved too sad to partake of after a disappointingly uneventful day. I proceeded to walk around up and down a few blocks aimlessly but briskly (to ward off predators) in search of somewhere near and nice where I could sit quietly at my meal and read a book (I had <b>Ian Rankin</b> in my bag). Somehow, none of the restaurants appealed. I steered clear of the recently blacklisted <b>Bistro Milan</b>, looked in at a deli but the food there seemed just as sad. Not to mention the people occupying the outdoor seating. Eventually I returned to the hotel where I asked reception about in-house restaurants- the queue for concierge was too long. No restaurants. Bar yes, take-away shop yes, but dining? Only room service. She did recommend the deli in back. No thanks, been there. How about <b>Remi</b>?&nbsp;</div>
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Of course, <b>Remi</b>. I've been there once before and liked it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remi 145 W 53rd</td></tr>
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Somehow, dinner on my own turned out to be a wonderful experience.<br />
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The dining room is airy, high-ceilinged, quietly decorated,&nbsp;and&nbsp;opens onto a summery terrace. The welcome was warm, cordial; the service attentive, helpful, unobtrusive. &nbsp;I had ravioli lightly filled with fresh tuna served with a perfect tomato sauce, a glass of good cabernet sauvignon, and Ian Rankin.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4683505854373656841'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4683505854373656841'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/two-restaurants-in-midtown.html' title='Two Restaurants in Midtown Manhattan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiehNuSFrR50AnjRr5YQhcMHFlC0zCLJbdGn90CkJRhf15mbaPBOloEz2feWhKHR6W1GKUpa5_DuXNugdzP6HX9nKEMXx3p1OcgDwd34RM2MqP21jbolun55AEWNgEKLsF8u3XR/s72-c/Image.jpg' height='72' width='72'/><georss:featurename>Hilton, NY 14468, USA</georss:featurename><georss:point>43.2881161 -77.7933423</georss:point><georss:box>43.2649996 -77.83282430000001 43.311232600000004 -77.7538603</georss:box></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2958274584352709746</id><published>2012-08-23T17:30:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T15:30:33.054+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='arena di verona'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='videos'/><title type='text'>Romeo & Juliette at the Arena</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I'm sitting a few feet from the orchestra pit, a rare occasion, probably unrepeatable. For some reason, tickets to<i> </i><b><i>Romeo &amp; Juliette</i> </b>are cheaper than any other performance this season. Maybe the city wants to encourage people to go and watch the story for which their ancient city is most associated with. Never mind that the star-crossed lovers existed&nbsp;only&nbsp;in the imagination of Shakespeare and all the others before him who wrote similar story lines.</div>
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The thing about the <b>Arena di Verona</b> is, it's so immediate. you feel almost a part of the spectacle, which in many ways, you are. People watch other people with at least as much interest as they do the opera itself.<br />
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Loud festive music blares out as&nbsp;spotlights criss-cross the&nbsp;<i>gradinata</i>, the cheap seats on the upper unreserved sections, looking to rest on a lucky pair to&nbsp;be granted &nbsp;<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">more privileged cushioned seating in the lower sections</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875);">&nbsp;of the theater. Having scanned the length and breadth of the stone steps,&nbsp;the lights finally converge and rest on the chosen couple who gamely leave their stone seats&nbsp;</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">to fanfare and a hearty applause.</span></div>
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I watch the people working behind the scenes for the opera. Stage managers setting up, stagehands clearing up, or musicians working out front. And I'm thinking, are female members of the orchestra here sexier than those of other orchestras? I think maybe they dress sexier. The wind section looks bored.</div>
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Onstage, an elaborately costumed character ceremoniously strikes a gong for the countdown to curtain time, to a smattering of applause and cheers.</div>
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As the sun sets late into the&nbsp;summer&nbsp;&nbsp;evening, in a reenactment of a time-honored arena tradition, members of the audience sitting on the ancient Roman stone steps light candles. The arena is bathed in a soft golden glow.</div>
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Soon, the conductor is ushered in; he takes an extravagant bow and&nbsp;strikes up&nbsp;the orchestra.<br />
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The chorus quietly files in, striding across the&nbsp;<i>poltronissima&nbsp;</i>front-row seats to take positions onstage. As the overture quietens down, the scaffolding/tower/curtain thing standing at the center of the stage begins to split apart in the middle. I hear the wheels trundling not very softly, &nbsp;separating the&nbsp;two halves&nbsp;to reveal the rest of the company distributed up and down their three tiers, a lone step ladder occupying center stage.</div>
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At the back, a huge canvas set is stretched across and up&nbsp;the steps by stagehands dressed in black. They throw sharp tall shadows on&nbsp;the stone steps as they exit upwards&nbsp;on the far side of the amphitheater. The effect is magical.</div>
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I chose to see this particular performance because of the much talked-about young Polish soprano,&nbsp;<b>Aleksandra</b>&nbsp;<b>Kurzak</b>. She is a perfect Juliette, her clear soprano liltingly youthful. She presents a Juliette who is young and spunky and party pretty in her satin bustier&nbsp;and&nbsp;short white&nbsp;tutu&nbsp;worn with pink kitten-heeled ballerina shoes tied up with silk ribbons.</div>
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I must admit the other players do not get much of my attention; I am too focused on Juliette. Nor does much of the singing; I am much too focused on the staging, which&nbsp;is spectacular. Exquisite&nbsp;medieval ornateness shares the stage with contemporary lines and Alice-in-Wonderland-like settings and costumes.</div>
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I love the recurring shiny beehive shapes and steely traps&nbsp;and metallic filigree swirls that inform the design of the modular sets. Like the&nbsp;deliciously ornate tower atop which is nestled Juliette's sweet, girly-girl bedroom. And in the scene of the aborted engagement to Paris where Juliette collapses in a poison-induced swoon, upright, clasped at the waist in a death-grip by a towering wheeled metal hoop-skirt.</div>
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I love&nbsp;most of all&nbsp;the not too depressing ending to the evening's performance. The lovebirds romp hand-in-hand offstage, up the theater's center aisle, exiting&nbsp;gaily&nbsp;in the back, having triumphantly risen- on the wings of love, we presume- from the obligatory death scene atop a sepulcher.</div>
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Ain't love grand?</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2958274584352709746'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2958274584352709746'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/romeo-juliette-at-arena.html' title='Romeo & Juliette at the Arena'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='http://i.ytimg.com/vi/g5lMmMXrN5k/0.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9084064311530277008</id><published>2012-08-15T19:43:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-16T14:29:10.702+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='churchill'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='DH Lawrence'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='blue moon Lake Garda'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='villa'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='gargnano'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='villa feltrinelli'/><title type='text'>A Full Moon Rises over Lake Garda</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At home in Manila, in the lanai.&nbsp;<b>jazzradio</b>.com on cue, ceiling fan softly humming, and beyond the wall, the backstreet is buzzing. Nice.<br />
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All too soon, a car horn starts honking to the accompaniment of a chorus of movers shouting. Well, it's not paradise all the time, but I love it here.<br />
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My thoughts,&nbsp;however,&nbsp;drift back to <b>Gargnano</b>. my ever and always go-to place. In good times and in bad. In the sun and in the rain.<br />
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Two whole weeks now since Stuart and I drove into the small village of <b>Villa</b>, in the town of <b>Gargnano</b>, on the sunset side of Italy's<b>&nbsp;Lake Garda</b>.<br />
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As we stop at the curb outside Valerio's <b>Hotel du Lac</b>, his mother, the beautiful Mrs Arosio, who owns and runs nearby <b>Gardenia Hotel</b>&nbsp;with her husband and two other sons, is just leaving. She stops to chat and give us a welcome hug, saying her son will be happy to see us again.<br />
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Just like that, we're home.<br />
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It's easy to feel at home here. Or even to wish it <i>was</i> home. <b>Winston Chuchill</b> did. <b>D.H. Lawrence</b> actually set up house here- right across the road from us- with runaway inamorata <b>Frieda</b>. And of course, so did <b>Benito Mussolini</b>, whose former villa&nbsp;just down the road, is&nbsp;now a spa hotel, the <b>Villa Feltrinelli</b>.<br />
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At Valerio's, on the delicious balcony outside Room #1, &nbsp;the kiwi canopy shielding us from the late afternoon sun is heavy with fruit. A glass of red wine is set beside my all but forgotten book, iPad, and iPhone all piled up at my side table.<br />
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I'm busy listening to the water rushing rhythmically up and down the boat ramp below me. And studying the mountain range across the lake, trying to pinpoint the exact spot where tonight's full moon will make an appearance.<br />
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Here's&nbsp;a trivia note for the moonstruck: &nbsp;the second full moon of the month, which this month happens on August 31st, is what is called a&nbsp;"Blue Moon."</div>
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We couldn't have timed our stay better if we tried. The first full moon of August is scheduled to appear at dinnertime tomorrow. Tonight's moon will be less full only by a smidgen. We watch the mountain ridge like expectant children at Christmas Eve, eager to see the very moment of the moonrise.<br />
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A telltale glow appears on the mountain top,&nbsp;close to where it dips ever so slightly. And as advertised, the moon slithers up to the waiting blue sky. And to a barrage of camera clicks from every table!<br />
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Dinner under the&nbsp;stars&nbsp;and a full moon. What could be more delicious than that?&nbsp;We linger over our bottle of wine as the moon trails a river of silver across the lake.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9084064311530277008'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9084064311530277008'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/a-full-moon-rises-over-lake-garda.html' title='A Full Moon Rises over Lake Garda'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM6kDEzvEz6PXbjBRAaXFk4mKNyjljI0vN5_Hk2NX2GflNmho6te5amB77LuYEhOSkephqoP2tEYIyt_rCcUSIIrDy4DWK9PiBhgem6wHXqIqUsHVYAVttQGNRAnQJJclA2m3/s72-c/LAG_6986.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5023890137536825097</id><published>2012-08-14T19:44:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T17:23:12.275+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='duomo'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='stained-glass windows'/><title type='text'>The Milan Duomo</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's rare for me these days to see the inside of a church except on holiday. But I do&nbsp;like lighting vigil candles in old churches. I light them in memory of Mommy and Daddy and of Stuart's Mum and Dad. This and the smell of incense remain the best parts of my religious experience.<br />
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I also like sitting on a church pew and being quiet. Allowing the&nbsp;dim,&nbsp;cool silence to embrace me. That's why I prefer old country churches- of any denomination- to cathedrals.<br />
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The cathedral in Milan fails me on several levels. Powerful floodlights have been installed all around, just below the ceiling. The resulting brash light shows off huge paintings mounted on swinging steel brackets. They remind me of fabric and pattern samples in textile and carpet shops.<br />
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The lights also illuminate from inside the painted glass windows that are a sad, unsatisfactory substitute for&nbsp;real stained-glass ones. The original windows were damaged in the last war and proper restoration would be prohibitively expensive. They of course would have been&nbsp;naturally&nbsp;illuminated from outside.<br />
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The carved cross-vaulted ceiling turned out to be another "just for show" element. It's not carved at all, it's painted to look carved.<br />
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When I sat on a pew, I felt more a compulsion to take photos than a desire to let the moment find a hushed place within me. There was of course the constant clatter of tourist footsteps and the not-quite muted voices of tour guides; but none of these bother me. I understand that these are&nbsp;inescapable features in a major tourist attraction that is forced to mutate into a business enterprise to enable it to generously open its doors to curious people like me.<br />
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Selling souvenirs too is necessary to generate funds to make the enterprise financially self-sufficient and economically viable. In this particular case, the souvenir booth is an imposing all-glass kiosk inside the church, with a spire that reaches high towards the ceiling. A gesture mimicking that of the very cathedral it's very much a part of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBEUm8lwb0vxU2dYCrE5Nm4ogCV7lLUdh28rrUZo0c2jWOjA6UUnIl9cAhFvybfvM5C8aYDgb71w3bqj9qRflA1A_JhrzVMz-fKrOiq4JcQF66_JPWiu46bqpVs7_7_V3v05E/s1600/IMG_0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBEUm8lwb0vxU2dYCrE5Nm4ogCV7lLUdh28rrUZo0c2jWOjA6UUnIl9cAhFvybfvM5C8aYDgb71w3bqj9qRflA1A_JhrzVMz-fKrOiq4JcQF66_JPWiu46bqpVs7_7_V3v05E/s320/IMG_0913.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBEUm8lwb0vxU2dYCrE5Nm4ogCV7lLUdh28rrUZo0c2jWOjA6UUnIl9cAhFvybfvM5C8aYDgb71w3bqj9qRflA1A_JhrzVMz-fKrOiq4JcQF66_JPWiu46bqpVs7_7_V3v05E/s1600/IMG_0913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>I believe it takes more than having a couple of menacing guards standing at a church door,&nbsp;waving away inappropriately dressed people to engender dedication and reverence in a consecrated place of worship.<br />
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Enough said.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5023890137536825097'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5023890137536825097'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/the-milan-duomo.html' title='The Milan Duomo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0I1DfTK1ZWCil5EsrAViLuB-QpAGTmmcah_Qmj8vXUb6xDNz_AY6h8Ia9baWdw22lrLxmFWD7QUAr5PZ_BKg8WEh0jtDDhFWw6P7l7qFw_35DS6vLKYyauTu67d62zuVqozYB/s72-c/IMG_0915.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1948025076668783902</id><published>2012-08-11T00:55:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T17:50:49.069+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='verona'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='arena di verona'/><title type='text'>In Defense of the Arena</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><b>Romeo &amp; Juliette</b></i> onstage at <b>Arena di Verona</b></span></td></tr>
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I just overheard somebody say that the <b>Verona Arena</b> is cheesy.<br />
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I don't claim to know all that much about this. &nbsp;But I've been to a few opera houses,&nbsp;seen a number of operas, and&nbsp;been to the Arena often enough. (Notice the judiciously selected words&nbsp;<i>few</i>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<i>a number</i>&nbsp;and<i>&nbsp;often</i>.)<br />
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I think the Arena is fantastic. Never mind that most of the people you find there are really not there for the opera. I suspect very few people actually go to the opera just for the opera anyway. <br />
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But I wish people didn't&nbsp; take children there. (They expect children to keep awake, not to mention behave, until the final death scene?) I wish people didn't take pictures all the time. It is so irritating on several levels. The flash, the click, the monitor light, the constantly moving arm. Some people hum the tunes.<br />
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And then there's the performance. There are frequent substitutions. There are few big names. They used to say there are no microphones, so the singers have to be of a certain calibre to be invited to perform here. Not anymore. There are microphones now.<br />
<br />
So what? &nbsp;The music is always great,&nbsp;the stage unique,&nbsp;the architecture timeless.<br />
<br />
I love the sheer size of it. I love that the stage occupies almost half of the ampitheater, all the way up the steps on both sides of it and all the way up the back. (The theatrical trick of players showing up in the aisles up and down theaters make infinitely more sense here.)<br />
<br />
I love that the stars and the moon form part of the backdrop.<br />
<br />
I love hearing the drone of airplanes flying above and thinking how wonderful it must be to look down from a plane window at the scene below.<br />
<br />
I love the lighting of the candles in the cheap seats.<br />
<br />
I love the gong-person calling the time.<br />
<br />
I love the fact that performances can be interrupted by rain. &nbsp;No rain checks, no refunds.<br />
<br />
I love the sound the empty plastic bottles make as they roll down the stone steps.<br />
<br />
I love the uncomfortable seats. (The red velvet cushions on the front seats are gone, replaced by thin waterproof ones.) They keep me awake throughout the performance.<br />
<br />
I love the bar on the side in front selling over-priced prosecco served in cheap souvenir flutes.<br />
<br />
It's all part of the charm of the Arena. The being there.<br />
<br />
Opera is meant to be bigger than life. In the arena, it is.<br />
<br />
Besides,&nbsp;people who really go for the opera are there too. And most importantly, so are some of the best performers in the business.<br />
<div>
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</div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1948025076668783902'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1948025076668783902'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/in-defense-of-arena-di-verona.html' title='In Defense of the Arena'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieB3F-MVrXfckxA9xHLjOFh9DwKfPMB-UjPuX5GD3Mo5ojMHdjblz9w1_r2HJn3ybV5EwnbxMrIHg-i3oLoNiQgtyhe4sGT-Kt97W8iXZIYA2m20g0UkIUvhqR7uLPmvgPI7PX/s72-c/IMG_0978.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6938315066112421131</id><published>2012-08-10T00:26:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:34:23.994+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='friends'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='lake garda'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Asolo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='gargnano'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='arena di verona'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='last supper'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Villa Cipriani'/><title type='text'>An Italian Summer</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Enjoying the summer with lifelong friends...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Margarita beside the <b>Adige</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKWvVnQ_QNJx3iT29Otada_y0rDhVYK5UyxVAe9yS1GgY9rb5g3KyAWhBaltutnRqGfTwHyXxPJBVFqF6iYfFwwrgmNqXoDhf-FCECACTOG7EN54ZgNl6ExUhQnnf6tLb8mAt/s1600/IMG_1165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKWvVnQ_QNJx3iT29Otada_y0rDhVYK5UyxVAe9yS1GgY9rb5g3KyAWhBaltutnRqGfTwHyXxPJBVFqF6iYfFwwrgmNqXoDhf-FCECACTOG7EN54ZgNl6ExUhQnnf6tLb8mAt/s320/IMG_1165.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Marilou &amp; Eddie at Milan's<b> Torre di Pisa</b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9vYJCF4DDyehmsfBzE197Baw0c2t1gcBcCUBUUz3Kgy-b8b8hQqgovyg_rGWMtpF7kpt4IWr9UgEdwiNuR-kaMEWVWyvhX492w0FtLdLUTFT7ypm91oTgQUvU7-L3mzfCtcP/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9vYJCF4DDyehmsfBzE197Baw0c2t1gcBcCUBUUz3Kgy-b8b8hQqgovyg_rGWMtpF7kpt4IWr9UgEdwiNuR-kaMEWVWyvhX492w0FtLdLUTFT7ypm91oTgQUvU7-L3mzfCtcP/s320/IMG_1014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Margarita &amp; Maurizio at Verona's <b>Il Bertoldo</b></td></tr>
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Investigating fake ceiling carvings...&nbsp;</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8B7S3-TUT2R_IJS0Gk-SL-5-SGG6xw2NV_uObc5M82tiob4kKk9BeBg-sAYj9xZcxo6kKKFwSZAwA0RGqNfmZ4ORfqFIc-lq0Vl0DD92WeeBxGKiUqzvEWvQqpYBkPhW469J/s1600/IMG_0928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB8B7S3-TUT2R_IJS0Gk-SL-5-SGG6xw2NV_uObc5M82tiob4kKk9BeBg-sAYj9xZcxo6kKKFwSZAwA0RGqNfmZ4ORfqFIc-lq0Vl0DD92WeeBxGKiUqzvEWvQqpYBkPhW469J/s320/IMG_0928.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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<i>trompe l'oeil</i>&nbsp;ceiling at Milan duomo</div>
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<br />
And&nbsp;analyzing clinically insane high fashion in Milan...<br />
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<b>Yayoi Kusama</b>&nbsp;dots at L<b>ouis Vuitton</b></div>
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Pairing crisp white wine with horsemeat ragu in Verona...&nbsp;</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPLSnJpfXPKkhnYSnh5KEhmkfkowaPmUuG_2sN4nmE8yb_hLPyOT1SBHtS5d-49cbqChbemZEDU4zxdP09p4leiNVALxqxcXqPE8jdR87uz_NZ_p7-0rp3GEbr4MZAA6tvTxw/s1600/IMG_6142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPLSnJpfXPKkhnYSnh5KEhmkfkowaPmUuG_2sN4nmE8yb_hLPyOT1SBHtS5d-49cbqChbemZEDU4zxdP09p4leiNVALxqxcXqPE8jdR87uz_NZ_p7-0rp3GEbr4MZAA6tvTxw/s320/IMG_6142.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Caffè Sottoriva</b>&nbsp;in Verona<br />
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And&nbsp;indulging in crespelle&nbsp;flambéd in Grand Marnier in Asolo...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7mmT3waTpXvXH-zs8aTStzEfwPFCLxd6bq9YgPV3CKsM-o-wgU-zN9XWZbpZC3-pUNS6NzB4ORAa37F8qeMJHl842rT7kCKpqWBngFlIoUFgilE1tDPHRUSe_P9IHIXNYJol/s1600/LAG_6925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7mmT3waTpXvXH-zs8aTStzEfwPFCLxd6bq9YgPV3CKsM-o-wgU-zN9XWZbpZC3-pUNS6NzB4ORAa37F8qeMJHl842rT7kCKpqWBngFlIoUFgilE1tDPHRUSe_P9IHIXNYJol/s320/LAG_6925.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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at&nbsp;<b>Villa Cipriani</b>&nbsp;in Asolo</div>
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Thrilled by the over-the-top spectacle of the Arena...&nbsp;</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8AvAahdPMWm2eIgvgpQMjXdvN17JS26BKcs4ZYP58n_N2VYIK4wQFCcRWTTG8nEseipV9YAbY7W6dRyZ8oMn2w-M81Uh_OnERfYN3ig6MLYAF_Db67alTFzSrjj6UtmhgTlY/s1600/IMG_0978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8AvAahdPMWm2eIgvgpQMjXdvN17JS26BKcs4ZYP58n_N2VYIK4wQFCcRWTTG8nEseipV9YAbY7W6dRyZ8oMn2w-M81Uh_OnERfYN3ig6MLYAF_Db67alTFzSrjj6UtmhgTlY/s320/IMG_0978.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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<i>romeo&amp;juliette</i> at&nbsp;<b>arena di verona</b></div>
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And calmed by the whisper of Sta Maria delle Grazie's cloister...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bQt8eqS5gVD5VLWkTH2HWLu11EOkFwScb50M0oz_yDk2PpeoucmW3pp-SnaSB7WN12zyKXK9tLONm61xIFnefFJ6iGxr6nXW_j0fmUrOppYWZQnQVwd82-nA4Z2WQt9ovW6i/s1600/IMG_0962.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bQt8eqS5gVD5VLWkTH2HWLu11EOkFwScb50M0oz_yDk2PpeoucmW3pp-SnaSB7WN12zyKXK9tLONm61xIFnefFJ6iGxr6nXW_j0fmUrOppYWZQnQVwd82-nA4Z2WQt9ovW6i/s320/IMG_0962.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="240" /></a></div>
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Outside the refectory containing&nbsp;<b>Leonardo da Vinci</b>'s<i> Last Supper</i>&nbsp;</div>
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Anticipating dazzling&nbsp;sunsets...&nbsp;</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOagup33LHax_O-tjG2CI57JrgnakaWYBIf_JMMV1aC_321k-7HQ9rlRX8SW1nGdcnubylRNtQUVmJTSla6idT03ToUiCGBim-5R-UZ67MffnKvl5fpQhF1woM-R8sASQPbotS/s1600/LAG_6979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOagup33LHax_O-tjG2CI57JrgnakaWYBIf_JMMV1aC_321k-7HQ9rlRX8SW1nGdcnubylRNtQUVmJTSla6idT03ToUiCGBim-5R-UZ67MffnKvl5fpQhF1woM-R8sASQPbotS/s320/LAG_6979.JPG" style="cursor: move;" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset over Asolo countryside</div>
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And&nbsp;heart-stopping&nbsp;moonrises...<br />
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Full moon rising over&nbsp;<b>Villa di Gargnano</b></div>
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Moon-river on <b>Lake Garda</b></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6938315066112421131'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6938315066112421131'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/08/an-italian-summer.html' title='An Italian Summer'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg889vxfdTUUwoaPsYKr5QFB4OnKZkFW2V_B_XYRG_3guTQpmNdsac84dTa6Eg1EbkO1izvdHdF8UjvuIMgTlEvb4gd96psP2hHawmlbBslC5jKRvNZNUE8KXHxSqBJYimnx9Qx/s72-c/LAG_6864.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3500884044679357099</id><published>2012-07-12T17:12:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:29:25.360+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Marilou'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='childhood friend'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><title type='text'>Relocating to Singapore, time to blog again!</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We're moving back to Singapore. Soon. So I'm picking up pen and paper- oops, wrong millennium- rebooting my languishing blog.<br />
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Also, in two weeks, Stuart and I are meeting up with my childhood friend Marilou and her husband Eddie in Milan. So for one day, I am actually going to see that city properly. That is, in the style of Marilou, that self confessed OCD-plagued perfect student of all things discoverable. Ominously, she has sent me an&nbsp;Excel worksheet detailing The Plan. Logistically time framed, costed,&nbsp;footnoted, cross referenced, and strategically highlighted, color coded even. <br />
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I email her. Marilou!!! What a nightmare! I am so unprepared!<br />
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It's been over forty years since I left school and I still suffer from a recurring nightmare: I turn up in school. I'm late, I don't know what class I should be going to, and oh yes, there will be an exam. All I know is, that once again, I am monumentally unprepared.<br />
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That is why I have decided to do my homework this time.&nbsp;Firstly, I'll review what I already know about Milan. Checking out mentions of Milan in my blog, I've decided I know where and what to eat and drink. Apart from that, the field is wide open.</div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3500884044679357099'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3500884044679357099'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/07/relocating-time-to-blog-again.html' title='Relocating to Singapore, time to blog again!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4962447155440069158</id><published>2011-09-27T10:23:00.002+08:00</published><updated>2012-09-26T09:38:58.459+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Puccini'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andrew Lloyd Webber'/><title type='text'>p.s. La Boheme at the Arena</title><content type='html'>I have just reread my previous post. <div><br />
</div><div>And I'm thinking, but Andrew Lloyd Webber did an entire musical with everybody on roller skates in "Starlight Express" didn't he? (And American Idol always has masses of confetti in the finale ...) I enjoyed that show but my friend Tony couldn't bear to watch it and walked out. That was over 25 years ago. It was innovative and should have ushered in a brave new world in theater. </div><div><br />
</div><div>It didn't. No magic. Of course it was not Puccini and it was not the Arena. But it too had steeply sloping floors, a racetrack even, and moving bridges, and enthusiastic singing … But what were the songs again? </div><div><br />
</div><div>Hah! Maybe in a few hundred years this too would be a revered classic. Maybe not.</div><!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4962447155440069158'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4962447155440069158'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/09/i-have-just-reread-my-previous-post.html' title='p.s. La Boheme at the Arena'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1482731678946600526</id><published>2011-09-18T18:48:00.020+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-26T16:33:25.763+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Boheme'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='verona'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='arena di verona'/><title type='text'>La Boheme at Arena di Verona</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
LA BOHEME<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Voqvj91-Jw0qCxQP8WEXTQWuP3lFwdc-7LnWwDktezjwDy81MlOwYY5S5jPZ_y85vMjoXss9yGMOkJOjfib0WILG7V5r9logHoZCnJ2q6XRkk9G-N-p2fLeFrN5iMahWvJiO/s1600/IMG_0458.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />
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The staging (a revival from 2005) was a dream in post-minimalist precision. The milky white set morphed like origami from the claustrophobia of an attic room accessed by a trapdoor on a white floor, into a town square, a bar, and finally back into the attic for a death scene set on top of a pile of mattresses.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">(As the evening's performance was twice interrupted by rain, a comic interlude was inadvertently added to the program when the heroine jumped up from her death bed and marched up to the apron, hand cupped to ear, straining to hear the Maestro's instructions as to the deployment of the final scene. A</span></span> few orchestra members, notably the strings, had already begun to evacuate the pit, rushing to protect their prized instruments from drenching. The rain stopped, the orchestra trickled back in, and Mimi sportingly slumped back to her death scene for a few heartbreaking bars, only to jump up again to seek cover from another burst of rain. And once again, da capo! This sliding in and out of character added another accolade for Cedolins: she was game for anything, not a diva brat at all!)</div>
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The strictly white on white stage was punctuated by deliciously heartwarming theatrical, cinematic, and photographic gestures: random vignettes of townspeople and circus performers, Musetta in brilliant blue couture waltzing skittishly on stilettos atop a disconcertingly high long bar, Parpignol's runaway balloons floating above our heads, stealing across the arena, up and up into the dark rain-soaked Veronese night. And for the most stunning cinematic effect of the evening, the entire chorus glided swiftly, silently across the steeply sloped white floors and exited offstage on beautiful, big, black bicycles.</div>
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At the end of the first act, the giant white tower that loomed menacingly at the back of the set suddenly exploded with a loud boom, sending a huge cloud of confetti shooting up about 50 meters into the air. It then floated airily over everyone on and off stage, giving the assembled patrons in the Poltrinissima section license to laugh and shout and dance and jump in the air, chasing bits of paper, before again settling down to the business of drinking prosecco during intermission.</div>
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Because Mimi was sung by the lovely Fiorenza Cedolins, much loved and respected by Arena audiences, I am bullied into silence except to say she sang beautifully, sweetly, delicately, strongly. Marcelo Alvarez was Rodolfo. He too sang beautifully, sweetly, delicately, strongly. </div>
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Let's face it, I was there for the grandness of Opera, the theatrical over-the-topness, the party that is the Arena, the buzz of being there. The music too of course, but frankly, it sounds better on DVD.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1482731678946600526'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1482731678946600526'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/09/la-boheme-at-arena-di-verona.html' title='La Boheme at Arena di Verona'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Voqvj91-Jw0qCxQP8WEXTQWuP3lFwdc-7LnWwDktezjwDy81MlOwYY5S5jPZ_y85vMjoXss9yGMOkJOjfib0WILG7V5r9logHoZCnJ2q6XRkk9G-N-p2fLeFrN5iMahWvJiO/s72-c/IMG_0458.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6829168518576229486</id><published>2011-09-18T16:10:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-26T16:25:32.255+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='verona'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='prosecco'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Il Bertoldo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Valdobbiadene'/><title type='text'>Verona, a bloodied knee, and a new restaurant find</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Verona was really just a side trip. To cheer us up after Mum's funeral. We went to all our favorite places- stayed at Due Torii, had lunch at Sottoriva around the corner, went to the opera. It was all very nice. Verona was quiet, just a sprinkling of tourists. Walking around was very pleasant, uncrowded, unhurried.<br />
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The evening of La Boheme, Stuart took me to a restaurant he discovered during his morning walk. We have our holiday schedule figured down to a science: Stuart goes down to breakfast, brings me mine (isn't he divine?), then goes off exploring, big professional-looking camera in hand (with which he takes photos from vantages I find too strenuous,) while I take my time over my breakfast and getting myself ready for the day. Works like a charm!</div>
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This evening however was made remarkable not just by the opera, which was beautifully sung and staged. Nor just by the newly discovered restaurant Il Bertoldo, which has now replaced Sottoriva as my most favored place in the city. But indeed by the miraculous recovery I had from a spectacularly acrobatic spill on one of Verona's sidewalks. Those venerable pink marble sidewalks, polished by millennia into the pore-free smoothness of a knife sharpener. Bummer!</div>
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Stuart said, are you okay, don't move, you don't have to get up right away, just stay there. It was very sweet of him to say all that and so wonderful of him not to panic so my panic wouldn't feed on his panic. But staying there was attracting quite a crowd of concerned citizens asking if I was alright, me sitting on the beautiful pink marble sidewalk, smiling my sweetest thank you smile.</div>
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Eventually I had to face the music. As Stuart picked me up off what I supposed would be a bruised and battered bum and as I gingerly found my footing on what by rights should be a broken leg or knee bone (I can still hear the sickening thud I made on the sidewalk ...) I realized I was really okay ... nothing broken!</div>
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So we walked the few more meters to the evening's chosen pre-opera restaurant, Il Bertoldo, where the very charming Francesco brought me an ice pack for my bloodied knee and proceeded to restart the evening for Stuart and me with a cheerily poured, perfectly chilled Prosecco, very dry, DOCG, and proudly Valdobbiadenese.</div>
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The rest of the evening was magic. And this season's La Boheme at the Arena was my reward for the bravery I showed in the face of an almost certain trip to an Italian ER. Or worse, surgery costing an arm and a leg, figuratively and literally, judging by the sound my bones made as diverse parts of my anatomy bit the dust.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6829168518576229486'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6829168518576229486'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/09/verona.html' title='Verona, a bloodied knee, and a new restaurant find'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnom4JD_ciG8dBz8McAFMDRZpI6tAjFuCJEAl-FwGZFs7Uw_GzaUzARj3_JEDwReXMFEa1T_11jp5MwHLKz-mKpjsP5c3ZC2MIS81BuHco06r85UOY6Kj39h778UjzRFlSAHwv/s72-c/LAG_6484.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6356334185278771848</id><published>2011-09-06T14:37:00.012+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:51:21.716+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Smith's Fish Restaurant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Theydon Oak'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Parklane Hilton'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='All Saints'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Theydon Garnon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Onger'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mum'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Epping Forest'/><title type='text'>Mum goes home to Epping Forest</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In late August, Stuart and I took Mum's ashes home to <b>London</b>. She had died peacefully at 93 years, just quietly slipped away, with Stuart and me at her side.</div>
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She had a long time ago made known to us that she wanted her ashes strewn on the churchyard of the old church near their home in <b>Epping Forest</b> in <b>Essex</b>. She had been her most active there as a young wife and mother, busying herself with the <b>Mothers' Union</b>, the<b> Women's Institute,</b> and the various fetes and activities women her age busied themselves with in post war London.</div>
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We arranged to meet for lunch at a nearby pub, the <b>Theydon Oak</b> (reportedly frequented and once owned by <b>Rod Stewart</b>), with the Jones cousins- Dilwyn and Marion and Richard and Gill- who came down from Cardiff. It was a delightful family get together, full of joyful recollections of Mum when they were all very young; and jeers and cheers for the retired, the almost retired, and the not yet retired.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvM5iLccJ88-_UDiHdccHD9By3h-o8zbrpNFdiR472L2foPZ9rISe9YAoIbgumRxwbgWIqQFmpJ1KwnHEwPW3OfmbnMa1J55KzcAqGPq0H11lmHp-8ciTIr3E2609p7wtg6KN/s320/IMG_0407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dilwyn, Stuart, &amp; Richard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gill, Alice, &amp; Marion</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; color: #0000ee;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;">The church of <b>All Saints</b> in <b>Theydon Garnon</b> couldn't be more picturesque if Agatha Christie had made it up. A twisty old country road leads to the lovely old church, part of whose nave dates back to the 13th century. It's really quite famous because it is literally on the crossroads of the old and the new travel routes to London. An ancient Roman road passes to the east of the building and a medieval road passes to its west. More useful to today's motorist though is the nearby junction of the <b>M11</b> and the <b>M25</b>. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649162411815390274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy0atmU0IdSZNx-vfyIHFRsL9nIArU-oupWHO7YCwOIQ5LOBZCK-hkYrXVZrr-dUr2_KGBFj7oFob4kzfdolMIeKDtHoHBAZXSiRxek3BkrsRcIujkUf93-WJ9foWi-aAVde7K/s320/IMG_0414.jpg" style="display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 239px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Church of All Saints in Theydon Garnon</td></tr>
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The Rev Stephen Walker, vicar of All Saints, took us to a spot in the churchyard where Mum's ashes were to be interred. Not scattered, as Mum instructed; but surely even Mum would not have objected. It was beautiful- right next to a paddock where horses grazed.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWNCfD8ov-eQn8gMpbqXGcZkNCeCGWaNr4McOmlhiLS8EGqQUn9MkLyXUz6ppgYIZIOPPo_WMR_NSo9syP23hRdfwVdjQICB5ZhP_ibK8tJ_AHVd1-ytKb7wvDfKUcIZt3TDd/s320/IMG_5731.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQar7l6_PGW7ah1kIdi9x-QX1O3JKcgjmb4juFrI5SNDr9wDzV9TEYkcTWveFdD8zTH8RRicTvfgmdDRqlu6CqHkw8htryWcNOiGRPOAlYqM85Ie1SYGcPOBkkwKUOQ0G9kBR/s320/IMG_5729.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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So, on a lovely sunny afternoon cooled by a soft breeze, Mum was laid to rest in her beloved home. And would you believe it? The ponies came! A small group of about four or more actually mosied right up to the fence to watch the proceedings. It was a perfect coming home.</div>
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Dinner was at <b>Smith's Fish Restaurant </b>at<b> Onger</b>, lately restyled as <b>Smith's Brasserie</b>, this time with Uncle John and Auntie Pat, cousins Keith and Lindsay, her husband William and their son Thomas, and Dad and Mum's friends Derek and Barbara with whom we later, much later, drove back- in the uncertain dark of the country and the confusing streets of the city, arriving very tired at midnight at the <b>Parklane Hilton</b>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649171382360698114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZrPTJoS8vX3KisZK7w3kfXIiBBJPGQsuHaeNYHdRkSHraxDMxHQMFfpkNXFFjeTFJwwt5Yg-ib3lv5Z-RuBUdoTpDHd3ui7LLvAIg3ltfI1fPRYqLlgxvpVDTITpvg0IDx8W/s320/IMG_5746.JPG" style="display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Smith's Brasserie</td></tr>
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The next day, just as London reverted back in character into a sad, wet grey, we left for Verona.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6356334185278771848'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6356334185278771848'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/09/mum-goes-home-to-epping-forest.html' title='Mum goes home to Epping Forest'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZvM5iLccJ88-_UDiHdccHD9By3h-o8zbrpNFdiR472L2foPZ9rISe9YAoIbgumRxwbgWIqQFmpJ1KwnHEwPW3OfmbnMa1J55KzcAqGPq0H11lmHp-8ciTIr3E2609p7wtg6KN/s72-c/IMG_0407.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7449690062518279031</id><published>2011-09-06T12:26:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:52:27.094+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='shanghai'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Waldorf Astoria on the Bund'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='malingering'/><title type='text'>Resuscitating my travel blog- in Shanghai</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWNCfD8ov-eQn8gMpbqXGcZkNCeCGWaNr4McOmlhiLS8EGqQUn9MkLyXUz6ppgYIZIOPPo_WMR_NSo9syP23hRdfwVdjQICB5ZhP_ibK8tJ_AHVd1-ytKb7wvDfKUcIZt3TDd/s1600/IMG_5731.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Okay, due to insistent public demand, I am revitalizing, reinvigorating, or maybe simply resuscitating this blog.<br />
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My public of course is Stuart; but hey, the blog was originally intended for him anyway. It was meant to remind him- and me- of the wonderful places we had been to, the nice places we had stayed in, the good food and wine we had enjoyed. To reminisce over when we're both too old to do it all again.<br />
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I have to play catch up. We have been running around a bit lately.</div>
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<b>SHANGHAI</b><br />
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It's a little late now to talk about <b>Shanghai</b>. I've forgotten the details. (Well, it's age really, creeping up on me. At times, the creeping accelerates to looming. All of which gives this blog urgency.)<br />
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All that remains is a general feeling of wellbeing, comfort, nostalgia, called up by the memory of the <b>Waldorf Astoria on the Bund</b>. Even if I was not at all well then. It was towards the tail end of a viral something we both picked up sometime earlier.<br />
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That's why it's the big fluffy bed, with its beautiful starched linen, the bed high enough from the floor to almost require a ladder, that figures so prominently in my mind.<br />
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That and watching the barges busying the river and the people strolling on the Bund unmindful of the soot-grey 37 degree air, me in the cool, malingering in my deliciously cozy bathrobe and slippers.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7449690062518279031'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7449690062518279031'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/09/okay-due-to-insistent-public-demand-i_06.html' title='Resuscitating my travel blog- in Shanghai'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2170958621227385892</id><published>2011-05-20T23:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T18:58:04.986+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Edith Piaf.'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barrett- Brownings'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ripley's Game'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Villa Cipriani'/><title type='text'>Hotel Villa Cipriani in Asolo</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Having sought shelter from the sun under two white umbrellas and an awning, I feel unbelievably lucky to be here, on this glorious spring day. The air, filled with sweet birdsong, is warm and exquisitely perfumed by the jasmine shrub flowering exuberantly behind me.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRymr92kdEQoskqg0FvRzFAsmd4fLXvZz8SUB_Az3q_4AAR5SaeSmcLlY9cfy6CvSoiCYEP3N-7juS5GIA7NlUQyiWS6Acsnw-clT1Lz_UIBFCXJ5e65fGqQw7lI3KkSHHoX2u/s1600/cipriani+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRymr92kdEQoskqg0FvRzFAsmd4fLXvZz8SUB_Az3q_4AAR5SaeSmcLlY9cfy6CvSoiCYEP3N-7juS5GIA7NlUQyiWS6Acsnw-clT1Lz_UIBFCXJ5e65fGqQw7lI3KkSHHoX2u/s320/cipriani+garden.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the background, the soft warbling of another kind of bird:</div>
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"... If the sun should tumble from the sky, if the sea should suddenly run dry...if you love me, really love me, then whatever happens I don't care..."<br />
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Now what's that song again? French... <b>Edith Piaf.</b>.. heard softly in the background. Wrong country, right attitude.</div>
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The <b>Hotel Villa Cipriani </b>may be reason enough to come to <b>Asolo</b>. This is what hotels are meant to be. The garden, the bar, the restaurant all have the intimacy that only small hotels can provide. But also with the reassuring competence and practiced pampering available only in what is usually called a grand hotel.
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This is where we are spending our last two nights in <b>Asolo</b>.<br />
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Yesterday, for the first time ever, Stuart had been disposed to just sit quietly all day reading or wifi-ing in the garden. He successfully resisted his usual compulsion to jump in the car and launch into one of his monumental explorations of whatever town we happen to be discovering at the moment.
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This hotel does that. They spoil you. They let you spoil yourself. The wonderful staff are all in it together. Katia and Camilo have been especially helpful.<br />
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The <b>Barrett- Brownings</b> (yup! as in <b>Elizabeth and Robert</b>,) one- time owners and residents of the property would no doubt be pleased.
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The view of the surrounding countryside with the villas and country homes snuggled into the hills and mountains must be unrivaled in all of <b>Asolo</b>.<br />
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I don't really know this for a fact but the view from our room must be right up there in the rankings.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaDiXsviQ58fW-KR8c39G6tc-RoMFLSezrL3fAqsE77sxPDTYCCmRSFRJjSQgKWmqtX4FT355ULxnXj76-cI-rgtViCEayivKDLOR9qv0OSymwsSrimAI_axR-fSE_Rp8OKE3/s1600/cip+balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYaDiXsviQ58fW-KR8c39G6tc-RoMFLSezrL3fAqsE77sxPDTYCCmRSFRJjSQgKWmqtX4FT355ULxnXj76-cI-rgtViCEayivKDLOR9qv0OSymwsSrimAI_axR-fSE_Rp8OKE3/s320/cip+balcony.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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You don't have to take my word for it. Watch "<b><i>Ripley's Game</i></b>" and see for yourself. Stuart and I were thrilled to realize that parts of the film were shot right in our room and on our balcony!
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2170958621227385892'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2170958621227385892'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/asolo.html' title='Hotel Villa Cipriani in Asolo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRymr92kdEQoskqg0FvRzFAsmd4fLXvZz8SUB_Az3q_4AAR5SaeSmcLlY9cfy6CvSoiCYEP3N-7juS5GIA7NlUQyiWS6Acsnw-clT1Lz_UIBFCXJ5e65fGqQw7lI3KkSHHoX2u/s72-c/cipriani+garden.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6694378108937822757</id><published>2011-05-18T22:30:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:54:21.413+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurant'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Asolo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ripley's Game'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='full moon'/><title type='text'>A camera-shy full moon in Asolo</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We knew the <b>Villa Foscari </b>was on the<b> Brenta Canal</b> as we had seen it those many years ago on a burchiello cruise. It took us the better part of an hour anyway to figure out how to get there and then where to park when we got there. Only to find out that the villa was closed.<br />
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Back at the hotel, we had a drink on the balcony, followed by a light supper. I had pasta. <i>Mezze maniche </i>with ricotta and olives and tomatoes. It was okay but in the end I found the pasta too heavy and the ricotta not a very satisfying substitute for the <i>burrata</i> mozzarella that was originally on the menu but was unavailable then.<br />
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We were eagerly awaiting the rising of the full moon but Nick, the waiter was not very encouraging. Rain was forecast for the evening.<br />
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Not eager to walk in the wet around the tiny town which we had virtually covered in a fifteen minute walk the night before, we retired early and watched "<b><i>Ripley's Game</i></b>."</div>
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Every so often, I checked if the moon had made an entrance yet above the hill and behind the rain clouds.<br />
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It finally did, halfway into the movie. So we put Ripley on hold while we tried to photograph the camera-shy full moon.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6694378108937822757'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6694378108937822757'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/a-camera-shy-full-moon-in-asolo.html' title='A camera-shy full moon in Asolo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrpECoaYbak8fx6rQCxneN-_523WZIbxmwzgyUO0bobbv2E2QjZQBQW9pm9lX9GdZ7R19h_qourGKr_UV4VM4tWuiQToRyrCRoD4p5i8crenRgDZUIzrtnf79qDwnwsjJ8SqI/s72-c/LAG_6104.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5738806046297240979</id><published>2011-05-18T21:30:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T20:18:10.043+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Carl Gable'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Caffe Palladio'/><title type='text'>Villa Cornaro</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Next on our list was Villa Foscari or La Malcontenta which really got me started so many years ago on this Palladio thing. But on the way to Foscari, Stuart decided to drop in on Villa Cornaro.<br />
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We knew it opened only Saturdays but he said we would sticky-beak anyway. I sat in the car while he walked over to the <b>Caffe Palladio</b> to inquire. As expected, he was told that Saturdays were the only visiting days.</div>
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As Stuart walked out of the cafe, I saw a man come after him. It turned out to be Mr. <b>Carl Gable</b>, the present owner of the villa. He and his wife had been in the cafe and were going back to the villa anyway so they very generously let us into the grounds, telling us to just lock the gate on our way out. Shame we couldn't see inside but it was more than we expected to see anyway.</div>
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As we walked toward the beautiful house, I asked Mr. Gable what it was like to live in this iconic architectural treasure. He said something about having to have the front upper loggia redone.<br />
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I asked why, and he seemed puzzled by the question. Then he said quite simply:<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5738806046297240979'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5738806046297240979'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/villa-cornaro.html' title='Villa Cornaro'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tMDbMw88OKzF3zb0mIuzRsrMk-jgigMc013I2b0-7cjMa2Vo_afvjTur1v9kx00WImIRCViXuxN-0ghEr_EhAI5yrozNo7hVbo_4c9zA9MWoZkjTRBYzX7eLsJZxAahG9BDZ/s72-c/LAG_6075.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1249970574398261431</id><published>2011-05-18T20:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T20:19:07.497+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Villa Barbaro'/><title type='text'>Villa Barbaro</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tuesday, we set out to see Villa Barbaro, just a few minutes' drive from Asolo. It was one we couldn't get into the first time so we were eager to get in.</div>
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This villa is lived in so the protocol is different from that at Emo where I practically had the run of the house. There are more roped in areas here and, horror of horrors, one has to wear slippers in the house! Of course the slippers went over one's shoes but still...!</div>
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I guess that's what turned me off the place early on. And then there were the knick-knacks and disparate furniture that detracted from the architecture. And the sight of laundry hanging in full view in the barchessa really didn't help either.</div>
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I thought the frescoes were too gaudy and the restoration job too heavy handed. I also didn't much care for the complicated layout.</div>
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To Palladio scholars this villa is of the greatest value as it illustrates most clearly the master's major contributions to the science and the art of architecture.<br />
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To this Palladio fan though, it is not nearly as sublime as the Villa Emo.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1249970574398261431'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1249970574398261431'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/villa-barbaro.html' title='Villa Barbaro'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigACjAzV7drcv1u250jKar-6qWluy0lGdqBzr5vB1IbA3HW9TZCEIUY1qQ7VVuXPj2d9SdAPVXiTL97JvXkCetCx37oP8nUQMlskTW_Ahi9KxCbykvdpWHrACLAYC8ccZEsZH9/s72-c/LAG_6022.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7315547875433118203</id><published>2011-05-18T19:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T20:19:29.719+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Emo'/><title type='text'>Villa Emo</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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First on our list was Villa Emo. We were the last visitors of the day. I was so excited because I had waited so long to see it.</div>
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I walked around the beautiful house, slowly, almost reverently, all the time marveling at the feeling of well-being it gave me. I knew it had to do with Palladio's famous magical formula of balance and symmetry, geometry and harmony. I didn't understand how it worked; but it worked.</div>
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I sat in the sala for a long time reading my book, Witold Rybczynski's "The Perfect House." There was nobody there but me. Stuart was out walking in the grounds. I felt all was well in the world. My world.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM288YiqOhbwOqxm2kPcdynj1glvjy5qVqRjPmgFSumzSOiDiAhrFqsqi2ymWd6nKAWIXQ_MUox5DWf5ijpFhKjFss-MGxLCUTPfiSFQ2qac2LkRQzhNpm5a-HG6ndp88RNWJM/s1600/sole+balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a>Back at Albergo da Sole, we had a lovely dinner on the balcony of the hotel restaurant. I had a bread and spinach gnocchi. Very nice. The balcony overlooks a tree-lined street that looked strangely familiar to me. A quick consultation with the waiter confirmed that I was looking at the setting for a scene in one of my all-time favorite movies, "Ripley's Game." The one with John Malkovich.</div>
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Apart from Malkovich, the film's main attraction is Villa Emo, which is featured very prominently in the action. And now, as it turned out, there was all the more reason for me to find this little town very interesting- most of the film was shot in and around Asolo.</div>
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Stuart quickly downloaded the movie from the net.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7315547875433118203'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7315547875433118203'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/villa-emo.html' title='Villa Emo'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Z9FVVYLnpxLwOFpKbJEAqYhHpZa8uVIffGg1nS8wlo79I8Rnu_TvzU2Zn6Ec2vdldPLZ7jLOlB0qFsUkB4SFd-GjCI6xbcgsp55ufF1aH72f0_jKouEGwKPb6EVvlz2uaEaE/s72-c/LAG_6002.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6715995403591849976</id><published>2011-05-18T00:21:00.023+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T20:20:59.675+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Albergo da Sole'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Asolo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Ripley's Game'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Palladio'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Villa Cipriani'/><title type='text'>To visit the villas of Palladio once again</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrpECoaYbak8fx6rQCxneN-_523WZIbxmwzgyUO0bobbv2E2QjZQBQW9pm9lX9GdZ7R19h_qourGKr_UV4VM4tWuiQToRyrCRoD4p5i8crenRgDZUIzrtnf79qDwnwsjJ8SqI/s1600/LAG_6104.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>And now to the main purpose of this holiday: to visit the villas of Palladio once again.<br />
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About six years ago, Stuart and I came to the Veneto region to explore the villas built by <b>Palladio</b>. We saw a few but we missed a lot of others too. Because we couldn't find them, or we ran out of time, or they were not open on the days we came to see them or on the times we came. Those open only in the mornings we never got to see because we, at least I, guard our mornings indoors jealously. Meaning, I rarely get up and out, breakfasted and bathed and ready to face the world, before noon.<br />
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Monday, we left <b>Gargnano</b>. We felt silly to be leaving. The sun was shining, the air was clearer than ever after the much vaunted storm. That was a storm? It came at 6 in the morning and was gone by breakfast. But Palladio was waiting.<br />
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In <b>Asolo</b> we checked into our hotel, the <b>Albergo da Sole</b>, deposited our bags in our room, and eagerly set out for our villas. Monday is not a good day for the villas, the girl at reception said, because most are closed Mondays.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6715995403591849976'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6715995403591849976'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/palladio.html' title='To visit the villas of Palladio once again'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2869085934280028396</id><published>2011-05-15T18:45:00.009+08:00</published><updated>2017-10-01T22:51:41.702+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Limone'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Albergo Gargnano'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Riva'/><title type='text'>Stormy Sunday in Gargnano</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sunday<br />
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Still at Valerio's.&nbsp;As advertised, the storm has come. So good of Valerio to warn us of a stormy weekend when we asked Friday to extend our stay. But if there was anywhere I'd like to be in stormy weather, it would be here.<br />
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The lake is restless but the rain has stopped and the mountains across it have reappeared from behind the haze. A baby olive tree in a planter has toppled over on the balcony.<br />
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I've changed into a short skirt; wet leggings would be uncomfortable. Now back to leggings because Stuart says it's going to be a cold day.<br />
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I've come prepared though- I fish out a raincoat from the bottom of my suitcase. I've got my trusty old Adidas flats to brave the storm.&nbsp;It's still paradise.<br />
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The ferries are not running so we drive all the way to Riva for lunch. Nothing there appeals to us. We drive back. Stop at Limone. Still not the place. Now all the way back to where we started. Gargnano.<br />
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Albergo Gargnano's bar at the corner near the wharf. Nice view of the marina and the lake. Lunch of insalata mista and tagliatelli with mushroom. Macchiato for me, cappuccino for Stuart and a slice of lemon and pine nut tart for sharing. Lovely. We shouldn't have bothered trying any other place. Gargnano always trumps them all.<br />
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The ferries are running again. The storm has passed.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2869085934280028396'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2869085934280028396'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/gargnano.html' title='Stormy Sunday in Gargnano'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5R4ueB8aSoTTdpzLmPm42mG8NqTpnqedpvHf0GsInNAD4LWYRGyswEy-3PP023hzgik4py2PZ3O-rWxkSlmqdUAj-BF9CtEDqGcMy3M-EoB2Tskeopdi7V8JpY184RsBExbW/s72-c/Bar+on+wharf.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5243661485848264036</id><published>2011-05-15T11:35:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T09:35:38.247+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='lake garda'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ferry'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='gargnano'/><title type='text'>Malcesine</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Saturday, Malcesine.</div>
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Once a lunchtime favorite, Mignon Pizzeria is a huge disappointment. It has to go. The nicest thing that can be said about the food is: there's a lot of it. &nbsp;I ask Stuart to remind me what it is I'm eating. Cue in a new favorite lunch place.<br />
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At the waterfront bar though, the amarena gelato saves the day. Fabulous! Twice in a row.</div>
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One look at Stuart's very professional looking camera and the waiter barks in a booming fairground voice, "Attenzione, signori! Paparazzi!"&nbsp;</div>
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Laughter. &nbsp;I ask to take his photo but he turns his back to me&nbsp;theatrically, protesting, "No privacy! Ambush!" And he scurries into the kitchen, face averted. Cute.<br />
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On the ferry back to Gargnano, Stuart and I are alone on the rear deck. The lake is calm but dark clouds turn everything grey.<br />
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We are soon on our balcony though and Nadia has brought us a bottle of wine and little plates of warm bruschetta, huge green olives, and sundried tomatoes. Let the storm come.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5243661485848264036'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5243661485848264036'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/malcesine-on-lake-garda.html' title='Malcesine'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4-9OJYse4rxyNrUvx5X1QvH_vUZE6bXQnPFLXHML_Y5b8imm4jXHhAXQlKwA8kC1EbUew157kPfSrLEdCLT18SC6RUZz3uO2loTJchq4HRc2nyfjZRhX1EemUXXcZHujD0UGs/s72-c/Malcesine.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6752563693436977742</id><published>2011-05-13T08:27:00.003+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T09:37:26.488+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Gardenia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Valerio's Hotel du Lac'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='kiwis'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='terrazza'/><title type='text'>Thursday at Valerio's Hotel du Lac in Gargnano</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Thursday, Gargnano.<br />
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At Valerio's Hotel du Lac. So nice to be back. It's been six years. Valerio welcomes us warmly. I show him a photo taken about ten years ago of my mother and his in the garden of Hotel Gardenia, his parents' hotel a few meters down the road from his. His two brothers are now married. Andrea, the youngest, now has 2 sets of twins.<br />
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This is our terrazza.</div>
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There are no kiwis on the vine yet. Only the most beautiful, scented white flowers with the merest suggestion of a kiwi's core at the center. The fruits will be ready in November.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6752563693436977742'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6752563693436977742'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/thursday-12-may-2011-gargnano.html' title='Thursday at Valerio's Hotel du Lac in Gargnano'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheQKwedOMDavIqkkhDh2Dh9h2gLFnYfBu6r3Y6jVQq5sqm0LB9E1Pmtfx3BcHYdQ7fhxqIGilYPikV1o3-mHh8Y7fFWzshyphenhyphenKl8TOhcn9kCcWIsg8ZnMCq9khPoqhV0OfZBsPsn/s72-c/terrazza.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5649196748459734832</id><published>2011-05-12T22:10:00.002+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:56:18.912+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sempione'/><title type='text'>Milan lunch itinerary</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Milan</b></div>
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At the end of the week, here's our lunch itinerary in review:<br />
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Monday.<b> Caffe Brera</b> on a street corner near the <b>Pinacoteca</b>. Cheap, chic, and cheerful. Mostly students. I always say go to where students go for good, affordable food.</div>
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Tuesday. At a roadside bistro called <b>Jazz</b>. In <b>Sempione</b>. Leafy suburb on the tram line. I love the idea of table settings with bread rolls and cutlery in paper bags. Roast beef and salad and crisp white wine.</div>
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Wednesday. Beautiful, old, wood paneled, dark restaurant. Reminds me of Zen, the TV show. Stracciata di manzo - tenderloin tips in a creamy mushroom and red radicchio ragout. Not much to look at- all the same drab colour and lots of it piled unceremoniously in the center of the plate. But oh so delicious! The ultimate comfort food!<br />
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Thursday. On the top floor of <b>La Rinascente</b>, a department store- of all places! But the view was magnificent. Level with the spires of the duomo, I could almost reach out and touch them! I recognized <b>Obiko Mozzarella Bar</b> from the <b>Rockefeller Center</b> in New York where I pigged out with Bing once on the dreamy creamy cheeses.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5649196748459734832'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5649196748459734832'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/milan_14.html' title='Milan lunch itinerary'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZKeQXB3lSb4RnYpiqF-4UntZtJDWbyrsXacUU4Okg5nLYgx5h47u1H3YVweExcWBqsvRiNddnlrcLc9pXMVIg9nn5v501zDIpDGOlJVgTBCFr4Zmp6TtDpkS8SQVU6Q-BiUk/s72-c/Jazz.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-422345557368800637</id><published>2011-05-12T11:53:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:59:21.449+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lise Lindstrom'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Scala'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Park Hyatt'/><title type='text'>TURANDOT at La Scala</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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At the&nbsp;<b>Park Hyatt</b>, it's a 40 minute wait for our room, so we have breakfast in the beautiful glass domed lobby. Perfect start to a perfect day.<br />
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<b><i>TURANDOT</i></b> at <b>La Scala</b><br />
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Success! We managed to wangle tickets at the last minute and finally found ourselves in the holy of holies! The last time we tried, we ended up at the very unimpressive, very suburban off-site, off-center <b>La Scala</b> annexe, the <b>Arcimboldi</b>. Not the same at all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Turandot </i>at<i>&nbsp;</i>Teatro alla Scala</td></tr>
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Pre- opera drinks at <b>Bar Marchesino</b>. Prosecco and a snack of creamy cheese risotto served in a cup. Plus olives and nuts and arancino balls (more rice!)<br />
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<b>Lise Lindstrom</b> was perfect as Turandot. That of course is my uninformed opinion.<br />
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The notoriously onerously unappreciative Milanese crowd was visibly unimpressed. I guess she hasn't been dramatic enough, not oppressively abrasive enough, not shrilly or trilly or squilly enough. Oh well. If it were me, after all that effort she put in, and to great effect methinks or methought, and not a whiff of appreciation from the audience, not a measly clap or call of Brava Lindstrom, I'd have stormed out and not bothered to come out at curtain call. With or without the entire cast. Which of course she was criticised for- not having the nerve to come out on her own. Hmmmph... some people!<br />
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Well I thought she was great! Woot woot to her! Never mind Brava!<br />
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Post- opera supper at <b>Park Hyatt </b>bar. Carpaccio and rocket salad and <i><b>Brunello di Montalcino</b></i>. Perfect.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/422345557368800637'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/422345557368800637'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2011/05/turandot-at-la-scala.html' title='TURANDOT at La Scala'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNgunfRFIFmXcwvNSGSMwZzz0GLQ7u3uMO7AhOemMpm58KKzsd9Zh5OQVj-lx7I2i39UqXPLL9xBaEXx_eKCsk1lCm4im7Scl5ggPH3ndtH50hijoo7ZXoLTfUeHfodPfQ60Q1/s72-c/hyatt+mask.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5087508281636591036</id><published>2010-05-21T16:30:00.004+08:00</published><updated>2016-03-21T13:06:03.998+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='music'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cuba libre'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cuba'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cuban doctors'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='video'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='SantiagoHabana'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Havana'/><title type='text'>HAVANA- 5 DAYS IN MARCH</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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When it comes to Cuba, everybody has an opinion. Depending on what school of thought one has bought into and how much of it he has packed into his travel bag, Cuba is either an outpost of romantic revolutionary zeal or just a failed socialist experiment. The tourist is irresistibly drawn to add his own flourishes to whatever picture he has gleaned from history books and tourist pamphlets.<br />
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There are several constants in any Cuban holiday story: Ernest Hemingway, Graham Greene, old cars, art deco buildings, and salsa.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyNpWO4hcP_9mwpDhID9osEGYqViy3uXP9VcO8JjqUDOiwPqhh1uGWBZV2Bdf6b9uozX_Apr7lN-ck_-d5EBWajbNtMGKOxlq07hyphenhyphenrwKtvDMqLR3iSCvAUL7gNrEfM_MZnqyuH/s320/HAV_0115.jpg" />&nbsp;</div>
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I went in search of cuba libres- as in cocktail- and arroz ala cubana, a childhood favorite. What I found was that cuba libres have been made irrelevant by mojitos; and arroz ala cubana by the ubiquitous Cuban sandwich.<br />
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I also went in search of a story about a country devastated by revolution. A story of how the US embargo is isolating and bringing to its knees a country intent on sticking to the tenets of an unfashionable ideology. And the big story behind all this, of course, is the story of a clutch of scraggly photogenic intellectual rebels taking over an entire country by throwing out an unpopular, corrupt government. Fifty two years on, they're still running the country.<br />
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The Cuba I found is nowhere near down on its knees. Virtually 100% literate, Cuba offers free education at all levels to all its citizens. It even offers free university education to deserving citizens of other countries. There are presently about 10,000 foreign students studying in Cuban universities. There is one teacher for every 37 Cubans. They have a labour force of at least a million technicians, technologists, and university graduates.<br />
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Rumoured to have some of the best doctors in the world, they have one doctor available for every 300 Cubans.They have an enviable health care system. Free. And made accessible to all citizens through various poly technical centers, hospitals, and medical centers. There are benefits covering sickness, maternity, and work-related injury. As well as old age, disability, and survivors pensions.<br />
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Cuba has culture- art, opera, ballet, theatre, popular music and dance, cinema. Available to all. In some cases, free. There are Cuban writers, poets, painters, and musicians renowned throughout the world.<br />
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So how is this a failed experiment in anything? I wonder what it's like to have no bills to worry about? No school fees, no hospital bills, no doctor's fees even! To have dancing in the streets, at stadium-like dance halls, at bars on every street corner. Music seems to be the people's lifeblood; drumbeat their pulse. In Havana, I heard drums start to beat every morning soon after I woke up.<br />
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Does all this make the citizenry uninvolved and frivolous? From where I stand- and that’s way back as a tourist- they look far too relaxed. It's like not much is expected of them by the government. Or even by themselves. Bread and circuses come to mind.<br />
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What? Wouldn't they rather march angrily up and down streets carrying protest placards? Have labor strikes maybe? Watch politicians hurl accusations at each other on TV?<br />
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</content><link rel='enclosure' type='video/mp4' href='http://www.blogger.com/video-play.mp4?contentId=f6d1999ab7f530a9&type=video%2Fmp4' length='0'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/651269865498161678'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/651269865498161678'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2010/05/havana-on-stage.html' title='HAVANA on stage! (video)'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6092891030000751995</id><published>2009-09-02T16:57:00.007+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-02T10:08:03.929+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cakes'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tokyo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='MARUZEN'/><title type='text'>JAPAN 2009</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I just have to talk about Japan.<br />
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I know I quit blogging about this time last year. At that time my response to queries about my dying blog was well, even my little nephew has a blog! But this country has really got me going again! I love this place! I love the people. I love the quiet elegance in most things they do.<br />
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My lunch was a work of fine art. I'm not even talking about the taste of the fish, the freshness. But the strategically laid grill marks, the graceful curling of the edges. Even the hamburger steak beside it was oxymoronically elegant. And indeed there was a brash hamburger steak in that same serene rectangle of white china, a counter-balance to the curly fish.<br />
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Prowling the shops next door to my hotel. A design shop. Wall coverings, floor coverings, window treatments. In the center is a well-lit browsing room. Several desks equipped with snazzy lamps, where shoppers can pore over volumes of fabric swatches and color tiles at leisure.<br />
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A bookshop. A go to place anywhere. It used to be churches. Now it's bookshops. MARUZEN, I love you!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWco8aie3eqzipmhC2t4v8AHF_F6nf8-VwPfj8gb2ZKROkXBanPqaiQ5Q9uTGP3ElfjZuTnoddroH_MZhe0ktS93XSN_DDx0rTuW9YhtY_8Te3spkpPZAfwZE-zhjqBDVTOsVz/s1600-h/Japan+Sep2009+004.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377151103987247186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWco8aie3eqzipmhC2t4v8AHF_F6nf8-VwPfj8gb2ZKROkXBanPqaiQ5Q9uTGP3ElfjZuTnoddroH_MZhe0ktS93XSN_DDx0rTuW9YhtY_8Te3spkpPZAfwZE-zhjqBDVTOsVz/s320/Japan+Sep2009+004.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
I bought keychains. Can you believe the cliche? Keychains! But my nieces pronounced them to be an absolute must buy. Anyway the experience of buying them was so sweet.<br />
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And stop criticizing the Japanese penchant for packaging! I AM sorry for the huge carbon footprint I have just conspired to inflict on dear Mother Earth; but surely beauty and craftsmanship provide extenuating circumstances!<br />
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The loving caresses that the shop assistant lavished on my keychains at $3 a pop mitigate any sacrilege committed against the greening of Tokyo.<br />
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And as to the sweets I just couldn't say No to, behold the glorious creations:<br />
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They belong in an art gallery.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMnOn1A3YMwrWk3v4K9mvHp7UjjAogcfL6tsbi4zbOYgVj0_ou0L50QRXGkzJRDhMkD1wLHpO1bDlYTvQVXqvdf8eBODDPZ1WaQ3Tm30buxTv3zExnZcXgA1oO3vZlgeBYPwm/s1600-h/Japan+Sep2009+007.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377152594039858306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMnOn1A3YMwrWk3v4K9mvHp7UjjAogcfL6tsbi4zbOYgVj0_ou0L50QRXGkzJRDhMkD1wLHpO1bDlYTvQVXqvdf8eBODDPZ1WaQ3Tm30buxTv3zExnZcXgA1oO3vZlgeBYPwm/s320/Japan+Sep2009+007.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 240px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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Certainly not in a take-out box.<br />
&nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2WHlX_LFRbCpeI5GkDW0mchA0VVYO0XaIa7khy1OvieWzTVJXjKkzg_qxcj_nYlMttqH7MiCfe6kApr4EO3uD6n6G2kP48NHIOUPCTNW28ZmqzqRgqZsLb75td0pRPY6XZN6/s1600-h/Japan+Sep2009+008.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5377163894120269570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2WHlX_LFRbCpeI5GkDW0mchA0VVYO0XaIa7khy1OvieWzTVJXjKkzg_qxcj_nYlMttqH7MiCfe6kApr4EO3uD6n6G2kP48NHIOUPCTNW28ZmqzqRgqZsLb75td0pRPY6XZN6/s320/Japan+Sep2009+008.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 240px;" /></a></div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6092891030000751995'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6092891030000751995'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2009/09/i-just-have-to-talk-about-japani-know-i.html' title='JAPAN 2009'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWco8aie3eqzipmhC2t4v8AHF_F6nf8-VwPfj8gb2ZKROkXBanPqaiQ5Q9uTGP3ElfjZuTnoddroH_MZhe0ktS93XSN_DDx0rTuW9YhtY_8Te3spkpPZAfwZE-zhjqBDVTOsVz/s72-c/Japan+Sep2009+004.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6725010677004734387</id><published>2008-09-03T12:59:00.010+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T17:28:22.252+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Atkins diet'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='city tour'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Japan'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tokyo'/><title type='text'>JAPAN</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>Tokyo</b><br />
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Fabulous sunny day.</div>
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Quick snack at hotel deli-Y1,200 plastic packed, microwaved hamburger steak in onion sauce with 2 or 3 tiny shards of veggies; sweet and sourish. Plus steaming, sweet smelling, very tempting rice in bottom container, untouched of course.&nbsp;</div>
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Still being faithful to Atkins, now on 4th week of induction. Sadly, still not much weight loss but inches, dress size down maybe a couple of notches.</div>
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City tour: <b>Grey Line</b>, Y4,500 +300 for return to hotel. </div>
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This is Koko, our tour guide. Very personable, proper, exceedingly polite but also warm and friendly. Hyper efficient, she micro-managed her charges as if they were nursery school tots out on an excursion.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoF9yQ37uxVF5UI8VdIhs7TKnAecwG5UV0sohssTy9sMN2c7sSlLcSBOEwcxtH87CL1M6qVSI4QQBlKytuoB_HxsYcFNMn44YarmrHkIUj5fumnz9HaFi5x7erTpMhk1H1pp8/s320/tOKYO007.JPG" /></div>
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First stop is the Ginza to pick up more little tots. The sunny side of Ginza's main street is deserted, save for lone brave-heart wielding a parasol against the sun's impertinent assault on the renowned spotless Japanese complexion.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlecvkOwwUtCcwXf9E2IuMpr03l44kQY7aLuUTLjD0WtzyisM0D5fnIvGLnEbcDGqjAdjgxb-cTvpvYggVmA6H7gLZkclTyrSb5vVGrXvLvv7dxJTeMiq6xgd-ao77qC0BHCn7/s320/tOKYO002.JPG" /></div>
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<st1:city><st1:place>On the <b>Sumide</b>&nbsp;<b>River</b>. The city tour surprisingly included a river </st1:place></st1:city>cruise- from <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hinode </span>pier to <span style="font-weight: bold;">Asakusa</span>.<br />
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSd63cTA4uvpp_eB4CcmSFn6vlYyW1Oim8GoLPjCVFfXGEYqMttM6zSPaI7ambm0KilBSv-5bj3SXmxqMDSnYBUlwOPROkjiNaKxKOqEuYPys2qgkc30sQAykQl2amcf-FFb-F/s320/tOKYO006.JPG" /></div>
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It was a very pleasant, relaxing respite from the oppressive heat and humidity. Great way to get introduced to the city: lush park greenery, beautiful traditional houses alongside edgy, contemporary buildings.</div>
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I loved going under those neon colored bridges, all thirteen of them. The river locks, I suppose they are flood gates, put into focus just how efficient and unfussy this aesthetically uncompromising city is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r6Z9EJ_QntamrskLqkB7Puv5MXEoAobV4WL_1tucaSvGF-W_y5shk6vAV9A-Fg4ngrrEZ1uxQVe4iBzkC8eOiOxTlXCntePqWVOWRhvrYn5pK9xZeEV6IqFhlA4Iw4s2xZuO/s1600-h/tOKYO027.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241666621813263602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r6Z9EJ_QntamrskLqkB7Puv5MXEoAobV4WL_1tucaSvGF-W_y5shk6vAV9A-Fg4ngrrEZ1uxQVe4iBzkC8eOiOxTlXCntePqWVOWRhvrYn5pK9xZeEV6IqFhlA4Iw4s2xZuO/s200/tOKYO027.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2d5Fz6y8AjLaLZi1Et9hzt2mHI5HMxTQaGAIgLj1f8duQyZwMB3taqjtlSU_e1j0-YWmPpA0xCaBMJEEEjGaGwpRzzwgkAhRFMhembOrnUEjANSHZvwQdbGsusdQVtGF3HBKf/s1600-h/tOKYO029.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241666631117736162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2d5Fz6y8AjLaLZi1Et9hzt2mHI5HMxTQaGAIgLj1f8duQyZwMB3taqjtlSU_e1j0-YWmPpA0xCaBMJEEEjGaGwpRzzwgkAhRFMhembOrnUEjANSHZvwQdbGsusdQVtGF3HBKf/s200/tOKYO029.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiiAMwAc8WFhoHDuurXNjOPQFacbnq7GnC6fyTgKdRzTCsuuwp5xuKIX3FHkEZ4jF_HPfqeEbdUb2GvPVzPRWBcL24N_Ab9RrFupwmiddmVR5e8SBa-VJRO8l56qWubJpTg4J/s1600-h/tOKYO031.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241666634625100754" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiiAMwAc8WFhoHDuurXNjOPQFacbnq7GnC6fyTgKdRzTCsuuwp5xuKIX3FHkEZ4jF_HPfqeEbdUb2GvPVzPRWBcL24N_Ab9RrFupwmiddmVR5e8SBa-VJRO8l56qWubJpTg4J/s200/tOKYO031.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></div>
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There is hardly a whiff of grandstanding, even in the public parks; even in the approaches to the Imperial Palace. Tradition sits comfortably alongside forward looking technical and artistic aggressiveness.</div>
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At the end of this river cruise is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Asakusa</span>, the low city of old <b>Edo</b>, where the samurai of the high city or uptown mingled with merchants and artisans in the demi-monde pleasure quarters populated by theater types and courtesans. Today, Asakusa is a genteel neighborhood, quiet, well-mannered.<br />
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It's a pleasant enough walk through the stalls of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nakamise-dori</span>, a covered promenade between the two gates of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Asakusa Kannon</span>, but the heat made shopping and browsing difficult. Koko caught me wandering about the backstreets where it was slightly cooler. It was also more fascinating to see the unrelenting cleanliness even behind the scenes and the beautiful packaging of supplies stacked on the pavements behind the shops.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhro3-sPlBBZbaiOCATXZ7YjMePz4S8vaD5IipgsKaTkdxxIivpUFBEc3jI7wgr1_UeERhjGNtKxt6TJIRpRrjSkqmCRiGuEIorZztqYx_FT3uDSF29UFDagTMMbEoGTAnBY8dq/s320/tOKYO048.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyhZtXcr40FPbo8D3_E5zbIodpfZPXt0oyV3a0KMHkB11tsBwFzhTzgIZLQ3o2QOddGLVQOW9ukLrDPuEMzk5teMkn8AtQZwv0l11EDEBthCXdWIJ1Ew4owYRw4jzkcucwpH03/s320/tOKYO046.JPG" /></div>
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I couldn't really be tempted by much of the goods on display- combs and paper fans and such- except maybe the glossy bright colored bean paste sweets that look like billiard balls. Irresistible!<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYUfhdyX24J5C-aHApOwr7-ET-CFEEl7FF6ffQs-PkBM5aBxs7DLVWAGOgml3tYD92q6ddrC9xQvktMJFLp1Hso3gInF3wZ4lQ3hxn1M7HLNnBRbsD9cXXU70DtrxpILpV1jA/s320/tOKYO055.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUx5zLoQI6bhyb2j307pdBPKRi8j7gTTrOEHsxnc7YFUy-CZPx2GPrDMOnCt2ZKUVrh2nMbAGUSJUtXe3Hk4pBwObTBbv5fXxkwvDma0PN_H5ieW6IF7ZIN8rTbfYx-zDHAExu/s320/tOKYO060.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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There was also a jewel of a shop selling beautiful hand printed paper. I took a photo before I realized it was probably one of those places that forbid it. Belatedly, a sales assistant gently admonished me as I meekly put the offending camera away.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvBsoHPGrKyfavMddJ8-fPUQ0fBKyBIRuOk9BSc6LGZMStHUxGu9Bn2P4Z2KRwRcQyIbP2cCs_pW0eNCq6XMcnj40_a34sgd6w18KsneWF5ZNNL5bU8_YLbd026O0oxap8XOwj/s320/tOKYO044.JPG" /></div>
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Enclosed in a serene little garden is a 17th century shrine dedicated to the two fishermen who, according to tradition, caught a tiny gold statue of <b>Kannon</b>, the goddess of mercy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWIy6pZsoOeNZBxPGs3Yo_FvD7OVdBKRo_Jn4X-FHAoy5PCoczr0kVw4r6lQq9Xcb5wF3wcOYVASvAerc7OIoOQibqseOKswdHJ9ZOIbeDIDzLYGXYddybGyquIudcuVYDnUK/s1600-h/tOKYO068.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242059413539390738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBWIy6pZsoOeNZBxPGs3Yo_FvD7OVdBKRo_Jn4X-FHAoy5PCoczr0kVw4r6lQq9Xcb5wF3wcOYVASvAerc7OIoOQibqseOKswdHJ9ZOIbeDIDzLYGXYddybGyquIudcuVYDnUK/s320/tOKYO068.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></div>
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Soon, it was closing time at the main hall of the temple. It was closing down time for me too. I was hot and sweaty and distinctly low batt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU7t7M1zBP0RxlY0TLjuiHeGewx8scdnRQS30pp1uFMQY5vsMpK3hRuDxceNh8zwXfM2N32BDfbMxAVkHT55Mhsc_TMQjdJn_EDszlUNrxzKBP0CclB1k7lBoVUXUwsJNY7Ab/s1600-h/tOKYO073.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242059416824528466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPU7t7M1zBP0RxlY0TLjuiHeGewx8scdnRQS30pp1uFMQY5vsMpK3hRuDxceNh8zwXfM2N32BDfbMxAVkHT55Mhsc_TMQjdJn_EDszlUNrxzKBP0CclB1k7lBoVUXUwsJNY7Ab/s320/tOKYO073.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></div>
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Later that evening, it was dinner with Stuart at the hotel coffee shop; both of us too tired to explore the city. We blew Atkins to the wind. Stuart ate sugar cubes and everything else on offer. He can afford to, seeing as he’s lost 5 kilos and several jean sizes todate.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6725010677004734387'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6725010677004734387'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2008/09/japan.html' title='JAPAN'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUoF9yQ37uxVF5UI8VdIhs7TKnAecwG5UV0sohssTy9sMN2c7sSlLcSBOEwcxtH87CL1M6qVSI4QQBlKytuoB_HxsYcFNMn44YarmrHkIUj5fumnz9HaFi5x7erTpMhk1H1pp8/s72-c/tOKYO007.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6238567298010152419</id><published>2008-02-06T13:59:00.001+08:00</published><updated>2013-03-12T11:22:03.659+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Fairways'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='SeaAir'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Boracay'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Blue Water Resort'/><title type='text'>Boracay</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlrZHDJlNeZdOU8d-ONG9j0M48mSFJWX7jvjqskVZU5Ocjj-Pb-6CXmoHYoePEEgDHVPgMs6VIy71apz-Z3pe-9HAdOSJfekB4XFrhtJtsOxMuouJsPfYBF-G_qetKkI5ZE2q/s1600-h/Day2+010.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164955278023968866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlrZHDJlNeZdOU8d-ONG9j0M48mSFJWX7jvjqskVZU5Ocjj-Pb-6CXmoHYoePEEgDHVPgMs6VIy71apz-Z3pe-9HAdOSJfekB4XFrhtJtsOxMuouJsPfYBF-G_qetKkI5ZE2q/s320/Day2+010.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
Wednesday, <st1:time hour="13" minute="40">1.40 p.m.</st1:time><br />
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At the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Fairways &amp; Blue Water Resort Golf &amp; Country Club</span></div>
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The room must be very clean by now.</div>
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We arrive at 11, our room is still being cleaned; so straight to lunch on the veranda. Goodness, <st1:city><st1:place>Roy the captain waiter</st1:place></st1:city> should have warned us that 2 blue marlins and a bagoong-less pinakbet would feed a family of 10. It’s all good though so we have the left-overs packed for microwaving in the villa later, perhaps with a bottle of wine.</div>
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This is a great place to wait for anything. The sea spread out before us, thickly wooded hills in the distance, the odd sailboat drifting by, royal blue sails catching the cool breeze. </div>
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A new planeload has just arrived. Eighty percent Korean. Wonderful! Great for business. On a macro level (Philippine tourism), and a newly hatched micro level. Stuart and I are about to open our first <st1:place><st1:placename>English</st1:placename> <st1:placename>Language</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>School</st1:placetype></st1:place>. We are relying on these planeloads to find their way to our school.</div>
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Earlier:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9F2unuJi9MEN7nYogt4T4uuVes1uhON6_KypqzEy15OiOxiTkBNd8uORqZ3n3X1re-CsQ0sWwinvEKKuegecebOU21l6udZ11lDZuzvvgfRjQ4nlp4YBqdimnJCjRzliP_Bm/s1600-h/08+Boracay+024.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5164958108407416946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO9F2unuJi9MEN7nYogt4T4uuVes1uhON6_KypqzEy15OiOxiTkBNd8uORqZ3n3X1re-CsQ0sWwinvEKKuegecebOU21l6udZ11lDZuzvvgfRjQ4nlp4YBqdimnJCjRzliP_Bm/s200/08+Boracay+024.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-PyrPeAOcXFfUVpxh_gUK-Azmn87zHXzB8C9ppp4PO93nZcyn2pLorK0CzgH78CSFSWGCk2vz35pcL5jyQRbeyzGruPTBZd6duB2isOLBTuCahkUm0Ac97JHGb85ZnTzGEIy7/s1600-h/08+Boracay+005.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><st1:time hour="13" minute="40"></st1:time></a> </div>
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The <b>SeaAir</b> plane is a Dornier 328 32-seater propeller type. Bright young Korean things are practically popping out of 90 percent of the seats, can’t wait to get there, smiling and flashing “PEACE” signs at each other’s cameras.&nbsp;</div>
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The 30 minute flight couldn’t be smoother.</div>
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We are whisked into the smart Fairways lounge. Soon our bags arrive, and we are shuttled to the pier where our boat awaits. The tide is in so it’s either wet shoes or I get hoisted bodily onto the boat.&nbsp;</div>
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I now regret declining the old world gallantry on offer. Imagine the lost photo op! Rolled up pants and shoes in hand don’t make it on film.</div>
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<o:p></o:p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymwRn_bMTS8BntWw1_XhyBu5nOWiqLkZ08eORb3ribUkzW71vN_3dGebSKSvomMBnModluEkpu0wJwfsF_DdlOpCXm8jN1xGZpNOth2zrotMmiv9l8zMVJntPLcTdq0gksHCe/s1600-h/08+Boracay+040.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5163759869451059618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiymwRn_bMTS8BntWw1_XhyBu5nOWiqLkZ08eORb3ribUkzW71vN_3dGebSKSvomMBnModluEkpu0wJwfsF_DdlOpCXm8jN1xGZpNOth2zrotMmiv9l8zMVJntPLcTdq0gksHCe/s200/08+Boracay+040.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a>So it’s 30 minutes on the plane, 3 minutes in the van, 10 minutes on the boat, and finally, 15 minutes in the jeepney. There’s a song in there somewhere.</div>
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Meanwhile, the recent planeload has taken over paradise. I'm getting fumigated by non-stop smoking at tables on either side of me. A girl beside me slurps mightily at her smoothie. Another</div>
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bangs her fork on the table to get herself heard above the din of food orders. Heady pizza smells confuse my efforts at learning a new language.</div>
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It's time to inspect the room.<br />
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Day 2, the Strip.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6238567298010152419'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6238567298010152419'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2008/02/fairways-bluewater-resort-golf-country.html' title='Boracay'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwlrZHDJlNeZdOU8d-ONG9j0M48mSFJWX7jvjqskVZU5Ocjj-Pb-6CXmoHYoePEEgDHVPgMs6VIy71apz-Z3pe-9HAdOSJfekB4XFrhtJtsOxMuouJsPfYBF-G_qetKkI5ZE2q/s72-c/Day2+010.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5753322724687194155</id><published>2007-11-09T14:37:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-01T19:11:06.618+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Carmen'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Lucia di Lammermoor'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spring Awakening'/><title type='text'>A WEEK IN NEW YORK WITH BABY</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Baby and I have been emailing back and forth, reconstructing the week in our minds.<br />
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The following is lifted from Baby's journal:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92JeIfg6NIYZxYj0Ijk18A85X4VsNOlXYVrHHOVOF7Wi8K-vGZEa74_cDjnWJh_YWMDJsqIJWa6QC7WGA0Fl4UTtAMUcx3K4JC-Qzsys5YfnHdcqzK6mhEr-pcloYThEDPg-/s1600-h/collage2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131542138816179106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92JeIfg6NIYZxYj0Ijk18A85X4VsNOlXYVrHHOVOF7Wi8K-vGZEa74_cDjnWJh_YWMDJsqIJWa6QC7WGA0Fl4UTtAMUcx3K4JC-Qzsys5YfnHdcqzK6mhEr-pcloYThEDPg-/s200/collage2.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<st1:state><st1:place>New York</st1:place></st1:state>, <st1:date day="24" month="10" year="2007">October 24-31, 2007</st1:date></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />24th Wednesday<span style="font-size: +0;"> </span>- arrived in <st1:place><st1:city>Newark Airport</st1:city>, <st1:state>N.J.</st1:state></st1:place>, <st1:time hour="17" minute="0">5pm</st1:time>, 2hr delay; took Supershuttle prepaid by Tim to take me to Waldorf Astoria where I am to stay with Alice and Stuart.&nbsp;</div>
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The traffic was horrendous, the ride took at least one and a half hours. Meanwhile Alice and I have been texting to give her logistic update. She said she would be waiting for me at the parking entrance on <st1:street><st1:address>50th St.</st1:address></st1:street> And there she was.</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span><span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- it was dinner time and I was famished from my unexpectedly delayed arrival; had nothing substantial to eat except the snack box provided by Continental Airlines; got up 4am to give me time to do my necessaries in time for my 7am flight.&nbsp;</div>
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But as soon as Alice and I were situated in the Peacock Alley, the lobby coffee shop, I was fine. Alice said we'd have a glass of champagne each to mark my arrival; but as it happened we had 5 (or was it 6) between the two of us; and so my scrumptious red snapper and the beautiful songs rendered by the lady entertainer playing her piano next to our table, and everything else that transpired, stayed only in my subconscious. Thank goodness we took photos!</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- between our 2nd and 3rd glasses Stuart came by from work just to say Hi, and went straight to bed because he was leaving early next day for a Citi conference in Armonk.</div>
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25th Thursday<span style="font-size: +0;"> </span>- Alice and I woke up relatively early, must be before <st1:time hour="11" minute="0">11am</st1:time> because we managed (without baths of course) to partake of the complimentary breakfast at Oscar's. <st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city> had a stack of breakfast cards of which we only used 2, and I later used the 3rd with my friend from school, Angelina Agcaoili.&nbsp;</div>
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Back to our room, we decided that we would just take it easy until time to go to The Metropolitan Opera to see "Lucia di Lammermoor" which was to be the highlight of our day.</div>
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- after baths, we set out to check out the city a little; walked to Grand Central Station, a few blocks away from the hotel; too bad I hardly paid attention to the wonderful details on the walls and ceiling <st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city> was pointing out to me.&nbsp;</div>
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Our mission at hand was to figure out how to get to the Metropolitan Opera via, why not, the subway, and have a few hours left at our disposal before the <st1:time hour="8" minute="0">8o'clock</st1:time> show time.&nbsp;</div>
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Now <st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city> never took the subway before so after quite a few trial and error turns and stops, we finally got to where we needed to be, no thanks to the mixed directions we were getting from the few people we asked. It did get a little tiresome not knowing which way to go next; <st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city> was elated and referred to it as a growing-up experience.&nbsp;</div>
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By then I was dead tired and hungry (<st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city> never gets hungry, her body simply shuts down), so we walked to Barnes &amp; Noble not too far from the Met for a quick lunch. Through the counter glass window overlooking the street we saw people with umbrellas, so we bought one which we never used anyway.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIixsdbsM0tVCr0lziRhwjg54oMxkeO8uBOi26gylLx83POzxUq-2G7lnviT1gwKB1Z5zJ3Ufx283WlHaaVmYUsyRDHB16FrGzIAEeO4FsxTMuXg5GdUQ-YmwwPc-AakYNtzUq/s1600-h/07+NY+October+014.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5130733478078720834" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIixsdbsM0tVCr0lziRhwjg54oMxkeO8uBOi26gylLx83POzxUq-2G7lnviT1gwKB1Z5zJ3Ufx283WlHaaVmYUsyRDHB16FrGzIAEeO4FsxTMuXg5GdUQ-YmwwPc-AakYNtzUq/s200/07+NY+October+014.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- in <st1:place><st1:placename>Lincoln</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>, standing in the courtyard in front of the Met and the New York City Opera was an experience in itself. I recovered promptly and was simply in awe breathing the cultural air around me.&nbsp;</div>
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Having our pre-opera dinner in Panevino which was completely packed with people probably all going to the opera was exhilarating.<span style="font-size: +0;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- "<b><i>Lucia di Lammermoor</i></b>" was well worth our stressful adventure earlier; it was outstanding.</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- Our way back to the hotel was a strangely similar experience but not stressful at all to me. </div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- We stayed up till <st1:time hour="3" minute="0">3am</st1:time>, just talking like we often times do; don't remember what we talked about.</div>
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26th Friday</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"> </span>- 10:30 in the morning, we were awakened by a loud repeated banging on our door shouting "housekeeping"; not sure how many or how loud, it doesn't matter, and even if we didn't have a very very late night, this shouldn't happen!&nbsp;</div>
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Anyway I'm skipping the unpleasant details and going straight to the good part. It messed up our morning, but we reluctantly accepted a free lunch in Peacock Alley and thanks to Mr. Jones's intervention, a complimentary stretch limo ride to the New York City Opera for our date with "<b><i>Carmen</i></b>".</div>
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27th Saturday<span style="font-size: +0;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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- Stuart and Erle had breakfast at Oscar's. Alice and I both agree that we had a better breakfast of fresh fruits and toast and butter and honey and coffee which Stuart brought to us in the comfort of our room. When we were ready we joined Stuart and Erle to see more of the city. </div>
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[Aside to <st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city>: at what point <b><i>did</i></b> we join them?] </div>
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We walked to St. Patrick Church, the <st1:place><st1:placename>Rockefeller</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Plaza</st1:placetype></st1:place> and finally to the <st1:place><st1:placetype>Museum</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename>Modern Art</st1:placename></st1:place> where I experienced for the first time Georges Seurat's art on exhibit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- walked some more with Stuart and Alice (Erle had to be somewhere else) and then found a suitable place to sit and decide our next course of action.</div>
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We decided we'd go see Phoebe Snow in Birdland, "The Jazz Corner of the World"; but before that where to have dinner?</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- we had a very nice dinner in a very happening place called <b>The Modern</b> where you had to hover around waiting for a table to be vacated.&nbsp;</div>
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We grabbed one, no problem.</div>
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<st1:city><st1:place><br /></st1:place></st1:city></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsBdyazBHkZXpWUSkC9JgJqIOns7d2y2hzgEtmGfu_pPoNidBtu-jCVtJlos9Jdgo6hLD7573WE2UgLyjzuAkvm51rDpMFbYOugG96wKI7fBU0tD2V-9G7h3oeymeod5LUInt/s1600-h/collage1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131544681436818370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsBdyazBHkZXpWUSkC9JgJqIOns7d2y2hzgEtmGfu_pPoNidBtu-jCVtJlos9Jdgo6hLD7573WE2UgLyjzuAkvm51rDpMFbYOugG96wKI7fBU0tD2V-9G7h3oeymeod5LUInt/s320/collage1.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></div>
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<em><st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city>’s recollection of the events:</em></div>
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<o:p></o:p><em>We joined Stuart &amp; Erle a long time after our "room service" breakfast after they had toured the city, texting every time they arrived at a new place to wait for us. Oscar's, downstairs at the lobby, Bloomingdale's, Four Seasons, and finally at MoMA where we finally caught up with them just in time for lunch in the museum cafeteria, a quick look at Seurat, and then coffee and biscotti at the cafe right up to closing time. And <b>then</b> we walked around. After Erle left, we walked some more, then back to MoMA for dinner at the Modern.<o:p></o:p></em></div>
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<em>We must have been in tune with the universe that evening because we got a close-to-impossible-to-get table at the Modern after which we sailed right up to a just-made-available table in sold out (not even standing room available) Birdland.<o:p></o:p></em></div>
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<em>Hey, I like this! Nice to relive the whole experience together. This is even better than our usual postmortems!</em></div>
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28th Sunday</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"> </span>- had breakfast with Marilyn, my classmate who I haven't seen since high school over 40 yrs ago; said she remembers me as being much taller, I guess because our class seating arrangement was according to height and she sat in the front row; looked at pictures she brought of recent class reunions; happy to see that none of us changed much.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nFzoqcWUS5rbDMQ39pI3U09BjfTvVv8oRkxE5Aelx33penoFYYKPLC_0v-Ef6MsMSPXtXpJXQAYQuxzJvmg_SpBUxzaRs62RXLrtyxoqOHRQNYFIZLU91WqwA9Z1HP2kSSwA/s1600-h/07+NY+October+084.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131542121636309874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nFzoqcWUS5rbDMQ39pI3U09BjfTvVv8oRkxE5Aelx33penoFYYKPLC_0v-Ef6MsMSPXtXpJXQAYQuxzJvmg_SpBUxzaRs62RXLrtyxoqOHRQNYFIZLU91WqwA9Z1HP2kSSwA/s200/07+NY+October+084.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- what are the odds of my long lost classmate leading me to my long lost friend and officemate Ali. Well, I needn't worry having to search the United Nations where she works because as fate has it, Marilyn was having lunch with Ali and her husband Rico on that very day! How weird is that; <st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city> thought that was scary.</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- I decided to join them for lunch and surprise Ali. To kill time before lunch we did a little shopping; bought my winter supply of skin care products from <st1:street><st1:address>Saks 5th Avenue</st1:address></st1:street>, and a comfortable pair of walking shoes from Aerosoles Shoe Store. You should have seen the look on Ali's face when she saw me. </div>
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29th Monday</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"> </span>- we moved to Hilton Time Square on <st1:street><st1:address>42nd Street</st1:address></st1:street>. It was perfect; closer to the shops and the theater district, and perfect for simply walking along Broadway. And more importantly, we have the most beautiful view of <st1:city><st1:place>Manhattan</st1:place></st1:city> and the <st1:place><st1:placename>Empire</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>State</st1:placetype> <st1:placetype>Building</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0zp874EmCWINH9fhLdrmzhCldlM19fUKcAjbcC3eE53Ek_rKFWAGGj5B_2Ar1B6PgrNv4hC4mxFnlE18qxzq_sxxJduD-XE0akJTrBlPOoHRQwoand8HkMoeoM5MdGZgQboM/s1600-h/07+NY+October+083.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131542130226244482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0zp874EmCWINH9fhLdrmzhCldlM19fUKcAjbcC3eE53Ek_rKFWAGGj5B_2Ar1B6PgrNv4hC4mxFnlE18qxzq_sxxJduD-XE0akJTrBlPOoHRQwoand8HkMoeoM5MdGZgQboM/s200/07+NY+October+083.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a></div>
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- lunchtime, we found a delightful looking restaurant called Orso, where we were later joined by Bing Manaloto. Since Bing is practically a New Yorker having lived there for quite a while, she was our designated guide; went to Saks 5th to meet with Marilyn, shopped at H&amp;M (which became my favorite store), walked some more and ended up in Rockefeller Center. It was getting late, Bing and Marilyn went on their way.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0zp874EmCWINH9fhLdrmzhCldlM19fUKcAjbcC3eE53Ek_rKFWAGGj5B_2Ar1B6PgrNv4hC4mxFnlE18qxzq_sxxJduD-XE0akJTrBlPOoHRQwoand8HkMoeoM5MdGZgQboM/s1600-h/07+NY+October+083.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a> </div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- went back to H&amp;M for a final shopping spree while waiting for Stuart and Erle.</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- walked leisurely around <st1:place>Greenwich Village</st1:place> and stopped at Sevilla for tapas and sangria. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8_TpaK4JiCZnGa-ys8CxcYhz8DB3EON95VEdQqDOMFLbLFf0ORVqUWWBxmVjzAvPCzYw5-MliJMsGTVMxyg3atReX9bGeAS-HFsw8nNLOep8XYdXFX7UO0zhmqYkgzrmdX6O/s1600-h/07+NY+October+100.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5131542143111146418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio8_TpaK4JiCZnGa-ys8CxcYhz8DB3EON95VEdQqDOMFLbLFf0ORVqUWWBxmVjzAvPCzYw5-MliJMsGTVMxyg3atReX9bGeAS-HFsw8nNLOep8XYdXFX7UO0zhmqYkgzrmdX6O/s200/07+NY+October+100.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><br />
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<em>Note from Alice:</em></div>
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<em>Actually we took a cab to Sevilla where we had tapas, sangria, and a feast of a dinner! </em></div>
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30th Tuesday<span style="font-size: +0;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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- Alice and I woke up early; enjoyed the beautiful morning just looking at the view outside our window, taking in<span style="font-size: +0;"> </span>the grandeur of the New York skyline. Even our coffee tasted better that morning.</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- it was our last full day; walked down <st1:street><st1:address>Madison Ave.</st1:address></st1:street> looking for a nice place to have lunch. Alice, who is gifted with a knack for divining good restaurants, was drawn toward the corner of Madison and 38th E Street, took one look inside Salute and said, this is the place. I had sea bass, <st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city> had veal; no dessert, just macchiato for her and cappuccino for me. Then we headed back to the hotel. </div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- as soon as we stepped inside our room, we were awed by the magnificent sun setting before our very eyes. It was as though the sun waited for us. An artist will have appropriate words to describe it.</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- for dinner we suggested Orso. Erle thought it was a good choice as it is where one goes for after theater late dinner.</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- the day is not over for us. It is time to get ready for "<b><i>Spring Awakening</i></b>", a musical playing at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre. It was intense, stirring and amazing. It is no wonder Erle has watched it at least 5 times.</div>
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31st Wednesday</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"> </span>- our last day; <st1:city><st1:place>Alice</st1:place></st1:city> and I had breakfast at Above, the restaurant at the lobby. You'd think it would be at the penthouse or somewhere above.</div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- all my bags are packed, I'm ready to go... </div>
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<span style="font-size: +0;"></span>- I am coming back. Cheers!</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5753322724687194155'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5753322724687194155'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/11/week-in-new-york-with-baby.html' title='A WEEK IN NEW YORK WITH BABY'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY92JeIfg6NIYZxYj0Ijk18A85X4VsNOlXYVrHHOVOF7Wi8K-vGZEa74_cDjnWJh_YWMDJsqIJWa6QC7WGA0Fl4UTtAMUcx3K4JC-Qzsys5YfnHdcqzK6mhEr-pcloYThEDPg-/s72-c/collage2.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8287215385100529316</id><published>2007-09-13T14:41:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T18:04:27.801+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='salmorejo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Alhambra'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='gazpacho'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spain'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Picasso'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andalusia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hadrian'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tapas'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Mancha'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Toledo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='travel'/><title type='text'>SOUTHERN SPAIN</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We set off for southern <st1:country -region="-region"><st1:place>Spain</st1:place></st1:country> on the 1<sup>st</sup> of September.</div>
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From <st1:state style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:place>Madrid</st1:place></st1:state><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>we head south to <st1:city style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:place>Toledo</st1:place></st1:city> where we pick up<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Don Quijote’s </span>route through the unrelentingly flat landscape of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Castilla- La Mancha</span>. The land here is arid and seems suited to only one crop: olives. There's absolutely nobody around for miles and miles. No wonder he went chasing after windmills!<br />
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I’m all geared up for this trip: laptop, pocket tape recorder, 3 cameras, 3 guidebooks, and a phrasebook. However, a heady mixture of too much sun, too much food, and way too much wine has so far defeated my efforts at posting daily blogs.</div>
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And here we are, in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Andalusia</span>. Home of the flamenco, bullfights, dancing horses, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alhambra</span>. Birthplace of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Trajan</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hadrian, Picasso</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Velasquez</span>, and of course, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Antonio Banderas</span>.<br />
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In the cool shade of a beautiful courtyard in <st1:city><st1:place><b>Cordoba</b></st1:place></st1:city><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span></b>I begin my Spain report. <br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">CORDOBA</span></div>
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Our hotel,<b><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>Casa de Los Azulejos</b><span style="font-weight: bold;">,</span> is distinctively Spanish; or is it Moorish? I guess it's Andalusian.</div>
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Beautiful tiles (<i>azulejos</i>) splash brilliant patterns around the leafy courtyard. A reception area is off to one side, at the other end a charming informal garden room where tables are laid for breakfast. More tiles climb up and wrap around a staircase.</div>
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<i>A</i><span style="font-style: italic;">zulejos</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>dictate the decorative motif of every building in this pretty town of narrow cobbled streets, quiet courtyards, and dark churches. Even notices for concerts and festivals are permanently rendered in tiles.</div>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLkzjuJJu4idtgI0x_8w4h8Xy7WGZKOWObwEP-9azw0qGNOlldXihVRzbvqpXs-wjoT7ID3TCr-VT7nZiUNeOeDCCkicCh86wcN4LKXbbEHn7F-peOHBsDIRB_MVtT2vcIJpmx/s320/IMG_7386.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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Windows and balconies are adorned with wrought iron grilles and more tiles. Raffia mats of the kind used for drying olives shelter houses from the sun beating down into late afternoon.</div>
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Celia at the hotel's Reception puts on her Concierge hat and steers us in the direction of the first full meal I remember having since we arrived in Spain.</div>
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We had, until now, only craved and chased after every kind of <span style="font-style: italic;">tapas </span>on offer. This time we're ready to go for the main course as well.</div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bodegas Campos<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span>introduces us to the sublime <span style="font-style: italic;">salmorejo</span>, the cold tomato soup of Cordoba. It's a bit like <span style="font-style: italic;">gazpacho</span>, only better. Rich, thick, creamy and topped with chopped eggs and ham. Delicious.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8287215385100529316'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8287215385100529316'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/09/spain.html' title='SOUTHERN SPAIN'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlej_5gXxnKtmpws_g4NkUdd0p6QZzvQdDDQXR59z1smQIJdgGiRaix6LlVGZFLz_VFFFPwdrkKx3tDxm5hW9d-RoUhfUBAAiUTkd15e9fwoeSjEuX-t15EywuEfJNBBY-yFu/s72-c/DSC_0164.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8496235357471268722</id><published>2007-09-10T18:50:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-15T14:16:56.145+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Mesquita'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spain'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='double arches'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cordoba'/><title type='text'>La Mesquita, Cordoba</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am enamored with the architecture of the <b>Mesquita</b>. I tell Stuart I’m converting to Islam. He is not amused.</div>
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I have never seen ceilings this glorious. Or walls or pillars.</div>
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Not in any Christian church- Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Modern, whatever. This is seriously beautiful stuff; no matter the accidental nature of its beauty.</div>
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I am told its builders had to make architectural compromises to accommodate the use of diverse materials appropriated from ancient buildings including the original Christian cathedral on whose foundations this very mosque was built.&nbsp;</div>
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These magnificent double arches owe their magical, floating special effect to the haphazard collection of salvaged columns of various materials and sizes that hold them high up to those exalted ceilings.</div>
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Even so, I’m slightly embarrassed by the garish Christian images that have impinged on what seems to me a more sophisticated form of sacred art.<br />
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Gilded statuary, sentimental paintings, and the elaborate accoutrement of the clergy seem all too brash when juxtaposed against arabesques, calligraphy, and pure architectural decoration.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8496235357471268722'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8496235357471268722'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/09/cordoba.html' title='La Mesquita, Cordoba'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhly5conqzPC9Y4BKpOw2EZGbTpX4pQblYjxAUrr5MzURCZZk0XBHNzf-ACS1BVE97M8NTZYhzlMUkYIiudTjgavsLddiSxcUJ84f7XxxcPK5A8m1IhoQbP759dO7rb4p6n4kM9/s72-c/DSC_0037.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5803185264270340979</id><published>2007-09-08T21:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T18:06:35.099+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='video'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Taberna Flamenco in Jerez'/><title type='text'>La Taberna Flamenco in Jerez de la Frontera (video)</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcDgAzfw6ibHg76IKh7JuDe4Ha-ouyRd4-3ow_2wrEoOEP0yIOtlzMymB1shy-YZMWsreTqzV4vGHUHhWoeY9P3eEZxxGvu0GiE0h9VYJ7zE8wLGnF6wVzG4lmc78LEPMDje8/s1600-h/SEV_0123.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><object class="BLOG_video_class" contentid="2b5fd544c8e77c76" height="266" id="BLOG_video-2b5fd544c8e77c76" width="320"></object></a></div>
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The music is more fiery, less anguished. There seems to be more laughter and the cheers the performers call out to each other are more boisterous.</div>
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The dancing has an improvised, spontaneous feel. Wild and frantic, the steps are coarser; a female dancer jumps and stomps around ungracefully but to theatrical effect.</div>
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This is not the "<span style="font-style: italic;">deep song of the soul</span>" that I thought flamenco is supposed to be. I expected it to be all about misery and pain, love and rejection, life and death.&nbsp;</div>
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These flamenco artists actually seem to be enjoying themselves. They're even drinking on stage! Wine is passed around, as in a party. (I guess that's one way to beat the heat.)</div>
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This is a more accessible form of flamenco for uninitiated spectators like me. I find it seductive and exciting because it's not too much of a struggle to understand the emotions that the performers portray in music and dance.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5803185264270340979'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5803185264270340979'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/09/la-taberna-flamenco-in-jerez-de-la.html' title='La Taberna Flamenco in Jerez de la Frontera (video)'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1107534632859785363</id><published>2007-09-08T18:34:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T18:05:59.092+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Taberna Flamenco in Jerez de la Frontera'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='El Arenal in Seville.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tablao'/><title type='text'>Flamenco!</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span>At <b>El Arenal</b> in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seville</span>.<br />
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The restaurant is in a restored 17th century building and we almost miss the entrance because it looks like the back door. At the table next to ours, two Japanese teenagers smile and nod in greeting. There's a touristy buzz all around. The place has the look and feel of an old fashioned night club with middle-aged waiters in formal black waiter suits.</div>
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This is our first flamenco experience and Stuart and I fervently hope that our hotel manager hasn't directed us to a watered-down, made for tourists version. We needn't have worried. Dinner is unremarkable but the flamenco does not disappoint.</div>
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The choreography is exhilarating, tempestuous. The guitar music is heartrendingly beautiful, the singing passionate, tormented. The performance is polished and the styling exquisite.</div>
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(I especially like the women's sleek hairstyles kept in place with jeweled combs worn in a row on only one side of the head. Very aristo chic.)</div>
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One sour note: Stuart is incensed when they won’t let him use his videocam.</div>
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At <b>La Taberna Flamenco </b>in<b> Jerez</b><span style="font-weight: bold;"> de la Frontera</span><b>.</b></div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcDgAzfw6ibHg76IKh7JuDe4Ha-ouyRd4-3ow_2wrEoOEP0yIOtlzMymB1shy-YZMWsreTqzV4vGHUHhWoeY9P3eEZxxGvu0GiE0h9VYJ7zE8wLGnF6wVzG4lmc78LEPMDje8/s400/SEV_0123.JPG" /></div>
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Although <st1:city><st1:place>Seville</st1:place></st1:city> attracts Flamenco’s best talents and hosts the Flamenco Biennale, <st1:city style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:place>Jerez</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span>is recognized as the genre’s birthplace. <br />
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<o:p></o:p><b>La Taberna Flamenco</b> is in a warehouse festooned with implements used in olive oil production. It looks like the setting for a barn dance. There is no air conditioning and I wonder how the performers will survive the heat.</div>
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Still smarting from the videocam ban in the Seville <span style="font-style: italic;">tablao</span>, Stuart doesn't bother to take his paparazzi equipment to this show. No such ban here, so I take lo-tech photos and videos with my trusty little Canon IXUS.</div>
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Unlike the polished theater of the flamenco we saw in Seville, costumes here are low-budget and the performers look unkempt. But wow, this is exciting stuff!&nbsp;</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The music is more fiery, less anguished. There seems to be more laughter and the cheers the performers call out to each other are more boisterous.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
The dancing has an improvised, spontaneous feel. Wild and frantic, the steps are coarser; a female dancer jumps and stomps around ungracefully but to theatrical effect.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
This is not the "<span style="font-style: italic;">deep song of the soul</span>" that I thought flamenco is supposed to be. I expected it to be all about misery and pain, love and rejection, life and death.&nbsp;</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These flamenco artists actually seem to be enjoying themselves. They're even drinking on stage! Wine is passed around, as in a party. (I guess that's one way to beat the heat.)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is a more accessible form of flamenco for uninitiated spectators like me. I find it seductive and exciting because it's not too much of a struggle to understand the emotions that the performers portray in music and dance.</div>
</div>
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<o:p></o:p>After the show, they mill around at the back of the hall. A dancer scoops up a baby into her arms and nuzzles it playfully.&nbsp;She's at my side, dancing and playing with the child, unmindful of the audience she has now completely lost interest in.</div>
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Outside, a girl of about 7 or 8 laughs as she launches into her own performance to the clapping accompaniment of her mother.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf3KKdtJdsENGK6FCo2JA6KPd_conw3BA2kpzQ-HyhsEJh2y1nfytryJH4UMDlkIvSZVouC0tBOJrBRxjqchs4i0LH5jNhPt5xH3H38eGORwScTvvdp6KT6r8DTw45Ekir0Pq/s320/SEV_0139.JPG" /></div>
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I feel like a guest at a gypsy campfire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYf3KKdtJdsENGK6FCo2JA6KPd_conw3BA2kpzQ-HyhsEJh2y1nfytryJH4UMDlkIvSZVouC0tBOJrBRxjqchs4i0LH5jNhPt5xH3H38eGORwScTvvdp6KT6r8DTw45Ekir0Pq/s1600-h/SEV_0139.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div>
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</content><link rel='enclosure' type='video/mp4' href='http://www.blogger.com/video-play.mp4?contentId=2b5fd544c8e77c76&type=video%2Fmp4' length='0'/><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1107534632859785363'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1107534632859785363'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/09/jerez-de-la-frontera.html' title='Flamenco!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcDgAzfw6ibHg76IKh7JuDe4Ha-ouyRd4-3ow_2wrEoOEP0yIOtlzMymB1shy-YZMWsreTqzV4vGHUHhWoeY9P3eEZxxGvu0GiE0h9VYJ7zE8wLGnF6wVzG4lmc78LEPMDje8/s72-c/SEV_0123.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1395554411924146096</id><published>2007-09-05T23:36:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-15T14:17:32.451+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Restaurante La Cueva'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spain'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='La Fragua'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barrio Santa Cruz to La Bodeguita d' Santa Justa'/><title type='text'>Restaurant Hit and Miss</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvaZUHXMxE2G5gytGYBtEF9UqeR7unXabWYjF0CdjbGRaPNO1_KgplwVRHtdSU8vjzP1edtGivZDQAG1QChZyFOm8lsArkm5dF4EoJLi7KnWQStbe_yiX0WKSvD_TiuBw7SGQ/s1600-h/DSC_0143.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117467881670058418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvaZUHXMxE2G5gytGYBtEF9UqeR7unXabWYjF0CdjbGRaPNO1_KgplwVRHtdSU8vjzP1edtGivZDQAG1QChZyFOm8lsArkm5dF4EoJLi7KnWQStbe_yiX0WKSvD_TiuBw7SGQ/s200/DSC_0143.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a>One of our most pleasurable restaurant experiences in Andalusia is <b>La Fragua</b> in <st1:city style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:place>Cordoba</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span><br />
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It’s a lovely courtyard setting peeking out invitingly through a narrow whitewashed alley. Ivy spills out from under the eaves onto a wrought iron balcony. Little green hanging pots line the alley walls that lead to the half-hidden door.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjniZCtbLHqS185re-rVYKL0Z1f-ZbAJQ40WDX7za3IwiXd8jh-kqnsgduLgc4m5JP5KJOtMJDEEhVA17lU1uPTEy2Zf3bMBsi08eXgOS9bB-sebPgUfwFX9rNHAm1-nADw8M/s1600-h/DSC_0144.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117466361251635602" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjniZCtbLHqS185re-rVYKL0Z1f-ZbAJQ40WDX7za3IwiXd8jh-kqnsgduLgc4m5JP5KJOtMJDEEhVA17lU1uPTEy2Zf3bMBsi08eXgOS9bB-sebPgUfwFX9rNHAm1-nADw8M/s200/DSC_0144.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a></div>
This bar and restaurant is in a 16<sup>th</sup> century structure but a smart blend of minimalist and rustic decor manages to convey an edgy cosmopolitan feel.<br />
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The food is very good traditional fare served with panache by a staff of delightful young urban types. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjniZCtbLHqS185re-rVYKL0Z1f-ZbAJQ40WDX7za3IwiXd8jh-kqnsgduLgc4m5JP5KJOtMJDEEhVA17lU1uPTEy2Zf3bMBsi08eXgOS9bB-sebPgUfwFX9rNHAm1-nADw8M/s1600-h/DSC_0144.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div>
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Despite our intrepid traveler pretensions, there are times when our nerve fails us. Like in a suburban market in <span style="font-weight: bold;">Seville</span>, where we find the perfect little outdoor restaurant in the wet market- right beside the butchers and the fish vendors.<br />
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It's not much more than a canteen; as local as anything can get. No tourist in sight. Except us- unmistakable with cameras and guidebooks and stuff. We've been waiting for this opportunity since we arrived in Spain. This is our chance to mingle with the natives. To sample authentic local cuisine. To try out our ordering skills without the aid of an English menu.<br />
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Every table is taken. All eyes are on us. We walk up to the counter mumbling to ourselves the phrases we have carefully learned for just this occasion. The man at the counter awaits our order. Expectantly? Impatiently? We're not sure. And then, panic stations: all the oft-rehearsed Spanish completely erased from our brains. We turn around and walk away, suddenly unsure if we are welcome here.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNZDRqqF064BgxnGE4-fGIKZIvf3E1brzLkZjBMoDuy32QsGtqSGajYPb5EgkOG92YwqMFrBfxXT-b6CvzNs_1aJtsOK0l-lD3XrMUx-RtmKYOQmcTBSKrA2efh4uBbaJ9xuq/s1600-h/SEV_0158.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115673903895290178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNZDRqqF064BgxnGE4-fGIKZIvf3E1brzLkZjBMoDuy32QsGtqSGajYPb5EgkOG92YwqMFrBfxXT-b6CvzNs_1aJtsOK0l-lD3XrMUx-RtmKYOQmcTBSKrA2efh4uBbaJ9xuq/s200/SEV_0158.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a>We take a taxi back towards <span style="font-weight: bold;">Barrio Santa Cruz</span> to <span style="font-weight: bold;">La Bodeguita d' Santa Justa</span>, a bustling family-run restaurant we discovered the day before.<br />
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We are warmly welcomed back and shown to a table surrounded by a happy mixture of locals and tourists. We decline the proffered English menu and proceed to order in Spanish, even managing to discuss slight changes to a seafood dish.<br />
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Sometimes, coming back to a tried and tested environment is best. Happy and content, we sip our wine and listen to the lively conversations that fill the packed house. We look forward to another delicious meal.<br />
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We consider ourselves able to weed out the tourist traps from our restaurant choices even in places we had never been before. Every now and then we fail miserably.<br />
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As in Seville. After hours of careful search we settle on a likely place at the edge of a park, cheerful tables set under lovely trees.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5OJGWLqgAtoeKRBpy3rxn14hCJGXSrwFtw6ooG0xW-vzsjT6jlbzxpnSHFwlx8ABDjD3VB3GxkplloFJkCoQd8NWNBk0LQrtTh4gxodeZMBqT1us43GAKqiE_je_UJBP5K5w/s1600-h/DSC_0023.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5115673856650649906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5OJGWLqgAtoeKRBpy3rxn14hCJGXSrwFtw6ooG0xW-vzsjT6jlbzxpnSHFwlx8ABDjD3VB3GxkplloFJkCoQd8NWNBk0LQrtTh4gxodeZMBqT1us43GAKqiE_je_UJBP5K5w/s200/DSC_0023.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a>Not a wise choice. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Restaurante La Cueva</span> is a sad, sad place.<br />
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The waiter opens the bottle and pours the wine. It's white; we ordered red. In an eloquent mix of Spanglish and face and hand gestures, he berates us for not noticing that the bottle he had brought to our table is indeed the wrong color. He storms out to fetch another bottle.<br />
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It's all downhill from here. The food is several grades below indifferent, service is surly at best.<br />
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Lesson learned, rather late in life:<br />
If service is bad at the start of a meal, get up and walk away.,&nbsp;</div>
</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1395554411924146096'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1395554411924146096'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/09/restaurant-misadventures-in-seville.html' title='Restaurant Hit and Miss'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvaZUHXMxE2G5gytGYBtEF9UqeR7unXabWYjF0CdjbGRaPNO1_KgplwVRHtdSU8vjzP1edtGivZDQAG1QChZyFOm8lsArkm5dF4EoJLi7KnWQStbe_yiX0WKSvD_TiuBw7SGQ/s72-c/DSC_0143.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7319071508268517329</id><published>2007-09-03T20:09:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T18:11:12.268+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wine travel'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spain'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>Shall we go to a cathedral or see a bullfight?</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><st1:place>Andalusia</st1:place>'s</b> arts and culture derive from a distinctive blend of Christian, Jewish, and Muslim history and traditions. Its architectural history attests to this.<br />
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This peculiar blend is most evident in the region's churches and cathedrals; and it is this very peculiarity that makes for interesting study in design and structure. That said,<st1:place></st1:place> I must admit I find these sacred buildings not particularly beautiful or unified in design. <br />
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Only the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Mesquita </span>in Cordoba and the gardens of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alhambra </span>in <b>Granada</b> have evoked the kind of wondrous excitement I've always had for ancient architecture. Maybe as I get older myself I'm instinctively moving away from all things old and moldy, as a friend used to say of <st1:place>Europe</st1:place> in general. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n60DIdHarLb42K08Qy0OAcZaP8kb7sWA9Z26AiF_PmEtFB-12YZynansZ0VPeJ1EflpDgK2uqoAz6ykSUpN6mh5Oa2KMz55IgrajQWsNzfDrIZoeRJhWEUwBU2HeD-c2idwg/s1600-h/SEV_0251.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" height="214" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118608590624137858" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n60DIdHarLb42K08Qy0OAcZaP8kb7sWA9Z26AiF_PmEtFB-12YZynansZ0VPeJ1EflpDgK2uqoAz6ykSUpN6mh5Oa2KMz55IgrajQWsNzfDrIZoeRJhWEUwBU2HeD-c2idwg/s320/SEV_0251.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="320" /></a></div>
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I find I'm more interested in what people here do and how they do it. I want to join in their festivals, eat their food, drink their wine. I want to see their markets. &nbsp;I want to understand what they're saying. I want to know what it's like to live here.</div>
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How do their lifestyles differ from mine? Maybe I should start taking siestas too.</div>
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I'm impressed with their spiffy trash cans; they must be really serious about recycling waste here. Is gasoline cheaper here?</div>
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Why do they like cold soup? I want to know more about flamenco.&nbsp;</div>
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Do I like the aristocratic, soulful <span style="font-style: italic;">Sevillana </span>or do I prefer the celebratory, bawdy <span style="font-style: italic;">bulleria </span>of Jerez?</div>
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Are bullfights more exciting when there is a kill? Do the locals avert their eyes when things get too bloody in the bullring?<br />
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<img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGxnnY0N9li5nALjkcqDwdsfRGaFc-vy5KsT9QPoH5ewJoR1Al-G1Q0LwjCz060v_e3KQ7Vf9Z7q35t9F_zByAiLSzIzIrjkVENpQLBY35Wy2e6NIasADSmRDkfxy6KZVPkYPC/s320/SEV_0300.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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I want to see the buildings that the new super starchitects are gaining fame and fortune for. I want to stay in the edgy new boutique hotels that are so arrogant about their success they don't even answer their phones when we call to inquire.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4s8Z4wnrJGJy_KgU19Z1_WzLi9YkdNFPqvwgMjISZ__zg4Ubo63qMv_FUd4oQmJmpuxLspL9JCtzbtDsIi5zmpKOvM2yfP0jaPEYXOs-fNoBYlaXFUoWIuqGy0gKaTz3_219U/s1600-h/DSC_0501.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>What kind of compromises have to be made to transform part of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Alhambra</span> into a profitable, self-sustaining, state-run <span style="font-style: italic;">parador</span><span style="font-style: italic;">? </span><br />
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<img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4s8Z4wnrJGJy_KgU19Z1_WzLi9YkdNFPqvwgMjISZ__zg4Ubo63qMv_FUd4oQmJmpuxLspL9JCtzbtDsIi5zmpKOvM2yfP0jaPEYXOs-fNoBYlaXFUoWIuqGy0gKaTz3_219U/s320/DSC_0501.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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Do I honestly want to trade the 5- star extravagance of our recently redone hotel room in what used to be a 15th century convent, an integral part of this magnificent palace, for perhaps a more authentic monastic experience?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8T8rbh6m6i4mthxxIIEV1YGbETISkalzPYEm1Rzv35OsD1hsHQc4vCSGKFCNQ2ViUOuaPPErYFUnWvtZYSlPOYSswHqXtYunFIovbVSan5RO4zCzgeVHtXnHR-apfjQESb1ak/s1600-h/GRA_0464.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimSC6IPu2p11uEiDMHXR7VKvo_SqfUpdImWvixctDRGQYRbvGf5VPG9pybi9rVtGTl3jM-UOfRHnCiCgSclldod8j_8cIs7TkbEwKJEGayJeNEFhmDZBjUbLHHSauDyHuzizXh/s1600-h/GRA_0455.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Should I chase after Spain's hi-tech, molecular, surreal cuisine along the lines of the north's<span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">El Bulli</span>?&nbsp;</div>
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&nbsp;Or should I keep trying to discover a more authentic way to eat bull's tails and pig's ears?<br />
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Is it true that Spanish wine is superior to French or Italian?</div>
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Only one way to find out.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7319071508268517329'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7319071508268517329'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/09/personal-awakening-in-arts.html' title='Shall we go to a cathedral or see a bullfight?'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3n60DIdHarLb42K08Qy0OAcZaP8kb7sWA9Z26AiF_PmEtFB-12YZynansZ0VPeJ1EflpDgK2uqoAz6ykSUpN6mh5Oa2KMz55IgrajQWsNzfDrIZoeRJhWEUwBU2HeD-c2idwg/s72-c/SEV_0251.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8207220411174994573</id><published>2007-02-26T16:14:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-14T20:22:03.295+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Souk'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='OZYMANDIAS'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hypostyle'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Egypt'/><title type='text'>Karnak</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our guidebooks suggest that we do our buying outside of <b>Cairo</b>; that everything is cheaper in the provincial capitals like <b>Aswan</b> and <b>Luxor</b>. Not so. I found very limited buying opportunities in Aswan.&nbsp;</div>
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In Luxor, do not even bother with the much hyped and spruced up <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Souk</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span>Shops stock mostly kitsch and vendors are insufferably brash and pushy. We couldn't wait to get out of there. We jumped into the first available taxi and set off for the temple at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Karnak</span>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmsScvA7wKKycB4n2K6rY812Msq_Nt-UD9J5uwy6MsOh5NfZVYpzp5jl5jSzz6JCbhcVG7LqHA4vnD6KpL-0Uou4ky4KSBpl5PS5-_cDf6xz9X7tp9wEukiqve3Mqn9XCJYlN/s1600-h/IMG_6973.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086376740078109906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmsScvA7wKKycB4n2K6rY812Msq_Nt-UD9J5uwy6MsOh5NfZVYpzp5jl5jSzz6JCbhcVG7LqHA4vnD6KpL-0Uou4ky4KSBpl5PS5-_cDf6xz9X7tp9wEukiqve3Mqn9XCJYlN/s320/IMG_6973.JPG" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a></div>
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A lot of the original coloring remains in many of Karnak's columns, beams, and sanctuary walls. <b>Hypostyle</b> columns are exceptionally thick, stand very close together, and are topped by a variety of different capitals.&nbsp;</div>
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Apart from this, there are precious few unique features to distinguish Karnak from other temples.</div>
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By this point in our tour, the vocabulary of hypostyle halls, pylons, sanctuaries, and colossi has become predictable. So while the previous evening's encounter with Luxor had put me back on temple chasing mode, Karnak failed to sustain my enthusiasm.</div>
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This must be the height of disrespect coming from a layman. But that's just the point. For non-Egyptologists like me, there had to be a temple saturation point.</div>
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The constant theme of egomaniacal excess began to grate. I came away feeling frustrated by the pointlessness of all this futile effort to live forever.</div>
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<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">OZYMANDIAS</span><br /><br />I met a traveller from an antique land </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stone </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Stand in the desert . . . Near them, on the sand, </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Tell that its sculptor well those passions read </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed: </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">And on the pedestal these words appear: </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">"My name is Ozymandias, king of kings: </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Look on my works, ye Mighty, and despair!" </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Nothing beside remains. Round the decay </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare, </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2"><span style="font-size: 100%;">The lone and level sands stretch far away.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="general_text"><span class="article_text"><span class="style3"><span class="style2">-Percy Bysshe Shelley</span></span></span></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8207220411174994573'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8207220411174994573'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/02/karnak-our-guidebooks-suggest-that-we.html' title='Karnak'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmsScvA7wKKycB4n2K6rY812Msq_Nt-UD9J5uwy6MsOh5NfZVYpzp5jl5jSzz6JCbhcVG7LqHA4vnD6KpL-0Uou4ky4KSBpl5PS5-_cDf6xz9X7tp9wEukiqve3Mqn9XCJYlN/s72-c/IMG_6973.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5269152580588402524</id><published>2007-02-25T16:16:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-14T20:15:39.909+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='temples'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Egypt'/><title type='text'>Luxor</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After the laid back elegance of <st1:city><st1:place>Aswan</st1:place></st1:city>, we found Luxor lacking in charm. Our hotel didn't help any.</div>
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When a hotel chooses a name like <span style="font-weight: bold;">Winter Palace</span>, it must realize that expectations are bound to go sky high. Reality hit us hard. We realized we hadn't booked the fabled <span style="font-weight: bold;">Old Winter Palace</span> but we didn't expect the adjoining <span style="font-weight: bold;">New Winter Palace </span>to be the dump it turned out to be.</div>
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We were too tired to care. We ignored the narrow corridors, the tacky doors, the cheap furniture, and the squeeze-in bathroom with the stained toilet bowl. We didn't feel up to bothering with the riverside balcony with the filthy chairs either, so we dutifully took to our bed and went to sleep.</div>
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In the morning though when the shower drain refused to do its job, we packed up and moved to the hotel's <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pavilion Wing</span>, to a spacious, attractively furnished room with a bright, clean, well-appointed bathroom. Though still not up to the standards of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Old Winter Palace</span>'s high ceilings, tasteful English interiors, and worshipful celebration of the colonial lifestyle, this was a step-up from the dreadful <span style="font-weight: bold;">New Winter Palace.</span><br />
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Our world began to smile again. The moral of the story: do the research! &nbsp;"Riverview"and "new" are not always a good thing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqtdzZZndqHOeC_Qqy9EfhjOg26wAAcIoAu2-873aq91P_wuERcwp2KDmYc8QD8fvrfjAG3We0UF9a1HhjkAgRU5ZRlL3x_x23JaCFQOSvMPH2GJ6D0LU1ZeIZ5iTVFl2OT_h/s1600-h/IMG_6871.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086376718603273394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTqtdzZZndqHOeC_Qqy9EfhjOg26wAAcIoAu2-873aq91P_wuERcwp2KDmYc8QD8fvrfjAG3We0UF9a1HhjkAgRU5ZRlL3x_x23JaCFQOSvMPH2GJ6D0LU1ZeIZ5iTVFl2OT_h/s320/IMG_6871.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>The decision to stay indoors in the daytime was not a difficult one to make. Luxor's hot and arid climate, even in winter, made a temple crawl an impossibility. Besides, it takes an enormous amount of patience, as well as guts, to brave the unrelenting swarm of vendors and touts that rush up and latch on to you the moment you set foot outside your hotel.</div>
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The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Luxor Museum </span>offered a delightful alternative<span style="font-weight: bold;">. </span>An impressive museum not only because of the superiority of its contents but also because of its design savvy, it demonstrates the benefits to be had from successful, sustainable tourism.&nbsp;</div>
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A gallery showcasing recent archaeological finds features stepped platforms that invite the viewer to walk right up to and all around each display, providing an opportunity to inspect the all-important markings at the backs of statues and <span style="font-style: italic;"><b>stelae</b></span>.</div>
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There were few visitors to the temple before dark. It didn't look like much from the street, in the harsh glare of the unforgiving Egyptian sun. But as the sun went down, the oppressive heat lifted and the temple was transformed. Like a worldly and wise woman of a certain age, Luxor has mastered the art of strategic lighting.</div>
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When we finally ventured out to the temple in the cool of the evening, we remembered what we came here for. There is a point to Luxor but it's difficult to find before sunset.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5269152580588402524'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5269152580588402524'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/07/luxor-fter-laid-back-elegance-of-aswan.html' title='Luxor'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj37ftXQw-n_DvvBCYu92LuhYaiX7Up_JoMNKi2jD4aYzRRhyfxV5SnzCXTAw0BrhvKfWsawW4b_X-O1iysr4ILLnnm3bCNhGVKMUrNiW3buwjjYeSSG-a6ON4TR47Zf79-0QMi/s72-c/IMG_6870.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2430357729025073623</id><published>2007-02-24T18:50:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-14T20:17:51.526+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Kitchener's Island'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Nile'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='felucca'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Old Cataract Hotel'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Egypt'/><title type='text'>Sailing into the Sunset in a Felucca</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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SAILING INTO THE SUNSET IN A <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">FELUCCA</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwQSk2zvafYxXeCx6zzo8jkzQC3CDNcRAq8AvK5f9NJRVNXfIdDb_vSDnLTnGGeGFD8bu9pTq5YpEW5hB2W_Ar9MGVBVXS_ewOqGWynKZ0hIGVqNKYC62fi5NuBFuEPQLjZqw/s1600-h/IMG_6809.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086366792933852258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwQSk2zvafYxXeCx6zzo8jkzQC3CDNcRAq8AvK5f9NJRVNXfIdDb_vSDnLTnGGeGFD8bu9pTq5YpEW5hB2W_Ar9MGVBVXS_ewOqGWynKZ0hIGVqNKYC62fi5NuBFuEPQLjZqw/s320/IMG_6809.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a>As Stuart steered, Captain Saif got busy with the housekeeping. He spread out colorful freshly laundered mats and pillows for me to lie on, brought out a book on birds of the Nile for me to read, then laid a wool blanket over my feet. He lit incense sticks to perfume the air, then made tea.</div>
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The Nile is central to the lives of the locals. They love and respect it. They bathe themselves and their animals in it. They also drink it.This last we discovered belatedly as we sipped the delicious tea that the good captain had made on a tiny tin stove, with fresh herbs and a bottle of mineral water. A bottle he later refilled by reaching over the side and dipping it into the river. He then took a swig from it. Stuart and I quickly and quietly set down our tea cups.</div>
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Pushed gently by a cool breeze, we tacked along the languorous curves of the Nile at its most picturesque setting. Keenly aware of the photo op that our <span style="font-style: italic;">felucca </span>provided us, we hammed it up for camera-wielding tourists on board the steamers parked three-deep along the Corniche.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mYRAji2UG_9Dcg-GeMdb36QBrGY1GZ6w9fT55pCCSVL-jOSuYD_ZlIzGVqo8NdzFmzEFMSa9HGopT_WKt3A2tvCEB1xGexWDhvvUcnRjLSNfhdGZSxBjZWBlNHfBN8-BNTnj/s1600-h/IMG_6775.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086366801523786866" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4mYRAji2UG_9Dcg-GeMdb36QBrGY1GZ6w9fT55pCCSVL-jOSuYD_ZlIzGVqo8NdzFmzEFMSa9HGopT_WKt3A2tvCEB1xGexWDhvvUcnRjLSNfhdGZSxBjZWBlNHfBN8-BNTnj/s320/IMG_6775.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
I guess the plan was to sail with the wind, watch the sunset, then circle back on the current. But the current failed us and we had to be towed back, first by a passing ferry loaded with local tourists on their way home from family picnics on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Kitchener's Island</span> and then by a fishing boat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWSLTT2-NorCkyQbNR-oKL4Wt1sEASePXq3JHf3xSAZv3zJ0l11ZPW3fttRZvWeS2ihsMLlAlzfNd4gxUWr3UX6IG37QYiX9dd__r_XhzRDsU4zM_sDL0BRkGQn1KPnYbNLEB/s1600-h/IMG_6839.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086371835225457810" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCWSLTT2-NorCkyQbNR-oKL4Wt1sEASePXq3JHf3xSAZv3zJ0l11ZPW3fttRZvWeS2ihsMLlAlzfNd4gxUWr3UX6IG37QYiX9dd__r_XhzRDsU4zM_sDL0BRkGQn1KPnYbNLEB/s320/IMG_6839.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><br />
On the homestretch, Captain Saif deployed the oars and rowed straight up to home base at the lovely <span style="font-weight: bold;">Old Cataract Hotel</span>. Stuart and I climbed out of our <span style="font-style: italic;">felucca</span>, onto the hotel landing, and into the welcoming arms, as it were, of the hotel bartender.<br />
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I had a martini. Cleopatra herself couldn't have felt more content with her lot.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2430357729025073623'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2430357729025073623'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/02/that-riverside-room-was-bad-idea.html' title='Sailing into the Sunset in a Felucca'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXwQSk2zvafYxXeCx6zzo8jkzQC3CDNcRAq8AvK5f9NJRVNXfIdDb_vSDnLTnGGeGFD8bu9pTq5YpEW5hB2W_Ar9MGVBVXS_ewOqGWynKZ0hIGVqNKYC62fi5NuBFuEPQLjZqw/s72-c/IMG_6809.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-459677288162045977</id><published>2007-02-23T16:22:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2015-01-17T22:49:47.402+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>The Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">ASWAN</span></div>
<st1:city><st1:place><br></st1:place></st1:city><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn_u8rceeXLzXPiGK5YkuFbo0JYEZbroXBmTb21lhkK-zGAEWdPra8_IB27ynAR0u0PN8k4XRlYymQ9A26X9qH2QQQ99CJmrR7cqaRRvsPg5vd22C6xCm31M0Z0cEQbjzn9mK/s1600-h/IMG_6761.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086348479193301986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn_u8rceeXLzXPiGK5YkuFbo0JYEZbroXBmTb21lhkK-zGAEWdPra8_IB27ynAR0u0PN8k4XRlYymQ9A26X9qH2QQQ99CJmrR7cqaRRvsPg5vd22C6xCm31M0Z0cEQbjzn9mK/s320/IMG_6761.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></a><br><br>
<st1:city><st1:place>The Nile meanders along</st1:place></st1:city><st1:city><st1:place>, </st1:place></st1:city>loitering dreamily around rocky outcrops and green islets <st1:city><st1:place> on its southern stretch</st1:place></st1:city> near the border to Sudan, <st1:city><st1:place></st1:place></st1:city><st1:city><st1:place>before it gets rudely interrupted by the High Dam. At the point of the first cataract (cataracts are shallow rocky sections), the Nile is at its most beautiful</st1:place></st1:city>. And<st1:city><st1:place> </st1:place></st1:city>nestled among palm groves and lush tropical flora, wedged between granite cliffs and desert, lies the city of Aswan.&nbsp;</div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086355840767247410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjljdteFHSuhWaO-lEAj_DJpb6QwBye9gykUb5yWH0ICk5GLf-JmQaw4o0wBsbAswnfQmEPz8BThzzOpzGMzh_jpaRnqAeY2GkAKdWCfsZEJycueNI132U7i8Vzq26Aoue06yC/s200/IMG_6640.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;"></div><div><font color="#0000ee" face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif"><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></font><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place><br></st1:place></st1:city></div><div><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place><br></st1:place></st1:city></div><div><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place><br></st1:place></st1:city></div><div><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place><br></st1:place></st1:city></div><div><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place><br></st1:place></st1:city></div><div><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place><br></st1:place></st1:city></div><div><br></div><div><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place>From Abu Simbel, our heads heavy from lack of sleep</st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> and swimming with images of Rameses and Nefertari</span><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place>, we arrived at the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Old Cataract</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hotel </span>at noon. We headed straight to lunch at the hotel's breezy, sun-drenched terrace </st1:place></st1:city><st1:city style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><st1:place>perched above the palm fringed river littered with pretty sailboats. In the distance, the brooding <span style="font-weight: bold;">Aga Khan Mausoleum</span> rises serenely </st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">from the desert.</span></div></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br></div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<st1:city><st1:place>As <span style="font-style: italic;">feluccas </span>started massing towards sunset viewpoints on the river, I resolved to be on board one myself for sunset the next day.</st1:place></st1:city></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/459677288162045977'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/459677288162045977'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/07/aswan-nile-meanders-along-loitering.html' title='The Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqn_u8rceeXLzXPiGK5YkuFbo0JYEZbroXBmTb21lhkK-zGAEWdPra8_IB27ynAR0u0PN8k4XRlYymQ9A26X9qH2QQQ99CJmrR7cqaRRvsPg5vd22C6xCm31M0Z0cEQbjzn9mK/s72-c/IMG_6761.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5037553596498132914</id><published>2007-02-22T16:21:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-14T20:13:16.364+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='temples'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Egypt'/><title type='text'>Abu Simbel</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">ABU SIMBEL</span></div>
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Day 3, sunrise at <st1:place><b>Abu Simbel</b>. Well, almost.</st1:place> We took the <st1:time hour="4" minute="0">4 a.m.</st1:time> flight to <st1:city><st1:place><b>Luxor</b></st1:place></st1:city>, then on to <st1:place>Abu Simbel</st1:place> where airline buses ferried us to the temple site. As we disembarked, we saw that the first wave of pilgrims was already leaving. </div>
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I envied them; they had watched the sunrise from a magnificent temple dedicated to the sun. My heroic effort at an early start, after a tumultuous night in sleepless <st1:city><st1:place><b>Cairo</b></st1:place></st1:city>, seemed wasted.</div>
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That was before I saw the temples.</div>
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No postcard, no magazine spread, no TV documentary could have prepared me for the awesome presence of the monuments or for the fine draftsmanship of the murals.<br />
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Although images of the rock-hewn seated statues of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Rameses </span>are familiar to most us, the amazing discovery for me was that the real treasure lies hidden behind the portals that all but disappear beside these colossi.</div>
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It was so worth the early morning call.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5037553596498132914'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5037553596498132914'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/07/abu-simbel-day-3-sunrise-at-abu-simbel.html' title='Abu Simbel'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEL6CsE8WZLavUdUl__y-QeAuy5tJhc_oZzAneT-lqluWIO0XxIueb9zZFJxjkofEpdQDpcXK2aagDCgMXAxkTiS09LiJbScgBwdt_2mB6bZSJ9zGCXT9_xs4PrGJgBVZzs5Hi/s72-c/IMG_6214.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8944158245836557887</id><published>2007-02-21T16:19:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-14T20:11:57.619+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='linen'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Khan-el-Khalili'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='belly dancing'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Egypt'/><title type='text'>At Khan-el-Khalili</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Day 2 was devoted to the chaotic streets of modern-day <st1:city><st1:place>Cairo</st1:place></st1:city> and the medieval labyrinth that is the fabled <span style="font-weight: bold;">Khan-el-Khalili</span>,<span style="font-family: Batang;"> </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Cairo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Batang;">'s bazaar complex. It is</span> said to have inspired the market setting for <span style="font-weight: bold;">Scheherazade’s </span>tales.<span style="font-family: Batang;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">It was a quick and easy ride on the metro and we emerged a few meters from a public park which turned out to be not too public after all. You have to pay to get in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Crossing a pedestrian overpass, we surveyed the busy street below. If I blotted out the cars, I could imagine I had gone back in time, in a land known to me only in books and movies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">The call to prayer boomed out from loudspeakers at a nearby mosque. The sound seemed to seep all around me as the prayer was taken up by people close by. Soon the hypnotic murmuring swelled as more and more people took up the chanting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">I noticed that we were the only foreigners around and I wondered why. We were thrilled to discover that&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Batang;">we were in the local shopping area, not on the tourist belt.</span><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC9UvpAiZQJXJlgTzjD1RhIixePmNTSezNWOBKbS0h5FA3LICGrPfiPuG9jZAxw8V4-M4V9wwpW0G7Rr-zk3GPYQ7YQmvMetKIhtZO1yt16c83rKrbLNQr5PrjVgaJcY4z7f7/s1600-h/IMG_6163.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span style="font-family: Batang;">I like the people here: very gentle, kind, and genuinely hospitable. Very good looking too. They happily give directions, help read our maps and give shopping tips- where to go and how much to pay.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Too soon we found ourselves in the heart of the tourist mecca when we stopped for lunch at the atmospheric <span style="font-weight: bold;">Khalili Café</span> dedicated to beloved Egyptian writer, the late <b>Naguib Mahfouz</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;"><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGA_-xInnaAIG2gh4ODu1TF2GuQL05AoDR5joF2w8lBgQhIEejkWJEaUyo30yTKWCt2tuE4-qVjpgxxAO8CJ04Qzmptz218hyphenhyphenZd5rOps8Q_Ppf40R6HqkYy0OwUclOZZxdBk8Y/s1600-h/IMG_6110.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span style="font-family: Batang;">Then off to do an important shopping errand: belly dancing gear for my sister Annette’s dance class.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Stuart quickly located the place suggested by our guidebook. And then it was three or four hours (difficult to tell; could have been a thousand and one) of wandering up and down four floors of Arabian nights material.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Beaded gilt collars and headdresses</span><span style="font-family: Batang;"> channeled Cleopatra and Nefertiti</span><span style="font-family: Batang;">. Sparkly net veils, floaty scarves, gypsy dresses and genie pants, all encrusted in crystal beads, sequins, and coins. </span><span style="font-family: Batang;">There were tambourines and tiny copper cymbals; t</span><span style="font-family: Batang;">housands of jingly silver and copper coins jangled on chain belts, bracelets, arm bands, and anklets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">It’s difficult to tell what the locals really think of all this. Conversations with hotel staff and shopkeepers suggest an ambivalence in their regard for the once notorious- but now hugely popular, even trendy- art of belly dancing. An aura of disrepute still surrounds it like so many floaty scarves and jingly veils; which is probably why today’s celebrated belly dancers are mostly foreigners.</span></div>
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Navigating the<span style="font-family: Batang;"> maze of medieval alleys that make up the Khan can be daunting, not to mention the stress of haggling if one is not so inclined. I had the luxury of having my own </span><st1:city><st1:place></st1:place></st1:city>personal buyer/guide.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGg-hLbivn64ie_EMSluRlbxOuJ6UdAyxPsjed1DPQc_XQIieGw_6pyy28wd7qYvoad9i5kUMZn2Msn5tKp5YIYDkwYWSGf99pQSD6WM9vZAVvXydtvklMGhO6OOYF2-y_QpOA/s1600-h/IMG_7079.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>We had bought a shop's entire stock of white bedlinen, so the linen man was a willing conscript as my point man in the Khan.&nbsp;</div>
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He showed me how to pick the really good dates and taught me to soak them overnight in milk to soften them and to keep the resulting flavored milk for drinking. He showed me some nasty looking dried lemons, black with age, excellent for cooking with rice. He led me to a tiny shop in a back alley, no tourists in sight, for saffron and vanilla pods- the really good stuff. He explained the nature, flavor, and in some cases, miraculous powers of the contents of the ancient wood barrels and hessian sacks stacked all around us.<br />
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGg-hLbivn64ie_EMSluRlbxOuJ6UdAyxPsjed1DPQc_XQIieGw_6pyy28wd7qYvoad9i5kUMZn2Msn5tKp5YIYDkwYWSGf99pQSD6WM9vZAVvXydtvklMGhO6OOYF2-y_QpOA/s320/IMG_7079.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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We turned a corner and immediately found ourselves swimming in a pool of delicious scents. Flowers and spices and musk were the usual suspects. Plus several others I couldn't identify. We were on Perfume Alley.</div>
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All in all, an intoxicating day.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8944158245836557887'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8944158245836557887'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/07/at-khan-day-2-was-devoted-to-chaotic.html' title='At Khan-el-Khalili'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgC9UvpAiZQJXJlgTzjD1RhIixePmNTSezNWOBKbS0h5FA3LICGrPfiPuG9jZAxw8V4-M4V9wwpW0G7Rr-zk3GPYQ7YQmvMetKIhtZO1yt16c83rKrbLNQr5PrjVgaJcY4z7f7/s72-c/IMG_6163.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-673719083559505144</id><published>2007-02-20T16:18:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-17T20:41:50.439+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Giza'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='museum'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='pyramids'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cairo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Egypt'/><title type='text'>EGYPT</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Batang;">Okay, so the <b>Nile Hilton</b> doesn’t have free wi-fi access in the lobby. Never mind, we’re getting free cappuccino and doughnuts while waiting for our room. A riverside room. That should be nice.</span><br>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">It’s nearly </span><st1:time hour="8" minute="0"><span style="font-family: Batang;">eight o’clock</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Batang;">, Monday morning. We landed in </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;"><b>Cairo</b></span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Batang;"> at </span><st1:time hour="18" minute="30"><span style="font-family: Batang;">six thirty</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Batang;"> and were whizzed through immigrations and customs by the hotel rep who met us right off the plane- our bags had come out in no time at all. The taxi ride to the hotel took about 45 minutes including a brief stop at the petrol station.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">My first view of </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Cairo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Batang;">. The major impression is of dust. Most vehicles seem caked in mud and loosely covered in dust. Buildings are the color of dust.</span><br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgndBi5O_0fxit7RPfewRhHHgRDWuSRc_oFlpT7HFq_rVqaLu4HB7RHL1DG-va6QRK8_Y_ibPcoVI9LE0dz3iLjDhBzmaIFA38m52Ou_26mN8Vz64bE_zvvAvlZrE3TsQ3VatL/s1600-h/IMG_6057.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086315747247538946" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgndBi5O_0fxit7RPfewRhHHgRDWuSRc_oFlpT7HFq_rVqaLu4HB7RHL1DG-va6QRK8_Y_ibPcoVI9LE0dz3iLjDhBzmaIFA38m52Ou_26mN8Vz64bE_zvvAvlZrE3TsQ3VatL/s320/IMG_6057.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></a></div>
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That riverside room was a bad idea.<br>
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Of New York it's often said that the city never sleeps. That's a really good thing because there you can find something to do or eat any time, day or night.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbmlSkcm_3_dPWbTILZ6GvVbUKJUd-zx_yb-aLM6EsLfofciSmjrlbsJeTM8M83dOGS9zWQ6V2unN75WGRsf8Z0sCSBtrGUH4FgU1rYjJXCVfA6go9LxVyYwwUDSvLgD9Pzr5/s1600-h/IMG_6186.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086318513206477586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbmlSkcm_3_dPWbTILZ6GvVbUKJUd-zx_yb-aLM6EsLfofciSmjrlbsJeTM8M83dOGS9zWQ6V2unN75WGRsf8Z0sCSBtrGUH4FgU1rYjJXCVfA6go9LxVyYwwUDSvLgD9Pzr5/s320/IMG_6186.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></a><br>
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Well, on the drive from the airport, our driver proudly declared that Cairo never sleeps. I soon discovered that to be not a good thing.<br>
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On the eve of our 4 a.m flight to <b>Luxor</b>, I realized that Cairo doesn't let anybody sleep! From the street, from the river, from the boats and the restaurants, there were traffic noises, loud voices, and hysterical music throughout the night.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWGp8enSPjvv0QSs6FQ2agbLjjkJJySaZagV40dKmRrNWzzSLJ-9sRDn43o9YVUgxcZL1UGOX5x2fU7BHjO410eu12NMslZejmKnzlgk3tmzsFz-CiWLCjjWd-1P0ukqGfkQ9/s1600-h/IMG_6187.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086318521796412194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWGp8enSPjvv0QSs6FQ2agbLjjkJJySaZagV40dKmRrNWzzSLJ-9sRDn43o9YVUgxcZL1UGOX5x2fU7BHjO410eu12NMslZejmKnzlgk3tmzsFz-CiWLCjjWd-1P0ukqGfkQ9/s320/IMG_6187.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></a><br>
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Desperate for just a few moments of sleep- I didn't want to doze off in the temple at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Abu Simbel</span>, I contrived to sleep with my right ear jammed tight into my pillow. The other ear was securely plugged by my left index finger. It wasn't the most comfortable position but it worked.<br>
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I'm getting ahead of myself though; that's not until day 3. <br>
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Back to day 1. First stop was the <st1:place style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:placename>Cairo</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Museum</st1:placetype></st1:place> to get the lay of the land of the pharaohs. The death mask of<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Tutankhamun</span> and the incredibly beautiful bust of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Nefertiti </span>are reason enough to secure the museum top billing in the fiercely competitive arena of collected antiquities.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMsCmntaM9dKkoW8lzhnnoQJCYF2WhpgJz5ixiPPrdoFxDILJ8WF9TU30-mdRxiypYSyMW3wkUmTJNMClsxodK_pkvfCR9gI7Qq6Qh6OvxP6i8G_wH4Ai8Wa5KQJev87V5rIK/s1600-h/IMG_5951.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5086318538976281394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMsCmntaM9dKkoW8lzhnnoQJCYF2WhpgJz5ixiPPrdoFxDILJ8WF9TU30-mdRxiypYSyMW3wkUmTJNMClsxodK_pkvfCR9gI7Qq6Qh6OvxP6i8G_wH4Ai8Wa5KQJev87V5rIK/s320/IMG_5951.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"></a></div>
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After lunch, the pyramids at <st1:city><st1:place><b>Giza</b></st1:place></st1:city>. My face and hands smarted from the cold wind and I just got chased by a camel, but as I stood at the foot of that awesome remnant of ancient civilization, I was on top of the world.<br>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/673719083559505144'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/673719083559505144'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/07/egypt.html' title='EGYPT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgndBi5O_0fxit7RPfewRhHHgRDWuSRc_oFlpT7HFq_rVqaLu4HB7RHL1DG-va6QRK8_Y_ibPcoVI9LE0dz3iLjDhBzmaIFA38m52Ou_26mN8Vz64bE_zvvAvlZrE3TsQ3VatL/s72-c/IMG_6057.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7848644123019236273</id><published>2007-01-09T18:52:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-09-23T14:19:33.699+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Angkor Wat'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cambodia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='birthday holiday'/><title type='text'>ANGKOR WAT</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<st1:time hour="18" minute="0"><span style="font-family: Batang;">Six o’clock</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Batang;"> in the morning and Stuart and I had been up for an hour and a half. We had found a vacant spot in what seemed like the right place to be and sat in companionable silence with a host of like-minded pilgrims, waiting for the sun to rise over Angkor Wat. <o:p></o:p></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">I sat uneasily on a slab of stone; it felt cold and damp. I dreaded to think how it would look in the light. Or what might be crawling underneath. I had no idea where we were exactly. I was</span><span style="font-family: Batang;"> in the dark</span><span style="font-family: Batang;"> literally and figuratively.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">We had squeezed through and climbed over a tightly packed crowd of shadowy figures stationed in a staircase to get to this vacant spot. I could just make out the ground below- not much of a drop but still, I didn’t dare get up to go around the corner of the ledge for a better vantage point. I had seen a big group of people there earlier as we followed the beam of somebody’s flashlight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">I was so excited. Thrilled to be there. Everyo</span><span style="font-family: Batang;">ne around me seemed just as excited. I imagined a low-level </span><span style="font-family: Batang;">charge of </span><span style="font-family: Batang;">electricity crackling</span><span style="font-family: Batang;"> in the cool pre-dawn air</span><span style="font-family: Batang;">. There was a hushed reverence even in the way people picked their way in the dark. We spoke in whispers and flinched when someone used a flash.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Batang;">Then a voice brashly called out: “Coffee!” An embarrassed round of giggles, then, "How much?" someone ventured.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">The spell was broken. It was a tourist thing after all. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Meanwhile, the horizon was lightening and people started to find their voices. Flashbulbs began to pierce holes in the dark. Somebody argued with the coffee vendor. Time to move on.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Stuart and I climbed down from our perch and walked towards a crowd of people standing a short distance away. It wasn't until we got closer that I saw the pond that was half ringed by a crush of expectant photographers armed with </span><span style="font-family: Batang;">a range of equipment in varying levels of sophistication: </span><span style="font-family: Batang;">from the impressive, serious cameras with really useful view finders, all the way to </span><span style="font-family: Batang;">the casually reliable cell phones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">The perfectly still surface of the pond repeated in reverse format the drama playing before us. Morning had etched a silhouette of the </span><span style="font-family: Batang;">spires of Angkor Wat. A virtual paper cutout pinned on a softly colored dawn sky.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">What a beautiful way to start the day. Stuart's birthday.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Batang;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Batang;">Perfect.</span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7848644123019236273'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7848644123019236273'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/01/angkor-wat.html' title='ANGKOR WAT'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpLg4ws4MD02TpVdjiuxcxyecv0FGrIlTf7tN53ODcJhhb-d2N-XRqDAVVdIQH6BZ-BptMF2pi5eM9w6wDWsP1JwUw-2HkSp27rNJAfWDJIjAf8Y0wnd41_vdicoboznCdccmF/s72-c/IMG_5475.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-889406861721469960</id><published>2007-01-09T13:13:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-09-23T14:20:44.667+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='CNN'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bangkok'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='bombs'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='night market'/><title type='text'>Bangkok- bombed on New Year's Eve, literally!</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><st1:city><st1:place><b>BANGKOK</b></st1:place></st1:city><b><o:p></o:p></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><st1:city><st1:place><b>Bombed on New Year's Eve. Literally!</b></st1:place></st1:city></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">That was December 28, our first full day in Siem Reap. This was our&nbsp;</span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Holiday</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;holiday. We had been in&nbsp;</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Bangkok</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;for Christmas, came to&nbsp;</span><st1:country -region="-region"><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Cambodia</span></st1:place></st1:country><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;for Stuart’s birthday, and were to return to&nbsp;</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Bangkok</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;for New Year’s. It all worked out very well, despite the bombs in&nbsp;</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Bangkok</span></st1:place></st1:city>.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">I’ll tell you about the night the bombs went off in&nbsp;</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Bangkok</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;before I tell you about magical&nbsp;</span><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Angkor</span></st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Actually, there isn’t much to tell.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">We were on our first round of hotel bubbly- Stuart had refused to call it champagne after seeing the label. Nonetheless, it was free and it tasted good so we were not complaining. We had four more hours to kill before&nbsp;</span><st1:time hour="0" minute="0"><span style="font-family: Batang;">midnight</span></st1:time><span style="font-family: Batang;">.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Two of the guest relations ladies were out of uniform and looked festive in their cocktail dresses. The lounge buzzed with holiday chatter. CNN was on mute.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">The Breaking News banner appeared on screen and the bottom ticker said something about bombs in&nbsp;</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Bangkok</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Batang;">. Before my mind could begin to register what it all meant, people started to congregate around the TV, drinks in hand.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">I walked over too, almost in slow motion. There were sketchy reports about bombs going off in several parts of&nbsp;</span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">Bangkok</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-family: Batang;">, one in the market area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">I said softly to no one in particular, “Oh my goodness, we were just there.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">Or very near there anyway. We had gone for a massage somewhere and passed the market on our way back to the hotel earlier that afternoon. I wanted to go to the night market for the countdown but we had already booked at the hotel club. So we thought we’d just freshen up and have a drink at the lounge, then go back out to the night market while waiting for party time at the hotel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Batang;">I wish I had more dramatic events to report- eyewitness stories and all that. The fact is, at&nbsp;<b>87+</b>- that’s the club at the&nbsp;</span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-family: Batang;">Conrad</span></st1:placename><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;</span><st1:placetype><span style="font-family: Batang;">Hotel-</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-family: Batang;">&nbsp;it was business as usual. Apart from us canceling our pre-midnight sortie to the market, our party plans were hardly dented by the bombs that shocked the rest of the world.</span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/889406861721469960'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/889406861721469960'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/01/bangkok-bombed-on-new-years-eve.html' title='Bangkok- bombed on New Year's Eve, literally!'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8s81mI7rTeyjLVdUeM1zGPdKOUJxF41bgpl17NSiW4Brg8kgkof9jXU8abdOv4iMdkTh2baVBRgWoCTvPDNGD-ImquLlxg2tkXo2fG5hbS_haIvUXClAaWdXFkEkRodM614C/s72-c/IMG_5713.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1032812710796100243</id><published>2006-08-22T02:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T15:47:26.287+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='arena's backlot'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Franco Zeffirelli'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Carmen'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Madama Butterfly'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Verona Arena'/><title type='text'>Verona- evenings at the opera</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I still have to tell you about the glorious evenings at the opera.&nbsp;<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_3550.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></div>
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Madama Butterfly</span>&nbsp;was beautiful, no matter the last minute change in cast (or maybe because of it?)<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Carmen&nbsp;</span>was much the same as the last time and&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aida&nbsp;</span>was not very engrossing. (My friend Cecile said her husband missed the animals onstage at the last production.)<br />
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But the <b>arena</b> never disappoints. When it comes to the opera in Verona, the medium is the message.&nbsp; The <b>Verona Arena</b> is not&nbsp;<span style="font-style: italic;">a</span>&nbsp;theater, it&nbsp;<span style="font-style: italic;">is&nbsp;</span>theater.</div>
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The 2,000 year history of its noble structure; its storied 80 seasons of opera; the exorbitant ticket prices (no refunds even when rained out) and supremely uncomfortable seats; the magical glow of thousands of candles lighting up in the upper sections as daylight fades; the moon floating behind the stage, hardly moving, merely inching sideways as the night deepens; the excited chatter of the house decrescendoing into absolute stillness as the music takes over. And then there's the secret panic inspired by 20,000 or so people in an enclosure with not too many visible exit signs.<br />
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One of the best times we had at the opera happened away from where the fat lady sings: in the arena's backlot where we prowled through&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: bold;">Franco Zeffirelli</span>'s spectacular stage sets that littered the grounds.</div>
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We wandered in and out of mock ups of Egyptian monuments to inspect gold-leafed metal pipes that make up the menacing pyramid at the center of the&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: bold;">Aida&nbsp;</span>set. We watched enormous Japanese lanterns and&nbsp;the&nbsp;stone cliffs of Nagasaki's port being winched into place by cranes setting up for&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: bold;">Madama Butterfly</span>.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1032812710796100243'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1032812710796100243'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/verona-evenings-at-opera.html' title='Verona- evenings at the opera'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115634905304903937</id><published>2006-08-22T00:02:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T15:52:39.060+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='sprizzato'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='verona'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Osteria Sottoriva'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Due Torri Baglioni'/><title type='text'>Verona</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>Due Torri Baglioni’s</b> medieval architecture and elegant décor keep it at the top of <st1:city><st1:place>Verona</st1:place></st1:city>’s hotel hierarchy. Sadly, service is clearly not a priority. At the reception hall, there is a lot of loud banter among the hotel staff in their smart dark blue uniforms while they studiously ignore hotel guests who wander about looking lost.<br />
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Next door to the hotel is a gem of a restaurant. It looks like a cheap sandwich bar from the outside but quite nice inside. Great for dinners before the opera, away from the crowds and the extortionist paninis and pizzas on the main square.</div>
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Sunday lunch at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Osteria Sottoriva</span> gave us a peak into local life. Clearly a favorite with the residents, the place was lively, friendly, and full. While we waited for a table, I stood at the bar and watched closely as the barman made <i>sprizzato.</i> A shot of Cynar (an artichoke-based liqueur), spritz of spumante, splash of San Pellegrino, an orange slice, and lots of ice. I’ll surely try this next time we have a party at home. <o:p></o:p></div>
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We finally got a table outside, in the cool shadows under the arcaded portico that lines one side of the street. We sat there for a long time contemplating the menu, drinking our <span style="font-style: italic;">sprizzatos</span>, and watching the world go by.</div>
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A walking tour slowly rounded the corner from the bright, sunny lane beside the bar. They fanned themselves with their hats as they trickled past us, the younger and fitter taking the lead, followed by the older ones, then after a long interval, a few unhappy stragglers huffing and puffing, urged on by their flag-wielding guide.<br />
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Lunch was simple, typical regional fare, as pretty Michaela proclaimed. She had pulled up a chair when she heard our brave attempt at ordering our meal, sat at our table, and proceeded to explain the menu. In Italian, no subtitles, but illustrated with elaborate gestures, all the while smiling her mysterious smile, her hair pinned close to her head in a 1930s sort of way, her red and white polka dot dress all frilly and floaty.<br />
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We managed to decipher a few key things: horsemeat and lentil salad. </div>
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When we asked for coffee, she smiled warmly but shook her head and said,“Vino, pane, bierre. No café.” <br />
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No coffee? Are we not in Italy? She did present us though with complimentary thimbles of coffee flavored cream topped with chocolate. It tasted like tiramisu.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115634905304903937'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115634905304903937'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/verona.html' title='Verona'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuiAAcUnC-OqQc-EH6-0EkTqcczt1h4QwlYQixGd7mTf6aRw3_Dh2Es9Iqi7gkArmKkf4MrwmMZG52DX8j5rLEBHT7N4k6LybcpHeyZmivzDWk7VGRcBVS05HD9e8WS_duMBs/s72-c/IMG_3607-1.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9089289454526829044</id><published>2006-08-20T02:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T15:55:50.109+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='market'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Modena’s best hotel'/><title type='text'>Modena</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our guidebook’s pick as “<st1:city>Modena</st1:city>’s best hotel” was a disappointment.&nbsp;Rather austere except for some unremarkable frescoes in the lobby.&nbsp;On the day we left, the smartly liveried doorman cheerfully called out “<i>Grazie, arrivederci, signora!</i>” as I carried a bag to the car. He made no move to give the <i>signora</i> a hand.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I’ll always remember&nbsp;<st1:city>Modena</st1:city>&nbsp;for the delightful tapas bar around the corner from our hotel.&nbsp;</div>
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And of course for the market! What a feast of surely sinful proportions!&nbsp;</div>
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We taste tested an array of vintage&nbsp;<span style="font-style: italic;">aceto balsamico&nbsp;</span>and finally bought a 25-year old one.<br />
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More later.<o:p></o:p></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9089289454526829044'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9089289454526829044'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/modena.html' title='Modena'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115643829394083032</id><published>2006-08-20T00:38:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T15:56:41.796+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Orvieto duomo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='caramelled figs at San Patrizio'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wine'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>Orvieto</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
At the moment, we’re at that most civilized time on the continent when everything closes down for the afternoon. We are in Orvieto, tomorrow we head for Rome and then home on Friday or Saturday, depending on whether we get confirmed on the later flight or not. Our hotel, the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Palazzo Piccolomini</span><i> </i>has wi-fi, so I’m updating my long neglected blog.<o:p></o:p> <br />
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At a restaurant around the corner, we just had our first sit-down lunch after a long string of on the road picnics of take away food bought in whatever town we happened to be driving from. Those picnics were some of the most memorable meals we’ve had on this holiday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lunch was grilled meats including rabbit and the territorial <i>cinghiale</i> (wild boar,) a green salad, a quarter liter of red wine, and lots of mineral water. We have finally sworn off any kind of pasta, no matter how attractively named or seductively sauced. This we had to do because squeezing into our jeans has come to be increasingly difficult as we cover more miles on this eating and drinking tour.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dinner was at <span style="font-weight: bold;">Osteria San Patrizio</span><i>. </i>I have to mention here that we are in <b>Orvieto</b> for two reasons. One is the beautiful striped duomo, which I just had to see again, having fallen in love with it on a previous trip. The other is the caramelled figs at San Patrizio that we had read about in our trusty guidebook. </div>
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We dined on Chef Eduardo’s recommended menu and left the wine selection to waiter Ricardo.<br />
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The food was superb. We had chicken <i>galantina</i> with french beans, <i>baccala</i>-filled ravioli, and lamb chops served with <span style="font-style: italic;">melanzane parmegiana</span>.<br />
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Three was the magic number for the finish: honey drizzled ewe’s cheese in three ages (the 2-year old proved too lively for me) and a terrine of three kinds of chocolate in a sherry sauce. The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Palazzone Armaleo</span> was even better than Ricardo, a certified enologist, promised. Strangely, there was no one else dining there that evening but us. Well, it was everybody else’s loss. <br />
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When Chef Ernesto came out to chat I asked about the conspicuous absence of figs from the menu. He explained that because he could not obtain figs of top quality, he was unable to offer the dessert that day as “we are famous for it.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is what I wrote in the guestbook: After traveling for two weeks through <st1:state><st1:place>Emilia-Romagna</st1:place></st1:state>, <st1:state><st1:place>Umbria</st1:place></st1:state>, and <st1:state><st1:place>Tuscany</st1:place></st1:state> in search of good food and wine, this is the highlight of our tour. Waiter Ricardo has been a great guide.</div>
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We walked back from dinner to work some of it off and stopped by an open air concert at the piazza beside the duomo. </div>
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The <b>Chicken’s Funk</b> wasn’t half bad but <b>Frank Zappa</b> wasn’t really our kind of music. It was a delight just being there though, hanging out with the mostly local crowd. We left after about three songs; we sang and danced in the quiet narrow streets as we walked back to our hotel.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115643829394083032'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115643829394083032'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/at-moment-were-at-that-most-civilized.html' title='Orvieto'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115643856918549634</id><published>2006-08-18T00:51:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2015-02-24T21:15:16.511+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Lorenzo'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Montepulciano'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wine festival'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Perseids'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='meteor shower'/><title type='text'>Calice di Stelle in Montepulciano</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>“Chuiso per ferie” </span>signs had become a familiar sight everywhere we went. We knew that we had come in the middle of <span style="font-style: italic;">Ferragosto</span>, the Italian holiday season, which meant that a lot of places would be closed; but after a while, we got really tired of being off the beaten track and felt like going someplace more welcoming of guests.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_4118.jpg"></a>For the price of a 10 euro ticket, you get to have your own personal <i>calice</i> or wine glass and a leather sling for it that you wear around your neck. This <i>calice</i> entitles you to five glasses of local wine, the superb Montepulciano, Nobile or Rosso.<br />
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An additional 18 euros buys you antipasti, primi, secondi, and dolci in various designated <i>Calici di Stelle</i> stations where the townspeople have prepared low-budget banquets of bruschetta, pasta and grilled meats for wandering partygoers with wine glasses hanging from their necks.<br />
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Very sprited and immensely enjoyable.<br />
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<b>Postscript</b><br />
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I have since learned that I totally missed out on the significance of this festival. Even if I did enjoy the food and wine and the very fact of being there. What the hotel manager was probably struggling to make me understand then was that this evening had as much to do with the stars as it had with the wine that so captured my attention.<br />
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Also known as <i>La Notte di San Lorenzo</i>, this evening is special for stargazers. The "falling stars"&nbsp;of the <b>Perseids</b> meteor shower are sometimes called the "tears of San Lorenzo" because August 10, the date of the saint's martyrdom, corresponds to the peak period of the meteor shower.<br />
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And I missed all this! I never even once looked up to the sky! I really must go back to correct this oversight. Soon.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115643856918549634'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115643856918549634'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/chuiso-per-ferie-signs-had-become.html' title='Calice di Stelle in Montepulciano'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5700908307059527923</id><published>2006-08-16T02:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T15:58:31.532+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>Perugia</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The&nbsp;<b>Brufani Hotel</b>&nbsp;is housed in two medieval buildings located right across from the catacombs.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>We figured it was worth staying only because the hotel bar managed, even with difficulty and a lot of discussion, to make us sandwiches and coffee although we had not as yet decided to check in.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>The bar was closed that day except for hotel guests.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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After the unbelievable disinterest at the&nbsp;<b>Hotel Subasio</b>, this felt like a hotel that cared about guests.</div>
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The heated underground pool sparkles green and blue under the vaulted stone ceiling. On the ground beside it is a fragment of the original Roman stone foundations under glass.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>The gym and spa are also below ground and all around feels mysterious and luxurious and decadent.</div>
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Perugia is an equally beautiful town that casts such a spell that even the tourists are nice. At the outdoor cafés, the only unwelcome guests are the pigeons scrounging for crumbs.&nbsp;It's a delight to walk through the narrow streets that climb steeply under ancient arches towards the center of town. No hawkers or beggars mar the&nbsp;<span style="font-style: italic;">passeggiata.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<st1:city>I j</st1:city>ust had two glasses of&nbsp;<i>Montepulciano</i>&nbsp;rosso at the&nbsp;<span style="font-weight: bold;">Caffé&nbsp;</span><b>Perugiana</b>&nbsp;in a little square in front of an important looking building. I asked Felipe, our Argentinian waiter what building it was and he had to run inside the café to ask somebody.&nbsp;I wondered if we could have nuts or chips with our drinks.&nbsp;</div>
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I asked Felipe. He brought us two complementary plates of delicious bruschettas.</div>
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We’ll probably go to dinner at&nbsp;<b>L’Opera</b>, a little osteria we saw in a narrow lane behind the church as we walked back to our hotel. It was still closed but I stopped to read the menu posted at the door and the chef came out to say hello.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>I asked him what the “dentex” on the menu was.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>He said&nbsp;<span style="font-style: italic;">dentice&nbsp;</span>is a kind of fish. I didn’t have to ask what “dreaded (sic) sea bass” is.</div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_4544.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>Stuart says we’ve got three restaurants to choose from, all housed in medieval buildings.&nbsp;I like this town, lucky Stuart decided to stay.&nbsp;It must have been what&nbsp;<st1:city>Rome</st1:city>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<st1:city>Florence</st1:city>&nbsp;looked and felt like to tourists of ages past.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5700908307059527923'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5700908307059527923'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/perugia.html' title='Perugia'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115643928469861962</id><published>2006-08-16T01:07:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T15:59:25.171+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><title type='text'>Assisi</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our trusted guidebook’s recommendation for Assisi’s “finest restaurant” is sadly inaccurate. The restaurant is in an underground cavern with a beautiful vaulted ceiling but that’s about the only thing it has going for it. Pity. Everything we ate had at least five times the expected amount of salt in it. Added to which, the lights were too bright, the music too loud, and the room too stuffy. One of the new owners of the restaurant actually grumbled as he turned up the air conditioning when asked to. <br />
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The <b>Hotel Subasio</b> is a medieval structure decorated along the lines of a “<i>Room with a View”</i>-type grand hotel.<br />
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Located at the edge of the central square of the <b>Cathedral of San Francesco</b>, the hotel commands an unequaled panoramic view of the surrounding plains.<br />
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This premier location assures it of top clientele despite an acute attitude problem. Our guidebook warned us but we didn't listen.<br />
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One conversation I had with hotel staff demonstrates what I mean. Crowds of eager young people were streaming towards the cathedral late in the night, silk banners flying various crests, flags proclaiming countries represented. Something was afoot.<br />
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Question: “What’s on in the cathedral tonight?”<br />
Answer: A shoulder shrug, indicating a total lack of interest, then, “Maybe a concert . . . maybe a conference . . . I don’t know. You have to organize yourselves; we don’t know what goes on there.”<br />
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Excuse me? It’s hard to believe that hotel staff of any importance or insignificance, in this case probably the night manager, could possibly be so uncaring and inhospitable!<br />
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At midnight, fireworks lit up the sky in Assisi. Something did go on that night but we never found out what it was. Too bad.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115643928469861962'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115643928469861962'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/our-trusted-guidebooks-recommendation.html' title='Assisi'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-705224529543181658</id><published>2006-08-04T13:15:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T15:59:48.078+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='cinghiale'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bellini'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Roman aqueduct'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Anaïs Nin'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wine'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>Spoleto</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_4814.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>“It must have been a&nbsp;<span style="font-style: italic;">zanzara</span>,” the manager at the&nbsp;<b>Hotel Gattapone</b>&nbsp;said doubtfully.&nbsp;He made it sound like vintage wine.&nbsp;“We only have them in July, during the humid days.”&nbsp;I guess the mosquito that bit me in <b>Montepulciano</b> and left three big angry red spots on my face was working overtime off season.<br />
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This delightful hotel is perched right at the edge of a cliff.&nbsp;Our room's balcony hangs over trees and shrubs skittering down a wooded gorge within touching distance of an ancient Roman aqueduct.<br />
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At an outdoor bar in the square the locals congregated around an improvised dance floor. An early baby boomer band played ballroom music&nbsp;while&nbsp;a suave elderly gentleman single handedly took on ladies of varying ages and dancing prowess. It was all very nice and festive.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_4725.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>But the children were all over the dance floor too, mucking about and getting in each other's way. Before anyone knew what was happening, the veteran dance instructor had toppled over and crashed to the floor, his dancing partner inelegantly astride him. Everyone sucked in their breath and all was deathly quiet for a second or two before the dancers nimbly resurrected and the party went on.<br />
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I had a <i>Bellini</i>.</div>
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At dinner later that evening, Signora Eros, proprietor and chef’s wife at&nbsp;<b>Il Tiempo di Gusto</b>&nbsp;for some reason reminded me of <b>Anaïs Nin</b>.&nbsp;She explained the menu to us in English.&nbsp;</div>
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Although this makes life simpler for linguistically challenged diners like us, it takes the magical veil of&nbsp;mystery away.&nbsp;We’re disappointed that we have chosen another tourist destination.&nbsp;But although most of the diners were tourists- English, American, German- the food did not disappoint.<br />
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The restaurant is an ancient stone house, very narrow and climbing steeply from the underground kitchen (partly visible through glass holes on the stonefloor) through two levels of dining spaces, meandering out into a tiny garden for more dining space (obviously in much demand as indicated by the queue that had started to form before we got to our main course,) and finally up some more steps into private quarters.&nbsp;</div>
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We had a great view from where we sat at the top of a flight of stairs wedged snugly between a stonewall and a lovely rustic sideboard with calligraphy labels on the drawers.</div>
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Dinner was superb. We had been waiting all this time to be overwhelmed by the celebrated gastronomic traditions of <b>Emiglia Romagna and Umbria</b>, but have not been impressed until tonight. (There was of course a very elegant dinner in <b>Gubbio</b> but the food there didn’t surprise.)&nbsp;</div>
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The plaintive voice of <b>Billie Holiday</b> singing softly in the background had assured me that we were in the presence of another serious chef at work. (<b>L’Opera</b>&nbsp;in <b>Perugia</b> also played the same CD and that dinner was certainly one of the better ones on this holiday.)</div>
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I had a delicious stuffed guinea hen and Stuart repeated his experimentation with&nbsp;<i>cinghiale</i>. We had a bottle of&nbsp;<b><i>Sagrantino</i></b>&nbsp;and the waiter was so awed by it, his hand trembled as he poured.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/705224529543181658'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/705224529543181658'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/spoleto_4.html' title='Spoleto'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115656452551490113</id><published>2006-08-04T11:54:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T16:00:22.451+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='majolica ceramics'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Spoleto'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Grazia'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Mr. Nulli'/><title type='text'>Deruta</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It has been another magical day. On the way to <b>Spoleto</b>, we detoured through <b>Deruta</b>, a dreary town with excruciatingly narrow streets (we crashed into a stone staircase as we backed out of one of several dead-ends) known for majolica ceramics.<br />
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We had a surprisingly exciting afternoon. We stopped at a bar for a quick but tasty lunch of white pizza folded over prosciutto and cheese washed down with coffee, all of which the girl at the bar may have undercharged us for, the cost of it seeming so ridiculously low, and it being her first day on the job.</div>
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Later, I had a hand at hand-throwing a bowl in the studio of the very charming Mr. Nulli, a local ceramic artist with "many, many years of experience." He pointed out an entry in a guide book that featured him and his studio. He then proceeded to give me a quick hands on pottery lesson. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Across the road, at the <b>Grazia</b> shop, Ubaldo Grazia, fifth generation in the ceramic business, ushered us around several floors of exhibits and studios where 42 artisans work full time.&nbsp;</div>
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When I casually mentioned dropping in on the shop of Mr. Nulli across the road, a look of annoyance crossed his face.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Did he claim to have his own clay?” he wanted to know. “The Grazia family taught everyone in this town everything they know about the business and throughout the years our company has worked hard to make the town of <st1:city><st1:place>Deruta</st1:place></st1:city> and its majolica products known all over the world, then these people steal our designs and our customers,” he lamented.</div>
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Looking back, I'm not sure what made the town seem dreary. Maybe it was the time of day. Or maybe it was the total absence of any sign of runaway prosperity that to my mind should have been the logical outcome of its centuries of tradition, going back to the Middle Ages, as the center of ceramic art.<br />
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Anyway, the afternoon spent in Deruta turned out to be a very pleasant one, made memorable by my one-on-one hands-on training in this very art, right in the town that is famous for it.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115656452551490113'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115656452551490113'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/spoleto.html' title='Deruta'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115635421639442112</id><published>2006-08-03T00:52:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T16:00:57.067+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Via Condotti'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Via Veneto'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Cavalieri Hilton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='wine'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='brunello'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Caffé Greco'/><title type='text'>Rome</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_5113.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>At the <b>Cavalieri Hilton</b>. Very posh. The flamboyance of the lobby continues into our spacious guest room. It has a large sitting area done in an Italianate garden motif and a roomy balcony where twin banquettes covered in crisp white linen sit across each other under huge marble framed mirrors.<br />
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The view is magic: the eternal city spread out behind a line of trees at the edge of a beautiful garden. Stone lions prowl the lushly green lawn that slopes down to the pool. The Coloseum peeks through the pines.<o:p></o:p> <br />
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A drink in the garden, then dinner at poolside.<br />
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At the far end of the pool, a lady sings Italian and English love songs. Stuart orders a bottle of <b><i>Brunello</i></b> and the sommelier rushes to our table to confirm the order.&nbsp;She then proceeds to go through the theatrical and incredibly exciting choreography of pouring, decanting, and peering through candlelight to check for sedimentation.<br />
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Any wine that merits this much attention must be truly special. And it is.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_5186.0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>That was last night. This afternoon was spent visiting the retail pilgrimage sites of <b>Via Veneto</b> and <b>Via Condotti</b>.<br />
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Lunch of ham and cheese and coffee at eminently photogenic <b>Caffé Greco</b>.<br />
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Now, back on our balcony, church bells are ringing the hour. <st1:time hour="18" minute="0">Six o’clock</st1:time>. Time for a drink.</div>
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Tomorrow I'll start to backtrack on this travel journal and try to fill up the gaping holes I have left, skipping through major parts of this tour. <span style="font-style: italic;">Domani.</span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115635421639442112'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115635421639442112'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/rome.html' title='Rome'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115805315076642362</id><published>2006-08-02T17:20:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T16:04:43.076+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>An eating and drinking Italian holiday</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As this holiday has been officially designated an eating and drinking holiday, I must fill in details of the activities involved.<br />
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<b>Gargnano</b><br />
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Meals at <strong>Baia d’Oro</strong> in <b>Gargnano</b> are made special by the gorgeous bay that nearly always upstages the food and wine. The light here has a luminosity that picks out every color and shape and sears the resulting images into your brain. What chance does grilled <em>corregone</em> have? Or the chilled glass of <em>prosecco</em> that starts every meal?<br />
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Dinner at <strong>La Tortuga</strong>, Gargnano's acknowledged bastion of fine dining in over 30 years, does not suffer from this distraction. Located on the main road (it <em>is</em> the main road even if it spreads out to only a car-width) and cut off from the lakeview, the restaurant is serenely decorated with genteel bric-a-brac and fresh flowers. The use of edgy, arty light fittings rescues the room from being unrelievedly introverted and spinsterly.<br />
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Dinner was well executed and highly commendable, just as you would expect dinner at the table of your worldly Aunt Agatona to be. There were no surprises though.<br />
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<b>Gubbio</b><br />
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At the <strong>Buon Ricordo </strong>in <b>Gubbio</b>, the <em>Degustazione al Tartufo</em> was a veritable orgy of truffles. It started with <em>carpaccio, bruschetta, brustengo</em>, all <em>al tartufo</em>; then a procession of truffled everything: eggs, ravioli, and beef fillet with a potato pudding. Even Stuart felt a trifle overwhelmed.<br />
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I had poached eggs, truffled and accompanied by a thin julienne of vegetables.<br />
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<b>Perugia</b><br />
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At the deeply atmospheric <strong>L’Opera</strong> in <b>Perugia</b>, we were presented with an English menu. Oops, there it is again. That brief stab of fear. Fear that we had stumbled into yet another tourist trap. We needn’t have worried though. The food was good.<br />
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An interesting thing about the menu: at the back is a detailed note regarding the salts, rice, oils, and vinegars used.<br />
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English Maldon sea salt, Himalaya pink salt, and American rock salt. Rice is organically cultivated then aged for a year. Oils are Umbrian, Ligurian, Tuscan, Sicilian, and Venetian. Vinegars are Barolo, fig, champagne, sherry, and traditional aromatic of Modena.<br />
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Wait till you hear about the food!<br />
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There was a rabbit terrine sauced with a vinegar reduction; the promised dentex dredged in maize, thyme, and barley; and the “dreaded” (sic) sea-bass with parsley and cuttlefish ink soup. I would have liked to try the aubergine crêpes with buffalo mozzarella but they had run out, this being their last workday before their holiday.<br />
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I didn’t mind; I enjoyed everything I had. It was all good.<br />
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<span style="font-weight: bold;">Bologna</span><br />
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In Bologna, we stayed at another Baglioni hotel. The <strong>Grand Hotel Baglioni</strong> though is the real deal: it looks and feels like a grand hotel. Pina at reception is delightfully chatty, cheerful, knowledgeable and always ready to help; surely a model hotel employee if ever there was one.</div>
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The breakfast room is pure delight. The courtyard roof accordions open to bring in the sunlight. All four walls are frescoed in cheerful <i>tromp l’oeil</i>.<br />
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Dinner at the hotel restaurant, <strong>I Carracci</strong>, was a somber affair. Beneath the noble vaults of the frescoed ceiling, only three tables were occupied: there was Stuart and me, there was a family of cheerful self-absorbed English tourists, and there was the hotel GM. He nodded to us, we nodded back.<br />
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The menu gave a recipe for fruit Bavarian cream with red fruit sauce.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115805315076642362'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115805315076642362'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/as-this-holiday-has-been-officially.html' title='An eating and drinking Italian holiday'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6451310229942598775</id><published>2006-08-01T22:30:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T16:06:12.408+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Baia D’oro'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel du Lac'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Gardenia al Lago'/><title type='text'>Gargnano- good hotel, bad hotel</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">There is something I have to say about this place.&nbsp;We have been coming here fairly often in the last twenty or so years.&nbsp;In the beginning we thought that the appeal of Gargnano was mostly the self-satisfied feeling it gave us that we were the only outsiders in this very insular little town of very few people, mostly very old.&nbsp;We felt like voyeurs sticking our noses in their private lives, barely registering on the local scene as a low-level irritant or a minor nuisance perhaps.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">We soon recognized that this was a delusion, that this place indeed was on the tourist map of&nbsp;<st1:place><b>Lake Garda</b></st1:place></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">, no matter how unclearly marked.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">At any rate, we first came here lured by an entry in our guide book for “the most romantic hotel on&nbsp;<st1:place>Lake Garda</st1:place></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">.”&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Baia D’oro</span><i style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</i><span style="font-size: 16px;">sounded good and indeed basked in a privileged position on this beautiful lake.</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">We had dinner at the restaurant and stayed at the hotel.</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">We didn’t care to stay another day though; we found nothing to make us want to stay.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">That was then. We are now back at <b>Baia D’oro</b></span><i style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</i><span style="font-size: 16px;">partly because <b>Hotel du Lac</b> doesn’t have a lake view room available for us, and partly because we had come for dinner here last year and we enjoyed it and thought the place merited a second look.</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;Unfortunately, last year's pleasant experience was not repeated this time around.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">And once again, this hotel was a disappointment</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">There is a conspicuous absence of any kind of management- in the restaurant and in the hotel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Today, the lake is at its glorious best.&nbsp;The water is several hues of blue and green, chartreuse and emerald.&nbsp;The sky is a picture postcard sky throwing shadows of blue and purple on a picture postcard mountain.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">We wish we were at&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Valerio's</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold;">Hotel du Lac</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">O</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">r at his parents'&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"><b>Hotel Gardenia al Lago</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp; We had, in times past, brought our families to stay in their hotels, to meet their families, and to share with us this bit of heaven.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">We treasure those times.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6451310229942598775'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6451310229942598775'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/gargnano.html' title='Gargnano- good hotel, bad hotel'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115469969313023471</id><published>2006-08-01T21:47:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T16:10:19.434+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='affogato'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Tonale'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Pizzeria Mignon'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='candle for Nanay Salud'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hotel Bartabel'/><title type='text'>Gargnano in the rain</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Wednesday brings beautiful ferry weather. The ticket office is closed while the ticketman goes off for coffee, so we amuse ourselves at the market set up on the pier.<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">We’re off to Malcesine for lunch. On board the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tonale</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">, </span>we settle into deck chairs, feet up on the railing. They have brand new red chairs; business must be good.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Lunch at our favorite <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pizzeria Mignon</span> is a feast.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">As always, my appetizers outshine my main course. Hams, cheeses, grilled peppers, zucchini, eggplant, wild mushrooms, artichokes, olives, all my favorite stuff, plus an enormous salad, and the main course is still to come!&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">And come it does, soon enough, preceded by the smoky perfume of char grilled steaks, chops, and sausages. A crispy, flakey apple strudel later, then coffee and limoncello, and we are through eating for the day. Maybe for the week.</span></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_3375.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">Thursday starts off very wet. We dash off in the rain to<i> </i><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hotel Bartabel</span> for lunch, second time this week. On the way there, we nip into the lovely 13<sup>th</sup> century church on the corner to light a candle for Nanay Salud. The church is nice and warm and dry. There aren’t any candles to light though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">We certainly didn’t pack for this weather so we look somewhat bedraggled when we turn up at the restaurant. No matter, the rain has whipped up an appetite for pasta, something we had sworn off since we went carb-free several excess pounds ago.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">So it’s another one of those antipasti beauties, followed by the forbidden tagliatelli, grilled fish from the lake, then pear tart and <i>affogato</i>, my current preferred caffeine fix: vanilla ice cream slowly melting into a shot of espresso. Mmmm, I guess I’m not really done eating for the week yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Tomorrow we leave for <st1:city><st1:place>Verona</st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size: 100%;">. I am looking forward to three nights at the opera but rather nervous about the weather. It’s been glorious here in Gargnano, even in the rain, this being one of those locations that manage to look good whatever the weather. The rain has stopped now, the clouds have lifted from the mountains, and the lake is peaceful again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Splashing about in the rain today is one thing, but getting soaked in the arena in <st1:city><st1:place>Verona</st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> is another. The music of <b>Puccini</b> and the theater of <b>Zeffirelli</b> notwithstanding!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115469969313023471'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115469969313023471'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/wednesday-brings-beautiful-ferry.html' title='Gargnano in the rain'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115454025223514529</id><published>2006-07-31T20:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-13T16:49:46.044+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='hotels'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='InterCity train to Venice'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Baia D’oro’'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ferry ride to Malcesine'/><title type='text'>Three Weeks in Italy</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The central station is an imposing structure with soaring ceilings populated by enormous stone figures. I inspect the pattern on the beautiful mosaic floor as I drag my luggage across it. Somebody spits on the floor and I quickly move away. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">A gypsy woman strides up to the automatic ticket machine where Stuart is buying our train tickets. She has a chihuahua on a leash. Her hand darts in front of his face, quickly pressing a button right under his nose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Do you speak English?” she asks. Stuart shoos her off with a very annoyed “Go away!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">On board the <st1:time hour="14" minute="5">2:05</st1:time></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> InterCity train to <st1:city><st1:place>Venice</st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size: 100%;">, we find that seat numbers 83 and 84 are not side by side. Stuart sits across from me. He’s in the center seat surrounded by five women. Fendi bags all around. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">It’s very hot. The woman at the window fans herself ineffectively with a seriously chipped Spanish fan; an enormous carryall a dead weight on the floor beside her feet. And mine. Stuart moves it outside in the corridor. They all look sad, these women traveling alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The train soon slips out of the station and air conditioning kicks in. It’s a short pleasant ride to <st1:city><st1:place>Brescia</st1:place></st1:city></span><span style="font-size: 100%;">, where we have fifteen minutes to get to the bus terminal for the <st1:time hour="15" minute="10">3:10</st1:time></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> bus to Gargnano. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_3264.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span style="font-size: 100%;">A gentle breeze cools my face and neck and stirs the bougainvillea climbing up the side of our balcony. The mirror stillness of the lake has broken and waves wash ashore boisterously as ducks come out to play. The elderly couple that owns the house next door sit and watch them frolic on the boat slip in front of their house. We’ve got our eye on that house. It’s called Villetta Maria. Maria is my second name,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">so it’s perfect.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">A yacht ties up on <b>Baia D’oro’</b>s private pier as another drops anchor a few meters behind it. Stuart turns on the aircon in the bedroom and the vibration intrudes on the scene. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I should change for dinner; the girl in the boat has changed out of her white shorts and Indian shirt.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><st1:time hour="9" minute="0">Nine o’clock</st1:time></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> in the morning and I’m waiting for the promised breakfast. The elder Signora Terzi was manning the desk last night and to my request for breakfast in the room she replied, “Normally, no.” Then very charmingly, she relented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The lake whipped up quite a storm in the night. Lightning and thunder and turbulent lake. One lightning bolt knocked the power out for a second or two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">t’s drizzling now and the lake is restless.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">My breakfast has arrived.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">The old waiter from last night brought it; he looked amused.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">I suppose this indeed is not normal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">It’s <st1:time hour="12" minute="0">12 noon</st1:time></span><span style="font-size: 16;"><span style="font-size: 100%;">, the church bells are pealing.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">The weather has made a turn for the worse and we are wondering what to do.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">It’s too wet to walk and the lake is too rough for our planned ferry ride to <b>Malcesine</b>.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115454025223514529'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115454025223514529'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/three-weeks-in-italy-monday-1-august.html' title='Three Weeks in Italy'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114569302935412523</id><published>2006-04-11T16:03:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T21:05:37.153+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>Farewell to Barcelona</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We said goodbye to the elegant boulevards of the <b><i>Eixample</i></b>, now quiet and almost deserted. Nearly all the shops were closed and it was a job to find anywhere for lunch. We passed a few sandwich bars and delis but we wanted our final meal in the city to be special.</div>
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We finally chose<b><i> </i>Samoa</b> on <b>Passeig de Gràcia</b>. It's got urban cool but today we craved local charm.<span style="color: red;"> </span>Service was just a notch above grudging.</div>
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A leisurely walk on <b><i>Rambla de Catalunya</i></b> brought back the charm. This Rambla is Chic Central, far from the plebeian joys of the other <b>Ramblas<i>. </i></b>The neighborhood exudes a serene air of privilege: smiling residents walk well-groomed dogs and push designer prams.<br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_3055.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a>We played at Modernist Art-spotting and inspected the elegant building façades along the quiet promenade.&nbsp;There were stretches where too many spas and salons packed too close together spoiled the picture.&nbsp;</div>
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We looked out for <b>Casa Dolors</b>, which our guidebook tells us shares the same builder as Paris’s Arc de Triomphe, but it was undergoing repairs and was shrouded in scaffolding.</div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_3056.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><b>Casa Fargas</b> more than made up for this by presenting us with arched bay windows, wrought iron balconies, and orieled front door decorated with free-form shrubbery carved in stone.</div>
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And when the meltingly beautiful tree-of-life stained-glass window of <b>Farmàcia Bolós</b> came into view, everything was alright in Modernist heaven.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114569302935412523'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114569302935412523'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/farewell-to-barcelona-it-was-sunday.html' title='Farewell to Barcelona'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114468984185218191</id><published>2006-04-10T13:03:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T20:59:53.801+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='ham'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>Best Meal in Barcelona</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i style="text-decoration: underline;">&nbsp;</i>At Mari y Rufo, beside the market</b></div>
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Saturday, we resumed our furniture shopping. By the second shop, we had tired of iconic furniture of the 20<sup>th</sup> century and completely lost interest in shopping.&nbsp;</div>
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Lunch was the next order of the day.<br />
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I recognized the pretty wavy roof I had admired in numerous photos and from an exhibit at New York's <b>MoMA</b>. &nbsp;I pointed it out excitedly to Stuart.&nbsp;</div>
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The <b>Mercat de Santa Caterina,</b> one of the city's newest architectural showcases, has been extensively retrofitted at a cost of €13million. Its fantastic roof of many-colored tiles is a stylized representation of the bounty it houses: fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, and every deli fare imaginable.&nbsp;</div>
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A vast pleasure palace for chefs and gourmets, it’s both the best and the worst place to be if you’re hungry. We queued up for lunch at one of two restaurants inside. But when we finally got up to the reception desk, it was still to be a 30-minute wait, so we left.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Stuart promised to find me a better restaurant but I was disappointed, tired, and hungry.&nbsp;</div>
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After the buzz of the market, the street outside was ominously deserted. The only place open was a tiny butcher’s shop that had a sign advertising meals.&nbsp;</div>
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We walked in and asked about lunch for which we were obviously too late. After a frenzied consultation among themselves, we were led down steep narrow stairs into an even tinier room packed with three rows of tables very close together.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Clearly the only tourists around, we were doted on by the owners, mum, dad, and son Pau Suria (from the ancient town of <st1:city><st1:place>Suria</st1:place></st1:city>, <st1:city><st1:place>Pau</st1:place></st1:city> says, pointing to the family coat of arms on the wall.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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They served a set lunch: appetizer platter, entree (a towering mound of seafood,) and dessert (homemade cake or berries bathed in the surprisingly red juice of local oranges.) The appetizer featured slabs of the most succulent ham ever!&nbsp;</div>
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<st1:city><st1:place>Pau</st1:place></st1:city> struggled to explain to us in his charmingly mangled English that the pig it came from dined exclusively on fruits of the forest. After a long discussion about the seafood allergy that prevented me from sampling what everyone else in the place was enjoying, Dad Suria whipped up a special all-fish dish for me.&nbsp;</div>
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Lightly perfumed with garlic and liberally laced with olive oil, it was simply delicious! Best value meal ever at €22; an excellent red wine cost €2.70, whether you had a glass or a bottle.&nbsp;</div>
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Hands down favorite!<span style="color: #3366ff;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114468984185218191'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114468984185218191'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/best-meal-in-barcelona-at-mari-y-rufo.html' title='Best Meal in Barcelona'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8178781789677048407</id><published>2006-04-09T13:43:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2021-12-17T04:50:59.387+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Gaudi'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>Gaudí’s Casa Batlló</title><content type='html'> <div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">The eccentric genius Catalan architect&nbsp;Antoni&nbsp;Gaudí's Casa Batlló&nbsp;is the main attraction in the city’s famed Block of Discord.</font></div></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_2aba_698c_ea93_54d8" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QsdSk5qs-caeXNid2Q38Jfb-4UERZVrhfox_HQNlXmmtjPRn1CEXxTkPcxRXzuQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br></div><div style="text-align: left;"><img id="id_77cf_e7d4_de3b_bd97" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Uihx5UaN4cHR6XE05sxO0-XkoNtX0Jama2Cw46CSD1iLiqf8PaziIjwCmSB-764" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">As I climb the winding staircase, the wooden banister moulds itself to the curve of my hand, anticipating the shifting angle of my wrist. An ergonomically designed staircase. Now, that's genius!&nbsp;</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><img id="id_baf8_5ce4_2e8c_c253" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ckcZo2RBLpyoVH5oZgnCO41RtR8ayB2d4rr6fHE42cCR9FyE55J9k7WFWk1MVQg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A network of elegantly crafted air-vents (Gaudí had a thing for ventilation) clears the air of the musty smell endemic to houses-turned-museums.&nbsp;</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><img id="id_e4d9_31a_c69d_9af9" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RhU_HWd-u9mZapAJXRsGJnBy2OyN5p83o9XT9WwUOn6C9WEzdVw8o2mmrvXWdPE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Daylight shimmers through artisanal glass. Silky surfaces seduce and invite touch; sinuous planes curve and caress. Glowing wood twists, bends, and pirouettes.</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>
</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">All around is a childlike playfulness and disregard for authority. No concessions to conventional wisdom in terms of what a house should look like, or what is in good taste or bad. There is a glut of wanton decoration and i</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">mages can go from pretty to crass without warning.&nbsp;</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>
</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">There is, however, a keen awareness of how a particular room should feel. Womblike in the bedroom, voluptuous and expansive in the living room.<br>
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</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">At every turn is a flash of genius or an early warning of psychosis (his or mine).&nbsp;</font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">There are strange mouldings on the dining room ceiling suggestive of tumours or alien life forms.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><img id="id_a41a_ef33_2676_fcff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1aUeeJvOy-HiQHyiWZeuXn9AH8odzdtGvM_bkik3Aj328Pkt4YJ2j5trcZUsFJ0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">
And why do two pillars block the doorway to the courtyard?<br>
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<br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A gem of an elevator, made of glass and polished wood, travels through a light shaft swimming in subtle shades of blue.<br>
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But the door is stuck; and Stuart asks doubtfully,&nbsp;</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“Do you really want to go in that?”</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">“I really do.”</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>
</font><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Upstairs is a newly opened section of the house: the attic and the roof. The attic, a service area, is an antiseptic white labyrinth under an arcaded ceiling. I feel like I've been swallowed into some giant creature's ribcage.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"></font></div><div><img id="id_46a5_5065_3e2e_ea71" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RKY-N2olmu0s002ivbrxqQRCgs8Agx4ycNxp9zIImUyNrIom0NamHj3CNf8Fv00" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br>
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</div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">A video presentation on site explains the technical merits of the elliptical arch as a really smart architectural device. To my untrained but interested eye, the structure seems sound indeed. Spare, strong, and beautiful.&nbsp;</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Up a twisting staircase, onto the roof, and the experience goes phenomenally surrealistic. Like walking into a Cirque du Soleil landscape.&nbsp;</font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="Verdana" size="4"></font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><img id="id_4b0e_1794_f624_c0df" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/c11kRK3VYVGBrcnEdtZJQUI8z3GT8XznbiJTOm_tisXM8xgY_OGbPgce0V5H0Yo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 710px; height: auto;"><br>
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<br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The roof is a heaving, undulating cornucopia of decorative emblems and motifs, all clad in “trencadís”, Gaudí’s&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">vigorous mosaic of multicolored tile fragments.&nbsp;</span><br>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">The effect is magical, surreal, psychedelic. Sublime!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br>
</font></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8178781789677048407'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8178781789677048407'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/07/casa-batllo.html' title='Gaudí’s Casa Batlló'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QsdSk5qs-caeXNid2Q38Jfb-4UERZVrhfox_HQNlXmmtjPRn1CEXxTkPcxRXzuQ=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-314377031983620289</id><published>2006-04-08T16:30:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T20:29:07.097+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>Going back in time in the Barri Gòtic</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We walked around the&nbsp;<b><i>Barri Gòtic</i></b>.<br />
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Outside the grand&nbsp;<b><i>Palau de la Generalitat,&nbsp;</i></b>a gaggle of protesters stood in somber single file against the wall, carrying signs indicating a mute protest against something or other.<br />
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Rounding&nbsp;the corner along one side of the Generalitat, we peeked into a colonnaded courtyard with lovely orange trees. Just ahead, a bridge linking two medieval buildings gave me a fleeting sense of&nbsp;<b><i>dejà vu:&nbsp;</i></b>it was a replica of the Bridge of Sighs in Venice.<br />
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Dinner was at&nbsp;<b>Can Culleretes<i>,&nbsp;</i></b>the oldest restaurant in Barcelona. I had a spinach salad (a Catalonian specialty of which there was too much) with my rabbit. Stuart had soup and fish.&nbsp;</div>
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The total bill of €36.40 included €7.20 for&nbsp;<b><i>pa y vi</i></b>&nbsp;plus an indifferent dessert- the waitress warned me off the “too sweet” crema catalana.&nbsp;</div>
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Unanimous verdict: disappointing. As Stuart observed early into the meal, food is obviously not their main preoccupation.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/314377031983620289'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/314377031983620289'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/going-back-in-time-in-barri-gotic.html' title='Going back in time in the Barri Gòtic'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114569266327375318</id><published>2006-04-08T15:56:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T20:52:49.499+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='café'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>Rambling through the Ramblas</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The<b><i> Rambla </i></b>changes its name and character as it meanders busily through five different sections, starting from <b><i>Plaça de Catalunya</i></b> stretching all the way to the harbor.&nbsp;</div>
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Its central pavement funnels promenaders through an avenue of plane-trees, leaving just a trickle of car traffic on either side of it. The depressing images of the Sagrada Familia quickly melted away into the flow of wall-to-wall people moving to different rhythms, pushed along by diverse interests and errands: the opera house, the central market, cafés, patisseries, restaurants, gift shops, bookshops, or just the afternoon <i>paseo</i>.<br />
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A cacophony of voices, snatches of song, and earnest renderings from violins and flutes, guitars and drums, or any number of other orchestra orphans swirled through the human traffic. There was a knight in armor (probably Don Quijote); a snappily dressed danseur wielding castanets; an upturned torso, legs flapping in the air, top half completely buried under a pink tutu; plus the usual cast of nomadic street theater: fortune tellers, mimes, jugglers, and living statues.<span style="color: red;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It was time for a caffeine fix.&nbsp;</div>
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So with Barcelona’s high-profile café culture in mind, we diligently scoured the area for the perfect place, unable to decide which of the obvious options to take.<br />
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<b>Café de l’Opera<i> </i></b>didn’t appeal; and someone had made a mess on the floor at<b><i> </i>Dulcinea</b>.&nbsp;<b>Schilling</b> was too smoky.&nbsp;</div>
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There was a moment of weakness when we almost walked into <b><i>Starbucks</i></b>.<span style="color: #3366ff;"> </span>But we soldiered on and found <b>Forn de Pa Pastisseria</b>.<span style="color: red;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="color: red;"></span>It was bigger than it looked from the outside and less cozy than we expected.&nbsp;</div>
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But the superb hot chocolate and the sticky almond-and-honey bar were just what we craved for. &nbsp;</div>
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A Barcelona indulgence. Something to help us kick our biscotti-and-macchiato habit right there. Cold turkey.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114569266327375318'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114569266327375318'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/rambling-through-ramblas-rambla.html' title='Rambling through the Ramblas'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114569238443301151</id><published>2006-04-08T15:52:00.002+08:00</published><updated>2023-09-15T16:52:44.851+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>La Sagrada Familia</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I stared at it and stared at it. I circumnavigated it. I inspected it from the fruity tops of its hallucinatory spires to the bases of its hysterically encrusted walls.&nbsp;</span></div>
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And I couldn't for the life of me understand how the creator of the enchanting </span><b><i><span style="font-size: medium;">Casa Batl</span>lò</i></b> could possibly be responsible for something so atrociously ugly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;"><b><i>L’epoca de mal gust</i></b> (the epoch of bad taste), as some people call the period of artistic flowering of <b>Gaudí</b> and his <b>Modernist</b> peers, must have begun here. </span></div>
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I think it was fairly obvious what the Divine Architect thought of it when the original plan for the church was lost in a fire.&nbsp;</span></div>
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And then <b>Gaudí</b>, by this time homeless and broke, and still struggling heroically to finish the building, was run over by a tram.</span></div>
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Yet, they strive to finish it even now, 80 years on. At the time of Gaudí’s death, only one tower had been built. There are eight now; and four more spires are planned, plus another colossal 170 meter central tower. </span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114569238443301151'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114569238443301151'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/la-sagrada-familia-stuart-went-on_11.html' title='La Sagrada Familia'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114465337796990505</id><published>2006-04-07T15:15:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T20:48:51.794+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>A Different Picasso</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The <b>Museu Picasso</b> is a beautiful complex consisting of three elegant aristocratic mansions linked together by a pretty courtyard presided over by a water fountain in the shade of a 150 year-old date palm tree. (The original three palaces were joined in the 1990s by two more medieval buildings.)<br />
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Here I found a gentler, more sentimental Picasso at a time when he was still living in Barcelona with his parents and studying at a local art school. This Picasso is virtually unrecognizable and might just as well have been some other genius I had yet to learn about.<br />
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Lunch at<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><b>Els Quatre Gats</b><b> </b>(The Four Cats), the café where he famously hung with his Modernist friends and where he mounted his first exhibit, rounded up this early Picasso experience<b><i>. </i></b>Even the works featured here, including a menu he designed for the café, looked to me more like Toulouse-Lautrecs than Picassos.</div>
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And what about the food? I don’t remember a thing about the food. The place of course was touristy (what did you expect?) But I loved just being there, imagining how it must have been in his time. I might have seen this café in a movie about Picasso but I can’t be sure.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114465337796990505'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114465337796990505'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/different-picasso-museu-picasso-is.html' title='A Different Picasso'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114465349994468223</id><published>2006-04-06T15:17:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T20:46:12.879+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>Tapas and football in Barcelona</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We left the <b>Gaudí</b> experience for later and headed straight to <b>Vinçons</b> to buy the iconic furniture that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on. It was the wrong place for furniture, but the lighting fixtures were interesting. We also liked the cut paper installation in their art gallery. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Adjusting quickly to the local timetable, we then went in search of tapas to tide us over until dinnertime. <b>Sinatra</b> beckoned with a name that seemed intriguingly out of place here. The bar downstairs had dramatic mood lighting and swishy chairs and tiny blue lights crept up the staircase where a giant <b>Lempicka</b> print (I’m guessing, it could have been an original) provided a languid air. Tapas were served upstairs where more Lempicka females hung on quilted and buttoned silver walls, very decadently deco.&nbsp;</div>
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Food and wine were great and the English-speaking staff was young, trendy, and friendly.</div>
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As we settled in for another round of wine and tapas, people carrying suitcases started arriving at the bar. Almost all at once, the place began to fill and the noise level spiked up. We had missed all the clues: the game schedule on the blackboard beside the door and the big TV screen visible from downstairs and up.&nbsp;</div>
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When the big brawny man went to stand guard outside the door, we realized the football types had taken over the bar and it was time for us to leave. We would have been readily identified as aliens; or worse, as non-<i>Barça</i>. In this part of the world, one didn’t mess with football.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114465349994468223'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114465349994468223'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/tapas-and-football-we-left-gaud.html' title='Tapas and football in Barcelona'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1234608765932431778</id><published>2006-04-04T14:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T18:38:12.273+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='art'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='tiles'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>Art and the City</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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In the taxi coming in from the airport, I caught a brief glimpse of&nbsp;the giant red dots of&nbsp;<b>Roy Lichtenstein</b>’s massive&nbsp;<b><i>Barcelona Head</i></b>.&nbsp;I waited to round the corner to see more of it but we darted into a tunnel and when we reemerged, the landscape had changed.&nbsp;</div>
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I never had the chance to see the famous sculpture again but it didn’t much matter because in this city, art is majorly all around you.<span style="color: red;">&nbsp;</span>It's even found underfoot.&nbsp;The famous Barcelona pavement tiles are on permanent exhibit at the MOMA in New York.</div>
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The city’s precise geometric grid is made pretty by highly individual buildings that adorn it like jewelry. &nbsp;I&nbsp;spent hours inspecting intricate details on pillars and roofs, floors and walls, door knobs and window handles.</div>
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There are hand-drawn, hand-painted embellishments on exteriors of even the most prosaic establishments.&nbsp;</div>
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The suburban landscape is littered with murals and friezes and freestanding sculptures; apartment blocks are transformed by dreamy trompe l’oeil firewalls.</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1234608765932431778'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1234608765932431778'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/art-and-city-barcelona.html' title='Art and the City'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114438326379836596</id><published>2006-04-04T12:12:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T18:40:56.484+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Gaudi'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Battlo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='food'/><title type='text'>Barcelona- An incident at the hotel</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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On our first day in Barcelona, there was no hot water in the room and housekeeping said it would take a while to fix. Having only unpacked the night before, we didn't fancy moving just yet, so the hotel offered us the use of another room's bath, next floor up.<br />
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Later, happily hot-showered, in bathrobe and slippers, wet hair wrapped in a towel, I rang the bell and waited for Stuart to open the door to our room. To my horror, the door of the room next to ours opened and out came an elderly couple, just about to step out in their smart city clothes.<br />
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They responded to my bright “Hi there!” with the briefest of nods and it didn’t take much Spanish on my part to figure out her murmured “<b><i>Who</i></b> was that?!”<br />
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We plan to use assumed names next time we come.</div>
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We had yet to study our maps and guidebooks, but <b>Tapa Tapa</b> on&nbsp;<b>Passeig de Gràcia</b> seemed a safe bet: the menu was illustrated. It proved to be an inspired choice. &nbsp;Lunch was delicious and the location couldn't have been more auspicious.</div>
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I looked up from my <b><i>pa amb tomaquet</i></b> (the much tastier local equivalent of the Italian <i>bruschetta</i>) and was confronted by the skull-like balconies of<b><i> Gaud</i></b><b><i>í</i></b><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">'</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">s</span> <b><i>Casa Batlló</i></b> gazing at me from across the street.<br />
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What an introduction to one of the world’s most intriguing pieces of architecture!<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114438326379836596'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114438326379836596'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/barcelona-incident-at-hotel-on-our.html' title='Barcelona- An incident at the hotel'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114493381197231398</id><published>2006-04-02T21:09:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T20:18:12.885+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Erle'/><title type='text'>NY: the shows, the restaurants, the bars</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The appeal of New York as a fun place is due largely to our friend Erle. He is solely responsible for our social life in that great city. Without him, we’d probably skip the city all together. Evenings, mostly planned by Erle, were spent thus:</div>
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Tuesday- An evening of chamber music, <b>Schumann &amp; Stravinsky.</b> Admission free; delightful music, storytelling and mime by <b>Juilliard<i> </i></b>students.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wednesday- <b>Juilliard Orchestra</b>- <b>Schumann, Beethoven, Bartok</b>; <b>Joseph Kalichstein</b> at the piano. We had never heard of him but he was in all the papers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thursday- <b>The Met</b>: <b><i>Samson &amp; Dalila, </i>Saint Saënz</b>. We had never seen it before. Our box seats had a restricted view of the left side of the stage where a lot of the action took place. I could actually hum to the music of Act 2, which I suspect is the part most people come for as evidenced by the number of them who didn’t come back after the intermission. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Friday- <b>Broadway</b>: <b><i>The Producers</i></b>. Predictable.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span lang="ES-TRAD">Saturday- <b>The Met</b>: <b><i>La Forza del Destino</i></b>, <b>Verdi</b>. </span>Again, never seen before. The miserable plot was redeemed by the beautiful music and my conviction that the star, <b>Salvatore Licitra</b>, had picked me out and was smiling only at me at the curtain calls. Jet lag sometimes does that. Or maybe it was the shock of the cost of our front row seats. </div>
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Several Met seasons ago, tenor Licitra had gamely taken on a house full of <b>Pavarotti</b> devotees (there was also an enormous crowd watching a giant screen on the courtyard outside the theater) after the maestro called in sick. </div>
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Sunday- <b>Broadway</b>: <b><i>Spamalot</i></b>. Very enjoyable. Stuart found it a bit tame though, not embarrassingly crass enough . The fact that this was the first outing all week where I didn’t have to fight to keep awake during the critical first fifteen minutes of the performance owes a lot to my familiarity with the material as a result of constant exposure to Stuart’s iPod repertoire.</div>
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<b>The restaurants<i style="text-decoration: underline;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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And then there were the restaurants. Let’s skip the unavoidable food court lunches at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, shall we? Lunches at <b>MOMA</b> were infinitely more enjoyable- at <b>The Modern</b> and at <b>Cafe 2</b>.</div>
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Dinners before performances at the Lincoln Center: <b>Pan e vino</b> is always exciting, everybody all a-quiver with anticipation of the evening’s performance. I was there four times in one week so I had to repeat my choice for the set menu.&nbsp;</div>
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Then there was <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cafe </span><b>Fiorello</b> across the road from the Lincoln. Cheerful and noisy crowd; beautiful coats and fur hats.</div>
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By the way, I like the idea of having dinner at the opera itself: one course per Act. Very nice; must try it sometime.</div>
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And then there was <b>Zucco</b> on Orchard and Houston, say “House-ton” or the taxi driver won’t take you. &nbsp;</div>
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I wanted to curl up and sleep at the tiny table beside the radiator. (It was a tablet, actually, the place is so small- 8 people at little tables like ours, then about 8 more can squeeze in at the bar!) I had a cozy<span lang="FR-BE"> cassoulet</span>, so delicious and thick and hot, I would have been happy to swim in it. </div>
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And jazz at <b>Cajun</b>. We loved it last year but Hurricane Katrina had obviously put a damper on all things Creole this year. The young jazz trio played beautifully but no one was listening. </div>
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There was too, the formerly tres chic <b>La Côte Basque<i>, </i></b>recently downgraded to brasserie. I can’t remember what I had there. Maybe that means something?</div>
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We looked in at <b>Matsuri</b> but just checked out the decor. Huge temple to the gods of sushi and sashimi. </div>
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<b>The bars<i style="text-decoration: underline;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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The bar at our hotel was sadly lacking in character. All suits and briefcases. So late nights were better spent at <b>Spice Market</b> for margaritas and cumquat mojitos.&nbsp;</div>
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And <b>Nobu</b> for sambucca with coffee beans swimming at the bottom of the glass. <b><i><u><o:p></o:p></u></i></b></div>
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Too bad about that pretty girl at the bar in Nobu, all alight and sparkly one minute then sickly green in the face and spectacularly legless the next. Her date was not amused.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114493381197231398'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114493381197231398'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/shows-appeal-of-new-york-as-fun-place.html' title='NY: the shows, the restaurants, the bars'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114448649040645783</id><published>2006-04-02T15:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T19:09:22.522+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='SF Hilton'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='restaurants'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='MoMA'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='San Francisco'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='NY'/><title type='text'>San Francisco and New York</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>San Francisco<i style="text-decoration: underline;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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In San Francisco, first stop was <b>Neiman’s</b> for gloves. I found the sweetest cashmere-lined leather ones, probably made in the <b>Philippines</b>- they never say so!</div>
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We met Margie for lunch. I chose a restaurant I remembered was very close; my cousin Fe took me there last year. Stuart and I walked around the block twice before we found <b>John’s Grill</b>. It somehow lacked the clubby feel I remembered it for. The food was good though. Margie and I shared a very generous serving of “Sam Spade” lamb chops. It was succulent and sweet and yummy!</div>
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Stuart then went back to the hotel for a nap so us girls could hang. Oh dear, that sounds too elderly-gentlemanly! It wasn’t really, it was a power nap.&nbsp;</div>
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At Margie’s Chinatown hairdresser (he had colored her hair too red and so had to redo it,) we caught up on a year’s worth of stories. She has a new job and a fancy new address. We took a bus back, then we battled a very cold wind as we walked the last block to the hotel. At least I thought it was very cold; I hadn’t got to New York yet.</div>
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The restaurant at the top of the <b>Hilton</b> was very crowded so we sat at the bar and waited for Stuart to rejoin us for dinner. Margie asked to have her Bloody Mary glass rimmed with salt and it arrived dripping sugar!&nbsp;</div>
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At dinner, looking out over the sparkling San Francisco nightscape, we talked about Margie’s love life, which Stuart declared to be very complicated.</div>
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<b>New York<i style="text-decoration: underline;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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In New York, they were preparing to turn the <b>Waldorf Astoria</b> into apartments so we stayed at the <b>Intercontinental</b>. What a let down!&nbsp;</div>
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We stayed ten days and I saw the doorman smile only once, and even then not at me. The taxi drivers were a lot nicer. Except the one who seemed to be having a very bad day, a very bad life maybe, and was getting ready to blow something up.&nbsp;</div>
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After a few acerbic exchanges- only about directions, nothing to do with religion at all- I asked him why, for goodness’ sake, was he so angry? In a deep menacing voice, he intoned, “I don’t want to talk. I pick up, I drop off. That’s my job.” When he gave me change from my fare, I very deliberately counted every last cent in my hand, thank you very much.</div>
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It was cold, freezing. 16 degrees F and wind chill of I don’t know, cold!&nbsp;</div>
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We were in New York on the coldest day of the year. Of the decade. For me, the coldest ever! Remember my sweet cashmere-lined leather gloves? My hands could have been wearing a pair of icebags for all the difference they made!</div>
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So, did this horrific weather dampen my enjoyment of one of my favorite cities in the world? Not a chance! We were out every single night. I was out everyday except when it snowed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The <b>MOMA</b> took up most of two days. I practically memorized the Contemporary Furniture exhibits, to which I dragged Stuart so he could gain an appreciation for the new look I was contemplating for our house. He wasn’t very impressed.</div>
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I also spent hours pondering the On Site installations demonstrating how new buildings and retooling of old buildings are transforming the landscape of present day Spain. I didn’t like the new buildings much except maybe the pretty new wavy roof covering the old central market. I resolved to make it my first stop in <b>Barcelona</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Edvard Munch</b> was much too frightening. I fled before my psyche got completely traumatized. I was not willing to make that sacrifice even for art’s sake; which, by the way, I didn’t think it was. My kind of art lifts my spirit and makes my heart sing. The <b>Impressionists</b> still do.</div>
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Stuart saved me the cost of admission on my second visit. Citigroup is a great friend of the museum. So I took him to lunch at <b>The Modern</b>, the current “must be seen at” place in the city. And I was seen there twice in a week! How about that!</div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114448649040645783'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114448649040645783'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/san-francisco-in-san-francisco-first.html' title='San Francisco and New York'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-114396536734482457</id><published>2006-04-01T14:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-14T20:30:08.168+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Hong Kong'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='New York'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Barcelona'/><title type='text'>Getting ready for NY and Barcelona</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A text message from my friend Winnie has just made me peel myself off my TV couch (it’s a library wingchair actually, "TV couch" conjures up aspects too unattractive) and start writing about my fabulous month-long holiday, a.k.a. “Stuart’s business trip to New York.”</div>
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We got off to a splendid start in Hong Kong where we met up with Winnie and JJ who were revisiting old haunts in celebration of Winnie’s technical birthday. (For a number of years early in her life, she had been led to believe she was born a few weeks off the mark but that’s another story. Hers in fact, so we eagerly await her own accounting in her new blog.)</div>
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Over coffee after a long carbo-charged brunch, Winnie gave us a crash history course, taking us back to when Spain was a precinct of the Holy Roman Empire and walking us through the Ramblas of present-day Barcelona.</div>
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&nbsp;I later took them to my designer fashion knock-off shop in the Pedder Building, then nursed a headache for the rest of the afternoon (I suspect from the chicken rice). Miraculously I bounced back up for cocktails and pica-pica at the <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Grand Club</span>, then an R&amp;B band at newly reopened <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">JJ’s.</span> </div>
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Kenneth, my favorite maitre d’ brought us a luscious bowl of golfball sized strawberries on ice. He earlier promised me a gold JJ’s pin for JJ but we all promptly forgot about it. We toasted Winnie’s birthdays, practical and real, and wished each other good times ahead, them in Bali and us in NY and Barcelona.</div>
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The next day, I shopped for leather gloves in anticipation of the deep freeze awaiting me in NY. I didn’t find gloves but I found Singapore friend Victoria just outside <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Zara </span>in Pacific Place.&nbsp;</div>
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It was only a few hours before Stuart and I were to leave for San Francisco and I was chatting up a storm with V over drinks at <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Cité</span>, unmindful of the packing I had neglected to do for the trip.&nbsp;</div>
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Back at the hotel, Stuart was gamely filling up three suitcases for me with every item of winter clothing he could find, including four pairs of boots. </div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114396536734482457'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/114396536734482457'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/04/new-york-to-barcelona-and-sidetrips.html' title='Getting ready for NY and Barcelona'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112904631202460388</id><published>2005-10-08T23:19:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T14:44:47.133+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>A farewell to Africa</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">The two male lions are still in position on the edge of the riverbed near the bridge when we join the early game riders. These lions do not belong to the area. They must have crossed over from the north, a very long trek. One of them was spotted last night with a female lion who is believed&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">now&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">to be in hot pursuit.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_2237.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_2237.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Which may or may not explain why these males are fast asleep. &nbsp;At any rate, lions- male and female- are known to sleep as much as 20 hours a day. <o:p></o:p></span> <br />
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_2282.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span lang="EN-GB">They are still there when we start back for camp. They have awoken and are looking mildly curious but they still can’t be bothered to get up.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">We have no time to wait for them to do something more energetic; we all have to pack.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">At breakfast, the group poses for pictures and exchange addresses and phone numbers and promise to keep in touch. Hugs and kisses all around. Have we not done this already?</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br />All it means really is that our world just got bigger. To encompass new friends and the </span><span lang="EN-GB">wild</span> <span lang="EN-GB">world of</span><span lang="EN-GB"> Africa.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">On the road, as we drive out of Mala Mala, my giraffe is waiting to say goodbye to me.</span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112904631202460388'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112904631202460388'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/farewell-to-africa.html' title='A farewell to Africa'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112893237980738346</id><published>2005-10-07T16:19:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T14:45:13.480+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>Our last day in photogenic Africa</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB"><b><i><span lang="EN-GB">Our last day in photogenic Africa.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />It’s our last day in Mala Mala.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">From camp, we see a Land Rover already out and in viewing position on the other side of the river. They are watching two male lions sleep. If we hurry, we might catch them. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I climb into the front seat and notice that we have a different vehicle. Turns out we broke the other one last night. It was only four months old!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Just outside the gate, a leopard crosses the road ahead of us. We stalk her as she moves fairly steadily all the way to the adjoining property. Neat trick. She shakes us off as expertly as a seasoned celebrity dodges unwanted </span><span lang="EN-GB">paparazzi</span><span lang="EN-GB">.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Other animals don't mind posing for photos though:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br />Impalas strike a pose against the rising sun.</span></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_2262.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span lang="EN-GB">A rhino shows off an imposing profile</span><span lang="EN-GB">.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">A leopard lounges </span><span lang="EN-GB">on a rock formation set among striking greenery.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">A buffalo, well, a buffalo does what it does. It eats grass.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">And on the dry riverbed, a predator hangs out.</span></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_22301.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_22301.JPG" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; text-align: center;" width="320" /></a></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112893237980738346'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112893237980738346'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/time-for-kill.html' title='Our last day in photogenic Africa'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-124279517917180212</id><published>2005-10-06T17:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T14:45:32.465+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>A time for a kill</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><span lang="EN-GB">Breakfast is my favourite time of day in Mala Mala.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB">Day 4: I opt out of the morning drive. To shake off the creeping effects of sleep-deprivation, I stay in bed an extra hour and plan to spend the morning padding about in my bathrobe and slippers, enjoying the comfort of indoors while marveling at the beauty of outdoors.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB">I do battle with a full English breakfast on my private deck as nyalas and guinea fowl parade up and down the lawn before me. A family of elephants and two giraffes have joined me for breakfast too. They are grazing on the far side of the river.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB">Breakfast is my favourite time of day in Mala Mala. After morning game drives, most of us are tired and hungry and look forward to the glorious morning meals on the terrace. The incredible landscape spread out before us, the day just begun.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A time for a kill.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">While I was enjoying my breakfast in the comfort of my suite, those who went out on the morning game drive witnessed a dramatic day-time kill. Seven lions versus one pregnant impala. Not very good odds there. I'm not so sure I would have liked to be there.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">On the afternoon drive, those same lions are lying on the riverbed, spent but content.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">As a leopard comes into view, we start to follow him but he really doesn't seem keen for company so we leave him alone.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We spend most of the evening careening through the rough terrain at the edges of the riverbed and I was glad to go back to camp for dinner.<br /><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/124279517917180212'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/124279517917180212'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/a-time-for-kill.html' title='A time for a kill'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112892496319805878</id><published>2005-10-06T14:15:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T14:47:38.024+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>Am I “safaried-out”?</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Am I “safaried-out”?</span><o:p></o:p> </span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Greg introduces the new couple, Ashe and Smita, and we settle on a new seating plan. I abandon my usual place in front and take the middle row with Stuart. I have also abandoned my camera for the moment and decide to concentrate on game viewing as opposed to photographing.</span></div>
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</span>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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</span>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">As we find our giraffes and monkeys and elephants and antelope, I begin to wonder if I had already seen enough game to last me for a while. A lady we met on our first day in Mala Mala had claimed to be “safaried-out” and now I wonder whether I am too. </span></div>
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</span>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<br />
Evening falls as we watch a pride of male lions lying on the riverbed. I wonder if they're ones we’ve seen before. Greg says they are.</div>
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<o:p> </o:p></div>
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<br />
Sometime later, we<span lang="EN-GB"> stop in the dark to collect a new couple, Chris and Dee from another camp vehicle that had brought them to join the group. They had arrived late and missed the afternoon drive.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>
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<span lang="EN-GB">There’s a terrific trumpeting beside me.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">We resume our drive along the riverbed. Johnson</span><span lang="EN-GB">'s powerful night-light</span><span lang="EN-GB"> methodically sweeps the area we are crossing. Soon his now familiar whistle signals a sighting; his light shines on a leopard. It’s a nervous young male that obviously doesn’t want us around. We follow him gingerly, from a distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We see an elephant through thick, tall reeds; then another and another. No time to stop; we are rushing to get to a lion sighting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">Suddenly, there’s a terrific trumpeting beside me. I nearly jump out of my skin and scoot over to Stuart’s side as an equally surprised elephant rears and backs up, one enormous foot in the air. It’s two, maybe three meters from me.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">I think it was about to cross the path we were on and we cut it off. </span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></st1:place></div>
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<st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></st1:place>
<st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Dee</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">, sitting in the back, swears she felt the animal’s breath on her. Even Johnson is shocked.</span></div>
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<b><i><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><span lang="EN-GB"><br />Lions file past our vehicle.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></b><br />
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></i></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We get to the lions.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;The glare of the combined spotlights of four vehicles doesn’t seem to bother them.</span><span lang="EN-GB"> They start to move; in single file, they walk past our vehicle. Stuart goes, “Three, four… the big one must be right behind us… maybe I’m wrong. There it is! It’s coming toward us!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">Although lions coming at you and walking at arm’s length beside you may seem unsettling, particularly in the dark of night, it is a total non-event for the lions who are really just passing by. I am told the animals only see the vehicles as single units, never mind what’s in it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">The lions had spotted two rhinos and are following them listlessly, keeping their distance. It’s surprising that they would do this as they don’t usually bother with rhinos. They lose interest after a while when they discover a warthog burrow. They dig feverishly for the warthogs for a long time but without success.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">Back at camp, dinner is served on the terrace where we usually have breakfast. It’s a nice change and a good way to break the ice with a wonderful new group.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">The stars put on a good show.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Safari fever is back. There is no such thing as being “safaried-out.”</div>
<b><i><span lang="EN-GB"> </span></i></b> <div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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</span></i></b><div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><i><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><b><i><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></span></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112892496319805878'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112892496319805878'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/am-i-safaried-out-greg-introduces-new.html' title='Am I “safaried-out”?'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112844416266556518</id><published>2005-10-05T19:40:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T14:47:55.661+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>Our guides go walkabout</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Our guides go walkabout.</span></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1698.0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/320/IMG_1698.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">We are on the track of the </span><span lang="EN-GB">lion </span><span lang="EN-GB">pride we saw last night. This morning they are nowhere to be found. We've been circling the area for what seems like a very long time. Suddenly, Greg stops the engine and grabs the rifle from its mount. He signals Johnson, and together they climb out of the car.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The group exchange bemused glances; the only two people who have any idea where we are- and what to do in it- are walking away, each one headed in a different direction. Neither one of them has said a word.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Nervous chatter in the Land Rover. Great, now what? What if they don't come back? Shall I take over and drive, ha ha? What if they get attacked, do we try and save them or do we stay put or do we just get the hell out of here?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1710.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1710.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">After a few long minutes, the two come back looking very smug. They have spotted the lions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">And then a rhino comes into view.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />A rhino makes a big production of its business.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Now that we know where the lions are, we turn our attention to the rhino. He walks over to a not too fresh mound of dung, sniffs it repeatedly to determine its provenance, then does his own business on the same spot.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is an elaborate ritual and the rhino makes quite a production of it. Lots of </span><span lang="EN-GB">kicking </span><span lang="EN-GB">around, prancing about, and raising dust, and dung.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">The MGM lion.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Back to the lions. There are </span><span lang="EN-GB">five females and two sub-adult males</span><span lang="EN-GB"> in a loose huddle in a shady clearing in the bush. </span><span lang="EN-GB"> Some are sleeping, others just lounging, their distended bellies heaving, their breaths coming fast. They must have hunted the night before; their faces and legs are smeared with traces of blood.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1715.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1715.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It's an oddly bucolic scene. These animals look so quiet and peaceable, not at all menacing. Until one of the lionesses suddenly rears her head and bares her teeth at no one in particular. Maybe she's just yawning?</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">She then gets up and starts walking. She walks past the sleepers and loungers, turns to the Land Rover, then straight towards me. I ask Greg if this is a good time to panic.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1789.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1789.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">That's when Romy declares, "It's like MGM!" The lioness veers away, finds herself another spot, and lies down again.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We leave this pride and head to the riverbed. Here, </span><span lang="EN-GB"> three male lions</span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">are </span><span lang="EN-GB">cooling off in the shade of tall reeds. These are </span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">young adults, their manes short and punky, not </span><span lang="EN-GB"> yet</span><span lang="EN-GB"> fully grown.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">leopard makes a </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">meal of </span></span></span><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">leftovers.</span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1838.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1838.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">Later, we catch a leopard feeding, perched high on a tree branch. She is eating something that, from the look of it and the sound it makes when she tears at it, is clearly not fresh. These are parts </span><span lang="EN-GB">leftover </span><span lang="EN-GB">from a two-week old kill. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1861.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1861.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Back in camp, at breakfast, we pose for group photos and exchange addresses and phone numbers. </span><span lang="EN-GB">M.V. &amp; </span><span lang="EN-GB">Don </span><span lang="EN-GB">and </span><span lang="EN-GB">Emy</span><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><span lang="EN-GB">&amp; </span><span lang="EN-GB">Romy </span><span lang="EN-GB">are flying out today.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"></span><span lang="EN-GB">What a finish! </span><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Don says, "It doesn't get any better than this!" </span><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">M.V.’s lucky cat hat has delivered on its promise. </span>Greg and Johnson probably helped a little bit too.<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112844416266556518'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112844416266556518'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/our-guides-go-walkabout.html' title='Our guides go walkabout'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112843738894075564</id><published>2005-10-03T21:52:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2022-01-28T14:53:40.350+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>Greg is in charge</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Greg is in charge.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1499.0.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/320/IMG_1499.0.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">Greg is in charge of the group in and out of camp. He educates us on everything we experience in the wild; he </span><span lang="EN-GB">drives the Land Rover and </span><span lang="EN-GB">leads the game walks. He is our host at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, escorts us to our rooms after dark, and wakes us up at 5:30 every morning for the early game drives. I guess Mala Mala rangers never sleep.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<span lang="EN-GB">Our group of three couples has bonded very well and we chatter away happily as we stalk our preys. Today, M.V. wears her special cat hat. This bodes well for our mission to catch the elusive fifth on our Big Five list, the lion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1577.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1577.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">We chance upon a family of elephants bathing in a waterhole. We enjoy a good hour or so watching, photographing, and laughing at the antics of the baby elephants and their harried mothers</span><span lang="EN-GB"> alternately frolicking and arguing in the water.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1630.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1630.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">A cloud of dust in the distance signals that a large herd of buffalo is on the move in search of food and water. We catch up with them and park just ahead of the moving herd; soon we are completely surrounded. These huge animals graze relentlessly, mowing the dry brush effeciently to the ground. Line after line, females and young ones in front, old bulls lagging in the back, forming a protective rear guard. The setting sun filters through the thick cloud of dust that follows the herd as it moves through the parched soil and dry vegetation.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">Sometime later, we see a herd of elephants in the distance. As we approach, we notice a mysterious, heavy odour permeating the air. This signals the presence of a bull in musth, agitated and anxious to mate with a female in the herd. Not a safe place </span><span lang="EN-GB"> for us </span><span lang="EN-GB">to be. We quickly retreat from the scene.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">It’s Emy’s birthday. </span></span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_21871.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_21871.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1681.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1681.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">It’s Emy’s birthday. </span><span lang="EN-GB">Back in the Boma that night, the song and dance chorus line composed of women from the dinner staff delivers a cake and sings Happy Birthday in Shangaan (I guess.)</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112843738894075564'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112843738894075564'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/greg-is-in-charge.html' title='Greg is in charge'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112810755524711736</id><published>2005-10-01T02:55:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T14:44:11.226+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='South Africa.'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>An African Safari</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8P0kK-bB9kO3c3h9i5HmlNVvuSIumSKxjqSbfjGubIQOfjHYSTi4Bm07Ycy3VlB4JrUuoaWdujvmY0j0vkPCDKocm4BNXCWsSPXHX5O_C02QT9L-KUdORc2WS9n3GJ-QXkI4/s1600-h/IMG_1725.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5085610569385360530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8P0kK-bB9kO3c3h9i5HmlNVvuSIumSKxjqSbfjGubIQOfjHYSTi4Bm07Ycy3VlB4JrUuoaWdujvmY0j0vkPCDKocm4BNXCWsSPXHX5O_C02QT9L-KUdORc2WS9n3GJ-QXkI4/s320/IMG_1725.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">We play “Chicken,” the lioness and I. &nbsp;She looks straight into my eyes as she strides quietly and resolutely towards me. &nbsp;I keep my lens trained on her and wait for her to blink. Or veer away. &nbsp;She can’t be more than five feet from me.<o:p></o:p></span> <br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">“It looks like MGM!” somebody behind me quips. &nbsp;And the magic dissolves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">I have never before been this close to a wild animal. In truth, I have never been close to the animal kingdom as a rule. &nbsp;I give even household pets a wide berth.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"></span><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Africa</span></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> has changed me forever.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We are in Mala Mala, a private game reserve adjacent to the </span><st1:place style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB">Kruger</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB">National Park</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"> in </span><st1:country -region="-region" style="font-weight: bold;"><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">South Africa</span></st1:place></st1:country><span lang="EN-GB">. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">But I'm getting ahead of myself.&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">The adventure begins in Johannesburg.</span><span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><i>My suitcase is missing.</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">My suitcase is missing, probably still in Hong Kong where we started from or Singapore where the Africa flight originated. Whatever. I’m too excited, just being in Africa, to care too much. At the airport, the airline gives me shopping money to buy clothes in case the suitcase does not turn up soon. I&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">blow the lot on a pair of yoga pants.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><br />A small plane flies us to Nelspruit where we pick up a rental car. We stay the night in crocodile country.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">“But where’s the croc steak?” Stuart asks the waiter at dinner.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">There are no crocs in sight but a party of monkeys in the garden livens up breakfast the next day.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">On the road to Mala Mala.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_10503.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_10503.JPG" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">It’s a beautiful drive through replanted forests on the panoramic route and we’re in&nbsp;<b>Kruger National Park</b>&nbsp;before long.&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">A herd of impala look up to gaze at us nonchalantly. I see my first giraffe on the road.&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">We arrive in&nbsp;<b>Mala Mala</b>&nbsp;in time for lunch.</span><span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;A party of nyala and guinea fowl graze on the lawn just outside our room as we get ready for the afternoon game drive.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">We're on safari now and we don't really know what to expect.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">Our ranger has a rifle mounted in front of the Land Rover. When I ask him if it's real or only a prop, he says it's real alright but he doesn't guarantee that it would really make a difference if and when he is required to use it.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">"It's only to be used for damage control," he laughs.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">To Stuart and me, they're all just deer.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_1127.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_1127.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" /></a><span lang="EN-GB">The birds are beautiful, some of them native to the area and rarely seen elsewhere.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">There are antelope of various kinds, differentiated by their&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">horns</span><span lang="EN-GB">, size, shape, color, and&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">stripe</span><span lang="EN-GB">. To Stuart and me, they're all just deer.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">We see our first African elephant and Cape buffalo.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">As daylight starts to fade, we watch leopard cubs on some rock formations above huge clumps of poisonous cactus-like plants called euphorbia.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">We make four of the Big Five on this, our first outing but our ranger is not happy with some of the sightings, particularly of the rhino, which could only be seen darkly from afar.</span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Two&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">welcome&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">arrivals: my suitcase and a full moon.</span></span></span></div>
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Somebody from camp radios us that my suitcase has arrived.</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">We wait for the moon to rise.&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">The sky is clear and&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">Venus is so bright it looks like several stars stuck together.&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">The Milky Way stretches&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">a creamy&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">vertical&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">band&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">directly overhead. The Southern Cross lies on its side. We applaud the arrival of the full moon. The Man in the Moon is upside down.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">An animal blocks our path and we call for help.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">On arrival,&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">we were instructed never to walk back to our rooms at night unescorted by staff. We were also told not to approach any animals wandering about in the grounds. Well, on our way to&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">the Boma</span><span lang="EN-GB">, that wonderful walled campfire where dinner is served under the stars, an animal wanders into our path. &nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">We get back to our room and call for help.</span><span lang="EN-GB"><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">Someone on the phone reassures us, “It’s ok; it won’t hurt you.” He probably has not stopped laughing to this day. Imagine that! Two grown people, afraid of a sweet little&nbsp;</span><span lang="EN-GB">bushbuck</span><span lang="EN-GB">!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB">Well, what did you expect? We’re city dwellers, Stuart and I. We had to think long and hard before taking a pair of lovebirds into our home!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112810755524711736'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112810755524711736'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/10/an-african-safari.html' title='An African Safari'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm8P0kK-bB9kO3c3h9i5HmlNVvuSIumSKxjqSbfjGubIQOfjHYSTi4Bm07Ycy3VlB4JrUuoaWdujvmY0j0vkPCDKocm4BNXCWsSPXHX5O_C02QT9L-KUdORc2WS9n3GJ-QXkI4/s72-c/IMG_1725.JPG' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112584220097863234</id><published>2005-09-04T21:54:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-05T15:22:40.792+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Sri Lanka'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='safari'/><title type='text'>A Sri Lankan Safari</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-GB">At the entrance to the </span><st1:place><b><st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB">Yala</span></st1:placename><span lang="EN-GB"> </span><st1:placetype><span lang="EN-GB">National Park</span></st1:placetype></b></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">, a meter-high weather-beaten sign says:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 9;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">THROUGH THESE GATES YOU ENTER A PROTECTED AREA.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 9;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><span style="font-size: 130%;">THE ANIMALS, BIRDS, THE WATER, TREES, THE BREEZE ON YOUR FACE AND EVERY GRAIN OF SAND ARE GIFTS THAT NATURE HAS PASSED ON TO YOU THROUGH YOUR ANCESTORS SO THAT YOU MAY SURVIVE.&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 9;"><span style="font-size: 130%;">THESE GIFTS ARE SACRED AND SHOULD BE RESPECTED.</span><span style="font-size: 130%;">&nbsp;</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 9;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 130%;"></span><span style="font-size: 130%;">WHISPER A SILENT PRAYER AS YOU PASS THROUGH FOR THE PROTECTION OF WILDERNESS AROUND YOU AND ENSURE THAT WHAT YOU SEE AND FEEL IS PASSED ON TO THE UNBORN CHILDREN STILL TO COME.</span></span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We’re in <b>Palatupana, </b>near the south eastern tip of </span><st1:country -region="-region"><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB"><b>Sri Lanka</b></span></st1:place></st1:country><span lang="EN-GB">. We had spent a good part of the</span><span lang="EN-GB"> day on the road from </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Colombo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> and have just arrived at camp. The camp is really a hotel consisting of a cluster of well-appointed chalets that have been woven through a forest. It sits just outside the nature reserve, beside a waterhole. Our chalet is on stilts, facing the sea.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our chalet is on stilts</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It’s </span><st1:time hour="3" minute="0"><span lang="EN-GB">three o’clock</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB"> in the afternoon and as we had skipped lunch to save time on the long drive, we have a quick snack in the deserted dining hall. Everyone else had already left for the reserve.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">If only our car and driver hadn’t waited for us that morning at the wrong hotel! And if only we didn’t have to make a detour to his office and then buy petrol before we could actually get started at </span><st1:time hour="10" minute="0"><span lang="EN-GB">ten o’clock</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB">! Anyway…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We dump our bags in our chalet, grab our cameras, and hoist ourselves onto the Land Rover. I’m in the front seat beside our driver Ruwan. Stuart is in back with the tracker, Premadasa.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">This is me, chronically plagued with sinus headaches and hyper-allergic to heat, dust, sweat, and the outside world in general, now in a jeep with no air conditioning, no windows even, and very little by way of shock absorbers.&nbsp;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">So, do I care? Uh-uh, not when I’m about to go on the adventure of a lifetime!</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_0327.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_0327.jpg" style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt;" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our first wild elephant</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We had already seen our first wild elephant on the road to Yala, although our </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Colombo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB"> driver told us it was semi-tame. It was really wild but it had taken to coming to the side of the road at the edge of the reserve, right up to the electrified wire fence, to await the food offered it by passers-by.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">A family of monkeys crosses the road and gazes at us disinterestedly from the roadside. Ruwan and Premadasa call out the names of various birds as we trundle along the dirt road, occasionally stopping and reversing whenever they see something interesting.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">I spy a deer through a screen of dry scrub. Proud and excited to see it first, I point it out to Stuart; our guides hadn’t spotted it.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">A peacock preens in the distance surrounded by very cool, unimpressed hens. Stuart and I get busy with our cameras.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">At the first waterhole, a gentle wind cools my face and neck. There are spotted deer, buffalo, boars, herons, storks, and a variety of small birds. They’re all out for a drink and a stroll. It’s a scene straight out of National Geographic. It reminds me of the Italian <i>paseggiata</i>, when everyone comes out to the town after dinner to mingle.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_0373.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_0373.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Paseggiata at the waterhole</i></td></tr>
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</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">We move on. The next waterhole is crawling with crocodiles. Well, they’re not really crawling. In fact they’re not doing anything at all. They lie there; half submerged in the murky water or sprawled on the edge, with their mouths wide open, not moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Ruwan spies an elephant through the brush and quickly turns right at the next path towards it. It had just crossed the road ahead so we make a U-turn and reverse towards it.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Our guides explain that the elephant only goes one way so it’s safe for us to go right up behind it.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_0394.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_0394.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elephants only go one way</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_0394.jpg"></a></div>
</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We’re so close! I can almost reach out and touch it! Our guides feel the need to tell us that this animal is wild and dangerous and remind us that we are to stay in the vehicle at all times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Another waterhole, another gathering. There are more deer at</span><span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;this one. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_0530.jpg"></a><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_0530.jpg"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_0530.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span></span>On the road ahead, a pair of elephants disappears into the brush. A smaller one follows a few seconds later. Ruwan springs into gear. We back up, turn left, turn right, then we stop.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB">The animals soon turn up behind us. We’re moving again, racing to the waterhole where we await the trio, making certain we don’t block their path.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;They come along, mother in front, two kids in back, heading towards the water. They waddle in quietly, their trunks steadily scooping water into their mouths.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Three other vehicles had come to watch. A few giggles and snickers as one of the bathing party relieves itself in the water. They start swimming and playing around. At one point the mother rears up on two legs and scoops water into the mouth of one of her babies.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Beside me, Ruwan is saying, “Good photo, madam!” And I realize that I had been so engrossed in watching this water ballet that I had forgotten all about the camera in my hand!</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">The mother soon gets out of the water to dry herself on the bank while she watches over her brood lingering in the water, taking playful swipes at each other.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">We stay and watch and take photos for a long time.</span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_04661.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sea is spectacular</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><span lang="EN-GB">A final stop on this first day on safari is the beach.&nbsp;</span>The sea is spectacular, a brilliant blue sending sprays of foamy white as it hits the rocks seemingly strategically placed there by some stage designer. It’s a beautiful spot.</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB"> </span><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_04661.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span lang="EN-GB">But the ruined remains of several beach bungalows and the piles of dry branches swept up all around are grim reminders of the recent tragedy that had been inflicted so grievously on this island paradise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_0431.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><span lang="EN-GB">“<b><i>Tsunami,</i></b>” Ruwan murmurs simply. “Fifty-seven people died here, including fourteen Japanese tourists staying in this district bungalow.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Of the 300,000 or so lives claimed by the December tsunami that decimated whole communities in several Southeast Asian countries on the shores of the Indian Ocean, about 30,000 were lost in Sri Lanka, including 3,000 in a single town.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">It is a sobering end to an otherwise exhilarating day.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/IMG_0431.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="text-align: left;"><br /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="text-align: left;"></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_0431.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tsunami <b>site</b></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">In </span><st1:city><st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">Colombo</span></st1:place></st1:city><span lang="EN-GB">, earlier in the week, our host at dinner had said, to shake off the feeling of dread over some other unrelated tragedy that had crept into our dinner conversation, “Life goes on.” It’s not original but it sure does the job. We shake off the black mood.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">On the road back to camp</span><st1:place><st1:placename></st1:placename><st1:placetype></st1:placetype></st1:place><span lang="EN-GB">, monkeys swing from trees and scamper across the road. A mongoose sprints across in front of the jeep. A family of elephants- minus the father of course, as the males are solitary creatures- pads across the road in front of us.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">We race ahead around the scrub again, giving chase. We soon give up as the animals plunge deeper into the jungle on their way home.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Later that evening </span><span lang="EN-GB">after dinner, we go up to the roof-deck for a spectacular display of stars in the velvet tropical night sky.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">In the chalet, the room-boy renders a free-hand sketch of an elephant, using bits of greenery from the flower offering he then leaves on the bed.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB">Life does go on and life is beautiful.&nbsp;</span>Tomorrow, we hope to see leopards.</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/IMG_0462.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="240" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An elephant sketched in flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br /></b>
<b><br /></b>
<b>POSTSCRIPT</b><br />
<b>About that leopard.</b><br />
<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-GB">I never did see one as I didn’t get up early enough for the&nbsp;</span><st1:time hour="5" minute="0"><span lang="EN-GB">5 o’clock</span></st1:time><span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;game drive.</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">"They'll all be asleep!" The camp manager gleefully called out as we got into our Land Rover after breakfast.</span><span lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">At that time of day all the animals scurry away into their hole</span><span lang="EN-GB">s to escape the heat of the noon-day sun. Very smart of the animals.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Well, not all of them. We saw crocodiles cruising on muddy creeks. There were monitor lizards sprawled on tree branches. A party of wild boar picked lazily on the carcass of a fallen buffalo.&nbsp;</span>Deer, buffalo and various birds posed at every waterhole for tableaux worthy of any wildlife magazine. We saw monkeys, mongoose, and more birds.&nbsp;</div>
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<span lang="EN-GB">Leopards we didn't see.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p>I did learn my lesson though. &nbsp;On safari, the early morning start is not negotiable.</span><br />
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<!--[if supportFields]><span lang="EN-GB" style="'mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'"><span style="'mso-element:field-end'"></span></span><![endif]--><span lang="EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 10;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112584220097863234'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112584220097863234'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/09/sri-lankan-safari-at-entrance-to-yala.html' title='A Sri Lankan Safari'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112161737124893713</id><published>2005-07-21T22:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T17:49:48.486+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore Airlines'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Zurich'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Singapore'/><title type='text'>Going home</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Milan proved to be a very efficient city for getting in and out of. We filled up at the petrol station near the hotel then dropped the car off at the Avis terminal in the train station. We wheeled our suitcases along, easily found the lift to the departure level, and walked off it staight onto the platform for our train to Zurich.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/Train%20to%20Zurich.jpg" width="320" /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 100%;">On the train, we sat back and readied our cameras- Stuart was the stills photographer and I had the videocam.&nbsp;</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="320" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/Train.jpg" width="240" /></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;">The couple behind Stuart- seats were paired, facing each other across a table- outdid each other expounding on their knowledge of what the trip had to offer.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">From behind me came the strident voices of another couple arguing over the best way to deal with their luggage. The woman’s voice trilled with the accusing notes of the quintessential nag.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">It was a scene straight out of <b>Agatha Christie</b>; and in my mind there was no doubt who the first murder victim would be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Lunch in the dining car was stylish; although I was a bit disappointed that we hadn’t all turned up in our evening clothes. <b>M. Poirot</b> would be the man of indeterminate nationality, seated two tables away, pontificating to his companions about goodness knows what throughout his meal.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/Alps.jpg"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/Alps.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 100%;">Back in our assigned seats, we watched the beautiful tableau unfold outside our window. We sliced smoothly through picture-perfect Swiss villages, lovely lakes, and white capped mountains.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 100%;">It was not the Orient Express, but it was still a great way to travel. With someone else at the helm, Stuart got out of driving and navigating mode and straight into photography mode.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/Lake.jpg" width="320" /></div>
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 100%;">But poor Miss Marple, played in this instance by the lady who sat behind Stuart. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">She was so excited as we started off from Milan, very active with her camera and doing a running commentary on the scenery. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">She was now out cold, slumped on the table, suffering from what Poirot would have called a bad case of “<i>mal de train.</i>” Too bad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 100%;">At the Zurich airport, Stuart and I called home to our mothers, regaled them with abbreviated tales of our trip so far, and waited for our SIA flight to Singapore.&nbsp;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 100%;">&nbsp;Wonderful SIA! We had missed it so!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /><b>SINGAPORE</b></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">In Singapore we had dinner at Beth and Robert’s with</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> Victoria and Bryan, Tisha and David, and their kids. We had seen the girls recently in Hong Kong when they suddenly turned up on a brief shopping trip, and this party was sort of planned then.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The star of the evening was the</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">&nbsp;long-established specialty of the house, the famous vegetable lasagna, as prepared by Beth’s ever-faithful Divina. The venerable recipe, on which this incredibly delicious and unforgivingly fattening dish is based, lies dormant in the recesses of Beth's former life as a gourmet chef.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">And as it was David's birthday, we had champagne and cake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I realized then that I had been traveling a very long time. On this trip, I had attended a wedding, a wedding anniversary, a graduation, and two birthdays.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">It was time to go home.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112161737124893713'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112161737124893713'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/milan-we-were-nearing-end-of-our.html' title='Going home'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8226299820108943272</id><published>2005-07-21T19:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T17:42:45.711+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='opera'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='milan'/><title type='text'>Otello at La Scala</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">We were nearing the end of our holiday and as we headed back to Milan, we looked forward to finally experiencing one of the ultimate places to be in the world of opera, the&nbsp;<b>Teatro alla Scala</b>.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">We deposited our bags and car at the&nbsp;</span><b style="font-size: 16px;">Hilton</b><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;which turned out to be much nicer and more conveniently located than we could have hoped for in any big European city. &nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">We immediately mapped out our route for next morning’s short drive to the train station to catch our train to Zurich.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">At the train station, there was a queue at the local <b>Avis</b> shop. People were desperate for cars and there were none available! We briefly considered selling our car to the highest bidder or maybe offering to return it a day earlier in exchange for a huge rebate. Very tacky! As it turned out, we were fortunate to still have the car to use later that evening.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">We visited the soaring pink granite towers of Santa Maria Maggiore where I lit candles for our dads.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Then we paid homage to Missoni and Louis Vuitton.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">We had planned on having a leisurely pre-opera dinner at the nice little bistro beside la Scala and killing time with a good bottle of wine while watching the crowds milling in the square, until it was time for the curtain to go up on </span><b style="font-size: 16px;">“<i>Otello</i>.”</b><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Totally relaxed, unhurried, very civilized.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">But when we went to the box-office to pick up the tickets we had booked on the internet, we were directed to another place, another box-office somewhere in the square, not anywhere near La Scala.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">To our dismay, we were then told that <i>“Otello”</i> was not playing at the <b>Teatro alla Scala</b>, but at the new<b> Teatro degli Arcimboldi</b>, a half-hour’s drive outside the city!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">We had less than an hour to get back to the hotel, grab something to eat, pick up our car- the car we nearly auctioned off earlier that day- and race through rush hour traffic to get lost in the suburbs in search of this Arcimboldi place! As it turned out, there was no traffic and it was not far; we didn't get lost and we got there in plenty of time.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">But it was not a leisurely pre-opera anything and it was not La Scala.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">The new off-city, in-campus theater was unbelievably stuffy, not to mention totally lacking in architectural character. And the opera was too long. There were three intermissions at which we had first champagne and dainty little canapes at the lobby bar, then ice cream at the cafe across the road, and finally just fresh air which we were all desperate for. &nbsp;So we hung out on the pavement outside the theater.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">And what of the performance? The notoriously cantankerous La Scala audience was visibly unimpressed. We watched a number of them walk away during the intermissions.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">But we loved being there anyway, the only two people wearing jeans in a sea of evening dresses and dinner jackets.<br /><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8226299820108943272'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8226299820108943272'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/otello-at-la-scala.html' title='Otello at La Scala'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7078191071106132835</id><published>2005-07-21T17:30:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T17:35:55.622+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Palladio'/><title type='text'>Museo Civico, the former Palazzo Chiericati </title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Back in the town center, we parked in front of the&nbsp;<b>Museo Civico</b>.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>What was once a grand house with a commanding position in the heart of town, the former&nbsp;<b>Palazzo Chiericati</b>&nbsp;now sports a public carpark just off its front steps.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">To round off the Palladio experience, we strolled through</span><span style="font-size: 16px;">&nbsp;the beautiful <i>barchessa</i> of the town hall which is incongruously called the <b>Basilica</b>, and had a quick after-hours peek through the gates of the&nbsp;<b>Teatro Romano</b>. We had already sat in the venerable bleacher seats of the magnificent theater on earlier visits so we didn’t much mind being shut out this time for arriving too late in the day.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">That evening, we walked past seedy-looking <b>Hotel Vicenza </b>and<b> Hotel Palladio</b>, two of the slim pickings we turned down earlier that day on our search for new lodgings.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">We had consulted the tourist information office about the local music and food scene and had made the all important decision to go for <i>au courant</i> rather than <i>tipica</i>.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">At <b>Dai Nodari</b>, a bookshop-cum-library that was also a bar and restaurant, we had a non-<i>tipica</i> dinner.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>Onstage a jazz band played old swing standards.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span>When the band took a break, <b>Charlie Chaplin</b>’s <i><b>“The Dictator”</b></i> was screened on a high wall.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">There was a fairly appreciative crowd of what we hoped were local cognoscenti; we had carefully steered clear of obvious tourist traps and craved reassurance that we were in the right place.<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp;</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">The evening gave us a new perspective on Vicenza. &nbsp;This city, which has the gravitas of really old buildings and the vibrancy of young sophisticates, likes American jazz and California cuisine.</span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7078191071106132835'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7078191071106132835'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/museo-civico-former-palazzo-chiericati.html' title='Museo Civico, the former Palazzo Chiericati '/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7234350956682623724</id><published>2005-07-21T17:14:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T17:08:32.052+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andrea Palladio'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><title type='text'>La Rotonda</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>La Rotonda</b>- also known as<b> Villa Capra </b>or<b> Villa Almerico-</b> popped up most unexpectedly as we made our way into <b>Vicenza</b> from our <b><i>agriturismo</i></b> farm. <br /><br /> Having just gotten off the freeway, we were intent on making out the signage to the center of town, and were totally unprepared for the massive white building that suddenly came up beside us, very close to the road, in mainly unremarkable countryside.<br /><br /> We had acquired new digs in town, at austere, ascetic <b>Hotel San Raffaele </b>on<b> Monte Berico</b>. The location was ideal as it placed us very close to the Palladian buildings we came to explore, as well as the Vicenzan night life we now hoped to enjoy. Having installed ourselves at our hotel, we casually drove back to inspect the villa. That day, a Wednesday, turned out to be the only day in the week when it was open to the public.<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/La%20Rotonda.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a><br />Considered the crowning glory of Palladio’s oeuvre, this villa is the most visited as well as the most copied. I am not an architect so I am not entitled to an opinion on this matter; but as I had travelled a long way to look at these villas, I will have an opinion. <br /><br /> I found La Rotonda to be a bit over the top, even for the Renaissance. I much preferred the quiet, austere elegance of the earlier villas. It’s probably a heresy to say this, but Poiana and Pisani to me had decidedly minimalist lines, (Palladio, the minimalist?) making these ancient houses feel very contemporary and so cutting edge.<br /><br /><br /><div style="font-size: 16px; text-align: center;">
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Of course the circumstances of this particular visit didn’t help in the personal favorite stakes.&nbsp;Unlike our very private visits of the other villas, that day’s tour of La Rotonda was much too touristy. Meaning, there were too many people there. As already mentioned, it’s the most visited of Palladio’s villas. <br /><br /> The experience therefore lacked the almost mystical aura of our earlier, very personal encounters with the master.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7234350956682623724'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7234350956682623724'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/la-rotonda.html' title='La Rotonda'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-397680799526855802</id><published>2005-07-21T17:06:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T18:11:22.884+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andrea Palladio'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><title type='text'>Villa Poiana</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Looking at <b>Villa Poiana</b> from the entry gates, I pictured it taking its place among today’s contemporary modern houses. The building, massive as it was, sat close to the ground, hugging it. To my untrained but very interested eye, the solid lines of the façade suggested a sureness of purpose and a mastery of execution.</div>
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Horizontal lines abounded, emphasizing the house’s bulk. Moldings wrapped around it at various levels. To me, this gave it the same effect that underlining gives to a word or a sentence. A water table designed to throw rainwater away from the ground floor traced yet another line around the house, giving the impression of pulling in or pulling together the building. The effect was of a neatly tied package; and a beautiful package it was.<br />
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I couldn't tear myself away from this beautiful house. The bold, precise strokes of the stylized serliana fronting the loggia (I had by this time picked up on a few aspects of Palladian design) gave the serene white building a distilled elegance.<br />
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The line of circular windows called <i>oculi</i> (in this case, they were actually blind windows, not openings at all) arcing above the central arch of the loggia had a hypnotic effect on me.<br />
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When I was at school, I drew pictures and doodled incessantly. I drew swags and curlicues on the margins of school books, sketched little portraits of classmates, and designed dresses.&nbsp;</div>
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This is probably why the picture that came to mind as I gazed on this masterful building, designed and built by arguably the greatest architect of all time, was that of a dress. A sharply tailored dress, decorated only with simple piping subtly tracing its classic lines.<br />
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As I took a final tour of the grounds, one of the restorers listlessly chipping away at the ceiling of the basement asked, “Are you American?” <br />
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I suppose only Americans ever showed interest. Apart from one other man- we saw him on the road later, on foot, probably a local- we were the only visitors that day. <br />
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I told Stuart our next house is going to look exactly like Villa Poiana. He looked doubtful. The house can’t be scaled down and it needs to be in a similarly vast flat landscape to do it justice. Also, the interior would be a challenge to adapt for modern use.</div>
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But one can dream...<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/397680799526855802'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/397680799526855802'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/villa-poiana.html' title='Villa Poiana'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5752243955010234859</id><published>2005-07-21T15:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2017-03-01T20:47:55.218+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andrea Palladio'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><title type='text'>Villa Pisani</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The day started grey; that was probably what made Villa Saraceno look so unfriendly. As we drove into Bagnolo di Lonigo in search of Villa Pisani, it started to rain. <br />
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We knew we had driven too far when we saw the sign for the next town so we turned around and headed back in the direction we came from. I read aloud from my book, the one that inspired me to go on this trip. He had done the same thing, I told Stuart, the writer also went too far. We eventually found the villa but a barrier across a short gravel driveway proclaimed it to be out of bounds. Bummer!<br />
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We were very quiet as we drove home in the rain. Things were not going well. And then the rain stopped and the sun ventured out hesitantly. Suddenly, we were doing a U-turn and doubling back. We briefly considered going over the wall at the back of the property for a quick peek. Then we drove into the driveway, the one with the ominous looking barrier. As we gingerly inched in, people inside the gated compound looked out at us almost as curiously as we looked in at them. Then, very slowly, the barrier went up. We were in!<br />
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Stuart headed off in the direction of an outbuilding in search of a restroom. He need not have strayed so far as the powder room just off the front door of the house was where visitors went. This just wouldn’t do in the stately homes of England! </div>
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One of the surprising things about this house was, despite charging admission fees and having a souvenir shop at the gate, there was nothing businesslike about the whole business of being open to the public. The young man who opened the gate to us recited the rules of engagement offhandedly, like he didn’t care if we obeyed them or not. He then hurried off to parts unknown, leaving the gate once again unattended. The part of the house off-limits to visitors was indicated by a pot of flowers standing rather innocently on the first step of the narrow staircase leading up to the upper level where the owners lived.<br />
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Despite its size- the ceiling soared to a height of about thirty feet in the sala- Villa Pisani did not have the overwhelming hugeness of a palace or even a stately home. It must all have to do with Palladio’s vaunted classical proportions. Indeed the house was grand but it did feel like somebody’s home.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5752243955010234859'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5752243955010234859'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/villa-pisani.html' title='Villa Pisani'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8855539833024758454</id><published>2005-07-21T13:54:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T17:14:56.646+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andrea Palladio'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><title type='text'>Villa Barbaro, Villa Emo, and Villa Saraceno</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br /><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/Barbaro%20Chapel.jpg"></a><b>Villa Barbaro</b> was not difficult to find but we got there too late in the day so we couldn’t get in. We photographed every inch of the yellow and white building from outside the walls and inspected the family chapel across the road. Legend has it that it was there that Palladio died, at the building site of the chapel which he had been commissioned to build as an adjunct to the main villa.<br /><br />Nearby was <b>Villa Emo</b>, which again was already closed for the day. So, as with the <b>Villa Barbaro</b>, after a quick tour of the surrounding area, we had to leave the exploration of the interior for the next day. This did not happen though, for the two villas were not open the next day.<br /><br />I didn’t mind this very much as I was eager to get to the two I was really interested in, <b>Villa Poiana</b> and <b>Villa Pisani</b>. <br /><br /> On the way to these two villas, we made a quick detour to one of the lesser ones, <b>Villa Saraceno</b>.&nbsp;</div>
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We parked across the road and got out of the car for a closer look at the house. There were people on the loggia; they looked like they were packing up and they stared at us. Neither the house nor the people looked friendly or interesting enough so we took pictures and drove on.<br /><br /> We were getting shut out of our villas; but we got less timid as we went along.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8855539833024758454'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8855539833024758454'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/villa-barbaro-villa-emo-and-villa.html' title='Villa Barbaro, Villa Emo, and Villa Saraceno'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2614826188450842298</id><published>2005-07-20T17:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T17:15:30.114+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Andrea Palladio'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><title type='text'>The villas of Andrea Palladio</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Having touched base with our all-time favorite <b>Gargnano</b>, we proceeded to drive to <b>Vicenza</b> for the real purpose of this trip.&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 0px;">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">Our mission: to find and experience first hand the villas of my current idol <b>Andrea Palladio</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">I was introduced to the master about ten years ago, when Stuart took me on a magical mystery tour (those were his actual words) one summer in Padua. We took a cruise on the<b> Brenta Canal</b> aboard a long boat nostalgically called "<b><i>Il Burchiello</i></b>," after the boats that Venetians of the 16th century used to ferry themselves to and from their town homes in Venice and their country estates on the mainland.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">Our destination on this cruise was an eminent example of the country homes that proliferated on the banks of the Brenta: <b>Villa Foscari</b>, also known as <b>La Malcontenta.</b> I fell in love with this beautiful house then; and this visit also marked the start of a lasting interest in its architect and builder, Andrea Palladio.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">We decided to keep La Malcontenta for the finale on our present tour. But as it turned out, we didn't have time to go back.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2614826188450842298'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2614826188450842298'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/the-villas-of-andrea-palladio.html' title='The villas of Andrea Palladio'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7750114106633845262</id><published>2005-07-20T16:30:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2022-01-28T14:54:03.972+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='italy'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='gargnano'/><title type='text'>Villa di Gargnano on Lake Garda</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 16px;">We’re on the&nbsp;<b>Easy Jet</b>&nbsp;flight from London to Milan; there are no assigned seats so it’s first come, first served. Having boarded late, I count myself lucky to have a front-row seat but Stuart is squeezed into a centre seat way back near the tail-end of the plane.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">“Would your partner like to change places with me so you can sit together?” The suggestion is so graciously made I turn to the man in the window seat and look at him with a mixture of gratitude and surprise. What a nice man. And so Stuart and I get to hold hands on the plane. Nice start.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;">In Milan, our&nbsp;<b>Avis</b>&nbsp;car is a nice surprise too: a sweet little silver Mercedes, nearly brand-new. I guess when you make up your mind to enjoy yourself the universe works with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: 16px;">We run into the nice man again while waiting for our car. He’s a history professor on his usual commute from London where he works to&nbsp;<b>Lake Como</b>&nbsp;where he lives. “Have a happy stay in Italy,” he says with a courtly bow. And on that happy note, our perfect holiday begins.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It's a beautiful but dizzying drive to Valerio’s <b>Hotel du Lac </b>in<b> Gargnano </b>on<b> Lake Garda</b>. He didn’t have a lake view for us so we went to his parents’ <b>Hotel Gardenia</b>, renovated and looking very smart with newly installed balconies and freshly restored murals.<br />
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Dinner at Valerio’s that night was nostalgic and intimate. We had the restaurant all to ourselves so we moved our table around to face the lake more squarely, opened the windows, and then dimmed the lights, like we owned the place.<br />
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Next day lunch at Gardenia was pleasant but less picturesque.<br />
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It rained the second night, so at <b>Osteria Restauro</b> around the corner, the diners who had optimistically taken outside tables followed us more sensible types into the tiny, undecorated room inside. Dinner was cozy.</div>
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On our last evening on the lake, we had dinner at Baia d'Oro, a five minute walk from Valerio's. The evening started on just the right note with a glass of chilled prosecco.<br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7750114106633845262'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7750114106633845262'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/villa-di-gargnano-on-lake-garda.html' title='Villa di Gargnano on Lake Garda'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112161412249788196</id><published>2005-07-19T11:20:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T17:28:32.500+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='London'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><title type='text'>London</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Stuart and I met up in London but it was a business trip for him so his holiday was not to start until the weekend. I did some exploring on my own. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><br /></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">There were two blustery afternoons spent with <b>Matisse</b> and his fabrics at the <b>Royal Academy</b>; the first consisting mainly of a droning lecture by a visiting art professor in an incongruously opulent lecture room.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The Q&amp;A session was more interesting than the lecture which was so boring it turned me off seeing the exhibition that day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I decided to walk back to the hotel. Big mistake. I hadn’t gotten halfway when it started to rain. Born and bred in the tropics, I never get caught out in the rain with an umbrella. I had also left my very appropriate cold-weather clothes at home, this being mid-May and Stuart having assured me that everywhere will be warm. (Indeed, the locals thought summer had arrived; they were picnicking in the park!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I was back next day for the masterful exhibition itself. It showcased the original fabrics Matisse had collected and used not merely as props, but as the subjects of a lot of his paintings. African wall hangings the color of parched earth and pierced cloths that looked like black-and-white stained-glass windows. Swatches of antique French toiles, Turkish robes, Persian tunics, gypsy clothes, and vintage couture dresses. The collection matched the fabrics with paintings where they were featured as backdrops or worn by sitters. I could almost see him at work! <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">For years, <b>Matisse’s Chapel of the Holy Rosary</b> in Vence had puzzled me. Its beauty moved and seduced me; but I couldn’t reconcile the great artistic genius that created it with the seeming mind-numbing ordinariness of paper cut-outs and primary colors.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Here, finally, was something I could understand. The installation mapped for me the evolution of Matisse’s art. Starting with his so-called love affair with fabrics and ending with his eventual preoccupation with pure color that found expression in the paper cut-outs of his later years. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Next day, I went to a matinee performance of <b><i>“The Dresser”</i></b> at <b>The Duke of York</b>. The average age of the audience seemed in the high 70’s; most of the people queued up at the box-office were waiting for concession tickets. I knew this because the lady at the counter kept calling out for those waiting for such tickets and people kept falling out of the line.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">That afternoon couldn’t have been very profitable; which makes for a gloomy future for the business of theater. It’s sad really, for what’s to become of the London experience without it?&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">There is nothing more civilized than a London theater audience queuing for the cloakrooms. I love the understatement of the clothes and jewelry. Waiting in line that afternoon, I watched and listened, as only the vaguest of complaints were elicited by deplorably inadequate facilities. I heard someone surmise, with a patient smile, that Victorian ladies probably didn’t come to the theater much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">An afternoon was reserved for lunch of goat-cheese tart and mesclun at <b>Liberty’s</b>, followed by serious window shopping. Then it was cheap jeans and tops at <b>BHS</b> and <b>H&amp;M</b>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Evenings found me and my glass of red at the executive lounge waiting for dinners with Stuart.<o:p></o:p> Our first two dinners were with Maria Cristina, our usual first date when in London.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">First night was Lebanese, which he wasn’t keen on, him having no sense of hummus (did I really get that from the <b>BBC</b>?) Next was a noisy tapas bar, <b>El Pirata</b>, where service was disinterested at best. It was a shame, because the food was good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>Quaglino’s</b>, a trendy suggestion from our hotel concierge, was a <b>Conran</b> restaurant so I had very high expectations. It was more sedate than the tapas bar and marginally less disinterested.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/Family.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"></a></span><span style="font-size: 100%;">On our last evening in London, we went to </span><span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>Prezzo</b>, an Italian restaurant, London style, with Stuart’s Uncle John and Auntie Pat who refused to be called that, and their daughter Lindsay and her husband William.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">It was Pat’s birthday, so we had </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">champagne. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112161412249788196'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112161412249788196'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/london-stuart-and-i-met-up-in-london.html' title='London'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112160718793470407</id><published>2005-07-19T10:00:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-04T17:30:29.843+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='US'/><title type='text'>San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Back again to Hong Kong to pack for the U.S. and Europe and then I was off to San Francisco for a 3-day slumber party with Margie and Celia.&nbsp;</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">&nbsp;I bought us matching silk nighties on Pedder Street for the occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Then on to Las Vegas for two weeks with Tim and Baby.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Tim took us to dinners and shows on the strip. We danced ourselves dizzy to live Motown music and screamed gamely as <b>Tom Jones</b>, nearing 70, gyrated and growled and caught ladies’ underwear onstage. There was a </span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 100%;"><i>provençal</i></span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> dinner where our waiter, a baritone, sang a tenor aria; he told us about opening for <b>Placido Domingo</b> and auditioning for&nbsp;</span><b style="font-size: 100%;"><i>The Phantom of the Opera</i></b><span style="font-size: 100%;">.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">But most of the time, Tim left Baby and me alone “so you sisters can bond,” he said. So we bonded.&nbsp; </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">We solved every possible family problem we could think of. We moved around the furniture in the house so much that, to this day, they must still be reeling in confusion. We went on daily explorations of local restaurants and coffee shops, with Baby driving her underused car, and got lost every single time. We horsed around with Pam and Janet, two crazy, lovable cousins who played mahjongg with us and cooked us fabulous meals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">One weekend, Tim drove us to LA so we could spend time with Eileen and Butchie and their families. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">T</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">hrough a </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">never-ending parade of food and wine,</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> and a </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">marathon of parlor games, Baby and I reestablished family lines and introduced our generation to the new.</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The weekend was made unforgettable by an incredible set of nephews and nieces. Joseph is a sweet, 13-year-old gentleman-in-the-making and Erin, a tough-talking 9-year-old sweetheart of a cardsharp.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Between the two of them, they tried and failed to teach Baby and me the finer points of <i>pusoy</i>. </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">W</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">e all played <b>Guesstures</b> (a corruption of charades), <b>Scrabble</b>, and inevitably, <i>mahjongg</i>, </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">just the latest addition to these two kids' roster of hustling skills</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Baby and I watched in fascination as Denise, another </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">niece, now suddenly grown up and </span><span style="font-size: 100%;">glamorous, got all gussied up for the prom with</span><span style="font-size: 100%;"> her coterie of high school seniors</span><span style="font-size: 100%;">.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">And finally, we marveled at how these two families' unconditional love and laser-focused devotion had made all the difference in the raising of one remarkable child, Ejo.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112160718793470407'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112160718793470407'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/farm-in-bogo-before-heading-back-to.html' title='San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-112152005927315788</id><published>2005-07-18T09:11:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2013-11-15T14:19:45.775+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bogo'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='one long summer'/><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#post'/><category scheme='http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#' term='Bantayan Island'/><title type='text'>I've been holidaying for over a month...</title><content type='html'><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Actually, my holiday began way before Stuart joined me in London. By the time we set off for Italy, I had already been holidaying elsewhere for more than a month.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>PUNTA FUEGO AND TALI BEACH</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">It began with a fabulous all-weekend beach wedding party in <b>Punta Fuego</b> and <b>Tali Beach</b> with the Sydney group. It was rather a throwback to our carefree days when most of us were newly married and just starting families. We were the centers of our universe then, not the generation now getting married. &nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">This time we all came together for the wedding of one of the girls we watched grow up; some of us helped bring up those kids. It seemed a world away now. We have since lost some members to various tragedies: four have died, three in the past year, and some have just dropped out in varying degrees of animosity and heartache.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">We all tried our best to be reckless and irresponsible. Some swam naked in the sea; most just lazed in the sun. We drank a lot of wine, sang bawdy songs, and posed endlessly for pictures. It was a weekend that was, like the Sydney days, unrepeatable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>CEBU</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I was back in Hong Kong for only a few days, and then flew to Cebu to spend a week idling with Marilou and Eddie. We watched DVDs at home, checked out the newest restaurants, listened to jazz standards at a local dive, had massages, and shopped. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Cebu prices are remarkable. I bought beach paraphernalia in Makati-style malls at Baclaran prices. At a newly-opened day spa I had an authentic Thai massage at an unbelievably low P200! A 3-course set menu dinner in an unmarked neighborhood restaurant (somebody’s garage really; just tell the taxi to take you to 10 Dove Street) cost a princely P190.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;"><b>BANTAYAN ISLAND</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Bantayan Island, reached by ferry from the northernmost tip of Cebu, is the best kept secret in this PR-challenged country. Powder-fine white sand on a beach that goes on for miles before you touch water- warm, clear as glass and blue as the most raved about swimming holes in the Pacific or the Mediterranean.</span></div>
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<a href="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/1600/Bantayan2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4525/1319/200/Bantayan1.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px;" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I discovered a lot of things about the island and its people one evening at dinner with a group of very interesting locals, all related to one another by blood or marriage.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">One of the island’s biggest mango producers told me his grandmother invented the original recipe for dried mangoes. He is also currently developing a new process for canning a local variety of sardine.&nbsp;</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Our hostess, one of the town mayors, (the island has three towns) comes from a family that has produced a long line of mayors as well as the best canned crabmeat in the world. She said that a group of travel journalists visited the island a few months ago, requiring a variety of special food and services, and I’m curious to see what kind of exposure the place got as a result of that visit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Some lifestyle adjustments still have to be made to transform this idyllic wonder from Gilligan’s island to a rock star’s paradise. There is not a single ATM in sight and few places accept credit cards. Also, for some reason or another, the local airstrip is not in operation. Otherwise, the island is fabulous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">We had three days of glorious sea and sand and a surfeit of fresh fish. We swam at high tide and walked on the beach when the water retreated into the horizon. We lazed on deckchairs on the front porch of Eddie’s White House (that’s what the locals called it), sipped cappuccino brought in from the hotel next door, and watched the ferries navigate around the shallows. We had massages that cost even less than at the day spa. I felt that the price was exploitatively cheap but Marilou said I mustn’t ruin the market so what to do but to lie back and enjoy it?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I bought an entire catch one morning on the beachfront, all for P200. That evening, courtesy of friends who owned a resort, that bargain-basement fish was magically turned into a superb Peruvian-style feast. Wine was on the house; and so were the bazookas (multicolored layers of Bailey’s cream, Kahlua, and blue Curacao.) The evening quickly degenerated into bad karaoke and, for Marilou and me, our weekly fix of <b><i>American Idol</i></b> on TV.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">On the car ferry going back to the mainland, we dozed in the air-conditioned cabin. The sea was smooth as oil.</span></div>
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<b>THE FARM IN BOGO</b><br />
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Before heading back to the city, we detoured into a rolling landscape of coconut trees and sugarcane. Clumps of little blue flowers made bright splotches on the roadside. We were expected for lunch at a farm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">Nestled at the foot of Winnie’s mountain, the farm was straight out of “<b><i>Out of Africa</i></b>.” Winnie, a recently rediscovered childhood friend of Marilou’s, owned the farm so she called the mountain her mountain. It was planted with sugarcane, coconuts, coffee, fruits, and mahogany. So she had a personal supply of hardwood for renovations to the farmhouse and for beautifully carved furniture crafted in a barn right in her backyard. Near the entrance to the property was a chapel with a lovely churchyard. Beside it was a daycare center with a little schoolroom for the children of workers who lived on the farm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">The garden was beautiful and completely organic. Winnie claimed that nature was her pest controller. The garden was watered from a rain-water cistern where a gang of frogs discouraged the breeding of mosquitoes. In the house, a hole in an attic wall served as an open invitation to an itinerant bayawak to come and feed on the rats. At the end of every other harvest, sugarcane fields are burned to make way for next season’s planting. (Is that ecologically sound?) Hence, the rats in the attic and the bayawak on full board. In the main living areas, snuggled behind various paintings and wall hangings, were three blue-spotted geckos employed full-time to deal with spiders and small bugs. (Winnie crooned, “Aren’t they lovely?”) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 100%;">I must admit I saw nothing peskier than a few gnats. We had lunch on the terrace and talked about books, in the cool embrace of Winnie’s mountain, her garden spread out before us. The meal and the view were delicious.</span></div>
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</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112152005927315788'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/112152005927315788'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2005/07/ive-been-holidaying-for-over-month.html' title='I've been holidaying for over a month...'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.page-2049866509918220233</id><published>2021-09-04T17:33:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2021-09-05T15:27:50.632+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#page'/><title type='text'>DIABETIC DIARY</title><content type='html'><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Sydney, June 1.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">June marks the start of winter. It means sweaters and leggings, heaters going full blast,&nbsp;watching TV snuggled under quilts, and lots of hot soup.&nbsp;</span></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">June also marks the start of my lo-carb, no sugar, no alcohol diet. Wonder how long it will last? How long I will last on it?&nbsp;And how long before my high glucose count goes down from 10.8 to 7!</font></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Sydney, July 15.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Chilling, literally, on a very cold morning at pathology clinic for a glucose tolerance test which requires</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;me to &nbsp;not move around for an hour and a half.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_73e4_93af_cc58_a9b0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/71HFbassUARAUQkZVJr2qaps8AV7b61gDUa2ohcBQ8dfRGHHqVluH5_qhCFSYNHNFG8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Stuart drove me to the clinic, paid the bill in advance as we’re not on Medicare then&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">nipped back home to make pumpkin soup</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">which later made for</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;a glorious brunch&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">with the sourdough bread we bought on the way back.</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Hong Kong, August 13.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">I think Friday the 13th in the month of the Hungry Ghost is an auspicious day to start monitoring my blood glucose levels. Using the FreeStyle&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Libre</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;System for Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) I now have a sensor disc stuck on my arm.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><img id="id_2db1_621c_d94_c3b9" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7--x0lbc7S10pq6H0M4o8ozGQq2z9dUM4LdZXWQavlFc54FFH5oCLComjlCkXqSSHXU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Last May’s test may have been a false reading of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">fasting glucose</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;of&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">10.8 and HbA1c of 7.8. But&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">July 15’s glucose tolerance test confirmed that I am indeed diabetic: fasting glucose of 7.9 and glucose tolerance after 2 hours of 17.0.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">But today’s initial reading after breakfast is an amazing 4.5!&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">That’s after 10 weeks of no wine and no dessert. I started with lo-carb but recently resumed overnight oats for breakfast and congee for lunch.</span></p><p style="margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Monday, 16.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Day4. My fluctuating glucose no longer terrifies me. I figure that it’s the average I should be looking at.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Forget about losing weight for now. concentrate on keeping &nbsp;sugar level stable.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Tuesday, 17.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">WRONG!</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Yesterday’s relaxation of food intake was a mistake. Although my concern has been hypoglycaemia, eating even little amounts several times in the day is bad.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Overnight oats for breakfast.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Salad for lunch.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Afternoon tea egg sandwiches!!!!</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Fried rice at dinner!!!!</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Dessert of yoghurt nuts chocolate!!!!</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_44d7_b7e7_e376_212" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Umi48sOa_QJbxhdSqxXQJ12wX8TrMQS0B4GSAprAKsZCgIf3GE65_oqhO1e66MYoxjw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_4dd0_4fd6_784d_ca23" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/onp3Cy-IwVmIAbDqHaQhZOzi91LOvcgo_NnpW2TuTo45a_gd69zuL_PXLoJ7T5vMPWc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_eaf8_adff_a759_c487" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vnHZCauuTMY5l7CqNE7YtAgCV-eQbY_sXPcm1txcfpPRPd2x8zuwyqQgaj6YvWRQ894" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Imperative I go back to less food, no snacks, just like before when my objective was to lose weight.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">_____</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Because I’ve been increasingly constipated since upping my Metformin dose to 1g, I’m wondering if constipation has anything to do with my blood glucose.</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">I look up Gastroparesis; then s</span></font><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">tarted taking Motillium.</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Wednesday, 18.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Morning sugar high 7.1, after breakfast 8.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">But after good BM, thanks to last night’s Motillium, blood sugar went down to 4.5 and stayed&nbsp;</span></font><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">within range&nbsp;</span><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">through the r</span></font><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">est of the day.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Started splitting Metformin into 2 500mg doses.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Will try to stay with soup or soft diet for a week. Soup lunch and dinner. Snack nuts.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">By 8:25, it’s at 4.7.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">As of Day6, estimated A1c is 5.5.</span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">NOTE:</span></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Since I went on diet in June my A1c went down from 7.7 to 5.5, but my weight hardly budged from 70.5 to 67.8.</span></font></div><div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br></div></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><br></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 21px;"><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Thursday, 19.</span></font></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Morning-&nbsp;</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Metformin 500, Probiotic&nbsp;</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Noon-&nbsp;</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Magnesium&nbsp;</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Evening</span><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">- Metformin 500, Motillium</span></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: -webkit-standard; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div></div><div style="caret-color: rgb(69, 69, 69); color: rgb(69, 69, 69);"><div style="font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Friday, 20.</span></font></div><div style="font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Morning-&nbsp;</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Metformin 500, Probiotic&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Noon-</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Motillium</span></div><div style="font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Evening</span><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">- Metformin 500,&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Magnesium</span></div><div style="font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br></div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Saturday, 21.</font></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Morning-&nbsp;</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Metformin 500, Probiotic&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Noon-</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Motillium</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Evening</span><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">- Metformin 500,&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Magnesium, 2 Ultrazyme</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Sunday, 22.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Morning<span style="font-size: 21px;">-&nbsp;</span></span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Metformin 500, Probiotic&nbsp;</span></div><div style="font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Noon-</span></font><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">&nbsp;</span><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Motillium, 2 Ultrazyme</span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Tried gluten-free seafood linguini at lunch. Glucose spiked to 8.4.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Evening- Metformin 500, Magnesium</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 21px; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Monday, 23.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Overnight, before breakfast:</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_8e41_435d_f6b4_a7b6" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/u1cN0JARO4rNC9V9icpPBn6UK7GaG6lQrqiI9TfC_YnqhvyJdRSphSmFEYGs1GjjVYw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Morning<span style="font-size: 21px;">-&nbsp;</span></span></font><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Metformin 500, Probiotic, Motillium</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">No BM.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">12noon before lunch, glucose is 8.3!!!</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">BM after lunch.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Dinner</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Chinese, no rice, no noodles.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Ctispy chix grapefruit skin garoupa tofu w prawn&amp;scallop.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br><br><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Tuesday, 24.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">STOPPING METFORMIN.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><b><i>Glucose at 9am 7.6, after breakfast 8, after lunch 9.7.</i></b></span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><b><i><br></i></b></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">2 Magnesium after lunch.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">3:30 BM.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><b>Glucose dropped to 5.9.</b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><b><br></b></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Friday, 27.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Sensor finished, new one waiting to be applied.</span></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Last reading unaccountably high!</span></font></div><div><img id="id_1f6_4698_4546_4c28" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/eXM4Uhp-S0D6tV85qe9wRSr0ue1rNe1A2TQteFkqmtGaIEhHX5efzdZqsH9bpu2DqS0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 700px; height: auto;"><br><br><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">I guess my diet has worked!&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">A1c has gone down to 5.5.</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Still don’t understand the wild swings in glucose readings though…</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Monday, 30.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">AM- probiotic, magnesium</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">NN- motillium</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">PM-&nbsp;</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Ultrazyme</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Tuesday, 31.</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">AM- probiotic, magnesium&nbsp;</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">NN</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">PM- Ultrazyme, motillium, prunelax</span></font></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Wednesday, September 1.</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Not much change in BM despite prunelax. Getting tired of all this. Stopping EVERYTHING.</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Breakfast- little cup of yoghurt and berries, warm water.</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Lunch- caesar salad, chix parmigiana at Al Dente, tea w milk, warm water</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Thursday, 2.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">BM- on getting up, after breakfast*, afternoon*.&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">*After warm water.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">Saturday, 4.</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">AM I DIABETIC? Or Is it constipation that raises my blood glucose?</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">AM I CONSTIPATED? Or is gastroparesis causing constipation?</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);">DO I HAVE GASTROPARESIS?&nbsp;</span></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68);"><br></span></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">All of these conditions can be fixed with the proper diet. Really? I don’t think so!</span></font></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Foods recommended to prevent constipation are exactly what to avoid to prevent gastroparesis.</span></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div><div class="co8aDb gsrt" aria-level="3" role="heading" style="caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><b><font face="Verdana" size="4">For constipation: Eat enough fiber.</font></b></div><div class="RqBzHd" style="margin-top: 12px; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><ul class="i8Z77e" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="TrT0Xe" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px 16px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">whole grains, such as whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, and bran flake cereals.</font></li><li class="TrT0Xe" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px 16px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">legumes, such as lentils, black beans, kidney beans, soybeans, and chickpeas.</font></li><li class="TrT0Xe" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px 16px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">fruits, such as berries, apples with the skin on, oranges, and pears.</font></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0.5em 0px 0.5em 1.3em;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">vegetables, such as carrots, broccoli, green peas, and collard greens</font></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; list-style-position: outside; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px 1.3em;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">nuts, such as almonds, peanuts, and pecans</font></li></ul></div></div><div><font color="#444444" face="Verdana" size="4"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></font></div><div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><b style="caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><font face="Verdana" size="4">For gastroparesis: Avoid high fiber foods.&nbsp;</font></b><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Fiber delays gastric emptying. In addition, fiber may bind together and cause a blockage of the stomach. Avoid:</span></p><div class="RqBzHd" style="margin-top: 12px; caret-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.87); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><ul class="i8Z77e" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li class="TrT0Xe" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px 16px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Fruits – apples, berries, coconuts, figs, oranges, persimmons</span></li><li class="TrT0Xe" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px 16px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Vegetables –&nbsp;Broccoli, brussels sprouts, green beans, green peas, lettuce, potato peels, sauerkraut&nbsp;</span></li><li class="TrT0Xe" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px 16px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Bran/whole grain cereals</span></li><li class="TrT0Xe" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px 16px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Nuts and seeds,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Corn,&nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Popcorn</span></li><li class="TrT0Xe" style="margin: 0px 0px 12px 16px; padding: 0px; list-style-type: disc;"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">Legumes/Dried Beans – baked beans, lentils, soy beans</span></li></ul></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><font face="Verdana" size="4">Fiber supplements for treatment of constipation should also be discontinued if possible.</font></p><p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); font-family: Georgia, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">What to do???</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; caret-color: rgb(76, 84, 93); color: rgb(76, 84, 93); font-family: Georgia, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Saturday</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">, 4.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Well! Apparently my CGM patch may actually become, if it hasn’t yet, geek or health-buff trendy. How about that? And I thought I should wear clothes that would hide mine for fear of looking like a feeble sickie.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Startups in the CGM field are being funded by topnotch financial and tech stars like ex-Yahoo boss Marissa Meyer.</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">It’s a thrill to find myself ahead of the pack!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Ok, so in answer to my above question, what to do?</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">BUY THE SHARES!</span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></p><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(68, 68, 68); color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></p></div> </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/pages/default/2049866509918220233'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/pages/default/2049866509918220233'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/p/diabetic-diary_4.html' title='DIABETIC DIARY'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/71HFbassUARAUQkZVJr2qaps8AV7b61gDUa2ohcBQ8dfRGHHqVluH5_qhCFSYNHNFG8=s72-c' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.page-1104235743007733850</id><published>2019-04-04T15:31:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2021-08-28T11:23:27.496+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#page'/><title type='text'>Songs about love</title><content type='html'> <div><br></div><div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b style="font-family: Verdana;">BEING ALIVE</b><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Barbra Streisand&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/CDg2xZekleE">https://youtu.be/CDg2xZekleE</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Neil Patrick Harris</span></div><div><br></div><a href="https://youtu.be/6_I-B_-Ygpk">https://youtu.be/6_I-B_-Ygpk&nbsp;</a><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>WITH ONE MORE LOOK AT YOU</b></font><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/gz4KdaTPGDs">https://youtu.be/gz4KdaTPGDs</a><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/Inkf7WZJdjc" id="id_7d9e_7443_c21d_a75d">https://youtu.be/Inkf7WZJdjc</a><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS</b>&nbsp;</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Barbra Streisand</font></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/5ae0x2E2hlI">https://youtu.be/5ae0x2E2hlI</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Neil Diamond</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/BdOpifuGNM4">https://youtu.be/BdOpifuGNM4</a></div><div><br></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4"><br></font></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><font size="4">MY FUNNY VALENTINE</font></b></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jHtdy-40r3w" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_821a_3fb0_e488_dd0c" frameborder="0"></iframe></span></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/pages/default/1104235743007733850'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/pages/default/1104235743007733850'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/p/my-funny-valentine.html' title='Songs about love'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><media:thumbnail xmlns:media='http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/' url='https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jHtdy-40r3w/default.jpg' height='72' width='72'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.page-3161018806619329750</id><published>2021-08-27T12:59:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2021-08-28T11:18:17.936+08:00</updated><app:control xmlns:app='http://purl.org/atom/app#'><app:draft>yes</app:draft></app:control><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#page'/><title type='text'>Songs about love</title><content type='html'><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></b></div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></b></div><font size="4">MY FUNNY VALENTINE</font></b><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;"><br></b></div><div><b style="font-family: Verdana;">BEING ALIVE</b><br><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Barbra Streisand&nbsp;</span></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/CDg2xZekleE">https://youtu.be/CDg2xZekleE</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Neil Patrick Harris</span></div><div><br></div><a href="https://youtu.be/6_I-B_-Ygpk">https://youtu.be/6_I-B_-Ygpk&nbsp;</a><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>WITH ONE MORE LOOK AT YOU</b></font><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/gz4KdaTPGDs">https://youtu.be/gz4KdaTPGDs</a><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b><br></b></font><div><br></div><div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/Inkf7WZJdjc" id="id_7d9e_7443_c21d_a75d">https://youtu.be/Inkf7WZJdjc</a><font face="Verdana" size="4"><br></font><div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4"><b>YOU DON’T BRING ME FLOWERS</b>&nbsp;</font></div><div><br></div><div><font face="Verdana" size="4">Barbra Streisand</font></div><div><br></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/5ae0x2E2hlI">https://youtu.be/5ae0x2E2hlI</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;">Neil Diamond</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: large;"><br></span></div><div><a href="https://youtu.be/BdOpifuGNM4">https://youtu.be/BdOpifuGNM4</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div></div><div></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/pages/default/3161018806619329750'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/pages/default/3161018806619329750'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115675813393785350</id><published>2006-08-28T17:42:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2006-08-28T17:42:13.936+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I hope you enjoyed the Bellini!<br><br>I came acro...</title><content type='html'>I hope you enjoyed the Bellini!<BR/><BR/>I came across your site by accident and I've enjoyed scanning through the details of your trip to Italy. I hope you have a great time for however much longer you are going to be there!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/115656452551490113/comments/default/115675813393785350'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/115656452551490113/comments/default/115675813393785350'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/spoleto.html?showComment=1156758120000#c115675813393785350' title=''/><author><name>HoolaHoops</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/04466632845925575244</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='26' height='32' src='//blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGs0Xw2KkK0_bd0rHVMdLDK8-KMf7c1PPbqMq3xdE-DIOwTGGjTL82hlJ342212P64vdOUMd0Xszxl3W1c5WTEKqbHcvBCGs-9FslmimvXL198f7CZd6pdgZMm0VCAru4/s1600/*'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/spoleto.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115656452551490113' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115656452551490113' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-363682644'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 28 August, 2006'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115755032259236099</id><published>2006-09-06T21:45:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2006-09-06T21:45:22.593+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Good work!</title><content type='html'>Good work!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/115656452551490113/comments/default/115755032259236099'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/115656452551490113/comments/default/115755032259236099'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/spoleto.html?showComment=1157550300000#c115755032259236099' title=''/><author><name>Anonymous</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/spoleto.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115656452551490113' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115656452551490113' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Wednesday, 06 September, 2006'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-850964003381415866</id><published>2007-07-17T16:23:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2007-07-17T16:23:45.759+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>hello! i'm italian! your blog is beautiful! also i...</title><content type='html'>hello! i'm italian! your blog is beautiful! also i have a blog:<BR/>http://superjuventus.blogspot.com<BR/>you go in my blog and you write a comment! thank!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/673719083559505144/comments/default/850964003381415866'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/673719083559505144/comments/default/850964003381415866'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/07/egypt.html?showComment=1184660580000#c850964003381415866' title=''/><author><name>GS</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/18264695698514639388</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/07/egypt.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-673719083559505144' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/673719083559505144' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-1054735017'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 17 July, 2007'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8687931205781235428</id><published>2007-08-13T16:20:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2007-08-21T18:21:18.491+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/459677288162045977/comments/default/8687931205781235428'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/459677288162045977/comments/default/8687931205781235428'/><author><name>Anonymous</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2007/07/aswan-nile-meanders-along-loitering.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-459677288162045977' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/459677288162045977' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.contentRemoved' value='true'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 13 August, 2007'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6915136180760853262</id><published>2007-08-13T16:24:00.000+08:00</published><updated>2007-08-21T18:25:14.745+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'></title><content type='html'>This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/115469969313023471/comments/default/6915136180760853262'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/115469969313023471/comments/default/6915136180760853262'/><author><name>Anonymous</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2006/08/wednesday-brings-beautiful-ferry.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-115469969313023471' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/115469969313023471' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.contentRemoved' value='true'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 13 August, 2007'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8732181787100151096</id><published>2012-09-09T13:14:27.172+08:00</published><updated>2012-09-13T22:32:37.791+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Sweet!!! What a great place to chill out!!!
Jake</title><content type='html'>Sweet!!! What a great place to chill out!!!<br />Jake</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6567800364751410703/comments/default/8732181787100151096'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6567800364751410703/comments/default/8732181787100151096'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/revisiting-grand-hyatt-hk.html?showComment=1347167667172#c8732181787100151096' title=''/><author><name>Anonymous</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/revisiting-grand-hyatt-hk.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6567800364751410703' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6567800364751410703' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 09 September, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7296968791326408066</id><published>2012-09-14T12:35:59.944+08:00</published><updated>2012-09-14T12:35:59.944+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks, Jake! It sure is a great place to chill!
I...</title><content type='html'>Thanks, Jake! It sure is a great place to chill!<br />I don&#39;t know why your comment doesn&#39;t appear here though!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6567800364751410703/comments/default/7296968791326408066'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6567800364751410703/comments/default/7296968791326408066'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/revisiting-grand-hyatt-hk.html?showComment=1347597359944#c7296968791326408066' title=''/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/revisiting-grand-hyatt-hk.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6567800364751410703' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6567800364751410703' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 14 September, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6391650509694977536</id><published>2012-10-01T09:49:29.050+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-01T12:45:09.400+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>you must be glad not losing your taxi spot the 2nd...</title><content type='html'>you must be glad not losing your taxi spot the 2nd time.:)</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4441961693091427689/comments/default/6391650509694977536'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4441961693091427689/comments/default/6391650509694977536'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/queuing-is-way-of-life.html?showComment=1349056169050#c6391650509694977536' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/queuing-is-way-of-life.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4441961693091427689' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4441961693091427689' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 01 October, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1049199453786457239</id><published>2012-10-01T12:50:42.705+08:00</published><updated>2012-10-01T12:50:42.705+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Well, if you must know, it was back to the end of ...</title><content type='html'>Well, if you must know, it was back to the end of the line! It&#39;s only fair though... :)</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4441961693091427689/comments/default/1049199453786457239'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4441961693091427689/comments/default/1049199453786457239'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/queuing-is-way-of-life.html?showComment=1349067042705#c1049199453786457239' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4441961693091427689/comments/default/6391650509694977536'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/09/queuing-is-way-of-life.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4441961693091427689' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4441961693091427689' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 01 October, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8891850710176943743</id><published>2012-11-05T10:25:07.451+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-05T12:46:17.668+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Alice, our sister, can write about any event and t...</title><content type='html'>Alice, our sister, can write about any event and turn it into a memorable experience. We will now always remember that on this special All Saints Day, the whole family all came minutes from each other and just got together to remember our Daddy and Mommy. The day will always be memorable because it is the day we are remembering our Mommy for the first time. </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5442019284965239076/comments/default/8891850710176943743'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5442019284965239076/comments/default/8891850710176943743'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/all-saints-day-all-filipino-feastday.html?showComment=1352082307451#c8891850710176943743' title=''/><author><name>Baby Dimalanta</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/05323401688946548679</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/all-saints-day-all-filipino-feastday.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5442019284965239076' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5442019284965239076' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-981005860'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 05 November, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3536895479954844925</id><published>2012-11-05T12:52:01.753+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-05T12:52:01.753+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks, Baby! Great feedback! :)</title><content type='html'>Thanks, Baby! Great feedback! :)</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5442019284965239076/comments/default/3536895479954844925'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5442019284965239076/comments/default/3536895479954844925'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/all-saints-day-all-filipino-feastday.html?showComment=1352091121753#c3536895479954844925' title=''/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/all-saints-day-all-filipino-feastday.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5442019284965239076' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5442019284965239076' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 05 November, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7780759470412291705</id><published>2012-11-13T08:21:50.048+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-14T13:25:39.202+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>oo nga kaso di natuloy ang &quot;Happy Family&quot...</title><content type='html'>oo nga kaso di natuloy ang &quot;Happy Family&quot; natin! :))))</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5442019284965239076/comments/default/7780759470412291705'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5442019284965239076/comments/default/7780759470412291705'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/all-saints-day-all-filipino-feastday.html?showComment=1352766110048#c7780759470412291705' title=''/><author><name>Anonymous</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/11/all-saints-day-all-filipino-feastday.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5442019284965239076' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5442019284965239076' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 13 November, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6679020549031674518</id><published>2012-11-13T08:27:15.306+08:00</published><updated>2012-11-14T13:25:36.013+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Tita Alice! miss na namin to a! sobrang saya natin...</title><content type='html'>Tita Alice! miss na namin to a! sobrang saya natin dito! tara beach naman tayo! plssssssssssssssssss.................love you! kisses</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4327988464642476484/comments/default/6679020549031674518'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4327988464642476484/comments/default/6679020549031674518'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/ktv-at-zsa-zsa-with-kids.html?showComment=1352766435306#c6679020549031674518' title=''/><author><name>Anonymous</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/10/ktv-at-zsa-zsa-with-kids.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4327988464642476484' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4327988464642476484' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 13 November, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4573663370005969393</id><published>2012-12-30T12:53:01.576+08:00</published><updated>2012-12-30T19:55:46.699+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Great great job writing Alice Do more more more an...</title><content type='html'>Great great job writing Alice Do more more more and put more pictures of you and Stewart</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6773438875693753611/comments/default/4573663370005969393'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6773438875693753611/comments/default/4573663370005969393'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/the-harbour-bottle-of-wine-and-takeaway.html?showComment=1356843181576#c4573663370005969393' title=''/><author><name>Ada Dacanay DeLeon</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/11549874969863640537</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI-4SNZ9jR8DVOFFWOevwG7UAQFJS_WcvCqFEjao-Vs8RJddpVNN4M8_XSar_gaO-G5aoXQ5Y-i3JCYOaL843vtanFCWh_sWmcyNjLwoCHmSh0-qUlbJPgXROSAuNDilGYuei-j41Bebe/s32/New+York+New+York+024.jpg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/the-harbour-bottle-of-wine-and-takeaway.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6773438875693753611' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6773438875693753611' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-538066135'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 30 December, 2012'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-406875462978028101</id><published>2013-01-06T20:49:57.370+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-06T20:49:57.370+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks Ada for encouraging, inspiring words! Cheer...</title><content type='html'>Thanks Ada for encouraging, inspiring words! Cheers! :)</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6773438875693753611/comments/default/406875462978028101'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6773438875693753611/comments/default/406875462978028101'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/the-harbour-bottle-of-wine-and-takeaway.html?showComment=1357476597370#c406875462978028101' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6773438875693753611/comments/default/4573663370005969393'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2012/12/the-harbour-bottle-of-wine-and-takeaway.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6773438875693753611' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6773438875693753611' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 06 January, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3697390881282740322</id><published>2013-01-07T09:33:26.589+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-07T09:40:57.598+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Let me get this right, so you are a pepperoni in M...</title><content type='html'>Let me get this right, so you are a pepperoni in Milky Way waiting for a good tea? I love it and I love you &lt;3<br /></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2332423781529362029/comments/default/3697390881282740322'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2332423781529362029/comments/default/3697390881282740322'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/three-a380s-all-in-row.html?showComment=1357522406589#c3697390881282740322' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/three-a380s-all-in-row.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2332423781529362029' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2332423781529362029' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 07 January, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4996722140530734022</id><published>2013-01-14T16:06:37.854+08:00</published><updated>2013-01-14T16:06:37.854+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Baby, you&#39;ve super got it! That&#39;s a killer...</title><content type='html'>Baby, you&#39;ve super got it! That&#39;s a killer metaphor cocktail- watch out for the hangover! &lt;3</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2332423781529362029/comments/default/4996722140530734022'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2332423781529362029/comments/default/4996722140530734022'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/three-a380s-all-in-row.html?showComment=1358150797854#c4996722140530734022' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2332423781529362029/comments/default/3697390881282740322'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/01/three-a380s-all-in-row.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2332423781529362029' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2332423781529362029' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 14 January, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8477485829768114986</id><published>2013-04-21T14:14:49.265+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-23T05:53:45.191+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>continue to record all the beauty</title><content type='html'>continue to record all the beauty</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8045217522783194145/comments/default/8477485829768114986'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8045217522783194145/comments/default/8477485829768114986'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/nike-fuel-bands-and-castrati-style-opera.html?showComment=1366524889265#c8477485829768114986' title=''/><author><name>Ada Dacanay DeLeon</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/11549874969863640537</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI-4SNZ9jR8DVOFFWOevwG7UAQFJS_WcvCqFEjao-Vs8RJddpVNN4M8_XSar_gaO-G5aoXQ5Y-i3JCYOaL843vtanFCWh_sWmcyNjLwoCHmSh0-qUlbJPgXROSAuNDilGYuei-j41Bebe/s32/New+York+New+York+024.jpg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/nike-fuel-bands-and-castrati-style-opera.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8045217522783194145' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8045217522783194145' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-538066135'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 21 April, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6094266688736648106</id><published>2013-04-23T05:57:21.375+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-23T05:57:21.375+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Yes, Ada, your beloved New York is beautiful at th...</title><content type='html'>Yes, Ada, your beloved New York is beautiful at this time of the year! :)</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8045217522783194145/comments/default/6094266688736648106'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8045217522783194145/comments/default/6094266688736648106'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/nike-fuel-bands-and-castrati-style-opera.html?showComment=1366667841375#c6094266688736648106' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8045217522783194145/comments/default/8477485829768114986'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/nike-fuel-bands-and-castrati-style-opera.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8045217522783194145' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8045217522783194145' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 23 April, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6059153158125261276</id><published>2013-04-30T00:40:55.791+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-30T06:30:44.918+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>That day wasn&#39;t a typical spring day Alice but...</title><content type='html'>That day wasn&#39;t a typical spring day Alice but you and Stewart warmed up our day. Great company beats any type of weather: the wit we shared is like a bloom in any garden. I am looking forward to our next get together whether it&#39;s in the Far East or in the West. It is always lovely spending time with you. ;-)<br /><br />Enjoy Europe and I hope you had your lavender smelling room at The Waldorf Hilton. Till next time and looking forward to your next blog.<br /><br />Von Voyage! <br />XOXO</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/159899763127659843/comments/default/6059153158125261276'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/159899763127659843/comments/default/6059153158125261276'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/last-day-in-nyc.html?showComment=1367253655791#c6059153158125261276' title=''/><author><name>Elsie Apacible</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/last-day-in-nyc.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-159899763127659843' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/159899763127659843' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 30 April, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9144375442103940461</id><published>2013-04-30T01:17:33.315+08:00</published><updated>2013-04-30T06:30:36.412+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>It wasn&#39;t the typical spring weather in NYC bu...</title><content type='html'>It wasn&#39;t the typical spring weather in NYC but good company like yours and Stewart beats all type of weather. You warmed up our day and nothing like the wit we shared. Come to think of it, we really covered every topic under the sun: my fave was about assholes, hahhaha!!!! I am looking forward to another get together and chats. <br /><br />Enjoy Europe and I hope you got that lavender smelling room at The Waldorf Hilton. I &#39;ll be looking forward to your blog about your next destination. <br /><br />Till next time. Von Voyage!<br />XOXO</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/159899763127659843/comments/default/9144375442103940461'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/159899763127659843/comments/default/9144375442103940461'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/last-day-in-nyc.html?showComment=1367255853315#c9144375442103940461' title=''/><author><name>Elsie Apacible</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/last-day-in-nyc.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-159899763127659843' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/159899763127659843' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 30 April, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8808759033152040799</id><published>2013-05-04T02:17:07.152+08:00</published><updated>2013-05-04T02:17:07.152+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks Els! Stuart decided to go to tried &amp; te...</title><content type='html'>Thanks Els! Stuart decided to go to tried &amp; tested Park Lane Hilton instead. The Waldorf sent an apology and invited us back promising a suite. Might come in handy next time! Looking forward to more great times with you in NY! Xo</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/159899763127659843/comments/default/8808759033152040799'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/159899763127659843/comments/default/8808759033152040799'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/last-day-in-nyc.html?showComment=1367605027152#c8808759033152040799' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/159899763127659843/comments/default/9144375442103940461'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/04/last-day-in-nyc.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-159899763127659843' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/159899763127659843' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 04 May, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6346056367573993496</id><published>2013-09-02T19:25:06.455+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-02T19:25:06.455+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Hi, I&#39;m a fellow Theresian new to your blog. I...</title><content type='html'>Hi, I&#39;m a fellow Theresian new to your blog. I like it a lot. Calms me for some reason. =)</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/9064940984250532962/comments/default/6346056367573993496'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/9064940984250532962/comments/default/6346056367573993496'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-2-milan.html?showComment=1378121106455#c6346056367573993496' title=''/><author><name>Leila Dugenia</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-2-milan.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9064940984250532962' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9064940984250532962' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 02 September, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7956129766565679603</id><published>2013-09-02T21:07:47.204+08:00</published><updated>2013-09-02T21:07:47.204+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Hi Leila! What a lovely thing to say! Best review ...</title><content type='html'>Hi Leila! What a lovely thing to say! Best review I&#39;ve had yet! Cheers! =)</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/9064940984250532962/comments/default/7956129766565679603'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/9064940984250532962/comments/default/7956129766565679603'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-2-milan.html?showComment=1378127267204#c7956129766565679603' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/9064940984250532962/comments/default/6346056367573993496'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/day-2-milan.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9064940984250532962' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/9064940984250532962' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 02 September, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9115806292055700066</id><published>2013-12-31T19:27:33.805+08:00</published><updated>2013-12-31T19:27:33.805+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>A birthday is one of the most awaited days and for...</title><content type='html'>A birthday is one of the most awaited days and for some people it is like a tradition in their home to celebrate it with family members and all. A birthday can be very entertaining if it is celebrated worth planning yet there are times in our life that we can’t do a planning, but at such times too if we do have our loved ones with us, then we can feel happy. When it was my birthday and it was in Ireland my new friends send me flower bouquets from postalflowers. It was very beautiful and the flowers were very fresh. After two days when my cousins came to Ireland they again gifted me flowers and a new dress. Flowers have more than words. There are various types of flowers that can be gifted on birthdays. Many of them are packed so that they look very attractive. To know more about birthday flowers of various designs and combination of different flowers you can have a look here at <a href="http://postalflowers.ie/occasions/birthday.html" rel="nofollow">http://postalflowers.ie/occasions/birthday.html</a></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1096554458317810097/comments/default/9115806292055700066'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1096554458317810097/comments/default/9115806292055700066'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/still-birthday-week.html?showComment=1388489253805#c9115806292055700066' title=''/><author><name>Unknown</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/07972831253319843063</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2013/09/still-birthday-week.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1096554458317810097' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1096554458317810097' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-117863276'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 31 December, 2013'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8662565308069541848</id><published>2014-03-25T01:38:19.583+08:00</published><updated>2014-03-25T01:38:19.583+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thought of checking out your blog and here we are ...</title><content type='html'>Thought of checking out your blog and here we are in special mention! We enjoyed too. And soon after you left, the wine kicked in and my Sunday night was wiped from my memory. <br /><br />Please tell Stuart I might come running to him for career opportunities in the future ;)</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2521868457226786982/comments/default/8662565308069541848'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2521868457226786982/comments/default/8662565308069541848'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/03/art-in-park.html?showComment=1395682699583#c8662565308069541848' title=''/><author><name>Unknown</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/14935585794970962061</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/03/art-in-park.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2521868457226786982' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2521868457226786982' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-95870461'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 25 March, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3655931056042780769</id><published>2014-03-26T09:17:14.650+08:00</published><updated>2014-03-26T09:17:14.650+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Hi Jon! Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope it helpe...</title><content type='html'>Hi Jon! Thanks for visiting my blog. Hope it helped you recover some of the lost memory- that&#39;s exactly what it&#39;s for, to remember things lost in transit! All the best for your wedding day and enjoy the most fabulous marriage ever! Cheers!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2521868457226786982/comments/default/3655931056042780769'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2521868457226786982/comments/default/3655931056042780769'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/03/art-in-park.html?showComment=1395796634650#c3655931056042780769' title=''/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/03/art-in-park.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2521868457226786982' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2521868457226786982' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Wednesday, 26 March, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7053804004693981661</id><published>2014-05-27T20:55:43.898+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-27T20:55:43.898+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>DON&#39;T. Diet, I mean. I love how your cheeks pu...</title><content type='html'>DON&#39;T. Diet, I mean. I love how your cheeks puff up when you smile. Never mind that the cheekbones have disappeared. Makes you look younger.<br /></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8136657592560304316/comments/default/7053804004693981661'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8136657592560304316/comments/default/7053804004693981661'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/keeping-up-to-date-with-joneses.html?showComment=1401195343898#c7053804004693981661' title=''/><author><name>Anonymous</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/keeping-up-to-date-with-joneses.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8136657592560304316' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8136657592560304316' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 27 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5063182003240371726</id><published>2014-05-27T21:03:38.598+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-27T21:03:38.598+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>pig&#39;s ears &gt;&gt;&gt; kilawin (best with Pan...</title><content type='html'>pig&#39;s ears &gt;&gt;&gt; kilawin (best with Pancit Luglug), pig&#39;s feet &gt;&gt;&gt; crispy pata, cow&#39;s cheeks &gt;&gt;&gt; callos. So what&#39;s so strange about those?<br /></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/614031520201881217/comments/default/5063182003240371726'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/614031520201881217/comments/default/5063182003240371726'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/st-john-restaurant.html?showComment=1401195818598#c5063182003240371726' title=''/><author><name>Marilou</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/st-john-restaurant.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-614031520201881217' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/614031520201881217' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 27 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3506932618860992527</id><published>2014-05-27T21:05:10.170+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-27T21:05:10.170+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>BTW, I dont&#39; want to remain ANONYMOUS. Just cl...</title><content type='html'>BTW, I dont&#39; want to remain ANONYMOUS. Just clicked on the wrong choice.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8136657592560304316/comments/default/3506932618860992527'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8136657592560304316/comments/default/3506932618860992527'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/keeping-up-to-date-with-joneses.html?showComment=1401195910170#c3506932618860992527' title=''/><author><name>Marilou</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/keeping-up-to-date-with-joneses.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8136657592560304316' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8136657592560304316' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 27 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1944886838361271192</id><published>2014-05-27T21:08:34.228+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-27T21:08:34.228+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Is that you? Bakit parang may half-slip???</title><content type='html'>Is that you? Bakit parang may half-slip???</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3020860882030990932/comments/default/1944886838361271192'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3020860882030990932/comments/default/1944886838361271192'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/siesta.html?showComment=1401196114228#c1944886838361271192' title=''/><author><name>Marilou</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/siesta.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3020860882030990932' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3020860882030990932' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 27 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6582034208035383066</id><published>2014-05-27T21:14:35.576+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-27T21:14:35.576+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Alice, this isn&#39;t an anthurium. It&#39;s a spa...</title><content type='html'>Alice, this isn&#39;t an anthurium. It&#39;s a spatiphyllum.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5065941537713145758/comments/default/6582034208035383066'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5065941537713145758/comments/default/6582034208035383066'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/copy.html?showComment=1401196475576#c6582034208035383066' title=''/><author><name>Marilou</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/copy.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5065941537713145758' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5065941537713145758' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 27 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2338744570559300501</id><published>2014-05-27T21:15:29.459+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-27T21:15:29.459+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>And like you, I wish, I so wish I had blue flowers...</title><content type='html'>And like you, I wish, I so wish I had blue flowers instead.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5065941537713145758/comments/default/2338744570559300501'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5065941537713145758/comments/default/2338744570559300501'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/copy.html?showComment=1401196529459#c2338744570559300501' title=''/><author><name>Marilou</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/copy.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5065941537713145758' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5065941537713145758' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 27 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8081394727881885377</id><published>2014-05-30T23:01:45.527+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-30T23:01:45.527+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Puffed up and no cheekbones? You&#39;ve really don...</title><content type='html'>Puffed up and no cheekbones? You&#39;ve really done it now, Marilou. I&#39;ll never eat again, ever!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8136657592560304316/comments/default/8081394727881885377'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8136657592560304316/comments/default/8081394727881885377'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/keeping-up-to-date-with-joneses.html?showComment=1401462105527#c8081394727881885377' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8136657592560304316/comments/default/7053804004693981661'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/keeping-up-to-date-with-joneses.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8136657592560304316' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8136657592560304316' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 30 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1934919593983946683</id><published>2014-05-31T21:55:21.761+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-31T21:55:21.761+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Haha it&#39;s actually a long tube dress.</title><content type='html'>Haha it&#39;s actually a long tube dress. </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3020860882030990932/comments/default/1934919593983946683'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3020860882030990932/comments/default/1934919593983946683'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/siesta.html?showComment=1401544521761#c1934919593983946683' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3020860882030990932/comments/default/1944886838361271192'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/siesta.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3020860882030990932' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3020860882030990932' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 31 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7543955506622836998</id><published>2014-05-31T22:06:43.265+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-31T22:06:43.265+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Quite right! As YOLLEE FLORES said, What, no chick...</title><content type='html'>Quite right! As YOLLEE FLORES said, What, no chicken feet?</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/614031520201881217/comments/default/7543955506622836998'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/614031520201881217/comments/default/7543955506622836998'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/st-john-restaurant.html?showComment=1401545203265#c7543955506622836998' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/614031520201881217/comments/default/5063182003240371726'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/st-john-restaurant.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-614031520201881217' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/614031520201881217' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 31 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5695847512194348422</id><published>2014-05-31T22:08:57.360+08:00</published><updated>2014-05-31T22:08:57.360+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>On our 3rd day in SS, Stuart said, Can we have pro...</title><content type='html'>On our 3rd day in SS, Stuart said, Can we have proper food now please?</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/614031520201881217/comments/default/5695847512194348422'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/614031520201881217/comments/default/5695847512194348422'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/st-john-restaurant.html?showComment=1401545337360#c5695847512194348422' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/614031520201881217/comments/default/5063182003240371726'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2014/05/st-john-restaurant.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-614031520201881217' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/614031520201881217' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 31 May, 2014'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6544759801875687998</id><published>2016-04-19T07:21:21.621+08:00</published><updated>2016-04-19T07:21:21.621+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Still sick but not like Saturday. Love your shot d...</title><content type='html'>Still sick but not like Saturday. Love your shot down the tarmac, very celebrity. Love your hotel and your room. First day went well,the rest promises to be nothing but beautiful. Enjoy but be safe.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2582573564948023242/comments/default/6544759801875687998'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2582573564948023242/comments/default/6544759801875687998'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-revisited.html?showComment=1461021681621#c6544759801875687998' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-revisited.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2582573564948023242' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2582573564948023242' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 19 April, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2701602695112169342</id><published>2016-04-22T03:54:14.421+08:00</published><updated>2016-04-22T03:54:14.421+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks, Babes! Celebrity shot haha! Glad you&#39;r...</title><content type='html'>Thanks, Babes! Celebrity shot haha! Glad you&#39;re mending. Be well! Soon! </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2582573564948023242/comments/default/2701602695112169342'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2582573564948023242/comments/default/2701602695112169342'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-revisited.html?showComment=1461268454421#c2701602695112169342' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2582573564948023242/comments/default/6544759801875687998'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-revisited.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2582573564948023242' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2582573564948023242' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 22 April, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5639866621947050122</id><published>2016-04-22T09:13:13.291+08:00</published><updated>2016-04-22T09:13:13.291+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Really Alice, join in the morning exercise.
I can ...</title><content type='html'>Really Alice, join in the morning exercise.<br />I can listen to the sound of Havana, and dance to the street beat.<br />Enjoy your morning coffee. Till tomorrow.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2914776396256461124/comments/default/5639866621947050122'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2914776396256461124/comments/default/5639866621947050122'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-hasn-changed.html?showComment=1461287593291#c5639866621947050122' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/04/havana-hasn-changed.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2914776396256461124' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2914776396256461124' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 22 April, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5793973244138316484</id><published>2016-06-10T03:58:41.274+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-10T03:58:41.274+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I&#39;m still in Bosnia, Stuart, what were you thi...</title><content type='html'>I&#39;m still in Bosnia, Stuart, what were you thinking! Whew alright!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6899313851526318397/comments/default/5793973244138316484'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6899313851526318397/comments/default/5793973244138316484'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/into-bosnia.html?showComment=1465502321274#c5793973244138316484' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/into-bosnia.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6899313851526318397' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6899313851526318397' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 10 June, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8977733802335726392</id><published>2016-06-10T21:25:29.372+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-10T21:25:29.372+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I can just see the headline: HER HUSBAND MADE HER ...</title><content type='html'>I can just see the headline: HER HUSBAND MADE HER DO IT! 😀</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6899313851526318397/comments/default/8977733802335726392'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6899313851526318397/comments/default/8977733802335726392'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/into-bosnia.html?showComment=1465565129372#c8977733802335726392' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6899313851526318397/comments/default/5793973244138316484'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/into-bosnia.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6899313851526318397' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6899313851526318397' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 10 June, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1060809730406747480</id><published>2016-06-25T08:40:42.552+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-25T08:40:42.552+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>It&#39;s natural that you remember the last place ...</title><content type='html'>It&#39;s natural that you remember the last place you visit, but from the photos Asolo I feel I will remember because I like magical, seemingly protected foliage all around, old churches, I could see myself walking and finding cozy restaurants. Good food, good wine. I can be wrong, I have to be there. :) </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8930455441180657772/comments/default/1060809730406747480'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8930455441180657772/comments/default/1060809730406747480'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/in-asolo.html?showComment=1466815242552#c1060809730406747480' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/in-asolo.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8930455441180657772' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8930455441180657772' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 25 June, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6177137986973436972</id><published>2016-06-25T16:34:57.876+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-25T16:34:57.876+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>You&#39;re absolutely not wrong! You&#39;ve descri...</title><content type='html'>You&#39;re absolutely not wrong! You&#39;ve described the Asolo experience perfectly...and I can see you doing all that and loving it! You definitely have to go there... 😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8930455441180657772/comments/default/6177137986973436972'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8930455441180657772/comments/default/6177137986973436972'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/in-asolo.html?showComment=1466843697876#c6177137986973436972' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8930455441180657772/comments/default/1060809730406747480'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/in-asolo.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8930455441180657772' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8930455441180657772' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 25 June, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6922783485383809950</id><published>2016-06-25T19:36:42.047+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-25T19:36:42.047+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>you&#39;re just to stupid to figure out what&#39;s...</title><content type='html'>you&#39;re just to stupid to figure out what&#39;s &quot;Filipino&quot; in the exhibition.<br /><br />stop pretending you&#39;re a cultured human being, the fact that you&#39;re in Venice but too stupid to figure out anything qualitative on art is such a waste of life.<br /><br />stop blogging your illusions.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/6922783485383809950'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/6922783485383809950'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html?showComment=1466854602047#c6922783485383809950' title=''/><author><name>Anonymous</name><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//resources.blogblog.com/img/blank.gif'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8733895615321541030' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8733895615321541030' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-819111062'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 25 June, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2601940678981700570</id><published>2016-06-25T20:39:35.616+08:00</published><updated>2016-06-25T20:39:35.616+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>It would really be nice if you didn&#39;t comment ...</title><content type='html'>It would really be nice if you didn&#39;t comment as &quot;Anonymous&quot;. Then maybe we can engage in a more meaningful discussion.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/2601940678981700570'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/2601940678981700570'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html?showComment=1466858375616#c2601940678981700570' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/6922783485383809950'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8733895615321541030' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8733895615321541030' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 25 June, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5050693586865438645</id><published>2016-07-03T23:19:38.422+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-03T23:19:38.422+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I&#39;ve enjoyed reading this, feeling the warm ho...</title><content type='html'>I&#39;ve enjoyed reading this, feeling the warm homey comfortable hotel, thrilled by the random party at the square (I imagine on a rooftop), and altogether friendly atmosphere. Oh and bottomless wine :) love it! Cheers!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6551513076102295458/comments/default/5050693586865438645'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6551513076102295458/comments/default/5050693586865438645'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/07/montepulciano.html?showComment=1467559178422#c5050693586865438645' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/07/montepulciano.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6551513076102295458' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6551513076102295458' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 03 July, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8890452086686034086</id><published>2016-07-04T05:00:27.526+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-04T05:00:27.526+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>What, silence on the &quot;Anonymous&quot; front??</title><content type='html'>What, silence on the &quot;Anonymous&quot; front??</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/8890452086686034086'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/8890452086686034086'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html?showComment=1467579627526#c8890452086686034086' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8733895615321541030' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8733895615321541030' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 04 July, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-349323597694014279</id><published>2016-07-04T13:52:23.804+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-04T13:52:23.804+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>You&#39;d definitely love it! That party was on st...</title><content type='html'>You&#39;d definitely love it! That party was on street level except streets there are steeply up and downy. The wine is fantastic and cheap! 😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6551513076102295458/comments/default/349323597694014279'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6551513076102295458/comments/default/349323597694014279'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/07/montepulciano.html?showComment=1467611543804#c349323597694014279' title=''/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/07/montepulciano.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6551513076102295458' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6551513076102295458' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 04 July, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2529374228597825255</id><published>2016-07-04T13:56:00.608+08:00</published><updated>2016-07-04T13:56:00.608+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I&#39;m waiting...</title><content type='html'>I&#39;m waiting...</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/2529374228597825255'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/2529374228597825255'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html?showComment=1467611760608#c2529374228597825255' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8733895615321541030/comments/default/8890452086686034086'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/06/the-philippine-pavilion.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8733895615321541030' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8733895615321541030' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 04 July, 2016'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9011545999510864624</id><published>2017-01-09T02:27:40.923+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-09T02:27:40.923+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Mixed feelings of sadness, beauty, contentment.lov...</title><content type='html'>Mixed feelings of sadness, beauty, contentment.loved the artwork, loud bright colors. But tsunami? No. Get out!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/9011545999510864624'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/9011545999510864624'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html?showComment=1483900060923#c9011545999510864624' title=''/><author><name>Unknown</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/12020789306413825776</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6182566504471980066' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6182566504471980066' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-957548060'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 09 January, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1424917646008731718</id><published>2017-01-09T02:32:02.410+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-09T02:32:02.410+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Again, get out!</title><content type='html'>Again, get out!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/1424917646008731718'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/1424917646008731718'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html?showComment=1483900322410#c1424917646008731718' title=''/><author><name>Unknown</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/12020789306413825776</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6182566504471980066' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6182566504471980066' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-957548060'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 09 January, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9149647165412795455</id><published>2017-01-09T03:58:31.586+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-09T03:58:31.586+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Ok, took your advice. We&#39;re out. Now in Argent...</title><content type='html'>Ok, took your advice. We&#39;re out. Now in Argentina. 😊</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/9149647165412795455'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/9149647165412795455'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html?showComment=1483905511586#c9149647165412795455' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/9011545999510864624'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6182566504471980066' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6182566504471980066' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 09 January, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7272340525953532247</id><published>2017-01-09T04:01:06.927+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-09T04:01:06.927+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Haha ok we&#39;re out! Sorry to leave tho. So nice...</title><content type='html'>Haha ok we&#39;re out! Sorry to leave tho. So nice there. People sweet. 😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/7272340525953532247'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/7272340525953532247'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html?showComment=1483905666927#c7272340525953532247' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/6182566504471980066/comments/default/1424917646008731718'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/on-streets-of-valparaiso.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6182566504471980066' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/6182566504471980066' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 09 January, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5803266274499320228</id><published>2017-01-17T15:25:08.465+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-17T15:25:08.465+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I&#39;m sure I like this place, romantic and adven...</title><content type='html'>I&#39;m sure I like this place, romantic and adventurous at the same time. I particularly the music I could tango to. I&#39;ll dance with anyone.<br /><br /></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4222550161566878145/comments/default/5803266274499320228'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4222550161566878145/comments/default/5803266274499320228'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/a-modern-hotel-on-old-plaza-dorrego.html?showComment=1484637908465#c5803266274499320228' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/a-modern-hotel-on-old-plaza-dorrego.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4222550161566878145' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4222550161566878145' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 17 January, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7444015231415593860</id><published>2017-01-22T22:09:20.634+08:00</published><updated>2017-01-22T22:09:20.634+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Baby, this place was made for you! And everyone wo...</title><content type='html'>Baby, this place was made for you! And everyone would want to dance with you too! 😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4222550161566878145/comments/default/7444015231415593860'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4222550161566878145/comments/default/7444015231415593860'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/a-modern-hotel-on-old-plaza-dorrego.html?showComment=1485094160634#c7444015231415593860' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4222550161566878145/comments/default/5803266274499320228'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/01/a-modern-hotel-on-old-plaza-dorrego.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4222550161566878145' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4222550161566878145' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 22 January, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4413874041311325882</id><published>2017-07-12T03:02:02.954+08:00</published><updated>2017-07-12T03:02:02.954+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Gurgaon has always been the money minded and moder...</title><content type='html'>Gurgaon has always been the money minded and modern city situated inside National capital Region (Delhi NCR) of one of the best country of world - India, always witnesses various movements within the city on a very consistent schedule. <br />Now of time, prerequisite of Packers and Movers in Gurgaon have emerged a lot and whoever gives the best support by pressing and moving merchandise securely and easily wins the race.<br />So here is best packers and movers of gurgaon : <a href="http://certifiedmoverspackers.com/" rel="nofollow"> Packers and movers in gurgaon </a><br /></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2553658094717951544/comments/default/4413874041311325882'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2553658094717951544/comments/default/4413874041311325882'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/07/milan.html?showComment=1499799722954#c4413874041311325882' title=''/><author><name>Ashley Nicole</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01827164066755420226</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/07/milan.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2553658094717951544' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2553658094717951544' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-802574771'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Wednesday, 12 July, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5402438161954525206</id><published>2017-08-13T00:05:16.996+08:00</published><updated>2017-08-13T00:05:16.996+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Alice, the silvery moon is breathtaking, a fitting...</title><content type='html'>Alice, the silvery moon is breathtaking, a fitting finish to a lovely visual tour with you. ��</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2182651798674563312/comments/default/5402438161954525206'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2182651798674563312/comments/default/5402438161954525206'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/strauss-mozart-vienna-woods-and-august.html?showComment=1502553916996#c5402438161954525206' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/strauss-mozart-vienna-woods-and-august.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2182651798674563312' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2182651798674563312' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 13 August, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8487110484671207721</id><published>2017-08-13T04:31:16.662+08:00</published><updated>2017-08-13T04:31:16.662+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks, Babes! So happy you&#39;re with me on this...</title><content type='html'>Thanks, Babes! So happy you&#39;re with me on this tour- it&#39;s a feast for the senses! 😘😍💕</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2182651798674563312/comments/default/8487110484671207721'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2182651798674563312/comments/default/8487110484671207721'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/strauss-mozart-vienna-woods-and-august.html?showComment=1502569876662#c8487110484671207721' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2182651798674563312/comments/default/5402438161954525206'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/strauss-mozart-vienna-woods-and-august.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2182651798674563312' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2182651798674563312' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 13 August, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1451173318436620193</id><published>2017-08-28T01:23:00.042+08:00</published><updated>2017-08-28T01:23:00.042+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Hi Alice and Stuart!I miss you less when I see wha...</title><content type='html'>Hi Alice and Stuart!I miss you less when I see what you see, discover interesting things and places. I love the secret garden. The fiddler half eaten by the quicktiles, interesting story there. ��</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2663137118669219955/comments/default/1451173318436620193'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2663137118669219955/comments/default/1451173318436620193'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/my-amsterdam-memories.html?showComment=1503854580042#c1451173318436620193' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/my-amsterdam-memories.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2663137118669219955' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2663137118669219955' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 28 August, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5512089037940667874</id><published>2017-08-28T23:39:07.749+08:00</published><updated>2017-08-28T23:39:07.749+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I knew you&#39;d love this, Babes! I guess I&#39;m...</title><content type='html'>I knew you&#39;d love this, Babes! I guess I&#39;m seeing it thru your eyes too! 😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2663137118669219955/comments/default/5512089037940667874'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2663137118669219955/comments/default/5512089037940667874'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/my-amsterdam-memories.html?showComment=1503934747749#c5512089037940667874' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2663137118669219955/comments/default/1451173318436620193'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/08/my-amsterdam-memories.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2663137118669219955' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2663137118669219955' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 28 August, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2170994900687951697</id><published>2017-09-04T01:18:27.032+08:00</published><updated>2017-09-04T01:18:27.032+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>What a beautiful rainy day, the way we like it, ge...</title><content type='html'>What a beautiful rainy day, the way we like it, gentle, no wind. Or perhaps sad tears because you&#39;re leaving? </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7945640779449695061/comments/default/2170994900687951697'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7945640779449695061/comments/default/2170994900687951697'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/from-konstanz-to-lausanne.html?showComment=1504459107032#c2170994900687951697' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/from-konstanz-to-lausanne.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7945640779449695061' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7945640779449695061' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 04 September, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7760643010924101960</id><published>2017-09-05T00:54:49.226+08:00</published><updated>2017-09-05T00:54:49.226+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>No tears required, Babes. Beautiful lakwatcha day! 😘</title><content type='html'>No tears required, Babes. Beautiful lakwatcha day! 😘</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7945640779449695061/comments/default/7760643010924101960'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7945640779449695061/comments/default/7760643010924101960'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/from-konstanz-to-lausanne.html?showComment=1504544089226#c7760643010924101960' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7945640779449695061/comments/default/2170994900687951697'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2017/09/from-konstanz-to-lausanne.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7945640779449695061' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7945640779449695061' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 05 September, 2017'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7996298030766334026</id><published>2018-03-11T04:39:39.427+08:00</published><updated>2018-03-11T04:39:39.427+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Alice, no grim thoughts or imagination, just pleas...</title><content type='html'>Alice, no grim thoughts or imagination, just pleasant and peaceful! BTW did you ger to see the penguins?</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4668797572319488527/comments/default/7996298030766334026'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4668797572319488527/comments/default/7996298030766334026'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/sky-sea-and-picnic-lunches.html?showComment=1520714379427#c7996298030766334026' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/sky-sea-and-picnic-lunches.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4668797572319488527' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4668797572319488527' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 11 March, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-46814162817192758</id><published>2018-03-11T06:46:49.221+08:00</published><updated>2018-03-11T06:46:49.221+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Right! All happy thoughts! Unfortunaty, the pengui...</title><content type='html'>Right! All happy thoughts! Unfortunaty, the penguins were a no-show. Or we didn’t wait long enough. Maybe next time...</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4668797572319488527/comments/default/46814162817192758'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4668797572319488527/comments/default/46814162817192758'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/sky-sea-and-picnic-lunches.html?showComment=1520722009221#c46814162817192758' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/4668797572319488527/comments/default/7996298030766334026'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/03/sky-sea-and-picnic-lunches.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4668797572319488527' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/4668797572319488527' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 11 March, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-854746303920318727</id><published>2018-05-16T14:22:18.929+08:00</published><updated>2018-05-16T14:22:18.929+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Its a new concept in art. Truly amazing. I really ...</title><content type='html'>Its a new concept in art. Truly amazing. I really want to learn this art. Visit <a href="https://paintyourfirstgraffiti.com/" rel="nofollow">Street Art Tour Berlin</a> for more information on street art.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7336059729873377303/comments/default/854746303920318727'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7336059729873377303/comments/default/854746303920318727'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/street-art-new-passion.html?showComment=1526451738929#c854746303920318727' title=''/><author><name>Paintyourfirstgraffiti</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/10229382300242371492</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/street-art-new-passion.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7336059729873377303' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7336059729873377303' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-1854420249'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Wednesday, 16 May, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8305836830487108851</id><published>2018-05-25T00:06:16.678+08:00</published><updated>2018-05-25T00:06:16.678+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Only Alice can make interesting accounts of every ...</title><content type='html'>Only Alice can make interesting accounts of every visit making eveb getting lost an adventure. But of course any day ends well having a lovely calming subject called Annette &amp; her tulips. Thank you, Amsterdam!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/8305836830487108851'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/8305836830487108851'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html?showComment=1527177976678#c8305836830487108851' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8974415238805282385' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8974415238805282385' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 25 May, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1177850460891650113</id><published>2018-05-25T10:57:21.822+08:00</published><updated>2018-05-25T10:57:21.822+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks, Babes, for coming along, even just online,...</title><content type='html'>Thanks, Babes, for coming along, even just online, with Annette and me on our Europe adventure. Amsterdam was truly a great way to begin. <br />But it would’ve been much much more fun had you been there getting lost with us!!!😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/1177850460891650113'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/1177850460891650113'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html?showComment=1527217041822#c1177850460891650113' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/8305836830487108851'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8974415238805282385' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8974415238805282385' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 25 May, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5030107123200276007</id><published>2018-05-26T03:40:05.253+08:00</published><updated>2018-05-26T03:40:05.253+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Getting lost can&#39;t be my dream, so why is it b...</title><content type='html'>Getting lost can&#39;t be my dream, so why is it becoming a pleasant dream!🤣😘😁</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/5030107123200276007'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/5030107123200276007'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html?showComment=1527277205253#c5030107123200276007' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/8305836830487108851'/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8974415238805282385' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8974415238805282385' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 26 May, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1838364066563668749</id><published>2018-05-26T11:41:05.730+08:00</published><updated>2018-05-26T11:41:05.730+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>It’s the best way to discover a new place! 😍</title><content type='html'>It’s the best way to discover a new place! 😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/1838364066563668749'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/1838364066563668749'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html?showComment=1527306065730#c1838364066563668749' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8974415238805282385/comments/default/8305836830487108851'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/05/annette-in-amsterdam.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8974415238805282385' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8974415238805282385' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 26 May, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5549606881376301666</id><published>2018-06-24T00:52:22.944+08:00</published><updated>2018-06-24T00:52:22.944+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Your first 2days in Capetown reminds me of Brigado...</title><content type='html'>Your first 2days in Capetown reminds me of Brigadoon. The next stop will be good. Be safe. ��</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7904847342436891952/comments/default/5549606881376301666'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7904847342436891952/comments/default/5549606881376301666'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/cape-town.html?showComment=1529772742944#c5549606881376301666' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/cape-town.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7904847342436891952' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7904847342436891952' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 24 June, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7384059258923593552</id><published>2018-06-26T23:34:53.443+08:00</published><updated>2018-06-26T23:34:53.443+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I don’t usually complain about the weather but...
...</title><content type='html'>I don’t usually complain about the weather but...<br />Thanks, Babes. Nagdilang angel ka! The next stop was great! 😍😘</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7904847342436891952/comments/default/7384059258923593552'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7904847342436891952/comments/default/7384059258923593552'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/cape-town.html?showComment=1530027293443#c7384059258923593552' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/7904847342436891952/comments/default/5549606881376301666'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/06/cape-town.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7904847342436891952' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/7904847342436891952' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 26 June, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5052079253270601640</id><published>2018-07-14T11:57:33.390+08:00</published><updated>2018-07-14T11:57:33.390+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t...</title><content type='html'>I got so involved in this material that I couldn’t stop reading. Good work done by you. <a href="https://www.bronze-sculpture.net/bronze-sculptures.html" rel="nofollow">Bronze Sculptures For Sale </a></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1252547074702321660/comments/default/5052079253270601640'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1252547074702321660/comments/default/5052079253270601640'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/madrid-outdoor-sculpture-museum.html?showComment=1531540653390#c5052079253270601640' title=''/><author><name>Unknown</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/05763826354546269534</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/madrid-outdoor-sculpture-museum.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1252547074702321660' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1252547074702321660' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-41735161'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 14 July, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3436252199312603110</id><published>2018-08-10T18:00:09.550+08:00</published><updated>2018-08-10T18:00:09.550+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>I really appreciate this wonderful post that you h...</title><content type='html'>I really appreciate this wonderful post that you have provided for us. I assure this would be beneficial for most of the people. <a href="https://xxxoop.com/" rel="nofollow">หนังโป๊ </a><br /><br /></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8018114655817804334/comments/default/3436252199312603110'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/8018114655817804334/comments/default/3436252199312603110'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/on-food-porn-graffiti-and-horses.html?showComment=1533895209550#c3436252199312603110' title=''/><author><name>alizybeth</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/17959360003397216742</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2016/09/on-food-porn-graffiti-and-horses.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8018114655817804334' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/8018114655817804334' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-1475690938'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 10 August, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5195681021848773313</id><published>2018-08-20T23:21:16.764+08:00</published><updated>2018-08-20T23:21:16.764+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Wonderful indeed meeting with Marilou, and in Russ...</title><content type='html'>Wonderful indeed meeting with Marilou, and in Russia! Btw nice picture with Marilou and Ed.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/5195681021848773313'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/5195681021848773313'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html?showComment=1534778476764#c5195681021848773313' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5074624474398823325' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5074624474398823325' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 20 August, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6167024546685904355</id><published>2018-08-20T23:27:14.851+08:00</published><updated>2018-08-20T23:27:14.851+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Oh,Mommy&#39;s poppies!</title><content type='html'>Oh,Mommy&#39;s poppies!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/6167024546685904355'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/6167024546685904355'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html?showComment=1534778834851#c6167024546685904355' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5074624474398823325' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5074624474398823325' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 20 August, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1157753619848759028</id><published>2018-08-21T04:15:01.743+08:00</published><updated>2018-08-21T04:15:01.743+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Yes, we knew we’d be in Russia about the same time...</title><content type='html'>Yes, we knew we’d be in Russia about the same time but they were doing Moscow to St P and we were doing the opposite. We managed to meet anyway!😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/1157753619848759028'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/1157753619848759028'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html?showComment=1534796101743#c1157753619848759028' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/5195681021848773313'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5074624474398823325' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5074624474398823325' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 21 August, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8973393660487814398</id><published>2018-08-21T04:26:51.756+08:00</published><updated>2018-08-21T04:26:51.756+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Yup! Mommy’s always with me whenever I see these p...</title><content type='html'>Yup! Mommy’s always with me whenever I see these paintings! Monet, Cezanne, Rembrandt, Constable...</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/8973393660487814398'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/8973393660487814398'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html?showComment=1534796811756#c8973393660487814398' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5074624474398823325/comments/default/6167024546685904355'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/08/st-petersburg.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5074624474398823325' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5074624474398823325' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Tuesday, 21 August, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-173350816707409416</id><published>2018-08-31T14:14:25.163+08:00</published><updated>2018-08-31T14:14:25.163+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thank you, dear reader! I’m happy you found me and...</title><content type='html'>Thank you, dear reader! I’m happy you found me and so flattered you liked my material! You must be a sculptor...wish I was! Cheers!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1252547074702321660/comments/default/173350816707409416'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1252547074702321660/comments/default/173350816707409416'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/madrid-outdoor-sculpture-museum.html?showComment=1535696065163#c173350816707409416' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1252547074702321660/comments/default/5052079253270601640'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2015/09/madrid-outdoor-sculpture-museum.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1252547074702321660' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1252547074702321660' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 31 August, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5775451091687463450</id><published>2018-09-07T23:02:35.837+08:00</published><updated>2018-09-07T23:02:35.837+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks for showing me Suzdal!</title><content type='html'>Thanks for showing me Suzdal!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/5775451091687463450'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/5775451091687463450'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html?showComment=1536332555837#c5775451091687463450' title=''/><author><name>Unknown</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/04859086107073219320</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3773681815196560716' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3773681815196560716' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-710272851'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 07 September, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7782345595456935346</id><published>2018-09-07T23:32:51.847+08:00</published><updated>2018-09-07T23:32:51.847+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Alice, we add a nation can take lessons in culture...</title><content type='html'>Alice, we add a nation can take lessons in culture from Russia. Every picture you took is a perfect painting from the land to the steeple. Alice in wonderland! </content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/7782345595456935346'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/7782345595456935346'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html?showComment=1536334371847#c7782345595456935346' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3773681815196560716' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3773681815196560716' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 07 September, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7140488492087908435</id><published>2018-09-10T17:54:45.954+08:00</published><updated>2018-09-10T17:54:45.954+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Pleasure all mine! Thanks for coming along! 😊</title><content type='html'>Pleasure all mine! Thanks for coming along! 😊</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/7140488492087908435'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/7140488492087908435'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html?showComment=1536573285954#c7140488492087908435' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/5775451091687463450'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3773681815196560716' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3773681815196560716' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 10 September, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-7563521939015671674</id><published>2018-09-10T17:59:32.133+08:00</published><updated>2018-09-10T17:59:32.133+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks, Babes! Russia is a wonderland for painters...</title><content type='html'>Thanks, Babes! Russia is a wonderland for painters and photographers. Practically every view, every corner, front and center demands to be photographed! 😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/7563521939015671674'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/7563521939015671674'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html?showComment=1536573572133#c7563521939015671674' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/3773681815196560716/comments/default/7782345595456935346'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/09/into-russias-golden-ring.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-3773681815196560716' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/3773681815196560716' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 10 September, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-8200130285249319884</id><published>2018-10-29T00:21:38.654+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-29T00:21:38.654+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Why do I feel that this Hongkong holiday is both n...</title><content type='html'>Why do I feel that this Hongkong holiday is both nostalgic and somber.</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2015194451057715975/comments/default/8200130285249319884'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2015194451057715975/comments/default/8200130285249319884'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/10/dateline-hong-kong.html?showComment=1540743698654#c8200130285249319884' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/10/dateline-hong-kong.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2015194451057715975' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2015194451057715975' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 29 October, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-9118724833382242905</id><published>2018-10-29T11:29:41.358+08:00</published><updated>2018-10-29T11:29:41.358+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Twin sister, you really see through me! 😘</title><content type='html'>Twin sister, you really see through me! 😘</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2015194451057715975/comments/default/9118724833382242905'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2015194451057715975/comments/default/9118724833382242905'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/10/dateline-hong-kong.html?showComment=1540783781358#c9118724833382242905' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/2015194451057715975/comments/default/8200130285249319884'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/10/dateline-hong-kong.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2015194451057715975' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/2015194451057715975' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Monday, 29 October, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6054670874924423845</id><published>2018-12-21T02:07:49.886+08:00</published><updated>2018-12-21T02:07:49.886+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>So Stuart, after salsa, how about tango?</title><content type='html'>So Stuart, after salsa, how about tango?</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1279654798112371062/comments/default/6054670874924423845'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1279654798112371062/comments/default/6054670874924423845'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/plaza-dorrego.html?showComment=1545329269886#c6054670874924423845' title=''/><author><name>BabyD</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/15747280353217830979</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/plaza-dorrego.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1279654798112371062' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1279654798112371062' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-423617933'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 21 December, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6563217477380586676</id><published>2018-12-21T08:45:14.932+08:00</published><updated>2018-12-21T08:45:14.932+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Hey, he’s already into tango! Has been for a while...</title><content type='html'>Hey, he’s already into tango! Has been for a while now. That’s actually why we’ve come back to Buenos Aires. 😊 As well as the food and wine of course, which with the devalued currency have become even better!😍</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1279654798112371062/comments/default/6563217477380586676'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1279654798112371062/comments/default/6563217477380586676'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/plaza-dorrego.html?showComment=1545353114932#c6563217477380586676' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/1279654798112371062/comments/default/6054670874924423845'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2018/12/plaza-dorrego.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1279654798112371062' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/1279654798112371062' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Friday, 21 December, 2018'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-1831279689160643259</id><published>2019-02-09T16:27:07.173+08:00</published><updated>2019-02-09T16:27:07.173+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>The travel guide is must while we are planning to ...</title><content type='html'>The travel guide is must while we are planning to visit some other places to which we are not familiar about or we are not known their language. Visit To know More - <a href="https://www.wattpad.com/story/142636999-tony-daniloo" rel="nofollow">Tony Daniloo</a></content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5443071441200299459/comments/default/1831279689160643259'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5443071441200299459/comments/default/1831279689160643259'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/recoleta.html?showComment=1549700827173#c1831279689160643259' title=''/><author><name>Tony Daniloo</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/11907127143450790487</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='35' height='35' src='//www.blogger.com/img/blogger_logo_round_35.png'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2019/01/recoleta.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5443071441200299459' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5443071441200299459' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-1398555553'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 09 February, 2019'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2988810382489230468</id><published>2020-01-04T13:34:48.622+08:00</published><updated>2020-01-04T13:34:48.622+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Piranha yaaaaaayyyyyyy</title><content type='html'>Piranha yaaaaaayyyyyyy</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/2988810382489230468'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/2988810382489230468'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html?showComment=1578116088622#c2988810382489230468' title=''/><author><name>Ada Dacanay DeLeon</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/11549874969863640537</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI-4SNZ9jR8DVOFFWOevwG7UAQFJS_WcvCqFEjao-Vs8RJddpVNN4M8_XSar_gaO-G5aoXQ5Y-i3JCYOaL843vtanFCWh_sWmcyNjLwoCHmSh0-qUlbJPgXROSAuNDilGYuei-j41Bebe/s32/New+York+New+York+024.jpg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5174688748216686087' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5174688748216686087' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-538066135'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 04 January, 2020'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2012793373800839286</id><published>2020-01-04T13:35:38.337+08:00</published><updated>2020-01-04T13:35:38.337+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Such wonderful tales. The Amazon is awesome. You g...</title><content type='html'>Such wonderful tales. The Amazon is awesome. You guys are awesome !!!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/2012793373800839286'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/2012793373800839286'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html?showComment=1578116138337#c2012793373800839286' title=''/><author><name>Ada Dacanay DeLeon</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/11549874969863640537</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='32' height='24' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkI-4SNZ9jR8DVOFFWOevwG7UAQFJS_WcvCqFEjao-Vs8RJddpVNN4M8_XSar_gaO-G5aoXQ5Y-i3JCYOaL843vtanFCWh_sWmcyNjLwoCHmSh0-qUlbJPgXROSAuNDilGYuei-j41Bebe/s32/New+York+New+York+024.jpg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5174688748216686087' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5174688748216686087' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-538066135'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Saturday, 04 January, 2020'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-4031523037464673689</id><published>2020-01-05T05:17:15.478+08:00</published><updated>2020-01-05T05:17:15.478+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>It was more like a piranhita! Piranhiting! Hahaha!...</title><content type='html'>It was more like a piranhita! Piranhiting! Hahaha! Looked vicious nonetheless!</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/4031523037464673689'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/4031523037464673689'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html?showComment=1578172635478#c4031523037464673689' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/2988810382489230468'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5174688748216686087' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5174688748216686087' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 05 January, 2020'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-2808165305483486170</id><published>2020-01-05T05:23:33.676+08:00</published><updated>2020-01-05T05:23:33.676+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks, Ads! Such wonders in this awesome world wa...</title><content type='html'>Thanks, Ads! Such wonders in this awesome world waiting to be explored! 😍😘</content><link rel='edit' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/2808165305483486170'/><link rel='self' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/2808165305483486170'/><link rel='alternate' type='text/html' href='http://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html?showComment=1578173013676#c2808165305483486170' title=''/><link rel='related' type='application/atom+xml' href='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/5174688748216686087/comments/default/2012793373800839286'/><author><name>Alice Dimalanta Jones</name><uri>https://draft.blogger.com/profile/01297395100227262128</uri><email>noreply@blogger.com</email><gd:image rel='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail' width='24' height='32' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUm8umrESTqKNjEfsRbOCy7TX7GiwCzFd0NO0gwxIPPn2TGITzR-4Ci3OfgqLp_2brwpiVUFT_JpRV5nQSM9iIpwJ7XboEZr9gcvyDxn4zRV_XBEfMyGD_-etVOnnNk4hpE2a5RbtQnAE/s32/1E260917-50E5-4A8D-8016-219F202987D5.jpeg'/></author><thr:in-reply-to href='https://www.travelswithalice.com/2020/01/meeting-of-waters.html' ref='tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-5174688748216686087' source='https://draft.blogger.com/feeds/14542219/posts/default/5174688748216686087' type='text/html'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.itemClass' value='pid-907577428'/><gd:extendedProperty name='blogger.displayTime' value='Sunday, 05 January, 2020'/></entry><entry><id>tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14542219.post-6701311410354808730</id><published>2020-03-24T00:21:54.153+08:00</published><updated>2020-03-24T00:21:54.153+08:00</updated><category scheme='http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#kind' term='http://schemas.google.com/blogger/2008/kind#comment'/><title type='text'>Thanks for sharing the best information and sugges...</title><content type='html'>Thanks for sharing the best information and suggestions, I love your content, and they are very nice and very useful to us. 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