Florance: David and the Ponte Vecchio

Watching CBS Sunday Morning and their story about the Ponte Vecchio got me thinking of our family trip to Florence, Italy. We live in Germany and were stationed there in the early 1990s while in the Army. We went on a camping trip to the Army Base near Pisa. We stayed there for a week and visited the sites in Northern Italy. 

We camped at the Army Base Camp Darby near Pisa, a logistics hub for the US Military in Italy.  We had a fantastic week touring Pisa, Northern Italy, and Florance.   It was an amazing time in our lives stationed in Europe with young kids experiencing the world and all it had to offer. 

I remember this trip with great fondness. We took the train from Pisa to Florence. While there, we walked across the 15th-century Ponte Vecchio Bridge, stood in line, and saw Michoanglos David. Although the kids were little then, they appreciated the chance to grow up in Europe.

On the trip, we also visited the medieval town of Lucca, near Pisa. This city, with its defining city wall and fortress, changed little in 2000. It still has its original Roman street plan.

Of course, everyone knows the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the area's main tourist attraction, but there is so much more there.

Thinking about this trip and living in Europe made me realize what a great life we have had.  It's not over yet.  We will continue to hit the road and the airports to see as much of this world as possible until our dying day. 

Reunion and Mauritius: A Contrast of Cultures in the Indian Ocean

Hello, La Reunion Island.  It is a French Island in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar.  Terri felt under the weather, so I left the ship and hopped on the Shuttle.  I walked down to the marina, hoping to book a snorkeling trip, but they only had dive companies.  Although certified, I didn't feel I was in good enough shape to Dive, so I found a little swim beach to splash around in for a bit.

I love this place, and they drive on the right side of the road.  It's completely French to include the menus.  The Island is part of France, considered a province, and part of the European Union.  The official currency is the Euro.  It had that Europen feel, for sure. 

After swimming, I found a nice seaside cafe,  Leon, with a view of the ocean and harbor.  I had a great lunch of fried sardines and squid fritters.  It was unusual, great, and French.  

Reunion Island is basically a volcano sticking out of the Indian Ocean.  The largest mountain rises 10k feet, and an active volcano is on the Island's eastern side.  The Island is small, 60 miles long and 40 miles wide.  I would have loved to spend a few more days here to explore the beautifully green interior, but it's not on the cards.

After an overnight cruise, we reached the next Island of Mauritius.

Some notes on Mauritius: It is a very diverse island. It had a completely different feel than Reunion, which was more indigenous and original. French is spoken here but not part of France like Reunion. It is a separate country in the same island chain. Seventy percent of the population is Hindi, brought over from India to work the Sugar cane Plantations.

On our tour today, we took a small boat to an Island part of the national park. Then, we toured the old French Colonial town of Maheboug, which has a marvelous museum in a Colonial-era building.

A major naval engagement occurred between the French and the British in 1810. An extension of our War of 1812 with the British. Of course, the British won, and some French ships were sunk.

The boat ride to the island park and the tour of the Island were incredible opportunities to see the Island's wildlife. The island park was interesting, especially the grand fruit bat with a wing span of three feet. Tortoises were also running around the Island. One tortoise we saw was 120 years old.

Our last stop on Maurtanis was for an elegant lunch and a break from the cruise ship food. It was then back to the ship and on to Australia. I will miss hearing the French on those Islands. It was such a surprise and unexpected feeling that I will not soon forget.

Rock City: A Tennessee Christmas Tradition

Rock City is one of those places everybody knows about in the South.  It's like Gatlinburg and Dollywood, an indelible mark in American Southern Culture.  Everyone has seen the billboards and the painted barns near the interstate and knows the iconic See Rock City Birdhouse.   Usually, I avoid places like this.  Places that are all about commercialism, but this was a different type of place.  

Our daughter-in-law invited us to see the Christmas lights there a few years ago.  We were pleasantly surprised.  The Christmas lights were spectacular and showed me how wrong I was about Rock City.  The owners and staff go above and beyond to provide a wonderful, classic Christmas experience.

Rock City sits on a bluff on Lookout Mountain just inside the Georgia border next to Chattanooga in Tennessee.   From its overlook, you can see 4 states, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina.   The limestone formations are very unique and awe-inspiring.  With the Chrismas Lights, it's a tremendous experience. 

Traveling with family, we got there about 30 minutes before sunset. This provided great views and a stunning sunset.   Afterward, it was off to see Santa Claus., his house, and his workshop.  With darkness came the Christmas Lights, the real show at Rock City.   

Watching the kids is the best part.  They are truly memorized by everything.  Rock City is a Southern tradition that is hard to not enjoy.