Ferrari and Pavarotti

Today, our last full day in Italy, we drove out to Modena, the home of both the late Luciano Pavarotti (his former home is now a museum called, rather quaintly,Pavarotti Land) and Ferrari, the sleek luxury vehicles that cost eye-wateringly large sums.

Again, despite not being a petrol-head, I loved the latter (Pavarotti Land was pretty cool too). I don't understand the Ferrari obsession, of course, but the history of the Ferrari family is fascinating and I'm sure I can get a decent story out of it.

Check out the first two pics - the helpful Ferrari chap told me this particular vehicle is worth around a million Kiwi. Not a bad way to spend a sunny Friday.

    

Food and speed in Bologna

Our second day started with a cooking class at Cultura Italiana Bologna Cucina where we discovered the secret to Italian food (basically chucking lots of butter, wine and sugar at everything), before we got to scoff our delicious creations (tortellino, zucchini flan and panna cotta, since you asked).

The afternoon was spent at the Ducati factory and museum, one of this region's most famous companies. Despite having spent far too much time in Hutt growing up, I seem to have missed the petrol-head gene so I wasn't expecting to enjoy Ducati as much as I did. But, entwined as it is with WWII, the history of Ducati is fascinating. So even though I would usually rather stroke my face with a potato peeler than ride a motorbike, it was a great experience.

Later, there was a visit to a luxury galleria, dinner and a jazz concert.

            

Bella Bologna

We arrived in the capital of Emilia-Romagna at noon today, after a six-and-a-half-hour flight from Dubai (the early start was mitigated by the glorious Emirates lounge and the free reflexology session - God I love media trips!)

After lunch (pasta for the three carnivorous boys and a delicious Caprese Salad for me, with rounds of buffalo mozarella the size of bread plates) we embarked  upon a walking tour and ended up at Prendiparte Tower, one of about 20 fortifications left over from medieval times.

We huffed and puffed our way up hundreds of steps to the roof but it was worth it - this city is all manner of worth it.

Dubai

Some people love it, others loathe it.

This is my third trip to the UAE and I bloody LOVE it.

We arrived early this morning and after a quick nap and shower, it was time to tour the 'old' and new parts of this astonishing country. There was also a trip across the Creek on a traditional abra (wooden boat), a visit to the spice souk and a fish curry so fiery it required two mint juices to help it down.

Having been here six or so months ago, I declined another visit to the top of the Burj Kalifa and instead shopped and enjoyed the 34 degree heat.

Tomorrow we fly to Italy.

      

Tigers - and arrivederci

One flight down - four to go until we reach Bologna (with a day and night in Dubai inbetween, of course).

Am currently in the glorious Emirates lounge at Auckland Airport - gobbling down the yummiest poached salmon and trying to ignore the gleaming mounds of meringues that are calling my name. But as the coming week looks set to be an exercise in carb loading, I'm trying to pace myself.

In the meantime, here's the online version of another of my India stories published in yesterday's Sunday Star Times (pics by the talented Animator - how cool is that tiger?) Click here to read

See you on the other side...

(Note the tiger pic below was my feeble effort, not the Animator's)

         

Champions

I once worked with a clearly delusional woman in the UK who told me, straightfaced, that the British rugby team was the best in the world.

Believe me, I had to dig deep that day not to take a swing at her.

In the early hours of this morning, after a few hours sleep (thanks Robbie for the free gig last night!) we watched the best rugby team on the planet bring it home.

Someone sent me this video today - ignore the fact that it's spruiking over-priced  headphones and enjoy how beautifully shot and emotional it is.