Ciao bella!

Ciao bella! So I just got back from Italy a couple days back, and I've been pretty much addicted to the term "ciao bella" ever since I saw it in probably every souvenir shops I went into, printed on the touristy t-shirts. So Google tells me it means "hey beautiful" in Italian, but hey I'm still going to use it for every kind of situation now that I'm going to talk bout my Italy trip just 'cos I love it.

I've got to say that it's the best set of crew I've had in a while. Everybody was so sweet, so nice and  I had as much fun during the layovers as I did onboard. Plus, we had so much good food together that it's probably best to watch my diet for a little while now. 

It really is the crew that makes or breaks the station we go to. Especially now that I've been in the airline for a couple years, I've realised that it's the company that matters the most when we're outstation. Imagine being stuck in a foreign place with a bunch of strangers you've never met before. Hence, bonding plays such a big role in ensuring that everybody will enjoy their time away. And this set of crew has been nothing but a blessing throughout the seven days we were together in the beautiful city of Milan in Italy.

So this would be the 2nd time I've been to Milan, and I remembered how memorable it was for me the first time I was here because I was still pretty much a foetus in the airline, excited for my first Milan, knowing that Italy is the it-place to get designer bags at a good price and that was when I purchased my first two luxury items. On top of that, I sacrificed sleep and ignored my fatigue just to go have a chance to explore Venice and Cinque Terre. It was a hell of a trip and I loved every second of it, so naturally, when I saw that I was going to Milan again on my roster, I was hella happy.

We touched down in the morning after a 12-hour flight, and guess who slept for 12 hours straight right after that? Yes, me. I found myself awake in the middle of the night, hungry as hell 'cos gurl just skipped both lunch and dinner. Thank God for the loaf of Gardenia corn bread I brought from home. I'd always have them handy during my layovers for times like these.

And thank God that the crew and I met early for lunch the next day and all the wait I had to do to get a proper meal was worth it because that lobster pasta you see up there in the picture, was the bomb diggity! We loved that restaurant so much we had our lunch there the next day too, right after our shuttle to Barcelona and back.

"Don't you think crew are like pigs (during layovers)? All we do is sleep all day and then wake up to eat. After that sleep again," said one of the crew.

LOL. Legit truth right there.

(Left: Goatskin, Right: Calfskin)

After lunch, we decided to go to town to do a little bit of shopping. I didn't really plan on getting anything, but I did want to check out a bag from Chloé because, I mean, why not. It's been on my to-buy list for a while but somehow the Chloé Drew just didn't speak to me.

After walking a little more, I decided to give Givenchy a visit because the Givenchy Antigona has always been one of my favourite designer bags to pin on Pinterest, and so I finally did take a look. Gosh, it was love at first sight. I went straight to the mini because if you guys know me, I've always been the shoulder bag type of girl. And I've been searching for the perfect every day bag, something that isn't too big yet big enough to fit my gigantic Chanel trifold wallet.

The Givenchy Antigona Mini was perfect- it could fit my wallet, a portable charger, my iPhone 6, a GoPro, a lipstick, a hand cream and a good 500ml bottle.

It was as if the devil was whispering into my ears, and I muttered, "alright, I'll get this" to the staff and with that, the deed was done.

 Obviously a very happy girl (who's about to eat grass a good month)

 You're stuck with me every day, with every single outfit, for every single occasion.

We had another clear day after the shuttle to Barcelona, and so the crew and I decided to go to Cinque Terre to sightsee! I was a little hesitant because I've been to Cinque Terre before but I decided to go again for my crew. Besides, it's been more than a year since I've last been to Cinque Terre and I remember how beautiful it was- so I was excited to be back there again.

I didn't get to explore this side of Manarola the last time I was here and I was so happy to be able to get this shot! Such a great view of the village, with the seaside and the breeze. It's a shame that the weather was a little gloomy that day because I'm sure it would have been more picturesque with a clear blue sky. Nonetheless, such a beautiful view indeed.

 What's Italy without having a good ol' gelato, right? In my favourite flavour, Nicciola (Italian for hazelnut), of course.

 Confession: I had another gelato again later that same day. Shh.

 Lots of love for these guys.

So gurl sacrificed sleep to get that jacket just for the day-trip to Cinque Terre, pass it on.

Colourful streets of Vernazza. 

Now that I've been to Cinque Terre twice, I could remember the names of all five villages there and found a way to distinguish one from the other as well. I guess visiting Cinque Terre twice is more than enough for a lifetime, still, how I'd love to spend a little more time here again someday, perhaps with Luke. 

I love Italy. I love the vibe it gives me, filled with positivity and great aura everywhere we go. I love its people, how welcoming and how laid-back and non-judgmental they are, they really don't give a shit about what you do. I love their taste in clothing, how they take pride in what they wear and how they look, it's no wonder why they're one of the cities recognised for their fashion. I love their language, their music, always gets you moving with its upbeat tunes and how sexy they sound even you have utterly no idea what they were on about. I love the food, no matter how crazy fattening eating carbs every day might be. 

It's easy to fall in love with a place when you visit the first time, but the second time will always fall a little short. Somehow with Italy, I think I fell harder the second time. It's a great indication that I will be back for more.

Ciao bella!

Love,

Ashhy