Manarola

The boat sailed us to the next Cinque Terre's town, Manarola.

Manarola is the second smallest, probably the oldest too in the famous Cinque Terre towns frequented by tourists.

The primary industries in Manarola have traditionally been fishing and wine-making. The local wine, called Sciacchetra, is especially renowned. Anyway, I don't know much about wine.

In recent years, Manarola and its neighboring towns have become popular tourist destinations, particularly in the summer months. Tourist attractions in the region include a famous walking trail between Manarola and Riomaggiore (called Via dell'Amore, "Love's Trail") and hiking trails in the hills and vineyards above the town.

Manarola is characterized by tower houses defending the village. The town is located on a sharp promontory of dark rock, and it is structured around the course, now covered, of the Groppo Brook.

The square is situated on the higher part of the village. Here we find the 1338 parish church in Gothic style, the oratory and the bell tower. Among the houses, stands the white pyramid of cement, a sign for the sailors.

After we get off the boat, we need to walk through this narrow gap between rocks.

Manarola is a town filled with boats, at least on the lower part of it. Covered boats of all kinds line the main street, but it is hard to say when they had last been out.

The water is crystal clear, fishes swim happily and lively.

When husband said we would let them dip into the water here, they were all so happy again.

The best place to view the swimming holes down's there.

One of the picturesque houses tripping down the ravine.

Although there is no real beach here, it has some of the best deep-water swimming areas around.

There are stairs going all the way down to sea level. Husband think it is a good place for the kids to have a little adventuresome swimming down there.

Another little swimming area farther on, but we felt that this isn't as nice as the one we have seen just now. So, we decided to turn back.

Awesome !!

As soon as we get down, William couldn't wait to take off his shirt & pant and ran near to the water.

However, he didn't dive into the water as fast as I thought he will. He said the water is very cold. I think he was chicken out lo.

Later on, his big brother had joined him. I thought with each other's company, they would dare to submerge fast. Well, it wasn't the case.

Both of them sat down & stood up at there for quite a long time, but no sign of getting into the water....

Daddy who couldn't stand to watch his chicken sons had finally stepped in to give them moral support. He gave the boys a target to swim over to the opposite rock. Well, this distance is just 3m. They can swim at least 100X this distance in one shot, if they were to swim in the heated swimming pool, with their goggles up.

As for me, I need to safe guide the belongings. Plus, the boys needed a camera man & video man to record these memorable moments for them.

Ok, daddy swam off first, followed by the big one, then the small one. Within a few minutes time, they had crossed the sea barrier between them.

Yeah, a big "V" for them.

They had sun bathe there for about 10 minutes like that, I started to worry if they would get sun burnt.

Yo, it's time to swim back to the shore, alright. One by one, they swam back to me safe and sound.

Just that, William had swallowed quite some sea water, and he got to rinse his mouth with a full bottle of fresh water. Looking at his twisted facial expression, I just couldn't hold myself not to laugh out.

The hero, who had led this fantastic swim.

This small swimming area is not just good for swimming, but diving as well. If I were 20 years younger, I would sure climb up the rock and jump down.

After they had dried themselves up, we went up to the town center to look for foods.

There are many lovely places to eat and drink in Manarola. Since the boys were very hungry, we didn't really look up at every restaurants.

Since the boys were very hungry, we didn't really look up at every restaurants.

We settled in one of the cafeterias, and ordered the foods with highest calories.

That's including a giant hamburger with a size as big as William's head.

Gosh, he was really hungry that he didn't mind to finish up the raw tomato slices that he will usually leave on the plate.

Vincent too, he had finished up his burger within a several minutes time.

At around 3.30 pm, we went down to the pier to take the boat to continue on our venture.

I feel that Manarola is the best for quiet and relaxation.

Moving away...

further....

and further away....