Last time we were here, on this very ship, we tendered into Santa Margherita Ligure and walked to Portofino. This time we’re doing the opposite.
In the hills above Portofino are miles of paths, all part of a national park, with good signposts and in reasonable repair - not that either matters to us - but it’s a surprise that we don’t come across anyone else on our entire walk, other than a few locals, until we emerge in Santa Margherita Ligure.
On the way we pass several tiny churches, beautiful houses and views of the Italian Riviera below looking spectacular. We come across an old communal laundry near a water mill. Throughout, the strident call of cicadas is astonishingly loud, but they are hard to spot!
Arriving in Santa Margherita Ligure we first visit Villa Durazzo, a splendid summer home built in 1678 and set in extensive gardens. We take our belated elevenses in the garden before touring the house, which is extra special as musicians for the evening concert are warming up all around the area.
Moving on we revisit the cathedral, take a turn around the main streets and begin to walk back along the scenic coastal road to Portofino.
Several beaches and bays punctuate the twists and turns, along with the occasional hotel elegantly perched on the edge of the road.
Portofino is manically busy, as one might expect for such a picturesque town. The yachting community loves this place and people flock here, so we return immediately to the tender point, luckily getting there just as a tender is about to leave, and we’re back on board by 14:00.
Straight up to lunch, fish and chips for me, the variety is wahoo which has a succulent dense flesh and is extremely tasty.
Lazing around the pool I get an hour of work done before taking the plunge, chatting and otherwise enjoying the hot and sultry afternoon onboard the wonderful Sojourn. When a Banana Mama arrives we think fondly of Tasha whom we met on our recent Caribbean cruise, she encouraged us to try this, amongst others!
We’re forced to come in early to dress for dinner in time to go to Captain’s reception, then take few turns around deck five before returning to our usual haunt - the pool grill bar on deck eight - for aperitifs.
Formal dinner is excellent, with tempura mixed seafood, twice baked Boursin soufflé, tomato consommé, beef Wellington, crème brûlée and Grand Marnier soufflé.
Showtime is the company singers and dancers doing mostly modern things, perhaps not our best show, but they are very good.
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