Athens, Venice, Vicchio & Bari, April 16 to May 21, 2017

Friends in Αθήνα & Italia

On arrival in Venice

The last days of my journey and when I returned home, I spent with Friends in 

Athens, Venice, Vicchio & Bari 

April 16 to May 21, 2017 

I've been to Athens, Venice and Florence a few times previously,

so, my focus this time was to visit friends.

After leaving Israel, we had a lovely day at sea on our way to Athens (Piraeus), Greece. Since we would be arriving in Greece early (7 A.M.) Sunday morning, I had contacted friends there before I left home, so they were expecting me. They came and picked me up from the ship about 9 A.M.

April 16th, Athens

 Port Piraeus (Athens), Greece

These lovely folks (Nikiforos & Irene) who picked me up from the ship about 9 A.M. Sunday morning and I went to church with them on this Easter Sunday and spent the day with them. Irene is a 1st cousin to Cristina, my friend here in Bari.

 

After a bit of a drive across Athens, we arrived at Grigoria's home. She is 101 years old, still living in her own home. Her daughter Emily stays with her to care for her. What a great thing for her.

I wasn't expecting to meet up with this couple though... Kevin and Linda from Vancouver Island Canada. Was so nice to see them and have a little visit.

Also Lisa S. & Eric C. were with us this morning, but so many visiting and talking, I wasn't able to get a photo of them. Also, Lisa's car was having problems, so they went to get it started for her. Grigoria lives up this long flight of stairs... she can't traverse them any longer. There is no elevator.

And of course, lots of visiting in the streets. It was Easter Sunday, so many many people were preparing a feast this day, and many families gathering together.

I went with Nik and Irene and her folks to their rental home. They are remodeling their house, so have rented this until they get theirs finished.

Irene is so gracious and lovely!

They only have two rooms and a bathroom in this rental. But this is very typical in Greece.

Preparing dinner for us

 

Irene prepared us a wonderful lunch!

Irene's folks, Litsa & Kyriakos Priniotakos. He is brother to Tim, Cristina's father. I don't think they look anything alike!

Nik's workshop. He builds and repairs musical instruments.

The courtyard in front of their rental home.

After lunch, and a short rest, we headed out to see a few things and to take a walk along the sea.

What a beautiful Sunday spent with friends in Athens, Greece. An unexpected surprise to see friends from Vancouver Island, Canada! Also Lisa S.  & Eric C.... what a treat to be with them today. Last stop before we arrive in Venice on 19th.

Acacia pycnantha, commonly known as the golden wattle, as we walked along the beach area.

Goodbye Greece. Back on the ship heading out of port. This will be the last port exit. Next port we arrive is Venice where this cruise ends, and I'll be 'almost home' .

Always a reminder of the time changes. This is good! Finally back on my time now.

\

April 17th and 18th

The two last days at sea, relaxing and soaking up the sun

Cruising the Adriatic. Feels like home!!!

Enjoying these last two days on the ship, and a flag presentation of all the employees and the countries they represent.

But alas, the sun went away and our last full day at sea, the wind and waves kicked up and it started raining, so last day on the ship we had to stay inside. Sometime during the night as we cruised toward Venice, the rain stopped. However, next morning I was on the deck very early and it was very chilly!

April 19th, Venice (and this stop concluded this cruise)

By the time we arrived in Venice before the sunrise, it had stopped raining and cleared off and we had a beautiful entrance into Venice. I got up at 4:30 this morning just to capture these photos!

And then the sun started to Rise. It was gorgeous!! I wish photos would be as clear as seeing it... oh well, I loved getting to see this!

The darkness lifting... sky getting lighter

And it's up! Was a beautiful sunny day in Venice

As I mentioned before, I have been to Venice several times, so since I had my luggage and had been traveling almost a month already, it was time to head south. I caught the People Mover from the Port area, then walked to the Train Station, rolling my bags along.

And small world that it is... who should be arriving in the Venice Station at that same time but my USA friends from California; Luebke's and Hamilton's!  If I had known they were arriving, perhaps I would have spent the day with them, but I already had purchased my train ticket.

How fun to meet and chat with them for a short while. Wasn't long, as I needed to catch my train, but I will see them again in May, when I go to Mountain Ranch in California.

Also wanted to see my dear friends Michela and Victor while I was here, (hadn't seen them since last summer)... they live in the vicinity of Venice, however, they were working and I was heading to Florence this day. I did phone and talk with them and received this really cute photo of the 'one on the way' due to arrive while I am gone to US. I'll see them at Petacciato when I return. New babies... so exciting.

And I'm on my way... goodbye cruise, goodbye Venice.

These high speed trains are great. I didn't get a photo showing where we were going over 200, but have been on one a different time that was going almost 300

Borgo S. Lorenzo / Vicchio (Near Florence)

I love Tuscany! When I arrived at the station in Florence, the train was late arriving, so I missed my connection to Vicchio, however, they have trains that run continually on that route, so just had to wait about half hour. This photo was taken from my window in Mariano's new apartment.

His Apartment complex

And the beautiful tree lined drive that you enter to come into the complex

He has a lovely apartment, however, he turned on the washing machine and then left to go to Florence with David and his nephew. I was in my room, then came out and saw this... I sent Mariano this photo... ☺ then turned off the water valve after he told me where it was located, and started mopping... made me feel right at home!  Next day I did a little organizing and arranging for him in the kitchen... he was very happy about that. 

Mariano and I went to his folks for dinner this night and also the next night. Mariano, Aurora & Augusto in this photo, also David, his nephew and wife and son, Enrico and Danny were all there this night for dinner also. I was so glad to get to connect with so many friends in one place! We had a wonderful home cooked meal as usual. Aurora is a wonderful cook. These were the first folks I stayed with when I arrived in Italy three years ago.

Enrico

Danny

David and his nephew with family from England (I think)

The next day I took a lovely walk around. Again, I have to say I love Tuscany. It is a very lush and beautiful area of Italy.

AND THE SUNSETS!!! GORGEOUS!!!

Just me

and the little village of Vicchio

And one final sunset before I left the next morning.

Mariano had to be in Florence for work by 6 A.M. this morning, so he left very early and I didn't need to catch my train until about 8:20, so Augusto came over and picked me up about 7:50 and took me to the station.  Just by a stroke of luck, Mariano was working the very train I caught out of Borgo S. Lorenzo and went as far as Faenza, where I would catch another train to Bari. 

Just because I like to tease him, while he was in the front of the train working, I sent him and text and told him, "I would like to register a complaint; the train windows are very dirty. How do you expect me to take decent photos with this condition?" hee hee ☺ What a great friend, pal and buddy Mariano is to me. It is like having an Italian grandson... we always enjoy our time together. So glad I took the extra two days to stop and see him!

This is the train car I was in. This particular train has 'cabins' and there was only one other lady (from Milan) and I in this one. We visited for the whole six and half hours, took photos, and ate. Made the time go very quickly, and we had lots of room to move and stretch out, so was a very enjoyable trip south. Got to practice my Italian too!

Beautiful views along the way

This particular route travels most of the way along the sea, after we leave the mountain area of the North at Faenza.  

I didn't realize I had this power line in this photo... oops, oh well.

Friday, April 21st... and Then I was Home!!!  I arrived into Bari on time and Liliana picked me up and dropped me at home this day. Felt really good to be home after such a long journey. As we all do, the next day was spent getting all the laundry done. Thankfully it was a great, sunny, Bari day and in no time they were dry on the line and all put away. 

Sunday, April 23rd, back in Bari, and a morning walk on Lungomare. I missed this walk while I was away.

And the day spent with the Caputo's... and just like that back to my regular routine... felt good!

All Mariella's beautiful plants

Sunday, April 30th

Back with the children... I missed them. They are so adorable! Got some hugs with day.

And Sunday lunch with 'the Family' . Alexandra and Panos also visiting from Naples.

And an evening walk on Lungomare

Saturday, May 6th, three lovely ladies from Australia came to spend the weekend. Sisters, Rochelle & Nicola and their friend Lauren.

Such lovely sweet girls. Was great to have them here for a few days.

Sunday, May 7th... We were just more around Mariella's table! Also Ralf and Frank with us this day.

It was also Nicola's birthday this day

Monday, May 8th. The girls got up early on Monday morning and I walked to the station with them. They were taking the train to Ancona, then catching the ferry over to Croatia. From there they will continue around Europe for three more weeks, eventually arriving in London before returning to Australia. Nicola will be missing here 'honey' by then... they got engaged shortly before she left Australia on this trek.

I better look down my street... see if anyone else is coming... 

Tuesday, May 9th - 12th,
...and sure enough, the next day, Ralph and Maureen Krebs from Switzerland came for a few days. I so enjoyed my time with these folks. I first met them in June 2014 at Carema, and their daughter Anita.

Ralf Wendt is also from Switzerland; they are great friends of his. He also had dinner with us a time or two while they were here, then he took them for a day of sight seeing before taking them to Brindisi to catch their flight. They had just returned recently from New Zealand and the West Indies.

Sunday May 14th Mothers Day
Luigi picked me up this morning for church, then had a lovely dinner with the Caputo's again. Heard from my family and all was well ☺

So as you can see, life has returned to normal for me here in Bari, with my Italian friends, my walks along Lungomare, days at the beach, having visitors... but only for 30 days... leaving again real soon.

Windy this day... not many people, but the surfers sure were having a great time!

May 15 - 21, 2017. Very busy week for me, getting ready for my USA trip next. First thing I had to get done was my Permesso prepared, then I walked it to the Poste. This is an annual thing, so had to get that submitted before I left. Also a fair amount of shopping, to take a few things with me. Then just the usual things we all do to prepare for being gone a while.

The ladies making pasta in Bari Vecchia.
Bari is the home of the orecchiette; the trademark pasta of Puglia.

Going to miss my swims this summer,

Bari Vecchia,

and my sea walks,

and these lovely ladies while I'm gone...

Next post from USA, but don't expect it anytime soon, if I blog it at all, or maybe a very brief one... we'll see. But, for sure probably won't happen until I return from there. Hope to see some of you while I'm in the US, but lots of family to see and spend some time with, and as most of you know my family is all over the US, so I know I won't have time to see everyone, but will get to at least two conventions, so maybe I'll see some of you there. Message me if you want details of where, what and when... if I even know. At this time, I only have a few definite plans... the rest are general ideas and I will plan as I go.☺

as I cross over the 'big pond' hello USA,

Italia, arrivederci per adesso.