Saturday October 7 is our last day. Given how hot it is in Dubai we decided to take the hop on hop off bus to do a tour of the city. The bus covers three different routes, across the marina, beach and the city. It turned out to be a very long day but was the best way to see what we could.
Final thoughts on Dubai: I describe Dubai as a city without a heart and a soul, as it is occupied by people from around the world who have no connection to the place. It's a large modern city with lots of development and tall buildings. It's like the Arabs need to demonstrate their wealth by continuing to grow bigger and bigger. Interesting place but not one I would rush back to.
Overall thoughts about our holiday : wonderful and full of memories .
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Monday, October 9, 2017
Dubai
We left Rome on Tuesday afternoon one hour behind schedule due to technical issues and landed in Dubai close to midnight . To collect your baggage is a process in Dubai because it is such a large airport that not only do you walk for some time you need to then catch a train to another part of the airport but then need to go through passport control before collecting our baggage. Hence, all up it was about 1.30 am when we finally got to our hotel.
Of course the first thing that you experience when outside is the oppressive heat even late at night. So getting into a nice air conditionined hotel was a relief.
Today we went across to the Dubai mall which is one of the biggest malls in the world and it certainly is, it goes on and on. We also saw the Dubai fountain which puts on a performance at regular intervals throughout the day and we also looked but didn't go up the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck and stands at 828 metres tall .
They are starting to construct the highest building in the world. Again. This building will be 2480mtrs high which is crazy.
Nnn
Tomorrow we have booked to do an Arabian safari tour which is one of the must do things in Dubai.
This was a very disappointing night as we visited the so called desert safari area for a show and meal. The entertainment was very ordinary and the meal not that much better. To put it nicely, a waste of money.
We're also heading off to visit the Souks tomorrow to look for gold for Gabby.
Of course the first thing that you experience when outside is the oppressive heat even late at night. So getting into a nice air conditionined hotel was a relief.
Today we went across to the Dubai mall which is one of the biggest malls in the world and it certainly is, it goes on and on. We also saw the Dubai fountain which puts on a performance at regular intervals throughout the day and we also looked but didn't go up the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa Observation Deck and stands at 828 metres tall .
The building below is very similar to one in Singapore, only they have three buildings under what looks like a ship. The construction that's going on in Dubai is unbelievable, as one person put it, everyone is trying to out do the other.
Tomorrow we have booked to do an Arabian safari tour which is one of the must do things in Dubai.
We're also heading off to visit the Souks tomorrow to look for gold for Gabby.
The other side of Dubai. This is where the workers live which is slightly different to the main business area and where all the tourist stay.
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
Ciao Italia
Today we left the Amalfi coast to make our way back to Rome for one night before leaving for Dubai on Tuesday afternoon.
The journey from the Amalfi coast is a long one because as mentioned it involves buses, ferry and trains . So it's been a tiring day commencing our day at 830am and arriving at our accommodation around 4.00pm.This gentleman you see here in speedos is at the port in Salerno and is there helping out. Quite funny and not an especially pretty sight but anything goes really.
Tomorrow we leave for Dubai and the final few days of our holiday before going home and back to work.
From my perspective as someone whose heritage is Italian, I feel honoured to have had the privilege to finally become acquainted with the birthplace of my parents and sister. Unfortunately, I didn't meet any relatives but maybe another time.
Italy is remarkable in so many ways, it has the antiquity of centuries of history, masterpieces by the world's greatest artists, history everywhere you go and each turn in the road you come across something new that's usually old of course. The coastline is also beautiful.
In general, I found some people friendly and others rude and unhelpful, but that's people anyway. I have enjoyed the challenge in making the effort to speak Italian and I have had several Italians who have said to me that I speak well and that's been a thrill to hear and they also pick me as being Italian. Funnily enough, I have had random people ask me questions in Italian clearly assuming that I am Italian . I think I can fit right in with the locals.
I have no doubt that Italy has issues like all nations but what I did observe is the number of young African men whose status I wonder about and random numbers of people who I suspect are Syrian refugees who are homeless. Some of these people are old, some families some single and this was a situation witnessed across across France and Spain . Don't know what the answer is but it's a sad state of events.
The journey from the Amalfi coast is a long one because as mentioned it involves buses, ferry and trains . So it's been a tiring day commencing our day at 830am and arriving at our accommodation around 4.00pm.This gentleman you see here in speedos is at the port in Salerno and is there helping out. Quite funny and not an especially pretty sight but anything goes really.
Tomorrow we leave for Dubai and the final few days of our holiday before going home and back to work.
From my perspective as someone whose heritage is Italian, I feel honoured to have had the privilege to finally become acquainted with the birthplace of my parents and sister. Unfortunately, I didn't meet any relatives but maybe another time.
Italy is remarkable in so many ways, it has the antiquity of centuries of history, masterpieces by the world's greatest artists, history everywhere you go and each turn in the road you come across something new that's usually old of course. The coastline is also beautiful.
In general, I found some people friendly and others rude and unhelpful, but that's people anyway. I have enjoyed the challenge in making the effort to speak Italian and I have had several Italians who have said to me that I speak well and that's been a thrill to hear and they also pick me as being Italian. Funnily enough, I have had random people ask me questions in Italian clearly assuming that I am Italian . I think I can fit right in with the locals.
I have no doubt that Italy has issues like all nations but what I did observe is the number of young African men whose status I wonder about and random numbers of people who I suspect are Syrian refugees who are homeless. Some of these people are old, some families some single and this was a situation witnessed across across France and Spain . Don't know what the answer is but it's a sad state of events.
Capri and Praiano
Another day begins and we head into Positano on the bus and on roads where no road rules are adhered to and no bus waits for anyone so if you happen to be standing in the doorway it shuts and off we go. Hold on!
We decided to visit Capri because that's on the to do list if you visit the Amalfi coast. The island of Capri is beautiful and the coast is spectacular but sadly the amount of people impacts on the capacity to appreciate the entire experience and for us we were happy to leave and come back to Praiano to enjoy some quiet time and admire the view.
We decided that we wouldn't be going to visit Amalfi on our last day for the reasons already mentioned, the crowded buses and the swarms of people. We opted instead to have a relaxing day . We took a leisurely stroll to the beach in Praiano and Barca nice lunch without the masses. A quiet drink in the afternoon made for a nice last day on the Amalfi coast.
Final comments: The Amalfi coast is beautiful and spectacular and well worth a visit. The peak season is over the summer months but there were lots of people visiting at the end of September and that's bad enough so I can only imagine how hectic it must be in peak time. If you don't like crowds then choose another time to visit. I think that as already mentioned, tourism had gone mad and the natural offerings of this coast line has been overtaken by the commercialism . Everyone is out to exploit . I suppose, on the other hand, it keeps these towns alive and profitable. I think we sometimes forget that these towns care people's homes and the invasion of tourists must be an invasion of their privacy.
Tomorrow back to Rome for one night and then we' re off to Dubai a world of difference to what we have experienced.
Friday, September 29, 2017
Amalfi Coast
We bid farewell to Rome and headed down south by train to Salerno on our way to the Amalfi Coast and in particular to Praiano, located between Amalfi and Positano. The journey is quite a long one because it relies on three modes of transport, a train which takes two and a half hours, a ferry which takes one and quarter hours to Positano and finally a bus to Praiano which takes about thirty minutes but only leaves Positano every hour. Have you done the maths yet? Let's just say we got a train at 8.50am and arrived at our accommodation at around 4.15pm. A long day!
After hearing lots of stories about this coast road and the driving, I can truthfully say that IT IS A NIGHTMARE RIDE. Buses, cars, motor cycles all want to own the roadway at the same time and there is only one speed, go and stop and not much in between. Of course, a lot of the cars are sporting dings, scratches etc. Not surprising !
Very happy to have caught the ferry across which gave us a view of the coast which is beautiful .
Finally arrived to be greeted by our host Genarro, a very (pretty) handsome Italian boy, who took us for a drive around Praiano and I must say his driving style is interesting.
Today we took the hazardous ride to Positano to look around. Very nice place but much busier than Praiano so very happy to come back to our little quiet place away from the craziness. Serenity now!
After hearing lots of stories about this coast road and the driving, I can truthfully say that IT IS A NIGHTMARE RIDE. Buses, cars, motor cycles all want to own the roadway at the same time and there is only one speed, go and stop and not much in between. Of course, a lot of the cars are sporting dings, scratches etc. Not surprising !
Very happy to have caught the ferry across which gave us a view of the coast which is beautiful .
Finally arrived to be greeted by our host Genarro, a very (pretty) handsome Italian boy, who took us for a drive around Praiano and I must say his driving style is interesting.
Today we took the hazardous ride to Positano to look around. Very nice place but much busier than Praiano so very happy to come back to our little quiet place away from the craziness. Serenity now!
Abruzzo
Visiting the birth place of my parents was always something that I have wanted to do so on the last day in Rome we took a bus to L'Aquila which is the capital of Abruzzo and then took a local bus to the village, of Poggio Picenze. Not exactly a simple process as the bus from Rome to L'Aquila took about 90 mins then waiting for the local bus etc took some time. Of course, we arrived at siesta time, everything is closed between 1 and 4 pm. So no hope of getting any lunch. We walked along a very quiet village .We opted to leave soon after but nonetheless, it was worth the visit. I was able to take in the sights along the way and see just how picturesque the region as it set along the Appenines mountains and the Gran Sasso national Park. The village was also a surprise as it was bigger than I expected, well maintained and with a great view of the mountains as a back drop.
I'm glad I went and if I come back again will make the effort again but perhaps be better organised.
I'm glad I went and if I come back again will make the effort again but perhaps be better organised.
Pompeii
Another early start today, this time a day trip to Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius .
Pompeii was a thriving town in Ancient Rome that was obliterated when Mt Vesuvius erupted and the city was covered by ash. The ancient Romans had no idea that Vesuvius was a volcano believing it to be a mountain as the summit at that time was like a cone and was much taller than it is today. So to say they were literally taken by surprise is clearly an understatement. The tour around the ancient ruins was interesting but to some degree a bit disappointing because we were expecting something a bit different to the ancient ruins in Rome. Nonetheless well worth a visit.
Following the visit to Pompeii we stopped off to visit Mt Vesuvius to climb the summit. Rodney climbed but Gabriella didn't due to a headache. Rodney reports that when he arrived at the top he noticed a hole in the top and steam ! It seems that Vesuvius is due to erupt again in the not too distant future as she apparently has a major tantrum every 2000 years and it is almost 2000 years since she erupted. The citizens of Naples have no evacuation plans and don't appear concerned. One hopes that if she does go that the residents will have enough warning to evacuate.
Pompeii was a thriving town in Ancient Rome that was obliterated when Mt Vesuvius erupted and the city was covered by ash. The ancient Romans had no idea that Vesuvius was a volcano believing it to be a mountain as the summit at that time was like a cone and was much taller than it is today. So to say they were literally taken by surprise is clearly an understatement. The tour around the ancient ruins was interesting but to some degree a bit disappointing because we were expecting something a bit different to the ancient ruins in Rome. Nonetheless well worth a visit.
Following the visit to Pompeii we stopped off to visit Mt Vesuvius to climb the summit. Rodney climbed but Gabriella didn't due to a headache. Rodney reports that when he arrived at the top he noticed a hole in the top and steam ! It seems that Vesuvius is due to erupt again in the not too distant future as she apparently has a major tantrum every 2000 years and it is almost 2000 years since she erupted. The citizens of Naples have no evacuation plans and don't appear concerned. One hopes that if she does go that the residents will have enough warning to evacuate.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)