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20 August 2010
Up and packed, while we were waiting for the apartment dude we made the most of the wi-fi and here on facebook we discovered that Grace has not even left Italy, and was holed up at the Hilton as her plane was having mechanical difficulties!!! This went on for approximately 12 hours but she was treated to buffet meals, free bar and a huge big super king bed in her own room all at Pars' expense!! (Well probably not). Poor wee b***** finally departed at 8pm Rome time and her 35hour trip turned into a 56er!
We efficiently and legally made it back to the cars - both safe and sound thank goodness! Destination Lake Como (holiday spot of my other half George Clooney) via Sirmione on Lake Garda for lunch and a look. What a look it was, if you had time and probably a car I would definitely recommend. It is another walled town right on the end of the peninsula any only 100m wide at some points. Gorgeous streets, ocean views left, right and centre! Time was ticking on and we didn't have any accommodation locked in forComo so we knew we had better get going. We arrived in Como at about 5pm and could only secure a very small 'residence' or apartment in a camping ground for one night in Domaso, whereas we really wanted three to save having to move around. Well we took what we could get and organised to do a mosey around tomorrow to secure something for the following two nights. We were once again treated to the fin company of the Buchannan's and Malloy's who were staying a few bays away on their way through to Switzerland. Much laughter, drinks and reminiscing was had and a few stories came out that probably shouldn't have - but what happens on tour stays on tour so I won't talk about it here!
21 August 2010
We packed up the cars and hit the streets. We started off with a walk around the lake side, a hell of a lot warmer than Wakatipu and more topless sunbathers than you could count on your hands too (maybe that's why George has a house near here). We hit up the tourist information centre and got some more listings of vacant apartments. We found a beaut little doosy available for 2 nights, 2 bedroomer, could actually sleep 7, balcony with a lake view, kitchen, bathroom, washing machine and dining table BOOM! Consulted Bazz and booked it! Mum and I went to the supermarket and bought salad, buns, mayo and.. . A ROAST CHICKEN!!!!These were enjoyed lake side in the shade in Gravedona (the town down from Domaso). We located a sports bar who could play the All Blacks vs South Africa game at 5pm too. Mum and Dad headed back for a Siesta and Simon and I hit the beach. Simon had to be on swan watch as plenty of massive swans hanging around the shore line and I hate birds especially human size ones like these big suckers!! The water was lovely and just what was needed to cool off. We whipped back home and into a quick shower as the water in the lake wasn't as clean as the ol Wakatip! We rocked on back to Gravedona to watch the AB's only just beat SA in the last 10min and overtime, and that was with what appeared to be a forward pass! We dined back at Domaso at Lui's on the lake front. Dad ordered a €20 plate of fried fish and boy were we jealous when it arrived. He had about 7 different portions of seafood including, prawns, shrimp, salmon, lake fish and sword fish to name a few, I was happy that he was willing to share the odd bite or fish here and there! Really it was a meal you could share between 2 - 4 people with sides but Bazza the Beast knocked it back! Si had a delicious seafood pasta and Mum and I shared a fillet of beef and a piece of lake fish. All very scrumptious! Home to bed - no aircon and for some reason unknown to us from 2 - 5 in the morning it feels as though someone has snuck in and put the blooming heaters on!!
22 August 2010
"Smell that? Two stroke" "We're all going to Bonnydoon" - that's right our day out on the rental boat - skipper Bazza the Beast, 1st mate - Slimey Si and map gal's Mighty Mazz and Rabbit. We hired a small boat, 40hp engine for 180€ for the day (8hours). We had food and vino on board, and even a new throw away BBQ (thought we needed to have another crack after the debarkle at Lake Trasimino). Map in hand of all the sites e.g. castles, houses and settings for movies such as Star Trek and James Bond's Casino Royale, as well as George Clooney's holiday house. We putted from Domaso right down the lake as far as George's who lives in Laglio. When we passed the island - Isola Comacina, Bazza got a blast over a megaphone from the shoreline in Italian which we could only guess was to tell him to slow down, I mean really how fast can one go on a boat with a tiny motor like ours had! George was not waving us into mooring below his house and inviting us in for cocktails so the best we could do was take some photo's. We found a spot to pull into for lunch near Lezzeno which had a park and benches and some shade for us. We had to illegally moor because we were hungry and the docks we were allowed on were too far away from where we were at food o'clock. Well the BBQ went off with flaming success - even cranked out some 10cm high flames!! I must admit it can take a while to cook the meat and there were some time of nerves but really it got hotter as time went on!! The meat was lush, we had yummy sausages and a mixed grill kebab each with fresh soft buns and salad. Perfecto! As we had illegally parked, we discovered the gate we had come through was now locked. This meant we had to scale a fence. I didn't think Mum would be able to muster it, but wow slowly but surely she hauled herself up o a brick fence swang herself onto the steel door frame, Si and Dad were standing by for back up (or to catch her) and BOOM she nailed it, safely too! Back on the boat and we putted round the lake up to and past Bellagio and then up the north east side of the lake, calling in at a bay for some honkey bombs and a swim before getting back to base 10minutes ahead of schedule! Petrol cost us approximately €70 for the day. Top spots from where we boated today worth visiting from our point of view include: Bellagio, Varenna, Menaggio, but I am sure they would all be great, awesome spots and it would be awesome to come back with a crew, to camp or hire a lakeside villa, hire a boat for the week and really explore the place as well as dabbling in some waterskiing and biscuiting and for those keen it is the windsurfing/kite surfing capital!! We showered up and enjoyed some chilled beverages on the balcony before enjoying a meal down town.
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