We were supposed to walk over to Manarola on the Via dell’ Amore (lover’s walk) – bought the ticket, arrived at the right time to find it was closed due to the possibility of thunderstorms. We looked up – nice blue sky – but apparently the weather person had spoken and that was that.
So we looked at taking the train – tried to buy a ticket on line – lousy cell connection but watched the little bar at the top of the internet browser sit in limbo as we also stood in the queue for the ticket machine. The machine won – paper tickets it is.
We could have changed to a different town but I had already reserved lunch at Trattoria dal Billy and didn’t want to miss that opportunity. Besides I had read up on Rick Steve’s walk in the town and didn’t feel like changing gears.
The walk takes you from the busy harbour up to the top of the town to the church then above the town on a path amongst the vineyards to a cemetery. Interestingly, right next to the cemetery is a playground. There, we met the same couple with their 3 month-old baby that we had met on the train. The father was trying to coax the three month-old infant down a slide – a little young maybe?
Also at the cemetery is a point with a great view of the town. From there we walked back to town and up what seemed to be several thousand steps to Trattoria dal Billy. Up in the stratosphere of Billy’s restaurant there was a good cell data connection so I was able to order the train tickets to return home while we enjoyed the meal and the view.
WR Foster 