Penned below is a brief memoir of my trip to Europe
Day One
We left Mumbai on 19th early morning at 4.30 pm for Dubai through Emirates flight 501 which landed at Dubai at local time around 6.30 am. Our next flight to Rome was to depart at 9.30 morning time. We all spent some time at the airport and tried to do some window shopping but nothing could be purchased since we have a return fight via Dubai only from London and we thought that could be the better time for shopping especially with left over money and items if any.
Nothing new experienced during our flight from Mumbai and then from Dubai to Rome. We landed at Rome around 2.00 pm i.e around 5.30 pm our Indian time. Everything was in place after we gone through emigration and all of us went for baggage. This was the time we had a shock. One bag, VIP hard case one was missing. The airport authority personnel was promptly informed us that altogether 12 bags bound for Rome of the flight no. 097 were missing. One more person who arrived from Banglore also had the similar fate. He was one of the three of the family a son haling everything in his missing bag. He had to wear his father’s shirt next day. We both completed the formalities for the missing bag and gave our tour hotels. The problem was that the delayed bags if found could be sent only next day flight of same time. Since we were to stay only for a night in Rome on first day and were to move to another city in Italy called PISA so airport authority was advised to communicated and transfer delayed bags when reach to Rome to be forwarded to out hotels. I had kept all my tee-shirts, shorts, lungis, Handy cam, eatables including ‘mohanthal’ and other minor items.
Day Two
We left hotel of Rome in the morning and did sightseeing in Rome and Vatican City. It was a wonderful feeling in those old monuments and Pope’ empire. We were lucky to see Pope as he was leading a procession to the church as we use to see on TV. The small Vatican City is historical and all Catholics in the world visit this holy place. We reached PSA in the evening and had a visit to ‘Leaning Tower’. Most beautiful sight to see. Since our handy cam was not with us we could not take video films. I was informed by the tour operators that my bag has arrived and being sent to our Hotel in PISA. All of us had a sigh of relief when that bag was delivered to us before we checked in around 7 00 pm.
Day Three
We left PISA in the morning and arrived Venice after a long drive. Sea called ADRIATIC SEA. We had a moved in a launch to the city and thereafter and a visit of streets through small boats in to street. We visited famous square where most of Indian films used to shoot. Very fascinating sight. All three days were warm and hot like Mumbai. All three days when we were passing through coach on high ways and city and village roads we had a full glimpse of Italy. It is a rich state and although it has a history of its own, I see Italy is full of industries, Marble mines, and grape, wheat farming in a very big way.
After we left Venice for Austria, we passed through a range of mountains full of white stones and mines but also in the valley we saw grape farms. All road were beautiful and smooth drive makes the journey most enjoyable. We arrived INSBURG a city of Austria in the evening. I am writing this note from the hotel room and I will now go to lobby for internet wi fi which is free in the hotel.
