Now that we are all rested up we are ready for our first day in Cinque Terre. We went off to the beach. Eventhough I was expecting a sandy beach I was surprised that their beach consisted on just rocks. Now these rocks aren’t like the small pebbles, are rocks, the smallest on was literally the size of my fist. I moved some of the rocks I could lift around to make a flattish surface and when I laid on it was like having no rocks placed on your back. My own sort of spa day :) None of this really mattered anyways since I spent most of my time in the ocean. The ocean was so cold at first t then after the first impact it was so refreshing. The water was impeccably clear and blue. Since Riomaggiore is protected by the cliffs there were no waves and the water was also insanely salty so we floated easily.
Our beach time was cut short when Chuck got stung by something, most likely a jelly fish on his wrist. After a little panic a quick trip to the pharmacy and everything was under control. The incident put us off going back to the beach so instead we grabbed some lunch including a yummy iced coffee! We then got the sad news that there had been a landslide on a part of the Cinque Terre hike so the whole thing had been closed. The hike is one of the most popular this to do here, there are different sections that you can do depending on time and ability. Each of the five towns are all interconnected within the hike. Very unfortunate but there is nothing that we could do about it. We then grabbed a gelato and sat on the top of the cliffs watching some brave and crazy people jump off! Around us there were boats coming into the area full of fresh seafood and people enjoying the sunshine.
Afterwards I went to the top of the Main Street and sat on a bench with an view of the whole drag below me. I watched as the tourists went to and from shops. Yet the most interesting hing I found was watching the locals intersect with one another. Some stood outside giver shops waiting to welcome whomever inside yet the shopkeepers we talking to one another and giving each other different good. Like one person gave someone fresh bread in exchange for a slice of pizza. As people they knew came along they immediately reached out to them calling each other love and spoke about their day and what occurred. Or a least this is what I was able to somewhat pickup with my non existent Italian. Of course when they spoke there was the over exaggerated hang gesture to go along with the conversation.
Afterwards right before sunset we went up to then Torre to see the sunset. It was in such vibrant colours! Red skies reflected off the water as the sun slowly hid behind the hills in the distance. Taking a hint from the sign we then went back to our place to rest up for another fun day ahead!