Hi,
I'm back with part two of our great trip to Italy, the wonderful little Island of Elba. So, as we were trying to plan our vacation with Anne and Ryan, Rick and I thought it would be fun and different to experience one of the islands off of the western coast of Italy. We started investigating Sardinia, but found it too far, requiring an overnight boat trip, which we didn't want to do. So, we rented an apartment for two nights on a tiny dot of an island, Elba, in the small village of Rio Marino. It required the trains and a ferry to get to, but we finally arrived on Tuesday evening, and waited for the contact person to arrive at the ferry to get us. Finally, here he comes, on foot, speaking very little English, but friendly and welcoming. Our apt. was in a neighborhood near the ferry so we loaded up with our backpacks and off the four of us went, following him, twisting and turning uphill to our very Italian apt. The town apparently shuts down after September 15, which we definitely didn't know, so it was like a ghost town, very quiet, and we stuck out like a sore thumb in this little village where everyone knows everyone. The restaurant was open though, and we had the best pizza, and seafood that night, one of the most delicious meals of our whole trip. Not more than 6 of us in the entire restaurant, so the waitress watched us all throughout the meal. Very funny experience.
The next morning we were all determined to see the island, but couldn't get any information on the bus schedule. However, we left the apartment with a firm plan to see and do whatever we could, just not in Rio Marino !! Ryan saw the bus coming, so all four of us ran to catch it, thank goodness I have been working out. Our bus driver tried to tell us how much to pay in Italian, and after the 4 ladies already on the bus gestured and excitedly tried to explain, so we could continue, Rick got four tickets and we were off. Keep in mind we had no idea how we would get back! No matter, none of us wanted to spend all day in our apt. As it turned out, the 30 minute bus drive to the busiest city on the island was beautiful, and we were now in a town with shopping, beaches, restaurants, and all was well. Anne,Ryan, and Rick actually got to swim in the Mediterranean Sea! We enjoyed our day there, and actually found a bus back, had another great meal, with cute young waitresses who died laughing when they found out we were from Texas !! "Oh, Texas!" they would say, then they would laugh.
So our Elba Experience was truly an interesting change of pace, unexpected; one of those "serendipity" moments, love to all, Lynn
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