Italian bday and France for the weekend...

Headed to France tomorrow, for a weekend of wine-drinking, train-riding, who knows what!  Will update soon with more specific shananigans and some photos.  Birthday was incredible, champagne toast in our boat's lounge bar, overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.  Lucky gal, that's all I know.  ;-)

Get back to work young lady!

Arriving back to Europe yesterday was epic.  After being greeted by the Captain in Nice, we drove east for an hour and a half along the winding coastline of France and Italy, eventually making our way to the boat in San Remo.  As the fresh sea air poured in through the car window, our eyes were graced with massive valleys, hilltop medieval towns and outstanding views of the Mediterranean Sea, in all its glory.  The grey skies only highlighted the vibrant colors that make this land what it is.  

The boat is beautiful.  The galley is insane.  But most importantly, it seems like I will be, yet again, graced by the presence of good people, aka: the crew.  We are still waiting on 2 more crew members to arrive, which brings us to a total of 8.  Crossing our fingers that the dynamics work out and that we can achieve the ultimate goal: having fun while working.  Have a really good feeling about this one though, really good.  Plus, one of my favorite people is on board, so that helps.  Thanks Inga.  

Time to catch some z's now.  Off to the market in the early am, and I have been asked to make a Tiramisu for a favorite Italian worker coming onboard tomorrow.  This is like making a croissant for a Frenchman!  Wish me luck.  Arrivaderci lovies.  

Back for more, y'all.

  Howdy peeps.  My lack of bloggin in the past 6 months leaves me a tad bit regretful...but it's back, and for good reason.

  In a very small nutshell, the past 6 months have been fantastic...transitional, but fan-freaking-tastic.  Mainly due to the great people who have entered my life in this time.  Kari, Inga, Alex, Jimmy, Bec, Staci, Romy, Nancy, Christine, Bob, Coral, Tarryn, Cuppy, Max, David, Mikey, etc. How can a gal be so lucky?  For reals.

  Here's what i've been up to....Finished the Med season in Spain, spent a few days in Barcie (Barthhhelona), landscaped a friend's yard (well, trimmed the hedge with sheers), learned to paddle board in the Outer Banks, drove cross-country (well, Jesse drove, ha), spent Thanksgiving in Seattle with fam, did a freelance trip in Bahamas for 45 days, lived in a crew house with my 2 best girlies, drank too much Strongbow at Waxy's, took a roadtrip to the FL Keys with my favorite kiwi, had an epic cheese, wine and guitar strummin party, took a surf trip to the land of Pura Vida, hung with friends in Charleston, surfed in some cold ars water, more great times in FL, awesome trip to Seattle, worked a dinner party on a boat in FL, coffee time with my Kar-Bear, picture sharing with my best mate Ben,  came back home to yogify and hang with mum and dad.....and here I am, sitting at the island, getting mentally prepared for leaving on Monday, and seeing (and working with) one of my favorite people on earth!     

     Kay, now that i'm caught up, it's time for s'more present-time thoughts....coming soon they will.  Lots o love and thanks for reading this craziness.  

Amalfi Coast, By Sea.

With guests aboard now, we have left Naples, and the trip begun with a few days, cruising and anchoring throughout the Amalfi Coast.  Anchoring in front of Positano, we were graced with glassy calm waters, and a morning sunrise to die for, hence the second photo.  The first photo is a massive cave along the Amalfi coast, quite incredible to see!  And the beach is a Positano "Spiaggia" which is only accessible by boat.  The trip continues and the views remain epic.  Bella, Bella!

Amalfi Coast, by land.

Our last crew day off was spent driving the Amalfi Coast.  Traveling among the narrow and winding roads bordering the coast, was incredible in every way.  After a lunchtime stop overlooking the Mediterranean and eating a genuine Caprese salad, we found a local beach wedged between two huge cliffs.  Pictures don't do it justice, but these were some of my pictoral attempts.    

Wining and Dining

About an hour outside of Naples, is the Mustilli Family Winery.  Situated inside of an ancient Medieval town, this little jewel of a winery, is run by Mr. Mustilli himself, an expert of the grape, who is carrying on his family's age-long tradition.  Our second day off was spent with this incredible man, walking through the underground wine cellar and tasting the fruits of his labour (the best part).  Just making wine, spending time with his family and living the simple life, beautiful.  The good wine was followed by great food at a local eatery, dining al fresco, ahhh yes.  The rest of the day was spent driving around the Campania countryside, a place laden with grape vines, ancient towns and truly down to earth Italian folk.  Love those Italians, I tell ya....proud of my Joely and his roots :-) 

Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius

Mt. Vesuvius: the nemesis of Pompeii.  When this mountain blew its top in the year 79 A.D., the thriving and mischievious town of Pompeii was buried, only to be discovered hundreds of years later.  It was only fit that our first day off was spent walking around the uncovered town of Pompeii, and then followed by a hike up to the top of Mt. Vesuvius: which was my first experience hiking an active volcano.  The fear of liquid hot magma exploding from the crater at any time, was in the back of my mind...but I think that drinking an Italian beer at such an altitude, and looking out onto the Coast of Napoli and its surrounding islands, eased the worry.  Pompeii is truly a masterpiece of art and history.  Makes me wish I would have payed a bit more attention in my European history class, but then again, I will never be a "read every plaque" kind of gal.  What we did appreciate was just walking around the town, imagining what it would have been like, way back in the day.