Es un bella journata....

  Bella Journata is my new favorite Italian phrase (one of few that I actually remember), and it basically means, "damn, its a freaking beautiful day"....or something along those lines.  

  And yes, you guessed it, today is for sure a Bella Journata.  Though some folks here in San Remo would surely disagree, the rain is falling outside and it's great.  The galley has been active this morning with yours truly feeling a sensation of the rainy day spent with grandma...in which she, well, bakes.  And so I did.  

  Fresh banana bread came out of the oven right before our 10 am tea break.  (Tea breaks are a new found tradition on our boat, due to the addition of our Scottish 1st mate) and everyone is over the moon for them.  For the record, tea breaks unofficially happen around 10am, following lunch and 3pm.  I recommend that you incorporate tea breaks into life....they are little 15 minute gems of relaxation in our crazy lives.  

  So anywhoo, back to the baking grandma.  As the rain continued to fall outside and the boat was filled with essence of banana bread, I stirred up some flour, olive oil, sugar, salt and yeast and made some fresh pitas.  These were filled with fresh chickpea falafel, cukes, tomatoes, green onions and yogurt sauce, served with Tabbouleh and fresh greens.  Twas a winner.  

  Fresh pitas are really so exciting to make.  Creating a pseudo hot stone in the oven is easy, just flip over a baking sheet and set in the hot oven for about 20 mins.  Then lay the unbaked pitas onto them, and they puff up in a matter of minutes.  This process creates the lovely little air pocket which can be filled with whatever tempts your tastebuds at that moment.  For severe authenticity, drizzle the baked beauties with some good olive oil and a sprinkle of Zataar spices.  It will transplant your tastebuds to Marrakesh, for real yall.

  Whaddya know, its time for another tea break.  Important business to tend to.      

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 :-)