One day at a time - Levanto, Italy

Our daughter's favourite car

Morning all, I have found time to sort through the photos and thought I would share one town a day.  Yes, I will be nice and only show you 10 from each place.  :-)  Our journey started Thursday 10 Dec 7.40pm Aussie Time.  Well actually, two hours before that as we had to drive to Mum's and Dad's so they could take us to the airport.  2 hours 5mins plane ride to Brisbane.  We had to catch a taxi from Domestic to International ... 5 min at the most trip $30. :-0  No buses available at that time of day.  Then it was a five hour wait before our plane took off at 2.45am Aussie time.  We flew to Singapore 7 hours 30 minutes and had a 45min stop over...brilliant to stretch those legs.  Back on the plane for another 7 hours and 20 mins.... oops make that 8hours and 20mins as we had to go around India as they were doing live missle trials.  We thought that a good plan. :-)  Arrived at Dubai airport 2.00pm.   Then back on the plane at 3.50pm and only 6 hours and 55 minute trip to Milan.  Arrived Milan 7.45pm.  Through customs and everything very quickly.  Had to wait for our bus transfer to Hotel Novetel.  Very nice place but didn't really take much notice as we were all sound asleep by 10pm.  Up the next morning 8ish, breakfast and back on the bus to the airport to catch a bus shuttle into Milan Central Train Station.  We saw snow by the side of the road the closest the kids have been to snow.  Milan station and wow, what a station..... beautiful and the people and their coats and boots...stunning.   On a train to Levanto.  The scenery was stunning.... more snow along the route.

Our daughter's favourite bike

We missed our Levanto stop and ended up at the next stop Monterossa....so back on the train and back to Levanto.  This was meant to be as we got off the train so did the other family from Cairns that we were meeting up with that day.  :-)  So we all walked to Villa Margharita an absolutely lovely Bed and Breakfast that we all recommend run by the wonderful Federico and Paola.  After unloading everything, hugs, catch up as the other family had already been travelling Europe for a week.  We then put on our walking shoes to investigate Levanto.  A beautiful town that we shall if we ever have the money go back to visit.  As you can see by the first few photos we were taken by the very small vehicles of transport.  Well they are smaller than our Holden Commodore which would be average Aussie sized car.

These little cars were everywhere on the road....amazing the size of people that fit into them.

One of the decorated streets of Levanto

The beach area at sunset with the obligatory fisherman

Levanto beach front

Hillside of Levanto

Hillside from the train station of Levanto.....so loved these little villages with their very own church and often fort/castle.  They were all through the hillsides of the Italy we saw.

Our bedroom at Villa Margharita

Now a story to share here and even though this happened I would without a doubt go back and stay at this lovely Bed and Breakfast.   On our last morning in Levanto I was in the bathroom packing things up ready to head off to Genova.  I had shut the sliding door and turned the latch as I wanted a little privacy.  All done and went to open the door and I heard a little clink.....suddenly realised that I could not open the door.  Instantly remembered there was not a window or another entry into this room.  Yes, I panicked.  Yelled at my daughter, who I knew thankfully was on the otherside to try and open it and she couldn't.   That is when I started hammering on the door to go get someone to open it.  'Who?' is the question......I don't care..... someone.   So a minute or later hubby is at the door....jiggling it and giving me suggestions to open it.  None of this worked.   So off they went to get the owner.   All the time I had to keep reminding myself it will be okay.....they can smash this door down if it had to come to that and that I would get out.  The owner came with his toolbox and he had a quick go.....but no he could not open the door.  Think calm thoughts, think calm thoughts.  So he has rung a friend so I had a little wait time.   Thankfully I had a toilet, running water and a tooth brush.  lol  I needed something to do so the 'free people' pushed some postcards under the door and a pen that I thought was going to jam but made it through.  I must say my friend was on the otherside too being very calming and reassuring. Managed to get two postcards written then the friend came along with a bigger toolbox.  More jiggling of the door and finally I was free.   Not sure how long I was in there probably only 15mins in total but hey they were long 15 minutes.

The kids room.  Kids had to share bed....something teenagers so love to do..... not!!  This is a photo of the bed the first morning our daughter has made the bed.....well her side of course. lol

Cinqui Terre tomorrow.