A great day in Cinque Terre bloggers. A train trip to the end of the line and the 5th village MonteRosso, then the train back to the second village Manarola, a swim and then walk back to Riomaggiore along the cliff-face pathway overlooking the sea. A swim at Manarola then another at Riomaggiore when you got back from the walk. The water was cooling and you needed it, the day was hot and humid at around 28-30 degs. The odd raindrop along the way and you dived into a restaurant for shelter and lunch. An excellent mixed seafood salad for just 6 euros waiting for the shower that never came. 2 carafes of vino de casa (house wine) later and you were happy little campers and ready for the walk home. A couple of cold beers back at the villa and up the hill for happy hour at the hotel outside on the landing.
Rosy showed us (in excellent style) the way how NOT to enter a train. We called it PLONKING. She fell UNDER her bag as she climbed aboard and blocked the entrance way for everyone else. WISH I had had my camera ready, what a laugh!!! She was laughing hysterically too. No danger, just a brilliantly funny experience.
We've bumped into many kiwi's here in Cinque Terre, and it's good to be able to English to others and learn about their travel experiences too. We all agree that Aotearoa is still the best country, all bias aside. Italy could take many lessons from us kiwis.
Pics for today.
Sorry guys, I just had to put this one in to show you that we are all well. Lunch in Manarola sheltering from the rain that never came. A beautiful mixed seafood salad (6 euros = $11NZ)
This is along the Cinque Terre walkway between the first and second villages, Riomaggiore and Manarola. This was the shortest distance between 2 villages only 20 minutes and very level all the way. Below them is a sheer 50 metre drop to the sea.
All along the pathway between Riomaggiore and Manarola there are padlocks attached to wire's suspended from the rockface. It has something to do with lovers put a lock on the wall and someday your true love will come along and unlock it. This was one of 1000's I came across. Pinnochio is a BIG deal in Italy.
The Cinque Terre trail is an easy walk, paved and gentle. There are restaurants and bars along the way squeezed onto the pathway at various points. Lots of seats along the way to rest and a handrail the whole way. Spectacular views and and a marvel of the engineering skills of the Italians.
WHOOPS how did this shot get on here. Please do not view!!!
Frances decided to do some sunbathing along the way.
(NO!!! I did not take this shot Frances did!) I refused to look at this woman ?!! Earlier in the day Joanne and I tried to get some shots of a giant rockface sculpture of Aligianti (Neptune God of the sea) in Monterosso. We climbed a huge hill and walked down onto the beach and then around to a private jetty to get the shots. On the way back we realised the beach was a private nudist beach. .... but no-one was nude, thank goodness for that?!!
ALIGIANTI - Neptune. (Shot taken with second camera, mine had become full) To give some perspective of the size that's a house to the left.
Monterosso the furtherest village of the five. Can be reached by train or a 5 hour walk along the trail.
Sorry to hear about the bad weather at home. This kind of Summer is coming NZ's way soon.
I would post more pics but it takes around 1.5 hours to do each blog, the interent is so slow. It's usually at the end of a long day too and after a few wines before bed.
Ciao bloggers you're doing well in Italy and in the Tuscany region. Another big day ahead.
Arriverderci.
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