Portofino

Early this morning we dropped anchor near Portofino which is located on the Ligurian coast of Italy. First look told us we were going to have an awesome day as the buildings that surrounded the exquisite harbour were bathed in the early morning light and it looked like a scene in a coffee table book. After coming in by tender we explored the harbour surrounds and the beginning of the town. Many restaurants all set up to welcome us back later in the day. In the centre of the harbour environs, was a jetty that we had to walk along to get a ferry (it was a very large boat) out to the surrounding islands. After a twenty minute or so cruise, taking in the rocky coastline, we arrived at the Bay of San Fruttuoso. This small harbour was very picturesque and the sea had many hues of blue and green obviously very deep and varying depths. We walked over the cobble stoned beach and headed towards the Benedictine Monastery which dates back to the 8th century. There is a replica of a bronze statue of Christ of the Abysses in here, and the tale tells that it is in honour of Dario Gonzatti, who drowned here in 1947. The original statue was created and put into the sea to commemorate his death. It was retrieved in 1974 and a new one was created and given back to the sea. This certainly is an island with lots of history and after visiting the Chapel we climbed stone steps to Doria Tower but it was closed. Back on the boat for the trip back to St Margherite, A town very near to Portofino. What a fascinating place - the tall buildings had paintings on the outside walls and decorative windows painted with lots of french doors and other decorations. Full of character and even a market area that sold mostly local produce that looked so fresh. After such a busy morning we needed a nice lunch so we found a very Italian restaurant that sold spaghetti and pizzas in every flavour. How nice was this and the coffee was brilliant too! The island is known for its charm and hospitality and its quaint streets and lanes. We checked out the statues in the park by the sea and marvelled at the incredible art work in all the shops and the footpaths. It was time to get a local bus back to Portofino, just a short journey down the road.... Still time to explore Portofino a little more before having to catch our tender back to the ship. There were lots of stairs leading up to the top of the nearby cliff and many tourists were climbing up so we decided to join them. At the top there was the magnificent Church of St George and graveyard. It is said that his bones are buried here as well. Lovely views of the coast from here as well so well worth the climb..All too soon it was time to wind out way down and wait for the tender and leave this magic place. Marco Polo Cruise 2007