This weekend I had a sleepover. Flavia joined me for the weekend and we spent two days exploring my neighbourhood in the springlike atmosphere. She came to unplug, I plugged in. It was perfect.
Tourists
This weekend we were tourists
who pay 7 eur for vanilla tea and apple juice,
and 23 eur for lasagne, risotto
and a small bottle of mineral water
without blinking an eye
because we saved 40 eur
for the photographic excursion
and so many other things were free:
spring,
new greens,
clouds,
flamingos and other aviators,
Niki’s crazy art,
good company,
beautiful light at dusk,
barking bestia,
and as many doors
and windows
as two bloggers,
one who unplugs
and the other who plugs in,
can manage.
And best of all –
no tourists.
The photos are in the order as taken, the first two thirds from Saturday, the last seven from Sunday. Thank you, Flavia, for making me leave my nest. I’m sure we will do it again, and again. And you even liked the Slovenian pumpkin seed oil on the salad I made!
First stop: Giardino dei tarocchi and Niki de Saint Phalle’s art. I never saw it as alone. 
He was ready to make some order. Luckily there was a fence between us. 
Ansedonia, the end of our 12-km beach. 
At the Orbetello lagoon. I have never seen a duck of this colour. Is it an albino? 
Such a peaceful place. 
They fish in rows by species. 
In Bosco della Patanella we could get a bit closer to the flamingos but they ran away. 
We had wildlife in the car waiting. 
An Orbetello courtyard. 
Also there. A small carnival blocked our road for a while. They sure started to celebrate early. 
We drove across the lagoon and found the flamingos folded up this way. I never saw this before. 
This light was waiting just for us. This is the road we took from Orbetello to the monastery half way up Monte Argentario with this nice view. 
The next minute the light was gone. 
Porto Santo Stefano. One would think this was the lake because it was so calm. 
The last light of the day was glorious. 
The next day and the new greens. 
A favourite corner of Capalbio. 
Posing bestia and the lovely view. 
Spring is on. 
Towards Talamone. 
The San Bruzio monastery ruins and blocked access for cars. This is new. Not a long walk though. 
Talamone and the empty road where they once shot a James Bond scene. You are welcome to tell me for which movie if you know. So empty that I could take this photo while driving. (Don’t!)
In response to Patrick Jennings’ Pic and a Word Challenge #217: Tourists
Manja Mexi Mexcessive (closed) 
What an amazing road trip 👍🏼
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Thank you, Teresa. It was a most wonderful weekend. 🙂
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A great tourist tour Manja 🙂 The duck is a Ruddy Shelduck
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Oh, thanks for the info, Bushboy. I admit that I didn’t do any googling. I was happy to see it but didn’t wish to approach more because I had bestia with me and there was another photographer with a looooong lens and he wouldn’t approve if we scared his subject away. 😀
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Oh no Bestia and ducks would not mix. The other photographer may have gotten quite upset as you don’t see Ruddy Shelducks ofter
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An orange duck? No way!!!
(What a weird Giardino. Loved it)
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Thanks, Bojana. Yes, it’s this same Giardino that I like to return to again and again. This time it was really empty because it was raining slightly. Such fun.
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Bestia is so adorable!
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Thank you, Melinda. 🙂 He tends to steal the attention, yes. 😀
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I don’t know the movie Manja, but may keep a look out for it, as the MotH loves to watch those movies. I think Vanilla tea sounds fantastic. I am a fan. Lucky Flavia – being able to visit for a weekend and see these vistas with you. It is a bit far for me to pop over for the weekend. Ah the joys of being European! Lucky you.
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Thank you, Amanda. Yes, I agree, Europe has many joys to give. When you pop over, make sure it’s for longer than a weekend. 🙂 It’s so much to see here!
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I hope to spend a long holiday on the Balkan and wider region in 2 years. A retirement birthday gift to myself.
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Yeah! A clear plan is half way there. 🙂 Working on my FF post now, sorry, it took me longer than I thought. But it’s coming, a nice and big post!
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Looking forward to reading it.
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What a great way to resume these 2 days, I am still screening the photos. For the chronicle they are more than 1000 (😳!!!) that means I will be unplugged for the next days as well!
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Grazie, Flavia. I had a look just now for comparison: I took 480 photos. But it was your first time (after a long time), no wonder you took twice as much. Take all the time that you need. 🙂
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No, I really have to moderate! When in Rome I do the same and it is the city I know the most😂
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What a wonderful place to be a tourist.
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Thank you, Dan. And especially to call it home.
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I was a tourist with a visiting friend last week also! It’s good to see our homes from a different perspective sometimes. Love Bestia as always!
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Thank you, Lexi. I’m sure he loves you too already. 🙂 Oh yes, it’s great to go around and realise where you live.
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It’s always a joy to meet fellow bloggers. Looks like you two were busy!
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Thanks, Julie. It was a most excellent weekend. She was only the third blogger I’ve met. All wonderful moments. Blogging certainly leads places. When you’re in the relative neighbourhood, please, don’t be a stranger. 🙂
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I agree with you! Meeting fellow bloggers is a highlight for me, whenever it happens. Many of us make friends with bloggers from so far away though… haha!
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Bravo. Looks like you two had another wonderful time exploring together, and on your turf this time too. For me it was fun to be able to look at these shots and recognize the places you went. I love the shot of your little guy looking back at the camera and posing like he was on the cover of Italian Vogue 😀
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Haha, thanks, Norm. Oh yes, it makes a difference if you know the location first hand. I have another photo of bestia almost identical to yours from this exact spot. And I see that you’ve seen the cookies in the next post too… 😉
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You two definitely know how to tourist in style! The best tourist things are usually free – sunsets, architecture, people (or animal) watching.
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You’re so right about this, Irma. Thank you!
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I love how your poem says that you were tourists, and appreciated no tourists. That’s often how I feel! I’m such a hypocrite – ha!! This time spent exploring with your blogger friend sounds so lovely.
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Thanks, Crystal, it was most excellent. 🙂 I wouldn’t call you, or me, a hypocrite. I’d call us being at the right place at the right time, when not many others thought of going. Let them crowd at the Fontana di Trevi!
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Ha ha!
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