Pizza, pasta, wine and the Iron Throne

It’s been a week already?  My concept of time is dramatically distorted these days.  Again, for those following along, I need to segment this one to keep on track…

Bologna

Flying in from Morocco late and staying the night in a share room hostel was a new experience for me.  While I had a very cranky and anti-social roommate, I know why backpacker establishments work.  CHEAP BEER.  The bed was just a place to pass out.  The bar was a place to socialize and not spend much money.  After 13 days in a country that is basically dry, I savoured a beer or two and met some interesting people.  My only regret is that I only saw Bologna  through the window of the cab, or through very seedy eyes walking to the station in the morning.

Venice

Not sure what to say about Venice.  It is what it is.  Beautiful, great food, nice people (really love the Italians, be they happy, grumpy, sad, angry, you have to admire their passion and their willingness to share what they think with no pretension).  It was exactly what I expected, but with more flavour and passion.  My gastronomous adventures from Morocco continued in Italy.  While I was only there for two days, and my knowledge of pasta is quite limited, I did manage to devour a ravioli, spaghetti, fettuccini and lasagne… all accompanied with what they call house wine, and I call nectar of the gods.  Who could not be passionate about life with food and drink that is this amazing!

Oh Yeah… I also saw some canals and stuff…… good, fun, interesting, yadda yadda yadda.  It was off season, so low tourist numbers,  as with everywhere I have been so far, so great for photography, short queues and  cheaper prices.  The only way I will travel from now on.

Dubrovnik

This place is insane.  My AWESOME travel agent, Laura, booked me an apartment in the old city.  How is this place real?  It is like living in a fairy tale.  The single most magical city I have ever seen.  It’s like Game of Thrones meets Interview with a Vampire… except it’s actually real.  I cannot turn a corner without getting a spectacular photo.  I did brake some laws/rules, though.  The gates to the wall are not open until 10.  I need sunrise photos.  So I may have illegally climbed the wall and a couple of locked gates.  However, totally worth it.  I was the only person up up there!  Now THAT was a magical experience.  Even the angry creation gate keeper yelling at me for being up there and needing to be let out couldn’t spoil the awe-inspiring sites of this city.

Montenegro

Again, my luck with tours continues.  Just the three of us.  And the other two were Australian.  I loved Montenegro.  Who wouldn’t.  I went “off tour” a bit, climbed a few back roads and hills… but worth every pain I fell in my legs.  Just stunning, breathtaking, majestic and surreal.  And pretty much (off-season) tourist free.

I am in Dubrovnik for a few more days.  I am very sad that my dad’s jacket is getting to the point it is no longer suitable to wear, and I need to buy a new one (he never got to wear it).  I am going to have to be practical in the next few days and do some prep for my next leg… however, there is a cable car, and a boat to an island, with my name on it.  I need to claim them.

The more I am traveling, the happier I am becoming.  After the last year, this is exactly what I needed.  I really feel like I am becoming myself again.

Cheers,

JC