Our Last Day in Italy – A Visit to Lake Como

Early this morning the rest of the Senior team left Italy for Poland. We didn’t go with them as we were given the nod later than the rest of the crews to actually come here, they couldn’t get us on the flight. I don’t think that we were upset about this as it gave us a chance to go exploring.

Matt is almost back to old self and is able to drive again, although still battered, bruised and stitched. So we all jumped into a very large van and with Matt driving headed towards Lake Como. We were told that it would be hard to find, but we had seen signs in the past week…so how hard could it be? Well we found out how hard! It only took us about 1 ½ hours to get there and believe me it was well worth it!

What an unbelievable place, not only beautiful in scenery, but also beautiful in the old buildings around. We were able to park the van right near what we believe was the main square closest to the lake itself. By the time we arrived it was lunch so what better to do than head to one of the many outdoor cafés. A few of us had pasta and the others had pizza. Real Italian pasta and pizza! Don’t know if it was the fact that we were hungry or sitting outside in front of one of the most beautiful cathedrals I have ever seen!

After lunch we headed down to the Lake itself, crossed over to the water side of the road and went for a walk. The thing that struck me was the money obviously in this city! The number of boats moored was incredible. We kept walking until we came across a cable car that went up the side of the mountain and for €4.50 which is about $7.70 AUS we went up to the top. WOW is all that I can say!

We took a number of photos from every angle and then even gave the camera to Henry and believe it or not he took two fantastic pictures of the crew with Matt! We had to tell him which way to turn and to raise or lower his hands, but the photos turned out good! Who says blind people can’t become photographers!

Henry's Photo!

It was certainly getting hot so as we were walking back to the centre of the city Matt and Henry decided to become like the locals and took their shirts off. Alex did take a picture but I won’t put it on this blog as they certainly didn’t look like locals! They need a bit more colour on their skin to do that!

We then walked through the old part of the city (although it is hard to tell where old leaves off and new begins!) Como was a walled city in times gone by but as it has grown has spread past the original wall. The Italians in their wisdom have not done what a lot of the western world has done and ripped down old structures, but have incorporated the new with the old. I am glad because the old structures are magnificent!

We had walked so far that we were all feeling the effects of the sun so decided it was Gelato time! We found a small place, popped ourselves down and indulged. We walked further and it was time for dinner. So once again ordered some wonderful pasta and pizza! It was then time to get back in the van and hit the road as we had an early morning wake up to head to the airport and join the rest of the team in Poland. Funny enough the drive back only took us 45 minutes, we are getting better at finding our way around…now we have to leave!

Just a footnote to our trip to Como, we did hope to see George Clooney somewhere in town, but I guess he was hiding out in his mansion on the Lake!

So our Italian journey has come to an end and the pointy end of the journey is about to begin! So from Italy…Arrivederci!