Isola d'Ebla

6AM depart Residence San Pietro, train ride, bus ride, boat ride to Elba, van ride to hotel and we finally made it around noon. We rented two station wagon-type cars for the weekend that Kyle and Steve drove for going to the beach and Max drove one of the hotel vans. It was kinda cool riding around in an actual car in Italy. They drive on the same side of the road as we do, so it wasn't totally weird. We listened to the radio and it was mostly Italian music but every once in a while an American song would come on and we got so excited haha. Max's family owned the hotel we stayed at. Everything was paid for except alcohol, so that was nice. We had a five course meal for every meal in the dining room. This was the first weekend trip that Max came with us and he was kind of in charge instead of Kyle and Steve which was a big adjustment. He would tell us to be ready at a certain time and we wound up just sitting around forever. He had no concept of time and no schedule and it was so annoying. I guess it's a cultural difference-we're used to having a plan and a schedule and they're more laid back and go with the flow without everything being mapped out.

After we had a late lunch on Friday we went to a beach. To go to the beaches we went to this weekend, we drove up the mountain and back down, so it was a long, scenic drive. The mountains and cliffs went right down to the beaches which was beautiful. We were there from about 4-7 and it was a little chilly. I didn't get in the water but I took a nice nap on the beach. It wasn't a nude beach, but apparently nudity was still acceptable because there was a topless woman and a naked man, and naked children running around. It was interesting to say the least. When we got back from the beach we had a five course dinner and Max wanted everyone to go clubbing (with his friends and the hotel staff-awkward?) but I was too tired and went to bed early.

On Saturday we were going to go to two different beaches but we had a lot of fun at the first one, so we stayed there all morning and afternoon. It was cloudy and a little chilly in the morning but the sun eventually came out and it got warmer. I got in the water this time and it was really nice. It was cold at first but felt good. It was so blue and clear and salty and wonderful. And there was a bar on the beach that had good pina coladas and bellinis :) They were also playing fun music. The date was June 2, which is the day Italy celebrates its reunification, so it's like our 4th of July. So there was a beach party, but it didn't really get going until after we left. That night we had appetizers and drinks at Max's dad's restaurant, which was right down the street from our hotel and right on the Bay of Mola. It was very impressive and beautiful. Then we went back to the hotel and had a huge dinner and then a lot of us went to a nearby village. There had been a festival that day and it was a cute little village with cafes and shops.

On Sunday morning we just laid out by the pool until lunch and then we left after lunch. It was too cold to get in the pool though :( Rome has been so hot and sunny but Elba was cloudy and cool...It would've been nice to have Rome's weather in Elba and then have Elba's cooler weather in Rome but oh well...it was still pretty and I'm glad I got to see Elba.