LACASAPARK » Italy

Where do you eat in Leuca in Puglia? At Osteria Terra Masci!

jaehee — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:31:55 +0000

Entrance at Osteria Terra Masci , Santa Maria di Leuca, Puglia

After a long day of swimming and a rewarding refreshing outdoor shower, it always comes down to one important question, ” What’ for dinner?!!” As we are making our lunch at home or grab something easy to go to move forward our days, fabulous local dinner is always a hot topic when we are traveling. As much as we love all those Prosciutto and Specs and all, let’s not forget that Italy is a one big Peninsula. Yes, the blessed rich country is surrounded by all that gorgeous water , especial saltier one. Is that why any fish and seafood tastes way way better in Italy than many other countries? The rich ocean life is something you can’t just pass in Italy and we are totally up for a big feast of freshest local fish and seafood for the night right here in Santa Marina di Leuca!

Our 2 bedroom rental home base during this trip, friendly homeowners had given us a few tips regarding good restaurants. The top of the list was this place “Osteria Terra Masci” which is located at the borderline of Santa Maria di Leuca on Via Castrignano , Tel 0833 758224 ( You MUST make a reservation). It was so wonderful , we ended eating here twice during our 6 day trips. With Beppe and Dani then one more dinner with Philipp and Kit. 100% sitting this time around at their front garden. It is true an experience dinning Al fresco. With perfectly pleasent evening temperature down her at Leuca, it would be shame if you don’t dine somewhere outside with romantic dimmed light at a delicious glass of wine…

Anyway, Here I like to share our wonderful dining experience with you at Terra Masci, so come follow me!

It’s about 9:30 pm weekdays. Calculate this. After the ocean, shower, change… Apperitivo. People are ready to eat by 9-9:30. Lightly washed in pale blue wood trims and white outdoor parasols are bit shabby and bit Greek like. You can definitely feel this is a place for seafood.

Our super professional and friendly waiter for both dinners showing off the freshest stock ups for the night. Such a classic way to serve the customers. Even the stake houses sometimes will bring out their proud cuts for the night to show what they are serving to customers.

For our main course in a family style, We ended up choosing a handsome big fish over the lobster. It will be roasted with thinly sliced potatoes and herbs on top.

The waiter will take care of portioning for the size of the group and just bring arrays of Appetizer dishes. It feel almost like Tapas. Here Shrimp Crudo (Raw) with herbs and fresh olive oil and salt. Delicious!

Lightly grilled Branzino with herbs, fresh garlic, Olive oil and lemon.

I believe this was Sole. Sort of Ceviche, but much lighter on amount of lemon juice. Super delicate. The Olive oil can just kill you. So amazing!

Grilled eggplant stuffed with fresh tuna and olive oil. “The” local veggie. Any restaurant you go, they will have good 5-6 different ways to serve egg plant as an appetizer.

Breaded and fried fish balls. Yum!

Peperonata Picante. Slowly cooked down mixed peppers with tomato. Peppers are also one popular veggie down here and these are always spicy not like ones in Tuscan area. I love this!

Oven baked Stuffed Razor clam. Honestly, I had much better ones in Barcelona. Straight up grilled in open fire with dash of white wine. Sorry Terra Masci…!

The first dish. We chose Spaghetti with shrimps tomato and fresh bits of spicy red and green peppers and touch of bread crumb on top. Perfectly cooked pasta and delicious sauce. The sweetness of Shrimp comes through well and it was well seasoned. I did like the spicy bits of Green and red peppers. See you don’t need ton of thick sauce on any pasta if you make the sauce right like Italians do. You have to make it packed with flavor not runny blend ton of sauce.

This was the main dish at the first night. That big fish was roasted with thinly sliced potatoes over. Fish was beautifully cooked with right amount of texture and saltiness and the potatoes were crispy and sweet. So delicious!

This was our choice of pasta for the second dinner at Terra Masci. Calamari rings and Calamarata pasta. The Pasta literally looks like a ring of Calamari. Yum!!!

Our second dinner at Masci main course for 5. A whole grilled fish with fresh tomato, potato and black olives.

Now watch how to handle and clean this mega fish before you serve!

Philipp serving us.

Another delicate gorgeous dish. Clean delicate flavor straight out from the ocean! Perfect potato and sweet cherry tomato and earthy and salty black olives make a perfect harmony…. Here we added drizzle of spicy first pressed Pugliese Olive oil. YUm YUm YUm!!

Gael always falls a sleep by the half way the dinner…

After the dinner, they always served us ” Finochietto”. Fennel digestive liquor, sort of Limoncello but made with Fennel instead. So fragrant and Ssooo yummy!

We were like the last 2 tables left…

Proud, genuine, generous and Simpaticissimi owners of absolutely amazing “Osteria Terra Masci”, Rino and Sabrina!!

If you are ever in the area of Santa Maria di Leuca, You must stop by here for ultimate experience of delicious seafood feast from the appetizers, amazing pastas, gorgeous fish and professional, efficient and much friendly staffs. You would be completely satisfied. Don’t forget to make a reservation, they get quickly filled up as you can imagine the place is very popular with authentic local dinning experience!!!

LOvE Puglia!

Santa Maria Di Leuca, Puglia :The final Point of Italy

jaehee — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 11:48:11 +0000

The typical coast line of South of Puglia. Here we are at Santa Maria di Leuca, the lowest point of the geographical “Heel” of Italian Peninsula.

About 3 hours of car ride down south from Beppe’s home, Bitonto, We are here at Santa Maria di Leuca, the very final point of Italy, the very tip of the heel of Italy and also the meeting point of the waters from Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Is that why the reason the water looks particularly gorgeous here? Or is that just Italy is the land that much blessed with rich soil and sun, and enviously beautiful ocean and the ocean life… Anyway you will see this most gorgeous view of Ionic ocean from literally any point of the town of Santa Maria di Leuca and along the coast of the Southern Puglia.

Here I like to show you the map of Puglia so you have a good idea where we are traveling through this time!

The green dots show where we are starting and where we will end at through this trip. Bari is the main airport we had landed also because of our friend Beppe’s Home, Bitonto is literally 10 minutes away from there and Beppe and Dani are on this trip with us for the first 3 days. 2 years ago we had already traveled through “Brindisi” area such as Alberobello, Ostuni and all as you can see in this map. So if you go on a main highway from Bari, it would take about 3 hour car ride to get to the very final tip of Italy, Santa Maria de Leuca! We are now based here for 5 nights and 6 days to travel through by running, swimming, boating and dinning at near areas and planning to drive through and do town hopping and snapping pics of the most gorgeous coast line of Puglia.

Let’s start with the town of Leuca! No this is not where we stayed at but this was one our favorite typical Italian home in the town. The warm yellow wash and perfectly placed 2 palms and the most beautiful garden just melted our hearts. Apart from Olives, Cypress and Pines are maybe the 2 best known trees when it gets to Tuscan area but down here in south, you will see more of Palms and all different kinds of palms. And exotic Fig trees and tons of Oleanders, ” The” flower tree you may call Italy’s National flower trees through out the country. That’s Gael on the front!

Rundown but gorgeous. As Leuca actually means ” White” in old Greek language, you can see white washed homes dominate the town.

I realize any hot weathered places share one thing in common. Simple lines in Architecture. Despite of strong presence of Baroque style down in many parts of south of Italy such as Lecce and Sicily, you can see majority of homes of public are built in simple lines as in Yucatan Mexico or Greek.

A small beach front right in the heart of the town of Leuca. Whenever passing by the beach in the morning, I felt like I was in one scene of old Italian Movie. Sofia Lauren running into Marcello Mastroianni! Also Bit San Tropez..? Did we swim here? Naaa, wait for something better. Much much better!

More palms in town.

Now we are in the car hunting the perfect spot to swim and spend all day in the ocean. 5 minute ride from our base in Leuca, we find a nice big parking lot in front of this cute Trattoria. Also great for after swim Apperitivo!

Approaching the tip of coast line. Dying to know what’s ahead of us!

What else do you really need?!!!!

Need a throw down with Caribbean ocean!

With our Casarosa’s adventurous spirit, No rocky cliff is hardly any obstacle for us! Gael well trained by Emi in Livorno, we are just 2 seconds away from climbing down and jumping into to this sweet gorgeous ocean!

Yeap! That’s my 8 year old son Gael from NYC! I mean who would think he’s from the middle of the crazy city? Gael fits right in with tough locals!

In the water with Dad. Gael earned a nick name during this summer: Il Lupo di Mare. The Wolf of Ocean!

From left, Beppe, Gael, Emi and the far right, Dani. Did I swim too? Of course!!

Now the 4 boys from Rome.

They are showing us off Sea urchins they collected. They said they would it raw with a piece of bread.

We loved it all. We loved it so much, the next day, we had rented out a small boat for 7! Now Gigi, Beppe’s brother and Vivianan, Gigi’s girl friend had joined us for today’s adventure! Captain Emi launching the boat!

Yeah!!!!

Gigi and happy Gael!

Approaching one of million caves along the coast!

It reminds me of Cenotes in Tulum!

Viviana and me.

Sail, stop, swim, lunch, prosecco and sail, stop, swim , snack, prosecco. Now repeat !

Beppe and Dani. What a hard life we live..!

The Light House of Santa Maria di Leuca. The second most important light house of the entire Italy after the one in Genova.

Going home…

Special thanks to Captain Emi, the man capable of so many things in every way. I love you so much Emi! And Gael, my brave proud son who keeps up with anything and everything that is ahead of us. And dear friends carrying on amazing friendship that is becoming family-ship now… I love you all and thanks for the one of the most beautiful day of life…!

LOvE Puglia!!!

Again, Puglia!!

jaehee — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 18:06:29 +0000

Giovinazzo by night. A view from a locale, Ecclesia.

Now it has been already 2 years since Emi and I had visited beautiful Puglia. First encounter with Mamma Lucia and her gorgeous Bocconotti, Love at first sight in Poligano, Endless night wonder at Giovinazzo, pretty white city Ostuni, exotic distinctive Puglia’s architecture : Trulli at Albero Bello… So much beauties in so little time then, it definitely made us want to come back to Puglia to see more. And here we are back to explore down further south through Lecce and on. Stay tuned for “The next Toscana of Italy”, Puglia!

Sweet moment. Truly it is an “Open” bar with a view of the port behind. After a day of long lunch with Beppe’s family, running in the park and the gorgeous dinner filled with plenty of fresh Riccotta di Bufala at the piazza of Giovinazzo, here we are stopping by for some cocktails and friends. The bar is located on the tip of fort at historical town and it’s elevated location gives you plenty of cool sea breeze and amazing view to the town.

Beppe and Emi

Dani and me

The time goes by, it get’s more lively. The music is going and people are dancing. Kids are running around and everything is just cool.

There are enough of sitting and lounging area and you can also have some food here as well. Gael fell asleep on a chair…

Gaetano. He’s a friend of Beppe and the owner of this cool bar, Eclessia.

Walking the night away. The breeze tingles you around.. It’s so perfect!

The lively piazza of Giovinazzo. It’s almost like a Christmas here! There are many little festivals throughout many cities and towns of Italy this time around. Notte Bianca, Sagre… Tonight, there was a parade of people in historical costumes through the town of Giovinazzo.

Streets are blocked from the cars and literally everyone is out and about!

Made through a big crowd and waiting for a dinner!

Spec and Ricotta salata. Wait for the next one!

Fresh Riccota of Bufala. ( Buffalo in English) This melts in your mouth. Sssso light! So milky! So smooth but not dense. Airy, fresh and just delicious!

Gael loves anchovy and olives. So Italian he is. Cheese~!

Nite Nite….!

Beautiful Bay: Cala Violina, Maremma, Italy

jaehee — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:07:23 +0000

Peaking through the lush Pine bush at Cala Violina, Maremma, Italy

You juts fall in love at the first sight! What can I say. She’s this perfectly sized cozy little bay hidden behind beautiful Campo di Girasole, the Sunflower field from the main road. It costs you walking about 1.5 km to get to the actual beach once you get to the main parking lot which city runs. Only 250 cars are allowed in that parking lot which means about only little more than 1000 people can be allowed on the beach. Actual walking isn’t too bad and it’s all worth it. Apart from this beautiful crystal clear water of the bay, but also impressively lush pine bush is another reason why you want to be there. Beautiful cool shade that Pine bush makes is a perfect lunch spot and relaxing and it makes Cala Violina to be the ideal day trip destination!

Cala Violina is situated in Gulf of Follonica which is the heart of Natural reserve of Bandite di Scarlino as you can sense it from controlled parking lot and the amount of the cars that are allowed in there is pretty much untouched. There’s saying floating around where the name of this bay had come from. It say when you walk upon the sand , it emits musical notes like the sound of a violin..? Hmmm… Not sure if that is true, but Cala Violina is a definitely unspoiled cutest little bay you feel like you are detached from the rest of the world. If you are happened to be in Maremma, You shouldn’t miss this little beautiful spot!

Driving through the Sunflower field of Cala Violina. So beautiful!

I love you Sunflowers!

Access to the beach! And I am absolutely loving the grand scene of pine bush! So gorgeous!

You can totally bring your cooler filled with all the goodies but remember you need to walk about 1.5 km to get to the beach from the designated Parking lot to access the beach. There are many picnic tables under the Pine filed once you get to the beach where you can get out from the sun and relax a bit having your lunch. Otherwise, you can also order good sandwiches and salad from the one and only food truck, ” Cala Violina” below!

Getting closer!

Yeah Baby! Crystal clear water and white sand. Water is amazing!

The Young Italian: Sunset at Marina di Pisa.

jaehee — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 11:56:50 +0000

The young Italian at Sunset Cafe, Marina di Pisa, Italy

“Aperitivo” in Italy is one loaded word which describes layers of Italian culture in only 8 letters. Relaxed mind, food and socializing. “Happy Hour” wouldn’t quite justify what Aperitivo does. People take time on Aperitivo. Especially the Young Italian. You will go to dinner after but you get to nibble on some real good appetizers. All the local places will serve nice range of complimentary snacks along your order of drinks. Mostly like in a buffet style. They will serve all sort of things like riso freddo (rice salad), pastas, dips and cheese, olives, fruits, nuts and even cold cuts if you are in better places. So actually drinks come bit more expensive but you also get great deal of nice nibbles.

But this is not the only reason why Aperitivo works differently from Happy Hour. I think it’s the mind set. The mentality. Peace in your mind. Aperitivo is a Nice Stylish Break after a long day at work or even all day of playing at the beach if it happens to be the nice hot summer weekend. You have taken a refreshing shower already and put on a clean outfit after the day of whatever that was and you step out of the house with recharged body and soul. And you are ready to mingle now. A sweet one. You meet up and plan for the dinner or even for the night or whatever next thing is. You catch up sipping on glass of prosecco or delicious cocktails with friends and family. It’s really a nice time. Life feels real good here. There will be good music there some times even the live one. Any hot new Aperitivo spot is a definitely a good deal to talk about.

Especially when it comes to one just like the ” Sunset Cafe” in Marina di Pisa!

A good friend, Alino with Emi catching up at the bar. Alino is an amazing hair stylist. He did my hair for our wedding!

A few private areas for gatherings. They will set up a separate appetizer bar for you.

A sexy Summer evening at Marina di Pisa.

Do not miss it!

Mercato Centrale di Livorno, Italy

jaehee — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 03:01:53 +0000

Central Market of Livorno over the main canal of the city, Italy.

The market is open everyday except Sunday and 5 entrances of the market lead you into the main food hall where there are richest greens, meat, dairies, coffee, bread & pastries, pasta an fish that surely inspire you to think about to whip up some delicious dishes! We love going to Mercato Centrale di Livorno right after our usual Italian breakfast ( cappuccino and typical Italian pastries! ) for a fun stroll and a few ideas for our nice and long lunches and dinners for everyday. The market happens inside of the main building that was built back in late 19th century in splendid example of public Art Nouveau style, and also the outside of the building where there are ton of fruit and vegetable vendors in this square called, Piazza Cavalloti.

You can find pretty much everything and anything that Italians do eat daily in the markets! The freshest produce from such simple yet perfectly ripped tomatoes, lush and impressive zucchini flowers to lightly fry up to the perfection, and especially the “Fish and Seafood” is the true highlight of the Livorno market as Livorno is considered as one of the most important top 3 ports in Italy.

Here I like to share mainly the 2 parts of the market as these are our usual biggest interest: Vegetable market in Piazza Cavalloti and the Fish and Seafood section of the indoor market.

Fiori di Zucca! ( The Zucchini flowers) The simple delicacy of Italy. Everyone prepares it differently. But as Livia, my mother in law always taught me, you do not overdo Zucchinis. They carry this delicate subtle flavor. Our favorite way will be dip it in the simple dry flower then dunk it in the egg wash, fry it up for like 30 seconds and when they are out just sprinkle some salt to taste. That ’s the best way! Aren’t those flowers so gorgeous? There a few different kinds. Take a look at couple pics below.

White Zucchini flowers. Those long Zucchini as your arm! from Sicily. Yes size of your arms!

Sweet and delicate wild berries from the bush. These berries are small as your baby finger nail.

Fabulously fat porcinis! Just slice them up and grill them on the low flame with touch of olive oil and salt. Che Buoni!

This is a kind of green beans. Better than the French beans! Sweeter and more tender.

Our favorite kind. Vongole Veraci. Yes that Vongole for your linguini with white white and garlic sauce. Yum!

Baccala, Cod.

All the local fish from the mare di Livorno. The kinds like to hang out near the rocky area. Which mean more those thin fish bone but also has more flavor.

Skinned head on whole Gattucci. If you know how to eat fish, you want the head on while you cook it. The simple rule here. More parts of the fish=more flavor.

Here the real Scampi! Peeps, bigger size shrimp is Not scampi. They are two different thing. Scampi is absolutely more angular with spiky and harder shell. The meat is sweeter and juicier than shrimp. And they are more expensive and tastier. Best way to eat? Go CRUDO. Shell it carefully, drizzle of extra olive oil and squeeze of fresh lemon. No salt is needed as they are well seasoned already from the salt of the ocean itself.

Baby cuttle fish. You can deep fry, stir fry or pasta sauce it! Expensive! See it’s 25 Euro for 1 Kg!

Array of salad, sotto olio ( things sitting in oil), cured with lemon and garlic. Take them home by the weight as usual.

It’s like sort of salami of octopus.

An old style coffee bar inside the market. But notice that modern stool!

More individual fish vendors on trucks parked right outside of the market.

OK. We are back home now and making a quick lunch for the day!! Rinse the scampi and drain the water.

First dish. Scampi Crudo with Oilve oil and Lemon.

Gather all the heads of Scampi and quick fire on the sauce pan with tomato, garlic, olive oil, shot of white wine and fresh sage. You can simply suck on the heads or this makes the best pasta sauce. Penne or Spaghetti. The hair on this hand is Emi’s. Ha-ha!

You can cover it on low heat and simmer it like 15 minutes. It’s a killer!

Zigge. Maybe the smallest shellfish on Earth. Size of your thumb nail. Gael’s favorite! Wash them, hot oil with garlic, Italian parsley and fresh black pepper. No salt needed.

When the shell is all open and the color of all comes turns bit more intense , they are ready to it. They are like potato chips of Shellfish. DELICIOUS!! Pop them in!

Gael fooling with Granpa’s mafia glasses while we are cooking!

Buon Apetito!!!

Gael’s Italian Birthday, Livorno!

jaehee — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 06:01:02 +0000

Home sweet Home at Vale Benedetta, Andrea’s garden, Livorno, Italy

We had left for Italy on Gael’s Birthday this time, so auntie Suzy and uncle Andrea were throwing a birthday party for Gael where Andrea lives. Vale Benedettta. A small village where there’s much history of Casarosa’s family as a few generations have lived there and now Emi has a small country home and Emi’s big brother Andrea actually resides right below Emi’s country home daily. Emi and I had married at this small church in Vale Benedetta 12 years ago and I definitely feel like this is a home at heart for the family even though we only get to come up to Vale Benedetta only a few times a year. But I feel the root of the family history here somehow. As usual it would be either Emi’s or Andrea’s. We rotate 2 homes and we get together time to time with all family and it would be usually lots of home cooked food and enjoying typical Italian style family conversation sitting out in al fresco by peach trees if it was at Emi’s or by a small fish pond if it was at Andrea’s.

It’s so good to be back home with Emi’s family!! Especially to celebrate Gael’s big 8th birthday together!!!

Andrea’s festive entrance. The man who worked his entire life in the ocean sure chose the right decor. The world’s flags. The typical ones for the yacht clubs and ports. I always enjoy seeing Andrea’s particular love for the ocean in his life.

Denny So grown up now!

Suzy’s fresh pesto: rucola, cherry tomato, black olives, almond, basil, garlic…. Delicious!

Uncle Giorgio and me!

Andrea and Giorgio working on a grill.

The familiar running around of Gael in and out of Andrea’s home. The lush pines, the dark green door, warm yellow washed wall of Emi’s home behind. Aaaaahhhh!

Merlino, Denny’s dog but really Giorgio’s I believe. Right, Suzy..? Haha!

As it get’s darker, Andrea’s garden starts get really shinning. So pretty…

Andrea.

Suzy holding one of her cake she made for Gael. Delicious. Suzy also had made a Cheese cake with runny chocolate icing on top. Yum!!

Now watch the family singing!!

Suzy’s gift, The Soccer shoes!!!

Grandpa the director!

Emi, Chiara and Andrea Jr.

Ahhh Happy Gael!

Grazie a tutti per una belissima festa per Gael!!!!!!!!

Ti vogliamo sempre sempre bene!!

Game Over

jaehee — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 12:37:45 +0000

Feb 13, the Sunday, 41st Street and 7th Avenue, Times Square. Mubarak is out! And Italy, Now it’s your turn! Isn’t it such a powerful thing? Wanting to change and wanting to make it right. It was a small group here in NYC, but every Piazza in Italy was filled and gathered by millions and millions of people of Italy. Especially Women to change it and end it. It’s the TIME!!!

Here Check out Italy standing up:

And the rest of the nation!

Facce di Firenze: Faces of Florence

jaehee — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:36:53 +0000

Ahhh Che Bella Firenze…!

Isola Capraia, Italy

jaehee — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:17:46 +0000

Arriving at Isola Capraia, Italy

This small and beautiful Island Capraia is one of the seven sisters of the Tuscan Archipelago belonging to the province of Livorno (62KM) and the third in sizes after the Elba and Giglio and is also close to Corsica Island ( 30KM). The small port is full of little boats that work as ” daily water Taxi ” if you don’t have your own since there are no specific beaches on this island to walk to. So you need to rent one kind ( either that is 3 m boat or a rubber boat for some skin diving in most amazing crystal water rich in life and oddities) to get around the Island to do swimming and sight seeing.

Just 2 hour ferry ride from our home, Livorno ( 30 euro for both way), you can have an amazing day trip here even though I thought it would have been much better we stayed at the Island for one more day to also check out the little village on the top of the island. We only planned for a day trip in time for the return ferry. Well…now we have an excuse to go back to this little perfect Island next summer…!

Such a classical looking Bar/Gelateria at the dock. Blue awning is just perfect for the beautiful summer port…

Just right amount of people visit here. Not crazy touristy as Capri or Portofino. Low key and just beautiful.

Getting a day taxi (boat).

Woo Hoo! Leading the boat…! It feels amazing! Emi driving…! and the safety first for Gael even though he lost the vest half an hour later. Why? Caz we are swimming..!!!

My boys.

This volcanic Island Capraia also produces wines and is a center of the anchovy fishery. It is small yet packed with flourishing vegetation and full of Mediterranean species such as oleanders, asphodels, daises…

There isn’t any sand beach here on this Island and it makes Capraia quite special and it really encourages for you to have the boat for the day and just hang out on the boat at your perfect spot you love. It was a whole another kind of experience for me and Gael. Don’t forget to bring a cooler packed with paninis, fruits and chilled drinks. It’s literally a day picnic on the ocean!

We don’t even own a car so it feels very far away from us, but it wouldn’t be bad to have a yacht or even a tiny little boat for us one day. Go swimming with a picnic basket. Watch the sunset…. I think my brother would have really liked it….

That’s me jumping into the water, My hair standing… hahaha!

It’s deep deep water but its so crystal clear in this most amazing inky blue shade, you can see all the way down to the sandy bottom. The water is so amazing here. It’s different kind of transparency that you see from the Caribbean ocean. It’s crystal clear then also very silky and smooth then again so so clean. It feels like this… If you make sea salt out of this water, you would only get super fine sea salt not the rock salt… This extra salty Mediterranean water almost feels like sweet fresh water from a lake from a mountain somewhere…

I am so proud of Gael. Look at him how good he is at swimming in this deep Mediterranean ocean. He mastered swimming this summer! I didn’t swim until the 4th grade!

Too bad we didn’t think of bringing a underwater camera. There are ton of beautiful fish, more fish, Medusa….! SO amazing!! Medusa scared us bit then we were fascinated by them too. So beautiful!

Warm sun caresses your back and the gently rocking boat is the best situation you can fall in a sleep. Sweet delicious nap…. Ahhh… it is so relaxing hearing birds, clear sea breeze… It’s quiet and so peaceful…