"Benveniti in Italia!" our driver shouts as we wind tiny stone roads climbing up a large mountain side. We finally reach the top. It is a beautiful cliffside location. A tiny wooden sign reads Hotel Luna. We cannot believe the view from the courtyard. We run leaving our bags still in the backseat of the taxi.
The hotel is made of a golden and rust colored stone. The windows are tall and open. Two stone pillars flank the portico entry. We don't bother to enter. We are mesmerized by the grounds. Hotel Luna is surounded by a cosmic myriad of flowers. Every color, shape, fragrance imaginable. It is like a garden of Eden. The sight is overwhelming. I stare at fragrant flowering vines surrounding the large stone walls and trailing up large iron rails. We can see the blue ocean in the distance.
Ivy turns in circles pointing here and there. She calls them long latin names "acanthus,achillea,Aconitum,Rosa banksiae Lutea" We stop her and ask for english and she laughs and says "Oh ! Sorry mandevillas, bouganvillas, hibiscus, Roses, Crepe Myrtles, Peony, and Camelia"We stroll under a wood arbor. "Look !"she shouts "There is even a lemon tree!"
We spot a lady there cutting flowers. She is wearing a flowing white linen sundress. Atop her strawberry blonde hair is long brimmed straw sunhat with a yellow satin ribbon. Her dainty sunkissed feet are barefoot. She is busy cutting flowers. She notices us and says "Buon Giorno." We reply "Buona sera." She hands us each a hibiscus to put in our hair. Ted chuckles and tucks one behind his ear. Ivy fondles her red hibiscus lovingly. I smell my camelia with a slight fragrance while Harley follows a tiny blue butterfly. We tell the lady. "gratzi. "Benvenuti" she replies.
We point to the right of the hotel where there is a large hedge and arbor covered with bluish colored grapes. It is as if a giant postcard was dropped before our eyes. It seems too beautiful to be real. I almost forget why I am here.
We walk toward the railing and stop overlooking huge cliffs. The ocean is a bright torquoise blue. It was just like in my dream. I smile as the wind gently blows in our faces. I spot three huge rocks jutting out of the ocean I turn and and point. We stand behind the young blonde haired woman as she tilts her sunhat back and drops her basket of cut flowers. and says "Faraglioni."Each rock she points a red painted nail and says "Stella, Mezzo, Scoplo!" Her voice sounds familiar to me. i start to approach her closer when my friends scream "gratzi!" She tilts her hat back an grabs her basket saying "prego." I nod and shout "Viaggio in Paridiso!" She giggles and nods a yes.
"Impressive!" Ivy says.
"And just think we haven't even seen our rooms!" Harley screams.
We all laugh realizing the taxi driver is still standing waiting for us to pay.
"Hurry up Selina!" they shout running to the taxi.
I turn back to speak to the flower lady but she is gone.