Lugano-Como-Bellagio

I lay in bed last night and listened to non-stop rain and wondered if I could convince myself and then Shaz that it would be a good idea to go for a ride in the morning. I must have been pretty convincing, because I had great ride in the rain around the lake with a little climb at the end to remind me that I need to learn how to go up hill again.

We left the campsite mid morning and hit Como not long after. Bad timing it would seem. Absolutely no chance of getting a parking spot for a camper van. We decided to venture on and drive around the lake to Bellagio. Great theory, terrible in practice. Once again I made the mistake of driving somewhere I had ridden my bike. This section of road is beautiful on a bike. It is horrendous in a camper van! Way too many narrow streets, overhanging ledges and blind corners. Fortunately the Italian drivers are patient, when they see a great white Aussie campervan blocking the middle of the road.

We finally made it to Bellagio. It was still persisting down with rain. I had lost 5 years from my life, but the camper van remained scratch free (not sure if it will stay that way).

Bellagio is beautiful even in the rain. Steep cobbled steps run down through the town centre to the waterfront. Lots of tourists. Some very expensive shops – the best seller at most of them being umbrellas. Had a very nice pasta lunch and then wandered the streets for as long as we could handle the rain.

The much acclaimed Shazza Tom Tom then took us for an “interesting” journey over the Ghisallo. Stopped briefly at the cyclists chapel – but still the rain came down. The team of expert navigators then took us on a tour of the narrowest streets, back alleys and blind corners of Erba and Como before we stopped at Camping International – Como.

This campsite does a remarkably good imitation of Villawood detention centre. Passports confiscated at the gate. Front gate locked until 8am – no exceptions. About 100 clapped out old caravans rusting around the place. And its still raining! It’s the only campsite anywhere near Como and there are still campers and caravans arriving now at 9pm.

Anyway they do have wifi – but it’s so slooooooooooooooooooow, that we might get home before you see any photos.

p.s – I’ve been taking Shazza’s name in vain. She has nothing to do with the navigation issues. We have no map and are relying on Tom Tom who seems to struggle with windy streets and low cloud.