Location: Paris, France
Location: Rangitata River, South Island, New Zealand
Memories:
- M vs. Rain Clouds - did M manage to set up a dry tent by herself before the downpour began? Yes she did!
- J gets caught in the downpour while bike riding to camp.
- Saving a lamb from the river by boat
- Sitting in the front of the raft! That will never happen again!
- Cliff jumping
Posted due to popular demand....
Explanation of the more ambiguous categories:
Food = any ready-to-eat foods such as meals at restaurants or snacks on the road
Travel = travel gear, maps, guidebooks, etc.
Communication = Pre-paid SIMs, internet access
Souvenir = mostly postcards and postage stamps
Transportation = includes all transportation except airfare
Vacation = South America cruise and Flying Kiwi tour in New Zealand
Our initial reactions:
- OMG! My house is so big!
- OMG! My kitchen is so much bigger than I remembered! *does happy dance in the kitchen*
- I want to go hug my drying machine.
- I couldn't stop smiling while putting clean sheets on the bed in anticipation of how great I know sleeping on our own bed will feel.
- I can shower without touching the walls!
- Clean feet!
When we began this RTW adventure 8 months ago I couldn't believe that we were actually doing it. It felt so surreal. Likewise, I now can't believe that our journey is coming to an end. Has 8 months really passed by that quickly?
If all goes smoothly we will land in Seattle before the weekend arrives!
Cul de Sac
Piazza di Pasquino, 73
Rome, Italy
Rick Steves finally got one right. This restaurant turned out to be one of our favorite lunch spots. We really enjoyed eating and people-watching in their outdoor patio. Some people may consider their outdoor seating to be quite crowded, but we found it intimate and lively. Not only does Cul de Sac have great food, but you also don't have to pay an arm and a leg for water (0,90 EUR per table). You may think that going back 3 times is a bit repetitive, but we got something different every single time! The lasagna and meatballs were definitely my favorites.
1. Cul de Sac gets two thumbs up from M!
2. J enjoying lunch on the patio
3. Pheasant pate
4. Home-made lasagna
5. Pasta with pesto sauce
6. Roast beef with "esterazy" sauce
7. Salted cod with potatoes
8. Tripe Roman style
9. Meatballs in wine sauce with mash potatoes
10. Share plate
Fiaschetteria
39 Via della Croce
Rome, Italy
Friendly service and great food is what kept us coming back to Fiaschetteria again and again - 3 times in 4 weeks! We first discovered this place by accident while walking to lunch one day. A small line of Italian-speaking patrons formed in front of this unassuming eatery. Although we made a mental note to come by and visit another day the place we were originally headed to for lunch was closed! How convenient! Needless to say, we walked back to this trattoria.
The carbonara pasta was definitely our favorite. J really enjoyed the braised lamb. Unfortuantely, our budget didn't allow us the opportunity to try many side dishes, but we did get a taste of their roasted potatoes which, though expensive, were extremely tasty! The cherry tomatoes they served were the BEST tomatoes I've ever had! This may seem like this is an over-statement, but other diners seem to also agree since I frequently saw bowls of cherry tomatoes sitting on neighboring tables. They seriously tasted like candy!
1. Fiaschetteria's narrow storefront
2. This is the only place in Rome where we were asked to share a table!
3. Tonnerelli alla Carbonara - pasta in an egg-based sauce with bacon
4. Abbacchio alla Cacciatora - suckling lamb braised in an herb, garlice and wine.
5. Carpaccio di Sogliola - sole sashimi dressed with lemon juice, olive oil and fresh parsley.
6. Spaghetti con Tonno - spaghetti with tuna
7. Tagliata di Manza - thin steak with tomatoes on rocket
