It was our first time flying Etihad Airlines and I’d have to say it was nowhere as good as Singapore Airlines. The food was pretty ordinary and the maintenance of the toilet unsatisfactory. Having said that, I slept for about 8 of the 14 hour trip thanks to a sleeping pill. It was the first time for both of us using a prescription tablet and Mick hated it. He had a panic attack and felt his blood pressure was going through the roof (or should I say plane?). Meanwhile I was in the “Land of Nod” and of no help to him at all. Thankfully he pulled through OK as you can see here – posing in front of the flight control tower in Abu Dhabi.  

We were fascinated by these smoking booths. There was even a line up to get in. We are both so glad we gave that habit up years ago.

  
After a three hour stopover in Abu Dhabi we boarded an Alitalia flight to Milan. The flight time was less than 7 hours – a snack compared to the first leg and as there were very few passengers we got to spread out. 

Going through Customs is always a pain at the end of a long trip and as usual, we picked the slowest moving line in Milan. Once through, and armed with our luggage, we found where we were to catch our bus to Lugano. Although we had a map of how to walk to our apartment from the bus stop, we decided to take a taxi as it was very hilly.

And we were had! 

I saw the driver change the tariff code from 1 to 3 and it cost us €24 to go about 2Km. No wonder we usually prefer to walk.
Here is a view from our balcony. The second shot (which you’ll have to view sideways until I learn how to flip it) is of the cemetery. Yes, we are staying in the dead centre of Lugano as Mick would say.

  
Anyway, as you would have picked up from this post, I am a bit worn out as I don’t think I am usually so negative. 

On the positive, we are safely in Lugano and excited about meeting our host and her family tomorrow. Will let you know how that goes later.