Once been lost but now am found
 

Mates, I've been out of touch and thought to bring you all up to date.

We have bought a house in Victoria, BC. I will be up there most of the winter working on it. Its in the Fairfield neighborhood for those who know Victoria and a 5 minute walk to the vbeach at Gonzales Bay.

But will definetly be back in Santa Fe for John and Jennie's visit if only they'd send us some dates and maybe se them in Oakland as well.

As political affairs get more distressimg here I am glad to be making the move to Canada. All my new friends up there have been very welcoming and encouraging. Eventually we will have guest quarters.

We have moved into the new house we've been building this past year in Santa Fe and are very pleased to be in something contemporary again. Unfortunate timing to have started construction just before deciding to move to Canada.

Since life wasn't chaotic enough we went off to Naples and Sicily for 3 weeks for our 25 anniversary. Needless to say it was fabulous. Neil it's amazing how much my italiam improved. The south is about 25-33% less expensive than the north.

I've started a trip report and will post periodically here for those of you who may be interested.

We still have a return trip to Australia on our dance card so hope to some of you there or here

cheers
AndrewDavid

TORNO d' ITALIA

We’ve just returned from a wonderful 3.5 week vacation in Naples and Sicily

Flew to Chicago from ABQ with a 3 hour layover for our AA flight to Rome. This allowed us to hop the metro and go downtown to see the spectacular newish park adjacent to the Art Instiitute and Michigan Avenue. When you come back to O’Hare go to the Security point all the way to the right which seems to be known to only airport personnel and us. No lines!

AA flight to Rome, comfortable. With bulkhead seats in coach and an Ambien we slept for 7 hours. Arrival through Fiumicino was easy and we enjoyed our first capaducci’s (cappuncini w/ 2 shots of espresso). Train to Termini ( Central Station ) is very easy and
fast. We were in Naples within 3 hours of landing.

Information told us the R2 bus goes to the Port where our hotel, the Mediterraneo was located. We splurged (E 170 B&B) for our first 4 nights as we felt we needed some insulation to get over jet lag. We were sent out for a walk and after lunch our room, with a small view of the sea was ready. The hotel had a panoramic breakfast terrace and free access to an adjacent gym.

One afternoon while we were resting after too much wine at lunch, the fire alarm went off. After getting no response from the desk we tumbled out to the hall. Only one other rather hysterical guest went down the fire stair with us. When we finally figured out how to get back to the lobby, the front desk hadn’t heard about the emergency. My first feature film will be titled “ False Alarm, Italian Style”).

We really liked Naples. Great street walking w/ lots of entertaining street theater and window shopping. Beautiful old buildings and churches, a castle , a few royal palazzi, excellent archeological and painting museums and great food. We liked “Ettore” about 3 blocks from the waterside royal palace on the way to the “egg” fort ( a great place to catch sunsets).

People were very friendly and helpful out on the street. No one hassled us. And they patiently listened to my egregious italian. We took the boat out to Capri; nice boat ride and way too many knick nacks. A walk out to Tiberius’ villa would be a good peaceful choice.

Circumvesuviana RR to Pompeii is a piece of cake. I had been here 30 years before and the excavated portion of the site has become quite vast. If something is closed, don’t worry, I think it would take a week to do the whole site. Its very evocative and possibly in the top 10 of italian experiences. If you wear your bed sheet as a toga you’ll be both comfortable and atmospheric. Going to the Archeological museum in Naples to see the “stuff” from the site amplifies the experience.

Our last day in town was some sort of faux holiday. a combination of ecology morning and museum afternoon so bus tix were half price and museums were free. We took a long neighborhood touring bus ride up to Capodimonte to see the painting , eat gelato and watch pick up soccer.

About 8 PM we got on the ferry to go to Stromboli. Rather festive with lots os os students staking out deck space and negotiating w/ the crew for the use of pool chaises. Our cabin and passage at E 115 seemed good value. Clearing the harbour was spectacular as Naples is quite light. Up a 5 am to disembark and watch out for red lava at the crater. We were not unrewarded. Our hotel, the Miramare, sent out a little “Ape” 3 wheeler to fetch us and by 7:30 we had had a nice swim and were tucking into prima colazione.

We spent the rest of the day gearing up for our ascent of the volcano. This is a 900 m climb with spectacular views in all directions. You go up with a guide and a small group since the last eruptrion wiped out a few tourists. . They set you on a ledge above the crater and can watch the fireworks for about 45 minutes as it gets darrk. This is a great experience and at
E 20 per head, perhaps better value than our last major ascent, the Sydney Harbour Bridge! As night falls all the men slipped into the shadows to pee; I still can’t figure out what the women did. While the climb up is certainly strenuous, I was really not looking forward to picking our way down the path of slippery rock, scree and sand. Our guides had prepared a great surprise; we descended by a different path and sand skiied/slid to almost the bottom.

Next part: cruisin’ the Aeolians and our arrival in Milazzo, complete with discovery of our car rental agency before the long lunch break!

ciao, ciao a tutti

AndrewDavid

Welcom back! Glad to hear your move is coming along--when are you coming to visit us in Bellevue? Politics here are a bit off, aren't they? I loved your trip report, even though there were no singing dogs or floods. We were in Naples 35 years ago and got hassled to go to the cameo factory at every turn. We'd like to see Pompeii again. We're planning a return to Oz in October. Keep coming back here and you'll be there in a flash!

Sally in Seattle

I'm sorry you're moving away, but it's good to hear that your plans are progressing as you want them to, and you've even been able to fit in some travel!

I'll wave in your general direction when we drive through Santa Fe next week.

Lee Ann

Well, there goes my free "digs" in Santa Fe! Bummer! And that was a city that I really did want to see!

Nice to know, however, that you are back on the Fodors board. And even better to know that you may once again be heading for our shores. Another rendezvous at Mount Victoria, perhaps? Or do I have to come to Victoria, BC, for the next meeting?

Welcome Back AndrewDavid!

We've missed you!

So you've moved to Victoria, a city that's still on my "wish list" of places to visit. I've always wanted to have tea at the Empress Hotel!

We're living similar lives as we're ALWAYS working on our house, and also just gotton back from Italy last Friday. We were in Chianti for a week; Rome for a week, and Salerno for 6 days. Also visited Capri as you did and was shocked to see what it's become since my last visit, oh, about 20 years ago...I hardly recognized it from my previous visit!

If you do get back to Oakland for a visit we will have to work out a meeting since apparently I missed you on your last trip through from Oakland to Monterey!

Now now Alan....I know you're disappointed about no free digs in Sante Fe, but you are more than welcome to visit San Francisco -- I'll even throw in free airport pick up for special Fodorites! :)

Regards,

Melodie

Dear Sally, The lack of singing dogs was a disappointmenr; we did however see the famous 'cave canem ' mosaic at Pompeii. I often stay w/ friends on Mercer Is. so perhaps we can connect sometime. I'll be in Victoria most of the winter working on new house

Dear Lee Ann,
Stop by if you have time. We are at the OSFT/ Old Pecos Trail merge: 982 4251.

Dear Alan, For tax reasons we have to keep the house in Santa Fe until Feb 2007. So you have time. We are expecting that eternal cricketeer john_j in April.

Dear Melodie, In later posts to my report you'll hear about our adventures in the Aeolian and Egadi Islands. Much nicer than Capri. I'm reading a short article about the Pontine Is. Have you been there?

I'm sure I'll do a through San Jose to Carmel Valley trip to see my folks this winter so hopefully we can connect.

cheers to all

AndrewDavid

Ah, AndrewDavid, how nice to know a person of conviction! Now, will YOU help me work on my Canadian accent?
Cheers, oliverandharry

And welcome back from me to the ever- peripatetic A/D. I'm looking forward to reading further adventures among the Italians, Andrew.

All right, everyone, you heard Melodie... that was a real, unambiguous, unequivocal offer, right? Guess what I'm planning for my next holiday? Fly to San Francisco, Greyhound to Santa Fe..... the Orfields, who use to be on this site, hail from San Diego..... looks like there's a west coast visit before February 2007!

AndrewDavid:

I look forward to hearing further trip reports! I'm in the process of working up mine as well as sorting / weeding through the pictures my husband took on his digital...ay yi yi...ALOT of pictures! I have not been to Pontine, but you've whetted my interest!

Great to hear that you'll be headed my way as you travel down to Carmel Valley (btw, I used to work at the mouth of the valley -- I used to live in Pacific Grove before I got married and was dragged, kicking and screaming to Menlo Park). :)

Alan, you sly devil, yep..that was a real offer, and I'm a woman of my word! Just let me know when I should be there and wear a flower in your hair so I can spot you!

Regards,

Melodie

Oliver& Harry: Can you say "LOONIE"?
And "Eh?" Master those and you're halfway there!

oliverandharry,

I'd recommend a copy of Will and Ian Ferguson's "How to be A Canadian".

for example

"Howzit goin , eh"
as opposed to american
"How is it going,...aye"

A/D

Welcome back Andrew. You actiually did the big move! Victoria is so lovely ! I remember our visit there so fondly. Maybe see you one day at the Burchardt Gardens. Cheers!

Andrew,
Nice to see you back.
Top class cricket pitch in victoria (and in stanley park,van.)
Will send details of flights shortly.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to stop by this weekend, but I'll keep your phone number on file. :-)

Lee Ann

Funny I've received more reponse to posting my Sicily and Naples treport on this forum than "Europe".
I guess it shoews where your true friends are, eh.

AndrewDavid

>>I guess it shoews where your true friends are, eh.<<

Practicing for your move, eh? :-D

Lee Ann

Lee Ann, You can be a Canadian too, eh!
A/D

Andrew

Are you a political refugee then?

Brilliant, all of you! I actually spent last weekend in Ontario practicing my 'eh' and noone looked askance. Inflection matters, one can so easily sound like bad Minnesotan.

Peteralan. I look forward to our meet up at the Butchart Gardens. There is also a little gem of a garden in town, that I recently discovered, the Abkhazi Garden  Fairfield Rd.
AndrewDavid

Tassietwister, Yes political and social policy refugees from the storm we perceive is over taking our country.

AndrewDavid

oliver and harry,
I didn't realize there were bad Minnesotans

A/D

Greetings Andrew

Nice to hear about your latest travels, although I might add that you never did finish your Australian report. It stopped short of Port Douglas, unless I missed something. Or maybe you were too fraught after your Cape Trib experience (bats and amethystine pythons I seem to remember) to carry on.

All the best in your new chosen country and we hope to see you again down here sometime.

Say g'day to John for us, cheers
Pat and Mike

Hi, Pat,
I thought I had missed the rest of AndrewDavid's Queensland report.

AndrewDavid, I have not as yet been to Italy (or Canada), but have friends who have just returned from there and said the same about the people. Your description of the bed sheet toga put me in mind of the once-upon-a-time comics, Wayne and Shuster and the laughs we used to have as children listening to them. Thank you, I enjoyed that little trip back in time. I look forward to the next instalment.
Dot

>>Lee Ann, You can be a Canadian too, eh!<<

A/D, my in-laws are Canadian, eh! Most of Mr. Pickle's uncles and aunts still live in Ontario. We went there once in February and I thought I was going to freeze solid. :-)

Lee Ann