XII Meeting Club Panerai in Viareggio/Italy - primo parte

....allora!

Returned from Viareggio/Italy today, where the XII Meeting Club Panerai was held - another great weekend in Tuscany behind.

I'll start with the first part of my report below. I hope you enjoy!

Last monday was a little "pre meeting" in my house because Ralf picked up Ron Welldon aka "The Lonan Ranger" at the Frankfurt airport which is not far away from my place. Since this was on their plan for weeks, I asked if they would stop by at my place for an italian coffee, of which we are big fans (not to say we are nuts for Espresso...)



On wednesday evening I prepared my stuff and got my gear ready for the trip. I placed my 3646 on the flag of Viareggio's carnival mascot, the "Burlamacco":



Thursday early afternoon I arrived at the intl. airport in Pisa, Galileo Galilei. Touchdown! Brilliant weather welcomed me.



Ralf and Jens picked me up with a rental car, which brought us to the hotel. On the autostrade A11 from Pisa to Viareggio:


Italian car, italian watch - of course. "Yogi-shot" of Ralf's wrist (6152/1 Angelus):



Soon later we arrived in Lido di Camaiore, right next to Viareggio.



Hotel Club I Pini was again our place. Wonderful historic building of the famous italian artist Galileo Chini (1873 - 1956).



Soon after we were sitting in the frontyard a little snack was served by the kind hotel staff - delicious!



After a while we decided to take a walk to the promenade and the pier of Lido di Camaiore.

We stopped by at the bar Il Pinolo, where we have always a coffee or light lunch on the first day (its all about tradition...): my fuel!



...more fuel



A few minutes later we arrived the pier, where we had a fantastic view:







Ron behind the camera, Marcus, Ralf, Jens and yours truly:



A view to Lido di Camaiore:



Before we went back to the hotel to welcome more guests, we stopped by at the local watchmaker, who took a view of Marcus' 6152/1 with rotating plexi bezel:



Back in the frontyard of the hotel we found Marion, Ralf and Ron who just arrived - meeting good friends again... thats what its all about!





...and the Panerai watches are the reason why we all know us! Different 6152/1 watches: Angelus movement / Rolex movement and rotating plexi bezel / Rolex movement and 8 mm crown - all Luminors.





Inbetween the OT-part of my posting: some of us are Red Wing passionates as well:



Always a place to have good times: the frontyard of the Hotel Club I Pini:





Heike sporting some nice watches..:



Cheers, Asi! Good to see you again... last time we met half around the globe in Australia...



...more fuel for me:



Frank Franzese all the way from Melbourne - you ROCK!



Next stop: Pizza Conti!





Ralf in "serious mode" sporting a 3646:



Our host, Piero Lapiana and his wife Rita arrived to welcome us on that thursday evening:



After the dinner the Grappa was fleeding...



Asi and Ron very relaxed:



Also relaxed but different: Marcus and Ralf:



Marion, don't worry - its just the Grappa!



We were chatting into the night. Good times.





Thats all for the first day report. If you got that far: thanks for looking and stay tuned for part 2.

Cheers,
Volker







representin' the DNA of Panerai