homeitalycroatiaistanbul: May 2025

Saturday 17th May 2025 (And Sunday 18th May)

Today, Saturday, is the day of Stage 8 of the giro d'italia starting from Guilianove in Abruzzo to finish in Castelraimondo, and passing through Montelago and Sefro.

And funnily enough, it is also the day of our departure. When I found out about the Giro, after we had already organised accommodation and dates, I thought we would stay an extra day so we could see it but somehow, Carmine failed to book us the extra night at the Faustina. And also having to get the car back to Rome airport by 10am in the morning on Sunday would have been an issue. So it worked better for us to leave Sefro early on the morning of the Giro, Saturday, before the roads closed and have an extra night in Rome so the car could be returned in plenty of time without stress for out flight on Sunday.

On the other hand it seems pretty silly to miss the giro by one day, probably the biggest event to happen in Sefro for maybe hundreds of years. But there is a pattern. We missed the white smoke of the pope being elected in the Vatican by one day also. Oh well.

Before we left, we noted the Faustina had gone all out on decorations for the Giro. They were apparently booked out that night in the hotel so maybe we weren't able to book an additional night anyway, probably.

Yes we have had this photo before but I really like it.

All the old weird kitschy statues had pink leis

balloons

Some more photos from the Giro in Sefro from Carmine.

We (I mean Paul) drove the car to the airport. I was navigating and somehow missed a couple of turnoffs, roundabouts are very difficult in the middle of road works. So it probably took about 3.5 hours instead of 2.5 hours. Very stressful.

We found the airport, dropped off the car and then a taxi to the hotel Tiber in Fiumicino, the suburb of the airport. But also on the river and well known for food. It was so good to be rid of the car.

We had lunch and then had a walk along the pier. Lots of walkers doing the walk.

Reception is called Vending Machines. Odd

The pool

paul's lunch

mine

And on our last night in Italy, we were joined by Lara, my second cousin and her husband Alessandro who speaks relatively good English. He also works for Emirates and the fact he might be able to arrange an upgrade on our Emirates flight was not the reason we were seeing them. We missed them last trip and they had missed our dinner in Rome with Tiziana (Lara's sister) and Carmine. Unfortunately I was over photography and did not take any photos. So very disappointing.

But we had a great meal and I even had dessert.

Side note:

Earrings: For your information, i am including a photo of the earring that could not be removed. And the interesting thing about the earrings is that the crystal changes colour, as you can see...

We left the Tiber, Rome, Italy the next day, Sunday.

We had plenty of time for our afternoon flight but when the hotel stuffed up our shuttle, they offered a free massage:

So very good.

And then off to the airport. As has been the case for most of the holiday, I had a wheelchair. The wheelchair concierge was so nice and whipped us through check in, passport stuff, straight to the business class lounge. So much easier to have someone who knows what to do, where the shortcuts are plus have special access. The only way to travel, around airports.

And then home, at last. We have all survived without incident, accident or injury. Including Orphy.

Thankyou to Alex and Tom for looking after the house and Orphy. They survived flooding in the garage causing power cut and then no hot water as a result of the flooding and the pilot light in the gas hot water heater. Young people are so resilient!

The end

Friday 16th May 2025

Today was a quiet day after our big night and we are expecting another big night tonight.

But first of all we had an important job to do. The Knights game against Parramatta was on at 10am in the morning, Italy time. By some technical magic combining the powers of Paul and John, we were able to watch the game on a big screen in the hotel Faustina lounge room/lobby/guest and family area. Great......

I am not allowed to talk about the game.

After the game we needed a walk and explored parts of Sefro we had not seen before.

look a cat

Lunch was at the local deli, restaurant, the only shop left open in Sefro and the only place to buy food except for the Faustina. We had a nice lunch there.

this is a recipe for happiness

The village is preparing for the Giro D'italia which goes through the village tomorrow. So pink balloons and bunting everywhere.

And later a special dinner with my cousin Lalla Maria and her three kids and grandchildren at the Faustina restaurant. Another feast. We were joined by my cousin Gianfranco who is Lalla's brother, his wife Patricia and then also Carmine and Tiziana. She postponed a medical appointment so she could join us tonight and see the Giro tomorrow.

Again amazing food:

First time we have seen a menu at the Faustina