RogerDodger and FancyNancy Circle the Globe: Portofino.

Portofino is an ancient fishing village that has evolved into a stunning modern port, it is located on the western tip of the Golfo del Tigullio, and looks like the kind of place jet setters flock to. Nanc and I only looked a little out of place.

This is the furthest North we’ve ventured. It took us 2 trains and a bus to get here...our first thought getting off the bus was...WOW! This is beautiful, everything...the water, the sky, the village...oh look a Castle and all these wonderful boats, talk about post card perfect.

A couple things on our agenda, the main attraction is Michelle Vitaloni’s, WILD, a presentation of his “Animal Sculptures”...the venue for this exhibit is even better, Castello Brown. OK, lets see??? Great Art in a Real Castle...are you kidding...Pick Me! But before that we want to stop and see Grimoldi’s Statue Garden.

The Garden is interesting, what passes for art sometimes has you shaking your head...but the very next exhibit is awesome...all in the eye of the beholder as they say. I think they advertise 174 different pieces, and what a place to display them, center of the semi circled harbor on the hillside just below the castle and church...spectacular. One piece was plastic water bottles melted together and painted blue (maybe a school project), on this one I kinda missed the point, but it did make me laugh. Overall we felt a very well spent 90 minutes, the pieces were well displayed, and again the location is beautiful. I will post some on facebook.

Next! Vitaloni’s art work is simply magnificent, and getting to it is pretty cool also, starting at the docks, you wind your way around the mountain on footpaths that eventually lead you to the Castle. Awesome views and the Castle is unbelievable. The art work is amazing and the way its laid out in the Castle is genius. The artist captures the creatures he sculpts to perfection. His works are categorized as “Specie Sculptures” and the description used by critics is “Hyperrealistic’. The castle dates to the 15th Century and has a long history. A wonderful and charming exhibit that will make you anxious to see more!

The viewing of such wonderful art has made us hungry, we circle back down to the water, find a nice pizzeria with shade, order lunch and a little glass of vino. Just another day on the Italian coast!

We spent about an hour checking out the town and some of the shops, I wanted to get a few more shots of boats (I love boats remember), and we wondered back down to the other side of the dock. We had the best luck and fell in with a foursome from Wales...these people were having way to much fun...we talked and laughed and then they insisted getting pictures with us...what a friendly and lovable group...two couple’s Alan and Elaine and Edward and Catherine. I think Edward had maybe had a little to much vino and fallen down (but was back up)...this was what had them all laughing and carrying on. This is another great moment on the road and the reason to travel...It is always great to meet new people and have a fun connection. As we made our way towards the bus we bade our new friends Arrivederchi and started the long trek home. We did the 382 steps with no stops, rests, or breaks...a first! We celebrated with chocolate ice cream on bars...perfect!