The transfer train in Florence had delayed and all schedule is delayed by 1hr.
The supposed train was to be arrived in platform 5 but it changed to arrived in platform 1.
It was not updated on the screen, only announced in Italian.
We foolishly waited there on platform 5 till the train departed. Only 10mins later we then realized they had changed the platform. With no choice, we dragged our luggage to the next platform for next train:(
La Spezia Train Station
CINQUE TERRE
"The Five Lands" is composed of five village.
Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore.
The coastline, 5 villages and the surrounding hillsides are all parts of the Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
RIOMAGGIORE
8mins to reach Riomaggiore from La Spezia.
Stepping out of train station, you will see a big mural before entering a tunnel.
Nice chilling temperature inside despite the hot weather,
Main street, Via Columbo
Out of the tunnel, incline slope waiting for us to climb.
This is challenging dragging with our luggage.
After 200m, we reached our B&B, Il Boma B&B.
Climbing a flight of stairs to the main entrance.... Ring the bell...
And thru intercom, we are told to climb another 3 levels up to our room!
Finally our room!
Tiny room, the smallest we stayed in entire trip.
Small little TV Box hang up the ceiling. Coffeemaker and some juices inside the fridge.
There are no aircon!!! It stated otherwise in their website.
Luckily the ceiling fan able to circulate the breeze in the room.
Breakfast is only some prepack muffins/ croissant in the cupboard.
Fitted string for hanging clothes.
Private bathroom 4metres away from our room.
We quickly left our baggage and start to explore this village.
Bought a seafood cone, focaccia and have a hike in trail 3A which on a higher ground that allows us to take some nice view of Riomaggiore.
Seafood cone (5eur)
My back starts to ache again and take a rest while GG playing the swing.
View from 3A trail.
Riomaggiore Train Station
And next we headed to Manarola which is one stop away (5mins ride).
View of Riomaggiore
Next day
After back from Vernazza, we ordered Cinnamon sugar Crepe at Gelateria Centrale for our tea break.
Rest here while waiting for sunset.
The water is incredibly cold, unable to take a swim at all.
Around 7pm, we buy some take away pasta and sit at the seaside waiting for the sunset with the company of seagulls. sun starts to set at around 8.30pm.
Sunset
MANAROLA
Another charming town, watching people jumping from the Cliff.
We stayed there for dinner and drink beer along the trail and wait for sunset. that's the best timing to take great picture of the entire village.
Linguine Ai Bath Balti (18eur)
Green Salad
MONTEROSSO
2ND DAY
We took a train to Monterosso (Approx. 15mins from Riomaggiore), this is the only sand beach of the 5 terre. Plenty beach brolly along the beach, biggest village among the five.
We bought a Pesto Focaccia form a bakery just outside train station.
Very tasty! Just plain focaccia and apply some pesto sauce on it.
Pesto is the local specialty and I bought 2 bottle (6eur) home:)
Only stay there for an hour and we proceed to Vernazza, just a stop away (3 mins).
VERNAZZA
Another charming village and the only one that had decline slope form train station.
We stay here for some sun bath before we headed back to Riomaggiore for a swim.
Sandwiches for lunch
Sun is warm here with slight breeze, really good place to relax.
A lot tourist during weekends, it's nice to visit during weekdays.
However, it is still much better than the crowd in Venice.
