I just want to confirm that the rumours are true: We have reached our final destination and are now in Malta.
We are now getting very closer to answering the fundamental question: Are there beaches in Malta?
Stay Tuned!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The great escape
We drove down the Amalfi coast from Sorrento and despite being chased by a full blown thunder storm, we were able to enjoy some stunning views of the immense cliffs over the sea.
We drove into Salerno and checked into a small B&B which was not quite to our standard.
It smelt, there was mold everywhere, it was dirty, abandoned. Nothing worked. We felt sick and could not imagin spending the night there... so we packed up the car and escaped that shithole and drove out of Salerno towards Sicily, which was 6hrs drive away.
It was getting late and at first we couldn't find any available places where to spend the night.
Internet signal was intermittent but finally we were able to find a nice clean hotel close to Potenza which had a free room.
We slept well and we're now back on the road heading towards Reggio di Calabria from where we can catch a ferry to Messina in Sicily.
It is quite a long drive so we might decide to stop along the way - in a nice place this time!
We drove into Salerno and checked into a small B&B which was not quite to our standard.
It smelt, there was mold everywhere, it was dirty, abandoned. Nothing worked. We felt sick and could not imagin spending the night there... so we packed up the car and escaped that shithole and drove out of Salerno towards Sicily, which was 6hrs drive away.
It was getting late and at first we couldn't find any available places where to spend the night.
Internet signal was intermittent but finally we were able to find a nice clean hotel close to Potenza which had a free room.
We slept well and we're now back on the road heading towards Reggio di Calabria from where we can catch a ferry to Messina in Sicily.
It is quite a long drive so we might decide to stop along the way - in a nice place this time!
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Quick update from Sorrento
We've spent two days in the small town of Sorrento and we will now be heading further south towards Sicily. We'll be stopping for one last night in Italy before taking the car ferry. Our first stop in Sicily will be in Toarmina then Catania and then... Sliema!
Thanks to everybody who has been sending in comments and suggestions!! I've got many photos and videos to upload to stay tuned!
J
Thanks to everybody who has been sending in comments and suggestions!! I've got many photos and videos to upload to stay tuned!
J
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Zurich: Riches to Rags
I thought Zurich was amazing from the moment we drove into the city - I was so surprised because I really wasn't that keen on visiting it. I was under the impression that it would be very dull - the opposite was true!
It is so clean and everything shines - especially the shop windows. We stayed in this amazing hotel/apartment type place called EMA House (I would highly recommend it - our room was bigger than my flat in London) and met up with my old Bath uni mate there who took us out for delicious cheeeeese Fondue (not great for someone who is lactose intolerant but the Malteser loved it).
Then we went on for cocktails at a bar called Jules Vern, which is a round bar that looks out over the entire city. Very 'sex and the city' girls.
Then we went onto PlazaDa, where we had everything stolen! Yep, Hotel keys, car key, money, cards - the lot! To cut a long story short, the Malteser's jacket was slashed and everything was taken.
Thankfully the name of the hotel was not on the keys. We were rescued by our friend (and his lovely lady) who let us stay at his place and then took us to the police station the next day and translated everything for us! Amazing friends :)
So, we decided to stay an extra day which turned out to be a good plan because I found the most amazing tea and cake shop, and totally fell in love with Zurich again.
I could live in Zurich - it's just such a lovely city and the tram system makes London's PT look pre-historic. It's just so easy, accessible, clean and organised! Even its red light district is neatly tucked away among the boutiques and posh restaurants.
It is so clean and everything shines - especially the shop windows. We stayed in this amazing hotel/apartment type place called EMA House (I would highly recommend it - our room was bigger than my flat in London) and met up with my old Bath uni mate there who took us out for delicious cheeeeese Fondue (not great for someone who is lactose intolerant but the Malteser loved it).
Then we went on for cocktails at a bar called Jules Vern, which is a round bar that looks out over the entire city. Very 'sex and the city' girls.
Then we went onto PlazaDa, where we had everything stolen! Yep, Hotel keys, car key, money, cards - the lot! To cut a long story short, the Malteser's jacket was slashed and everything was taken.
Thankfully the name of the hotel was not on the keys. We were rescued by our friend (and his lovely lady) who let us stay at his place and then took us to the police station the next day and translated everything for us! Amazing friends :)
So, we decided to stay an extra day which turned out to be a good plan because I found the most amazing tea and cake shop, and totally fell in love with Zurich again.
I could live in Zurich - it's just such a lovely city and the tram system makes London's PT look pre-historic. It's just so easy, accessible, clean and organised! Even its red light district is neatly tucked away among the boutiques and posh restaurants.
Driving me crazy!
I am in love with everything Italiano; apart from the driving and their lack of spatial awareness.
The drive to Luxembourg onto Lucern and then through the tiny Austrian villages, via the winding Alps to Innsbruk, and then onto Zurich was truly stunning and enjoyable (even when it began to snow sideways) - in Italy however, it's a different kettle of fish entirely. THEY ARE MAD!
Pullicino keeps his calm, (just about), and handles it all very well but I feel like I have taken a wrong turn and reluctantly ended up joining the Italian Grand Prix. You have a choice on the motorways here; drive behind a huge lorry at 20mph or enter the fast lane and drive at the speed of light. There is no in between.
If you dare to enter the fast lane you will find a car right up your back side that wasn't there 2 seconds ago but now is so close you can't see their headlights.
It's crazy in the towns and cities too. Forget everything you learnt - there are no rules - just drive, show no fear and hope for the best, is the general rule.
The drive to Luxembourg onto Lucern and then through the tiny Austrian villages, via the winding Alps to Innsbruk, and then onto Zurich was truly stunning and enjoyable (even when it began to snow sideways) - in Italy however, it's a different kettle of fish entirely. THEY ARE MAD!
Pullicino keeps his calm, (just about), and handles it all very well but I feel like I have taken a wrong turn and reluctantly ended up joining the Italian Grand Prix. You have a choice on the motorways here; drive behind a huge lorry at 20mph or enter the fast lane and drive at the speed of light. There is no in between.
If you dare to enter the fast lane you will find a car right up your back side that wasn't there 2 seconds ago but now is so close you can't see their headlights.
It's crazy in the towns and cities too. Forget everything you learnt - there are no rules - just drive, show no fear and hope for the best, is the general rule.
Back to Blog: The Journey so far part 2
I feel a bit guilty that we are half way through our travels and I have neglected to blog since Luxembourg. Lazy me.
Ok, so back to it. We have had an amazing time so far with some tricky patches along the way but I guess that was expected (see Zurich).
The Malteser is just getting into it now and wants to extend the trip until the end of November but I am almost ready to stop now - I look forward to some stability - no more packing up every morning, knowing where my pants are, sleeping in the same bed every night - boring I know!
Travelling is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but it's bloody exhausting. A long drive everyday, the map reading and routine argument about the paper map versus the SatNav, followed by a mini panic about where we are going to stay, then the apprehension as we open the door of our hotel/B&B room.
I have given in to looking like a gypsie now. Thankfully I know no one here, apart from the Malteaser and he doesn't seem to mind/notice that I am wearing the same thing day after day.
Ok, so back to it. We have had an amazing time so far with some tricky patches along the way but I guess that was expected (see Zurich).
The Malteser is just getting into it now and wants to extend the trip until the end of November but I am almost ready to stop now - I look forward to some stability - no more packing up every morning, knowing where my pants are, sleeping in the same bed every night - boring I know!
Travelling is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but it's bloody exhausting. A long drive everyday, the map reading and routine argument about the paper map versus the SatNav, followed by a mini panic about where we are going to stay, then the apprehension as we open the door of our hotel/B&B room.
I have given in to looking like a gypsie now. Thankfully I know no one here, apart from the Malteaser and he doesn't seem to mind/notice that I am wearing the same thing day after day.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Milano Misto
Fog and mist greeted us to Milan on Thursday night and amist the fog we departed a few hours ago. There is nothing better than good friends who treat you to good food and that is what made Milan such an enjoyable visit.
Next stop is Lucca, right by Tuscanny.
Next stop is Lucca, right by Tuscanny.
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