Ryan Macke - Cinque Terre '24

Sept 24, 2024

44.1461° N, 9.6439° E

Day 0: Madrid to La Spezia

Jake and I on yet another couch. This time we get to touch toes. Wouldn’t trade it for the world.

The first dinner in Monterosso was delicious. We walked off the train stop, and, even in the dark, we saw these beautiful beaches that, in the sun, I knew would be spectacular.

Day 1: Manarola & Vernazza

Me & some friends (Jake: back left, Scott from Iowa: front right, Shay: big smile)

1st stop Manarola. Swimming in the local watering hole, looking up at a view I have dreamed about for years. The water was crisp, but I think I would have liked it a tad warmer. My skin was pale as all hell, but soaking in the sun on the granite rocks felt immaculate. After 6 weeks in Madrid, I needed some salt on my skin.

Our day was full of dips in the Mediterranean lunches on terraces, Shay taking pictures of his espresso tinis, and more photos than I can comprehend.

Watering hole with some sun & salt

The blue…

Really wanted to jump off that ledge. Ended up jumping off the other one.

The detail contrasted by the blue...

Manarola full of tourists, but justifiably so

Shot list, check

But dinner, boy let me tell you about dinner. We had a rezzie at La Ristorante in Vernazza, on top of the hill. The hike was made easier by a few bottles of wine and a view that got better with every step. We ate perched on the side of the Italian Riviera and watched the sun go down over Vernazza. We sang a peaceful life all the way down.

Better view of the view

Me pretentiously checking the shade of wine against my hand as if I know what I’m talking about

Best view of the view

Best octopus on the Mediterranean

And they were roommates

Notice not a drop of wine left

Day 2: Manarola & Monterosso

First sunrise in a while. We were the only ones in my favorite spot overlooking Manorola. It was cold so I stole Jake’s yellow crewneck and I might just have to steal it again soon. We watched the sun rise and I took way too many photos. The lighting ended up not being what I wanted, but a good start to the day, nevertheless. At least Shay was able to get an epic time-lapse of the sunrise over Manorola…

Shay’s incredible time-lapse.

Shay and his talents

Siri, play Akon’s “Lonely”

Through the foliage

I know, the yellow washes me out

That’s me!

I would later jump off that very ledge

Early mornings in Manarola

6 weeks landlocked for someone who has lived 20 minutes from the beach his whole life can take a toll. Monterosso was exactly the dose of beach that I needed. Beautiful mountain to the left, sand and sea to the right, and a bucket of wine and pizza on my chair. We swam, baked, and relaxed all day. Jake and Scott procured a poem and I read my Kindle. I swam out to the buoys and met a nice Canadian who gave me his goggles. I was sure to leave them in Manarola for the next visitor to enjoy.

Post-sunrise desayuno on the water

Well aren’t you pretty

Friends!

We sat here with a bucket of wine allll day

The word-connoisseur himself, Seńor Talarico, in action

Day 3: Corniglia, Riomaggorie, & Manarola

A hike! How joyous. I followed the same trail markers in Corniglia that we did in the Dolomites. What a flashback. This town is the only of the five perched on the hillside rather than on the beach. The guys split off and did a little extra hiking to get a view of the town from above. Then Scott took his pants off.

If I have to wait for the train, I think I’ll wait here

Corniglia on the cliff

Hombres! (Me, Jake, Scott, & Shay)

Me attempting to model

Our boat trip that day was incredible. Our guide, Mattio, was born and raised in Cinque Terre. And he was a badass. We took off from Riomaggorie and explored all five towns from the water. We docked a few times for some cliff jumping, snorkeling, and even swam through a sea cave. Jake and I hucked it off a little cliff and got the adrenaline pumping. Mattio was telling me about a swell that was about to hit the coast so who knows, maybe I’ll be back to get some waves!

Not our boat, just other cool boats

Really wanted to jump off this

Riomaggorie

Mattio, our badass captain

Who knew geological deposition could be so pretty

Corgy

My face whenever Scott tells people he’s from Iowa

My face when Jake says he doesn’t want to split a glass of wine

Naturally, after our boat tour, I made everyone delay dinner so I could go back to my favorite spot in Manarola and take more photos during sunset. Carpe diem! Who knows when I’ll be back.

Photo 1439/3052

Beauty taking photos of a beauty

Soñador

Try tracing this tree

There aren’t enough lactose pills in the world…

Day 4: Manarola, Vernazza, & Pisa

Last day! Mia and I told ourselves we would jump off the Manorola rock. So instead of heading into Pisa early for our flight, we sent it back into Cinque Terre and Scott packed it with us. It was a rainy day and the water absolutely did not look inviting, but I dove down with my newfound goggles to check it out. I asked the ferry attendant and she gave me a positive, but hesitant, yes that it was safe, so I said freak it. I climbed up that rock, apparently did a push-up (?), and sent her on down. Lots of water in the nose after that one. I could feel Scott holding my hand mentally the whole time. I pop up and Scott is giving me a nice little hoot. I led Mia up the rock, actually held her hand, and the wind gave us a little shake on top to give a little spice to the event. She sent it like a champ, and I jumped off my ledge once more for good luck.

Sorry mama! All safe and sound.

Post-plunge

We got some food, ate some cannolies, and gave a few ratings. Chocolate cannolies: 10/10. We didn’t get a chance to explore Vernazza prior, so we headed that way to see the inspiration for Luca. It was rainy, but it added a little personality to the day. After a few failed attempts, we found a little cafe to eat lunch and naturally, we drank about a liter of wine and some coffee. The European vodka redbull as I like to say. With a more intimate group, it was easy to connect and chat about things more personal. Truly one of my favorite moments of the trip.

Renting Luca on Amazon, $2.99. Seeing the inspiration, priceless.

Votive candles, a tradition I’m rather fond of

Definitely leaning

Trying to keep this international icon dry!

We met up with Jake in Pisa and walked to the Leaning Tower. It was definitely leaning. It was extremely annoying to take pictures of.

Flight delayed. Lounge closed. Layed on the airport floor.

What a trip.

Collab Credit:

Special shoutout to Shay for turning an already sick time-lapse, into an even sicker edit. You are wildly talented my friend.

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