Big busses aren't always the best

Hong Kong is huge and at times overwhelming, but we know there is more to this area than just skyscrapers and Dim Sum, so we decided to take a ride to Stanley, a small town on Hong Kong Island.

We were initially going to take a Hong Kong Big Bus (hop on off type) as these can be a great way to get an audio commentary, and not need to think about which bus to catch and where to catch it.  But on research realised it would have cost us about $70AUD each for the pleasure.  I then looked into doing it in public transport and yes it could be done and for less.

History then time for food.

For those interested, last night we went to bed at 05:00pm and we slept through til this morning, Katie woke at 06:30am and I woke a little before, at 5:45am. We are still a little jetlagged but do feel we have broken the beast.

Hong Kong, where here

This morning we landed in Hong Kong, one hour early, we must have had a tailwind!

This meant we got in around 05:50 am and by the time we got through the airport and then to the bus terminal it was around 07:00 am.

We had planned to catch bus A22 as the route practically passes our hotel, but on landing found the yearly Hong Kong Marathon was on and in turn, the bus routes had been carved up and redirected by the bus company.

Baci from Italy

Baci Perugina: the Italian chocolate with the love note.

These chocolates are more popular than Ferrero Rocher or Lindt balls in Italy and are available in most Bars, Cafe's or Supermarkets.

To market, to market.

After the past few days in Rome visiting palaces, galleries and museums, we needed a little break and as always try to see normal Roman life at least once.

A great way to do this is catching bus #83 to the Testaccio region just south of Circus Maximus.

Have you got the tickets?

Halfway to the bus stop from our hotel a little voice from behind asks me "have you got the tickets?" I stopped and turned to Katie and said, "no, you normally carry them".

Thankfully the bus stop is close and we didn't need to track back far however it does make me think of the unofficial roles each of us has assigned ourselves on this trip.

What do you mean, I can't take photos

Last night we tried a couple of restaurants after performing some Internet research but found them closed, this information was not listed on their websites.

It's raining culture and immigration is not all bad

This morning started being a little wet underfoot and continued thanks to occasional showers.  Thankfully we didn't throw our umbrellas out as we were going to back in Florence. We left after a filling breakfast and passed by the Fountain of the Bees (Fontana delle Api) on Piazza Barberini.

We got on the wrong train.

Departing a city is like departing a friend, staying in places more than a day or two does allow one to learn more, see more and break through the tourist whirlwind.

In the end, we stayed just five nights in Florence and unlike the past, weren't rushed to see 'the sights'.  For me the Pitti Palace was my favourite, it is a gallery, a residence and also a museum. Pitti Palace isn't crowded as it does not have famous works of art like the Uffizi.

Katie's favourite place in Florence, after long deliberation was Uffizi. She said she was able to absorb more of the gallery this time as there were fewer visitors compared to our previous visit in Summer.

We packed our bags last night and had the final additions after showering and dressing this morning.  I keep saying they are getting full, but this time I almost needed to unzip the expander!

There is always too much to see in Florence

Our initial plans were to head out of town today to Lucca or Livorno, each about 1hr 20 min on the train but last night we decided that it is a long time on the train and there is still so much more of Florence to experience.

David, Fiesole and ludicrous laundry

Today was a day to have a break from the little streets, tourists, Vespas and cars by leaving the city but before we could we had to drop in on David.

Police, Bridge, Palace, Museum and Baptistery

We took a walk across town this morning to take up Stefano's offer to see his place of work at the Carabinieri barracks.  It was an unexpected and interesting insight to see inside the Italian military force.

On route, we passed a crochet shop that was unfortunately closed and we passed through the local market, Sant'Ambrogio Market. This was mostly a fresh fruit and vegetable fare.

Culture and life on the streets

Breakfast Italian style, an espresso, a cappucino and a croissant each.

It was then time to walk the damp streets in the direction of Uffizi gallery.  This morning was chilly but not freezing.

Leaving the country, time for the city.

This was another day where we once again surprised ourselves and managed to fit all our belongings and newly purchased souvenirs into our bags.

It was then time for the last espresso in the comfort of Rosalinda's lounge room where we expressed our thanks and discussed Stefano and his trip to Australia in 2019. 😜

In the past week whilst at La Maesta we had three opportunities to have local Tuscan meals with Rosalinda, Stefano, Lilla and Virginia. The meals were made with locally sourced ingredients and made with love using unwritten recipes handed down from generation to generation.

It had to rain eventually....

This morning started our last day at La Maesta. It was a little windy and very grey, the clouds were threatening rain, and we had laundry to do.

First off it was to Castiglion Fiorentino where we did a load of washing and met with a lady in the laundromat.  She was originally from Dusseldorf Germany, had worked in Africa and now lives in this region after relocating here as a pharmacist. Now retired, she saves her money and travels as much as she can. She has been to Hong Kong and Australia and is currently reading up on Japan, her next trip. As we left the laundromat the rain started and we had a thunderstorm for the next couple of hours.

Head North

New territories were to be discovered again today and this time we covered a sanctuary dedicated to St. Francis, the small hilltown of Poppi and ventured a little further north for some real Tuscan countryside.

La Verna is a sanctuary dedicated to St. Francis (a living and working Monastery) and sits on top a cliff with sweeping views for miles. 

Anghiari, a little place on the edge of Tuscany.

Mattino Toscano (a Tuscan Morning)

First thing this morning we headed to the local pharmacist where Katie purchased a selection of goodies, that will help make this little cold more bearable and hopefully kick it sooner, rather than later.

It then was time for some new explorations; this time a hilltop town north from Agriturismo La Maestà, Anghiari.

Lago Trasimeno and Laundry

Both suffering from a little winter cold, we decided to take today easy and didn't leave LaMaesta until 11am, this allowed for a sleep in and also restful morning.

Our first of two stops was Castiglione del Lago, which

Head East

After a very long day yesterday we slept in a little and didn't have our cornflakes till at least 9am today, it was good to have a little sleep in.

First stop today was another revisit Perugia, home of amongst other things, Perugina chocolate. Perugia is a large city and as it is on a hill has implemented a Mini Metro, a great little invention to transport people from the lower areas and parking spots into the historic town.

Head West

One of the reasons for this trip was to visit some fo the hill towns we have been to in the summers seasons past, as to get a better understanding of what they are like without the thousands of tourists.

Today we visited San Gimingano which we have been to before and also added a new town Volterra.

We initially noticed a difference in the parking lots, it was easy to get a park outside the walls of San Gimingano, then when we passed through the gate, found the streets much less crowded.

The night train served its purpose, only just.

Neither Katie or I had used a sleeper train before and were unsure of exactly what to expect.

The train served its purpose and allowed us to get some sleep and transferred us from Munich to Arezzo, here are a couple of the downsides.

Last day in Munich

Today we repacked the luggage explosion that always appears to happen when we have been in one place for a few days, it is amazing how some well-planned packing can be undone when you have the space to spread out.

Todays blog delayed

Today's bog will be delayed as we will be on an overnight train without internet access.........🚂🚃🚄🚅🚆🚇🚈🚉🚋🚞🛤️

Munich's past is not all beer and bretzels (Pretzels)

Our first stop today was at Asam's Church on Sendlinger Str. close to our accommodation, squeezed between some shops. At first, we weren't going to go in but from past experiences, it is these little churches that can be the most impressive, and this one didn't disappoint.

Silvester in Munich - When your in the fireworks (video)

Munich does not have any obvious restrictions on fireworks, you can buy then and on New Year's Eve, Marienplatz becomes the place to fire them.

Here thousands of people congregate each

There is always time for culture and beer

Starting later today as we are expecting to be out on the town for New Year's Eve, breakfast was as usual in the B&B.

After crossing town Katie and I made our way into the impressive Cuvilliés-Theatre for the matinee festive performance.

Before the concert even started we were amazed by the beauty of the

Let it snow

This morning we were welcomed to our first breakfast at Pension Lindener.  Thankfully it was what I expected, German.
Of course, it had the standard B&B items like a selection of cereal along with tea and coffee, but as I have found on previous trips there is always some items I wouldn't expect in the European bed and breakfast.  These include, cold cheese omelette, a variety of cheese and baked loaf cakes dusted with icing and sliced.

I do find it strange that someone would

Making magical memories

Up up and away. I'm writing this part whilst waiting for our plane to depart Heathrow airport.

This morning we had a fond farewell to our hosts. It was such an honour to participate in their family Christmas traditions over the last week.

There are just a few differences I have noticed that I would

Marlow and High Wycombe

Today was greeted by a late rise by both of us, it must mean we are getting into the new time zone. It is a good feeling not falling asleep at the dinner table and sleeping in past sunrise.

Today was set aside for visiting Christine and family. We left Molesey and headed on a scenic journey via Runnymede, Windsor and a quick stop off at Marlow.

Time to sample some British food

This was the day we could have just taken easy, but no, in the spirit of creating good blog content we ventured to London and joined a food tour.

This morning we caught the South West Train from Surbiton to Waterloo station and then the underground to London Bridge staion where our food tour was to start.

Due time for a walk

Well after such a filling Christmas lunch and an evening of more food and wine we retired well stuffed around 10:30pm

It was agreed we would first thing in the morning before breakfast head off for a walk, to help with the overindulgence of the Christmas table.

We rugged up with many layers and headed off.

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas.

Last night we attended the Christingle  Service at St Mary's Church in East Molesey with our cousins Lynanne and Yazmin. This service runs every Christmas Eve and is split over two separate services as the church is packed.

We were presented with Mulled wine and

They must have known we were coming, it was closed.

This morning we woke at 5am, we tried to go back to sleep but with our circadian rhythm not fully in our new time zone, there was no chance of getting back to sleep. We spent some time watching a little tv and then having breakfast.

Sunrise this morning was at just after 8 am and then we were presented with the scurrying squirrels of Norma and Tony's backyard. These joyful animals are

MEL - HKG CX178 / HKG - LHR CX257

Our first time on Cathay Pacific.
Travelling halfway around the globe is torturous, however by saving a little here and there allows us to fly business class.

For those who have never been in business class here is my run down, it is more than just a

Smart Passports

Melbourne airport has some really smart technology that can speed up getting through passport control.

The process is, open your passport to your photo page, place it upside down on the scanner, the scanner then sucks it in and process your data, the machine then returns your passport, you then take the passport a little gate opens and you proceed to where your face is photographed and compared with the digital images and your profile.

It can be a little stressful and anxious in these areas of the airport and I'm sure this is why Katie was

Winter in ..... EUROPE!!!

Winter in Europe, yes we are heading back, but this time in Winter.

Here is our planned itinerary:

• London; 23 Dec - 29 Dec
• Munich; 29 Dec - 2 Jan
• Tuscany; 3 Jan - 10 Jan
• Florence; 10 Jan - 15 Jan
• Rome; 15 Jan - 20 Jan
• Hong Kong; 21 Jan - 24 Jan

There are a few standouts for this trip. Firstly, we will be in London with relatives for Christmas, followed by NYE in Munich with a firework extravaganza.  There will be an overnight sleeper train journey and we expect Italy will appear void of tourists compared to when we normally visit in September.  Finally, there