Adventure in Cinque Terre

Before the summer finally bade its goodbye in October, I decided to take a short break in Italy before the cold sets in. My lone venture in Italy this time took me to the wonderful five fishing villages, known as the Cinque Terre situated at the Italian Riviera.A giant mosaic depicting the residents of Cinque Terre building the terraces that made Cinque Terre so unique as it is today
My plane landed in Pisa airport and from there, I took a regional train to Riomaggiore , the first of the five coastal villages if your starting point of adventure is from the south.Be prepared for the view that greets you when the train emerged from the dark tunnel of  Riomaggiore’s train station as you might be in for a little surprise. I was physically worn out from all the waiting and traveling. My mind wasn’t at all ready to drink in the landscape that opened out before me. The train appeared to be moving on an invincible track on a cliff with the open sea directly underneath as it slowly came to a halt in Riomaggiore.The train station of Riomaggiore
Stepping out of the train and breathing in the fresh Mediterranean air, I felt somehow refreshed. The warm sea breeze soothed like a balm to the soul. With my (heavy) backpack on my back, I followed the narrow walking trail (which is closed during sea storms) built along the rocky cliffs leading towards the village of Riomaggiore. Riomaggiore, my favourite amongst the five towns.
I’ve seen pictures of the town taken by friends and heard them raved about this place, so I thought I knew what lied ahead. However, seeing this place for myself for the first time totally knocked my breath away. Colourful houses under the deep blue sky were stacked atop another, like a giant formation of Lego bricks. The tunnel along the Lover’s Walk with colourful graffiti
I didn’t linger long during the first day in Riomaggiore as I wanted to head towards my hostel before nightfall. Therefore I headed straight to Manarola, the second Terre. The trail connecting both towns is known as the Lover’s Walk as the view along the way was especially romantic I supposed ? Manarola
The beauty of Manarola can almost rival its neigbouring village Riomaggiore with its pastel-coloured buildings rising up on the edge of a steep cliff. I was half expecting the villages to be sprawling with tourists but all I saw was just a handful of travelers and backpackers, sitting by cafés and gelaterias, enjoying the evening sun. I sat by the steps of Manarola’s small harbour, watching and listening to the gentle rippling of waves, occasionally accompanied by a seagull or two, basking in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun, like a contented cat sunning itself by a window. The whole place was so peaceful.  I almost felt too reluctant to head back to the train station to board the next train to Corniglia, where my hostel was located.