This was after just getting off the plane and back at the apartment! Doesn't she look good after that long of a flight!
The candy spread my mom sent over...and yes we saved almost all of it for Tony since he loves this kind of candy :)
Oh the fun things that happen when two blonde American girls are exploring Italy :) I was so blessed to have my sister Kristin come and visit last week. It was the most perfect timing because Tony was going to be gone for 15 days and the weather was great! My sister loves the sun so of course coming to an island on the Mediterranean Sea is not a bad vacation spot!
There are so many funny things that happened I don't think I need to share them all, but needless to say we had a fabulous time exploring Northern Sardegna, soaking up some rays, but most of all spending time together. We laughed and talked so much we both had sore throats by the end of the trip!
We were on the beach about two hours after she landed!
So it begins...
I was so excited to see her that I was at the airport about an hour early...then I came to find out that her flight had been delayed another hour! So I decided to leave the parking lot and just go sit outside on a curb and enjoy the sun. So finally her flight had landed and here she comes....with NO bags! Her bags were still in Rome...and if you know Kristin at all she was not a happy camper (and I wouldn't be either if I had the wardrobe she does)! So we finally got all the information we needed and gave them what they needed..and we were off! We headed straight home and Kristin was not tired at all so we put on our suits and headed toward the closest beach possible which was Platamona. So we enjoyed some time there and a free drink from the lifeguard that was "on duty" (yes...he really was on duty). Yes we both figured that you would never see an on duty lifeguard drinking a beer in the states...leave it to Italy. So then we heard happy news that her bags had arrived safely in Alghero...so we were off to get them safe and sound! When we got there we had to go through customs and security and out the door like we were going to board a plane, and then right back in a different door where the arrivals come in to baggage claim. We were both laughing so hard because they were actually treating us like we were just getting on and off a plane! So we finally got the bags and headed back home.
We showered and went out to downtown Sassari for dinner. However, we didn't end up eating dinner! An older man heard us speaking English and started talking with us and was going to show us to a good restaurant...so we followed him and then realized we think this guy is going to sit down and eat with us. And of course I was not going to let that happen since that was Kristin's first night there and I wanted her all to myself! SO we kept dodging every place he showed us and told him that now we were only in the mood for gelato..haha! So he showed us a place and went on his way. Well we were still hungry so we found a pizza place and ordered one to go and headed back to the apartment. Looking back the man was probably just showing us a place and then going to leave us...but I was not about to take that chance!
First night in Sassari :)
Piazza d'Italia
So it wasn't exactly how I pictured Kristin's first Italian meal..gelato then pizza to go...but it sure was yummy :)
The next day we of course were up bright and early to hit the beach! We headed to the beautiful beach of La Pelosa which is right past the city of Stintino. It is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen, and I think Kristin enjoyed it too! We stayed there for about 6 hours...and got plenty of sun! Oh not too mention a free umbrella from a nice couple that I helped with the parking meter hours earlier :)
La Pelosa beach...absolutely gorgeous
Fun in the sun :)
Then back to the house for a shower and snack time...we seemed to do that every night. Instead of eating lunch we would just have some appetizers before dinner at the house. So we then headed to dinner at Ultimo Piano in Sassari which is on the top of a building right next to the gym. It was a good Italian meal and a great view. The gentleman next to us ended up talking to us and we found out they were fans of Dinamo basket so we talked on and off with them through out the meal. Before they left they sent us two beers...and not just any beer...it is the beer of Sardegna which you can only get here on the island. I think they were so proud of it, they thought we just had to have it. :) It was a fun day of sun, laughter, and food!
So off to another great city Alghero to enjoy their big wide beach and great old city on the water. The wind was a little frisky that day so we didnt last our typical 6 hours..maybe just 4. So we headed off to walk around the city boardwalk that is on top of this stone wall bordering the city....it is so awesome! I had the best gelato ever and then we visited King's Pub which happens to be owned by a teammate of Tony! It was a fun afternoon and we wanted to go back there that night so we headed home for some snacks and showers :)
The beautiful city of Alghero at night...
So back we went to Alghero to Kings Pub and a good time just talking and relaxing while overlooking the water. We did see a man I knew from Sassari that happened to join the group behind us...so that was pretty Enumclawish (and by that I mean running into someone you know every where you go). It was fun to catch up with him but then it was too cold to enjoy ourselves so we headed home.
OK so I realize this entry might be getting too long...so I will try to summarize :)
The last days together were so much fun! We went to Grotto Nettuno where we hiked down and up 3oo stairs to see these amazing caves under this huge cliff...it was amazing! Then we got asked by two Australian girls for a ride back down the road...we were a little caught off guard but we said yes, and took them to place that they thought their tour bus would pick them up. We just hoped they actually finally found their bus! Then we went on to Alghero again to nestle down in a cafe and play UNO because it was raining :(. We found this great place that was like a cave and just relaxed and played cards for awhile. When it was time to go it was still raining pretty hard...so we decided if we don't go now then how long will we have to wait...haha. So we threw off our flip flops and started sprinting to the car in a straight down pour! We seriously ran about a mile to our car and were running through huge puddles of water...people were laughing out loud at us from under their umbrellas :) I don't think I have ever done that before...and I highly recommend it!
Grotto Nettuno (this was after walking 3oo stairs down)
We made it ;)
Another day another beach! This time a beach close to home so we could soak up every ray of sun. Then we adventured to the city of Castlesardo which was so beautiful. It is a city built into the side of a hill and then resting on the top is a great castle with the most incredible views. We loved it here...and were running all over the castle like little girls...but we wanted to see it all....and we did.
The Castle on top of the the city of Castlesardo
Overlooking the beautiful city...and enjoying the view!
The castle was so much fun to explore
So the next morning we were up early and off to Porto Cervo a city about two hours away that is where celebrities go to play :) So of course we had to check it out...and they were not kidding when they said the land of million dollar yachts. We walked around the marina and the yachts were sooo incredible and huge!! Then we found the designer shopping and finished up with a stop at their marina bar for some snacks. Oh did I mention that the restaurant upstairs offered a Coca Cola for 10euros (which is $14.50)? We passed on that...and stuck with locals bar :) But before we headed home the Louis Vuitton store happened to be back open and Kristin bought this awesome Limited Edition bag that had Porto Cervo printed on it and is exclusive to that specific store!! I was so jealous...but she let me hold the bag on the way out ;)
A fun day of shopping and exploring...well just shopping for Kristin :)
I spy? The manager of the bar was taking these pictures...and it took him about 12 times to get serious about it...now we know what he was waiting for..haha!
A great place...but we found out that basically everything was closing for the winter season!
It was a little cloudy in the sky but we headed out with our swimsuits on and hope in our eyes! We were on a sun and souvenir hunt all day and it really ended up being a total success as we found and enjoyed both things that day :) And it being Kristin's last day I wanted to take her to a spectacular Italian last dinner before she headed back home. So we headed to Alghero and found a great restaurant overlooking the water and ordered food fit for Queens :) We sat there and soaked up the experience for about 3 hours which is true Italian style...and talked the night away! We finally realized we better head home considering it was about 1AM and Kristin had to be up at 4AM to catch her flight!
A special treat from our waiter :)
Our last date night...so sad to see her go home :(
So we caught a few hours of shut eye and then off the airport. Not a happy time for me to see her leave...it went by way too fast and I wish she could have stayed another week! But she is a rockstar at work and they need her...so I had to let her go!
We talked until the last minute possible but then finally she really had to go...
It was the first time we have had a sibling here and it was seriously the best time ever. I just hope that the rest of our siblings get to come over eventually and enjoy this same experience!
Thanks Kristin for coming to visit...it was the best time ever :)
Ciao Kristin! :(
