One cool and overcast Wednesday in early October of 2008, I caught the 09:30 ferry boat from Desenzano on the shores of Lake Garda in northern Italy. It was very misty out on the lake. The shore became almost invisible as the ferry left port and churned across the smooth water. The boat stopped at several small towns, taking on only a few passengers, and then reached Gardone Riviera, where I disembarked.
A few minutes’ walk uphill from the ferry landing brought me to the gates of the Giardino Botanico Hruska. I used a tourist discount voucher (given to me by my hotel) to get 1 Euro off the entry fee. Inside the garden, as well as exotic blooms, there was an exhibition of outdoor art. At every turn of the winding paths strange statues, staring painted faces, and abstract sculptures lurked.
