This trip hosted many firsts for me: my first flight across the Indian Ocean, my first stop in Dubai, my first trip to Italy proper (yes I have been to Sardinia, but I think most Sardinians will tell you that they use 'being part of Italy' as a smokescreen to enjoying the freedom of the Mediterranean. Just sayin'!). This was also my longest solo trip, as I met Micah in Milan 2 weeks into his arond the world travel.
First off... My goodness Europe is a long ways away!
Second... I have never been so happy to arrive at a place to rest my weary head. This was not as easily accomplished as previously planned, as I conveniently left the directions to our hotel on the computer desk at home in Sydney. *sigh Fortunately, I had copied down the instructions twice and had studied Google Maps before heading out, so I basically knew my way from the airport to the hotel using public transport.
Having arrived late on Thursday evening, Micah and I took a leisurely morning Friday before stepping out on the town. We had a lovely, if not exceptionally sweet, breakfast before putting our walking shoes on and venturing into the centre of the city. Within a couple of blocks we stumbled upon this:
I must say, it is hard to not get a beautiful picture on a day like this!
The sky was perfectly blue with whisps of clouds. The sun was shining brightly but there was very little hase as the day was only beginning to warm. The rain from the day before left the grass green and the leaves glowing. This all made for a beautiful sceene as we sat under a tree on a short stone wall.
This was the beginning of one of the parks that led into the city's centre.
taken June 2010
