travelswithalice
December 05, 2023
Wedding Anniversary
Sunday, December 3, 2023.
Back again in Hong Kong, third time in a month. This time for our 41st wedding anniversary.
We’re across the harbour in Tsim Sha Tsui at Hyatt Regency. There are no suites or harbour views here either.
So we’ve come knocking at Winnie’s door for a room at the inn, where there are no rooms to be had, suite or no suite, not even a 17.
But Winnie, bless her generous heart, managed to get us in anyway.
So, we’re happily back home at Grand Hyatt, billeted in a room where most of the floor space is taken up by 5 pieces of luggage.
Days of wine and roses. And glorious food.
…then on to Sydney on Cx139…
November 26, 2023
Back in HK
Sunday, November 19.
Stuart wanted to go just because…
Monday, November 20.
At Cuisine Cuisine with Patrick and
Felix.
October 26, 2023
Hi5 in Hong Kong
October 22 to 25.
We’re Hi5 and we’re in Hong Kong!
Mornings in 2520 and 2521. ❤️
And so, good night! 😘
September 10, 2023
Birthday week in Monza
Saturday, September 9.
It’s been a very happy birthday week!❤️
Friday, September 8.
The day of the opera, any opera, is always an exciting day for me.
We had dinner at Il Foyer beside the theatre.
I couldn’t believe how dressed up the people there were. A number of ladies wore ball gowns. I’d never seen that before. At least not for an ordinary evening at the opera, even in Milan where they do dress up but not in ball gowns.
Inside the theatre, the foyer was totally jammed. We could hardly squeeze through the crowds as we made our way to the entry doors. We headed straight to our seats.
It must’ve been because there wasn’t a chance to walk around the foyer, take in the ambience, smile at people we didn’t know, or take a selfie or two, that the evening lacked the special celebratory atmosphere I’ve always looked forward to on opera nights.
The air inside the theatre was stuffy. I was restless. I kept crossing and uncrossing my legs, shifting them from side to side. My feet were hot and achy. And to top it all off, the opera was boring.
There was no chance of champagne at intermission. The queue in the bar was too long. We went out to get some air. We walked to the park across the street and sat on a cool park bench. I looked at my feet. They were swollen.
We decided to leave.
We went back to the hotel where we kicked off our shoes (at least I did) and stayed in the Derby Bar until midnight.
Thursday, September 7.
We were in Italy for my birthday and as soon as they were available online, we got tickets to La Scala for The Barber of Seville.
But we didn’t care to stay in Milan just for the opera. The recently reopened Park Hyatt Milano had just undergone a two-year €20 million renovation and now lists a standard room at €2,000 a night.
Instead, we stayed in Monza, less than an hour’s drive from Milan.
Monza, a city with a rich history going back to the 5th century Kingdom of Lombardy, is these days best known as the home of the Formula One Italian Grand Prix and the rabid tifosi, the passionate fans of Scuderia Ferrari.
On the week after the Grand Prix however, Monza had settled back to being a lovely, serene, and very chic
city.
Monza’s beautiful Italian Gothic Duomo with its striking green and white marble striped facade, the Basilica of San Giovanni Battista, was built in the 13th century on the remains of a chapel built in the 6th century by the Lombard Queen of Italy, Theodelinda.
We’re staying at the exquisite Hotel de la Ville, across the street from the Palazzo Reale and the vast Reggia Savoia Park. The neoclassical palace built by the Habsburgs in the 18th century was subsequently used as the summer residence of the Savoy King Umberto I.
The hotel used to be the palace stables. It’s chock full of artwork and knick-knacks presumably inherited from the palace.
The guest room is lavishly furnished in a clubby English style with all the trappings and comforts of a lifestyle one would gladly get accustomed to.
Derby Grill, the hotel’s Michelin awarded in-house restaurant is a gem, and Chef Fabio Silva is an artist.
…September in Manila…
September 09, 2023
Barcelona
Wednesday, September 6.
It was Flamenco night. Carolyn and Richard Adkins, a very charming couple we’d met on the cruise, were staying in Hotel Claris too.
Carolyn organised tickets to a flamenco show and made reservations for dinner before the show.
Food was very good at quirkily named 2254 Km, a restaurant they had discovered the day before.
The flamenco at Tablao Flamenco Cordobes was foot-stompingly fun. We were glad we didn’t have front row seats so we could watch everyone else watching the show. Also, we were safely out of reach of the dancers’ flailing feet and flying skirts.
It was a great way to end the World Navigator chapter of our holiday: with new friends.
Tuesday afternoon, September 5.
We had two days left before leaving for Milan.
At Hotel Claris, we regained our land legs. The hotel is artfully appointed, has a good restaurant, and is a short ten-minute walk to Casa Batlló, our main reason for staying in the city.
Lunch in the hotel’s breezy sun-splashed roof top restaurant reminded Stuart and me why we keep coming back to Spain.
We’re always happy to be here. Climate, food, wine, and friendly natives. What’s not to like?
In the evening, we walked the three short blocks to Casa Batlló for a special tour of the house and a jazz concert on the rooftop.
Tuesday, September 5.
We said our farewells to new-found friends on the World Navigator.
To the lovely people who have made the past three weeks gloriously, unforgettably fabulous.
To Nuno, Michael, April, Mark, and Janelle, who stopped at nothing to make Stuart and me happy campers on land and sea.
To Chef Cassius, Sheena, Dave, Jeff, Antoni, and Daniel, who made every meal on board a uniquely enjoyable dining experience.
To the ship’s star butler Joseph, who spoiled us, anticipating every want and indulging every whim.
To Abdos and William who pampered us in our home away from home.
Monday, September 4.
After a somewhat rocky sea last night, we arrived in Barcelona before lunch.
We joined the late afternoon tour of Gaudi’s La Sagrada Familia.
I’m sorry to say this guided tour hasn’t changed my mind about Barcelona’s main tourist draw.
I said it back in 2006 when first I saw it and there were but eight spires sprouted, and I say it again.
I cannot fathom how the genius that created the enchanting Casa Batlló, marvel of art, architecture, and engineering, could also be responsible for something so incredibly unappealing.
Yes, I know: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But, honestly!
And still, they keep at it . . .
Having come back to the ship too hot and too tired, we decided not to join the farewell party table that Karen had organised with Colin, Nancy, Howard, and a few others we’d met on the first leg of our cruise.
We went straight to the Aft 7 Grill for a leisurely dinner, ending the day- and the cruise- on just the right note: intimate and sweet. ❤️
September 07, 2023
Mahón, Menorca
Sunday, 3.
It was the day before Barcelona.
I had no intention of overtaxing myself.
I had a shiatsu massage in the spa.
After which, taking Virginia Woolf’s words to heart, I contemplated the wisdom of dolce far niente.
Stuart had gone ashore to explore the town.
In the evening though, he went for broke and ordered the most decadent dessert on the menu.
And we ended the day with wine and music at Michael’s last show.
September 06, 2023
At Sea
Saturday, 2.
A day at sea.
Chef Massimo Capra makes Beetroot Risotto.
I meet Sinta and Kadek in the ship’s galley.
After dinner, the crew puts on a show.
Maître’d Mark onstage.
Sheena’s Song.
Janelle & Joseph’s finale.
Trapani
Friday, September 1.
I didn’t go ashore. Stuart took this wonderful picture teeming with local colour.
Stuart’s onshore excursion wiped him out for the rest of the day so we missed the Gershwin concert in the park.
September 02, 2023
Palermo
Thursday, 31.
On the last day of August, cooler weather, a beautiful opera house, a fabulous sunset, and a Super Blue Moon.
Palermo’s opera house, Teatro Massimo.
After sunset.
Under a Super Blue Moon.
Hugs, good wishes, and a promise of great times ahead in this beautiful world we live in.
September 01, 2023
Lipari
Wednesday, 30.
The captain issued a warning of high wind as we sailed from Taormina, first time on this cruise, advising all to secure movable stuff.
William folded up the deck chairs on our balcony.
The night’s sailing proved to be a non-event though, and we arrived in Lipari to calm waters and bright sunshine.
We went for wine tasting at Tenuta di Castellaro.
Location was photogenic but the wine wasn’t anything to write home about.
Back on the ship at dinner time, the moon was gearing up for next day’s super moon show.
I asked Sheena to pose for me.
August 31, 2023
Taormina
Tuesday, 29.
The sunrise woke me up. We’re in Taormina.
We changed rooms and changed to a caveman’s diet.
I spent hours on the balcony comparing our ship views with my blog views from last year.
It rained briefly in the afternoon, quickly followed by a rainbow dipped right in front of our balcony.
The captain has warned us about tonight’s sailing. Rough seas. 7 to 9-foot swells. Take your sea sick pills, patches etc before going to bed. All pills available in the pharmacy.
Oh dear. I’ll just take my Virlix and maybe a double dose of Miss Marple. And hope for the best.
August 28, 2023
Siracusa part 2
Monday, 28.
Arriving back in Siracusa at sunrise.
Beautiful Ortigia hotel, Ortea Palace, as seen from the water.
August 27, 2023
Malta
Saturday, 26.
Left Gozo 2pm, arrived Valletta 3pm.
I didn’t see anything of Gozo and not much of Valletta either. Totally slayed, and I don’t mean impressed, by the 33 degree heat.
Were the noonday cannons signalling a war or an oncoming pirate attack, I wouldn’t have budged from my position sitting stock-still, hugging my water bottle on a bench in the shade of a tree in the Upper Barrakka Gardens.
Leaving Malta
Archives
July 2005 September 2005 October 2005 April 2006 July 2006 August 2006 January 2007 February 2007 September 2007 November 2007 February 2008 September 2008 September 2009 May 2010 May 2011 September 2011 July 2012 August 2012 September 2012 October 2012 November 2012 December 2012 January 2013 February 2013 March 2013 April 2013 May 2013 June 2013 July 2013 August 2013 September 2013 October 2013 November 2013 December 2013 January 2014 February 2014 March 2014 April 2014 May 2014 June 2014 August 2014 September 2014 November 2014 December 2014 January 2015 March 2015 April 2015 May 2015 July 2015 August 2015 September 2015 October 2015 March 2016 April 2016 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 August 2016 September 2016 October 2016 January 2017 February 2017 May 2017 June 2017 July 2017 August 2017 September 2017 February 2018 March 2018 April 2018 May 2018 June 2018 July 2018 August 2018 September 2018 October 2018 December 2018 January 2019 February 2019 March 2019 June 2019 July 2019 August 2019 October 2019 December 2019 January 2020 July 2021 August 2021 September 2021 October 2021 November 2021 December 2021 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022 July 2022 August 2022 April 2023 May 2023 June 2023 July 2023 August 2023 September 2023 October 2023 November 2023 December 2023
Subscribe to Posts [Atom]