August 2 - Cinque Terre: Part 2

We took the train from Riomaggiore to Manarola.  We would have liked to have walked on the hiking trail but it was closed, so the train it was.  We were a little late getting away in the morning but the train was also late and there were many, many people standing on the platform.  When the train pulled in we crushed into the second carriage, tighter than sardines in a can.  It took the young conductor several tries before she was able to close the doors, squeezing us all inside.  When we pulled into Manarola, most of the passengers erupted onto the narrow platform.  My cane made not a bit of difference to this strange little journey.

We liked Manarola.  There was a lovely cliff walk with easy smooth pavement and wide enough for me to hold Lyle's arm.  We sat for a long time on the rocks, enjoying the sound of the waves and the cool sea breeze.  In the early afternoon we took another walk to the church on the top of the hill and then followed the walk along the terraced vineyards.  This was not quite as easy for me.  We walked single file and there were gaps in the railing.  Lyle told me that it was a long way down to the bottom of the cliff.

We enjoyed our day in Manarola and we are looking forward to seeing the next of the five towns.