Italian Dream Part 1 - Bonjourno!

We drove down to Italy straight from Sittard. it was in total of 9 hours including the 4 stops we had at the services for Aidan to stretch and run and fuel (both our tummies and car) to fill. i was excited since it was my first trip to Italy. passed Switzerland, and the view was simply beautiful, every turn was a picture opportunity, you dont know where to turn snap first! i was even more excited when i saw the snowcapped mountains, eventhough it was raining. gosh, there's too much to tell. i really feel that i have to write about every single thing but i should make this simple and hopefully enjoyable to read.

To Porlezza (the butt clenching stretch!)

We had to endure small roads from Lugano (Swizerland) to Porlezza (Italy). by this, i really mean small, SMALL narrow roads. i was clenching everything - my butt, my fists, my lips, my jaws, my toes, everything! i swear to God the road was so so small! the Italian drivers added my stress level everytime they drove pass us - they drive really fast. i suppose they know their way and besides, they drive small tiny cars. we on the other hand drive an estate approx 2.5 mtrs long and about 2ish mtrs wide (hardy, feel free to correct me). and to add to my stress level and blood pressure, Hardy was enjoying that whole stretch of road and kept saying "hey, this is fun" after turning at every corner. i kept giving him a mean stern look.

We have the cliffs on one side, and the lake on the other. i couldnt even enjoy the scenery let alone snap photos! i was biting my lips everytime a car passes by. a couple of inch "makan jalan" to your left, you'd hit the cliffs, a couple of inch "makan jalan" to your right, and you'll ended up in the lake (nauzubillah). the roads were as the malays would say "ngam ngam" (just enough) for 2 cars, and some you'd have to wait for your turn. andddddd...... there were so so many tunnels!!! tunnels here, tunnels there and everywhere! a few tunnels you'd have to wait for your turn as they were way to small to fit 2 cars.

This is definitely not something you'd want to go through if you have a weak heart! and most importantly, if you're driving, you need to have strong driving skills (thank god i wasnt driving!), and those not driving, you really got to trust that person behind the wheels! and for penakut passengers like me, please brace yourselves passing through from Lugano to Porlezza! but it was such a relief once we're done with that stretch and the view was worth it!

PORLEZZA

After a good half an hour stretch of "butt clenching torture", we arrived at Porlezza. the place where we stayed for 6 days. it is right at the north, the tip, the end of Lake Lugano. Hardy booked us a family home, very spacious, very clean, very nice, new, picturesque scenary from our balcony. the place was very popular amongst the Dutch! left, right, behind us were the mountains and just infront of us was this spactacular view of Lake Lugano. you'd even enjoy the mountains when you open the bathroom window!

We stayed on the 2nd floor, and what a view we had!

After a much well rested night, we woke up to a bright sun shiny morning and headed staright out. we went round the porto, and walked to its town. and by mid day, we were starving. what else but Pizza and Pasta (and Italian Coffee for some!)



You must be thinking this must be a dead town. how come there isnt anyone walking? well, the thing with Italy (at least this part), they close for lunch from 12.30pm to 3pm! so remember that when you go visit!

MILANO

We decided to drive down to Milan the next day as the weather was not on our side at Porlezza. Milan was just 60kms and that's about an hour drive from where we stayed. finding a parking was a little bit challenging though but we managed well thanks to a salesperson in MuiMui! now, to drive into Italy is one thing, and to drive into Milan is another thing! i dont have such courage nor patience for such things! i suppose God is fair, He gives you a partner, that completes you! hahaha!!

If you're in Holland, you will see a lot of men in suits on a bicycles. but in Milan, you will see men in their italian suits on scooters! they are REALLY stylish and their suits are REALLY nice and well made! Italy is definitely home for good fashion! there's a lot of history to this city, but i'm not a history person, Hardy is! they say a picture says a thousand words (though these photos dont do justice to these places). if only i could share this experience with you guys in real life, i would, but pictures are the best that i can do. so i'll leave you guys to it to enjoy!

There you have it, our first part of our spring vacation. more pictures coming up in my next few posts! and as i'm writing this, my dear husband Hardy is in Milan, again! but this time he's there for work. i dont mind going to Milan again... *clears throat* (to hardy: i'll plan the trip next time!)

I'm tempted to go on, but its very very late.. i should head to bed! good night everybody. till my next post!

Z