Rome, Italy & Mauritius

Dec 06, 2009 01:53

I’ve been lazy to post again these past few weeks. After my trip to Turkey, I had some turnarounds then I flew to Rome, Italy in the middle of November. I was very much looking forward to it because it’s been ages since my last visit there. As I’ve mentioned again and again before, I looove Italy! I just find it so beautiful - the picturesque place, gorgeous people, delicious food! Can’t get enough gelato, pizza, gelato, pasta, gelato…did I mention gelato?! *Drool*

Another thing was that I was flying with my friend Koko. It really makes a difference when you’re not flying with complete strangers. Koko and I have already been around the major landmarks in Rome before, but she’s never been to the Vatican so I decided to accompany her.



Welcome to the Vatican City!



St. Peter’s Basilica and the obelisk with my friend Koko



Inside St. Peter’s Square



Meet Emanuele, a rather charming Italian that we met inside the Vatican. :)



Koko and me inside St. Peter’s Basilica



With the Swiss Guards in their colorful uniforms



Goodbye, Vatican City! We were also able to visit the place where the popes are buried. Last time I went there long ago, we were still allowed to discreetly take pictures of the graves, but this time not anymore.



After visiting the Vatican, some of the crew we were with went to visit a nearby castle, but Koko and I were too hungry already. Next time we get to come back to Rome, at least we know where to go. After having our delicious Italian dinner, we went to the Fountain of Trevi.



It was my third visit to the Trevi Fountain, but I still threw a coin to the fountain to ensure my return to Rome. No harm in believing those legends anyway. :) I would love to go back to beautiful Rome again and again, even just for the gelato. Speaking of which, I had 3 scoops that night despite the cold weather!

My next layover after Rome was Accra, Ghana in Africa. It was a 24-hour layover there, and then we do a turnaround shuttle to Abidjan, Ivory Coast and come back to Accra and stay for another 48-hour layover. I’ve never been to Ghana, and I was actually looking forward to doing the Canopy Walk in the rainforest. Otherwise, there’s nothing else to do. Some of the crew went for the Canopy Walk, but - surprise! - I decided not to join. On any normal day, I wouldn’t have passed up a chance for a new adventure especially in a new country, but during that time, I just felt too exhausted. The forest was a 3-hour drive from Accra, and I wasn’t in the mood for a long drive on very rocky roads. Plus, the weather was so hot, and just thinking of having to climb a series suspension bridges under that heat (no matter how beautiful the view), was enough to make me feel faint already. I knew I really needed my rest, but I did regret my decision a little bit, because I felt like my layover was wasted since I didn’t do anything. It’s not often I choose rest over adventure and I’m sure my body is grateful that I didn’t push it to its limit this time.



Here’s me in uniform, a few minutes before our pickup, bored to death in my hotel room in Accra, Ghana. I was ready to go but still had extra time, so I took pictures of myself, practicing my no-teeth smile. I know, I’m such a loser! Haha. I usually hate how I look in pictures if I smile without teeth, but I think this one is not bad. I just need a little bit more practice… Vain, vain, vain!!! :p

I was supposed to have a turnaround and another Rome flight at the end of November, but I swapped them for a Mauritius. I was so frustrated with the unfortunate incident that happened last end of October that I immediately accepted the Mauritius swap that someone sent me. I really wanted to go to Mauritius, but after I flew to Rome, I wanted to go back! Too bad we couldn’t undo our swaps; otherwise I really would’ve taken back my Rome. But it’s ok. I had a blast in Mauritius anyway. I’ve only been there twice long ago, both 12-hour layovers only. Now we stay at a different resort and the layover is longer by a day, 36-hours! More time to enjoy the tropical paradise!



We now stay at the La Plantation Resort, a beautiful resort with lots of pools.



Off to the beach just in front of the resort



The beach in front of La Plantation - I love this picture!



La Plantation Resort, Mauritius



As I said, the resort has many, many pools!



One of the reasons I really enjoyed Mauritius was because the crew I flew with were a lot of fun! We had this crazy pictorial at the beach after dinner. That’s Nawale from France (too shy to show her legs, haha), Peach from Thailand, Nimo from Tanzania, Glendy from the Philippines, Edna from Kenya, Ashleigh and Thomas from South Africa, and yours truly.



I really like this fun picture! Nawale (2nd), really didn’t want to show her legs, so she just pretended to be scandalized. Hehe!



Show your right leg, take 2! Our French colleague really is stubborn. :p



The following morning, my Mauritian friend Yash, who works for Air Mauritius, picked us up and brought us to a bigger, better beach, the Mon Choisy.



Group picture at the Mon Choisy - me, Thomas, Yash, Ashleigh, Glendy



Sunbathing in Mauritius



Mon Choisy, Mauritius



Group picture in the water



This would’ve been a better picture if someone tried to hide his beer belly. Hehehe!



Me posing with a jet ski



After spending some time at the beach, Yash brought us to the capital city of Port Louis. It’s my first time to ever see the city in Mauritius!



Casino in Port Louis



Me and Yash at the Port Louis Waterfront



Me, Yash, Glendy in the city of Port Louis

We didn’t have much time to go around the city because we had to come back early so we could still sleep before our pickup. But at least we got to see it, even if we were in such a hurry. So that’s it for my November. This beginning of December, I have a bunch of turnarounds. Boo. I’ve already done a few, but earlier I got offloaded (taken off the flight) because my medical license had “213” printed on it instead of “2013” as its expiry date. I don’t really mind being taken off since it was a blah flight anyway. I have another long turnaround coming up, and I think they’ll have to take me off that one too since I still have to wait for my new medical certificate before I could fly. I hope I could get it soon because I’m flying to Birmingham with Ann in a few days! I really, really want to go to Birmingham since the last time I’ve been to the UK was early this year. Need to do some Christmas shopping over there. And of course, I really want to fly with Ann, too! Crossing my fingers I’ll get my medical certificate ASAP!
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