KCC Day 2: Petrizzi to Monterosso (23 km)

After breakfast this morning, we took our bags outside to be picked up by the minivan that will take them to the next bed and breakfast. Grabbed out lunch packs and followed our guide out of town. Today's hike would be a grueling 23 km, 2 km longer than a half marathon.

The morning started out pretty relaxed, with a gentle climb uphill. We passed by fruit trees and our guide harvested some juicy apricots for us to try.

The trail had more shade than yesterday's, we went through forested paths, with nice looking plants and pretty flowers, even saw a snake!

There were fresh springs on the route to fill our water bottles. We stopped halfway near a lake for lunch, then continued up and down the hilly trail. I got really tired, legs hurting and struggled to keep up.

After what seemed like many hours, we reached the town of Monterosso, our stop for the evening. We got lost a few times as the guide went ahead with the faster hikers, which added to the time it took us to find our hotel. We stayed in the Palazzetto Dell'Orologio, a tiny bed and breakfast right in the town square. There were just a few rooms so most of us had to share bedrooms. It was a somewhat long walk to a restuarant for dinner; we were treated to a lot of free appertizers which were good but not great. They made up for the pasta I ordered which was not very good.

I decided not to hike the third day, would rather not risk injury so I can enjoy the rest of my time in Italy.