Vernazza (Cinque Terre)
We could tell you all about how Vernazza is one of five mediterranean equivilants of mini-Banffs, all linked together in a rather spectacular fashion by a series of terraced olive and grape vineyards. Vistors can hike through these sea and cliffside terraces between towns on rough hewn stonework a footworn paths.
Anecdotally, however, is the best way to desribe the place. We went to the local wood fired pizzeria and ordered one to take away and eat by the sea. The skilled pizza guy leapt into action rolling out the dough while we chatted. A few minutes later he had the pizza ready, and showed it to us before he tipped it into the box. 'ROMATICA!' he yelled. (See below)
The Italians are smoooooooth! haha...
We only had a day here, so we thought we'd make the most of it with a hike to the next town, up the cliffsides and then back to Vernazza. The intial 3km hike into the next town was beautiful, on a rolling cliffside path shaded by the olive trees and stonework.
___
Things got desparate for Team Zissou, as our early morning observations of low lying area dragged into the boiling heat of the afternoon. Unpaid Intern Brad looks stoically onwards to our ultimate destination, the rugged pirate badland hills of the Cinque Terre. A 7km uphill hike took a turn for the sweaty, but was worth it for our discovery of the curious boarded up church/temple near the peak. Early analyses suggest it was a temple to posideon.
_
We were immensely pleased to see our hotel after getting back nearly six hours later. A seaside restaurant that evening served up some delicious seafood and pasta. The well-earned 4 scoop Gelatto devoured afterwards went down smooth.
Anecdotally, however, is the best way to desribe the place. We went to the local wood fired pizzeria and ordered one to take away and eat by the sea. The skilled pizza guy leapt into action rolling out the dough while we chatted. A few minutes later he had the pizza ready, and showed it to us before he tipped it into the box. 'ROMATICA!' he yelled. (See below)
The Italians are smoooooooth! haha...
We only had a day here, so we thought we'd make the most of it with a hike to the next town, up the cliffsides and then back to Vernazza. The intial 3km hike into the next town was beautiful, on a rolling cliffside path shaded by the olive trees and stonework.
___
Things got desparate for Team Zissou, as our early morning observations of low lying area dragged into the boiling heat of the afternoon. Unpaid Intern Brad looks stoically onwards to our ultimate destination, the rugged pirate badland hills of the Cinque Terre. A 7km uphill hike took a turn for the sweaty, but was worth it for our discovery of the curious boarded up church/temple near the peak. Early analyses suggest it was a temple to posideon.
_
We were immensely pleased to see our hotel after getting back nearly six hours later. A seaside restaurant that evening served up some delicious seafood and pasta. The well-earned 4 scoop Gelatto devoured afterwards went down smooth.
The next morning, Anette started the day off right with a nautical-themed cappuccino. Cappuccinos in Italy are truly an art. The barrista drew a sailboat (complete with portholes, seagulls, and the North Star) in chocolate on the foam in her cup. And, of course, no cappuccino is complete without a sinfully delicious chocolate-filled croissant on the side.
Onwards to ROME!
posted by Brad and Anette at 10:08 AM
4 Comments:
Anette & Brad,
Your site is a really entertaining read. Glad to hear you're having such an awesome time!
I also want to thank the person who wrote the earlier comment about clicking the pictures to enlarge them. Haha, I too did not figure that out. I guess sometimes the simple things escape us geniouses :) So, anyways, I'm certainly enjoying the pictures lots more now!
In case you're wondering, Amette. work here is going really well. I'm enjoying it. They even gave me a cake and a card for my birthday, super nice, hey?! We got your postcard here too. Everyone liked it and it's posted on the bulletin board. I must say, it's now the best thing in the whole office. I mean, I postcard from Anette, how can you compete!!?!
Anywho, I hope you enjoy Rome. Look forward to reading about it.
Lisa
LOVE the wave crashing photo. The Pensive Brad shot was good too, though I sense it was snapped a split second before it became the stock "Thinker" pose practiced all too much on our grade 12 trip. Oh the laughter.
The three words you need to know in Rome: Mi piace gelato. Gets you out of any sticky situation.
Buona fortuna e compremi una cartolina!
R.
I ran into Brad & Anette the other day in a bookstore in downtown Calgary.
"Shh," they said, "Don't tell anyone we've been here the whole time! It's all a scam!"
As they picked generic stock photos from a book to scan for the blog, I knew I had to spread the word so everyone would stop being jealous of this made-up "European adventure".
Doesn't everyone feel better now? I'm working for you, the people. ;)
On a seperate note, I hope you both made the proper sacrifices to Poseidon as required.
Fantastic...
Hope the pizza tasted as good as it looked! I'm running out to Starbucks right now to demand a chocolate boat in my latte! I'm there every flippin' day...it's the least they can do.
Going through your photostream I found a photo that wasn't on your blog site - delicious, unblemished grapes hanging off of the biggest vine I've ever seen. Why in the world didn't you take a few minutes off of your 30 hour, uphill hike to stop and make some wine??
All is well here. Cooper is starting his Lego camp next week. He's swimming up a storm almost every day and is brown as a bunny. Ah, to be a kid again.
Take care and enjoy Rome. Looking forward to your next blog.
Love AK
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