October 6. I get up early and take the train north a short distance to Monterosso al Mare. From here I'll take a foot trail south through the other 4 towns of Cinque Terre. Monterosso is the only Cinque Terre Town with a sandy beach.

The trail out of Monterosso al Mare winds upwards into the mountains ...

And keeps winding upwards ...

...and upward and upwards. See the arrow pointing to those tiny (enhanced) white specs? Those are people on the same trail. At this point I was begining to wonder what I'd gotten myself into.

I realize the hike is more than worth it when I see this scene. This is Vernazza, the town I'm staying in.

The trail between Vernazza and next town, Corniglia, is even more grueling. But half way to Corniglia I meet up with these 3 lovely ladies -- suddenly the trail is not so tough after all. Maria, Amanda and her sister Jennifer are all from Melborne, Australia although Maria and Amanda are currently living and working in London and Jennifer is living and working in Philladelphia. We stay together for the rest of the day and yak about life in Canada compaired to Australia and elsewhere. They even made me dinner. Ladies, I can't thank you enough, and I hope we meet again. You'll always be welcome in Canada.

Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore. The towns of the Cinque Terre each have town councils that discuss and decide upon what colour to paint the towns buildings. Apparantly it's a big deal that the town should asthetically pleasing.

The Mediteranian

Manarola.

Manarola

On board the water taxi. We caught this taxi in the last town on the trail, Riomaggiore, and ride it back to Monterosso al Mare.

Corniglia

Vernazza

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