Visiting Milan (March 9-12)

Monday, March 9, 2026 (San Jose)

I woke at 07:00, showered, and shaved. I decided to finish packing for the trip to Italy and then head over to AVAC to work out. At AVAC, I rode the stationary bike for 40 minutes and the rowing machine for 20 minutes. I lifted a few weights and headed for the showers, returning home at 10:00.

I packed a few more things and practiced a few grade 1 and grade pieces in Easy Classical Guitar Volume 1 on my Suzuki No. 34 nylon-string guitar.

At around noon, having packed everything, we started our drive to the San Francisco airport. The traffic was light on US-101, but I was concerned about long TSA lines (due to the government shutdown). The ongoing US-Iran war was also adding uncertainty to our upcoming trip.

Thankfully, when we checked into Air France to print out our tickets (with TSA pre-check approval), we found the security lines mostly empty, and we quickly finished with security. Since we were flying business class, we were entitled to visit the Air France lounge.

After sitting down at the Air France Lounge, Inna and I sampled the buffet and picked out the following items:

• Drinks:
• Inna: sparkling water, cappuccino, Cosmopolitan cocktail
• Boris: still water, cappuccino, Kir Royale
• Salad: Spring mix with olive oil & vinegar
• Main: Salmon with veggies
• Snacks: Cookies, Macaroons, Cheeses (Brie) 

There was a plethora of breads, cheeses, and desserts, but I didn't want to overeat.

Our Air France AF0083 flight from San Francisco (SFO) to Charles de Gaulle (CDG) was scheduled to depart at 16:40. At around 13:45, we heard an announcement that boarding was starting, and we headed for the departure gate.

Since we were flying business-class (seats 3E-3F), we boarded first. A lady was occupying my seat, but she incorrectly picked 3F instead of 3A. After she moved to her correct seat, I made myself comfortable. 

During the flight to Paris, I watched a thriller: The Housemaid, which turned out to be much better than expected. I also tried sleeping but could not fall asleep, so I closed my eyes, reclined, and listened to Dan Brown's The Secret of Secrets audiobook.

In addition to dinner and breakfast, we were offered wine, spirits, and snacks during the flight. Service was acceptable - ie, a few times I asked for items (like hot tea), but they were forgotten. The cod was decent, but the croissants were below average (I expected better from Air France).

Tuesday, March 10, 2026

Though I didn't get any sleep during the flight, I did manage to rest most of the time.   We landed in Paris' Charles de Gaulle airport, ahead of schedule, at around 11:30. 

We had to go through passport control and another full luggage check, requiring us to remove all electronics from our bags (it took a lot longer and was quite tedious). We rode the airport's shuttle to terminal 2F (from 2E), where we looked for the Air France's lounge.

After locating it, we went in (hoping that our tickets would qualify for entrance - we did). Once inside, we found a small, cozy table to sit down and Inna found some quiche and salad. We also got a couple of machine-made cappuccinos. There were interesting 100% French wines and liquors that we did not try (but perhaps next time). Unlike our San Francisco Air France lounge, the one in Charles de Gaulle was much larger and much, much busier.

We boarded our AF1330 flight to Milan (MXP) on a smaller jet and took off on time (at 13:25). It was a short, 80-minute flight, and we landed in Milan's Malpensa (the farther airport) at 14:55. After landing, we thought about using the train to get back to Milan's downtown. A train ride would cost about 15 euros per person and last 44 minutes. However, the trains were leaving every 30 minutes, and we just missed one. We decided, being a bit tired, to take a taxi instead, which cost us 120 euros.

We checked into Park Hyatt (room #324), showered, and rested. We decided to stroll around the city a bit, stopping to marvel at the Milan Duomo and the nearby Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. The air quality was quite bad, and I smelled smoke everywhere.

For dinner, Inna made reservations at Paper Moon Giardino for 19:00. As we were tired, we decided to head there a bit earlier, at 18:30, hoping we could get a table earlier. When we arrived, the restaurant was not busy at all, and we were quickly seated.

We looked at the menu and ordered the following items to share:

• Drinks: Surgiva Still Water, House White Wine
• Appetizer: Fiori di Zucchini
• First: Risotto Scampi
• Second: Calamari alla Piastra

The Fiori di Zucchini was excellent. The Risotto was not bad (though a bit small). The Calamari was not bad either. 

Wednesday, March 11, 2026               

In the morning, I worked out at the Park Hyatt gym. I rowed for 20-minutes on the rowing machine and worked out with free weights. It was not a nice, short 30-minute routine to get me moving.

After I returned to the hotel room, Inna and O dressed and walked to the nearby flagship Lavazza Milano. We decided to try eating a light breakfast there. Once seated, we were handed menus, but waited for a very long time. Since we had 10:00 tickets for the Milan Duomo, we decided to leave and return for breakfast afterwards.

We enjoyed our visit to the Milan Duomo, marveling at the beautiful glass-stained windows, the tall columns, and the intricate carvings throughout.

The Milan Duomo is the largest church in Italy and one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world. Construction began in 1386 under the rule of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and continued for nearly six centuries, with the final details completed in the 20th century.

Built primarily from white and pink Candoglia marble, the cathedral is renowned for its forest of 135 ornate spires, thousands of statues, and elaborate Gothic decoration. The tallest spire supports a golden statue of the Madonnina, a beloved symbol of the city.

Inside, the cathedral features vast vaulted ceilings, massive stained-glass windows, and artworks spanning several centuries. Visitors can also climb or take an elevator to the rooftop terraces, which offer close-up views of the spires and sweeping views across Milan—and on very clear days, even the Alps in the distance.

Once we finished the tour, we decided to try eating breakfast at the Park Hyatt Hotel. We sat down inside, and we were given menus. Breakfast service was extremely fast and efficient. We ordered the following breakfast items.

• Uovo Benedictine Salmone (Eggs Benedict with Salmon)
• Yogurt
• Cestino Fornaio (still water)
• Cappuccino
• Bread basket

After breakfast, on the way to Pinacoteca di Brera, we briefly stopped by Milan's famous Teatro alla Scala. We thought about seeing tonight's performance of Wagner's Die Valkyrie, but I could not find tickets (nor did I have appropriate attire). Inna was also not prepared to endure a 3-hour+ opera.

When I reached Pinacoteca di Brera, I headed to purchase one ticket, while Inna decided to explore the local boutiques in the Brera neighborhood.

The Pinacoteca di Brera is one of the most important art museums in Italy, located in the historic Brera Palace in Milan. Founded in 1809 during the Napoleonic era, the museum was originally created to house masterpieces collected from churches and monasteries across northern Italy.

Today the Pinacoteca holds an outstanding collection of Italian Renaissance and Baroque paintings, especially from the Venetian and Lombard schools. Highlights include works by major artists such as Raphael, Caravaggio, and Andrea Mantegna. One of the museum’s most famous pieces is The Marriage of the Virgin, celebrated for its balanced composition and architectural perspective.

Unlike some grand royal galleries, the Pinacoteca has a calm, scholarly atmosphere, reflecting its connection to the Brera Academy of Fine Arts, which still operates in the same complex. The museum is known for presenting Italian painting in a clear chronological sequence, making it an excellent place to understand the development of Italian art from the 14th to the 20th centuries.

I especially liked the painting The Kiss by Francesco Hayez, painted in 1859.

The artwork shows a young couple locked in an intense kiss while standing in a medieval stone hallway. The man appears ready to depart—his foot already on a step and a dagger hidden beneath his cloak—suggesting urgency and secrecy. The scene conveys both romantic passion and a sense of political intrigue.

Beyond its love story, the painting carries symbolic meaning related to Italian unification (the Risorgimento). Created during a time when Italy was striving to become a unified nation, the painting was interpreted as representing patriotism, sacrifice, and hope for freedom. Even the colors of the clothing have been read as subtle references to alliances that supported Italy’s independence.

Because of its emotional power and national symbolism, The Kiss, has become one of the most iconic images of Italian Romantic art and a beloved masterpiece of the Brera collection.

For lunch, we stopped by the La Prosciutteria Milano Brera, where we ordered the following items:

• Tagliere Pranzo Cena
• Tagliere Apertivo
• Drinks: Acqua Naturale, 2 x Cappuccino

The assortment of cold cuts, cheeses, and breads was delicious and relatively inexpensive. After lunch, we headed back to the Milan Duomo to visit the rooftop. Innad had purchased tickets to the top, and we used the southside elevator to reach the top.

Milan Cathedral Rooftop Terraces

The rooftop terraces of the Milan Cathedral are one of the most unique cathedral experiences in the world. Unlike most churches, visitors can walk directly on the roof, moving among the forest of marble spires and statues that crown the cathedral.

What you see

• Close-up Gothic architecture: The roof lets you stand only a few feet from the cathedral’s 135 marble spires, flying buttresses, and thousands of carved statues.

• The Madonnina: At the highest point is the golden statue of the Virgin Mary known as the Madonnina, one of the most recognizable symbols of Milan.

• City views: From the terraces you get panoramic views over Milan’s rooftops and modern skyline. On very clear days you can even see the Alps to the north

Why it’s special

The Duomo roof is unusual because the cathedral was designed with broad walkable terraces, allowing visitors to experience Gothic architecture from the outside and at eye level, rather than only looking up from the ground. Walking between the delicate marble pinnacles makes it feel almost like being inside the sculpture itself.

After visiting the rooftop of the Milan Duomo, we stopped by for a quick bite at the Marchesi 1824, located inside the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. We ordered the following drinks and pastries:

• Drinks: Cappuccino, Cioccolate Arancia Cannella
• Dessert: Pasticcino, Cannolo Siciliano, Tazzina Ginaduia Mango e Passion

After our snack stop, we returned to our room #324 at Park Hyatt for a short rest. Inna decided to continue shopping, stopping by the Prada Flagship store at the  Galleria Vittorio Emanuele to purchase a wallet.

At 19:00, we met up for dinner at the Ristorante Stendhal Brera, where we ordered the following items:

• Drinks: Paloma (Inna)
• Appetizer: Salmon Tartare
• Main: Risotto with Truffles
• Main: La Cotoletta (Bone-in-veal chop) - a traditional Milanese dish

We really liked the romantic setting of Ristorante Stendhal Brera, the ambiance, and the attentive service. The Salmon Tartare was excellent, and the Risotto with truffles was delicious. La Cotoletta was also very good (but the portion was too large for both of us).

After dinner, we walked back to the Duomo, enjoying it at night, and also strolled around the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

In the morning, I planned to row in the gym, followed by a quick breakfast and a taxi ride to the Hertz Car Rental at Milan's Linate airport. Our plan was to rent a small Opel Corsa from Hertz and drive to Lake Garda Sirmione with a stop in Bergamo.                                                                      

Milan Trip

Highlights

• Visiting the exquisitely carved Duomo
• Visiting the Pinacoteca di Brera

Lowlights

• Heavy smog (AQI was 110). I did not realize that both Milan and Turin are located in an area known for heavy smog during the winter

Links

• Attractions
• Duomo Milano
• Galleria Vittorio Emanuele
• Pinacoteca di Brera
• Teatro alla Scala
• Hotels
• Park Hyatt Milan
• Restaurants
• La Prosciutteria Milano Brera
• Paper Moon Giardino
• Ristorante Stendhal Brera
• Marchesi 1824

Italy + London Trip

Dates: March 9–24, 2026

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• ✈️ FLIGHTS

  • SFO → Milan — March 9-10 AF0083

    San Francisco departure Monday, March 9, 2026, at 16:25 (SFO), Terminal I

    Paris arrival Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 11:20 (CDG), Terminal 2E

    Paris → Milan - March 10 AF1330

    Paris departure Tuesday, March 10 at 13:45 (CDG), Terminal 2F

    Milan arrival Tuesday, March 10 at 15:15 (MXP), Terminal 1

  • Venice → London — March 20

    BA597 Venice to London

    Departs: Friday 20 March 2026 Marco Polo17:40VCE

    Arrives: Friday 20 March 2026 Heathrow19:00LHR - Terminal 5

  • London → SFO — March 24

    VS0019 LHR → SFO

    Departs LHR 11:40am Terminal 3 Arrives at SFO 3:40pm International

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• 🏨 HOTELS

  • Milan: March 10 - 12

    • Hotel: Park Hyatt Milan

    • Address: Via Tommaso Grossi 1, Milan, LM, IT, 20121

    • Check-in: 3pm

    • Check-out: 12pm ****

    • Confirmation #: 54369827

    • Notes: Say to the taxi driver the address “Via Tommaso Grossi, 1.” instead of Park Hyatt

      • Food

        Dinner

        • March 10th, 7 pm - Paper Moon
        • March 11th at 7:15pm - Stendhal Brera

        Breakfast

        • Pasticceria Marchesi 1824
        • Iginio Massari Alta Pasticceria (quick morning stop)
        • Loste Cafe (great coffee)
        • Fioraio Bianche (cafe)
        • Pave (pastries, coffee)

    • Sightseeing

      Hidden Duomo Night View (best 20:30-21:30 after dinner): enter the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II from the Duomo side and walk 30-40m; the Duomo will be framed by the Galleria and beautifully lit.

      Small Trick That Makes It Even Better: Inside the Galleria, on the floor, you’ll see a mosaic bull. This is the famous Turin bull mosaic. Tradition: Spin your heel three times on the bull’s testicles for good luck. Locals still do it — it’s playful and fun.

      The Madonnina — the golden statue on top of the cathedral — is the symbol of Milan. The best view is not where most tourists stop.

      Duomo Rooftop: Where to walk

      After you exit the elevator:

      1. Don’t stop at the front terrace overlooking Piazza del Duomo (most people stay there).
      2. Walk toward the back side of the cathedral.
      3. Follow the narrow marble corridors between the spires.
      4. Eventually, you’ll reach a quieter platform facing north/northeast.

      From there:

      • The Madonnina appears above the forest of marble spires
      • the Alps are sometimes faintly visible in the distance on very clear days.

      Why this spot is special

      During golden hour:

      • The Candoglia marble turns warm pink
      • shadows deepen between the Gothic spires
      • The Madonnina glows against the sky

      It feels almost surreal — like walking inside a marble sculpture garden.

      Timing for your visit

      With your 3:30–4:00 entry:

      • 4:00–4:45 → explore terraces slowly
      • 5:15–5:45 → return to the Madonnina area for the best light

      You don’t have to stand there the entire time — just circle back once the light warms up.

      One small trick

      If the terrace feels crowded:

      • Walk all the way around the cathedral perimeter
      • The back side is dramatically quieter

      You’ll suddenly find empty marble passages between spires.

    • Shops to checkout

      Jewelry:

      • Pomellato (Sabbia ring, nudo petit)
      • La Hormiga (cute costume jewelry)
      • Bea Bongiasca

  • Lake Garda Sirmione:  March 12 - 15

    • Hotel: Grand Hotel Terme
    • Address: Viale Marconi, 7 Sirmione 25019 IT
    • Check-in: 3pm
    • Check-out: 11am ****
    • Confirmation #: 2276206354
    • Notes: Dinner options: La Speranzina, Tancredi (both Michelin rated)

  • Abano Terme: March 15 - 19

    • Hotel: Mioni Pezzato
    • Address: Via Marzia, 34 35031 Abano Terme (PD)
    • Check-in: 2pm
    • Check-out: 11am ****
    • Confirmation #: ERIC_22919941
    • Notes: Visit Padua, Vicenza, Treviso, Arqua Perarca (hill town 25 minutes away), breakfast + dinner daily (current reservation)

  • Venice: March 19 - 20

    • Hotel: Baglioni Hotel Luna
    • Address: San Marco 1243 Venice VCE 30173 IT
    • Check-in: 2pm
    • Check-out: 12pm ****
    • Confirmation #: 6815SF062755-
    • Notes: Early check-in/late checkout, room upgrade, breakfast included, $100 credit

  • London:  March 20 - 24

    • Hotel: Egerton House Hotel
    • Address: 17-19 Egerton Terrace, London, England, SW3 2BX, United Kingdom
    • Check-in: 3pm
    • Check-out: 12pm ****
    • Confirmation #:
    • Notes: Transfers, Daily breakfast, Cream tea for 2, Golden Tours Credit $400

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Bouquets to Art Floral Exhibition at de Young Museum

The de Young Museum's Bouquets to Art is an annual exhibition where floral designers create arrangements inspired by artworks in the museum’s galleries. The bouquets are displayed next to the paintings, sculptures, or objects that inspired them, allowing visitors to see a botanical interpretation of the art.

Here’s a concise summary of the exhibition:

Concept

• Professional florists, garden clubs, and designers create floral interpretations of specific artworks from the museum’s collection.

• Each bouquet is placed beside the original piece, translating colors, shapes, textures, or themes into flowers and plants.

• The result is a dialogue between visual art and living botanical art.

Scale and Duration

• The exhibition typically runs about five to six days each spring.

• It usually features 100+ floral designs spread throughout the galleries, not just in a single room.

• In recent years, it has also expanded to the Legion of Honor, another museum in the same system.

Bouquets to Art at the de Young Museum Review

Highlights

• Beautiful floral arrangements, usually matching the nearby paintings

Lowlights

• Extremely crowded (difficult to move around)

After the show, we decided to stop by Lavash for dinner with our friendsat 16:30. After being seated outside (under the heaters), we ordered the following items:

• Salads: Shiraz Salad, Borani (Yogurt)
• Inna: Barg (Filet Mignon)
• Boris: Prawn Kabob
• Drinks: Persian (black) Tea with Cardamom 

I really liked the Shiraz Salad and the Borani Yogurt. The Filet Mignon (Barg) and the Prawn Kabobs were excellent, too.

After a short stroll, we also stopped by the Ice Cream Bar (for an Affogato). The Affogato was not made the way I expected (at least the way I ordered it in Torino, Italy). At the Ice Cream Bar, it was hard ice cream floating in a cup of cappuccino. I am used to a tall glass with heavy foam and ice cream floating on top.

Links

• de Young Museum
• Bouquets to Art 2026 Floral Exhibition
• Lavash SF
• Ice Cream Bar

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Primary Trust by at Lucie Stern Theatre

A Mai Tai and a Leap of Faith: Why You Can’t Miss 'Primary Trust' at TheatreWorks

If you’ve ever felt like the world was moving just a little too fast for you to keep up, then TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s latest production is going to feel like a warm hug.

Coming to the Lucie Stern Theatre this March is "Primary Trust," the 2024 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama. Written by Eboni Booth, this isn't your typical high-stakes thriller. Instead, it’s a "buffed-to-gleaming jewel" of a play about the monumental courage it takes to do something simple: start over.

The Story: Meet Kenneth

Kenneth is a 38-year-old man who loves his life exactly as it is. For twenty years, he’s worked at the same used bookstore and spent every evening at Wally’s Tiki Bar, sipping Mai Tais with his best friend, Bert.

But there’s a twist: Bert is imaginary. When the bookstore suddenly closes, Kenneth’s carefully constructed world is shattered. Forced out of his comfort zone, he lands a job at "Primary Trust" bank. It’s here that the real story begins—a journey of navigating "real" friendships, facing long-buried childhood trauma, and learning that the world outside his routine might actually have a place for him.

A Closer Look: The Heart of the Story

At its core, Primary Trust is a character study of Kenneth, a man whose life is defined by a "beautiful, static safety." For twenty years, his world has been a closed loop: the used bookstore where he works for the aging Mr. MacMillan, and Wally’s Tiki Bar, where he drinks Mai Tais with his best friend, Bert.

The tension of the play lies in the revelation that Bert is a figment of Kenneth's imagination—a protective "wall" built to shield him from the memory of a tragic childhood in the foster care system.

The Catalyst: When the Loop Breaks

The story kicks into gear when Mr. MacMillan announces he’s closing the bookstore. This isn't just a job loss for Kenneth; it’s the loss of his sanctuary. With no other options, Kenneth is forced to interview at Primary Trust Bank.

The plot follows his awkward, yet deeply moving, transition into "the real world":

• The Interview: In a scene both hilarious and cringe-worthy, Kenneth navigates a corporate interview with a bank manager who is impressed by his twenty-year loyalty but baffled by his lack of "modern" experience.

• The New Friend: Kenneth meets Corrina, a waitress at Wally’s (played by the versatile Rolanda D. Bell, who voices multiple characters). Unlike Bert, Corrina is real, unpredictable, and genuinely interested in Kenneth. Their blossoming, platonic friendship serves as the bridge Kenneth needs to cross from his internal world to the external one.

• The "Bell" and the Do-Over: Throughout the play, Kenneth uses a small desk bell to "reset" moments. If a conversation goes poorly or a memory becomes too painful, the bell rings, and the scene restarts. It’s a literal representation of his social anxiety and his desire to get life "right."

What Makes This Production Special?

TheatreWorks has assembled an incredible team to bring the fictional town of Cranberry, NY, to life right here in Palo Alto:

• Award-Winning Pedigree: Fresh off its Pulitzer win, this is the Regional Premiere of a script that critics have called "near-perfect."

• A Stellar Cast: Led by William Thomas Hodgson as Kenneth and Kenny Scott as Bert, the production also features Bay Area favorites Dan Hiatt and Rolanda D. Bell.

• Live Music: Unlike many traditional plays, this production features an onstage musician (Jonathan Erman), adding a rhythmic, soulful layer to Kenneth’s internal world.

• The "Bell": Keep an ear out for the "call bell" used during the show. It’s a clever theatrical device that signals Kenneth’s shifts in memory and his attempts at "do-overs" in awkward social situations.

Plan Your Visit

• Where: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

• When: March 4 – March 29, 2026.

• Runtime: Approximately 95 minutes (no intermission).

• Tickets: Ranging from $34 to $115.

Final Thoughts

"Primary Trust" is a reminder that kindness—both from strangers and toward ourselves—is a powerful force. It’s funny, it’s heartbreaking, and ultimately, it’s deeply hopeful. 

Primary Trust Review

Highlights

• An interesting plot (fairly original)
• Unexpected premiere party with Mai-Tai, chardonnay, & cookies

Lowlights

• The pacing was a bit slow

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Dinner at Ettan, Palo Alto

Before our Theater Works Primary Trust performance, Inna made dinner reservations for 18:00 at Ettan - one of our favorite local Indian restaurants.

We had eaten at Ettan last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. Ettan is extremely popular and can be challenging to reserve on short notice.

At around 18:00, we checked in and were taken to a table on the second floor. We looked at the menu and ordered the following items:

• Snack: Sesame Leaf (Amazing!)
• Salad: Ettan Salad
• Appetizer: Kerala Fried Chicken
• Main: Vellore Chicken Curry
• Sides: Coconut Rice, Garlic Naan

We absolutely loved the Seasame Leaf Street-food snack! It was the highlight of the dinner. The Ettan Salad was also fabulous. Kerala Fried Chicken was quite spicy when dipped in its sauce. The Garlic Naan with the Vellore Chicken were do delicious! 

The special bread, Malabar parotta, that comes with Vollore Chicken, was also outstanding. It reminded me of Russian pancakes.

 We had an excellent waiter, and everything was very smooth. 

It's now on our favorite Bay Area restaurants list.

Links

• Ettan (Palo Alto)

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Spamalot at Golden Gate Theater

I was lucky to purchase 2 tickets (via Todaytix) for Spamalot at the Golden Gate Theater on March 5 at 19:00. 

Before the show, Inna and I met up at the Georgian Cheese Boat for a quick dinner. She was visiting the Bouquets to Art show at the Legion of Honor Museum (and took many photos there). We ordered the following items for dinner:

• Salad: Georgian Salad (tomatoes, cucumber, cilantro, onions, parsley, Georgian dressing)
• Main: Classical Chakapuli (Traditional Georgian lamb stew with green plums, tarragon, herbs)
• Main: Classic Khachapuri

We really liked all of the dishes, especially the Khachapuri and Chakapuli. After dinner, we ordered UberX to take us to Golden Gate Theater (to avoid walking through San Francisco's awful Tenderloin district).

Spamalot turned out to be even better than last time, and we really enjoyed the funniest musical ever.

Here is a detailed summary of the zany Broadway musical comedy:

Monty Python’s Spamalot is a Broadway musical comedy adapted from the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail. It affectionately parodies the legend of King Arthur and his quest for the Holy Grail, using absurd humor, satire, and over-the-top musical numbers.

Summary:
King Arthur sets out to assemble the Knights of the Round Table—Sir Lancelot, Sir Robin, Sir Galahad, and Sir Bedevere—each with exaggerated, comical personalities. Guided (and frequently interrupted) by a sarcastic historian and the Lady of the Lake, Arthur leads the knights on a ridiculous quest filled with killer rabbits, French taunters, dancing divas, and anachronistic jokes.

Along the way, the knights face silly challenges that mostly expose their cowardice, vanity, or confusion rather than heroism. Sir Robin runs away, Sir Lancelot wreaks havoc at a wedding, and Sir Galahad is tempted by showgirls. The show constantly breaks the fourth wall, mocking Broadway conventions, historical epics, and even itself.

In the end, the quest is resolved in a deliberately anticlimactic and nonsensical way—true to Monty Python style—emphasizing that the joy of Spamalot lies not in the story’s outcome, but in its relentless, self-aware comedy and musical spectacle.

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ACT I

Overview:
Act I introduces King Arthur, gathers the Knights of the Round Table, and launches the Holy Grail quest. It sets the show’s tone: absurd, self-aware, and packed with Broadway parody.

Songs & Story

1. “Finland”
   A completely unrelated opening number praising Finland. It immediately establishes Monty Python–style nonsense and mocks traditional Broadway openings.

2. “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”
   Sung by a group of cheerful peasants being oppressed. Sets the show’s satirical tone and introduces the idea that suffering is funny.

3. “Camelot”
   King Arthur arrives, singing about Camelot as an ideal kingdom. Sir Robin interrupts to point out that Camelot is actually very silly. Arthur shrugs and declares it good enough.

4. “Lancelot”
   Arthur recruits Sir Lancelot, who is presented as a fierce warrior. The song humorously exaggerates his masculinity.

5. “The Song That Goes Like This”
   A parody of over-dramatic Broadway love duets, sung by Sir Galahad and the Lady of the Lake. The song deliberately repeats clichés and grows increasingly absurd.

6. “He Is Not Dead Yet”
   A peasant insists that an old man isn’t dead enough to be collected. This song mocks medieval life and features slapstick humor.

7. “All for One”
   Arthur unites his knights—Lancelot, Robin, Galahad, and Bedevere—who swear loyalty and set off on the quest for the Holy Grail.

8. “Knights of the Round Table”
   The knights celebrate their glamorous, show-business-style knighthood, complete with kick lines and Vegas flair.

9. “Run Away!”
   Sir Robin sings proudly about his bravery—while constantly running away from danger. The song establishes him as a lovable coward.

10. “Lancelot (Reprise)”
    Lancelot storms a wedding, slaughtering guests in the belief he is rescuing a damsel in distress. The number ends with the revelation that the “damsel” is actually a man, whom Lancelot promptly marries.

End of Act I:
God appears and commands Arthur and the knights to find the Holy Grail, officially launching the quest.

 

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ACT II

Overview:
Act II follows the knights as the quest falls apart, Broadway conventions are openly mocked, and the show spirals into joyful chaos before an intentionally ridiculous ending.

Songs & Story

1. “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” (Reprise)
   Sung as the knights face hardship, reinforcing the show’s cheerful nihilism.

2. “Brave Sir Robin”
   Robin’s minstrels narrate his exploits, which turn out to be embarrassing acts of cowardice. Robin quits the quest in shame.

3. “You Won’t Succeed on Broadway”
   Lancelot learns that to succeed in theater, one must “play gay.” He joyfully embraces flamboyance in a campy showstopper.

4. “His Name Is Lancelot”
   Lancelot celebrates his identity with over-the-top choreography, embracing his new persona with pride and humor.

5. “Diva’s Lament (Whatever Happened to My Part?)”
   The Lady of the Lake complains that she hasn’t had enough stage time, mocking Broadway divas and musical theater ego.

6. “Find Your Grail”
   A sincere (and parody-sincere) inspirational anthem about finding purpose. Each character reflects on what their “grail” truly is.

7. “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” (Finale)
   As the show collapses into absurdity—with knights arrested and the Grail never properly found—the cast reprises the song, emphasizing that happiness matters more than meaning or resolution.

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ENDING

The quest ends anticlimactically, just like the original Holy Grail film. There is no triumphant victory—only laughter, self-mockery, and a big Broadway finale. The show deliberately refuses a traditional ending, reminding the audience that Spamalot is about joy, parody, and not taking anything too seriously.

 

Spamalot Review

Highlights

• Non-stop laughs, making it one of my all-time favorite musicals
• Fantastic musical numbers, including:
• Always Look on the Bright Side of Life
• You won't succeed on Broadway
• His name is Lancelot
• All for one
• Knights of the Round Table
• Fantastic, updated new stage decorations (much improved from the previous versions)

Lowlights

• Golden Gate Theater's location in Tenderloin (with a lot of homeless/drug users all around)

Links

• Todaytix
• Golden Gate Theater 
• Spamalot
• Georgian Cheese Boat
• Legion of Honor Museum

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Calistoga Weekend

For Inna's birthday, I had planned a two-day getaway retreat at Calistoga, featuring rest & relaxation at the Indian Springs Resort & Spa.

Friday, February 27, 2026

After Inna and I finished work, we started our drive to Indian Springs Resort & Spa in Calistoga. There was some traffic on the way, and we arrived later than expected. After checking in at reception, we picked up our room keys for #22. We parked our Tesla Model Y near our room and unloaded the car. 

I had initially made dinner reservations at Lovina for 20:15. After a 10-minute walk from room #22 at Indian Springs, we checked in at Lovina and were quickly taken to the table upstairs. 

After being seated, we ordered the following items:

• Appetizer: Freshly Baked Bread
• Salad: Sonoma Apple Salad, Mushroom Soup shots x 2
• Boris: Wine Forest Risotto
• Inna: Seared Wild Halibut, Berry Collins (non-alcoholic)

As expected, the freshly baked bread and the Sonoma Apple Salad were excellent. We shared both the Wine Forest Risotto and the Seared Pacific Halibut. 

They were both excellent. The Mushroom soup shots were also excellent.

After dinner, we returned to our room and changed into swimsuits. We walked to the nearby thermal pool and jumped in. The water was quite hot, but we got used to it eventually. We swam around for an hour and returned to our room at 23:30. Floating around, I even fell asleep for 20 minutes.

We observed a unique phenomenon from the thermal pool, called the 22-degree Halo.

The Science of the 22-degree Halo

While it might look like a ring of light or a thin cloud, the halo is caused by refraction—the bending of light as it passes through ice crystals.

• The Clouds: Even if the sky looks clear, there are often high-altitude cirrus clouds drifting about 20,000 to 40,000 feet above you.

• The Crystals: These clouds are so high and cold that they are composed of millions of tiny, hexagonal (six-sided) ice crystals.

• The "Magic" Angle: As moonlight enters one side of these hexagonal crystals and exits the other, it is bent at an angle of exactly 22 degrees. This consistency is why the halo always appears to be the same size, regardless of where you are standing.

Why it looks like a ring

Because the ice crystals are oriented in all different directions in the sky, they refract the light in a circular pattern around the moon.

Fun Fact: Because the light is being refracted (like a prism), you can sometimes see a faint red tint on the inside of the ring and blue on the outside, though it's often too dim for the human eye to pick up at night.

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Folklore vs. Reality

In many cultures, a lunar halo is seen as a weather predictor. The old saying goes: "Ring around the moon, rain or snow soon." There is actually some truth to this! Cirrus clouds often precede a warm front, which frequently brings rain within 24 to 48 hours. So, while you were enjoying your swim, the sky was likely signaling a change in the weather

The frogs near our room were extremely loud, but stopped ribbiting when we came near. After resting a bit, we turned in.

Saturday, February 28, 2025

At 08:00, Inna had a migraine, and we decided to skip the Restorative + Meditation Yoga at the Reflection Room. 

At 09:00, we decided to drive to our favorite Michelin-rated Solbar restaurant for breakfast, located at the Solage Resort (just a few minutes away from Indian Springs). Solage also has free Tesla destination chargers, and we parked our Tesla Model Y at a charger and started the charging process. I charged the Tesla for one hour (from 54% to 64%) using 480V.

From the charging lot, we walked a few minutes to Solbar. The weather was sunny, beautiful, and warm for a February day. We decided to sit outdoors,  as the indoor area was entirely empty. In fact, we got so hot, sitting by in direct, morning sun, that we asked our waiter to move our table to a shaded area.

Initially, I was planning to order my all-time favorite Lemon Ricotta pancakes, but I changed my mind as I wanted a breakfast with protein. We ordered the following items:

• Boris: Yogurt + Granola, Coffee
• Inna: Duck Hash, Coffee

My Yogurt with Granola was excellent, and the Duck Hash was amazing. We were so full that we cancelled the order for Lemon Ricotta pancakes!

After breakfast, we decided to hike in the Bothe-Napa Valley State Park. ChatGPT suggested that we hike the highly rated Redwood Trail, and we drove to the Bothe State Park, to the gravel parking lot near the Redwood Trail trailhead.

The hike was excellent with beautiful redwoods, streams, and lush surroundings. Luckily, it was not muddy (but next time, we should bring our hiking boots).

For lunch, we decided to drive to St. Helena and try the Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch (famous for its grass-fed meats). After being seated indoors, we ordered the following items:

• Drinks: Seasonal Sparkling VA
• Appetizer: Burrata
• Salad: Garden Salad
• Entree: Flannery Flat-Iron Steak (medium-rare) with French Fries

The Burrata and the Garden Salad were excellent. The Flannery Flat-Iron Steak was excellent, too (though the portion was on the smaller size.) 

There were a few large groups of women dining (not sure if these were bachelorette parties).

After lunch,  we returned home, as I had work to do, and Inna decided to return to St. Helena to explore the town further. When I finished with my work, I reassembled my Sonicake travel guitar and played for a bit, until Inna returned.

We decided to play ping-pong and headed to the pool (where the ping-pong table is located). A few young teenage girls were playing, so we waited by the fireplace patiently for them to finish. Fortunately, they finished 15 minutes later, and Inna and I played 3 games. I won the first, Inna won the second, and I barely won the third game. All of the games were quite close.

We returned to our room, resting for a bit, and reading the news. The U.S. had attacked Iran, and I wanted to read all about it. After reading the news, I returned to the room and played my Sonicake guitar some more.

At 20:00, we walked to Sam's Social Club for dinner. After looking at the dinner menu, we ordered the following items:

• Drinks: Might Dry Apple Cider
• Appetizer: Grilled Octopus
• Inna: Piri Piri Chicken
• Boris: Cheeseburger with Fries

Inna loved the Grilled Octopus and her Piri Piri Chicken. I liked my Cheeseburger. Overall, the menu was quite limited.

After dinner, we walked to downtown Calistoga to burn off some calories. Being Saturday night, there were a couple of bars playing loud music. One live singer was doing a decent job on Adele's "Someone Like You."

We returned to our room and decided to head to the thermal pool. We spent two hours floating around, enjoying the warm water and the beautiful night sky (which was much clearer, showing more stars). Unfortunately, the 22 Degree Halo we had observed on Friday was gone (though the moon still shone bright).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Sunday, March 1, 2026

I woke at 07:30, took a shower, and shaved. At 09:00, we drove over to Solbar for our morning breakfast. I was hoping to charge my Tesla Model Y. Luckily, all the Tesla chargers were free, and I plugged in my Tesla (to charge it from 50% to 84%).

After sitting down at Solbar/Solage, we ordered the following items:

• Duck Hash, Coffee
• Yogurt + Granola, Coffee

The Duck Hash was excellent, and the Yogurt + Granola was also fantastic. We walked back to Indian Springs Resort & Spa and changed into our swimsuits. We ended up swimming for about an hour (from 10:00 to 11:00). It was a bit colder and more cloudy than on Saturday. 

I returned to our room and changed out of the swimsuits. I walked back to Solage to pick up the charged Tesla and drove it back to Indian Springs Resort & Spa. Inna was already there, and we quickly packed our suitcases and checked out of the hotel.

Inna explored Calistoga downtown for a bit, while I read my Kindle Colorsoft. When she returned at 12:45, we started our drive to Bouchon Bistro in Yountville.

We found a parking space near Bouchon Bistro and checked in at 13:15. Inna got a fantastic outdoor table. After sitting down and looking at the menu, we ordered the following items:

• Appetizer: Freshly Baked Baguette
• Soup: Mushroom Soup (Soup du Jour)
• Salad: Salade maraîchère au chèvre chaud
• Main: Epaule d'Agneau (Lamb) with beans
• Dessert: Chocolate Mousse

The mushroom soup and salade maraîchère au chèvre chaud were excellent. The Lamb was superb.  We also enjoyed the Chocolate Mousse.

The drive back home was fairly smooth with mostly light traffic, and we arrived at around 16:50.

Calistoga Trip Review

Highlights

• Swimming and relaxing at Indian Springs' Thermal Pool
• Seeing the 22-degree Halo from Indian Springs' Thermal Pool
• Dining at Solbar and Lovina, in Calistoga
• Dining at Bouchon Bistro in Yountville

Lowlights

• Inna is getting a headache on Saturday morning

Links

• Indian Springs Resort & Spa, Calistoga
• Bothe-Napa Valley State Park
• Lovina Restaurant in Calistoga
• Solbar at Solage in Calistoga
• Farmstead Long Meadow Ranch, St. Helena
• Sam's Social Club at Indian Springs Resort & Spa
• Bouchon Bistro, Yountville

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