Day #8 Cinque Terre

Our last day in Italy was at Cinque Terre. It was 5 small villages along the Mediterranean Sea. Each village was built on the rocks right next to the sea. These towns were isolated until the rail road came though in the early 1900's. There was nothing specific to see like sculptures, monuments or ruins. It was just a fun place to visit. This would have been the perfect honey moon spot. Below are some random pictures of the villages. We made it to the 1st 3 of the 5 towns.

Over looking the Mediterranean Sea.

The houses were stacked right next to each other, and colored like easter eggs. Notice the little old lady out on her banister watching the many tourist.

Justin , Emily and Lyndi

Looking down on the 2nd Village, Manarola

I think all of Italy dries their clothes out side the windows.

Justin and the kids. He has a death grip on Lyndi, with a close eye on Keanna. The water was amazingly clear. You could see right to the bottom. Just like a mountain lake (absolutely beautiful)!

This is the walk that connects the villages. It cost 5 euro's just to walk in the walkway. That equals $7.50 each. The train was only 1 euro. (what a rip off/tourist trap).

Looking towards Vernazza, the 4th town we didn't make it to.

This was awsome!! This was place called 'Lover's Point'. Along the walk this was a meeting point between 2 towns Riomaggiore and Manarola. According to tradition, you could 'lock your heart' there. I just wanted to capitalize on the moment.

Lover's Point with 100's of locks.

In Manarola, this older lady walked by me. I thought it was neat. Just another day to her. Here I am, a tourist taking pictures. I actually got some video of it to.

The main industry was grape vinyards. Along the mountain sides, they had carved them out and planted vinyards all over the mountains. We walked along this path and took more pictures.

Along the path, these were the trails to the private little vinyard plots.

This was cemetary. This is where the ashes were kept. If the relatives wanted the plot longer they have to pay extra.

The water was very clear, I am pointing at a school of fish.

So we stopped to let the kids play at a small park. Notice the extra curricular activities in the background. I thought it was very european!

Going swimming in the Mediterranean. Keana and Alya had a ball! Justin and I got Roper some good skipping rocks.

Lyndi looking on

Raising the boats at the end of the day.

On our way back. Stacy and I were converted to Italian ice cream called gelato, VERY good! This flavor was coconut, her favorite. Notice the green Albertsons bag we had been carrying around since Boise! Fun place to visit. Italy was an incredible place to visit.

Day #7 Pisa, Florence & WWII Memorial

This was a day that of all the places we visited, we probably cheated Florence the most on time. We went to the infamous leaning tower of Pisa and then on to Florence to see the famous Michelangelo's "David" statue. Then ended the day with a WWII monument just outside of Florence. It was a great way to end the day. Then we returned to Camp Darby to rest and prepare for Cinque Terre.

We had to get pictures of us holding up the tower. When we got there, we realized we were not the first ones to think of that.

Me putting my back into it.

Jason was too cool to do it. We finally talked him into it. Isn't he so strong.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa. You can see that this thing was worked on for about 100 years. It was started up to the 4th level then work stopped. Someone else tried to correct it 10-15 years later as it was starting to lean. They went up 3 more levels. Finally 50 + years later someone capped it off. So, you can see the three different directions that it was built on to correct it's leaning problem.

An up close picture. The tower was in a bog and began to sank. That's why it is leaning.

A cathedral next to the leaning tower.

A baptistery next to the cathedral and the leaning tower.

On to Florence. This is a picture of Florence from a hill top.

Someone had just gotten married somewhere around there. The bride and groom were getting in their limo. Keanna and Ayla were impressed with the "beautiful princess" there.

This picture shows a church that is really old and while we were there taking pictures, the bells chimed. It was really neat.

Many years ago, the bridge in this picture was used for trading. It was set up with shops all along the bridge. Like a flea market. Pretty amazing. There are still little shops set up along there today.

Italians love there big basilica's with all colors of beautiful marble decorating the outside. This was the Dumo.

A beautiful gold plated door on a baptistery opposite side of the Dumo.

Italians love their marble and fountains. It was fun to be walking a crowded street, then it would open up into this "plaza" and there was always a fountain and lots of pigeons.

Another picture of the fountain above. Emily (censoring) waving HI!

The last stop of the day was The WWII monument dedicated to the hundreds of fallen soldiers that fought for our freedoms in Italy. It was very humbling and made me appreciate my grandparents and relatives who fought. Along with those who are fighting today. I can't comprehend how hard that is to see your husband leave not knowing if they will come back. Thank you to all of the military men and women fighting and sacrificing for us today and those who did many years ago.

A wall that had listed all the names of the 4,902 fallen soldiers.

Justin and Jason by the monument.

There were two sides of headstones where the fallen soldiers have been buried. Crosses for Christians and stars for Jews. It was very humbling.

Not all the names of the fallen soldiers were known. Here is what was written on the cross if they were unknown. They were "known to God." I thought that was impressive.

We were leaving as the sun was setting. We caught this photo of the flag being taken down. I thought it was impressive.

A picture from the entrance of the monument. The headstones were on both sides of the monument.

Jason and I. It was a very peaceful and serene place to reflect.

As we were leaving Keanna and Ayla found some leaves to play in. It was really cute.

Aren't they the cutest nieces! On to Cinque Terre.

Volterra part II (Twilight portion)

Here is a post for all you Twilight fans. I attempted to download a video I took of Bella's very steps through the streets of Volterra, but it didn't work. So, here are some fun pictures anyway.

Bella got dropped off at the bottom of the street by Alice. Here she is getting ready to run through the crowded square to go towards Edward.

This was a door down the dark alley way where Edward was hiding, ready to step into the light. (Apparently I am not the first fan to have been here).

The door the Volturri used to take Bella, Edward and Alice to meet with the "head vampires."

The cast as we are filming the actual footage. As Bella is working her way across the square towards Edward.

Bella (Emily) and Edward. Edward in this session getting a little eager to turn Bella into a vampire.

The dark street where Edward was awaiting his final fate.

Edward not quite understanding that Bella DOES NOT turn into a vampire while with the Volturri.

Bella explaining to a disappointed Edward that the Volturri are with us. We are really scared as they are taking us to meet with the "head vampires."

Bella, Edward and Alice exit grateful that they are not part of the tourists coming in to be the Volturri's lunch.