More Iseo Stuff

So, we wanted to go to the Monte Isola the largest lake island in south and central Europe. It sits in the middle of the lake, and only has a small population but is a really interesting place. The highest peak is 419m up and it is some tough going in 30C+ heat. We still thought it would be fun to climb it though.

Sun already blazing, even though it was early morning. Time to get on a ferry.

The lakes shoreline 

Sulzano from the water.

The trail to the peak

The view back across the lake as they dismantled the floating piers

The piers appear to be telling you the way to Taverna Bergamasca

Some unripe berries.

I do love a good meadow.

At the peak there is the Sanctuary of Madonna della Ceriola

A decent view down.

It stands from the 16th Century.

I think, and don't hold me to this, that these little tablets are recorded miracles attributed to Madonna.... I think....

out of the church.

We got to see them removing the underlay from the floating piers where they were on land.

It made some pretty cool patterns

Then we took the train home. Toot!

ISEO Day 2

So, after a decent nights rest for some tired pier walking muscles we headed out to see what is around us. The weather started overcast and heavy, but soon cleared up.

It started off looking drab

Like a fish out of water

what is that girl looking at?

Ahhhh the sparkly things.

I couldn't tell which was better black and white or....

Colour of course? What do you think?

This guy started to warm up.

Quickly the sun came out and warmed us too

At the end of the day, you need to feed yourself, so we went with something pretty simple. Pizza and Prosecco. Not a bad end to the day.

Lago Iseo.

We arrived in Iseo, the biggest town on Lake Iseo on the last day of something very special.

It was a large art installation by Christo. Christo has done many projects before, you can see them here. One even in Australia about 40 years ago. This one was called the Floating Piers, where he connected one large and one small island to the shore. The floating piers were all covered in an orange material and so were the paths around the lake. It must have been a massive undertaking, but the happiness it created was probably worth the expense, all paid for by the artist himself. All of the materials were to go on to be used in different projects within the community, so things didn't go to waste.

Walking along the piers was a weird experience and after doing it for around an hour and a half, or so, and about 5km it really started to work your hips over a fair bit. So, I'll just let the pictures tell you the story.

There it is, down in the corner. By the last day they had had a million visitors to this small quiet region, great for the local economy.

The dark bits are tourists.

And here we go.

The man with the large grey bouffant and white shirt is Christo waving to the crowds as they enjoyed the last evening. 

You have to love a surprise pizza, no?

And down comes the sun.

Everyone was having a laugh

and a little video of the folks and scenes.