Cinque Terre, Italy - The poet Eugenio Montale wrote that the men and women here were "worthy successors of Hercules" for carving out of inhospitable hillside 6,729 kilometers of terraced vineyards.

* * *

On barren rock houses sprouted like barnacles on capsized ship... of ochre, reds, yellows that feast the eyes like a Manuel Baldemor canvas.

* * *

Riogmaggiore, Maranola, Corniglia, and Monterossa have only stony crags in lieu of sandy beach.... a canvas for Juvenal Sanso.

* * *

Famous last words: "Go ahead and cheat on the mortar, no one will ever find out," said the contractor. And that kurakot, the locals say, is why the Leaning Tower of Pisa continues to draw tourists.

* * *

Unlike the kurakot on Matagtag na Republika roads, which do not invite tourists or even locals.

* * *

Only Vernassa in Cinque Terre has 1,000 sqm of sandy beach... and only half of it on high tide. But the commune helped nature along with a promenade to expand the leisure of holidaymakers. I congratulated Mayor Sinolaco on his beach and told him of RP's 7,107 islands.

* * *

(Actually, 7,109 if we include two man-made creations by honorary Consul General of Austria Dodong Alegrado in Marbago Blue Waters in Cebu and by Fred Ong in Panglao Island Nature Resort and Spa in Tagbilaran).

* * *

Mayor Sinolaco offered to swap choice of high-end apartment in Vernassa for one tropical isle. But the deal fell through when I learned that the garage did not include a Ferrari.

* * *

On skimpy sand beach or rocks, skimpier swimsuits soak up the sun like white laundry laid out to bleach. But they all want a tan... unlike pinays who hide from the sun and search for the elixir bleach whitener like one that worked on Michael Jackson.

* * *

We skipped breakfast to scale the storied Montenero Sanctuary. The view they say is breath-taking. Climbing the terraced vineyards to get there, we were panting for breath.

* * *

Only to find out that we could not see the sanctuary because Fr Franco Pagano, the only pastor in the commune, came down to Riomaggiore to say mass and brought the keys. St. Peter, do not trust this good father with your keys!

* * *

Feedback: jaz@mb.com.ph