If I'm in Italy, there must be a Strike. June 16th

Yes there was a train strike in Italy today. But only from 9:00 am till 7:00 pm.  Still had some limited service. That didn't stop us from going to Riomaggiore to hike between the towns of the Cinque Terra. However the fact that most of the trails between the towns were closed did stop us.  So Renai, Bryan and I hiked to the top of the town for the view and then snaked our way back down one step at a time till we were back at the bottom where Mary Ann and Kirsten and Annie were having snacks. 375 hard steps. Not counting the blind alleys where we had to retrace our steps. But the views were spectacular.

 Downtown Riomaggiore.

 Riomaggiore from Above.

View towards the other towns

Down at the bottom, we hear that a train will be coming in soon going towards the other towns. A quick call to Mary Ann and they arrive just a few minutes before the train.  Oh yea, regular ferry service between the towns is suspended because of rough seas.

We get on the train and head to Monterosso the last town and just two towns before ours.  We get off in a light rain and buy umbrellas so the rain will stop. It does.  We find a nice restaurant with a great waiter and have a really great seafood dinner. A nice Korean couple sit next to us and we have a nice conversation about Korea.

Time to pony up. Who will hike the one trail open fròm Monterosso  to Vernazza?  The hardest part of the trail. That's right, Renai and I will be the ones. We bid adieu  to the others and start off. The rest will hit the beach in Monterosso  and join us in Vernazza if and when train service resumes. 

The hike is a lot harder almost 20 years later.  Mary Ann and I had hiked it way back then. That was before you needed to buy tickets to do it and before it got crowded.  But Renai and I go up and up for over an hour and then over and up, till we finally descend into the village of Vernazza a little over 2 hours later. About average time we figure. Not bad for a almost 69 year old and his daughter who needs ACL surgery when she gets home.

 A Few of the steps.

 My hiking partner.

Did I mention steps and crowds?

 First sighting of Vernazza. Over an hour into hike.

 Cat sanctuary along the trail.

Vernazza is getting closer.

 The harbor from where we could sit and have celebratory drink.

 Sign in bathroom. Different from US bathroom signs.

 Kirsten and Annie in Vernazza.

Vernazza.

We have dinner in Vernazza at our favorite restaurant from the last time we were here. Next up is to wait for the train if there is one. We are lucky and we only have to wait a half hour or so.  Still long enough for an express train to come through and blow my hat off my head and send it 50 yards down the tunnel.  I retrieve it unscratched.  We board our train and get off at Bonassola. Even after the mountain hike today, the walk to our apartment is still hard.  Tomorrow is another beach day.