Mountains etc - Rome To Lake lucerne, Italy
Rome To Lake lucerne, Italy
Monday 30th
September – We were away by
8am to avoid the rush at the Sistine Chapel, and it worked. Our
talented, charming and handsome driver Ben dropped us off as close as
possible and being pre-booked, we were able to by-pass those already
queuing. Sistine Chapel was like stepping into history – our
local guide Carlos had a neat sense of humour gently poking fun from
time to time at the Catholic religion. He explained what we would be
seeing in the chapel so that when we went in we knew what we were
looking at. Michelangelo apparently also had a sense of humour,
painting the face of a deserving associate onto the body of someone
writhing in hell.
The
chapel is exactly like what we have seen in books at school and on tv
etc. Maybe not as big as we thought but very impressive – we are
very pleased and proud to have seen it. Sadly photos were not
permitted in the chapel.
Right
next door is St Peter's Basilica – overwhelmingly impressive. It
can take 67,000 people standing, has amazing sculptures and two dead
popes on display in crystal cases! We arrived in brilliant hot
sunshine but the rain started as we left so our view leaving Rome was
a little marred but the weather improved again as we travelled. We
repeated the road back through Tuscany, the Apennines, past Bologna
and to Florence where we had time to take photos from the hill-top
where all the rich people lived and to check out the town centre. A
lovely old place to visit. We enjoyed a beer at a local with two of
our favourite Canadians, George and Rita.
We
stayed a little our of Florence at a resort with a fabulous view
looking down on Florence, a huge indoor swimming pool, balconies
outside the bedrooms and comfortable beds. Our tour guide Mike
advised having twin beds as the double beds in Europe were often ¾
size.
Tuesday the 1st of
September – A later start
this morning – 8am. We travelled through beautiful country and
started climbing as we approached Switzerland. We found picture
postcard views around every corner. Cameras clicking non-stop. We
kept looking for Heidi because this is the sort of place you would
expect to see her. Cows in the greenest pastures you could imagine
complete with cowbells. Typical Swiss houses, surprise surprise.
Fairy tale stuff. We went through the Gotthard Tunnel through the
Dolomite Ranges, the longest road tunnel at 16.2 kilometres. I am
not to be quoted on anything I write as I can't remember everything
including grammer and typos.
All
Swiss males train for military service at age 18 and have training
every year until age 55, at which time they hand back their weapons.
Switzerland has the highest incidents in the world for hard drugs and
Aids. While very beautiful, it is also very expensive.
We
drove passed Lake Lucerne, and the city of Lucerne to our hotel a
little way on, a delightful village of Stans where we took heaps more
photos as we wondered around. We drew a long straw and had a balcony
overlooking the village and countryside which we shared with our
favourite Canadians with a wine or two.
Wednesday the 2nd of
September – Today we had
another late start – 8am. We drove to the picturesque city
beside Lake Lucerne, visited a moving statue of a lion representing a
historical defeat then we were left to or own devices until 2pm.
This was good, but would have been better if most of the town hadn't
been closed in memory of some saint. It reminded me of a very good
friend who visited Paris only to find it closed because of the Tour
de France. There was a lot to see, the buildings were very ornate, a
lot with beautiful pictures painted on them, pretty bridges across
the lake outlet and fabulous bakeries – mainly sweet stuff. We had
vouchers to be used when we visited the Rolex show room and we all
received a Rolex spoon! We also had an opportunity to crack a code
and win a Rolex watch but all we won was a gold bar of chocolate.
Our
next adventure started later in the afternoon when we went up Mount
Pilatus in a cable car, around 7,000 feet. Four to a car most of the
way up and changing to a larger one closer to the peak. We passed
over steep chasms and green pastures, farm buildings, cows, lots of
people, and assorted other buildings. The view on the way and at the
top was overwhelming. There are 2 hotels at the top and spacious
viewing areas as well as a semi closed tunnel going around an outcrop
with window openings creating wonderful photo opportunities.
Mythological stories were available to be read in the tunnel. The
train trip down the mountain was similarly thrilling on the world's
steepest cog rail, 48 degrees past rock faces, forests and meadows –
spectacular. The next part of this adventure was a cruise on Lake
Lucerne in misty conditions which softened the fairy tale scenery.
Our
last provided dinner for all in the hotel tonight then early to bed
as we have a very early start tomorrow, 7.15am - we have a long trip
to Paris – over 700 kilometers – so out of bed by 5.30. It was
close to mid-night before we retired as this travel blog needed to be
brought up to date.