From Braies to Calazzo

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Ballasconi lost! What did he lose? He lost Milano, Napoli and Trieste and other small towns.
With Piero driving we headed away from Braies first through Cortina to Passo Giau. This is a most magnificent place. It is a very high pass of 2233m and is where the Giro Italia passes through along 100’s of motor bikes. It is surrounded by a 360 degree view of very high mountains. Diego even managed to find his hidden rock from 7 years ago which looks very much to me like a tektite ( a small rock from outer space).
Moving along. We headed to Selva di Cadore, through the valley of Zoldo and on our right we had the mountain Pilmo, on the left Mt Civedda. We headed to Pass Duran where the start of the walk for Mt Civedda. After that we came down to Agordo where we saw a customary funeral with the procession along the street – priest in front, followed by the family, followed by the hearse and then the rest of families and friends. At the same town we visited the Museum of Spectacles since the 12th Century. Now, how’s that for something different. The owner of the collection also supplied the Italian Team with sunglasses for the America’s Cup. The most peculiar glasses had eyelashes!!
We left Piero in Ponte Nelle Alpi where he took a slow train which did not allow him to see Bellusconi lose his election. Not good.
We other three headed to Callazo through Longarone and Pieve di Cadore. The day was complete with Pizza, grappa and traditional songs in the cafe.
Rounding up – the day was one of most spectacular scenery throughout the Dolomites.

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Photos

Passo Giau
The mountain directly above the Pass

Mt Civetta
Mt Civetta on the Duran Pass at the beginning of an interesting track - to be done at some time in the future