The Med Cruise

Today we were recovering from our little hike yesterday so after lunch we hopped aboard a cruise boat to visit a few more villages along the Cinque Terra coastline.  It started as a beautiful day on the water.

As we were traveling North up the coast we could see a sqawl headed our way. We were quickly surrounded with thunder and lightening.... and a bunch of rain.

The shoreline disappeared in the rain and water was pouring off the top deck.

The rain had considerably slowed by the time we got to Monterosso the last of the five villages we wanted to visit.  We purchased two umbrellas and were set to visit this last village of the five.

By the time we were done the sun was back out for the ride home.

We passed Corniglia, the first village we stayed at when we arrived.  It is the only village without a harbor, so boats can't stop there.  Of the five villages it is our favorite.

Corniglia from the water looking up.

The thunder storms have returned this evening.  We are staying in and having bread, fruit and cheese for dinner.  Given it is Italian bread and cheese it's a good dinner.  The only hardship is we have no chocolate.  Think of us in our time of need.

After our hike yesterday we didn't have enough miles on the pedometer so we hiked up a trail to view Monarola from a Northern viewpoint.  We seem to like to punish ourselves, but the views make it worthwhile.  I don't know if we will ever make it back here so I want us to see it all.

Dusk from up high.  As Usual.

Life is good.

We have set out a plan for the month of July that includes going North to: Austria, Czech Republic and Berlin.  I'll publish the list of cities as we make our AirBnB reservations.  I have my first confirmation in Innsbruck, Austria.