Portofino and the Pearls

 

Truck on an Almost Large Enough Street
Portofino, Italy
May 15, 2024

Another day of walking tours and ferry rides marked most of our activities today. 

The total excursion time was shorter, but coming off a 10-hour day the day before, it seemed almost longer even though we made it back to the ship by 2 PM. We then took a much needed nap and enjoyed some quiet afternoon relaxation to recharge from the past two days. Thankfully, tomorrow is a sea day! Yay. Nothing much planned and certainly not another 14,000 step day. 

Sundial on a Building
Rapallo, Italy
May 15, 2024

We began the morning in Portofino! We were tendered from the ship to the port and that was an experience. And then there was the rain which made the steep streets slick. But we prevailed and saw some inspiring sights although the walking tours are blending into one another. Walking up the steep street in Portofino we came upon a truck driving down the street. There was almost enough room for the pedestrians to pass the truck. Fortunately the truck was smaller than my Ram 1500--because my truck would not fit on this street even with no pedestrians.

After time in Portofino, we ferried to Rapallo, Italy. It was a similar town to Portofino only larger. I found a large sundial on a building in the town square. We were treated to stories of pirates and churches with white robe and other churches with black robes. The tours from the boat created our own crowded conditions in the city, but we enjoyed a focaccia tasting and some coffee during the height of a driving rainstorm. I got very wet, but Chris was lucky to have a raincoat. 

OK, I am gonna say it: I am on walking tour overload. While I am getting a lot of information from the tours, I cannot catalog it all and most of it is getting lost. 

Statue of Christopher Columbus
Santa Margarita, Italy
May 15, 2024

Leaving Rapallo after just about two hours we ferried to Santa Margarita. No, there is no tequila there. 

Santa Margarita is much like Portofino and Rapallo. Built on the coast between the water and the mountain. The rain lessened while we were there, almost stopping. Being wet really made my enthusiasm wane. Santa Margarita is, in my opinion, the most beautiful of the three villages. They have a very nice harbor and a good looking beach. Diving and snorkeling look to be solid activities and the city has many shops. Sadly, by the time we arrived there, being wet and ready to return to the ship, my "who cares" attitude was in play and I missed all of the important historical aspects except that Santa Margarita claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus and not Genoa as we were taught in school. Wait, and they also make expensive limoncello. 

My problem with the walking tours I have been on is that I do not get enough time to immerse myself into the culture and the history. I am getting a broad brush, often without context.

To summarize, today I saw olive trees, busy ports, small cities, mountains, bays, and churches. I am trying to get excited about the places I saw, but due to the rain and overcast I just am coming up short. 

I will enjoy the sea day and use it to improve my attitude. 

Pompeii awaits!

-- Bob Doan, at sea on Celebrity Constellation en route to Naples, Italy