2017-August-23 Italy, Liguria, Pontedecimo: 1st WorkAway This Trip

For the past two weeks, Mauro and Carla have been our "WorkAway" hosts.  Our ‘job’ has consisted of helping Mauro on their property a couple of hours a day and then joining them for lunch and dinner to chat away in English. The chats have been a lot of fun and also a great way for us to learn about different aspects of Italian life. We'd like to think that Mauro and Carla have also learnt something about our life in Australia and gotten a small insight into South Africa. 

Mauro and Carla's Beautiful Hilltop House

Very Steep Terraced Garden!

A Few Days' Work To Chop & Then Stack Wood 

Garden Shed - Before Cleanup

Garden Shed - After Cleanup

Although Anthony really enjoyed doing some of the physical work and playing with using the motorised 'wheelbarrow' to move stuff, by lunchtime most days we were ready to head off to explore Genoa and the surrounding area.  We visited quite a few churches and palazzos (literally mini-palaces).  We have too many photos of these to even capture the essence on this blog so will keep them for photo evenings with friends later! Suffice to say that the money pouring into Genoa in days gone by was certainly reflected in the opulence and scale of the aristocracy's homes.

View of Genoa from Palazzo Rosso Rooftop

On our full days off we ventured further afield going to Cinque Terre one day and, on another, catching a boat to Portofino.  The Ligurian coastline is absolutely stunning and the water is crystal clear.  The only problem we encountered was that Jean’s princess feet struggled with the pebble beaches – no soft sand here! 

Cinque Terre - Riomaggiore

Cinque Terre is a string of centuries-old seaside villages on the rugged Italian Riviera coastline. In each of the 5 towns, colourful houses and vineyards cling to steep terraces and harbours are filled with fishing boats. IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP - upon reflection, as much as we enjoyed our day in Cinque Terre we would suggest (if possible) to avoid the area in August as it is teeming with tourists (like us). You'll still enjoy it and marvel at the beauty but it is pretty full on in some places.

Cinque Terre - Corniglia With Manarola In The Background

Anthony At One Of Our Cinque Terre Swim Stops 

San Fruttuosa - Beach Stop On The Way To Portofino

Portofino

Food-wise we have feasted on local Ligurian specialities such as Spinach tart, Foccacia - which is sooo different (and we think better) than the version we get in Oz, homemade pastas and of course Pesto, which is originally from Genoa.  Speaking of homemade, we have been truly spoilt by our hosts as almost everything is homemade – pasta, sauces, jam, beer and even the Limoncino!  We should also say Mauro ensured a steady supply of outstanding espressos.  He even whipped up fabulous cappucinos for Jean some days.

Family Dinner: Jean, Anthony, Mauro, Carla and Nonna Lina

  

And so . . .  today we step (well bus and train to be specific) out of Italy for a week to visit Uli and Walter in Austria (Vienna).  We then return to explore the Italian region of Umbria at our 2^nd Workaway.   Ciao for now! 

 

Carla, Fo and Mauro