We started the weekend by taking a train from Arezzo to La Spezia then from La Spezia to Riomaggiore, which is where we stayed. Riomaggiore was the first town of the "five lands" or Cinque Terre. Each breathtaking city had its unique charm with lemoncello and fresh fruit stands throughout the town. It was truly one of the most beautiful places I've ever been.
It is a place of love. All along the trails you can see where couples have put locks along the shore. At one end of the "via amore", couples sit and kiss while they throw the key to their lock into the ocean... sigh.
It started to rain on the hike and it truly looked like Jurassic Park! The rain was actually quite refreshing though. The hike was far from easy with slippery wet rocks and plunging cliffs but it was worth every second. I don't think I've seen a more beautiful place.
I was a little sore the next day:)
After an interesting hostel experience with a Hawaiian musician and a handsome cruise ship co-captain, we went to have the most visually enjoyable cup of coffee in the world. I could have sat there all day. The water was crystal clear and bluer than I've ever seen. The sun was out now; it was warm on my skin. I had to keep telling myself this was real life.
For lunch I had the most incredible seafood displayed below. Something about a beach town that makes it a crime to not get seafood. I had mussels, shrimp, and clams which made a heavenly concoction. The place we ate was on the water and wasn't too expensive. The old Italian owner kept touching my back every time he walked by and kept saying "bella, bella, bella!" among other Italian phases. Oh, old Italian men.
The rest of the group went back early that afternoon but Kate, Alison, Brooke, and I wanted to stay and layout on the beach (well, more like huge marble rocks). I'm not going to lie: I felt like Beyonce on vacation somewhere exotic. As the waves crashed and misted my skin while I was laying on a bright white marble boulder along blue water, I realized I had it better than Beyonce!!
The day ended too soon and also ended with a pretty bad cut on my foot from the rocks. Totally worth it.
I will be back to Cinque Terre.
I'm proud of you!
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