Up
at 6am and out the door by 6.30am to catch sunrise at the church. It
was minus 9 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. The car was frozen
solid- we were lucky to get the car doors open. But we didn’t
factor in having to wait 15 minutes+ to get the windscreen clear
enough to drive!
Ahhhh
the things we take for granted living in Australia!
So
the church looked great, but it was just a church on a hill. No
clouds, no fog, no atmosphere. So we decided not to photograph it as
last nights photos were heaps better, and we headed off.
We
made it to Lake Carezza just in time for proper sunrise.
Unfortunately, there was no sun hitting the peaks – the sun was
slightly behind. Never mind – I guess spring/summer is when the
sun is best here.
Having
had the monster snow storm the day before (Steve keeps telling me it
was just a normal snow shower – but for us uneducated snow bunnies,
it felt like a snow storm), the lake was now frozen and it was
covered in snow!
Amazing
to see how different the lake can be in 2 days!
They
had put up a hose spraying water onto a tree, and it had formed
icicles. It was amazing to see! Had to feel sorry for the tree
though, that had bent over with the weight of the ice on it.
We
stayed as long as we could, then we headed off the mountain towards
the factory outlets….. or so we thought.
Steve
had entered everything into Google Maps and we were on our way. We
thought we were heading off the mountain, but no – we came close to
being out of the snow, but then we headed back up another mountain.
We were basically driving around the other side of the mountains to
where we’ve been. We drove and drove and drove and went up and up
and up.
The views were breathtaking! So pretty with the snow that
had fallen yesterday. But the roads were frozen, so icy and a tad
interesting to drive on, but nothing compared to yesterdays
adventures. But, Steve wasn’t happy as you just didn’t know what
was waiting for you around the next bend.
I
kept asking Steve to stop so I could take some photos of the snow
covered mountain peaks that would show themselves briefly in between
the valleys.
We
got to the top of a mountain where a big sign had said “Road
Closed” up to Passe Rolle. Hmmm – we had been there on our last
day of OOAK when that road was closed & that was before any big
snow storm. Bloody hell – where is this GPS sending us? There
was no way Steve was going to risk driving that road with this hire
car with dodgy tyres.
So
we had wasted 2.5hrs driving for nothing. It meant we had to turn
around and drive all the way back down and head towards Trento.
ARGHHHH
We
were supposed to be at the factory outlets in time for them to open
at 9.30am so we had time to shop and explore before heading into
Trieste….. but instead we were due to get there at 12.30pm –
just in time for them to close for siesta! DAMN!
Whilst Steve was sorting out the GPS, I got out and took photos of snow! (....just because)
So
we drove back down the mountain, not before 2 horses on the side of
the road came to say hello, with one of them sticking its head right
in the car window! Well, I was excited! That sort of thing
doesn’t happen every day!
As
we headed back into Trento, the temperature went from minus 9, to a
balmy 8 degree’s. And then the auto-strada took us towards Padova,
and then on the outskirts of Venice towards Trieste.
The
countryside went from snow covered mountains of the Dolomites to a
very flat and boring landscape. The autumn colour was still quite
strong here, so fingers crossed it is still looking good in Croatia!
We
drove through some amazing valleys with huge mountains scaling either
side of the highway. Some very pretty towns, and some towns that had
seen better days. We wondered how the people survived being quite
far removed from any city or shops.
We
finally turned off the highway in search of the factory outlets. Our
rural scapes quickly turned into a typical suburban on with traffic
lights and lots of traffic. We quickly realised how good we have
had it up in the Dolomites.
We
drove into the car park of the North Face factory outlet at 12.15pm,
so we had 15mins to look around. Unfortunately there weren’t any
bargains to be had. Well, the only bargain was the Expedition
“Onesy”. It was originally around 1500 Euro and now down to 230
Euro – BARGAIN!! We almost bought it just “because”! Ha ha
I should have just bought the Expedition Onesy to wear around the house in winter!!!
Then
we found the Sportsmarket Factory Outlet around the back, and we
raced inside. I was desperate to see the Montura clothing that I had
seen up at Lake Mesurina. I should have bought a jacket up there,
but I decided against it and regretted it. Unfortunately what I was
last last years jacket and they have changed dramatically this
season. Steve bought some Hiking pants like Luca Benini wore, with
kevlar on the knee’s and on the seat (bum)! Steve was happy!
I
found a pair of Salewa hiking shoes….. very nice! I wanted them.
I was prepared to pay the money and get them. But alas they didn’t
have my size. OMG – I was devastated….. I didn’t buy a thing!
We were being kicked out because it was Siesta time, so I had no time
to be talked into buying something….anything. (Sob sob)
We
started our drive towards Trieste. Steve spied a Salewa Factory
outlet – and it wasn’t closed for siesta!! OMG…. Steve turned
around and we drove in (he now regrets doing that)!
We
had the shop to ourselves and Phillipe helped us spend a lot of
money! He had spent some time in Melbourne, so his english was
really good and he was a great guy.
Nearly
700 Euro later, I was much happier. Unfortunately, the hiking boots
I wanted are not available, so I didn’t get any shoes. But I did
buy some Windproof hiking pants (so did Steve – yes, another pair
of pants) and I bought 2 jackets. One is more a Ski Jacket, but is
quite versatile as it doesn’t look like a snow jacket. Its warm as
toast and stylish (black). The other one (yep – thats black as
well), its a 2 layer jacket, so the inside can be removed, and the
outer-shell can be used as a waterproof/windproof shell if I need it!
YAY That should see me out till the day I die if I take into
account all of the down jackets I also own now. Ha ha ha
At
least there were no tears from me driving into Trieste. Not that
this trip was to be about shopping, but when I am promised to be
taken to a factory outlet and I physc myself up to spend money – I
want to spend money! Nothing makes a girl more depressed than not
finding anything to spend her money on! Ha ha
Steve’s
been a legend with the driving. I think he was Italian in a previous
life, as he whips along the Auto-Strada just like the locals. No
indicators being used at all…. Whizzing in and out of traffic
without any effort. The only effort is getting our Bambino to get
some speed up!
We
came through some gorgeous countryside and then this lake appeared.
Steve stopped the car for me on the side of the major road just so I
could get this photo! Thanks babe! xxx
When
we got towards Trieste a small mountain range appeared and then we
came in around the back of the city high so we could look down.
First thoughts was that it was a big shipping port with lots of
manufacturing. It didn’t look pretty from up here, but the sea
cove was large and vast.
We
checked into our accommodation at Residence Bleu. Its a gorgeous
well appointed apartment block – recently renovated. Very modern –
just my style!
Roberta
our hostess was fabulous, spending so much time to make sure we were
comfortable and check in was a delight. At this stage I was already
regretting not staying here longer! Roberta recommended we go
straight into the city to see the sights for sunset. With it already
being 4pm it was very late. Steve was exhausted and driving anywhere
was the last thing he wanted to do - but he saw the look on my face, so
he said he'd go into town!
We
dumped our bags and drove the 20mins back into Trieste town. We found
parking right on the waters edge of the harbour where the huge cruise
liners dock. Poor Steve didn’t have any coins for the parking
meter, so he had to ask a nice local to help us. Luckily the
Italians are so friendly and helpful, so we could park our car.
Steve found a guy who swapped a 5 Euro note for 4 Euro coins!
We
had missed sunset (not that was any colour tonight), and we had to
race to get blue hour. We first came across the Main Square, it is
amazing with its highly decorated architecture.
We quickly took a
photo and then raced to the Grand Canal … it was nice, but not
fabulous. There were marque’s set up and a van in the way. Eh –
I guess it is better than how we found the Vatican with a huge
Samsung billboard next to it! I am just really grateful that I
got to see Trieste as we weren’t planning on seeing the city centre
at all.
We
took our photos and then decided to take dinner on the side of the
canal.
Big
mistake.
We
should have left the minute we were served by an Asian. Not that we
have anything bad to say about Asians, but when in Italy one expects
an authentic experience. Let’s just say that our meal was the
worst we’ve ever had…..in Italy and in Australia.
Tortellini
Carbonara was barely edible. As we didn’t have breakfast or lunch
today we were starving, so we ate it.
We
bought Gelati as desert, and it was so bad we thew it out! YES, we
threw it in the bin!! WTF – who throws out gelati?
So,
if you are heading to Trieste Grand Canal, do not eat at the “Happy
Bar” - no matter how awesome the chairs and tables look set up next
to the water – keep on walking and eat somewhere in the small
streets. We wish we did.
We
took some side streets back towards the car. It really is a
beautiful city centre. If you do get here, spend some time to walk
around all the streets and absorb yourself in the architecture and
the history – it really is a beautiful old town.
Steve
filled up the Bambino with fuel. It was sitting just under ¼ of a
tank and we had done approx 550km. It barely took 30l to fill at a
cost of about 35 Euro. About 1.59 Euro a litre! Its expensive but
not when you have a little tank that does a lot of miles to the
litre!
We
also bought a “vignette” for Slovenia – its like a Toll
certificate that lasts 6 days. It should have cost us about 7 Euro
if we bought it in Slovenia, but we were ripped off at 15 Euro –
bloody Italians! Ha ha ha
We
got back to the apartment around 7.30pm, so we could relax and unwind
from the big day of driving. Steve showered and he is now in bed.
All of those windy hair-pin bends up on the icy snow covered roads do
take it out of you. It’s been a big day of driving.
Tomorrow
we will sleep in and leave around 10am and we are only 2 hours and
40mins away from Croatia – Plitvice Lakes where we will be staying
for 2 nights to photograph the waterfalls.
Buona Notte Trieste
xxx
