Next stop: Barolo

Up in the morning and off to Barolo. Punched in the co-ordinates and Ed left the sleepy hollow of our hotel and we were once again on the road to anywhere. It was a 2.5 hour drive and once again I have to say that I love to drive but these Italian roads and the drivers make me nervous. They are worse than the German who drives at 180km/ hour and closes up on you in 3 seconds, but will either flash his lights at you to get out of the way or will have determined that you will overtake and patiently wait his chance to then overtake at breakneck speed. These macho Italians like to plant their front end about 4cm behind your rear bumper even though you can not move over to the other lane. I do not feel safe on these roads. Ed on the other hand handles the roads like a trooper. I got this Boss!

I was quite tired from the drive and on nearing our destination my tiredness seemed to melt in the last few kilomters as we got into Barolo country. Barolo is apparently a higher segment wine generating region and we were going to spend 3 days in the heart of it. We had come from Tuscany a few days ago which is where we thought that we would get that movie Tunscany feel, but Barolo is where we immediately felt it in our hearts.  Barolo is a wine region with rolling hills and endless vinyards with typical  traditional Italian houses (Mansions in size, without showing off). 

On arriving at our last destination for this trip we were immediately in love with the accomodation. Tranquil and authentic with welcoming hosts. I had to shower and have an afternooner as the drive had taxed my concentration and focus. I believe that we will be happy here for the next few days! We have now been here for 2 days and nothing has changed. It really is a feeling. Tuscany was lovely and the villages were impressive, but somehow we feel connected to this place. I can not really explain the difference, but I must try to put it in words. Here one feels like one is "in" the landscape. I do not feel like I am on the outside looking in, but am part of the place. This is the feeling that I thought that we would feel in Tuscany. How wonderful!

NIght 1 and on our drive to the town of Barolo we had to stop for a photo. I so wish that the camera could translate the vision of the eye. I am impressed and predominantly in awe of this region. So there we were in an empty parking lot at the bottom of the 200m hill to the town centre of Barolo. Ed said that this was the place to be and we would have to accept and endure. Quite the difference from Chinque Terra we were one of only 4-6 people in the city centre. It too had it charms, but we soon found out that the restaurants only open at 19h30 and we were too early at 19h00. Not a bad thing to meander about and kill a half an hour. 

I had to laugh a bit when entering the restaurant of our choice.  Table for 2 please. "Have you reserved?" No. "Oh. I will have to check" 5 seconds later, "Inside or outside?" Outside please (inside not 1 table occupied).  Our Lady Maria came to take our order and was visibly displeased that we only ordered 1 dish. Our waiter a young man helped us with a choice of wine. Bottle this or bottle that... Eish Pricey! Young man was very helpful and suggested the smaller bottle (375ml)  as I was not keen to drink wine tonight. Our meal as per many a meal here in Italy brought a few MMmmm's out of Ingrid and I could not complain.

Ingrid was enjoying her wine and at one stage blurted out "Can you drive?" This sent me into fits of laughter (Slappe lag in Dutch). I have been driving for more than 1 day, but just the unexpectedness of the question and my knowing the wife that made me laugh so. It is a wonderful thing when you can not stop laughing. After our main course we ordered desert and young man oave us Limocelo on the house The make was Dicapri and I had to make Lenardo Dicapro of it! Hee Hee.

Soon Ingrid was in TEARS!  Pointing to the cork of her wine I  asked if that was from the Dimilano (Wine maker) and she understood the Dalai Lama. Somehow the fits of laughter erupted and she was a gone girl! She was laighing and crying at the same time and I was enjoying the show! Each time that she seemed to get everything back under control off she went again! Priceless!

We paid the bill and I thanked young man for his help and professionalism and off we went down the hill toward Ed. At some poing Ingrid stopped abruptly, reached into her bag and proudly brandished the keys to open Ed, but she had the room keys in her hand! Off we went again. Fits of laughter! It was time for her bed and 5 minutes later we were in the room. Teeth cleaned, bathroom break and it was bedtime. Not for my Ingrid! Out of nowhere she once again let fly with that powerless to stop laugh! What a nice evening we had!

PS: During the night we were awakend to the gentle call of an owl. How great to hear nature call!