Kia ora from Kiwis in Corniglia

We checked out early in the morning and bused into La Spezia, once again leaving our packs at the train station so we didn’t have to hike between villages with them. The weather was overcast yet warm when we arrived into Corniglia, probably a good thing as the village is perched atop a cliff face and is a climb of 368 steps (It’s even tougher when you are counting steps whilst climbing, well so I hear, I got my stats off a website).

Corniglia is the middle and smallest village, and is the only of the five villages not to have a port. It has a few swimming beaches scattered on either side of the main centre. The small centre has some funky stores, selling wines and local cuisine.

I was a little startled when two girls said kia ora when walking passed me. For a minute I thought I must have become famous back home then I realized I was wearing a t-shirt with NZ on.

Within a few hours the cloud covering had cleared and it was another cracking day. We decided to take our time between villages and have a swim at each.

The fourth village we visited - Manarola, had some 6 or 7 metre high rocks that a few people were jumping off. I couldn’t convince Nic to come with me so had to do it by myself. It was good fun until the third or fourth time when I must have opened my mouth because I was coughing and spluttering salt water for a while afterwards (still this was relatively minor compared to the time my sister Jaimee jumped off a 5 metre diving board and face planted, ouch)

The final village Riomaggiore is situated overlooking a small bay. It was great because you could lie on your back in the sea and look up at it all. I could have relaxed there for days.

But there was more to see. Genoa was next and just a 2 hour train ride away.

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