What Did I Do?

18 Sunday Sep 2016

Today we woke up a bit later, and after the usual coffee stop, we made our way over to the Hawaii Convention Center to check out the venue, visit the open house for new designees, and see what there was to see. We picked up our free gifts from the local chapter (chocolate covered macadamias, yes, please, and thank you!) I learned there is a brand new designation for my new field that was just released last week, so I have more studying to do once I complete the one I am currently working on.

Have to love the “free range” pigeons…searching for crumbs even in the coffee shop!

Just love these tropical flower arrangements!

I KNOW my father had this album! One of the many displays at the Convention Center.

I was so happy to see my former chapter still maintaining Gold Level Circle of Excellence recognition. Congratulations, Sacramento Valley Chapter!
A bite to eat when we got back to the hotel – we both were feeling the need for red meat, so burgers were in order. A quick change, and we were on our way back to the Convention Center for the official conferment of the CPCU designation. I got to meet up with old friends from my days in CA. Such fun catching up and spending time with them. Also got to meet one of D’s former coworkers, and I hope we get to hang out with them a bit more before we leave. John Quinones was the keynote speaker, and it was interesting listening to his stories. Because we’d arrived so early, we were able to get a seat just 4 rows directly behind him.

We opted to walk back to the hotel rather than wait in line for the shuttles. A change of clothes back to the casual, comfy, vacation mode clothes of earlier in the day, and we were off to explore the hoolaulea. We got to see the arrival of the honorary king and queen before meeting up with friends about half way down the stretch of vendor booths, we continued on in the same direction to the end and a bit beyond where we decided dinner and beverages were in order. Along the way we got to watch some hula dancing, listen to music, take in the sights, and probably most importantly, purchase malasadas from Leonard’s bakery.

The Spam mascot, Mr. Musabi. Spam “sushi” is a real thing in Hawaii.

A street view of the Hoolaulea

No one wanted to share, so we all got our own box to go! If you’ve ever had hot, fresh malasada’s, you’ll understand why sharing really isn’t an option.

On the way back to the hotel we were stopped by Hawaii Tourist Board workers who needed photos of them “in action.” Somehow I managed to get in most every photo they took. I am going to have to keep an eye on their website for my photo! In the next block we passed a parade of Spanish singers, dancers and musicians.

A fun filled, sensory filled day. Tomorrow we will be up early to check out another local attraction, followed by surfing lessons with the #1 Cousin!

Posted by andreapw | Filed under CPCU2016, Hawaii, Hawaii Convention Center, Honolulu, Hoolaulea, Hula, malasadas, Oahu, Sheraton Waikiki, Travel, Vacation2016, Waikiki

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North Shore revisited

16 Friday Sep 2016

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Haliewa, Hawaii, North Shore, Oahu

Today was an explore on our own day. We left probably a bit later than D. had hoped (I was a bit slow getting going this morning, as we had awoken to flash flood warnings on our phones. I turned on the news to catch a weather report, and well, got a little distracted with local news, shall we say? My parents were news “junkies,” and it appears the apple may not have fallen far from that tree. The sun was shining in Waikiki, and it appeared whatever storm had blown through overnight had blown out to sea. It was another beautiful day in paradise!

We headed out to the North Shore by way of the USS Bowfin Museum store as we’d seen something there on Sunday which we’d not seen anywhere else. Time to stop looking and just run in and get it. The only item on today’s agenda was a visit with one of my daughter’s best friends (affectionately known in our family as Daughter #2, and yes, occasionally “favorite”daughter when mine was being a typical teenager) and her son whom I had not yet met.
First stop, Waialua Coffee Company (and tea) which was quite yummy. They had a very eclectic collection of coffee advertisements from around the world on the walls, and a small cafe area. A more local, hipper vibe than the chain coffee stores…locals in with their laptops, visiting with friends, and us tourists thrown into the mix. (We tourists likely brought the “hip” vibe down a notch, but we did purchase a bit more than the locals, so it seemed a good balance to me.)

A beautiful drive along the coast to Haliewa where we wandered around for a bit. I managed to find some Christmas gifts, got some ideas for craft projects, and took pictures of things that brought back memories while we waited for Daughter 2 to meet us.

This was the main “highway” around the island when I called Oahu home. One lane in each direction kind of highway!

Queen Liliuokalani Protestant Church, Haliewa, HI

Seriously, does it get much better than this?

I believe my father had this LP. (Mom will let me know if he didn’t!) If he didn’t, he should have because I have a memory of someone having it!

We definitely had a set of these…at least 6.

We had a wonderful lunch at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck (I believe garlic will be oozing out of my pores for the next few weeks. Apologies to anyone standing or sitting close to me!) combined with a visit with Daughter 2 and the cutest little surfer dude I’ve ever seen. I could tell he was a “local” as he arrived barefoot and was walking around the rocks as if it was nothing. Flashbacks to my brother at the same age many, many (ok, maybe only one many) years ago. We got some ideas of further places to explore, said our farewells (yes, for those who know me well, my eyes leaked), and we were on our way.

Our directions were head “that way, left at the stop sign and around,” or something like that…we were headed somewhere, and that was really all that mattered. When you’re on an island you really can’t get too lost!

As we are driving down this road, we pass a sign…Camp Mokule’ia. Seriously?! This was my first ever overnight camp. I think I was 7? Maybe 8? I still have the shirt with my name embroidered on it. This was such a trip down memory lane – especially as I had recently scanned my father’s slides from when they dropped me off and picked me up. I couldn’t have found this place if I’d tried. But I could yell “Stop! I need a picture!”

We kept driving and came upon another long stretch of beach. I opened the car window for a picture, and D. commented “Now this smells like the beach.” I couldn’t have agreed more. Outside of Waikiki with all its aromas mingling with the sea air, you really don’t smell the beach. On this stretch, you really smelled the salt air, the sand, the sky, the Beach. (Yes, at The Beach you can even smell the sky.)

Love the wind power in the background.

We came to the end of the road at Ka’ene Point in Molokai and headed back to see where else the road would lead. A few turns later and we stumbled onto The Old Sugar Mill in Wailua. It has been turned into shops, boutiques, and a coffee roastery. One of the wonderful things about Hawaii is how people take care of one another. Here in the middle of the old sugar factory, which likely employed most of the community at one time, was the Community Kitchen. Where anyone can come for a meal. How much better would the world be if we broke bread together and shared our abundance with our neighbors?

It was still relatively early, so we headed for Waiamea. On the way we crossed Rainbow Bridge. I immediately thought of my Auntie S. who tells the BEST stories about the heavenly Rainbow Bridge. I didn’t see any fish here, so this one was good to cross.

We were hoping for the lighthouse, but saw signs for the Waiamea Falls and turned in there. Unfortunately the falls were closed by the time we arrived, but they had a wonderful farmer’s market going on, and we had a great time exploring it. And we may be back next week to explore the falls and surrounding area further. Lots of Hollywood movies have been filmed here, and it definitely peaked our interest. I was able to get a few pictures from outside the entrance, though.

We started back to the hotel, but made a detour back to Haliewa Beach to watch the sun set. This is where we swam with the turtles on Monday, and it was fun to sit and watch for them to poke their heads up out of the surf. And yes, I am my father’s daughter, and if one sunset photo is good, more are better. Fortunately I will only share one…ok, two.

WWII Veterans Memorial at Haliewa Beach

Tomorrow the actual “work” part of this trip begins, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be out exploring. I believe there may be a mouse involved in tomorrow’s adventures.

Posted by andreapw | Filed under beach, Haliewa, Hawaii, Hawaii beaches, Honu, Molokai, North Shore, Oahu, Pacific Ocean, sea turtles, sunset, Travel, Waiamea

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Hidden Gems and Sea Turtles

13 Tuesday Sep 2016

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Hawaii, Hidden Gems, Oahu, sea turtles

Today was an early start as we had to meet the tour bus at 7:30 for the Hidden Gems Tour of Oahu. We were up in time to see the sunrise, but being on the west side of the island with a mountain range in between, it was a little hard to see. And the cloud cover wasn’t helping much, either. Once the van was full our driver, Mikos (the short version of his name. He is named for 7 generations of grandfathers, so his given name is very long!) pulled over and had us introduce ourselves. Quite an international group in our tour – Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Brazil, Egypt, Alaska, Slovakia, California, and of course, Arizona and Georgia. It made for very interesting conversation throughout the day, but I have to say the youngest two Californians did not make the best impression. They did provide us with plenty of “entertainment” throughout the day, though. Our driver was very patient and kind…I’m sure he has seen it all! The driver’s wife and 2 year old grandson were also along for the ride.

We drove around the south end of the island, past Hanauma Bay with our first official stop at Blow Hole and Eternity Beach. (So named because scenes in the movie From Here to Eternity were filmed here.) Unfortunately it was low tide, so we weren’t able to see it “blow.”

An ancient altar to a Hawaiian god on the way to Halona Blowhole.

From there we went to Makapu’u and Rabbit Island, Waimanalo Bay, through part of Kailua and on a small portion of the Pali Highway to He’eia Park where we could see Gilligan’s Island.

Gilligan’s Island was filmed on the small island on the left.

When the tide is high, the waves carry fish over the sea wall. Holes in the wall allow the smaller fish to return to the sea when the tide goes out. The medium and large fish are then caught by local fishermen.

A quick stop at the Macadamia Nut Outlet for samples of macadamia nuts and coffee, stretching our legs and picking up some gift items, and we were back underway to Kualoa , Ka’a’awa, Hau’ula, and on into Kahuku for lunch at Funi’s Kahuku Shrimp.

Hala, or pandanus trees.

Mokoli’i Island, otherwise known as Chinaman’s Hat

One of two houses built with coral. It is illegal to use coral as a building product now.

The “back” side of Crouching Lion in Ka’a’awa.

Hukilau Cafe – part of the movie 50 First Dates was filmed here.

Hawaii is seeking alternative forms of energy, including wind energy. We passed 2 areas of windmills today.

After lunch you need dessert, right? And why not a Hawaiian fried banana and fresh fruit? The fried bananas were scrumptious, and the fruit will be dessert after dinner tonight.

Fresh coconuts…juice, anyone?

After filling our bellies, we began the drive south with stops at Sunset Beach, Waimea Bay Beach, and on into Hale’iwa Beach to swim with the Honu – Hawaiian sea turtles.

I purchased a waterproof case for my phone on Sunday just for the turtle swim. With the weather today, the water was just a bit murky. Between the murky water and my mask continually fogging up, I really wasn’t sure what I was taking pictures of…but somehow managed to capture a photo of a turtle!

Murky water today due to cloud cover

I managed to get a photo of a honu underwater!

We were lucky to have a turtle come very close to shore (the waves kept washing it up, and he didn’t seem in much of a hurry to leave), so I was able to get some better pictures. Such an incredible experience!

After all the excitement of seeing the honus, we dried off and boarded the bus. A stop at the Dole Pineapple Factory for those who were still hungry and wanted a pineapple whip (we both passed but wandered around the gift shop), then it was on to the final bit of our journey, down the west coast and back to Waikiki. We dropped one couple off in downtown Honolulu just near the Aloha Tower, once the tallest structure in Honolulu.

Pineapple field

Hawaiian free range rooster

A short walk back to the hotel from our drop off spot, and in time to catch the final moments of tonight’s sunset. Tomorrow is a “down” day with nothing major planned. A welcome break after the long day today.

Posted by andreapw | Filed under beach, Blow Hole, Crouching Lion, Dole, Dole Pineapple, Dole Pineapple Factory, Halona, Halona Blow Hole, Hanauma Bay, Hawaii, Hawaii beaches, Honolulu, Honu, Kahuku, Kahuku shrimp, Kailua, Kualoa Ranch, Maunaloa Bay Beach, North Shore, Oahu, Oahu Hidden Gems Tour, pineapple, Rabbit Island, sea turtles, Travel, Vacation2016, Waimanalo Beach, Waimea Bay

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Memorials, submarines and memories

12 Monday Sep 2016

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Ford Island, Hawaii, Honolul, Navy, Pearl Harbor, Submarines, USS Arizona, USS Utah

We slept in a bit this morning…we were both awake by 6:30AM or so. Considering the time change, that is sleeping in for us! We grabbed a coffee from the lobby, enjoyed the remainder of yesterday’s grandona and had a leisurely morning. And with this view, how could you not?!

First on today’s list was a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial. I was too young to visit it when we lived here, so this was a first for me, too. And to be there on the 15th anniversary of the 2nd surprise attack on the US was very poignant and humbling. We got to the park about an hour or so before our scheduled tour time, so we had a chance to wander through many of the exhibits. So many thoughts and emotions as we read the history, and particularly the names, of those killed.

We watched the short movie prior to boarding the boat that took us out the the Arizona Memorial. I hope the pictures convey what words cannot…

35 of the original survivors have been buried with their shipmates, the most recent on December 7, 2015 at the age of 100. There are 6 remaining survivors of the Arizona today.

When we finished our visit here, we were picked up by my cousin and his wife and given a wonderful tour of Pearl Harbor Navy Base and Ford Island. We had to stop and get cleared to go on base due to the high security given the day. A lot has changed, but there were many spots that were very familiar and held many memories…especially the submarines! The USS Mississippi must have recently returned as she was still wearing her lei and the welcome home banners were still on the fence. I remember standing on the pier watching and waiting for the arrival of my dad after many patrols. We were fortunate to see the USS Utah Memorial, the bullet markings in the concrete from machine gun fire, the original Arizona Memorial, and a view of the more well known Arizona Memorial that most do not get to see.

And a trip to Ford Island wouldn’t be complete without a picture of my parent’s names carved in the banyan tree. There’s no confirmation that it is in fact them, or who carved it, but it dates to roughly our early years in Hawaii…and given the Navy social events of the time, anything is possible! Plus, I just love the thought that my father would have proclaimed his love for my mother by carving their names in a tree for the all to see

A short drive back to our car, and we followed them home for dinner. PuPus of poke, kimchi octopus, edamame and poi followed by a delicious hot sandwich roll. I did try the octopus (yes, Mom, I tried it…still not tops on my list of seafood) and the poi. I cannot believe I used to eat poi as a child without hesitation. I admit I am not as much a fan as an adult. A wonderful evening of good food, great conversation, laughs, and lots of kisses from Lui, their dog.

We made it back to the hotel in time to catch the 3-D Liquid Light Show at the pool. A lot of fun, and a perfect end to the day.

Posted by andreapw | Filed under Ford Island, Hawaii, Honolulu, Memorials, Navy, Pearl Harbor, PuPus, Submarines, Travel, USS Arizona, USS Utah, Vacation2016

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Looking Up

24 Sunday Jul 2016

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Chicago

A business trip to Illinois allowed for a day in Chicago today with my mother and a family friend. A girl’s play date, if you will. No agenda, no schedule (other than our train up and back)…just a day to enjoy each other’s company and see what fun we could have. The train was scheduled to leave at 6:35AM, so we were up bright and early before the sun. Rarely does Amtrak leave on time, but at least we had the text alert for the delayed departure at 7:30. It was about 7:45 or so when we actually boarded and pulled out. The sun was shining, and the “heat dome” was evident – hot and muggy start to the day.

I love riding on trains, not nearly as much as my mother does, but it’s a comfortable, easy way to travel. You get to see another part of towns that you don’t get by driving, and you don’t have to worry about who’s driving home at the end of a long day. If you’ve never ridden the train from east central Illinois to Chicago, I will admit there are parts that can become a bit boring or tedious – seemingly endless stretches of corn and soybeans. But keep your eyes open and you may just spot some interesting things…town water towers, and the reed/twig hut we spotted as we approached Chicago.

We disembarked in Union Station, found our way outside, and requested an Uber for a ride to State Street…completely walkable from where we were, but I haven’t been in downtown Chicago for over 10 years and jumped the gun. Oops! As our driver headed the most direct route to our destination, we found several streets barricaded and only foot traffic being allowed through. Turns out there was a parade down Dearborn Ave. Not a big one, but still interesting to watch for a brief bit.

We set a leisurely pace which allowed me to do one of my favorite things when in a large city…look up. We go through so many of our days focused on the destination and end result that we forget to slow down and look around. I love looking up when I’m in a city. Have you ever really noticed the carvings, scupltures and art work on the high rises above eye level? The reflections of one building in another? It brings a whole new perspective – literally!

My travel companions today both have birthdays in August, so today was an early birthday present for them. After a bit of walking and shopping, we headed to Eataly on Ohio St. Having just returned from a week in Italy, it was quite an experience. I would best describe it as every food shop and restaurant in a small Italian town placed in one building – wine, olive oil, pastas, cheese, meat, fish, gelato, pizza, cappucinos, housewares and bookstore all rolled into one cacophony of sights, sounds and smells. We managed to find a small table (near the wine bar, go figure!) where we parked Mom to hold our spot and watch our shopping bags while we grabbed a light snack and beverages. Proseco, rosé, parmesan cheese and salami. A perfect midday break.

After a nice rest, we headed out to Michigan Avenue for more sightseeing. We sat in the park near the Water Tower and enjoyed some very interesting people watching. Small children playing in the fountain, “free intelligent conversation” sign holders (we never did test how intelligent the conversation was), religious hawkers, tourists, wedding attendees, locals, the young man who used the horse watering trough to cool his head, and everything in between. Always great people watching in Chicago!

We headed back toward Union Station hoping for a last minute bite to eat before boarding the train. As luck would have it just about every place closed just as we arrived. We found some hummus, pretzel chips and bottled water at the “grab and go” and an empty table, and sat to replenish our energy stores. Soon it was time to head to the waiting lounge to board our train.

We had purchased a bottle of proseco at Eataly to enjoy on the way home, and happened to find small wine glasses in one store. A perfect end to a perfect day! Until the conductor advised we couldn’t drink alcoholic beverages not purchased onboard unless we had a sleeper compartment. We put away our beverages in the most appropriate way – through our mouths and into our stomachs. When he next came through the observation car we had only our snacks and a bottle of water in view. Our bon voyage party may have been short lived, but it was incredibly fun, and worth being scolded for! (Apologies for the blurry picture – it’s hard to take a good photo on a moving train.)

It was a great way to spend the day, and fun to be back in one of my favorite cities.

Posted by andreapw | Filed under Amtrak, Chicago, Eataly, Proseco, Travel, Water Tower

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Home, Sweet Home

14 Thursday Jul 2016

It’s always bittersweet to come home after a wonderful trip, but I must say sleeping in our bed last night felt so good! We forced ourselves to go to bed at a relatively normal hour, and to sleep in until a normal hour. (I was ready to prowl the house at about 3:30AM, but I knew that would lead to a longer jetlag recovery.) Our purring fur-baby was very happy to see us, so much so that she sat outside our bedroom door and meowed until I finally let her in with us. (We don’t generally let the fur-babies in our bedroom, so this was a special treat for her!) We unpacked essentials last night, and my other half will attack the laundry over the next few days.

Some of the smaller details of our trip for those who may be looking to travel to Norway or Italy, or those who are just curious-minded like me.

We flew British Airways between the US and Oslo with a layover/transit in London’s Heathrow. Not the worst flights, but certainly not the best we’ve had either. (The best is still held by Singapore Airlines in my opinion.) BA has a new computer system that crashed multiple times on both of our main travel days. Customs & Immigration was a breeze in each country, and the airports were easy to navigate. Oslo and Heathrow both had plenty of assistants available to answer questions and point you in the right direction.

From Rome to Oslo we flew Norwegian Airlines. For the price ($327 total for two of us, including travel insurance), we got a brand new airplane (although the WiFi had not been hooked up yet). Flight crew was very friendly, but they charge for all beverages (250 NOK for a water) and you can only eat food purchased onboard. If it’s a short flight, I would definitely fly them again.

The first night in Oslo we stayed at CityBox Hotel. Reception and concierge were Ipads. Very hip and modern, and we didn’t have to worry about a late check-in! Room was clean and comfortable. There was a wonderful French cafe just off the lobby for breakfast. If you are traveling from the US to Europe, you need to quickly adjust to the size and room amenity differences. Closet space is small or non-existent throughout Europe, and only the hotels in Italy had a mini fridge. Granted, we stayed in moderately priced rooms at 3+ star hotels. 4-5 star hotels might be somewhat different – I prefer to spend my money on the daytime experiences, food and shopping. A hotel room to me is where I get my rest and freshen up each day, so I don’t require much in the way of amenities.

The hotel in Verona, Hotel Gardenia, was probably the worst experience of the trip. Fortunately it was only one night (technically about 5 hours)…the front desk clerk was essentially incompetent, and wanted to keep our documents (passports, etc) until morning. No, thank you! The ladies took the room keys and our luggage and set off to find our rooms and left the guys to wait for the documents. The clerk did not tell us which way to go to get to our room until we showed up again in the lobby to ask for directions. I did not go into the lobby in the morning, but I was told the desk clerk then was as rude as the evening one. A review was left on TripAdvisor, so at least others can be informed as well.

Our flat in Trequanda is available on VRBO (https://www.vrbo.com/440247). I cannot express in words how wonderful this little town is. The flat is situated conveniently to the square and parking area. (On street parking is very limited due to the narrow streets.) An early morning stroll for a cappucino and pastry in town, then off to explore the surrounding areas, of which there are many.

Tuscan towns are built on top of hills. We walked an average of 3 – 6 miles per day (at least according to my Samsung Gear Fit2). Comfortable, supportive walking shoes are a must, especially as most of the roads in town are all cobblestone. There are plenty of benches and places to sit throughout the towns if you need a rest. The shopping was wonderful, and a great selection of items. We generally browsed at the bottom of the hill and checked prices for items, then compared as we went up. If the shop at the bottom was still the best price, we made our purchases on our way back to the car rather than carrying bags with us the entire day. If you travel to Italy in the summer, bring a fan – it is hot and humid, and very few places are air conditioned. There was a wonderful breeze most days, but that alone will not keep you cool. I finally purchased a fan in Montepulciano, and was using it daily through the flight home yesterday.

Always throw a bathing suit in your luggage, even if you are positive you won’t need it. (That’s a reminder for me, mostly.) The Mediterranean coast of Italy is rocky and slippery, so beach/water shoes are recommended.

Rome really needs more than 2 days to see it properly. We did the quick tour because of time, but next trip will be a longer stay. Taxis are easily found and relatively inexpensive. (A 15 – 20 minute ride for 4-5 of us averaged €9 – €10.) Grab a street map from your hotel as Rome is not easy to navigate without one. We stayed at Grand Hotel Olympic near Vatican City. Donatella, the hotel manager, was wonderful. My other half taught her how to reset the WiFi when it became overloaded. It is an older hotel and showed signs of wear and tear. The shower was very small, as is the case with most European hotels, but this one seemed extra small. Breakfast was included, but the food was fair. One morning the cappucino machine was broken, the pastries did not seem particularly fresh, but there was a large selection of meat and cheese. I would have liked some fresh fruit as a option.

Our final nights in Oslo were at the Comfort Hotel Børsparken. A huge lobby area with tables and chairs, free coffee 24 hours/day, and a small selection of snacks and beverages for purchase by the front desk. There is apparently one of the largest and best gyms in the area on their lower level, but we didn’t check it out. Very conveniently located to the train station and a slightly longer walk to the waterfront and ferries. Ask ahead of checkout if there are tour groups staying at the hotel…we had to take the service elevator to get down to check out on our last day as the main elevator was consistently full. Turned out there were two tour buses checking out the same time we were.

Not sure when or where our next Big Adventure will be, but we will be checking out areas closer to home in the coming months. I do get a daytrip to Chicago with my mom in 10 days, so there may be a quick post then. Not sure what she has planned, other than a train ride up and back!

Until the next time…thanks for traveling with us! We hope you enjoyed our trip virtually as much as we did in reality.

Posted by andreapw | Filed under Europe, Italy, Norway, Oslo, Roma, Rome, Travel, Trequanda, Tuscany, Vacation2016

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Last day of Big Adventure 2016

12 Tuesday Jul 2016

We arrived in Oslo last evening, successfully left 2 bags checked at the airport, and took the train into town. A quick walk from the Sentralstasjon to our hotel…maybe not as quick as it would have been under normal circumstances as my legs were still sore from the cupola climb and Roma expedition, but we made it! A very hip little place an easy walk to transportation and things we wanted to see.

Last night’s dinner was at Nilsen Spiseri, a small restaurant a block away from the hotel. It is right next door to a hostel, and our waiter has been working there for 6 months after a stay in the hostel. My other half opted for poached salmon, and I decided to go outside the comfort zone with reindeer stew. I must say I was a little nervous, but it was absolutely delicious!

We slept in a bit this morning (exhaustion had begun to hit us both), then ventured out about 11AM. My other half went to the tourist information center a block away and bought two Oslo Passes for us. Best purchase of the day as they allowed free admission to every place we visited and free rides on transportation (ferries and light rail). A quick walk to the waterfront, and we boarded a ferry to the Norsk Folkemuseum and Viking Ship Museum.

The Folkemuseum did not have a lot going on, but was still an interesting walk about. The Viking Ship Museum was great fun. Amazing that these actual vessels were found buried and intact. They’d actually been used as burial ships, a coffin of sorts. They’d been looted, so there was no jewelry or articles of value, but the items that did survive have some significant historical value!

From there it was a leisurely walk to the Fram Museum. The Fram was the first wooden sailing vessel to explore both the North and South Poles. It is fully preserved, and you can go aboard. Very interesting to read about the expeditions and science experiments carried out on each voyage.

A ferry ride across the fjord back to Oslo, and we decided it was lunchtime. A stroll down the pier reading every menu, and we opted for Louise’s. Tasty mussels steamed in white wine with lemon and seasoning for me, and fish and chips for the Mister. His fish was more along the lines of Sri Lankan fish cutlets and not the British fish and chips he expected. But we will have a layover in London tomorrow, so we can make up for it there. Not that he minded fish cutlets at all – they are one of his favorite foods! A small rain shower as we finished lunch, and a light drizzle while we ate our Swiss ice cream cones on our way to the Nobel Peace Center.

Nobel Peace Center had wonderful exhibits. It was very moving, and photos were an afterthought. The current exhibit was about the 1936 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Carl Von Ossietzky. Upstairs were more exhibits, and a large section on the Syrian refugee crisis from the perspective of Syrian children. Hard to read their words without getting a lump in the throat. As you go back down to the main level, children (and adults, too, I suppose) are encouraged to post a “thought bubble” about peace.

Next stop, Vigeland Park. Too far away to walk, especially with dark clouds gathering on the horizon. We pulled up Google maps, figured out where to catch the light rail, and off we went. My father was in Oslo in 1956 or 1957, and I was in search of the fountain from one of his photos. We thought this might be the one. I’m not quite sure and will need to look at his photo when I get home. Either way, it was an easy trip, and worth the train ride. The park has over 200 bronze and granite scuptures by Gustav Vigeland. A tremendous rose garden surrounded the center fountain, leading the way to the monolith. The monolith is 121 figures trying to reach the top of the structure.

A quick train ride back to the hotel, and we have essentially brought 2016 Big Adventure to an end. Off to find our last dinner in Oslo for this trip. Tomorrow we return home, and try to wrap our heads around everything we’ve seen and done!

Posted by andreapw | Filed under Europe, Fram, Nobel Peace Center, Norway, Oslo, Travel, Vacation2016, Viking Museum

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Once in a lifetime…Part 2

11 Monday Jul 2016

Our tickets for the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel were for 1:30PM admission. We arrived at the entrance just a bit late but had no issues being admitted. We managed to maneuver around the many tour groups queuing up and crowding the entrance hall, got our receipt for our audio guides, and headed upstairs. A quick lesson on how to use the audio guide, and we were off to explore.

You really need a week to see all the treasures at an appropriate pace. But as our ticket was good for one day only, we had to see everything we could in the limited time available. I’d say we did a pretty good job. We did double back a few hours into our exploration as empty bellies and thirst were getting the better of us. Fortunately the cafe near Pinecone Courtyard had one remaining vegetarian sandwich! That with a side of caprese and Italian beer, and we had the energy needed to complete our tour.

The Hall of Maps was breathtaking. The Sistine Chapel beautiful and awe-inspiring. I was somewhat disappointed in Michalangelo’s The Creation, if that’s even possible…having seen it in photos for so many years, it was much smaller than I expected. However, the fact that I was standing in the Sistine Chapel looking at it was pretty amazing in and of itself.

No photos were allowed in the Sistine Chapel, so we will continue to rely on the photos in books and online to remember that portion of our visit. From there we essentially skipped the Contemporary Art collection, stopped at the gift store on our way out, and headed back toward our hotel – exhausted with our brains on overload. We opted for a quick beverage to celebrate our anniversary in a small wine cafe just down the street from the hotel…a glass of proseco, a glass of chardonnay, and a cheese board made for a perfect end to the afternoon’s adverture.
Out of curiousity we checked some statistics for the Vatican Museum. It is the 5th most visited and 5th largest museum in the world. (The Louvre being #1 for visitors and the State Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia for size.)

We had dinner reservations at 9:30PM. We all met at the rooftop garden of our friends’ hotel on Piaza Campo di Fiori. We shared a bottle of proseco and a bottle of La Fornace brunello, and watched the sun set over St. Peter’s dome.

Dinner was at Roscioli Restuarant. We were seated in the basement amongst many, many bottles of wine. It was fun to read labels, and the wine list was like a phone book. If money had been no object, we might have splurged on the 1955 Brunello di Montalcino Reserva. Alas, none of really wanted to wash dishes for the next year to pay it off! A fantastic dinner – primi of pasta with fried pork cheek, secondi of tuna carpaccio. A primi of spinach and ricotta raviolis and secondi of lamb chops for my other half. We shared pistachio crême brulee for dessert, with a glass of syrah.

We left the restaurant about 12:30AM and caught cabs back to our hotel. As our brains and bellies were still on sensory overload from the day’s excursion and wonderful meal, we opted for a late night bottle of wine with our best man at a cafe right around the corner from the hotel. Sharing memories, people watching, and talking about life in general – I’d say the perfect way to spend your 11th anniversary!

Posted by andreapw | Filed under Europe, Italy, Travel, Vacation2016, Vatican

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Once in a lifetime…Part 1

11 Monday Jul 2016

(Saturday July 9, 2016) We set off this morning to the Vatican Museum and St. Peter’s Basilica. We had purchased tickets for the Vatican Museum the night before. After researching the private, semi-private and self-guided tours, we had opted for the self-guided tour of the Museum. The Basilica was free, but we decided to get the audio guide. For just a little bit more, we could also go all the way to the top of the cupola. Well, while in Rome…right?! We did the cupola first – a short elevator ride to the inside rim of the cupola and 360° views of the Basilica.

381 (give or take a few) stairs at the height of the day’s heat up to the very top…Half way up there was a sign letting us know how many stairs left in the climb. Not sure if it was encouraging or discouraging, but it was nice to know we’d at least gotten to the halfway point. The last bit was a very tiny spiral staircase with a rope as a handrail. Just a little nerve wracking! But, I can honestly say the panoramic view from the top was worth every step and more. Have to say it was surprising, and disappointing to see graffiti on the walls and columns at the top. I just don’t get why people feel the need to leave a permanent reminder of their visit like that. Take a picture…don’t destroy a historically significant building.

Coming down from the cupola you enter the Basilica on the right side of the Apse. The Basilica is enormous. I was hoping to see the sign showing where other major cathedrals of the world (St. Paul’s London, Notre Dame, etc) would fit inside, but with the vast number of people touring, I never did find it. I’m sure if I Google it I can find out…there is so much to see, and everywhere you turn is another painting or statue that draws you in. The ceiling was beautiful, and what I wouldn’t give to hear the organ being played! Next trip I think I will try to attend services in some of the churches we have visited. It was a bit difficult to take the time I really wanted to (or the time necessary) to see and experience everything. There were large tour groups (15 – 40 people per group), and with the guides all talking at once plus other visitors chatting made for a less than holy, shall we say, experience. Disappointing in some respects, but to have visited at all was a truly special treat.

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Arrivederci, Tuscany. Ciao, Roma!

11 Monday Jul 2016

(Friday July 8, 2016) A final cappuccino and carrot muffin at Giorgio’s cafe this morning, packed the car full, and headed southeast. We made a spur of the moment decision last night to travel the coastal road so we could stop along the Mediterranean for lunch. (My other half really enjoyed the wines of Tuscany, but the food not quite as much. Lots of beef (chianina, the white cow of Tuscany) and pork (salami, prosciutto, etc.) He did have lamb the first evening in Trequanda, other nights we found pastas with goose ragu, or salmon pizza. Yesterday I think left him a bit hungry. (I, on the other hand, did not have a problem finding suitable dishes to enjoy…a wonderful pici pasta with bacon, garlic and bread crumbs followed by chianina in peppercorns and seasonings – apparently a very old recipe handed down through the generations. And I can’t leave out dessert – fruita panna cotta. Delicioso!)

But back to today…we realized early on we were headed the wrong direction, made a quick adjustment, and first spied the ocean about 1:30PM. We stopped in the port city of Civitavecchia for lunch, and a quick swim for those who had planned for the unexpected. (Those of us who packed light did not fare as well…just another reason for a return trip!) It was rocky and slippery, but wonderfully warm from what I am told.

Address for the hotel plugged into the GPS, and we were on the final leg of the today’s journey to Rome by 4:15PM. We are at a hotel just outside Vatican City. We have had a few “ohh and ahh” moments since we arrived in town, with a lot of photos out the car window.

This evening we met up at a little wine bar, L’Angolo Divino near Piaza di Campo di Fiore. Wonderful bottle of sangiovese and snacks (burrata, olives, deviled eggs and lupini). Dinner was a quick walk away, also just off the Piaza. I didn’t make the dinner reservations, so I do nother recall the name of the restaurant. It was across the street from a fabric store that held my attention for a bit. The wheels were turning in my head, especially as I had had the inspiration for our kitchen just a few days earlier.

Our waiter, Rocco, was wonderful, and not only made wonderful recommendations for food and wine, he presented each of the ladies with a rose from the street vendor. We realized later he essentially chose our entire meal, but for dessert! And he picked quite well…sautéed Portofino mushrooms, lobster salad, rissotto, poached sea bass and poached red snapper. Lemoncella accompanied various desserts (tiramisu and panna cotta). All dishes were shared among the 6 of us, and we left full, happy, and just a little tired.