October 3rd - 5th: Cinque Terre

The Cinque Terre is a series of five villages perched over the Ligurian coast and accessed by hiking trails with breathtaking views - that is until weather intervenes and threatens to wash village and trail into the sea.  October 2011 saw such an event and although all five villages are back in their multi-coloured hues, some trails have not re-opened.  All villages are accessible by train and boat.

Our first view of Riomaggiore where we were to stay for 3 nights.

A stony beach for sun worshipers.

Riomaggiore from on high.

Monterosso

Benton's Plumbtec  rules - plenty of work to be done in Italy.

Typical coastline in which the five villages are nestled.

Elena and Paul - two Bostonians we kept bumping into.

Efforts to keep the land from falling into the sea.

Classic Vernazza - first time this photo has ever been taken!

Living cheek by jowl.

The ancient crafts are maintained.

Pumpkins were sometimes used instead of rocks to keep the roof from blowing off.

Leaving Vernazza

Still leaving Vernazza....

The origins of Australia's prickly pear.

Typical rock hugging in Corniglia.

Manorola

Swimming at Manorola.

Manorola by the sea.

A steep climb to our room at Riomaggiore.

Goodbye to Riomaggiore.