Italy (take two) --May 2006

Round two to Italy for me within 7 months of each other. This time, I am attending a destination wedding of a lovely couple Emo and Jennifer. I have been excited about going to Positano in the Amalfi Coast. It looks to be a beautiful place!!!

I decided that this time going to Italy, I was going to have company. My brother and sister are accompanying me. It has been an interesting project because as adults we never traveled alone before. Plus we do not always have the chance to hang out and really know each other.
All the preplanning came off without much of a hitch, I planned the itinerary, got the lodging, transportation (despite once being on hold for TWO hours on the phone with RAIL EUROPE -another story entirely) and other details. Before embarking on the trip, I made sure to make copies and type up an itinerary for all of us to be on the same page regarding the details of the trip.

Tuesday, May 16 we departed from Boston (LOGAN) to London (HEATHROW) on the 7pm flight which was on time. YIPEEE we were escaping the rain we had for the last two weeks (cold temps too) but the allergies were put at bay as a result. I was suffering bad allergies while in NYC with my parents a bit of time ago.

The night before is always stressful. I had not fully packed, finished watching the movies I rent from EHIT ( a source of my Asian movie and Kdrama addiction--www.ehit.com if you decide to go with it ---use this email to tell 'em I sent you their way-- asiafan16@hotmail.com). Then we met up with my sis and her boyfriend for a late night IHOP run. By the time we were done it was 2am and I had to crash at 3am.

But by the time we hit the terminal at American Airlines (sped through 20 minutes) to get to the agent (considering the line was really long) we were ok. We had time to relax and nosh on the food from Trader Joe's (my siblings were able to buy to avoid the lack of choices at Logan).
The flight over was not bad. I did not sleep at all (though having only 7 hours of sleep within the last 48 hours you would think I would have slept). Instead, I watched "Casanova" with Heath Ledger and Sienna Miller. I admit I watched it for Venice. Then proceeded to read the magazines and write in my journal all the last minute details that needed attending.
I must admit, I am glad we have technology and email! I cannot imagine back to the days without on line booking, email, cell phones as these components enable me to achieve all my travel planning etc.

During the flight we have some beef stew, salad, oatmeal raisin cookie bites and a choice of coffee, tea, sodas and some juices. For an early breakfast , we get small warm croissant, OJ with choice of butter and jam for the croissant. Plus we did have beverage service a few times to keep us hydrated.

We arrived into Heathrow on time and needed to get to passport control ASAP to reach the Central Bus station to hit the National Express bus to Stansted Airport for our Ryan Air flight at 11:30am. I know the timing is very tight but we were confident we could make it. (It was the only part of the trip I was worried as I know if you miss your flight, you eat the cost of the trip).
We got through with no problems and decide to hit Mark & Spencer take away foods store. I love it! I enjoyed it when I was in London last late fall too. There was a plethora of choices we went a bit crazy. From Roast Beef and Spring Onion chips, smoked salmon, cheddar cheese chunk, chocolate overload dessert (chocolate mousse, chocolate and white chocolate chip bits, chocolate brownie and whipped cream), yogurt and granola as a few examples we decided to buy.

We eat the early morning mix of interesting food. We do like the plastic disposable utensils. Much more durable and cute (reminded us of IKEA for some weird reason) due to its shape and size. We figured we will be in time for the 8am bus to Stansted. At 7:40 I find out that we are not at VICTORIA bus station (which is a good one hour away) but luckily we can exchange the ticket value to what we need as long as we reimburse the difference). PHEW! But the next bus is at 8:45 am to Stansted with estimated arrival of 10:30am (a close call to miss our flight I must say).

We drive around and find we are caught up here and there with traffic. But our bus driver is doing her best. Just as we decide to get into the Motor bus car park , a car decides to enter (they are not allowed) and waits there for a few moments. We honk and then he continues to drive confused in front of us blocking our way to our spot. After honking a few times (2 more times) the guy came out and gave the whole bus the finger. Time was 10:30am so I told my sis to book it to Ryan Air check in. My brother and I had to wait for our luggage because the driver told us we could not help her take it out. We got onto the bus early so we were one of the last bags out of the bus. I tell my brother to run ahead of me to save time.

Big mistake, I get in and get checked in but my brother got a bit lost. He did not bother to check on the TV Screens all around the airport we were a bit frantic. After I checked in, we only had 15 minutes to find him as the cut off was 10:50am or forfeit our ticket. Luckily we ended up checking in and having no problems. I noticed that the security measures are different there. My sister had her bag thoroughly inspected and checked (camera and cell were put on) etc. From there we trekked to Gate 41. We noticed that alot of stores were around the terminal (too many) to the fact we thought we were at a mall. (No joke!)

Once we were at the gates, my brother bypassed our gate (he managed to walk ahead of us). Later we find out, he thought he heard me say gate 48. But we reminded him to next time check the screen (as he has the notes on flight etc in the itinerary I gave him). My sister was a good sport though tired out from chasing down my brother and yelling his name down the terminal . We board and are told it is open seating. I try to sleep on the plane, I did get some.

After two hours later, we land in Treviso (outside of Venice). It is a small airport but the bathroom facilities are immaculate and one return luggage carrel. After getting our stuff, we get to the main entrance (the tiniest I have seen in my travels thus far). We discover instead of cabbing it to the train station in Treviso we can take the #6 bus to the Treviso Train Station for 1 euro a person.

Timing couldn't have been more perfect, we waited only 10 minutes in the warm blazing sun. It was a far cry from Boston weather and temps. The bus ride was short. We made sure to validate our tickets once on the bus. The fines if discovered your tickets is not validated are more expensive than the ticket.

From there we meander a little bit in Treviso but find that it is very hard to enjoy walking around encumbered with all our stuff on our person. We do get to call our lovely hostess Karen to tell her our arrival to Pordenone via the train later on. Finding a phone that took coins a pain as most took only credit card and phone cards. I do not recommend using credit cards as you can get cheated with exorbitant rates as they are not listed on the phone.
We decide to get some much needed gelato. It is the first time for my bro and sis. They loved it! My sis thinks the tiny shovels we use in place of spoons to be very cute. A much needed pickup on such a hot and warm day.

We had tons of time to kills and waited for our train. Once we got our Trieste Station bound train we get to Pordenone about 10 minutes later than scheduled. It is great to see Karen! We decide to head back to her lovely and beautiful home. Dropped off our stuff and walked to the restaurant for dinner called Casablanca. We started out with some good bread dipped in olive oil. The white wine we drank was refreshing. I enjoyed the dish I ordered (A fave of Karen's) the Siciliana which is penne pasta with cheese, chunks of eggplant and tomato which was to die for while my sister enjoyed her seafood pasta dish over penne pasta. My brother had the blanco pizza (sans sauce) and gobbled it up. To top off our meal, we have another round of gelato but for some reason all the usual suspects are closed.

The third and final place is open Desiree for gelati. The gelati hit the spot as we headed back to sleep and relax. I got the chance to do some research and figure out what to do for our day in VENICE and try to rsvp for a ticket to see the Borghese Gallery.
Slumber is beckoning and I hit the sack at 11:30pm.... (to be continued--do not know when).