The Hotel in Varazze, where I spent last night, was definitely a welcoming hotel. I also decided to have dinner at the hotel, as the reviews, dedicated to it in the various sites, were very positive .
Although he also overlooked the Aurelia state road, and probably also due to much less traffic than that of Pietra Ligure, I had no disturbance from the road. Having completed my blog before dinner, I decided to go to bed at 10:30 am. However, the Hotel must have a special agreement with the Varazze film club. In fact, around midnight and a half, in the room next to mine, the screening of Ingmar Bergman’s film was scheduled: “Cries and Whispers”, in two acts reduced for television needs, but in which the actors put all possible pathos, all after the afternoon prologue.
Following the debate, like the cineforums that I have always liked. At some point, the discussion had lapsed into banality and not wanting to listen anymore, I put my good cotton balls in my ears and I was able to sleep until 6:00. It rains and a strong east wind blows, today it will be all opposite. It also threatens rain.
At 9.15 am departure. As far as possible I follow, in the initial part, the seat of the old railway that passes completely by the sea. From Varazze to Arenzano with a succession of galleries interspersed with visions of cliffs where the waves break with high spray, and in some places, the particles of shattered sea foam would settle on my face and the rest of my body. From Arenzano all Aurelia state road, which becomes more and more complicated and busy. About 20 km to go to Genoa, bad roads to cycle through, potholes, bad asphalt, jobs, big city indiscipline. Arrival at the hotel before 12:00. Yesterday they phoned me to tell me that the hotel where I had booked had not yet been reopened and that therefore they would transfer me to another hotel in the chain, near the pier. I was a bit worried, I thought it wasn’t like the one I had chosen, but extraordinary!
I am practically facing my goal today, namely the Genoa aquarium. I try to buy a ticket online, but the application crashes when I enter the date of birth. After almost an hour, I gave up and went to the ticket offices, convincing me that if I had reached there, I could even queue for a bit. There was practically no one, neither outside nor inside. The aquarium is a celebration of the sea, of colors, of the scenic layout, and also a bit of illusionism. The tubs are rightly made to amaze and fascinate adults and children. Little fish, even the smallest, the closer they get to the glass, the bigger they become. The lights are designed to perfection to bring out the beauty and colors of the various fish, between shadows and beams of light. You enter and the first thing you find is a beautiful tank with three manatees. These swim amidst salad leaves they are fond of. They are practically mermaids and their tail resembles that of a mermaid. Second tank with sharks and rays and other Mediterranean fish, such as catshark, sawfish, sea bream and groupers. The tanks are varied and all interesting. I had imagined several times of taking a trip to Genoa for the aquarium, but then you always tell yourself that it is too far, but I did not imagine being left speechless in front of this spectacle of nature, even though I was aware that it is a reconstruction and that probably, these poor fish, are not so well, even if they are certainly treated very well by very experienced people who love them, but they are still in captivity.
Click here for The penguin tank
The tanks that attract the most attention are clearly those with penguins. These birds dive and can be seen both above and below the water, so you have fun in their jumps. When they come out of the water, jumping on the rock, they remain upright, and then walk in their funny way, perhaps arguing with each other.
Click here for Dolphins
The other tank, although currently closed to shows for the known reasons related to the virus, is that of the dolphins. I guessed the time when the instructors feed them so dolphins play for food. For each fish, an evolution, to the delight of those who were there at that moment! They are actually exciting and it shows what intelligence these magnificent mammals have. Between one tub and another, I make myself a nice Ligurian focaccia, a Coke and a chocolate muffin, which must never be missing.
The visit continues among the various tropical environments and also of our islands, up to, in my opinion, the musical-natural apotheosis of the jellyfishes. Such annoying and feared animals, with watercolor colors, dispensers of gentle elegance and regal gait, perform in their tub in synchronized dances to Mozart’s music.
The piranhas are also beautiful to see with their golden, sequin-like spots on a reddish skin. I didn’t think they were really that beautiful. The visit ends and it rains, so I take refuge in the hotel waiting for it to stop to take a little tour in the center of Genoa.
To please my sister, who would otherwise continue to stress me if I didn’t, first of all I go to via del Campo to photograph her plate on the street. Almost a pilgrimage for those like us, who, if they come to Genoa, must necessarily meet a little of Fabrizio (Fabrizio De Andre’, one of most important Italian singer-songwriter). I take a picture, I think I’m in the right place, instead it was Vico del campo. I am a bit confused, I can clearly see that there is a raid underway with a lot of police, many immigrant boys rounded up and stopped, a confabulation between policemen and immigrants. I see a girl with a rather agitated wolf dog, and not having seen the badge, I ask: “but is this via del Campo?” No it’s the one over here. ”I look at her, see the badge, Guardia di Finanza. “I take a picture and it seems to me that I should leave here.” She starts laughing: “Yes, maybe it’s better.” Color note: I think that if she were to search someone, that someone would certainly not complain, but the dog seemed to be quite jealous. They are not areas that make you feel at ease and in my opinion, it was the worst way to get to know a new city, you are shocked, shaken, portrayed, wary, suspicious.
I enter the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, not without first having noticed the exterior of the black and white striped facade, as in many churches in Liguria. I was struck by the solitude of the priest, in charge of confessions, bent over himself, waiting for someone to ask to be heard, but perhaps, these days, few still need to be heard by a priest.
Around the Doge’s Palace, almost without restraint, I sneak into doors, climb stairways, look out from balustrades, a naughty boy! I go out to Piazza De Ferrari to indulge myself with photos of the water fountains. On the square there is also the Carlo Felice theater.
I try and find, with difficulty, the house of Christopher Columbus, near the cloister of Sant’Andrea.
The well of Janus two-faced, who is said to be the founder of the city that bears his name.
I’m hungry. I consult tripadvisor and point to a nearby tavern, Antica osteria Ravecca, in 28th place, out of 1800 restaurants in Genoa. Perfect! Prawn appetizer, first of trofie with catch of the day and fruit bowl, 25 euros!
Return to the hotel, passing by the Bigo. The air has cooled, the clouds have covered the sun before sunset, in a while it will rain. Today 34 km and 100 m. difference in height.
Here the movie
only that; I am able to turn off from deep within without using any aids 
Eyes open, attention gone.
Esc from HTLM , You’ll find the photo in text
Thanks! Grazie, Senor