PARIS!!: Musee du Louvre, Cupid's Kiss and the secret of the Notre Dame...

Our flight from Rome to Paris was uneventful despite the heat in the terminal in Rome. We gathered our bags and met our driver. He was a younger man and quickly walked us to his nice Lexus sedan. How we were going to fit the four of us and our luggage was a mystery. After shoving, pushing and squeezing we were on our way.

On the way he mentioned that there was a Taxi driver strike, we were lucky to have booked a transfer ahead of time as many were stranded at the airport. After that he was quiet and drove fast although Mason was sitting on my lap, Hannah's knees were in her face and no access to seatbelts.

We took a quick turn and abruptly stopped, he pointed at our hotel, unloaded our bags and sped off. What the heck? It was strange but we realized that his behavior was mostly due to the strike. Well that's we determined. From the curb we pulled our bags to the hotel.

Our hotel is amazing! Fantastic location, great size with a perfect kitchenette. We set our bags down and went to discover Paris and our little neighborhood. Our neighborhood is just that, a cobblestone neighborhood containing shops, a bookstore, and tons of restaurants and the post office is nearby. We enjoyed a marvelous dinner with superb service and headed for bed.

The next day we walked to the Louvre Museum. The Louvre has a very detailed and fantastical past -- from originating as a fortress with moat and drawbridge, to a chateau, palace, and lastly a museum. We got to view the moat and fortress walls that were covered up by its many transformations and later discovered while adding on to the museum. It was fascinating walking through such a historical past. Again, we had an amazing guide and walked through the moat to the many anticipated sites to see in the Louvre.

We saw so many things but a few stood out. One was the Winged Victory of Samothrace (a.k.a. Nike of Samothrace) -- the same Nike, Goddess of Victory, that caught Hannah's attention in the Forum in Rome. The Goddess who accompanied Titus and reminded him that he is still mortal despite his God-like victory. It is a beautiful statue and speaks louder than most we have seen because her wings are absolutely dynamite. She was found in a grotto/cave in Samothrace and her creator is unknown.

The second was, of course, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. Now most everyone knows this famous piece and walking up to it, amongst hundreds of her adoring fans, she sits in a small frame against a huge wall and I couldn't help but wonder why? Why is she such a big deal? There are many myths and speculations but three that were interesting to me are 1). she was kept in Leonardo's possession until his death, hence making her a more desirable, but what was it about her that Leonardo couldn't part with? 2). Her face resembles that of Leonardo's (supposed) young male lover. 3). It is the first portrait painting of his that the person's face is not completely profile -- Mona Lisa is seated more forward. No matter what, her mystery alludes her and it was fun to see. Even the spectacle of shoving, elbowing onlookers.
  
We walked through many vast, glorious and eclectic halls and Hannah and Mason were fading until we saw and heard of Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss. A beautiful statue that isn't massive in size and its delicate detail catches one's attention. However, the story of it is even more powerful. Psyche is instructed by Cupid's mother Venus, Goddess of Beauty, to retrieve a flask from the Underworld but told Psyche not to open it. Psyche gets the flask but defies her instructions and opens it thusly falling into a deathlike sleep. Cupid with his wings and quiver rushes to her rescue and lifts her to kiss him as she embraces his face. The God's grant permission for Cupid and Psyche to marry and she becomes immortal and the Goddess of the Soul. Hannah loved this sculpture and story.

Our day at the Louvre was out-of-this-world amazing and we definitely didn't have enough time there to see it all!! Pretty sure if we went to one more museum, we'd have a mutiny on our hands!!

The next day we slept in, enjoyed some home cooked food and then slowly walked to the Notre Dame. Paris is so, so, so beautiful and its history oozes from every gorgeous corner. We crossed the wide, famous Seine river on our way.

We reached the Notre Dame and it was as spectacular as I had hoped. The only unexpected thing was that it was closed. UGH! Another monument closed but I didn't let it deter me. I still got to see it and take many photos, especially of the famous gargoyles -- they are freakishly scary. In addition to the looming gargoyles there is a not-so-known secret laying in front of the Notre Dame, Le Point Zero. 

Le Point Zero is a brass star marker that marks the exact center of the city -- point zero; from which all geographic measurements of France are based upon. This marker is walked upon every year, unknowingly, by thousands and its location became our search! We walked in front of the Notre Dame searching for it and finally found it not too far from the front doors. It was a fun twist to our adventure.

Our first two days in Paris have been incredible and looking forward to more sightseeing and EATING!!

As always, to be continued...

ITALY!!: Pisa: The leaning tower...

Our cruise continues and today is the last tour-day in Pisa, Italy. We docked in Florence, Italy and boarded our last bus. This time our guide is a quirky, funky woman with hair that reminds me of Cruella de Vil and she was hilarious; her dry sense of humor kept us on her words.

This drive through the Tuscan region was another breathtaking route. In the distance marble quarries lined the gorgeous mountainside -- the same marble used by Michaleangelo and Bernini.

The bus took us through, what used to be, a private Tuscan estate that was later given to Pisa as a sanctuary. From there we unloaded the bus and took a short beautiful walk to a boat that is to take us on the Arno river to Pisa.

The boat was a small river cruise boat and the Captain and his shipmates were fantastic. They provided ice cream sandwiches, water, Italian opera music and let the kiddos drive to boat all while our guide described the history of Pisa.

The cruise on the Arno was cool. There were small homes/structures that lined the banks with large fishing nets submerged and hanging over the muddy river. The river banks turned into brick walls and gracefully arched bridges. Magnificent Italian-tiered-houses faced the river.

Our lovely boat cruise came to an end. We exited the boat, saying goodbye to our Captain and walked up a steep cobble walkway to a small gas-powered train on wheels. It was the cutest thing I have ever seen. A little train engine cab and tiny train cars connected behind. The train slowly pulled us through Pisa until the leaning tower came into view. We, and the others, on the train all gasped at the tower's sight.

The train parked and we walked to the tower. It is huge and dreamlike -- opulent white marble and seems to lean way more in real life. Our guide told us how they kept building more levels even after it started leaning. It was, another, moment of a lifetime.

After seeing the tower and watching people take all sorts of creative and funny pictures in all sorts of odd positions we walked through Pisa and enjoyed sandwiches, wine and champagne. Once again we boarded our little train and headed back to the bus.

Our Pisa experience was marvelous from the boat, to the train to the sights!! A quiet and satisfactory bus ride back commenced and back to the cruise ship we went. 

Our cruise is ending and tomorrow we disembark for good and are scheduled to fly to Paris! I am so, so, so excited to go to Paris, something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember.

As always, to be continued...

SPAIN!!: Palma De Majorca: The underground and pearls...

Spain is beautiful and the port and coast of Palma De Majorca (aka Palma De Mallorca) is no different. Here we are going to see the Drach caves, the largest underground lake and also visit a pearl manufacturer.

Now some people wouldn't like the long drives that have been a part of our tours but we are pooped from this amazing trip and welcome the beautiful scenery and the guides' euphonic voices, perfect for a little R&R. The drive through Majorca was just what we needed.

Majorca is gorgeous (I know I sound like a broken record). Its capital city houses most of its population and leaves the outskirts of hills and flatlands quiet. Once out of the city the beautiful landscape is vast with random windmills, plush Spanish houses and farms.

I have been looking forward to seeing the Drach caves and was excited when we pulled up. I have to admit that amongst my many paranoias and hypochondria annoyances, confined spaces and large groups are part of those. So going into a cave with many of my-not-so-close but too-close friends was beyond my comfort zone for sure!

We walked to the opening and down the narrow stairs we went. I started getting panicky "Ahhhh too many people and way too close!!" but my fears were subsided when the gloriousness of the caves features came into view. 

"Wow"!!. The stalacites and stalagmites were everywhere and in all shapes and sizes. The cave twisted and turned and small puddles of greenish/blue water pooled in various parts. Suddenly the cave turned and opened up into a huge amphitheatre that over looked the "lake".

The lake was glowing green and blue and I could see the formations underneath the water. It was a weird experience, surreal. I almost felt like I was in a Pirates of the Caribbean Disney ride. The ushers began ushering us into the amphitheatre -- "great, now I get to sit amongst all these people in one area of the confined space". Then the lights went out!!!! "Oh SH#T!! 

Pitch-black! Mason instantly grabbed me and I put my arms around him and Hannah. My flight or fight senses kicked in and my senses heightened full-on but then music began to play. Pachelbel's Canon in D was being played from a beautiful symphony and from the darkness the outline if a boat appeared from the right side of the cave. Then two more appeared. White lights were beautifully strung around the edges of the boats and lit up the water, it was breathtaking.

The symphony was on the first boat and they played three gorgeous songs all while maneuvering through the lake. As each song ended the applauds from the group bounced and echoed off the walls and ceiling. Once the songs ended the lights slowly came back on and we happily walked out of the Drach caves. Truly fantastic.

From the caves we drove to a pearl factory where German pearls are polished and adorned on necklaces, rings and earrings. It was busy with shoppers and onlookers. Hannah got her first pair of pearl earrings and from Spain, nonetheless.

The day was marvelous. Back to our ship we went. On the way back it was decided that another down day was needed and we decided not to get off the ship tomorrow in Marseille, France as we will be in Paris in a few days.

As always, to be continued... 

 

SPAIN!!: Barcelona: Gaudi wonders, grumpy and dancing...

After a fun day at sea we docked in the harbor of the beautiful town of Barcelona, Spain. So far every port we have docked in has been gorgeous -- a little industrial and modern but also graced with rolling hills and ancient buildings. And again like cattle we disembarked the ship and headed to another bus.

Our guide was a bubbly, round man with a great warm smile. Our bus took us through Montjuic, a gorgeous hillside that staged the 1929 International Exhibition and the 1992 Olympic games. The grounds are very large and hold the facilities of the games along with museums and parks. One facility is the Olympic diving center and it was built into the steep hillside so much that the divers dove off the high platforms over the city skyline; very cool. We also got to see the city and the statue of Christopher Columbus from afar.

From there our scenic drive took us the through the heart of Barcelona. Barcelona is busy and stunning with quant historical buildings lining the streets. The most fascinating part was learning of and seeing the unique works of Antoni Gaudi.

Antoni Gaudi became a genius architect in the late 1800s. He is best known for his creative, unique and eclectic work. We were able to drive by two homes he built. The lines of the homes are round, uneven and random. Our guide says that he was inspired by nature. One of the homes has been dubbed the "dragon" home. The most fantastic piece of his we got to see was the Sagrada Familia Basilica.

This basilica is HUGE!! It is gorgeous, extraordinary and monumental. Gaudi's work is so random to me -- there is catholic intention in his design and what I see as a Christmas tree actually is a representation of the tree of life and the doves represent the eternal spirit. There are also random fruit baskets on top of pillars which represent the rain of fruits of the Holy Spirit that falls upon man but to most are just random fruit alongside a Christmas tree. But, that is what makes this basilica awesome, it's intentional story!

The basilica construction began in 1882 and won't be completed until 2026. Yes, that is correct. The basilica's size, detail and Guadi's fanatical drive for perfection has delayed its completion. Gaudi died in 1926 and since then controversy whirls around the architectural choices that are being made, are they what Gaudi would've wanted?

The basilica was moving and beautiful but of all the cathedrals and basilicas we have seen, its unusual spirit and flare makes it my favorite. We tried to get more photos but our battery died -- oh well.

We got some free time before moving on and we were enjoying sitting on a patio when an old woman approached me (we have been warned about beggars and thieves). I wasn't sure if she wanted money or what but when we couldn't communicate with her she got ANGRY. She yelled all sorts of, what I assume, where expletives and hit my chair with her cane and hobbled away. We didn't know what to make of it but looking back on it, it was kind of cute and funny (I am sure not for her). She was grumpy!

Our day continued and we got to visit the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and St. Eulalia. It was, now what I would call, a typical yet, nonetheless, stunning cathedral but what made this visit unique was the celebration in front of it. Every Sunday a band gets together in front of the cathedral and hundreds of people come together. They form circles, clasp hands and dance the Sardana, the traditional folk dance of Catalunya (Catalonia) some even wear special white, lace-up shoes. My mom would have loved this and it made me smile!!

We saw more of Barcelona and headed back to our ship. It was a fantastic day in Barcelona, Spain and definitely warrants more time but we are now headed to an island of Spain, Palma De Majorca to see the world's largest unground lake.

As always, to be continued...

 

          

ITALY!!: The Royal Seas, Positano, Sorrento and Pompeii...

On Thursday we boarded a cruise ship that is going to take us around the Mediterranean -- Italy, Spain and France. This cruise ship is the largest cruise ship in the world and its massiveness is impressive. We gladly set our bags down and set off to get lost in the city on the seas. That night we all slept well after our busy days in Rome but had to get up early the next day as we were signed up for our busiest day yet; visiting the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii.

When I was little and thought of Italy, I thought of Rome, the Pope, wine and a boot. Never did I imagine what beautiful scenery we had in store for us that morning. We disembarked the cruise ship like wandering cattle and finally found our bus. The ride to coast was uneventful but gorgeous. Our tour guide was wonderful and spoke with such a calm, melodic voice.

We drove from Naples to the gorgeous Amalfi Coast to get to Positano and Sorrento. The wide road began to narrow and suddenly there were steep cliffs clashing with the ocean waters below. Random gates that seem to lead to nothing but a drop-off signaled dwellings of olive farmers. The road narrowed more and more and switch-backs carried us through. The original road was built for mules and therefore intense construction commenced and literally a bridge-like road was built to carry cars and small buses over the arduous mountainside.

Everything was going smoothly until we got into Positano. The town is built on a steep, steep mountainside and houses are built on top of one another and everything goes straight down. The turns in the road went from semi-generous turns to hairpin 180 degree turns. Our bus driver took the first hairpin and it was too tight so he had to back up but he stalled the bus and we rolled up to the guardrail saving us from a catastrophic nose dive down -- PHEW! My heart began beating crazily and Mike looked back at me, validating my fears. The driver successfully backed up and continued on until the next hairpin and AGAIN stalled the bus, rolled forward to the guardrail, brakes screeched -- UGH!! The bus driver stalled the bus three times in total and we were happy to get off the bus to see Positano.

Positano is breathtaking. Gorgeous Mediterranean homes with open wood shutters, curtains flowing in the sea air and flower boxes colorfully painting the town. We enjoyed some wine and juice on a rooftop restaurant -- it was gorgeous and friendly. But our time was short and we, reluctantly, boarded the bus.

From Positano we (successfully) back-tracked and stopped in Sorrento. In Sorrento we visited the famous woodcarving shop. The work of the carvers is painstaking yet yields amazing masterpieces. It was a neat experience. We got to walk around and shop and, of course, have more wine and gelato. Hannah and Mason both got beautiful music boxes. On the way back to the bus I discovered a hidden castle. It was below the bridge that we were standing on. It was covered in vines, had a small river next to it and a small bridge, oh how I wish I could know it's story. It was super cool and mysterious.

From Sorrento we took a very short bus ride to a hotel for wine and lunch. The hotel seemed pretty posh and spectacular from the outside with gorgeous trails, bridges and greenery. We walked through the hotel out onto the veranda where there were preset tables and chairs. To our hearts delight the veranda was set on top of a steep, tall cliff with a million dollar view of Sorrento and the ocean. Below the cliffs were a manmade islands where the people were lounging, swimming and snorkeling in the crystal water. I have seen some pretty spectacular places but this was, by far, the most beautiful place I have ever seen.    

We enjoyed our lunch with, seriously, a million dollar view, judging by the yachts tendered below and with full bellies we loaded the bus to head to Pompeii. The ride was long but the peak of Mount Vesuvius held our attention.

Finally, we were at Pompeii. Pompeii was a flourishing town that was completely covered by ash and pumice due to the colossal eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The ash and pumice preserved the town and the, almost-instant, death of the Ancient Roman inhabitants.

It was an odd feeling -- walking through the houses, brothels, bars, saunas and streets. They felt full of sadness and emptiness. The archeologists learned to penetrate the ash/pumice with plaster to fill the spaces of what was once a body and when it was dried they could dig around it. We saw a man with his hands around his face, a three year old child and a dog that was apparently chained up, unable to escape death. Another humbling experience.   

Our day was long and full of beauty and wonder. We got back and slowly loaded the ship. Looking forward to another night's sleep. Our ship is headed to Barcelona, Spain and it will take more than 24 hours to get there and we are looking forward to a "down day".

As always, to be continued....

 The bridge-like road...

 The hidden castle under the bridge...

 Look at the staircase to get to the swim area...

 

Pompeii...

 Mt. Vesuvius...

 The dog...

 The man...

 The child...