Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

We're still feeling pretty good. Some more experienced looking hikers are passing us, kitted out in spandex hiking shorts and ski-pole looking hiking sticks. Alpinists? So European. These guys were just breezing past us like they were on a timed course, or maybe they heard there was a Speedo sale in Vernazza (I'm sorry, I couldn't resist. No more jokes in poor taste, I promise.)

<span style="font-weight: bold">We climb higher </span>




<span style="font-weight: bold">Are we there yet?</span>


<span style="font-weight: bold">Looking back at Monterosso</span>



<span style="font-weight: bold">
Stopping to smell the ?roses</span>

[trelawnysmall]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

I fell in love with the particular shade of blue that is called Mediterranean. Or maybe it's more correct to say shades of blue...

<span style="font-weight: bold">Vernazza in the distance</span>




<span style="font-weight: bold">Finally we're on the level</span>



<span style="font-weight: bold">How much Mediterranean can you take? Cause I've got tons more...</span>

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

Vernazza, finally...



Once last look back at where were came from


It's all down-hill from here baby!




<span style="font-weight: bold">NSFW!!</span>

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

As we got closer to Vernazza, the sun was pretty low in the sky, and it was casting a gorgeous warm light over the harbour. The whole scene was just begging to be painted...

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Xavier</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The sand on the beach looks coarse. Is it? </div></div>

Sadly, I didn't get to find out. We were planning a late night stroll on the beach after dinner, but full belly and tired body sent us straight to bed. The sand in Barcelona was coarse though, so I'm thinking Nice is similar.

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: TSmall</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Wow, wow, wow. I love your photos. I am a huge lover of architecture and these cities are full of details. Each building tells a story, so nice to see. Here I am sitting in little Jamaica wishing I was in Spain. Well I will dream as you take me along on your journey. Thanks so much
BTW I need this vacation you're taking me on. </div></div>

Tsmall, I'm so glad you're along for the ride. I'm also a huge lover of architecture, and that's why I couldn't get enough of the Alahambra and Spain in general. Maybe I'll be back in another 5 years (Unless people want to donate to my trust fund )

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turtledude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'll &quot;second&quot; what TSmall said!!! ...cept I'm sitting in NM....

I think I could fall in love with Spain.
Awesome report!!!! Thanks for taking all the time for posting this! </div></div>

Hey Turtledude, thanks for taking the time to read my report! I dare anyone NOT to fall in love with Spain. It's just such a warm vibrant country chockfull of art, architechture and beautiful <span style="text-decoration: line-through">men</span> landscapes I was fooled when we flew into Madrid, because the land looked dry and dusty. It wasn't until we were travelling south by train that we started seeing some breathtaking vistas, little medieval towns perched above canyons, rolling fields, the whole works

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Q.K</div><div class="ubbcode-body">WOW!! Amazing!! Thanks. </div></div>

Thanks QK!

[trelawnysmall]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

Vernazza, what a beautiful town, my goodness. So what do the people of Vernazza do? Were they nice, warm and welcoming? Your pictures really are as spectacular as I always thought these areas would be.

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

By the time we made it to the little harbour in Vernazza, the sun had set, night was falling fast, and we were starving. We took some time to hang out on the piazza and relax before dinner. It seemed as if all the locals were out enjoying an evening promenade, eating gelato, observing the tourists as we were observing them. Once it was fully night and the lights in the piazza came on, we went looking for food. The Cinque Terre is an incredibly popular vacation spot, so I expected everything to be overpriced and inauthentic. But no, that evening I had the best spaghetti con vongole I've ever tasted. The sea food was so fresh, the pasta had the right amount of bite, and the olive oil was fruity and just right. They made one huge bowl for all four of us, and we did EAT. Sorry no food shots in Italy; belly came first. Italy is for people who LOVE food; leave your diet at the border. After dinner, we dragged ourselves up the hill to the trains station and went back to Monterosso for the night.

The next day we all split up to do different things. Two of my travel buddies were attempting to hike all the trails, the other took the train, and I took the ferry to Riomaggiore. My plan was to hike back to Monterosso, stopping in all the little villages along the way. I had more optimism than stamina, but I did get to see all the villages in the end.

<span style="font-weight: bold">Early morning wake-up</span>




<span style="font-weight: bold">On the water, heading to Riomaggiore</span>




<span style="font-weight: bold">Corniglia on the cliffs</span>



<span style="font-weight: bold">Manarola</span>


<span style="font-weight: bold">Benvenuto a Riomaggiore</span>

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

I spent a few hours wandering around Riomaggiore. I really had no set goal/purpose; the sun was BLAZING, the sky was the clearest, brightest blue, my belly was full and I wanted to just dive, sink, drown myself in all that beauty. If that sounds overwrought, well, I felt a bit overwrought. It might have been incipient heat stroke, or it might just have been the Mediterranean air: makes us all want to be poetic.









<span style="font-weight: bold">The church of San Giovanni Battista. I had an INTENSE spiritual experience here...there was nobody there but me, sitting in the back pew...and in the cool, dark, quiet of the church I had this feeling of god being around us and in us and manifest through us...</span>



<span style="font-weight: bold">Afterwards, I sat for 30 mins in the square outside the church, just thinking...</span>

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

After my little time out to meditate, I recommenced the wandering. It was totally aimless, I was drifting generally westward through Riomaggiore, toward the Via dell'amore and the path to Manarola.
<span style="font-weight: bold">
Beautiful bougainvillea</span>


<span style="font-weight: bold">And Lemons</span>


<span style="font-weight: bold">And hydrangeas(?)</span>

[Dr.Dudd]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

[quote=lapassionata]On Day 3 we got up late because we were dead tired from all the walking around the previous day. But we only had a few hours to &quot;explore&quot; Madrid before leaving, so we dragged ourselves to the Royal Palace. Gitanoes everywhere selling those &quot;authentic&quot; Spanish fans imported by the boxload from China...I bought a couple anyway for souvenirs

I had a twitchy trigger finger those first few days...took pics of absolutely everything







They Royal Palace. No photos allowed inside of course...and I was too scared to take any. Too many official-looking dudes round the place watching people...








[/quoteEvery time Ivisit Europe I can't helpo think that all of that atleast much of it was achieved by the enslavement of peoplewho are still experiencing it even today,becaus ethey wer never giveneven a start after openslavery was abolished.

[lapassionata]

Re: Spain, the Cinque Terre, Rome

On the Via dell'amore (the path of love).









All along the Via dell'amore are locks and graffiti left by hundreds of couples caught up in the spell of this place. I know there is some symbolism and superstition around the locks, but I can't remember what it is. I want to say the locks symbolize the strength of a couple's bond. Really rough (bad) translation of that inscription: &quot;My life has changed, thanks to you sweet Elisa. You live in me today and for always and that's why my life can continually change.&quot; Isn't it romantic? I hope they're still together, Daniele and his Elisa. *sigh* Italy is made for lovers.