Back home

We're back home, safe and sound.  It's been six days now and our time away almost seems like a dream.

Here are a few last shots from Vietnam...

The lovely staff from the Rising Dragon Hotel...

And here we all are at Mum and Dad's

The Old Quarter

When we weren't shopping (which wasn't for very long!), this is what we got up to...

Hanoi is busy and chaotic and while it seems the only rule here is there are no rules, things just seem to work, in their own hair-raising kind of way.

Again - got a plane to catch, last one for a while, so it's just photos.

Hanoi

After a very lazy morning and 10 glorious hours of sleep we were ready to head out shopping.  We had a bit of an explore yesterday and there was quite a bit that caught my eye - shoes and silk and kiddies clothes in particular J.

All was looking good, we were ready, refreshed and keen, only it started to sprinkle.  Nothing an umbrella wouldn't solve....

Got all of about 30 metres and then did a 180.  Back in the hotel room with Miss M who is watching a terrible cartoon on the TV.  Phew it just ended, the cartoon that is, not the rain, oh no, the rain looks like it's here to stay for quite a while L.

Venice

What better ending to our Europe trip than Venice.  When you think you've seen just about everything Venice reminds you that you haven't!  

The train crosses from the mainland through the lagoon area and out you pop, right in the thick of it.  Venice is incredibly popular tourist attraction, catering for an average of 50,000 tourists a day!  I don't know what the 270,000 permanent residents would think of that!

We walked most places, down tiny alley ways and over many of the 400 or so bridges.

and managed to squeeze in a 2 minute Godola ride from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. 

We window-shopped, crossed the Rialto Bridge and watched the lovely puppy below attacking a broom as his owner tried to sweep up (his owner had temporarily given up at this stage and there was a bit of a stand-off).

We found the San Marco Piazza

And then wandered some more.

Venice is a definitely a photogenic place...

This is a bit rushed - got a plane to catch!

Verona

Verona has its own Colloseum, it's not as big as the one in Rome, but it's older, is in better condition and is still used today.  

But that's not all this ancient walled city has to offer.  It is also the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and there is even a residence on exhibit that is claimed to be Juliet's home, complete with the famed balcony.

Middle Right - Juliet's house and balcony

Inside the walls surrounding the old part of town is a maze of paved alley ways linking large open piazzas.  It is a car free zone and while busy with tourists isn't frantic with cars.

We took a tourist train ride to see the main sights and then wandered around for a bit.

You won't believe what we had for dinner - yep - pizza.  Although I have to say - out of all the pizza we've been having the best has been...... wait for it..... in Germany! Soft, springy, elasticcy crust, slightly charred, fabulous not-too-salty anchovies, caper berries, oregano and mozzarella.  First bite and we were sold!  The restaurant owners were from Tuscany and I had a red wine from the Montepulciano region.

Will try to re-create said crust on return to Aus - as long as I can make one as good as (or better thanJ) Miss Vicki I'll be happy, just like Miss M below.