Up early again. This time speed breakfast, not one of our better ideas, and off to the Piazza Roma to meet our tour guide to take us to the Dolomites. A mountain range in the north of Italy, with spectacular views.
There were twelve of us on the tour, so we were split into two groups and climbed aboard a mini van.
It was beautiful to see the landscape change from waterways and boats to vast fields and vineyards.
Unfortunately I made the choice to sit in the back of the van so when we started our decent into the mountains, I felt rather worse for wear and green around the gills. Think, the twisty mountain road to Armidale...
Our first stop, a small lookout over the north side of the first mountain, there's 3 major big ones, sort of like the three sisters. A few photos here and then back in the bus, this time I sat in the front! So far we are at 1800m above sea level.
Second stop, Lagazoui. And only a short cable car ride to the top. Gathering our gumption we decided to go to the top. Apparently the views are worth the terror.
15 people crammed into a cable car no bigger than a station wagon (standing room only) the ride was slightly terrifying. Chris was looking mighty pale part way up and I was feeling the same.
Finally on solid ground, well as solid as a chunk of mountain rock can be when covered in gravel. The view was amazing! Well worth the terror. Lots of photos here and then we stopped for lunch at the restaurant. Yes they have a restaurant on the mountain top. The area is famous for mountaineering and skiing in the winter so what better place than a restaurant/pub at the top.
We headed inside to escape the cold, 13 degrees with a chilly wind and we were unprepared - it was 30 degrees when we left Venice, who would have thought to bring a jumper. Two ham and cheese sandwiches at 2752m above sea level. They were good sandwiches too. Back out into the cold, a few more photos, a few videos and then the realization that now we are up we have to go down. Back in the cable car and on the decent Chris showed he wasn't scared by wandering around taking photos. Me? I held on for dear life.
Back on the ground and needing to pee, I went to the restroom. Now I managed to avoid all eastern toilets when we were in china, do you think I could avoid them now? Who would have thought.
Back in the bus and off to Cortina. Home of the 1956 Winter Olympics and cute little houses with petunias and carnations on every window sill.
Back to Venice and to find some linner. We sat outside at a restaurant and were harassed by a guy selling roses. Geez he was persistent! He gave me the rose then walked away, came back and asked Chris for money. Needless to say I gave him the rose back. He was not impressed.
Linner was tortellini carbonara for Chris and lasagna for me. Oh mum, I think you need to make me one of your lasagnas for comparison :P
Tomorrow we head to Rome.