Levanto and the Cinque Terre, Italy
	June 2 , 2010 On Wednesday, we took the train all the way southeast to the farthest Cinque Terre village from Levanto, called Riomaggiore. We got showered on a few times, but then the sky would open up with some blue. We had lunch in a restaurant along the main tourist drag and did some people watching. There was a neat piazza in the center of town, where children were playing. The harbor was full of parked boats under colorful apartments. After lunch and a bar stop during a rain shower, we hiked up above the town and got a good view of the hills above the town. The terraced vines and gardens descend right into the backyards. Neil would be back to this harbor in a few days to rent a kayak. Larger pictures: Hills above Riomaggiore - Looking up from harbor - Village Neil hiked to
June 3, 2010 Thursday Denise decided to relax and enjoy the view from the hotel. Since Tuesday she had been taking antibiotics to combat bronchitis. Neil meanwhile took the train to Vernazza and hiked southeast to Corniglia. The scenic path followed along the coast for a while, then scaled up the hillside for some good views and exercise. At Corniglia Neil had anchovies for lunch, then went through the town to a lookout point. Straight down was the Mediterranean, and to the southeast was Manarola. He then wandered down a ravine with a monorail track, which got him lost among grape vines and ancient relics, but some great views looking up at the town. Eventually, he found his way to the swimming hole below the town.
	June 4, 2010 Friday Denise decided to rest again. Neil returned to Corniglia and hiked south to Manorola. Neil was impressed by the stone tunnels and culverts built along the rocky shoreline. He stopped at this swimming hole to cool off. After the swim, it wasn't much farther along the path to Manorola, with its unique rocky harbor. The terraced hillsides above the town were no less impressive. Another batch of anchovies, which were caught fresh, then up to the cemetery, with playground below. Then Neil walked the level path to Riomaggiore, where he rented a kayak and paddled south to a hidden cove. That evening Denise was feeling better, and we enjoyed dinner on the hotel terrace with its view of the sea.
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