Mediterranean Cruise 2005

Portofino

Waking up to another gloriously sunny and cool morning, we find ourselves moored offshore of the glamorous little Italian village of Portofino.  The colorful apartments and shops that line the small port give an almost Hollywood feel as our tender glides to a stop and we disembark.

There are many sailing boats, small and large, but it’s Voyager in the distance that is the star of the view.  Stepping off onto the dock and walking into the main piazzetta (little piazza), it’s almost overwhelming as to “where do we go first“? 

After making a loop of some of the main shops, we head up the hill towards San Giorgio – the very colorful church on the hill above Portofino.  The decorative stonework leading into the main entrance of the church is so immaculate, I don’t even want to walk on it!

It’s completely worth the climb, as the view of Portofino from here is spectacular!  Stopping for a pair of photos above the harbor gives us a chance to enjoy the view after the steep climb.

…and what a view!

 On the opposite side of the harbor overlooks the Mediterranean Sea with a steep cliff dropping off to rocks below.

Bas relief carvings abound on the entrance door, with Adam and Eve and the serpent actually coming *out of* the stone shows the level of artistic talent.

 After a nice lunch in the piazzetta, Paul and Geri decide they’re going to stroll around Portofino a bit more and then return to the ship for a afternoon of relaxation aboard Voyager.  Kathy and I have other plans, though, and are ready for the next part of today’s adventures!

San Fruttuoso Abbey

We board a relatively small boat and head out around the cove and away from Portofino. We realize how choppy the Mediterranean is as soon as we clear the breakwater! Wheeee!

It ends up smoothing out as our captain knows what he’s doing and gets us to San Fruttuoso Abbey without incident.  It turns out that there are only two ways to get here… by boat (which we’re doing) or down a hillside trail that is so steep they recommend using donkeys!

The Abbey is host to a number of day visitors who enjoy the beach and quiet of the small harbor.  Walking into the complex, it’s clear to see both the simplicity of the architecture and the beauty of the work that can only be seen from certain angles. 

Fishing nets, hung to dry, remind us that this is a working Abbey.  The goats on the hillside next to the inlet cove remind us that this special location is extremely remote.  This was a charming stop and we’re very glad we made it.

Camogli

Our next stop is the small fishing village of Camogli.  It’s thought that the village name is shortened from Casa de Moglie. When the ship captains sailed, they put their wives (mogli) in a sort of home for all of them (casa).

It’s definitely a fishing village, as the multitude of drying nets and fishing boats moored for the day can attest. 

I absolutely love seeing things off the beaten tourist path — seeing how the real people of the country I’m visiting live their days.  The clothes hanging out to dry in the fresh sea breeze remind you that this isn’t just a pretty facade to take tourist money, but rather someone’s home.  It’s a completely different perspective, and I love it.

We’re able to spend a bit just walking about on own – exchanging pleasant smiles with the village residents. 

Along the way, we see a dog drinking directly from a fountain and kids kicking about a soccer ball.  Again … “just local life” and it’s such a great part of any trip to try to find.

We stop for a hot chocolate at this little cafe alongside the shoreline – it’s amazing, by the way, both the chocolate and the cafe – and just watch the people for awhile.  Sometimes, the people watch back.

Boarding our cruiser, evening is approaching and we head back to Portofino – but our boat crew has a special treat for us… Limoncello and freshly made Bruschetta!  What a great way to wrap up this segment!

Portofino by night

By the time we’re back in Portofino, it’s definitely “nighttime”, but we still have about an hour before the last tender runs everyone back to Voyager.

So – taking full advantage of almost every second (grin) of that hour, Kathy “gets her shopping on”.   

I’m the designated “bad guy” (aka timekeeper) and she’s disappointed when we have to literally almost run to make the tender, but we do … and bid farewell to the BEAUTIFUL village of Portofino.