Corfu Greece:
It felt GREAT to be back in Greece. I got up early I was so excited. We snagged a taxi and free-lanced it..the old town. I got my frappe' which of course is simply iced Greek coffee but with sugar and it's the sweetest, creamiest YUMMIEST treat EVER! Of course I naturally paid the ultimate price in headaches but it was worth it; every delicious sip. We did a lot of shopping here. The keepers are so friendly and what little Greek I remembered from last time at least got them laughing. Alas my friends, there will be no honey rum. It is a specialty of Rhodos. Here they do kumquats. NOT my favorite simply because I don't like orange and I can't stand the texture (something like putting your mouth around a hot air bubble on an old snow tire that is on the verge of exploding...and then biting down.) We parked it in a cafe and had fresh feta and warm bread ...and wine. I love how the flowers climb the corners; bright colors flash against the old faded and chipping pink or tan buildings. We wandered in the park and I fell in love with this country all over again. It is a sensuous, erotic culture as are its people. Maybe just in the touristy spots, but I don't think so.
Taormina Italy
Nice but pricey in spots. I liked the history. Here is where we had our Brioche con gelatti. It's like a doughnut stuffed with ice cream. YES! Happiness is this RIGHT HERE!! The landscape is steep and jagged stabbed with bright flowers and national as well as regional flags. Mt Aetna was still a-smokin while we were there and there were many shops selling lava and such.
On this night, I experienced a wonderful dessert called Diderot. I will make it and you will understand why I can say nothing other than ...WOW.
Sorrento Italy.
It was wonderful to come back. I loved knowing and actually being able to FIND my favorite store here. I bought three more dresses. Although the streets wind in on each other, you rarely get lost (and coming from me...that says it all!) We simply enjoy the ease of it all. The wandering and going nowhere that lead us to some magnificent little chapels, fabulous shops for inlaid wood work and exquisite music boxes. There was a little more pressure for sales, but not too bad. Certainly not like Malta.
Amalfi Italy
It was as beautiful as I remembered; the cliffs, the water. This is a small town and it really only takes a couple of hours to run around. The shops are quaint and can be expensive. They specialize in paper. It is heavy and luxurious to write on. I didn't buy any this time. Cheech got his fountain pen. The sun was nice and bright and we actually went back to the ship fairly early (2p or so) and had lunch. Then we sat by the pool and enjoyed a nap (wine induced or perhaps enhanced) with a perfect backdrop.
Of course each night ended with fabulous dinners ranging from perfect steak, barramunhdi fish, to delicate pasta...and of COURSE we had to go dancing! No wonder we "crashed" in Amalfi. We wore ourselves out. I know, no sympathy from you. I'm not complaining. Believe me! It was a gift to go.
Only four stops left then I'll quit...and tell you about what happened in the real world while I was away.
Have a nice day and thanks for stopping in.
