Monday

Still haven't packed a thing! Hope to get some enthusiasm for that ASAP 

Japan

Leaving in three days

Two weeks to go until Japan

Wednesday night...last night

We went by ferry to the Fisherman's Island for dinner.  It was a dark ferry ride to the island but only took about 15 minutes or less.  We were two Collett groups there for dinner which must have taxed the servers etc.  I had a chicken dinner, which is of course ridiculous when going to a Fisherman island, but I was glad I had done so.  Those who had fish were disappointed in the quantity but I found mine perfect.  We had lots of wine on the table, both white and red, and started with the most typical caprese salad, which I had thought of being Mexican, however after having had it so many places in Italy, realized it must be Italian.  Anyway, delicious! Followed by the usual pasta course which appeared to be like lasagne, but green.  I didn't see any meat, so think it must have been just green pasta with a bechamel sauce.  Great also!  I don't remember much of the main course, except the chicken.,,dessert was ice cream!  The place was really overly full, and terribly noisy.  Some of our companions from the other Collett group, enjoyed their wine - a lot!  Ferry ride back to hotel in slight drizzle and ready for the next day trip home.  Our bus left at 8:15 a.m. for the ride to the Milan airport and took just an hour.  We were fortunate to have done web check in and so were at the gate in good time for the 12:20 flight home.  Huge, busy airport in Milan and long line for security.  A good flight although too little time in the Toronto airport for going through customs, getting suitcase and then going through security again with only minutes to spare before boarding for the flight to,VANCOUVER. ,we had 3:5 hours in Vancouver so certainly no rush there.  Limo picked up at airport in KELOWNA and home in bed by 2 a.m.  Of course I was awake at 6 a.m. 

Air Canada return trip was perfect...going on Air Canada Rouge, not great.  Definitely their cheapest option flight!  Wouldn't recommend it al all.  Breakfast was a slice of banana bread followed an hour later by a coffee.  Ah well, now home and enjoying the fall days. 

October 9

Left the hotel at 8:15 for the ride to the airport in Milan and the start of a very long day.  All the flights went normally but sooooo long.9 hours to Toronto and then a short time in the Toronto airport going through customs, and then security and just made the flight.  Then 5 hours to Toronto and then 3 hours to wait to leave from Vancouver to Kelowna...home at midnight and back in bed by 2 a.m. And of course wakened at 6 a.m.  About 31 hours all told getting back home.  Whew

Wednesday afternoon

Well, our last day of the trip.  Tomorrow we leave the beautiful hotel for the long trip home.  Our flight from Milan leaves at noon, so we leave for the trip to the airport at 8:15.  We fly to Toronto, then Vancouver then home at midnight tomorrow.  Which of course, will be 8 a.m. So 24 hours to get home after leaving the hotel.  This is a beautiful place and we had a really lovely dinner here last night with real cruise ship like service and dining experience.  Today we went to Switzerland on a bus trip to Lugano and then had a coffee and wander around.  Super expensive in Switzerland and so different from Italy.  A drizzly day but not cold.  Many had umbrellas but I didn't have one, but had a hood on my jacket which was sufficient. 

Tonight we go to an island via ferry for a final dinner with our travel mates.  It has been wonderful to be with so many people and see so many amazing sights.  I had seen many before, but it was amazing all over again!  Out weather was splendid throughout except,this last day when we have had rain and mist.  Not unpleasant, just not what we had...sometimes,so,darn hot! 

I shall miss the companionship when I get home.  I know it always takes two weeks to reaclimate to being content at home again.  Ah well!  Could be worse!  Dieting will begin again!

Wednesday October 8