Hi All

Well it's been a while but I'm on a roustabout again, read on at your peril. Seems I got bit by the need to get out of dodge on an adventure again....and yes a weeee bit of Cap'n Morgan was involved. Somewhere different..... So Croatia popped into me head. Why?......Why not? It is suppose to be very spectacular...well that is how it started....plus a bit of rum. That is good fuel for creative travel planning I am sooo sure. I also determined that a bike was required to do it right. So off to Google I say and of course the search began....for a bike near where I wanted to go...Ljubeeeeeannnnnkoooo okay that is how I pronounce it and I totally can not spell it unless I'm looking at it on the map. Say it ten times fast serious....its easier when tanked. Now on a side note a gal from Croatia who works at the bank said I got the pronunciation right the first time....was kinda proud of that....but I digress.  

Where was I yes rum in hand laptop running.....doing my thing....upon which I determined I can get a bike there...but not so easy getting there with flights....but.....I can get to Milan cheap....and I can get a bike also for a good deal....a Beemer of course (accept no substitutes). Okay.....well one email....confirmed the bike.....in Milan....and quicker that I can pour and smack back a jigger of the spiced stuff I had a flight booked. Done!! Okay...again all that was done was rented a bike and booked a flight...no idea in hell where I am going.  

Well I had to travel south to Diego the next day....land and poof a text popped up from Mike (work with him, he likes bikes and is an avid rider.....but alas has yet to experience the Beemer experience, can't hold that against him, so he is in the good books Harley and all). Seems I had mentioned I might book something. He happened to ask if I did. I said yup I just did upon which he asked when and where and stuff and asked to see me flight bookings. I sent it over......and not too long after a lil txt popped up asking if its okay for him to ride shot gun? I only had to confirm are you okay with no plan, stopping at pubs wherever they pop up and searching for twisty roads and lo and behold he said yup....how could I say no. I think he booked a flight same night and a bike at the same shop...a beemer R1200RT just like mine cept way shorter only cause he is gravity challenged.  

So that was it......looked at some maps.....and hmmmm the Stelvio pass is sooooo close......but I err'd seems the pass opens in June....friggin hell how could I miss that....google it you'll see why I want to ride it. Long story short felt the need to book a place to go the first day. Because....we get in about 10 in the morning to Milan via Frankfurt. So lots of time to ride...if all goes well. I looked at a map on a Saturday a few weeks ago.....saw a little town called Trento....surrounded by twisty roads every direction....not to far from Milan....but almost to Stelvio Pass. Soooo booked a room....there is the motivator....need to get there first night.  

As usual the packing was an adventure....crap its hard to pack not a lot.....for a bike trip. either way got it sorted....late last night....hit the sack....bong eyes opened shower shave and Andy arrives for me limo ride and Zoe's (to day care holiday). THANKS ANDY!!!
Now I tried for upgrades......and am happy to report that on the Edmonton Toronto leg...I got bumped up to cater class. It was like winning the lottery. Mike sadly didn't, so I gave him a huge amount of fake sympathy and stuff....he appreciated that....it was very sincere fake sympathy.  

Beautiful day to fly.....cleaned the plane out of Baileys.....hick....I was going to send Mike a piece of some of the chocolate they were feeding me but it was so good.....I felt it was in his best interests that I didn't. I wonder if when you stagger off a plane and trip are they liable......hmmmm....opportunity knocking.....hmmmmmm. Either way staggered off Mike found me and we trucked off to the next leg via the lounge....hell of a long ride on the express people mover...the moving floor escalator.....we took the faster one. Why would any one take the slower one....? Why would they even have a slower one.....But yup they did.... Anyways it was the first time in that lounge. Nice....had some port..go an update on me flight upgrade request...uhhh two seats open and a line of Super Elites waiting...so not looking good....the bar n the lounge is looking way better now.....raided the pantry and prayed for an upgrade on the next leg....but alas...it was not to be.

We got on out bus.....and turns out my Mike was sitting right behind me and my riding flight buddy was a gu from Cape Breton who works in Albania. So I gave Mike the lecture on how to be a good behind you passenger...like no kicking my seat, violently tapping the video screen till I get a headache...etc etc....He promptly stuck his tongue out at me. I'm not sure he got my seriousness.....

So here I am writing this winging over the Mid Atlantic in cow class. Ahh well.....the most amazing night sky. I looked out the window and another jet was just off our wing a bit going the same way....flying in formation. We were just a bit faster. Then the northern lights popped out....friggin amazing...one of these times I will get pictures....I have an almost shot. Not easy and can't sleep so I kept trying until the wee began chasing the sunrise.....well we shall see what tomorrow...today...uhhhhh whatever when we get there is will hold.  

So stay tuned....might be an interesting trip.....wonder where it will lead too.....might be raining in Milan.....