Rome and Venice

Italy has come and gone way to fast for us. When we set out for Rome, we had a few sites in mind to be sure not to miss. We arrived in the late afternoon so we did as we do in most places which is simply walk the area to check out the town. That night we took pictures outside the Vatican, and enjoyed our first authentic Italian meal which included seafood salads, homemade pasta and fish. The next day we headed over to the Vactican museum where we saw an enormous amount of art from Egypt and Italy, before finishing at the Sistine Chapel, which is just mind blowing. Then we walked way out of the way (not knowing) to the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon, again both just as impressive as the others. Our next day we set out to climb up to the top of the Vatican, and as you climb to the top you actually have to bend over as the walls bend since the top is an oval shape. The entire climb was long and the last hike was 320 steps to the top where pops just about passed out. The 'big salami' was next..... the Colosseum. (Side note:On the bus ride to the place a dude was sitting alone about 50yrs old, when he then stood up on his seat as we approached a younger couple kissing on side of the street. As we passed the couple this guy stuck his head out the window and spit on them yelling in Italian. Then the next few minutes he was still spitting towards the floor in my direction, he didn't spit on me so no harm no foul just crazy.) So the Colosseum lived up to the hype where the gladiators fought lions, tigers, bears, panthers, and more with just a shield and sword. They also put prisoners to fight for their freedom in there, if they survived it was up to the crowd (thumbs up or thumbs down) if they get that freedom. Finally for some prisoners they would be put in with the animals naked and unarmed to pay for their crimes....death! We finished up this day with an incredible meal at a place that was recommended the day before by our waiter at lunch which again included pasta/raviolis and fish meals. We also polished off 2 bottles of wine at dinner, and then another 2 glasses at a bar by our hotel. We headed out the next day for our trip to Venice.

Venice is probably one of the most beautiful places we have been too. We automatically wanted to stay longer but our plans were already set. To make things even better our hotel overlooked the seaside. It was just an amazing view at a great location. In Venice we ate the traditional venetian cuisine and enjoyed a romantic Gondola ride. There were gondola's everywhere and it was surreal to actually be in the very place where Gondolas are authentic. The streets where we toured on the ride were also quite a site to see. The rest of the day was spent getting some souvenirs and riding the water boats around the area. We only stood a full day there and it is somewhere we will definitely go back to see one day. After that we headed to Paris. (update to come soon on Paris and Amsterdam).

Back to Germany in pics!!

One of the rooms that had an Asian theme.

Walking out of one of the rooms.

One of the hidden houses in the middle of the woods.

The happy couple.

At the Nymphemburg castle in Munich, Germany.

Bobby walking away from the swam poop.

In front of the castle.

The Nymphemburg castle in Munich, Germany.

Ok this is a fired pancake cooked in clarified butter filled with chocolate ice cream over vanilla custard.

German steak with a German salad...it has beats and German potato salad in it. SOOO GOOOD!!!

A really good band playing right outside the train station.

So windy I had to hold my hair.

Windy, rainy, and cold...but still having a blast.

With the whole clan...as you can see it was coldddd in June!

With the girls in Munich, Germany.

At the BMW museum with Lyan.

Acting silly at the restaurant.

At a biergarden restaurant in Munich, Germany.

With Efra on his b-day at the BMW museum.

Munich area.

Munich, Germany...where we went for an overnight stay.

Bobby at the BMW museum about to leave.

At the BMW museum about to leave.

Listening to how the speakers sound!

Can you tell!

Bobby was really competitive!

Trying some game at the BMW museum.

At the BMW museum reminiscing...(this was one of the things we gave up to go on this world trip)...Totally worth it!

At the BMW museum.

Bobbys Lunch at the BMW museum.

Eating Thai food to celebrate.

With the graduate.

With Lyan before her high school graduation.

Back in Germany

Ok, so we have been back in Germany since the 2nd of June. The weather over here is so much different from the rest of the places we have visited in Europe. It is still somewhat cold (being Floridians and all) in June. As you can see in some of the pictures we are having to put back on our sweaters and wear our jackets around sometimes. Since we have been back we have pretty much been trying to catch up on updating the blog, washing our clothes, and finishing last minute travel arrangements for the last leg of our trip. During this time we have also managed to enjoy a nice high school graduation with our friends who we are staying with in Germany, as well as an overnight trip to Munich, Germany.

Munich, Germany is about a 2 hour car ride from Stuttgart (where we currently are at). Munich is another beautiful place to visit in Europe. The downtown area was pretty packed even though it was rainy, windy, and cold and there are plenty of Biergardens to have a good time. In fact, that is exactly where we went for dinner where we enjoyed the typical heavy but delicious German/Bavarian cuisine. While we were in the area we were also able to visit the famous Nymphemburg castle and walk for miles around the park area where we found hidden houses. This palace/castle was the summer residence of rulers of Bavaria. One of the hidden houses, or as they call it pavilion, that we were able to see and go in was the Pagodenburg built between the years of 1716-1719 is an octagonal, two story pavilion with Delft tile decoration downstairs and Chinoiserie upstairs. It was built by Joseph Effner.

Other than that we have been laying low and are waiting for my parents to get here in 5 days. We are super excited about their arrival because from there we will be visiting Rome, Venice, Paris, Amsterdam, Garmish and then heading back home. But before that we will be indulging in French and Italian cuisine as well as their deserts without guilt.

We have a month left in this wonderful journey and are just trying to enjoy the rest of this surreal life. Thanks for following us and our journey!!

GREECE IN PICS

Waiting for the train to get to the airport.

The shower. Had to show it because in Europe some do not have a door or curtain at all. The whole bathroom gets wet.

The weird blow dryer.

The vitamin juice we fell in love with.

In the Plaka area.

At night.

The Parthenon at dawn.

The Parthenon right before the sun sets.

Baklava! Traditional Greek desert.

Lamb chops. Traditional Greek meal.

Traditional Greek cuisine (appetizer)...mousaka.

The little cafes all around the city.

Everyone was buying these little umbrellas to help with the hot sun. I had to get one of course.


The happy couple.



I can't believe were here.

Going back down.

Going back down.

In the Parthenon area.


It was super hot so we had to keep hydrated.

And so am I!!

Bobby is liking this.

Long way down with no barriers.


Look at this view of the city behind me.

The happy couple.

Bobby in front of the Parthenon.

Posing in the front.

The entrance.

Bobby has the world in his hands!

This is truly a hike.

The Odeion of Herodes Atticus.

Making the hike up.

On our way up to the Acropolis.

In the theatre of Odeon.

In the Acropolis area.

A little bird decided to go to our bread basket. Thank God we were done!

The shrimps always come with the whole body in Europe.

Bobby with the dog that kept following us.

Lovers living the dream!


Our views were amazing.

Another view of the Poros area.

The city view from the beach.

Enjoying our second day trip to an island (Poros). The rocks kinds hurt as you can see.

In Poros. An island in Greece.

Traditional Gyro...these are the best.

Greek salad. The feta is melt in your mouth goooood!!!

The boat we took to Poros.

The boat we took to Aigina.

Bobby going back to the port area.

All the fish boats. There were hundreds of them.

The Aigina area.

The best Greek beer!

Our lunch, shrimp with rice. It was real good.

At lunch with a beautiful view.

Bobby taking in some sun.

Lovers living the dream!

Enjoying the water!


Posing for the camera.

Look at how clear the water was!

Bobby enjoying the beach in the island of Aigina!

Aigina was so very beautiful!

Sexy Tamika!

Sexy Bobby!

At the island of Aigina in Greece.

The port area. Hellenic seaways is huge over here.

A good Greek beer.

Piraeus port area.

At Piraeus port in Greece.

Hanging out waiting for the shuttle back to the hotel.

Bobby and Paige.

In Athens in front of an old church.

Waiting to go out to the city of Athens.

With Paige hanging out in Greece.

YUMMY YUMMY CHICKEN SOUVLAKI WITH TZATZIKI SAUCE!