Sardegna

Our early flight was a breeze, and in the end, despite the early mornings and the cold bug, our trip to Sardinia for Colleen's 40th birthday was amazing.

Our first mission was clear: having a cappuccino in Italy (a first-time experience for me). Even within the airport, it was delicious. Luke had one too! With our energy replenished, we hopped into a taxi bound for Porto Rotondo. The drive to Porto Rotondo unfolded with coastal vistas, winding roads offering glimpses of the Mediterranean, and the scent of the sea in the air. Giuseppe was waiting to welcome us, and then we were enveloped in the warm embrace of the Panzuto-Chen family. The villa was alive with joy and laughter. It didn't take us long to realize that renting a car was a must. A snap decision was made, and the men set off to the market. Conveniently, since the market was located halfway to the airport, they could drop Gabe at the rental place. Problem solved!

Spiaggia: With everything organized, we set off for the beach thanks to Colleen's knack for channeling her inner Marie Kondo. We surveyed the bounty of food the guys had purchased, and a collective thought crossed our minds: "I hope we can eat all of this food before everyone departs on Wednesday/Thursday!" Sardinia graced us with its beauty on three different beaches (Spiaggia di Ira, Spiaggia di Marinella, and Spiaggia di Poltu Liccia) – Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday – each one surpassing the previous day's beauty. The beaches, with their soft white sands and crystal-clear turquoise waters, are like a little slice of Mediterranean paradise.

Famiglia: This past week may have been centered around Colleen's 40th birthday, but it was truly a celebration of family. Sunday was the Italian-Panzuto family's last night in Sardinia. We gathered for a birthday feast. The table was surrounded by Giuseppe's sister, Carmen, and her beautiful family - Marco, Micaeli, Lara, and the Panzuto patriarch, Umberto, Colleen's college friends, (Cynthia from Atlanta and Mariecar and her family from the Bay Area), alongside Colleen's parents, Charles and Sue. And, of course, having Sheila with us made our time even more special. I had a great time reconnecting with Carmen, Micaeli, and Lara, and it was great to meet Marco. Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to chat with Umberto, but Sheila said they had a great conversation. One amusing moment occurred when we were at the beach, and a vendor was selling counterfeit Rolex watches. Giuseppe haggled with the seller and ended up paying 125 Euros for each one. Umberto just shook his head, saying something like, "Oh, my son, spending his money. I can buy that same watch in Naples for 35 Euros." He had a bemused expression on his face, shaking his head while smiling at the same time. It was really funny. Spending time with Colleen's parents is always special. They are simply wonderful - a blend of lightheartedness and wisdom. Our days were filled with dancing, singing, and Charles sharing stories and insightful knowledge. We relished in swims and leisurely walks and even took a shopping excursion in a little village. Oh, we had our fair share of laughs! Like when Sue sported that unintentional one-lens sunglasses look. Then there was the moment Charles decided to lift Sue, and Fiorella was so upset. And let's not forget the cats turned into meowing opera stars, begging for more food during dinner. Good times, indeed! It was quality time together, brimming with cherished moments.

Anniversario: Another milestone that marked this week was Gabe and my 15th wedding anniversary. I woke up on Monday morning with a flood of memories from our unforgettable Big Sur wedding – the people who were there, our journey to Esalen, and spending the night at Lucia Lodge. I couldn't help but reflect on Josh officiating the ceremony. Fifteen years have passed, and it continues to be an incredible journey together. “You are the sunlight in my growing.” -Robert Plant

Alba: To kick off Colleen's 40th birthday celebration, we rose early to witness the breathtaking sunrise. The previous night, we unanimously agreed that this would be the perfect way to welcome this milestone. Adding to the enchantment of the moment, Charles serenaded us with a song.

Barco: Tuesday adventure = sailing around the Arcipelago di La Maddalena National Park, situated off the northern coast with its rugged coastlines, crystal-clear waters, and diverse ecosystems. The Arcipelago combines natural beauty, marine wonders, and history. We left Porto Rotondo for a scenic one-hour drive to Palau. We were in our car, while the rest of the crew was in a van with Giuseppe behind the wheel. Suddenly, he pulled over, and we assumed one of Mariecar's kids, Tej or Isla, needed a bathroom break. But to our surprise, it wasn't a restroom emergency at all. As each person disembarked from the van, it became apparent that they were covered in vomit. Charles and Jason had taken the brunt of it. Giuseppe was gagging. What truly amazed us was how everyone remained remarkably composed in the face of this messy situation. Without hesitation, they cleaned up as best as they could, and piled right back into the van with a resilient "keep on keeping on" spirit. Thankfully, Isla appeared to bounce back rather swiftly from the ordeal. We made it to Palau and boarded the boat destined for a day of exploration. Our journey included three stops, each offering us the opportunity to dive off the boat which was like plunging into a big, refreshing bowl of salty goodness. The water had this natural, invigorating feeling. We floated alongside the boat. At one point, Tej began tossing chips into the water, and we watched as fish gathered in large groups to feast on the tiny morsels. Luke couldn't resist joining the underwater frenzy. Watching him jump in with goggles on was both amusing and entertaining. Evan and Lorenzo, our boat captains, were excellent hosts. Our lunch break was set in the midst of three picturesque islands. Lunch began with chilled glasses of Sardinian white wine, accompanied by an array of cheese, charcuterie, and focaccia. The main meal was Malloreddus pasta with bottarga – a salt-cured, air-dried roe derived from Grey Mullet Fish. The pasta was perfectly cooked, and the flavors were nothing short of delectable. To conclude our feast, we had coffee alongside some sweet treats. We moved on from our lunch spot and set sail toward our final destination before returning to the port in Palau. On our way back, they opened the jib sail, and Luke and Charlie were given a turn at the rudder. It was a day of pure magic, as Charlie aptly put it, exclaiming, "This is the best day I have ever had!"

Fiorella: Some of our favorite moments were being with Fiorella. In just three short months, she has changed so much. It brought us joy to see her absorbing the surroundings with wide-eyed wonder, her radiant smile lighting up the scene, and hearing her speak, uttering a multitude of new words, including each of our names was a highlight.

Georzuto: Georzuto, the cherished tradition when the Georis and Panzuto families unite, holds a special place for each one of us. During this Sardinian reunion, we had many Georzuto meals, making our hearts and palates content until we return to Robinson Canyon. From the feast featuring suckling pig and other regional delicacies to the subsequent nights with truffle- pasta, culurgiones, barbecued shrimp, tomato salads, and those unforgettable beach sandwiches - we ate well this week. Undoubtedly, these were the most memorable Georzuto gatherings, marked by good times with good friends and family. Salute.