Had another great day yesterday, although the whole trip has been amazing, Cinque Terre makes me feel like My vacation has just started. We hit the last of the 5 towns ( or first, depending on which end you start at) yesterday, Riomaggiore. Where our town Monterosso is spread out along the coastline, this town heads up into the hills, with the main street of town being quite steep. We bought lunch, paper cones filled with different mixes of fried anchovies, calamari, prawns, veggies and sat on a bench enjoying it.
We went back to Manarola, and enjoyed a cold beer sitting on main street people watching, with Jane and Donna. We took the boat back to Monterosso, which gave us spectacular town views from the ocean.
Jane and Donna ventured up our 121 steps to join us for happy hour on our amazing patio. Along with our wine, Giovanni keeps coming with plates of cut up oranges, then a plate of focaccia (sp?) topped with pesto, tapenade ( not being an olive lover I was hesitant, but it is delicious here) and some with a wickedly spicy tomato sauce. Then comes more fresh fruit and a bowl of little round chips.
Somehow, we managed to save room for dinner. We went down into the village for some delicious fish ravioli....yes....I..me...said fish and delicious in the same sentence. The ravioli is boiled, then simmered in fish stock in a hot, hot pot that is brought to your table sizzling. The stock reduces to an amazing layer of deliciousness. The prawns cooked in the stock complete it and it is honestly to die for goodness.
We are sitting back on the patio now, sun in our face, The sound of the cappuccino machine whipping up our morning cup. Beside us are terra cotta pots of basil, sage, and strawberries. Giovanni, the brother of the owner, is our breakfast maker as well as bartender, and he is wonderful, to say the least. Probably the most pleasant soul in Italy.
Today is our last day in Cinque Terre, and we plan to relax, walk around town, take it all in and treasure it.....stay tuned...