Carla Finale Ligure

Flew to Milan from Dublin then took the train to Savona to board the cruise. Quaint little seaport town which I wish I had more time to explore. Forgot to take a picture of the ship! Not sure how I feel about a big cruise ship (3,800 passengers) but the price was right so thought I would experience it!

A short drive from Riva Ligure and we arrived at Laigueglia which is the start of the Italian Riveria. This village not as touristy as its neighbours suited us fine and we felt even more welcome when we popped into a local cafe for a cupuccio and were greeted with big smiles and bonjourns! The day was a stunner and we made our way down to the beach where we chilled out on the breakwall along with the locals. This was ...

... leaving you with a bright cheery feeling, the sun is shining and there are palm trees everywhere. Anyways back to Genoa the soon to be ground hog's day of our trip. We had checked, checked and double checked our ticket to make sure we knew of any transfers and where they happened. We made sure we were in our rightful seats even we have had to many experiences of getting in trouble for being in the wrong seat and we are tired of playing musical chairs. As we ...

... the 11C and there aren't any Roman ruins because the Genovans needed to build somewhere so they just built on top of the old stuff! Anyways it is built on a hill and the modern part is at the top and to get there you travel over little tiny streets and even smaller alley like paths where the buildings appear to almost meet at their tops. We also saw the 16th C palaces nearing the ...

... them like that any more (thank f**k!). I can't even remember how to ask for 2 beers (which is my current minimum requirement. It's 3 when Jamie's around). The lack of lingistic skills I have would be acceptable in most circumstances, but travelling with a Yank who is fluent in 2 languages that most Americans are even aware exist?!? Now that just doesn't seem right.

so left avignon today with thoughts to head to cinque terre, but due to traffic jam only made it as far as arenzano. found a cute pensione and jason was getting sick of driving so seemed like a good place to stop. tried a few others but was like walking through a sad run down old people town so didn't make it more than 5 mins there. well, happy hour time now, so will write more later....

... we turn misfortune to our advantage - literally! -by a simple swivel of the seat. Lunch is brought forward and consumed to envy and applause by fellow jammees!
We resume without further incident, and make the miles with time to spare for light aperos before evening meal.

... and the front day pack. At least it make me something people move out of the way for.

Spent most of my time getting lost on a bus. The average hostel I stayed at was at the very top of town and required 2 buses to get there. Was a nightmare trying to work out where to get on and where to get off. Ended up having to get elderly Italians to walk me to the right bus stop.

The hostel I stayed at is a dodgy chain ...

... see in the US or at least in California, otherwise you could easily be there. The entrance to Venice, like most places it seems in Italy was a little difficult negotiate with the traffic and multitude of somewhat confusing signs; but we finally made it with only one wrong turn. We parked the car and were off on a vaporetto, or crowded, bus-like boat, to the San Toma pier, then a 10 minute walk through the confusing streets of Venice to our hotel, the Hotel Alex. The hotel was a 1 ...

... pesto, peppers, tomato. I walked in the tunnel to the train station, where they have nice tiles running along. also a large painting by the train station, depicting the hard work that went into bulding CT. I came back and met up with Hale and Mel at Bar Centrale. I had a sprite, cause of the meds, while they drank some wine and beer. We me this aussie guy next to us and planned to rent a boat tomorrow with his roommate from michigan.