Leaving Cademario

Saturday morning. Had to say goodbye to our hotel. We would be driving down to Milan to catch our connection to Amsterdam for home. All had of had a decent rest overnight after the long dinner. I did my packing this morning and had already checked out by breakfast.

We would be going to stop at another retail outlet before heading home. That was the reason for leaving early as not to be caught by the Saturday traffic.

The weather had also dulled down somewhat. The sun had still to pier e the heavy cloud and it was threatening to rain. That way, I didn't feel left out too much. I have been away since Monday and starting to miss home already.

The minibus just left the hotel and everybody was in good spirit. It would be just under a couple of hours before we reach Milan. Let's enjoy the ride ......

A Country Walk

After breakfast, I had about half an hour before the bus taking me down to the city centre arrived. Not to miss the opportunity, I took a stroll - luckily downhill - towards one of the village down there. It was a nice walk in the cool crisp but sunny morning.

It was a small country lane going up the hotel which I took. That lead me to a small village centre. A couple of hotels, many cute houses, some really nice restaurants and finally settled a couple bus stops down the hill to wait for my ride.

While walking, I cane across many of the town folks and they were ever so charming and nice. All of them, old, young and of course most of them pretty said bongiorno to me, clearly a foreigner. If they thought I wasn't, the camera I was carrying would surely give that away.

Very approachable. One of the English speaking lady - I think she was a kindergarten teacher even striked a conversation with me, asking if I was staying at the hotel up the hill. I said yes, and told her that I was here for the conference and congratulated me for being adventurous.

A welcomed change compared to some of the European who were clearly stuck up the moment they saw a foreigner. Definitely not here in Cademario and Lugano.

A few more snaps. Time was too tight for me to try some coffee, and soon enough the bus arrived. I was met on the bus by a couple of my colleagues. Time to head down to the conference I guess. But I should have at least half an hour to do a bit of a photowalk before the lecture starts. The weather looked gorgeous this morning.

Photos from the walk can be seen here.

Fresh and Ready

Can't resist but to enjoy the vista outside my room this morning when I woke up Sith you guys. The temperature was on the chilly side, and the wind wound down the windchill factor by a couple of notches. It was freezing, and I would need my jumper.

The hotel we stayed was situated right at the top of a hill and exposed to the elements as far as wind and rain are concerned. But inside, the airconditioning was top notch. It had been raining outside the whole night but inside, it was right cosy.

It had a spa, which none of us had managed to sample thus far due to our tight schedule. Nor the swimming pool. Today being the last day - we would be leaving to tomorrow morning - if better make the most of it.

Woke Up Starving

I left the lecture hall for the hotel at 8 pm last night - it wasn't exactly night because sunset was just after 9 pm. The last meal I had was lunch, and dinner was just a cocktail affair just before the evening lecture. Reached hotel just before 9, shower, email, television and I was fast asleep by 10

Woken up at 5 in the morning by the grumbling in my stomach. I was starving. And all I had in the room was some fruits. After those were devoured, I had to wait for breakfast which were served from 6. Luckily the wait wasn't very long.

This morning, I plan to do a bit of walking in town if weather permitting in between the scheduled talk. I wanted to experience the charm of Lugano. As well as take some photographs of course.

So, off to the showers, and would be in front of the queue for breakfast.

The Drive Down

The drive down the hill was quite adventurous. Big bus, steep downhill drive, Italian driver. Great combination. Luckily I didn't succumb to motion sickness. Otherwise I would have to say goodbye to my big breakfast on the seats.

Got in town in one piece despite the morning traffic which awaited us as soon as we reached the foothill.

From the terminal, it was a 10 minute walk to the Congress Hall. The sun was still hidden behind the clouds then, so it was time for jumper to be on. What should I be listening to this morning?