That does it. I’m going Dutch. What is with these people? They are thinner than us. They live longer, smoke like chimneys, and eat everything we’re told not to eat.
Today’s lunch was the last straw. When it came time to order I asked the waiter to help translate the menu. He graciously proceeded to explain what each item was, and eventually pointed at something that was supposedly their healthy meal. Feeling unusually virtuous, I ordered the healthy meal without asking what it was. Do you want to guess what the Dutch idea of a healthy meal was? It’s a fricking ham and cheese sandwich. Can you believe that? Oh yes, and I forgot to mention that their idea of fresh vegetables is French fries. I mean it. There isn’t a cuisine served in The Netherlands that doesn’t come with French fries. Last night we had sushi and you guessed it… French fries. They don’t eat anything that is green unless it has been boiled, baked or fried.
Enough of my ranting, Lisa and I having been living in Hotel rooms for the last 11 days and it’s making me cranky. Rabelo is not ready, and won’t be when Lisa’s brother and sister in-law are scheduled to meet us in two weeks. Oh well, we warned them. At least they’re good sports. I’m sure we can make do, and we’ll all have a good time.
The good news is that we took a break from the Dutch cuisine and flew to Venice, Italy to meet our friends Bob and Kathi.
Bob, Kathi, and Tom at the enoteca, or wine bar Rusteghi. Don’t miss it, and say hello to the owner Giovani.
Lisa, Isabella, Kathi, Tom and Dino at Isabella’s incredible restaurant Osteria Oliva Nera.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but Venice was a very special city.
Beautiful Venice Canal.
Gondola and Gondolier.
The architecture, food, canals and the wines were incredible. Our timing could not have been better. The weather was perfect, and to top it off the America’s Cup trials were going on.
AC45 flying a hull.
My new hat. I hope keeps the sun off.
Did I mention the wine, for we consumed vast quantities? My liver will never be the same. It is currently in recovery mode on a healthy diet of ham, cheese and French fries.
-Tom Miller
Author of “The Wave” – a Chuck Palmer Adventure novel
JUN
About the Author:
Tom Miller graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor of Science in Geology. He is a consummate adventurer with over 1,000 dives as a recreational scuba diver, and an avid sailor who has traveled 65,000 miles throughout the Pacific including the Hawaiian Islands. Miller has also cruised the canals of Europe on his canal barge and given numerous lectures on cruising the canals of Europe, as well as sailing in the South Pacific. Piloting is also an interest of Miller's, and He has completed over 1,000 hours flying everything from small Cessnas to Lear jets.