100 Countries Together

And sunrise is at 5:36 am. So nice to have so much daylight to enjoy the days here.

We find our home for the next few days in the lively little village of Limone sul Garda. At one point in time it was a center for citrus growing (but that has nothing to do with the name). There is evidence everywhere of the methods they used to grow lemon trees. The high columns you see on the terraces were crisscrossed with wooden beams. Those in turn were used as support for coverings during the winter months, creating a hot house effect.

North of town there is a wonderful walking/bicycle path that just recently opened. There are many trails here, but the pathway is a much preferred way to walk versus on the roads. Italian drivers are fearless!

A view from the walkway.

More citrus grove ruins.

There is a strong alpine influence here as is evidenced by much of the architecture. Apparently the area just north of us it is mandatory to list all towns with their Italian and Tyrolese names.

Lake Garda couldn’t be more different than Lake Como. Lake Garda is the largest of the Italian lakes, and most likely the windiest. We are very close to a kite surfing center. The entire area seems much more athletic than Como. Trekking, sailing, hiking. And keeping with a different lake, we are staying in a very different hotel. Eala is a brand new build, only open since the first of May. Very modern.

We have spent two days on the lake, relying on the ferrys to take us to various stops along the way. I thought you may enjoy some of the same views we have.

These are shots from the grounds of our first stay, the lovely Villa Lario on Lake Como. The grounds are lovely, and the restaurant outstanding, as well as an amazing staff! It is busy lake on the weekend, ferries and personal watercraft abound. Many of the lunch guests yesterday pulled up in their boats. I spent a good portion of the day by the pool or on our room’s balcony (pictured) enjoying an Aperol spritz.

The COVID tested flight into Milan made it easy to get in and travel about. We got our tests at home before we left, then we waited in line for about an hour once we landed to get tested again. The flight was not full, but three flights came in at about the same time and our was the second one in.

Today, we are just jumping on one of the ferries to see where it will take us. Andiamo!

Lake Como here we come!

Embarrassing at best, but this is most – not all – of what we are taking with us to Italy. It will probably turn out to be around 250 pounds of luggage between us!

Can’t wait, our passports have been missing their activity. Not a new country, but after 18 months of virtual lockdown – we are anxious to get away!

These are lengthy – I assume you can fast forward thru the boring bits.

Since you NEVER get asked if you made it down from Everest Base Camp, the idea occurred to us that we could take a helicopter back to Kathmandu. We stopped first in Lukla. You can see from above every stop we made along the way with the exception of Pangboche.

I don’t have room for the video of the cockpit, but our Airbus helicopter was the latest model for high altitude flights. Our pilot said he made the highest air rescue at 22,000 feet earlier that Spring. Amazing that the helicopter gets any lift at all at that altitude. The flight from Lukla to Kathmandu was really beautiful. You don’t get all the details when you fly up to Lukla.

Then there is the concept of jumping off a 1000 foot high cliff, just for fun. Here’s what it looks like watching someone….

And this is what it looks like when you do the jumping off…