Our group hopped on a pair of boats this morning to visit two more of the Cinque Terra villages, and boat past all of the villages for photos from the sea. First up was Vernazza, Rick Steve's favorite, and it seemed nice but nothing spectacular. Then came Manarola, which was the prettiest from the water AND one of the shops had a shirt I was interested in for half the price that Riomaggiore and Vernazza were asking, so score! We took about 200 photos today between us....
After the two visits, we went back to Monterosso for lunch and vegetated a bit before setting out on a hike from Monterosso to Vernazza. It is billed as 3.7 Km, but Endomondo said it was just over 3 miles. We knew going in that there were big hills to hike over. They were a big reason the 4 minute train ride was billed as a two hour walk. It was brutal. You have to pay $17 for the privilege of torturing yourself on this walk. We did have 48 ounces of water to fortify ourselves as we went and finished half of that along with donating about 8 ounces to a pair of hikers going the other way who were out (there is no place to refill water along the way). We soldiered through over 2600 feet of elevation gain -- the first mile or more was all up hill. Once we reached a flat part, we thought it would get easier. WRONG. There was yet more elevation to gain and lose. I was sure we could hike it in less than 2 hours, but it took 2 hours and 20 minutes from the hotel to the main street of Vernazza. Fortunately, we were able to take the $9 train ride back.
To reward myself, I bought a bottle of local wine only available here because they can sell all of it in this area, got Jim a coke, and made dinner out wine and my favorite German cookies, which cost half as much here as back home.
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| The harbor and our boats. |
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| Monterosso as we depart |
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| The trees on the top of the ridge look like a mohawk cut. |
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| WWII Bunker |
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| Our boat driver, a Vernazza resident |
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| The window is an air vent for the train |
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| Approaching Vernazza |
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| View from the church |
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| Leaving Vernazza. The sea is a bit rough. |
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| Corniglia, which has a harbor only suitible for kayaks. |
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| Approaching Manarola |
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| A train station, visible as we leave Manarola |
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| Our companion boat |
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| A ferry with tons of passengers |
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| The sea was a bit wild. |
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| Returning to Monterosso |
After the two visits, we went back to Monterosso for lunch and vegetated a bit before setting out on a hike from Monterosso to Vernazza. It is billed as 3.7 Km, but Endomondo said it was just over 3 miles. We knew going in that there were big hills to hike over. They were a big reason the 4 minute train ride was billed as a two hour walk. It was brutal. You have to pay $17 for the privilege of torturing yourself on this walk. We did have 48 ounces of water to fortify ourselves as we went and finished half of that along with donating about 8 ounces to a pair of hikers going the other way who were out (there is no place to refill water along the way). We soldiered through over 2600 feet of elevation gain -- the first mile or more was all up hill. Once we reached a flat part, we thought it would get easier. WRONG. There was yet more elevation to gain and lose. I was sure we could hike it in less than 2 hours, but it took 2 hours and 20 minutes from the hotel to the main street of Vernazza. Fortunately, we were able to take the $9 train ride back.
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| Right away we start climbing above the beach. |
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| Beneath the path we will take at the top, there is a set of old stone steps. Maybe the original trail?? |
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| A relatively flat section, about 45 minutes in. |
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| After the 1st challenging hour, I am still capable of being cheery. |
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| Endomondo says we got about 900 feet up (assuming it's altitude estimates are off 200 feet like they are at home). |
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| At last: Vernazza! There is hope about 2 hours after we started. |
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| About that time, I am only glad that I am still alive and no longer cheery about this hike. |
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| We are still 10-15 minutes away from the end, but at least it is mostly downhill. |
To reward myself, I bought a bottle of local wine only available here because they can sell all of it in this area, got Jim a coke, and made dinner out wine and my favorite German cookies, which cost half as much here as back home.
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