Camogli

We had just changed trains at La Spezia and am heading for the Italian Rivera and the Ligurian coast. It was really exciting to be back in these parts again. Two and half years ago we were here in La Spezia, changing trains for the Cinque terre. The Cinque terre is 5 fishing villages strung along the Ligurian coast and linked by a walking trail. We walked the trail that linked all 5 villages, stayed in one of them, Manorola and had a great time. As the train passed through tunnels, lots of them, we couldn't see anything, then as it burst out of the tunnels, glimpses of the Ligurian sea came into view. God, I still feel the excitement as I write this, a few weeks later. The view of that gorgeous Ligurian sea, sparkling and gleaming like a thousand diamonds. I've never seen a sea so sparkling as the sun strikes on it. Then it disappear from view as we passed through another tunnel, then it came back into view, the play was driving me out of my mind. This is not the Cinque terre train, so it doesn't stop at all 5 villages, just the first and the last. I caught a glimpse of the very beautiful Vernazza. Wow! It is still so beautiful, it is still the queen of the Cinque terre. We saw a few Americans alight from the train presumably to go to the Cinque terre.

The Ligurian sea, sparkling and gleaming in the afternoon Italian sun.

The last of the five Cinque terre villages.... see you another time.

Camogli- it is just further up on the Italian Rivera, a little fishing village, one of the many that dot the Italian Rivera. We were so absorbed with the view that we almost forgot to get off at Camogli. It is a very colorful village, lots of people come to paint it. We didn't see anyone because the season's over and this is a great time to visit, no crowds, we almost had the whole place to ourselves. The Italian Rivera can get very crowded in summer and Easter. You don't know about it doesn't mean others don't. It is very close to Santa Margherita and Portofino. We took a lot of pictures. The people were very nice and laid back. They were glad they have their town back after the invasion of the summer visitors.

Land is scarce and the hills are steep, so they have to build up, 7-8 stories up and all squeezed together and this is the charm of Camogli.

We had a great dinner of pasta with seafood and ate some great focaccia bread, the specialty of the area. The other specialty is fish fry.

From the top of the hill, near our hotel and looking down at what is a semblance of a harbor and a beach. Be prepared for a lot of steps.