Coffee!

We had come to the sea at the foot of the town of Manarola and had some time to wait before our ferry boat arrived. Our guide led those who wanted to continue seeing the town out along that path you see below but we had other ideas.

We needed to sit and have coffee and there was a cafe in this building at the top of the stairs that lead down to sea level. It had outdoor seating. Hooray! We like that and there were no people sitting there.
We chose our table and a happy Italian waitress came to take our order of two double espressos, per favore.

Within minutes other people arrived from the various tour groups which had gathered in the town soon after our arrival and there was still just the one fast and efficient smiling waitress to take care of them. There was a line of people at the door to the cafe, queuing to use the toilets. I heard one American man complain that there wasn't enough toilets. I think he may have been the same man complaining at the Ferrari rest stop. His idea was that they should build more toilets out here where we were sitting (at left), thus giving up space where they could put tables and make money. A genius!

While Carol joined the bathroom line (took 10 minutes to achieve relief) I ordered another round of double espressos as the coffee was so rich and flavorful. I used the opportunity to practice my Italian (thank you Rosetta Stone!) talking to the waitress and complimenting her on being so patient and good natured while being rushed off her feet by so many people at once. The double espressos were 4 Euro each. La Plancia was the name of the cafe with a view.

Here comes the ferry from La Spezia. It will take us to Monterosso al Mare along the coast where we will have lunch ( I am so ready to eat!) We are gathered on a narrow walkway right by the water and the 200 or so passengers on the ferry will have to walk past us before we get our turn to board. Not a great margin of safety here! It was also cool and windy down here so close to the water and we'd already stood for 20 minutes.

One last look back

We have to walk in single file when it is our turn and climb through and over some rocks. There is no jetty for the boat to rest against  so the Captain has to keep the boat motor running to stay in position for the passengers to clamber aboard on the narrow gangway.

 No one fell into the sea. Hooray! Inside the boat was filling up. We found seats without a view but Carol suggested I go up to the top deck and get my photos and video and that's what I did.

See you up there!