The Cinque Terra

We head for the train station in Pietrasanta (free parking) and buy our tickets for the day trip to the five villages, crowded and touristy but also unique and incredibly lovely.  Best laid plans go awry and our 8:47 AM train is cancelled and the next one is at 11:30.  Yuck but not to be deterred we are in charming Pietrasanta so we head to the square to kill 2 1/2 hours. 

Botero's Madonna in the church in Pietrasanta.

Randy and Diane

The square

Back to the train and time stamp all our tickets and off we go.  We discover the trains were on strike yesterday so the crowds are unreal today.  The threatened rain holds off and things are looking up until we start to take the lovely walk along the via Amore only to discover it is closed by a rock slide.  Jon and I are really dismayed as this lovely dramatic walk from Riomaggiore to Manarola was one of the highlights of the cinque terra.  Back on the train and when we fight our way free of the crowds in Manarola we spot a restaurant way up above the village away from most people.  Never ever has a cold beer tasted so good!

Up the ramp and another and another. 

There is a reward up here besides beer,  a cool breeze and a spectacular view.

Jon loves the zoom on his camera so this shows it off.

I don't know why the fascination with laundry but does tell a story.

The setting sun turns the local wine into golden laterns.  On our tiny terrace clinging high above the jagged rocks and churning waves it is a peaceful moment.

By the time we wind our way back to the train and re trace our steps to the train and our cars the gates of the villa are a welcome sight.  The intrepid travelers have overcome every obstacle and managed to persevere.