Walking on the Moon up in the clouds

This is the best description Nelson and I can come up with to describe Mt Etna's Silvestri Crater.

After a one hour bus journey through narrow switch backs that could make any mountain in the US envious, we found ourselves 6500 feet in the clouds walking in one of the most famous craters and lava beds of this, the most active volcano in Europe.

We were able to walk the 400m around the rim and even dip into one or more crevices. It was legendary.

Taormina is next. The quaint tourist town is a rare gem. No matter how many tourists are here, you can find peace and quiet in one of the many gardens or monuments.

We are headed back to the ship in a few, but this, I had to share.

Sorry I haven't written a lot about the ship, but I'm sure most cruises are pretty standard, even though for me, it's bright, shiny, exciting and new. I'm still in awe of the organization of the events. It's like an orchestra.

Having the time of our lives.

Why I am writing this blog

So a friend (I'll call her "A") today told me about a blog that her cousin wrote all over Europe and how she loved living vicariously through the twenty-something year old that seemingly lived a fearless life traipsing throughout Europe. "A" believed that if I documented my trip, that she could easily follow my travel through the Mediterranean in similar fashion. Not sure I am anywhere near as talented or creative as her niece was, nor will my adventures seems as glamorous or as exciting, but I will try to give her and any other reader that may happen upon my page an insight into the adventure that we are embarking on in just over 2 weeks!

Nelson and I leave for NYC at Noon on June 20th to meet up with the rest of our party and the following morning will have us arriving in Rome for the start of our trip. Joining Nelson and I on this voyage are my cousin, Ernie, his wife, Vicky along with her daughter, Alexandra with fiancé Matt. We will spend three glorious days exploring the Eternal City and everything she has to offer us first-timers. We plan to see, smell, feel, listen and most importantly, TASTE everything we can. As most of you may know, I'm a self proclaimed foodie extraordinaire, so expect descriptions of every succulent morsel. I'll be sure to include some descriptions for the other four senses too... Hahahaha





After three days in Rome, we embark on Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas for 7 breathtaking days on the Mediterranean Sea. We will be visiting sites such as Mt Etna in Sicily, The Library of Celsus & the House of the Virgin Mary in Ephesus, the Acropolis in Athens and even a WWII British Cemetery in Crete. It's my first cruise & Nelson's second, but both our first in Europe. We are so very excited at the possibilities of all to see and do...

But on a serious note, folks... I'm nowhere near ready for this trip since before we even think about leaving, I have two food shows to attend (thankfully one is in Miami, but the other is in DC right before our trip.. Oh no!) plus two major work appointments to contend with. Dare I mention the chore of packing for all of this, and then of course, there's the fact I want to lose 10lbs before the trip!!

Nelson is going to kill me before we leave. Im driving him crazy and he has been so patient with me. Here goes nothing...

Now the fun starts... 15 days until we leave!!

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