Flight Home

Well the trip is almost over. We caught the plane on time in Rome and as I write this we are over a cloudy Labrador.

Some thoughts of this trip include how beautiful every place was and how neither of us has a favourite place because there was so many beautiful things that we saw.

The weather was sunny and hot for all three weeks except for 2 rainy days. Temperatures in the low 30's was the norm and hot evenings were typical enabling all the people to eat outside after 8 P.M. ( and no bugs either)

Our B+B in Cinque Terre had only a small fan for cooling so we slept with the balcony doors open.

Some sample costs were $8.65 for a big Mac (no we didn't eat any!), $3.45 for 500 ml of coke, small plate of spaghetti for $12.50 , $2.75 for a small bottle of water and finally the best value by far being local wine at $6.25 a bottle.

It was a wonderful trip to celebrate our 30th anniversary.

Update at Fort Saskatchewan

No problems in Toronto and we arrived on time in Edmonton

Dad picked us up and we were home by about 10 P.M. local time ( 0600 body time).As I write this it is 6:30 A.M. Alberta time and we are both awake already.

Fun with trains Part 2

Another interesting day...

After our final breakfast and looong walk back to our place we waited for the taxi to pick us up (part of the service of the B+B)

We caught the local train for Cinque Terre which took us to La Spezia where we caught the fast train going  directly to Roma Termini Station in Rome.
Well you know where this commentary is going right?

About 1 hour into our trip soon after we passed through Pisa just as we got to a small insignificant station in the middle of Italian nowhere this super fast, very modern sleek piece of machinery decided it wasn't having fun anymore and shuddered to a stop.Thirty minutes of banging etc brought us to the dreaded news over the intercom that the train was broken and we would all have to vacate it and go to the other station platform and wait for the regional train so that is what 200 of us did.And of course it was over 30 degrees again and the regional train didn't show up for 30 more minutes.Regional trains stop at MANY different local stations so we didn't get here until after 7 (were planning to be here at 4:30).

We found our B+B across the street then went to supper at a place we discovered last time we were here.

We had a wonderful trip but it is time to head home

The following photos were taken today with the first one being our not so  fast broken train
The last photo is especially for Charlie in Calgary.It is a photo of the tower in Pisa (not the leaning tower unfortunately   ha ha ha)

30th Anniversary supper

Even though it is a few days early we celebrated our 30th tonight in Monterosso.We had a fabulous meal at a seaside restaurant that stuffed us so much we couldn't finish it all. This meal was the completion of the gift that all our kids gave to us for fathers and mothers day.It was fabulous and I am sure we will bore you all with stories about tonight for years to come. THANKS again to all of you and we will see you soon.Did I mention it was fabulous???

Cinque Terre from a different angle

Today we decided to buy a boat ferry pass for the day enabling us to travel between the towns at our own pace. That pace turned out to be a little slower than yesterdays  : )

After another nice breakfast we came back to our place (breakfast is located about 1.5 km away from here) and got ready to go out for the day.

Ferry passes in hand we went to Riomaggiore first where we spent a couple of hours. She who must be obeyed actually wanted to climb up to a nice look out spot. I whined and snivelled until I got my way and so we stayed relatively close to sea level!

We spent time in 3 of the towns (the 4th is accessed from railroad or trails).

Upon our return we went to our place (about 400 metres from the main road then uuup 176 steps) S.W.M.B.O. (See above) decided she wanted to go swimming in the sea so 176 steps down and 400 meters later she enjoys her swim and I guard our stuff. A short time afterwards, 400 meters and 176 steps later we stagger back to our place to get ready for supper at a restaurant in the old town ( 176 steps down,......well you get picture)

Cinque Terre

A day full of accomplishments.

We took the train to the far south town  Riomaggiore to start our adventure.

The normal hiking trail between Riomaggiore and Manarola was closed but did that stop this pair of Shoppers Drug seniors (55 years old get the seniors discount right Vanessa?).NOOOOOOO it did not. We just took a Much Much harder trail over the mountain and down into Manarola.

A beautiful town as are all the villages here.

The main trail between Manarola and Corniglia was also closed but did that stop your intrepid adventurers???? Actually it did . A local guide told us that to get to Corniglia would take 3 hours on very steep trails over the mountain and in todays heat (32 degrees) it was foolish to go.With age comes wisdom....we took the train to Corniglia.

After visiting that town we hiked to Vernazza. Mein gott it was hot. We were going through the water like mad.We were starting to feel tired on this section and there were some times I was wondering about the wisdom that comes with age when it comes to our hiking madness.

The final hike was between Vernazza and our home base here in Monterosso.This hike pretty much finished us. Why don't they make these hiking trails levels and maybe pave them instead of using the ancient trails tat have conected the towns for centuries....I am just saying  : )

As  I write this we have been staying off our feet enjoying a bottle of wine on our balcony that looks down towards the ocean.

We hurt but we both have a great sense of accomplishment.The photos below give an idea of what we were  hiking through.