Before we begin this part of the story...I would like to give credit to Radzi Yusoff from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania who gave the title of this particular posting.. It was, from the rest of us men point of view..excluding the victim, it was sort of funny how it happened.
Anyway, en route to Lake Como which is in Italy we stopped at a lay-by and use the much needed toilet. We do have it in the van, but usually reserve it for emergency.
All of us went down at once and since it was the last stop in a maybe long journey, best get it done with. This last stop proved to be a good one. A Full fledge stop centre with a cafe/restaurant, petrol station (pump station), toilet and a souvenir cum-convenience store. All needed by hungry petrolheads with active bladder and money to burn...
There's also lots of info regarding the nearby Gotthard tunnel which this place is famous for. There's also another service area opposite this one..servicing the Northbound traffic. It has been around for ages and renovated to serve the road users in this area.
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| The last major stop before pushing on towards Lake Como |
Ok, for the sake of accuracy and to tell you that this really happened, we stop at My Stop Gotthard. The full address as follows:
Gotthard Raststätte A2 Uri AG
Dimmerschachen
CH–6467 Schattdorf
MY STOP Gotthard
All business done? As usual, Syibli in the lead van will key in the destination to Lake Como, using as much state road (not autobahns) as possible (no toll, if we can avoid them). One by one, each driver called in and off we go. We took slight detour instead of going through the tunnel (i think) and from that moment...it was 'ooh' and 'aah' ing looking outside the camper van's wind screen.
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| what's around the corner? |
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| you'll pass mountains with village on it |
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| farmer's residence (maybe?) |
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| just another small hamlet along our way |
We drove along slowly passing these small settlements. The driving was pleasant enough as there were no traffic trying to overtake us. We managed to stop at a few places, taking pictures to our hearts content.
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| one of the rapids along our way |
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| a truck on Autobahn above us |
We were driving safely below the speed limit when from afar we saw a police patrol car with a policeman right in the middle of the road. Instantly, over the walkie-talkie "seatbelts now!" said one of the driver. Either SN or Syibli.
All of the camper vans stop and you could almost feel everyone holding their breath. When suddenly, the officer said to Syibli...
"do you have anyone missing from the group?"
the response "no, officer"
the officer again asked "are you sure no one is missing?"
"no one is missing...." but Syibli already reached the walkie talkie and asked each driver if all passengers were accounted for...suprisingly, all said "all are here".... except for one single van which replied in a distressed voice...
"Didit is MISSING!" accidentally left him at My Stop Gotthard!
There you have it...the drama for today or the continuation of drama during our Europe trip.
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| hiking trails clearly marked |
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| I was intrigued about the structure used here |
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| a more elaborate sign for hikers |
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| ...be careful where you go |
We parked by the roadside and Syibli followed the police car to fetch Didit. Didit, how should we say about him...is a kind of loner. He minds his own business. Most of his pictures, were taken by himself using his tripod instead of asking any of us to help him out.
He smokes the 'vape' machine which is currently in the process of being banned in Malaysia. There's a big issue regarding it...and he is quiet. Keep things to himself and how we track his whereabouts? The steam from the machine...and during short stops to take pictures, he is easily noticeable. Always alone. We call this kind of guy in school either 'looney' or the more dignified "Lone Ranger".
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| SN in his 'uniform'... |
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| man made staircase to... |
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| a view like this... |
Meanwhile...according to Didit, it was like this:
He was first at the toilet and then went browsing at the souvenir shop when suddenly he realised the camper van just moved! He made chase but to no avail.
Asked assistance to some of the drivers there, but none could understand him and so he went back to the shop counter and asked the shop attendant to help him. Muriel, yes..that's her name..came to the rescue! She contacted the the highway patrol and gave some info about us. "4 camper van travelling together to Lake Como" and Didit was fortunate enough that he remembered the number of the vehicles...at least part of it.
It was a quick, from telephone to discovery of our group out of the autobahn (at that time) in less than 15 minutes!
Didit is saved!
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| drama!!!! |
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| Reunited at last!..Hafiz seems to hold back tears of joy |
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| picture requested by the girls on our trip to be posted on the blog |
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| Didit smoking...recent incident has gotten to his nerves |
With Didit found, a long journey ahead of us to Lake Como past the picturesque Alps...and whenever we stop, we always, always check for Didit. OK?
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