{"id":688,"date":"2010-11-07T00:57:13","date_gmt":"2010-11-07T00:57:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/moore-images.com\/blog\/?p=688"},"modified":"2010-11-08T06:06:29","modified_gmt":"2010-11-08T06:06:29","slug":"italy-in-seven-days-part-2-of-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.moore-images.com\/blog\/2010\/11\/italy-in-seven-days-part-2-of-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Italy in Seven Days, Part 2 of 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever admired someone for a long time?\u00a0 You saw the way they carried themselves.\u00a0 You liked the way they dressed.\u00a0 Whenever you all spoke, it was only for a moment, but the exchange left you wanting more.\u00a0 After a long period of deliberation, you ask them on a date.\u00a0 You\u2019re excited because the minute exchanges will now consist of a longer more substantial conversation over dinner.\u00a0 The initial moments were as expected.\u00a0 However, as the date progresses, you discover there\u2019s nothing interesting beyond those initial moments of conversation.\u00a0 The person was all sizzle, but no steak.<\/p>\n

Have you read an outstanding book that you couldn\u2019t put down? \u00a0You read it until you eyes grew tired and when you finished the book it was a bittersweet moment because you no longer had the next chapter to read.\u00a0 However, the author promised a sequel so you waited and waited.\u00a0 The anticipation was so great that you couldn\u2019t wait for it to go on sale.\u00a0 When the release date was announced, you went online or visited the bookstore to pre-order the book.\u00a0 When the bookstore called you or you saw that the item was shipped, you began counting down the minutes until you had the book in your hand.\u00a0 After all the anticipation was over and the book was in your hand, you cancelled plans to do anything that didn\u2019t involve reading the book.\u00a0 However, something strange happened, as you read the book, the storyline was not as compelling, the characters were not as interesting.\u00a0 You built up all this anticipation and you were in the midst of a huge disappointment.\u00a0 You labored through until the end.\u00a0 Yet, the experience was nowhere near the mental reservoir of excitement you had in mind.\u00a0 Lastly, have you ever taken a long-awaited vacation only to be disappointed with the destination?\u00a0 The last example was my potential situation.<\/p>\n

I began my love affair with Cinque Terre<\/a> from a photograph I saw at a camera web site<\/a> (I was researching a lens I later purchased).\u00a0 I saw another image<\/a> of this beautiful coastal town nestled in the Italian mountains. I learned that the village was Manarola, a small fishing village. It is one of five villages within the Liguria region of Italy.\u00a0 The images were beautiful and I thought it would be a great experience to capture these images.\u00a0 I began researching the area and learning about the hiking trails.\u00a0 I did all this before I even knew we were moving to England.\u00a0 When we moved, I knew I had to visit this place before I returned to the US.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
View from the train heading to Cinque Terre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We boarded the train at Pisa.\u00a0 It was an awesome transition watching the terrain change from a hilly environment to large mountains speckled with villages clinging to their sides.\u00a0 After an hour train ride, we arrived at La Spezia.\u00a0 Many people visiting Italy think of Rome, Venice, Milan, etc.\u00a0 However, I was now a couple of stops away from a small fishing village and a long-awaited dream coming true.\u00a0 La Spezia is a town southeast of RioMaggiore, the first village within Cinque Terre (CT), where most regional trains stop.\u00a0 People wanting to continue to CT must transfer to the trains traveling amongst the five villages.\u00a0 When we arrived at La Spezia, we purchased a two-day train and trail pass that provides unlimited access to both for the next 48 hours.\u00a0 We boarded the train and it stopped at RioMaggiore.\u00a0 The villages are only a few kilometers between one another so we literally arrived in Manarola two to three minutes later.\u00a0 The trains travel through the mountains so we couldn\u2019t get a seaside view as we rode.\u00a0 When we departed the train, I was overwhelmed with excitement.\u00a0 The brilliant colors of the homes left me in awe.\u00a0 The colors were so bright and rich they looked as if Crayola did the paint jobs!\u00a0 However, the excitement quickly diminished as the GPS told me our hotel was 200+ yards up the step mountainside village.\u00a0 We hiked up the mountain unsuccessfully looking for our hotel.\u00a0 After several minutes walking around and twice passing a hotel I didn\u2019t book, I asked for assistance. \u00a0I learned our hotel was actually near the water.\u00a0 I quickly walked while Rochelle rested from our ascent up the hill.\u00a0 I found our place sitting less than 50 yards from the edge of the cliff.\u00a0 I checked in and caught up with my sister who was already on her way to the hotel.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
View several yards from the hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It was less than 40 minutes till sunset and that is my favorite photography time.\u00a0 The light from the beautiful blue sky balances with the artificial lights from buildings and street lights.\u00a0 I grabbed a few shots and I walked around the cliff.\u00a0 I was now staring at the very image I saw so many times online.\u00a0 It was more impressive in person than I could\u2019ve imagined.\u00a0 The image of the colorful homes resting on the cliff with the waves crashing below was majestic. \u00a0We walked until I found a great site to capture the twilight beauty of Manarola.\u00a0 Afterwards, we had dinner at a nearby restaurant and called it a night.\u00a0 After years of anticipation, I finished my first date with Manarola.\u00a0 It was not disappointing as she was more intriguing and beautiful than I imagined.<\/p>\n

\"Manarola<\/a><\/p>\n

The next morning I awoke early with camera and tripod in hand and took some more shots of the coastal village.\u00a0 Afterwards, I just chilled and thanked God for the opportunity to be in Italy.\u00a0 Later, Rochelle and I walked the trail to Riomaggiore.\u00a0 It is by far the easiest trail because it is a 15 minute walk along a paved trail that includes a restaurant along the way.\u00a0 We arrived at the village, toured the area, took some photos and boarded the train to Corniglia, the middle village.<\/p>\n

\"Sitting<\/a><\/p>\n

We walked up a steep flight of 382 steps, and bought jewelry from a local merchant, Tony, before we arrived in the town.\u00a0 Unlike the other villages located at sea level, Corniglia is situated relatively high in the mountain.\u00a0 Also, the village was quite small, but it had beautiful views of the mountainside where vineyards littered the cliffs.\u00a0 We began to walk the trail leading to the next village, Vernazza.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Rochelle walking up one of the 382 steps to Cornigia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I learned that God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.\u00a0 I tried to keep that in mind because I do not like heights.\u00a0 However, I was now walking along a pathway that varied in width from several feet to no more than two or three.\u00a0 On my right was the mountain and the other side was a steep descent to the sea.\u00a0 We were a few hundred feet above sea level and when the path is flirting with the edge of a cliff, fear works its way into your head.\u00a0 At times, my sister had to stop and wait for me as labored along the path.\u00a0 The young folks passing or the old folks passing me did not embarrass me.\u00a0 However, I was taught to always walk along the outside of a curb when I was walking next to a woman.\u00a0 That\u2019s the chivalrous thing to do.\u00a0 However, when women passed me on this narrow path.\u00a0 I clutched to the inside of the path hugging the cliff and I let the ladies walk pass me on the outside.\u00a0 I would continue my courteous manners once I got off this mountain.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Buried within this cliff is the narrow trail we used to travel between villages.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Approximately a hour and a half later, we descended into the fourth village, Vernazza.\u00a0 My nerves were a bit done.\u00a0 However, we rested and I knew I would take the \u201ctrain\u201d instead of the trail to the next and last village, Monterosso al Mare.\u00a0 Vernazza\u2019s sea-side is beautiful.\u00a0 It has a natural marina protecting boats and swimmers from the waves.\u00a0 I wanted to return during twilight but I committed to another village.<\/p>\n

\"Bird's<\/a><\/p>\n

We arrived at Monterosso, thus seeing all five villages of Cinque Terre.\u00a0 Rochelle opted to visit the beach while I captured more images.\u00a0 We split up and met up in time to catch the train back to Manarola.\u00a0 However, I returned to Riomaggiore to capture the village during twilight.\u00a0 Rochelle returned to the hotel for dinner.\u00a0 When I was done, I enjoyed dinner at our hotel that has a sea-side view of the cliffs.\u00a0 After dinner, I returned to the room satisfied in my images and confronting my fear of heights.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Sea level shot of Riomaggiore during twilight. I took this a few feet above the water level.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The next morning we packed and headed to the train station for the next and last leg of our trip, Rome.\u00a0 The train ride to Rome was approximately four hours.\u00a0 We arrived in Rome in the early afternoon, dropped our luggage at the holding area, and purchased a self-guided tour of the Vatican.\u00a0 It worked well because we walked around St. Peter\u2019s Square until the tour began.\u00a0 Afterwards, we joined the tour and walked into the Vatican Museum without delay\u2014no waiting in line required.\u00a0 We visited the many artifacts including the Sistine Chapel.\u00a0 Next, we decided to tour some of the nearby landmarks.\u00a0 After visiting the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, The Pantheon, and other locations, we returned to obtain our luggage.\u00a0 We headed to our hotel, checked-in, and had dinner at a nearby restaurant.\u00a0 Once again, we have a productive day on our last stop.<\/p>\n

\"Fountain<\/a><\/p>\n

It’s our last full day in Italy. \u00a0We awoke early and headed into the city center.\u00a0 It\u2019s Saturday and admission into the Colosseum and Forum is free.\u00a0 As we arrive at the site, we take photos with guys dressed as Roman soldiers.\u00a0 Afterwards, they ask for $20 Euros as compensation!\u00a0 As we walk to the Colosseum, we decide to participate in a guided tour of the Colosseum and the Forum.\u00a0 Once again, we bypass the waiting lines and immediately enter both historical landmarks.\u00a0 Once we completed those tours, we began visiting other areas of Rome.\u00a0 The city is bustling with thousands of tourists even though this is the more moderate time for tourists.\u00a0 Rochelle and I split and we meet up a few hours later.\u00a0 She went shopping and I go\u2026well, you know what I do!\u00a0 We return to the Colosseum and I take shots of the Colosseum during twilight.\u00a0 When I finished, we had dinner and headed back to the hotel for our last night in Italy.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

Our flight was not until 9:00 PM.\u00a0 Therefore, we take the time and sleep in for the first time in nearly a week.\u00a0 When we finally checked-out, we head to the Rome Terminal awaiting our bus ride to the airport.\u00a0 We still have a few more hours. \u00a0So, we visit a bookstore and I see a Rome calendar with images of places we didn\u2019t visit.\u00a0 Since I have some time, I go and grab some last-minute shots of the Piazza di Spagna and other memorable shots along the way.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Every few minutes she was engaged in a dialogue with someone.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I return and we check-in the area for our bus ride to the airport.\u00a0 We grab a bite to eat as we wait for our plane and later we board the plane to England.\u00a0 We arrive safely and we go to my car for the ride home.\u00a0 At home, all is well.\u00a0 Rochelle decides to visit London the next day and I chill at home as I prepare for work the following day.\u00a0 The next day I take her to the airport, and then I go to work.\u00a0 I\u2019m back into my routine.\u00a0 However, I had an outstanding time with my sister and nearly 1,200 images chronicling this amazing trip. \u00a0I was truly thankful how the weather, the locations, the companionship, and the images worked out so well. \u00a0I thank God for a trip of a lifetime!<\/p>\n

-Roger<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Have you ever admired someone for a long time?\u00a0 You saw the way they carried themselves.\u00a0 You liked the way they dressed.\u00a0 Whenever you all spoke, it was only for a moment, but the exchange left you wanting more.\u00a0 After a long period of deliberation, you ask them on a date.\u00a0 You\u2019re excited because the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0},"categories":[3],"tags":[138,150,151,141,154,148,134,140,143,153,152,137,139,144,149,233,71,155,76,142],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t