Santa Margherita & Portofino - Warm Italian Aunties, A Fiesty one & the Mediterranean & a

Could still remember the excitement as the Mediterranean coastline came into view of the train window. The captivating sights of rocky cliffs against the mesmirizing blue of the sea affirmed that our decision to re-route away from Rome was a correct one. During this while, one of the Italian aunties that we have been "talk"ing to, beamingly directed our attention from sight to sight, like an experienced tour guide.


The word "talk" was used as we both spoke little of each other's language. However, that did not dissuade both of the Italian aunties from interacting with us, sometimes via entertaining rounds of charades. When we reached our stop at Santa Margherita, the auntie that has yet to alight stood up, shook our hands and wished us "Bon Voyage", and even waved us goodbye fondly as the train pulled away! Talk about warm-hearted!


After plonking our bags in the hotel, we headed towards the beach to take advantage of the warm sunshine that we had missed for a few days. Lying on the stony beach took a while to get used to. But thereafter, having the sunshine warming the body on a cool 20 degree day, the feeling was simply "shiok"!

The next morning, we headed to Portofino, sort of a Monaco-like area, where the Richies park luxury yatches, chill out at costal homes and shop at Prada, LV. Along the way there, have heard SK mention that Portofino's beautiful harbour have propelled it the pages of many magazines and photo-books.

Well, it is really a pretty sight but not too impressed about it. What i enjoyed more was the good conversation that i had with SK on the way.

In the afternoon, we proceeded to Rommagiore to see the famous Cinque Terre, which are supposed to be impressive sights of 5 fishing villages against a rocky coastline. Unfortunately, it was rained out and we had to head back.

On the return trip, i was quite disappointed. Then came along , a skinny conductor auntie who demanded to see our tickets. To our surprise, we are actually to have the tix validated at some machines. We tried to explain that it was an honest mistake as the tix and signs are all in Italian, and the ticket sellers did not tell us anything. But the "garang" lady refused to listen, and insisted repeatedly "25 Euros a ticket! You pay! You Pay!!!" Feeling pissed about spending 10 euros per person on the return tickets, seeing nothing and now having to pay another 25 Euros, we dug our heels and stuck to our ground.

She then threatened " No pay. Police come and **Clack**!!" gesturing the handcuffing action, to which SK replied., "Good!! Police come and we explain." Fired on, she whipped out her phone and proceeded to dial, and stormed off.

Following that, feelings of excitement and anxiety circulated in me as thoughts of being stuck in an overcrowded and smelly cell, and the novelty of a once-in-a-lifetime experience alternated the spaces of my mind. Stop after stop, i was half-expecting the sight of awaiting policemen at the stations.

Finally, when we reached our station of Santa Margherita, we found no sight of any policemen nor even the conductor. That suited us more than fine, and we walked off, wondering if she really believed us or if she thought that it was really not worth the trouble.