Scuba

Just off the Corsican coast is where I had my first scuba dive. During the crossings I studied and wrote my tests to become certified. What a wonderful experience.

Corsica - Bonifacio

Bonifacio is a star attraction in Corsica.  Drawing visitors all over the world to marvel at its medieval houses precariously teetering on the edge of the imposing limestone cliffs. 

Friends of mine, Albert and Clementine were in Corsica and they drove through to Bonifacio to see me.

Bonifacio's Old Town, with a labyrinth of narrow streets and historic buildings, was built by the Genoese and is a fascinating place to wonder around. One thing I discovered is that the Corsicans love their hand-made knives!

Bonifacio Port

Beautiful sunset

Albert & Clementine

Sardegna - Porto Cervo

Retreat for the rich...

Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.  We went to Porto Cervo, which is an Italian seaside resort in Northern Sardinia.

Though it's grown massively since being built by Prince Karim Aga Khan in the 1960s as a village retreat for the rich, Porto Cervo still manages to combine glamour with laid-back cool in a way that's uniquely Italian and perpetually fascinating. And the aquamarine water and spectacular coastline of Sardinia are every bit as beautiful as the people. Summer is the key season, of course, but it's also delightful in September and early October, when the weather is often superb. 

The centre of the port is the village, where there are the most amazing shops, such as Chanel, Prada, Gucci and Dolce & Gabbana. I literally felt poor walking past all the couture shops. Luxury wine bars, michelin star restaurants and boutique supermarkets can also be found in the village. Close by is the exclusive Yacht Club Costa Smerelda. I you are on holiday with a budget, don't even attempt going to this village. 

It is also the location of Hotel Cala di Volpe, which is featured in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy who loved me.  The Presidential Suite of the hotel, billed at US$ 32,736 per night, is listed at number 7 on World's 15 most expensive hotels.


Fortunately the boss went out a lot for dinner in Porto Cervo so we got a few evenings off. But I always had to be at stand-by, because they would go out and the next minute we get the call "The food is shit", and then I had to mix a few things together in the galley.

Porto Cervo

Window Shopping

The Boss' Kids, Anton and Alex asked us to go out with them one night. Tanya and I were so tired but we couldn't miss out on a party in Porto Cervo. The cheapest cocktail is 30 Euros.  Alex (dancing in the background) took us to a club and we danced the whole night. Our table was booked on the dance floor at the price of 1000 euros. New experiences for me!

Day at the beach

The guests flew back to Russia from Sardinia.  We still remained in Porto Cervo for another 2 days so we had some free time to explore the island and its amazing beaches. 

Ischia

Ischia is also in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is almost entirely mountainous, the highest peak being Mount Epomeo at 788 m.
The main industry is tourism, centering on thermal spas that cater mostly to European and Asian tourists eager to enjoy the fruits of the island's natural volcanic activity, its thermal hot springs, and its volcanic mud. 
We were here for one night, so didn't get to see much. This was our stop over to Sardegna!

Colourful Island

Castello Arognese

The 88m Maltese Falcon passed us. 

One of the largest privately-owned sailing yachts in the world.

Capri

Our first Two Week charter. I literally was dreading this day would come. Not because of the work, but spending 2 weeks with these demanding russians on a boat was rather exhausting, especially with the kids on board.  It was the boss' wife's birthday and he wanted to spend it in Capri. So we did a 7 hour crossing to the beautiful Capri.
I was so sea sick, I struggled to serve them breakfast on the first day. Even the poor wife was sick on her own birthday!

Capri is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea on the south side of the Gulf of Naples.  The main town on the island shares the name. 

Features of the island are the Marina Piccola (the little harbour), the Belvedere of Tragara (a high panoramic promenade lined with villas), the limestone crags called sea stacks that project above the sea, the town of Anacapri, the Blue Grotto, and the ruins of the Imperial Roman villas. 

I tried to incorporate every island, town or country's traditional food into my menu wherever we went. On this island I discovered what real tomatoes taste like as well as the peaches. The local produce is incredible. We were here during August so it was very hot and fresh fish, sweet watermelons, Caprese Salads and limoncello was the way to go. 

We stayed here for 4 days. The boss rented a whole restaurant out for the family for his wife's birthday celebration. There was also a fire work display worth 25 000 euros. The crew watched it from the yacht at 12 o'clock!! 

The Port

We would drop anchor here during the day.  I sent my mom this picture, and she replied immediately saying this is where she lost the diamond necklace my dad gave her, which was worth 3 months of his army salary.

The Blue Grotto
 Diving here is a must! So beautiful!

Every morning I would get fresh fish at the market. They had such a wide selection of seafood. On the second last day the fish monger (young guy with eyes as blue as the water) asked me out on a date! I quickly explained to him that we were leaving that day and I wouldn't be able to. His English was as good as my Italian "picollo"!!!

Just my luck I ran out of seafood and needed for the next days lunch. I couldn't go back to the market because then Roberto would know I lied to him.  Fortunately that night I saw a fishing boat come into port and asked if they had any fresh fish. I hopped onto the smelly tank and  experienced the true fisherman lifestyle. They ate the raw prawns to explain to me how good they are. I got 2kg of langostines and declined the raw eating experience as I am allergic to crustaceans and eating a raw prawn would not end my day very well!!

Capri was amazing and I was very sad to leave. I still have to go back to find my mom's diamond necklace!!!

We didn't have any free time here so I couldn't take many photographs.

 Next stop the Island of Ischia.

Ti amo Roma

We had one day off before the owner's arrived and made the most of it in the capital city of Italy, Rome. Truly one if the most remarkable cities I have been to. I was fortunate enough to see the Pope too.

 Pope Benedict XVI

 Lunch with the most amazing view

Colosseum

 The Roman warrior

 Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II

  

St. Peter's Square in Vatican City

Inside the Vatican

Coloumn of Marcus Aurelius

Trevi Fountain

 Bridge of Angels

Ended the day with a Pizza and a big glass of red wine. Perfect.

Island of Elba

Located in the heart of the Tyrrhenian Sea, off the coast of Livorno, the island of Elba is the third largest Italian island. It is located just 10 kilometers off the Tuscan coast.

Elba hosted Napoleon Bonaparte during his exile in 1814. As an emperor, Napoleon used his time as an exile to undertake important economic and cultural initiatives for the island.

 Crossing from San Remo to Elba

 Beautiful sunset

 Elba night market

Got stung by a jellyfish whilst snorkeling