Friday – 2nd Week: Bellagio

Today is our last full day in Bellagio, and has dawned overcast. We haven’t got anything particular planned for today, so are going to walk up and down the stairs, along the streets and check out all the shops that we have only paid a passing interest to so far. Silk – ties and scarfes, pashminas, handbags of all descriptions, jewelry, wine and foods and glass from Murano are the main fare of the shops that are dotted between the many restaurants in Bellagio.

We walked the 100m to the northern end of Bellagio stopping at a jewellery shop along the way. Anne tried on some beautiful bracelets made of semi-precious stones. She hasn’t bought one yet, but it’s looking likely, as they are quite different from anything else she has seen before.

From there, it was straight up the hill to the top of the town, checking out some art shops (galleries, I suppose you could call them) and silk scarves and tie shops on the way up. I’ve bought 3 ties and Anne has bought a very nice silk scarf. From there, it was a constant along down, along and up to check out all the shops in the town.

By 12:30, we had arrived at Ristorante Bilacus, our favourite restaurant from a few nights ago. We had tried to book there for tonight, but it is already full, so we thought we’d settle for second best and have lunch there instead. Another beautiful lunch, highlighted by the service of the Restaurateur providing a young couple who were dining under the vines on the terrace, a white umbrella when the rain first came. We heard the rain start on the canopy above us and thought that the young couple would be diving for cover pretty soon, when the restaurateur came out and inquired if they were OK. He was back a moment later as the rain got heavier, with his white beach umbrella, which he proceeded to put up for them. It looked like the ideal spot for a romantic lunch….puke.

The other highlight from lunch came as we were sitting looking out over the balcony to the steep steps below. We heard the cheap ditty of a cell phone belting out “one donna mera” (I don’t know how to spell it, but I’m sure every body knows what I mean). When we looked over the railing to see where it was comig from, there was an elderly woman in her 60’s doing a little jig as she searched in her handbag for what was obviously her phone – it looked hilarious. I’d be much more likely to give money to her with her phone that the clowns that come round the restaurants from time to time with their accordions.

After lunch we headed down the stairs and round the corner to our apartment when the heavens opened, the wind blew, the lightning flashed and the thunder clapped. Despite all that we’ve seen in the last few days, this was the most violent storm we’ve seen to date. We managed to get halfway down the stairs before the storm got too intense and we headed for a jewelry store for shelter (bad mistake, I hear some of you thinking). As luck would have it, Anne found a beautiful glass pendant necklace and a glass ring, which she is now the proud owner of.

We’re now back at the apartment. Dinner tonight will be a light meal and some wine on the balcony if this bloody storm will go away and then tomorrow, we’re off early for Venice. Again, I don’t know what the internet facilities will be like, so will try and update our progress every couple of days.