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05/19/2002 Entry: "Italian word for the day: Cinque"
Greetings from the Italian national park and world conservation site of The Cinque Terre (CHINK-wah TAY-ruh). We rolled into the region yesterday at about 4:30 pm and asked the first bartender we could find if he could recommend a place to stay. About 5 minutes later we were unpacking in our latest home and getting ready to take a walk to the shore. Click on the "more" link to read the rest of this post.
The Cinque-Terre is a hiking destination - a string of 5 strictly conserved port towns linked by trails that run through vineyards, along cliff sides, and over the rugged hills of the area. This morning we repeatedly gained and squandered gravitational potential energy as we tackled the mountainous hike from Vernazza to Monterosso. The plan was to then take a water taxi from Monterosso (northern boundary) to Riomaggiore (southern boundary), then hike back from Riomaggiore to our home base of Vernazza, but a big part of the path from Riomaggiore to Vernazza (the section between Manarola and Corniglia), is closed this month for repairs to "dangerous sections". Further complicating our plans, the local trains (the only link to some towns), have gone on a 24 hour strike, which makes two sections of the trail impractical. The bottom line is that we will be staying here another night and departing for Nice on the 21st, which is still nicely ahead of our original schedule.
Since the last update we have spent a day touring various churches in Rome (with special attention paid to those housing Caravaggio's paintings), and we had a travel day from Rome to the South end of The Cinque Terre, which allowed us to create a 2 hour layover in Pisa (I'm sure you can figure out what we did with that time!).
We are still safe and sound, and we appreciate all the feedback we've gotten through the comments section of the web-journal. We will try to keep you up to date as much as possible, and we look forward to seeing all of you again soon!
Ciao,
Nathan
Replies: 3 comments
Hiking! yay! Sounds like it was a fun long weekend... although I suspect Italy doesn't have Victoria Day??
Fiona says to say hi! She was at home in Whitby for the weekend so I went up there for a visit (It was also her birthday yesterday).
James
Posted by James Schellenberg @ 05/21/2002 09:51 AM EST
Hi guys,
We've been following your accounts with great interest. I'm particularly interested in the walking trails. That is something I would enjoy. The scenery is outstanding and it sounds like you are getting to see a lot of interesting things. You are really
wetting our appetites for travel. Well we are off for our thrill of the day, and that is to get a hamburger at the Virgil Stampede.
Julie and Todd will be here shortly and then we will walk on a scenic trail to the Stampede. We are glad to hear that you are safe and well.
Love Mom and Dad
Posted by John and Anne Thiessen @ 05/20/2002 12:17 PM EST
Hi Jennifer and Nathan:
Sounds like you are having a terrific time! The hiking trails at The Cinque look great--I hope the accommodation wasn't too bad. Did you see the leaning tower at Pisa? Or has it fallen over!
We are all well and I'm starting report cards. YUCK! The house is coming well--painting, carpets ripped up, McNamara & Reynolds coming on Thurs. (23) with new carpets. WOW! Take care and thanks for keeping in touch. Love you both lots. MOMOMOMOM
Posted by Linda Scott @ 05/20/2002 09:39 AM EST