22nd Battalion 2NZEF
"Vrai et Fort"
Return to Trieste - WEEK 1
DAY 2 Sunday 22 May
Milan at last
Being over 1 hour late to Milan (Malpensa Airport) we arrived at the same time
as other flights, overwhelming Italian Immigration (or perhaps it is always like
this - it IS Italy after all). Long lines of people right back to the airplane
doors. Immigration gave up and just mechanically stamped our passports without
even looking at the photo. But the speed through immigration was in vain. We had
arrived safely, and so had our baggage, all carefully laid out in rows in the
baggage area. Our buses were there with drivers and couriers ready with luggage
trolleys waiting to load the bags, BUT, the local baggage handlers, now a
unionised group, complained to
the Police about the presence of our drivers and couriers. So the
three-way argument went on and on. Yes I am sure MORE money (ie twice the going
rate) would have solved it earlier, but they were already being well paid so why
pay them a ransom as well? An hour later, agreement
was reached and our bags were loaded ready to go. The hotel could not come fast
enough for us tired travellers.
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Immigration queues at Malpensa Airport, Milan
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This way to the buses.....
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The clothing industry of Milan welcomes you
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Our buses, but no bags
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Our buses, our people, still no bags
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Doug Froggatt and Haddon Donald resigned to life without bags
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Malpensa early on Sunday
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Our bags appear at last.
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All three buses arrived at the Hotel Jolly Touring at about the same
time, despite an attempt to stagger the arrivals. Fortunately our bus
(Bus No. 1) was first so we were able to grab our bags and head to our room
before the others crowded into the hotel foyer.
The mid-price Hotel Jolly chain have hotels throughout Italy and we found them to be
comfortable and of a good standard, especially for a tour group of our size. A
good choice Ruth!
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Hotel Jolly Touring in Milan
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Milan - Lunch
Our first shower in 30 hours was short-lived as lunch was to be served at 12.30
sharp. We all arrived, found seats and were treated to our first Italian meal -
Minestrone Soup, sliced veal with potatoes and carrots followed by gelato and
coffee, washed down of course with vino rosso - Cavalchina 2003.
Sunday in Milan
A fine afternoon led us out onto the streets of Milan near the
hotel, passing the Porta Nuova, part of the original wall around the city. The
tour guide tells us
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"This gate, part of the 12th-century walls of the city, were reinforced
and embellished by Azzone Viscount (1330-39), and consists of two arches flanked
by towers. In the 15th century it was partially demolished and incorporated into
other buildings, and then restored in 1861. It was further restored in 1931 with
architectural changes."
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Being Sunday, few shops were open, and there were few
people about, except those walking dogs. We came across this large dog in a
nearby street, the owner telling us that it weighed 80kg.
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The Porta Nuova, near our Hotel
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The Porta Nuova
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Flower boxes in the Porta Nuova
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Ourselves beside the arch
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A local resident with dog - all 80kg of furry animal
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A local flowershop
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Dinner that evening consisted of rice Risotto, pork slices with
peas, fruit for desert and of course vino rosso.
Go to Next Day in Diary - Monday
Go to Previous Day in Diary - Saturday
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Last updated: 30/11/2016
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