Celle Ligure (Chell-eh) (League-goo-rhee-eh)

Yesterday we were invited by a few friends to join them for a day at the beach. I was excited to go but not too excited to battle the crowds for a space to lay my beach towel. When we finally got to the beach, Deme and I were pleasantly surprised, he had never been to Celle Ligure either.

Many of the beaches in Italy look like this, crowded, over run with people looking for a space to lie down and take in some sun. The Italian Riviera IS all it's cracked up to be, with warm gorgeous blue-green water and breathtaking sights on and off the beach. Usually there are amenities near by like cash machines, a tobacco shop and plenty of food to be found.

The beaches in Italy are generally free and open to the public but if you want a beach chair and an umbrella, it will cost you around 10 Euros. Many places are first-come-first-serve but you can also call to reserve a chair and umbrella. Most "beaches" come complete with a restroom, changing area, lockers, bar, free cold shower (you have to pay for a hot one), life guard and some equipment rentals. Thank you to Rossella for reserving three chairs for us and for to Marco D. for inviting us. A great time was had by all.

The beach we were lucky enough to get places at is pictured below. There was a roped off shallow sandy cove for kids to play in but right around the corner was a rocky outcropping that was teeming with fish! The water was wonderfully clear, even at 10 feet or more I could still see the rocks below. We lucked out! This particular beach is called a "lido", where there are decks made of wood and paved concrete areas where beach chairs and umbrella were placed. The lifeguard helped me to position my umbrella and after a short swim I was ready to take in some sun.

Here I am doing just that.

Giordano (our nephew) listens to an I-pod and acts cool.

After a light lunch at the bar we, Giordano and I head out to snorkel and swim. (Deme is not much of a swimmer and I am from Guam remember.) We circumnavigated the cove in search of fish and other marine life. There were crabs, sea anemones, plenty of fish and sea urchins! We borrowed a discarded net and snagged one. At first Giordano was weary about picking up the urchin with his bear hands but after my example, he held it proudly for a photo. The snorkeling really reminded me of Guam.

Deme eats a sandwich I made and of course is playing with something technological.

*I really had a nice day and it was the first time I swam while pregnant. I think I might have pulled a groin muscle by diving and swimming too strenuously but I was glad for a day at the beach nevertheless.

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