Super Adventure Camp
Saturday morning we left the city of Vicenza on a train to the western coast. It took us about 5 1/2 hours to reach La Spezia which is the main train station to get to the Cinque Terre. Once there, we found a tourist information center where the lady was very helpful in helping us to get where we needed. Our plan was to get lockers for our backpacks at the first city of the Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, and then hike the five cities. We took a 10 minute train to the first city and as we were traveling through tunnels, we caught a glimpse of the cliffs along the water coast and every single person on that train gasped at the view. I was already in awe. We were all super excited and we couldn't wait! Once we got to the first city, Riomaggiore, we asked around for lockers but, there were none. So, with our 10/15lb backpacks, we began our hike along the Cinque Terre.
Basically our first view of the city.
Stretch #1
Riomaggiorre------->Manarola
We took the Sentiero Azzuro, also known as the Blue Trail, and is the most popular tourist trail. It connects all 5 cities together and is 11km long. We paid 5 Euro to the national park and began our hike. The first trail took about 20 minutes and was a very nice stroll. It was our "warm-up" for the day. All of these trails are right on the edge of cliffs that look down onto the bluest, clearest water I have ever seen. Along this path, there was a tunnel you walk under with all of this graffiti and signatures on the wall. So of course, we stopped and left our mark! Once we reached the city of Manarola, we checked the train schedule to bypass the trail and get to Corniglia. The trail was closed off because of a landslide that happened a few months back, which really sucked but what are you going to do? We had about an hour until the next train left so we decided to explore the city of Manarola. It was probably one of my favorite cities because this is where the famous picture of all the houses are taken. But in all honesty, all cities had the beautiful colorful houses on the water and so I really can't have a favorite. At every city, there was a rock bay where everyone was swimming and though it was very tempting to just jump in, we had to continue with our hike.
The first trail we walked along.
On the rocks.
The Girls
Amazing.
Left my mark <3
Manarola------->Corniglia
Took a 4 minute train between these two cities because of the closed trail. One day I hope to return to hike ALL of it.
Train Ride.
The city of Manarola
LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Corniglia------->Vernanzza
Compared to the last trail, this one was a lot more difficult. Lots of stairs. I don't know what went through me but, at one point I was running up the stairs and I felt the burn all the way up. This hike was suppose to take about an hour and a half but we ended up making it in 2 hours. We stopped a few times and along the way, there was a little city that we stopped at so that took a little time. It was so hot but all 6 of us stuck it our and blazed the trail! IT WAS AWESOME. Once we got to Vernanzza, it was getting a little late and we needed to catch a bus back to our hostel at 8:10pm so we decided to save the last stretch of the hike for the next day. For the rest of the time, we hung out in Vernanzza in the water. We all didn't have our bathing suits on so we did what we had to and decided to just find a dark corner and change there. It was hilarious. Everyone was looking at us but, I feel like nudity is some what okay here. Once I got in the water, I was in heaven. There are many things that I have seen in this world and this city is probably one of the top 5 most beautiful things I have ever seen. Floating on my back in this body of water, that I still don't have any idea what it is called, was so relaxing after the hike. None of us were really prepared for the beach besides the fact that we brought our swimsuits so to dry off, we found a walk and air dried. I crashed on this rock so hard. I was out. I swear, I can be anywhere and I would be able to fall asleep. After a few hours, we had to get going so we changed out of our bathing suits, on the beach of course, into some dry clothes and headed for the train station.
The city of Manarola in the distance.
The first set of stairs we hiked/ran up.
Beast Mode.
Corgniglia...City #3
On top of the world.
Peace Signs.
Corniglia------->Vernanzza
Compared to the last trail, this one was a lot more difficult. Lots of stairs. I don't know what went through me but, at one point I was running up the stairs and I felt the burn all the way up. This hike was suppose to take about an hour and a half but we ended up making it in 2 hours. We stopped a few times and along the way, there was a little city that we stopped at so that took a little time. It was so hot but all 6 of us stuck it our and blazed the trail! IT WAS AWESOME. Once we got to Vernanzza, it was getting a little late and we needed to catch a bus back to our hostel at 8:10pm so we decided to save the last stretch of the hike for the next day. For the rest of the time, we hung out in Vernanzza in the water. We all didn't have our bathing suits on so we did what we had to and decided to just find a dark corner and change there. It was hilarious. Everyone was looking at us but, I feel like nudity is some what okay here. Once I got in the water, I was in heaven. There are many things that I have seen in this world and this city is probably one of the top 5 most beautiful things I have ever seen. Floating on my back in this body of water, that I still don't have any idea what it is called, was so relaxing after the hike. None of us were really prepared for the beach besides the fact that we brought our swimsuits so to dry off, we found a walk and air dried. I crashed on this rock so hard. I was out. I swear, I can be anywhere and I would be able to fall asleep. After a few hours, we had to get going so we changed out of our bathing suits, on the beach of course, into some dry clothes and headed for the train station.
The city of Vernanza
Cinque Terre------->Biassa (The Town of Our Hostel)
We had to catch a train back to the main train station, La Spezia, and then find the number 19 bus. I wrote down directions on where to find the bus stop but of course we got turned around. The last bus left at 8:10pm so we were booking it trying to find the stop. We luckily found it just in time with a few minutes to spare. The trip was going perfectly. We took the 20 minute bus ride up the mountains to the city of Biassa. The view was breathtaking. When we got to our hostel, we checked in and dropped our stuff off then went searching for food. There was a little restaurant we saw on our way up so we just went back down to there to eat because nothing else was really open. Emily and I split Raviolli and a Pizza and both were very delicious. I love the food here, so good. After dinner, we walked back up to our hostel, showered and crashed. The hostel was very nice and I would rate it about an 8. It was a little expensive but it was very clean, safe, and overall a great place to lay your head at night. The next morning, we woke up around 7:15am to church bells going off. They literally went off over 30 times, I counted. Breakfast was served for free at the hostel but it wasn't very good. There were like little Italian danishes but there were not very tasty at all. We decided we would just have to stop somewhere to eat. After packing up our stuff, we caught the shuttle that the hostel offered to Riomaggiore, which is the first city in the Cinque Terre. Our plan was to take the train to the city of Vernanzza and then hike to the last city. Three of us were down to hike but the other three girls wanted to just hang out at the beach at the last city. So, we split up and told them we would meet them there.
The view from our hostel.
Vernanzza------->Monterosso al Mare
Once we got to the train station at Vernanzza we began our search for the entrance to the blue trail. This trail was suppose to be the longest of the 4 trails and the most difficult. It was suppose to take 2 hours but Emily, Maggie and I accomplished it in less than an hour and a half. About the first 30-45 minutes of this hike were all stairs. It was rough. We were all dying and all you could hear was us panting. It was really bad. It was like a stair master that never ended. Once we got to the top though it was gorgeous. The city that we were hiking to seemed so far away but we did it. It was amazing. Hiking along a cliff right by the water. Definitely one of the coolest things I have ever done in my life. While the hike was hard, I am so glad we did it. Towards the end, when we finally caught our breath from the stairs, we stared singing Disney songs and all of the people passing us kept on telling us that we had good voices. It was great. We finally made it to the last city, got some drinks and food and found a spot on the beach. We once again changed in public into our suits and ran into the water. I wish that everyone could experience what I did on that day. If anyone ever has the chance to visit this place, down think twice about it. Just do it. We swam in the water for over 2 hours. Towards the end, we met some really cute Italian guys who were on a paddle boat and wanted us to rent one to show us a waterfall that was close by but because we had to leave soon, we weren't able to go. We finished our swim and said good-bye to the water and headed for the train station. It had been such an amazing weekend and we were not ready for it to be over.
The three people who conquered the Cinque Terre hike.
THE TRAIN IS HERE....NOW
We reached the main train station where we would catch a train to Florence and then Padova then to Vicenza. The train was due to leave at 3:44pm and we had plenty of time before we had to get on, or so we thought. I was at the northern end of the train station sitting on a bench texting while the others went to go find water and get some McDonald's. As I was looking at my phone, for some strange reason, I thought to see if the train was on the tracks through the reflection of my phone. And there at the end of the station was our train. I immediately got up and started running towards the opposite end of the tracks because in 3 minutes our train was leaving. As I was running down the platform, over the intercom I heard the announcement saying the train was to be leaving from the southern end of the platform. I ran into McDonalds along the way to grab the other girls and literally yelled at them to come on. They had just got done ordering. I got to the doors of the train and they were still no where in site. I was beginning to freak out. Then as the guy was coming out to blow the whistle to shut the doors here comes 3 girls with McDonalds in their hands running down the platform to get on this train. To say the least, we all made it on the train. Biggest adrenaline rush of the day.
Back in our Bubble.
We made it back to base around 8:30pm. Emily and I were starving so we decided to delay the walk back to our hotel and eat at this little fast food restaurant place right outside base called 2698 Peace Lane or something along those lines. We had been there one time before when we got back from dancing and had a burger which was so good so we decided to go back. We were the only people there and the guy who works there and cooks or owns the place was super nice. I had a cheeseburger and Emily got a chilli cheese dog, then we split the fries. Everything was soooo good once again. As we sat there and talked to the guy, we were offered some cokes since we didn't get drinks. I don't drink soda but I felt like it would be rude not to accept a free drink. After we finished our meals, as we were headed out, the guy gave Emily and I each a flower that he had sitting in a vase. Emily got a rose and I was given a beautiful sunflower. It was such a perfect end to a perfect weekend. We then got back to the hotel and realized that we had work the next day.
