This may be better than the Wingle!  

This post is well overdue. Sardinia was gorgeous and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I wanted to share a few photos as it was lovely. I don’t have too much to write as we spent the 10 days either on the beach or eating…perfect relaxing trip but not too exciting to read about! The weather was about 80-85 every day and the humidity was at about 50% it was perfect weather. So much of it reminded me of South Florida, it made me a bit homesick.

These next photos are from one of the villas at the hotel. They it was pretty luxurious. Three fireplaces, one in the sitting area, one in the bedroom and one outside on the patio by the private pool

   

We stayed in the village of Porto Cervo, the Costa Smerelda, or Emerald Coast. The water was a beautiful green color many days

I got bounced off the jet on the way back and had to fly commercial…with waaaayyy too many suitcases. My employer’s extra cases went with us due to space considerations on the jet…Mind you this was only a 10 day trip…ludicrous and embarrassing to have all those cases. I couldn’t even get them all in the photo. It was myself and two colleagues and 22 cases. In the tiny little Olbia airport. We busied up an entire queue for the duration of that flight check in. Everyone else on the plane had to use the other one. I plan to mention that I won’t be that girl again before the next trip.

We have all of the common vehicle makes here but the model names are a lot different! One of the most popular Nissan car models is the Sunny, it looks like an Altima. But, the truck model names can be downright hysterical. I have taken photos because I didn’t think anyone would believe me otherwise. 

   
    
  

  
 

There are a few things here that almost put me over the edge. I think I have some OCD tendencies. But, the quality control here is just abysmal. I don’t know how stuff like this happens!

 

  

  

  

  

 
When I first moved in I had to peel all of the plastic protection film off of everything! The chrome in the bathrooms, the screens on the remote controls for TV and all air con units, and the lampshades! 

 

  

  

  

 

One of my favorite foods here is the sambosa. Many of you will recognize its very similar cousin, the samosa. It originated in the Middle East and is a savory stuffed pastry. They are triangle shaped and filled with seasoned minced meat and finely chopped onions. Then they are fried, mmm, delicious!

Today I was lucky enough to have a lesson with one of the palace chefs to learn how to make them. The strip of pastry is thinner than a sheet of paper and about 8 inches long. You roll a funnel shape at one end, stuff in some filling then fold it over on itself a few times to make the triangle shape. Then you take a bit of flour and water paste and seal the tag end. You have to put the correct amount of filling and fold it well to seal all the corners or it fills with oil when frying. 

It is really an art form. Kabir, the chef, was patient with me and I mastered it after about 10 tries…but man am I slow! I wouldn’t live long enough to make them for a party! I think he could fold them in his sleep. He does it without even really looking, he has done so many. 
 The photos are funny, you can see how hard I am focusing by my expressions.