Levanto to Iqubal Masih - Genoa's Port

We arrived by train from Monterosso into Levanto with plenty of time to hunt out some snacks for the journey to Genoa. We were given good advice by the Trenitalia folks and were able to take a train with space for bikes. It was also populated by some rather unsavory smelly characters. Upon our arrival in Genoa we followed the Uscita (exit) and were surprised to find ourselves on a busy street without a taxi cab in sight. A kind fellow directed us to the cab rank around the corner at what was the 'front' entrance to the station. As we were folding our bikes in preparation to put them in the cab the driver told us it was only 1km to the ferry terminal, easy, only 5 lights. He was right in one way. For Italy it was reasonably straight forward. I was really glad that it was not rush hour. We arrived safely at the shopping mall which houses the offices for 3 major ferry lines. I succeeded in getting our tickets very easily and was very happy to hear that we could board straight away and that the bicycles would be no problem. Only partially true. We had an hour and a half wait. We could wait in the very creepy mall with shuttered businesses, durty floors and sketchy characters; or we could wait in the upper parking lot in the cold and wind; or we could go to the Italian Chinese restaurant. Which would you pick? We did too. The food was really tasty, the wine was cheep and we were happy to be out of the wind and feeling safe.