Genoa

Interesting old port!  Kinda seedy in some ares and semi charming in others.  Tiny, dark alleys (those your mom always said to stay out of) are the ways you move throughout the city.  I had a quick day in Genova, riding the red city sightseeing bus ( your should check this company out anywhere in the world you go...I love it!) and the hiked for several hours, attempting to find the Italian Institute of Technology.

First stop, the aquarium...it's a typical aquarium, but here it's a MAJOR thing!

 Looks like dinner to me!

 Penguins!

Next up...the bus tour!

 The same guy that contributed this fountain to Genova also invented the Vespa....the cutest scooter ever!

 Former stock exchange 

 The tallest skyscraper in Italy at one time.

 Christopher Columbus's house...no wonder he set out to find new land...it's tiny!

 The gardens that are planted, representing Columbus's 3 anchors.

 The small train station

It's my BIRTHDAY!!!!

Those that know me well, know I am loving my birthday....being in Italy, on the Italian Rivera!  Only thing to make it better, have all my peeps here and a boat to be on.  

I decided to go to Portofino for the day...took the ferry to San Fruttuoso, a small swimming area that you can only reach by boat...wish I had my swimsuit on!

It was so hot so I didn't stay long and headed for my real birthday destination...Portofino!  Talk about beautiful....a-freaking-amazing!  Did nothing but walk, look, eat lunch, walk and look and have a drink, but hey it's my birthday....I can do what I want.

After the ferry ride back, a nice hot shower and a good glass of red wine, I'm off to dinner.  The lady at my hotel directed me to a love little restruarant by the port (in one of those tiny alleys) for great seafood and she was right!

Round 1

Forgot to get a picture--before I even order, they brought out baked mussles and what I would call their attempt at a hush puppy.

Round 2

Appitizer-the house seafood platter....yum yum!

Round 3

The consider past their first course so I had pasta...with pesto of course!  Genova is known for pest and hello can we say A-MAZ-ING! 

Round 4

Main course...I had Grilled Calamari and man they were so tender you could use a butter knife or fork to cut them!!

Round 5

Dessert--it came with flames so it was my birthday cake but it was creme brûlée.  Oh my heavens!!

Round 6

Lemoncello- used to support digestion! I really like the way Italians think about food!!

Rund 7--not food

My neighbor decided to join me for a picture....not sure his wife was happy but we are all dying laughing!

Now that's how to celebrate a birthday....it was short a few special people (big and small) but otherwise, this was my kind of day!!!!

Holy Italian Cluster....

So I decided to take the ferry/excursion to San Fruttuoso and Portofino today...get on the boat at 10 and leave.  By 11 we have returned to the original dock, gotten on the correct boat and are off again.  

Gotta love italian organization....there is none!

Original boat in front of us...the new one I'm sitting on.

Hello Cristoforo!

Yep, that's right, I'm in Christopher Columbus's home town...Genoa!

So sad...

Leaving florence was a very sad day for me!  I have great friends there and really feel at home walking the streets, grocery shopping, taking out the trash, etc.  However, no worries, I will return!!  (Typed with tears in my eyes!)

I realize the is so much that happened while in Florence, that I am behind on blogging, but I will work to get everything up to date as possible!