tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71836199702120043682024-02-20T15:02:52.114-08:00Rush Bijoux Says...Eat. Buy. Travel.Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-54543463511540155612016-03-16T09:23:00.000-07:002017-06-13T00:45:31.037-07:00Extended Travel Report: Italian Holiday 2015 - Istanbul Layover<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day 8, it was time to fly back home. We took the bus from our apartment rental to the Pisa airport to catch our flight in the late morning. The bus ride took about 30 minutes and the flight to Istanbul took only 2.5 hours but due to the different time zone, we would be landing in Istanbul at around 4:00 pm.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pisa Aeroporto</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the waiting lounge</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bye, Pisa!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUJeWaJgZxW9aBpo_kBEye8STVS5f-BV3Gr2FUyWPPkRLyz8hyphenhyphenN38pYQig3cTgPW3YF5RmSqGDW3H3ensBjW8PN7Zv7M85ky8gHnPsB014tQ7hszJnjlePzSJgCQplJyxR7DdpdUuhXNj/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUJeWaJgZxW9aBpo_kBEye8STVS5f-BV3Gr2FUyWPPkRLyz8hyphenhyphenN38pYQig3cTgPW3YF5RmSqGDW3H3ensBjW8PN7Zv7M85ky8gHnPsB014tQ7hszJnjlePzSJgCQplJyxR7DdpdUuhXNj/s640/4.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you spot the Leaning Tower complex?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the Apuan Alps.</td></tr>
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We were served delicious Turkish cuisine on the plane. If I remember it correctly, you could choose between two menu options on the Istanbul - Pisa flight but not on the Istanbul - Singapore flight. We were also given a small piece of Turkish delight on this flight.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffed eggplant</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some kind of meat patties with bulgur</td></tr>
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We landed at Attaturk airport on time and I quickly went to arrival to look for someone from Arif Yasa with my name.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbjGAFzPlVPApPayj_3ic3LlNVMzZK4AbRH_Wko-B0pruZpcwBrN4JshE6punsgmTCtae0uZx_XdW9-gzF6rK3sQLv4NwebAdXHzGyiErWnGaEJQ_korQSeCWK_PY0Rf9x5V6qX021j_d/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbjGAFzPlVPApPayj_3ic3LlNVMzZK4AbRH_Wko-B0pruZpcwBrN4JshE6punsgmTCtae0uZx_XdW9-gzF6rK3sQLv4NwebAdXHzGyiErWnGaEJQ_korQSeCWK_PY0Rf9x5V6qX021j_d/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello, Istanbul!</td></tr>
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A little word about Arif Yasa, they've got good reviews on Trip Advisor and after exchanging several emails with a total stranger who had used them for their own layover in Istanbul, I contacted Arif Yasa to get a quote. Before that, I had also contacted other agency with similar good reviews but thought their reply was somewhat cold. They also asked for a deposit in advance while Arif Yasa didn't. So I went with my gut instinct and booked an Istanbul Sunset Walking Tour with Arif Yasa.<br />
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At first glance, the other agency seemed more professional because they had all this procedure for booking the tour down while with Arif Yasa, you book the tour via email and all you have is a very casual confirmation (again, via email) that they have booked your trip. They didn't send any invoice or proper confirmation with the details of your trip and as I had booked the tour 1.5 months in advance, it was radio silence all the way. I had to email them a reminder a day before the trip date just for my own peace of mind, to which they promptly replied.<br />
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So, anyway, we met up with the driver who whisked us to a very spacious van and took us to the Sultanahmet area. The drive took about half an hour and bit by bit we started to get glimpses of Istanbul.<br />
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First impression: Istanbul is gorgeous! Everything looked so...dynamic. It's an assault on the eyes in the very best sense of the word.<br />
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At Sultanahmet, we met with our tour guide, Erkan. A little note: You can leave your luggage and other belongings in the car. We didn't but I'd read about people who had done this and they had no issue.<br />
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And so the walking tour began!<br />
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First, Erkan took us to see the famous Hippodrome, the obelisks, and the serpent column. I initially didn't get what the fuss was all about but then I thought about it; these monuments had stood for a loooong time. They had seen a lot, been through so much, it's crazy. And to think that the average lifespan of a modern building in Singapore is 30 years before they are being 'redeveloped'...they become much more impressive.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obelisk at the Hippodrome</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Obelisk</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Serpent column</td></tr>
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We then went to see the Blue Mosque which is so beautiful. You need to cover your hair and legs to go in. They'll loan you scarves for free and you can make a donation upon returning them. The scarves are in these various shades of blue which compliment the blue interior nicely. Whoever came up with this idea, great job!<br />
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Next, we went to see Hagia Sophia but we didn't go in because we were short of time. I noticed there were a lot of stray dogs roaming around freely which I must say amazes me since Turkey is a predominantly Muslim country. I don't know how that works.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SV39XxAmeOohHn7vwAVDAKMvGmIfmGPLoexGVldC0b6xj2volB9geJRzxVtlN03sfkTFBMbo2xEgxspmpmUzYieCdYQCv1-BU2NmTW9-xxmuLp_WTvSy-IYW75TMEIcWSDaQlrISMdj3/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SV39XxAmeOohHn7vwAVDAKMvGmIfmGPLoexGVldC0b6xj2volB9geJRzxVtlN03sfkTFBMbo2xEgxspmpmUzYieCdYQCv1-BU2NmTW9-xxmuLp_WTvSy-IYW75TMEIcWSDaQlrISMdj3/s640/20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hagia Sophia a.k.a. Aya Sofia</td></tr>
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Next we went to the famous Grand Bazaar, which I had always wanted to see but also had been daunted by since I'd heard the sellers could get quite aggressive. Well, some people did call at you but overall, most sellers left us alone. Erkan gave us 15 minutes to do some shopping and I went straight to the jewelry section and bought a couple of bracelets. I could be pretty decisive when I need to be =D<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The oldest section of the Grand Bazaar. You can tell by the ceiling.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bracelets from the Grand Bazaar</td></tr>
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What comes next is the most surprising part of the tour: Erkan took us through these very shady and old-looking alleyways that reminded me of illustrations of marketplace in 1001 nights children books. Through a very old-looking door and up a few steps, we arrived on the rooftop of the building where we got to see Istanbul from an elevated vantage point. I have no idea what the place is called and there were no signs whatsoever that point to the place but it seems to be a well-known secret among tourists because there were several other tourists there, some seemed to have come to the place on their own with the help of guidebooks.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting-looking mounds on the rooftop</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Panoramic Istanbul</td></tr>
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Our last stop on the European side was the Spice Market. We had mentioned that we would like to buy some Turkish Delights and Erkan took us to this particular shop. No doubt there was some sort of arrangement between them but I didn't mind. The seller was quite pushy, kept feeding us Turkish delights and every time you inquired about any products, he would take it as if you were buying them. It's the oldest trick in the book, just stand your ground and don't feel guilty to correct him, they rely on it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lffJdP3bVPpWLkpFII3MwLsen1bcg51WOF191EZQTbEMPWOBMXjT7pps5xX44tmksweS_CTCnXK1M4G1ROsI-Y04MRImiQMC6xOBHCnm8sFtd9NcDPdU1eRl3y72X5C92CmCNZXdWJhT/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_lffJdP3bVPpWLkpFII3MwLsen1bcg51WOF191EZQTbEMPWOBMXjT7pps5xX44tmksweS_CTCnXK1M4G1ROsI-Y04MRImiQMC6xOBHCnm8sFtd9NcDPdU1eRl3y72X5C92CmCNZXdWJhT/s640/35.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweets</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spices</td></tr>
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Now, it's time to cross the strait to the Asian side.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX09kBk5PRY8KBYyPrLgQwP47YxeJEkRYMPQzgpe87FBRbWOrUydheaEkPY-D7aoRjUemVUZxvjFB_YKANM1ZxZ4L5XaQUILreVaitDRBGJ9iC0i4fwolB3ffibD3L3LPlii_cwbezVHw/s1600/37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX09kBk5PRY8KBYyPrLgQwP47YxeJEkRYMPQzgpe87FBRbWOrUydheaEkPY-D7aoRjUemVUZxvjFB_YKANM1ZxZ4L5XaQUILreVaitDRBGJ9iC0i4fwolB3ffibD3L3LPlii_cwbezVHw/s640/37.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Going to the pier</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGuOYoBKMrbi-XykXSQZ_VglUQqNQJq7XERXaPU9w_367JKXxkGhmNg8FZJnXMgRUuoQ42ocWVPkd9QsUgiqzbZEDH3c5tVV4DwSGl1OkCuIYVwhh8lckJLzASwaQe6tOWMj4jA2s2u0s/s1600/38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUGuOYoBKMrbi-XykXSQZ_VglUQqNQJq7XERXaPU9w_367JKXxkGhmNg8FZJnXMgRUuoQ42ocWVPkd9QsUgiqzbZEDH3c5tVV4DwSGl1OkCuIYVwhh8lckJLzASwaQe6tOWMj4jA2s2u0s/s640/38.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't know what this is</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg3RJ93WS4zWAIc-N1jyTRxKNMiRHtHP2uVbMF_oifYJaj0O2lGvZgFshhin-_VEHcor7J5CGirWDsEes6ZGpH6J5qn3gdSpx76TWRtYt2UEIE2BYlPwWCTBXOjGZJ8Sad4ZKq0sFF6Gv/s1600/39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZg3RJ93WS4zWAIc-N1jyTRxKNMiRHtHP2uVbMF_oifYJaj0O2lGvZgFshhin-_VEHcor7J5CGirWDsEes6ZGpH6J5qn3gdSpx76TWRtYt2UEIE2BYlPwWCTBXOjGZJ8Sad4ZKq0sFF6Gv/s640/39.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Blue Mosque, I believe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysC4_1aNIkCdak7xDyLcY8BVwXgCxhMGTQ35ktPQiDWrZoRRIbT5JVx5Tjvc9i4w_jsEsy7MY8zcaNJStxlhL9r9GK4Jpk89vGWMVyLyEV30faGQWNggfUNBqbW7ezE3hm8furknRP8Gf/s1600/40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysC4_1aNIkCdak7xDyLcY8BVwXgCxhMGTQ35ktPQiDWrZoRRIbT5JVx5Tjvc9i4w_jsEsy7MY8zcaNJStxlhL9r9GK4Jpk89vGWMVyLyEV30faGQWNggfUNBqbW7ezE3hm8furknRP8Gf/s640/40.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On board the ferry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIls69cgtuW4kAhNiuDvT69i75osWbIxExc0wDYA01IVlEp9X3dxYVuaaeGMZ_CEAyA3cdu9ds2VU6uHBjHJ5kZRK8Bdv7GTLpYVN45I-HF4lS3BGuEB0lUfZaoESbW2KSUaRRNr9y7Y6/s1600/41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIls69cgtuW4kAhNiuDvT69i75osWbIxExc0wDYA01IVlEp9X3dxYVuaaeGMZ_CEAyA3cdu9ds2VU6uHBjHJ5kZRK8Bdv7GTLpYVN45I-HF4lS3BGuEB0lUfZaoESbW2KSUaRRNr9y7Y6/s640/41.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon rising</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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We got off to the Asian side just in time to watch the sunset. According to Erkan, the sunset was "no fun" that evening. Well, I don't know about that, looks pretty fun to me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhch0cApM9XdindxAYMUlXIHWCBnXgxQxd_b3M_7_WKFZur8lx_zQkIOTO-SCaYbc_NSM_gy2oDNDsCxCqQysnKH3JIK_E8xiCfC-OZxrLfrt8m-t56vdEuDZ5mOtUjBdZlirsBHCv5nI8W/s1600/42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhch0cApM9XdindxAYMUlXIHWCBnXgxQxd_b3M_7_WKFZur8lx_zQkIOTO-SCaYbc_NSM_gy2oDNDsCxCqQysnKH3JIK_E8xiCfC-OZxrLfrt8m-t56vdEuDZ5mOtUjBdZlirsBHCv5nI8W/s640/42.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset in Istanbul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After that, he flagged a cab and took us to Kadikoy which was bustling with restaurants and crowds having dinner. On the way, he bought and hand-fed us stuffed mussels. Yum!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kadikoy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tasting stuffed mussel</td></tr>
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He then took us to this restaurant that in his word, "selling traditional home-cooked Turkish dishes". I found out later that this restaurant was famous. Thank you, Erkan!<br />
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He ordered for us as we were pretty clueless about Turkish cuisine. I still don't know what we ate that night but all I know is, they were all delish. Yum. Just yum.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yumm!!</td></tr>
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After all that, we walked back to the pier and boarded the ferry back to the European side where our driver had been waiting to take us back to the airport. It was on this ferry that Erkan asked us to make the payment for the trip. Money well-spent, I'd say.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlRTG19h_9DRE1Itht9dGLQl137RO3Vw75quVr_Pq30hvxC8Cb-bzQiBAYrDSQHiEs7EwVhpE_eEoJn5iDtzJnaBYPeQEVEpTd5kzTnfgwqs7SX-GxXv9QAw6Aer7mgjDlOnr3EEGsZYG/s1600/59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrlRTG19h_9DRE1Itht9dGLQl137RO3Vw75quVr_Pq30hvxC8Cb-bzQiBAYrDSQHiEs7EwVhpE_eEoJn5iDtzJnaBYPeQEVEpTd5kzTnfgwqs7SX-GxXv9QAw6Aer7mgjDlOnr3EEGsZYG/s640/59.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admiring the beautiful view from the deck</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPtS8rPQr7hT9MvWNYsOfXOoMeZ9Jp4zV1SedWUyhmqcVFXRAyYynfa9obJbaPw76rR9TPXSxO8myWq9eJidvcLE5w039Pg5A_quf1dWvFyLkS6lBAw4uAL_p8T51X7da0IQsU8Mv1mjj/s1600/60.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGPtS8rPQr7hT9MvWNYsOfXOoMeZ9Jp4zV1SedWUyhmqcVFXRAyYynfa9obJbaPw76rR9TPXSxO8myWq9eJidvcLE5w039Pg5A_quf1dWvFyLkS6lBAw4uAL_p8T51X7da0IQsU8Mv1mjj/s640/60.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bosphorus bridge?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBiFw1LiH2LTxcxaZRe-WpOLZ79HL0RAUh2s5SfSIqia1xGrttkriG-sCDeKxkt5oXVOCeYwkAE1pB2XM6E599yZVDAYdSYmR21YIqDBNd41sbXikrRU_T8Wc1B9X-8hc-kQRzdKvO8cK/s1600/61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBiFw1LiH2LTxcxaZRe-WpOLZ79HL0RAUh2s5SfSIqia1xGrttkriG-sCDeKxkt5oXVOCeYwkAE1pB2XM6E599yZVDAYdSYmR21YIqDBNd41sbXikrRU_T8Wc1B9X-8hc-kQRzdKvO8cK/s640/61.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from on board the ferry</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPhKGfUwCGSNRq7GTIZvo4n6Q74q519oYnPq1R3wi3Dng2SzPbJPYk2XVg6hSlBH5ApMkoM1aFilBBge5HjZuoIYGygbRAzVcoeBzQ1lL2gbyFIAhZIDzXs0cB-i4ea_VCbYcsWWiCIyH/s1600/62.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPhKGfUwCGSNRq7GTIZvo4n6Q74q519oYnPq1R3wi3Dng2SzPbJPYk2XVg6hSlBH5ApMkoM1aFilBBge5HjZuoIYGygbRAzVcoeBzQ1lL2gbyFIAhZIDzXs0cB-i4ea_VCbYcsWWiCIyH/s640/62.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, isn't it?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGUMwUnAvcfINRhFAKD6Ha7L18TGDA13fgxx1ZcG-nzHYDI9cEV4zI5zwZnOkJ443ANC1ROXGGdsVWDbN0e3E0bCU6MnDWZFQsmy7oA2buG9hoBD5IE4ZI02fRtRXauffpy-iGmfKeG60/s1600/63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVGUMwUnAvcfINRhFAKD6Ha7L18TGDA13fgxx1ZcG-nzHYDI9cEV4zI5zwZnOkJ443ANC1ROXGGdsVWDbN0e3E0bCU6MnDWZFQsmy7oA2buG9hoBD5IE4ZI02fRtRXauffpy-iGmfKeG60/s640/63.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're back on the European side!</td></tr>
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It's time to say goodbye to Istanbul. Thank you for all the happy memories!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjKznAYtYt1yVZZKCGJAN8GWHwKZalY_dgIZZTmibnPgBS1asOiYHeX2YBwYi3HEIDEI9kCZisw4hmd9swrizwSa6JI0NFSdYKy5psPLWVHtLWXzfHduK7ProAe-AGPeudoA37HrC2RfE/s1600/64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGjKznAYtYt1yVZZKCGJAN8GWHwKZalY_dgIZZTmibnPgBS1asOiYHeX2YBwYi3HEIDEI9kCZisw4hmd9swrizwSa6JI0NFSdYKy5psPLWVHtLWXzfHduK7ProAe-AGPeudoA37HrC2RfE/s640/64.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial Istanbul at Night</td></tr>
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<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-37950312446298772682016-03-13T04:31:00.002-07:002016-03-13T22:41:11.508-07:00Extended Travel Report: Italian Holiday 2015 - Day 7<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Day 7 - our last day in Italy - and there were a lot of places we haven't visited! Tough decision but since it's our last day, we didn't want to tire ourselves out and just wanted to visit one more place that wouldn't require the whole day to do as we wanted to give ourselves ample time to pack, clean the apartment, and enjoy our last night in Italy.<br />
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On second thought, it wasn't that tough =p We wanted to visit Livorno ever since we first had laid eyes on pictures of Terrazza Mascagni which to quote my friend, looked very Dali-esque.<br />
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Livorno is very easy to reach by train, only 15 minutes from Pisa Centrale. And once there, you could get a day pass which enables you to unlimited bus ride for the day within the city.<br />
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To my surprise, Livorno is quite a lively city. Much livelier than Lucca, Pontedera, or Carrara. I'd like to spend a few more days in Livorno next time I'm in Italy. The city seems to have a lot to explore, half a day is definitely not enough.<br />
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Without wasting any time, we went straight for Terrazza Mascagni. We took a bus outside the train station and alighted right at the famous terrace. It is located by the ocean and the view is breathtaking!<br />
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The famous Terrazza Mascagni.<br />
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Dali-esque, no?<br />
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Clear blue water and sky.<br />
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I bet the views are amazing at night when all the lights are on.<br />
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It would have been nice to have a seafood lunch by the sea but it was too early. We settled for panini and gelato, instead.<br />
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We saw this cute canal on our way back to the train station.<br />
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At night, after all had been cleaned up and packed, I cooked spaghetti and chilled out in the apartment to end the most amazing week in Italy. Cheers!<br />
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<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-69681337787715481872016-01-24T02:16:00.000-08:002016-01-24T02:22:35.437-08:00Extended Travel Report: Italian Holiday 2015 - Day 6<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Day 6 we finally went to Carrara to visit the quarry of the famous Italian marble.<br />
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We boarded the train from Pisa San Rossore to Carrara Avenza and somehow it was quite hard to find information about how to reach the marble quarry from the internet other than by car. The quarry tour organizers also did not seem to be organized. Our emails from months before left unanswered and the only responses we got were some one-liner Facebook messages. When I told about this to Lucca, our translator from the day before, he told me that was a very Italian way of doing things. Made us appreciate how professional Arianna & Friends was. I could not recommend them enough!<br />
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Anyway, the train journey was very mellow. We passed by several small train stations along the way and reached the Carrara Avenza station in about half an hour. A few stations before Carrara, we started to see the Apuan Alps with its white peak dramatically disappearing into the clouds. <br />
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We originally planned to get a cab outside the Carrara Avenza station but it was during lunchtime and I still had not figured out how the whole cab thing worked in Italy so we decided to just *walk* to the quarry, thinking it was manageable. This is crazy stupid and I'll tell you why in a minute. But first, we walked happily towards the quarry, getting some gelato along the way while admiring the mellow town.<br />
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We got the impression that Carrara was a rich industrial town. I don't know if it's true but their streets are wide and proper, unlike in Pisa or Florence.<br />
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So anyway, we stumbled upon a tourist office and thought we'd ask for directions. When we told the woman who manned the desk that we didn't have a car, she was taken aback for a second. It was already about 3pm and from her expression we could see she was thinking we must be crazy.<br />
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Anyway, she told us to get a bus to the 'Hospital' and from there,
take another bus to Miseglia, and then walked to the Quarry. At that
point, we had never boarded a bus in Italy, frankly because we were a
bit daunted but we had no choice. So off we went and took a bus in Italy
for the first time. Since there were no tabbacchi around, we had to
purchase the tickets on board.<br />
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The bus driver seemed
quite miffed when we wanted to purchase tickets on board but once we
spoke Italian he turned friendly. We got off at the hospital and waited
for the bus to Miseglia that never came.<br />
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We decided to
approach a bus driver and asked about the bus. I must say I'm quite
happy that most people that I came across in Italy all were friendly and
wanted to help as much as they could. Anyway, I don't know if I
understood him wrongly but he seemed to be telling me that the next bus
to Miseglia would only come after 6pm, by then it would have been too
late for us to visit the Quarry.<br />
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But then he told me that Miseglia was not that far and so we decided to just walk. I mean, it couldn't be that far, could it?<br />
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Well. Not only was it far, but it was also steep with many twists and
turns. I swear you could have seen me in the pictures getting smaller
and smaller as we were getting closer to the Quarry. It was more of a
hike and it was very taxing, but we were surrounded by woods so the air
was very clean and fresh. <br />
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We walked by some villages and the Quarry was still not in sight. At times, we felt like giving up but we thought we'd made it this far and it would be such a shame to not make it to the finish line. We ran into a man walking his dog and asked if we were on the right path and he said we were, it was just 10-15 minutes away and so we soldiered on until finally, we saw the light at the end of the tunnel: the old bridge.<br />
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The woman at the tourist office told us once we found the bridge, the Quarry was just nearby. There was a small shop selling refreshments and marble souvenirs near the bridge but since it was already 5pm we decided we would make a run for the Quarry first since it closes at 6pm. However, we were faced with another steep uphill road and after climbing it for a few minutes with no quarry in sight, we made the painful decision to give up. We were tired and so we went back to the shop to sit down, get something to drink, and did some souvenir shopping.<br />
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Again, the Italian woman who manned the shop was very nice. She spoke perfect English and she gave us a book about the Quarry to read while we were there. And since we purchased so many souvenir, the cappuccino and the water were on the house.<br />
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The short break restored our willpower and we decided we would complete the final stretch and climb the steep uphill road. Turned out we were very close! Imagined if we had given up, what a shame that would have been!<br />
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But wait, don't get excited just yet! It was already past 6pm and when we approached the ticket booth, the woman informed us that the last tour group had just left but if there were another couple, they might conduct another tour just for us and so we waited patiently, praying for someone else to turn up and just like in the movies, a young Italian couple turned up at the very last minute.<br />
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When we were finally riding in the van going down the tunnel to the Quarry, my friend and I looked at each other and we were like, 'OMG!!!'<br />
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The tour itself was quite brief - about 20 minutes long or so - but it was definitely an experience. To be inside a room that is made of 100% marble is just something you don't do everyday!<br />
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On our way back, we felt this amazing sense of accomplishment but wait...the day was not over yet. We intended to take the bus on our descent but this Miseglia bus was really the most elusive and so we decided to walk our way back. It was crazy, I'm telling you! We were basically walking up and down the Apuan Alps much like Leonardo Da Vinci and the likes did back then but it really made for a very memorable trip.<br />
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On our way back, the sun cast a warm glow on the hills. It was very serene and we could hear the church's bell tolling from afar. In one of the villages, we ran into an old man who invited us to see some souvenirs at his house. I still can't decide whether it was nice or creepy but anyway, I declined the invitation politely and he was in a good spirit about it. <br />
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We then board a bus at the terminal near the Hospital back to Carrara station. Whaddya know, the driver was the same driver that took us to the Hospital earlier that day. By the time we reached the train station, it was getting dark so it was probably already 8:30pm. The sun was setting beautifully.<br />
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When we finally reached Pisa San Rossore, it was already dark.<br />
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When we got home, we were extremely tired but happy. What a day. Here are some of the souvenirs that we got.<br />
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<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-74811080182717433192015-12-23T08:15:00.002-08:002015-12-23T08:15:46.554-08:00Extended Travel Report: Italian Holiday 2015 - Day 5On Day 5 we had another cooking class, this time it was centered around pasta. We learned to make 3 types of pasta that day: tagliatelle, gnocchi (a personal favorite!), and ravioli.<br />
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As with the previous class, the driver picked us up at Pontedera train station and brought us to Ca'Solare.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Peccioli</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some hay bales</td></tr>
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We arrived a bit early so I took more ground photos of Ca'Solare this time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ca'Solare</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The lush landscape of Ca'Solare</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRxbvsf093NhWYcN4TLtwjugbQa-aTc7nkGs_6HIqrdiP-8k4gGVxeYbXyYQFOPelZyKfotmAE9dLIVFAsZ5GEKPUFCFTs7hTNUQ-q2ApqtznqmUIv8CCIWJ8PfC2CmcEL1-SMk5Ab3US/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJRxbvsf093NhWYcN4TLtwjugbQa-aTc7nkGs_6HIqrdiP-8k4gGVxeYbXyYQFOPelZyKfotmAE9dLIVFAsZ5GEKPUFCFTs7hTNUQ-q2ApqtznqmUIv8CCIWJ8PfC2CmcEL1-SMk5Ab3US/s640/12.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the kitchen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJjAUoWDJcrSSpvUEmTLjzULQgiBQBwIrdY76qv3GHl3S6Jv7Bmyc-hRcm0LqCkRMnreoY6kcXuCuAdq_ErrjY9yXKGKaNniLaX09K7vXh5VtZgsMSUF3sjr8P6HehK5NKjf-cPIWyeLW/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVJjAUoWDJcrSSpvUEmTLjzULQgiBQBwIrdY76qv3GHl3S6Jv7Bmyc-hRcm0LqCkRMnreoY6kcXuCuAdq_ErrjY9yXKGKaNniLaX09K7vXh5VtZgsMSUF3sjr8P6HehK5NKjf-cPIWyeLW/s640/10.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ca'Solare</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKTtsPmXUlr9k5YcuNccERno0uGT2BBnO3myboiYcMYa_uegH78yc6JFt0QviZTT9wcUGECyeYqBw1b9foqObuGpgbt-4T81JmA-HMETpVIFxHqcrs6Oj1zyOut74WeOIyRXXPMS2Yzjn/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVKTtsPmXUlr9k5YcuNccERno0uGT2BBnO3myboiYcMYa_uegH78yc6JFt0QviZTT9wcUGECyeYqBw1b9foqObuGpgbt-4T81JmA-HMETpVIFxHqcrs6Oj1zyOut74WeOIyRXXPMS2Yzjn/s640/13.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from Ca'Solare</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sORZygrbFMngpTry_8RASNtg02I_3Z3RTvZynR2rWJHaSNTTgLg6Ev4cjn1VUBaVfoin27zA-R2hJI9ECjmVdsjHlmsnm_WmVD6RKWICGViDhBfr5UKooJZYjqd5Y-BohYKF1FG1q9A3/s1600/8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sORZygrbFMngpTry_8RASNtg02I_3Z3RTvZynR2rWJHaSNTTgLg6Ev4cjn1VUBaVfoin27zA-R2hJI9ECjmVdsjHlmsnm_WmVD6RKWICGViDhBfr5UKooJZYjqd5Y-BohYKF1FG1q9A3/s640/8.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend standing by the gorgeous pool</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We were joined by this other couple, Nick and Anna from London and the translator was Lucca, all of whom were about the same age as us.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWu24HypM8rxNWkwGJbnRfpMoI0IXta59PzPTP2NK9ufElfzVL5-u0NaBaWOgyLaRjQH3d_QIolgJlesHrbfh85DlxluDdKZ-YzMGwXF5KappYxK6tgBcJ1MfDyx53pwLAak0DNjSZgI8/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWu24HypM8rxNWkwGJbnRfpMoI0IXta59PzPTP2NK9ufElfzVL5-u0NaBaWOgyLaRjQH3d_QIolgJlesHrbfh85DlxluDdKZ-YzMGwXF5KappYxK6tgBcJ1MfDyx53pwLAak0DNjSZgI8/s640/14.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Materials for the cooking class</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8FJekvynYJITgt5HJp7t6kF9QNjUpdI32oPxGBYXyRlevoeM4frFYXvAsql3G6pbQTZAFx6SgXTuJlQWuEd9oFAfVWPAN8lnaKwzBFZiu0UN4SybsQtFAqJ5EE8_q56fIDNGjk69BUkN/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC8FJekvynYJITgt5HJp7t6kF9QNjUpdI32oPxGBYXyRlevoeM4frFYXvAsql3G6pbQTZAFx6SgXTuJlQWuEd9oFAfVWPAN8lnaKwzBFZiu0UN4SybsQtFAqJ5EE8_q56fIDNGjk69BUkN/s640/19.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucca, our translator</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBqUH2dCs4-wLa5KrpXAD6DnRgN8WEMlyK4twS8EyKXHkU5j04z83HK8aKB9dJhdeLTFfyHRWCL-LdPhihRFYqmejmwVwlkugRsibnR5W2PdVWRCwAmbjxeXdWoy6vNDcmQWQUY_krqfC/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMBqUH2dCs4-wLa5KrpXAD6DnRgN8WEMlyK4twS8EyKXHkU5j04z83HK8aKB9dJhdeLTFfyHRWCL-LdPhihRFYqmejmwVwlkugRsibnR5W2PdVWRCwAmbjxeXdWoy6vNDcmQWQUY_krqfC/s640/18.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It was unbelievable how simple yet delicious the ingredients were.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvU6dufnbCp0Law8STanC5Gv0gM9tzeNFifCSpEmCttsgRXGH_8Uy-z4B60VwoLm1HHzA1GWAocgUj2m0Z95OFIhd1dl-8kKzlLoGitPnVxaYAccfxdwTFf6wFQ8HG6DqdeUcliVrm5Hf/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvU6dufnbCp0Law8STanC5Gv0gM9tzeNFifCSpEmCttsgRXGH_8Uy-z4B60VwoLm1HHzA1GWAocgUj2m0Z95OFIhd1dl-8kKzlLoGitPnVxaYAccfxdwTFf6wFQ8HG6DqdeUcliVrm5Hf/s640/15.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4FcmbgZ9ARCh4QVT00Z22IJ69T7esVVVj15em6JaB4NjNccZEyiNZK5ANH0ODCcP3SAa2ZlHXfmhkomeh1QnH7UOJmj8USPF8SL_1C_wLVqNbPii5ees-6AZ_BD6XqJCEWL2lK5EWNSX/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge4FcmbgZ9ARCh4QVT00Z22IJ69T7esVVVj15em6JaB4NjNccZEyiNZK5ANH0ODCcP3SAa2ZlHXfmhkomeh1QnH7UOJmj8USPF8SL_1C_wLVqNbPii5ees-6AZ_BD6XqJCEWL2lK5EWNSX/s640/16.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making the pasta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1oy0-mcoRn4wLOvGmUdJ6BJ07QEMMc3Ev8rN2woa1TqbzYNWLSZXELrwFA3IU1H42U0I0CkLLj7_lL3f24N9XgydeRn57csgpZDI7aL8MR_LkLCnLYLeaF370R7AnvwmsBJwLLl_9Fbf/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1oy0-mcoRn4wLOvGmUdJ6BJ07QEMMc3Ev8rN2woa1TqbzYNWLSZXELrwFA3IU1H42U0I0CkLLj7_lL3f24N9XgydeRn57csgpZDI7aL8MR_LkLCnLYLeaF370R7AnvwmsBJwLLl_9Fbf/s640/17.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ravioli and tagliatelle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Time went by quickly when you were having fun and before we knew it, it was almost 3pm. We originally wanted to go to Carrara after the cooking class so we decided to skip the coffee and left.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ARcxakC312-K_WTFM6LV-IHg6-onVgiXeY43hvOGvaFSI32SEniPUlT6TdzpQLJEWTyZoGeV4S4ZarsfGp52a8ay1m-8yjyw3FVBrMYZnviCgLV2kioVXA-L1f1CUZfa_ltg_x9evqJC/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ARcxakC312-K_WTFM6LV-IHg6-onVgiXeY43hvOGvaFSI32SEniPUlT6TdzpQLJEWTyZoGeV4S4ZarsfGp52a8ay1m-8yjyw3FVBrMYZnviCgLV2kioVXA-L1f1CUZfa_ltg_x9evqJC/s640/20.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plaza near Pisa Centrale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVz0zWKaJHNC8DXlOA6ElTsVxMwTfgpj6Ta8m8NsgILcak9yPC4jD9kPBulkiqUiiv8FgzAyZKo0-6hmPv220cop-7HjHhO-A5BjEG3xmkJwpAwhXEoX2PZkjFOKAoo5b3NudNkgFmi9E/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVz0zWKaJHNC8DXlOA6ElTsVxMwTfgpj6Ta8m8NsgILcak9yPC4jD9kPBulkiqUiiv8FgzAyZKo0-6hmPv220cop-7HjHhO-A5BjEG3xmkJwpAwhXEoX2PZkjFOKAoo5b3NudNkgFmi9E/s640/21.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corso Italia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryFQgwGoI0S-J7k8HiQl-pP6KbQUsslpn0IWao8PM6-DRPKLFEpu3vzupn43Qq280e04xDbAw1qxSnhbvmvjn1aF6aRaZuciTnbZrpS_qd3dr0k2bLpaE7WcpPPE81tOEA0Foxe1q5WDy/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhryFQgwGoI0S-J7k8HiQl-pP6KbQUsslpn0IWao8PM6-DRPKLFEpu3vzupn43Qq280e04xDbAw1qxSnhbvmvjn1aF6aRaZuciTnbZrpS_qd3dr0k2bLpaE7WcpPPE81tOEA0Foxe1q5WDy/s640/22.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corso Italia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5EIYzNpgrK63jf1Gf1aUSITFPzhshrtaLryTxpapcp67aca1O_2EKMUNZFqIpZoPJVxBCR8M3WSfx9plH9A8ujJs9S3OyvOaJ5lGSkeYmye8wWkkZ2ne7qA_zphu2os6FjeX34_j_hDP/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5EIYzNpgrK63jf1Gf1aUSITFPzhshrtaLryTxpapcp67aca1O_2EKMUNZFqIpZoPJVxBCR8M3WSfx9plH9A8ujJs9S3OyvOaJ5lGSkeYmye8wWkkZ2ne7qA_zphu2os6FjeX34_j_hDP/s640/23.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical cosmetic store in Italy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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However, we had a change of heart since we'd read that the marble quarry closed pretty early and we were worried we wouldn't reach the place in time.<br />
<br />
Instead, we went back to our apartment and did some shopping at PAM. We got a little carried away that our total purchase amounted to 90 euros! At the apartment, I practiced what I learned from the Tuscan cooking class and cooked us some dinner.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCDuHhE6-XzCqLQPvA8ojMabAxVOrRQwwtixbmncBeVCj70mu-Xd355XmDoY5CjKgGkY1WgW1ptRQyOr0ZCs3gyh4flIU-nfgE4XJO06IraUfAdexqIn2m9TVJ08Lcty-53NnpkJvkVCz/s1600/24.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCDuHhE6-XzCqLQPvA8ojMabAxVOrRQwwtixbmncBeVCj70mu-Xd355XmDoY5CjKgGkY1WgW1ptRQyOr0ZCs3gyh4flIU-nfgE4XJO06IraUfAdexqIn2m9TVJ08Lcty-53NnpkJvkVCz/s640/24.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chopped ingredients</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HawJjc0JyEOdSvKgGtlkbg4LFOe0PPjvRdpBhGRUYt9GhcszY3BtPs_luNOuTOgTYgxPe28pVCy_zMmfCNyoVALxz1rO3BbKlTrcLLcK7WbVj5eDSYRSZH0fHsqpZbX4PKHv0D74VJ6n/s1600/25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HawJjc0JyEOdSvKgGtlkbg4LFOe0PPjvRdpBhGRUYt9GhcszY3BtPs_luNOuTOgTYgxPe28pVCy_zMmfCNyoVALxz1rO3BbKlTrcLLcK7WbVj5eDSYRSZH0fHsqpZbX4PKHv0D74VJ6n/s640/25.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A really great olive oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9hikbSMM1AePeSv0yFwovUbcvHtF9b9HhJni7pisSvYY49QsJK7iq5QJbXHCBwilBLb2PXEbSCimg3nSNGFrXv1vEZWDysA7vKEHkZ71sf3c9HmLN_Cdk-XDpn16Nbf51A04ujcGkURw/s1600/26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx9hikbSMM1AePeSv0yFwovUbcvHtF9b9HhJni7pisSvYY49QsJK7iq5QJbXHCBwilBLb2PXEbSCimg3nSNGFrXv1vEZWDysA7vKEHkZ71sf3c9HmLN_Cdk-XDpn16Nbf51A04ujcGkURw/s640/26.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Drowning the chopped ingredients in olive oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULkWafT3JS8lwRIAm-OMPOuUvJ9zHrUscLHML_7qnHqZZNSQsvDLpj_estQ0XMXyCmFIbkFU9WuviDrODmttueqlN6fKlAXMAoOlvu8CjWoTK2sY19e6YgrssakOpHuigLdCcHJ_m9TC_/s1600/27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiULkWafT3JS8lwRIAm-OMPOuUvJ9zHrUscLHML_7qnHqZZNSQsvDLpj_estQ0XMXyCmFIbkFU9WuviDrODmttueqlN6fKlAXMAoOlvu8CjWoTK2sY19e6YgrssakOpHuigLdCcHJ_m9TC_/s640/27.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chunks of veal added</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0Rzi2tzGQcI23qAH4MzeCJXLqp06pp_EnzzMTPYy1Lylxmuf9B3pZP-cToYl0W8F0pWY4b4xWsDJB-8BrkV_c719dyliDBk8L1bvI4gGzSGwr7ImsMCkjTzNMRUyApDsrIKTpCPxEv9p/s1600/28.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0Rzi2tzGQcI23qAH4MzeCJXLqp06pp_EnzzMTPYy1Lylxmuf9B3pZP-cToYl0W8F0pWY4b4xWsDJB-8BrkV_c719dyliDBk8L1bvI4gGzSGwr7ImsMCkjTzNMRUyApDsrIKTpCPxEv9p/s640/28.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chianti from our host</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp5XZdBNlwzRBuVe7ffQkJBlhj696UByTjSc03rtqTzCScg867G-BbUE7AAmJpBiaECpfHJbRNka8ENgU9AqIkb8oiUVFWdZ1wugLZ2BwODr2lqLFuWzggHlWoL05A1CT9gAtC7xB1GQB/s1600/29.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp5XZdBNlwzRBuVe7ffQkJBlhj696UByTjSc03rtqTzCScg867G-BbUE7AAmJpBiaECpfHJbRNka8ENgU9AqIkb8oiUVFWdZ1wugLZ2BwODr2lqLFuWzggHlWoL05A1CT9gAtC7xB1GQB/s640/29.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chianti poured in</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqixUrPzhDVWvgzoDsEtjt_aH8kH2qucc3xGiyjRm51oT-HtGWPlAF11ksJCdm9uMizZfvCE72pRu6AnQugpAFAIj_pBjzt0kBb_2OLLe9MPwIlhMQThSWgfVzhd0W64oRujArucc1eHW/s1600/30.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipqixUrPzhDVWvgzoDsEtjt_aH8kH2qucc3xGiyjRm51oT-HtGWPlAF11ksJCdm9uMizZfvCE72pRu6AnQugpAFAIj_pBjzt0kBb_2OLLe9MPwIlhMQThSWgfVzhd0W64oRujArucc1eHW/s640/30.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our dining area</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgM4KJrTzabeistxRuu4UvPFTqgIOGAndgGoU376L5ZSvb8HHYl6x-Vfg9KCZ9DIu8P1S-t9C4QKNdtZ67nHr_aAznJvnFX5bfVQEXskTATeaaNrRz2ALaBmKhZ9crCoiy9Zwklg6Btv2/s1600/31.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihgM4KJrTzabeistxRuu4UvPFTqgIOGAndgGoU376L5ZSvb8HHYl6x-Vfg9KCZ9DIu8P1S-t9C4QKNdtZ67nHr_aAznJvnFX5bfVQEXskTATeaaNrRz2ALaBmKhZ9crCoiy9Zwklg6Btv2/s640/31.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our very Italian dinner!</td></tr>
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Buon Appetito!Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-39926093837265409472015-12-05T12:35:00.000-08:002015-12-05T12:44:38.009-08:00Extended Travel Report: Italian Holiday 2015 - Day 4We hit up Florence on Day 4. As usual, we walked all the way to Pisa Centrale station even though technically we could board the train from Pisa San Rossore station which is by our apartment but we just wanted to explore Pisa as much as we could.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ILN1RcclFG86QytNjddWQstaWq3qVh3nD4mSLUxTWOALa3f-E55JzabUckJgkt_1UrZ4qbH83gcthVzzjm7Rqs63pMpjnZRRw3O3BrzpI9y0eHcFwcSEIWgyLpVmV6oImpo9s8zO6TZW/s1600/1.+Piazza+Dei+Cavalieri.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-ILN1RcclFG86QytNjddWQstaWq3qVh3nD4mSLUxTWOALa3f-E55JzabUckJgkt_1UrZ4qbH83gcthVzzjm7Rqs63pMpjnZRRw3O3BrzpI9y0eHcFwcSEIWgyLpVmV6oImpo9s8zO6TZW/s640/1.+Piazza+Dei+Cavalieri.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza Dei Cavalieri, Pisa</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EtCfK-xRnU7kllByiDNup_duG2480s4Bwnx9xN-MX_R9Yvs9HkUbQBpFFKe3IF2GWCulGpWZFXqqSRmEhdcQ_P5EzqQ8Gm5hVwRNIKpAXIvqRRw6GZOq3KP3TBkdEzbEuVXB1B_EbxvS/s1600/2.+On+the+Way+to+Florence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EtCfK-xRnU7kllByiDNup_duG2480s4Bwnx9xN-MX_R9Yvs9HkUbQBpFFKe3IF2GWCulGpWZFXqqSRmEhdcQ_P5EzqQ8Gm5hVwRNIKpAXIvqRRw6GZOq3KP3TBkdEzbEuVXB1B_EbxvS/s640/2.+On+the+Way+to+Florence.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Florence</td></tr>
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The journey took about an hour and we naively bought one-way tickets, thinking Santa Maria Novella station would be just as mellow as Pisa Centrale or Pontedera - Casciana Terme stations. Boy, were we wrong.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIiuCwHbjA3nMCKfhyAw8yI7BPes8ENkskBOOZdRWfJdAviJSxstudzEYkXztDhXAYQcjZF0cJfWW45g4NU_n4N6zpy_yoaPnMQVUr4LpDD2Ntd1bA37o1fJeAkEMOp4NS7570HsEaToV/s1600/3.+Approaching+Santa+Maria+Novella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyIiuCwHbjA3nMCKfhyAw8yI7BPes8ENkskBOOZdRWfJdAviJSxstudzEYkXztDhXAYQcjZF0cJfWW45g4NU_n4N6zpy_yoaPnMQVUr4LpDD2Ntd1bA37o1fJeAkEMOp4NS7570HsEaToV/s640/3.+Approaching+Santa+Maria+Novella.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Santa Maria Novella train station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_ia9s0sOvLYyVDiCSLjlN9TovdEZOKa3jDFcROnUiM3tmfG6CxlRyTsLEvxH3L_VlBKO7Srzdh-uDmuxkohxu4Akk5MKn_5H-qNvNOki-zYsTInzjpEi8_XAny94PYKm2M9954N6PEBk/s1600/4.+Santa+Maria+Novella+station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH_ia9s0sOvLYyVDiCSLjlN9TovdEZOKa3jDFcROnUiM3tmfG6CxlRyTsLEvxH3L_VlBKO7Srzdh-uDmuxkohxu4Akk5MKn_5H-qNvNOki-zYsTInzjpEi8_XAny94PYKm2M9954N6PEBk/s640/4.+Santa+Maria+Novella+station.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Santa Maria Novella station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bZF7fKL9vXttz-pcC6jGZvYLde3KFM17U2lirPltiQU_IBn5Uwltir7PWZH-TgnUqF5MnPxyrkJ4Xjz-okLKyjLcQ5X6_r2CHRpM5_X-SqPaaxj3hQdlyiKu7VNLUKuDCC_e2dCjiB_P/s1600/5.+Just+Outside+SMN+Train+Station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bZF7fKL9vXttz-pcC6jGZvYLde3KFM17U2lirPltiQU_IBn5Uwltir7PWZH-TgnUqF5MnPxyrkJ4Xjz-okLKyjLcQ5X6_r2CHRpM5_X-SqPaaxj3hQdlyiKu7VNLUKuDCC_e2dCjiB_P/s640/5.+Just+Outside+SMN+Train+Station.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just outside Santa Maria Novella station</td></tr>
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The minute we stepped off the train at Santa Maria Novella, it was clear the station was a major hub, much bigger than Pisa. It was crowded and hectic, and frankly it reminds me a bit of the Jakarta Kota train station in Indonesia. We hurriedly got out of the station and headed downtown, only to be greeted by more crowds.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_0Pr9osGWbKf8USSAyqZt4MgkeMfMWaMDUeMMbojV8ZtyJBy2j5388zty5zSZC7vvxhLwuaWgrjdmigWEU_9zoXd4oxW_cKOYsPnaHbW6eVs8YvyLz4L5Y-FyXkhmz5Kqt22a2c6k_UX/s1600/8.+Palazzo+Vecchio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_0Pr9osGWbKf8USSAyqZt4MgkeMfMWaMDUeMMbojV8ZtyJBy2j5388zty5zSZC7vvxhLwuaWgrjdmigWEU_9zoXd4oxW_cKOYsPnaHbW6eVs8YvyLz4L5Y-FyXkhmz5Kqt22a2c6k_UX/s640/8.+Palazzo+Vecchio.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palazzo Vecchio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Duomo was truly spectacular. Pictures can't do justice, I'm telling you. The feeling was really majestic as we walked up to it and it was peeking out from behind the buildings.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB0q7v9yC9-r5LOFK32wEb7hFYsqtOptfTABzUDs3HMUv2gv0iVTADaLoEikjajWBpfG_7sDQvl8kOqS3iFKDZPKuCtPq3f_naan0sbRSrFzBS5gBQirPqKlio6DGAdYCAram6jYFiuwp/s1600/6.+Duomo+Peeking+Out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB0q7v9yC9-r5LOFK32wEb7hFYsqtOptfTABzUDs3HMUv2gv0iVTADaLoEikjajWBpfG_7sDQvl8kOqS3iFKDZPKuCtPq3f_naan0sbRSrFzBS5gBQirPqKlio6DGAdYCAram6jYFiuwp/s640/6.+Duomo+Peeking+Out.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibed4fz-LnT-1gGbU12J_QE5zBHnqnin8lxeXs7EPdVAJv02zAU6fDPro6FpW_0n27POSpLJLiLX0RMRJ0XbSF6cO2De7hYhvZqZiSyQAMvJqcj5u74R2yMzO8i3nTA3qD3CJrEEk5PuYv/s1600/7.+Duomo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibed4fz-LnT-1gGbU12J_QE5zBHnqnin8lxeXs7EPdVAJv02zAU6fDPro6FpW_0n27POSpLJLiLX0RMRJ0XbSF6cO2De7hYhvZqZiSyQAMvJqcj5u74R2yMzO8i3nTA3qD3CJrEEk5PuYv/s640/7.+Duomo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Majestic Duomo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kJExBdyju8x7ilBdj2sgMDinf-7-RC_Mb2Yny3Pd_ulnrVSEc2j-AUduRANARYeQSJ0a8is_O_pBDbQYCeNgoH-4nufh7EwSUUBO9t1qagFl_0cejCVOMB-CiGLdIVYMO3uFn-XLZlzQ/s1600/9.+A+shop+selling+marzipan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kJExBdyju8x7ilBdj2sgMDinf-7-RC_Mb2Yny3Pd_ulnrVSEc2j-AUduRANARYeQSJ0a8is_O_pBDbQYCeNgoH-4nufh7EwSUUBO9t1qagFl_0cejCVOMB-CiGLdIVYMO3uFn-XLZlzQ/s640/9.+A+shop+selling+marzipan.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marzipan shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2p_sqoUYC6GwnKbpNdhNQ2em0SS_yhqN7SIHdAkv36Qb6keMuJPA7aIFNuV_8hU9KE_De9bk5MsRWsCn2BEozqp6HICX0jwAJIOOBjgmN4m0mo5RYUZJjoKK2djyhswoaXLUgD8thjPX/s1600/10.+Sephora+in+Florence.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI2p_sqoUYC6GwnKbpNdhNQ2em0SS_yhqN7SIHdAkv36Qb6keMuJPA7aIFNuV_8hU9KE_De9bk5MsRWsCn2BEozqp6HICX0jwAJIOOBjgmN4m0mo5RYUZJjoKK2djyhswoaXLUgD8thjPX/s640/10.+Sephora+in+Florence.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sephora in Florence</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzavSX0GVGuFAKYULEpYnXbHDs50c-p_JjqJoGeuY-VL2SRe79E8URjs6g-g3KwAT0vMOElzyp3sMKbktVi2Kd4NAtaYBgGrNzfInJ-fq4A7ydUk4KamvfdISRjHygmjGPl-akXFOLxfr/s1600/11.+A+shop+selling+popsicles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrzavSX0GVGuFAKYULEpYnXbHDs50c-p_JjqJoGeuY-VL2SRe79E8URjs6g-g3KwAT0vMOElzyp3sMKbktVi2Kd4NAtaYBgGrNzfInJ-fq4A7ydUk4KamvfdISRjHygmjGPl-akXFOLxfr/s640/11.+A+shop+selling+popsicles.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Popsicles shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfueTq38nQDWj-YLkNUWF9_nePcgLcqMwsts2TGmk4J72sscSNT0WvMTKjVcAZZ0-K2bszz_eaPTJ-MLTf08B4FCq33fl1UdnwjQZbK-vxaJqLwOnxakg4wlzJ09G2W1JUONjEU5jihcMz/s1600/12.+Gelateria+in+Florence.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfueTq38nQDWj-YLkNUWF9_nePcgLcqMwsts2TGmk4J72sscSNT0WvMTKjVcAZZ0-K2bszz_eaPTJ-MLTf08B4FCq33fl1UdnwjQZbK-vxaJqLwOnxakg4wlzJ09G2W1JUONjEU5jihcMz/s640/12.+Gelateria+in+Florence.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gelateria</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sadly I really couldn't stand the crowds so after a couple of obligatory pics, we moved away as fast as we could.<br />
<br />
Next up was Ponte Vecchio, an old bridge known for its gold jewelry shops. It was also packed with people so we hurriedly walked through it and on to Piazzale Michelangelo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY-StCwiJYDQq6UXGqcqUKWZr5iO6Vuh4iwea8RJTXPEfL3MDV-xh_iqMaBut-r1ca5LZmtocala6bfCmxMhOy2GYPpzt_OhqiNsJcU2MKyLZeFhdeWUEPFThJDhOZbFVq3Ahuf1LeLsf/s1600/13.+Entering+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivY-StCwiJYDQq6UXGqcqUKWZr5iO6Vuh4iwea8RJTXPEfL3MDV-xh_iqMaBut-r1ca5LZmtocala6bfCmxMhOy2GYPpzt_OhqiNsJcU2MKyLZeFhdeWUEPFThJDhOZbFVq3Ahuf1LeLsf/s640/13.+Entering+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to Ponte Vecchio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yCBtduNcsCWHaGoS9Lmk2ztEL6tXJIFJj3j1LGbHcYAdKMqkksgVAth4434XbRyHD6-I565vnpN_QSN5SbfNjwSjYgeHpWCC-KfEyNuY8BU2ilvD8xq-c7lOWEb7ueSI5kYm92-tHmvK/s1600/14.+On+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yCBtduNcsCWHaGoS9Lmk2ztEL6tXJIFJj3j1LGbHcYAdKMqkksgVAth4434XbRyHD6-I565vnpN_QSN5SbfNjwSjYgeHpWCC-KfEyNuY8BU2ilvD8xq-c7lOWEb7ueSI5kYm92-tHmvK/s640/14.+On+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Locks on Ponte Vecchio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYqFO-Jqi5IGF2yPV1fG5IxeaJWyU6DcQBKRfC1BIiY7YX5ecb-jt-DgJWwYeEgZLxbKv20sfzwzBgI5eeYFVR9-6uiwXuYhMIlvpR4n2B0lOGGmFaVf2pcSm5HEqAAGZWM62u-KhH_Nz/s1600/16.+On+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVYqFO-Jqi5IGF2yPV1fG5IxeaJWyU6DcQBKRfC1BIiY7YX5ecb-jt-DgJWwYeEgZLxbKv20sfzwzBgI5eeYFVR9-6uiwXuYhMIlvpR4n2B0lOGGmFaVf2pcSm5HEqAAGZWM62u-KhH_Nz/s640/16.+On+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Ponte Vecchio</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRJp5-VQowjNoCvqynoR3TGWlBAQiGOWxWehDp778C2NR1MQ3S2YGguH-wqzbt2n3To5MaMarBP3Cva0lSIIeljdLeORv_cOEmZqAEBqLyK6M1OrYrtBu8PBtw6QmN7SFKOnpKvcMfm7G/s1600/17.+View+from+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBRJp5-VQowjNoCvqynoR3TGWlBAQiGOWxWehDp778C2NR1MQ3S2YGguH-wqzbt2n3To5MaMarBP3Cva0lSIIeljdLeORv_cOEmZqAEBqLyK6M1OrYrtBu8PBtw6QmN7SFKOnpKvcMfm7G/s640/17.+View+from+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A View from Ponte Vecchio</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLx3ihlbmsy8ZMcnlqZsZWSYLA-y986jZSJIGeZU8GRpeb2BLEsJikwdwos365By4rYZQ6qrv3feEiPoNbA_QV3_YcIzaGTSfNMGoK5bLBvUVx7HvAEcYXq2zfU2qfkNR6Y07hiOtp1dNK/s1600/15.+On+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLx3ihlbmsy8ZMcnlqZsZWSYLA-y986jZSJIGeZU8GRpeb2BLEsJikwdwos365By4rYZQ6qrv3feEiPoNbA_QV3_YcIzaGTSfNMGoK5bLBvUVx7HvAEcYXq2zfU2qfkNR6Y07hiOtp1dNK/s640/15.+On+Ponte+Vecchio.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A monument on Ponte Vecchio</td></tr>
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Once we made it through Ponte Vecchio, the crowds became much lesser and it was much comfortable. One caveat though: the path to Piazzale Michelangelo was quite steep which is why there were less people there.<br />
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Quite a chore but infinitely much preferred to crowds in downtown Florence.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0ulNyqklzgTwuMmiBulKtpfeP8lgNALr4qH8RLvWSQfuFd-ocU0z0bASwOw7xrgYpao1-Z7-Qq98h0hZaDPOvgyk6NW-GQYaZO65l55VFeSA_jrl2r5p4y7f08sCMy6vQuu-xbT1U9HX/s1600/18.+Going+up+to+Piazzale+Michelangelo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih0ulNyqklzgTwuMmiBulKtpfeP8lgNALr4qH8RLvWSQfuFd-ocU0z0bASwOw7xrgYpao1-Z7-Qq98h0hZaDPOvgyk6NW-GQYaZO65l55VFeSA_jrl2r5p4y7f08sCMy6vQuu-xbT1U9HX/s640/18.+Going+up+to+Piazzale+Michelangelo+2.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6fGuD6VHffj_Arq_ko8ZQ_zp1MuqCClQn0EinVe6KmE4k_N-nfcfrO1rz6YX-JSSw6XYiXZ5NXqouoDrWWMU74IXpbDtYWROrXyowXU3obsOjUG03J4nmoBDWBYvjZ4LNh19U7kgG-7H/s1600/20.+Going+up+to+Piazzale+Michelangelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6fGuD6VHffj_Arq_ko8ZQ_zp1MuqCClQn0EinVe6KmE4k_N-nfcfrO1rz6YX-JSSw6XYiXZ5NXqouoDrWWMU74IXpbDtYWROrXyowXU3obsOjUG03J4nmoBDWBYvjZ4LNh19U7kgG-7H/s640/20.+Going+up+to+Piazzale+Michelangelo.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A steep ascend to Piazzale Michelangelo</td></tr>
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Just before we reached the top, there was a Rose Garden. Since it was early Summer, the roses were in bloom and you can start to see the vista. There was a trubadour outside the entrance and when we were there, he was singing the Italian version of 'Night in White Satin' which is one of my favorite songs, which enhanced the ambience considerably!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9TKMO7JUL7RkYH-QGho87zhLlBiEUE2ABseQvzkOxcey9mAWi4ZkNiZoIsRI7O10p6j_t-Izv0_A3eC_VyAJGn70v5QVYYdlZaXzsOdinqJ5FNm4eq9nUK-PyHBoMJKgUsFn8gk95nHQ/s1600/21.+Rose+Garden+on+the+way+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm9TKMO7JUL7RkYH-QGho87zhLlBiEUE2ABseQvzkOxcey9mAWi4ZkNiZoIsRI7O10p6j_t-Izv0_A3eC_VyAJGn70v5QVYYdlZaXzsOdinqJ5FNm4eq9nUK-PyHBoMJKgUsFn8gk95nHQ/s640/21.+Rose+Garden+on+the+way+up.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Florence from the Rose Garden</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGR7JK4C0k7JlA74aV_102YJIPDwVlv4XStpxH7En1qDZyJxWSYc-KknWbUuWmok_65mUtzTyk10tTO0vF_W4zlOskyAvNNuwOkMw2tHZYhS1q9ohtFz4iQPZlMJExpizPjSqelMJSM_q/s1600/22.+Rose+Garden+on+the+way+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGR7JK4C0k7JlA74aV_102YJIPDwVlv4XStpxH7En1qDZyJxWSYc-KknWbUuWmok_65mUtzTyk10tTO0vF_W4zlOskyAvNNuwOkMw2tHZYhS1q9ohtFz4iQPZlMJExpizPjSqelMJSM_q/s640/22.+Rose+Garden+on+the+way+up.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Bushes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXXxsPDKT45a93Syl2BNIn0ZWRCTHGsIS6rIzEw4JclmwKuaMKKnQMuNmZu1jDqmKLFdmX_-cRn3HmS8-LNIqE-BGs69C-EBLcAGuf_RysjdViWoH9GakaCeomi7s5YSIDk37obr32FBt/s1600/23.+Lemon+Tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXXxsPDKT45a93Syl2BNIn0ZWRCTHGsIS6rIzEw4JclmwKuaMKKnQMuNmZu1jDqmKLFdmX_-cRn3HmS8-LNIqE-BGs69C-EBLcAGuf_RysjdViWoH9GakaCeomi7s5YSIDk37obr32FBt/s640/23.+Lemon+Tree.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Tree</td></tr>
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And finally, we reached the top! It was freaking beautiful, words just can't express.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd40wITc1iqHdeso9OhnCiGA69Kaj7S-zo0BGN6OjIwsisrATk9byxs4MaWF7LQyi5RzPxDCimEr4010VTiuVRN8FXhOE1g5ObHjW-MhOrG0uz7BW7j4tiepGqKDaiGX38mR7I0g6gHbvh/s1600/26.+View+of+Florence+from+Piazzale+Michelangelo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd40wITc1iqHdeso9OhnCiGA69Kaj7S-zo0BGN6OjIwsisrATk9byxs4MaWF7LQyi5RzPxDCimEr4010VTiuVRN8FXhOE1g5ObHjW-MhOrG0uz7BW7j4tiepGqKDaiGX38mR7I0g6gHbvh/s640/26.+View+of+Florence+from+Piazzale+Michelangelo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behold, the Majestic Panorama of Florence</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuaAlR70HQDoxHaaA4CrNtZxBC1SG2nuen8gnxZ6LIaItDxvl8wfYq8sPgjisCxQLd32NPKTJs0OnVl7LBGQvA6wtQV2zbBMhFLJoh3t49OH5axU0uHk-pcTS3b-q14xdAiuOsqNbtwpt/s1600/28.+Restaurant+at+Piazzale+Michelangelo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFuaAlR70HQDoxHaaA4CrNtZxBC1SG2nuen8gnxZ6LIaItDxvl8wfYq8sPgjisCxQLd32NPKTJs0OnVl7LBGQvA6wtQV2zbBMhFLJoh3t49OH5axU0uHk-pcTS3b-q14xdAiuOsqNbtwpt/s640/28.+Restaurant+at+Piazzale+Michelangelo.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restaurant at Piazzale Michelangelo</td></tr>
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After soaking up all the beauty of the sweeping panorama of Florence, we started our descend back to downtown Florence.<br />
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This time around we bought tickets from Florence to Pisa San Rossore because we were quite tired from having climbed the steep pathway to Piazzale Michelangelo. Here's Pisa San Rossore, I love how mellow the station was!<br />
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I bought a small pendant from one of the shops on Ponte Vecchio on our way back. Not something of the fanciest materials but I like the design, very 'Florence' or 'Italian', I think which will make a good memento of my first trip to Florence.<br />
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Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-7111409524228901412015-12-04T22:15:00.004-08:002015-12-04T22:15:44.184-08:00Extended Travel Report: Italian Holiday 2015 - Day 3On the third day we had a Tuscan cooking class booked in the afternoon. The driver was supposed to pick us up at Pontedera train station and we figured we'd just head to Pontedera earlier to have lunch and amble around.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fragrant star jasmine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Private Garden in Pisa</td></tr>
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Just like the day before, we decided to walk from our apartment all the way to Pisa Centrale station and had some breakfast along the way. This time around we had breakfast at Dolci Pisa which was recommended by our host. It mostly caters to locals so the price was very affordable. A piece of pastry (or 'paste' as the Italians say) cost only 1 Euro (!) and a cup of cappuccino cost only 1.50 Euro (!!). The staff all looked young, I reckoned they were all students from Pisa University. The atmosphere was indeed very hip and local. When we got there, the place was busy with locals having breakfast and I got the first hand experience of watching locals drink espresso. They really just queued up in front of the counter, 1-2 sips, and they were done.<br />
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I'd say the interior was pretty and a tad feminine, perfect for a small bakery with 'Dolci' in its name. Some African souvenirs sellers might come inside and peddle their goods to you but I'd say they weren't aggressive and even quite polite. They would put down a bracelet on your wrist, trying to get you to buy but a simple 'no' would suffice. I saw they also targeted locals who would even reply to their sales pitch, something that would be considered overly polite in Asia.<br />
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After breakfast, we continued our day and boarded the train to Pontedera-Casciana Terme from Pisa Centrale Station.<br />
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Pontedera is a small town, not very touristy even though the Vespa museum is there. We originally wanted to check it out but we got off the wrong exit from the train station and subsequently never found it so we decided to just amble around the town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhyphenhyphenuxlenD2sr8sUvU7oWtbxDmzh7rHynr7EkCe9dlmmXDTcxLyRRM3t5Wh1b_7A1aG7gZo7Hq012voLODVnIZF_Ity0c85pYsy9pNwGTYm9M_Xxri_0cbXMtSEgyfJIMISq07flsjBEMt/s1600/10.+Pontedera+Station.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikhyphenhyphenuxlenD2sr8sUvU7oWtbxDmzh7rHynr7EkCe9dlmmXDTcxLyRRM3t5Wh1b_7A1aG7gZo7Hq012voLODVnIZF_Ity0c85pYsy9pNwGTYm9M_Xxri_0cbXMtSEgyfJIMISq07flsjBEMt/s640/10.+Pontedera+Station.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just outside Pontedera train station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOA-MbFj19EdoAaS5PiOF7nJOVKXWZqSamilg_QnncSvWAZtiaNqVrNLVIpTAZGGHRgnjEVp7gDs_iO9BZNzUgCbndZoMf-7HBIeqJA49G2XfX1iEX2emjMP9-XRU_v0fSpIPfmRQHyfP/s1600/11.+Plaza+in+front+of+Pontedera+Station.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOA-MbFj19EdoAaS5PiOF7nJOVKXWZqSamilg_QnncSvWAZtiaNqVrNLVIpTAZGGHRgnjEVp7gDs_iO9BZNzUgCbndZoMf-7HBIeqJA49G2XfX1iEX2emjMP9-XRU_v0fSpIPfmRQHyfP/s640/11.+Plaza+in+front+of+Pontedera+Station.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plaza outside Pontedera train station</td></tr>
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The town is very mellow, not much people around and as it was around lunch time, some businesses were about to close so we decided to join in on the fun and have lunch.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQe3iPprCJeaYPKjNzRctob6HpzmnRZVbT0Zbi4rPLiBjuydV3wduLWsLFh784ye2zfLLneNcR-lE1qyiBedFecT9okRuUfBkrqVuMmyPQV69Bu0FJxx1oaR__-wzk1CQFJOjgMPnky7u_/s1600/13.+Pontedera+1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQe3iPprCJeaYPKjNzRctob6HpzmnRZVbT0Zbi4rPLiBjuydV3wduLWsLFh784ye2zfLLneNcR-lE1qyiBedFecT9okRuUfBkrqVuMmyPQV69Bu0FJxx1oaR__-wzk1CQFJOjgMPnky7u_/s640/13.+Pontedera+1.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpEh7iDejp8zjCsZrzhlAicuU3HsblmjeHAiZy1wlJborRBp7usVKK6uBIzeCPM6_Y7y-wezllRe6Cw0Ax7CWeCrcnJcOOzO3L7G6U3BNLgoLyxTUwApldvxIFNYd__AWpEjkHHo6-LU9/s1600/13.+Pontedera+2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPpEh7iDejp8zjCsZrzhlAicuU3HsblmjeHAiZy1wlJborRBp7usVKK6uBIzeCPM6_Y7y-wezllRe6Cw0Ax7CWeCrcnJcOOzO3L7G6U3BNLgoLyxTUwApldvxIFNYd__AWpEjkHHo6-LU9/s640/13.+Pontedera+2.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 'X' looks like from The X-Files, doesn't it?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMTjIf0doskuCGhLqExyVR-_FH3BobyBfx1iOCucLHN3eJ8h3SMd89xpX94cHbFl4Yv6lFEewt7qof0rlEiPOQzdP6nqK4iu-l5e2Wj-xTNqo-yRLMPdw6XvJKr7nSXPcc5lRw6CBKzd5/s1600/14.+Pontedera.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMTjIf0doskuCGhLqExyVR-_FH3BobyBfx1iOCucLHN3eJ8h3SMd89xpX94cHbFl4Yv6lFEewt7qof0rlEiPOQzdP6nqK4iu-l5e2Wj-xTNqo-yRLMPdw6XvJKr7nSXPcc5lRw6CBKzd5/s640/14.+Pontedera.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41nSabpyy6BruZ7A5oJUkcj75flFbZTV93qlIF9QBrFE3monmamDW3PRhKwLlam89eYmZXRiP3a2TWWKFywCXOmuGus1cmPJreffBhve6GywmoGhfQ6ai29aYE1vVgGN1GAwGgs0FhvJV/s1600/15.+Pontedera.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh41nSabpyy6BruZ7A5oJUkcj75flFbZTV93qlIF9QBrFE3monmamDW3PRhKwLlam89eYmZXRiP3a2TWWKFywCXOmuGus1cmPJreffBhve6GywmoGhfQ6ai29aYE1vVgGN1GAwGgs0FhvJV/s640/15.+Pontedera.jpeg" width="360" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianwmb_pOKbeyJlWdsuxAhgKqv_2K8exJpj12W4wpCL-fgnzgGv5eDeYUPqiwO2XQ_6NOjaBnK6TFo1a_fEKwc6LERev1PY3K40mRkdCUYDrnRKAgm6Ru1zm1HRe_YLdqGN8-GtzH1qonY/s1600/16.+Cactus+Garden+in+Pontedera.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEianwmb_pOKbeyJlWdsuxAhgKqv_2K8exJpj12W4wpCL-fgnzgGv5eDeYUPqiwO2XQ_6NOjaBnK6TFo1a_fEKwc6LERev1PY3K40mRkdCUYDrnRKAgm6Ru1zm1HRe_YLdqGN8-GtzH1qonY/s640/16.+Cactus+Garden+in+Pontedera.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a cacti garden in Pontedera</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6_Y29JvLPqd81wA4wAngHkgWl8J_eqRLCrqpqMdJ3KtIE7v_XZCj2r5GXr6z0FAwLkhUqAuU495YDvGgezhNccXmbfIqfU9WJEKqGA4_fPfv7qz2FJktjXiZlXs9mQe7zoWl8s_-j-8I/s1600/17.+Small+Car.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6_Y29JvLPqd81wA4wAngHkgWl8J_eqRLCrqpqMdJ3KtIE7v_XZCj2r5GXr6z0FAwLkhUqAuU495YDvGgezhNccXmbfIqfU9WJEKqGA4_fPfv7qz2FJktjXiZlXs9mQe7zoWl8s_-j-8I/s640/17.+Small+Car.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very small car</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rAvswkbUzNn4-Lq5OnCJTqMrTVOzr3XwNjK9lE85sQ7hH7OZynPWSXwU1dI1cgqEAlEWQBW4QKMRXrC_71jfjwmuGXbprBTPAnPwD49aWtLovq9xiXOZuVgiQThCxOtCUEQrCrEKvdXG/s1600/18.+Hotel+in+Pontedera.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rAvswkbUzNn4-Lq5OnCJTqMrTVOzr3XwNjK9lE85sQ7hH7OZynPWSXwU1dI1cgqEAlEWQBW4QKMRXrC_71jfjwmuGXbprBTPAnPwD49aWtLovq9xiXOZuVgiQThCxOtCUEQrCrEKvdXG/s640/18.+Hotel+in+Pontedera.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel La Rotonda</td></tr>
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We chose this restaurant called La Cantinetta Vini which is right across the street from Hotel La Rotonda, a relatively big hotel a few minutes away from Pontedera train station.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X9dFQXabP69bRGQlxtM_6E-cjNqLAFPN7xn_A-rHQivJ_6JUtX3VxONKuEU8-8oHheOnYq4VDREwZUEwuFiGVLAHro5dv3gUcZ1t1MnZbE7XpCwAzGfl6c9LqXYcYp-pb5jpftbcURZs/s1600/19.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5X9dFQXabP69bRGQlxtM_6E-cjNqLAFPN7xn_A-rHQivJ_6JUtX3VxONKuEU8-8oHheOnYq4VDREwZUEwuFiGVLAHro5dv3gUcZ1t1MnZbE7XpCwAzGfl6c9LqXYcYp-pb5jpftbcURZs/s640/19.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Cantinetta Vini</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LvfEBcYH_hLWaKYiX-0NI6lfuqzsus97D00cvvJH6_CgeHZ5iSUt0toP3bjnoE7FKzAsBVPBaflaX-no1ajeWRpGvN30wnf1leeYU29fM7Eb3Uukkr6aH5PtjIz5-mjd8XPloURIuKNW/s1600/20.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5LvfEBcYH_hLWaKYiX-0NI6lfuqzsus97D00cvvJH6_CgeHZ5iSUt0toP3bjnoE7FKzAsBVPBaflaX-no1ajeWRpGvN30wnf1leeYU29fM7Eb3Uukkr6aH5PtjIz5-mjd8XPloURIuKNW/s640/20.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La Cantinetta Vini</td></tr>
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The nonna who manned the restaurant herself (from greeting patrons, cooking, to delivering the bills) didn't speak English which is a good sign! She brought us the day's menu which was just a piece of paper with some printed words on it, all in Italian so I guess it would really help to know a little bit of Italian when exploring smaller towns like Pontedera.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhTh5wbfgrfMHCyZ0GyK0-40sgv4SIjbacLhjw_sil_EcF_Qshb05JYK6y1DyNIlhA9Wu6g5Neld145Ql-SeEC-L8lrFZWkxj1uevwTHXULQVz7wOgqdNmLPNYetl-Zr12ot1mVuKbYXy/s1600/21.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFhTh5wbfgrfMHCyZ0GyK0-40sgv4SIjbacLhjw_sil_EcF_Qshb05JYK6y1DyNIlhA9Wu6g5Neld145Ql-SeEC-L8lrFZWkxj1uevwTHXULQVz7wOgqdNmLPNYetl-Zr12ot1mVuKbYXy/s640/21.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nonna</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcBJb3ZCEsTGwoH3My4NmwWKapMopK6m1mDIStuyuivuC2wHXU8m1hFYMuDjF7SRbvK3KwUgot5Fb7BUSoAsRMpk5lZmtqWVX5wTfJmkpQfjUFpKZt5yoJgNlS18reiNb0arkAKZHeiCL/s1600/22.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcBJb3ZCEsTGwoH3My4NmwWKapMopK6m1mDIStuyuivuC2wHXU8m1hFYMuDjF7SRbvK3KwUgot5Fb7BUSoAsRMpk5lZmtqWVX5wTfJmkpQfjUFpKZt5yoJgNlS18reiNb0arkAKZHeiCL/s640/22.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine selectian at La Cantinetta Vini</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHrFlHwHIL-MDBz8jAHXBVdrTZxcjjx_1c-q3zPhwxXd90NXSVDoUNWopfG1fW6rSb1iwDOP0PkjqiT9mgihLF4ROyH3UBATz6kqJ8JdOf3bDSft1tMIFgGdQZs4Zrh1pzD_fOhBrm5YC/s1600/23.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFHrFlHwHIL-MDBz8jAHXBVdrTZxcjjx_1c-q3zPhwxXd90NXSVDoUNWopfG1fW6rSb1iwDOP0PkjqiT9mgihLF4ROyH3UBATz6kqJ8JdOf3bDSft1tMIFgGdQZs4Zrh1pzD_fOhBrm5YC/s640/23.+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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We ordered Pappa al Pomodoro (some kind of tomato soup), Ravioli with Ragu (meat sauce), and two Melanzana Parmigiana (eggplant parmesan). They were really, really delicious! It all cost us 33 Euro.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoegRWwNn_xkHEpyj0B6M52XuIjekqJOicJkmIM7hYd72cpHeWVHqxKTGyQVVWKgpbv4GKbf7__QUDP6AjxFCBdso1xgb0lsIQVaQHv5EhzEw-2n4_x4CSUdImomRCVULQVPmeYFO7an0/s1600/24.+Ravioli+at+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqoegRWwNn_xkHEpyj0B6M52XuIjekqJOicJkmIM7hYd72cpHeWVHqxKTGyQVVWKgpbv4GKbf7__QUDP6AjxFCBdso1xgb0lsIQVaQHv5EhzEw-2n4_x4CSUdImomRCVULQVPmeYFO7an0/s640/24.+Ravioli+at+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ravioli with Ragu</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChX5RlvHVh3Tvcin-XdPNQNLmid24O2y2277F92_M09S8_CCktS09Air-gY_T8uUHnLe4HsJG_bFFpLfv6z67Bu4kFxBi_Wq8oTIj8fkAKQ-61wKbbiqYmawuBvJUrRUBz8b-nE0dTRRb/s1600/25.+Melanzana+Parmigiana+at+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhChX5RlvHVh3Tvcin-XdPNQNLmid24O2y2277F92_M09S8_CCktS09Air-gY_T8uUHnLe4HsJG_bFFpLfv6z67Bu4kFxBi_Wq8oTIj8fkAKQ-61wKbbiqYmawuBvJUrRUBz8b-nE0dTRRb/s640/25.+Melanzana+Parmigiana+at+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggplant Parmesan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmjYlNkoOZ5PTN-tKpa-7asBGszLnzd5u6f4zz8xtFf_AaRJNb9Ym-R6jzYQzzJGV-20nvZo7oirjk4Op_N0y9rXwwe3IzU4Hsztq2uMvrRk3m8p2XiXxnziynFNZuO25_MKuKiCeQyTB/s1600/26.+Pappa+al+Pomodoro+at+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXmjYlNkoOZ5PTN-tKpa-7asBGszLnzd5u6f4zz8xtFf_AaRJNb9Ym-R6jzYQzzJGV-20nvZo7oirjk4Op_N0y9rXwwe3IzU4Hsztq2uMvrRk3m8p2XiXxnziynFNZuO25_MKuKiCeQyTB/s640/26.+Pappa+al+Pomodoro+at+La+Cantinetta+Vini.jpeg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pappa al Pomodoro</td></tr>
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We finished just in time and headed back to the station where we met our driver. The road to Peccioli was beautiful with white clouds, blue sky, and vast open fields along the way.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOxU2bQ1wjh9oJcCjJDqE-CJex-Kx1dSOBJW92R4ExY08DhuSuQedw5GSOGr_3J6kbKZHkDPTFnJGAjaSXrBnuzSNpd1zLohOFNCoAWgPWOde2BOXcAwMhXre_zr5SnmC51y0QQNQWn8z/s1600/27.+To+Peccioli.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdOxU2bQ1wjh9oJcCjJDqE-CJex-Kx1dSOBJW92R4ExY08DhuSuQedw5GSOGr_3J6kbKZHkDPTFnJGAjaSXrBnuzSNpd1zLohOFNCoAWgPWOde2BOXcAwMhXre_zr5SnmC51y0QQNQWn8z/s640/27.+To+Peccioli.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNu6wMHs75uiBaw7r3axNjmAykFIGI5AK-jpqXxlKKTOfxVbi06UupHBvoVehpRabNcETqANDKTux6FjPFU_9llSNUzIXIlUPnZPL_cjylhDj9o9SsoVNFR6g9u9qlHzHHXmn7JkWmaQI/s1600/28.+To+Peccioli.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNu6wMHs75uiBaw7r3axNjmAykFIGI5AK-jpqXxlKKTOfxVbi06UupHBvoVehpRabNcETqANDKTux6FjPFU_9llSNUzIXIlUPnZPL_cjylhDj9o9SsoVNFR6g9u9qlHzHHXmn7JkWmaQI/s640/28.+To+Peccioli.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Peccioli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NeokN4M2eGp1Sy2Na7hgZ_6lyohUEETQUBOx1LntLcRFYLBkkEJrz_GCfOIk6KNbW2Gc87yfWzivUXPwWOklREC650OrpYh1hJzYUssbeVD2OVxdqCqwh32ONwmupPEzoHG68OV6E6sk/s1600/29.+To+Peccioli.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3NeokN4M2eGp1Sy2Na7hgZ_6lyohUEETQUBOx1LntLcRFYLBkkEJrz_GCfOIk6KNbW2Gc87yfWzivUXPwWOklREC650OrpYh1hJzYUssbeVD2OVxdqCqwh32ONwmupPEzoHG68OV6E6sk/s640/29.+To+Peccioli.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Peccioli</td></tr>
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We reached the cooking class place in about 30 minutes, which was a farmhouse called Ca'Solare. The road up to the farmhouse was this tiny country road that can only accommodate 1 way of traffic at a time.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The small country side leading up to the cooking class</td></tr>
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As we were early, we got to look around the farmhouse which was incredibly beautiful, especially in early summer.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ca'Solare</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Star Jasmine in full bloom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful vista from the farmhouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Down by the swimming pool</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh star jasmine in the washroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kitchen which is a converted stable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27Z4cwR_dwZ2laNBJCDhLpz6JFzQMq0x5K1-HENL6hdbanNeZZJy6JQtNOkSilQluGsKVt76QCIghzDRgN74UvhRSpVDIwF5OjQM32XqtUguQ0p84NxBfhxfwaXakFfQ3zb_xZEUlEe1O/s1600/37.+Kitchen+at+Ca%2527Solare.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi27Z4cwR_dwZ2laNBJCDhLpz6JFzQMq0x5K1-HENL6hdbanNeZZJy6JQtNOkSilQluGsKVt76QCIghzDRgN74UvhRSpVDIwF5OjQM32XqtUguQ0p84NxBfhxfwaXakFfQ3zb_xZEUlEe1O/s640/37.+Kitchen+at+Ca%2527Solare.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucia, our chef and teacher</td></tr>
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The cooking class that we took focused on Tuscan home cooking. We got to learn how to make assorted fried vegetables, risotto, pork with Chianti, and cherry pie that day and how to use mezzaluna, this half-moon blade instrument used to finely chop the ingredients that is a must-have in a traditional Italian kitchen.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroOg3bUknelOX2fT2ObIxSBBVli4qzYnMgbVtI8T_0LxjbPjFJukjQfGGUpam7xNmXhJ-ueHxZnAs-OK2dwNqP68h_NpeVLUeicg4fnB9c4stR_XsFzpRh5_szzFpYs79KKaZ8VyxEWuV/s1600/38.+Cooking+Class+Ingredients.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiroOg3bUknelOX2fT2ObIxSBBVli4qzYnMgbVtI8T_0LxjbPjFJukjQfGGUpam7xNmXhJ-ueHxZnAs-OK2dwNqP68h_NpeVLUeicg4fnB9c4stR_XsFzpRh5_szzFpYs79KKaZ8VyxEWuV/s640/38.+Cooking+Class+Ingredients.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ingredients for the cooking class</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LH8sxfQ7NEl293L5blhfi2bJEcgo9hYDeiq8TQGRvtFeeASu9fXoB7-KLyigkjrcT6PxAZe0e70F2r2R6Lo9eyXmYj4RisZwDmCocMFbeWoW5dnrzsinSqukP6ru3t4ysDZMVJ-JlRF4/s1600/42.+Cherry+Pie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-LH8sxfQ7NEl293L5blhfi2bJEcgo9hYDeiq8TQGRvtFeeASu9fXoB7-KLyigkjrcT6PxAZe0e70F2r2R6Lo9eyXmYj4RisZwDmCocMFbeWoW5dnrzsinSqukP6ru3t4ysDZMVJ-JlRF4/s640/42.+Cherry+Pie.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry pie with cherries from Lari which was in season</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP-Az1MPyVEmQLNhYyq8K4cJ3Gt8PIoxOiK9gFhlZZnt_u5qAg9I03tp5ter6MnvUiElodbMt_fc8Hq5UGiC2klHVg3mLIkDs3rIht7WZbOyW47LpVhCdIU10ENXPcDuB00jux_LC01lD/s1600/43.+Cherry+Pie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisP-Az1MPyVEmQLNhYyq8K4cJ3Gt8PIoxOiK9gFhlZZnt_u5qAg9I03tp5ter6MnvUiElodbMt_fc8Hq5UGiC2klHVg3mLIkDs3rIht7WZbOyW47LpVhCdIU10ENXPcDuB00jux_LC01lD/s640/43.+Cherry+Pie.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even our driver couldn't help but ask for a slice! It was that delicious.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arianna, the host, with Lucia and the other couple who took the class with us</td></tr>
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The whole class lasted about seven hours but it really didn't feel that long when you were having fun with good company, good food, and good wine! The host even threw in freshly brewed coffee made with Moka pot and a shot of grappa aka the coffee killer to round up our day.<br />
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We headed back to Pisa at almost 10:00pm, blissfully happy.<br />
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<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-40247796214967044212015-12-02T10:19:00.000-08:002015-12-04T20:02:55.641-08:00Extended Travel Report: Italian Holiday 2015 - Day 2<i>(Warning: Photo spam ahead)</i><br />
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I woke up at 4:30am on our second day in Pisa, thoroughly refreshed and ready to embark on a real holiday. It was surprisingly already bright outside! After lounging around the apartment for a while, we decided not to wait any longer and began our day. Our main destination for the day was Lucca, a small town nearby that we had to reach by train. We wanted to get ourselves acquainted with Pisa so we decided to walk all the way from our apartment to the Pisa Centrale station.<br />
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Giddily, we left the apartment at 7:15am. First stop: the Leaning Tower complex!<br />
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I can't even begin to tell you how elated I was to finally get to see the famous Leaning Tower. The whole time I was referring to the tower as (pardon my French) 'that shit' because it was such a milestone for me. And we didn't know at the time but our timing was perfect because the crowd was yet to form, practically no one was there and we got to enjoy the complex and all its glory, all by ourselves.<br />
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We continued walking on the streets of Pisa, passing by many piazza, monuments, and so many interesting buildings along the way until we finally reached Arno river. Beautiful. Simply beautiful.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KBu7sue2Jhag-DE94Ed5teOEit-gQMs2pbEOfwX5bahaVFJSm7hPf552yZ5wPoqX6hGYjZ4gsnAWmd5eibfDplGwKEisAdH5AIK7vzNWEi1ssrFjXabVBhC6Khk9Cs0oRfpoI1l8_46h/s1600/8.+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1KBu7sue2Jhag-DE94Ed5teOEit-gQMs2pbEOfwX5bahaVFJSm7hPf552yZ5wPoqX6hGYjZ4gsnAWmd5eibfDplGwKEisAdH5AIK7vzNWEi1ssrFjXabVBhC6Khk9Cs0oRfpoI1l8_46h/s640/8.+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dog in Pisa</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3UPZ4pUoJEnaQtfmXBhZaBCDS1G96dja_vum6nqfXEpO7uA9ODA_XtGzT3Sk7PPwm6pmkiF9Z0qn44vAT-DZTglOO8DCgaO0VFgrOZ3Bz5k__CFfF2q1vsomwzsvxfQBlfoGqm4alm-f/s1600/9.+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3UPZ4pUoJEnaQtfmXBhZaBCDS1G96dja_vum6nqfXEpO7uA9ODA_XtGzT3Sk7PPwm6pmkiF9Z0qn44vAT-DZTglOO8DCgaO0VFgrOZ3Bz5k__CFfF2q1vsomwzsvxfQBlfoGqm4alm-f/s640/9.+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk6IPmyw2OvuSQDb-OGZ_1e7EAniX1xsnTzm4YG5HuNxT_yTod_ojK1_tOWxVp0xMFuHiqpjBO2XCeQpLCk81SWZG_1WX-1B2382CstAfU3nk7Dhj6DirkoHjAvGqFgdKgLpq9T-lHOF0/s1600/10.+A+Cinema+in+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvk6IPmyw2OvuSQDb-OGZ_1e7EAniX1xsnTzm4YG5HuNxT_yTod_ojK1_tOWxVp0xMFuHiqpjBO2XCeQpLCk81SWZG_1WX-1B2382CstAfU3nk7Dhj6DirkoHjAvGqFgdKgLpq9T-lHOF0/s640/10.+A+Cinema+in+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cinema in Pisa</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15tzjsZCNgsTx4C-F2Kisel9tClQWePKR4AbpmlEmEvX9yZ45q3ScozON9mlEuY97_tR76imLU_oG0oralSeHKYE3CRUFxUQ7p9p0UzgWAcohXLgZgZLZMBKyFdR41LUO2SMJNV5BrbMq/s1600/11.+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15tzjsZCNgsTx4C-F2Kisel9tClQWePKR4AbpmlEmEvX9yZ45q3ScozON9mlEuY97_tR76imLU_oG0oralSeHKYE3CRUFxUQ7p9p0UzgWAcohXLgZgZLZMBKyFdR41LUO2SMJNV5BrbMq/s640/11.+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jBKqNWfKDHTZlT4NGwHrCnzP8s-llPBYnWmJgk9JI8-YjuAeucdVHNMuRQfFcmKxUPxUw92aEfIxtjn4hhKhKe2n6DbQwD_-wyLXHFNRMrW6TUAwiVLVx_7zWhvF7iwCdRgMo0jl-uwV/s1600/14.+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jBKqNWfKDHTZlT4NGwHrCnzP8s-llPBYnWmJgk9JI8-YjuAeucdVHNMuRQfFcmKxUPxUw92aEfIxtjn4hhKhKe2n6DbQwD_-wyLXHFNRMrW6TUAwiVLVx_7zWhvF7iwCdRgMo0jl-uwV/s640/14.+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASHM4K-rTkwm9DJjBpuFPRL1Z8gs1z5YzqKDV9e6YKal9A7FIpRK96Zr3sffG5LC1UGswL49nEyTihsFXGjzdRqUoysKl3gKmJd97DsPOD0oGAgc285On9f_nRG6smDGiMFyN1KNUaR_L/s1600/15.+Arno+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASHM4K-rTkwm9DJjBpuFPRL1Z8gs1z5YzqKDV9e6YKal9A7FIpRK96Zr3sffG5LC1UGswL49nEyTihsFXGjzdRqUoysKl3gKmJd97DsPOD0oGAgc285On9f_nRG6smDGiMFyN1KNUaR_L/s640/15.+Arno+River.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arno river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpdqsj2gqxYtaSMvScVfbvyhosV7ZumcCcnOND4Q63Gqscf6-BXxsyFbb7bV9adnEpOLe0ob8CGpvKsI0Mj-5f304cmCp-Pplo3VH-VRkzVYRbC0vnPWVAymgLYRrMlMJg11tjp6eqm-d/s1600/41.+Arno+River.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqpdqsj2gqxYtaSMvScVfbvyhosV7ZumcCcnOND4Q63Gqscf6-BXxsyFbb7bV9adnEpOLe0ob8CGpvKsI0Mj-5f304cmCp-Pplo3VH-VRkzVYRbC0vnPWVAymgLYRrMlMJg11tjp6eqm-d/s640/41.+Arno+River.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arno river</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After crossing the river, we decided it was time for breakfast. It was early but thankfully many bars had opened. They offered pretty much the same thing so we just picked one randomly and ended up at this place called 'Bar Caffe Centro Storico'. I ordered a typical Italian breakfast which consists of a cup of cappuccino and a pastry. My friend got herself a panino. We paid 11 euro in total. A little bit expensive, in my opinion. I think it was exacerbated by the fact that it was on a touristy street and that we chose to sit outside but anyway...the highlight of the meal was the pastry. The filling was some kind of rice custard with orange zest which is not really common in Singapore.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg_Pqe7ixRBLMhyphenhyphenpoQKWiPVLIpleHf9KYKJY9Iv78rYDhh5JKVaus39JhELGur-R478FMiriMs3bEvhkhBmq0BAFvjr-5JPXjabcGFndevs_lvacBe4AZtYu-J1mcqArLWhgo8_drMOQL/s1600/18.+Breakfast+in+Borgo+Stretto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg_Pqe7ixRBLMhyphenhyphenpoQKWiPVLIpleHf9KYKJY9Iv78rYDhh5JKVaus39JhELGur-R478FMiriMs3bEvhkhBmq0BAFvjr-5JPXjabcGFndevs_lvacBe4AZtYu-J1mcqArLWhgo8_drMOQL/s640/18.+Breakfast+in+Borgo+Stretto.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very Italian breakfast</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After we finished breakfast, we continued walking to Pisa Centrale station which was about 15 minutes away. An officer helped us buying the tickets from the automachine and before we knew it, we were on the train to Lucca!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YYD_33LjYqAGBmWKlq76GRghyphenhyphenOhRCAoAGImhyf6ciMN4kALwAbQLFlAa5Gpb6-gh-QPGscJONl1BB1VPXduEw1qLNt8fJm2WqfsVfVQ_c70OJbEM2h_2xJuOoNrPUdrHO9C79Cg_V2aD/s1600/43.+Rose+Canopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YYD_33LjYqAGBmWKlq76GRghyphenhyphenOhRCAoAGImhyf6ciMN4kALwAbQLFlAa5Gpb6-gh-QPGscJONl1BB1VPXduEw1qLNt8fJm2WqfsVfVQ_c70OJbEM2h_2xJuOoNrPUdrHO9C79Cg_V2aD/s640/43.+Rose+Canopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose canopy near the roundabout before Pisa Centrale</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVX7k7Xa9-Uia5HU1Xm97fmmQbv28QqCnyF-T73KX3b0heAscngemdOOvgWch3KrpfFhF5lxLUydsuWMh6JdNavqLlNmUX5HT6O2h1dtc_9g0N3hAS7bEzLtPuJmKrVBpSj2exp6Yd434/s1600/44.+Apartment+in+Downtown+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwVX7k7Xa9-Uia5HU1Xm97fmmQbv28QqCnyF-T73KX3b0heAscngemdOOvgWch3KrpfFhF5lxLUydsuWMh6JdNavqLlNmUX5HT6O2h1dtc_9g0N3hAS7bEzLtPuJmKrVBpSj2exp6Yd434/s640/44.+Apartment+in+Downtown+Pisa.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A modern-looking apartment building near the roundabout just before Pisa Centrale</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXdlIHVALFFTeO0smjSSkq_eUDS3csIggsnf2h_Cj3Wzlk2K1aBgx7Bj6IFX4ABpCv0TB17aDEBX4mSAwLc47xzXdb2CJ8z64Q-h8tRUIZFmfjQC1zv53vFvqJTmogt5mZti8-OhBkrbD/s1600/45.+Downtown+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXdlIHVALFFTeO0smjSSkq_eUDS3csIggsnf2h_Cj3Wzlk2K1aBgx7Bj6IFX4ABpCv0TB17aDEBX4mSAwLc47xzXdb2CJ8z64Q-h8tRUIZFmfjQC1zv53vFvqJTmogt5mZti8-OhBkrbD/s640/45.+Downtown+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plaza / roundabout just before Pisa Centrale</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iRDulpFaVJN_fyBmfdmVy9d5XPGZix76FFLIjxt42U-iX4bGpcm89AUeCoeDIjND6RHgRo3F1NwSC7plhQaaEdpdP0OxrbUGPmFieCmjqrFU_EF8tFGaq8Fc-EKQt0p2IgpgHvpw-zhb/s1600/20.+To+Pisa+Centrale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0iRDulpFaVJN_fyBmfdmVy9d5XPGZix76FFLIjxt42U-iX4bGpcm89AUeCoeDIjND6RHgRo3F1NwSC7plhQaaEdpdP0OxrbUGPmFieCmjqrFU_EF8tFGaq8Fc-EKQt0p2IgpgHvpw-zhb/s640/20.+To+Pisa+Centrale.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plaza / roundabout just before Pisa Centrale</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHeonfnIJhfpBRbdazjwUeIilvsqweWsj7be6ve9Icc6hh0bz_rH3a4Yg2928uAXCwyi5h2Td6Bq2kgSPH43eBVgd8yezXTp7RIU6IhwOAZQfmDRJP1BD7CCh7jZOLCJ_8B7UX6EC1rS2/s1600/21.+Pisa+Centrale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQHeonfnIJhfpBRbdazjwUeIilvsqweWsj7be6ve9Icc6hh0bz_rH3a4Yg2928uAXCwyi5h2Td6Bq2kgSPH43eBVgd8yezXTp7RIU6IhwOAZQfmDRJP1BD7CCh7jZOLCJ_8B7UX6EC1rS2/s640/21.+Pisa+Centrale.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pisa Centrale station</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I don't remember how long the journey was, it couldn't be more than 30 minutes, I think. Lucca is this tiny beautiful town completely surrounded by Renaissance-style city walls that has remained intact till this day. There is a tourist office just outside the train station. We purchased a map from a machine for 2 euro there.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI76IOlb7RwDT2v4PGKImcjzDiEMMxwHnUvOBootA85ZcVQ88_mc09L3MDGbgsMG9Vjwn6oGZUYzUDcrK8545huyFW2wHqSdQttjSs_pgPXQt_ScrFD9bXJA7hZzQk2B8lH9zYotiXJi1z/s1600/Lucca+Train+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI76IOlb7RwDT2v4PGKImcjzDiEMMxwHnUvOBootA85ZcVQ88_mc09L3MDGbgsMG9Vjwn6oGZUYzUDcrK8545huyFW2wHqSdQttjSs_pgPXQt_ScrFD9bXJA7hZzQk2B8lH9zYotiXJi1z/s640/Lucca+Train+Station.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ML02364-0WqQsz9DGQoVqzBz1Mi4Uas8Svfr96bI9CTQFNF6oX3VzzT9XBympkN99aQZDqeYj5cp_Dwn09SJzkt_-qp_CBJLVi0Zl6HBuIFU1hcsE6xG2BpB4Fx8DkfrIew6leXV5BoX/s1600/22.+Lucca+Station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ML02364-0WqQsz9DGQoVqzBz1Mi4Uas8Svfr96bI9CTQFNF6oX3VzzT9XBympkN99aQZDqeYj5cp_Dwn09SJzkt_-qp_CBJLVi0Zl6HBuIFU1hcsE6xG2BpB4Fx8DkfrIew6leXV5BoX/s640/22.+Lucca+Station.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucca train station</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1FFkDANXanQ7FHhf4hNo-8tLB9sywAB5g4ikcrpSKgLG94vnBT2ZDl83NJSSHDi-MPuXBvtDUFoJEczbgC_5uIcuY5tcQFR5PW2b-iwNiw1GUeMuBgSaktgNGM00BLKqpOVviaRwE8tw/s1600/23.+Lucca+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1FFkDANXanQ7FHhf4hNo-8tLB9sywAB5g4ikcrpSKgLG94vnBT2ZDl83NJSSHDi-MPuXBvtDUFoJEczbgC_5uIcuY5tcQFR5PW2b-iwNiw1GUeMuBgSaktgNGM00BLKqpOVviaRwE8tw/s640/23.+Lucca+Station.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corridor outside the train station</td></tr>
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There are several gateways or 'porta' to the city, we went in through Porta San Pietro which was the closest we could find from the station. There were rose bushes at the gate, so beautiful!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLePWbQjDq9rlbKKfpNrz10cLo6GOM_Z8r-6jKuYtuEAqVRfIyuD-XM4YUCw30SOR43mIgCbxT-17fIRAdJmbBdQmjUHHx9HBanRcSQBlMV6hTYo8rcK6cRM5xHQx4lB9Ns-CKbQf_cZx/s1600/24.+To+Lucca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLePWbQjDq9rlbKKfpNrz10cLo6GOM_Z8r-6jKuYtuEAqVRfIyuD-XM4YUCw30SOR43mIgCbxT-17fIRAdJmbBdQmjUHHx9HBanRcSQBlMV6hTYo8rcK6cRM5xHQx4lB9Ns-CKbQf_cZx/s640/24.+To+Lucca.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porta San Pietro</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv5Ur6kJWlqlpAuq2ZD5CruiPk2zaHcSgyC9Mi4tL6o_PLl64klmtjCvQbP9n26l5H-DHU1TxDPabTUE-sqbYOsNedqq1zC1yWZlQOmlM3W-VBnFlUhkoaQb8xCaIfCUvszu8WhiWKVMM/s1600/25.+Rose+Bushes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfv5Ur6kJWlqlpAuq2ZD5CruiPk2zaHcSgyC9Mi4tL6o_PLl64klmtjCvQbP9n26l5H-DHU1TxDPabTUE-sqbYOsNedqq1zC1yWZlQOmlM3W-VBnFlUhkoaQb8xCaIfCUvszu8WhiWKVMM/s640/25.+Rose+Bushes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose bushes outside Porta San Pietro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Once inside, we just walked to anywhere our hearts took us to. The following are photo spam of so many beautiful sights we saw in Lucca, for your enjoyment:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC4LbW87K2UVqlnwkePDpz3bqO1gCdSbqJKoyCPnIda3kNRD3cdOE8EkmMdon_t9Wvp1GkxMPSl07XmfRB8Tm4VTF3hNsHEIQdM5Bj7Ymu-QkP7NLDhIVdrn3WhoK77-nXqx3aCWBdg50/s1600/29.+Sephora+in+Lucca.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitC4LbW87K2UVqlnwkePDpz3bqO1gCdSbqJKoyCPnIda3kNRD3cdOE8EkmMdon_t9Wvp1GkxMPSl07XmfRB8Tm4VTF3hNsHEIQdM5Bj7Ymu-QkP7NLDhIVdrn3WhoK77-nXqx3aCWBdg50/s640/29.+Sephora+in+Lucca.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at that tiny Sephora! Isn't it cute?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pathway along the city wall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd40jnw76WEG1SypyAEETy6L612xTm7KAsifKXL10JZxccFQvsc3mBIDrmjSOs-AJkTCveZxzqLF4dLNDkzps_IAOVrDBeMCrQ_Y7UxKX8uk0fpP58fdibpZ3vOkQOezFsk86t7PLH8kV/s1600/37.+Lucca+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXd40jnw76WEG1SypyAEETy6L612xTm7KAsifKXL10JZxccFQvsc3mBIDrmjSOs-AJkTCveZxzqLF4dLNDkzps_IAOVrDBeMCrQ_Y7UxKX8uk0fpP58fdibpZ3vOkQOezFsk86t7PLH8kV/s640/37.+Lucca+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porcelain shop</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTIIYxLJR42MesKFt9eSNURVP52GvJk4RHEdN9qGWBOgySwevMTD7N33duhl38dDHoNuZ51eN2FEjL-bUwwWUIpPmEKteQG4O1T228O5bKr1EyM2tJBQ-TswfAcikgDiIhWvhDAck-Y12/s1600/37.+Lucca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoTIIYxLJR42MesKFt9eSNURVP52GvJk4RHEdN9qGWBOgySwevMTD7N33duhl38dDHoNuZ51eN2FEjL-bUwwWUIpPmEKteQG4O1T228O5bKr1EyM2tJBQ-TswfAcikgDiIhWvhDAck-Y12/s640/37.+Lucca.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl2uiChYgIPERFTdm3N_qecwZjyZuPnK-qR5YPSZl-k6NsfDrg6XOXFZG5lQp6NJ1AeMDB4-HGMX6wdmiBCZ2C6BOpZc3-hJd3F8eT8eMsegVxizNzsYvQP6yez2twiON-wFRziLO8_sZ/s1600/37.+Villa+Bottini+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRl2uiChYgIPERFTdm3N_qecwZjyZuPnK-qR5YPSZl-k6NsfDrg6XOXFZG5lQp6NJ1AeMDB4-HGMX6wdmiBCZ2C6BOpZc3-hJd3F8eT8eMsegVxizNzsYvQP6yez2twiON-wFRziLO8_sZ/s640/37.+Villa+Bottini+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Villa Bottini</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jdK8J097O9f83IfOJz-N0QezlJOafcBsehhyphenhyphendUScXseOj_9a4vlwTjscx2N2E1776yrKZ_12SDZ9ic84iWLOeG5PdvcO1BpJBEI522Oq63RNE-8uuLon7blPp3WxI7k5DH-Tf_njTE8y/s1600/37.+Villa+Bottini.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0jdK8J097O9f83IfOJz-N0QezlJOafcBsehhyphenhyphendUScXseOj_9a4vlwTjscx2N2E1776yrKZ_12SDZ9ic84iWLOeG5PdvcO1BpJBEI522Oq63RNE-8uuLon7blPp3WxI7k5DH-Tf_njTE8y/s640/37.+Villa+Bottini.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Villa Bottini</td></tr>
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Still a little bit intimidated by restaurants and unfamiliar mealtime habits in Italy, we decided to just get some gelato and panini for lunch. It was not a bad decision! This simple lunch was one of the most memorable meals I had in Italy. I think they cost me about 10 euro.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPRJk1H3ai-oNutImnYkpQppc9olG8j_pqzu8LT-YOxGrK0UyIIuOzdCEC5Vnj3UOxm9JYByxeeeuGB28A3fOOPuwIYUPogDnGoTXXxsLpH3HGe6EK7B4O8oh4CpjWfDdws1unOjO_wv9/s1600/38.+Lunch+in+Lucca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPRJk1H3ai-oNutImnYkpQppc9olG8j_pqzu8LT-YOxGrK0UyIIuOzdCEC5Vnj3UOxm9JYByxeeeuGB28A3fOOPuwIYUPogDnGoTXXxsLpH3HGe6EK7B4O8oh4CpjWfDdws1unOjO_wv9/s640/38.+Lunch+in+Lucca.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in Lucca</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG15RXrRNfuW9H0f2gHrQQU25UEOd3K4bP2gXaoMB625ubzFY83Wwt0zI-l3VRhW6-B-ZWnwLuSW7Q7spUlCOL1ihD-8HVT7OJXQgRrbFk0odZKQbJe8Qw6oJtRKrZk7zYwMSAs5Z21h4/s1600/39.+Fruits+Seller+in+Lucca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyG15RXrRNfuW9H0f2gHrQQU25UEOd3K4bP2gXaoMB625ubzFY83Wwt0zI-l3VRhW6-B-ZWnwLuSW7Q7spUlCOL1ihD-8HVT7OJXQgRrbFk0odZKQbJe8Qw6oJtRKrZk7zYwMSAs5Z21h4/s640/39.+Fruits+Seller+in+Lucca.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruits seller in Lucca</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vv_Wz_6oiebAoHPBKnbViAHXU2Wu0dOtJ0vfozsNsJVXpSXe0OrKutgD0LJtlIB5zkIMpszdbdPB5ZeeUCyvAc1OJWWHYHY8LWZzKJFmaLT-762vQ4PpgllzssxvKK6BJiiUpBaBg077/s1600/40.+Fruits+Seller+in+Lucca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Vv_Wz_6oiebAoHPBKnbViAHXU2Wu0dOtJ0vfozsNsJVXpSXe0OrKutgD0LJtlIB5zkIMpszdbdPB5ZeeUCyvAc1OJWWHYHY8LWZzKJFmaLT-762vQ4PpgllzssxvKK6BJiiUpBaBg077/s640/40.+Fruits+Seller+in+Lucca.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the cherries!</td></tr>
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One of the must-see places in Lucca is the old Piazza Anfiteatro. I'd seen pictures of it so many times before so it was one of those pinch-me moments when I finally set foot there. It was just beautiful!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNncnckyAr2gONCUO4OJMOFyR6EgJvqOSo4PgGWZGbZpr5WqWKNayCu-PYazWjuzI3gzjCWNDSiVVMGqGOeqCrCb6cTKBP7JQOiOpEkqxckuHVMC7_5kQhYjYtqbvqTkYAAGu3KtpNvK8/s1600/30.+Plaza+Anfiteatro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyNncnckyAr2gONCUO4OJMOFyR6EgJvqOSo4PgGWZGbZpr5WqWKNayCu-PYazWjuzI3gzjCWNDSiVVMGqGOeqCrCb6cTKBP7JQOiOpEkqxckuHVMC7_5kQhYjYtqbvqTkYAAGu3KtpNvK8/s640/30.+Plaza+Anfiteatro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza Anfiteatro</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJNmW2LeCQj5JFqmJLVJM54WESuLXo3Erh_ephr7UtJAwyAFISFFAsLtAQHt3r0en0pJfs13m1wkuSNsVq8lERGjuSD_ERrofs941V2WDQqT-OjJxPLIc2UOVkbIXRbMUH7_fhX3CYZ8c/s1600/31.+Plaza+Anfiteatro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJNmW2LeCQj5JFqmJLVJM54WESuLXo3Erh_ephr7UtJAwyAFISFFAsLtAQHt3r0en0pJfs13m1wkuSNsVq8lERGjuSD_ERrofs941V2WDQqT-OjJxPLIc2UOVkbIXRbMUH7_fhX3CYZ8c/s640/31.+Plaza+Anfiteatro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza Anfiteatro</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqEiWYvTr_iv4Gv_uQRtNgY2YrBym4Tp9YbDC0DPGessOn-7UFiwsEq9M_q0bMAicIvcn2Qi_4UDQdZH9XgVL12xOW_U8O-FAULnXSCh00wYwTo8zYOX1M5TTd3Qaral4_EPZKEPX2TJi/s1600/32.+Plaza+Anfiteatro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqEiWYvTr_iv4Gv_uQRtNgY2YrBym4Tp9YbDC0DPGessOn-7UFiwsEq9M_q0bMAicIvcn2Qi_4UDQdZH9XgVL12xOW_U8O-FAULnXSCh00wYwTo8zYOX1M5TTd3Qaral4_EPZKEPX2TJi/s640/32.+Plaza+Anfiteatro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza Anfiteatro</td></tr>
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We then decided to do our first souvenir shopping at one of the shops at the Anfiteatro. The shop is called Le Sorelle which means sisters in Italian. They sell toilettries and beautiful girlie things such as aprons, lamp shades, dish towels, and many more. Their soaps are wonderful. I recommend 'Toscana' and 'Foglie di Pomodoro', the former smells very Italian while the latter is quite unique as it smells like tomato leaves, fresh and tangy.<br />
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After spending almost half a day in Lucca (my pedometer read 33,000!), we went back to the apartment to drop off our loot and rest for a little bit then...we headed back out again to check out the main shopping street in Pisa: Corso Italia, but not before having another gelato, of course. We thought we'd give this refreshing green apple flavor a try.<br />
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However, as we were quite tired, the shopping didn't yield much purchase and so we decided to have dinner in Borgo Stretto. We had been warned not to order any meals with pictures because it means they are made from frozen food but we didn't heed the advice and went and ordered a plate of bucattini. It was true, the bucattini had hard pieces that stuck together as if they weren't being heated up evenly. However, the other two dishes that I ordered were great. The classic appetizer of Parma ham and melon was delicious and abundant, and the fish and potatoes that I ordered (off the menu with no pictures in it) was also delicious. It was a simple grilled white fish with cubed potatoes, tossed in oilve oil, salt, and lemon juice.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn2ZPIPhiFsMm6Su4d_-xjZwiRf01BUUYRhNv_Car6kIsag2epXEszfo3NAGMDkgIAqjqeu1eJrpIJQ-Geq7CGvFLi0SqRVtDD7kXZh_Z0yoyzrwC0tLVY6OOKzN5a3VQP3SZcyVTUPiI/s1600/47.+Parma+Ham+%2526+Melon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzn2ZPIPhiFsMm6Su4d_-xjZwiRf01BUUYRhNv_Car6kIsag2epXEszfo3NAGMDkgIAqjqeu1eJrpIJQ-Geq7CGvFLi0SqRVtDD7kXZh_Z0yoyzrwC0tLVY6OOKzN5a3VQP3SZcyVTUPiI/s640/47.+Parma+Ham+%2526+Melon.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parma ham and melon</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrogLFagAMBGHOwuvht4xF8VT9DCv_qaaRwYMx0NKz766RsBFFXYkYbTqiU3Rs52-BVF3FMK34yVW5WEo7jbVmoFw5ljhWhpm2az9Eq2Xyu20978iaB1XalHq-D9cUlmSn4c-7Njkj7Rcr/s1600/48.+Fish+and+Potatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrogLFagAMBGHOwuvht4xF8VT9DCv_qaaRwYMx0NKz766RsBFFXYkYbTqiU3Rs52-BVF3FMK34yVW5WEo7jbVmoFw5ljhWhpm2az9Eq2Xyu20978iaB1XalHq-D9cUlmSn4c-7Njkj7Rcr/s640/48.+Fish+and+Potatoes.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish and potatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzIhX9mMhuweYI2A4OFL7l1iB-VoBpHB9mhZ5mkT9lFzIpUTom4Y54QOEDM3AYRKhIM7RU1mCEA5ugGaAesrSiy3hXbUrEKYjASQbomMZoxqpRZsZFDvXWzJK0XXsSBCZh5Nm9YGOB51y/s1600/49.+Bucattini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDzIhX9mMhuweYI2A4OFL7l1iB-VoBpHB9mhZ5mkT9lFzIpUTom4Y54QOEDM3AYRKhIM7RU1mCEA5ugGaAesrSiy3hXbUrEKYjASQbomMZoxqpRZsZFDvXWzJK0XXsSBCZh5Nm9YGOB51y/s640/49.+Bucattini.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bucattini</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It was almost 9:00pm but it was not that dark yet, I'd never experienced something like this in Asia so it was interesting.<br />
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On our way home, we took the opportunity to visit the Leaning Tower complex again as it was on the way. It was simply majestic and there was the sound of a choir practicing in the background that sort of enhanced our experience =D<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUD2_En35fZO5OGO9Q0Xi0jnANo_-HttH6scXrVp4XEoCE8Tj45lFQMJXhOnrcNDwAB5MCIuXCskwhU89r3k4deoOQpWj9os4dFI5u2hXSMdSRE0gj51AqGzvuam8ICnb5a2ug4NPNfE6/s1600/51.+Pisa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUD2_En35fZO5OGO9Q0Xi0jnANo_-HttH6scXrVp4XEoCE8Tj45lFQMJXhOnrcNDwAB5MCIuXCskwhU89r3k4deoOQpWj9os4dFI5u2hXSMdSRE0gj51AqGzvuam8ICnb5a2ug4NPNfE6/s640/51.+Pisa.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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By the time we reached the apartment, it was completely dark outside.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzczBftjf3cy4c7B1cshtNUGdMthgJBIj3k9CT1tkmXPh_6izIc2B4YHCQGJbX22OpT-hE3Nl7l975INMDaI-dKSTRCDcLWJiY5xyEJwwLu5ukm0zoVfwg5yZ0sBENqRi8oW5lB8KDsoo/s1600/53.+Pisa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpzczBftjf3cy4c7B1cshtNUGdMthgJBIj3k9CT1tkmXPh_6izIc2B4YHCQGJbX22OpT-hE3Nl7l975INMDaI-dKSTRCDcLWJiY5xyEJwwLu5ukm0zoVfwg5yZ0sBENqRi8oW5lB8KDsoo/s640/53.+Pisa.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street near the Leaning Tower complex</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBGyfVFBIovBqE-u7lQdoRuEU-WrTS6hLM9TUl46mJC3yeQCSuEcH91Ntgn9ZGSiPGmN_sGq46ZONQq5eK8Av7nDRuvdOBkhO53Mx4BqFqaCi_5NzLTdFjpxeI46V5OZK8BOIRqf_oHQ5/s1600/54.+Pisa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBGyfVFBIovBqE-u7lQdoRuEU-WrTS6hLM9TUl46mJC3yeQCSuEcH91Ntgn9ZGSiPGmN_sGq46ZONQq5eK8Av7nDRuvdOBkhO53Mx4BqFqaCi_5NzLTdFjpxeI46V5OZK8BOIRqf_oHQ5/s640/54.+Pisa.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Laundromat nearby</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A kebab seller</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PAM at night</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOzb9UVJRmQPAeV7hb05DH0Rsz5lResPrsmKgFwj0n1bOhuZGrm2KgwgS0SK5XiD2tI9woZh0LR45fFFDRdB5I7-CGpsc_bVuguTMjrTDrS4Nta7u_Cz27hMtyxUn1KvjF4fAH0sCcWcN/s1600/57.+Pisa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWOzb9UVJRmQPAeV7hb05DH0Rsz5lResPrsmKgFwj0n1bOhuZGrm2KgwgS0SK5XiD2tI9woZh0LR45fFFDRdB5I7-CGpsc_bVuguTMjrTDrS4Nta7u_Cz27hMtyxUn1KvjF4fAH0sCcWcN/s640/57.+Pisa.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The street where we were staying</td></tr>
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And that concludes our second day in Italy.Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-87484472615229171852015-12-02T07:54:00.001-08:002015-12-04T20:00:57.824-08:00Extended Travel Report: Italian Holiday 2015 - Day 1This is the unabridged version of my travel report to Italy. If you don't have time to spare, you can read the shorter version <a href="http://rushbijoux.blogspot.sg/2015/06/travel-report-italian-holiday-with.html">here</a>.<br />
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So, I finally went to Europe for the first time last May. I chose Italy - more specifically Tuscany - for my first time, out of so many great options. Frankly, I can't tell you why. It just sort of had been beckoning me for a while and it felt right.<br />
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Anyway, for the flight I chose Turkish Airlines because the price was right and I only had to take one connecting flight. The second best option was Air France but it had 2 connecting flights - one in Abu Dhabi, another in Paris - each transfer was not more than 2 hours so they wouldn't have enough time for sightseeing in the city. The Turkish Airlines flight had a 10-hr layover in Istanbul on the return flight and I figured I could make use of the time to check out Istanbul.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ur1Izku2dMFwRSg59MIQtbd8-uUlxZ-1mUCc-d7snSojPDtguxtypSc5IbZWvXV-k7q4Cpn44C3RA-c1gLq4klXgtJFAztkq4hJAOGHJEESBvh5I-YI1x8nDrPpUkfdpw06YETviSUR/s1600/1.+Checking+In.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6ur1Izku2dMFwRSg59MIQtbd8-uUlxZ-1mUCc-d7snSojPDtguxtypSc5IbZWvXV-k7q4Cpn44C3RA-c1gLq4klXgtJFAztkq4hJAOGHJEESBvh5I-YI1x8nDrPpUkfdpw06YETviSUR/s640/1.+Checking+In.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Queuing to Check in</td></tr>
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We left Singapore in the wee hour on Monday and immediately we were served supper on board the plane. I thought that was weird but I didn't realize how hungry / thirsty I was until the meal had been served. We were served some kind of chicken dish with rice at 2:00 am somewhere over Thailand. It was very spicy and definitely helped with the nausea that I had suddenly developed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKcikQKnPA3FNs4qyTkd6DnHErfN4XtpArnNuyOD3papmTEYv46PIoa1WE8CTgAZcgi_ogcgu0UY4h4jeYEagDYJVqUlBZmxrJcl_Lz0rkk0txKd6Ru6KySQQefUM2MGxmP7fbeHMaF96/s1600/3.+The+Chef+Onboard+the+Plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinKcikQKnPA3FNs4qyTkd6DnHErfN4XtpArnNuyOD3papmTEYv46PIoa1WE8CTgAZcgi_ogcgu0UY4h4jeYEagDYJVqUlBZmxrJcl_Lz0rkk0txKd6Ru6KySQQefUM2MGxmP7fbeHMaF96/s640/3.+The+Chef+Onboard+the+Plane.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Chef onboard the Flight</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkmLKYaA45IEkuR9eRPsqbVaZJ28N5Txaif09J01Aq6UYvGWmxQOYKAKBHv0Vb1pV5g2I_1SCTo_nAoCfBw7echSUwsGG7UvIVqHBDg-18Xpj5_snA77GiLZ0WpBt5jjD71ATv_4k_uFv/s1600/4.+Dinner+Onboard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZkmLKYaA45IEkuR9eRPsqbVaZJ28N5Txaif09J01Aq6UYvGWmxQOYKAKBHv0Vb1pV5g2I_1SCTo_nAoCfBw7echSUwsGG7UvIVqHBDg-18Xpj5_snA77GiLZ0WpBt5jjD71ATv_4k_uFv/s640/4.+Dinner+Onboard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spicy Chicken Dish</td></tr>
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The flight from Singapore to Istanbul was 11-hr long. As it was my first long-haul flight, I was quite surprised that the seat was as tiny as those in short-haul flight. It was not as bad as I'd thought it would be but it was definitely not that comfortable. Some of the highlights include being awakened somewhere over India and when I peeked outside, I found we were flying among stars. Literally, the stars were twinkling next to you. It was unbelievable! The other is watching The X-Files as we were approaching Istanbul. It was great to have Mulder and Scully be there in one of the milestones of my life, 16 years after I first became their fan.<br />
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We were served breakfast just before we landed, an egg dish this time.<br />
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The plane landed at Attaturk airport at around 6:00am. I was officially in Europe! We had about 2-hr layover and so we decided to check out the airport. Unfortunately, the experience was not that great. The airport staff were not so friendly, most of them didn't speak English well and they looked like they didn't really want to help.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbazPKSQxnHiOFFRY_vwr0d7Ernld1MRZoG4IY_yy9MpSYT1CbAlHg5YXo58PtN-eG7MxHTJR7g4sdg9BCyGhaEezbDhr9SiIeoNUBCkLuktzL_0sFJJ5TAjrVkIIHBXDRehHopESy2wwf/s1600/6.+Attaturk+Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbazPKSQxnHiOFFRY_vwr0d7Ernld1MRZoG4IY_yy9MpSYT1CbAlHg5YXo58PtN-eG7MxHTJR7g4sdg9BCyGhaEezbDhr9SiIeoNUBCkLuktzL_0sFJJ5TAjrVkIIHBXDRehHopESy2wwf/s640/6.+Attaturk+Airport.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Attaturk Airport</td></tr>
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Anyway, we decided to just spend the time at the foodcourt and we ordered pistaschio baklava and some baked eggs to accompany us. The pistaschio baklava were delicious! The eggs were so-so.<br />
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Before long, it was time for us to board the plane on our last leg of the journey. We bid adieu to Istanbul and tried our best to contain our excitement as Italy was just on the horizon.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial Istanbul</td></tr>
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The flight took about 2.5 hours. I was squealing with joy when I saw Italy's eastern coastline from my window.<br />
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FYI, we were served another breakfast on the plane! =D<br />
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And finally, after a total of 15 hours of journey, we finally, finally, touched down at Gallileo Gallilei airport, Pisa, Italy!!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting building just as we were about to land</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggioQlIhUI1D_oJKerO65ytBkwIkjLig7E5I2Omm5eNwbN6Vecgfk6t9df0sEkK5NKHp-R0Ld_1kYMy3MCP0oXnbNU9Aqld6XXCco9vHR0UQJKvx8WBg95RaYG3bXi_LhJc7HUsMKj30i2/s1600/12.+Just+Landed+in+Italy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggioQlIhUI1D_oJKerO65ytBkwIkjLig7E5I2Omm5eNwbN6Vecgfk6t9df0sEkK5NKHp-R0Ld_1kYMy3MCP0oXnbNU9Aqld6XXCco9vHR0UQJKvx8WBg95RaYG3bXi_LhJc7HUsMKj30i2/s640/12.+Just+Landed+in+Italy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Touched Down at Gallielo Gallilei!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnqThq4O6AqEcbNJihuovfOS95OHT67x-RTsBC8dAYksLipxgLRpBdegbCXRs3VfGqfcUJ9LkJ5GX9WpvhiWSfEqN0ruJtZPlMsVJ0ZqepsJuxRqeTJZprWiu1uwxzNZLHPrhO6hLtY7R/s1600/13.+Pisa+Airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixnqThq4O6AqEcbNJihuovfOS95OHT67x-RTsBC8dAYksLipxgLRpBdegbCXRs3VfGqfcUJ9LkJ5GX9WpvhiWSfEqN0ruJtZPlMsVJ0ZqepsJuxRqeTJZprWiu1uwxzNZLHPrhO6hLtY7R/s640/13.+Pisa+Airport.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front of Gallileo Gallilei Airport, Pisa</td></tr>
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Great balmy weather, it was sunny but the temperature was pleasantly cool. After clearing the Immigration, we met up with Gloria at the Arrival, the owner of the apartment rental where we would be staying for the next week. As she drove us to the apartment, I was busy admiring Pisa from the back of her tiny car. The city looked so mellow, cute, tiny, and there were flowers everywhere as it was almost Summer. I loved it!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDC5nhD6G7MOMV3hP6zrlr0bc2r_bhGVKpozeHbZdE_CF8i2gw_t-8hxCiXgchX8mU4b-A58TXGpClVBnvJyOCsn-XryetjaA7e3gLAjs1254I64HVciC34C7xgfNGkNIPQhjrGUqKCqc/s1600/14.+Pisa+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDC5nhD6G7MOMV3hP6zrlr0bc2r_bhGVKpozeHbZdE_CF8i2gw_t-8hxCiXgchX8mU4b-A58TXGpClVBnvJyOCsn-XryetjaA7e3gLAjs1254I64HVciC34C7xgfNGkNIPQhjrGUqKCqc/s640/14.+Pisa+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElMkqI-6Q9XCYRCMlJberzLu-KYoYDUz_ydT8flkLJatkZGo98smhQ_8o5XOusu5Qfce2peKotYkBZLiVJRhu1jtjiJgzK9rHQf5npltvmP7BB1mAiSn8nCSKs6LKxlsPU4qwf6Ewjqyr/s1600/15.+Pisa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgElMkqI-6Q9XCYRCMlJberzLu-KYoYDUz_ydT8flkLJatkZGo98smhQ_8o5XOusu5Qfce2peKotYkBZLiVJRhu1jtjiJgzK9rHQf5npltvmP7BB1mAiSn8nCSKs6LKxlsPU4qwf6Ewjqyr/s640/15.+Pisa+2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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She gave us the grand tour of the apartment rental and left us with a bottle of wine and a bag of chocolates. Finally, we had truly arrived in Italy!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaLqN2cWP3gGxnAEvFq2EfgKbIAEtbr9BdnvH2MjsAD9aG_0YH4dvff7OcjrWvIHy5fWdISSdjaxSUxjC7zB5xBKIdcoXEBVNgJcA3DWsNyligk_3h-DB9b-W-cLNHM8b3liYVeG2WQJ4/s1600/16.+Our+Apartment+Rental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRaLqN2cWP3gGxnAEvFq2EfgKbIAEtbr9BdnvH2MjsAD9aG_0YH4dvff7OcjrWvIHy5fWdISSdjaxSUxjC7zB5xBKIdcoXEBVNgJcA3DWsNyligk_3h-DB9b-W-cLNHM8b3liYVeG2WQJ4/s640/16.+Our+Apartment+Rental.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bedroom</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCB5kP8Fd_qn-HS3DpYEevUDlqSCUmWxXMC-h3x52r7bnlme263KM_DTxPHhptVx59ZWg-QVg1yV-QUgs3OnzwM3TIsj9QV8K3UhbGY8q_FiosJbxba2eIompDmzsBpxOipkGjEL1z5KF/s1600/17.+Kitchen+in+Our+Apartment+Rental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCB5kP8Fd_qn-HS3DpYEevUDlqSCUmWxXMC-h3x52r7bnlme263KM_DTxPHhptVx59ZWg-QVg1yV-QUgs3OnzwM3TIsj9QV8K3UhbGY8q_FiosJbxba2eIompDmzsBpxOipkGjEL1z5KF/s640/17.+Kitchen+in+Our+Apartment+Rental.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kitchen</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m03XkxVLnA7L38rVvV-uP8ww5ip1caZfLj-HfU6lZz7S2pLAbgV6sCOuKyRlE6FX8kkkiukkEFRaCsDmsr_-FeFsbkFA0Cbu20eXGbBMjCzLZGKhbi6CTesc1JdjZAufwoLT14Z6AQ3m/s1600/18.+Backyard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4m03XkxVLnA7L38rVvV-uP8ww5ip1caZfLj-HfU6lZz7S2pLAbgV6sCOuKyRlE6FX8kkkiukkEFRaCsDmsr_-FeFsbkFA0Cbu20eXGbBMjCzLZGKhbi6CTesc1JdjZAufwoLT14Z6AQ3m/s640/18.+Backyard.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small private balcony at the apartment</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlcaJa2zDQetFTkJFDiI7UxxwJOCkMRGogxEJk2_mBd2_AoUlKmPpztdi9_rrV-DztgiMZnZ7HWDD84IGDj5V5acBs6gZgZt0nV6BzeLsJ77sSstg-V0y6YLRUQ8AZlb-BRs295xQ2zGS/s1600/19.+View+From+Our+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlcaJa2zDQetFTkJFDiI7UxxwJOCkMRGogxEJk2_mBd2_AoUlKmPpztdi9_rrV-DztgiMZnZ7HWDD84IGDj5V5acBs6gZgZt0nV6BzeLsJ77sSstg-V0y6YLRUQ8AZlb-BRs295xQ2zGS/s640/19.+View+From+Our+Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View From Our Rental. The Baptistry and tip of the Leaning Tower are visible</td></tr>
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After unpacking, the first order of business was to stock up the kitchen with basic stuff such as bottled water and food items, so we headed down to PAM supermarket which was located conveniently nearby to go groceries shopping.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyBvoCvPAwxQyNnsp_7g4vKQbzJgfq1j1cKXieLu488sW_kwk6qZahSL3apicql7q5SuOIffDyk_3iStN2P5XuxIkh-ZlU8mHia1kO-ZEYkehlSocAxwhRTNaoFo-PTqvgyx-tFzHwQQr/s1600/20.+PAM+Supermarket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDyBvoCvPAwxQyNnsp_7g4vKQbzJgfq1j1cKXieLu488sW_kwk6qZahSL3apicql7q5SuOIffDyk_3iStN2P5XuxIkh-ZlU8mHia1kO-ZEYkehlSocAxwhRTNaoFo-PTqvgyx-tFzHwQQr/s640/20.+PAM+Supermarket.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PAM supermarket</td></tr>
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We bought bottled water (wrongly got the sparkling ones), lots of frozen pasta, pizza, and risotto (like the moronic tourist we were), this velvety packaged vegetable soup, and canned artichoke hearts. We were caught off-guard as we didn't know that supermarkets in Italy didn't provide plastic / paper bags so we sloppily carried all the groceries back to our apartment by hand.<br />
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Back at the apartment, we settled ourselves in by doing pretty much nothing, wandering around the apartment, just taking it all in. We then decided to take a nap, not realizing how tired we were and proceeded to sleep until 10:00pm.<br />
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And that's how we spent our first day in Italy, folks!Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-81478816814267992812015-09-08T20:31:00.002-07:002015-09-10T03:19:44.486-07:00Things I've Learned From My Italian Holiday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has been three months since my first trip to Italy and I feel like I'm still flying high =D There are just so many great memories...<br />
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In retrospect, here are the things I've learned about Italy / Italians from the trip:<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. Italians love their food but they are generally fit.</span></b><br />
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Something in the tomato sauce, apparently. There's no denying that Italians love to eat. In true Italian towns, businesses (except food and beverage, that is) close during lunch. They don't close during dinner because most of them close shop just in time for dinner anyway. Here's a curious thing about Italy: It's so hard to find snacks. I even wondered whether they have a concept of snacking. <i>Gelateria</i> and <i>paninoteca</i> are abundant and their prices affordable but they are (at least from my perspective) considered a quick meal. It's fast food, the Italian way. I am so used to snacking and the abundance of options of street snacks in both Singapore and Indonesia that for the first few days in Italy I was just trembling from snacking withdrawal =p<br />
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Of course, later I learned that they do know the concept of snacking. They even have the term: <i>merenda</i>. But they don't overdo it. Why this is good to emulate: Snacking is good when done the right way. It keeps blood sugar from crashing and causing you to overeat in the next meal. Therefore, snacks should actually come in small portion only, nothing more than a few calories to sustain you until the next meal time. And most snacks I know, if not all of them, usually come in bigger serving than they should, laden with too much salt and sugar, and - this is their biggest problem - are usually deep-fried, or made in some form of frying technique. They end up having more calories than your actual meal but with very little nutrition.<br />
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When I was in Italy, I had the pleasure of snacking the local way twice. Both times, it was <i>crostini</i> with some simple topping. First, it was raw <i>salsiccia</i> spread over a small slice of bread. The second, extra virgin olive oil poured - and I really mean<i> poured </i>- over <i>crostini</i> and then sprinkled with a little salt and pepper. Both times, one person ate not more than 2 pieces. That's it. Notice the lack of cooking in both snacks?<br />
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Also, I hardly saw Italians doing more than one thing at a time. I don't remember seeing people window-shop while holding a snack or iced coffee in a plastic cup, something that a lot of people do in Singapore, Indonesia, and I suspect in the US, too. Of course, I saw some younger people do this, no doubt the influence of some American lifestyle they see on TV or movies but generally, Italians have a very healthy attitude towards eating - and living.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. Italians are generally nice.</span></b><br />
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There will always be exceptions, of course, but thankfully, the ones that I met were all nice. I had my reservations when planning for my trip because we're two non-Caucasian looking girls traveling alone for the first time in Europe. We had to ask for directions so many times and Italians were generally friendly and happy to help. And whenever we came across the not-so-friendly bunch, speaking in Italian will turn their distrustful faces into smiling ones.<br />
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Also, I am quite taken by how many times I saw locals interact with the African immigrants. Now, this is only an observation and as I don't speak Italian, I had no way of knowing what actually went on in their exchange but I witnessed a few times locals talking to African immigrants in a friendly manner, like they know each other. And at shops where these immigrants would approach the customers and sell them something, these Italians would actually entertain them, like, replying to their sales pitch. I'm so used to just gesturing or even not acknowledging buskers altogether that this is so new to me.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. We'll find a solution.</span></b><br />
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This is something that I've been missing terribly, something that I think has been lost especially in big cities. I think Singaporeans call it the "<i>Kampong spirit</i>". Indonesians call it "<i>gotong-royong</i>". It's basically a sense of community, the opposite of dog-eat-dog world, it's something that exists to advance the community as a whole and that not everybody wants to get ahead.<br />
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On our way to the cooking class, I noticed the road leading to the farm house from the main road was this stupidly tiny and narrow country road and can only accommodate one car at a time so I asked the driver what he would do if someone comes from the opposite direction, how does he regulate the traffic?<br />
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I swear he was looking at me like I'd just said something totally idiotic. He basically just shrugged off and said, "shit happens,". OK, I'm paraphrasing, obviously. The PG-rated version would be "These things happen, we just have to find a solution,". Boom. What a great motto to live by.<br />
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Hope to visit again someday! Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-72318222364456022202015-06-06T13:49:00.002-07:002015-11-04T22:13:41.829-08:00Travel Report : An Italian Holiday (with an Intro to Istanbul)<br />
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Like most people, traveling to Europe had been a wish of mine for the longest time. Unlike most people, though, I and my travel companion don't wish to stretch ourselves thin trying to hit all the famous spots like mad in a matter of one week. Hence, we decided to take the free, easy, and slow way of traveling by not joining a group tour and taking matters into our own hands. <br />
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First up was the destination. Deciding to go to Italy - specifically Tuscany region - was easy because we wanted to go last year but didn't manage to. After countless hours of research, we chose to base ourselves in Pisa and we drew up a game plan of places and activities we wished to see / do. After dreaming of embarking on a European vacation for what felt like an eternity, things had started to shape up. There was only one and a half months to go, finally it was truly upon us! The lodging had been booked. Cooking classes, booked. Air tickets, paid. Insurance, paid. Visas, obtained. I even managed to sneak in a walking tour in Istanbul since we'd be having a 10-hr layover there on our way back. There was nothing else left to do except for waiting. And wait we did, counting the days patiently to our holiday until finally, it arrived.<br />
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We were very excited but first, we had to endure an 11-hr long flight to Istanbul and then another 2.5-hr flight to Pisa. It was definitely an experience: having a meal at 2:00am thousands of feet up in the air somewhere over Thailand, trying to sleep in a position that was neither sitting nor lying down, being awakened somewhere over India and finding yourself flying among stars, and having Mulder and Scully once again be there in one of the most important moments in my life in the form of in-flight entertainment, it was...unbelievable. (Can't say I'm a fan of the long-ass flight, though, unless I get to fly business class someday. Here's hoping!). <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxllAdP4cqVg6S8_cuyDT-rsocFPGQK4n3r5g9zWuHRcqlNsIZgGBW-Fg9N3WXjDyGtZgpntliNFlB-zjnflyaOmybVVPCVtAT4jpOpWgDd2DQT_a3W08nCNxtMk8aiBzFCnA3ahBXoRb5/s1600/Italian+Coastline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxllAdP4cqVg6S8_cuyDT-rsocFPGQK4n3r5g9zWuHRcqlNsIZgGBW-Fg9N3WXjDyGtZgpntliNFlB-zjnflyaOmybVVPCVtAT4jpOpWgDd2DQT_a3W08nCNxtMk8aiBzFCnA3ahBXoRb5/s640/Italian+Coastline.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Italian coastline has been sighted!</td></tr>
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Anyway, 18 hours later and finally, we've arrived in Pisa!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWCNNHuUlthE6Mili0ra58uaKp8fUcuf9PQpCrqvYsjOvN9p2Fnaz-IEQ_5Ns6Jfm0M9_kTHCysf6yYWX2OQ8w2PwZNAJnMKNWXtWQZoPaPctIqQkMUbYU1PJDkKUl5ptRct7ERVncbw6/s1600/Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfWCNNHuUlthE6Mili0ra58uaKp8fUcuf9PQpCrqvYsjOvN9p2Fnaz-IEQ_5Ns6Jfm0M9_kTHCysf6yYWX2OQ8w2PwZNAJnMKNWXtWQZoPaPctIqQkMUbYU1PJDkKUl5ptRct7ERVncbw6/s640/Pisa.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pisa is so much more than just the Leaning Tower</td></tr>
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I'm not going to bore you with a detailed chronicle of our trip so here are the highlights (<i>warning: photo spam ahead</i>):<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Day 1</b></u></span><br />
We got to our apartment rental, bought some groceries at a nearby supermarket and proceeded to sleep our way through the rest of the day because we were so exhausted!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB34uJBtujEYsdiWjxTX_xFA9XH0f5k0C2vpe9V-xLlnRRxybPrhLirg5_VwWc21tmQUpK3HKQfF5J-nBnHicWD0cKod6AeHvlJGXu85_a7F_483ih7c_KxmVkhN2f4A1Di3NOxRI54yJ2/s1600/Apartment+Rental.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB34uJBtujEYsdiWjxTX_xFA9XH0f5k0C2vpe9V-xLlnRRxybPrhLirg5_VwWc21tmQUpK3HKQfF5J-nBnHicWD0cKod6AeHvlJGXu85_a7F_483ih7c_KxmVkhN2f4A1Di3NOxRI54yJ2/s640/Apartment+Rental.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our home for the week</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjhfzuZCC2oo_TUpoqcVvYuKfLugqAUBRqOEywPKD6YZx7DO-oZen_f1VkWNiMPZ3Qul-mhsoiPPrtsN6wHtnTJ7MvJqCdk_FnQaLX9c2_y4m2_mnKCHk7FhHx22J4TELivp21qFcuHdl/s1600/PAM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkjhfzuZCC2oo_TUpoqcVvYuKfLugqAUBRqOEywPKD6YZx7DO-oZen_f1VkWNiMPZ3Qul-mhsoiPPrtsN6wHtnTJ7MvJqCdk_FnQaLX9c2_y4m2_mnKCHk7FhHx22J4TELivp21qFcuHdl/s640/PAM.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PAM supermarket near our apartment rental</td></tr>
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></u>
<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Day 2</span></u></b><br />
We woke up at 5:00am fresh in Italian time and started our journey early. We walked to the Leaning Tower (our rental was just nearby) and practically no one was there! It was heavenly!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwrtxRT9gW0CTzhqaAO_fvrkpK9EbEHYmSnU7CGkD_5pW1Ts8fUXpN8HF4o5D79TDaEKU70EZiLdxRg4mfYmOzUyM3QRBr2UXeyQ6zRj9JXTTmHL4OCiES_-JV8k0SVdiv1P0xm6Sixex/s1600/Torre+Pendente4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguwrtxRT9gW0CTzhqaAO_fvrkpK9EbEHYmSnU7CGkD_5pW1Ts8fUXpN8HF4o5D79TDaEKU70EZiLdxRg4mfYmOzUyM3QRBr2UXeyQ6zRj9JXTTmHL4OCiES_-JV8k0SVdiv1P0xm6Sixex/s640/Torre+Pendente4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nary a tourist in sight!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimts1uTy2Zl_GulzGI0ODIsWUD9T7MX9e1EvJGBR8A2vPKpPP8ptlakyV6G8Ajs-y-a89BnnEG9bDXF_C07Vn-YQjA8reX2Codg-FhqxczkYcRi3Nx4UzKChXYOJSR75Hf-YJdVKyT-wo-/s1600/Torre+Pendente2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimts1uTy2Zl_GulzGI0ODIsWUD9T7MX9e1EvJGBR8A2vPKpPP8ptlakyV6G8Ajs-y-a89BnnEG9bDXF_C07Vn-YQjA8reX2Codg-FhqxczkYcRi3Nx4UzKChXYOJSR75Hf-YJdVKyT-wo-/s640/Torre+Pendente2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdkEDtBEbF6FSVR76H81CefqNt2jRzZfqp12l-xxEHfNb80TjmhddeElaTC6bM0pfjALSoJ1XvPDow8P-_d0xk8kRzrQ_JsJnJYSOX3O1MymehNgLMAiUop4F-vQtioUaX_5dggns2B-l/s1600/Torre+Pendente1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdkEDtBEbF6FSVR76H81CefqNt2jRzZfqp12l-xxEHfNb80TjmhddeElaTC6bM0pfjALSoJ1XvPDow8P-_d0xk8kRzrQ_JsJnJYSOX3O1MymehNgLMAiUop4F-vQtioUaX_5dggns2B-l/s640/Torre+Pendente1.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behold, the majestic Leaning Tower!</td></tr>
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We then walked all the way to Pisa Centrale Station, having some Italian breakfast and seeing the famous Arno river banks for the first time along the way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-LOrf2kBT5NlajR3BZcC3cd_lKWSbJMEsHqWdvJMdSV242DjOpIQkCD9DUrL_Fi00JZErO_Ajx66cxln4KLiXp1A5Hwd2VOF_SEiiElkXNpzrkNREONv4_UgbVacTy0gllnJn0HIE0cL/s1600/Arno+River+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-LOrf2kBT5NlajR3BZcC3cd_lKWSbJMEsHqWdvJMdSV242DjOpIQkCD9DUrL_Fi00JZErO_Ajx66cxln4KLiXp1A5Hwd2VOF_SEiiElkXNpzrkNREONv4_UgbVacTy0gllnJn0HIE0cL/s640/Arno+River+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arno river</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fDQltRfQEB6yvTkrn9rG3JXH-vgKR5dI7n8Pieb0fJ-rbsc5RotdRA3Yu0oELN1sIbSguwdM-D5su5pc6bRVI5ZplWry5XCsMnFMps55L8X9jSTvgrWuFwAXkZqtmB3VFg6SK7ZLidSQ/s1600/Italian+Breakfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fDQltRfQEB6yvTkrn9rG3JXH-vgKR5dI7n8Pieb0fJ-rbsc5RotdRA3Yu0oELN1sIbSguwdM-D5su5pc6bRVI5ZplWry5XCsMnFMps55L8X9jSTvgrWuFwAXkZqtmB3VFg6SK7ZLidSQ/s640/Italian+Breakfast.jpg" width="438" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cappuccino, a pastry, and a panino</td></tr>
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We hit up Lucca that day.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FElg5eBFshNdMZFrJFqwVR-gtvfbrs3YTEmoifw8J3m9kszfcfeNCtg961Rac7cMBZDZ3uCkfQ0tm3RDI3UtEuy-ZMit0CmKhhcgCQ3VkDdK8fhc7-Zzs-9_NA3I0e7o87azlR6AaJhd/s1600/Lucca+Anfiteatro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4FElg5eBFshNdMZFrJFqwVR-gtvfbrs3YTEmoifw8J3m9kszfcfeNCtg961Rac7cMBZDZ3uCkfQ0tm3RDI3UtEuy-ZMit0CmKhhcgCQ3VkDdK8fhc7-Zzs-9_NA3I0e7o87azlR6AaJhd/s640/Lucca+Anfiteatro.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucca</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SHmWTsBEV8a99CM-e4s3hT5yRhGUtdHInyJEg_TPthv7ai82XjU1-CvP8R7YtDDuTRnKAaxRFwkI8w9l_ulhBbQNh-T5PiXKQ8LC0rOoUsE5I8gRPZeFKoM1FWQ0sQyhYcvQsxNJS8S6/s1600/Le+Sorelle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4SHmWTsBEV8a99CM-e4s3hT5yRhGUtdHInyJEg_TPthv7ai82XjU1-CvP8R7YtDDuTRnKAaxRFwkI8w9l_ulhBbQNh-T5PiXKQ8LC0rOoUsE5I8gRPZeFKoM1FWQ0sQyhYcvQsxNJS8S6/s640/Le+Sorelle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Sorelle, their soaps make for great souvenirs</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Villa Bottini</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucca</td></tr>
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On our way back to Pisa, we had dinner at one of the cafes on Borgo Stretto. There was a street demonstration about LGBT-related issues, I assumed by the university students when we were there. I understand it is one of the hottest current topics in Italy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-kzzQmnjktp5x2JSglPW7maZlUbknRijV90z1hWAaUoimzqdvkJKLr_mqc9xQv-sZE4sdZGPuO7tpJSacmY0i2nAS9GOzr3oBVUneI1kflPFDr0EQvvfN-MyqDI_oRX8eeV5rEl0rpDL/s1600/Dinner+in+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih-kzzQmnjktp5x2JSglPW7maZlUbknRijV90z1hWAaUoimzqdvkJKLr_mqc9xQv-sZE4sdZGPuO7tpJSacmY0i2nAS9GOzr3oBVUneI1kflPFDr0EQvvfN-MyqDI_oRX8eeV5rEl0rpDL/s640/Dinner+in+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner in Pisa</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Day 3</b></u></span><br />
We had booked a Tuscan cooking class for the afternoon. The place was in Peccioli, somewhere between Pisa and Volterra. A driver was supposed to pick us up at Pontedera train station so we decided we'd just go to Pontedera earlier and explore the area until then.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiT33FOTgqWDRSKgnW-cafTSVNqppzkCu-iie_SoU2L9ulHaF15awAKQp73_vnU7YriJ3pPJNpQJo9WWecUcmx9HSfbXa68RuQEQE2lbySJl54fdCLN-HNHi-HSv-PdG3HntXuHbCNE0D/s1600/Pontedera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiT33FOTgqWDRSKgnW-cafTSVNqppzkCu-iie_SoU2L9ulHaF15awAKQp73_vnU7YriJ3pPJNpQJo9WWecUcmx9HSfbXa68RuQEQE2lbySJl54fdCLN-HNHi-HSv-PdG3HntXuHbCNE0D/s640/Pontedera.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just outside Pontedera train station</td></tr>
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We originally wanted to see the Vespa museum but we got off at the wrong exit and consequently never found it. Pontedera is a small, sleepy, mellow Italian town and it was around lunchtime so everybody was seemingly nowhere to be found! Having been working and living in Singapore for the past 7 years, it admittedly took some getting used to but we ended up find this characteristically Italian trait charming.<br />
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We decided to go to this restaurant called La Cantinetta Vini right opposite the only big hotel (that we know of) in Pontedera, Hotel Rotunda. The owner didn't speak English and there were many Italians coming in to dine so we felt this place was legit. We proceeded to order Pappa Al Pomodoro, Ravioli (I assume with ragu), and Eggplants parmesan. They were delicious, and for the same price we paid for dinner the day before! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRczn25hvfwfdqs5x_sTUa3ldfFUolVEo2-zvZCbUihcJ4QC0dPBJwthdelONYznd_L8PiBd6eUL88EKhtPg8eLOeJR7BiZlaGDw8LNoFXm8ni0mw41qKCGXqNXhLsOjay1oQqvUYdp7_F/s1600/La+Cantinetta+Vini+in+Pontedera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRczn25hvfwfdqs5x_sTUa3ldfFUolVEo2-zvZCbUihcJ4QC0dPBJwthdelONYznd_L8PiBd6eUL88EKhtPg8eLOeJR7BiZlaGDw8LNoFXm8ni0mw41qKCGXqNXhLsOjay1oQqvUYdp7_F/s640/La+Cantinetta+Vini+in+Pontedera.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in Pontedera</td></tr>
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Next we headed up to our cooking class in Peccioli. The drive along the way was amazing and the farm house where the cooking class was conducted was just charming.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmAm9hfLyMDsqk9-2qK_FYxlf9IUAmBJoJC9DBrnF8jd9ze3B_1C62cwfYXcCdZ_RBRzUypMy0CWRa551f2ihevAqe-i1FkJ7OfI3QO7hLDFYeLTVJh1QNDvgC_Q3jomp7keYQjzlkcvV/s1600/Ca%2527Solare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmAm9hfLyMDsqk9-2qK_FYxlf9IUAmBJoJC9DBrnF8jd9ze3B_1C62cwfYXcCdZ_RBRzUypMy0CWRa551f2ihevAqe-i1FkJ7OfI3QO7hLDFYeLTVJh1QNDvgC_Q3jomp7keYQjzlkcvV/s640/Ca%2527Solare.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ca'Solare, where the cooking class was conducted</td></tr>
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We met up with Arianna from Arianna and Friends who would be posing as our translator and assistant that day, Lucia who was the cook and <i>parla solo Italiano</i>, lol...and then we were introduced to Bill and Cherie Conway from USA who would be taking the class with us.<br />
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The next five hours proved to be one of the most fun I've ever had in my life. Bill and Cherie were just so nice and warm. We chatted up about a lot of things while making fried vegetables, risotto with Italian sausage and leek, pork with chianti (no liver or fava beans involved =p), and cherry tart, and then we got to enjoy them all out in the yard with fine wines and even finer vista. We concluded the day with Moka coffee and finished it off with grappa a.k.a. "The Coffee Killer" for a true and complete Tuscan meal.<br />
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Joining this cooking class was one of the best decisions I made for this holiday and I would recommend <a href="http://www.ariannandfriends.com/">Arianna and Friends</a> wholeheartedly to anyone who's interested in this sort of things. You can check the schedules and prices <a href="http://www.ariannandfriends.com/cooking.htm">here</a>. Arianna is charming, friendly, and funny ;-)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXSmftfcBeEpk3A7OmJSw3oHA7dkJ45H9g6CE_BVhoiuL9JfWcfP1FsxKpWWyLRfgL8EWorAJZWFp68h4HNPL_rzjQF6-n55JIYJPm7WZgpQ1DzKH4bLabCwaiVfZ5lhBxX_Vk8Mgv3x5/s1600/Tuscan+Cooking+Class+with+Arianna+and+Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXSmftfcBeEpk3A7OmJSw3oHA7dkJ45H9g6CE_BVhoiuL9JfWcfP1FsxKpWWyLRfgL8EWorAJZWFp68h4HNPL_rzjQF6-n55JIYJPm7WZgpQ1DzKH4bLabCwaiVfZ5lhBxX_Vk8Mgv3x5/s640/Tuscan+Cooking+Class+with+Arianna+and+Friends.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">No apology for the lack of photos, I was just enjoying my time too much</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Day 4</b></u></span><br />
We hit up Florence and boy, was it touristy! Tourists as far as the eyes could see. Tourists on your right, tourists on your left, behind you, in front of you! Oh, did I mention there were tourists everywhere? ;-p<br />
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The churches were amazing but there were just too many tourists. Luckily, as we moved away to Piazzale Michelangelo, their number gradually decreased to a much, much more comfortable level.<br />
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Once we got to the top, the view was totally amazing! Suddenly, I got why Florence was so famous. It was indeed breathtaking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI-97wObbkUbSkkea3_8wahKer2hLJoUV2aED7e9J-wYmvspBG99jZlKHHmdiI8AVHaFF9CpjRJ58fSr8646YqbPUv_cE92MGkY8CfvrQbkimlKZSw93iXmQpWxQsYAK2yowlYz3CBw-r/s1600/Florence+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoI-97wObbkUbSkkea3_8wahKer2hLJoUV2aED7e9J-wYmvspBG99jZlKHHmdiI8AVHaFF9CpjRJ58fSr8646YqbPUv_cE92MGkY8CfvrQbkimlKZSw93iXmQpWxQsYAK2yowlYz3CBw-r/s640/Florence+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The money shot</td></tr>
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On our way back, I bought a beautiful piece of jewelry from one of the shops on Ponte Vecchio. Nothing fancy but I adore the design, it was this little piece of Italy that I brought home with me ;-)<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Day 5</span></u></b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUS1el3bjhqxyGIxOqBr7u5bz59fUSEFfeVjPptXn8uRFxksTVaRAajddxRqFi70UWem1iIhp44NN0EaJ4uilqXBBT6XPvh4TvpD09fgyjp8hmCfuBc4ZXWp6IgJk5WGyoQCIo-ErtuCzr/s1600/On+the+Way+to+Peccioli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUS1el3bjhqxyGIxOqBr7u5bz59fUSEFfeVjPptXn8uRFxksTVaRAajddxRqFi70UWem1iIhp44NN0EaJ4uilqXBBT6XPvh4TvpD09fgyjp8hmCfuBc4ZXWp6IgJk5WGyoQCIo-ErtuCzr/s640/On+the+Way+to+Peccioli.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way to Peccioli</td></tr>
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Another cooking class, this time centered around pasta. We met up with Luca, our assistant and translator and were introduced to Nick and Anna, this couple from London who'd be taking the class with us. It was another fun outing and it's just mind-boggling how good all the pasta turned out, considering how simple and uncomplicated the ingredients and techniques were!<br />
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We learned to make gnocchi, ravioli, and tagliatelle by hand with three different sauces. We made this tomato sauce using Grinzoso tomatoes and it just tasted like heaven. It almost made me sad to think I could never replicate the sauce outside Tuscany - or Peccioli for that matter! FYI, I tried to look for the same Grinzoso tomatoes we used for the sauce at PAM and we couldn't find any! Sad face.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdoBrLyGW7izUb8kfUK5QuhMFiqbIwL5qlKNkaKo11nt0HZjNUR5Tj92ufDWqO4haHsGVKy2x0TjsEMa4WhK9cz16gkuKY1DTZI_ESQ4kiWN4lscSGAiWlU4VQAYBsHawZuROZImKlMM2/s1600/Pasta+Lab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJdoBrLyGW7izUb8kfUK5QuhMFiqbIwL5qlKNkaKo11nt0HZjNUR5Tj92ufDWqO4haHsGVKy2x0TjsEMa4WhK9cz16gkuKY1DTZI_ESQ4kiWN4lscSGAiWlU4VQAYBsHawZuROZImKlMM2/s640/Pasta+Lab.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasta Lab</td></tr>
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Anyway, Luca taught us a little bit about olive oil and wine during the class. About the olive oil, basically he told us that there's this 3-tier category of quality and when I tried to apply this newfound knowledge when shopping for olive oil in my usual upscale supermarket here in Singapore, about 99% of them failed. There was only one brand that passed, and it merely belongs to the 2nd tier, whereby at PAM I could find some that belong to the 1st tier easily, and for (relatively) cheap!<br />
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How could I ever enjoy Italian cuisine again after this? I've tasted the best and there's just no going back >.< Desperate to replicate the tomato sauce we made at the farm, I bought a jar of tomato sauce from PAM (made in Italy, mind you) and it just didn't measure up. How Tuscans could live outside Tuscany is beyond me. Everything must taste like bland wet paper for them =p<br />
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Day 6</span></u></b><br />
Being architects, we feel like it's our duty to visit the Carrara marble quarry. We originally intended to go after the pasta cooking class but we canceled at the last minute because we were worried we would have reached Carrara too late in the afternoon.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaMxkhA-urAX7ZolqbfM7mB4eiCdDRiuMTRA8tjYxD3kppXK0fHL4rC3_6wPF6CZa54DSqS3s4Oea93hmrT4FMAvbCCbQF4PSufRd8HI9utW6MS-RpacNwId3v-c8cVsXQ_zddrnYUe9X/s1600/Carrara+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaMxkhA-urAX7ZolqbfM7mB4eiCdDRiuMTRA8tjYxD3kppXK0fHL4rC3_6wPF6CZa54DSqS3s4Oea93hmrT4FMAvbCCbQF4PSufRd8HI9utW6MS-RpacNwId3v-c8cVsXQ_zddrnYUe9X/s640/Carrara+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrara</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszgUBOK3dks0vMU-VT7k4aTxMoS1pPTPmPgF6j_I_T4FuNGjXRNWjVxFEFJ7Cf1ltS2Wm0xrmjq5ELMnKKj3ojYNoGEpwBYPumJ2k4Rj77Pjhnj03W7if4j3vvZ9npsC8X2OD075MQtVv/s1600/Carrara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszgUBOK3dks0vMU-VT7k4aTxMoS1pPTPmPgF6j_I_T4FuNGjXRNWjVxFEFJ7Cf1ltS2Wm0xrmjq5ELMnKKj3ojYNoGEpwBYPumJ2k4Rj77Pjhnj03W7if4j3vvZ9npsC8X2OD075MQtVv/s640/Carrara.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrara</td></tr>
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Carrara is another town as sleepy and mellow as Pontedera but some part of the town looks new. The train station is small and on the train, when you almost reach Carrara, you can see the dramatic fog-drenched peaks of the Apuan Alps where the marble quarry is.<br />
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Now, if anyone of you reading this post is planning to visit the quarry as well, heed this advice: get a cab or a car! It is THAT far. In theory, you can take a bus up until certain point and then continue on foot for a few miles (as was advised to us by the Tourist Office). However, this bus that you're supposed to take, it keeps irregular hours. I'm still unsure if my understanding is correct, but I understand there is one that leaves the bus terminal at 2:30pm and then strangely, the next one leaves at 6:00pm. We missed the former and since the quarry closes at 6:00pm we decided to just <i>(drumroll, please)</i> walk our way up, thinking it wasn't that far.<br />
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Boy, were we wrong!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh2qCizTvNvVdTSATlpziMqzdRqPGC-5RsNtkxee2PfQKvNLuUHMw_Fs0HYQTDQFHG_6A_BuzeQq-OS3Gcze3-jT_j2XwBdYiyREU0uy-6SRtgrvF0QdwuLUhQYq1T7ATY4eD7Z_5fwFP/s1600/Carrara+Marble+Quarry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVh2qCizTvNvVdTSATlpziMqzdRqPGC-5RsNtkxee2PfQKvNLuUHMw_Fs0HYQTDQFHG_6A_BuzeQq-OS3Gcze3-jT_j2XwBdYiyREU0uy-6SRtgrvF0QdwuLUhQYq1T7ATY4eD7Z_5fwFP/s640/Carrara+Marble+Quarry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That bridge is more than a hundred years old</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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What followed next were miles and miles of steep uphill country road, snaking in between woods and small villages at the foot of the mountain all the way up to the quarry. I swear we crossed several different villages on our way up. At times, we thought we were just going to give up, not sure if we were even heading in the right direction but we persevered until finally we reached the quarry.....and the last tour just LEFT!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Holy %$^&! All this and for nothing?!</span></b></div>
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Luckily, the tour operator, in a decision that was probably driven by 30% business sense, 70% kindness, and definitely 100% pity said, if there were more people coming in the next 10 mins, they would be willing to conduct one more tour. <i>We'll take it!</i> So we waited <strike>im</strike>patiently, hoping and praying that someone would show up and dramatically, a couple of people did at the last minute and before we knew it, we found ourselves riding in the van going inside the tunnel to the quarry!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>HALLELUJAH!!</b></span></div>
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It was amazing to be inside a room that was all made out of marble. ALL OF IT. The floor, the walls, the columns, the ceiling, they were all marble. How fancy!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8fIJwOGhTeOW-sRfGLmHP_2jjTsITYAaYbKfBaQHk0PNQdyp8NcmDDH8BteVXBtJG-Rz93w169ts2aU4SBXp-KPY9rPcETxJ0Vk5JE2Ne_g1ULiucC6ATSJlNQS9e47iYV5n-xNexrLu/s1600/Inside+Carrara+Marble+Quarry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge8fIJwOGhTeOW-sRfGLmHP_2jjTsITYAaYbKfBaQHk0PNQdyp8NcmDDH8BteVXBtJG-Rz93w169ts2aU4SBXp-KPY9rPcETxJ0Vk5JE2Ne_g1ULiucC6ATSJlNQS9e47iYV5n-xNexrLu/s640/Inside+Carrara+Marble+Quarry.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside Carrara Marble Quarry</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Day 7</span></u></b><br />
This was our last day in Italy and we intended to just take it slow. We hit up Livorno in the morning, taking in the surreally beautiful Terrazza Mascagni for as long as we could (I got these funny tan lines from my sandals for being in the sun too long), enjoying a slice of pizza, a panino, a gelato, and a mint granita at one of the shops by the seaside, and sightseeing around town by bus. We then got home early and started packing that night.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZewFKNQHSItIQFsqv3UE3vZweqsKUxd5CROIndgJ6AG1CNkOqx2b2Zyss-A69qzuGvylHF9k7S2QqWXU3SpZ8Pbya6UelbSaHXDiB9S4w23X7I6YwqlxbxBSLKPd_1jr0q1xmU7Uc-I7J/s1600/Livorno%2527s+Seaside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZewFKNQHSItIQFsqv3UE3vZweqsKUxd5CROIndgJ6AG1CNkOqx2b2Zyss-A69qzuGvylHF9k7S2QqWXU3SpZ8Pbya6UelbSaHXDiB9S4w23X7I6YwqlxbxBSLKPd_1jr0q1xmU7Uc-I7J/s640/Livorno%2527s+Seaside.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Livorno's seaside</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8cenIWcBVl7SK1I140hPfIb8GiGgYSoQpUXePBy3ipepgHahWPhUuuRz6gcsJIKfHCcSXYUXN7uaTwdZVh983FmGmqS1VrfI1_NWh97-Fd9d4-nEwke3WQWOz7T6GD_DV100aJrucbCH/s1600/Terrazza+Mascagni.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW8cenIWcBVl7SK1I140hPfIb8GiGgYSoQpUXePBy3ipepgHahWPhUuuRz6gcsJIKfHCcSXYUXN7uaTwdZVh983FmGmqS1VrfI1_NWh97-Fd9d4-nEwke3WQWOz7T6GD_DV100aJrucbCH/s640/Terrazza+Mascagni.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The surreal view of Terrazza Mascagni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><u><span style="font-size: large;">Day 8</span></u></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8Z0kN9OVkYbPcHbNbEzsbbw6s7ovgJc6nQrJSV7mjyIjJ8DnTsH8rUP3B5u56FqsPEI3k5IWZPhoOXVcFgKrd3gKJX_-BvUluKa4ghUErkn6joI6HhKBV6_8aWW5xVeiy8Xf6zvy2Ry_/s1600/Aerial+Pisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu8Z0kN9OVkYbPcHbNbEzsbbw6s7ovgJc6nQrJSV7mjyIjJ8DnTsH8rUP3B5u56FqsPEI3k5IWZPhoOXVcFgKrd3gKJX_-BvUluKa4ghUErkn6joI6HhKBV6_8aWW5xVeiy8Xf6zvy2Ry_/s640/Aerial+Pisa.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aerial Pisa. Can you spot the Leaning Tower complex?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We bid adieu to Italy and arrived in Istanbul just in time for our sunset walking tour. I booked the one from <a href="http://mytouristanbul.com/">Arif Yasa Tour</a> and I highly recommend them because their guides are registered (our guide wore his license around his neck). You can leave your belongings in the car with the driver while you walk around town (I didn't have to do this but I've read about someone else who did and everything was alright), and you don't have to pay a single cent until after the tour concludes.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizROerjCwbMJbUNUUNQMNTOnL6TaYrczTj2ZCvKVdeIy9OmH0EoPau3FYVaHyQZcWcnfPNh98UE8PoUTUIZaVy2v3FSZpGl5gRx7RDhRTjo-_26-LRMb7_1UcxpfOKGR3ZlJIA4M6h-Fqm/s1600/Blue+Mosque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizROerjCwbMJbUNUUNQMNTOnL6TaYrczTj2ZCvKVdeIy9OmH0EoPau3FYVaHyQZcWcnfPNh98UE8PoUTUIZaVy2v3FSZpGl5gRx7RDhRTjo-_26-LRMb7_1UcxpfOKGR3ZlJIA4M6h-Fqm/s640/Blue+Mosque.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Mosque</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So anyway, the driver picked us up from the airport and delivered us to the Sultanahmet district where Erkan, our guide met us. He was an amicable guy and told us all these interesting stories about Istanbul as he took us around town. At one point he told us about the origin of the word 'porn' and joked that it was the National Holiday of Porn in Turkey that day. You just don't joke about this kind of thing, Erkan. You got all my hopes up and for what, nothing? ;-><br />
<br />
Anyway, he took us to all these cool places, let us go shopping for jewelry at the Grand Bazaar, brought us to the spice market to get some turkish delights, helped me got a couple of tulip tea glasses, and at various points hand-fed us stuffed mussels and mulberries fresh off the tree (they were yummy!).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVcaaJRdp7MVwRJX04AuT9bwYeyxdt4Nh5SK9Z1f7Ixfc3dgra_Pne53U2pQ3nTTTnCE1c_eFNj41FjlVaw7Kog9sbDZK-CpMHD6gPtrSXv7ZzStJr03tEHlC8S1Ht7AIti7fhMhGxnyV/s1600/Istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBVcaaJRdp7MVwRJX04AuT9bwYeyxdt4Nh5SK9Z1f7Ixfc3dgra_Pne53U2pQ3nTTTnCE1c_eFNj41FjlVaw7Kog9sbDZK-CpMHD6gPtrSXv7ZzStJr03tEHlC8S1Ht7AIti7fhMhGxnyV/s640/Istanbul.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Istanbul trip in a nutshell</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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After crossing the strait to the Asian side and a short walk along the promenade at Uskudar to watch the sunset, he took us to Kadikoy, an area that was buzzing with a hipster feeling to it. He specifically took us to this restaurant serving homemade Turkish cuisine (I later found out this restaurant is famous) called Ciya Sofrasi. He chose all the dishes for us and I must say I was not disappointed. They were delicious. I especially love these stuffed eggplants and this leafy green dip with some pomegranate in it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx6Swp4g_wMdKDXkx9vxcyCvmIj4MD66AnVKeL-m-r2NysX1qoEbSWSFSBl1nZVQWdDkB-FJD_MmfyI4sZDzpBpplP9pB7SIcn9YCktXbS6c2rAYf3Vmso5coy9yVee9E744PAW9D_-lO/s1600/Dinner+in+Istanbul.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx6Swp4g_wMdKDXkx9vxcyCvmIj4MD66AnVKeL-m-r2NysX1qoEbSWSFSBl1nZVQWdDkB-FJD_MmfyI4sZDzpBpplP9pB7SIcn9YCktXbS6c2rAYf3Vmso5coy9yVee9E744PAW9D_-lO/s640/Dinner+in+Istanbul.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The restaurant where we had our dinner</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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By the time we finished dinner, it was already about 10:00pm. We crossed the strait back to the European side where the driver had been waiting to take us back to the airport and said goodbye to Erkan.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRB2H5QDn-6lsphF9H614FNHc2GP57xYVMKeCMsGfsJsDMVFLgtWYrcZXPiD8nNGHfbikmw9C0fLuyeHqPEzdpliBfZX1kmFCxEWOTfeK9n6GmkTzuTsH4_63qwF-oo0yRTtOGDvPWACl/s1600/Full+Moon+Rising.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRB2H5QDn-6lsphF9H614FNHc2GP57xYVMKeCMsGfsJsDMVFLgtWYrcZXPiD8nNGHfbikmw9C0fLuyeHqPEzdpliBfZX1kmFCxEWOTfeK9n6GmkTzuTsH4_63qwF-oo0yRTtOGDvPWACl/s640/Full+Moon+Rising.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Full moon rising</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The tour went beyond my expectation as we got to see so many things within such a short time. Sadly, I underestimated the budget that we were scrambling for Turkish Lira towards the end of the tour. I just didn't expect I would be in the mood to purchase so many things since we'd only got a few hours in the city.<br />
<br />
Anyway, that concludes our holiday. Even until now I still can't believe I finally got to go to Italy and even better, I got to see Istanbul as well which was something unplanned. To say I'm incredibly grateful for everything is an understatement =)<br />
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Wish you a great summer!<br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><i>Rush Bijoux</i></b></span>Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-24489485849121791612015-04-13T21:43:00.001-07:002015-04-13T21:43:10.625-07:00Spring in Singapore 2015I've lived near the equator my whole life so the concept of four seasons has practically eluded me. But for the past few years, I've become more acquainted to it for no obvious reason. I just started noticing the changes around me each season; temperature rising up, certain fruits and veggies showing up on groceries' aisles; flowers blooming; you know, these sorts of things.<br />
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Anyway, we are entering Spring now and I can't help but notice how beautiful my surroundings get. My daily morning walk to work has become more enjoyable because of this. I especially love the blue sky and the blooming trees, take a look!<br />
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<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-13730585968804372832015-02-09T07:43:00.003-08:002015-02-09T07:43:30.540-08:00Blissful Things : Weekend Getaway February 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKapEUjj9bI22PTYcDCsUTF_Ov_Y6TTdcrcQrq_mzwTWNmz_q82s2V9-r-V34XzSHf1fM13ijnCarZel02iBg9atd9uuIAJNfadHbgocQvrRJMMzRsHtniVXLU9LA8SyoOqNvKHFuwmIBF/s1600/Banyan+Tree+Bintan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKapEUjj9bI22PTYcDCsUTF_Ov_Y6TTdcrcQrq_mzwTWNmz_q82s2V9-r-V34XzSHf1fM13ijnCarZel02iBg9atd9uuIAJNfadHbgocQvrRJMMzRsHtniVXLU9LA8SyoOqNvKHFuwmIBF/s1600/Banyan+Tree+Bintan.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b>Destination: Bintan, Indonesia</b><br />
<b>Stayed at: Banyan Tree Resort</b><br />
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Clockwise from top left:<br />
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<b>1. SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50</b> - State-of-the-art tinted sunscreen<br />
<b>2. Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream</b> - Moisturizer for sensitive skin<br />
<b>3. Bioderma Photoderm Max SPF 50+</b> - Sunscreen for the body<br />
<b>4. Lancome Hypnose Doll Eyes mascara</b><br />
<b>5. Burberry Fresh Glow in Pink Peony</b> - Great cheek stain for that transparent look, feels cool on skin when applied<br />
<b>6. Kai Perfume Oil</b> - Fresh frangipani scent for that island feel<br />
<b>7. Ban.do Twist Scarf in Black & White Polkadot</b> - Keeps flyaways in check in windy situation<br />
<b>8. Soap & Glory A Great Kisser lip balm in Chocolate Cherry </b>- More like a solid lipgloss, again for that transparent look<br />
<b>9. Marc Jacobs sunglasses</b><br />
<b>10. Havaianas Slim 2014 Fruits</b> - I'm a Havaianas convert. They're so soft!<br />
<b>11. H&M leopard print beach dress</b> - A total must have in a hot climateRush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-5553513411697171982014-07-05T14:46:00.001-07:002014-07-06T01:23:16.505-07:00Travel Report : Jakarta Weekend GetawayI went to Jakarta for a short getaway last April and had a very lovely, relaxing time there. I've been wanting to share it ever since so this post is very much long overdue.<br />
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So...Jakarta. This capital city of Indonesia is often overlooked in the tourism game. It doesn't offer scenic vistas, it's not a shopping mecca (despite what the tourism board has been trying to tell you), and outside the many newly-minted mega shopping malls and the extravagant and towering buildings in the CBD, the people speak poor to downright non-existent English. I don't blame potential tourists for giving it a pass in favor for Bali or....okay, just Bali.<br />
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Established in the 4th century (yes, that is not a typo, 4th, single digit!), it has gone several transformations and endured so many regime changes and as a result, becomes so richly steeped in history.
(Fun fact: Do you know that Audrey Hepburn's parents got married in
Jakarta? Her mother even lived there for some time during her first
marriage, she had her first two sons there.) But that's a topic for another post.<br />
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So, back to my weekend getaway last April, my intention was to just relax. I got my ticket from Air Asia and booked a room at Hotel Ciputra. I chose this hotel because it's fairly close to the airport and has a mall attached to it. This mall (and the hotel) was once one of the most popular hangouts in Jakarta. It's lost its charm for some people and as a result, is not as crowded as some of the new places. You wouldn't typically find pretentious upper class youngsters there which is quite simply the basis of its appeal. Instead, you'll more likely to come across middle to lower working class taking their dates or families for dinner. It's a slice of life, no gimmicks or the latest and greatest. It's really nice to just enjoy your time and blend in the background as life goes by around you.<br />
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I honestly forgot how much I paid for the room, maybe around $200 for 2 nights? This hotel and the mall attached to it have been around for quite some time so you shouldn't expect something exceedingly grand. I arrived at around 11am (check in time 2pm) but I was allowed to check in right away. I read somewhere that some of the room had just been renovated. Here's my room:<br />
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I loved it. My favorite part must be the full-height glass window overlooking the vast horizon of Jakarta's residential neighborhoods. Not many tall buildings in sight, no claustrophobic feeling! These are some photos of the view taken from my room. Isn't the sky so upliftingly vast and blue? On our second day, there were even fluffy white clouds floating in the air.<br />
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Here's the view at night. I've always loved looking at city lights, especially well past midnight when most people are sleeping. I really can't help it, it's like clockwork. I'd find myself up at 2 am, clicking away with my camera.<br />
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Once I got settled in, the only thing I did was eat, eat, and eat some more! I just popped in to the mall which was connected to the hotel and had a truckload of food there. Here's what I got:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bakso Sapi Kuah : Beef Meatball Soup with some greens</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0CAs4WfkDSIVZipxkku23LAfOZ93fzhyphenhyphenSDPUs6QyLCNKFYUvAckQKtijP0cHGMbTwyo5PC_TOeFUFsGZO61wTENWmOTcNudIONxqBwxNQtAVFmNiJGXgxR5BHl6eW7GcN0M3-Z-EaR8j/s1600/Bakmi+Gang+Kelinci+-+Butter+Fried+Chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk0CAs4WfkDSIVZipxkku23LAfOZ93fzhyphenhyphenSDPUs6QyLCNKFYUvAckQKtijP0cHGMbTwyo5PC_TOeFUFsGZO61wTENWmOTcNudIONxqBwxNQtAVFmNiJGXgxR5BHl6eW7GcN0M3-Z-EaR8j/s1600/Bakmi+Gang+Kelinci+-+Butter+Fried+Chicken.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ayam Goreng Mentega : Fried chicken in sweet and tangy butter sauce</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-xGI54gTsYOrad4ZDVtlRQHDLOAS-jFn_msup0oOCIaqIPsiEJqATIKsacQMGALuYR4pc4nwmNYzRQ22S4UGfBfd6_fBua5wfoNyXgDJsZLnor7O893V6OWQFQukEqqhz1S4ZVFLcx_9/s1600/Bakmi+Gang+Kelinci+-+Mie+Ayam+Jamur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ-xGI54gTsYOrad4ZDVtlRQHDLOAS-jFn_msup0oOCIaqIPsiEJqATIKsacQMGALuYR4pc4nwmNYzRQ22S4UGfBfd6_fBua5wfoNyXgDJsZLnor7O893V6OWQFQukEqqhz1S4ZVFLcx_9/s1600/Bakmi+Gang+Kelinci+-+Mie+Ayam+Jamur.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mie Ayam Jamur : Dry chicken noodle with Mushroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHjW3J7IiCXnM2K3ktOYaB14qL6H6rIDLzDwkFWtAUHsQ17xlR2mD9JBOuPZcIWNXFHK64vrpaI21FkwVV1b-Lnh1EstgsvwrLWdjrb2G_ZC90Ct7Tx7cN5jkAKpwe_d1Wy8W3WahlENa/s1600/Bakso+Malang+Karapitan+-+Chicken+Noodle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHjW3J7IiCXnM2K3ktOYaB14qL6H6rIDLzDwkFWtAUHsQ17xlR2mD9JBOuPZcIWNXFHK64vrpaI21FkwVV1b-Lnh1EstgsvwrLWdjrb2G_ZC90Ct7Tx7cN5jkAKpwe_d1Wy8W3WahlENa/s1600/Bakso+Malang+Karapitan+-+Chicken+Noodle.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mie Yamin Manis : Dry chicken noodle in sweet sauce</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3925-TgdQEn6_PRMC5T_-XJLOJXfuDZwjTdpgtpyL7dX159o-lHL13BBohln4uZN9kdjhV1fbvkDJZX7zXW-cqP1b9FpXVCCl6ek578z9d3HnC6KOAoB6FKHf7DduuCmDK7p9nKZFMYT/s1600/Bakso+Malang+Karapitan+-+Complete+Mixed+Bowl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3925-TgdQEn6_PRMC5T_-XJLOJXfuDZwjTdpgtpyL7dX159o-lHL13BBohln4uZN9kdjhV1fbvkDJZX7zXW-cqP1b9FpXVCCl6ek578z9d3HnC6KOAoB6FKHf7DduuCmDK7p9nKZFMYT/s1600/Bakso+Malang+Karapitan+-+Complete+Mixed+Bowl.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bakso Malang Komplit : Mixed Meatball Soup</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHYPTH2jhK33yHbaQlP4nvaa_PcXT-tiu4T24H11vS1VdwzHWEZwJoeBv79FVW0V4T94gVoolGNeQkEwrMmkMc2b8SoCwNe3mU3Yw7QVOcRryHUNgXLqhBGI4YfDsufkyM5evmF06IRy5/s1600/Bakso+Malang+Karapitan+-+Es+Teler.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiHYPTH2jhK33yHbaQlP4nvaa_PcXT-tiu4T24H11vS1VdwzHWEZwJoeBv79FVW0V4T94gVoolGNeQkEwrMmkMc2b8SoCwNe3mU3Yw7QVOcRryHUNgXLqhBGI4YfDsufkyM5evmF06IRy5/s1600/Bakso+Malang+Karapitan+-+Es+Teler.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Es Teler: Dessert made of ice, young coconut strips, avocado, jackfruit, and sweet condensed milk</td></tr>
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There's also a supermarket so you can stock up your hotel room with snacks and drinks minus the exorbitant price. (Warning though, the door connecting the hotel to the mall will be locked after 10pm or something and you'll have to go out of the mall and climb an external staircase to get back to the hotel. This is crazy, I don't see why they can't station a guard there instead of locking it, tourists who don't speak Indonesian may freak out!)<br />
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The room fare included a daily breakfast buffet which is held in Hotel Ciputra's restaurant called "The Gallery". Again, no crazy huge selections but the ones that they did offer, I enjoyed them thoroughly.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fluffy and moist scrambled eggs</td></tr>
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Look at the fluffy and moist scrambled eggs. Do not underestimate the ability of cooks in third world countries to whip you up some mean eggs dishes. I've had some of the best eggs I've ever had in various hotels in South East Asia. I once ordered poached egg in Surabaya, expecting to be served just a solitary poached egg when the cook delivered two perfectly poached eggs served on a bed of English muffin to my table yet a cook manning the eggs station in Swissotel Singapore overcooked my scrambled eggs to the point where smoke was fuming out of the skillet like crazy while I looked in horror (Granted, he could've been a trainee, but still?!)<br />
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Eggs station is usually the highlight of my breakfast but not this time. You see, I was craving some chicken porridge, which is one of the traditional breakfast food in Indonesia. In residential neighborhoods this is not something that's hard to come by but when you're staying in a rather upscale area, it's usually quite hard to get some. Luckily Hotel Ciputra serves two local food items everyday and they had chicken porridge that day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious traditional Indonesian chicken porridge</td></tr>
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Funny story, I can't count how many times I came across chicken porridge or other local food items served as part of the breakfast buffet when I stayed in a hotel during vacation when I was younger, and I never once regarded them as legitimate. I'd usually dismiss them for being too 'clean' and soul-less, and therefore not as tasty as their sold-on-the-street counterpart. Yet there I was, gobbling up every last morsel of the chicken porridge with my spoon, bowl after bowl like a woman possessed. I can't help but wonder, though, was it really that good or has my taste changed so much that chicken porridge in a fancy hotel could taste so good?<br />
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I noticed something, though. Chicken porridge is something you have to put together yourself because otherwise the ingredients would become soggy, so the hotel will usually just prepare all the ingredients on the table and guests are left to their own devices to concoct the porridge as they desire. This might not be an issue if the guests are familiar with the dish but how about foreign tourists who may not know what to do with those things? They might miss the chance to sample this delicious dish!<br />
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I think it would be good if hotels could put up some kind of explanation about the dish and all the ingredients to educate clueless guests on how to whip themselves up some mean traditional Indonesian chicken porridge. Until then, I took the liberty to do the educating by putting up a crash course:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>TRADITIONAL INDONESIAN CHICKEN PORRIDGE</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>What it is:</b></u></span> Indonesian chicken porridge is one of the most popular breakfast food in Indonesia. It is typically sold in the morning by street vendors in residential neighborhood.<br />
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<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">The ingredients:</span></b></u> The dish consists of a base, which is rice porridge that has been cooked with chicken bones to add some flavor to it and may be lightly salted, and the toppings, which are to be added into the individual bowl right before serving.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3Y7bYvtuVB2D_1n4h1W_qF_eVkS6yf9kwzfDnONwYohCOwxMP570v8uxU-_IbsGO7unjdopFqudPiSRckOVA0k_ksnUuI83kpCmMVwQosVfzNMn94RbcPbcLcGVh2cYw4ygJQtqa2mA2/s1600/Hotel+Ciputra+-+Breakfast+Buffet+-+Chicken+Porridge+-+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3Y7bYvtuVB2D_1n4h1W_qF_eVkS6yf9kwzfDnONwYohCOwxMP570v8uxU-_IbsGO7unjdopFqudPiSRckOVA0k_ksnUuI83kpCmMVwQosVfzNMn94RbcPbcLcGVh2cYw4ygJQtqa2mA2/s1600/Hotel+Ciputra+-+Breakfast+Buffet+-+Chicken+Porridge+-+6.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flavorsome porridge</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>How to make:</b></u></span> Simply drop a blob of porridge using a ladle and then put all the toppings and condiments on top. There are no specific sequence for adding the toppings and condiments in which to follow but general rule of thumb is, items with softer texture go first and slowly work your way to the crunchiest, for obvious reason. For example, here's how I made mine:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSkExro-z_ypwH8rbZtHKqaUeGJ7d9XxHq6LSiTve_rzF32NvdSI_jLJE5l5tqEuf8h60nWjTAvbYWIZC3mWQwNJC_6wJq5qGEEdok8H9tiiX9673KFrOm_SL9HXJpjzQvrN2b6tZSGJH/s1600/Hotel+Ciputra+-+Breakfast+Buffet+-+Chicken+Porridge+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSkExro-z_ypwH8rbZtHKqaUeGJ7d9XxHq6LSiTve_rzF32NvdSI_jLJE5l5tqEuf8h60nWjTAvbYWIZC3mWQwNJC_6wJq5qGEEdok8H9tiiX9673KFrOm_SL9HXJpjzQvrN2b6tZSGJH/s1600/Hotel+Ciputra+-+Breakfast+Buffet+-+Chicken+Porridge+-+5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Array of Toppings & Condiments</td></tr>
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1. Drop a blob of porridge about 1/3 of your bowl.<br />
2. Add drizzle of salty soy sauce (there will be usually two types of soy sauce provided - the sweet and the salty one - look for one with thinner consistency between the two. It is concentrated so don't use too much, 1 tsp is about enough.<br />
3. Add about 1/2 - 1 tsp of chili sauce for some kick followed by chopped parsley<br />
4. Add 1 tsp spring onion<br />
5. Add 1 tsp chopped Chinese-style preserved radish (this has texture and taste similiar to pickles only not as wet)<br />
6. Add about 1 tbsp (heaped) sliced cakwe (pronounced chuck-weh, a Chinese fried dough)<br />
7. Add the shredded chicken<br />
8. Add quail eggs (you can have up to 3 pcs)<br />
9. Add 1 tsp fried soy nuts<br />
10. Add 1 tsp fried wonton skin (Note: Although there are some vendors that include fried wonton skin in their toppings, it is not really a common ingredient in this chicken porridge)<br />
11. Add 1/2 tsp fried shallots<br />
12. Lightly drizzle some sweet soy sauce on top of all the toppings as if you're marrying all the ingredients together. The sweetness of the soy sauce will also help counteract the heat from the chili<br />
13. Put some melinjo crackers (you can crack them lightly into smaller pieces if you like) as the final touch<br />
14. Start eating! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bQa21QU23g_CPu4c1X2Mxi0WuaszV15XKfBS2odDam4XWEQEaa0apgjMs1cmb8cAIh1STmNfhvw-D4tg2KPDdBdU3-b-AFMPx06wd7o0iDQjoeC9n1K3uN2Cn-P9HrvilnRdFqzpgi_p/s1600/Hotel+Ciputra+-+Breakfast+Buffet+-+Chicken+Porridge+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-bQa21QU23g_CPu4c1X2Mxi0WuaszV15XKfBS2odDam4XWEQEaa0apgjMs1cmb8cAIh1STmNfhvw-D4tg2KPDdBdU3-b-AFMPx06wd7o0iDQjoeC9n1K3uN2Cn-P9HrvilnRdFqzpgi_p/s1600/Hotel+Ciputra+-+Breakfast+Buffet+-+Chicken+Porridge+-+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>How to eat:</b></u></span> Again, there are no hard and fast rules to eating chicken porridge but people would usually mix all the ingredients together lightly before eating. Some people mix the whole bowl together at once, other people mix only a mouthful for each spoon. You'll get an explosion of flavor and texture in every spoonful: salty, sweet, hot, chewy, smooth, herby, crunchy; you name it, it got it!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzAPzzhBZP6RW3v0VJEQw-EiL-35CI5P8M1dke3raNCsEIyygz4huc2xUWc1SqwMUvVidkYzKG9T-lIxBLxx6WSaj3kA3ANKN6Xl6QLJQYMC5XgdIOIH1I9P5gfvbI5TtR5IcnAZ8Y2am/s1600/Hotel+Ciputra+-+Breakfast+Buffet+-+Chicken+Porridge+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCzAPzzhBZP6RW3v0VJEQw-EiL-35CI5P8M1dke3raNCsEIyygz4huc2xUWc1SqwMUvVidkYzKG9T-lIxBLxx6WSaj3kA3ANKN6Xl6QLJQYMC5XgdIOIH1I9P5gfvbI5TtR5IcnAZ8Y2am/s1600/Hotel+Ciputra+-+Breakfast+Buffet+-+Chicken+Porridge+-+4.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mix 'em before you eat 'em</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I also took the time to go to Bekasi, a town in the outskirt of Jakarta about 45 minutes by car if traffic is good. I grew up in this town and my family still lives there. They took me to see this new mixed property development on the other part of town that we seldom visit. I thought I barely knew the area but then things suddenly looked familiar and I just realized I spent quite a lot of time there when I was in high school for tutoring and extracurricular activities. Funny how I had never thought about those times in 10 years and it all came rushing down on me within seconds and suddenly, it's like I never left.<br />
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The development of course had a mall. It is unbelievable and quite eerie how glam the new mall is considering how quite Bekasi was when I grew up. Naturally, we went to the food court. They had this food court where they literally gathered various street food vendors with their original carts to sell the food on the premises. So many food, so little time. Here's what I got:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsrgA1ZOEeiQsggqZgJE1NzWt8tVnmQf3wJTs-UIWwtz8S8BZQt9_SY5DQM4DTaatOK90YB6m1b3FubzZ2diGfLOhzvWjHGni3vxOPsCTsRsVaBWSDOuT_XY5n9FAkf3_rRaqriqE4fXS/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Mie+Kocok+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsrgA1ZOEeiQsggqZgJE1NzWt8tVnmQf3wJTs-UIWwtz8S8BZQt9_SY5DQM4DTaatOK90YB6m1b3FubzZ2diGfLOhzvWjHGni3vxOPsCTsRsVaBWSDOuT_XY5n9FAkf3_rRaqriqE4fXS/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Mie+Kocok+-+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mie Kocok (Noodle with Beef Cartilage in Clear Broth) and White Kerupuk</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHBT3XIMiE6CBEkQpYOkYeZIGZIm8nqyEK9WqwWYEbHaezndZsO-MRNlnWpTHFuoR7ajfA2r8DzJYXx-ztluW9ntY9dQB8udLn7LAI4eQuHs90MrJNBYwCkIFVLeMep7ilBIeAem-kxiu/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Mie+Kocok+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHBT3XIMiE6CBEkQpYOkYeZIGZIm8nqyEK9WqwWYEbHaezndZsO-MRNlnWpTHFuoR7ajfA2r8DzJYXx-ztluW9ntY9dQB8udLn7LAI4eQuHs90MrJNBYwCkIFVLeMep7ilBIeAem-kxiu/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Mie+Kocok+-+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mie Kocok: A Sundanese (an ethnic group in West Java) specialty, literally means Shaken Noodle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZyafDM8DljNBWhdHfwY58TT4GSNn_2Vzgo5pfuIQmsWk6LJB2j8aIT1gm8zENPXsKxy_iKeUBiZJNCB36koGEDs2nsobkKW-ghR6GKXjYOHrA42WH27RSWlwtu1xgxfkmFST-2oAYfk1/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Cireng.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ZyafDM8DljNBWhdHfwY58TT4GSNn_2Vzgo5pfuIQmsWk6LJB2j8aIT1gm8zENPXsKxy_iKeUBiZJNCB36koGEDs2nsobkKW-ghR6GKXjYOHrA42WH27RSWlwtu1xgxfkmFST-2oAYfk1/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Cireng.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cireng: Fried Glutinous Flour</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6KC2pCH6FNd2Q6PuwdI76hT1mZssk4bYgpbPjRmcwET1bJ0h_6NQVsez8USiVHCm9z2hiLuomQTEi9Yi4CrSnjEnS2SvIIIV2-kjL8iSRdlQ9B6r_K8bcys4Jh4aIRtEQus2h6SK11mR/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Kerak+Telor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz6KC2pCH6FNd2Q6PuwdI76hT1mZssk4bYgpbPjRmcwET1bJ0h_6NQVsez8USiVHCm9z2hiLuomQTEi9Yi4CrSnjEnS2SvIIIV2-kjL8iSRdlQ9B6r_K8bcys4Jh4aIRtEQus2h6SK11mR/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Kerak+Telor.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerak Telor: Some kind of omelet with crunchy rice and sweet shredded coconut topping</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5meBvobW9p1hYtGV8UqIITZQ4HO4jd29bWU3j_01DlbKBLAMitAOOtRJViCKmjDBCWBJV5EfU9Gt3UwBUE-66iyot0046dRxeh9WKeiD0qnExwmisKF-ilP3oi7L4OJpVp3YYzalxt3KH/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Nasi+Uduk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5meBvobW9p1hYtGV8UqIITZQ4HO4jd29bWU3j_01DlbKBLAMitAOOtRJViCKmjDBCWBJV5EfU9Gt3UwBUE-66iyot0046dRxeh9WKeiD0qnExwmisKF-ilP3oi7L4OJpVp3YYzalxt3KH/s1600/Sumarecon+Mall+Bekasi+-+Nasi+Uduk.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasi Uduk: fragrant rice with fried tempe, tofu, chicken intestines, and 'Kampung' chicken</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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On my way back to Singapore, I managed to sneak in time to eat one last bowl of Indonesian meatball soup. I don't know why but these lately I find myself to be quite crazy about meatballs every time I'm back in Indonesia.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1ADgecfWf3bs2dR2YLrv5mEDXgZprTXjx2n1OseKRVaa1pG0yv7fuWG1bqNTPZEuk9Y-so9xC7A05RqKBkj0BCBMVw-fhjMwl1d0ffD-PQjz2yL6E8THLi_5ACu4CFt8ig-G50xat_X3/s1600/Random+Bakso+Malang+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1ADgecfWf3bs2dR2YLrv5mEDXgZprTXjx2n1OseKRVaa1pG0yv7fuWG1bqNTPZEuk9Y-so9xC7A05RqKBkj0BCBMVw-fhjMwl1d0ffD-PQjz2yL6E8THLi_5ACu4CFt8ig-G50xat_X3/s1600/Random+Bakso+Malang+-+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bakso Malang Campur : Mixed meatball soup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMr96EfFIMQQp71rG6mDpZgB_F3uL4E7B1Xg_Vie6-UwrikAhfXv3tB8sxmnjiOcje2_51Q6VRSpzM5rwx9TNdirXhlPQVQT_72NW_B25mXjlc5BeNxgufF9SYSwM-U-e40URUBUFmNPD/s1600/Random+Bakso+Malang+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMr96EfFIMQQp71rG6mDpZgB_F3uL4E7B1Xg_Vie6-UwrikAhfXv3tB8sxmnjiOcje2_51Q6VRSpzM5rwx9TNdirXhlPQVQT_72NW_B25mXjlc5BeNxgufF9SYSwM-U-e40URUBUFmNPD/s1600/Random+Bakso+Malang+-+2.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bakso Malang Campur</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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So there you have it, a weekend in Jakarta done the nice, easy, and slow way with nothing but good food, people-watching, and a whole lotta relaxing. If you're the type that doesn't care about impressing your gazillian Facebook friends and Twitter followers, and you're a respectful tourist who just wants to go low-pro and soak up various cultures, and if you appreciate good food and accommodation in a bargain, then Jakarta could be the place for you. If you need some pointers or recommendations, please feel free to email me or drop them in the comment section, I'll do my best to answer your queries ;-)<br />
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<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-62497139996464059732014-06-02T01:26:00.001-07:002014-06-02T01:28:45.430-07:00Blissful Things : June 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This has got to be the most eclectic Blissful Things entry so far. I seriously cannot think of a theme that ties all of these items together other than the fact that I heart them all. Clockwise from top left corner:<br />
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<b>1. Jersey dresses from H&M.</b> I have no idea how else I would've survived Singapore's scorching hot weather without these.<br />
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<b>2. OPI Nail Envy + Essie Allure.</b> I'm on a break from nail polish madness and this combo has been my go-to pick for producing a look that says "these nails are mine but better".<br />
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<b>3.LeSportsac basic backpack.</b> I have one which pattern is similar to this one. It is both girly and sporty at the same time, of which I am neither. However, it has been so convenient to lug this thing around and be able to fit literally anything into it without having to deal with sore arm or shoulder that I think I'm sticking to this backpack for the time being. Until I can afford something much more stylish but equally practical, that is.<br />
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<b>4. Clinique Happy Heart.</b> I douse myself in this before leaving the house each morning. It has cucumber note which is fresh but also makes it a little bit masculine.<br />
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5. Entertainment-wise, I just can't get enough of <b>Brooklyn Nine-Nine</b> and every second that comes between me and the latest <b>Penny Dreadful</b> episode makes my heart ache. What can I say, I love Gothic horror (Also, <i>Hello</i>, Dr. Frankenstein!).<br />
As for music, I've also been listening to Beck's version of <b>David Bowie's Diamond Dogs</b> and <b>Ariana Grande's Problem</b> non-stop on my mp3 player.<br />
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<b>6. Chanel Les Beiges compact powder.</b> Love the glowing, natural finish of this product. It is however, very overpriced and the complimentary brush - while well-made - is rubbish.Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-31317228700038557752014-04-30T00:33:00.000-07:002014-05-04T19:17:18.080-07:00Senso Sunday Prosecco Brunch - A ReviewBack in February, during Chinese New Year this year, I wanted to celebrate a milestone in my journey of getting my life back on track. A buffet seemed appropriate, and I was feeling fancy so I decided I wanted an alcoholic brunch. The thing is, they are effing expensive. I was quite interested with the Champagne brunch at Ritz-Carlton but I thought I'd save it for later, when there really is a reason to be so extravagant.<br />
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Anyway, most Champagne brunches' prices go three digits these days so I was happy when I stumbled upon Senso's Sunday Prosecco brunch online. At $98++/pax, it was much more my pace.<br />
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Senso is an Italian restaurant that I'd never heard of until then. The fact that it is a stand-alone restaurant and not part of a hotel intrigued me. The location also intrigued me. It is located in a somewhat 'sleepy' street in Telok Ayer area. It takes up a row of shophouses and is actually more spacious than it looks.<br />
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So I called up to book a table a couple days beforehand and their staff called me on Sunday morning to confirm. So that morning my friend and I boarded the Downtown Line (Our first!) and alighted at Telok Ayer station.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmVO-6j2aZWNnhUxRM39-bCpLk-Cp1Ppo_0fMO3axc4BQJUPL4SfcYsS3KgNCBEYLFLiN257RB8eBi00r6OLlrmzWkdja2z9QcETJ0B291ODxm7pip54a_NCO41O8gLbf6lkkjAMJDRS9/s1600/Telok+Ayer+MRT+Station.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnmVO-6j2aZWNnhUxRM39-bCpLk-Cp1Ppo_0fMO3axc4BQJUPL4SfcYsS3KgNCBEYLFLiN257RB8eBi00r6OLlrmzWkdja2z9QcETJ0B291ODxm7pip54a_NCO41O8gLbf6lkkjAMJDRS9/s1600/Telok+Ayer+MRT+Station.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Telok Ayer MRT Station</td></tr>
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It was a short walk from there to Senso and we loved how mellow the area was. The restaurant's sign might be easy to miss because it's not too conspicuous but the place is actually not that hidden since it's facing an open field.<br />
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We walked in and found ourselves in some kind of a lobby. Very elegant and chic.<br />
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A man, whom I assumed was the <span data-dobid="hdw">maître d' then whisked us to our table which included walking around a small courtyard and into another building at the back. Other waiters were quick to get us to settle in, opening up the napkin and placing it onto your lap, helping hanging your purse by the table, and that sort of thing.</span><br />
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<span data-dobid="hdw">Then they poured us a glass of water and bubbly. They were supposed to have two options, the white or the </span>rosé prosecco but sadly they told us they were having issues with the rosé shipment so we acquiesced and got the white one.<br />
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<span data-dobid="hdw">Honestly, we were quite taken aback by the formal atmosphere of the place. All the waitstaff were dressed in pants and waistcoats and the </span><span data-dobid="hdw">maître d' was in a suit. And since it's unlike the usual buffet, we were a little bit unsure of what we should do after we got settled in. We could see the buffet spread but it was confined in another room and we weren't sure whether we were allowed to start eating yet.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtDZzPjoB08Qf8kYvNCBLT0YSOCvxmffYnjIJ5YTDrizMXoE6TEGwmisd5Zp70tve5SIMBxw72mYsdIXneVmCzuggbGkTaQ_UfU9Fu2fLCiHT031WEXWVGZDWdZ0a26feC_h16M4aUGYJ/s1600/IMG_20140209_132714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKtDZzPjoB08Qf8kYvNCBLT0YSOCvxmffYnjIJ5YTDrizMXoE6TEGwmisd5Zp70tve5SIMBxw72mYsdIXneVmCzuggbGkTaQ_UfU9Fu2fLCiHT031WEXWVGZDWdZ0a26feC_h16M4aUGYJ/s1600/IMG_20140209_132714.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buckets of Prosecco and the buffet spread in another room</td></tr>
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<span data-dobid="hdw"></span>
<span data-dobid="hdw">Thankfully, a waiter finally came over and upon realizing it was our first time there, he then explained the rules. Basically, all the food is set up buffet-style except for the mains, which we need to order. All are unlimited but they do have three other mains that they charged for $8++ a plate should you wish to order them.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFrFalJNcChDZd7N3ZcwCXRqYQvJW4pJ-DPMKnXPQybHwcEIzQrTn3IZJR2jXwQsYIu9HDdl4FVdP_6gBdcihNitgpTM9PrjtttT7xynFoDHzwh2RMiyNZAEazBFnHpFuATbkc1-wWFca/s1600/IMG_20140209_130222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyFrFalJNcChDZd7N3ZcwCXRqYQvJW4pJ-DPMKnXPQybHwcEIzQrTn3IZJR2jXwQsYIu9HDdl4FVdP_6gBdcihNitgpTM9PrjtttT7xynFoDHzwh2RMiyNZAEazBFnHpFuATbkc1-wWFca/s1600/IMG_20140209_130222.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senso Sunday Prosecco Brunch Menu</td></tr>
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<span data-dobid="hdw">We proceeded to order the prawn bisque which was bland taste-wise but it did emanate a deliciously strong prawn aroma. We intended to order three mains to be shared between the two of us but the waiter stopped us and advised us not to order too much at once, citing culinary integrity. We thought this was a bit rude, perhaps he thought we'd have ordered more than three but </span><i>tout ce que</i>...<br />
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Anyway, without further ado, here's what Senso had to offer that day:<br />
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Selection of salads and cold antipasti:<br />
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Charcuterie:<br />
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Smoked salmon - which is a personal favorite of mine - I kept coming back for seconds! The slice is thicker than most smoked salmon usually served in buffets, perfectly cured and smoked, just squirt a slice of lemon to enhance its sweetness.<br />
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Good news for oyster lovers: Senso serves oysters. The bad news: I thought they weren't as fresh as they should be. Not sure which type they served that day and I'm not an oyster expert but I've had oysters before that were just heavenly; sweet with a nice bite to it and with very faint oyster smell. The oysters that day had quite detectable oyster smell which might be a put-off for some and not as 'springy'.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixErsYcOvRMXSE9aqY83q7QUjLL2OvOpFw-eM63vh0x4WlD6z3H1Mt4LGILcbuE8cgnHT0rG4O92U1_FUOdNJv8I1oQWFzEscC7jkLv789XtzdSW157b0ubcbrgui-JGTFJx-TqYJ9J_T1/s1600/IMG_20140209_131102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixErsYcOvRMXSE9aqY83q7QUjLL2OvOpFw-eM63vh0x4WlD6z3H1Mt4LGILcbuE8cgnHT0rG4O92U1_FUOdNJv8I1oQWFzEscC7jkLv789XtzdSW157b0ubcbrgui-JGTFJx-TqYJ9J_T1/s1600/IMG_20140209_131102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixErsYcOvRMXSE9aqY83q7QUjLL2OvOpFw-eM63vh0x4WlD6z3H1Mt4LGILcbuE8cgnHT0rG4O92U1_FUOdNJv8I1oQWFzEscC7jkLv789XtzdSW157b0ubcbrgui-JGTFJx-TqYJ9J_T1/s1600/IMG_20140209_131102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfWEJO49tUEUo3ScUqCqul591FZc4l2sPudCHcJheoA7rGer6d0COHH5jARxZKJ1XBABpRsm2tkAnTus5eNOg-gcjroqzQa6m7b59eIz3HBulR6Fhjiqssz2atGopRTbHu9xBz8C6zAPH/s1600/IMG_20140209_131216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfWEJO49tUEUo3ScUqCqul591FZc4l2sPudCHcJheoA7rGer6d0COHH5jARxZKJ1XBABpRsm2tkAnTus5eNOg-gcjroqzQa6m7b59eIz3HBulR6Fhjiqssz2atGopRTbHu9xBz8C6zAPH/s1600/IMG_20140209_131216.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juice Station</td></tr>
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The juice station & bread bar:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJPbMnilQ34UcNlMstvGuvkFlcC01M5pLyKDxNfLtZbroVtXnrxij5e0HHSCl3wOfiYEkd3KrYebRitOga2UG7LvedlG6vmzqOpeqzNLGfGJrLaeYMF6GPIUI4N1tggd5yPc3ypiNEamJ/s1600/IMG_20140209_131005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipJPbMnilQ34UcNlMstvGuvkFlcC01M5pLyKDxNfLtZbroVtXnrxij5e0HHSCl3wOfiYEkd3KrYebRitOga2UG7LvedlG6vmzqOpeqzNLGfGJrLaeYMF6GPIUI4N1tggd5yPc3ypiNEamJ/s1600/IMG_20140209_131005.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bread Bar</td></tr>
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The dessert selection:<br />
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Seasonal fruit platter:<br />
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My personal favorite: Senso chocolates. Don't be fooled by their simple appearance, these little bite-size chocolate cubes pack a punch; not sickeningly sweet, smooth and creamy with a touch of bitterness from the chocolate and a rich coconut-like aroma.I just realize that day I eschewed other desserts in favor for these.<br />
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Meringue cookies, which always taste better in your head than in reality:<br />
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Onto the mains now. I actually ordered several mains but only managed to photograph some of them. The first two of the following pictures are from the unlimited list while the other three are the specials.<br />
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Here's Ribeye Steak with red wine sauce:<br />
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And the Poached Salmon with Lemon Thyme Cream:<br />
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We also ordered Seared Red Snapper with Arabbiata Sauce and Crispy Skin Duck Breast with Orange Sauce off the unlimited list. They were all without a doubt, delicious. The Crispy Duck is my friend's favorite, FYI.<br />
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And here are the specials which I think you definitely should get because they are really, really awesome. Here's Homemade Foie Gras Roulade with Mango Chutney and Brioche (Not pictured):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJk4bZqyJW6xelCOyeMGns2ZgAnzClSyYPoUP75OQbbWHirULFoX5XuPSaXTN4zVPo5lKVfNO5kwSRffCzz8IQFzRJ-h0LkoLD7YHnEA4UZUDnXvRxtc8__N3GrtWvA6A_3EkHtWHmd38/s1600/IMG_20140209_121120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimJk4bZqyJW6xelCOyeMGns2ZgAnzClSyYPoUP75OQbbWHirULFoX5XuPSaXTN4zVPo5lKVfNO5kwSRffCzz8IQFzRJ-h0LkoLD7YHnEA4UZUDnXvRxtc8__N3GrtWvA6A_3EkHtWHmd38/s1600/IMG_20140209_121120.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's Spaghetti with Italian Baeri caviar and Vodka: <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc2XzUKjk78k1Zi3xOMTO6cG7yoSkrwKt2uNGiloUK5aOF-TLTwqRJZXebknW0DR8zmpd5cVq3QHERbPW1bRP0YZ6UB8KGUgu_GiWwWwYRgx2b9SMbxyGdHc7MbQVvgoX6auTwH7hx5tx/s1600/IMG_20140209_123852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc2XzUKjk78k1Zi3xOMTO6cG7yoSkrwKt2uNGiloUK5aOF-TLTwqRJZXebknW0DR8zmpd5cVq3QHERbPW1bRP0YZ6UB8KGUgu_GiWwWwYRgx2b9SMbxyGdHc7MbQVvgoX6auTwH7hx5tx/s1600/IMG_20140209_123852.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
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And lastly, here's Pan-seared Foie Gras with Poached red Wine Pear:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKUWYEkgZ4fdAHo4-hmjYBhpbCNNGvhc5duW-8pkUeokvZf4Yhnql27nuhLy8I37gnrQie29gvvRBCYaoMldvmpRwRcDJch-vkpVJRJioqEozGnvd8mQOQHsAq3v0r0_b3aRdDYtZGrPG/s1600/IMG_20140209_124759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbKUWYEkgZ4fdAHo4-hmjYBhpbCNNGvhc5duW-8pkUeokvZf4Yhnql27nuhLy8I37gnrQie29gvvRBCYaoMldvmpRwRcDJch-vkpVJRJioqEozGnvd8mQOQHsAq3v0r0_b3aRdDYtZGrPG/s1600/IMG_20140209_124759.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
I definitely think these specials are worth the extra dollars. The two foie gras mains were just heavenly! The roulade was so smooth and flavorful, perfect to spread over the brioche. They also didn't skimp on the pan-seared foie gras and served you a cut with reasonable thickness so you can really savor the delicate fatty texture. And the simple and somewhat dull-looking vodka spaghetti was actually full of delicate flavor. I could never forgive myself for giving it the cold shoulder when it was delivered to our table.<br />
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They also have conveniently located bathroom:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY5NCOB5fPVeMw3jFeir5Vxy9G5auiIg1n25lAFx62UQmgnwj7vWWMHqbvxIFvzunLgIOmC1ai-HfwD2gbnbHMF8TrcTGzWJ5oLZpEP106AHeXqOUztjq9NAo_CNuFNIBxW-o68nJd8U_/s1600/IMG_20140209_133504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEY5NCOB5fPVeMw3jFeir5Vxy9G5auiIg1n25lAFx62UQmgnwj7vWWMHqbvxIFvzunLgIOmC1ai-HfwD2gbnbHMF8TrcTGzWJ5oLZpEP106AHeXqOUztjq9NAo_CNuFNIBxW-o68nJd8U_/s1600/IMG_20140209_133504.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Senso's Bathroom's Interior</td></tr>
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So, there you have it, folks. Thought it's nice to end it one more time with a shot of the menu and the bubbling glass of Prosecco.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggI8b3a6tTJkw8nxTCSxWFlXOTlB41MjC0-oOQil00hHe6p7DXYMc0pLCpx7A5q39UXoHMatVquzchj265pmrdK506wK4DPh2xZOc0bX6FlQEDGbvop3-l_Mv2uFFAbz-Ao5tyMeGZUK2h/s1600/IMG_20140209_132558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggI8b3a6tTJkw8nxTCSxWFlXOTlB41MjC0-oOQil00hHe6p7DXYMc0pLCpx7A5q39UXoHMatVquzchj265pmrdK506wK4DPh2xZOc0bX6FlQEDGbvop3-l_Mv2uFFAbz-Ao5tyMeGZUK2h/s1600/IMG_20140209_132558.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
All in all I spent about $350 for two persons, and that includes 3 extra mains at $8++ per plate. I mistakenly thought I'd get unlimited supply of the specials with the extra $8++, should've known though, 'coz it was too good to be true so just be careful about this.<br />
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To summarize, here's the pros & cons list of Senso Sunday Prosecco Brunch buffet:<br />
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<b>Pros:</b><br />
- Alcoholic brunch with more reasonable price<br />
- Delicious food of top-notch quality especially the mains because they're cooked to order<br />
- Beautiful and unique setting for those looking to experience different atmosphere<br />
- Easily accessible with public transportation<br />
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<b>Cons:</b><br />
- Limited variety of food. You definitely don't go to Senso for quantity, you go for quality<br />
- The super attentive staff could become a little bit too attentive it's annoying. If you leave your table to get some food, expect your napkin to have been folded into some kind of origami when you return. Every. Single. Time. This might be fancy for some but it's just not my cup of tea<br />
- The oysters are not that delicious<br />
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Will I recommend this to anyone? A definitive <b>yes</b>. The different buffet style and the super - some might say over - attentive waitstaff may take some getting used to but once you're able to get past that, you'll find that Senso Sunday Prosecco Brunch is actually a very good deal.
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-1y7dRSV_p0s%2FU0-lMEK8WxI%2FAAAAAAAABlw%2FltULyVBPrpg%2Fs1600%2FIMG_20140209_131102.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixErsYcOvRMXSE9aqY83q7QUjLL2OvOpFw-eM63vh0x4WlD6z3H1Mt4LGILcbuE8cgnHT0rG4O92U1_FUOdNJv8I1oQWFzEscC7jkLv789XtzdSW157b0ubcbrgui-JGTFJx-TqYJ9J_T1/s1600/IMG_20140209_131102.jpg" -->Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-5139149172711856482014-04-17T00:16:00.001-07:002014-04-17T00:18:51.181-07:00Breakfast @ P O D II usually avoid eateries in downtown Singapore like the plague, mostly because when I do have the time to visit these places, it'll be on the weekends. That means long queues, jam-packed restaurants, and overwhelmed service staff. Never mind that the food are sometimes mediocre and overpriced.<br />
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PODI is located in the heart of Raffles City. It managed to nab one of the coveted spots around the fountain so diners will be better shielded from the heavy-traffic area but still be able to enjoy the lively atmosphere. But even then, I never had the urge to eat there.<br />
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So, a few weeks ago I took a day off from work and found myself in the basement of Raffles City at 10.30am in the morning, my stomach growling like crazy. I've got a couple of hours to burn and so I walked into PODI. There were not so many people and the waitress happily let me sit in a table for 4 near the fountain. True to my style, I chose the one in the corner, the most secluded one.<br />
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To my delight, they have quite a selection for western-style breakfast. I can't remember what they are now but they've got the whole page dedicated to breakfast alone, and what's even better: they serve them all day! (even though for some reason, certain selection are only available up to 3pm).<br />
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Anyway, this is what I got:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lx6azcH4yv6TOYscScz-bmWpJYQ-TJ8dyVP9iw1XsnDaU5yUmit-4mtICk3CvGZZT1nnIl2XE-H63x4Ij6r0HJOWwPdpaZ4hbeAxYbiw1FBAHndgrjMT3A-KzqbbP_REdrsleZ5Qu1P_/s1600/PODI+Breakfast+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-lx6azcH4yv6TOYscScz-bmWpJYQ-TJ8dyVP9iw1XsnDaU5yUmit-4mtICk3CvGZZT1nnIl2XE-H63x4Ij6r0HJOWwPdpaZ4hbeAxYbiw1FBAHndgrjMT3A-KzqbbP_REdrsleZ5Qu1P_/s1600/PODI+Breakfast+1.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
The dish consists of 2 poached eggs, 2 slices of spinach loaf, a chicken sausage, a spiced sausage, several pieces of crunchy bacon, and a small amount of salad with tangy dressing.<br />
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I understand the spinach loaf is their specialty and it goes very well with the poached eggs.<br />
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Now, I'm really terrible at remembering prices but I think this one cost me about $18 incl tax and everything. It is not cheap but I personally think it's worth the occasional splurge. Just pace yourself and really enjoy the meal, just like I did with nothing but myself and a good old InStyle magazine.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXK24VAKceKDPSNx1tV88JDYyzNomwb5pB7HiqzqTfRRe3zWLe1wZw7s2sbL0DVon4Hj2PIqrr9qJsrwN4SWUIzY4VQYmJiJj4uxuw7reRTd588yHKspP06artyMznLqjajzEJcVhny7m/s1600/PODI+Breakfast+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZXK24VAKceKDPSNx1tV88JDYyzNomwb5pB7HiqzqTfRRe3zWLe1wZw7s2sbL0DVon4Hj2PIqrr9qJsrwN4SWUIzY4VQYmJiJj4uxuw7reRTd588yHKspP06artyMznLqjajzEJcVhny7m/s1600/PODI+Breakfast+2.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-12635020948694315602014-02-04T09:14:00.000-08:002014-02-04T09:15:36.526-08:00Spring 2014 : Priti NYC's Baby Blue EyesSpring is just around the corner! Last year I chose <a href="http://rushbijoux.blogspot.sg/2013/01/spring-fling-2013-elizabeth-arden-green.html">a perfume</a> to mark its arrival, this time around it's a nail polish instead.<br />
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So much happened last year, I am just excited to turn over a new leaf and this dreamy blue color with silver fine shimmers called 'Baby Blue Eyes' from Priti NYC seems fresh and happy, perfect to mark the occasion.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q_mVUapKg8p7WrUkF2KXa0n535wKnQFgaTeWCZ0e6V3u9ByHz3665whJLJdrYxvDiEze0IasQSBF_TEjG-KrF1VSt2T0o7RxgproxR1m6Ox1zGIOpeseNDKz26sXu3V0Kb8D20-K2hrx/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+with+bottle+-+Indoor+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Q_mVUapKg8p7WrUkF2KXa0n535wKnQFgaTeWCZ0e6V3u9ByHz3665whJLJdrYxvDiEze0IasQSBF_TEjG-KrF1VSt2T0o7RxgproxR1m6Ox1zGIOpeseNDKz26sXu3V0Kb8D20-K2hrx/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+with+bottle+-+Indoor+Light.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO_no_zpwlkw__y22W1fvhlPAzVPonTCNwqA1b-KmT3ZTcQtQTpfWjsrwAaQvcRy3CM8H8NwpINIpFaqVXxLTtyqOEpVR8KrMVsr4qVjazMFRit_YwbYDGntnRpUoa668Wvdn4YRbUktC/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitO_no_zpwlkw__y22W1fvhlPAzVPonTCNwqA1b-KmT3ZTcQtQTpfWjsrwAaQvcRy3CM8H8NwpINIpFaqVXxLTtyqOEpVR8KrMVsr4qVjazMFRit_YwbYDGntnRpUoa668Wvdn4YRbUktC/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWZUEKiVw69YiXDuYcAPTsW3f-BYYYxY5b1dj2mQy6r0CbyP-kZOvtNeC4aaa_yDLfygVmZLDH9wCST7Q35cyDZh56afHsQx1MHDga8KpjEp0v2ESDxMxeSC9Ul6jDJfrkDW8jH3VbG9o/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+-+Indoor+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtWZUEKiVw69YiXDuYcAPTsW3f-BYYYxY5b1dj2mQy6r0CbyP-kZOvtNeC4aaa_yDLfygVmZLDH9wCST7Q35cyDZh56afHsQx1MHDga8KpjEp0v2ESDxMxeSC9Ul6jDJfrkDW8jH3VbG9o/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+-+Indoor+Light.jpg" height="252" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indoor Light</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsglRhiHkLIGTuTY9Pg68AzDRqAMo41p8w3OF_8va5AyR5ekNepJI0t9Aj5Ngi0-RdsTYZKeDl1jk7U7puyhnH9XxMYX-jy5y6UqmbdA1S7gIRh1wft10vSQ1yIMr7wkZAmuEyPUtlSHL/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+-+With+Flash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQsglRhiHkLIGTuTY9Pg68AzDRqAMo41p8w3OF_8va5AyR5ekNepJI0t9Aj5Ngi0-RdsTYZKeDl1jk7U7puyhnH9XxMYX-jy5y6UqmbdA1S7gIRh1wft10vSQ1yIMr7wkZAmuEyPUtlSHL/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+-+With+Flash.jpg" height="252" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Flash</td></tr>
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It goes opaque after two coats, no streaks. The pictures shown here are all without top coats. I don't really buy Priti NYC because of the environmental reason, I just damn love their colors. Their polishes, especially the creamy ones, tend to run a little bit thick, though. Also, they're not exactly cheap so this is more of a splurge.<br />
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Coincidentally, Dior's Spring 2014 collection also includes a blue polish called 'Porcelaine' but it's much lighter. Isn't the advertisement gorgeous?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaA82VPyAKhMx9YOsuMQguCdhXMZor2vIP5QPRshPz1LYHixlS39GNOJDAQi6MCltqDjVRgMD6lmAvtHtfsq1EkYIGY44JHOrHa4zajvjhBNkw8BjAR-87vcQij21O4DoWpERVN7Of9k7O/s1600/Dior+Spring+2014+-+Porcelaine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaA82VPyAKhMx9YOsuMQguCdhXMZor2vIP5QPRshPz1LYHixlS39GNOJDAQi6MCltqDjVRgMD6lmAvtHtfsq1EkYIGY44JHOrHa4zajvjhBNkw8BjAR-87vcQij21O4DoWpERVN7Of9k7O/s1600/Dior+Spring+2014+-+Porcelaine.jpg" /></a></div>
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They also have 'Perle', a matte top coat with pink shimmers which gives me an idea. I have Ciate polish called 'Members Only' which is in the same vein as 'Perle' only it's not matte so I decided to recreate the Dior Spring 2014 look using Priti NYC Baby Blue Eyes + Ciate Members Only.<br />
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(<i>PS. I got this Ciate polish from my office's Christmas gift exchange party last year. You tried to be specific and wrote Ciate Dangerous Affair from Sephora and still, whoever got my name messed it up. Grrrr!</i>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmhHhgN2fRBYRGuV1Jd9-sJiYF1EcaPcgEh-qBHLW6nEuzUIrtqYTTvtQCYHGNRg31o-UopcPGvm8lxfHhKn6M8iBdKAzgh_wHovtaI46y65vPCqGFkQcq3wya8CnkXBXXhIG22G9MUdi/s1600/Ciate+-+Members+Only.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmhHhgN2fRBYRGuV1Jd9-sJiYF1EcaPcgEh-qBHLW6nEuzUIrtqYTTvtQCYHGNRg31o-UopcPGvm8lxfHhKn6M8iBdKAzgh_wHovtaI46y65vPCqGFkQcq3wya8CnkXBXXhIG22G9MUdi/s1600/Ciate+-+Members+Only.jpg" height="640" width="462" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeF_34y-X5NmuFjgNc8a_xc3u8IqTAuwu2ribSxQr97b164blP2-AEhzmSQcc6hWsP1Ki-Gx8rfqMr1GF5Wy9sublk5BHCp1fYRp0MgCgbMN55jhZDo51TxOSzglqK91li99BirPf9qWh/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+with+Ciate+Members+Only+-+Indoor+Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBeF_34y-X5NmuFjgNc8a_xc3u8IqTAuwu2ribSxQr97b164blP2-AEhzmSQcc6hWsP1Ki-Gx8rfqMr1GF5Wy9sublk5BHCp1fYRp0MgCgbMN55jhZDo51TxOSzglqK91li99BirPf9qWh/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+with+Ciate+Members+Only+-+Indoor+Light.jpg" height="252" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9wGAH2c3IE_tTb2Eox5IvQxvzfp-CYMDaYjgGRX86LtqS995b4zACJAVhQ-McG-zcQG9DW8ZM8ObWmxfA__sDcjHQXZRsFstGPALU_7UHW3bZPKgeRS07gaq3UY3jczxqJGXpBI501E0/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+with+Ciate+Members+Only+-+With+Flash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9wGAH2c3IE_tTb2Eox5IvQxvzfp-CYMDaYjgGRX86LtqS995b4zACJAVhQ-McG-zcQG9DW8ZM8ObWmxfA__sDcjHQXZRsFstGPALU_7UHW3bZPKgeRS07gaq3UY3jczxqJGXpBI501E0/s1600/Priti+NYC+-+Baby+Blue+Eyes+with+Ciate+Members+Only+-+With+Flash.jpg" height="252" width="640" /></a></div>
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The result is not exactly a dead ringer but it is in the same vein and it is still very pretty. The subtle pink shimmer is indeed very appropriate for springtime.<br />
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One last thought: I can't help but thinking about the final scene of Breaking Bad when I heard the name 'Baby Blue Eyes', lols. Can't get that final song out of my mind so I cooked up a little something for readers who are also a Breaking Bad fan in a true Spring 2014 fashion, enjoy! =D<br />
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Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-87794464856733220972014-01-08T23:34:00.000-08:002014-01-08T23:35:06.521-08:00Blissful Things: January 2014<br />
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Fresh-off the New Year's festivities, I'd like to share with you some of the things that have been a delight to me so far. Clockwise from top left corner:<br />
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<b>1. Persimmons.</b> I had never eaten this super sweet fruit in my life until I was introduced to it last year, and I've embarked on a persimmon journey ever since. <br />
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<b>2. Renew Hydrating Mist Toner.</b> As I'm getting older, my skin has been experiencing bouts of dryness every now and then. This helps relieves the condition.<br />
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<b>3. BBC's Sherlock and Orphan Black.</b> Been indulging in these two series. I love watching Orphan Black for the artistic quality alone but the story, the acting, and the writing are brilliant as well. And yes, Sherlock lives! I'm not ashamed to say that I'm a Cumberbitch.<br />
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<b>4. Victoria's Secret Candied Violet body spray.</b> The scent is subtle, a bit powdery, and a great mid-day pick-me-up for a dull day in the office.<br />
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<b>5. Dior Nail Glow.</b> I'm lazy these lately so I'll just put this on for a polished look that is low maintenance.<br />
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<b>6. Aesop Coriander Seed Body Cleanser.</b> January for me, as with so many people, is a sobering time. This body wash smells just like crushed coriander seeds, herbal and earthy, perfect for sobering times.<br />
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<b>7. Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation.</b> Hands down the best instant cocoa there is! Smooth, creamy, not to sweet with a hint of saltiness. Just pop in a few marshmallow to complete the beverage, if you fancy.<br />
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<b>8. Josie Maran Bearnaked wipes.</b> As I said, I'm lazy. Sometimes when I get home, I don't always take off my makeup right away until well after midnight. This biodegradable wipes take care of this. I also love the refreshing citrus/orange scent, the only downside is that my skin can feel tight and dry after using this so I'd spray Renew Hydrating Mist Toner afterwards to combat this problem.Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-43329312176689206782014-01-03T10:53:00.000-08:002014-01-03T10:53:27.646-08:00Lollipops, Etude, Three BeautiesHappy New Year 2014, everyone!<br />
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I realize I haven't been blogging since August last year because I got side-tracked by a lot of things. Promise I'll catch up, though! To start off the new year, here are some random nail polish swatches from my past collection:<br />
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1. Etude PP510 - This is from Etude's Ice Cream line. Great mix of sweet pastel colors from that collection! This one is a soft pale lavender color but surprisingly it doesn't scream '60s unlike the next polish. Price is also super duper cheap, especially considering the quality! The polish goes on smoothly, most are two-coaters, and dries down to a shiny finish.<br />
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2. Lollipops Paris - sorry I forgot the name and I don't have it anymore. It's actually a very good polish, good consistency, and smooth application. The color is pale pink-peach, very mod like those popular pale shades in the '60s and it has tiny shimmer particles. However, I think this has been discontinued.<br />
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3. Three Beauties - I also can't remember the name, it's twilight something...I don't know. A mix of glitter, predominantly green, and it dries down matte, leaving a gritty texture. Super easy application, smooth and even in two coats. However, I hate removing glitter polishes so off this one goes.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYOl8jIFR7OooCfoxZ2_3XubE0BoYbwjf7uaZRwVRUaOvsLFz5yb9yI0suCphb24mK4yP-1au602hPOWaC85EpOC_9di1nBBMO3U3fX_hEUbj5gmSfSS8hdW0kUasHpLr6Fa1cdNaRs9k/s1600/Three+Beauties+-+Glitter+-+Sunlight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYOl8jIFR7OooCfoxZ2_3XubE0BoYbwjf7uaZRwVRUaOvsLFz5yb9yI0suCphb24mK4yP-1au602hPOWaC85EpOC_9di1nBBMO3U3fX_hEUbj5gmSfSS8hdW0kUasHpLr6Fa1cdNaRs9k/s1600/Three+Beauties+-+Glitter+-+Sunlight.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under indoor lighting</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBZotCpIS6h1_F38qqjtI6WHp2v3grrcux5QCiOZiiJ1cqyzUZZJ01qJZRBIQw8XMlG5S7Fpp_bc6NVrxCmzC2Mmh_Av2cugig2q0yuvqUf2NyCq_cdXYbnGxI5W8VUHI2dDuAkUMJg0n/s1600/Three+Beauties+-+Glitter+-+Flash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqBZotCpIS6h1_F38qqjtI6WHp2v3grrcux5QCiOZiiJ1cqyzUZZJ01qJZRBIQw8XMlG5S7Fpp_bc6NVrxCmzC2Mmh_Av2cugig2q0yuvqUf2NyCq_cdXYbnGxI5W8VUHI2dDuAkUMJg0n/s1600/Three+Beauties+-+Glitter+-+Flash.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With flash</td></tr>
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To an awesome year ahead!Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-28470719118642439292013-08-27T08:52:00.000-07:002014-01-08T23:35:57.422-08:00Blissful Things : Great Skin EditionTwo Blissful Things posts in a row? I must've been getting lazy! Anyway, my skin has been in its best condition as of late and I have been itching to share with you my so-called skincare revelation that leads me to where I am today.<br />
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A little back-story: I have always had problematic skin since I hit puberty. I used to have super oily skin that I hated with a passion and I suffered from horrible acne growing up which left me with uneven skin texture especially on the cheeks. I had to be put on Acutane continuously in order to control them which was expensive and not good in the long run because it's extremely drying. For a while, though, I had a taste of how it was like to be having clear skin and it was <i>joy</i>.<br />
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Fortunately I came to my senses and appreciated my oily skin more as I grew older. Now it is not as oily as before and I still get the occasional hormonal acne along my jaw line. However, as with many other things in life as you get older, you've learned to accept your predicament and work <i>with</i> it instead of against it.<br />
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When I started earning money, I'd probably spent half of them on skincare and cosmetics, thinking the more expensive they are, the better they got at reversing all the damage I'd done to my skin while I was growing up. I've tried many expensive skincare (and the cheap ones, too) over the past 5 years. At my craziest, I've got about 20 products in my daily regimen and honestly, it didn't produce any significant result.<br />
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Deep down, I knew spending more money didn't necessarily mean better result and this revelation came on the heels of my big financial revelation. There was a major shift in my priority and scaling back on tertiary expenses was the way to go. So I stripped down my daily regimen to the essentials and my skin has never been better. Ok, to be honest, not all the stuff on the list below are cheap but they are the essentials and more importantly, they work well on me.<br />
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So, on to the list:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5MldjUvnmZ6zGKKw-h5lOodNja5uS0y0WqGTKboacSga971gg_nBfwr3RZndKDRLRPQzKZ9urGdvQBK3mcPaq1fe7KHT0rFJnHExYkV1WySa6F6jJgb-noou1k6baVkgI_xcKz6G3e2J/s1600/2013.08.26_Blissful+Things_Great+Skin+Edition+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ5MldjUvnmZ6zGKKw-h5lOodNja5uS0y0WqGTKboacSga971gg_nBfwr3RZndKDRLRPQzKZ9urGdvQBK3mcPaq1fe7KHT0rFJnHExYkV1WySa6F6jJgb-noou1k6baVkgI_xcKz6G3e2J/s640/2013.08.26_Blissful+Things_Great+Skin+Edition+copy.jpg" height="454" width="640" /></a></div>
From top left corner, clockwise:<br />
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<u>Daily Regimen: </u><br />
<b>1. FANCL Mild Cleansing Oil.</b> This is the first cleansing oil I've ever tried and since then, I've gone on and tried almost every other cleansing oil available in the business and this one still beats all of them every time. This is not exactly cheap but given the performance, I'd say it's well-justified.<br />
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<b>2. Biore Pure Mild Facial Foam.</b> I used to use Cetaphil because my skin has gotten drier in the recent years and Cetaphil helps a lot with it but I don't like the suffocated feeling my skin gets every time I rinse it off. Biore Pure Mild leaves my skin feeling fresh, with the right balance between clean and moist. It is also mildly scented with a fresh scent.<br />
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<b>3. Clarisonic Mia with Deep Pore Brush Head.</b> The most expensive item on the list but it's an investment. Facial brushes have worked well on me in the past and they still do. I've had my Clarisonic for a year+ and I must say I've been loving every moment of it. They recently came up with the Deep Pore brush head which I'm currently using and loving.<br />
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<b>4. Curel Moisture Lotion II.</b> I love to use toner after cleansing. I usually squirt this soothing product onto a cotton pad and swipe it all over my face then pat it gently over my eye lids.<br />
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<b>5. Akin Pure Radiance Rosehip Oil. </b>I've read everywhere that rosehip oil is a clinically-proven natural remedy for scars. I use this as serum / moisturizer. Simple, relatively cheap, and natural. This isn't a miracle worker, mind you, but so far I've noticed my skin's texture has improved albeit gradually.<br />
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<b>6. Seven Wonders Moroccan Argan Oil Skin Serum.</b> This product claims to contain 98% certified organic argan oil. It is enriched with vitamin E and contains natural rose fragrance but I must warn you it is very strong. Combined with rosehip oil, however, this stuff works like magic, making my skin soft and plump.<br />
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<u>Special treatments (twice a week):</u><br />
<b>7. Lush Oatifix Fresh Face Mask.</b> This is meant for sensitive skin and my skin feels extremely soft after using this. I am utterly speechless.<br />
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<b>8. ExfoliKate by Kate Sommerville.</b> Super expensive product but a little bit goes a long way. Use sparingly. This product also leaves my skin as smooth as a baby's bottom after usage.<br />
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There you have it, my entire skincare regimen. Together, these stuff have provided me with my best skin ever, no prescription needed.Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-5430559339688285542013-07-09T01:11:00.000-07:002013-07-09T22:46:20.455-07:00Blissful Things : Summer 2013 Edition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_Kh1-nMIO7kGELsqFIIEXj4YVNA0mK2jOKYe4K_QoEgzui_RvwbBKbn9hy0WiXXKs_L9HUPaGJLtnRZXZuIaas61wqiKEuA5QYO9VGQsZd_cR3QtEElj2nmrwC_-9LaNSsh3usuYtj1h/s1600/Blissful+Things+-+Summer+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_Kh1-nMIO7kGELsqFIIEXj4YVNA0mK2jOKYe4K_QoEgzui_RvwbBKbn9hy0WiXXKs_L9HUPaGJLtnRZXZuIaas61wqiKEuA5QYO9VGQsZd_cR3QtEElj2nmrwC_-9LaNSsh3usuYtj1h/s640/Blissful+Things+-+Summer+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Wow, just realized I haven't been posting any <a href="http://rushbijoux.blogspot.sg/search/label/Blissful%20Things">Blissful Things</a> lists
since November last year! Without further ado, here goes the list, summer 2013 edition (from
the far left, clockwise):<br />
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<b>1. Dior Jelly Lip Pen in Carioca 636.</b> This is from Dior Bird of Paradise Summer Look 2013 collection. Of all the chubby pens out there, I love this one the most. Moisturizing with a sheer color that surprisingly lasts (!).<br />
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<b>2. Dejavu Fiberwig mascara.</b> This is the so-called 'tubing' mascara that can't be removed by anything but warm water. Perfect for summer where skin tends to get more oily.<br />
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<b>3. Fragile Eau de Toilette by Jean Paul Gaultier.</b> A surprise appearance on this list considering this is considered as heavy fragrance for nighttime wear. The key is light hand when applying. Just two spritz will do or spray it onto the air and walk into the fume. It will leave you with the most delectable island smell because of the white flower base notes.<br />
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<b>4. Diorsnow BB Creme SPF50 PA+++.</b> Summer is not the time I want to have things piled on my face, nor do I want to spend that kind of time in front of the mirror. This product is like a tinted moisturizer, light enough but does a very decent job evening out skin tone. The SPF and PA levels seal the deal.<br />
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<b>5. Stila Convertible Color in Gerbera.</b> Described as rosy peachy pink on their US website, I'm not sure if this shade is still available in Singapore. Can't seem to find this shade at Sephora. There's a reason why Convertible Color is so popular. It's the creamiest cream blush I've ever tried but doesn't cost you an arm and a leg. On me, Gerbera turns out a beautiful soft pink, the peach tone seems to disappear into my olive skin.<br />
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<b>6. Popsicles.</b> Do you know that legally you cannot refer to the frozen sweet concoction on a stick as popsicle because the name is a registered trademark of Unilever? Don't believe me? Scroll down to the bottom of their website <a href="http://www.popsicle.com/">here</a>. Legality aside, I can't wait to make my own this summer. Watch for the recipe soon!Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-68683712440915185112013-05-24T08:41:00.002-07:002013-05-24T08:41:46.747-07:00Dogs!The title says it all. Just a few snapshots of dogs to cheer up the day =)<br />
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<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-31297989196127975692013-05-24T08:13:00.003-07:002013-05-24T08:41:58.734-07:00Fat BunnyWent to a mall a week ago and there was this animal fest. I've seen some fat bunnies previously but this one takes the cake.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzl3Z8bCmuj3B8WHPSCdVkW_9C0BUD56bfo_B4uSAFR5wo4K-gfQtA_PwLOfg2qJv5cZuti1Q6oA2hSyPJr_SjYzAX5Sr1OH6LVqxRiYJnxPoXHu-4LCg-TFxfIlxduZfmQELX8PRBk52/s1600/Fat+Bunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEzl3Z8bCmuj3B8WHPSCdVkW_9C0BUD56bfo_B4uSAFR5wo4K-gfQtA_PwLOfg2qJv5cZuti1Q6oA2hSyPJr_SjYzAX5Sr1OH6LVqxRiYJnxPoXHu-4LCg-TFxfIlxduZfmQELX8PRBk52/s640/Fat+Bunny.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-18458909478102873722013-05-23T21:38:00.001-07:002013-05-23T21:38:07.745-07:00NOTD - Etude Ice Cream Nails - Pastel GreenI've never given much thought to Etude's nail polishes so I was quite surprised when I set foot at their shop one day and found that they had a lot of offerings, many of them so up-to-date but with extremely affordable prices.<br />
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One pet peeve: They use numbers instead of names for their polishes.<br />
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I picked this one up from their Spring 2013 line, called Ice Cream Nails. A selection of pastel colors, some with glitters in it. This pastel green / mint one has the speckled/staccato effect that has risen to popularity these lately. This is kinda a dupe for Illamasqua's Mottle albeit lighter.<br />
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The container literally resembles ice cream.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkt247RFVRuxGfoQnMc6djptk8goAKV4fipOJpxyMoGsSR6kDVZe7nwD3w1A31V1IX2xtqzp9onPm-e3qenFqdNFgDFtVGZXbbNFQirDXVMJkIaoKYt2fJ-QIUSzTLZTP2VFWm6cF7oRF/s1600/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+Bottle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkt247RFVRuxGfoQnMc6djptk8goAKV4fipOJpxyMoGsSR6kDVZe7nwD3w1A31V1IX2xtqzp9onPm-e3qenFqdNFgDFtVGZXbbNFQirDXVMJkIaoKYt2fJ-QIUSzTLZTP2VFWm6cF7oRF/s640/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+Bottle.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG83bDuhWx9xkpEY2OBpduGvwuFjZyFzsmv_TB60ovf2Y-zeBulKWb0Wu767PdBz28tKGCGb94gF0b-N9hwqXDIEoMPaR5OGD2bya0aQD2fSMJKrtDBjS69Z_jJBBJaYY9KXZH7A7XlhEe/s1600/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+No+Flash+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG83bDuhWx9xkpEY2OBpduGvwuFjZyFzsmv_TB60ovf2Y-zeBulKWb0Wu767PdBz28tKGCGb94gF0b-N9hwqXDIEoMPaR5OGD2bya0aQD2fSMJKrtDBjS69Z_jJBBJaYY9KXZH7A7XlhEe/s640/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+No+Flash+-+3.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WIthout Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxllGmZL1pfrGRL63CUKLQrO9l5vX5-whvtJztmMKCHp4xrKOItP2tMszpS2DXP_ev19_aWwVj5-jlaWCtP9c0viXqgkRanSS4GYD48AUd3ftaknXTSBRgL32DmUviG42R_5iyubCSDep/s1600/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+No+Flash+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxllGmZL1pfrGRL63CUKLQrO9l5vX5-whvtJztmMKCHp4xrKOItP2tMszpS2DXP_ev19_aWwVj5-jlaWCtP9c0viXqgkRanSS4GYD48AUd3ftaknXTSBRgL32DmUviG42R_5iyubCSDep/s640/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+No+Flash+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f54gYDZ_NFEJVRglmrc-e8JV5zy2xHAYfmQ1kXIZgULCO0T-Ssr1VZaQVjbgE2huzswANVAAoJHj0zKM_320R7CxEUNUrYYKS1inVoog88k84Qi5hTRqRzVo0Qzx3HTu14H1ErJPQtvX/s1600/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+No+Flash+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2f54gYDZ_NFEJVRglmrc-e8JV5zy2xHAYfmQ1kXIZgULCO0T-Ssr1VZaQVjbgE2huzswANVAAoJHj0zKM_320R7CxEUNUrYYKS1inVoog88k84Qi5hTRqRzVo0Qzx3HTu14H1ErJPQtvX/s640/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+No+Flash+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZetha1JoGoWYhTQFh4cpXns-IfRTyAtOci_fOFFAPem9G93w8O6hZVfZK2GaxTRBzns97kTu96dsphKCcCBOr7vjkwzbY-v53A20LvJAex3pZnLkwwQeXAjYvtnJ5zbo24edlV10NUf3o/s1600/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+Flash+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZetha1JoGoWYhTQFh4cpXns-IfRTyAtOci_fOFFAPem9G93w8O6hZVfZK2GaxTRBzns97kTu96dsphKCcCBOr7vjkwzbY-v53A20LvJAex3pZnLkwwQeXAjYvtnJ5zbo24edlV10NUf3o/s640/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+Flash+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n0dNfgWewt_CsCKonn6XeracVFC2mK1KUo_wMxtS6P116NEH5KNWtTyz-9cTeKvV2nMDLg4fvHUrFYmfOuDG7pVJJ-RMPtR9qTD5lAuDXEw4U5hKZcrDCsJnBiEe4gHKpcyzaUwsKjx9/s1600/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+Flash+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7n0dNfgWewt_CsCKonn6XeracVFC2mK1KUo_wMxtS6P116NEH5KNWtTyz-9cTeKvV2nMDLg4fvHUrFYmfOuDG7pVJJ-RMPtR9qTD5lAuDXEw4U5hKZcrDCsJnBiEe4gHKpcyzaUwsKjx9/s640/Etude+Ice+Cream+Nails+-+Pastel+Green+-+Flash+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">WIth Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The color looks off in the pictures without flash, the color looks more true to life in the pictures with flash.Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7183619970212004368.post-46512463281845545042013-05-23T21:02:00.001-07:002013-05-23T21:02:52.375-07:00NOTD - Chanel HolidayJust like the title says, Chanel Le Vernis in Holiday. It's a rich, bright orange with a touch of jelly finish which makes your nails look...pillowy? cushiony? It's this plastic finish that reminds me of a beach ball. How appropriate, no?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReHYCIECKKWYrw8TruS1IOxJGI-IRBxGX4aEWfWi-rsBcFahUXX6pJ51MqqTecYToi6cZi58hGt3TXu0DLU6ufiSq4oZPmiHA6sLtEz3HK2KQad4aB1skk7_MOnC5YNLv3wyHSV2snnce/s1600/Chanel+Nail+Polish+-+Holiday_No+Flash+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReHYCIECKKWYrw8TruS1IOxJGI-IRBxGX4aEWfWi-rsBcFahUXX6pJ51MqqTecYToi6cZi58hGt3TXu0DLU6ufiSq4oZPmiHA6sLtEz3HK2KQad4aB1skk7_MOnC5YNLv3wyHSV2snnce/s640/Chanel+Nail+Polish+-+Holiday_No+Flash+-+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqcuipJzaMTFXAUrKgBjPAxeNke98n_sA89RE_oRF2UdOTFaJ6Ee3X3Y7GQmWDBsVnWJ9fVAmyupxlDTGTbqTor98nzVlz0ldIvDEtvygkJems_ObWEi0iYo9eO-2ZWPLGjTQ_tBH2WVK/s1600/Chanel+Nail+Polish+-+Holiday_No+Flash+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqcuipJzaMTFXAUrKgBjPAxeNke98n_sA89RE_oRF2UdOTFaJ6Ee3X3Y7GQmWDBsVnWJ9fVAmyupxlDTGTbqTor98nzVlz0ldIvDEtvygkJems_ObWEi0iYo9eO-2ZWPLGjTQ_tBH2WVK/s640/Chanel+Nail+Polish+-+Holiday_No+Flash+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Without Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFQq4qqlvklTivTVBv-r_wIUjVf7Rj0L6r7e2cJL5r2BSCyeAlTcqyBWrkbKNMtjoSqaJLocfA_eSudxijy7CL92xU3Mdt3AagqabmAGsobi_yrN8YrqWt0nW9_qLx6YEQN4PgNPB-Bbb/s1600/Chanel+Nail+Polish+-+Holiday_Flash+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFQq4qqlvklTivTVBv-r_wIUjVf7Rj0L6r7e2cJL5r2BSCyeAlTcqyBWrkbKNMtjoSqaJLocfA_eSudxijy7CL92xU3Mdt3AagqabmAGsobi_yrN8YrqWt0nW9_qLx6YEQN4PgNPB-Bbb/s640/Chanel+Nail+Polish+-+Holiday_Flash+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFQq4qqlvklTivTVBv-r_wIUjVf7Rj0L6r7e2cJL5r2BSCyeAlTcqyBWrkbKNMtjoSqaJLocfA_eSudxijy7CL92xU3Mdt3AagqabmAGsobi_yrN8YrqWt0nW9_qLx6YEQN4PgNPB-Bbb/s1600/Chanel+Nail+Polish+-+Holiday_Flash+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFQq4qqlvklTivTVBv-r_wIUjVf7Rj0L6r7e2cJL5r2BSCyeAlTcqyBWrkbKNMtjoSqaJLocfA_eSudxijy7CL92xU3Mdt3AagqabmAGsobi_yrN8YrqWt0nW9_qLx6YEQN4PgNPB-Bbb/s640/Chanel+Nail+Polish+-+Holiday_Flash+-+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Flash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Rush Bijouxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06609565374922890750noreply@blogger.com0