On the next stage of our journey, we left Rapallo behind and headed to Santa Margherita, from where we were to catch a private launch to Porto Fino.
Santa Margherita also was a picturesque coastal town, although I mainly only saw its waterfront. When we arrived, by which time it was very hot, we waited in a little shady reserve near the pier until our launch arrived. When we came back from Porto Fino, our group was given half an hour to explore the town, but by then we were so hot and tired that many of us, including myself, preferred to wait in that shady reserve again.
It was interesting that this region claims to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, the great explorer who opened up new worlds. We were told that he was born in Genoa, not Spain. And yet it was in Santa Margherita, about 35 km south-east of Genoa, that we saw a monument to this great man.
Our fairly short boat trip to Porto Fino along this coastline was most enjoyable. On the way we saw the continuing walled pathway from Rapallo to Porto Fino, which looked like it might have been built by the Romans though apparently that is not proven. (There is also a winding narrow roadway above the path, the only way in and out of Porto Fino, unless you travel by helicopter.)
We also saw many luxury yachts anchored offshore, including an incredibly sleek, tall one that had about three decks, three masts and many crossbars, as though it might look like an ultra-modern tall ship when the sails are unfurled. Even the crossbars (or whatever you call them) had a very aerodynamic curved design. It appeared to be all made from some kind of metal alloy, and had what looked like a big, very modern radar communication system on the top deck. It must have cost millions to build! Unfortunately I was unable to take a photograph of it.
Following are some photos of Santa Margherita taken before and after our trip to Porto Fino, and of some of the coastline we saw as we travelled to Porto Fino.
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| The statue of Christopher Columbus in Santa Margherita, which was just near the pier. |
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| The ongoing red carpet. The pier is on the right. |
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| This photo was taken standing at the fence shown in the previous photo. |
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| Waiting in the shade. |
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| Another view of the Christopher Columbus monument, from the shady spot. |
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| The old castle which like the castle in Rapallo, was built to help fortify the town from invaders from North Africa. |
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| View of Santa Margherita from the top deck of our launch. |
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| Along the way to Port Fino. |
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| Part of the pathway and roadway to Porto Fino. |
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| This photo and the next ones were taken back in Santa Margherita. |
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