Lugano, Ascona and, Bellinzona, Switzerland

This is the customs/border crossing in Chiasso, Switzerland. It's about three miles across the border to Como, Italy. I've cycled to Como from here and the road is busy with trucks. So, behind the brown building on the right is Chiasso's train station. 

I get on the train with my bike for the five minute journey and also getting aboard is this skinny tiny woman (maybe 5 feet tall). She's looks Italian, in her 30's, Dolly Parton-size breasts, big lips laden with Botox, four-inch high heel shoes and wearing gigantic sunglasses covering much of her face. She brings aboard a small suitcase and a large duffel bag. As usual at these border crossings the Swiss Federal police do a walk-through sweep of the train carriages looking for who-knows-what. After they pass I see something I've not seen before: three Swiss Federal police officers wearing yellow vests stamped "Finance Police". As they come down the aisle the Finance police are eyeing everyone AND eyeballing everyone's luggage. Passing the tiny woman the police stop and asks her several questions. Next thing I know she's being escorted off the train with the officers lugging her suitcase and duffel bag. 

It's well-known that Italians bring huge amounts of money into Switzerland to avoid paying taxes. I'd have loved to be in the inspection room to see what they found. Was she a mule---someone who is paid to smuggle contraband? If she was a mule--she's an idiot--aren't you supposed to blend-in and not stand out? 

The border crossing town of Chiasso, Switzerland (population 8,000). Not surprising quite a few banks have branches within walking distance. 

This is Lake Lugano. I'm making my way to Lugano (population 63,000). It's a large picturesque lake but don't try going for a swim as it's not allowed thanks to being polluted. Swimming in Lake Como, Italy is also prohibited except for a few areas. Why? They say the lake's currents are unpredictable. 

This is the lakefront promenade in Lugano. Been here numerous times but, not a favorite of mine as there's no "old town" area. Lugano is Switzerland third largest financial center after Zurich and Geneva. Italians are loathe to declare money and this is where they stash their cash--many in secret numbered Swiss bank accounts. 

I've mentioned this before but, Switzerland, with a population of almost nine million, is 10 times SMALLER than the state of California. About 62% of Swiss speak German, 23% speak French and roughly 9% speak Italian. 

The northern part of Switzerland is German-speaking, the south French speaking and the southeast part Italian-speaking. This area is big with tourists from the rest of Switzerland and all over the world. Why? It's 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the rest of Switzerland. Also, you can have the Italian experience without going to sometimes chaotic Italy. 

Back in 2015 I posted photos of Ascona (population 6,000) on my blog of nearby Locarno (population 16,000). Ascona is an upscale picturesque little enclave. Passing through again I snap more photos.

Ascona hugs the shoreline of Lake Maggiore.

Hmm, during my last visit in 2015 I remember several of these "frozen" statues and wonder if this guy was here but in a different get-up. 

Pedestrian walkway in Ascona. Though small (6,000 inhabitants), the town has 34 hotels. 

These "I love" signs seems to be mandatory everywhere I travel in Europe. 

I've passed through Bellinzona (population 43,000) before and posted photos. Bellinzona has a beautiful old town. I never get tired of seeing the three medieval castles stretched across the narrow valley. This is a view up to Castelgrande from the city center/old town below.

I snapped this from Castelgrande ramparts (walls). You can see Castello Montebello in this distance.  The two castles were connected by ramparts, parts of which are still visible. Way, way up the hill you can see Sasso Corbaro, the third medieval castle. The three castles, as well as the medieval ramparts and parts of Bellizona's old town are UNECSO World Heritage sites.