La Spezia, Italy

Trip Start Sep 12, 2008
1
4
21
Trip End Sep 29, 2008


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Where I stayed
Oceania Cruise Iines
(Rome hotels)

Flag of Italy  ,
Tuesday, September 16, 2008

  La Spezia and Cinque Terre - Up early again-so hard to do and still do onboard activities in the evening. Last night as we watched out TV map of our trip we were surprised to see us heading west, (we were only 77 miles north of our destination!) and as we watched we went almost to Monaco, turned south for many miles and finally east to our destination of la Spezia. A very strange route of about 300 miles to go 77 miles?? It is overcast this morning and looks like rain. La Spezia was inhabited in Roman times but little is known of its history before 1276! It was also severely damaged by bombing in WWII. This is also a commercial port with many shipyards and industries producing machinery, metal products and refined petroleum plus being the primary Italian naval station. We docked off La Spezia and took the tender to Passeggiata Morin Pier, from there a pedestrian ferry along the coastline of the 5 villages in the Cinque Terre, docking at Vernazza. I rode inside and Carol on the upper level where she could hear the melodic dialogue of the Italian tour guide Connie at breakfast on ship
Connie at breakfast on ship
 . Carol said after hearing it she was convinced that this was the most beautiful spoken language in the world. Downstairs we, unfortunately, couldn't hear any of the dialog. The 5 villages of Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterossa al Mare are completely free of car traffic and reached only by rail, hiking and pedestrian ferry. And finally we had sunshine! We spent a short amount of time with our guide and then free time. The houses are 4-5 stories high-one room per floor, and we watched ladies hanging out their wash, saw fruit and veg stands and sun bathers. Though a tourist town we were able to observe many of the local inhabitants. Carol and I spent our first Euro money getting a gelato cone, and confusingly counted our coin change. Back on the pedestrian ferry and back to La Spezia where we boarded our tender to return to the ship. As we were returning we could see rain coming and our blue sky leaving. Carol had queasy stomach after this day on the water, but I am doing great. Back on ship we headed for food, so much to choose from, but we always manage to narrow it down to a good selection, and of course, more than we need! Watched a bit of TV and find that the stock market dropped 500 points! And AIG- where my money is -is in big trouble. We do get Fox news here in our room, and occasionally do watch it.  After a bit of rest up to deck 10 and walked 7 rounds of the walking track - 11 rounds = 1 mile. A glass of water and a rest on the pool chairs, and as the ship pulled anchor and headed south we walked on up to Deck 11 to watch. While up there found the golf putting area, a bag, putters and balls so played around a bit there. We think we may have figured out the long route last night - they have a casino onboard and it and the shopping area can only operate while the ship is underway! The short route would have only given them a couple of hours of gambling - just a guess on our part. Down to the Terrace for a light dinner, and some desserts.  We just looked at the map for tonights route and see we are heading far out to sea again so think we are right about gambling angle!
 
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