Advertisement
Published: October 1st 2009
Edit Blog Post
Its leaning
and I am wet Finally, we reach Cinque Terre
We had been going to Cinque Terre in August but were unable to book any accommodation so we decided to do Spain and Portugal and tag CT onto the end of the trip. Had to return to Barcelona to pick up our flight to Pisa. Was raining cats and dogs in Pisa but we still got off the bus to take the obligatory photos - not that flash but at least we got them. Headed to Manorola where we were booked into the Cinque Terre Hostel - we had heard reports that it had lots of rules and regulations like a midnight curfew (like that was really going to bother Lyn and I - not!!) It turned out to be a really nice place though it was right at the top of the hill and it was still raining so the backpacks were wet which meant they were heavier than ever. We both feel like they are growing as we go - praps its all the postcards and maps we are picking up along the way - certainly nothing else as we have stopped buying even fridge magnets and I have now stopped buying postcards
Fabulous views
similar to amalfi coast - its amazing how they add up in the pack.
Anyway, we were in a 6 bed female dorm which was full though our neighbours changed each night - think we were there for 3 nights. We were not looking forward to doing the walks in the rain and our first night at the hostel there was an enormous thunder storm. I swear that the biggest thunderclap I have ever heard let rip about 3 in the morning and just about everyone in the room fell out of bed - we thought the hostel had been hit by ligthtening!!
Next morning we discovered that the hot water wasn't working - something to do with the storm. Rain had cleared up but we were told all the paths were closed as they were dangerous. Never mind, we decided to head off to Monterosa on the train. We had a little mosey around then saw that some people seemed to be walking the path - we ended up doing the track to Vernazza - the path was a bit muddy but not bad. Normally you need to buy the Cinque Terre card to do the walks and it has to
Vineyards in the background
and check out the pink socks....... be shown at the checkpoints. There was someone at the Vernazza checkpoint but no-one asked to see our card.
Next day we bought the one day card and did the rest of the walks in one day leaving Roma maggiore until last - that's the easiest section and is known as lovers lane - there are lots of padlocks there from couples who get married and they plant a padlock there (wonder if they go back to rip them off when divorce comes around.........- cyncical Carol)
We caught a couple of free concerts - one of Argentinian music and the second one African - that was the best one - donchya just love that African beat. Also got to eat some nice food at the hostel - the chef was Italian but married to an Australian - they met and fell in love when he was in Oz - she ended up following him to Cinque Terre and they now have a gorgeous little 2 yr old.
We also got to see how they salt anchovies and got to eat an anchovy sarnie - yum yum. Glad there was vino to wash it down with. Oooh, yeah,
I want to ride my bicycle
around the walls of Lucca got to see an ex pollie stuffing her chops with seafood - Amanda Vanstone (who I understand is some envoy at Italian embassy) was tucking into a huge plate of seafood in Vernazza - was very tempting to mosey up and say howdy but we restrained ourselves.
So, we were able to give a big tick to Cinque Terre and move on to next destination. We had scored a Ryan air flight to Brussels but had a few days to spare so headed to Lucca which is not far from Cinque Terre. Booked into the HI hostel there - hired bikes for a few hours and cycled round the city walls. Next stop - Belgium.
Advertisement
Tot: 0.409s; Tpl: 0.009s; cc: 5; qc: 44; dbt: 0.0613s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.1mb