Randy's Favorites

Today we leave the Italian Riviera, but before we do, I would like to share the favorite Randy Collier originals from this past week.

Portofino - Port of the Rich and Famous

Portofino is the prime vacation spot for Italian dignitaries, Hollywood celebrities...

... and the not-so-rich-and-famous fortunate ones.

Randy volunteering to photograph vacationing couples.

Other very happy photographers in our group.

Can you imagine how breathtaking this landscape would have been without the gigundous yacht blocking the view?

The Harbor is a ring of various small designer shops like Gucci, Dior, Giorgio Armani, and Salvator Ferragamo...

... evident by the creative rain wear sported today.

the new box, bag,

and shower cap fashion!

LOOK! a walking umbrella!

We hiked to this lighthouse and contemplated this modern sculpture garden.

hmmm...

Hey! I can tell what THIS is!

Another beautiful place; another beautiful day.

Four out of Five Ain't Bad

Five rustic villages of the Italian Riviera make up the Cinque Terra (the five lands). Today we visited four of them. Walking paths, trains, and boats connect the villages. They are not accessible by car. Here is a piece of interesting information - This area is the birthplace of pesto.

Our group caught a train from Comogli to the first village.

These two look happy to be together!

Monterroso

Monterosso has the only sandy beach in the Cinque Terra.

We found a cathedral in town with a comforting atmosphere --

What were they thinking when they designed this place?

Back on the train to --

Manarola

The Mediterranean is so blue and inviting, we just had to be a part of it!

We walked "the way of Love" from this village to the next.

Couples lock their love and toss the key into the water below.

What is a lover's walk without an accordion serenade?

What is a Lover's Walk without two Lovers?

After about a twenty minute walk, we found --

Riomaggiore

Bodies dot the rocky beach.

Randy decided to give the rocks a try.

We boarded a boat and cruised past the one we missed.

Corniglia

Landing at our last for the day --

Vernazza

This little Italian lady was NOT happy that I snapped her picture! I just smiled, waved, and said, "Gracia!" I don't think I want to know what SHE said.

We climbed a gazillion stone steps to reach this vantage point and enjoy a beautiful sunset. There are amazing rewards when we decide to "endure to the end."

Caught a late night train back to Camogli, arriving at about midnight. An exhausting, but very memorable day.