From the high mountains to the sea

After a night in the storm-battered camper, I take it easy. The fog is still thick as a storm and sleet is falling. The night before, in anticipation of the nearby customs, I struggled with the super complicated EU Passenger Locator Form (EU-PLF).

Shortly before 10 am, I set off. Yesterday evening the dice were rolled. I am heading to Istria and will also visit the Kvarner Bay. The next destination is Cavallino-Treporti. The Baia Holiday-Camping is still open until January!

In the dense fog, I make my way towards customs. It is of course unoccupied - so I could have saved myself all the trouble with the EU-PLF. Now a meeting from yesterday comes to mind. I was standing in a parking lot on the Swiss side of the pass when a Skoda OCTAVIA Combi approached from the Italian side. It was fully loaded, the rear axle must have been close to its load limit. The young passenger climbs out of the seat and comes towards me with glazed eyes and a big smile: "Hey, you come from there, may I ask you something?". Of course, he is allowed to, you have to like people 😊 "Are there any border controls there? We have a little too much alcohol with us!". I can reassure him and he happily stumbles away. Well, Schengen, free travel for free citizens.

The Italian side of the pass is very well developed and so I quickly reach Aosta. From there, a classic transfer stage begins, leading across Italy. Wide fields, industrial landscapes, the usual hustle and bustle around Milan and 300 km in heavy rain. I am accompanied acoustically by Aretha Franklin and Adrian Stern.

So I am glad when the destination appears in front of me around 5:00 pm. I am welcomed very kindly. The camper is quickly set up and then it's time for the obligatory swim in the sea. "Seichläi," as we say in Lungern Lake steel. But since it is almost dark, swimming is not possible for safety reasons. Instead, I take a warm shower and then settle into the cozy camper for a long night of watching movies.

And tomorrow? Venice? Swimming? Lounging? Who knows!