Dear subscribers, Once again I must apologise for the length of time between issues. We have covered some beautiful places since the last issue and I have dragged myself away from the beach to tell you all about it. Italy was just beautiful and would have to say probably on my top 3 of countries. I think the last time I wrote was when we were in Nice which was fantastic and great to be able to visit Monaco and Cannes which were so close. We headed from Nice to Cinque Terre, a place that is not well know in Italy but really just absolutely amazing and if you get the chance to go there take it!!! Cinque Terre (meaning 5 towns) is essentially made up of 5 little villages (Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore (where we stayed)) stretched over about 20km of rocky, coastal mediterranean bush, it really was just a fanatstic place to see!! After settling in we ran into several Aussies that we met in Venice. They had already been there for a night and said that the night life wasnt much, and if we would basically have to make our own fun! So we spent the first night in a resturant/bar in Manarola (which we kinds took over with about 20 of us) drinking and singing with guys belting out some great tunes on the guitar. 20 Aussies singing Waltzing Matilda in a quiet little village on the coast of Italy was really a different experience and one to remember! We were told about a great hike (4hrs) from the first town Monterosso back to where we were staying Riomaggiore and had planned to do it on our only day there. As usual the next day turned some ordinary weather as thunderstorms went through early in the morning. With Jade out injured (sprained ankle) Jarrod and I decided that we would brave the early drissle and do the hike. We were so glad we did, it was aboslutely fantastic! Although the first leg was a killer and involved thousands of very steep inclined steps the views were amazing and worth being sore tody! It took about 4 hours but that included a few stops for gilati and pizza for lunch. It was just great and definately worth going there for. Lunch was pretty funny too, Jarrod and I walked into Corniglia, probably the smallest village, got a pizza and a drink, and sat on steps in a 2m path in the village eating, listening to what we called the Italian Joe Cocker, while all the locals went on about their business walking past and up the steps, definately a memory that will not be forgotten!