Italia Again

Ahhh ... to be back in Italy and in spring too. Sight of rolling hills, scent of the tree blossoms, colourful fruits stands and berries bursting with sweetness.

We started off in the amazingly tourist-free Bologna, with a peaceful day of sightseeing, climbing one of the 14 towers to savour the breathtaking views and eating amazing food.

The following day we made a move, passed Modena and stopped off for a few peaceful hours in Parma. I love how Italian towns remind me of ghost towns mid afternoon. Everything closes and besides the odd homeless cat, there isn't a soul in the streets. And then around 4pm, like an efficient Swiss watch, it comes back to life. Arriving during the hiatus afforded some priceless photo opportunities ... beautiful empty streets.

The best part of the trip was Cinque Terre. An almost secret wonderland of five coastal towns nestled against steep hills, on the Mediterranean coats between Livorno and Genova. The last few years it is a place I keep hearing about. Finally trusting Minky's suggestion I made it there. Vernazza (the fourth town along if you are coming from La Spezia) had the most vibe. It is one of those places where people pass through and are remembered, and they return, and they tell their friends about. It is a place with a soul, full of warm friendly people. Reminded me of another place Minky introduced me to - Haad Rin with its Hiatus Cafe, and Vernazza has the Blue Marlin.

It was almost sunset when we arrived. The warm glow enveloping the gorgeous piazza on the sea. It was in the early hours of the next morning that it all changed. The sea went from serene to violent and then spectacular through the next day. Of course it was all background to the exquisite early cocktails, dessert wine and amaretti biscuits and later the mojitos. We enjoyed it from the slightly illegal vantage point in the police boat yard. My red heart necklace was lost in the storm. Sharing it all with a fellow Sydney soul ... all quite priceless.

Five days in Italy and I return a bit fluish, but with feeling that I have had a month out.