Cinque Terre

Sun, Sea, Sand, a little surf.

Went to the coastal region of Liguria to the province of La Spezia where the UNESCO heritage site, Cinqueterre, is. The troop was Vanessa, Mai, Ernesto, Jas, Vilma, Fiona and Kirill. Last Saturday was perfect with not-too-hot weather and a little breeze. Cinque Terre is as 'bellissimo' as they say it is....5 quaint little villages along the craggy cliffs off the multi-blue meditarranean sea. It was nice too to be travelling in company.

Took train from Milan to Riomaggiore, the first village. After traversing the streets (one street actually), walked down Via Dell'Amore (along the cliffs by the sea) to 4th village called Vernazza. Vernazza = cliff-diving areas....didnt - satisfied with getting sneakers splashed by sea instead. Ambled down the path for 1 hour to 3rd village of Corniglia and hopped on train straight to 2nd village (Manarola) as some wanted to swim, while other stomaches were rumbling already. Had a good lunch (mine was a cendol-looking Ligurian pasta with green pesto sauce) and thereon to the beach in Monterosso al Mare. Al mare! Prima volta swimming in the sea since leaving Malaysia. One thing about beaches here are the rocks!....Talk about getting a free Reflexology massage... pretty tough on the feet and the sea is extra salty too. Never mind....after wading around for an hour, capped off the day with the 4 hour journey back to Milan....(have funny photos of Ernesto and Mai so that was good too)