Last days of Cinque Terre 31st and 1st

ITALY

31st October -  I heard of this place... Lets go there

The night before I had arranged to meet Jeremy and Caitlin in La spezia to go to the place Jeremy had heard about... It had a castle and beyond that we didn't know much more. 

After finally figuring out the train timetable I arrived at La Spezia and waited with baited breathe that I had the arrangements right and they were going to turn up. Not sure ill ever get used to that feeling but on the up side I was there ON TIME! 

They turned up after my countless checking of my phone.... Totally my anxiety not them. We found out info from the information desk....though note I didn't say what information we received.... not what we asked for lol. Found the local bus and jumped on. We travelled for quite a while through suburban areas and I won't lie there were a few moments where I was questioning where the hell are we and where the hell are we going? 

The anticipation was worth it. We arrived in a little town called Lerici. It was a lovely seaside town. We wandered around looking at the boats, the piazzas and i got my first lot of gelato well sorbet for me  - yummo, persimmon and manadrin. I was hoping this would be the first of many.

We then  went exploring the town and followed a windy road to go see the infamous castle.It was worth the small walk to see the town from above. The castle was actually a toy museum, though wasn't open. Caitlin and Jeremy went exploring and i was quite happy to sit and contemplate.... i was getting quite good at sitting and being still, staying off my phone and just absorbing the time and place...its hard!!!! it was really nice just watching the birds flying over head and the sun hitting the water.

They arrived back from their little jaunt where Jeremy took the opportunity for a dip. We went exploring and found a cafe for lunch and actually had a tuna salad...surprisingly i was craving salad...i know what's wrong with me!!!

Lunch and hanging out with Jeremy and Caitlin was lovely. Its amazing that two people who less than 24 hrs before where absolute strangers and now we were chatting like old friends. I don't know whether its a holiday thing, a relaxed attitude or just good luck but its wonderful. Makes me wonder about me. I have berated myself often (as have my friends) for being too trusting an open when meeting new people...granted there are times when they are right!! but actually on this trip it seems to be serving me well.

The three of us jumped back on a public bus and headed back to La Spezia. We had to say a quick good bye as they got off nearer to  their hotel. Okay...deep breath..... its amazing how when in a group even if you have no idea where to go it is much easier to feel comfortable. So i sat on the bus looking like a hyperactive meerkat looking for what may look like a train station. Found the train station and got in line for a ticket whilst watching the seedy looking guy. Found the right platform and got on the right train. i waited, waited, waited, waited....no one seemd to be at all concerned, no onw was worried, no one made any efforts to find out or tllus anything.... the train eventually made its way back to Monterosso an hour and forty minites later!!!!!!!! WTF?? It should have taken 20 minutes. Thats the thing with Italian trains...they have lets say a relaxed approach to timetables lol

Made my way up the familiar streets of Monterosso and collapsed in my hotel room. Went back into town and tried a different restauarnt by myself.  Still hard moving past families, couples and others and smiling while they remove the place setting from in front of you. I managed...lifes hard when your in a beautiful sea side town in Italy lol

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ITALY

1st November - regroup, cruising again Port Venere

So the next day, once again on my own i took the opportunity to sleep in and even missed free breakfast!!! A huge sacrifice! I decided to try and see the remining towns by sea and enquired about the cruise. We were told in no uncertain circumstances that the office opened at 2. So i went in serach of a cheap meal and found and actually helped other people to order lol...who would have thought.

I queued up with many others at 2:30 and was confused as to which boat i should get on. My gut told me stick with all the others on the boat that was full but the angry Itlaian told me otherwise...oh well what will be will be. I stayed upstairs watching the 5 towns that make up the Cinque Terre area from the sea. I was quite lovely.

The cruise ended up in Port Venere. No idea what it was about but it was a great little find. I wandered around the area. It was beautiful. I found a cafe on the point ordered myself a caf americano...see I'm being to be sooooo Italian you can barely tell I'm Australian(NOT) lol. I feel I have holiday meditation underway, where I'm happy to let my mind wander not settling too much on anything but watching thinking being

I made my way back to the boat and sailed back via the five towns, actually pulling into each port. So the trip actually worked out, straight trip to Port Venere and then seeing all the towns on the way back. Maybe a lesson to learn, just let things reveal themself and make the best of it. One thing i was lacking was anyone to talk to lol. I hadn't spoken to anyone the whole day and that didn't seem to be coming to an end anytime soon :(. Probably good for me. What i have noticed aboout Italians thus far is that they are incredibly affectionate, men seem to adore, worship the woman they are with, can barely keep their hands off eachother...lucky them.

Back 'home' again to Monterosso and helped a lost American chick find the nearest loo, gee im full of helpful information. Had dinner bak at the first place i had had dinner. The not so friendly waiter finally warmed up a little and i got a kiss on both cheeks...firm friends now!! Back to the hotel room,  packed up  and mentally prepared for the journey home.

ITALY 30th October - pub crawl cinque terre Aussie style

Got up feeling tired but ok and headed to meet everyone at the train station for 10:45. It's somewhat unnerving to make arrangements with practical strangers, with no way of contacting them and just turn up and hope that they truly meant what they said, will follow through and turn up. Luckily they did. Some were in better shape than others but all very smiley and happy to see me, as I was them.

We trudged up to the train platform and bought ourselves all day passes. The girls had changed arrangements slightly and decided on a three city pub crawl was probably more doable. They are all hilarious! Lots of catch phrases and sayings but definitely a laugh. If anyone ventured into negative territory you were forced to the naughty corner for a minute lol. 

Our first stop was Corniglia. We bounded off the train with purpose. Lee taking the reigns and the position of tour leader for the day. We followed enthusiastically and followed and followed until we saw what was ahead.... a very steep incline of many many stairs!! Crap. Anna took one look and did a swift about turn. Hmmmm first obstacle we walked back and saw a small bus and inquired. It was going right up the hill! Score. Got there in no time to see our fellow train travellers huffing and puffing. Suckers. Lol

We found a little pizzeria and settled in. The girls started on coronas. That's the good/ unusual thing here in Europe u can get beer and alcohol anywhere. I wasn't up to drinking that early so got myself a black coffee... I'm starting to get a liking for them, more out of necessity really. We watched the view, listened as it rained and chatted away trying to get info out of Emma about goings on at the end of the night. She was getting no sympathy from the girls, only a buck up buddy and get on with it. Another couple came to join us at the pizzeria, Jeremy and Caitlin. Jeremy Aussie and Caitlin Canadian living in London as teachers and on mid term break. Later Jeremy told us he had the same reaction as i did when hearing Aussie accents and made a beeline towards the ruckus lol

From here we squished on to our trusty bus and headed bk down the hill to the train. Our next stop Manarola. Manarola not Motorolla as someone us liked to call it was I think one of the more famous five towns, the one where many photos are taken. It was lovely brightly coloured houses all grouped together, boats at their front doors overlooking the cliffs. Don't ask me how the actually got the boats there or in fact how they get any supplies anywhere.... We found a cute little cafe/ restaurant run by Lorraine originally American so ordering was a breeze. I had a couple of lovey very cheap glasses off red wine and bruschetta. Was perfect. The laughter flowed as did the continued Coronas. I have no idea how these girls can put away so much... I'm a total light weight!!! We then were found by Ryan and Nicole from the night before who had taken an easy morning and then followed the sounds of loud Australians to find us lol...I'm beginning to sense a theme lol. Some people looked upon our happy group with smiles, others with a hint of jealousy and some with annoyance. I was just happy to be part of the group and having a blast. 

We stayed there a couple of hours and then as we were leaving our intrepid tour guide Lee got some straws stuck together with the help of Lorraine. With attached flag saying 'tour from hell' we were complete, an official tour!!! We headed back to FAST bar back in our home city of Monterosso. Funny how some thing becomes home so quickly. Maybe it's just where I'm sleeping or my luggage is that I call home? 

We bought a couple of bottles and drank away merrily. Thomas joined us still looking a little worse for wear. The bar staff provided us with snacks probably to keep some on this side of sober. We stayed there for a couple more hours until people began to fade. I took Jeremy back to get his and Caitlin's luggage which had been stored in my room. He commented a few times how nice my room is. I wonder how my travel experience rates according to others. I'm definitely not slumming it that's for sure but I guess at my age I'm over hostels and shared accommodation....well who am I kidding I was ever really 'under' that type of holiday lol. 

 

I took Caitlin and Jeremy for a quick dinner back at my local lol, a far 10m away and then i started the goodbyes again and everyone peeled off home and to bed. Once again fleeting friends, fun for a time now gone. I guess this is the perfect training for me. I always have a hard time letting people go in my life. Tend to hang on to wilting relationships far too long. 

I guess this is the perfect cure. 

Got hm. It was a bit touch and go and fell asleep

ITALY-29th October-The 'am I on the right train, platform, coach, seat, town' day

So woke up super early and barely even registered the roof terrace breakfast buffet. Managed to cunningly sneak an apple from breakfast. I don't think I was fooling anyway lol. Checked out,  handed over my luggage, and organised a taxi. Arrived at the main terminal feeling very apprehensive and faced with people, trains, boards of info and quite a lot of time to spare. I wondered around trying not to make eye contact with randoms. Bought a drink some food (for just in case, which of course I didn't end up eating) and found the platform I was suppose to be on. The train was slightly delayed which seems to be common place here. Next challenge was to validate my ticket - the research last night had stressed this needed to be done before each journey. Ok done, now to decipher the whole C coach seat deal. I asked a couple of Americans who were as unsure as I was but not stressed out. It seems couples aren't that friendly. Maybe unfriendly is too strong a word but not very interested in chatting to a fellow traveller. Got on the right coach found my seat, dumped all my stuff and plonked down in my seat looking every bit the tourist. 

While I keep fighting the notion that I am a tourist there is going to be a point where I think I am going to have to just be at one with the idea. 

Settled in for the long journey, watched people help others put bags up on racks which was nice to see, played unintentional footsies with the lady in front of me. Well really she kept nudging my feet and I was getting to the stage where I was going to tell her to F### off but then she offered to share her sweets with me.....I spent considerable time on the trip trying to do searches for a list of stations between Roma termini and la spezia...an hour of searching later and a headache forming I gave up. Surely it can't be that difficult???? At one stage my little group of four seats turned into the craft table with two older ladies doing this amazing tapestry and cross stitch and one guy who was making these tiny beaded people out of wire and beads. I wish I'd taken a photo but I didn't want to be 'that' tourist. 

Around 4 hrs later I was overly prepared to get off the train at La spezia...sometimes it's hard to see the station name until its too late. Practically fell off the train and found an English couple also looking for the regional train. Followed them and then had to do the piss bolt for the train....if I wasn't a sweaty mess already !!!! I separated from the English couple feeling like they didn't really want to be my travel aids or maybe I was just becoming paranoid and didn't want to burden anyone. 

Got off at Monterosso one of the 5 towns making up Cinque Terre. Found information and was given a map to my hotel...oh no ...Inevitable part of traveling but not my strong suit. After turning the map round using the sea as my compass point ( I mean Der can't be that hard), plodding my way along to the hotel. I can not tell you the  absolute joy and relief i felt when I saw the hotel Margherita sign! Woo hoo for me!!!!!

I dumped everything had a shower, scoured the tv for some English having not really heard any since the hotel back in Rome and promptly fell asleep. 

Woke up feeling a sense of achievement but the gnawing anxiety hadn't really gone. I was thinking now what? I have a whole 4 days here alone and not really a clue what to do.. So little steps.... First dinner. Got dressed and wandered the down the street. Found a couple of places but they were packed. Funny how one restaurant can be brimming with patrons yet next door nothing. I mean I know I'll go for a fuller restaurant than an empty one, I wonder if that's just it, one person goes to one restaurant then another follows bc it isn't empty... Could b worthy of some scientific explanation.  Found a place on the main lane way with some people but not too many. Picked my seat, iPad and phone at the ready and sat down for another solo meal. The waiter asked a few times if it was just for one and then unceremoniously cleared the other place setting. SERIOUSLY dude I mean if I wasn't feeling self conscious already why don't you just put me in a marked area labeled ALONE. Sucked it up and ordered myself some red wine, sardines and spag Bol and then got onto FB. Andrew aka one of the UK boys from the Irish pub in Croatia... My my how international I sound lol... Was online and we chatted throughout dinner which was lovely and made me feel as if I wasn't actually eating alone. As dinner progressed the restaurant became fuller and I found myself seated between 3 separate American couples. They all began comparing notes and realised they were all married on the same day and all on their honeymoon. Well ain't that swell.... U gotta laugh. On another table a little way down the restaurant was a table of 4. My ears pricked up when I heard some Aussie accents and I felt almost compelled to leave my table and join them. In the meantime I offered to take a photo for the couple opposite me. This started us talking. His name was Ryan and hers was Nicole. They were lovely and I got the impression they were happier talking to me than being lumped into coupledom. Fine with me! Come to the dark side. The Aussie table and a few others ended up leaving the restaurant and inviting the rest of us into the bar with them. 

We went into FAST bar and I sat down with the couples. One couple was your totally bushy tailed bright eyed American sweethearts. The guy a little cocky for no reason and she as sweet as pie. The other were a super friendly preppy couple, though I'd watched him sprinkle cheese for his wife's dinner which creeped me out a bit. Then there was Ryan, Nicole and I. All were friendly and I was just happy to be included and be speaking!! Then the Aussies arrived, everyone was introduced as couples all married on the same day until I piped up waving my arms around furiously saying 'not me!!!' One of the Aussie girls pointed at me and came over and said 'Coogee' I said 'Bondi' and we hugged like old lost friends lol lol

Her name was Anna, she was there with her friends Em, Lee and her mum Di. There was a guy called Thomas who had joined the group. He was from Switzerland. He later told me that the reason he sat down at that table then consequently made friends with the girls was because he saw me there sitting alone at the restaurant and thought that if I could do that there so could he. I was another traveller's inspiration????? Quietly chuffed :-D

For the rest of the evening I sat with the girls and another American couple Ari and Blair

We had a laugh and drank and were merry.

We all left at about 2am when the bar staff were ready to chuck us out and after Thomas had bought a round of shoots BAD idea!!!!

The girls were talking about a pub crawl across the 5 cities and invited me and the others to come. I agreed, made my way back to my hotel and reflected on what a difference a few hours can do

CROATIA - An overview, a reflection, a stop and smell the sea water

So 

One country done

One cruise complete

One set of hurdles conquered

One set of brand new friends

It's hard to believe that the first leg of my journey is complete and I'm talking to new people about the best places, highlights and must-sees of Croatia, like I'm an expert lol 

I'd have to say there is very little I'd change about my trip and cruise of Croatia. 

Highly highly recommend it to anyone thinking of traveling there. 

The time of year was PERFECT, the weather was lovely exactly what I like, sunny,  warm in the sun but not too hot, warm enough to walk around in a t shirt and cool enough to put on a cardigan at night. I can not to this day believe how absolutely brilliant blue the skies were, not a cloud to be seen. It was even warm enough to swim. A bit on the brrrrr  .... Insert swear word here...but refreshing and become quite pleasant once you got past nipple level,  body parts thawed and came out of shock. We were so lucky considering that two wks before it rained every day! Not only was the weather perfect but as it was mid-late October the tourist/ high season was coming to an end. This meant very few lines, and we could walk around without being accosted by many other tourist groups or begrudging tour guides. That said many restaurants and bars were closed but with our group that didn't really matter as we definitely made our own fun. 

The cruise itself sold in the On the Go brochure and run by Katrina lines was fantastic. The boat was great, enough places to congregate, catch some rays, chat with newly found friends or consolidate some zzzz (I was trying for alliteration there forgive me lol). The rooms, though small were clean and adequate. My room had enough hooks to hang almost resembled a laundry by the end of it.

The itinerary and balance of culture, walking tours, time to explore, time to swim, time to sun bake, time to do nothing at all but watch the scenery and listen to the water lapping at the boat was fantastic. Allowed us to feel we were getting the best bits of culture whilst still being able to catch up on sleep or recover :-p

The staff were amazing. Especially Tommy the barman who without fail handed me my soy milk with a smile, got our copious drinks with a grin and had a laugh with us. Aida our tour guide was fabulous. She had a great sense of humor and a wealth of knowledge that was truly impressive. She spoke about things with such passion, not cheesy overwhelming let me spoon feed the tourists attitude but with a true love of her country. She was very personable and was truly interested in talking to her group. She also knew when to take a step back and let us be guests. It's a fine line. Luka ... well he did a good job and when he smiled he was gorgeous ...one gal managed to find out what made him smile lol lol lol... But what happens on board stays on board lol. Djelka the cook was great. No mean feat cooking in a tiny kitchen while the boat was rock rock rocking or when she had to cook for me with no dairy, no this no that and a three course meal for lunch and dinner.  It wasn't until later that we realised how little English she had but she was always happy to accommodate us with a smile. Eva who called herself the chambermaid (which makes me uncomfortable and brings forth images of Benny Hill and scantily clad women in small maid outfits). She was always friendly and happy to have a chat. She also got to know who would sleep late and when to come clear our rooms - priceless! The captain of this fair ship VAPOR was great as well, he was friendly and smiled and put up with our shenanigans and even when telling us off and to be quiet at 4am, still did it with good humor. I'm still undecided as to whether that friendliness was bordering on sleaziness eg when he beckoned one of his favourite blonds with a psssst psssst only dressed in his underwear..... 

Now onto the group of travellers themselves. I really do thank my lucky stars for the combination of guests aboard, it really could go either way, it is total pot luck. We had a range of ages, personalities, statuses and nationalities. So the stats: 8 Americans, 4 South Africans, 3 Australians, 1 Danish. Ages (this is a guess...  I think it's a bit impolite to ask ) ranged from 35-75. Status - we had happily single, happily married, recently single, always single, looking, recently divorced, widowed, dating etc.  everyone has something to add to the little cruise community we formed. 

Uncle Ole 75!!!- provided hours of entertainment and surprised us with his ability to keep up, keep drinking, keep smoking and keep vertical. He had his favourites and I think fell hard for some of the blonds..... Just be careful of going in for the hug or you may have gotten more than you asked for lol

Linda and Mike - action couple extraordinaire, while we were standing in line for the gondola up the hill, they were powering up there, almost beating us to the top. Put us to shame

JC and Liz - surrogate mums and dads for us, a call of 'sweetie'  or 'darling' was never far off, nor was a cheeky story with a hilarious ending. Always had us in fits of laughter. I don't think ill ever look at fish the same way, JC's utter fascination and excitement about 'oh my god did you see that school of fish, i swam straight through it' was infectious. 

Maureen and Bob - the other Aussie couple felt like home, it was nice being able to share stories in Australian lingo. 

Bud - Bud-da-bing - music man who had the tunes so well suited, and combined with the gentle breeze and lapping of the ocean. He partied hard though at times I think he hide from us just so he could get some sleep lol. A relaxing quiet  photographic journey this was not but I don't think he was complaining at all!

Now to the ladies

The lovely people who within ten minutes of meeting them made me feel like part of the crew. Girls that I think I'd definitely be friends with back home. 

 

Sandy / Sandra - organiser with the mostest. I still can't believe how well she manages to organise her gals... 7 from different parts of the US coming together for a week in a small country miles away. I can barely get my friends together for coffee in Bondi!!! She took care of the cruising crew, me included. Kept an eye out for her brood, ensuring everyone made it back to boat, no stowaways were joining us, uncle Ole got home and made it down the stairs ok. 

Diana -sista from another mutha!!! Seriously I think she maybe the blonde, slim, US version of me! We share a love of accessories, jewellery and scarves that seems to be unparalleled. I think I have met my match in terms of ability to shop anywhere and as for our taste in men... Maybe it's best we date on different continents lol. 

Jen - so much fun and so easy to chat to. We had many a chat,  D&M to mindless crap, comparing big boob secrets, fashion hints, stories of men past, present fleeting and meaningful. Up for anything and just brought smiles wherever she went. 

CC- I think CC was the first person who took the time to chat with me and put me at ease. Im so grateful. So friendly and easy going, always happy to share a drink and have a laugh.

Janessa - my travel guru. She was able to empathise with my fears and concerns as a traveller, having just done it herself. Always happy to give advice, always understanding and compassionate. Also inspirational that she follows through, doesn't let anything stop her eg skinny dipping in Lake Thingamabob  lol. Go girl!!

Andrea - a powerhouse of energy and positivity. You can't but help smile and be caught up in the energetic excitement that surrounds her. Caring of her friends around her and sympathetic when it came to worldly advice.

Tara - who made me laugh constantly, with an infectious laugh.  She was our back-up tour guide and was a sponge for knowledge. I'm sure she could edit and correct many of my tidbits of information I've recorded. The thing with Tara is when she spoke to you you felt so valued. She really listened to you and cared about what you said. She spoke to each person whether it be close friend, crew member, tour guide or random stranger like they were the most important person in the world. Also points to her for entertaining us with 'stories' some of which I totally missed as they were happening... Impressive! 

So that accounts for all of the personalities, activities and some of the stories

I can only hope on my next two tours that I have some of the same great luck. Xx

CROATIA-ITALY 27th & 28th October - recovery and travel.

Don't hate me but it's funny how I really have no concept of dates / days of the week at the moment. It seems when traveling you pinpoint different important times or periods, much more immediate, needs driven. Eg stomach growling - 1st meal of the day, 2 hrs before airports, 3rd day of cruise, 4 days until tour. The only indication I have that the work wk has begun is all the i hate Monday' posts on FB lol

Yesterday was the day that didn't really happen. I really took advantage of the hotel room and super comfy bed. Woke up for included breakfast and then went bk to bed pretty much. Wrote up my blog, did Internet stuff, put in laundry, found a couple of English movie on tv and felt compelled to watch them despite having seen them and one being a Van Dam movie... Seriously dude what's with the shoulder pads? Am thinking I could have used my time a bit better lol. That said it was good to just b able to catch up on sleep from the cruise and try stockpile more alertness for future travels. 

My stomach forced me out of my hidey hole and I ventured down to the marina. I bought myself a glass of red and sat there by myself, forcing myself to not pick up my phone, and watch and absorb what was gng on in the moment and around me. It was seriously difficult and not the greatest feeling. But I persisted and then made my way to a restaurant just beyond the palace walls. I had the most delicious spag Bol , possibly second best meal of the trip. Allowed myself some distraction and read a magazine. Good meal only lacking some company but nevertheless was satisfying. Made my way hm, chatted to a few people at hm- the first time if really chatted all day - I was suffering lol lol

Woke up in my blissful bed, breakfast, got my newly laundered clothes wrapped in cling wrap (that's a use I've never seen b4), re packed - have hardly bought a thing but my case is full full full :( checked out after paying a ridiculous amount for laundry... Price u pay for taking the convenient route and doing it at the hotel. That said after hrs of wandering I never did see a laundromat- next country ill b more frugal. 

Went for my last wander around the old city feeling quietly confident that I knew my way round the winding alleys. Had a coffee back at the same place near the bell tower that I'd had lunch b4. Chatted to the waiter- very friendly. Diana had set me a challenge to meet one new person a day. Meeting to the extent that you exchange names. No exchange of names with my waiter but it was nice to just have a yarn after self imposed hibernation. It made me feel confident again that I could do small talk, was friendly and could rely on the Australian reputation for being kind friendly people. 

Bk to the hotel to get my transfer and then chatted to my driver in broken English ( him not me lol I can still manage English pretty well :-). He asked me to source a new akubra hat lol very random ... He got one from Kakadu and wanted to buy one for his son. I used my akubra hat expertise (NOT LOL ) to advise him. 

It still amazes me how international travel here is no big deal. The airports are probably more used to the international travel than domestic. A far cry from Australia when an hr and a half travel will only get u to Melbourne not another entire country. 

So was sitting ready and almost uncomfortably early for my flight. I guess I'm not used to this whole being punctual thing. So minding my own business when who walks by but Canadian Ashley from Hvar. We met Ashley back on the infamous keep the bar open night ( I know it's hard to distinguish one keep the bar open night from another lol). She was on a big trip abroad with the common theme of F### you to her husband serves you right for cheating me and should I shouldn't I make friends with an overly friendly and well versed in tourist romance bar tender. 

We chatted, it was nice to speak to someone and it was the first true example of travelling karma.  Of the world being small but in a good way, not in a every corner I turn is another child I have taught kind of way.

Flight was un eventful except for saying that I'm liking the Italian look. ... Mmmm thou the not so subtle stares of the old guys I could leave. Arrived at Rome airport, to not find my transfer. Stay calm stay calm... I actually was, just kept walking until I saw the only guy with a blank iPad and in broken English we established I was who he was looking for and he was who I was looking for. :-) I tried to ignore the flurry of grunts and quickly spoken Italian that came out of his mouth as he lifted my case.... Oy!

After quite a long journey, and with me making 'oh wow, beautiful' to the random comments and sights my driver would point out. My hotel was hilarious. Very ornate. My friend / travel agent warned me that it was a flashback to the past but I was not prepared for the gilded head boards and faux plush bed boards and stools. I was escorted to my room by a very friendly (read over friendly creepily smiling Angello) bellhop. Had to laugh at the room and the spray painted gold furniture and fake plush stools with red leather head board

I unpacked slightly and then started checking on my travel details for the next day to Cinque Terre. It was then I realised, that what I thought I had sorted was in fact not really sorted. It only occurred to me that my train ticket only took me to La spezia and my hotel was in Monterosso. At this stage those were all just Italian sounding names with no meaning. I google and tried to plan the route between the two to get a reading of 3 hrs 47 minutes walking time!!! WTF???? After much more googling and putting in the wifi code numerous times, I figure they were in fact different towns reachable via a regional train. Not a major deal but at that stage sent me into having a small wobbly and started me thinking why oh why am I doing this to myself?????  

My need for an ATM and my growling stomach forced me out of my downward spin. I also needed to 'waste' time until 8am Australia time so I could contact my phone provider on their emergency number so I could access data.... Dataless=stressmore to me. I walked the streets aimlessly trying in vain to follow directions ( seriously I'm useless, definitely born without the direction gene). I found a place for dinner. Unspectacular relatively unfriendly though I got wifi and managed a few teary phone calls home.

Found my way back to the hotel to try to repackage my back pack so I could travel to the cinque terre area with only that instead of my cumbersome suitcase. Did a pretty good job... Got it down to one toiletry bag....yes you all should b proud!!

I find it really hard to predict the weather around here so I packed layers hoping I could manage and would have to just make do. I'm already getting irritated by all of the 'stuff' in my world and am wondering if I will eventually just get sick of carrying it all and will begin the dump stuff... But what to dump, that black top goes with everything, that Tshirt is nice because its colourful, I might need those pants if.... U see my problem?? Lol

Put myself to bed in my throne lol