Advertisement
Published: October 13th 2006
Edit Blog Post
Next morning we had brekky then went to Central to try to get our tickets to head to Lake Como also referred to as Lario. This is the third largest lake in Italy and the deepest, with a maximum depth of around 410 mtrs. While the Como section is relatively narrow and the mountains behind are somewhat uniform, the Lecco branch is more rugged and rocky. The northern part features deep valleys and tall mountains, and is the most dramatic. The central section of the lake, based around the triangle of Bellagio, Menaggio and Varenna, is where the scenery is most spectacular.
We used the self service machine (thanks to all Nat’s research!!) and thought we were doing alright even though it was more expensive than we had expected. We finally managed to validate it (with no help from the reservations lady!! Rude or what?!) and found the way to our train.
Not long into the journey the ticket inspector came around and took our ticket, he started looking at it funny and we were thinking we’d done something wrong… we had our umbrellas on the seat and thought at first he was looking at that, then Nat thought
Fiumelatte
Italy's Shortest River her foot was touching the seat, but it wasn’t that either, we couldn’t tell what he was looking at/for - then he showed me the ticket and was pointing at us and I was like ‘yes 2 adults’ and he pointed to the line under that that read ‘1 Ragazzi (CHECK THIS)’ then he had a knowing look and said ‘ahhh, self service’ and smiled. We’d booked and paid for 2 adults and a child - he’d been looking for the kid!! Ah well, tried your best!!
After you go half an hour out of town you can really see the difference. The scenery is quiet beautiful and well worth the train trip. You get your first glimpse of the lakes and the huge mountains that surround it, homes built in obscure locations on hills and it looks a little like a ski resort out of season.
We jumped off the train (literally!!) at Varenna. Varenna is home to Italy's shortest river, the Fiumelatte. All of 250 meters (833 feet) long, it rushes, frothy and milk-white (hence the name) down the rock face and crashes into the lake from the end of March to the end of October
each year, and then it stops. Just like that. Leonardo da Vinci climbed down to find out where the water came from. But neither he -- nor anyone else -- has ever been able to work it out.
We then caught the ferry across to Bellagio which was to be our first stop. We looked around a while and had some morning tea (and I broke my sunnies!! Arrggghhh!! Now I definitely can’t see!!) We walked around looking at the shops and had a bit of lunch, then headed to Como, (which I’ve since learned is where George Clooney lives) the Medieval Festival was on. We didn’t stay and watch since we couldn’t understand a word. But the streets were full of knights and medieval princesses!! Looked like a lot of fun.
It’s weird, every time you complete a part of your journey without incident it feels like small victories!! Like yay, found the train station!! Hehe!!
It was bizarre that the train station toilets were like a loo you’d find in Thailand - not sure what is up with that?!?! Nat wasn’t amused!!!
It’s not easy getting around a country where you can’t speak the
language. You try and slow it down, omit unnecessary words and still end up sounding like a spastic!!
Bought tickets to go from Como back to Centrale, once again on the self service!! We thought all was good, but the ticket guy came through the carriage and said we needed to pay ‘the subsidy’ which ended up costing an additional 14.68 Euros. It’s difficult to argue when you don’t speak the language, so we just paid the extra, happy in the fact we’d seen what we set out to and were on our way back to the hotel. Turns out we got the express train as opposed to the all stops train - not sure how you are supposed to tell the difference! The board didn’t say anything just that it was the train to Centrale!
Once we arrived we decided on dinner back with Luigi. I can’t recommend the restaurant highly enough, good food, wine and excellent service and very cheap! It always amazes me how good Europeans are at remembering faces, even when they’ve only met you briefly.
My waiter this time was also lovely and his English was also impeccable - he went through
and explained all the deserts right through to me and finished by telling me that the cake of the day was him!! Now there’s an offer that’s hard to refuse!! Hehe!!
I had a picture with Luigi before we went, and said our goodbyes. He tried to get us to stay and drink but an early morning flight beaconed and we left.
We told him we’d send him a post card for his collection - I’ll have to get someone to translate it into Italian though so he can read it! I was sad to be leaving, it’s like loosing a friend, even though we couldn’t even understand each other but it’s the big personalities like that and the kindness of strangers that makes each trip.
Nat and I talked awhile trying not to think about parting company again. I got up at 4.10am the next day and Nat walked me to the bus stop (thanks!!! Even though I still think you should have stayed in your nice warm bed and got the extra sleep!!). I was so sad to see her go, but I know it doesn’t matter where we are in the world, we won’t
be far apart.
The bus once again took 50 minutes back to the airport, checked my luggage, was a bit concerned before they weighed mine since the people in front had 30kg something and the other people had almost 50kg!!!! and let me tell you that the lady at the counter wasn’t impressed and was charging them accordingly!! But all was good, no need to fret, got through with 21.9kg!! woooohooooo!! And about 10kg in my backpack I’m sure!!
Went through passport control which was outrageous, had some of the biggest queues I’ve ever seen!! Finally boarded for the first leg of the journey, it’s going to be a very very long day….
Arrived in Athens, had to wait 4.5hrs for my next flight which was long to Bangkok, no personal screens again, Thai’s service was absolute shit, I really needed a glass of water to take some more flu tablets and it took me more than half an hour with my bell on to attract someone’s attention….what the?!?!
Bangkok was hot as usual, had to line up at transfers desk forever since Thai in Athens couldn’t print the boarding passes right through for some reason…
(after I left Bangkok I heard that there had been a coo - fortunately a peaceful one)
By this stage I’d now been awake for a really really long time and was feeling a bit odd, and not hungry if I tried!! They feed you continual on the plane, but on holidays it’s never been a requirement to be hungry before eating!!
Nat sent me a message saying that a building collapsed in Milan Injuring 50 and killing a couple of people. Looks like our luck in escaping disasters continues into this round too!! Excellent news!
I was keen to start the next flight and get it over and done with.
As another trip draws to a close, and with a bit of luck I’ll get to sleep and when I wake up I’ll be back where the sun rises in the east and sets in the west and where they speak a language I understand.
You’ve gotta love coming home!!!
Until the next adventure!!!
Advertisement
Tot: 0.218s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 12; qc: 67; dbt: 0.0741s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Sam
non-member comment
Great
That was great and it sounds as though you had a great trip. I would love that last place you went to. That is how I imagine Italy. yet again another great Lisa trip. Keep it up as it's the only way i'll see the world.