Going up northwards, the first village is Riomaggiore.
Coastal area...
The colourful village...
In somebody's backyard...
From Riomaggiore, you can either take a train (for old people like me) or take a 30-minute-walk to the next village, Manarola. Of course, it is nice to do some walking, so I decided to hike along the famous "Via dell'Amore" (Path of Love).
Well, with such a name, I was expecting graffiti (you know, those mushy X loves Y scribbles) everywhere. I was not disappointed.
This was taken in a pedestrian tunnel along the way. Lots of graffiti. Did I scribble too? Well, you have to go there yourself to check! (^_~)
After breezing along the path for about 30 minutes, I finally arrived at Manarola.
Lovely.
Man, I want one of those houses... (>.<) They really look like toys from afar...
And feeling confident from my last walk, I continued to hike to the next village, this time about 40-50 mins. Little did I know that it was going to be so hot (>.<;)A. Since Corniglia is on the top of a cliff unlike the other villages, towards the end of the walk you can choose to take a bus there or climb up almost 400 steps. Since I've already walked all the way, might as well finish it, no? So up and up I went! (^,^)
Corniglia is an agricultural village, and has lots of vineyards on the hill.
Along the narrow streets of Corniglia...
Age has finally caught up with me, the sun has completely pierced my skin, and my feet were killing me. I decided to take a train this time to the next village, Vernazza.
Vernazza, as taken from the ruins of a castle tower. You can see little boats, and the Church of Santa Margherita di Antiochia (you can easily guess... it's the one with the tower) etc.
Finally, after taking another train, I arrived at Monterosso, the most "touristy" village out of the five.
Monterosso has the longest beach among the villages....
As well as castles and ruins...
And very "resorty"...
Ok... that ends my article for today. Just a quick advice for those who want to come to this place, put on lots and lots of sun lotion! Or else you'll get all red and dark from all the sunburn, like this bloke...
And I had to wear a sleeveless Tee that day, of all days! Check out the tan-line along my shoulders. And I was wearing a watch too! *cringes whilst looking at the tan-line on his wrist* I have not had this dark of a tan since my secondary school days (where you're forced to be out in the hot sun for activities). 9 months' worth of skin lightening effort in the UK all gone in less than a day (TOT)
And where are those fair, white skin products when you really need them? The UK is only littered with all those "summer look", "with tanning agents", and "bronze-look" products... I don't need those... I'm tan enough already!!! Give me back my fair skin!! (TOT)