From Maloja, we drove on a little further. The town how should I say..quiet? I mean there were people walking here and there... hiking the terrain, but I am sure this place is livelier during winter. That was what we noticed, travelling around this mountainous area.
A few kilos further down the road from Maloja we came to a lake, Lake Silser (Silsersee). We stopped again, naturally, to take photos of the area. How we decided to stop at one place, instead of the other...it depends on how loud the request for the driver to stop the camper van by the roadside.
"cantiknya..berhenti, berhenti berhenti!!!!"
(Nice...stop, stop, stop!!!)... someone would called out.
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| should have taken a few of this sort of pictures...no mountain top...too much lake |
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| the youngest of the lot..taking photos |
At the lake...and this is important...we saw a small settlement on the other side of the lake. We looked at the map and saw a small lane into the area. We were intrigued with the area because of a simple fact....it was already covered with snow! As if the 'winter smith' had made his home there during autumn.
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| small settlement across the lake... |
But it was way past afternoon and we sorely needed lunch. In this cold weather (it was about 5deg Celsius), it made me hungry. We looked for a proper parking spot (also a nice place by the lake) and had our lunch.
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| parking spot ahead! |
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| Sits Segl-Baselgia, name of the place |
After lunch, all of us had a little walkabout around the place. I noticed that parents with children coming down from a nearby hill. Just came back from a half day hike. The children were about the same age as my children. Sigh....Remembered the children at home....the weeklong autumn break has finally arrived. They have their own activity with their mother.
I looked up in the sky and saw a paraglider on a landing approach. There was a windsock nearby, so I guess there must be a helipad somewhere or a designated place where he lands whenever he's gliding.
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| the sail tangled at the windsock pole |
I always admire anyone who took up any sort of flying activity. I was at awe looking at him navigating to the small spot by the hotel. He was doing fine until the last moment. A surge of updraft kicked the sail a little high that it tangled with the windsock..OH NO!
The man left the site and later came back with a long oar (the one you use to paddle the boat, yup, that one). We chatted while trying to untangle the fabric from the pole. Made complicated because of the strings that was attached to the sail. His name was Andrea Kuhn, born in 1959 (56 y.o) and he runs an extreme sport establishment in that area. Born and raised in that area, he has ample knowledge about the surroundings. Very friendly too. We immediately hit it off. Mentioned a family from South East Asia came to the small town, because of the bad haze.
Oh my, he was very friendly. Twice I mentioned. His younger brother runs a restaurant in the hotel just beside us, I think. He speaks English very well. So it wasn't a problem. I promised to send him the pictures, which I will right after this. Come to think of it...since he said "if you want to come again, I can fetch you in Geneva"..I said "really?" hmmmm that is really awesome...might take up the offer and learn to glide as well!
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| Andrea Kuhn |
We eventually went to the small settlement at the foot of the mountain and covered with snow. With the Naija camper van in front, we proceeded slowly. The road was narrow, just enough for us. There were oncoming vehicles too but cooler heads prevail. We had to manoeuvre to a bigger spot and let the vehicles to pass first.
I can tell you, it was worth the effort. We stop short of the settlement because we found a perfect spot for all of us to stop.
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| A1 'California' take up the rear of the group...most inexperienced driver...and sleepyhead co-pilot |
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| snow! |
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| a stream into the lake |
With photographers, you would see a lot of antics. The sort of pose they do...the customary group 'wefie' video by Syibli and some trying their best to take photos from different angle and vantage point. The sky from our last stop was not encouraging. Since the vans were not equipped with snow tires, driving in sleet (rain contains snow) would be very dangerous indeed.
We left the area in a rush. After all, we need to rendezvous with the team that went to Milan. We're heading towards Verona today. We had to retrace our track down the mountain, take the Autostrada (motorway) to the next camping site in nearby Verona.
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| the border... |
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| slow shutter speed.. |
All in all, the trip to the mountains was great! I did enjoyed it. Maybe....maybe to come again with Madam and the children. After all, they did say they love snow (not that they've seen any....but the movie Frozen does give strong influence to the children). With my SOP (I told myself..."I will come again"), we continued journey to Verona.....free of drama. Can you believe that!....Aheh!!!
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