Swiss-Italia Part 5

Cinque Terre, Italy back to Lugano Switzerland (Oct 9-19, 2015)

Excuse the delay between reports, I had carpal tunnel surgery 2 weeks ago and I haven't felt much like typing! Still relying pretty much on my off hand, this report may be shorter than my usual ;-)

We had to catch the noon train out of charming Monterosso to Milan, there we would change trains to get us back to Lugano, Switzerland. We unfortunately only spent two nights in Cinque Terre, but the weather cooperated nicely and we really packed a lot into our short stay. We awoke at o-dark early as usual and waited for the coffee shop to open at 0630. It was obvious that the seas were picking up a bit, the lone sailboat in the bay was heading out after a rolly night at anchor I'm sure, wonder what beautiful spot they were heading to next? After a nice breakfast at the Hotel Baia we took advantage of the few remaining hours and walked back to Old Monterosso.







Old Monterosso turned out to be exactly what I had envisioned when we planned this trip. A beautiful mixture of well preserved medieval ruins and well stacked colorful buildings built into the steep mountainside accessed by narrow cobblestone alleys, so perfect. Earlier in the weekend we walked around the Church of San Giovanni Battista ca. 1244, this morning we were smart enough to walk inside, absolutely incredible. I made an offering and was able to bring a candle back to my mom who loves Italy!
















We didn't have long to wander, but we slowly shuffled our feet along the smooth cobble stones soaking it all in. The village was just waking up, shops were starting to open their doors, streets were being swept as usual, cafe tables were being set for lunch, which unfortunately we would not be able to attend. It was going to be another perfectly warm and sunny day in Cinque Terre.










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Check out was at 1100 and all we had to do was throw a couple things into our small backpacks, it was so nice to travel light! Walking out onto our balcony overlooking the deep blue Mediterranean left a bitter sweet feeling in the two of us, bitter because it honestly doesn't get any better than this, but sweet because we would soon be reunited with our daughter in Lugano. We will be back, this I am sure.

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Our train was on time which is the norm in these parts. From our window seats we watched the Italian countryside fly by. We passed the time by discussing how we would spend our next trip to Italy, which is somewhat in the works as I type this one handed. We caught our connecting train in Milan without issue and our conversation quickly turned to our daughter, "do you think she's out of class yet? hurry up conductor get this thing moving!

My hand is tired so I'll make this last part short. We texted our daughter as soon as we arrived at our hotel in Lugano, her dorm is located just a minute walk through a palm tree lined path. We agreed to meet in the middle. I'm so glad I had the camera on my shoulder to capture my favorite shot of the trip, moms and daughters.

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To be continued........Ciao!

Thanks. What a lovely report!

Rick, Fantastic as usual.
But there is always new territory to explore.
How bout sailing in southern Italy sometime?
Been there via land and big boat cruising, but I keep looking at bare boats from Naples area. The food, the wine! Oh my!

JP, I haven't thought much about bareboat charters in Italy....yes I have! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> I had previously read somewhere that I would need to obtain a special license, but I just pulled this off of the Sunsail website. I think I'm good to go!!!

BTW, I am not happy with photobucket, the post should have a lot of photo's in it, I see large gaps between photos, some photos aren't loading properly, should be no gaps <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/smashpc.gif" alt="" />

Skipper is REQUIRED to have one (1) of the following:
&#9726;ICC (International Certificate of Competence), International – Prerequisites: RYA “Day Skipper Course” or similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association or complete the ICC Assessment form to prove competence from previous experience.
&#9726;IPC (International Proficiency Certificate), America – Prerequisites: ASA 104 or US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course”

AND/OR
&#9726;RYA “Day Skipper Course” or above
&#9726;US Sailing “Bareboat Cruising Course” or above
&#9726;ASA “104 Bareboat Cruising Course” or above
&#9726;Or a similar/equivalent certification from any recognized sailing association

It is not photobucket it is a cyber Monday hangover on the web... well that is what are IT folks said all day.

Let me know if you need a crew/bartender/cook for an Italy bareboat trip. Dueling Cameras <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

So glad you are back online!

Thanks Tom! Let's get a TTOL FloatItalia trip going!! I just bought "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson, I wish I had read this before the trip <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Hope your mom is doing ok! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Yes! In a New York second!

Kim? Two Greece trips...time for Southern Italy? Twanger? TackingAG.?
Oh My!

Mom is back at home. It was a long two week stay, but she is happy to be back under a familiar roof. - thanks for asking.

I have not read that book, but I should definitely check it out. There are always things to learn when it comes to taking better pictures.

The one rule I have always followed is to leave the camera in AUTO so you get the picture. Then switch to Manual and take the picture. Too many times I have left camera in manual and something has popped up I want quickly. I snap the shot only to find I left the camera set up like I was in a shooting stain glass windows in a Church... to slow to adjust and the opportunity is gone... The older I get the slower I am. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Rick....wow your photos are incredible and report awesome , even if only with one hand ...haven't been over here on this forum much so catching up,on all of your adventures. ...what a great trip,you guys had eh?

I need to finish my Greek trip report ....but really don't have a good excuse like surgery ...

and JP- seriously looking at Itally for our next European sailing adventure.,..
bought a damn boat here at home this year so sadly no immediate plans for the near future, to sail abroad ....if only this darn thing called working didn't get in the way <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Great Info

Handrickbenz, welcome to TTOL. Interesting coincidence, you posted on the exact day we laid my dad to rest. I remember the prayers I said in the Church of San Giovanni Battista, thank you for choosing this particular report to post on.

Beerman--our condolences on the passing of your father. I lost mine in 2004, Eric last year. It is hard..

Thanks Carol, it is hard. ""Gone, but not forgotten"

Yes..