CRUISING 2

Hi guys! How have you been?

Im trying to catch up ... Week June 21 - 27, 2012.

FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012.

Third Stop:
Kotor, Montenegro

Kotor is a costal city in Montenegro, it is on the gulf of kotor.

The country's population is approximately 600,000.

The old mediterranean port of Kotor is surrounded by an impressive city wall built by the Republic of Venice.


The Bay of Kotor is one of the most indented parts of the adriatic Sea. Together with the limestone cliffs, it and its surrounding areas form a picturesque Mediterranean landscape.

We saw the country by taking an SUV tour. We drove through the mountains.

This is the traditional instrument of Montenegro, it is called a gusle. How to play it is taught from father to son, generation to generation.

 This is the sea gate, Main entrance to the old city.

SATURDAY, JUNE 23, 2012. 

We were in transit .. haha so we just relaxed on the boat.

SUNDAY, JUNE 24, 2012.

Forth Stop: Naples, Italy. 

Naples is the capital of Campania and is the third largest city in italy, after Rome and Milan.

First stop was Sorrento. The town overlooks the Bay of Naples as the key place of the Serrentine Peninsula. 

There are many sights that can be seen from Sorrento, Naples itslef, Vesuvius and the island of Capri.

Next Stop was the city of Pompeii. It was a Roman Town near modern Naples. 

Along with Herculaneum, it was partially destroyed and buried under about 15ft of ash and pumice after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.

It was rediscovered in 1748. Since then it has been excavated and has provided an insight into the life of a city during the Pax Romana. 

Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Sight!

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012.

Fifth stop: Rome, Italy

The Colosseum, is an amphitheater in the centre of Rome. It is the largest ever built in the Roman Empire, seating 50,000 spectators. It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman Architecture and Roman engineering.

It was used for gladiatorial contests and pubic spectacles. The building was closed in the early medieval era. It was later reused for such purposes as housing and workshops.

This is the National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. It was built to honour Victor Emmanuel, the first King of Unified Italy. 

The monument also holds the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, with an eternal flame. It was built under the statue of Italy after Wolrd War I.

This is the Trevi Fountain. It is the largest Baroque (artistic style of the 1600's) fountain in the city and one of the most famous in the world. 

There is an old myth saying, whoever throws a coin into the fountain using the right hand over the left shoulder (over the heart) will return to Rome.

Then we went to the Spanish Steps. They are recognised as Europe's widest staircases. The 138 steps were built in the early 1700. The famous steps connects the Church and Piazza Trinita dei Monti (top) with the Piazza di Spagne (bottom).

TUESDAY, JUNE 26, 2012.

Sixth Stop: Florence and Pisa, Italy

This is the Leaning Tower of Pisa (bell tower for the city church), located in Pisa in the city of Tuscany. The tower began to sink when they reached the second floor, due to a weak and shallow foundation.

Construction was subsequently halted for almost a century. Recently the building has undergone further construction to save it from toppling over.

We didnt see much in florence, we used the time to shop ...

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27, 2012.

Seventh Stop: Toulon, France

Toulon is a town in southern France. It is a fishing town, but it is better known as a military harbour.

Have a great week and Check in next time to locate the Jamaican Gal Lost in Europe!

CRUISING 1

Good People! How have you been? 

I know I have been missing for a while, Lack of time and internet. Here is part of what I have been up to.

Week June 14 - 20, 2012. 

FRIDAY, JUNE 15, 2012

Well I flew to Barcelona, Spain to surprise Maya, I was joining here and her family on a Mediterranean cruise. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 16, 2012

We went on the Celebrity Cruise line. The ships name was Celebrity Solstice, it was gorgeous out of this world!



TUESDAY, JUNE 19, 2012.

First cruise stop:
Split, Croatia.





It is a mediterranean city on the eastern shores of the Adriatic sea. It is the 2nd largest city in croatia and centered around the ancient Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian. It is busy commercial and ferry port.

We took a small boat up the Centina River.

Took in the sights of fishermen on the banks, in the huts.

It ended with lunch on the river bank at a small local restaurant were they had their own bakery and live musicians. 

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 20, 2012.

Second stop: Venice Italy

Venice is located in a lagoon on Italy's north-eastern Adriatic Coast.

It is truly a unique city made up of waterways,  narrow streets and small squares. It is built on about 117 islet, separated by 177 canals.

We started the day in St. Mark's Square. It was in front of the original St. Mark's Basilica.

Then to St Mark's Basilica. Originally it was located inside the complex of the Doge's Palace and was constructed in 828 but burned down in 976 during an uprising. It has been rebuilt twice, the last time in 1063.

You cant go to venice and not do a gondola ride .. haha. We took the gondola through the canals all around the city and took in the beautiful sights.

Then we saw the Rialto Bridge which opened in 1591. For nearly three hundred years, it was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot. 

It is for sure one of the most beautiful, romantic and best loved cities in the world.

While going back to the boat we past the Santa Maria della Salutes. It is located on a narrow strip of land between the Grand Canal and the St. Mark's Basin. 

The senate promised to build the church in honor of Mary if she would free the city from the plague of 1630.

Im gonna try and get the following week finished up tomorrow. 

So have a great week and Check in next time to locate the Jamaican Gal Lost in Europe!

All Over ... Bye Switzerland

Well its over now, my time at finishing school in Switzerland has come to an end. But it went out with a bang. Awesome Week!

THURSDAY, JUNE 7, 2012.

We took our IVP teacher for tea (no pictures) but we then had to rush back to enjoy the best dinner of the school year, French style hot dogs! (Baguette with a hole in the middle then the sausage)

FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2012.

We went for dinner at Le Rouvenaz ... one of our last dinners together :( 

I know am  always eating or talking about food. HAHA

Dinner was followed by a walk along the lake.

If you have been to Montreux, you would know there is a famous statue of Freddie Mercury. Until this day I had never taken a picture of or with it. 

If you are like me, and don't know who he was, he was a British musician, singer and songwriter, best known as the lead vocalist and lyricist of the rock band Queen. He died November 24, 1991 .. Maybe why I don't know him!

SATURDAY, JUNE 9 - WEDNESDAY, JUNE 13, 2012

My main activity for this time period was study, study, study and get my French exams over with! I had 8 french exams.



THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2012

Today I took the last of my exams, guess who qualified for her french certificate?? ME! ... your grades need to be at a certain standard to obtain this

In the evening we had the official graduation dinner and ceremony.

Im gonna miss you roomie! :(

Coctails  followed the pictures, then dinner and  ceremony. 

The certificates I received included :

- IVP Higher Certificate in Finishing!
- IVP Diploma of International Etiquette and Protocol!
- Surval A2 Certificate of French!

After we received our certificates and Diplomas they had the high school and BBA graduation.



Congrats Kika!

Proud of all the graduates!

Small surprise for most of you, the Jamaican Gal Lost in Europe in not over just yet!

I will be doing some more Europe travel for the next 3 weeks, once I have internet I will do the blog!

So have a great week and Check in next week to locate the Jamaican Gal Lost in Europe!