Your Bio

Lately known as "The Turtle Lady," psychotherapist and photographer with one-person, photography shows in Italy. Author of 2007 photography/personal interview book: VIRGIN GORDA: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT. Get info on that book at http://www.soncijo.com.

Galleries

Virgin Gorda Trip for Mario's Birthday, 2013 : What an amazing wonderful trip. From our dinner with Lynn and Jim Bays, with their friends, to listening to Leon and the Hotshots at the Rendezvous Bar, Little Dix, Porcupine Fish, Karin and Christer (from Sweden) with dear friends, Monica and Peggy, Underwater Swimming and Photography, the arrival of our "Italians", Cristina, Paolo, Francesco, Gabriella and Rocco, and then our own dear Ina, Nechy and Tito, who stayed with us at Villa del Sole. Off to the Baths. then Mario's amazing dinner at Scrub Island, thanks to Davide Pugliese, the most wonderful chef. The amazing experience of seeing the Leatherback Turtle (thanks to my friends Lisa and Ray, who called me to tell me to rush over to Fischers Cove). Many wonderful meals at Villa del Sole, with Caroline, Marcus, Ice and Dwight, Julia, Manuel, Art and Mindy, Kaunda, Gary and Barbara, Marcus. Ended with Ina, Mario and Me on the Beach at Coco Maya, for that last memorable meal!

Virgin Gorda Trip for Mario's Birthday, 2013

What an amazing wonderful trip. From our dinner with Lynn and Jim Bays ...

Updated: May 11, 2013 8:47pm CEST

UNDERWATER PICS, NEW 2013 :

UNDERWATER PICS, NEW 2013

Updated: May 05, 2013 11:08pm CEST

Milena's Birthday Party, 2013 : Para mi querida sobrina/ahijada Milena y David, con grande amor! For my darling niece/goddaughter Milena and David, with loads of love, Siempre Always! Joan

Milena's Birthday Party, 2013

Para mi querida sobrina/ahijada Milena y David, con grande amor! For m ...

Updated: Apr 17, 2013 11:45pm CEST

Barcelona with Karla and Tony, Gaudi's Casa Batllo, Parque Guell and Sagrada Familia, 2013 :

Barcelona with Karla and Tony, Gaudi's Casa Batllo, Parque Guell and Sagrada Familia, 2013

Updated: Jan 18, 2013 5:31pm CEST

Italia, 2012 a Natale :

Italia, 2012 a Natale

Updated: Jan 07, 2013 12:23pm CEST

Virgin Gorda, December 2012 :

Virgin Gorda, December 2012

Updated: Dec 27, 2012 12:19pm CEST

708 :

708

Updated: Dec 20, 2012 7:14pm CEST

Oil Nut Bay :

Oil Nut Bay

Updated: Dec 13, 2012 11:05pm CEST

ARGENTINA : Argentina Trip with Cynthia and Darrell, November, 2012. Truly and totally wonderful! Gracias a todos los amigos, Joan and Mario

ARGENTINA

Argentina Trip with Cynthia and Darrell, November, 2012. Truly and tot ...

Updated: Nov 25, 2012 7:43pm CEST

Joan's Wedding book choices for Karla :

Joan's Wedding book choices for Karla

Updated: Oct 06, 2012 1:16am CEST

Favorite Pictures : Seconda galeria di foto/second photo gallery dell'Estate 2010...of our summer in Italy, 2010!

Favorite Pictures

Seconda galeria di foto/second photo gallery dell'Estate 2010...of ou ...

Updated: Oct 02, 2012 11:23pm CEST

"The Turtle Lady" at the Galleria Biffi Arte : "THE TURTLE LADY" will open at Galleria Biffi Arte, Piacenza on July 26th! Invited by the brilliant Carlo Scagnelli, Architect and Director of this stunning gallery, my turtle pictures will be displayed until August 21st. The opening will be on July 26th! Adesso raggiungo le foto dell'inaugurazione bellissima creata da Carlo, Lorenza e Karl alla Galleria Biffi Arte, Piacenza. Ho anche conosciuto i gentilissimi Pietro Casella e sua moglie, Daniela, Luciano Gandini, il Capitano di Mylius, il dott. Gianpaolo e sua moglie, Nicoletta Rossi, senza di parlare di Franca, Leda, Massimo, Roberto, Carlo, amici di Piacenza, e i nostri di Parma, familia ed amici che sono venuti all'evento bellissimo. Grazie infinite a tutti, sopratutto Carlo, Lorenza e Karl che hanno lavorato parecchio per questa mostra! Tante cose, Joan

"The Turtle Lady" at the Galleria Biffi Arte

"THE TURTLE LADY" will open at Galleria Biffi Arte, Piacenza on July 2 ...

Updated: Oct 02, 2012 1:13am CEST

Italia, Estate 2012 : Un'estate meraviglioso. A wonderful summer in Italy. Familia/Friends/Amici: Judith and Mark, Paola e Milena, Silvia, Angela e Giorgio, Giovanni e Ale, Cristina e Paolo, Angelo, Cicci, Thomas, Maria Grazie, Silvana, Anna, Massimo e Maria con figli, Cinzia e Roby, Vincenzo da Locanda, i Parmigiani, Barbara and Winnie, Don Carlo, Anna Maria, e Mario Andreoli (Manarola), Simone, Francisco e Alessandro (Belforte); in Recanati: Alex, Terry and Dean, the wonderful Borgo Antico Restaurant (Barbara and her husband, Hernan, I think, who is the chef), Stefania and Stefanie at the divine Hotel Gallery; Lori, Karl, Carlo e Davide a Piacenza and all who came to see my show at the Galleria Biffi Arte, called "The Turtle Lady"; Luciana, Gian, Maria Grazie, Teresa, Rita, Mauro, Vellela, Nonna Maria in Parma. Siamo andati in Messico per il matrimonio di Karla e Tony (vedete: http://soncijo.smugmug.com/Other/Karla-and-Tonys-Wedding-Photos/24615899_FhzPrK#!i=2011781197&k=bqHJXqV). Siamo tornati per il resto dell'estate. Page 15 picks up at that point, our return to Italy. Mary and Sig Gissler come to stay, as well as their dear friend Mary Ann. We go to Vernazza again to Belforte. Fireworks at La Spezia.Our anniversary on August 7th at Eco dell'Mare. A visit in Forte di Marmi with Silvia Orlandi. Then a small show at Bar Ricci, with our new and now dear friends Luisa and Michele, and some wonderful folks they have introduced us to, many part of Posidonia. Mario's cousins, Thomas and Anna, from Bolzano come to visit. Silvana stays in Parma, as she broke her wrist. Lunch with Silvia and Stefano at Pozzale on the Palmaria. Then Ina arrives (page 17)! Posidonia dinner in Le Grazie. Ina and I go to Corniglia for lunch. Mario, Ina and I go to Belforte in Vernazza. We visit Alessandra's family in Cassio with Cicci and Angelo. Great meal at da Veronica. Rita, Mariapaola and Luigi Righetti come for a boat ride and lunch. New pizzaria in Portovenere, "Da Paolo". Off for dinner to Colonnata with Anita and Gian Carlo, Silvia and Stefano, and Rita and Luigi, with Ina too! Then TONY AND KARLA COME TO PARMA! (p. 20) Wonderful. They have just finished their honeymoon, and they are off to live in Barcelona, where Tony will get a doctorate in Leadership and Karla a Masters in psychoanalysis. Note new Torre di Gian (Gianrico) in Portovenere, with Debora. Wonderful day and dinner with Luigi and Rita in Ameglia. Dinner at Trattoria dai Pironcelli at Montemarcello, meeting Fabrizio and Maurizio. Full moon pictures. I took photos of Betti and Luca's wedding, with their children, Sofia and Momo. Trip to Parma to see Terry, Davide, Iaia and Gughi. Lynn and Paul meet us in Portofino for a great day. They are on the Silver Sea Cruise. We meet Fabio at his Paninoteca. Then dinner with the Carpena's at Diana and Marco's new, beautiful apartment in Le Grazie, with their little Giacomo, Gloria, Paolo, Oneglia, Fabrizia and Niccolo! Lights on our house, a first!, for La Madonna. Luisa and Michele come for dinner. Then Lisa comes with her friend, Liz. Wonderful! I take them around: to Cinque Terre and Mario takes us on his boat.

Italia, Estate 2012

Un'estate meraviglioso. A wonderful summer in Italy. Familia/Friends/ ...

Updated: Sep 12, 2012 8:45am CEST

Lynn, Paul, Mario and Joan in Portofino, 2012 : Great day together in Portofino!

Lynn, Paul, Mario and Joan in Portofino, 2012

Great day together in Portofino!

Updated: Sep 06, 2012 11:24am CEST

BETTY E LUCA, MATRIMONIO 1 SETTEMBRE, 2012 : Con affetto per una bellissima coppia, una bellissima familia! Joan

BETTY E LUCA, MATRIMONIO 1 SETTEMBRE, 2012

Con affetto per una bellissima coppia, una bellissima familia! Joan

Updated: Sep 04, 2012 7:41pm CEST

Posidonia, Cena di Agosto, 2012 : Bellissima serata di Posidonia. Grazie a tutti! Buon Compleanno, cara Lella! Joan

Posidonia, Cena di Agosto, 2012

Bellissima serata di Posidonia. Grazie a tutti! Buon Compleanno, cara ...

Updated: Aug 19, 2012 2:35pm CEST

Luisa e Michele Salvi : Buon compleanno, caro Michele. Un regalino, con amore, per Michele e Luisa (e per Giacamo, Agnes, Kezia e Pietro!) Agosto, 2012.

Luisa e Michele Salvi

Buon compleanno, caro Michele. Un regalino, con amore, per Michele e L ...

Updated: Aug 14, 2012 7:02pm CEST

Chichen Itza Tour, 2012 : A fascinating tour, including information about the Mayan People, a stop at the most gorgeous Cenote, Valladolid, and then Chichen Itza, all made interesting by our excellent guide, Miguel Canto. We also stopped to shop at a Mayan Cooperative Store, where we ate our lunch. Chichen Itza has changed so much since I visited it in around 1986 with my daughter. At that time, we could climb up Kukulkan, and now we just enjoy seeing it. Many more tourists and also vendors do detract a lot.

Chichen Itza Tour, 2012

A fascinating tour, including information about the Mayan People, a st ...

Updated: Aug 11, 2012 7:47pm CEST

Karla and Tony's Wedding Photos by Joan/Mom :

Karla and Tony's Wedding Photos by Joan/Mom

Updated: Aug 07, 2012 6:39pm CEST

Mexico Trip, Part II, Playa del Carmen, 2012 : Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with 3 Tours: First Chichen Itza (with Cenotes), Cozumel, and, the best for last! Mayan Jungle Adventure. All together with Alessandra, Giovanni (Cicci's and Angelo's son, our nephew), Mario and Joan.

Mexico Trip, Part II, Playa del Carmen, 2012

Playa del Carmen, Mexico, with 3 Tours: First Chichen Itza (with Cenot ...

Updated: Aug 07, 2012 2:34pm CEST

Mexico Trip, Part I, Queretaro, Bernal, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende : Viaje para la boda de Karla y Tony, el 14 Julio, 2012! Primero encontramos a ellos a Queretaro. Despues un momento grande y maravilloso, hemos encontrado a Laura y Pedro, los padres de Karla, despues de habernos escrito muchas letras via Internet! Por fin, estamos juntos! Con Karla y Tony a Bernal. Al llegar a San Miguel, fuimos con amigos a Guanajuato y volvimos a San Miguel para la boda! What a trip. To celebrate Karla and Tony's wedding, July 14, 2012. First we met in Queretaro, where Karla was born. Then we went to Bernal with Karla's parents, Laura and Pedro. Then San Miguel de Allende for the wedding, but first a special trip to Guanajuato with friends. Con amor, dedicado a Karla, Tony, Laura y Pedro, Joan

Mexico Trip, Part I, Queretaro, Bernal, Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende

Viaje para la boda de Karla y Tony, el 14 Julio, 2012! Primero encontr ...

Updated: Aug 07, 2012 2:29pm CEST

Matrimonio di Valeria e Pietro! : Per Valeria e Pietro, con amore, Joan (Grazie ad Angela!)

Matrimonio di Valeria e Pietro!

Per Valeria e Pietro, con amore, Joan (Grazie ad Angela!)

Updated: Aug 06, 2012 6:32pm CEST

Mayan Jungle Adventure, The Best of all Tours from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 2012 : The best tour we took! Thanks to Playa del Carmen Tours! Thanks to our fabulous, wonderful tour guide, Roberto Hernandez. And, a special hug/abrazo/abbraccio to our tour friends: Doug and Charrissa, from Australia; Honeymooners Letizia and Antonio from Trani, Italy; Shemayah, Lindsey, Martin and Kendra from Texas, my nephew, Giovanni, and his wife, Alessandra, and, of course, Mario, my husband! With love to all, Joan

Mayan Jungle Adventure, The Best of all Tours from Playa del Carmen, Mexico, 2012

The best tour we took! Thanks to Playa del Carmen Tours! Thanks to our ...

Updated: Aug 05, 2012 6:19pm CEST

La Noche en Blanco, 2012 : Un'altra Noche en Blanco! 2012! Meglio dell'anno scorso? Non so! Almeno così meraviglioso dell'anno scorso. Grazie a Lorenzo Masi ed Angela Valdetaro, amici, che hanno sviluppato questa meraviglia. Grazie a Silvia Scarpellini, per il mio premio fotografo, grazie alle presentatrici bellissime, a Croma Latina per il loro musica senza paragone! I ballarini sono stati giovanissimi fino agli professori. Ci hanno offerto uno spettacolo da non mai dimenticare. Fantastico! Tante cose, Joan Soncini

La Noche en Blanco, 2012

Un'altra Noche en Blanco! 2012! Meglio dell'anno scorso? Non so! Almen ...

Updated: Jul 30, 2012 5:43pm CEST

Courtney, Dan, Alden and Aubrey Morrall :

Courtney, Dan, Alden and Aubrey Morrall

Updated: Jul 02, 2012 11:10pm CEST

Barbara and Winnie, Italy 2012 :

Barbara and Winnie, Italy 2012

Updated: Jun 21, 2012 8:07am CEST

Virgin Gorda, April 2012 : UN BELLISSIMO VIAGGIO! CON GRANDI AMICI. A GREAT TIME WITH WONDERFUL FRIENDS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY CARISSIMO MARIO!

Virgin Gorda, April 2012

UN BELLISSIMO VIAGGIO! CON GRANDI AMICI. A GREAT TIME WITH WONDERFUL F ...

Updated: May 24, 2012 3:38pm CEST

UNDERWATER PICS, NEW, 2012 :

UNDERWATER PICS, NEW, 2012

Updated: May 24, 2012 3:05pm CEST

Virgin Gorda, 2012, BVI Trip :

Virgin Gorda, 2012, BVI Trip

Updated: May 24, 2012 2:28pm CEST

Rachael and Andrew : For Rachael and Andrew! About 30 pictures from the Rehearsal Dinner, followed by 60+ of the Wedding. It was simply too wonderful for words. With love, Joan

Rachael and Andrew

For Rachael and Andrew! About 30 pictures from the Rehearsal Dinner, f ...

Updated: May 08, 2012 3:44am CEST

Mace and Mike's Wedding, April 22, 2012 : With love, Joan

Mace and Mike's Wedding, April 22, 2012

With love, Joan

Updated: Apr 23, 2012 4:21pm CEST

Villa Gio, Portovenere e Le Grazie :

Villa Gio, Portovenere e Le Grazie

Updated: Mar 29, 2012 4:29pm CEST

DC Apartment, 3883 Connecticut Av, #415 :

DC Apartment, 3883 Connecticut Av, #415

Updated: Feb 28, 2012 9:58pm CEST

Marc's 40th Celebrations! :

Marc's 40th Celebrations!

Updated: Feb 27, 2012 4:49am CEST

Virgin Gorda, January and February, 2012 : January 24-February 4, 2012. Just Mario and Joan at Villa del Sole! However, we always meet friends and have a great time, no matter what. From the Speedy Ferry from ST. Thomas to Virgin Gorda, meeting Jelena and Peter, who pointed out the best rainbow we've ever seen, to my birthday dinner at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in North Sound, see: http://soncijo.smugmug.com/Other/Yacht-Club-Costa-Smeralda-2012/21214687_hxp2zc#!i=1688427830&k=t5V6Pvj where Davide Pugliese, Fabio, Jamie, and Naurel treated us with such terrific attention, to the African Tulip Tree (never before so full of flowers, note I took so many pictures of them!), dinner with Art, Barbara and Gary, Tammy, Fred and Amanda, Greg and Amy with Savannah-over at Nail Bay, our amazing trip to visit Foxy's on Jost van Dyke (with Tessa and Beverly), to discuss a possible book I would do on Foxy's life, Toby Reut's showing us where Bingo lives (our resident barracuda, whom I have now named "Bingo"), wonderful underwater moments with turtles and even with the horrible but gorgeous Lion Fish, special time with special friends Cynthia and Darrell, making our plans for a trip together in November to Argentina, to sunsets best viewed from the Gazebo, special time with Caroline and Mace, with a potential involvement interviewing folks at Little Dix Bay for a 50th anniversary book (we shall see about that), lunch with Paula and Erol at the wonderful Hog Heaven (http://soncijo.smugmug.com/Other/Hog-Heaven/21310187_JPxbVZ#!i=1696994974&k=kWhtZx2), looking over all of North Sound, where we met Burton Creque and the lovely Pearl, then a Speedy Ferry to St. Thomas where we ate lunch at the Emerald Beach Resort (Best Western), trying to check it out for Chiara and Paolo, who will stay there in April on their way to ours! Wonderful! Last shot-New York City at night from the airplane. Ohmygosh! SOLO MARIO E GIO SENZA OSPITI DA NOI, MA SEMPRE DEGLI AMICI. ABBIAMO PRESO UN TRAGHETTO DA ST. THOMAS A VIRGIN GORDA, CON UN ARCOBALENO INDIMENTICABILE, FANTASTICO! POI, CELEBRAMO IL MIO COMPLEANNO AL YACHT CLUB COSTA SMERALDA CLICCARE: http://soncijo.smugmug.com/Other/Yacht-Club-Costa-Smeralda-2012/21214687_hxp2zc#!i=1688427830&k=t5V6Pvj Il capo della cucina e' Davide Pugliese, che conosciamo bene. Un nuovo generante, Fabio Fatricelli, bar-Jamie, e cameriere Naurel di Jamaica. Fantastico, bellissimo. Cene con amici cari. Possibilita di fare un nuovo libro della vita del famoso FOXY! E un'altra possibilità di partecipare per un libro per il 50 Anniversario di Little Dix Bay. Non ne sono sicura affatto! Siamo tornati a St. Thomas per l'aereo di ritorno. Li abbiamo pranzato al EMERALD BEACH CLUB, ove Chiara e Paolo saranno per una notte ad Aprile! Ultima foto, New York City dall'aereo di notte! Bacioni Tante cose, Gio

Virgin Gorda, January and February, 2012

January 24-February 4, 2012. Just Mario and Joan at Villa del Sole! Ho ...

Updated: Feb 21, 2012 10:46pm CEST

Underwater Best/Favorite Pictures :

Underwater Best/Favorite Pictures

Updated: Feb 21, 2012 6:00pm CEST

Hog Heaven : Hog Heaven, overlooking North Sound, Virgin Gorda, from its perfect perch/location. Well, it was lovely the first time we went, but they weren't yet serving the divine food and mixed drinks which we ate/drank yesterday. Wow, what a find! Everyone should stop by, and Hog Heaven has definitely been discovered already!

Hog Heaven

Hog Heaven, overlooking North Sound, Virgin Gorda, from its perfect pe ...

Updated: Feb 03, 2012 3:40pm CEST

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, 2012 : Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, in North Sound, Virgin Gorda. January 3rd the restaurant opened, and we go there for my birthday yesterday. Divine. Stunning. Wonderful food, thanks to Chef Davide Pugliese. We met Fabio and Jamie, both on staff, making the evening delightful, to say the least. The pictures are in order, from our arrival to YCCS in the Biras' boat, with Captain Phil, to the evening shots. Grazie mille. Joan and Mario

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, 2012

Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, in North Sound, Virgin Gorda. January 3rd t ...

Updated: Jan 27, 2012 9:08pm CEST

Natale Italia 2011 : Natale e Capo D'Anno, 2011-2012. Parma. Portovenere, Mantova, Le Grazie, Manarola, Porto Recanati, Recanati, spesso in giro! Ma delle vacanze bellissime con familia ed amici. Tante belle giornate! Tanti cibi. Christmas and New Years, 2011-12. Always moving. Still, beautiful vacation with family and friends, beautiful days, too much food! Toward the end, you will see Ale and Giovanni's new apartment, followed by a birthday party for Ilaria, some pictures of a Salumeria in Parma (prosciutto and cheese). At the very end, 9 pictures of the Alpes, as we fly away from Malpensa.

Natale Italia 2011

Natale e Capo D'Anno, 2011-2012. Parma. Portovenere, Mantova, Le Grazi ...

Updated: Jan 19, 2012 2:34am CEST

GRAND CANYON AND LAS VEGAS, TOTAL : 3 viaggi al Grand Canyon, includendo Bryce Mountain, Zion Park, Skywalk, e Las Vegas! Foto dall'Helicoptero, foto accanto il Canyon, foto del e dal Shywalk foto di Las Vegas! 3-4 Trips to the Grand Canyon, including Bryce Mountain and Zion Park, Plus in 2011 the Skywalk. Pictures from the Helicopter, and from the Skywalk. And pictures of Las Vegas! Gorgeous. xxx Joan

GRAND CANYON AND LAS VEGAS, TOTAL

3 viaggi al Grand Canyon, includendo Bryce Mountain, Zion Park, Skywal ...

Updated: Dec 25, 2011 8:21pm CEST

Skywalk Tour of the Grand Canyon, 2011 : A gorgeous day, a wonderful driver, Paul, and off we go from Las Vegas to the Hualapai, Arizona Reservation, to see and walk on the Skywalk. Two stops first: the Holland Dam and the Last Stop Saloon. Two stops there: Eagle Point, as the Eagle in the mountain is much worshipped by the Indians, and that is where they put the Skywalk. They put booties on your shoes, to avoid scratching the glass, on which you walk some 1000 meters above the Canyon floor. They do not allow you to use your own cameras, and photographers take pictures of you, which you can buy (see 3 pictures of me!) When I looked down I quickly decided to walk on the opaque glass, not the clear glass, as it was FRIGHTENING! After Eagle, we went to Guano Point, where we ate a barbecue lunch (with Marie, Tony, Alice and Peter, two couples I met ON the Skywalk! Really nice folks. Then home, with sunset views of this amazing mountain and then over the bridge above the Holland Dam at night. Wow! This was a simply beyond wonderful trip. Enjoy!

Skywalk Tour of the Grand Canyon, 2011

A gorgeous day, a wonderful driver, Paul, and off we go from Las Vegas ...

Updated: Dec 17, 2011 11:51pm CEST

Havdalah honoring Lynn's Birthday :

Havdalah honoring Lynn's Birthday

Updated: Dec 13, 2011 9:56pm CEST

Gail and Lee, Our Visit to San Diego, 2011 : How wonderful. First SF, then Italy, and now, December 2011, we find each other again in San Diego! With love, Joan and Mario

Gail and Lee, Our Visit to San Diego, 2011

How wonderful. First SF, then Italy, and now, December 2011, we find e ...

Updated: Dec 12, 2011 8:53pm CEST

THANKSGIVING, 2011 : Wonderful! From the start with a beautiful dinner with Karla and Tony at Top of the Tower, in Manhattan, meeting with friends in NYC, and then going to Conn. with Courtney, Dan and Alden. Wow, what an amazing wonderful time. Thanksgiving was so meaningful, warm, and special. Thanks to the Morralls, we all, every one of us in our family, we were together: Dan, Courtney, Alden, Julie, Marc, Justine, Tony and Karla, Mario and myself! Then the next night, "Thanksgiving Italiano", West and Marty, and LIndsay, Chris with their adorable Caden, joined us for Mario's Pasta Tortelli di Parma. Another feast, but, best of all, we were all together. Thanks to all! Much much love, Joan

THANKSGIVING, 2011

Wonderful! From the start with a beautiful dinner with Karla and Tony ...

Updated: Nov 27, 2011 4:13am CEST

Justine's 9th Birthday Party, 2011 : What a wonderful Party! Sending love, Joan/Mom

Justine's 9th Birthday Party, 2011

What a wonderful Party! Sending love, Joan/Mom

Updated: Nov 22, 2011 1:37am CEST

Virgin Gorda, November, 2011 : Welcome to our wonderful November trip to Virgin Gorda. I'll try to walk you through it, but both in Italian and English! Siamo stati a Vg con Paolo, Cristina, Francesco, e Anna Guja, Clara e Rocco. Ci siamo divertiti tantissimo. Our time together included many dinners at our home, at Paolo and Cristina's, and at Francesco's apartments. A wonderful trip with Dave, Double D Charters, to Jost van Dyke, stopping first at Diamond Reef, the best snorkeling of the trip. We stopped by Foxy's, had a lovely lunch! Memorable moment, because I'm now in touch with Tessa there, and we MAY do a book on Foxy! I hope so. Little Dix Bay, of course, for a Middle-Eastern buffet. After our friends leave, we have new friends over for dinner: Art (Nailbay), Irma and Per (from Georgia and Norway!), Barbara and Gary (Nailbay), and, of course, Kaunda. Great evening. Next, we're invited to Candy Dockstader, and Brian and Marion are there, as well as Esther, Peter, and Marie. Another wonderful evening. Off to Savannah Beach, today, met couple Bob and Joyce (who recognized me from my book), and we met Father Luis Lapus, the parish priest for VG's Catholic church. Full moon pictures of a gorgeous two nights' moon! Julie Leonard, our "Tortolean Daughter," Sam's daughter, came over for 2 nights to Villa del Sole. We'd really missed her, but hope now for closer contact! Tonight Caroline comes for dinner! Interspersed with all pics, you will see some amazing results of my new underwater housing for the Canon G-10. These pictures, taken at times in water not too clear, show how well this works, especially in comparison with my Sealife w. strobe, which I'm not gonna use anymore! More... Hog Heaven Bar has just opened up. I offered to do some pictures for them. The view is breathtaking, and there's a lot of nice folks to meet up there on the new road between Nail Bay and Leverick Bay.

Virgin Gorda, November, 2011

Welcome to our wonderful November trip to Virgin Gorda. I'll try to wa ...

Updated: Nov 17, 2011 12:02am CEST

Big Bamboo : For my friends, Diane, Aubrey, Ceon and the wonderful folks at the Big Bamboo. With love, Joan Soncini

Big Bamboo

For my friends, Diane, Aubrey, Ceon and the wonderful folks at the Big ...

Updated: Nov 10, 2011 9:12pm CEST

Justin Frank's Book Signing at Walter and Nancy's Home, followed by the Politics and Prose Reading : It's out! "Obama on the Couch," by Justin Frank. The Book Signing Party at the home of Nancy Miller and Walter Romanek was a splendid moment for a memorable, valuable book. Kudos to Justin (and to Heather, his greatest supporter and wife!) Next: Justin talked about his book at Washington, D.C.'s Politics and Prose, followed by a warm, enthusiastic party at Heather and Justin's home! Fondly, Joan

Justin Frank's Book Signing at Walter and Nancy's Home, followed by the Politics and Prose Reading

It's out! "Obama on the Couch," by Justin Frank. The Book Signing Part ...

Updated: Oct 30, 2011 10:59pm CEST

NFTE Back to School Back to Busine$$ Event :

NFTE Back to School Back to Busine$$ Event

Updated: Oct 13, 2011 8:59pm CEST

Tony and Karla's Engagement Party, Oct 1, 2011 : Bienvenidos a la fiesta de comprometidos de Karla y Tony. Una fiesta de dos enamorados, llenos de felicidad. Y, en su nueva casa lindisima, con musica de Hassan, familia y amigos que los quieren tantisimo, y comida sin par! Welcome to the engagement party of Karla and Tony. A party of two who love each other so much, full of happiness. And, in their new beautiful house, with the music of Hassan, family and friends who love them so much, and extraordinary food! With love, Joan (Mom)

Tony and Karla's Engagement Party, Oct 1, 2011

Bienvenidos a la fiesta de comprometidos de Karla y Tony. Una fiesta d ...

Updated: Oct 03, 2011 5:20am CEST

Estate, 2011 : Welcome to "Estate, 2011"! Flying out from JFK, over the mountains, to Milano Malpensa. Two days in Parma, then home to Portovenere. First guests are Steve and Monique, and we return to Locanda Lorena on the Palmaria Island, facing Portovenere, for dinner. Diana Carpena and Marco Consoli have a new baby boy, Giacomo, 13 days over when they come to visit! Our two dogs figure prominently. Virgola will be 17 in June (the dark, mixed breed) whereas Aron is around 10 or 11, called a "Pharoah Dog" or "Cerneco dell'Etna". Lots of pictures show our home in Portovenere, called "Villa Gio". We go with our guests, Cinzia and Roberto, to an amazingly beautiful concert at our Church of Le Grazie, with organist and friend, Luca Spampinato, and Andrea Bracco, who plays many instruments, like the trumpet and flute! New baby Eden, daughter of Enrica from Lord Byron in Portovenere. Coffee, etc. after the concert with our friends the Corrias. An amazing sort of pirate boat called Pandora. Off for a swim (cold) and lunch at Pozzale, also on the Palmaria. On our way home we see Nicolo and his fidanzata Fabrizia. Roberto made a great lunch - all my himself- for us before they left for Milano. Then off to Florence to see Maria Paola and Maurizio in Maiano. Dinner at Trattoria Tullio with a long lost, and so dear friend, Anna, Phyllis and Peter were there, also Rosangela and Libo, as well as Silvia. Then a few pictures of the beautiful garden at Maria Paola's Maiano. Last pic in this group is the famous Amerigo Vespucci, docked in La Spezia for repairs. Ciao! More! Back to home in Portovenere. Angela and Giorgio come for dinner, and they bring us ohhhhh the best pastries! An important sign, one you need to see - on the right- as you are trying to figure out how to get to our home-it's the sign showing you have left Le Grazie! Last for now, I went our path (Sant'Antonio) to the path leading down to Le Grazie, because I saw the best Poppies/Papaveri on that path. Also a pic of Mario's ORTO/GARDEN, which I took while walking up. One picture looking down at the boats of Le Grazie! LET'S SEE. Mario has just cut the grass. A picture of our statue and homage to Giuseppe Verdi, more boats, Mater Naturae on a poppy, basil in Portovenere, the Grotta of Lord Byron, View of Portovenere, an angry seagull, a glimpse inside the tiny Chiesina di Sant'Antonio. Page 9. This is the new La Terrazza area in Portovenere, with 2 swimming pools, beach, bar, cafe and restaurant-great for the day! Aron looking down the steps at me. A view up from Varignano of our home. Entrance to our home. Our nephew, Giovanni, and his fiancee, Alessandra, are getting married on August 28th. Here they are. Looking down at the church of Le Grazie at sunset. Mario in his boat, getting it ready to take to the water. A SPECIAL MOMENT- WE SKYPED TONY AND KARLA TO SEE HER PARENTS, PEDRO AND LAURA, TO PRESENT TONY SO THAT HE COULD ASK KARLA TO MARRY HIM! A panorama of our view. Then we went with Iaia and Gigi, with two architect friends, up above La Spezia to a restaurant called A CA DO LEO, what a view. Down to Le Grazie, and here's our friend, Franco, who owns a lovely, small bar. Coffee at Franco's. Eleonora's new puppy, Etto. Clare and Andrew, Heather and Chris, from Australia, on their boat, "Eye Candy". I met Clare in Le Grazie, and they came up for coffee and cakes. Finally, off to Portovenere, and a few scenes, including this amazing 4 mast Clipper Ship Cruise.My cousin from San Diego, Gail, and her husband, Lee, arrive. We had the most wonderful time with them- in Portovenere, in Cinque Terre and, most important, our visit to Venice. Wow. We were all in love with Venice, as you can see by the pictures. Gail, besides being a psychologist, is also a glass blower! So, her first trip to Italy had to include Venice. Some pics of Portovenere, last pictures of Cinque Terre. Off to Venice! When Gail and Lee left, we returned home to Villa Gio. Thanks to our friends, Eugenia and Luca Spampinato (organist!), we met Father Felice at the Parrochia delle Grazie. I will have a photo show there, coinciding with their Festa del Santuario. Next pics are of San Giovanni Dinner at Cicci and Angelo's in Mariano. Mary and Sig come to stay with us. Off to Cinque Terre, lunch at Belforte with Micaela and Alessandro, so pics of the food and the location. Cinzia and Roby (staying over with us), with their friends Manuela and Roberto join us for lunch at Pizzaria Marinara. Mario's boat isi taken away to be redone, new motor and all. Wow, look at the tiny, baby owl. Debora with her baby dog, Aron. We go to the new, fancy Mirabello Yacht Club in La Spezia, where we find this boat, we'd seen before, called the Ocean Sapphire. Looks like a modern building made into a boat. Then Louie joins us for an amazing dinner. We had drinks with Sig and Mary at Mirabello, the new, fancy yacht club in La Spezia. Here we found the Ocean Sapphire, a super weird, modern yacht for charter. Pics of Sig with Monica, who owns Zeromo, while we have pizza at Pizzaria Marinara, in Le Grazie. The Orion Sailboat- gorgeous beyond words. I will have a photo exhibit at the Parrocchia delle Grazie (our gorgeous Le Grazie church) from Sept 3-10. The announcement is sort of cool. Then we go to Colonnata for Sig's birthday, starting out with the famous Marmo Tour nearby. Pictures of the Cavatore (the folks who go into the caves and cut the marble), Colonnata, and the divine restaurant called Da Venanzio, run by our dear friend, Roberto and his wife, Anna, as well as the handsome chef. My order is not perfect, but here goes! We went to O CHI O A CA TOA in Fezzano with Mary, Sig, Suzi and Howard. You will see pictures of the amazing "Assaggi", or "tastes", small plates of divinely delicious and beautiful foods, prepared and served, at times, by the dear owner, Gio! It's in the next town over from us! Used to be a private club, and now it serves everyone: a culinary experience! Home for dinner with Mary and Sig, Mario mouthing a piece of prosciutto! Then some pictures of us at LE TERRAZZE, a new (one or two years old) place to go in Portovenere: 2 pools, beach, a bar, a cafe, and a restaurant-super nice! Sig, kidding around in the garden and the pool, pic of the pool, and, last, but not least, Mario's boat, all gussied up with a new, fancy motor! CHILLOUT HAPPY HOUR AT ECO DEL MARE-with a wonderful view, yummy drinks and goodies, and lovely music by this young Federico Biagetti. Off on a trip, Mario's Boat, with Paolo, Gloria, Suzi and Howard. Swimming in the sea. Mario is so so happy with his boat all fixed up! Upon returning to Villa Gio, there was this lovely South Korean bicyclist, Min, with a broken down bike, in our driveway. We helped him fix it! And, off he went to Genova-long long ride! We'll be in touch. Silvana, Thomas, and Anna come to visit from Bolzano, Italy. Thomas is Mario's first cousin! Off to Pontremoli to see the Fashion Show and Singing of Alice and Irene Formaciari, the two daughters of Zucchero. Wow. Check out my video: ALICE ED IRENE FORNACHIARI A PONTREMOLI SUMMER NIGHTS, 2011, UTUBE VIDEO http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etr83Es6-00 Poi, vengono Cicci, Angelo, Silvana e Thomas (cugino di Bolzano) per un weekend di familia. Magnifico!. Some pictures of friends, including Rossana and Nino, Suzi with her friend, Laurie (and with me) at Le Terrazze, our lovely Mule/Donkey, down he road. Then my sister Lynn, with husband, Paul, and their son, Mark, come to stay for two nights. Off to Belforte, in Vernazza, Cinque Terre, for an unforgettable lunch. A picture of me with Claudio, owner, and his son, Jody, following! On the 23rd of July, we had a party with Paolo and Cristina Pizzaferri, Francesco and his niece, Anna Guya, Paolo and Chiara, Suzi and Laurie, Cicci and Angelo, of course! Note the beautiful vegetable tortas from Gianna's Sigma in Le Grazie. We are doing some construction up where the pollaio used to be (chicken coop). Next topics: La Noche en Blanco at Le Grazie Mario's boat trip with Gloria and Paolo Carpena. Visit to Tellaro with Maria Angela Visit to a Rapallo con Ferdinando e Guja, la sorella di Francesco Ferrozzi. Nuovi meravigliosi amici. Manarola, il 7 Agosto per il nostro anniversario. Pranzo a Marina Piccola (dove dormiamo una notte) con don Carlo Brizzi. Cena a Trattoria dal Billy. Cena a da Venanzio, Colonnata, con il nostro "Gruppo della Colonnata". Pranzo con Ferdinando e Guja a Pontremoli. Julie, Marc and Justine come for 4 nights, and then we see them again in Florence! Wonderful! Parma, and we see my "brother", Marco Fornaciari. Dinner with Iaia and Gigi at Villa Brignole, Pontremoli. Visiting the old part of gorgeous Pontremoli. Guja and Ferdinando take us to Guinadi, for the most wonderful mushroom lunch. Anna Guja is with us. Friends too. Pasqua Angela and Mercedes visit us. Ale and Gio come for a night, before they get married on August 28th. Ge then go spend the night in Cassio, where Ale's mom, Rita, comes from. Loads of friends and family: the Borlenghi family. Cassio is in the mountains between Portovenere, on the road called "La Cisa", as it returns to Parma. We go with Ina to Cui o a Ca Toa, in Fezzano, the SLOW FOOD divine place! Amazing dinner at Angela and Giorgio's. Lots of time with Ina and Ariel, her granddaughter. Maria Paola and Maurizio come stay with us, with Ina. We then go to Forte dei Marmi to meet Silvia Orlandi. Stunning evening out at Eco del Mare, with amazing music of a young pianist called Gino Mancino, the extraordinary Zucchero, his compagna Francesca, who owns Eco del Mare with her beautiful mother, Nicoletta. Parma, getting ready for the BIG WEDDING. We have lunch at Orientale with Sandra, Simona, Eugenio, Ina, Ariel (who just arrived). To see the wedding, go to: http://soncijo.smugmug.com/Other/Ale-e-Gio-Matrimonio-il-28/18790535_SMj6zr#1456720527_sxJrbpf After the wedding, Mario and I go to Pozzale for lunch. Relaxation. Then my photo show. To see this, go to:http://soncijo.smugmug.com/Other/Mostra-alla-Parrocchia-Nostra/17689832_pt7wTZ#1462085379_Qjp8zv8 Winding down. Rosangela and Libo come for an overnight, as do Cicci and Angelo. We have a wonderful time together. Out on the boat, dinner at home with the Carpenas, all except Niccolo and Fabrizia, who were in Genova. I was asked to photograph the Croma Latina Band, with Rita Renzi, who greeted us upon our late arrival with "Oh, my dear friend, Joan Soncini, wonderful photographer!" (On the loudspeaker). Then we took down all the pictures at the Parrocchia, leaving 3 as a gift for the wonderful Francescani: Padres Felice, Stefano, Leonardo, and Gabriele! Off to Recanati for Mario's work with Ghergo's G I & E, where we are right this minute. I'm in the gorgeous Gallery Hotel, and I will add some pictures. Last stop PARMA, returning to Portovenere to get ready for final departure. We end up going to Mantova for a wonderful, warm, loving dinner at Terry and Davide's apartment. Davide's parents, Chiara and Luciano, are there. It's so nice! Giovanni and Ale are on their honeymoon in Africa! At the Piazza Garibaldi, there is a wonderful Festivale del Prosciutto. Then, we fly home. Baci Abbracci Joan

Estate, 2011

Welcome to "Estate, 2011"! Flying out from JFK, over the mountains, to ...

Updated: Sep 23, 2011 4:27am CEST

Croma Latina, 2011 : Per la mia amica, Rita Renzi, e gli altri musicisti fantastici di questa Band di Musica Caraibica. Siete una gioia. Con tanto affetto, Joan

Croma Latina, 2011

Per la mia amica, Rita Renzi, e gli altri musicisti fantastici di ques ...

Updated: Sep 13, 2011 8:16am CEST

Mostra alla Parrocchia Nostra Signora delle Grazie, 2011 : Mostra Fotografica alla Parrochia Nostra Signora delle Grazie, dal 3-11 Settembre. L'Otto Settembre e' la Festa del Santuario della Madonna alle Grazie. Queste foto sarano dentro la mostra, tutte foto delle Grazie, di Portovenere, delle Cinque Terre, una dell'Amerigo Vespucci a La Spezia, ed una a Portofino! Grazie ai Francescani dell'Immacolata, sopratutto al Padre Felice, Padre Stefano e Padre Leonardo, ed agli amici Eugenia e Luca Spampinato! Photography Show at the Parrochia Nostra Signora delle Grazie, the beautiful church just down the road from our villa in Italy, from the 3-11th September. The main festival of this beautiful church is on September 8th, called the "Festa del Santuario della Madonna". These are the pictures which will be in the show, all from nearby. Many thanks to Father Felice, Father Stefano, and Father Leonardo, and my friends Eugenia and Luca Spampinato! Following the pictures I have included pictures from the "Inaugurazione", on September 3rd, and the Madonna on September 8th! Dopo le foto, ho messo anche foto dell'Inaugurazione, il 3 Settembre, e La Madonna, l'Otto Settembre. Il 10 Settembre, Angelo e altri hanno messo luci dapertutto alle scale salendo verso la Parrocchia. Uno splendore! Tante cose e grazie a tutti, Joan

Mostra alla Parrocchia Nostra Signora delle Grazie, 2011

Mostra Fotografica alla Parrochia Nostra Signora delle Grazie, dal 3-1 ...

Updated: Sep 12, 2011 12:46pm CEST

Festa della Madonna, Le Grazie, 2011 : Le Grazie, vi amo! Una galeria di foto per voi, per apprezzare la bellezza della Festa della Madonna. Tante cose a tutti i miei amici Graziotti! Con amore!, Joan

Festa della Madonna, Le Grazie, 2011

Le Grazie, vi amo! Una galeria di foto per voi, per apprezzare la bell ...

Updated: Sep 10, 2011 11:21am CEST

Ale e Gio, Gioioso Matrimonio, il 28 Agosto, 2011 : Prima parte del matrimonio, iniziato dai Borlenghi, a Fornovo, quando Ale si trucca e si veste. Un gruppo di amici e parenti ci stano. Poi, alla chiesa tutti aspettiamo l'arrivo della sposa. La ceremonia bellissima in questa vecchia chiesa di Fornovo con sei preti. Alla fine, gli sposi escono dalla chiesa al riso tradizionale. Gli amici arrivano come un Dragone, e Giovanni deve salvare la sua nueva sposina! Per Ale e Gio, con tanto tanto amore, Zia Gio

Ale e Gio, Gioioso Matrimonio, il 28 Agosto, 2011

Prima parte del matrimonio, iniziato dai Borlenghi, a Fornovo, quando ...

Updated: Aug 31, 2011 12:33pm CEST

Ale e Gio, al Castello di Felino : Dopo la ceremonia alla Chiesa di Fornovo, andiamo al meraviglioso Castello di Felino per gli aperitivi al giardino e la cena al cortile. Indimenticabile! Bravissimi Ale e Gio. Grazie ai Borlenghi ed ai Tedeschi per questa meravigliosa serata. Con amore, Zia Joan e Zio Mario

Ale e Gio, al Castello di Felino

Dopo la ceremonia alla Chiesa di Fornovo, andiamo al meraviglioso Cast ...

Updated: Aug 31, 2011 12:31pm CEST

Eco del Mare, Serata di Magia, 2011 :

Eco del Mare, Serata di Magia, 2011

Updated: Aug 26, 2011 2:47pm CEST

Vincenti Gioielli : Exceptional Big Sale! Vendita a prezzi eccezionali! Per informazioni, scrivere direttamente a s.orlandi@live.it Vi preghiamo di indicare la pagina, il numero della pagina, e una descrizione semplice dell'articolo, per esempio, "Pagina 1, Numero 1, collana e bracciale in oro giallo con diamanti." Oppure "Pagina 1, Numero 2, cuore con brillanti e zaffiri." Oppure, "Pagina 1, Numero 4, giracollo perle brillanti."

Vincenti Gioielli

Exceptional Big Sale! Vendita a prezzi eccezionali! Per informazioni, ...

Updated: Aug 26, 2011 10:57am CEST

empty gallery

SILVIA

Updated: Aug 26, 2011 8:48am CEST

Estate, 2011, La Madonna Bianca : 17 Agosto 2011, La Madonna Bianca di Portovenere, sempre un'evento di grande importanza religiosa e laica. Quest'anno, non come due anni fa, non abbiamo visto l'alba con la gente passando e pregando, cantando, davanti la villa nostra, VEDETE il mio video sul UTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XHADjVexSU. Ma e' sempre meravigliosa!

Estate, 2011, La Madonna Bianca

17 Agosto 2011, La Madonna Bianca di Portovenere, sempre un'evento di ...

Updated: Aug 25, 2011 10:55am CEST

La Noche en Blanco, Le Grazie 2011 :

La Noche en Blanco, Le Grazie 2011

Updated: Aug 11, 2011 8:02pm CEST

Venezia, 2011 : Wonderful trip to Venezia with my cousin Gail and her husband, Lee. Bellissimo viaggio a Venezia con i miei cugini di California!

Venezia, 2011

Wonderful trip to Venezia with my cousin Gail and her husband, Lee. Be ...

Updated: Jun 21, 2011 10:17pm CEST

VENICE :

VENICE

Updated: Jun 18, 2011 7:16pm CEST

Festa della Marineria and Amerigo Vespucci, 2011 :

Festa della Marineria and Amerigo Vespucci, 2011

Updated: Jun 13, 2011 8:57am CEST

Amerigo Vespucci :

Amerigo Vespucci

Updated: Jun 13, 2011 8:52am CEST

Mike, Marie, and Friends' Go to Villa del Sole, 2011 : Wonderful people go to Virgin Gorda, staying in Villa del Sole at Mahoebay, and they have a ball! Thanks to Mike and Marie McLennan and friends!, May, 2011!

Mike, Marie, and Friends' Go to Villa del Sole, 2011

Wonderful people go to Virgin Gorda, staying in Villa del Sole at Maho ...

Updated: May 24, 2011 8:09pm CEST

Virgin Gorda, April 2011 : Welcome for our Mario's Birthday Vacation in Virgin Gorda. Benvenuti alle vacanze per il compleanno di Mario.From the underwater pics, to Little Dix with Paolo, Cristina, Francesco, Toufic, Cheryl and Carlo, to a special visit from Karin, Crister, Per and Cecilia, to Maria Paola and Maurizio, then Sue and Bob, and, finally, our beloved "daughter Julia", whom we haven't seen for too much time, came to visit. This was a divine trip!

Virgin Gorda, April 2011

Welcome for our Mario's Birthday Vacation in Virgin Gorda. Benvenuti a ...

Updated: May 22, 2011 7:59pm CEST

Underwater April and May, 2011 :

Underwater April and May, 2011

Updated: May 20, 2011 5:02am CEST

Julie and Kirk's Wedding in Tortola, 2011 :

Julie and Kirk's Wedding in Tortola, 2011

Updated: May 19, 2011 6:28pm CEST

Washington DC Zoo Trips, 2011 : April, 2011, and Justine and Joan go to the DC Zoo. A gorgeous day. Justine wanted to see the Cheetahs, the new baby gorilla, and the reptile house. We'll go back and find some more animals!

Washington DC Zoo Trips, 2011

April, 2011, and Justine and Joan go to the DC Zoo. A gorgeous day. Ju ...

Updated: Apr 16, 2011 9:37pm CEST

Key West and Orlando for Adobe Photoshop World, 2011 : 2011, and Ina, Chuck, Mario and I go to Key West for 3 nights, staying at the lovely hotel called Weatherstation Inn. We start, of course, at Louie's Backyard, a wonderful restaurant. Then the next day we take the Conch Train ride around all of Key West, so the guys can see the whole, adorable, charming town. That second evening we take a sunset cruise on a sailboat, with wine tasting! The next day Ina and I go to the Butterfly Museum, Mario bikes around everywhere, Chuck goes to the Truman and Hemingway museums. Off to famous Mallory Square for the sunset and the various acts, one being the "Banjo Man" and his dog. Mario gave the dog a dollar to put into the Banjo Man's bucket. Dinner at Bagatelle. Quite wonderful. The guys returned to DC, whereas Ina and I went to Adobe Photoshop World 2011 in Orlando. Crowds of photographers and a wonderful learning experience for sure. See the Opening, in which Scott Kelby and his pals wow us with models, competitions, loads of laughs, and alot of manic energy! Fun! We had a terrific view out of the Rosen Center 17th floor, so several pictures of Orlando's convention center. Oh, and dinner at Capitol Grille, in which our friend, Eric Johnson, who works there, treated us like queens! Wonderful. Have fun! All best, Joan

Key West and Orlando for Adobe Photoshop World, 2011

2011, and Ina, Chuck, Mario and I go to Key West for 3 nights, staying ...

Updated: Apr 11, 2011 12:05am CEST

China Trip, 2011 : What an amazing trip. Invited to Xiaozhen Cai and Matteo Anversa's (from Parma, Italy) wedding in Hangzhou, we decided to make this into a trip of a lifetime: visit people and places in China! Thanks to Eva Wang's wonderful travel plans, we started in Shanghai, guided by the lovely Omi, driven by Mr. Zhao. Page 1. First picture is called "Double Happiness"! We fly out of JFK. Over the North Pole, a late arrival over Shanghai, driving on the bund at night, arriving at the simply divine PEACE HOTEL, look at the Illy Cafe machine waiting for me! Views of Pudong from our hotel. Eva and Omi with Mario, the Bund, the Pearl TV Tower and views down to Shanghai. A tea ceremony in Old Street Shanghai. Page 2. Old and new views of amazing Shanghai great pic of Omi, Pudong by night, the stunning People's Square, at the airport with Mr. Zhao. Next Sandra, Matteo and Piero Anversa at dinner the night before the wedding in Hangzhou, the Italian Friends, Giorgia Enrico with their kids, Iris and Leo, my jade pendant, Mario bought for me, the Bridesmaids, a view toward the boat in Hangzhou's West Lake, Double Happiness, The Tea Ceremony in Sandra and Piero's room, pictures there. Then we go to a park for a Photo Shoot, so the first pic is Matteo and Xiaozhen with Piero and Sandra. Page 3. Bridesmaids fighting to catch the bouquet! It is the Year of the Rabbit in China. View to Westlake, pictures of the bridal party (last one is my favorite one of Xiaozhen and Matteo with bubbles!). Whoops, before that, we went to a private lunch with Sandra and Piero, a few pictures of that. Back to the photo shoot in the park. Piero "fighting" with Leo. NOW THE WEDDING AT THE HYATT HANGZHOU! First pictures of folks in front of a huge poster of pictures of Xiaozhen and Matteo. The lovely lady in red/black dress and her husband, Xiaozhen's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cai. More pics in front of the poster. Then last pic on page 3 is of Sandra, Piero, Eugenio and Simona (Sandra's sister), and friends Beppe and Gabriella in the dining room for the wedding ceremony. Page 4. Ok, us. Friends of Xiaozhen and Matteo, Mario with Piero, Xiaozhen smiling at Matteo as he sings her a song IN CHINESE! This was the most beautiful moment, if you ask me! Mr. and Mrs. Anvesa, Beppe and Xiaozhen's uncle give a speech, friends from GE. Note, Xiaozhen is on her third wedding dress! Two white dresses, one for the photo shoot, and one for the beginning of the wedding ceremony, then she changes into the most gorgeous red dress, follwed later on by a purple dress. Her cousin gives a speech, as it's also Zheng's birthday! The dancers. Pictures of Xiaozhen in her purple dress, with friends. Page 5. 4 adorable kids, running around at the end of the wedding program. Now we have a day free, so we go to the Tea House at Aman Resort, outside Hangzhou. Mario with chopsticks. Then it's BEIJING where we are wonderfully escorted by guide, Hubert, and driver, Mr. Su. We start at the Imperial Palace, formerlly called "Forbidden City". These pictures show views of the Palace, where emperors lived with their wives and numbers of concubines. We walk and walk and walk through this enormous, fabulous place, and finally make it out to Tian'anmen Square. Last picture is of Hubert and Mario at a wonderful Chinese restaurant. Page 6. Joan and Mario at that restaurant. Then we are off to THE GREAT WALL. We are at Mutianyu, where one can take a cable car up to the wall, instead of walking the whole way. Still we walk up and down, marveling at the immensity, grandeur of this wall, made to protect the people. Coming down the cable car we see a woman eating lunch, then we meet these characters, dressed as Warriors, and we pay them 40 RBMs to take a picture of them. Ah, I spot coffee, Italian coffee, so we rush in there, to exit and buy one token to remember the Wall. Page 7. Shanghai statium, whoops back to a pic on the Wall. Jen Lin Liu and Craig Simons, her husband, both friends of Mary and Sig Gissler, meet us for dinner at the Beijing Hyatt. Pic of the fountain at the Hyatt. Next day off with Hubert to visit the Hutong district of narrow, old roads and shops. We're on a tricycle trip! Stopping first at a traditional courtyard home, where Claire gives us a lovely tour. Off to the Drum Tower, where we arrive 3 min. before they begin an amazing drum concert. Tai Chi expert, being filmed. We then go on the streets of Hutong to visit Jen's Cooking School, Black Sesame. Coffee with Jen and Craig. Off to the Imperial College --- Confucian temple. Oh, last pic is of the two of us in the tricycle. Page 8. XIAN! Xian Hyatt View from our room. We go to the Xian museum with our wonderful guide, Lisa, driver Mr. Sun. I love photos of the children. In the Hyatt there was an extraordinary wooden, burl statue of the Laughing Buddha. We attended a gorgeous Tang dynasty show and dumping dinner (the food wasn't much, but the show was stunning!). Next day, THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS! One of the wonders of the world. We begin at a Museum of the Terracotta Warriors, which is a huge, amazing place where they make copies and sell everything! Joan and Mario posing as Warriors! A jade statue, a man working the clay to make copies. Mario and Joan in front of copies, lifelike in size! Then the 3 next pictures show the buildings of the MUSEUM OF THE TERRACOTTA WARRIORS OF THE QIN DYNASTY. Last pic, the horses and carriage discovered, as were all the warriors, in the excavations. Page 9. Words do not suffice, so I'll just show you the pictures in Pit 1. 6000 carefully put back together warriors, each with a unique face. We saw a film (see green face) showing what happened when the Emperor, who had made these terracotta warriors to use on his tomb, died. Peasant rebellion- all were smashed and ruined! Buried. And then discovered by the farmer, Yang Xinman (seen with us in a photo! Now 75 years old!) Following are pictures in Pit 1. Page 10. First pic, shows the "hospital" to work on repairing the warriors, an ongoing task. The cook is working on making noodles for our noodle lunch at the Museum with Lisa. Then onto the MUSLIM AREA OF XIAN. Small baby, held up for a picture by his proud mom. The arrival of the "Warriors" to the Drum Tower in Xian. Views of old and new. Ah, a foot massage. And, then on by plane to LIJIANG, which is in the southwest. Snow, our wonderful, adorable guide. Mr. He, our dear driver. Lijiang is an area of ethnic minorities. Snow is a Naxi, about to marry a Bai. This was a gorgeous place, as you will now see! We arrive at Old Lijiang, where there is a Naxi festival going on. Page 11. Old Lijiang. Then off to a gorgeous musical performance. Oh, the very green and yellow picture I took while we landed in Lijiang. Out of order. Then a woman cleaning the streets, Snow at the most beautiful hotel we've ever seen, I think, BANYAN TREE RESORT in Lijiang. Following pictures of our room. Last pic is in Lijiang, not the hotel. Page 12. A Naxi selling vegetables in old Lijiang, pictures of the festival, old Lijiang, a man cleaning a goat, then pictures of BANYAN TREE RESORT. We go to the Black Dragon Pool and Shu He, an anciant Baisha town. Last pic we're eating with Snow and Mr. He. Page 13. We ordered roast pork, and it was a bit too fatty, so this little dog, joined by 2 others, helped us finish off the plate. Lovely family in Shu He, worker in the fields, and off to JADE DRAGON SNOW MOUNTAIN. We were really lucky, as the weather held for us to see it. Check ouit my panorama pic, the first one after the worker in the field. Then this lake up by the mountain, with the most turquoise water i've ever seen. Even a Yak. Back to BANYAN TREE RESORT pics. The last picture is of Richard Neo, the General Manager of the Banyan Tree, and us. He is a terrific, warm, vivacious guy! I'm planning to put in a review to Trip Advisor for this fabulous place. Page 14. Snow and Mario, entering Shu He. A man with his pipe- usually there to have people take pictures with him. All pictures on this last day in Lijiang, ending with a picture of our driver. Off on a plane above Lijiang and then sunset picture arriving at Shanghai. Our new guide, Andrew Hu, actually a friend of our first guide, Omi. First stop the Humble Administrator's Garden in SUZHOU, a canal city. Page 15. Such a beautiful garden, grounds, bridges. Next, THE SILK FACTORY. Reception Center first, and then a series of pictures to show the process of making silk threads from the silk worms/cocoons to the final product. Mario and I had a chance to actually PULL the silk used to make comforters. Looked easy, but we struggled. Mario in a new silk shirt. Off for a noodle lunch with Mr. Liu, our driver, and Andrew. Then off to see the number one attraction in Suzhou, THE TIGER HILL! Wow, amazing and beautiful. See the pictures, please! Page 16. A Buddhist Temple in Tiger Hill. The leaning tower of Tiger Hill, somewhat like Pisa in Italy, except they are affraid that it will actually fall over. We also visit Lingering Garden, which was one of the most stunning. Mario working on his computer at the Garden Hotel in Suzhou. Next morning, off to thousand year old town of TONGLI, CHINESE WATER VILLAGE. Page 17. You can imagine us Italians, our love of Venice, to see this stunning, not so small town. Sig and Mary Gissler told us not to miss it! Ah, a coffee house, all Illy Caffe. Yum. Last picture of a beautiful mural in a house open to the public. Page 18. Goose eggs for sale. No thanks! A man pulls the candy, yes, thanks! I bought some. Back to Old Street in Shanghai for Dim Sum last lunch with Mr. Liu and Andrew. Last pic is from the car, looking at Pudong, before they dropped us off at the Peace Hotel. Later on, Andrew went with us for a Chinese, simple but great dinner, and then to see the Chinese Acrobats. This last show was the most extraordinary, but photos were not permitted. We left on China Eastern Airlines the next day. It was great! Per tradurre in Italiano, chiedemi di farlo, va bene? Bacioni a tutti i miei amici e familie in Italia! Dedicated to Xiaozhen and Matteo with love. A special and huge thanks to my beloved husband, Mario, who made this happen!

China Trip, 2011

What an amazing trip. Invited to Xiaozhen Cai and Matteo Anversa's (fr ...

Updated: Mar 24, 2011 1:32pm CEST

Xiao Zhen and Matteo's Wedding, 2011 : Xiao Zhen Cai and Matteo Anversa, the beautiful couple, marrying in Hangzhou on March 5, 2011. This gallery of photos is dedicated to you both, as well as to Mr. and Mrs. Cai and Sandra and Piero Anversa, your parents. We are so grateful to have been a part of your friends and family. With love, Joan and Mario Soncini

Xiao Zhen and Matteo's Wedding, 2011

Xiao Zhen Cai and Matteo Anversa, the beautiful couple, marrying in Ha ...

Updated: Mar 11, 2011 12:03pm CEST

Cinque Terre, Estate 2009 e 2010 : Viaggio alle Cinque Terre con Federica e Lorenzo, 2009, e con Amanda, Derek ed Ina, 2010

Cinque Terre, Estate 2009 e 2010

Viaggio alle Cinque Terre con Federica e Lorenzo, 2009, e con Amanda, ...

Updated: Feb 26, 2011 10:04pm CEST

Justine, 2003 - 2011 :

Justine, 2003 - 2011

Updated: Feb 21, 2011 2:37pm CEST

ALDEN'S FIRST YEAR :

ALDEN'S FIRST YEAR

Updated: Feb 17, 2011 6:13pm CEST

Joan's Birthday Trip to VG, 2011 :

Joan's Birthday Trip to VG, 2011

Updated: Feb 16, 2011 3:50pm CEST

Villa del Sole : Villa del Sole, our home in this island paradise. Welcome!

Villa del Sole

Villa del Sole, our home in this island paradise. Welcome!

Updated: Feb 16, 2011 3:46pm CEST

NATALE/CHRISTMAS IN ITALIA 2010 : Here we are in Italy for Christmas and New Years, 2010! From Milan, to Parma, Portovenere, Parma, Mantova, Portovenere, Firenze, Parma, Bolzano, Bassano del Grappa, Recanati, in a month. For pictures from New Years, go to this address: http://soncijo.smugmug.com/Other/CAPO-DANNO-2010-AL-GRAND-HOTEL/15349801_TJhem#1148492560_Ya5mt NEW PICTURES FROM BOLZANO! (Added Jan. 11th)! Tante cose, Joan/Gio

NATALE/CHRISTMAS IN ITALIA 2010

Here we are in Italy for Christmas and New Years, 2010! From Milan, to ...

Updated: Jan 18, 2011 12:45am CEST

Tassotti a Bassano del Grappa, 2011 : Benvenuti a "Tassotti a Bassano del Grappa". Prima la cena meravigliosa del 9 Gennaio, con un'aperitivo da Mongarda, produttore di Prosecco, poi una cena indimenticabile dalla Locanda da Condo! Il 10 Gennaio, una reunione all'azienda dei rappresentanti. Alla fine ho messo delle foto scattate in anni precedenti. Se volete una foto in formato per stampare, scrivetemi a: joansoncijo@gmail.com e ve le mando, volontieri! Vi saluto! Joan Soncini

Tassotti a Bassano del Grappa, 2011

Benvenuti a "Tassotti a Bassano del Grappa". Prima la cena meraviglios ...

Updated: Jan 11, 2011 7:58am CEST

CAPO D'ANNO 2010 AL GRAND HOTEL DI PORTOVENERE CON I CAMPBELLS : Forse il Capo d'Anno da non mai dimenticare in vita nostra! Perfetta! Perhaps the most wonderful, unforgettable New Years of our lives. Fatto piu' bello, grazie agli amici Canadesi, i Campbell. Made more wonderful, thanks to our dear Canadian Family, the Campbells! Il Grand Hotel Portovenere, un bellissimo posto, con un cenone divino, musica per ballare, due cantanti meravigliosi, gente felice... The Grand Hotel Portovenere, a gorgeous place, with a divine dinner, music to dance, two singers who were marvelous, happy folks...

CAPO D'ANNO 2010 AL GRAND HOTEL DI PORTOVENERE CON I CAMPBELLS

Forse il Capo d'Anno da non mai dimenticare in vita nostra! Perfetta! ...

Updated: Jan 06, 2011 6:03pm CEST

Dinner at Julie, Justine and Marc Kantors' with Lucinda, Carlos, Mike, Gaby, Maya, Carmen, Peter, Patty, Joan and Mario, December, 2010 : Thanksgiving, 2010. First the Traditional Thanksgiving at Julie and Marc's, with many friends and amazing food. Then Mario's Pasta Thanksgiving at Tony's. For the first part, everyone brought special dishes. For the second, Justine came and helped Mario (and me) make his Tortelli di Parma, sort of ravioli-like pastas, one type with swiss chard and ricotta cheese and the other with summer squash, parmesan, eggs and Amaretti cookies (rum too!) Let me see if I can name the folks at the first Traditional Thanksgiving: Marc, Julie, Justine, Ina, Chuck, Adrienne, John, Tony, Jowita, Richard, Olga, Edna, Matthew, Yesmin, Katherine, Joan, Mario, Elham, Monica. Wonderful group. At the Pasta Thanksgiving, Tony, Justine, Marc, Julie, Mario, Roberto, Melinda, Tai and Peter! All best! Much love, Joan Enjoy!!!

Dinner at Julie, Justine and Marc Kantors' with Lucinda, Carlos, Mike, Gaby, Maya, Carmen, Peter, Patty, Joan and Mario, December, 2010

Thanksgiving, 2010. First the Traditional Thanksgiving at Julie and Ma ...

Updated: Dec 07, 2010 12:23am CEST

Thanksgiving, 2010 : Thanksgiving, 2010. First the Traditional Thanksgiving at Julie and Marc's, with many friends and amazing food. Then Mario's Pasta Thanksgiving at Tony's. For the first part, everyone brought special dishes. For the second, Justine came and helped Mario (and me) make his Tortelli di Parma, sort of ravioli-like pastas, one type with swiss chard and ricotta cheese and the other with summer squash, parmesan, eggs and Amaretti cookies (rum too!) Let me see if I can name the folks at the first Traditional Thanksgiving: Marc, Julie, Justine, Ina, Chuck, Adrienne, John, Tony, Jowita, Richard, Olga, Edna, Matthew, Yesmin, Katherine, Joan, Mario, Elham, Monica. Wonderful group. At the Pasta Thanksgiving, Tony, Justine, Marc, Julie, Mario, Roberto, Melinda, Tai and Peter! All best! Much love, Joan Enjoy!!!

Thanksgiving, 2010

Thanksgiving, 2010. First the Traditional Thanksgiving at Julie and Ma ...

Updated: Dec 07, 2010 12:20am CEST

Family, 2010 :

Family, 2010

Updated: Nov 27, 2010 4:58am CEST

VIRGIN GORDA, NOVEMBER 2010 :

VIRGIN GORDA, NOVEMBER 2010

Updated: Nov 25, 2010 7:36pm CEST

Alden Bradford Morrall, September 10, 2010 :

Alden Bradford Morrall, September 10, 2010

Updated: Nov 25, 2010 4:31pm CEST

Sue and Bob in St. John, USVI : Visiting Sue and Bob on St. John. It was simply wonderful! The first pictures were taken on previous trips to Virgin Gorda, aerial views of St. John. And, then onto 2 splendid days of friendship, visiting the island and a few friends, back to what I've been calling Villa DeBonis! Grazie mille! Joan

Sue and Bob in St. John, USVI

Visiting Sue and Bob on St. John. It was simply wonderful! The first p ...

Updated: Nov 16, 2010 1:29pm CEST

FLOOD AT MAHOEBAY, NOVEMBER 2010 : November 5 - 8, 2010, and the biggest flooding we can remember. There have been others, but this one was extraordinary. Here are pictures to see how much water came down from Gorda Peak into the 2 guts flanking our home on Mahoebay. Thanks to Chris Yates, who designed the house to allow water to fall down those guts, we seem to have no problems, other than not being able to go turtle videoing in the blue Caribbean, which is now sort of brown with the waters entering the sea.

FLOOD AT MAHOEBAY, NOVEMBER 2010

November 5 - 8, 2010, and the biggest flooding we can remember. There ...

Updated: Nov 13, 2010 12:36pm CEST

Zut! on Forth Street, Berkeley, Ca. :

Zut! on Forth Street, Berkeley, Ca.

Updated: Oct 29, 2010 8:48pm CEST

Maria Elisa Leboroni at Castle in the Air, 2010 :

Maria Elisa Leboroni at Castle in the Air, 2010

Updated: Oct 27, 2010 9:15pm CEST

Aiyoung's Birthday Party :

Aiyoung's Birthday Party

Updated: Oct 19, 2010 6:04pm CEST

Cafe Ole and Julie's Birthday Brunch, 2010 :

Cafe Ole and Julie's Birthday Brunch, 2010

Updated: Sep 06, 2010 4:30am CEST

FUOCHI ARTIFICIALI ALLA SPEZIA, 2010 :

FUOCHI ARTIFICIALI ALLA SPEZIA, 2010

Updated: Aug 31, 2010 5:54pm CEST

RISTORANTI ITALIANI, 2010 : FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD! ITALY, MOSTLY THE SUMMER OF 2010. WONDROUS GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCES! CIBI, MERAVIGLIOSI CIBI, NEI RISTORANTI ITALIANI DELL'ESTATE 2010. NOT IN ANY MAJOR ORDER, HERE ARE THE NAMES OF THE RESTAURANTS. EACH NAME IS FOLLOWED BY A FEW PICTURES, UNTIL YOU SEE THE NAME OF ANOTHER ONE. DO USE THE SLIDESHOW- MAKES IT NICE. ECCO LA LISTA DEI NOMI DEI RISTORANTI, OGNIUNO SEGUITO CON FOTO, FINO A FEDERE IL NOME DI UN ALTRO RISTORANTE. GUARDI IL "SLIDESHOW", E' IL MEGLIO MODO DI VEDERE! 1. ECO DEL MARE. 2. TRATTORIA DAL BILLY. 3. TRE TORRI. 4. LUPO DI MARE. 5. DA VENANZIO. 6. TRATTORIA FIORENZA. 7. LA CHIGLIA. 8. BORGO ANTICO. 9. POZZALE. 10. CUI O A CA TOA. 11. LE TERRAZZE. 12. LOCANDA LORENA. 13. LA TORRE. 14. BELFORTE TANTE COSE, JOAN

RISTORANTI ITALIANI, 2010

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD! ITALY, MOSTLY THE SUMMER OF 2010. WONDROUS GASTRON ...

Updated: Aug 22, 2010 8:27pm CEST

ESTATE 2010, 2 : Seconda galeria di foto/second photo gallery dell'Estate 2010...of our summer in Italy, 2010!

ESTATE 2010, 2

Seconda galeria di foto/second photo gallery dell'Estate 2010...of our ...

Updated: Aug 21, 2010 11:23pm CEST

ESTATE 2010, I :

ESTATE 2010, I

Updated: Aug 21, 2010 1:03am CEST

Porto Venere, Italy : I have included many pictures in this gallery to show the beauty of this historic port, Porto Venere, located in Liguria, south of Cinque Terre.

Porto Venere, Italy

I have included many pictures in this gallery to show the beauty of th ...

Updated: Aug 04, 2010 2:58pm CEST

"FESTA GLORIA", 31 LUGLIO, 2010 : Buon Compleanno a teeeeee, Gloria! Anche a teeeee, Enrico! Con grande grande amore, Gio e Mario

"FESTA GLORIA", 31 LUGLIO, 2010

Buon Compleanno a teeeeee, Gloria! Anche a teeeee, Enrico! Con grande ...

Updated: Aug 03, 2010 12:13pm CEST

CUI O A CA TUA, FEZZANO-GRAZIE A GIO! : Il 1 Luglio Angela e Giorgio ci hanno portati a questo ristorante gastronomico a Fezzano. Una cena indimenticabile. Ecco delle foto che meglio possono darvi un'idea di quest'esperienza meravigliosa. Prima c'e' Gio che alla fine ci offre Mirto. Dopo delle foto del ristorante bellissimo ed imaginativissimo. Poi, foto di noi, godendo. 15 foto dei piatti antipasti! Grazie al proprietario Gio, il cameriere eccelente, la cuoca fantastica, e agli amici nostri, Angela e Giorgio! Con amore, Joan (la terza Gio!) Angela and Giorgio, good friends from le Grazie, took us to this gastronomic eatery in Fezzano, the neighboring town to ours, Le Grazie. An unforgettable meal best experienced by the pictures themselves. First of all you see the owner, Gio, and at the end he offers us some Mirto (a special digestive wine). 15 different plates of antipasti. Thanks to Gio, a wonderful waiter, a fantastic cook (young lady!), and to our dear friends, Angela and Giorgio. July 30th, we returned with our friends Sophie and Pierre-Etienne, who had requested we go to Cui o a ca toa when they saw the first pictures. It was divine! 30 Luglio, siamo tornati con i nostri amici a Cui o a ca toa. Di fatti avevano visto le prime foto mie, e volevano assolutamente andarci. Siamo rimasti incantati, sopratutto dell'accoglienza di Gio. Gio, grazie mille!

CUI O A CA TUA, FEZZANO-GRAZIE A GIO!

Il 1 Luglio Angela e Giorgio ci hanno portati a questo ristorante gast ...

Updated: Aug 01, 2010 12:19pm CEST

Eco di Mare, Lerici : Eco del Mare, un posto di sogni. Meglio non c'e'! Ci siamo andati, prima volta, con amici per pranzare, poi la seconda per passare una giornata meravigliosa alla spiaggia (e pranzare!)

Eco di Mare, Lerici

Eco del Mare, un posto di sogni. Meglio non c'e'! Ci siamo andati, pri ...

Updated: Aug 01, 2010 12:04pm CEST

Tre Torri Mostra, 2010 : Una trattoria favorita per noi! Dove andiamo prima all'arrivo in Liguria. Quest'anno ci fanno la mia settima mostra in Italia, iniziano il 22 Luglio, 2010. Ne sono cosi contenta. Grazie a Milena, Andrea e Marco!

Tre Torri Mostra, 2010

Una trattoria favorita per noi! Dove andiamo prima all'arrivo in Ligur ...

Updated: Jul 27, 2010 10:02am CEST

La Festa delle Grazie, 2010 : Tutti i anni il paese delle Grazie fa questa meravigliosa festa. Molta gente ci lavora e ci gode tantissimo. C'e' tante cose buonissime da mangiare, una reunione di amici, musica da sentire, una serata bellissima! Graziotti, vi amo! Con grande amore! Gio Soncini (e Mario)

La Festa delle Grazie, 2010

Tutti i anni il paese delle Grazie fa questa meravigliosa festa. Molta ...

Updated: Jul 18, 2010 6:43pm CEST

LE GRAZIE e la Mostra al Bar Contravento, 2010 : Dal 12 al 20 Luglio, 2010, la mostra al Bar Contravento. I proprietari sono Luca, il padre, Novella, Eleonora e il fratello. Prima si vede l'aperitivo, quando abbiamo appena appeso le foto. Dopo, penso di mettere foto delle Grazie, scattate durante i 10 anni che siamo cui. Grazie a tutti i miei amici Grazioti! Gio Here is my second Summer of 2010 show, in our hometown of Le Grazie, at the Bar Contravento, whose owners are Luca, Novella and Eleonora. First of all you'll see our opening goodies and friends, and after that I'm going to add pictures solely of Le Grazie, although the show includes many others.

LE GRAZIE e la Mostra al Bar Contravento, 2010

Dal 12 al 20 Luglio, 2010, la mostra al Bar Contravento. I proprietari ...

Updated: Jul 14, 2010 10:27am CEST

MOSTRA MANAROLA, 2010 : Il 3 Luglio-data dell'inaugurazione della mostra "L'Occhio Biculturale". Benvenuti tutti a questa galeria di foto. Da la prima foto con Don Carlo Brizzi, chi mi ha permesso di fare la mostra, alla locandina della mostra, vengono 4 foto di quando abbiamo appeso le foto (con Mario e Debbie), poi il 3 abbiamo fatto una colazione alla Villa Gio per i nostri amici e familiare, sopratutto grazie a mia cognata, Cicci, Mario, Cristina, Ilaria e Cinzia (che hanno aiutato a preparare i diversi cibi)! Le foto sono di tutti quelli c'erano. Dope la colazione, siamo andati a Manarola per l'inaugurazione. Dopo penso di mettere altre foto e, grazie Rosanna Cagnolati, sto facendo un video dell'evento. Basically, you are seeing here the pictures of Don Carlo Brizzi, who encouraged me to have this Photo Show, some pics of Debbie and Mario with me putting up the pictures in the Oratorio di San Lorenzo. Then some 35 friends and family came for lunch on the 3rd of July, before the opening of the show. Then you see the shows' pictures. I will be adding more pictures, and thanks to Rosanna Cagnolati, I'll be making a video of the show!

MOSTRA MANAROLA, 2010

Il 3 Luglio-data dell'inaugurazione della mostra "L'Occhio Biculturale ...

Updated: Jul 13, 2010 10:17am CEST

Mostra Manarola - FOTO, 2010 : La Mostra avra' luogo dal 3 Lugio fino all'11. L'inaugurazione sara' il 3 alle ore 18 all'Oratorio della Chiesa di S. Lorenzo, Manarola, Cinque Terre. Ieri siamo andati, Debbie e Mario con me, ed abbiamo appeso le foto. Sara' abbastanza bella la mostra. Vediamo come va. Tante cose, Gio/Joan

Mostra Manarola - FOTO, 2010

La Mostra avra' luogo dal 3 Lugio fino all'11. L'inaugurazione sara' i ...

Updated: Jul 05, 2010 12:09pm CEST

Battesimo di Christian, 2010 :

Battesimo di Christian, 2010

Updated: Jun 28, 2010 2:37pm CEST

Mostra Fotografica a Tellaro, 2007 : Grazie Maria Angela Guandalini, le sue amiche, l'Alberto-Bar Delle Ondine (che ha preparato gli aperitivi deliziosi per l'Apertura) la mostra e' andata benissimo a Tellaro. Dedico questa galleria di foto a Maria Angela e Ilaria (dell'Albergho-Bar Delle Ondine). Tante tante cose, Joan

Mostra Fotografica a Tellaro, 2007

Grazie Maria Angela Guandalini, le sue amiche, l'Alberto-Bar Delle Ond ...

Updated: Jun 18, 2010 5:31pm CEST

GHERGO FAMIGLIA : AI NOSTRI CARISSIMI AMICI! ECCO DEI MOMENTI COSI BELLI TRASCORSI INSIEME (a Porto Recanati, a Recanati, a Las Vegas, a New Orleans, e, anche a Virgin Gorda) CON GRANDE AFFETTO. JOAN

GHERGO FAMIGLIA

AI NOSTRI CARISSIMI AMICI! ECCO DEI MOMENTI COSI BELLI TRASCORSI INSIE ...

Updated: Jun 16, 2010 5:46pm CEST

Sharon, Bob and Sam, in Italy, 2010 :

Sharon, Bob and Sam, in Italy, 2010

Updated: Jun 14, 2010 2:16pm CEST

Gallery Hotel, Recanati : L'albergho piu' bello di Recanati, nelle Marche, all'Est dell'Italia. Un incanto. Moderno, pulitissimo, dove sei benvenuti ed accolto da gente meravigliosa. "La Citta della Poesia," citta' molto storica, dove e' nato il famoso poeta, a due passi di Loreto, citta' religiosa, e a due passi del mare Adriatico. Ripeto-un incanto. Grazie alla bella e gentilissima Stefania Ghergo, genente de quest'albergho!

Gallery Hotel, Recanati

L'albergho piu' bello di Recanati, nelle Marche, all'Est dell'Italia. ...

Updated: Jun 13, 2010 1:03pm CEST

ITALIA, L'ESTATE MAGGIO E GIUGNO, 2010 :

ITALIA, L'ESTATE MAGGIO E GIUGNO, 2010

Updated: Jun 06, 2010 11:09am CEST

TRATTORIA LA CHIGLIA, 2010 :

TRATTORIA LA CHIGLIA, 2010

Updated: Jun 06, 2010 9:11am CEST

Foresteria del Pescatore, 2010 :

Foresteria del Pescatore, 2010

Updated: Jun 05, 2010 10:26pm CEST

Da Venanzio 2010 :

Da Venanzio 2010

Updated: May 30, 2010 5:41pm CEST

Virgin Gorda, April and May, 2010 : Annual trip to VG for Mario's Birthday. This year was special, as we had Maria Paola, Cristina, Paolo, Francesco, Tina, Carlo, & Carlo with us. A wonderful celebration. Dinners in, dinners out. Memorable moments all. Little Dix for Monday Buffet; Biras Creek for the 29th of April; tortelli di parma on Mario's actual birthday, the 30th of April. It was a great 2 weeks.

Virgin Gorda, April and May, 2010

Annual trip to VG for Mario's Birthday. This year was special, as we h ...

Updated: May 22, 2010 11:48am CEST

Mary's Birthday Lunch and Dinner, 2010 : Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuu, dearest Mary. Nadine and I surprised you by a bicycle taxi ride with Aaron to The Boathouse of Central Park. So much fun, and what a surprise. Later on, we three ladies were joined for a shrimp and Prosecco dinner with Sig and Mario. More fun. So, here are pictures to remember the bicycle taxi ride from Columbus Avenue to the Boathouse and back, as well as dinner. With love to you all, Joan

Mary's Birthday Lunch and Dinner, 2010

Happy Birthday to youuuuuuuuuuuuuu, dearest Mary. Nadine and I surpris ...

Updated: May 11, 2010 12:13am CEST

Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda, Divine Dinner! : Biras Creek, Rik Blyth, and the whole staff, Congratulations! Back to the "Golden Days" of a gorgeous, delicious, divine dinner out-maybe even better than ever! We went for my husband, Mario's birthday. And, all of us, many great cooks and gourmands were delighted! Best, Joan Soncini

Biras Creek, Virgin Gorda, Divine Dinner!

Biras Creek, Rik Blyth, and the whole staff, Congratulations! Back to ...

Updated: May 02, 2010 9:22pm CEST

L'Inaugurazione di Francesco, 2010 : Bravo, Francesco! Che bella serata! Che meravigliosa cena!

L'Inaugurazione di Francesco, 2010

Bravo, Francesco! Che bella serata! Che meravigliosa cena!

Updated: May 02, 2010 3:25am CEST

Little Dix Bay Buffet, April, 2010 : Little Dix Bay on Monday Night Buffet. Words do not sufficiently describe the experience, so here are the pictures. It is the best buffet of them all! Enjoy!

Little Dix Bay Buffet, April, 2010

Little Dix Bay on Monday Night Buffet. Words do not sufficiently descr ...

Updated: May 01, 2010 5:59pm CEST

SCRUB ISLAND PICTURES : Scrub Island - and our first trip back since the new hotel opened up in January, 2010. Kaunda invited us on a boat trip from Virgin Gorda, and off we went. Thanks to the super nice, warm Jan Critchley, we were able to look all around at this amazing hotel. So, here are pictures to enjoy. Best!

SCRUB ISLAND PICTURES

Scrub Island - and our first trip back since the new hotel opened up i ...

Updated: Apr 26, 2010 9:42pm CEST

Oh My Son, by Marcos Galvany, Premiere at Carnegie Hall, April 10, 2010 : The Premiere was a resounding and extraordinary success. Felicitaciones, Marcos!

Oh My Son, by Marcos Galvany, Premiere at Carnegie Hall, April 10, 2010

The Premiere was a resounding and extraordinary success. Felicitacione ...

Updated: Apr 11, 2010 8:10pm CEST

Preview of "Oh My Son" by Marcos Galvany, March 3, 2010 :

Preview of "Oh My Son" by Marcos Galvany, March 3, 2010

Updated: Apr 11, 2010 8:08pm CEST

Paques, 2010, Chez Pavlovich : Merveilleux. De bons amis, une bouffe formidable! Regagnant de vieux amis. Merci a Josee et Paul. This was the most wonderful Easter of all. Here are pictures to enjoy and remember. Bises, Joan

Paques, 2010, Chez Pavlovich

Merveilleux. De bons amis, une bouffe formidable! Regagnant de vieux a ...

Updated: Apr 10, 2010 1:21am CEST

Cherry Trees, Ciliegi, in Washington, D.C. : Washington, D.C., is known for the divine Cherry Trees, a gift from Japan. In addition to the Tidal Basin (on which there is the Jefferson Monument), the trees also are near the Washington and Lincoln Monument/Memorial. Ina and I went with Mario to the Tidal Basin, and the next day we went to nearby Kenwood in Bethesda, where the whole neighborhood is surrounded by old, magnificent cherry trees. These are some pictures to enjoy! Happy Spring! Best, Joan

Cherry Trees, Ciliegi, in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C., is known for the divine Cherry Trees, a gift from Ja ...

Updated: Apr 07, 2010 10:01pm CEST

New Orleans with Julie, March 2010 : Julie invited me to accompany her to New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, in which she participated in a panel to judge business plans. No doubt I jumped at the opportunity! We had an amazing 3 days and nights of adventures. Lunch at Desire, staying at the Crowne Astor, in the French Quarter, walking around, breakfast at Brennans, dinner at Herbsaint, watching the amazingly talented breakdancers, the donkey buggy ride, coffee at Cafe du Monde, shopping. An elegant dinner event for Entrepreneur Week at the home of James Carville and Mary Matalin. So,here are some of the pictures.

New Orleans with Julie, March 2010

Julie invited me to accompany her to New Orleans Entrepreneur Week, in ...

Updated: Apr 01, 2010 11:09pm CEST

Miscellaneous :

Miscellaneous

Updated: Feb 25, 2010 5:39pm CEST

Blizzard of 2010 :

Blizzard of 2010

Updated: Feb 19, 2010 2:54pm CEST

Virgin Gorda in January, 2010 : January, 2010, and we're back in Virgin Gorda to celebrate Joan's birthday, be with wonderful friends, Mary, Carol, and Sig Gissler, not to mention our group of amazing friends on the island. Pictures will "speak more than a 1000 words!"

Virgin Gorda in January, 2010

January, 2010, and we're back in Virgin Gorda to celebrate Joan's birt ...

Updated: Feb 13, 2010 1:19am CEST

ZRINKA'S ANGELS : Zrinka's Angels has now expanded to include some great guys! We met first together at Zrinkas, followed by a great ladies' dinner out at Clydes, then our Risotto Dinner at Zrinkas, followed by the Tortelli Dinner at Zrinkas. We are so lucky to be friends!!! With love, Joan and Mario

ZRINKA'S ANGELS

Zrinka's Angels has now expanded to include some great guys! We met fi ...

Updated: Jan 12, 2010 7:45pm CEST

NATALE e CAPO d'ANNO, 2009-2010 : What a wonderful Christmas and New Years. Julie, Marc and Justine with us! Mario and I start out in Parma, go home to Portovenere, SNOWSTORM (the largest since 1985), and we leave to visit Silvia in Florence and then Maria Paola in Rome. Back to Portovenere. Parma (where Jules, Marc and Justine arrive by train from Malpensa Airport), then off for La Vigilia, or the night before Christmas in Mantova with our niece, Terry, her husband and in-laws, as well as Cicci, Angelo and Giovanni. Then Christmas in our Villa Gio, above Le Grazie. Jules, Marc and Justine go to Rome for 4 days, and we're here but also one night back in Parma-see dinner pics. Cicci and Angelo come back to us for New Years! Sadly, today we leave for Parma and then the States the next day. Auguri! All best to everyone! Buon Anno!

NATALE e CAPO d'ANNO, 2009-2010

What a wonderful Christmas and New Years. Julie, Marc and Justine with ...

Updated: Jan 06, 2010 8:29pm CEST

Presepe di Manarola: Un'Omaggio a Mario Andreoli : Mario Andreoli ha creato un Presepe, famoso in tutta Europa, a Manarola, una delle Cinque Terre. Siamo stati cosi fortunati di conoscere questo signore notevole, gentile, generoso e Don Carlo Brizz, il Prete della Parrocchia di Manarola. Ecco la spiegazione (presa dell'Internet) della sua opera meravigliosa. Prima in Italiano, poi in Inglese. Il Presepe di Manarola 
Cinque Terre: un presepe luminoso bello e "buono" 8 dicembre: si accende il presepe di Manarola La Consulta regionale per la tutela dei diritti della persona disabile, l'Associazione Fa.Di.Vi. e...Oltre, l'Associazione Semplicemente, Terre di Mare ed Ente Parco, organizzano una giornata di festa, in occasione dell'inaugurazione della natività da primato di Mario Andreoli. Il programma della giornata: - ore 15,10 circa, accoglienza della Banda musicale di Vezzano; - a seguire, presso la Chiesa Parrocchiale, accoglienza di Don Carlo Brizzi, esibizione della Corale Polifonica S.Maria di Bogliasco; - Ore 17,40 circa, la Collina si illuminerà magicamente; ...mentre sul Piazzale della Chiesa: - i boscaioli di Tiglieto ricaveranno da un albero, una traversina delle Ferrovie da donare Mario Andreoli, in ricordo della giornata; - i polentai di Tiglieto cucineranno la polenta che sarà offerta con il sugo; - le donne di Lago (Sori) prepareranno le frittelle. A corollario dell'evento la fiaccolata in segno di pace con il CAI della Spezia. Come ogni anno, si accenderà il presepe luminoso più grande del mondo, ideato e costruito dal ferroviere in pensione Mario Andreoli. Quest'anno la suggestiva accensione - che da trentadue anni apre le porte, con il suo grandioso spettacolo di luci e bagliori, alle festività natalizie - sarà un momento ancor più speciale. Le 15.000 lampadine, con cui è "disegnata" la silhouette degli oltre trecento personaggi che animano le fasce terrazzate occidentali della collina delle Tre Croci a Manarola, si illumineranno grazie al nuovo impianto fotovoltaico voluto dal Comune di Riomaggiore. Mai come oggi, dunque, è possibile parlare di un presepe etico ed ecosostenibile. Se prima erano "solo" i materiali poveri di recupero a "dar vita" - con l'estro e la passione di Mario - alla scena della natività, ad angeli, Re Magi, pastori e contadine, oggi è l'energia pulita e rinnovabile del sole ad illuminare la maestosa cartolina natalizia capace di regalare, fino alla Candelora, a residenti e visitatori un po' di spirito natalizio. L'impianto fotovoltaico del Presepe di Manarola Il nuovo impianto per la produzione di energia elettrica tramite l'utilizzo di energia solare - fornito dalla società Brianza Plastica su progetto dell'ingegner Alessandro Perrone - opererà in parallelo alla rete di distribuzione di bassa tensione trifase e provvederà alla copertura parziale del fabbisogno annuale dell'intero edificio stimato in 13.440 kWh/anno. Data la duplice necessità di integrare l'impianto fotovoltaico con la struttura rurale esistente e di rispettare i rigidi parametri paesaggistici ed edilizi stabiliti dagli enti preposti, il Comune di Riomaggiore ha preferito rinunciare all'installazione dei tradizionali pannelli solari e optare per tegole fotovoltaiche di matrice policristallina con conformazione complementare alle tegole in ardesia esistenti che, tra l'altro, hanno durata pressoché eterna ed una spesa minima di gestione e manutenzione periodica. L'impianto solare immetterà nella rete elettrica in bassa tensione della società distributrice ENEL S.p.A. l'energia prodotta in eccesso rispetto al fabbisogno degli impianti di illuminazione scenica del presepe di Manarola, dunque, considerando l'utilizzo periodico e prevalentemente notturno, praticamente per il 100% ¬ The Crib of Manarola 
Cinque Terre: a crib beautiful bright and "good" December 8: the crib lights of Manarola The Regional Advisory protect the rights of the disabled person, the Association Fa.Di.Vi. e. .. Besides, the Association simply Terre di Mare and Park Authority, organized a day of celebration for the inauguration of the Nativity from the primacy of Mario Andreoli. The program of the day: - Ore 15.10 circa, host of the band Vezzano; - To follow at the Parish Church, reception of Don Carlo Brizzi, performance of the Choir of St. Mary Poly Bogliasco; - At approximately 17.40, the Hill will light magically; ... while the church square: - The Woodman Tiglieto carved from a tree, a railway sleeper to donate Mario Andreoli, in memory of the day; - The polentai Tiglieto to cook the polenta will be offered with the sauce; - Women of Lake (Sori) prepare the pancakes. A corollary of the event, the torch as a sign of peace with the CAI of the Spezia. Like every year, the crib light will illuminate the world's largest, designed and built by a retired railroad worker Mario Andreoli. This year's impressive power - that of thirty years opens its doors, with its grand spectacle of lights and glows, to the Christmas holidays - will be a moment even more special. The 15,000 bulbs, which is "designed" the silhouette of the over three hundred characters that animate groups terraced hill west of the Three Crosses in Manarola, will light up with the new photovoltaic system desired by the Municipality of Riomaggiore. Never before, therefore, it is possible to speak of a crib ethical and environmentally sustainable. If before they were "only" the poor materials recovery to "give life" - with the inspiration and passion of Mario - the scene of the Nativity, to angels, Magi, shepherds and farmers, today is the clean and renewable energy the sun illuminates the majestic Christmas card capable of giving until Candlemas, to residents and visitors a bit 'of Christmas spirit. The photovoltaic system of the Crib of Manarola The new plant for producing electricity by using solar energy - provided by the company to a design engineer Brianza Plastica Alessandro Perrone - work in parallel to the distribution of low-voltage three-phase and will cover part of the annual needs of 'whole building estimated at 13,440 kWh / year. Due to the dual need to integrate the PV system with the structure and the existing rural landscape and observe the strict parameters set by the building agencies, the Town of Riomaggiore has elected not to the installation of traditional solar panels and photovoltaic tiles to choose matrix polycrystalline with conformation complementary to the existing slate roof tiles, among others, have virtually eternal life and spend a minimum of management and regular maintenance. The solar plant will enter into the power grid in low voltage distribution company ENEL SpA energy produced in excess of the needs of the lighting systems of the stable stage of Manarola, therefore, consider using regular and mostly at night, almost for 100 % of production.

Presepe di Manarola: Un'Omaggio a Mario Andreoli

Mario Andreoli ha creato un Presepe, famoso in tutta Europa, a Manarol ...

Updated: Jan 04, 2010 11:03am CEST

Turtle Wonderful Video :

Turtle Wonderful Video

Updated: Jan 01, 2010 12:09pm CEST

Turtles in Mahoebay, Video, 2009 : My first video uploaded to smugmug. Enjoy. Made in November, 2009.

Turtles in Mahoebay, Video, 2009

My first video uploaded to smugmug. Enjoy. Made in November, 2009.

Updated: Dec 31, 2009 5:06pm CEST

L'Aperitivo a Roma : Aperitivo per i Candidati del Lazio!

L'Aperitivo a Roma

Aperitivo per i Candidati del Lazio!

Updated: Dec 22, 2009 6:23pm CEST

La Neve alle Grazie e a Portovenere, Dicembre, 2009 : Prima nevicata come quella del 18-19 Dicembre, 2009, dal 1985! This is the greatest snowstorm, amount of snow, never seen SINCE 1985! AN EVENT! UN'EVENTO STORICO.

La Neve alle Grazie e a Portovenere, Dicembre, 2009

Prima nevicata come quella del 18-19 Dicembre, 2009, dal 1985! This is ...

Updated: Dec 22, 2009 5:43pm CEST

FEDERICA, LORENZO, MARIO, JOAN-LAS VEGAS & CANYONS, 2009 :

FEDERICA, LORENZO, MARIO, JOAN-LAS VEGAS & CANYONS, 2009

Updated: Dec 19, 2009 9:01pm CEST

GRAND CANYON TRIP, 2009 :

GRAND CANYON TRIP, 2009

Updated: Dec 19, 2009 8:18pm CEST

ZION AND BRYCE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARKS :

ZION AND BRYCE MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARKS

Updated: Dec 19, 2009 7:22pm CEST

LAS VEGAS VIEWS, 2009 :

LAS VEGAS VIEWS, 2009

Updated: Dec 19, 2009 7:16pm CEST

Las Vegas and Helicopter Views :

Las Vegas and Helicopter Views

Updated: Nov 30, 2009 10:24pm CEST

ARAGORN : For Aragorn and his friends! The most beautiful works of sculptures and so much on Tortola! Sending all best, your friend Joan Soncini

ARAGORN

For Aragorn and his friends! The most beautiful works of sculptures an ...

Updated: Nov 27, 2009 5:05pm CEST

VG in 11/09 : We've had a wonderful week with Zrinka, Kathy, David, Cristina, Paolo, Anna, Francesco, not to mention friends from here like Kaunda, Eileen, Jack, Caroline, Kelly, Mark, Suzanne, & Adam, Julia, Mike and Mollee. Try looking at the slideshow to view. You can speed it up to move right along! Sending love, Joan

VG in 11/09

We've had a wonderful week with Zrinka, Kathy, David, Cristina, Paolo, ...

Updated: Nov 24, 2009 2:40pm CEST

Olde Yard Village, per Francesco :

Olde Yard Village, per Francesco

Updated: Nov 06, 2009 8:46pm CEST

Mendocino Trip, 2009 : What a wonderful trip. Dan and Courtney, West and Marty, and Mario and Joan! Sublime. Thanks to all. With love, Joan

Mendocino Trip, 2009

What a wonderful trip. Dan and Courtney, West and Marty, and Mario and ...

Updated: Oct 29, 2009 6:17am CEST

KarimaDuncanRaffaellaValentina : For our dear friends, with love, Joan & Mario

KarimaDuncanRaffaellaValentina

For our dear friends, with love, Joan & Mario

Updated: Oct 23, 2009 11:42pm CEST

Nature in the BVIs : Some of my favorite photos in the BVI of flower and fauna.

Nature in the BVIs

Some of my favorite photos in the BVI of flower and fauna.

Updated: Oct 22, 2009 9:49pm CEST

Villa Katarina, October 2009 : It is October, and Kathy and David have again invited us to Villa Katarina. Overnight first in their divine apartment, then off to the Hamptons. Simply an amazing time for the four of us together. Thank you so so so much. With love, Joan

Villa Katarina, October 2009

It is October, and Kathy and David have again invited us to Villa Kata ...

Updated: Oct 05, 2009 7:50pm CEST

Villa Carola :

Villa Carola

Updated: Oct 05, 2009 7:34pm CEST

Julie's Big Birthday Weekend : Happy Birthday, to my darling daughter, Julie. Special thanks to Marc, for organizing it, to Justine for being adorable and loving, to Carole, Mel, Barbara, Winnie, Ina and Chuck for being there and making it happen! From the moment we arrived, it was simply wonderful. I have pictures of everyone, except Edna and Matthew (I'm so sorry), but everyone will be in the uTube video, which I will do later on. On the last day, for the Party, Kathy, Josh, Leila, Peggy, Vincent, Edna and Matthew joined us in Rehobeth Beach, Delaware, at the charming Corner Cupboard. Thanks to all. Love, Joan and Mario

Julie's Big Birthday Weekend

Happy Birthday, to my darling daughter, Julie. Special thanks to Marc, ...

Updated: Sep 14, 2009 2:37am CEST

FINE DI AGOSTO, 2009 : Agosto, 2009. Oh my, last days of our stay in Italy. We begin with the second part of our Anniversary day as Cicci, Angelo, joining Mario and myself await a boat from Portovenere to the Locanda Lorena restaurant on the Palmaria, across the bay. We have a visit from Giovanni and his girlfriend Alessandra, Maria Paola, the Riboldi Family, the Galli Family, Raffaella and her mom Mirella, and then Federica and Lorenzo Ghergo. We take a boat trip with Gloria and Paolo Carpena. Eat an amazing dinner with Angela and Giorgio. You will see a few pictures of the Festa della Madonna Bianca, but go see my VIDEO OF THE MADONNA BIANCA, AUGUST 17TH, GO TO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XHADjVexSU All in all, it was a simply glorious summer. We are so blessed.

FINE DI AGOSTO, 2009

Agosto, 2009. Oh my, last days of our stay in Italy. We begin with th ...

Updated: Sep 06, 2009 11:14pm CEST

Cinque Terre, 2009 : 2009 and several trips to Cinque Terre. This gallery aims to show our views of Cinque Terre, starting from Portovenere, on to Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso. Several views of the arrival at each town will show how the towns differ in details. Once we arrive in Vernazza, I concentrate on my favorite restaurant, Belforte, with our friends Claudio, Alessandro, Micaela, and Andrea. You will see alot of photos of this amazing place, where one eats such divine food in the most picturesque setting I've ever seen. Best way to view: click top right "Slideshow". Enjoy!

Cinque Terre, 2009

2009 and several trips to Cinque Terre. This gallery aims to show our ...

Updated: Sep 06, 2009 6:25pm CEST

AGOSTO, 2009 : Agosto, 2009. Oh my, last month of a divine 3-month stay in Italy. We begin this month with the Ragni family (Mario's first cousin, Thomas, his wife, Silvana, and their daughter, Anna). We are very very close with them. And, for the first time, we went to Bolzano to visit them (see my smugmug gallery on that trip at: http://soncijo.smugmug.com/gallery/9142520_zZqWQ#609739581_gbeGp), then they came to us in Portovenere with Cicci and Angelo. A boat trip to Cinque Terre (only stopping at Vernazza), with lunch, of course at Belforte! More to come! On page 5 we begin our Anniversary day by taking a boat from Le Grazie to Portovenere, and then another boat from Portovenere to Il Pozzale, on the Palmaria. I have posted a gallery just on our trips to Pozzale, as it is so beautiful. http://soncijo.smugmug.com/gallery/9343551_6tAmf#625102139_bqkmW

AGOSTO, 2009

Agosto, 2009. Oh my, last month of a divine 3-month stay in Italy. We ...

Updated: Sep 02, 2009 4:54pm CEST

COLONNATA E DA VENANZIO, 2009 : This year we made two trips to Colonnata, one with John and Adrienne Bechhoefer, and the second one with "Il Gruppo della Colonnata", our friends from Florence, Rome, Prato, Forte di Marmi, Como, Milano. So, to you all, wasn't it wonderful!!! Thanks to Roberto at Da Venanzio, we eat like kings!

COLONNATA E DA VENANZIO, 2009

This year we made two trips to Colonnata, one with John and Adrienne B ...

Updated: Aug 24, 2009 3:26pm CEST

Il Pozzale e Giro delle Tre Isole :

Il Pozzale e Giro delle Tre Isole

Updated: Aug 23, 2009 9:58am CEST

Dolphins, 2009 :

Dolphins, 2009

Updated: Aug 20, 2009 9:30am CEST

Gia' che c'e' a Bolzano con i Cugini Silvana, Anna e Thomas 2009 : Tre giorni meravigliosi a Bolzano con i cari nostri. Meglio modo di guardare, clicca "slideshow" sopra a destra!

Gia' che c'e' a Bolzano con i Cugini Silvana, Anna e Thomas 2009

Tre giorni meravigliosi a Bolzano con i cari nostri. Meglio modo di gu ...

Updated: Aug 04, 2009 9:49am CEST

FINE DI LUGLIO, 2009 : From pic #1 (our Gazebo) to our nephew, giovanni and his fidanzata Alessandra, to a dinner with Ina in Fezzano (next to Le Grazie)..then to Portovenere di notte, with our friend Bea Newton (from Holland, and a wonderful photographer), a picture of a huge dinner in Le Grazie...Then we left for a week to Switzerland with Josee and Paul (see Nespresso pictures), on to Zurich and then Innsbruck Austria, on our way to Bassano del Grappa, where Mario met with Tassotti, a wonderful company he represents in the US.

FINE DI LUGLIO, 2009

From pic #1 (our Gazebo) to our nephew, giovanni and his fidanzata Ale ...

Updated: Aug 03, 2009 10:21pm CEST

SICILIA : Prima volta in Sicilia per il matrimonio di Britta e Salvatore.

SICILIA

Prima volta in Sicilia per il matrimonio di Britta e Salvatore.

Updated: Aug 03, 2009 5:47pm CEST

La Suisse avec Josee e Paul : Three gorgeous days with Josee and Paul in Lutry, Switzerland. As you will see, they treated us to divine food, visits to some amazing places, and, most of all, just being together. So, enjoy! Best way to view is to use "slideshow" at top right! If you want to see something larger, just click on it twice! Especially the fourth picture, a panorama of Pavlo's view!

La Suisse avec Josee e Paul

Three gorgeous days with Josee and Paul in Lutry, Switzerland. As you ...

Updated: Jul 31, 2009 3:52pm CEST

ESTATE IN ITALIA, 2009 (LUGLIO) : IT IS JULY AND THE SUN IS SHINING. LOOK AT THE FIRST PICTURE, A GORGEOUS CERAMIC SUN, WHICH WE SAW LAST YEAR BUT WAITED TIL THIS YEAR TO BUY- IN MANAROLA, FROM "PAOLO ARTIGIANO", WHO REALLY HAS MADE OUR MOST BEAUTIFUL CERAMICS FOR VILLA GIO. IT WILL SOON BE UP ON THE WALL OF THE HOUSE (OUTSIDE AND IN PLAIN VIEW AS ONE GOES UP THE STAIRS AND ENTERS THE HOUSE!) MONA, LOUIE, AND CATHERINE WENT WITH ME TO MANAROLA, CINQUE TERRE. SO THESE PICTURES ARE OF THAT TRIP. MORE LATER.

ESTATE IN ITALIA, 2009 (LUGLIO)

IT IS JULY AND THE SUN IS SHINING. LOOK AT THE FIRST PICTURE, A GORGEO ...

Updated: Jul 31, 2009 12:36pm CEST

PHOTOWALK LIVORNO, 2009 : ISTRUIZIONI. CLICCARE "SLIDESHOW" SU INALTO A DESTRA! WATCH THE SLIDESHOW (TOP RIGHT)! Luglio, 2009-Photowalk a Livorno con Paolo, Guido e 50 partecipanti. Deborah, una bellissima modella di 21 anni. Tempo orribile ad inizio, poi il sole arriva! Una giornata di fotografare, di conoscere nuovi amici, di pranzare insieme dal Magazzino. Ci siamo diverti tantissimo. July, 2009-Photowalk in Livorno with Paolo, Guido and some 50 photographers. Deborah, a beautiful model, 21 years old. The weather was horrific in the beginning, and then the sun came out. A day to photograph, to meet new friends, to eat lunch together at Magazzino. We had a fantastic time! Note: Ina, Cinzia and I went together from Portovenere, some 1 1/2 hours away. We had to be there at 6:30am. Nota: Ina, Cinzia ed io siamo andate insieme da Portovenere, un'ora e mezza di distanza. E! Dovevamo starci alle 6:30 del mattino!

PHOTOWALK LIVORNO, 2009

ISTRUIZIONI. CLICCARE "SLIDESHOW" SU INALTO A DESTRA! WATCH THE SLIDES ...

Updated: Jul 26, 2009 8:52pm CEST

Viaggio a Genova e L'Acquario, 2009 : To Genova to see Ina's son, John, and to visit the gorgeous aquarium. You will see the aquarium with this amazing replica of a Pirate Ship, used in the movies "The Pirates". The turtle in the pictures must weigh about 200 pounds (?) and is about 2-3 feet long. Gorgeous. Enjoy!

Viaggio a Genova e L'Acquario, 2009

To Genova to see Ina's son, John, and to visit the gorgeous aquarium. ...

Updated: Jul 21, 2009 3:56pm CEST

Viaggio a Portofino, Luglio, 2009 : Now that Ina is here, we've decided to try (first time) a boat ride to Portofino from Portovenere (long day, about 9 hours). Featured here are a few pics of the boatride (note Bonassola-for Suzi, especially) and S. Fruttuoso (for Milena, especially)! In addition, we had a wonderful, as always, lunch at O Magazin, on the waterfront of Portofino. Our friends, Franco, Roberta and Simona are featured with pictures of the restaurant, one of the BEST in Portofino. Then Paninoteca da Fabio, with our friend Fabio! Finally, one last picture of a statue done by Lorenzo Cascio (for Nechy, especially!)

Viaggio a Portofino, Luglio, 2009

Now that Ina is here, we've decided to try (first time) a boat ride to ...

Updated: Jul 20, 2009 2:35pm CEST

ESTATE IN ITALIA, 2009 (Part 2. GIUGNO) : Giugno (June), 2009. Moving on. A busy time for us, getting the house ready for the summer means painting the metal chairs, putting out and cleaning the pool stuff, working on the garden, etc. etc. Sistemando la casa. From dear friends over for dinner, to our wonderful trip to Rome and Perugia (to see Maria Paola and Maria Elisa), a brief stopover for dinner with Silvia Orlandi and Peter Klein (Phyllis was already back in the States, alas), and then back home to Portovenere. Next, Karima and Duncan, with their adorable daughters, Valentina and Raphaella (aged 3+ and 7) visited us. My best friend from early childhood, Karen, and her husband, Bill Harmon, came to us from North Carolina. Off to Parma (with Karen and Bill) to celebrate my nephew (Giovanni) and my "ONOMASTICO", which is our name day: San Giovanni, also patron saint of Parma. So, a big deal in Parma- with lots of Tortelli di Parma (pasta). Off from Parma to visit G.I. & E., a wonderful company, which Mario represents in the USA, located in Porto Recanati, on the eastcoast of Italy. We spent alot of time with our good friends, Federica and Lorenzo Ghergo. Back to Portovenere in time for Mona and Louie to come stay with us with Mona's daughter, Catherine.

ESTATE IN ITALIA, 2009 (Part 2. GIUGNO)

Giugno (June), 2009. Moving on. A busy time for us, getting the house ...

Updated: Jun 30, 2009 10:35am CEST

L'Arte di Maria Elisa Leboroni : L'Arte Meravigliosa di Maria Elisa Leboroni si vede cui in queste foto, non soltanto le donne, gli animali, ma anche nella sua cucina, la sua ospitalita', il suo giardino e casa, pieni di oggetti particolari e molto amore. Dopo 5 anni, in cui mio marito la rappresenta negli Stati Uniti, abbiamo goduto un'amicizia meravigliosa. In Giugno, l'abbiamo incontrata alla Fiera di Roma (prime foto). Poi, siamo andati a Perugia per due giorni meravigliosi (altre foto). Ho anche messo delle vecchie foto di sua arte. Grazie, cara amica, per i momenti passiti cosi speciali, insieme. Con tanto affetto! Joan e Mario

L'Arte di Maria Elisa Leboroni

L'Arte Meravigliosa di Maria Elisa Leboroni si vede cui in queste foto ...

Updated: Jun 13, 2009 1:30pm CEST

Night Pictures of Castello di Lerici and Castello Doria :

Night Pictures of Castello di Lerici and Castello Doria

Updated: Jun 08, 2009 2:33pm CEST

ESTATE IN ITALIA, 2009 (Part 1. MAGGIO) : 2009. Time flies. Last year I began what I hope to continue: a gallery or series of galleries on the summer, activities, and, mostly the friends who come to visit us. So, welcome to the Summer of 2009! Siamo arrivati il 26 Maggio e ci stiamo fino al 25 Agosto. We're here from May 26-August 25th, 2009. Queste foto sono della prima cena, quando Paolo e Gloria, con Oneglia, Diana e Niccolo ci hanno portato 2 pesci meravigliosi di dorata. Poi, siamo andati a Portovenere, e c'era una festa musicale mentre abbiamo cenato dai Tre Torri. Qualque foto di Aron e Virgola, i nostri carissimi cani. Lavori a casa, Mario pintando le sedie e preparazione della piscina. O dio! So, you can see our first meal with the Carpenas, and the dorata fish they brought and prepared for us! Wow! Our first dinner at Tre Torri in Portovenere- where there was a big music show (palcoscenico). Our much beloved dogs, Aron and Virgola. O, starting with our ceramic frog and turtle-welcoming you to Villa gio O, ho cominciato con la rana e tartarugha per farti il benvenuto a Villa Gio!

ESTATE IN ITALIA, 2009 (Part 1. MAGGIO)

2009. Time flies. Last year I began what I hope to continue: a gallery ...

Updated: Jun 05, 2009 5:54pm CEST

Estate in Italia, Numero 2, Visita a Parma 2009 :

Estate in Italia, Numero 2, Visita a Parma 2009

Updated: Jun 05, 2009 5:38pm CEST

Adrienne & John's Wedding3: Pre-Wedding Pics & the Wedding Itself :

Adrienne & John's Wedding3: Pre-Wedding Pics & the Wedding Itself

Updated: Jun 04, 2009 1:47pm CEST

FOR JUDY AND RICHARD WITH LOVE! : May, 2009, and we finally actually get to Vancouver to stay with Judy and Richard in their divine home! We were there for the wedding of Ina's and Chuck's first son, John, and his wonderful Adrienne. Judy and Richard took total care of us- so much love. So, sending back more of that love to you both! Joan and Mario

FOR JUDY AND RICHARD WITH LOVE!

May, 2009, and we finally actually get to Vancouver to stay with Judy ...

Updated: May 31, 2009 6:57pm CEST

Adrienne & John's Wedding0: Ladies' Special Outing: Spa and Tomato Restaurant : Make sure you look at these pictures in order. It is May 16, 2009, and Adrienne invites Ariel, her daughter, Sara, her best friend, Ina, her mother-in-law to be!!!, Nikki, her sister-in-law to be, and me for a massage, nails, hair (whatever) and then off for lunch at Cafe Tomato.

Adrienne & John's Wedding0: Ladies' Special Outing: Spa and Tomato Restaurant

Make sure you look at these pictures in order. It is May 16, 2009, and ...

Updated: May 31, 2009 2:40pm CEST

Adrienne & John's Wedding4: The Reception :

Adrienne & John's Wedding4: The Reception

Updated: May 31, 2009 10:44am CEST

Adrienne and John's Wedding2: The Rehearsal Dinner :

Adrienne and John's Wedding2: The Rehearsal Dinner

Updated: May 30, 2009 4:12pm CEST

Adrienne & John's Wedding1:Open House :

Adrienne & John's Wedding1:Open House

Updated: May 30, 2009 3:38pm CEST

Luis Graduation Party : Congratulations to Luis, his fellow J School Graduates, and to his wonderful parents, Consuelo and Marino. With love from Sig and Mary Gissler, who hosted this wonderful party, and Joan and Mario Soncini. Besos, Joan

Luis Graduation Party

Congratulations to Luis, his fellow J School Graduates, and to his won ...

Updated: May 25, 2009 5:11pm CEST

Mother's Day in DC, 2009 : 2009. We Mothers are so happy: Julie, Ina, and me! We are blessed by the love of Tony, Marc, Mario, Justine, Karla, and Chuck, all of whom simply make this weekend so special! Danny and Courtney called and made me so happy. Thank you to everyone. Mom

Mother's Day in DC, 2009

2009. We Mothers are so happy: Julie, Ina, and me! We are blessed by t ...

Updated: May 11, 2009 4:17am CEST

April, 2009, Celebrating Mario's 65th in Virgin Gorda : What an April, 2009! Starting out with Suzi and Debbie, then Larry, and then Cristina, Paolo and Francesco (the latter, Italian friends, own an apartment at Olde Yard. Francesco came to buy his own apartment in Olde Yard Village! Debbie took me on her compted trip to Peter Island Resort for one day-divine. We met Matt and Donna, who wined and dined us, not to mention amazing spa treatments! Larry became my friend on TTOL (www.Traveltalkonline.com). He is a minister from Virginia, an ardent scuba diver, a photographer, and one of the best friends one could ever pick! Debbie and Suzi- well, two closest friends, as are the Italians. We celebrated Mario's big birthday on April 30th!

April, 2009, Celebrating Mario's 65th in Virgin Gorda

What an April, 2009! Starting out with Suzi and Debbie, then Larry, an ...

Updated: May 05, 2009 3:30am CEST

Underwater Photos, April, 2009 : Hoping to improve my UW photography and techniques (Photoshop CS4) with each time we are here in Virgin Gorda! What do you think? Alot depends on how clear the water is and the wonderful critters, plants, coral, fish, and TURTLES, which we come upon!

Underwater Photos, April, 2009

Hoping to improve my UW photography and techniques (Photoshop CS4) wit ...

Updated: May 03, 2009 4:00pm CEST

THE FAT VIRGIN CAFE, VIRGIN GORDA :

THE FAT VIRGIN CAFE, VIRGIN GORDA

Updated: May 01, 2009 6:14pm CEST

Mario's Birthday Party, April 30, 2009. :

Mario's Birthday Party, April 30, 2009.

Updated: May 01, 2009 6:04pm CEST

Caswell Pondt, Beryl Vanterpool, and Loretta-The Wonderful Catered Party, 4/09 : CASWELL PONDT, CHEF AT LITTLE DIX BAY, AND HIS PARTNER, BERYL VANTERPOOL, WHO ALSO IS A TEACHER AT BREGADO FLAX SECONDARY SCHOOL, CATERED MARIO'S 65TH BIRTHDAY DINNER AT VILLA DEL SOLE, MAHOEBAY, OUR HOME IN VIRGIN GORDA. THEY TOLD ME WHAT THEY PLANNED TO PREPARE, BUT THEY DID, OH!, SO MUCH MORE. A TRULY DELICIOUS AND SPECTACULAR DINNER, APPRECIATED BY ALL. THEY ARE WONDERFUL!

Caswell Pondt, Beryl Vanterpool, and Loretta-The Wonderful Catered Party, 4/09

CASWELL PONDT, CHEF AT LITTLE DIX BAY, AND HIS PARTNER, BERYL VANTERPO ...

Updated: May 01, 2009 5:16pm CEST

Peter Island, BVI, One Divine Day, 2009 : This divine day started in NYC, when Deborah Mitchell, CBS Producer, and really a "member of my family", won a Peter Island gift. To make a long story short, Debbie had been working on producing health issue/care programs for the morning show, and she met Donna Shaffer, Spa Director for Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands. Donna invited Debbie over when she heard that Debbie often came to my home on Virgin Gorda, and Debbie invited me to join her. So, here are pictures of our one "Divine Day", including pictures of Matt Balcik, General Manager, and Donna Shaffer, Spa Director, as well as the wondrous Jean Kelly, everyone's favorite PI person! Enjoy!

Peter Island, BVI, One Divine Day, 2009

This divine day started in NYC, when Deborah Mitchell, CBS Producer, a ...

Updated: Apr 26, 2009 2:44pm CEST

Summer/ESTATE in Italy/ITALIA, 2008 : Benvenuti all'Estate 2008! Welcome! It is our 15th Anniversary! What a FABULOUS Summer! Here are pictures of everyone we shared life with this summer. Wonderful friends and family, in this magical place-Liguria. Enjoy! In addition to many pictures of family and friends, I have included highlights of places we go to nearby our home, Villa Gio. Quest'anno abbiamo tanta gente: familia (Julie, Marc e Justine), poi Tony e Karla, i nostri cari Parmigiani (Cicci, Angelo, Terry, Giovanni, Davide, Iaia, Ale) e altri cari amici degli Stati Uniti. Ho incluso anche delle foto dai posti dove ci piace tantissimo andare, vicino a Portovenere. Much love, tanto amore, for all-per tutti!

Summer/ESTATE in Italy/ITALIA, 2008

Benvenuti all'Estate 2008! Welcome! It is our 15th Anniversary! What a ...

Updated: Mar 05, 2009 2:36pm CEST

Sealife Photos, Second Gallery : These are pictures taken with my Sealife camera, my second effort. I've included at the end some pictures taken above water, to show that the camera works, when one turns off the external, strobe flash, but there is good enough lighting! Enjoy!

Sealife Photos, Second Gallery

These are pictures taken with my Sealife camera, my second effort. I'v ...

Updated: Feb 14, 2009 5:53pm CEST

Virgin Gorda Trip, January, 2009 :

Virgin Gorda Trip, January, 2009

Updated: Feb 07, 2009 4:36pm CEST

MARY AND SIG IN Virgin Gorda, 2009 :

MARY AND SIG IN Virgin Gorda, 2009

Updated: Feb 07, 2009 12:59am CEST

Federica e Lorenzo a VG, 2009 :

Federica e Lorenzo a VG, 2009

Updated: Feb 07, 2009 12:29am CEST

The Baths of Virgin Gorda :

The Baths of Virgin Gorda

Updated: Jan 28, 2009 9:48pm CEST

VIRGIN GORDA VIEWS : Welcome to my Virgin Gorda Views' Gallery: the many faces of this beautiful place in the BVIs.

VIRGIN GORDA VIEWS

Welcome to my Virgin Gorda Views' Gallery: the many faces of this beau ...

Updated: Jan 22, 2009 1:20pm CEST

Natale in Italia, 2008 : Benvenuti, welcome! 2008 Natale e' stato bellissimo, pieno di famiglia ed amici, ma anche alla fine - tutti i due malati. OH Well. Siamo stati da Parma, a Portovenere (Villa Gio), a Roma per 3 giorni meravigliosi con Mariapaola, a Parma di nuovo, a Portovenere, a Parma/Mantova per la Vigilia da Terry e Davide, poi 3 notti a Parma, malati, e dopo a Villa Gio per prendere le valigie, poi Parma per la partenza alla Malpensa. L'ultima cena dai nostri amici Roberta, Corrado e la loro figlia, Gretta. Purtroppo, io avevo la testa che girava. Allora, mi hanno seduta, coccolatissima, sul divano per mangiare, con una vista perfetta di loro (guardate le foto). English: 2008 Christmas was beautiful, with family and friends, but at the end, both of us sick. Oh Well. We arrive in Parma, went to Portovenere (Villa Gio), Rome with Mariapaola for 3 perfect days, to Parma again, to Portovenere, to Parma/Mantova for the Vigilia (night before Christmas, when Italians really celebrate Christmas!) at Terry and Davide's, then 3 nights in Parma, sick, and later to Villa Gio to get our bags, and then Parma to prepare for leaving from Malpensa (airport). Last meal at our friends, Roberta, Corrado and their adorable 8 year old daughter, Gretta. Unfortunately, my head was spinning, so they allowed me to sit on their sofa, so well taken care of!, with a perfect view of them. As you can see from these pictures, it was also quite wonderful. Come vedete di gueste foto, e' stato veramente meraviglioso!

Natale in Italia, 2008

Benvenuti, welcome! 2008 Natale e' stato bellissimo, pieno di famiglia ...

Updated: Jan 02, 2009 12:27am CEST

Il Meraviglioso Gruppo di Parma, dai Tri Siochett' : Carissimi: Benvenuti alla nostra galleria di foto!Purtroppo Mario e Patrtizia erano malati, e Cristina e Rolando fuori, ma ci siamo incontrati dai Tri Siochett per una cena simpaticissima! Vi mando tante cose, Joan e Mario

Il Meraviglioso Gruppo di Parma, dai Tri Siochett'

Carissimi: Benvenuti alla nostra galleria di foto!Purtroppo Mario e Pa ...

Updated: Dec 22, 2008 11:00am CEST

Grazie mille, Angela e Giorgio, Dic. 2008 : Per Angela, Giorgio, Laura, Mario, e Alberto! Con grande affetto!

Grazie mille, Angela e Giorgio, Dic. 2008

Per Angela, Giorgio, Laura, Mario, e Alberto! Con grande affetto!

Updated: Dec 22, 2008 8:56am CEST

La Chiesa di San Clemente, Roma : Grazie mille, Leandro, per la visita meravigliosa, informativa, interessantissima. Silvia e Giuseppe, siete grandi amici, e vi ringraziamo tantissimo per questa visita. Mariapaola, words do not suffice. Enjoy, godete queste foto. Tante cose, Joan e Mario Soncini, Dicembre, 2008. PS. Ho parlato con Mario chi a spiegato che la parte soto, la prima stanza soto era un deposito/magazino. Poi la casa accanto era per il Culto di Mitra. CLICCA SUL "SLIDESHOW" sopra ed a destra, PER VEDERE! Translation: Some friends have been writing saying that their Italian doesn't reach far enough to understand. So, here goes. Thanks to dear friends, Silvia and Giuseppe (not to mention, of course, Mariapaola) we had a fantastic opportunity to be escorted by a wonderful University Prof of Archeology to one of the oldest and most amazing churches in Rome (which is filled with so many churches one cannot count them!). I really like to say thank you to people who do such a generous and wonderful gift to us, so this is my thank you photo show!I hope you enjoy it. Click on the top right box called "Slideshow" to see and enjoy!

La Chiesa di San Clemente, Roma

Grazie mille, Leandro, per la visita meravigliosa, informativa, intere ...

Updated: Dec 14, 2008 11:16pm CEST

Main Street Tortola : Mitch Kent, professor at the H. Lavity Scott College in Tortola, took a group of us strolling along Main Street, Tortola, showing the history and beauty of the area. Our thanks go to Sue Pearey, wife of Gouvenor Dan Pearey, for organizing this wonderful trip (NOVEMBER, 2008.

Main Street Tortola

Mitch Kent, professor at the H. Lavity Scott College in Tortola, took ...

Updated: Dec 12, 2008 6:50pm CEST

Villa on the Beach :

Villa on the Beach

Updated: Dec 03, 2008 2:55pm CEST

Aguamare :

Aguamare

Updated: Dec 03, 2008 2:42pm CEST

Sandcastle :

Sandcastle

Updated: Dec 01, 2008 4:14pm CEST

Anguilla Point : For AnnaBell, Sunshine and Tyler. A place of warmth and joy, in memory of Stanley Washburn.

Anguilla Point

For AnnaBell, Sunshine and Tyler. A place of warmth and joy, in memory ...

Updated: Dec 01, 2008 3:52pm CEST

NYC APARTMENT :

NYC APARTMENT

Updated: Oct 23, 2008 10:45pm CEST

CENTRAL SCHOOL REUNION-CLASS OF 1958 : WELCOME, FRIENDS! NOW I FEEL LIKE WE ARE FRIENDS, AND THIS IS SO WONDERFUL FOR A TRANSPLANTED GLENCOE GAL. TODAY, SEPTEMBER 22ND, I AM ADDING 4 NEW EVENTS (I POSTED ELLEN'S PARTY'S PICS YESTERDAY): THE SCHOOL PICTURES, FOLLOWED BY PHIL MILLER'S PARTY, THE SATURDAY PARTY, AND TODAY'S BRUNCH AT THE STEINBECKS. I DO NOT NAME EACH PHOTO, AS I'M NOT SURE OF NAMES, SO I NEED YOUR HELP. I'LL ADD THE SATURDAY NIGHT'S PARTY SHORTLY. BEST WAY TO SEE THIS IS BY CLICKING ON THE TOP RIGHT "SLIDESHOW". PLEASE GIVE ME FEEDBACK. IF MANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO MAKE A SOFTBACK OR HARDBACK BOOK (FOR SALE) OF THESE PICTURES, I WOULD BE GLAD TO DO SO ON "BLURB.COM". WRITE TO ME AT SONCIJO@GMAIL.COM. I'D LIKE TO APOLOGIZE IF ANY ONE OF YOU DO NOT SEE A PICTURE OF YOU. I'VE TRIED TO GET AROUND TO PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE. NOT PERFECT, ALAS. THANK YOU TO THE FANTASTIC REUNION COMMITTEE FOR TRULY DOING A MAGNIFICENT JOB OF ORGANIZATION. LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH. LOVE TO ALL, JOAN (AND MARIO, WHO HAS LOVED BEING HERE WITH YOU, TOO!) PS. In case you would be interested in seeing/purchasing my book "VIRGIN GORDA: AN INTIMATE PORTRAIT", GO TO MY PERSONAL WEBSITE: WWW.SONCIJO.COM, AND YOU CAN SEE IT!

CENTRAL SCHOOL REUNION-CLASS OF 1958

WELCOME, FRIENDS! NOW I FEEL LIKE WE ARE FRIENDS, AND THIS IS SO WONDE ...

Updated: Sep 22, 2008 10:41pm CEST

Sealife Underwater Photos, 9/2008 : After getting this new camera (Sealife DC600 Pro Set), which I bought to have a strobe light, I had one pretty poor experience with pretty poor water conditions. Back to NYC, etc., and then Sept, 2008, back to Virgin Gorda. I met up with Andrew Smith of Dive BVI, who gave me some good advice, the water conditions turned out to be from good to excellent, and here are the pictures I like the most to share with you all. Actually, remember! most of the pictures are trashed asap, only the good ones are here. Also, please note that I do alot of work on Adobe Photoshop CS# to get the most out of these pictures. Let me tell you, this has been quite thrilling! Such fun. AND, GO TO THIS WEBSITE TO SEE MY UNDERWATER VIDEO: http://www.onlinebvi.net/play.php?vid=293 All best to you! Joan

Sealife Underwater Photos, 9/2008

After getting this new camera (Sealife DC600 Pro Set), which I bought ...

Updated: Sep 18, 2008 5:03pm CEST

DC in August, 2008 : We love our family in DC. Here is August, 2008!

DC in August, 2008

We love our family in DC. Here is August, 2008!

Updated: Sep 02, 2008 1:44am CEST

Kathy & David in the Hamptons, 2008 : August 22-25th- what a treat! Out to Hampton Bays with Kathy and David, who took such fantastic care of us, gave such love and, good grief, so much food. It was simply too divine for words.

Kathy & David in the Hamptons, 2008

August 22-25th- what a treat! Out to Hampton Bays with Kathy and David ...

Updated: Aug 26, 2008 1:44am CEST

TURTLES IN BVIs :

TURTLES IN BVIs

Updated: Jul 13, 2008 5:44pm CEST

Dining Out on VG : April, 2008 pictures

Dining Out on VG

April, 2008 pictures

Updated: May 08, 2008 12:38am CEST

UNDERWATER IN FEBRUARY, 2008 : Sharing some of the pictures I felt came out pretty well.

UNDERWATER IN FEBRUARY, 2008

Sharing some of the pictures I felt came out pretty well.

Updated: Feb 25, 2008 4:32am CEST

My Smug Mug :

My Smug Mug

Updated: Feb 06, 2008 3:59am CEST