July 16
The AMA extension program included a 3 1/2 hour walking tour of Como this morning followed by the remainder of the day on your own. But (a) because we were just here in April and (b) Kim really wanted a day to just enjoy the amenities of our luxury hotel, we opted to just stay here for the day. And for those of you who know me and are wondering why I didn't go on the tour, I too was just fine with a "regroup" kind of day. Especially after the long schedule we've had (but enjoyed every minute) for the past eight days, and then the long day tomorrow with an extended excursion, followed by a 3:15am departure time for the airport on Thursday (OH MY), I thought it was a good idea. We were up early and coffee was ready by 7am so we headed out to the pool deck to sit on the waterfront and enjoy our coffee while the cool breeze off the lake blew across the pool deck.
My plan for the day was to take some photos of the hotel and begin working on the highlight videos from the trip. My concern was I wanted to "work" somewhere with a view, but I didn't want to (a) be in the hot sun nor (b) did I want to be where it was bright and I'd have trouble seeing the computer screen. So I took a few photos and then we explored the grounds without success to find a spot, so we asked at the front desk and the girl suggested the pool bar area. PERFECT! I was taking some photos and got back out to the pool area and saw a group of four exiting a small, luxury motor boat. Ironically Kim texted me as I turned to walk over to her and I asked, "Would you be interested in a private boat tour today, regardless of the cost?" Immediately - without any consideration for the price, and I was SO appreciative of that - Kim said "YES" and said, "I know you'd love that so what ever the cost is ok with me." I went back and forth to the lobby and talked with the concierge and set it up so it could be the six of us, only four, only Kim and I....and booked the boat for an hour that afternoon.
Our grandson Oliver FaceTimed us right before Kim jumped in so he got to see it "live" - the wonders of technology!
I loved "my office" and got two highlight videos completed (covering the first five days of the trip). Last night before we had dinner, Kim and Karrie had asked at the front desk about restaurants close by and then explored a few of them. One had gelato and we agreed that this would be our lunch plan for today. So around 12:30 we walked about a quarter mile down the road and enjoyed an "ice cream lunch" for a whopping 8 Euros.
I worked on finishing my second video and then we headed down to the pool bar to get a drink to take on the boat ride before walking to the deck just as Marta was dropping off guests in her boat. She called out, "Mr. Love?" And I replied yes - she said she'd been told it might be a part of six, but I explained the others had opted not to go, so she welcomed us on board for our private tour. She then asked what we wanted to do and we told her we wouldn't mind seeing a few of the villas, but we had a tour specifically for that tomorrow, so riding around the lake was our priority for the hour we were together. And so off we went. Marta did a great job of mixing the sailing with stopping by a few of the villas - most of which were NOT on our tour last April (and I'd doubt they will be tomorrow). It was just a great, GREAT afternoon!
Tomorrow we have a morning boat excursion, expressly to see the luxury villas and then will continue on Lake Como to the island of Bellagio for a short while before returning to our hotel mid-afternoon.
Boat Tour Highlights
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