We started off the day early, for which I was grateful, given the almost 11,000 cruise ship passengers in port for the day. At around 8am, we were hustled off to the bus to be whisked away to the land of ancient pervy people. After a brief introduction, the tour guide (again, unsurprisingly in heavily … Continue reading Advertising the unprintable in Pompeii and other stories…
And now, Sicily. Specifically, Messina, the port that just about kisses the toe of the Italian boot. It’s a very short hop over to the mainland… which is why Messina has the dubious distinction of being the conduit of the Black Plague into Europe in the 1340s - well, that and the idea this place … Continue reading Muzzles and Clamps
Welp. In addition to needing to know how to say eff-Harry’s-toe, today I realized I needed another phrase. Σιγά το διάολο! No idea how to pronounce it. However, it means “Slow the f😳ck down!!” The taxi driver, paid through Uber, received a set rate to get us from the flat to the port. Ergo, it … Continue reading Up the cliffs
The Hellenic post office is a trip. The US Postal Service could learn a few things. There’s a take-a-number machine at the entrance, electronic, into which you say what service you need. The machine politely spits out a number. I can’t actually read it, but I get the general idea. Then, much like the DMV, … Continue reading Details of daily life in Athens… the Grecian way…
We hired a driver for the day who managed to nightbus that Peugeot through the skinniest spaces. It was an extravagance for what we usually do - I like public transit and going like a local, so we’re usually traipsing around on busses and the like as I giggle with glee at how much we’re … Continue reading “Are you sure you can fit through there…?” I muttered at the driver.
We went to Costco, the only one in NZ. I like going to Costco in various countries, they often have large sizes of the good stuff to take home. Who’s familiar with Freddos? Hah, I got a giant bag. Once again, though, no damn Smarties, but they had tubs of M&Ms - I do NOT … Continue reading Before departing New Zealand…
I can handle the reversal of the car - it’s not a total mirror image, as the pedals are in the same place. So is the manual gear box, but this one’s automatic. However, in this particular vehicle (a hybrid Toyota Corolla), the indicator is on the right, not the left. Every minute or two … Continue reading Driving on the left side isn’t the problem.
Southwest, easyJet, JetStar… what the heck? Is that like a bargain paint color as well? We took JetStar from Auckland to Wellington… that was an experience. Never flown with a 29” seat pitch before. Zowie… if you’re taller than 5’5”, I strongly recommend you find another carrier or at least pay for the exit or … Continue reading Why do cheapo airlines use orange?
I swear I’m beefing up my thigh muscles (not a bad thing, really) with all the ups and downs we’re doing. We decided to go up to the top of Maungawhau (Mount Eden), the highest point in Auckland and a volcano dormant 28,000 years, give or take a decade or two. Somehow, my brain didn’t … Continue reading Who knew New Zealand was so damn hilly??
Eden Park Stadium is amazing. To this Los Angeleno, it’s astonishing to sit in a 43,200 capacity sports arena that has no parking. Your ticket includes public transit… so everyone is expected to ride the bus or the train to get there - the surrounding streets are closed to all but residents - so you … Continue reading Eden Park and an Island
