Tessin/Ticino

Our weekend was really nice. It was so nice to be in the sun all day long. The weather was perfect (70's/80's) and the scenery was just gorgeous. I really think it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. If I had the choice to live anywhere I think it would be right there. Like I said we were in Tenero at the campsite Tamaro (Ryan had fun saying Tamara, Tamaro, Tenero and continues to call me Tamaro now) right on the Lago Maggiore in a mobile home that had a tent attached to the front. I got to sleep in the tent and it was really nice. I had Saturday free and I took Andrea's suggestion and went on bike to the nearby town Locarno, which was the highlight of my weekend. It was really easy biking along a path along the lake straight into Locarno. There I did a bit of sightseeing which you will see photos in a moment. Sunday I hung around with the family and we stayed in the sun and ate pizza. As I had said I would as soon as we got back on Monday I watched Lost (which I have decided I liked the finale even though it was quite sad really) and then we had more pizza. Luckily today is nice and sunny again, but unfortunately tomorrow will be rainy, so I have changed my train trip plans from Lucern (which there is no point going on a mountain for a view if you can't see anything) to most likely Bern which it doesn't have to be sunny to enjoy. The train ride is only about 2 hours long and there is a nice old city to enjoy and the largest shopping center in Europe, as well as Albert Einstein's house which is where he apparantly came up with his theory of relativity. Plus, since it will be rainy I can also go see a movie (Iron Man 2 in English which conveniently never played here). So these are my plans and hopefully it will also be a nice day. And alas photos!

Our tent/mobile home

The lake at the campsite

In Locarno the old town center Piazza Grande

From Locarno I took the Funiculara to Orselina where the Pilgrammage Church of Madonna del Sasso, Monti was conveniently located. It was quite a beautiful church.

You could walk down a bunch of stone steps to another point, which later I realized I had to walk back up again. It was still nice all the same.

After walking back up I of course was hungry so I sat outside at a restaurant right next to the church and had Gnocchi als Gorgonzola which was quite yummy.

I had three birds on my table.

Conveniently right across the street was the cable car up to Mount Cardada

Cool viewing point bridge on top.

On of the most gorgeous views I've ever seen. On one side is the lake and on the other you can see the alps. The photo really doesn't do it justice.

Me!

From there you could take a lift (essentially a ski lift) to the top of Cimetta. The whole experience scared the bejeezus out of me, but the view was very nice.

Path up to the viewing point.

Another gorgeous view of the alps.

People were jumping off the top and paragliding.

Me again!

On the way down on the lift, this reminded me of Sound of Music with the hikers on the mountain.

Back in Locarno I treated myself to some Tiramisu gelato, yum!

My pizza the next day, five cheese!

At a nearby playground Ryan and Andrea got to ride the mini train. There they are in front.

At the train station on the way back, haha!

One fo the funniest things I've ever seen, Andrea and I got this out of a vending machine in the train station. Swiss Cannabis Iced Tea. It even has a picture of a marijuana plant in ice on it. Apparantly it gives you a Fantastic Natural Feeling. We tried it (Don't worry it was only Cannibis flavored) and it just tasted like regular iced tea to us and I can't say it gave me a Fantastic Natural Feeling either. It was obviously a marketing ploy, but we had to see for ourselves.

Because photos just don't say enough we have video!

This is from the viewpoint at Mount Cardada

From the viewpoint at Cimetta