I is for Italy

In keeping with my "destinations" theme for this round of ABC Wednesday, I had to go with Italy, even though I've written about it before. (see here and here) Problem is, I want to write about places I've personally visited, and I've never been to Ireland, Iran, Iraq, Iceland, or Iqaluit (capital of Canada's newest northern territory of Nunavet). So, if you click on the direct routes to my other posts, you can read all about my trip to Italy and how I felt about the country, its food, customs, people, vino, etc. Today, I'll try to post some of my favourite photos that I hope I haven't posted before and that perhaps will help you to visualize how beautiful Italia is. I'd go back in a flash and stay even longer than the 4 weeks I had 5 years ago.
1. Tuscan village

2. View from Erice (Sicily)

3. Pitigliano

4. Sovana

5. Italian cyprus trees

6. Tuscan church

7. Lemon Trees ABC Wednesday is the brainchild of Denise Nesbitt and if you'd like to see other participants' contributions, click here. Please join in - the more the merrier!

H is for Hawaii

The first Christmas after my husband died (1992) was very sad, to say the least. So I decided that I would take my two daughters to Hawaii (Oahu) after Christmas was over and celebrate New Year's there. It would be a sort of new beginning for us and give us time away from all the grief and spend some quality time together in the sun. It was our first trip there and subsequently, a few years later, I took D2 to Mauii for Spring Break. This picture is one of my all-time favourites - the girls were so excited to hold these parrots in the International whatever center near our hotel. Here is a bird's eye view of the pool at our hotel - right below our room. After spending some time at the beach, I decided that I didn't want some oiled-up sweaty stranger lying right beside me and my towel. Those of you who have been to Waikiki, will know what I mean. So after only one day there, we spent the rest of our non-touring and non-shopping days at this lovely pool.

Here are the girls sunbathing on Waikiki but it wasn't long after I took this photo that people were literally towel by towel and we left!

The day we went on a day trip to the Polynesian Cultural Centre was a bit cloudy and windy, but we had a great day anyway.

Can you find me and D1 on the boat? D2 was looking over the side of the boat at everything! (Click to enlarge)

Here are the dancers entering into the area where they entertained us all.

D2 gets a hula lesson. I don't remember where D1 was.

And here is D2 again posing at the Cultural Centre.

Aha! D1 was posing in the gynormous tree roots!

Not to be outdone, D2 got right into the roots and sat down in the cool shade!

As you can see, we had a wonderful time in Hawaii and it was hard to return to reality. As I mentioned, D2 and I went to Mauii a few years later while D1 was studying at university. And I wouldn't mind returning to see Pearl Harbour some day and then go to one of the other islands for rest and relaxation. Everyone should take in Hawaii, if they can, but be prepared for the humidity!
Please forgive the quality of the photos, but they're almost 20 years old! Wow, where did the years go?

ABC Wednesday is the brainchild of Denise Nesbitt and if you'd like, pop over to the ABCW site to check out participants' ideas for each week.

G is for GLAMIS CASTLE

What with all the hoopla about "The King's Speech" winning Best Picture this year, I thought it would be timely to show you Glamis Castle where the Queen Mother grew up in Scotland. I had the privilege of visiting this stunning home in 1998 with my #1 daughter Jamie as we toured England, Scotland, and a bit of Wales.

The family has lived in Glamis Castle since 1372 when Sir John Lyon was granted the thaneage by King Robert II. In 1376, Sir John married the King's daughter, Princess Joanna and since then, Glamis has been visited and lived in by many members of the Scottish and British Royal Families. The current Lord Strathmore lives in the castle with his wife and three sons.

I didn't take many photos while there because I purchased the souvenir booklet. As such, except for the last photo of D#1 (the tiny white dot on the right) outside the front entrance to the castle, I've scanned a few photos of the rooms I personally visited and which really made me gasp in awe. Take note of the ceilings! I particularly liked the Chapel as it seems so personal, spiritual, and conducive to being in the presence of God. I hope you enjoy this little virtual visit to Glamis Castle. We start with the Line of Descent. Please enlarge the photos to see detail. Once the photos are enlarged, simply click on it again and you'll get an even larger, albeit a bit fuzzy view.

The Chapel....

Here is the Queen Mother's sitting room - the photo spread across the center of the page, hence the bit of distortion.

Wouldn't you love a game of billiards in this stunning room?

The Drawing Room (below) is where the Royals would entertain.

My daughter and I joke about "our arrival for tea with the Queen Mom" since she was still alive at the time of our visit. Click here to find out more about ABC Wednesday and be sure to check out other participants' contributions. Join in - the more the merrier!

F is for FLORENCE

Florence - one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It's full of history, art, pageantry, fabulous food, and stupendous scenery! It has been far too long since I was there and I can hardly wait to return and spend more time wandering around the streets, window shopping and buying leather goods and jewelry. I'd also love to take at least one cooking course and spend a day at the Uffizi gazing at the art. Here are some photos from my previous visit - the statue of David, flag throwers in a parade, statue in the Piazza della Signoria, the Duomo, a street artist, and a parade that happened by just as we arrived in the piazza!
ABC Wednesday is the brainchild of Denise Nesbitt and she has added a great team to help her out weekly by visiting various participating blogs. Join in - it's lots of fun and you meet people from all over the world!

E is for ETNA

This week, I'd like to take you to Mount Etna, a volcanic mountain in Sicily. During my 2006 journey through Italy, this was one of the last amazing sights I experienced. In fact, as soon as we got settled in at the San Domenico Palace Hotel (check out these photos to see this amazing place!) in Taormina, we headed up to the town piazza for a coffee and gelatto. From there, just at twilight, we saw poofs of smoke and little fingers of fire rising from the volcano's depth. It was very exciting as all the tourists "oohed" and "aahed." Of course, it wasn't as terrifying as it was last month when the mountain erupted and lava poured down its sides, frightening even the most hardened locals. Actually, it does erupt every few years, but this last time was a bit too much! I'm not going to write much about the mountain here because you're all smart enough to look up facts online if you're interested. Below is my photo of Etna from the Teatro Greco in Taormina. And below that is one from the web and one fro youtube of Etna erupting Jan. 12/13, 2011 - quite spectacular!

Nasal Creaking

Have you ever been so sick that you wished you could die but actually were afraid you might? Well, I have been stricken with the worst flu/cold in about 5 years and when I look in the mirror, I see death personified! I hurt all over - my head, my back, my shoulders, my chest - and I feel like a feeble centenarian when I hobble to the bathroom. And when I cough, it feels like fire and razor blades are vying for postion in my chest.

After getting up early this morning and finding that the 102F temperature had finally abated to the mid-99s, I crawled back into bed for a bit more sleep. It was so early, even the birds weren't up yet. Feeling more aware of my surroundings than I have been for the past two plus days, I noticed the silence. Suddenly, there was the faint sound of something - something - sounding like a creaking. Remaining still, I listened carefully. And then I realized what it was - my sinuses were creaking!

The way I'm feeling today, I think I'm going to be out of commission for another week. And yes, I did get my flu shots - the regular one and the swine one! I can't imagine how sick I'd be if I hadn't. And for a bit of humour amongst all this torment...

D is for Destination Disneyland

This week, D1 and her husband, along with their two children, are in Disneyland. Therefore, it's an apt subject for our D week here at ABC Wednesday. I remember when my late husband and I took D1 and D2 to Disneyland in November of 1989 when D1 had just turned 13 and D2 was 9 1/2. Walt Disney said, "Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world." And so it has changed since it opened on July 17, 1955. When I went back in 2000 with a girlfriend, I saw a lot of new things. But it has changed even since then! So I'm hoping my daughter and her family will have a wonderful time and bring back lots of photos and memories of their visit. Here are some photos from 1989 when we were there.

We left Disneyland exhausted, but happy. After all, they say it's the "happiest place on Earth!" What more can I say about it, since everyone knows about it even if they haven't been able to go there. There are "lands" all over the world now - in Paris, Tokyo, Hong Kong, along with California and Florida in the USA. I'd love to go and see the one in Florida as I've heard that the Epcot Center is amazing because it showcases countries from around the world.

When D1 and family return from their trip, I'll see if she'll let me post some photos of their holiday.