Take a hike!


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Europe » Italy
May 8th 2017
Published: July 1st 2017
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Geo: 44.1464, 9.65572

Buonasera, everyone!

Arrived in Monterosso al Mare in the Cinque Terre National Park area of the Italian Riviera yesterday afternoon and, after making our way from the train station to the Old Town (Centro Storico) part of the village, checked into our B&B, changed clothes, and walked the hills and alleys of this picturesque area.

Dove into the local cuisine at a Gastronomia (mom-and-pop cafeteria) down the street, with two trofie (handmade, fat twisted pasta) dishes -- vegies and shrimp over trofie (for Sharon) and fresh-made pesto tossed with trofie (Mike) -- and a bottle of local white wine. Followed by gelato, of course, which is a nightly ritual.

After dropping off a load of laundry (it's a challenge to pack for 11 days in one carry-on!) and breakfast this morning, we headed out to hike the Monterosso-to-Vernazza trail in the Cinque Terre (Italian for 'five villages,' which are north-to-south Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore). The sun broke just as we started, so it was a delightful but rigorous 2-hour hike to the next town, full of incredible Mediterranean vistas, every view postcard worthy.

Had a couple of 'small world' encounters today; here's the first one:

Overheard the young couple hiking behind us mention Buffalo (Mike's hometown), so we started chatting and found out he was from Williamsville, went to St. Joe's for HS, was now a student at Notre Dame and just finished a semester abroad in Rome (where we head next). Funny, huh?

Grabbed nice slices of focaccia and gelato for lunch, then headed to the train for the return trip to Monterosso. Celebrated with a couple of glasses of wine on the cozy garden veranda of our B&B, cleaned up, then walked over to the New Town area for a fantastic seafood and pasta dinner right on the waterfront as the sun set and the twinkling of lights from the four distant villages danced on the sparkling water below us.

Sharon's spaghetti was tossed with clams, squid, calamari, shrimp, and white wine, while Mike's had local anchovies (fresh, not the salty kind found in stores in the states) and tomatoes. Delizioso! Had a nice conversation with the French couple sitting next to us and, when they left to catch their train, discovered that the foursome sitting one table over included one native Oregonian from West Linn.

Off to Rome, the Eternal City, in the morning!

Buena notte,

Sharon and Mike / Mom and Dad


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Looking back on Monterosso al MareLooking back on Monterosso al Mare
Looking back on Monterosso al Mare

From the Cinque Terre hiking trail
We're not very good at selfiesWe're not very good at selfies
We're not very good at selfies

Train back to Monterosso al Mare


10th May 2017

Seriously divine serendipitous fate! Oh how fun it must be to run into persons from Buffalo and Oregon while hiking the Italian mountains. I'm day dreaming about the hike, sea, food, Italian smells and sounds! You two look like you're havin
g a an amazing time. Are you considering moving yet?? Lots of loveKates

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