Portofino was eye popping in the early morning as the sun’s rays streamed across the multi-coloured buildings. In times gone by fisherman painted their dwellings in bright colours so that they could identify their homes from the sea and be assured that all was well as they approached port. Today Portofino typifies lifestyles of the rich and famous on the Cote d’Azur.
As our tender approached the dock, a hodge podge of brightly coloured boats came into view, bobbing lazily in the harbour. The early morning sunshine created a luminescence over the water that seemed to dance in the swell. The town’s square was flanked with open air restaurants, temporarily empty of customers because of the hour.
Our adventure took us up to a steep cobbled walkway that followed the coastline out to a lighthouse on the point.
On the way we dodged the odd vehicle as we passed the heavily secured gates to mansions owned by the very wealthy - anonymous to our curious eyes. An aristocratic short-haired tabby strutted past us in indignation at the intrusion into his territory, his eyes fixed defiantly ahead.
In spite of Portofino’s buildings seeming to be a façade devoid of everyday life, somehow protecting the lives of those who can afford to live there, the colour palate that morning surpassed any picture. It was magic.
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