Italy ...here we come

Getting there is half the fun

Flights, waiting, even the trains when we hit the ground in Milano were pretty close to clockwork, which had us meet the challenge of arriving in Camogli about 3pm with still at least two or three hours of the Pesche Fiesta to go. 

Pesche Fiesta Camogli

We saw the 6-metre wide fry pan fired up and serving the hordes with a variety of fresh fried seafood. Looked to be a bit of fun but with eyes hanging out from 36 hours of travel airports and train stations we eschewed the chance to jostle with the rest for what appeared to be a free little box of floured and cooked but I think not gutted etc fish. Instead we repaired to a waterfront Ristorante Primula for some seafood and salad .... Tuna and squid were excellent deep fried prawns forgettable.

Luciano from I Maggiolini B and B met us at the train station, relieved us of our light luggage and provided instruction of busing up the steep hill, then the stairs to his house. We only got a little lost and after arrival some further instruction to Bar Nico further up the hill and a great spot to watch sunset over a local "birra" bread cheese and salami. Even so we were back in bed and asleep before the end off twilight. Luciano promised quiet and certainly delivered.

Breakfast I Maggiolini B&B

After a good 12 hours sleep it was brekky on the terrace overlooking the sea and Camogli and some refinement of advice on our schedule for the day. .... Back up the hill to the little suburb of Ruta (where Nicos is) and turn left to join the series of walking tracks through Portofino National Park. We were to walk one and a half to two hours to San Fruttuoso for lunch and a swim -- catch boat to Portofino Mare, then another flat walk to San Margarithe Ligura  and a bus back to Ruta. Despite some complaints from herself and my left knee we accomplished the lot, despite quite a bit of people watching waiting for the boat.

The up and up then down, down and down walk to San Fruttuoso was very speccie and enjoyable. The swim in the Mediterranean was only a little bracing at the start and made it around to the next cove all of 100 metres. Lunch at beachside Giorgio's was a relaxed affair and we managed a discussion with a Swiss couple at next table who were revisiting after 42 years.

On the Track Parc Portofino

Beach San Futtuoso

Boat trip around to Portofino was uneventful  though we observed some of the toys of the rich even if not famous coming into port... An enormous super yacht, the Kauris III was moored in harbour along with several nearly as big, and on the six km walk to San Margarithe you see people soaking up the rays on hired sun beds ... It must be bedlam in high season still a month or two away.

There was a big passenger cruiser in the bay with sails furled waiting for it complement to re board and head off for the next day's playground. We encountered a Christofo Columbus statue on the waterfront while we waited for the bus he looked to be hailing for us. Must look up the connection because I thought he'd left from Genova which seemed to be supported by an even bigger marble statue of him outside the Genova Principe Station where we waited for a connection to Turino the next day.

Back to Ruta via an exciting bus ride, down the hill for a shower and check feet for blisters --- negative, despite how they feel after the quick march along the coastline -- then back up the hill slowly for a more leisurely dinner at Nico's again, and to back up his recommendation we met Luciano and his mate and their dogs, as we were heading home. They were on there way for a coffee and rum at Nico's.

Sunset over Camogli from Nico's Bar

Another quiet restful night with another terrace breakfast and the a mad ride down to the station with Luciano  "I used to be a taxi driver in Milano" . Fond goodbyes, buy ticket for Genova and find about onward train to Turino allowing time for an hour's walk around Camogli -- much, much quieter than on Sunday's arrival.

Camogli Italy