Nothing like a little Italian

We're still in the throes of summer here in South Africa and going to work every day while the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming is just.not.right. So, I console myself with breaks gone by and wade through photos of happier, work free, times. (Yes, I am once again craving a holiday)

Whilst reminiscing on sun-filled breaks, I came across pictures of a cruise I went on with some friends a few years ago. The ship (boat?!, no, probably ship) went from Durban harbour, through to Maputo (Mozambique) via both Barra Lodge and Portuguese islands. Absolutely delightful and beautiful, with that typical East African coastline and turquoise crystal clear (luke warm!) ocean. Ah.

Anyway, to make matters even more delightful, the ship's crew consisted (almost entirely) of Italian boys. Now if there is a nation on earth that was made to stroke the female ego, it is surely the Italian nation. Brought up (I imagine) at their mother's knee to worship all that is female, they can acknowledge with a single appreciative look: 'Thou art woman". No expectations, nothing encroaching, just a simple statement that confirms all that you have always known. And they make amazing food, not the mention the shoes!! I was of Roman origin in a previous life, I'm convinced of it! I digress...

I even got to open the dance floor at the captain's dinner with the (very) Italian captain, who, even though he didn't speak much English and my Italian is limited to 'scarpe' (shoes, of course), managed to communicate a greeting (invitation?) to my mother! How can you not love them!

Perhaps shoes are a way to 'top up' on these feel good moments that are not always prominent...hmmm...perhaps that's just the excuse I'm going with for now!

I leave you with our waiter for the duration of the cruise, regaling us with an Italian classic. Now that's what I call service!

Feet in the sand

Getting toward the end of the year, I am craving a beach holiday. This time last year I was lucky enough to wet my feet in the ocean off the coast of Zanzibar and I would just love to be in the same place right now, but alas, planning left to late and no budget to speak of, I can only dream.

So dream I shall and in the true spirit of the obsessed (shoes, chocolates, anything really), I will indulge in beaches gone by. I will just have to imagine the early morning rituals of sun screen application, picking out the bikini for the day (including sarong, flip flops and bag, of course - not forgetting hat and sunglasses), heading out to the beach for a few rays of sun before breakfast and oh, the exhausting task of lying around sipping cocktails and reading a good book with only the beach, the ocean and the sun for company. Heaven.

Some of my best experiences have been in:



Mahe Island, Seychelles



Barra Loge, island off the coast of Mozambique



Cancun, Mexico



Zanzibar island, Zanzibar

Anyone out there with a beach flat standing empty somewhere, just give me a shout, I have the flip flops ready to go!