OMG Cinque Terre
Have got to say, that coming into this area and watching the ocean/ inlets unfold to Monterosso, was a very special experience. Alot has been said about this area and its special qualities, but wow…..to see it in the flesh is something else. Train trip into the insane Milano Central Station (a cross between getting into the MCG and moving through Fed Square on NYE) was OK in the end, as was the trip to Monterosso, where we ended up sitting and talking with 2 other Aussie couples for pretty much the 3 hour leg of this journey. Straight into AFL talk and the notion of travel. Funny that. One couple from the Sunshine Coast were travelling for 12 weeks. Another couple from Caulfield in Melbourne were in the middle of a big trip, finishing with a wedding in Ireland. It’s not until you move around like this, that you get to form an appreciation of the scale and variety of human endeavour. A bit philosophical….but there you go. A similar travelling interaction occurred in Venice, as we chatted over dinner with a couple of octogenarians from Perth who had been travelling and cruising for about 6 weeks. Are you kidding?????Octogenarians!!!!!!!! Historically Monterosso (replete with obligatory Castle/ Tower) and the other 4 towns in this Cinque Terre cluster, hark back to the 11th century. Cinque Terre’s fortunes have been up and down over the journey with respect to things like invasions (those naughty Turks), Second World War bombings, industrial stagnation and people leaving the area. In 2011 the area suffered from torrential rain and severe landslides. Major setback. In actual fact the hotel we are staying in had to be renovated as a result of those very landslides. Cinque Terre is a UNESCO World Heritage listed Site and I can see why. Grapes, olives and lemons. Our plan is to cruise, swim and appreciate the culture and be ever-curious. Let’s see what happens. Yellow building below is our accommodation.
gazlington 
Amazing part of the world and glad to see you’re enjoying a local brew!
yes Mr Lo……totally unique spot, vibrant and nice beer.
Hey Gaz, glad you’re enjoying Monterosso. We stayed in the yellow place too. Good luck climbing those hills. The only one I was fit enough to climb took me up to the cemetery – worth a look if you’ve got time on your hands. Ciao!
thanks for the heads up Gaz. Can’t believe you stayed here at the Margherita. Such a unique spot. Yes the hills. Crazy. Speak soon, G
Hey Gaz, glad you’re enjoying Monterosso. Hope you’ve got the energy to climb those hills. The only one I was fit enough for took me to the cemetery – interesting place, though, if you have the time. By the way, we also stayed in that yellow place. Ciao!