Oct 2006

Again please see http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaellar/ for photos.

Thanks to some Coldral cold and flu night time tablets the flight to Heathrow wasn't too bad. I think I mostly slept through the time difference and woke just in time for inedible breakfast and landing.

Killed some time in Heathrow duty free shopping for Vera Wang fragrances and then headed off to Milan. Was amazed at how slack Milan airport customs (if you can really even call them that) was after Heathrow but clearing through was a breeze with UK passport.

Vilija met me at Milan train station (thank god) as the language issues were becoming apparent by then. Often I would go to say something in French (and have now figured out that if you kinda speak French with an italian accent it sometimes works!)

We headed off to Florence for the weekend on the train and arrived during a small rain shower. We were determined not to look too much like tourists (See photo).... much to her dismay (and despite her impressive Italian) Vilija doesn't quite have the colourings of a native........

We found our hotel with not too much bother and i finally had a shower after 24 hours or more in transit. Hotel Cestelli is run by an italian-japanese couple and was beautiful (even with one bathroom for whole floor.) We hit Florence by night after the rain. Possibly the most beautiful city I've ever seen. Photos don't do it justice but have a look anyway!!! We walked over the Ponte Vecchio- now filled with the most blingest of bling gold stores you have ever seen. We had aperitifs- my new favourite kind of drinking where they give you almost endless free food while you order drinks- followed by Pasta of the region (recommended by Alessio and Agumi of Cestelli.) Of course, we then stumbled upon what is apparently the best gelati store in Florence (according to the mob of girls Vilija asked) for the first of many gelatis. My all time favourite flavour: chocolate-orange plus bonus mint choc chip for me.

The next day we got up early to try and avoid the obnoxious tourists (bloody tourists...) and started to explore Florence more. Michelangelo's David was booked out for weeks so we decided to go to the Bailica di Santa Croce. This beautiful Gothic style church was started in 1294 on the site of a Franciscan chapel. Vilija and I spent 2 hours with audio guides held to our ears exploring the church which houses the tomb of Michelangelo , Machiavelli, somewhat surprisingly Gallileo and also a monument dedicated to Dante.

We went past Il duomo (See photos of Bling church with dome in background) and found a million Piazzas and beautiful buildings. Only average gelati though.

On Sun night we visited another restaurant recommended by our hoteliers. It was here I had the best pasta I have ever had in my life. ever. sorry marco. The dish was parcels (kind of ravioli but looking more like dumplings) with pear (not too mushy, not too firm) in a light cream sauce with asparagus. Vilija and James are getting a little sick of hearing about it but I have included a photo ...... Oh and a litre of wine from our friendly waiter with Moobs.

On monday we did some more sight seeing and went on a mission to find Vilija some boots. and we did...... and some other shoes..... and some boots for me. You may be wondering by now how I am fitting all these shoes in...... good point.

Ciao Ciao from Florence

So sorry to disappoint my avid public but finding time to write an update has been difficult. Have had issues with photos on travellerspoint and so you can now find them on Flickr. http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaellar/

I have been having an awesome time. My holiday summary is starting to sound a little like a culinary tour....

Singapore was fabulous. Summary as follows:

Arrived in Singas Friday 29th sept grand final eve in time to share a vino with the kids and help Kate make rissoles for the big grand final day BBQ. It is like I never left Melbs!!

On Sat we visited the local coffee and toast with Bolts for Ya Kun Kaya toast. We flaunt the law and take photographs inside the coffee house. Then back to their beautiful apartment to get ready for Game day (See photo). We all know how that went...... but....... we had an awesome day with friends of Kate and Simons and hit the town later that night (See photo). For dinner we had a local specialty Ba Ku Teh or peppery pork rib soup. So good.

Sunday we commemorated the efforts of the swans (even Barry) with a 4 hour brunch at the Fullerton hotel with Verve and frozen margharitas (and not to forget the bloody marys....). All the seafood and duck and sushi and cheese you can eat.... ah, the crayfish. Simon's brother Matt and his lovely lady Janet came along as well as some friend's of S & K's, Sam and Bronte. Then we visited the Merlion and saw some other sites of Singas including the cats roaming the city (See photos).

During the week Kate and I (and Dina, a friend of Kate's from Riding for the disabled) saw many sites of Singas including Chinatown, Little India, Orchard Rd, the Singapore Zoo and the Cartier exhibition at the National Singapore museum (See photos). I bought 4 pairs of shoes..... just for me..... and they are all blue. Ate more amazing food including Coll-on-mee (please contact Simon for a more in depth appreciation of this dish), Steam Boat, pepper crab, Samy's curry (See photo) and Lah Pa Sat for prawn satays sticks.

I made friends with the MrT (Singapore metro system. Mind the Gap) and also spent some quality time in the largest book store in South East Asia. Oh and of course had a drink or two at the Long Bar of Raffles Hotel. It was pretty awesome.

You'll all be happy to know I fit in some lazing by the pool and quite quickly adjusted to the Singapore way of life (nothing much opens til about 11am which means that you really shouldn't get up til 10am)

I was sad to leave Kate and Simon on Friday night 6th Oct- can't wait to go back!! (And that's got nothing to do with the shoe shopping....)

So lucky to have such lovely friends in Singas (and their lovely friends and family.) It was such a treat to stay in their lovely apartment.

Cheers to Singas.