Goodbye Italy, hello Switzerland

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Hi All,

So in Venice we did the Venice thing and spent the day walking from bridge to bridge getting lost as often as we could. It is quite the different city and unique to say the least. In the campsite we met an Aussie couple also touring Europe in a transit campervan. As usual we ended up having a few beers and vinos with them and a few other 20 yr old Aussie girls. The conversations were rather comical given their ages and I went from being incredibly intelligent to rather old when they started calling me grandad. After Venice, it was then back to the coast and a 5 hour drive to Cinque Terre. The 5 hours was not a killer but the 28 euro toll was when we got there. Nevertheless it was well worth it on arrival. Given there are no campsites within the 5 villages themselves we stayed at Levanto, a 25 minute train road from the furthest village. On arrival to a campsite that was recommended to us, we were informed it was full; the first time on this trip. We then made our way to the nearest campsite, stayed for 1 night then went back to the other the next morning. We were thankful we did as it was a great site, good facilities, walking distance to town and more importantly the beach. So, after setting up which involved 30 minutes of us trying to get the van level using rocks, we headed for the town and the beach.

Waking up the next morning we were greeted with great weather so we decided to tackle Cinque Terre itself, only a 9km walk along the coast. What we realised 1 hour in was that we had picked the hottest day on tour thus far. It was a scorcher and we felt every km, but the scenery was breathtaking. This is no walk for those inclined to be scared of heights or a little on the chubby side as it is tough in parts. We had lunch at the 4th village of which we were keen to sample the local dish; salted anchovies, and they were divine. Although we both salivated over them and not for the salty texture, the ‘Coyle cramps’ kicked in for Em and she spent the next hour doubled over finally alleviating the discomfort with a swim. Me on the other hand thought the anchovies were well worth the Coyle cramp outcome.

Needless to say the walk from the 4th to the 5th village was the slowest and toughest but we made it in the end, and it truly is a beautiful place. We then spent another 4 nights in Levanto, doing nothing more than eating, sleeping, hanging at the beach and walking slowly through the village. After a blissful 6 days, we headed to Lake Garda to spend a few days with Nicola and Mark. After leaving Levanto we stayed in a campsite on the lake before picking Nics and Mark up from the airport. After a 1 ½ hour drive from Verona airport we were checking into the hotel, yep a hotel and yes we cheated for 3 nights, but it was so worth it. The first 30 minutes were a blur, what do we do….watch TV, lie on the bed, have a shower without thongs, so many choices that we got confused so we opted for a beer. Like all of Northern Italy, Lake Garda is beautiful. The hotel was right on the water with a jetty to jump in. We actually stayed in a town called Malcesine. Now, the scenery is awesome, but the food was simply irresistible, even if the others, or more specifically Mark, could not quite get the ordering down pat. After dinner we took out the cards and played the first of many games of 500, with Mark and I the undisputed champions. Day 2 we woke to beautiful weather and headed to Malcesine to get the ferry to Limone . Again magnificent. We found a lovely restaurant right on the water and thanks to Em and Nics got the front table. The four of us then pondered the menu. It was clear Em, Nics and I were getting the vongole and Mark was tossing up between the vongole and lasagne. On ordering, the 3 of us got the vongole as planned however Mark had a last minute panic and strangely ordered the spag bog, yep I repeat the spag bog. So, out come 3 of the greatest looking vongole dishes of all time followed by what looked like bolognaise out of a can. For dinner we then headed to a restaurant in Malcesine. Ordering then became a circus with yours truly ordering the seafood spaghetti and let me tell you, this was something to behold. I had simply and completely nailed the order again. It was truly to die for, well not quite but you get the point. Mark upgraded his ordering technique to get a trout pasta which by any standard would have been adequate but not up against my seafood spaghetti. Again, we retired, me triumphantly in the ordering stacks, to more 500.

We woke again to magnificent weather so after a lazy start and some lunch we got the gondola up the mountain to see the alps from up high. The view again was amazing. At the top there were cows roaming the areas all with individual bells on. It was like being in some sound of music outdoor cowbell concert. Afterwards we retreated back to Malcesine, went back to the same restaurant and you guessed it, ordered 4 seafood spaghettis, and no-one was disappointed. Afterwards, we got the customary lemoncello on the house from the waiter. After 1 shot, I asked Em if she could strut her Megan Gale stuff and get me another, of which she returned with the bottle. It was then back to the hotel for more 500. I think the final scores for the 3 days were Mark/Ben 25 to Nics/Em 3.

Sadly our Lake Garda expedition was over the next morning as we dropped Nics and Mark at the airport and so was our 6 week Italy tour as we made our way towards Switzerland. Getting back in the van after the hotel was like going back to work, or what I can remember of it. Speaking of, it appears we are getting close to work as I had to put my order for my new car. Life can be tough at times!

Crossing into Switzerland was amazing with the scenery changing almost instantaneously. It was not long before we were driving through valleys with waterfalls all around us. At one stage we drove through a 17km tunnel, and thankfully the van did not have a hissy fit and got us through it as it was only one lane each way so who knows what would happen if you broke down.

We arrived at Lucerne to spend a few nights. Found a lovely little campsite who answered all the questions appropriately on our arrival…are you showing the world cup? Silly question I know considering we are in Europe. So after dinner, we headed to the self service bar to watch the motherland v usa. Met two Englsih guys who gave England no chance from the get go. When USA got their goal, or should I say England gave them a goal, they both simultaneously dropped their heads and said “here we go again”, classic English stuff. Thankfully they were gone for the Germany football lesson although sitting amongst 15 Germans was hardly amusing.

After leaving Lucerne we travelled to Interlaken via the usual scenic mountains and lake view roads. In Interlaken we found a great, albeit rather pricy campsite and got a pitch on lake-frontage. We figured what the heck as it was my birthday in a few days. After setting up, Em spent the afternoon reading whilst I watched the soccer…again. For dinner I cooked a curry then whilst sitting outside we saw the storm approaching across the lake. It hit with no sympathy for our poor old van. After quickly winding the awning in and throwing everything under the car, we found ourselves winding other traveller’s awnings in who had gone out. Yep, us gypsies have to stick together. 30 minutes later the storm had moved on.

The following morning we woke to rain. We headed into Interlaken and spent a lazy day walking the town, then had a quite night of more football before hitting the sack in anticipation of my birthday where we had planned to go up into the Alps to see some lakes and ride a start of the art and one of a kind flying fox.

Birthday morning we woke again to rain and clouds so low you could not actually see any mountains. Oh well, we figured it maybe better in the mountains themselves. So after receiving birthday messages from near and far, we headed for Interlaken to get the train to the gondola that takes you to the top, or as near as possible. Our plan was to first go on the flying fox, then walk approx 1 hour from the top to a stunning looking lake before hiking back down the mountain. So as we started to ascend in the gondola, we started going into the cloud, and for the next 6 hours we remained in the cloud, until we got back down the bottom. Needless to say, the views were non existent but with Em’s philosophy of we are here now and we do not want to miss out on anything, we walked the 1 hour to the lake in the cloud, saw about 12 ft of the lake, then walked back down until Em’s knees gave out which forced us back in the gondola for the trip down. On top of this, the flying fox was shut. At the bottom we had lunch, then headed back to Interlaken and the campsite. For dinner we headed to the camp restaurant which was pretty good before heading back to a sodden van.

Today we awoke to no rain which is typical on travel days, packed up the van and headed for Bern, where we are now. This afternoon we walked the town, of which there are live bears in a caged area which is pretty random, and now I am sitting in the van writing this for you whilst rain patters the awning. Soon I will cook dinner before heading down to the bar to watch some more soccer.

Tomorrow we head to Geneva, our last stop in Switzerland before the south of France.

Love to all,

Ben and Em

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Photos

Switzerland
View from road

Lake Garda
Limone

Lake Garda
from the mountains

Interlaken
The lone hiker

Lake Garda
Limone

Interlaken
from campsite

Lake Garda
mountains

Interlaken
Em walking 20 metres behind

Interlaken
Strom coming

Lake Garda
Melcesine

Lake Garda
holy cow they have a good view

Interlaken
After storm

Lake Garda
swimming from jetty

Comments

[Mum & Lyn]

Clouds
What a pity your birthday didn't go quite to plan, however I'm sure you had a wonderful day. xx