Day 8 Travelling to Asia

If I have to get up at 4.50 am for a long and inconvenient trip, I always remind myself of how people used to travel in the past, by boat to other continents and that they were travelling for weeks if not months.

Pizzo - Bangkok this time would be our most inconvenient trip so far. Since we were travelling at the end of the European Easter holiday and the beginning and end of the Thai New Year holiday all direct flights between Rome and the Thai capital (usually just three per week with Thai Airways) were fully booked.

We left Pizzo 5.30 ish for the 6 am check-in for our 7 am flight from Lamezia to Rome. Luckily, the small bar that serves great coffee and even greater conni (I chose mine with Nutella) was already open! 

Lamezia airport bar, departure and inflight magazine

Our plane departed on time and arrived even a couple of minutes early in Rome Fiumicino. The inflight magazine of Alitalia 'Ulisse' featured a 6 page Special Calabria (which should become content of another post).

Our connection flight with Alitalia to Paris - yes, that's our detour - was scheduled just over an hour later. Enough time for a second cappuccino at our favorite airport bar (Ferrari) in Roma. However,  apparently not enough time for our luggage to be transferred! (Which we didn't know back then). 

Actually, I was looking forward to land in Paris. I haven't been for ages in the French capital, where I spent exciting times, went to school briefly and later worked for a short period. Today, while descending towards Charles de Gaulle airport, the air was a bit hazy, but I still managed to spot the Eiffel Tower (Montparnasse and Défense along) in the distance! 

Our layover initially was 3 hours. (Departure around 2pm, same like the direct flight from Rome). But Air France had already indicated in the morning a 2 1/2 h delay. So we decided to do the best of our extra time and picked a newly opened nice looking restaurant and had a pleasant lunch (entrecôte). But waiting almost 6 h to board a plane is not that pleasant. At least the duty free shop had this 20% discount campaign on Champagne (alcohol is extremely expensive in Thailand).  

When finally boarding was announced the plane was overbooked! Air France offered 800 Euro per person for those who would take the next flight. A super deal! And we would most likely have accepted it, if we wouldn't have been up since 12 h with almost another 12 h to travel and school and office waiting for us on Monday. (We didn't know at that time that our bags probably were still in Rome).

When we arrived in Bangkok the next morning  - I am always happy to have solid ground under my feet and don't complain about inconveniences that might have occurred - we were the last and only passengers standing waiting at the empty luggage conveyor belt.  

We were informed that our suitcases will arrive the next day. Well, two arrived the next  day. Mine arrived the day after - in total three days after departure in Lamezia. CC, of course blamed Air France. But it was Alitalia for sure. My bag even was checked to Paris only! Not through to Bangkok. That's why it needed another day to be shipped, I guess. Is that a sign?! Should I visit Paris next time?

At least a sign for us to better book early and direct flights. Luckily, in Europe there was still cool April weather and cheese, coffee, chocolate, tuna, and bottarga reached our fridge in Thailand in good condition. 

Day 7 A Boat Trip and Dolphins

The sun greeted me when opening the window shutters. The sea below was calm. So calm, the surface looked like a sheet of paper. Not a single tiny wave. Like a big deep lake. Amazing.

Like every morning I spent some moments on the balcony to observe the sea. In spring there is a chance to see dolphins. I have seen them before, and today, I felt, they must be near! But nothing yet. 

Time for boating.!, said Carlo. We had just put 'Ella' to water two days earlier and I haven't seen 'her' yet.  

I picked a few jackets, a blanket and a cashmere scarf and hat I found in the corner of my wardrobe. We are going on a short ride, said Carlo when he saw me with my bursting beach bag. 

Well, the trip was even shorter than that! We had just left the port of Vibo Marina and were heading towards Pizzo, when Angelo suddenly remarked: "We have no more gasoline!" He insisted the tank was at least half full last time... Angelo, when was last time? Could it be possible that they empty the tank for safety reason while the boat is stored during winter?, I was just saying ...

We immediately turned around and luckily made it back to the port. Funny, if it's not the 'Guardia di Finanzia' that stops Angelo and fines him for not having all documents on board, it's the gasoline (or lack of it) that stops him.

Boat trip April 2015

How awesome would it have been to have dolphins swimming along the boat? Maybe another time.

For lunch, our son went home with Angelo to eat with 'nonna' while we were driving back to Pizzo. We were invited by a friend at a restaurant at la marina. We were sitting outside in the sunshine and observing the first brave bathers in the sea. The view of the beach in front of us, and a glass of wine made it a perfect spring day.

Later in the afternoon we needed to meet our kitchen planners in Maida. We spent there a couple of hours, and while it seemed endless, we still managed to decide on 2 kitchen designs! One kitchen is a bit more complicated from the layout this time, as it will be built around and above the vaulted ceiling of a lower stairways.  

While we were out, our son stayed at home. When friends came over and they went together on the balcony, he all in a sudden spotted whales! He told us about a huge water fountain and their fins that came out of the water. Oh, wow, I couldn't believe it, but it happened before that whales were seen in the bay. The kids were talking 'balena' (whales) - but when I talked to the mum, she clarified they were seeing two 'delfini' (dolphins). Haha! - I knew it! I knew they were near. Wild life spotting from our balcony!

A day later Dolphins were spotted in Tropea (I saw a photo on FB and shared it, but my son insisted that "his" dolphins were way bigger!). I was told that there will be more dolphins and tuna in the Tyrrhenian Sea this year due to the appearance of black algae (very yummy for them) after recent volcanic activities.

This was our last day in Pizzo. And we are quite happy with what we achieved to decide during that week of a short holiday. 

For our last dinner we invited the grandparents and while sitting outside in the restaurant in the piazza (first time it was not too cold for sitting outside), a couple of friends we haven't seen yet passed by. I called their name and waved them over to our table, and since they had no plans yet, they joined. How lucky we were. Such a lovely and mild evening. If only we would not have to pack yet. 

Day 6 Happy Day

It was a beautiful day today In Pizzo. I was busy in the house, can't remember what I did. But at one point I picked the key and run into the piazza for an aperitivo. We had a lunch invitation at my mother-in-law's place and were about to leave shortly. I wanted however enjoy the sunshine in the piazza and do some people watching and more over to enjoy life. My son joined me and we ordered one Spritz and a Crodino. Served with green olives, tiny pieces of pizza, and potato chips. At twelve the church bells ring and an Ave Maria is aired over Pizzo via speakers ... Ah, heaven!

The old man and the sea, iron net statue by Eduardo Tresoldi, Pizzo. 

In the evening, we had friends over for dinner. Actually, it was Tonino and his family with the grand children. Team Palazzo Pizzo celebrating a busy season ahead. We are looking forward to welcome our guest!

Day 5 Dinner with a Friend

During the day we double checked the position of bathroom fixtures and marked changes on the walls of the construction site. We talked to workers, and decided on the style of balcony railings. In the afternoon, we drove to Maida to check out a different sanitary company.

The road between Pizzo and Maida is quiet scenic and leads over hills of thousands of olive trees and little yellow spring flowers everywhere. I love it!

In the evening I met up with a dear local friend and it was lovely to see her and talk about so many things. No matter where you live, or where you move, home is where friends and family are around. I feel so grateful.

With my friend I went for a pizza at La Marina after a little walk. It was the first time I saw our new project from the marina. Stunning! (It's the orange house without windows in the middle of the photo).

Day 4 Lunch in Piazza

The highlight of the day - in my memory - was our lunch in the piazza at SPQR restaurant. It was sunny - but wearing warm jackets was recommendable (of course not if you are from Scandinavia). I ordered Spaghetti alla Pizzitana, my favorite dish here! It's sauce has a bit of a "aglio e olio" with anchovies, chili and breadcrumbs. Yummy!

My coffee came with sugar and a quote: 

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

— Marcel Proust

In original French it's:  "Le véritable voyage de découverte ne consiste pas à chercher de nouveaux paysages, mais à avoir de nouveaux yeux."

And I say, after returning from a 'voyage' you will see your home with new eyes as well. These new eyes only last a short moment. Therefore use this moment to see with your new eyes. What I see in Pizzo (always) is the beauty of the sea. Its always changing colours, patterns and shades. And I ask my self if all Pizzitani (especially those who do not travel) are aware of the exceptionate location of their village.

What I also saw in Pizzo, is that Pizzo and Pizzitani had a long, cool and rainy winter. It was about time that the sun came out to cheer the village and its inhabitants up. The promised renovation work in the centro storico are as unfinished as usual. The long patience of Pizzitani seemed to have been stretched for too long. How can you leave a street unpaved in front of your only hotel in town for three years? The Anti-Mafia clause that prohibits the commune to have contracts with companies that cannot prove they have nothing to do with the mafia, can't be the only reason a street and other projects are remaining unfinished for years and years. Running out of money after being sued again and again by bored and unhappy lawyers? Bankruptcy due to lack of payment moral? All quiet common in Calabria. And so frustrating! Maybe we should send them all on a 'voyage' to open up their eyes, and see on return what they do to their motherland.