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Published: July 23rd 2013
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So, this morning we head off to Cinque Terre but with poor access to the internet, we are not as set up as we want to be. No matter.
The info centre doesnt open till 10 so we are off to the stazione at 9.30, and throw ourselves on the mercy of the ticket man at the station. In broken english he couldn't have been more helpful. Armed with a day ticket in the national park and return tickets to get there, we head off - although we didnt know where to start.
We neglected to validate our national park tickets so had to get off the train - and of course, couldnt get back on again. While we waited for the next, we bumped into 2 Brissy guys who had been there for 2 days. We were at last armed with useful information.
We head off to the most distant town (Riomaggiore ) sp? and walk through it - but it was getting stiffling at 35 deg and humid. Not ideal for walking.
The info centre at the station advised that 2 of the tracks are still closed pending repairs following the recent landslides. As luck
would have it, they were the two easiest paths. Never mind, we are trained walkers!
We struggle thru the hills of the first town then jump on the train - the only possible route. We the head to the furthermost town as it ixpress past the other 3.....
So having checked out our second town and recharged our water from a town tap, we start on the push uphill to the next town. Monterossa to Vernazza (sp?)
Its supposed to be 3 kms and 2 hrs, but it is at least 4.5 and on a 35 deg day, a good 2 hours! The track, which is meant to be relatively easy, is one of the most trying we have walked as it essentially goes over 2 coastal hills (and valleys) before getting to V. The steps both up and down are relentless. We pushed on but not surprisingly, there weren't many on the track - but hey, this is what we came here to do. Our clothes were saturated but the walk would have been enjoyable had it not been for the heat. Knees stood up amazingly well.
I was a pleasure to reach the next
town and we recharged our bottles and our bodies with Coke and Gelati. Yummmm!
We tossed up whether to catch the train to the next town (Corniglia) or walk the 4 (albeit easier) kms. We came to walk so walk we did. It was now 5 pm so not as hot.(late 20's).
Only an hour or so for this leg, but cumulatively on the day, we were knackered.
Checked out that town and the train timetable so we headed off at 7.30 by train, to the last town (Manerola). IN a last bit of embuggerment, the town is built high on a hill and it down a massive switchback to get to the station (see pic). We get the train comfortable in the knowledge that the 4 minute journey is the last for the day before we head off home. Still light, we check out the smaller town before having dinner there (squid, octopus, chips, wine and beer) and catching the 9.35 back to our town.
In summary, it was a fantastic day but hotter than we would have liked. We got to see and enjoy all 5 villages and walked the only two (hardest) paths
that are still open. We couldn't squeeze in more than that - other than a gelati milkshake on the walk from th station in Sestri back to our hotel. We got back at 11 15pm - almost 14 hours for the day.
We decided that tomorrow (and probably wednesday) will be 'rest' days enjoying the riviera and our cute hotel and its pool and our balcony etc before heading off to France on Thursday.
BTW, our passports still havent caught up to us yet so fingers crossed!
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Elisa
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Yummm...
... gelati milkshakes!!! Oh yeah and the scenery looks stunning too :)