Vernazza- town 4

The next leg of the journey was going to be a little harder so we stopped for a lovely cup of coffee to fortify ourselves before we set off.

2.5km of mostly uneven terrain high above the coastline, it was still very lovely and thankfully a little more shaded. I was really feeling my unfit start and then we came across a station where you could call for help from. I thought that was nice but what if you were a lot further back or forward? My mobile certainly wasn't getting any reception.

There was never so welcome a sight as that of Vernazza. Especially as I knew for me that this would be the end of the tramp for me. I was going to train the last leg of the journey.

Vernazza was another lovely city. Josie, Chris and I were left to explore it at our leisure while Greg, Kev and Jordan went off to do the last bit.

Corniglia-Town 3

Just behind me you can see whére we are headed to-Corniglia 2.8km away. It is surrounded on three sides by vineyards and terraces and on the fourth side, it descends steeply to the sea.

To reach Corniglia, you have to climb the Lardarina, a long brick flight of steps made up of 33 flights with 377 steps. You can see the flight of steps from aways back and the closer you get the more daunting they looked but in the end it wasn't so bad. Whatever my huffing, wheezing and red face might look like contradicting.

Jordan just billy goated up. But she encouraged me to do it as fast as I was able to, in the steadfast belief that it makes it easier. I'm still in two minds about that. I don't know whether it's better to take it easier and get there less winded(prolonging the pain is how others see it), or go hard and be completely fagged when you get there.

Manarola

Via Dell'Amore

Via Dell'Amore translated means lovers lane. I thought there would be some tragically romantic or sweetly romantic reason but there isn't apart from the fact that because of the views/scenery it's considered quite romantic.

The lane come about as a result of modernising the railway. A tunnel between Manarola and Riomaggiore was needed so two paths overlooking the sea were carved - one from Manarola and one from Riomaggiore, with the aim to reach a safe and not easily reachable space to place the powder-magazine where the mines for the works were prepared. After the end of the works the powder-magazine was destroyed but not the paths.
The locals could see the benefits in making the paths more accessible and despite the difficulties in doing so, they succeeded. How's that for romantic?

Rio Maggiore - The first part of the walk.

As you can see, it's a very pretty walk. This part is very easy as well as it is only 1km.

We saw a few pretty things that we would have really liked but we contented ourselves with just gelato.

La Spezia-Heading off to the Cinque Terre

La Spezia is where you buy your Cinque Terre card. The card entitles you access to the Cinque Terre trail, and to ride any of the trains between the towns. The card was introduced as a way to maintain and upkeep the trail.

We had a little excitement when I realised I couldn't find my card. The train was due to leave shortly. I had an idea of where I could have left them, so I raced back and sure enough there was my card lying on the bench besides the postcards.

Needless to say Greg was not impressed.

Always got room for chocolate.

Of course no family holiday is complete without some chocolate. We scoured the streets looking for an internet cafe but to no avail. Everyone was good at sending us places but the places turned out to be bogus.

But the roam was not fruitless. It brought us in close contact with hot chocolate. No journey seems properly complete until we have discovered the Holy Grail of hot chocolate.

We couldn't really read Italian, but we could read fondue. There seemed to be several different options for fondue so we just picked one and hoped for the best. What we got was a fondue with a small selection of cakes. I think fruit works better but it all tastes good as the chocolatey smiles verified.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Before we are allowed up the tower we have to stow our bags in the provided safe lockers. Good for us as we still had our luggage on us. Okay it was only a backpack but nevertheless it was still nice to take a load off.

We'd barely set one foot inside the tower and already we were off kilter and stumbling. No we hadn't been drinking. It's amazing how much of a difference the slight slant makes to a climb.

We had to wait for about 5-10mins near the top, until the group on top left. It was a lovely view. We weren't allowed very long up top and the tour lady started to get grumpy with us near the end.

I was happy to leave. Although I have climbed higher towers, this was the one that got me the closest to freaking. I had an almost overpowering need to lie flat with my arms spread out wide and clinging. But I got over that. Having my family laughing at me helped me to focus on something else.

A big hinge...correction apparently it's a bolt so in the fashion of Pratchett it shall be called the big metal thing that slides and stops things fro

You have to book in to climb the tower of Pisa and I think each group only takes up to 40 people. And the tours are every 20 minutes. We had a bit of time so we walked around the square a bit.

We came across this really big slidey metal mechanism that stops things from entering or exiting, which was on a huge gate. Behind the huge gate was a ...cemetery. Which begs the question is the gate to keep people out? or whatever's in the cemetery in?(cue lightening, thunder and scary music).

To be honest, I just thought 'That's a really big slidey metal mechanism. Cool.Take a photo.'

Il Duomo di Pisa

Taking photos was such hard work that we decided to stop for pizza and vino. Also we needed to build up a bit of stamina to climb up the Leaning Tower. It would have been a really nice break too, if the darn hawkers would've just let us alone.

At least they provided us with a little bit of entertainment when they all bolted at the sight of the cops. One would think that their endeavours weren't strictly legal!?!

Although we didn't buy anything, we were gifted with a couple of very red, wooden elephants. Then it was on to the Duomo di Pisa.

Only 2 Euros entry fee which I felt was well worth the price. Photos can never really capture the grandeur of such places. I was surprised that even the postcards were unable to do it justice either.

I guess you'll just have to see it for yourself....with a stopover to visit us of course.

Santa Maria della Spina

It took us a little while to wend our way towards the Leaning Tower as there was so much to see and enjoy on the way. We even spotted a few residences that we thought would do very nicely as our home away from home. They've been put on Greg's to-do list for when we become rich from his various projects.

One of those interesting sights was this darling little church, Santa Maria della Spina. So named, apparently after it became the shrine of a thorn which according to legend, came from the crown of thorns worn by Jesus.

There was a 2 Euro entrance fee and not
really a lot to see inside as most of the statues etc... were donated to the museum for safekeeping. The church had needed a bit of maintenance as it was suffering from the same malaise as the Leaning Tower.

Even coffee is more exciting in a different country.

Whilst whiling away the time until we met up with our whanau, we smelt the enticing aromas of coffee beckoning us to truly experience the joys of Italian coffee. Greg had barely formed the words, 'Shall we...?',before he found himself in the cafe with the words doppio espresso leaving his mouth.

Jordan ordered a cafe latte , which turned out to be a cup of hot milk with the coffee in a separate jug. As you can see from the picture, we felt that to be the height of sophistication.

We're on our way from Austria to Italy

It was with great excitement that we set off on our journey to meet up with Greg's family in Pisa travelling via Florence.
'We'll rendez-vous by the Leaning Tower', were words that sent a thrill through me. I could hardly believe that I was going to be a part of the 'rendez-vous'.

We decided to take the overnight night train to Florence. A mere 12 hours. Compulsory reservations meant that we found ourselves in less than desirable seats-in a whole carriage where the lights never got turned off, with some very 'happy' Russians(Vodka happy)who were intent on sharing their music with the whole carriage.

Actually the music was fine, it was the singing that needed a little tuning.

6.30am we were chugging our way to Pisa. Typically we got a fine. Apparently we forgot to validate our ticket, which incurs a 5 euro fine or a 40 euro fine if you don't seek out the conductor ASAP.

Nothing could dim the joy of being in Florence.

Getting ready for the family.

In preparation for the arrival of Greg's family, we had a few things to sort out. One of them was a bed. We looked at a few different options, like pull out sofas and such. But those options were rejected as they were too haevy for me too carry on my own and even with a few other hands helping, we didn't think they fit on the bus.

So we were very pleased to see that our local supermarkets were selling inflatable queen sized beds they came up to your knee when inflated. They looked very comfy. Unfortunately our local wasn't selling them and when I tried to pick one up elsewhere, I discovered that I really am as weak as I keep telling Greg I am.

We finally got it home and all set up. Jordan was very eager to try it out. But as you can see from the pic, the bed didn't really work out. poor Jordy woke up in the middle of the night to discover that the reason the bed felt a little hard was cos it had deflated and she was now sleeping on the floor.

Oh well, back to the drawing board.